The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1910-04-22
BY John Il. TimmOns,

Willie VIC care IOT our uOUS0plduCs
during the long winter months we are
anxious to have something choice
which will produce a wealth OF rich
bloom while the outside world Is
bleak and cold. 1t is not a difficult
matter to have house plants, but ali
plants do not bloom freely indoors
during the winter, and often require
little encouragement in the way OF
fertilizer properly applied. This re-
quires judgment or the plants may be
injured.
The best plan is to procure plants
that are known to be winter boomers
and a still better plan liz to get what
you want from some reliable florist
who understands your desires. He
doubtless has grown the plants with
that end in view, anu this makes q
wonderful difference. Plants grown
by amateurs are likely to prove some
what disappointing.
The aZalea is plant rapidly gain
ing in popularity. The Chinese aZa-
leas are much the finest sorts, al
though little slow in growing tC
blooming size, which makes them q
little more costly when purchased
from florists who have had to devote
time and room to them for Is months
to two years. Their pretty compact
bushy form, with pretty foliage, makes
them attractive, and their wealth Of
bloom is such a reward we feel it Is
money and time we'll spent to have
and care for a few azaleas.
They cost from 80 cents to SO each
according to size. These plants are
usually grown and kept in lower and
wider pots or tubs than most other
plants. Pot manufacturers have q
pot made especially for the azalea
and the plants do best in these.
The camelia is another Towering
plant that Is Of somewhat slow growth
but the variety, wealth Of bloom and
fragrance makes it an excellent house
plant. 1t should be classed with the
azalea in Importance and rarity. Each
requires nice, light garden loan, with
little sand, but little of the very
best fertilizer for this sort of plant, or
liquid sheep manure, will assist i'm
producing excellent blooms, but care
must be exercised in applying these
fertilizers.
One of the recent introductions
which is attracting wide attention
o1AOu6 pldAI-1ONC1S LuC "1AIC1 IL u
grant ageratum, which Is easily grown,
requiring less heat and less attention
than any other plants, but paying in
a wealth of lovely, highly scented flow
ers, blooming in great clusters, white
and delicately tinted, all through the
winter and spring. 1t is pleasing in
every way, and plants large enough to
bloom can be purchased from florists
at cost very small compared with
some other winter blooming plants.
After one gets a plant it is easy to
start cuttings from the branches, and
these grow readily.
Another novelty to most flower low
ers, but one that Is not expensive or
difficult to grow, is the beautiful
brugmansia, which
varies in height from / to feet, and
which bears great prOfusion of very
fragrant flowers ranging from 9 to Is
inches in length and as much az eight
inches in width, resembling fluted
satin. They are creamy white, and
most delicately fragrant, and the odor
is very penetrating, which makes it
more desirable. 1t blooms at any time,
and is a favorite for Christmas and
Easter. Florists can supply plants
that will bloom at those periods, and
the cost is small.
Another plant that will be appreci-
ated for it's profuse and continuous
winter blooming is the Euphorbia
Jacquiniflora. 1t grows i'm a pretty
form and bears great numbers of
sanity flowers Of intense crimson
scarlet The flowers are SO numer-
GUS as to completely wreathe the plant
in brilliant color. The flowers last
longer than any know of, sometimes
remaining perfect for about two
The soil for this plant should
be rich garden loan, witha little woods
earth or leaf mold mixed through and
a little sand ON the surface Of the soil.
The pots should be provided with
drainage, as described in former arti-
Giles. The plant is not expensive.
One Of the very sweetest plants
grown, and one that succeeds we'll in
any window, and will reward the grow
er summer and winter with a wonder
full, continuous bloom of richly scented
creamy white flowers is the Olea Fra
grand, or Fragrant Olive. 1t is d
beauty. 1t is easy to grow, and quite
cheap when purchased from the grow
ers. When once established In your
home it will always remain there. Its
fragrance is stronger than that of the
lily and, although its bloom is quite
small, it is prOfuse. The plant will
thrive and bloom even in a north win
dow, and that is something many other
plants will not do. The soil should be
a rich, light loan, SUCH as Is found be-
meath old sod in the woods under old
leaves, with just little sand. Water
ing must be done moderately and reg
ularly.
About the only blue towering pot
plant that is considered of great value
as a winter bloomer Is the Streptos-
olen Ambabilis Magnifica. Notwith-
standing it's remarkable name, 1t is a
simple little plant with wonderful
1t blooms winter and sum-
mer, day after day for the whole year,
and not only that, but from the time
It leaves the cutting bed until IL IL
several years old. How a plant can
nourish such a continuous bloom Is
a mystery, but this one does it. It IS
not costly, is easy grown, and can be
started from cuttings, so if one is Sc
cured II is not difficult to obtain 9TH
ers. 1t will do well in most any kind
Of good earth and is free from dis
ease and pests, making it very desir-
able to those who have but little time
to devote to plants. 1t must be water
I'd regularly, but must not be kept too
wet, or the roots will decay. 1t Is
4 very desirable plant for beginners.
One OF the most pleasing Of flowers
: the winter blooming dwarf sweet
pea, which in many cases will be in