Window and Balcony Gardening. 23 



there are as many which cannot endure direct and un- 

 subdued sun-rays. Here observation and experience 

 befriend us ; and often a sunny aspect is desirable, 

 but with partial shading, such as is given by gauze, 

 or muslin, or paper, or otherwise. For above a 

 hundred years from the first growing of bulbs in 

 water in glasses, early in the seventeenth century, 

 hyacinths and a few other bulbous-rooted lilies were 

 the chief support of the amateur window-gardener. 

 The simplest form of the gardening of which we 

 now speak seems to be the growing of plants in 

 pots or boxes, and these may be plunged in moss or 

 cinders or some other substance immediately inside 

 the window, or on the sill outside ; and I believe 

 much more can be in this way achieved than has yet 

 been attempted. 



Again, frames may extend from within the window 

 to without the sill, thus having larger space for 

 plants than where the frame is wholly in one of 

 those places. I need scarcely suggest avoidance of 

 draughts ; and cleanliness, by sponging, syringing, 

 or otherwise washing. 



When the fireplace in the room is not required for 

 its ordinary use, ornamental boxes, with the flower- 

 pots inserted in moss, may take the place of the 

 fender ; and sometimes looking-glass is fitted in the 

 open, where plants reflected have very good effect. 

 Often of late we see the chimneypiece for a time 

 devoted to plants in a growing state, as well as to 

 cut flowers ; and we need scarcely suggest that there 



