50 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



then let ife draiu by placing it so that the hole in the bottom is clear 

 away from whatever it rests on. In spring, when fine weather 

 suddenly follows a long frost, and the plants have got very dry, 

 through the fear of injuring them by watering them in cold weather, 

 this process of plunging is very beneficial ; but they must have no 

 chill afterwardb-, and should be allowed to get nearly dry again 

 before the next watering. Warm, and even hot water, may be used 

 to water the roots of plants in active growth, but the beginner is 

 recommended not to adopt the practice with any plants that are 

 much prized, as, unless judiciously managed, it is apt to cause 

 diseased appearances in the leaves, and a too sappy state of the 

 stems. On the other hand, the water should be of the same 

 temperature as the room in which the plants are kept ; it may be a 

 few degrees warmer with benefit, but it should never be colder, or 

 disease will follow. 



How TO Select PLA^'TS tor Windows must depend on taste 

 and convenience. Bulbs are as gay and as easy to manage as any 

 subjects in the florist's catalogue. If good, they are sure to bloom, 

 however badly managed ; and the worst that can happen is to have 

 to throw them away when the bloom is over. But there is no real 

 occasion to lose any bulb, whether flowered in water, sand, or good 

 soil. Hyacinths and crocuses, flowered in water, may be restored 

 to vigour by planting them carefully when the bloom is at an end ; 

 perhaps few window-gardeners will succeed in making much of them 

 afterwards ; but it can be done, and is but a small matter where the 

 conveniences exist for it. A rich, sandy soil, the roots spread out 

 without injury, and the bulbs covered from four to six inches, accord- 

 ing to size, are the only necessary conditions to enable the bulbs to 

 complete their growth ; but even then they ought not to be flowered 

 in water the next season, but be planted out in October, the blooms 

 nipped out as soon as they appear, and the season following they 

 will be strong and fine, and fit for any purpose. Among herbaceous 

 plants, Alpine auriculas and primulas are admirable for win- 

 dows, as they may be raised from seed, and aff'ord all the pleasure 

 of cultivating from the first. Even if not grown to perfection, 

 they will be sure to bloom, and, perhaps, give more real gratification 

 than the best that can be purchased. Among shrubs, those with 

 hard, shiny leaves bear with smoke and dust better than any ; and 

 the principal points to attend to will be to encourage growth imme- 

 diately after bloom, and, when the growth is completed, to give very 

 little water, plenty of air, and a moderate amount of sun to insure 

 the ripening of the wood. Unless the wood of the year is well 

 ripened, no hard-wooded plant will bloom well the next season. 

 Among geraniums, the crimson and white uniques are among the 

 best window-plants we have. Of the scarlets, a list of the best is 

 given in the almanack. These will grow well in good loam, broken 

 up with sufiicient sand to render it light and porous ; the addition 

 of one-fourth part leaf-mould will improve the soil ; and if there are 

 no conveniences for the preparation of composts, most nurserymen 

 will supply enough for sixpence for potting twenty or thirty plants. 

 Pompone chrysanthemums are everybody's flowers. If badly grown, 



