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THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



season when plants in the open are subjected to much wet. In winter, very drying 

 winds occur, and quite as much injury from drought is caused at that time as during a 

 very hot and dry summer. Then, again, few seem to think of liquid manure or top 

 dressings for shrubs. But let them water well, summer and winter, and feed the plants a 

 little ; they will then produce glossy growth, pretty and clear variegations, and one will be 

 loth to remove the shrubs entirely. 



Even if it be decided to have the usual subjects for window adornment in summer, 

 such as Begonias, Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, Lobelias, Heliotrope, etc., it is easy to 

 move out the conifers and plant them in the garden until autumn. Among Euonymuses 

 alone one can make up many variations in form of plants and colour, also find a very 

 pretty green and silver variegated form to hang over the boxes. The Retinosporas and 

 Cupressus will also furnish sufficient in each case, while, if one considers the list of 

 those containing one or more suitable varieties only, it is difficult to make a selection. 

 Euonymuses are the most satisfactory little shrubs for a window-box, especially if at all 

 exposed to the salt spray, such as in our sea-coast towns. Remember that conifers are 

 seldom healthy in smoky towns, and, therefore, should not be used in such positions. 

 When soot effects a lodgment upon the feathery shoots, health flies away. 



In SPRING. — The window-box may be made as gay in the spring months as the 

 flower-beds in the garden below, and the sheet anchor will be hardy bulbs — the Snowdrop to 

 herald the spring, followed by Crocuses, Daffodils, Scillas, Chionodoxas, Tulips, and even 

 Primroses and Auriculas ; but one desires something or other tall in this position, not 

 lov-growing plants, unseen except when one is close at hand. Snowdrops and Scillas 

 amongst small evergreen shrubs are very pretty, and a blaze of Tulips gives brightness to 

 the house. Bulbs, too, are so cheap now that several boxes may be kept filled without 

 much expense. It is important to have free drainage to the boxes, especially when they 

 are filled with soil. Make four holes in the bottom, and raise the box slightly above the 

 level, so as to provide a ready way for the water to escape. A few crocks may be placed 

 in the bottom of the box, over these some rough leaf mould, then the principal compost, 

 which may consist of loam, leaf mould, and sharp silver sand, made neither too heavy nor 

 too light. Those who have no opportunities for growing very beautiful and choice bulbs 

 may make use of the window-box for this purpose. Then, of course, it loses its brilliant 

 colouring, such as is imparted to it by scarlet Tulips and yellow Daffodils. The writer 

 knows of one enthusiastic gardener, not blessed with a place in which to grow alpine flowers, 

 who makes use of his window-boxes. In these are growai the Violet-scented netted Iris 

 (I. reticulata), its deep purple flowers filled with rich perfume, I. Bakeriana, I. Danfordiae, 

 Galanthus Elwesii, the tall garden Snowdrop, Crocus Imperati, in bloom before January 

 has gone ; Iris alata, easily recognised by the leek-like arrangement of its leaves > 

 Sternbergia lutea, and the Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), besides any rare little bulb 

 that may be sent to him. By these means the window-boxes become miniature gardens of 

 beautiful flowers, under close observation, and it is surprising when the boxes are not in 

 the full sun always, though in winter one is grateful for every ray of sunshine, how well 

 these bulbs succeed. Snowdrops, especially in gardens near to large towns, seem lost when 

 opening on a January or early February day. One desires the woodland whitened with 

 the pearly nodding flower, so delicately poised on its slender stem. It is very interesting 

 to be able to grow these delightful early-flowering bulbs, the Irises especially, which 

 require such careful watching in the open ground. Iris reticulata is worth filling a whole 

 box with for the sake of its delicious perfume and beautiful purple-violet colour. It is 

 surprising to find this Iris regarded as almost a rarity by many good gardeners. This is a 

 mistake. Such a flower should be treasured everywhere, and it is very easily grown, 

 especially in pots in a frame or greenhouse. 



IN SUAAMER. — There is a wide choice of plants for the window-box in summer, and 



