WTiXDOW GARDENING. |21 
orations, wreaths, festoons, &c., it is very popular, and in all festive occasions 
where green drapery is used the Sinilax occupies a prominent part — always con- 
sidered indispensable. It is a bulb, a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and 
requires a rich but rather sandy soil to grow in perfection, also a liberal use of 
liquid manure, and vrhen in a growing state must have plenty of water. Its 
leaves are in reality its branches ; its flowers are of a whitish green, and its ber- 
ries, or seed-pods, black ; but it is cultivated entirely for its graceful sprays. 
These are often injured by their deadly enemies, the red spiders. By giving the 
plants a good shower of water once a week they will soon be free from the insects, 
or if this is not convenient, dust them with red pepper. 
The Sniilax does not require a very sunny location, but will thrive in a partly 
shaded window or on a bracket. It propagates itself by offsets from the parent 
bulb ; yet it can also be raised from seeds. It requires some support to cling to, 
and will run more rapidly if a wire is fastened around the outside edge of the 
pot, and to this let there be attached small cords an inch or two apart. Fasten 
the ends of the cords together at the top of the ceiling, and on these slight sup- 
ports the vines will closely twine. 
In the summer give it but little water, and keep it in the shade where it will 
remain dormant. In September repot in fresh soil, and give occasional stimu- 
lants. 
It is one of our most delicate vines for the parlor; a great favorite with every 
one, for its graceful leaves form a very pleasant effect when trained either around 
the basket, or pictures or statuary. 
Tropccolums. 
The varieties of this class arc very numerous — all beautiful and handsome 
objects for either indoor or garden use. They are all rapid growers during the 
winter months, and are usuall}^ propagated from seeds, which produce a great 
variety of colors ; one especial advantage being the fact of their flowering the 
first season so soon after planting. For ornamenting the window, or the green- 
house, or for covering the trellis, arbor, or balcony, they are admirably suited on 
account of their dense foliage and fine bloom. 
Tropaolum Lobbianum, is better suited for window use, than the open ground. 
Flowers are of very bright orange and scarlet colors, and vine a very vigorous 
grower ; propagated best from cuttings. 
The Tropoeolum tricolorum, is a bulbous-rooted climber, and best suited for 
the green-house or conservatory. It should be planted in September to enable 
it to obtain a good start before the winter starts in. Plant the tubers, which are 
not unlike a potato, eye upwards, and about an inch and a half beneath the sur- 
face of the pot, which should be eight to nine inches in diameter, and filled up 
with a light but rich soil. Give a little water when you plant it, and set the pot 
in a warm but rather shady spot, not letting the soil become dry ; until you sea 
the .shoots starting freely give but little water, then give water daily. When the 
blanches appear, train them to a trellis, or archway, according to your taste. A 
