332 
WINDOW GARDENING. 
Mr. Gaines. Beauty of Eton, from Mr. 
Holder, of Eton, a novel flower, rose coloured, 
with a darker blotch. 
Verbenas and Cinerarias. — There were 
no seedlings of any importance exhibited. 
Rhododendrons. — A variety called Atro- 
purpureum, from Mr. Bruce, of Tooting, was 
of a dull dark purplish rose, with a very dis- 
tinct blotch of dark crimson spots on the upper 
petals. Speculum, Medora, and Coronet, three 
pink varieties, from Mr. Bunney, of Stratford; 
the last two were rewarded. 
British Grass. — Though not showy, yet 
a very interesting plant, in a new kind of 
British Grass, was shown by Mr. T. Moore, 
of Camden Town, who discovered it abun- 
dantly around London in 1844. It is closely 
related to Glyceria ffluitans, and will prove 
either a new species, or a very marked variety 
of G. fluitans. 
Pansies. — Among the seedlings, were two 
very dark flowers, with purple eyes, from 
Messrs. Brown and Attwell, named Tippoo 
Saib, and Black Prince, Another, in the 
same way, from Mr. Henbury, of Croydon, 
was named Rajah. Earl of Zetland, of which 
a whole stand was shown by a Mr. Backhouse, 
was a very curious colour. There were several 
other very good flowers, but they did not 
strike us so forcibly as the preceding. 
WINDOW GARDENING AND PLANTS IN 
DWELLING-HOUSES. 
The period of the year when people in 
manufacturing towns are seeking for plants to 
decorate their windows having arrived, it be- 
comes a subject worth inquiring into, whether 
they always choose the best, or are taken with 
ephemeral beauties, not likely to last long in 
perfection ; and here perhaps we may be of 
service with a few hints. Of the plants likely 
to last any considerable time in bloom, or 
which, when out of bloom, form pretty objects, 
there are not a gi-eat many; but a little care 
in the selection may be of service. As to the 
plants people in general choose, let us notice 
one fact which few calculate on. The most 
ephemeral plants, if bought before they are 
fully bloomed, will last some time before the 
unbloomed flowers are developed ; and there- 
fore no one ought to be captivated by the 
beauty of a plant in full flower, be it what it 
may. Geraniums are general favourites. If 
one flower has opened, so that you can see the 
character of it, you need wish for no more ; it 
is far better to have all the blooms open with 
you, than to pick out a full-blossomed plant, 
when, as soon as they fail, the plant is done. 
But there are many plants better than Gera- 
niums for window gardens. Mignonette lasts 
a considerable time, but is not grown for its 
beauty. The Fuchsia ought to be in perfec- 
tion a long time, but it requires the greatest 
care in purchasing, and managing after it is 
purchased. If it comes out of a warm house, 
the change of temperature will throw off every 
bloom ; so will it if you make it too wet, or 
let it stand in a wet saucer ; this indeed is the 
bane of almost every plant. The Cineraria 
is a prolific bloomer, and if you can buy them 
just as the first flowers are coming out, they 
will be in bloom for weeks. Cockscombs are 
lasting subjects; and Stocks, if obtained when 
they are first opening, will also continue a 
considerable time in beauty. China and other 
Roses will not keep in close towns, and fade 
almost directly they are obtained ; indeed it 
is exceedingly difficult to keep them even in 
the vicinity of close manufacturing towns. 
The balconies of the London houses are as 
bare as they need be, when evergreens would 
form an excellent ornament ; but the pur- 
chasers of evergreens at the markets have 
found them die off quickly, and have soon 
tired of buying. The fact is, that those taken 
to market are taken up out of the ground and 
stuffed into pots any how, as they are only 
wanted to last until they are sold ; but it is 
the means of deterring many from buying a 
second time. They do not think it is the 
dealer's fault, but that the things will not grow 
in London, and that it is no use trying them 
again. Now, it is all but certain that plants 
potted up in the spring for the London market 
will die. Evergreens intended to live, must 
be well established in pots ; and when that is 
the case, they may be grown for years in 
London, with only the ordinary caution of 
giving occasional watering, well washing the 
leaves, and shifting about every two years 
into larger pots, all three of which necessaries 
are completely lost sight of. The Acuba Ja- 
ponica is the very best plant for London bal- 
conies ; the Box next. The Rhododendron 
ponticum will keep some years with these 
precautions, but nothing will keep long in 
health without them. The Carnation and 
Piccotee will do well in the very smoke of 
London, if attended to as before observed 
with regard to washing and watering through 
the season of bloom ; but though they might 
be kept, and even propagated for years, it is 
not worth the trouble ; and they will be better 
changed every year, as they grow strong and 
push up for a strong bloom in the country, 
while, in London, if they had to make then- 
growth from the beginning, they would be 
weak for want of pure air. The Scarlet Ge- 
ranium, which continues blooming all the 
season, is a hardy flower for the window, and 
it will grow almost anywhere with care and 
attention ; blooming, too, as every new shoot 
perfects itself, so that there is always flower 
