WINDOW GARDENING. W] 
the garden, then in September, again put it in a large pot with newer soil, bring 
to a cool and shady room at first, then gradually bring it to the heat. 
There are several varieties of the Ivy, commonly grown by all gardeners. 
The Hedera helix is the English Ivy, the common outdoor climbing variety, 
found in all parts of Europe. It is of slow growth, two feet a year out doors 
being considered good progress. It needs water more freely than any of the 
other sorts, for drouth is death to it. It may be propagated by first cutting 
slips, then rooting them in bottles of water, and afterward transferring with 
sand . 
The Hedera Canariensis, is the Irish Ivy, slightly larger than the others; 
leaves live lobed. Will thrive in a cool, shady, and close room. Too great 
exposure to the heat of the sun will cause the leaves to turn purple, or ripen 
too quickly ; yet it will seldom blossom without sunshine. The flower is very 
ordinary, and it is more to be prized for its elegant light green foliage, which are 
thrown out from its luxuriant shoots. 
The German Ivy is not properl}-^ of this family, but its botanical name i3 
Senecio Scandens. This grows much more rapidly than either of the above, has 
lighter green leaves, and is entirely free from troublesome insects. Its branches 
trail in long festoons. Whether grown in the hanging basket, or over the win- 
dow, it will soon wreath it with its leafy canopy. It may be trained as a pyra- 
mid by inserting stakes in the pots, and then letting the vine curve around 
toward the top, or it may be trained as an umbrella, or bushes, or on a semi- 
circle, or any form that the frame is made to take. Its easy propagation — for 
every slip will take root — • quick growth, have made it a favorite with every 
one. 
Another variety called the Coliseum Ivy, (Lmaria cymbalaria,') is also popu- 
lar. It grows in slender purplish stems, having small green leaves with purple 
linii gs, and its flowers are like those of the Antirrhinum, but are very minute, 
being of lilac, white and yellow tints, mingled together. It grows in cracks or 
crevices of old buildings, and the roof of the grand Cathedral at Milan, is thickly 
overgrown with it in patches. It seeds plentifully, sows itself, and is also most 
easily propagated by cuttings. The soil most suitable for it is light sandy loam, 
yet it does not endure much moisture or dampness. 
There are still a dozen or fifteen other varieties to be obtained in this country, 
each peculiar in itself, yet, the variegated varieties, marginata, argetitea, &c., are 
the most desirable. They exist in many different forms, all variously margined 
with creamy, silver, or yellow colors — on the leaves. They are used either for 
climbers on the walls, or in beds, as margins. They do best when fully ex- 
posed to the sunshine, and in a comparatively poor soil. Under the name of 
Silver Edge Ivy, the argentea has been used for edging flower beds and for ter- 
race gardens, having a broad margin of silvery white, — other varieties have three 
colors, white, green, and rose, or yellow. 
The list of varieties exceeds fifty in number, some producing gigantic leaves 
of thick texture, others white or golden berries, some richly variegated, otheri 
