MONTHLY CALENDAR, 381 



sure to be seen to advantage ; and the long- grassy leaves do not disfigure the 

 borders after they have flowered, as they do in the old method. Late bulbs, 

 as Gladiolus and liUes, being tall, should be placed far enough back to corre- 

 spond with the other plants. Very pretty effects may be produced by planting 

 a ribbon border or clump with plants of ornamental foliage. These look 

 better, if neatly managed, than most people would imagine. It may also be 

 done with the very commonest and cheapest of plants ; for instance, a front 

 row of variegated arabis, which is a very common hardy herbaceous plant ; 

 second row, Henderson's beet, treated as an annual. This is a dwarf, and 

 very bright crimson-coloured sort, and grows about 8 or 10 inches high ; third 

 row, Antenai'ia, or variegated mint — hardy ; fourth row, Perilla nankinensis 

 — annual : fifth row, ribbon-grass — hardy ; sixth row, purple Arack, Atriplex 

 rubra — annual. These graduate in height and colour, and have a very pretty 

 efifect, and last the whole summer and autumn. 



§ 11.— Window-Gardening. 



II 20. Many window-plants will be in full bloom at this time ; and to pre- 

 serve their freshness as long as possible, give plenty of fresh air ; and though 

 a little sun morning and afternoon is beneficial, still too much is likely to pro- 

 duce a contrary efiect, and cause them to fade long before they would do 

 with timely and judicious shading. If the plants are in ordinary pots, which 

 are certainly best, let them be plunged in ornamental pots or vases, and fill 

 up the vacancy between with moss or sand : they will not only look better, 

 but the roots, being kept cool, will keep the moisture longei', and less watering 

 will be necessary. This is of some consequence in a room ; for although 

 watering will be sometimes necessar}'-, means should be taken to reduce the 

 quantity required, by shading, plunging, and keeping the pots in feeders — 

 that is, pans or saucers, which are made to match with the pots or vases ; but 

 this requires a little judgment : it will never do to let the roots of the plants 

 stand in stagnant water. When the pots are placed in the pans or saucers, 

 fill the vacancy with a mixture of silver-sand and finely-broken — not pow- 

 dered — charcoal : this will absorb the water that runs through the pot, and 

 yield it back again to the plant, besides preventing stagnation. The time to 

 water a plant is just when the soil begins to present an appearance of dryness, 

 which is best seen when the surface is pretty firm, although it is advisable to 

 stir it sometimes ; but if, after stirring, the plant wants water, give it from a 

 fine rose. This will settle it again, so that it is easily ascertained when the 

 plants want water afterwards. Most of the plants before-named will continue 

 blooming this month. If any are infested with aphis or green-fly, brush it off 

 with a small brush, without injuring the plant. A few plants may be kept 

 free from this pest by this means, without having recourse to fumigating with 

 tobacco. Various sorts of herbaceous plants may be cultivated outside, on 

 the window-ledges : being hardy, they will stand all weathers, but are beat 



