THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
11 
coloured flowera. They are very cheap, from two and sixpence per 
100, so you could have masses of them in bloom on the balcony 
with little expense, and they make a really gorgeous display in con- 
nection with the hyacinths and tulips. There is also the Polyanthus 
narcissus , of sorts, the Daffodil and the Muscarias ; all very good, 
but not so showy as the gorgeous trio, the hyacinth, tulip, and 
crocus. And last but not least we have the virgin white Snowdrops, 
single and double, the harbingers of spring — the firstling of the 
year — the little friend we all welcome so gladly. All these spring 
fiowers and bulbs usher in the season of balcony and window gar- 
dening with a burst of freshness and beauty. They begin with the 
snowdrops in February and continue in rotation through March, 
April, and May, till the summer flowers come in to take their place. 
Hardy spring plants can be purchased in spring and planted in 
boxes when you get them. But spring bulbs should all lie planted 
in their boxes in October or November, and kept in any convenient 
closet or cellar till the days begin to lengthen out again, when they 
can be placed in their proper quarters ; or, better still, if you have 
any convenient place to grow them in till they are nearly in flower, 
and they will make a grand display on the balcony at once when 
placed there. 
When planting your bulbs you can arrange them as you intend 
them to flower, either in masses of each kind in one box, or mixed 
together. A very good arrangement is to have them in lines, 
Tulips, Hyacinths, Crocuses, or Snowdrops alternately ; however, 
your own taste will guide you in this. Remember to plant all bulbs, 
except the hyacinth, below the surface ; the hyacinth should have 
the top of the bulb above the surface of the soil. 
As the spring flowers die out, the summer flowers will begin to 
take their place, and cause your balcony garden to have quite a 
different appearance altogether. Masses of gorgeous flowers, 
luxuriant creeping plants, and fresh foliage of Ivy, Virginian Creeper, 
Clematis, Grape vine, etc., will give it a truly rich and sumptuous 
appearance. 
Summer bedding plants all do best planted in boxes, although 
you may have several specimen geraniums, fuchsias, lobelias, etc., in 
pots, for moving about, handy ; but all small plants in pots, either on 
the balcony or in the window, should have their pots plunged in 
boxes among moss or sand, they thrive far better with their roots 
protected thus from the sun’s heat. 
For area gardens nothing is better than a few hardy plants, such 
as Agave Americana, A. variegaia, A. horrida, Aloe Africana, Aloe 
picta, and A. variegata, Yucca aloifolia, Y. aloifolia variegaia, plants 
of Ivy in tubs trained on wirework, and such shrubs as Hollies, 
Laurels, Boxes, Arbutus, Mahonia, Aucuba japonica. Junipers, Yews, 
and several other varieties of conifers ; not forgetting the Rhodo- 
dendrons that are so gorgeous when in flower in the early summer. 
All these plants and shrubs should be grown in wooden tubs painted 
green. They are an everlasting decoration, standing all the year 
rooind, only requiring the dust and soot to be washed off them by 
syringing, and never being allowed to get dry for want of water. 
January, 
