BOTANIC Ali INDEX. 
21 
plants that are generally found in a small private collection, a rich loam or decayed 
pasture sod, mixing a little sand with it, which is requisite, because sand is a better 
retainer of moisture than soil, and holds a supply in reserve in case of neglect in 
watering — not forgetting to put a few pieces of broken pot over the hole in the bottom 
of the pot to keep it open, as it is the main outlet for all superfluous moisture. Water 
is in daily demand by most plants just now, particularly those exposed to the direct 
rays of the sun or in close connection with fire heat. But in watering, care should 
be taken not to water any that are in a moist condition. 
What with attending to syringing, fumigating, the moving and regulating of 
plants so as to arrange them in the most beneficial manner, and the many operations 
too numerous to name, the plant grower has but little leisure time left. However, 
there is a pleasure and contentment in being employed, and a double amount in plant 
culture. The flower garden, pleasure grounds, vegetable and fruit gardens, are wait- 
ing with impatience to be attended to; duties in these departments are too numerous 
to name here. Operators should be governed somewhat by location and weather, as 
well as by surrounding influences. But while there is so much work to be done, let 
us be thankful for it; and with a delight in what we are doing, let us set about that 
which most needs doing; which will be self-evident, with a little watching and read- 
ing — without which it is nearly impossible to keep in step, in this our time of horti- 
cultural advancement. 
WINDOW DECORATION. 
We have reference to the outside of the window, and think that by paying a little 
more attention to beautifying our windows with plants, we not onl} r would be receiv- 
ing a blessing ourselves, but would at the same time be conferring one upon others. 
For what makes a home look more cheerful in summer time than to see the windows 
stocked with good blooming plants, when viewed either from the room or the street? 
But, say some, can plants be grown to advantage on a window sill? All plants can 
not, but many can. The trial for one season will more than repay you, particularly 
in the city, where land for flower-beds is not so abundant as in the rural districts. 
No doubt some of your readers have seen some of the successful window-gardening 
done in New York city, along Broadway and other notable streets; which, when 
viewed in early morn in the month of August, look truly grand, and remind us of 
culture and refinement within. In London, England, the taste for growing plants 
in windows is remarkable ; and in Lancashire, amidst all the smoke imaginable, a 
great many plants do very well in this manner. Boxes are better for the purpose 
than pots. The box or boxes should be made the length and width of the window- 
sill ; the height from 4 to 8 inches, according to size of plants desired to cultivate. 
The bottom of the box should be perforated with holes, so as to admit air to the roots. 
Over the holes lay a sod or piece of old carpet, which when saturated with water is 
not liable to dry out so quick, and also arrests the drip when being watered. Then 
fill the box nearly full of good soil. 
In choosing plants, get those that are good bloomers; that is, if you desire them 
to grow upright. If you desire vines for drooping, a density of foliage is requisite. 
Roses, fuchsias, heliotropes, geraniums, coleus, cinerarias, lobelia, verbenas, migno- 
nette, vincas, English, Kenilworth, and other ivies, are all good for the purpose. A 
few ferns and begonias also recommend themselves. As a vine to train round the 
window, nothing beats the Madeira vine for grace and beauty, with its dense, glau- 
cous foliage shimmering in the sunlight. 
Plants, like books, have a language, and speak forcibly in our quiet moments; 
and in view of their comparative cheapness, everybody can afford the luxury of a 
few cheerful plants. 
PUTTING BARE WALLS TO USE. 
In most greenhouses there is some wall or walls that appear conspicuous because 
of their nakedness. We think that this might be avoided to a great extent by a 
little outlay and labor, namely, by covering them with the clinging ivies, or other 
climbers, which are useful as stock plants as well as for their bloom. Another 
method of covering them is by attaching wire of about 1 or 1A inch mesh to the wall, 
by means of iron staples or wooden wedges, the whole projecting out a few inches. 
Lay moss against the wire from the inside; fill in the vacuum with peat and leaf 
mould, adding a little charcoal or sand, if on hand. In this, many varieties of fern 
will grow, which, setting aside their beauty, will be of use to the florist to cut for 
sale — particularly some of the Adiantums. Again, the plants being stationary, have 
a chance of perpetuating themselves in a natural way, thus insuring a constant sup- 
ply of young stock. Orchids, foliage begonias, tradescantia, will all do well mixed 
in with the ferns or alongside, thus adding beauty to desolation. 
Of course, this does not apply to walls that are required to be kept dry. But as 
<paee is an item in commercial places, it is requisite that we make some profitable use 
of even a bare wall. 
