7 8 4 



THE. BOOK OF GARDENING. 



better results than are possible when only one box is available, 

 and which the cultivator is forced to empty at each successive 

 season, if he would have something to look at the year 

 through. 



For early spring there is nothing better than bulbous plants, 

 which are cheap, easily grown, and may be made exceedingly 

 decorative by a judicious employment of colours. Crocuses, 

 Scillas, Chionodoxas, Snowdrops, and Muscari may be arranged 

 between dwarf, hardy shrubs, either planted in the soil or simply 

 dropped in the box and covered with cocoanut fibre. Other 



Fig. J523. — Laurustinus Grown as a Window Plant. 



so-called bulbous subjects that may be tried are some of 

 the dwarf species of Iris, all too seldom seen and not the 

 easiest to grow in the outdoor garden proper by reason of the 

 fact that they blossom so very early. 



Such dwarf shrubs as some of the variegated Conifers 

 belonging to the genera Retinospora, Thuya, Juniperus, Cryp- 

 tomeria, and the like would impart pleasing colour from October 

 (by which time the majority of bulbs should be planted) through 

 winter, and until the spring flowers are past their best. Other 



