House plants and how to succeed with them

Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

I BULB'S I

II CACTI 21

Introduction

AVING a passionate love of Nature in all its phases, everything- that grows, no matter how humble, has an attraction for me With the first mild days that presage advancing spring, when the sap, which is the life-blood of the plant world, begins to wake from its winter lethargy ; when it first creeps, then, as the sun grows more caressing, bounds upward through trunk and branch, swelling each tiny dormant bud into bursting gladsome life : so my blood (the sap of human existence) dances with glad anticipation of the coming beauty that will enfold the earth. Yet it seems to me but a little while ere all these forms of wondrous and sublime loveliness, with which I delighted my very soul, begin to fade, and, alas! to die. Then my heart is sad and burdened with a wild desire to shield, protect, and save them vi INTRODUCTION

from death, by bringing one and all into shelter from winter's storms and icy blasts.

I wonder how many others have the same longing, and, with but little knowledge of the frail beauties' wants, extend to them their protecting care, beg them to share the gloom of winter, and brighten it with their sweet presence.

Just here our woes begin. We tenderly install the flowers in most favorable situations ; then stand gazing with fond eyes, and proudly beating hearts at having rescued them from an untimely grave. We can scarce contain our joy at the prospect of their bright campanionship, imagining that we have cheated hoary winter out of half its dullness. For a few days all goes smilingly; then we feel a thrill of alarm. Our gentle friends have a depressed appearance; some indeed look quite crestfallen, and are undeniably hanging their pretty heads.

We are panic stricken ; what shall we do to save them ? Are they going to leave us after all our thought and care?

We inquire wildly of everyone we meet, ' ' What is the matter with them? What can^ or sJiall we do? "

Then we read books, catalogues, pamphlets, all the printed lore we can find ; but it is all in vain. Nothing enlightens us, or meets our case, showing us how to prolong these precious lives.

Many of us have been thus defrauded in our expectations, from having too little knowledge, and not knowing where to seek it. I have bought book

INTRODUCTION vii

after book in a vain search, only to find them all a delusion and a snare — so technical, or ambiguous, as to be far beyond my reach or comprehension. Therefore, for the benefit of fellow sufferers, I have determined to put down what little I have found out through bitter experience; knowing that at least it will be practical and true, as far as it goes.

I will try to tell in plain English what house plants have been successful with me, when there were no congenial accommodations; and the poor things were forced to adapt themselves to a poisonous atmosphere of gas, dust, and dry furnace heat. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, I have succeeded in coaxing many of them to change their habitat, and submit, for a while, to circumstances (as many of us are forced to do), until warm days and glad sunshine returned, and they and I could revel in its beams.

I have had many failures with other plants, which, in spite of all my care, would fade away ; and I could only gaze with saddened, moistened eyes while they sank slowly but surely to an early grave.

Did you ever plant a tiny seed and watch anxiously for its fruition?

Perchance after a long and steady downpour, when the sun bursts forth in all its regal power, you steal quickly out to see what has become of your buried hope — to find it, perhaps, just breaking through the sodden ground. How cautiously it peeps through the edges of its protecting shell ! With a sly look around, suddenly it throws aside all viii INTRODUCTION

timidity; saucily it erects its head, boldly proclaiming- to all the world that it is born! What a marvel it is! And what a pleasure to watch its course, from the time when it escapes from the womb of mother earth, imtil it returns again, to add its mite to her enrichment for the support of future generations.

How strange to think that these tiny seeds have been developing, multiplying, renewing themselves for untold decades — just as we human beings have done. Springing up as things of joy and beauty, to please our eyes, and brighten our lives; having performed their mission, they silently fade away to make room for their progeny — even as we step down and out into the unknown, while our places are filled by the countless thousands that are crowding on, ever on, behind us. Such is life — an everlasting renewal !

Yet, when we lose some pet flower, though many, perhaps more beautiful, are crowding in to take its place, they can never quite fill it. There always will be a void, a sense of something wanting: a subtle aroma of the past will ever linger round the present; and we can but sigh over the memory of joys that have been lost in departed beauties.

It is very saddening, when some cherished shrub or vine slowly fades away before our eyes, while we are absolutely helpless to stay its flight. To those who have thus suffered, I write, hoping that I may give them hope ; and I shall endeavor to show how they might have saved those that are gone, and how

INTRODUCTION ix

they can preserve or prolong the life of others that may fall to their loving- ministrations.

Sometimes the simplest things will save them.

Water and large pots are answerable for the fate of many a season's beauties. Water is good, and a bath delicious for opening all their pores and cleansing them of their foes. But they do not wish to be forced to live in a bath-tub.

I would impress it upon you to use good judgment in both of these particulars ; and you must learn to judge for yourself. It is impossible to give an exact rule that will meet every case: as conditions may entirely disagree, and what would be just right at one time might be all wrong at another.

If the temperature of your house is at seventy degrees Fahrenheit, or over, the potted earth will soon become baked. This you must look out for.

Some plants can do without water for a long time, and thrive; while others require a constant supply, and will die without it.

You must know the needs of each individual, in order to succeed with plants.

HOUSE PLANTS

HOW TO SUCCEED WITH THEM

A mar y His

Gladiolus