THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 235 



we do, I have never yet succeeded in getting a vigorous consti- 

 tutioned plant when put out after the above time. When planted 

 early, they have time to make a good growth before winter without 

 the aid of lire-heat; and wheu plants furnish themselves well over 

 the trellis under such conditions, I find they are much less liable to 

 feel the effects of a varying temperature in the after management, 

 as, not being coddled up in the first stages of their growth, they are 

 more hardy, and will endure a certain amount of excLtement without 

 injury. 



Among many Kentish gardeners, I find that struck cuttings from 

 favourite varieties are generally considered the best for winter work, 

 but for myself, unless 1 have some special sort I wish to increase or 

 cultivate for the winter, I find seedling plants answer every pur- 

 pose, and, indeed, they are less liable to come to premature decay 

 than plants from cuttings, as I have before now seen a whole house 

 of cucumbers drop their leaves and wither up in a day during 

 sultry weather in July, yet with no fault in the management. I 

 have never seen the same with plants raised from seed. "Whether 

 they ever go off so suddenly I cannot say. 



I must now deal with the planting, and whether the plants are 

 from seed or cuttings the remai-ks will apply. Presuming that the 

 plants are ready, the house thoroughly cleansed from all dirt, the 

 paint all scrubbed, and the glass well cleaned, and the soil being 

 in its place for some days, with the boiler and hot-water pipes in 

 good repair, we may plant with a reasonable hope of success, if 

 there is no break-down with the boiler and no steaming of the 

 plants. Put the plants in the soil, with only just a gentle pressure 

 round each. A small supply of water may be given at this time to 

 settle the soil down to the roots. I prefer to plant of an evening, 

 and then shade for the next two days, not longer, and not then 

 unless it is very bright, as I always like to inure my plants to full 

 exposure to the sun in all their -stages, as it gives them a greater 

 power of endurance against any other little vicissitudes that may 

 happen. When cucumbers in houses flag, it is caused either by a 

 weak constitution or for the want of water, or for the want of a 

 judicious system of air-giving. 



PLANTS EMPLOYED EOR THE DECORATION OF 

 APARTMENTS IN PARIS. 



BY AKTONINE CHANTIN, 



Rue de Chatillon, Paris. 



|]T is known that immense numbers of plants are sold in 

 Paris for the embellishment of apartments* where true 

 " window gardening " is far better understood than in 

 almost any other city. The plants, which experience of 

 their constitution and appreciation of their beauty, have 

 rendered especially popular for these purposes, are just such as a 

 considerable number of amateurs would be glad to possess for their 



