WINDOW GARDENING. 237 



in the sunny meadows farther South ; and the florist has transplanted them and 

 carefully watched and tended their growth till the foliage has attained unwonted 

 smoothness and beauty, and the hues of the tassel-shaped flowers have become 

 clearer and brighter. Their large clusters of snow-white, or lilac blossoms, have 

 a fine effect among geraniums, and they have always been much sought after as 

 a winter blooming flower. The white varietiesare mostcultivated, being used for 

 funeral crosses, and crowns, also for wedding bouquets. 



They prefer a sandy, peat}' loam, with a good supply of water. In the spring, 

 after blooming, shake out the old soil and repot in good loam and sand mixed 

 in equal proportions. Make new plants of the cuttings. Start them in damp 

 sand under glass. Water them much and frequently. Set them in the garden 

 till September, then accustom them gradually to the indoor atmosphere. They 

 will bloom from November till February. When in flower they do not need 

 much sunshine, as it dims the whiteness of the flowers. 



Eupatorium ageratoides, E. Mexicanum and E. Elegans are the varieties 

 most usually cultivated in conservatories and window gardens. They are of a 

 beautiful feathery whiteness, and most desirable for purposes of decoration. In 

 saving the seeds, cut the flowers while in full bloom, as they ripen quickly, and 

 fly away, but they germinate easily. 



The Stevias, of similar foliage, but a yet more delicate and feathery flower, 

 of a creamy white, cultivate in the same way. Pinch out all buds that appear 

 on these plants during the summer. No plants can be so effectively grouped as 

 geraniums with heliotropes, eupatoriums, and stevias, if proper attention is paid 

 to an agreeable contrast of their blossoms, — the purple or lilac being always 

 flanked with white — never with red or crimson or rose, — and the white mingled 

 among scarlets, crimsons, reds, and salmons — the white predominating. 



The Chinese Primrose. 



The Primula Chinensis is the gem of the collection of window plants. None 

 surpass it in beauty ; and for continuous bloom, certainly none can be found more 

 desirable. It is one of the best of all plants for the decoration of the drawing 

 room or dining table, and always at home in the conservatory or greeniiouse. 

 For nine months out of the twelve they may be made to yield flowers, though 

 most profusely from November to May, and with their colors of red, white, 

 crimson, purple, and pink, the^y form objects of curious ornament. 



They are objects of easy care, requiring attention only in watering; the soil 

 should not be allowed to get dry, and yet the roots are so tenacious of life, they 

 winding closely till the last moment around any particle of moisture in the earth. 

 Keep the soil moderately moist, but not over saturated ; if evaporation or drain- 

 age is slow, and the circulation through the pot impeded, the plants will turn 

 sickly and die off. We do not advise manure water; plain warm water is the 

 best. The best varieties for window gardens are the Double White Pri)iiroses 

 and rubra plena, a double red variety, indescribably charming. The single 

 fringed varieties are very fine, but the above are now the most popular. One 



