[20 WINDOW GARDENING 
In selecting our list we have regard naturally to those which are most rapid 
growers. 
First on the list is Coboea scandens. It is an old favorite, and it is worthy of 
remark, that but few of the novelties introduced of late years can equal some 
of the "old favorites" which we have long been accustomed to grow. 
The vine is named from Cobo, a Spanish priest, who first cultivated it in Mex- 
ico, where he found it growing wild, and rambling in full luxuriance and beauty. 
A new variety of this vine, (Coboea scandens folius variegata) is much the most 
suitable for in-door culture. 
The growth of the vine is very rapid, and it is equally easy of cultivation ; the 
only essentials to success being warmth, a rich, though light soil, and sufficient 
water. If allowed to become very dry it will wither away. It requires sun and 
a warm room for it to grow in perfection ; yet it is not a tender plant ; i. e., it 
will live anywhere, provided the frost does not touch it, and is one of the few 
plants which will flourish luxuriantly in parlors lighted with gas and kept at 
almost fever heat. 
If grown in a hanging basket or pot, it must be large, and the roots allowed 
plenty of room to spread out in. In the summer the pots can be removed from 
the interior room to a balcony or piazza, or plunged into the ground until they are 
again wanted. Then clip off the growth of branches and leaves ; place the pot 
back again in a sunny window, where it will soon start forth afresh, with new 
leaves and arms to cover the window 
Its flowers are two inches long, and bell-shaped. At first their coloring is of 
a greenish hue, but it changes to a rich bluish-purple, and will continue in bloom 
for a week or more. Its calyx is large, and the long stamens seemingly grow at 
one side of it, giving to the flower much grace. It is easily raised from cuttings 
and seeds. The latter require some special care. If planted in the open ground 
they will generally decay; hence, pot or hot-bed culture is necessary. Usually 
the seeds are sown in March or April in light, rich soil, in pots, warmed with 
a gentle heat. After they have started, the young plants, when two inches high, 
are potted separately into small pots, and when they have grown about a foot 
high are carried to the place where they are to remain Usually there is no dif- 
ficulty in the greenhouse or conservatory, where they are produced abundantly. 
Amateurs who cannot propagate them will do well to buy them from the florist 
already started. 
It is one of the best of vines for parlor decoration, as it will drape and festoon 
the window, and stretch forth its tendrils, running up even to the ceiling. The 
tendrils are so clinging in their nature that they will attach themselves to any- 
thing which comes within their reach — curtain cords, branches of other plants, 
brackets, &c., throwing out new branches everywhere. 
Smilax. 
The Smilax (Medeola asparagoides) is now seen in almost every window 
basket, cultivated extensively for its rich, wavy, glossy foliage. For table deo- 
