WINDOW GARDENING. WJ 



the garden, then in September, again put it in a large pot with newer soil, bring 

 to a cool and shady room at first, then gradually bring it to the heat. 



There are several varieties of the Ivy, commonly grown by all gardeners. 

 The Hedera helix is the English Ivy, the common outdoor climbing variety, 

 found in all parts of Europe. It is of slow growth, two feet a year out doors 

 being considered good progress. It needs water more freely than any of the 

 other sorts, for drouth is death to it. It may be propagated by first cutting 

 slips, then rooting them in bottles of water, and afterward transferring with 

 sand. 



The Hedera Canariensis, is the Irish Ivy, slightly larger than the others ; 

 leaves five lobed. Will thrive in a cool, shady, and close room. Too great 

 exposure to the heat of the sun will cause the leaves to turn purple, or ripen 

 too quickly ; yet it will seldom blossom without sunshine. The flower is very 

 ordinary, and it is more to be prized for its elegant light green foliage, which are 

 thrown out from its luxuriant shoots. 



The German Ivy is not properly of this family, but its botanical name is 

 Senecio Scandens. This grows much moi-e rapidly than either of the above, has 

 lighter green leaves, and is entirely free from troublesome insects. Its branches 

 trail in long festoons. Whether grown in the hanging basket, or over the win- 

 dow, it will soon wreath it with its leafy canopy. It may be trained as a pyra- 

 mid by inserting stakes in the pots, and then letting the vine curve around 

 toward the top, or it may be trained as an umbrella, or bushes, or on a semi- 

 circle, or any form that the frame is made to take. Its easy propagation — for 

 every slip will take root — a quick growth, have made it a favorite with every- 

 one. 



Another variety called the Coliseum Ivy, (^Ltnaria Cymbdlaria,^ is also popu- 

 lar. It grows in slender purplish stems, having small green leaves with purple 

 linings, and its flowers are like those of the Antirrhinum, but are very minute, 

 being of lilac, white and yellow tints, mingled together. It grows in cracks or 

 crevices of old buildings, and the roof of the grand Cathedral at Milan, is thickly 

 overgrown with it in patches. It seeds plentifully, sows itself, and is also most 

 easily propagated by cuttings. The soil most suitable for it is light sandy loam", 

 yet it does not endure much moisture or dampness. 



There are still a dozen or fifteen other varieties to be obtained in this country, 

 each peculiar in itself, yet, the variegated varieties, Marginata, Argentea, &c., are 

 the most desirable. They exist in many different forms, all variously margined 

 with creamy, silver, or yellow colors — on the leaves. They are used either for 

 climbers on the walls, or in beds, as margins. They do best when fully ex- 

 posed to the sunshine, and in a comparatively poor soil. Under the name of 

 Silver Edge Ivy, the Argentea has been used for edging flower beds and for ter- 

 race gardens, having a broad margin of silvery white, — other varieties have three 

 colors, white, green, and rose, or 3'ellow. 



The list of varieties exceeds fifty in number, some producing gigantic leaves 

 of thick texture, others white or golden berries, some richly variegated, others 



