300 
THE 
GARDENERS' 
bage hassported to a Cauliflower, who can define the 
closest approximation which may take place as regards 
the Broccoli and Cauliflower, some kinds of which are 
already blended together? As was above observed, 
there can be no mistake in the case of any Broccoli 
not white ; for such can never be called a Cauliflower— 
a vegetable which has long been proverbial for its 
whiteness. The leaves of Cauliflowers differ from 
those of most Broccoli in having a more regular outline 
and evener surface; but the toothing on the margin is 
more prominent. Their colour is also paler, not of 
such a deep glaucous hue as the leaves of Broccoli 
usually are.|| 
WINDOW GARDENS. 
BzriEvING that these gardens will prove a valuable 
acquisition to lovers of flowers in England, I send the 
following observations and lists of plants, in the hope of 
facilitating and promoting their general adoption. 
The first published account of window gardens ap- 
pears to be contained in a little work entitled * Le Jar- 
dinier des Fenétres des Appartemens et des Petits Jar- 
dins," printed in Paris in 1823. The author states that 
one which he describes existed four or five years pre- 
viously at the house of M. Gilet, Rue du Faubourg du 
Temple, and he states the i ing fact, as ted 
with the usefulness of those miniature greenhouses, that 
the Cereus speciosissimus there flowered for the first 
time in France. 
But it would appear, although many amateurs visited 
M. Gilet's house to see the splendid novelty, they were 
not induced by his success to follow his example, and 
the window garden seems to have been forgotten; for 
ten years afterwards an engineer, of Mézières, passing 
through Boulogne, saw one at the house of an English 
admiral, and was so much struck with it that he made 
2 communication on the subject to the Horticultural 
Society of Paris, and it was so new to the members that 
they referred the paper to one of their standing com- 
mittees, who made the following report upon it :— 
* The committee think this sort of greenhouse must 
be pleasing ; easily constructed, although rather ex- 
pensive,* and particularly adapted for a window pre- 
senting a disagreeable view,” — Annales de la Soc. 
@ Hort. de Paris, for 1833, p. 260. 
Notwithstanding this public notice, it is only very 
lately that Parisian amateurs have adopted the plan, 
which is the more remarkable in a city where the taste 
orrather the passion for flowers is almost universal ; 
but the fact is proved by M. Paquet having thought it 
worth while to give a figure of a,“ Fenêtre Serre? in 
his * Almanack” for the present year. He tells us, 
however, that they are common in Belgium, probably 
at Brussels, for at Ghent, the head quarters of horticul- 
ture in that country, they have only been introduced 
within the last two years.—( Annales de la Soc. d Agric. 
et de Bot. de Gand, for March, 1846). 
One is naturally led to compare the advantages of a 
window-garden with those of a Ward’s case, and pro- 
bably few amateurs would hesitate for a moment in 
deciding that the former is beyond all comparison the 
more useful of the two. It has always appeared to me, 
that the utility of Ward’s cases, when employed for 
growing plants in rooms, has been greatly overrated, 
while it is not possible to appreciate too highly the bene- 
fit they have conferred on botany and horticulture, by 
affording the means of transporting plants by sea, with 
the certainty of success, from distant parts -of the 
world. A problem has thus been solved that had 
baffled the ingenuity of collectors, and appeared to defy 
the resources of science for several centuries. 
But what does the amateur gain by filling his windows 
with these cases? After all that has been said an 
written on the subject, it is a fact that very few flower- 
ing plants will thrive in them, especially in town houses ; 
but the great objection is that they give no occupation ; 
there is no gardening to be done in 4 Ward's case. 
After the novelty is over it excites no more interest 
than any other article of furniture in the room, and 
whenever a few cut flowers and a basket of green Moss 
ean be obtained, gratifying the sense of smell as well as 
pleasing the eye, it is almost useless. 
* A singular objection to have made to so simple a structure 
in a country where glass is so cheap as it is in France. 
CHRONICLE. 
[May 9, 
watered overhead, or syringed, without it; in perform- 
ing these operations, a part of the earth is liable to be 
washed out of the pots, which it then becomes necessary 
to remove, in order that the shelf may be cleaned. 
Ina French window, the glass case occupies the whole 
height when the casement opens from top to bottom, or 
three-fourths of the height when there is a division, as 
shown in the figure at p. 203 of the Chronicle. In an 
English window, and where economy is studied, the case 
need only reach to the top of the lower sash ; but where 
expense is not an object, and if the room be otherwise 
sufficiently lighted, it is advisable to let it occupy the 
entire space of the window, covering both sashes, ` The 
additional height would give room for several shelves, 
which might be readily got at by drawing down the top 
sash ; but the principal advantage would consist in the 
ample space gained for climbing plaats, which might 
then be made to oceupy not only the sides but the front. 
When there are other windows in the room to secure 
ventilation, it is not necessary that the sloping light 
should open, especially if the window has not a southern 
aspect. 
In most cases, where any opening is required, suffi- 
cient air might be admitted by a casement oceupying a 
single square, either on one side or in the top-light. 
