96 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the turn of the year, but when they once begin will continue for a 

 long time. 



The three best in color are La Furete, red ; Astoria, yellow ; 

 and President De Crraw, white. 



Smilax. — This pretty vine (Myrsiphyllum asparagoides) may be 

 very easily grown as a window plant, and will flower and fruit 

 freely. Pot the tubers in autumn in rich, well drained soil, and 

 give the plants plenty of light, with very little heat. The chief 

 cause of failure with this plant is the heat of the room. Train the 

 delicate shoots to a flat trellis, or let them run across the window 

 on strings. Dust the foliage if it becomes dirty, and give air on 

 every day when the temperature is above freezing. 



Ctpripedium. — One of the Lady's Slippers, C. insigne, is a good 

 parlor plant. The soil should be coarse peat and fine sand. Keep 

 the plant always moist, but never wet. It will stand anj'^ heat, but 

 suffers from cold. The curious flowers are produced in December, 

 and last in full beauty two months. 



Pelargoniums. — The Zonale varieties are best for window cul- 

 ture. A rich well drained soil and plenty of sun and light are the 

 requisites for success. If kept in the dark the plants soon be- 

 come drawn, and if not frequently turned they grow one sided. 

 The aim should be to get short, stocky growth. The varieties with 

 variegated foliage are all pretty, and generally do well in the 

 parlor, but they are very inferior in flower. 



The species with scented foliage, familiarly known as the " rose," 

 "lemon," " apple," " clove," " nutmeg," and " peppermint," " ge- 

 raniums," are all worth growing ; in flower they are inconspicuous ; 

 many of the varieties of the rose geranium have beautiful, finely cut 

 foliage. The large flowered pelargoniums are generally uusuitable 

 for window culture, though we have sometimes seen them well 

 grown and bloomed. 



RiCHARDiA. — The Calla Lily {R. u^thiopica) is one of the best 

 window plants. Give a rich soil and plenty of water, — indeed, 

 the plants may stand in water without injury. In spring, plant 

 out the tubers, repotting again early in September. The dwarf 

 variety is desirable. The species with spotted foliage must be 

 wholly dried off in summer ; its only beauty is the foliage, the 

 flower not being especially handsome. 



Azalea. — The varieties of Azalea Indica and Phoenicea bloom 

 freely as window plants. The soil should be peaty loam and sharp 



