Flower Raising. — The soil for potting plants should be composed of two parts of fine fibrous earth from the woods and some good garden soil. For cactus use one-half sand or old lime. Second, for drainage, place small pieces of charcoal or broken earth ware over the hole in the bottom of the pot. Place your plant in the centre of the pot, press the earth around it closely, water thoroughly and enough to wet the roots and moisten all the soil. Do not use any more water until the earth looks dry. Some will require water sooner than others. Rap the side of the pot, and if the sound is dull they are wet enough, but if clear and sharp they need more water. Use soft water always; it should be lukewarm. Evening is the best time for watering them. Cuttings of oleander and some other plants root best in a bottle of water in the sunshine. Slips that are pulled FLORICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. 2'JJ off of plants so as to bring a piece of the old wood will be more apt to live. Keep in the light as much as possible. Plants will not live in the dark. It is a good plan to wash plants every few weeks with lukewarm soap-suds and rinse with clean water. The plants suitable for winter blooming are numerous, but none afford so much pleasure as a good collection of bulbs, such as hya- cinth, narcissus, and the early tulips and other bulbs. Plants for winter use should be started from slips or seed in May or June. They should be set in a rich loam and kept damp. In a cool but light situation a large growth is not good, but a strong, close one. Allow no flowers or buds until removed into the house in Septem- ber. When old plants are taken for winter use they should be well cut in, so that new wood may be produced. Remember, it takes about six months to produce a plant for house use that is suitable for blossoms. English Ivy is a charming decoration for rooms in the winter sea- son, but it is difficult to keep the leaves fresh-looking with furnace heat and gas. A lady, whose ivies, in spite of these drawbacks, always retain the appearance of vigor and beauty, put a small piece of beefsteak at the root of the plants every spring and fall. The same result it is said can be produced by lightly rubbing each leaf on both sides with sweet oil. To keep cut flowers fresh the first rule is not to put too many into the glass at once; change the water once or even twice a day, re- move decayed leaves directly they appear, and cut the ends of the stems occasionally. A still better way is to put nitrate of soda in the water — about as much as can be easily taken up by the fingers ; put into the glass each time the water is changed. It will preserve cut flowers in all their beauty for above a fortnight. Common salt- petre in water will almost answer the same purpose, but it is not quite so efficacious. Tuberoses are tender. To do well and blossom early they should be started in the house. Here is oneway: Plant them in old tomato cans, without punching any holes for drainage, set them on the man- 278 THE hearthstone; or, life at home.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Flower Raising. — The soil for potting plants should be composed of two parts of fine fibrous earth from the woods and some good garden soil. For cactus use one-half sand or old lime. Second, for drainage, place small pieces of charcoal or broken earth ware over the hole in the bottom of the pot. Place your plant in the centre of the pot, press the earth around it closely, water thoroughly and enough to wet the roots and moisten all the soil. Do not use any more water until the earth looks dry. Some will require water sooner than others. Rap the side of the pot, and if the sound is dull they are wet enough, but if clear and sharp they need more water. Use soft water always; it should be lukewarm. Evening is the best time for watering them. Cuttings of oleander and some other plants root best in a bottle of water in the sunshine. Slips that are pulled off of plants so as to bring a piece of the old wood will be more apt to live. Keep in the light as much as possible. Plants will not live in the dark. It is a good plan to wash plants every few weeks with lukewarm soap-suds and rinse with clean water. The plants suitable for winter blooming are numerous, but none afford so much pleasure as a good collection of bulbs, such as hyacinth, narcissus, and the early tulips and other bulbs. Plants for winter use should be started from slips or seed in May or June. They should be set in a rich loam and kept damp. In a cool but light situation a large growth is not good, but a strong, close one. Allow no flowers or buds until removed into the house in September. When old plants are taken for winter use they should be well cut in, so that new wood may be produced. Remember, it takes about six months to produce a plant for house use that is suitable for blossoms. English Ivy is a charming decoration for rooms in the winter season, but it is difficult to keep the leaves fresh-looking with furnace heat and gas. A lady, whose ivies, in spite of these drawbacks, always retain the appearance of vigor and beauty, put a small piece of beefsteak at the root of the plants every spring and fall. The same result it is said can be produced by lightly rubbing each leaf on both sides with sweet oil. To keep cut flowers fresh the first rule is not to put too many into the glass at once; change the water once or even twice a day, remove decayed leaves directly they appear, and cut the ends of the stems occasionally. A still better way is to put nitrate of soda in the water — about as much as can be easily taken up by the fingers ; put into the glass each time the water is changed. It will preserve cut flowers in all their beauty for above a fortnight. Common saltpetre in water will almost answer the same purpose, but it is not quite so efficacious. Tuberoses are tender. To do well and blossom early they should be started in the house. Here is oneway: Plant them in old tomato cans, without punching any holes for drainage, set them on the man- 278 THE hearthstone; or, life at home.

The hearthstone; or, Life at home