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WINDOW GARDENING. 



{Continue 1 from page 123.) 



Our last observations under this head had reference to the treatment of cuttings, 

 and logically we ought, therefore, to resume the subject, with the subsequent 

 management and training of young plants. A few suggestions, however, on the 

 winter treatment of the plants usually cultivated as window ornaments will, we 

 think, be more seasonable and acceptable, especially as their management, at this 

 period of the year, involves points of more importance than is usually supposed. 



The successful treatment of most plants, depends mainly on the practical 

 recognition of the fact, that all plants, without exception, as well evergreens as 

 deciduous, have their season of rest, during which any attempt to keep them in a 

 growing state will be infallibly attended with injury ; and it is chiefly owing to the 

 neglect of this important feature in their economy, that so many plants refuse to 

 yield their flowers. The period of the year at which this dormant condition 

 prevails, of course varies; in the case of the Cyclamens, Cape Bulbs, Hyacinths, and 

 many other endogenous plants, it occurs in the hottest months ; but in the majority 

 of plants commonly seen in windows, it takes place during the cold season. 



As both these classes of subjects are commonly grown in company, one difficulty 

 with which the amateur of gardening en petit, has to contend with in winter, is the 

 existence, on the same window sill, of plants requiring opposite modes of treatment ; 

 the deciduous Fuschia, which should be kept dry, being generally seen side by side 

 with the Cyclamen, Lachenalia, and Chinese Primrose, in full growth. This, in 

 itself, would be unimportant in a cultural point of view, if water were withheld 

 from such plants as were at rest; but, unfortunately, most of them being at this 

 season kept in a room artificially heated, they are stimulated into growth, and the 

 soil being rapidly dried, unless water were given they would be greatly injured. The 

 obvious remedy for this state of things, is the complete separation of those plants 

 which are dormant, from others in a growing state ; and this is the more desirable, 

 that the first named are, with a very few exceptions, any thing but ornamental in 

 their appearance, and their removal will allow room for a larger number of winter 

 flowering plants. 



All window plants may be divided, with reference to their winter management, 

 into three classes. 



The first includes all plants which cither die quite down, as the Acliimenes, 

 Begonia, and Japan Lily or which lose their loaves, as the Fuschia, Heliotrope, 

 Lantana, Lemon-scented Verbena. Th«se, and all others of this class, should be 



