99 
The Balcony and Window Garden. 
variety of the latter which is most effective. Of tenderer kinds, adapted for 
summer decoration only, we have ivy-leaved pelargoniums, which are un¬ 
surpassed for the purpose, petunias, fuchsias, trailing tropaeolums, Maurandya 
Barclay ana, and the lophospermum and thunberigia already mentioned. 
All these may be planted in the baskets in April, and grown in a green¬ 
house until June, then hung outside, or planted and placed outdoors then. 
Any of the last-mentioned plants may be planted in boxes, and their shoots 
allowed to ramble through the railing, and thus drape the base of the 
balcony in a most pleasing and effective manner. 
Boxes, too, may be sown with mignonette, and placed in such a position 
that its fragrance may be wafted into the rooms. Pots containing sweet- 
scented Tobacco (Nicotiana afftnis), heliotrope, and ten-week stocks may be 
stood about here and there during the summer, in order to afford a greater 
amount of fragrance if desired, and yellow and white marguerites, zonal 
geraniums, fuchsias, calceolarias, and lobelias pressed into service for yielding 
a bright display of'colour. 
If fine foliage plants are in request for summer decoration, the India-rubber 
Plant [Ficus elastica ), Fan Palm ( Chamoerops excelsa); Silky Oak ( Grevillea 
robusta ) ; Parlour Palm (Aspidistra lurida variegata), and the Blue Gum 
Tree (Eucalyptus globulus), will be found suitable. 
In autumn, early flowering chrysanthemums in pots will be useful for taking 
the place of the faded summer plants. When October arrives, clear away the 
summer plants, and plant daffodils, crocus, scillas, tulips, hyacinths, and snow¬ 
drops in the boxes, just forking the old soil over, no fresh mould being 
necessary. Then, in the place of the palms, have some small conifers, such 
as Cupressus Lawsoniana, Retinospora plumosa, Taxus baccata elegantissima, 
Thuiopsis dolobrata, and Juniper us tamariscifolia. A few other orna¬ 
mental shrubs, as Aucuba Japonica, euonymus in variety, variegated 
and common box, variegated hollies, and Mahonia aquilifolia. These 
will brighten up the balcony wonderfully in winter. If space permits, 
a few flowering shrubs, as rhododendrons, Kalmia latifolia, and laurestinus 
may be added. Berry-bearing shrubs, such as Skimmia japonica and 
Pernetlya mucronata, ought to be found room for, too. On the approach 
of spring, wild primroses and the cultivated kinds, together with 
polyanthus, might be planted between the bulbs in the boxes, and thus 
an endeavour be made to render the balcony a source of interest all the 
year. 
