108 WINDOW GARDENING. 
The truG Maiden'' s Hair Fern, (Adiantum capillus Veneris}, by spreading at 
the roots will soon cover the surface of a basket. 
The AspJenium lanccolatun and A. marinum, are also spreaders. 
Ferns will alwaj-s be beautiful plants for window culture on account of their 
delicate outline and tasteful droop of their branches. Every amateur, however, 
will do well to begin with two or three at first, and then study the rest gradu- 
ally until he becomes familiar with their general characteristics. In watering 
Ferns, use warm water only, they will require it frequently also, for Ferns are 
natives of moist situations and latitudes ; to most ol ihem the dry air of a warm 
room is often injurious; loosed >"ases are best. 
The following trailing i:<3rns are suited for hanging baskets: NotJiodaena 
tenera, Davallia pentaphylla, Fadyema j;>rolifera, Adianhim cordatum. 
The list of plants for baskets is endless; you ar-e never at lack what to choose. 
You may begin with one plant, but as you become more acquainted with the 
nature of each plant, and learn their habits, you will love them so dearlj^ as lo 
sigh because you have not room for more. 
How to arrange Plants in the BasJcets. 
We offer several plans of how to fill a number of baskets easily : 
No. 1. — A fine low standard for a small hangingbasketis the Primula Sinensis 
(Chinese Primrose), bearing white or crimson flowers. Soil — two parts garden 
mould and one part sand Water often, but slightly. Raise from seed or 
division of the root, in sandy soil. Take offsets from old roots in May, re-set 
them in fresh soil and keep the pots in the shade until September. Gloxinias — 
flowers of rose color or crimson — make a fine display in similar pots. They 
need the same soil as the Primula. Water scantily, except when in bloom. 
Propagate bj^ division of the roots, or a single leaf set in damp sand. Just 
within the edge of the pot set Lysimachia nummularia (Moneywort), Nepeta 
gbcoma (Ground Ivy or Gill run over the ground), or Coliseun vinos. These have 
yellow, blue, white flowers. They will throw out trailers three or four feet 
long. Twine some of these around the chains or cords that sustain the 
basket. 
No. 2. — In the same sort of pots and soil, with the same drooping plant, Cyc- 
lamen punctatum, or C Persicum — flowe7-s white, pink or purplish — are very 
pretty. Or a root or offshoot of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (Ice-plant), 
whose stems and leaves, when the sun shines upon them, glitter as if covered 
with pearls and diamonds. One of these plants will soon spread over the sur- 
face and hang prettily around the basket. The flowers are small — pale crim- 
son or white. Or two or three Verbenas — white, scarlet and maroon, or white, 
pink, and purple — spreading and drooping, and creeping and climbing as they 
choose ; they flourish much better thus than when trained and trimmed. Start 
new plants from seed, or small branches, every June. Keep them rather dry 
and shaded, till September, then give them plenty of sunshine and increase 
the water but never water them very freely 
