Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 October 1874 — Preparing Plants for Winter. [ARTICLE]

Preparing Plants for Winter.

Those who have flowers in the open ground, which they wish to keep in the house during the winter, are very apt to delay taking them up until the first frosty nights show that they are in danger. For ourselves, we do not think it pays to take-up geraniums and such softwootled things that are apt to grow out of shape during the summer, but we make cuttings and start with nice vigorous young plants, but those who have not made this provision will take up the old plants. The first part of (fetober is quite late enough to pot-the plants that are intended for window culture. Any good garden soil will do for potting, and if it is likely to be too stiff and bake after watering mix some sand with it; it is better to use liquid manure after the plant is well established than to add manure to the soil. Use clean pots, and those without cracks, put crocks for drainage in the bottom, and thmrpotl h e plant, removing any straggling roots, and carefully press the soil firm around tlie plant. At the same time trim the plant into shape ; do not be afraid to use the knife freely; the chances are that too much will be left rather than too much cut away. Shade for a few days, water as needed, and when the foliage shows that it has recovered from the shock of rentoval more sun can be given. It is important to inure the p.ants to coniinement- gradually^—set them—on a veranda, or where they will be well exposed to the air and light, and yet be protected from frosts at night; if an unusually cold night, occurs, take them indoors. When finally taken in, place them in a room where the windows can be opened every pleasant day, and do not bring them where there is fire-heat high a temperature and too dry an atniosphere than by cold. Preparations should be made for preserving halt-hardy plants in a pit or in the cellar. If plants are to remain dormant until spring, several may be put. intoonebox, with plenty of earth around the roots. See that the earth is not wet; plants when dormant are more likely to sutler from too much moist tire than from too little. They should be looked to now and then during the winter, and be watered if they absolutely need it. Geraniums cut back winter well in the cellar, but if too much foliage and too many succulent stems are left on, they will decay. Those who have never tried it will be surprised to find what a valuable adjunct a good dry cellar is to the garden in preserving tender plants.— American Agriculturist.