The Monticellonian., 1916-10-19
THE INDOOR GARDEN
By ELIZABETH VAN BENTHUYsEN.

BY ELIZABETH VAN BEN HOYSEN.
l imagine that most of my readers
are now having their joys and sorrows
with the indoor garden-that sole sub
stitute for the out-of-door theater of
the good months. But as half loaf
is better than no bread, so the pleas
ure of having a few flowers in the
house during the cold months is worth
all the time and trouble that 1t re-
qufres, 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 a real lover of flow
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=
er or later 1t comes to every flower
lover as either hope or disappoint-
ment l 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-
comes better acquainted with them.
They become actually members of the
family, and they take on the character
of children as they are given more
and more the sort of solteitous care
that mother might be expected to be
stow upon an invalid child.
Light, moisture. warmth, fresh air
and protection from insects are the
prime essentials of the winter garden.
Most Towering plants ought to have
the full sun for at least part of the
day. A number of the foliage plants
will do very well without the direct
rays. If there be plenty of light.
The heat in the room where plants
are to be kept must be under control
so that temperature of from DO to 60
degrees may be maintained overnight.
Even where 1t is only possible to main
tain 40 degrees of heat most of the or
binary house plants can be kept, If
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 1t may be sheltered by
screens or curtains running we'll up to
the ceiling. Thus the particular part
of the room may be kept warmer at
night and in an atmospheric state bet
ter suited to the plants.
Generally speaking, the question of
proper moisture Is the most neglected
feature of the winter garden problem.
1t is a happy sequel that the prob
lem Is easily regulated. The greatest
trouble Is to know just what the plants
require. Moisture in the air is lust
as essential as moisture on the soil.
Steam heat and the improved meth
DDS for supplying winter comfort To
people, takes the yitalizing element
out OF the air. 1t can be remedied by
placing vessels of water on radiators,
or near stoves where plants are kept
in the room. The evaporation of the
water attends to this necessary detail
quite We'll.
In providing moisture for the soil il
is likely that the amateur will overdo
the trick more often than 1t will be I'M
derdone. Many of the plants will
take a winter snooze through the cold
months and will require title soil
moisture. Plants in bloom and in ac-
tive growth, of course, require more.
In many cases thorough drainage must
be provided because water-saturated
soil will prove fatal and you must re-
member that il is quite possible 10
drown plant.
Escaping Illuminating gas or coal
gas will poison your plants. They are
very sensitive and must have air To
breathe that is not polluted. A flower
will discover gas poison before the
average person will de So. Keep your