U2 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



of water whilst they are in a growing condi- 

 tion, never allow the soil to become quite dry. 

 Some drainage placed at the bottom of the 

 pot when repotting is advisable. Use light 

 rich soil for callas. 



Many varieties of begonia make splendid 

 window plants for winter. Among the most 

 satisfactory is the beautiful golden blotched 

 leaf variety, Begonia manicata aurea. This 

 is, in my opinion, the best window begonia 

 we have for winter use. Begonia argentea 

 guttata is also another useful variety, also 

 the Paul Bruant variety. The Begonia in- 

 carnata rosea, with its pretty pale pink blos- 

 some, that it produces so freely at Christmas 



Fig. 2766. Hybrid Rex Bei.onia, Bertha 

 McGkegok. 



time, is another that should not be over- 

 looked, but it is rather more delicate than 

 those first mentioned. 



The Rex, or ornamental leaved Begonia, 

 make pretty window plants. Many people 

 fail with these begonias from placing them 

 in a sunny position in the window and by 

 over-potting them. All Begonias like a 

 light soil to grow in, one third of fine sharp 

 sand and two thirds of fairly rich loamy pot- 

 ting soil makes a good admixture of soil for 

 Begonias. A little well rotted leaf soil 

 mixed in will be beneficial. Use nearly an 



inch of drainage in the pots when potting 

 Begonias. Begonias like a temperature of 

 65 to 70 degrees, but do not like much real 

 hot sun, preferring partial shade, at noon 

 especially. 



Many more varieties of Begonias could 

 be mentioned, but those I have named are 

 among the best for windows in winter. 



A very easily grown and effective window 

 plant is the Anthericum picturatum. Its 

 pretty striped foliage makes it a bright, con- 

 spicuous feature at any season of the year, 

 more particularly in winter, its silvery, rib- 

 bon-like leaves contrasting very prettily with 

 the almost universal green of the foliage of 

 winter window plants. These plants like a 

 temperature of about 65 degrees, and re- 

 quire a rather shaded position in the win- 

 dow. Plenty of water should be given 

 them, as a very dry condition of the soil of- 

 ten results in serious injury, and perhaps the 

 total loss of the plant, if the drought is of 

 long duration. 



There are many other species of plants 

 suitable and comparatively 'easy of culture, 

 but time will only allow of a few being men- 

 tioned. Among them is the Cyperus alterni- 

 folia or Umbrella plant, that delights in a 

 warm, partially shaded window, where the 

 sun does not strike at noonday. Given this 

 position, with plenty of water at the roots, 

 and its foliage also given a dip once or twice 

 a week in water, its whorls of delicate green 

 leaves will retain their freshness much 

 longer than if they are kept in a dry, over- 

 heated atmosphere. 



Many of the varieties of Cactus help to re- 

 lieve the sameness that a collection of win- 

 dow plants often present in winter. Cactus 

 like plenty of drainage in the pot, plenty of 

 sand (nearly half) in the potting soil, and 

 not too frequent watering. The Lobster 

 Cactus (Epiphyllum truncatum) as well as 

 a few of the quicker growing Cactus of the 

 Phyllocactus type, may like a little richer and 

 heavier soil, but there is danger even to 



