WINDOW GARDENING. 203 
beauty. Itsleaves were used to improve the flavor of wine, and to increase its 
invigorating properties, while its berries were taken as a medicine. Garlands 
of it were woven to adorn the brows of their chief magistrates, and it was 
always used to crown the dead. The early Christians continued this custom, 
but it was prohibited on account of its use by the idolaters ; yet the Myrtle has 
always been retained as a religious decoration, and, in Germany, composes the 
bridal wreath. The Italians have a great passion for this plant, preferring its 
odors to that of the most precious essences, and their baths arc often perfumed 
with water distilled from its leaves, as it is considered a promoter of beauty. 
In Australia the Myrtle grows to a great size, having a large stem or trunk, 
and sometimes it is one hundred feet in height. 
The IMyrtle we cultivate is that spoken of in the Bible, and the Jews still re- 
gard it with veneration, and always use it to adorn the Feast of the Tabernacles 
— literally obeying the command of Nehemiah to " Fetch olive, pine and myrtle." 
Culture. 
There is a broad leaved variety, a narrow leaved, the box myrtle, and the 
Chinese. The last named produces purple flowers, the others bear pure double 
white flowers, and are always most lovely shrubs for window gardens. 
It does not flourish in a close hot temperature, but will bear a cool, .shady 
window, with a northerly exposure. It needs fresh air and frequent washings, 
to grow luxuriantly. It does not form roots rapidly, iike the Rose and Fuchsia, 
so will not require repotting often; and yet do not let it become root-bound, 
for that will check its blooming. It is propagated by cuttings, which will soon 
strike under glass, and with a little bottom heat, but not so quickly without 
them. This plant was formerly to be seen ia all window gardens. Why it is 
not more common now we do not understand, unless it be that the Ivy is more 
popular. 
The cuttings should be made with four or five buds or joints, and covered an 
mch under the sand. When it begins to show fi-esh leaves, pot it in good, rich 
«andy loam, in a three or four inch pot, and keep it shaded for nearly a week. 
The best soil is two parts loam, and one part rotten dung. It blooms early in June. 
The Periwinkle or Vinca, is sometimes called Running Myrtle, because of its 
evergreen leaves, which resemble those of the broad leaved myrtle. 
It grows luxuriously in the open garden ; is perfectly hardy, and can be trans- 
planted into a large sea-shell or any hanging vase filled with good loam ; water 
it weekly with some stimulant, and it will flourish beautifully; and early in 
February place every one with its lovely lavender chalices opening to the sun. It 
delights in moisture, so must never be allowed to become dry. 
The M. communis is the usual sort chosen for window use, having many varie- 
ties with leaves both large and small, variegated flowers, single or double. But 
the Chinese species, 31. tomentosa, has also claims for popularity, on account of 
its vari-colored blooms from purple to white, and other shades between ; often 
many colored flowers on the same plant. 
