WELLINGTONIA. 



562 



WINDOW GARDENING. 



calculated to do well in moist and shady 

 places. They thrive, in fact, in any ordi- 

 nary soil, provided that it is not too dry. 

 They are easily propagated by the suckers 

 which are thrown out by and from the 

 parent plant. Cuttings also, put in in 

 March or September, will root readily. 

 Weigela rosea, with pink and white flowers, 

 is perhaps the best known of all the species 

 that are included in this genus. Of the 

 species just named there are three or four 

 varieties, namely, W. r. nana, a dwarf 

 form, and W. r. n. aurea, another dwarf 

 form, with foliage of a rich yellow colour. 

 By some the genus is called Diervilla, and 

 W. rosea, D. rosea. 



Wellingto'nia (not. ord. Conif erse). 



The Wellingtonia or Sequoia is the most 

 gigantic and ornamental of cone-bearing 

 trees. It thrives in any good soil, and is 

 uninjured by the most severe winters. In 

 California specimens of this tree, with 

 trunks 300 feet high and of great diameter, 

 may be met with. It is known as Welling- 

 tonia gigantea. 



Westrin'gia (nat. ord. Lobia'tse). 



A handsome greenhouse evergreen shrub, 

 about 2 feet high, bearing white flowers. 

 It requires a light rich soil, and is propa- 

 gated by cuttings, taken from young shoots 

 and placed in sand under a handglass. 



Window Gardening. 



Aspects for Window Plants. Of the 

 plants suitable for various aspects, little 

 need be said : the difference is not so great 

 as might be imagined ; but it may be taken 

 as a rule that a sunny aspect is best for all 

 flowenng plants, except in the hot summer 

 months, when they last much longer in 

 bloom if ke.pt in the shade. It is possible, 

 however, to have blinds fixed to a south 

 window, by which the plants may be 

 lhaded, or not, at pleasure. In the culture 

 of some plants, as the auricula, for instance, 



it is advisable to give them a sunny aspect 

 from October to May, and a shady one 

 from May to October. Other plants, as 

 ferns, may be constantly kept in the shade, 

 although a little sun does them no harm, 

 but the contrary. 



Influence of Soil. In the choice of soils 

 for pot culture very much depends, but not 

 in the way generally imagined. A few 

 grim, sooty plants may occasionally be 

 seen occupying a window ledge, and their 

 appearance ascribed to the smoky atmos- 

 phere. This is, in fact, the case to a 

 certain extent, but not wholly so ; they are 

 mostly potted in soil taken from the back 

 yard, impregnated with foul gases, so that 

 plants would not grow in it in the remotest 

 part of the country. In towns, where 

 proper soil can scarcely be met with, it is 

 advisable to purchase it at some suburban 

 nursery ; stating the sort of plant ior 

 which it is required. 



Suitable Composts for Plants. All soft- 

 wooded plants, such as geraniums, fuchsias, 

 cinerarias, &c., do best in a soil composed 

 of two parts yellow loam, one very rotten 

 dung, one leaf mould, with sand enough 

 to make it porous ; but some plants, such 

 as ericas, epacridoe, and azaleas, require 

 peat ; and others, as the camellia, daphne, 

 and corrcea, a mixture of peat and loam. 

 Although the first-named soil will grow 

 almost any plant, still those that require 

 peat must have it, as no substitute will 

 produce the same effects. It should be 

 observed that soils ought not to be sifted, as 

 a rule ; to do so is contrary to what is 

 observed in nature. In borders and ground 

 of every kind devoted to the culture of 

 plants of every kind, small stones arm 

 individual substances of various kinds are 

 observed. These serve to keep the soil open, 

 and to promote drainage and the admission 

 of air, permeation of the surface soil by 

 air being necessary to the healthy condition 

 of all plants and crops. 



