Plants for Room Decoration.
The universal custom now prevailing in most establishments of having a few plants in addition to cut flowers dotted about the different rooms induces me to write a short paper thereon, not only because it has developed into a very important part of the gardener’s work, but it likewise requires a fair share of taste in the arrangements, as well as suitable plants for the purpose. Generally speaking, each room being differently furnished will require a different class of plants for its adornment, but, as a rule, plants with stiff, upright growth are objectionable to the eye, as they do not hide the pot or stems unless others of a dwarfer growth are associated with them; therefore they should only be used when possessing special features either in flower or foliage. Too many plants in a room are objectionable, because they detract from rather than elevate or enhance the effect, especially if the room is elaborately furnished. For instance, plants assigned to the front hall or corridor would be unsuitable in a drawing room or boudoir.
Another important matter to study is the various kinds of receptacles provided for the use of plants. These vary in size and shape greatly, but are generally of a fanciful, elaborate, and artistic design, and the plants for these should be selected with the greatest care and taste, so as to add a completeness and finish, and in no way hide or diminish the effect of their appearance. I have often found, however, a great difficulty in getting plants to go in them without taking them out of the pots, and in many cases I have found it necessary to reduce the ball of roots in order to fit the latter in properly. This quite ruins the plant, for, in the case of choice or delicate growing subjects, it is almost impossible for them to recover. But in order to meet this difficulty, it is advisable to make a selection of plants, grow them in suitable sized pots, and use them for no other purpose. To do this it requires a sufficient number for three changes; say, if twenty plants are required at one time, sixty should be grown, and duplicates of all to be grown to follow on.
The atmosphere of rooms is generally dry, though warm, and impregnated with gas and other enemies to plant life. So different is all this to the healthy atmosphere of a plant house, that it is necessary that every plant used should have completed its growth, or some injury will follow. Take the different varieties of adiantums, for instance. If used for the decoration of rooms in a growing state, the young fronds would most certainly be injured; yet, when properly prepared, there are no more popular or suitable plants for the purpose, and they can be grown to a useful size in small pots. Nephrolepis exaltata, though not so choice as others, is a most handsome fern to use. Its long and gracefully drooping fronds are an ornament in any position, while many of the Pteris family have a fine and graceful appearance, and may be used freely. Nice plants of Spiræa japonica with or without flowers are very ornamental. The different sorts of lycopods make perfect plants for small vases, as also do the artillery plant (Pilea muscosa) and the little Caladium argyrites. In fact, there is no lack of either foliage or flowering plants suitable for a tasteful arrangement either in a drawing room or boudoir, while for more commodious places, such as the entrance hall, corridor, or staircase, and where larger plants are admissible, there is the beautiful Caladium esculentum, with noble foliage and which stands well, several sorts of palms, the larger fronded ferns, curculigo, Ficus elastica, Hibbertia volubilis, and the calla or Ethiopian lily, all of which have a reputation for retaining their beauty better than many others, and therefore should be grown for the purpose. But to avoid as little injury as possible, frequent changes are necessary, and it is a very good rule to water every plant well before it is used, and when it again needs water change it for another. Let all pots and plants be kept very clean, and avoid letting the plants remain long enough to make growth in the different positions, for such growth, when brought out to the light, is generally very weak.—Thomas Record, The Garden.
THE WAINWRIGHT HORIZONTAL FEED‐WATER HEATER.
We illustrate herewith the Wainwright Horizontal Feed‐Water Heater, adapted for use in a horizontal position under the floor of an engine room, or where the head room is limited. The feed water enters at the lower opening marked “feed,” fills the body of the heater, and having been heated by the exhaust steam surrounding the tubes, passes to the boiler at upper opening marked “feed,” the exhaust entering at either end. A drip pipe, as shown, is provided for escape of the water of condensation, and a hand hole for washing and cleaning. It will be seen that this heater contains a large body of water well disposed to receive heat, the tubes, being of corrugated copper, present 50 per cent. increased heating surface over plain tubes of the same length, while at the same time five times the strength is added, and owing to their property of expansion and contraction, all danger of the ends pulling out or the joints working and leaking is eliminated. This property of expansion and contraction also prevents any accumulation of scale and sediment.
HORIZONTAL FEED‐WATER HEATER.
These heaters are manufactured by The Wainwright Mfg. Co., 65 Oliver St., Boston.