WINDOW GARDENING. 157 



be given them they will do much better. A moist atmosphere, with the ther- 

 mometer from 70 to 80 degrees at mid-day, are requisites for specimen plants. 

 After flowering, gradually withhold water, turn the pots on their sides, in a diy 

 place where they can remain until wanted the following season. Wiien at rest 

 they should remain in the pots. If long exposed to the air the roots become 

 worthless. By starting at intervals of three to four weeks a succession of bloom 

 may be kept up the whole season. 



Lily of the Valley. 

 "Who does not know and admire this, the loveliest child of the floral family ? 

 Why it is not found in every garden, conservatory, " window," or greenhouse, 

 it is diflBcult to imagine, for there is scarcely a plant more easily cultivated than 

 this. It is easily forced into bloom, and may be kept in succession from Christ- 

 mas until May. For winter or spring flowering, take from the border, clumps 

 as large as will fill pot, box, or any device in which they are wanted to bloom, 

 using a rich strong loam. After potting, plunge out of doors, where they will 

 be sure to freeze hard. Any time after, they may be brought into the greenhouse 

 or conservatory, where they should be given bottom heat, and kept at the high- 

 est possible temperature ; lOO*' with a moist atmosphere, will very soon bring 

 them into flower ; a less heat will answer, but they will not come into flower 

 as quickly. Light is by no means necessary, as they do quite as well on the 

 floor, under the bench, or the pipes, as anywhere else. When once in flower 

 place in any desirable situation. To maintain a succession a reserve should be 

 kept in a cold frame or pot, and brought in as required. For small pots it is 

 best to select only the strong crowns; place four to six in a pot three inches in 

 diameter, and treat as above stated. After flowering, separate and plant in a 

 strong rich soil, where they should remain undisturbed for two years, when they 

 will be strong enough for forcing again. 



Illustrations. 

 The Jardinets illustrated in Figs. 24 to 27 — are constructed of pottery ware, 

 filled with sand in the interior, with here and there an opening for the spike of 

 flowers to grow from the bulb. Figs. 28, 30 and 31 — are costly porcelain, in- 

 tended as elegant mantel piece ornaments. The remaining illustrations are very 

 SIMPLE, and need no special explanation. 



