MONTHLY CALENDAR. 47D 



dwarf or close habit, such as are easily kept within bounds. There are many 

 kinds of beautifully-scented geraniums possessing this property, and will do 

 well as permanent window-plants. The flowers of these are generally smaller 

 than other kinds, but are mostly continuous bloomers during the summer and 

 autumn, and at other times are well worth the room for their fragrance. It 

 is merely necessary to stop them occasionallj', by pinching out the points of 

 long shoots, and picking off dead leaves. They will grow in almost any soil 

 but two-thirds loam to one of leaf-mould and sand is generally used for 

 them. They require plenty of water in the growing season, and a moderate 

 supply at other times, giving them very little in damp or frosty weather. 



1472. Other plants are suitable for a like purpose : among them must be 

 named the numerous tribe of mesembryanthemums (a name not easily pro- 

 nounced or spelt, and may give place to the old-fashioned one of fig mari- 

 gold) : these will grow for many years in the same soil, giving little trouble 

 bej'ond watering. They are well suited for baskets or mounted pots, 

 or vases, where they will hang down and look well. Many of them are 

 very beautiful when in flower, comprising all shades of white, red, and yellow. 

 They are what is termed succulent, having thick fleshy leaves ; consequently 

 will bear drought, and the heat of a room for any length of time, without 

 injury ; and as they require very little water iu winter, one objection to their 

 culture is removed : they grow well in sandy loam and leaf-mould, in which 

 plenty of broken flowerpots, brick, or charcoal, are mixed. 



1473. The various species of cacti are also very suitable as permanent win- 

 dow-plants : the varieties of creeping cereus may be grown in suspended 

 baskets, and last for many years without requiring any change in the soil, — 

 they naturally droop and hang down, which gives them an interesting 

 appearance. The globular cacti are curious and interesting, and are very 

 numerous, as every one must know who has seen the collection at Kew, — a 

 collection of these would be worth a case to themselves. I have seen some 

 interesting selections grown in small pots, and arranged on shelves fixed in 

 a miniature greenhouse, 4 feet by 2 feet 6 inches, being all labelled. The 

 smaller kinds of aloes may be grown in the same way : many of these are 

 curiously and prettily marked, and those who fancy this sort of plant consider 

 them quite as ornamental as flowers. They are all succulent, and may be 

 treated in the same way as the fig marigold, giving plenty of water in hot 

 weather, and little or none in winter, taking care that the soil is well 

 drained. 



1474. Fern-cases should be placed in the shade at this time of the year ; if 

 put where they can have light overhead, so much the better. If air can b© 

 admitted without dust, let the plants have it : when kept too close, they 

 grow taU and spindling : they should not be allowed to touch the glass, since 

 the condensed moisture rots and disfigures them, but less so when the case 

 is properly ventilated : water rather freely in the latter caset 



