38 [Ban- and Sudden, 1872. 
but for the pleasure which is derived by ardent minds in collecting and bringing from their obscurity those lovely 
flowers that hitherto were — 
" bom 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 arc 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 soil 
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 
