WINDOW OARDENINO 43 
Ho not omit the practice of washing 3'our pot plants in the summer, thinking 
that the rain will do it for you. It will help you doubtless, but if the loaves are 
bushy, many of them will not have their full share, andsliould still be syringed 
and washed with all the help of thutnband finger, sponge, brush, or garden synnge 
Keep the soil well stirred up in these months, for if you desire healthy plants 
the air must have access to the roots, and the surface of the pot must not be 
allowed to cake. There are many annuals that make fine pot plants both in 
summer and winter, but in June, July and August, they will give you most 
bi-illiant flowers at a very small cost. Boxes of Portulacca, Asters, Phlox, Stocks, 
Balsams, Pinks, Schizanthus, Zinnias, etc., are highly ornamental and within the 
reach of all flower lovers, while each of the above named flowers make handsome 
single plants in pots. 
We can hardly give a list of flowers that bloom in these months, for their name 
is legion, and embraces many of those mentioned heietofore. 
The Lilies are in their glory, and there can be no finer pot plants raised than 
the various varieties of Japan Lilies, Tigridias, Amaryllis and Vallotta 2^-irpurea 
mcperba, all of which are mentioned in the chapter upon bulbs. 
Late in August, cuttings can be struck from all bedding-out plants that are 
desired to be kept during the winter. At this season they strike root very freely, 
and will frequently become fine plants by December. 
Gloxinias and Achimenes are most desirable additions to summer blooming 
flowers. The Gloxinias are particularly beautiful and brilliant. Tlieir exquisite 
coloring and freshness is unequaled. 
Achimenes are, also, a genus of splendid plants, which will be described in 
Part II. They are unrivaled in beauty of coloring and form. They produce 
the most beautiful masses of blossoms in vases and baskets, over which they fes- 
toon their glorious flowers and trailing branches. 
Autumn Culture of Winclno Gardens 
For this season there is little to be added to the directions already given for the 
culture of house plants in previous months The plants that are intended for 
winter flowering should all be repotted and prepared for their permanent quarters 
early in September, so as to become fully estal)lished in the pots before the season 
is cold and gloomy. The roots must be attended to as heretofore directed, and 
if they cling to the surface of the pot, one of a larger size should be substituted, 
and fresh earth given. Be sure to procure good soil, and to press it tightly about 
the roots, and crown of the bulb, or stem of the plant 
Do not attempt to cultivate too many plants, remembering that one strong, 
handsome shaped healthy plant is worth more than ten or twelve sickly things, 
that are lanky, scraggy and never blossom 
Give your plants the morning sunshine. It is far better than the afternoon, 
and if the windows open, both to tlie east and southwest, so much the better for 