In winter it is essential that the joints of all openings 
should be made air-tight by pasting slips of paper over 
them ; in our ill-ventilated apartments the supply of air 
required for respiration, and the bustion of fuel, is 
obtained by allowing a cold atmosphere to rush through 
every chink and crevice about the doors and windows, 
and such currents in frosty weather would destroy the 
flowers and foliage of any plant exposed to them. 
Before I proceed to the subject of plants adapted for 
window gardens I would suggest that those who intend 
to adopt them would do well to study carefully the 
papers of Mr, Errington on “Winter Flowers,” and those 
of an * Amateur Gardener,” which have appeared from 
time to timé in the Chronicle. 
In furnishing the garden it is evident that in order 
to produce the best effect, the habit of the plants should 
harmonise with the limited dimensions of the structure 
intended to contain them; moderate sized flowers of 
clear and brilliant colours, delicate foliage, and a com- 
pact habit, are the points to be chiefly attended to in 
selecting the plants. 
In summer and autumn there can be no difficulty in 
providing an abundance of plants among the endless 
varieties of Pelargonium, Fuchsia, Calceolaria, Ver- 
bena, and Roses. ‘The following list consists chiefly of 
lants from which a succession of bloom may be ob- 
tained at the season when flowers in a room are most 
valuable, from the end of October to the middle of May, 
but many of them will flower in summer if it be de- 
sired, 
Chrysanthemums, dwarf plants do best when fully exposed 
of small flowered varieties to the sun 
Camellias ; plants of a similar | Verbenas ; those of showy co- 
a lours and the fragrant vari- 
eties are of course to be pre- 
erred 
Cinerarias | Polygala cordifolia 
Bulbous plants; Hyacinths, | Anagallis ecerulea grandiflora 
arci almi ifolia, 
1 q 
Thol Tulips, Per 
Ixias dwarf Gladioli, 
Ericas 
Epacris 
Fabiana imbricata Double flowered Pomegranate 
Hepaticas Adiantum Capillus-Veneris 
Auriculas Spiræa j i 
aponica 
Bouvardia triphylla 
Boronia serfulata 
Calceolaria bicolor 
» integrifolia 
Campanula fragilis 
Omphalodes verna 
Lily of the Valley 
Mignonette 
lox verna. 
Violet, double Neapolitan 
tree »  garganica 
Anemones, taken up from the | Echeveria coccinea 
ground with a ball and potted | Sedum Sieboldii 
when the flower-buds are p 00 
ready to ope! Rhodanthe Manglesii 
n 
Turban Ranunculus, treatedin | Kennedya coccinea 
the same way E arryatte: 
Cypripedium insigne » ^ purpurea 
Crassula lactea. » nigricans 
coccinea m rdi 
Chorizema varium Mahernia incisa 
Hoitz icana Stylidium adnatum 
Chironia frutescens » fasciculatum 
Daphne indica rubra Ni bergia intermedia 
»  eheorum Nerium splendens,dwarfplants 
Azalea: plants of many | from cuttings * 
hardy sorts, as well as varie- 
ties of A. indica, with mode- 
rate sized flowers, A. viscosa | Gloxinias and Gesneras ; these 
is a very desirable species would do well in warm situ- 
Acacia armata. ations, ifintroduced when in 
xu 
as 
» paradoxa ower 
, pulchella Stapelia geminiflora 
Alonsoa linearis x onia 
imosa pudica 
Coronilla glauca 
Genista canariensis lowere 
Siphocampylus bicolor Myrtle-leaved Orange 
Epiphyllum truncatum ^ ^ j Erinus lychnidea t 
Mimulus rivularis, many varie- | Matthiola tristis + 
3, si 
Myrtles; single and double 
ties, with large dark spots | Gnidia simplex f 
Mimulus moschatus Pelargonium gibbosum 1 
Pimelea decussata riste T 
» linifolia » tricolor 
$5 »  gratum,Lemon scented 
Portulaca Gilliesii grandiflora » fragrans, Nutmeg do, 
P. Thellusonii, P. insignis and »  Sanguineum 
P.splendens, These plants 
em, “ney are all very desirable on 
* grance they exhale in the evening. 
z E — reran e rs 
The Pelargoniums in the above list are distinct species. 
Many of the common varieties will lower wellin winter, 
but for a window-garden, where the Space is so limited, 
and there are plenty of other plants to fill it, it is better 
to wait and enjoy their flowers at proper seasons. It 
is, however, desirable to have a plant or two of dwarf 
scarlet kinds in winter and early spring. 
oses.—Dwarf Roses in pots are now becoming so 
common that they may be had in flower at all seasons. 
Any of your correspondents who are Rose growers would 
render a service to window-gardeners by sending a list 
to the Chronicle of such varieties as from their habit, 
colour, or fragrance it would be most desirable for them. 
to obtain. I may mention that the Craimoisie supérieure 
is an excellent variety for winter; and as all the Pom- 
pones and Lawranceanas are well adapted for window- 
gardens, I subjoin a list of varieties of each. 
