724 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



open. This will give \hem plenty of fresh air, which is most essential to their 

 well-doing, without exposing them to heavy rains ; and as showers often take 

 place in mild weather, it would be as injudicious to shut them up altogether as 

 to expose them to it. The advantage, therefore, of being able to move the 

 plants in or out in a very short time will be apparent. 



2267. Again, supposing the window is fitted with double sashes, — in other 

 words, a window-recess is fitted so as to form a sort of plant-case, giving the full 

 height of it, — thereby suflBcient head-room is obtained to grow tall plants or 

 climbers : beneath a trough lined with lead or zinc, or other non-corrosive 

 material, will be necessary. This should be sufiiciently large to hold a proper 

 quantity of soil, — say a foot in depth, and of length and breadth adapted to its 

 position, — providing means for the exit of surplus water, and the ventilation 

 should be perfectly under control. The size of such a plant-case must of neces- 

 sity be a matter of taste or convenience ; but the larger it is the better for 

 the plants. Fuchsias are very suitable subjects to grow in such a position ; and 

 as some of them are tall and erect growers, as Wondei-ful ; others drooping, as 

 Duchess of Lancaster ; and others, again, of small close habit, as most of the 

 fancy varieties, — they can be so arranged as to fill out the interior of the 

 case ; and if care is taken to prevent crowding and disorderly growth, both 

 the foliage and flowers will be exceedingly ornamental. 



■2268. There are always wa3's and means with those who have the will, and 

 such contrivances for plant-culture have been successfully carried out ; but 

 instances are exceptional. From my own observation, I believe almost every- 

 body desires to understand something of plant-treatment ; and, whether 

 possessed of a garden or not, the question is, how shall I manage my plants 

 so that they will bloom again ? This generally refers to plants purchased of 

 hawkers or at the nursery, while in bloom> and which begin to decline in 

 health simultaneously with the fading of the flowers. Many have attempted 

 to answer the question, and rules have been laid down which have only had 

 the efiect of making the querist as wise as before. There are certain con- 

 ditions necessary, not easy to define. The culture of a plant differs from a 

 mechanical operation, inasmuch as the latter is under control ; but, in growing 

 a plant, nature must do the work, while we supply the material. If left in a 

 state of nature, a plant is usually placed where it can supply itself with 

 material for supporting life and health ; but if it is to grow where we choose 

 to place it, it becomes necessary to ascertain the processes by which that 

 object may be gained,— processes more easily seen than described. A plant, 

 however artificially grown, is still a small piece of nature, and must be con- 

 sidered as such. Nature is governed by certain laws, and obedience to those 

 laws is essential even in the culture of a geranium. Generally plants are 

 treated too artificially ; instead of simply supplying the material for nature to 

 work upon, her efibrts are frustrated or counteracted by supplies either too 

 great or too small, or of an unsuitable kind. 



2269. Heat, light, moisture, air, and soil or earth, are essential matters to 

 be bi-ought into requisition in plant-culture ; both the quantity and quality of 



