Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1914 — IVY IN LIVING ROOMS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IVY IN LIVING ROOMS

MOST ATTRACTIVE AND HOMELIKE WINTER DECORATIONS.

Modern Heating Systems Affect the Life of Potted Plants, But That Can Be Overcome—Glass Baskets the Best to Use.

With the bleak days of winter and the cold, bare aspect of the trees and Shrubbery, how gratefully our eyes fall upon any bit of green plant life that comes out way. With the modern heating system, however, it rs-diffieult successfully to raise potted plants indoors unless we have an especially arranged apartment for them. Cut , flowers are correspondingly priced with the high cost of living, and .we find it a difficult problem during the winter to secure that attractive

homelike decoration that only living plants and blooms can supply. JSvery English cottage, no matter how humble, is ivy covered and in most of them we find the Ivy inside as well as out. The window sills are filled with growing Ivy. The centerpiece of the dining table is a low glass bowl .with shining ivy leaves, and the living room is made cozy and homelike with this refreshing bit of green placed in many unexpected nooks and corners. It Is from the English this pretty custom of caring for the winter ivy has come t? us, and if we peep Into several modern American suburban homes we shall see Ivy growing in this same fashion. It is really the simplest process In the world to keep the ivy alive, and It Is classed among the A, B, C’s of plant culture. The secret is to keep the roots exposed, and for this reason they should be kept in clear glass and constantly placed where the sunlight can fall upon them. From any wall or terrace clippings may be made ranging from a half to three-quarters of a yard In length. These should be placed In clear cool water, which should be changed twice a week. The leaves should be sponged, and thus kept In a beautiful bright glossy condition. One of the prettiest ideas for arranging the ivy Is to get a small glass basket. They are plentiful in the shops and are also reasonably priced. The ivy may be easily trained to trail around the handle of the basket.