WINDOW GARDENING. 243 



roots, to pots of the same soil. Keep them in the shade a fortnight. Water 

 sparingly till more flower buds appear, then give moisture generously — weak 

 liquid manure twice a week, also. It will bear great heat, 65'' to 70°; but 60° 

 suits it best. In that temperature in an open, airy situation, it will put forth its 

 deep crimson, velvet, very double, flowers in great profusion all winter. 



Acliyranthes. 



The best varieties of Achyranthes are now freely used for window decoration, 

 and have become quite common as standard plants for the centre of hanging Or 

 standing floral baskets. They need only a moderate temperature of 50" to 75, "^ 

 and are easily taken care off". Their rich crimson tints have made the people 

 crazy to use them wherever it is conceivable to do so. 



Achyranthes Lindeni has foliage of the deepest red, each leaf having a con- 

 spicuous mid-rib of a lighter shade ; when the sun shines fully upon it it is of a 

 perfect claret color, habit dwarf, leaves narrow, lanceolae, and considered the 

 most ornamental of the class of fine foliaged plants. 



A. Aureus Beticulatus, is of the same habit of growth as the J.. Verschaffeltii, 

 but its leaves are of a rich apple green, marked with a net work of yellow, while 

 the stems are a ruby crimson, affording a fine contrast with the leaves. 



A. Verschaffeltii, Var Gilsonii. This variety has leaves of a still brighter 

 tint, a full carmine, with the stems of a deep shade of pink, rendering the plant 

 decidedly ornamental, and giving a very rich appearance. This variety is now 

 generally used in place of the old Verschaffeltii. 



Coleus. 

 "We do not recommend too free a use of this for the window or room culture. 

 It needs moist and warm temperature, and uniform, with no change for the 

 cooler. This, of course, is in direct opposition to the a'^tual facts they have to 

 meet in rooms which invariably grow colder at night. Another objection is that 

 they grow so large and tall, and become so ungainly, that they are not fit for 

 any length of time for any good position. They are too tall for hanging baskets, 

 although would look very appropriate in the centre of a group of plants in a 

 large flower stand. They are much more tender than the Achyranthes, will not 

 bear the touch of frost, and a slight chill is death to them. "Wherever they can 

 have a warm position, with plenty of sunlight, (although not directly upon their 

 leaves), and a moderately moist atmosphere, they will do well. The best varie- 

 ties are : 



Princess Royal, centre, reddish brown, light yellow margin. 



Queen Victoria, rich bronzy crimson, bright yellow, edged with crimson vein- 

 ing. 



Setting Sun, crimson centre, with bright yellow edge. 



Albert Victor, centre purplish red, broad yellow margin. 



