WINDOW OARDENING. 208 



beauty. Its leaves were used to improve the flavor of wine, and to increase its 

 invigorating properties, while its berries were taken as a medicine. Garlands 

 of it were woven to adorn the brows of their chief magistrates, and it was 

 always used to crown the dead. The early Christians continued this custom, 

 but it was prohibited on account of its use by the idolaters ; yet the Myrtle has 

 always been retained as a religious decoration, and, in Germany, composes the 

 bridal wreath. The Italians have a great passion for this plant, preferring its 

 odors to that of the most precious essences, and their baths are often perfumed 

 with water distilled from its leaves, as it is considered a promoter of beauty. 



In Australia the Myrtle grows to a great size, having a large stem or trunk, 

 and sometimes it is one hundred feet in height. 



Tlie Myrtle we cultivate is that spoken of in the Bible, and the Jews still re- 

 gard it with veneration, and always use it to adorn the Feast of the Tabernacles 

 — literally obeying the command of Nehemiah to " Fetch olive, pine and myrtle." 



Culture. 



There is a broad leaved variety, a narrow leaved, the box myrtle, and the 

 Chinese. The last named produces purple flowers, the others bear pure double 

 white flowers, and are always most lovely shrubs for window gardens. 



It does not flourish in a close hot temperature, but will bear a cool, shady 

 window, with a northerly exposure. It needs fresh air and frequent washings, 

 to grow luxuriantly. It does not form roots rapidly, like the Rose and Fuchsia, 

 so will not require repotting often ; and yet do not let it become root-bound, 

 for that will check its blooming. It is propagated by cuttings, which will soon 

 strike under glass, and with a little bottom heat, but not so quickly without 

 them. This plant was formerly to be seen in all window gardens. Why it is 

 not more common now we do not undeistand, unless it be that the Ivy is more 

 popular. 



The cuttings should be made with four or five buds or joints, and covered an 

 inch under the sand. When it begins to show fresh leaves, pot it in good, rich 

 sandy loam, in a three or four inch pot, and keep it shaded for nearly a week. 

 The best soil is two parts loam, and one part rotten dung. It blooms early in June. 



The Periwmkle or Vinca, is sometimes called Running Myrtle, because of its 

 evergreen leaves, which resemble those of the broad leaved myrtle. 



It grows luxuriously in the open garden ; is perfectly hardjs and can be trans- 

 planted into a large sea-shell or any hanging vase filled with good loam ; water 

 it weekly with some stimulant, and it will flourish beautifully; and early in 

 February place every one with its lovely lavender chalices openuig to the sun. It 

 delights in moisture, so must nevei be allowed to become dry. 



The M. communis is the usual sort chosen for window use, having many varie- 

 ties with leaves both large and small, variegated flowers, single or double. But 

 the Chinese species, M. tomentosa, has also claims for popularity, on account of 

 its vari-colored blooms from purple to white, and other shades between ; often 

 many colored flowers on the same plant. 



