33 



[Barr and Sugden, 1872. 



but for the pleasure which is derived by ardent minds in collecting and bringing from their obscurity those lovely 

 flowers that hitherto were — 



" born to bloom unseen 

 And waste their sweetness in the desert air." 



These Window Gardens embrace so wide a range of subject that an ordinary bay window such as is represented 

 in our woodcuts can be made to accommodate 200 or more species. Each in its season is a source of interest, and 

 developes its own peculiar beauty; so that a window arranged as our illustration represents will afford daily plea- 

 sure throughout the entire year. There is the Autumn tint, the Winter green, the freshness and variety of Spring, 

 with the flowers of Summer. Thus, in this horticultural microcosm is exhibited the "great dial of the year," 

 whereon — 



"The seasons pass and strike the quarters." 



The illustration of our new Window Garden represents Alpine plants, such as the Achillea, Ajuga, Alyssum, 

 Androsace, Antennaria, Arabis, Arenaria, Armeria, Artemisia, Arum, Aster, Aubrietia, Bellium, Calystegia, Cam- 

 panula, Cerastium, Cheiranthus, Dianthus, Draba, Erinus, Gypsophila, Hepatica, Iberis, Iris, Linaria, Lysi- 

 machia, Myosotis, Opuntia, Oxalis, dwarf Phlox, Saponaria, Saxifraga, Sedum, Sempervivum, Echeveria, Silene, 

 Statice, Thalictrum, Thymus, Veronica, Vinca, etc. While to these can be added of bulbous plants, Sternbergia 

 lutea, with its large yellow Crocus-like flowers ; Zephyranthes Candida, with its silvery white blossoms, and for 

 spring blooming the intense biue Scilla Sibirica, the Spring Snowflake, the Snowdrop, the Crocus, the miniature 

 Hyacinth, the Narcissus Bulbocodium and Nanus, the Bulbocodium vernum, the dwarf early single Tulips, and 

 many other bulbous plants will contribute their charms. Here within a limited space is a garden with representatives 

 from every temperate clime. The invalid who can only be moved in a chair can tend this garden, while those 

 who are much confined in-doors have only to turn their eyes to the window to enjoy the refreshing influence of 

 their Window Garden. To children it is a rare treat. The aspect is homely, the subjects are chaste, many of 

 them peculiar in form, and in diversity matchless ; so that to all, whether young, middle-aged, or old, these con- 

 gregations of plants have a charm which is known only to those who have made such collections. In their culture 

 there is an absence of all difficulty, the great bugbear to the uninitiated, the question of soils, of situations, of 

 aspects, and the thousand and one things to be attended to, which are a stumbling-block to some, and an 

 excuse to others, for not being surrounded with the most humanizing and elevating of all material pleasures. The 

 Window Gardens, planted as they appear in our illustration simply require to be kept free from weeds and 

 attended to with water. This done there is no limit to their duration. The first cost is the investment, the daily 

 pleasure is the interest. 



THE NEW WINDOW GARDEN. 



The construction is of the simplest possible character, so that any one can make such a structure, or have 

 it made by an ordinary carpenter. We use yellow deal the width we wish the Window Garden to be. At the back 

 is a strip of wood three inches in height, which can be higher or lower according to taste, and scalloped or plain. The 

 front is ornamented as represented in the illustration, the structure resting upon blocks so as to raise it a quarter 

 of an inch above the sill of the window, and with holes in the bottom for drainage. A compost is used of soi. 

 consisting of two-thirds road-scrapings, one-third loam, and if convenient an addition of leaf soil perfectly decayed. 

 The soil is then elevated so as to be highest in the centre, or it may be worked into mounds. Into this may be 

 introduced a few stones, or a few shells, but care should be taken that these are not made conspicuous. Then 

 the plants should be arranged so that, looking from the window or from the outside, the effect is equally good. 

 Between the scallops in the front a trailer should be inserted, and a Sempervivum to form a rosette between the 

 scallops, or a little bit of rock with a Sedum or Saxifrage growing over it. When shells are introduced, we prefer 

 | a Sempervivum growing out of them, such as Montanum, or the Cobweb house-leek. Intermingling with those 



