WINDOW GARDENING. 
Alpines. — These are a different class of 
plants altogether, but must be protected in a 
division of the cold pit, apart from other 
plants, except it be a few hardy herbaceous 
plants that may happen to be kept in pots. 
Alpine plants are not tender, in the usual 
acceptance of the term ; it is not so much cold 
that they require to be protected from, as fluc- 
tuations of temperature and atmospheric con- 
ditions. On their native eminences they lie 
buried during their winter beneath a dense 
covering of snow, which affords them protec- 
tion from change of any kind ; and this cover- 
ing is continued around them till they are at 
once, and somewhat suddenly, surrounded by 
the genial influences of spring. What they 
require even before this month, is to have the 
pots plunged in dry coal ashes, or sawdust, or 
some similar material, to keep the roots in as 
equable a state as possible. For them, too, 
the frame should have a northern aspect, so 
as not to be subjected to the exciting influence 
of partial gleams of sunshine. The other points 
must be attained by keeping a constant sup- 
ply of fresh air at all times, except perhaps in 
the severest weather; and it is very rarely 
indeed that water will be required, as the 
plunging of the pot will in great measure 
prevent it from becoming frequently dry. 
WINDOW GARDENING. 
The display of flowers in the windows of 
living-rooms, must at this period of the 
year, be chiefly, if not entirely, dependent on 
the supply afforded by the green-house or 
forcing-house ; if, however, the latter has 
been maintained at the maximum temperature, 
an ordinary living-room will be unsuitable 
for the plants which have been kept in it. 
Those who have these conveniences can of 
course select a few flowers for their windows 
from among those they may have in bloom ; 
and those who have not this means at their 
disposal, may obtain them from the flower 
market. 
Plants in Bloom. — One of the very best 
of winter flowering plants adapted for the 
window, is the Chinese Primrose, (Primula 
sinensis, or P. pra;nitens, of some.) This, if 
sown in the summer, and grown carefully 
during the autumn in the green-house, will 
bloom admirably throughout the winter ; they 
are impatient of too much moisture at the 
root. The different Cyclamens, too, are pretty 
and appropriate for the window ; they may 
be had in bloom in succession, by placing 
them in the warmer temperature of a forcing- 
house from eight to ten weeks before they 
are wanted to be in bloom. The two small 
red flowering ones, C. coum, and C. vernum, 
and the white and red varieties of C. pcrsicum, 
— the latter species having odorous flowers, are 
very desirable. Besides these, some of the 
most compact plants of Cineraria may be 
selected, and small plants of Oranges,Camellias, 
and China Eoses. Then there are Hyacinths, 
Lilies of the Valley, Narcissus, Irises, Tulips, 
and such flowers as these, from which a selec- 
tion and supply must be drawn. 
Evergreens. — Almost as cheerful as flowers 
themselves, are snug little plants of many of 
the green-house evergreen shrubs, especially 
Myrtles. We need not specify others, for 
any evergreen will answer the purpose of 
producing a more lively appearance than can 
be secured if plants are altogether absent. 
They chiefly require to be kept clear from 
dust, by occasionally washing or sponging 
the leaves, and to be watered, perhaps once a 
week ; or according to the weather. 
Geraniums, tj'c. — There are some common 
plants, such as Geraniums, Calceolarias, &c. 
which many amateurs with limited means 
keep in the windows all the winter. These 
require to be kept in the light as much as 
possible, and to be placed beyond the reach of 
frost ; this may be accomplished by setting 
them close to the window in the day-time, 
and setting them down in a snug corner of 
the room at night. They must be watered 
just enough to keep the soil slightly moistened 
throughout. Whenever a little air can be 
given them by opening the windows for an 
hour or two, it should be done ; but there is 
an equal risk of injury in exposing them to a 
cold, cutting, current of air, as in keeping 
them too much closed up. In general they 
will have to accommodate themselves, in this 
respect, to the general arrangements of the 
family. 
Fuchsias. — Fuchsias may be kept in any 
dark place yet, and may remain just dry 
enough to avoid their being parched up ; as 
soon as the buds begin to swell, they ought 
to be pruned, either down to near the soil, or 
closely in to a single stem. 
Cacti. — From their permanent character, 
and singular form and appearance, these are 
suitable for the window, and are interesting 
even when not in flower, especially the globe 
Cacti. They simply require to be kept free 
from frost, and to be watered very seldom, per- 
haps once a fortnight, or just enough to keep 
them from shrivelling. The period for grow- 
ing them is not yet arrived. 
Begonias. — The Begonia discolor is a com- 
mon and very pretty window plant. In the 
winter it dies down, and nothing but the 
tuberous root remains ; this is usually placed 
away in the pot in which it was grown, 
into a dry cupboard. Towards the end of 
the month, they may be brought out, and 
very moderately watered. When plants have 
to be excited anew, as in this case, the 
c 
