240 WINDOW GARDENING. 



It blooms equally well in greenhouse, conservatory or window garden ; may be 

 allowed to be rather dry in the summer after flowering, but care should be taken 

 not to injure or break oflf the leaves. When budding it requires much water, 

 and its saucers should be supplied night and morning. It is propagated by 

 suckers and divisions of its roots. It desires a clayey loam with a third of leaf 

 mould. It is very tender, feeling a slight chill. 



Its flowers are in great request at Easter to adorn the churches, when white 

 lilies are sought as emblems of the risen Redeemer, and the florists grow them 

 in large quantities for this purpose. 



The best method of growing Callas is in a hollow stand lined with zinc ; eight 

 or ten flowering bulbs can be planted in a stand three or four feet long, and 

 eighteen inches wide. It should be eight inches deep, and the surface of the pots 

 should be covered with moss, and moss filled in between the pots. Its appear- 

 ance is exceedingly ornamental in a bay window, and it is very easily taken care 

 of, the chief essential being plenty of water, and a weekly sponging of the large 

 leaves ; and the stand should be occasionally turned, as the large leaves turn 

 towards the light. 



Such a stand of Callas can be set out of doors in a shady place during the 

 summer and brought in befoie fear of frosts. Soon they will make vigorous 

 growth, and will flower abundantly from December to May. No flower better 

 endures furnace heat and gas, and so it is particularly adapted to window cul- 

 ture. 



Bielytra Spectabilis. 



For window flowering and conservatory, this plant is very valuable. Take up 

 the tuberous roots in October, in a six or seven inch pot, and set in a sheltered 

 place for a month or so, giving a little water daily, and keeping it warm. When 

 the shoots appear, brmg to the light, and give it as sunny a situation as possible, 

 but the atmosphere need not be warm. It will do well in a chamber window 

 where the temperature is about 60^. As it grows and produces more flowers, 

 increase the supply of water. 



It will grow best in light sandy loam, but enjoys a weekly measure of liquid 

 manure. When done flowering, set in a shady place, but give water in small 

 quantities as long as the leaves are green ; when they fade, give only enough to 

 prevent its dying from thirst, and in the followmg autumn proceed as above, giv- 

 ing a fresh supply of soil to make its blossoms more plentiful. 



It multiplies from the root, and must be given enough pot room, or its roots 

 divided yearly. 



The Calceolaria. 



The Calceolaria, — its name comes from the Latin for shoe — the blossom resem- 

 bles an ancient Roman slipper, — is singularly beautiful with its heavy clusters of 

 golden, crimson, maroon, or rose-colored flowers — sometimes plainly tinted, at 

 others curiously mottled and flecked. It needs a sandy soil — garden earth and 

 common sand in equal proportions ; should be kept rather warm, in an atmo.s- 



