BALTHIS] 



WINDOW GARDENS 281 



set in direct light immediately after potting, leaf growth will 

 begin and become far advanced before the roots develop. The 

 flower spike will also be short and imperfect, this is especially true 

 of the hyacinths and tulips. If no cellar or cold frame is at hand, 

 the pots may be placed close together out-of-doors and covered 

 with a thin coating of chaff, and then about four inches of loam. 

 If allowed to remain undisturbed until severe weather sets in, the 

 loam may be removed with a pick or axe. 



The paper white narcissus and the Chinese sacred lily are 

 among the choicest of the bulbous plants. They may be easily 

 grown either in soil or in bowls of water. Good effects may be 

 secured by growing them in an aquarium. The buttercup 

 oxalis, with its beautiful trusses of canary yellow flowers, is one 

 of the earliest bulbs to grow. It does well as a basket plant. The 

 culture of numerous other bulbs could be attempted with reason- 

 able assurance of success. The amaryllis, calla and Easter lily, 

 are magnificent. 



The addition of vines to the window box is very effective. 

 The English ivy succeeds in almost any situation. For light and 

 favorable rooms the German ivy or the climbing nasturtium are 

 excellent. A box of sweet peas planted in early autumn will 

 give good results, and is excellent for class work. 



Of the tropical foliage plants the following are among the best 

 for house culture: Indian rubber plant, Chinese fan palm, sago 

 palm, Aspidistra, rattan cane, paper reed, century plant, night - 

 blooming cereus, Australian silk oak, umbrella plant, date palms. 

 All the cacti are interesting and easily grown if carefully watered. 

 The begonia, fuchsia, dwarf orange, lemon, wandering jew and 

 Impatiens sultana should be grown if procurable. The Boston 

 fern is probably the best fern for most windows. 



The insect enemies to window plants are usually confined to a 

 few species, all of which may be easily destroyed. For aphis or 

 green fly, spray the foliage with an extract of tobacco stems 

 steeped in water, applied weak at first and gradually increased in 

 strength will soon eradicate fly. Mealy bugs may be washed 

 from the plant or sprayed with fir-tree oil. If, however, a plant 

 is very badly affected, it is better to throw it out entirely. Scales 

 are often troublesome but may be checked by spraying with 

 whale oil soap. When palms are affected the scales may be 

 easily rubbed off with a wedged shaped piece of garden hose, or 



