THE HOME FLORIST. 



Poa trivalis, another fine grass, with narrow white and green variegated leaves. (40, 60, 80. ) 



Saxifraga Sarmentosa (Strawberry Geranium), a running strawberry-like plant of curious and 

 interesting growth, with striped and mottled foliage; very valuable. 



7^orrcnia Asiatica, a pretty drooping plant; will not bear much cold; flowers blue, of lovely 

 tint and shape, and extremely beautiful; excellent for pot culture. (40, 60, 80. ) 



Tradescanthia Vulgaris (Joint Plant Wandering Jew), an old-fashioned drooper, of the easiest 

 culture, with beautiful dark glossy foliage. It is quite certain of giving satisfaction. 



Tradescanthia Repens Vittata. (See Fig. 20. ) This is a Tradescanthia of comparative 

 recent origin, and is generally considered to be the most beautiful of all the varieties of 

 this desirable family of plants. The leaves are beautifully variegated, as shown in the 

 engraving; the stripes, which are of a clear, waxy white and whitish yellow color, on bright, 

 glossy green ground, extend the entire length of the leaf usually. Like all Tradescanthias, 

 it is particularly recommcndable for home cultivation either in baskets or pots, as it will 

 thrive in a temperature either high or low, in a moist atmosphere or in desert dryness, and 

 is not at all particular as regards light, in this respect being almost equal to the Ivy. 



Tradescanthia Zebrina, a variety with finely striped green and reddish leaves. 



Variegated Thyme, very desirable as a drooper and bedder, the foliage being distinctly variegated. 



Vinca minor vari-egata, one of the best and most attractive droopers in cultivation; the leaves 



are from one to two inches in diameter, and distinctly variegated; a rapid grower. 

 Other suitable varieties are desci'ibed throughout the general list. 



PLANT CULTURE IN AND ABOUT THE HOUSE. 



Among the readers of the HOME FLORIST will be those whose surroundings restrict them to 

 engage only in cultivating plants in and about the house, converting a sunny or bay window 

 into a green-house in winter, and moving their plant stand under the veranda, or into the open 



air when warm weather approaches. This, 

 w ith the planting of an outside window box in 

 summer, the growing of hanging baskets (see 

 article on Hanging Baskets and Garden Vases), 

 Ferneries, or Wardian cases, and Ivies for per- 

 manent it might be added, are about the limit to 

 which they can indulge in such decorations. It 

 is, however, a pleasure to know that with these 

 a beautiful show of plants and flowers may be 

 maintained continually throughout the year, 

 with little trouble and expense. 



Open- Air Window Boxes. Fig. 21 

 is an illustration of this ready means of grow- 

 ing plants and flowers, which is adapted for 

 ornamenting the windows of any room, either 

 inside or outside, be it in the first or fifth 

 story of a building, as some living rooms are in 

 the city. These are boxes made to fit the win- 

 dow-casing or sill, and planted with Scarlet 

 Geranium, Mignonette, the pretty blue Lobe- 

 lia, Verbena, and even Roses, etc. Morning 

 Glory, Ivy, Maderia Vine, or other climbers 

 are planted at the ends of the box, to be 

 trained on wires up and around the windows. 

 Very beautiful. 



Plant Culture in Winter. To learn 

 what can be done at plant forcing in winter, 

 under favorable circumstances, it is only neces- 

 sary to witness the extensive crop of flowers in 

 large variety that are daily cut, and also the 

 beautiful foliage plants grown at this season, in 

 the commercial greenhouses of all large Ameri- 

 can cities and towns ; and, although I would 



Fig. 21. Open- Air Window Box. 



not encourage the thought, that plants can be grown to an equal degree of perfection in the 

 dwelling as in the florist's well appointed structures, yet very satisfactory results can be obtained 

 by nearly every one if the matter is properly entered upon and executed, and beautiful, vigorous, 

 blooming plants be the result. Sometimes those whose efforts in growing plants and 

 flowers in the open air in summer are bountifully rewarded, find vexatious disappointments 

 attending similar undertakings in winter greatly to their surprise. Unquestionably, the 

 cause of this lies more frequently in the fact that the necessary course of treatment is not suffi- 

 ciently understood, than that the conditions of light, heat, etc., which the dwelling affords, are 