Pompone. Lawr 
De Meaux, rose Alba mino: 
Carné, flesh Capri 
Toussaint, light red Fairy, paler 
De Bourgogne, deep purplish | La Lapponne, 
rimso! Pumila, ros 
ose 
rht crimson 
De Chartres, rose 
Blanc de Por 
», à fleurs blanches, white | Rubra, b 
with blush centre 
Kingston, rose 
white 
Bizarre Gloire des Laurences, crimson 
De la Queue, blush shaded La Désirée, rose 
Camellia, rose ture, deep rose 
w 
ni 
ayard, delicate rose La Mouche, reddish rose 
Petite Mignonne, rose Lilliputienne, deep rose 
Petite Beauté pone bijou, light rose 
Carmin, carmine red Jenny 
Bicolor, purple and crimson Double, rose 
Mossy de Meaux, rose Multiflore, rose 
»  Pourpre Feu Pourpre brun, crimson 
»  Pieciola, purple Retour du Printems, bright 
ose 
CLIMBING PLANTS. 
Maurandya antirrhiniflora. Tropxolum trieolorum 
i brachyceras 
pomæa coccinea »  brachyeeras 
». Quamoclit »  Lobbianum 
Seyphanthus elegans » minus fi, pleno 
Philibertia grandiflora » majus fl. pleno 
Jasminum gracile; »  pentiphyllum 
The above are suited for a frame of the height of the 
lower sash only ; the following require more room, and 
are better calculated for a frame covering both sashes ; 
Tropzolum peregrinam Jasminum odora: 
» Moritzianum Dolichos lignosus 
Clematis Maurandya Barclay 
mum 
zurea grandiflora 
ana 
ad its varie. 
Ipomoa purpurea] 
nil 
$ rubro-ccerulea 
Rose Noisette, Aimé Vibert 
: i 
ties, alba, pul 
Manettia cordifolia 
bicolor 
, coccinea 
coccinea 
Jasminum grandiflorum 
When the window is large a Vine might occupy the 
upper part of the frame. To prevent loss of room, 
the Vine should be planted in a shallow box, placed in 
the frame, on whieh a wooden grating should be laid 
to stand pots upon. The whole being covered with 
Moss, the box would have the appearance of a ste 
intended to raise the pots in front above the level of 
those next the room. It would be desirable to plant ali 
climbers in a similar box ; this would leave the space 
disposable for other things that would otherwise be oc- 
cupied by the pots containing the climbers, 
In a large frame there would likewise be room for 
pended vases, ining Russelia juncea, Cereus 
flagelliformis, Saxifraga sarmentosa, Sedum Sieboldii, 
Vinea minor fl. pleno, Potentilla reptans fl. pleno, and 
other plants of similar habit. 
Iam afraid most of your readers will think this com- 
munieation already too long for the subject it relates to. 
[No ! no !] > I must therefore reserve for a future occa- 
sion a few observations on some of the plants mentioned 
in the above lists, and on a very important point —warm- 
ing the air of the window-garden in winter. [Hear, 
hear.]—4. C. 
SELECT PLANTS FOR BEDDING OUT, &c. IN 
FLOWER-GARDENS. 
(Continued from page 284.) 
9. Oxalis carnosa.—This species is still more adapted 
by its structure than the previously described. one 
(O. floribunda) for absorbing an excessive amount of 
moisture from the soil, and thereby attaining a degree 
of vigour in its growth, unfavourable to the produetion 
of bloom. To avert this, the soil should be taken ouf 
to the depth of 18 inches, or 2feet, and replaced by a. 
bottom layer of coarse briek or stone refuse, to the 
depth of 9 inches, over which should be placed a stratum 
of very dry porous turf-siftings, wood-ashes, or char- 
coal, to 6 inches more, and filled up with equal portions 
of light garden-mould, and finely-broken brick refuse, 
well mixed, The plants (or tubers) should be firmly 
planted in this, 
Oxalis carnosa is a dwarf, tuberous, half-shrubby 
perennial, of considerable interest, requiring a dry cold 
pit, or cool greenhouse, with protection from frost to 
preserve it in winter, producing a profusion of bright 
yellow flowers from May until October. It is well 
adapted for a small parterre or flower-bed, having full 
exposure to sunlight. In such a situation, the rose- 
coloured blossoms of O. floribunda would form a pleasing 
contrast, as an outer margin. The beautiful dark-green 
and glossy leaves, and their remarkably brilliant under« 
surface, constituting a museum in miniature, especially 
when observed through a magnifier, ought to ensure i$ 
a place in every flower-garden. 1 
10. Campamula stricta.—(C. sylvatiea of Paxton's 
Magazine).—This is a neat habited half-hardy biennial, 
growing from 12 to 18 inches in height (requiring 4 
similar protection to the subject last described) pro- 
ducing diffuse panicles of azure blue bell-shaped 
flowers from June until October. From the very 
