The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-13
ORCHIDS FOR THE WINDOW
GARDEN. ..s..

ORCHIDS FOR THE WINDOW
GARDEN. s
Many Inquiries have been received
regarding the possibility Of CROWNS
orchids In the window garden. A few
may be grown thus with faif success
particularly where no illuminating ga.
is used. Orchids cannot be- expected
to thrive, as in greenhouse, In a livins
room where the air Is more or lese
dry and where the temperature varies
considerably. But tho experiment may
be tried with ono or two plants,
Odontoglosaum oervantessIi grown
In 4 pan. suspended from the top OF Q
sunny window: odontosiossum orispuu
grown In q pot. Will flower in the
sprinS; cypripedium insignia, or iaiys
slipper. towering in winter, grown In
a pot, are the best to begin with.
Forty-hve to flfty-five degrees IL the
| right temperature for these orchids,
but they will stand sixty degrees we'll.
Tho leaves must he frequently sponged
TO remove the dust, and watering must
he done cautiously. The best method
or watering 10 TO set the pots or pans
in tepid water every other day or 80,
~
quickly. No fertilizer OF any kind can
be given.
Dsndeiion roots. used r.ed,cinal,v
have been scarce in England this year
selling around $40 per hundredweight,
but In September $3.50 was paid.
Seems as though there might be a
chance here for the American root.
About fDny pntinJq % coed drnt
rows foot apart Will plant an acre.
The crop Is cultivated and kept free from
weeds. Flower heads must be picked Off
as they appear. otherwise the winged
seeds will cover the cultivators land
and his neighbors' also. smothering OUT
every other plant.
The roots are dug the second year IN
autumn. The roots are used for press
ing out the juice or making dandelion
extract or they are mashed sliced and
dried. The yield should he four or Ave
tons TO the acre. One hundred pounds
OF fresh roots yield about twenty
pounds Of dry material.
German dandelion roots have sold
we'll in England. but this supply has
been cut Off
when visiting st. Louis should visit the
Botanical Gardes. formerly
called Shaw's Gardens. At any season
Of the year there will he sufficient of
Interest to be seen TO make trip 10 the
gardens profitable.
Planters are warned by the Asricul- |
tural Department against the use of |
IlhlA ~.
Even though they do not show disease
they may have been exposed 10 pow
derry scab.
Planters should see tina, the seed po-
tatoes they buy bear the white label of |
the potato inspection service OF the Ag-
ricuItural Department. This label Is !
placed on each Container and certiiics
that the potatoes have been examined
by Federal inspectors and found free
from powdery scsb. that they were |
grown on farms free from and have not |
In any way been exposed 10 the disease.
Some dealers have been buying table !
stock and selling 1t fap seed. These men /,
are not violating any law. but they hrc
exposing their customers 70 the risk Of
The introduction Of a dangerous Olsen 50 .
and quarantine should the powdery /
scab be introduced.
The white seed certificate relates onlv |
TO freedom from powdery scab, hut po- |
atoes so certified are likely 10 he Of |
better quality and less mixed than table
stock potatoes. The supply of certified
SEED potatoes in Maine is ample, and |
The price this year Is low. so that there
!, no excuse for planting table stock
potatoes.
Cac'i are interesting plants for house
'ulture and In a sunny window. where
he temperature does not fall too low
/: night. are sure To thrive. They are
rec from disease and comparatively so
rom insects There are almost in
Vulnerable varieties and all are good
\ hundred or more varieties can be
obtained, the collection making an at
ractire window cactus garden.
Pot the plants always IN the smallest
'ots they will IL. The compost should
Ne good, rich soil two parts. and one
'art sand. DO no. water the plants
NTH two or three days after they
av" been potted. Shade from the sun
niil the plants get started, Cacti re-
ulre but little water and must always
% watered spar!nrly. Apply tho water
freely to the soil. 10 NOT wet the
iants
Succulent leaved plants are desirable
or window culture with cactl. eche-
era. semperNvum. keinia artlculata
r candle plant. aloe arboresceus and
theirs. The compost should consist II
'am. two parts; sand, one part: 10
'hlch should he added a little char
pal and powdered oyster shells. These
lants require hut little water and
wen sunny situation will thrive.
FERTILIZER RESOURCES OF THE .
UNITED STATES.