280 
WINDOW GARDENING. 
The decorative bird cage, on page 4, frontispiece to cliapter 1, in a small shape, 
looks well on a table or in front of a looking glass ; if bigger, it may be placed 
in the centre of a room. Here is a good opportunity for showing a fine cul- 
tivated taste in the arrangement of all kinds of plants. Below, in the stand at 
the bottom, you will perceive dwarf plants of the following species : Stachys 
lanata, Coleus Beauty of Vidamore, Nemophila insignis, Verbena tencrioides and 
Sanvitalia procumbens mixed with Sweet Alyssum and Lobelia ; or, in a different 
style : Sempervivums, Sedums, Mesembryanthemums, Cactus, Echeveria, Cras- 
sula, Aloe mixed with Phlox setacea and Cerastium tomentosum. Then higher 
up on the stand you have in flat vases : 
Sedum fabaria, Plumbago Larpentae, 
Epiphyllum truncatum. Daphne cneo- 
rum. The four vases contain : Agave 
Americana fol. var.: Corypha australis, 
Latania Borbonica, Cycas revoluta, or 
Bromelia sativa fol. var.; Nidularium fuJ- 
gens, Asplenium, Nidus avis, Echeveria 
metallica, Alocasia metallica, Statice 
Ilalfordii, or St. macrophylla. Yucca 
flaccida will produce the best effect in 
the vase on the top of the cage. Some 
small climbing plants decorate well the 
four corners of the cage. The lively 
songsters inside, thus surrounded by 
beautiful flowers, seem to forget that 
they are prisoners, and warble their 
lovely songs with perfect freedom and 
joy- 
The plants recommended in this article 
are, throughout, handsome and con- 
venient. They are to be had in any 
good nursery which makes a specialty 
of cultivating plants for decoration. 
Some florists take the delivering of plants 
Fig. 21. Portable self-operating parlor fountain, by Contract, renewing them from time 
to time. We give you also a good hint how to clean plants. Take off the dust 
first with a small velvet scrap, then wet the leaves either with a sponge or syringe. 
Plants, of a lasting habit, as: Palms, some kinds of Orehids, Yuccas, Dracaenas, 
Ficus elastica, will keep well some years by attendance and regular iiarsing, 
repaying the small trouble by their growth and fresh color. 
Ho7ne Ornaments. 
This department would not be complete without a word for the little ones of 
the house, some hint to them of what they can do to bring forth some glowing 
