THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 229 



but there might be hundreds, for in a bed of seedlings there will 

 not be found two alike, however large and full the bed may be. It 

 is generally understood that these irises require a well-prepared 

 sandy soil, but we find them thrive amazingly in our heavy loam if 

 they are but lifted every three years, to bring their roots nearer the 

 surface, and provide them with fresh soil. The best way to cultivate 

 these is to plant a considerable number in an open sunny spot — say 

 on a sloping bank in front of a greenhouse — and leave them undis- 

 turbed for three years ; then take them up in autumn, divide the 

 root3, deeply dig and manure the soil, and plant again. There will 

 be enough far two or three plantations when the roots are divided, 

 for they increase by the roots at a steady pace ; but the most enter- 

 taining way to multiply them is by means of seed sown as soon as 

 ripe. S. H. 



GARDENING WITHOUT A GARDEN. 



BY W. D. PRIOR, ESQ. 



j[T first sight, this title might appear to involve a paradox. 

 Nevertheless, it is strictly true, that every person may 

 enjoy the luxury of a garden without a yard of ground. 

 He must, however, have at his command a place for 

 standing pots, such as a window sill, a balcony or portico, 

 or better still, an area or a flat. Possessing these, his fancy may 

 run riot in a constant succession of greenery and blossom, even in 

 the heart of London, provided there is a modicum of sunshine or a 

 breath of air. The gratification of this addition to urban pleasures, 

 will be duly appreciated by all who are capable of estimating the 

 difference between a look-out upon bright foliage and flowers, or 

 upon stucco fronts and brick walls ; and of comparing the fragrance 

 wafted through windows so adorned, with the natural whiff of the 

 streets. There will also be the pleasurable excitement which attends 

 the culture of flowers even on the most limited scale — which urges 

 " Cook " to assiduously tend her mammoth nettle geranium in the 

 kitchen window, or " Jeames " to cherish some stunted shrub in the 

 back area in a dilapidated tub. Indeed, there seems to be a uni- 

 versal instinct, developing itself in divers ways and under the most 

 adverse conditions, which recognizes intuitively the improved 

 appearance conferred by plant life equally on the mansion or the 

 cottage. 



The gardening of the " sill," which is the chief basis for the 

 operations of out-door, as distinguished from in-door window garden- 

 ing, is neither an elaborate or offensive undertaking. In the present 

 day, nurseries abound in every suburb, from which numerous 

 varieties of beautiful and interesting plants and flowers may be 

 obtained for immediate use, and at a trifling cost. Thus, all the 

 labour and uncertainty of cultivation is spared ; the only trouble 

 connected with this sort of garden being the preservation in health 



