120 WINDOW GARDENING 



In selecting our list we have regard naturally to those which are most rapid 

 growers. 



First on the list is Coboea scandens. It is an old favorite, and it is worthy of 

 remark, that but few of the novelties introduced of late years can equal some 

 of the "old favorites" which we have long been accustomed to grow. 



The vine is named from Cobo, a Spanish priest, who first cultivated it in Mex- 

 ico, where he found it growing wild, and rambling in full luxuriance and beauty. 

 A new variety of this vine, (Coboea scandens folius variegata) is much the most 

 suitable for in-door culture. 



The growth of the vine is very rapid, and it is equally easy of cultivation ; the 

 only essentials to success being warmth, a rich, though light soil, and sufficient 

 water. If allowed to become very dry it will wither away. It requires sun and 

 a warm room for it to grow in perfection ; yet it is not a tender plant ; i. e. t it 

 will live anywhere, provided the frost does not touch it, and is one of the few 

 plants which will flourish luxuriantly in parlors lighted with gas and kept at 

 almost fever heat. 



If grown in a hanging basket or pot, it must be large, and the roots allowed 

 plenty of room to spread out in. In the summer the pots can be removed from 

 the interior room to a balcony or piazza, or plunged into the ground until they are 

 again wanted. Then clip off the growth of branches and leaves ; place the pot 

 back again in a sunny window, where it will soon start forth afresh, with new 

 leaves and arms to cover the window 



Its flowers are two inches long, and bell-shaped. At first their coloring is of 

 a greenish hue, but it changes to a rich bluish-purple, and will continue in bloom 

 for a week or more. Its calyx is large, and the long stamens seemingly grow at 

 one side of it, giving to the flower much grace. It is easily raised from cuttings 

 and seeds. The latter require some special care. If planted in the open ground 

 they will generally decay ; hence, pot or hot-bed culture is necessary. Usually 

 the seeds are sown in March or April in light, rich soil, in pots, warmed with 

 a gentle heat. After they have started, the young plants, when two inches high, 

 are potted separately into small pots, and when they have grown about a foot 

 high are carried to the place where they are to remain Usually there is no dif- 

 ficulty in the greenhouse or conservatory, where they are produced abundantly. 

 Amateurs who cannot propagate them will do well to buy them from the florist 

 already started. 



It is one of the best of vines for parlor decoration, as it will drape and festoon 

 the vrindow, and stretch forth its tendrils, running up even to the ceiling. The 

 tendrils are so clinging in their nature that they will attach themselves to any- 

 thing which comes within their reach curtain cords, branches of other plants, 

 brackets, &c., throwing out new branches everywhere. 



Smilax. 



The Smilax (Medeola asparagoides) is now seen in almost every window 

 basket, cultivated extensively for its rich, wavy, glossy foliage. For table deo- 



