WINDOW GARDENING. J 29 



gay display can be made by arranging two boxes, one with the Lobelia in front, 

 and behind it a row of scarlet Geraniums, such as the Gen. Grant, Warrior, 01 

 Marie Lenwine. For a dwarf Geranium the Tom Thumb is best. The Delphinium 

 formosum is good also for the balcony. Cut away the blooms as fast as they get 

 done. In order to keep the plants in good health and growth, it would be well to 

 see that the soil of the boxes or pots is covered with moss, and once a day, in the 

 evening or early morning, give the plants a thorough syringing of water, for upon 

 the dry floor of the balcony evaporation will be quite rapid in warm days. Seeds of 

 the Mignionette, Sweet Alysum, Phlox Drummondii, and Nemophila will all do 

 well. 



Nothing is so effective as the Scarlet Sage,Salvia Splendens, gorgeous with its 

 dazzling beauty. 



A good plant or two of the Dielytra will make a showy box, and then you 

 can make room for a few Verbenas, Petunias, Larkspurs, and Heliotropes. We 

 would not recommend any bulbs, such as the Gladiolus; except the Lilium Aur- 

 tum, which will often do well; also the Lilium Longiflorum. 



If you wish to grow bulbs and make a fine display, you must remove your 

 boxes from the balcony just before winter ; fill them with appropriate soil, (such 

 as is named in chapter on Bulbs,) sink them in the garden border, plant in it your 

 bulbs of Hyacinths, Tulips, Crocuses, Snow Drops, &c., to remain during the 

 winter, well covered with some mulch. In early spring take them up, replace 

 again upon the balcony, and allow them to grow and bloom. This is a very good 

 plan where a box of flowering bulbs is desired for the jam just outside of the 

 window-sill. After flowering the box may be filled up again with belling 

 plants. Every evening give a good sprinkling of water, and once a week you 

 may add a dose of liquid fertilizer to all your plants on the balcony. In very 

 hot weather watering may be given twice a day, remembering the only safe rule, 

 never to give it between the hours of 9 A. M. and 4 p. M., while the sun's rays 

 are warmest; hence, affording the most danger. .Where balconies are enclosed 

 by glass screens upon all sides they become house conservatories, and admit of 

 the same management which is given to plants for window or greenhouse culture. 

 Plants of greater variety may be admitted here during all seasons of the year, 

 but usually nearly everything is removed from them during the summer months, 

 and placed outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and invigorating rains. 



The Aucuba Japonica is a handsome evergreen shrub; flowers are of no value, 

 being small, but the leaves are large, of a glossy green, blotched with a pale yel- 

 low color, tapering oft' to white. It must be grown in a partially shaded loca- 

 tion, as it cannot bear the hot rays of the sun. It is hardy, and will withstand 

 ordinary winters. 



Vines for the Balcony. 



In these you will find your most effective means of decoration. Most of the 

 hardy garden favorites will grow from 30 to 50 feet in a season, and a great 



