THE FLOKAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 11 



coloured flowers. They are very cheap, from two and sixpence per 

 100, so you could have masses of them in hloom on the balcony 

 with little expense, and they make a really gorgeous display in con- 

 nection with the hyacinths and tulips. There is also the Polyanthus 

 narcissus, of sorts, the Daffodil and the Muscarias; all very good, 

 but not so showy as the gorgeous trio, the hyacinth, tulip, and 

 crocus. And last but not least we have the virgin white Snowdrops, 

 single and double, the harbingers of spring — the firstling of the 

 vear _tlie little friend we all welcome so gladly. All these spring 

 flowers and bulbs usher in the season of balcony and window gar- 

 dening with a burst of freshness and beauty. They begin with the 

 snowdrops in February and continue in rotation through March, 

 April, and May, till the summer flowers come in to take their place. 



Hardy spring plants can be purchased in spring and planted in 

 boxes when you get them. But spring bulbs should all be planted 

 in their boxes in October or November, and kept in any convenient 

 closet or cellar till the days begin to lengthen out again, when they 

 can be placed in their proper quarters ; or, better still, if you have 

 anv convenient place to grow them in till they are nearly in flower, 

 and they will make a grand display on the balcony at once when 

 placed there. 



"When planting your bulbs you can arrange them as you intend 

 them to flower, either in masses of each kind in one box, or mixed 

 together. A very good arrangement is to have them in lines, 

 Tulips, Hyacinths, Crocuses, or Snowdrops alternately; however, 

 your own taste will guide you in this. Remember to plant all bulbs, 

 except the hyacinth, below the surface ; the hyacinth should have 

 the top of the bulb above the surface of the soil. 



As the spring flowers die out, the summer flowers will begin to 

 take their place, and cause your balcony garden to have quite a 

 different appearance altogether. Masses of gorgeous flowers, 

 luxuriant creeping plants, and fresh foliage of Ivy, Virginian Creeper, 

 Clematis, Grape vine, etc., will give it a truly rich and sumptuous 

 appearance. 



Summer bedding plants all do best planted in boxes, although 

 you may have several specimen geraniums, fuchsias, lobelias, etc., in 

 pots, for moving about, handy ; but all small plants in pots, either on 

 the balcony or in the window, should have their pots plunged in 

 boxes among moss or sand, they thrive far better with their roots 

 protected thus from the sun's heat. 



For area gardens nothing is better than a few hardy plants, such 

 as Agave Americana, A. variegala, A. Iwrrida, Aloe Africana, Aloe 

 picta, and A. variegata, Yucca aloifolia, T. aloifolia variegata, plants 

 of Ivy in tubs trained on wirework, and such shrubs as Hollies, 

 Laurels, Boxes, Arbutus, Mahonia, Aucuba japonica, Jnnipers, Yews, 

 and several other varieties of conifers ; not forgetting the Rhodo- 

 dendrons that are so gorgeous when in flower in the early summer. 

 All theBe plants and shruba should be grown in wooden tubs painted 

 green. They are an everlasting decoration, standing all the year 

 round, only requiring the dust and soot to be washed off them by 

 yyringing, and never being allowed to get dry for want of water. 



January. 



