WINDOW OARDBNINO. 



251 



nitely more attractive when thus set in the verdure of which nature is so profuse, 

 and which is always so abundant where her charms of vegetation are at their 

 highest. 



" A scene such as this explains the prevalence of these graceful and noble-leaved 

 plants in Paris gardens, and in Parisian flower shops and windows, for you may 

 frequently see elegant little Dracaenas ornamenting windows there, and as they 



Fig. 5. Dieflenbachia. 



look as well at Christmas as at midsummer, I need hardly suggest how highly 

 suited they are for purposes of this kind. 



" The number of Dracaenas cultivated in and around Paris is something enor- 

 mous, and among the newer species of these not alluding to the colored-leaved 

 kinds are some that combine grace with dignity as no other plants do combine 

 them. They are useful for the centres of noble groups of plants in their larger 

 forms, while the smaller species may be advantageously associated with the 

 Maiden Hair Fern, and the Cineraria* of the conservatory bench. 



