Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-10-27
THE INDOOR GARDEN


by ELIZABETH VAN BENTHuYsEN.
1 Imagine that most of my readers
are now having their joys and sorrows
with the indoor garden-that sole sub
Etitute for the out-Of-door theater of
the good months. But as half loaf
is better than no bread. so the pleas
ure Of huving few flowers in the
house during the cold months Is worth
all the time and trouble that it re-
Qulres. and the added consolation Is
present that one need not be entirely
without color and fragrance even
though the winds are blowing a dirge
outside.
There is hardly n real lover of iow-
ers In the world who has not at least
tried to make an indoor winter garden.
some Of us cling with more tenacity
than others TO the expedient, but soon
err or later II comes to every flower
lover as either hope or disappoint-
ment. am convinced that where the
latter state Is reached ii is through
either ignorance or lack of patience.
The intimate association that one
has with the few plants which may
be nurtured throughout the winter
makes them all the dearer. One be-
cOnies better acquainted with them.
They become actually members of the
family and they take on the character
of children us they are given more
and more the sort Of solicitous care
that mother might be expected to be-
STOW upon an invalid child.
Light, moisture warmth. fresh air
and protection from insects are hhe
prime essentials of the winter gnrtlen
Most Towering plants ought TO have
the full sun for ut least Il puff Of the
day. A number OF the foliage plants
viii do very well without the direct
rays II there be plenty Of light.
The heat in the room where plants
are Ia be Kept must be under control
sO that temperature of from 40 to 60
degrees may be maintained overnight
Even where 1t is only possible to MAIN
tain 40 degrees Of heat most Of the or
dinury house plants Gun be kept. II
they can be protected during especially
cold weather from frost striking
through the windows.
One often finds II possible to cut Off
bay window. or other like window
space. so that It ,niay be sheltered by
screens or curtains running well up to
the ceiling. Thus the particular part
Of the room may be kept warmer ut
night and In an atmospheric state bet
ter suited to the plants.
Generlly speaking, the question of
proper moisture Is the most neglected
feature Of the winter gurden problem.
II Is a happy sequel that the prob
lem Is easily regulated. The greatest
trouble Is 60 know just what the plants
require. Moisture in the air is just
as essential us moisture on the soil.
Steam heat and the improved meth
ods for supplying winter comfort To
people, takes the vitalizing element
cut Of the air. It can be resetlied by
placing vessels of water on rnllintors
or near stoves where plants are Kept
in the ROOM Ths evaporation of the
water attends to this necessary detail
quite well.
In providing moisture for the soil II
Is likely that the amateur will overdo
the trick more often than it will be un.
derdohe. Many Of the plants will
take winter snooze through the cold
months and will require little soil
moisture. Plants In bloom and in ac.
tive growth, Of course, Srequire more
In many cuses thorough drainage must
he provided because water-saturated
soil Will prove fatal and you must re.
member that 1t Is quite possible "a
drown q plant.
Escaping Illuminating gas or con
gas will poison your plants. They are
very sensitive and must have mir tC
breathe that Is not polluted. A flower
will discover gas poison before the
average person will do so. Keep your