The Morning News

Flowers in the Home.

Few women realize the refining influence of flowers in the home until they see the delight with which children "watch it grow." Given a broad shelf in a sunny window, the children will soon have a saucer garden that will flourish free of expense all winter. The knowledge demanded of the little gardeners is very simple. Gentle heat and moisture cause fresh seeds to germinate, during which process they require darkness. When sprouted, introduce to the light by degrees, and keep constantly watered, but not wet.

In a deep china plate, place a layer of cotton wadding cut to fit. Soak with warm water and sprinkle with kernels of fresh corn, raw peanuts, dried peas or even orange seeds. A dozen acorns will soon be a forest fit for the fairies. An onion, a sweet potato or a turnip will thrive in a wide mouthed bottle filled to the brim. A sponge dripping with warm water and sown with flax seed will soon form a ball of green.

Moneywort only asks a pretty vase filled with pebbles and water. Nasturtiums and morning-glory seeds kept for a day in a cup of warm water and then planted in the deep saucer of a flower pot will flourish. A parsley plant in a shallow pot is as ornamental as it is useful. In a shallow box sow watercress for the family use. Geranium slips take root quickly in water. Cut holes in a piece of cardboard fitted to cover the mouth of a glass, support the slips in this frame and watch the rootlets grow.

Most children have seen the Chinese Lily growing in its bed of pebbles. Better still is the hyacinth bulb set in the mouth of a glass jar full of water. Soon the waxen roots will almost fill the jar; then the flower blooms.