The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-12-08

Agricultural Department Enllrtin
otNe~ io.nteH for Ii.slr 1aie-

form the subject II "A bulletin issued
today ~ the Department 80 AEuc1s-
'4Te- When = @4adoW boN = allied.
tho announcement states the plants
mast Zee Of the same general char
acteT To r" successful b0; n one :
winter garden IS made ~ al plants
IN separate pots a greater variety may
he kept. az the different ported
plants the bulletin SAYS
Those Who dc not have gardens
would do better 10 get po,tlug sol ~
the neares florist. Good pottte~ soil
may he prepared II home. hut It Us
uaily takes considerable are and
forethought Those willing r. take
the trouble may prepare IL by using
one part compost one part good loau
and one part sand IN. compost
should be COW manure. and good turf
Tottec together for a year and turned
two or three times In tn. Interim.
Well d-ecenposed leaf mold would ar
swer as Ii partial s.hstitut. fer the
compost O~ne-twenueth part bone
meal Is a good addition - the mix
ture. /! the ioam Is very heavy. con-
tanning much clay. its proportion
should be somewhat diminished. II
the loan is light and sandy reduce
the amount OF sand, or in Some lo-
c~alities omit II altogether
Potted plants should be examined
occasionally TO see whether ar not
the plant requires reporting. This -
done by holding the hands over the
top Of the pot, invering plant and
all tapping the edge Of the pot go az
to losen 1t. then lifting tn. pot or.
This cannot he done unless the soil
is moderated, moist. If the tail ~
earth Is completely covered With
roots. the plant should be put in a
siishtl larger pot with new potting
soil "firfned" about the old ball ~
earth by "hrning' with the fingers.
Then wet thoroughly.
A housewife who desires a few pot
ted plants, but does not possess the
regulation flower pots. MAY prepare
tin cans that will be quite salts
factory. A small hole should be
made in the bottom OF the can and
a piece of broken croch~ry or a few
stones put in the bottom Of the can
before the earth is added. IN order 10
give the proper drainage. The stones
or crockery also should b. used IN
the regular flower pot
Hanging baskets may be used ad-
~Santageously 10 make an indoor win
~ter-garden attractive. The should he
hung near d light window.
!, If geraniuTns are potted 80 that the
root growth is restricted. and il they
: are kept fairly dry. they may ce fore
ed TO bloom during the winter. Gera-
NUNS are attractive in the ordinary
window box because OF their foliage
| alone. They should not be placed in
a w~lndoWboX with the expectation
that they will bear flowers.
5 Ferns as they come from the florists
: prepared for indoor culture should toe
s placed in a strong light. though they
grow well without sunlight. They
t should be waiered sparingly. but
should be kept moist at all times.
: Improper watering. especially keep
ing the plant soaked or permitting IL
to get dry. is the foundation Of most
. fern difficulties.
1t IS especially difficult not to over
water when the fern is in q jardi-
Mere, where drainage Is necessarily
poor. In spring and summer they
I will reuire three times the water ne
cessary in fell and winter.
: 1t IS we'll occasionally to put them
n in the hathtub and give them q bath
t with weak Soapsuds made from A
G good grade OF soap. The soap must
[ be thoroughly rinsed of immediate
ty. Great care must be exercised not
to injure the fronds. as they are very
e tender. Healy bug is one Of the worst
nemies in house culture. This is a
white. woody insect that works close
to the bottom OF the fronds II found.
the plant should he examined every
o day and all insects removed hy Il
s spiint or toothpick. II the pest Is
:, very bad. cut Of all the top fern with
2 in an inch of the ground. treat
d thoroughly each day until all insects
are exterminated when "A new top can
be grown.
4 Red spider Is "a minute sacktng IN
e sect that thrixes III q dry atmosphere.
Is II can he Kept in check by spraying
the top with clear water. II living
rooms this il frequently irnpractlcable
n. The next rest thing X repea ed baths
The aphis O. green fly Is also eradi-
81 Gated b. washing.
? Ferns should he fed once in Two n
- -rn~ ure.l~ ~ the -A4ra 90 n-Hf-n~ -
watering with dilute nitrate ~ soda
ri "a heaping teaspoonful to n uart o.
- water. ammonia water ia teaspoon
az ful Of ammonia 10 Il quart. Or ma
- nure teachings. Prepared plant fooe
or q lille s~prinkling Of ground bon'
and wood ashes also gives satlstac
e. ton.
g
sf II Is estimated that The aunuh
I Itch ~ l0lsefe% N TIE ACrtA Es ! q