The hearthstone; or, Life at home

The hand uplifted in anger cannot trim the flower-beds ; the fairest plant would wither at the touch of hatred, lying and envy; there must be love and friendship, truth and sanctity in the home in which flowers grow. Else men and women would not use them as nature's emblems and adornments to wreathe the bridal feast and shed the hope of reunion in a brighter world upon the obsequies of the loved and lost. As home is happy, the weeds become extinct and the flowers bloom in greater beauty and abundance. When selfishness and sin have spoiled the Eden of home life, the roses die, the violets fade, " presently the fig tree withers away," only the bare boughs with " nothing but leaves " are left upon the roof-tree of happiness, duty and contentment. The following general directions for the information and guidance of such lovers of flowers as desire and have occasion to cultivate and tend them in the home will be found useful. These directions refer only to the simplest flowers and those easiest to cultivate. With proper care and attention, roses can be grown in a satisfactory manner in the conservatory or drawing-room. To that end, commence operations by throwing away all the old, scraggy plants you have had in pots for years, and commence anew. Then get some new plants. The best are those that have been growing in the open border for one or two years. Take any hybrid perpetual, tea, Bourbon or noisette, one that has had a good freezing and at rest. Take up carefully, so as not to injure the roots, and pot in a strong, rich soil. The best is well-rotted turf, three parts, and well-rotted manure, from the cow-stable, one part. Any new soil — that which underlies the sod of a meadow — is good. Avoid soil from the vegetable garden or from the woods. Choose a heavy clay in preference to a light, sandy soil. A heavy, sweet loam is the more desirable. In choosing pots, take those that will comfortably hold the roots, which should be shortened with sharp pruning shears or knife, say one-third the length. Be careful to have the roots evenly distributed through the pot, press the earth firmly around the roots, and thoroughly water. As soon as potted, or before, if more convenient, the plant must be well pruned or cut back. This point is one of the essentials in rose culture and must not be overlooked. It is a simple thing to show one how to prune the rose; but a difficult task to tell how to do it properly. New wood of nearly all roses usually starts from the root. In that case cut back to within four inches of the ground. If the new growth — that of the past year — has started from above the root, cut still closer — say to within two inches of the old wood. Do not in any case leave any old wood for the purpose of flowering. When the young wood starts from the root cut the old entirely away. Set the pots in a cool, dark room or cellar, where they should remain four weeks, unless in the meantime they commence rapid growth, in which case they should be brought into full light and heat. After the watering the plant received when potted, no more is required until brought to the light. At this point much care is to be