WTNDOW GARDENING. ;[21 



orations, wreaths, festoons, &c., it is very popular, and in all festive occasions 

 where green drapery is used the Smilax occupies a prominent part — always con- 

 sidered indispensable. It is a bulb, a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and 

 requires a rich but rather sandy soil to grow in perfection, also a liberal use of 

 liquid manure, and when in a growing state must have plenty of water. Its 

 leaves are in reality its branches ; its flowers are of a whitish green, and its ber- 

 ries, or seed-pods, black ; but it is cultivated entirely for its graceful sprays. 

 These are often injured b}'^ their deadly enemies, the red spiders. By giving the 

 plants a good shower of water once a week they will soon be free from the insects, 

 or if this is not convenient, dust them with red pepper. 



The Smilax does not require a very sunny location, but will thrive in a partly 

 shaded window or on a bracket. It propagates itself by offsets from the parent 

 bulb; yet it can also be raised from seeds. It requires some support to cling to, 

 and will run more rapidly if a wire is fastened around the outside edge of the 

 pot, and to this let there be attached small coids an inch or two apart. Fastea 

 the ends of the cords together at the top of the ceiling, and on these slight sup- 

 ports the vines will closely twine . 



In the summer give it but little water, and keep it in the shade where it will 

 remain dormant. In September repot in fresh soil, and give occasional stimu- 

 lants. 



It is one of our most delicate vines for the parlor; a great favorite with every 

 one, for its graceful leaves form a very pleasant effect when trained either around 

 the basket, or pictures or statuary. 



TropcEolnms. 



The varieties of this class arc very numerous — all beautiful and handsome 

 objects for either indoor or garden use. They are all rapid growers during the 

 winter months, and are usually propagated from seeds, which produce a great 

 variety of colors; one especial advantage being the fact of their flowering the 

 first season so soon after planting. For ornamenting the window, or the green- 

 house, or for covering the trellis, arbor, or balcony, they are admirably suited on 

 account of their dense foliage and fine bloom. 



Tropecolum Lobbianum, is better suited for window use, than the open ground. 

 Flowers are of very bright orange and scarlet colors, and vine a very vigorous 

 grower ; propagated best from cuttings. 



The Troposolum Tricolorum, is a bulbous-rooted climber, and best suited for 

 the green-house or conservatory. It should be planted in September to enable 

 it to obtain a good start before the winter starts in. Plant the tubers, which are 

 not unlike a potato, eye upwards, and about an inch and a half beneath the sur- 

 face of the pot, which should be eight to nine inches in diameter, and filled up 

 with a light but rich soil. Give a little water when you plant it, and set the pot 

 in a warm but rather shady spot, not letting the soil become dry ; until you see 

 the shoots starting freely give but little water, then give water daily. When the 

 branches appear, train them to a trellis, or archway, according to your taste. A 



