268 TRANSACTIONS OF THE NORTHERN 



I St. Attempting too much. This is the cause of many a failure ; it 

 will never do to try and cultivate so many species of plants which are 

 not adapted to the close atmosphere and uncertain temperature of the 

 sitting room. 



2d. Making a bad selection. It is the general practice to grow Ver- 

 benas, Geraniums, Fuchsias, Heliotropes and Roses, intermixed with 

 Coleus, Begonias, Achyranthes and other tropical plants, thus giving 

 the preference to tender, soft wooded species, while those which are 

 hard wooded and hardy, and evergreen besides, are entirely neglected. 

 These we consider the best for window decoration during the long win- 

 ter months, and will yield lasting pleasure and satisfaction to every one 

 who attempts their growth : English Ivy, Acuba Japonica, Myrtle, Ever- 

 green Privet, Laurastina. American Yew, Pendulous Arborvitas, Tom 

 Thumb Arborvitas, Berberis Aquifolia, Berberis lUicifolia, Daphne Al- 

 pina. Daphne Cucorum, Maherina Odorata, Sollga Heterophylla, 

 Vinca Minor, Vinca Major, Vinca Major Variegata, Gaultheria Procum- 

 bens, Louicera Aurea Reticulata. To these add a few Double Daisies, 

 Chinese Primrose, Mignonette, Hyacinth and Sweet Alyssum. 



Here is a window garden which will not soon fall into the " sere 

 and yellow leaf," and which only needs to be seen in the depth of win- 

 ter to be admired. 



Be careful in the application of water. Too much moisture is the 

 bane of plants kept in the house. Saucers should never be kept full of 

 water, as the absorption of too much moisture is destructive to the roots, 

 and consequently plants bacome unhealthy. It is best to keep them a 

 little too dry, than to give so much water as to produce that soddened 

 condition of the soil which we so often see. Choose fine days during 

 winter, when the thermometer stands above the freezing point to set 

 the plants out of doors for a few minutes, and with a rose watering-pot 

 or syringe wash off the dust which has accumulated on the foliage, and 

 thus restore that " emerald hue " which is so grateful to the eye, when 

 the outside world is covered with snow. 



For pot-culture during summer, some of the free flowering varieties 

 are well fitted. A few well grown Pelargoniums should be added, as no 

 other flower can exceed the richness of their color. The Heliotrope, 

 though a modest flower, fully compensates us for the want of color by 

 the delicious fragrance. The Lemon Verbena {Aloysia Citriodoms) 

 will be needed for the same reason, the fragrance of the leaves being 

 the principal attraction. This, being deciduous, can be easily kept in 

 the cellar during winter. 



Fuchsias are general favorites and will remain in bloom all sum- 

 mer; choose those varieties which have massive, heavy flowers. Cuphea 

 Platy Centra should have the sunniest spot. Grow it in a small pot and 

 it will bloom in perfection. Another handsome and free flowering 

 genus are the Lantanas, with brilliantly colored flowers of every shade, 

 constantUy changing in hue, these when confined to the narrow limits 

 of a flower-pot will bloom more profusely than in the open ground. 



