1895.] ESSAYS. 55 



ing. Other causes of failure are : Watering with very cold water in 

 the hottest part of the day, instead of at night or early inoruing when 

 the roots are nearer the temperature of the water. 



Miscellaneous collection of plants, natives of torrid and frigid 

 zones, in same window, under same conditions, which reminds one of 

 the Irish woman who complained to her landlord that the water had 

 risen so high in her cellar that it had drowned her hens. He replied, 

 "An' why didn't yer kape ducks." The moral of this is: Select 

 plants suitable for the position in which you are obliged to grow them. 

 Both pond lilies and portulaccas will not flourish in the same tub. 



It is natural for the flower lover to covet every variety of plant he 

 sees ; but if he wishes for success, he will consult some competent 

 florist, explaining to him the conditions under which the plants will 

 have to be grown, and let him select such varieties as are best suited 

 to those conditions. Thereby he will save time, money and serious 

 disappointment. 



Among the best plants that may be selected for the average window, 

 I would prefer some of the varieties of fibrous and tuberous begonias, 

 for winter and summer respectively. By their proper use, we may 

 keep our windows beautiful the year round ; and they have one great 

 advantage, — so far as I am aware, there is no insect foe yet dis- 

 covered that troubles them. 



With the pots about one-third full of suitable drainage material 

 there will be no danger of over -watering, unless it may be from leav- 

 ing water standing ou the crowns of the tubers in the tuberous section, 

 which would cause the shoots to rot otf . 



Of the fibrous section, I will mention as a few desirable varieties : 



Thurstonii, one of the best for beauty, Ijothof foliage and of flower. 



Semperflorens Gigantea Rosea, a continuous bloomer and most 

 beautiful. Then 



Rubra and Metallica. 



Vernon, which anyone can easily raise from seed, is always covered 

 with bloom, even when only an inch or two high, and is a very desira- 

 ble plant indoors or out. 



Alba Picta, pretty, ornamental foliage and good flowers. 



Argentea Guttata, beautiful foliage. 



Manicata, Aurea, large glossy leaves blotched with creamy white. 

 Delicate blush-white flowers ou long stems. 



Pictaviensis, leaves bronzy green on face, underside rich purplish 

 red, large clusters of rosy- white flowers. 



Diadema Robusta, grand variegated foliage. 



