.870.] WINDOW PLANTS. 89 



ON WINDOW PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



So extended has now become the cultivation of window plants, either as grown 

 within the glass in pots, or without the window in boxes, that attempts in this 

 direction can be seen on every hand by any one who may take a casual walk 

 through any district of London ; and numerous illustrations are furnished, from 

 the window jardinet of the aristocratic mansion in Grosvenor Square, down to 

 the creeping jenny or some such humble floral ministrant that occupies the sill 

 of the second and third floor windows of a dingy-looking house in a narrow street 

 of the Seven Dials. In this way, " one touch of nature" does indeed "make 

 the whole world akin," for the same love for flowers creates the effect in both 

 cases. I always link with the appearance of flowers in the windows of a densely 

 populated neighbourhood the presence within the house of some aspect of the 

 better nature in human kind, that finds its expression in the loving, tender care 

 bestowed on some poor stunted plant or plants, which goes far to redeem human- 

 ity from that wholesale demoralisation it is the fashion of some to be continually 

 charging against it. 



It is interesting to know that in many of the districts of London there is a 

 growing desire to encourage exhibitions of window plants among the labouring 

 classes as well as among the elder children of the parochial schools. A very 

 small subscription list serves to create a number of prizes, for which there is 

 often very keen competition ; and a schoolroom can always be made available for 

 the purposes of the show. The value of these exhibitions, in a civilising and 

 elevating point of view, cannot be too highly estimated, for it has been abundantly 

 manifested that the simple tending of a few homely plants, and the feelings in- 

 spired by such an act, are invaluable in counteracting influences of a debasing 

 character; and have been made instrumental in elevating the home life of a 

 family beyond the ordinary low levels of many a London dwelling. 



Some of the best and most easy of culture among window plants are the 

 common Hydrangea, Fuchsia, the Zonale or horseshoe-leaved, as well as the 

 plain-leaved, the variegated, large-flowering, and scented-foliaged Geraniums 

 (though it is now considered to be scientifically inaccurate to term these Geran- 

 iums, as they are properly Pelargoniums) ; the Mesembryanthemum, or Fig 

 Marigold ; the well-known Calla ^Ethiopica ; the Balsam, the Indiarubber plant 

 (Ficus elasticus) ; the Myrtle, Petunia, Heliotrope ; the old crimson China Rose ; 

 some easily-grown varieties of the Cactus; the yellow-flowering Cytisus race- 

 mosus ; some of the hardy Ferns, &c.,— while even simple flowers, such as the 

 Musk, Auricula, Polyanthus, Cowslip, Double-Daisies, Heartsease, and others, 

 can be added. The foregoing list comprises nothing but what can be obtained 

 of any dealer in plants at a very moderate, if not even a cheap, rate. 



Now, no one can expect to grow plants to perfection, or, failing this, to attain 

 anything like moderate success, unless some care and attention are bestowed upon 

 them. Where there is a love for plants, this necessary service is cheerfully and 

 willingly rendered. 



A few simple rules may prove very acceptable to many who are cultivating 

 window plants in pots. 1st, It is highly necessary that, at the outset, the plants 

 be young and healthy. Diseased and debilitated plants will bring disappoint- 

 ment, and the labour expended on their culture will be, to a great extent, labour 

 lost. 2d, Plants should be properly potted— that is to say, good soil should be 

 used— something that will supply the plant with the necessary food for its sus- 

 tenance : there should also be ample drainage— pieces of broken flower-pots are 



