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Enclosed Window Gardens . 
107 
of a floral display at the windows; but in suburban villas the views are not 
always of the finest, and besides the opportunity the window offers for flower 
culture, it is sometimes advisable to shut out the glances of too curious eyes, 
and screen ourselves from the glare of the sun, the driving dust, the keen 
wind in spring, when the blue sky and inviting greenness tempt us to throw 
up the sash in spite of the lingering north-east; in fact, a bowery window is 
often desirable for strict utility, as well as for ornament; and nothing is easier 
than to break the angular outlines with plants, and create a choice garden 
within and without, such at least as may give a lady full employment, and add 
vastly to the grace and pleasure of the home. 
The shape, dimensions, and aspect of a window will, of course, pretty much 
determine what is to be done with it. Supposing that you decide to have a 
small ornamental case constructed, somewhat after the manner of the accom¬ 
panying illustration, outside a south or west window, you may turn this to 
account from May to September for growing small palms, Dracaena indivisa , 
Aspidistra lurida variegata , Anthericum variegatum, • Iso/epis gracilis , and 
flowering plants in season, as marguerites, zonal pelargoniums, musk, helio¬ 
trope, lobelias, and petunias. In September these may be replaced with 
small ornamental shrubs, as Pernettya mucronata , Euonymus radicans , E. 
japonica and Eulalia japonica , with the addition in spring of hardy bulbs in 
flower, and a charming effect secured throughout the year. If the aspect be 
an easterly or northern one, then recourse must be had to such ferns as 
Eteris tremula , Eteris cretica , Cyrtomium falcatum , and Pteris serndata , with 
Begonia rex , Grevillea robusta , and musk for summer; and similar shrubs, 
&c., to those recommended for the south aspect for winter and spring. 
Then another mode of decoration might be carried out as follows: 
To begin inside, you may, if there is sufficient space, and particularly 
where a large bay window offers the opportunity, place at each side a 
neat box lined with lead, and of a depth proportionate to the height 
of the window-sill. Twenty inches may be considered a good depth; and 
each box should occupy not more than a third of the window, so as to 
leave the central space open for the view and the transmission of unbroken 
light. Then in each box fix a trellis of wood or wire—and wire is always 
best —to ascend nearly to the top of the glass, and then arch over and meet 
in the centre. Indeed, the centre-piece should be made separately, so as to 
admit of removal in winter, if desirable, and it may be attached to the two 
side portions by a little simple carpentering. Most of the climbers require to 
