Vj 
Ifurdi J)miniums. 
WINDOW GARDENING. 
With the first number of the Cabinet, December, 
1871, I determined to enlarge my stock of plants and 
try to have as beautiful ones as Daisy Eyebright and 
others who are successful growers. I bought a double 
Chinese Primrose (white), and a single White Pink, 
and crimson one—I read “ that shade is essential 
to their well-being” ; and again, “ Primroses 
will do well at a north window.” Having faith 
most implicit, I placed mine at a north window 
and kept them there through the whole winter. 
Not a flower or new leaf did I have all that 
time, and I was in a rage with Mr. Saunders, 
of Chicago, for sending me poor masculine 
flowers, or rather plants. They certainly were 
the most distressed looking specimens—a group 
that looked like as though they belonged to the 
invalid corps. They survived, however, till 
spring; then, true to my teaching, I separated 
the roots, repotted, and put in a cool moist place 
under a painted glass frame, to make them 
believe they were at the Adirondack^ or some 
other delightful summer resort. They either 
did not have any imagination, or my “retreat” 
was not perfect, for they grew more and more 
unhappy, grew green and yellow with jealousy 
because their sister plants were having such a 
good time in the sun; they got such fashionable 
wasp-like waists that they swayed around fear¬ 
fully. At last one disappeared most mysteriously. 
I could not even find a root to tell what once 
had been. Shortly after, the other three de¬ 
parted this life, and not one remained to tell the 
tale of my barbarous treatment.; but I could not 
give up those beautiful flowers in that way. 
Last fall I got four more and put them in an 
east widow. They did better, but the flowers 
were smaller than was pretty. At length, the 
first of January, I, in great wrath, determined to kill 
or cure, so moved them all to a south window, in the 
full blaze of the sun from eleven A. m. till five p. m. 
I could fairly hear their gleeful chatter, as they 
luxuriated in the warm life-giving rays. Each plant 
sent up their long spikes of lovely 
flowers, and I was not without a Prim¬ 
rose flower till June. I cut off all the 
buds to let them rest. They now stand 
with my other plants on a piazza that 
has an eastern and southern exposure. 
They are all large, fine, strong plants, 
and I hold that sun from December to 
June is most needful to the life of 
Chinese Primroses. I also find that 
they do not like to bo showered over 
head; it decays the leaves, they are 
so thick. I also tried hard to make 
Mrs. Pollock and United Italy grow at 
an east window. No use; the thing 
cannot be done in Michigan, any way. 
They both utterly refused to put on 
their fine clothes and colors for so short 
a call as the morning sun gave them. 
When I gave them the sun all day 
their colors were gorgeous. I do not 
think the Tricolors are any more difficult than the 
Zonale, but both must have sunlight or they will 
not reward one. They evidently think one good turn 
deserves another. If plants are showered once each 
week they will not have a bug. I had one hundred 
plants last winter; had them in the front parlor, threw 
open the outside blinds, removed the lace curtains. 
All my friends exclaimed, “The idea of making a 
Rustic Bird House. 
green-house out of the front parlor ! You will ruin 
your carpet,” &c. All of which I did not mind, and 
did not spoil my carpet either. I put the plants into 
an old tub in order to shower them. I had a charm¬ 
ing window garden, and what I have done all other 
have them flower in the winter. I have one that I 
consider infallible: Two or three days before taking 
up a plant, cut around the roots with a sharp knife 
from three to six inches from the main stalk; then be 
sure to let it rest in the ground at least two days. 
One can then take up any plant without the least fear 
of disturbing it. Last fall I cut into the ground 
the roots of a grand Glorie de Nancy. In August it 
was five feet in height and splendidly proportioned; 
had forty bunches of flowers and thirty-five bunches 
of unopened buds on it at the time it was taken 
up. It did net lose a leaf, not a flower faded, 
not a bud blasted, and it was in flower all 
winter; of course not such quantities, but some 
all the time. I put it into the ground last May; 
it has been a perfect wonder all the year. I cut 
it a few days ago, and will take it in this winter. 
It does not seem to require rest. I think it pays 
most decidedly to keep up Geraniums during the 
winter months. If slips of the Scarlet Tropeolum 
are rooted in July they will flower splendidly all 
winter. Mine had between forty and fifty flow r ers 
all the time from November to July. My 
window, with its mass of Tropeolums and Mau- 
randias, purple and white, was a thing of rarity 
to the outsiders, and a joy to those inside. I 
find that to nip out the tops of my Bouvardias 
every few 7 w 7 eeks during the summer is an ad¬ 
vantage; the plants grow stronger and better 
and the flowers are larger. I sowed some of 
Mr. Vick’s double Balsam seed a year ago this 
month, and potted when large enough into six- 
inch pots; they flowered finely till Christmas; 
at the same time I sowed seed of the Stock 
Gilly; they grew seventeen inches high. I 
watered with manure water. Such numerous 
flowers and wonderful growth was the wonder 
of all who saw them. Each plant was an im¬ 
mense bouquet of delightful fragrance. Try it 
all ye flower lovers, and you will be delighted 
I know with your success. In July I give my 
Fuchsias a final potting; give them very nice 
rich earth and water liberally. They w'ill flower with¬ 
out much sun, though I think they do better if given 
the morning sun. Cinerarias are lovely, and if a few 
seedlings are obtained now they will be most useful 
1 spring flowering plants; treat as you do Geraniums. 
Dear Cabinet, I hope by all this 
lengthy chat to induce some distressed 
sister to put her Mrs. Pollock and 
Primroses in the sunlight. 
A. S. Darrah. 
Terrace Steps. 
girls can do. I have not even a conservatory or a 
bay window; have to keep up the fire my own self. 
Once a week I used ammonia water. I have never 
seen a receipt for taking up bedding-out plants to 
Name for Plant. —Will you give 
me the name of the enclosed flower ? 
I bought it in a hot-house in St. Louis 
and have kept it for three years, and 
this is the first time it has bloomed, and 
1 enclose the leaf of a plant which I 
suppose to be a Cactus; will you please 
name it in next Cabinet ; also the 
above flower, if it will not be trespass¬ 
ing upon your kindness too much"? 
You may expect a very large club for 
the Cabinet next year; we are de¬ 
termined to have it. Every one who 
keeps plants should take it, it seems to 
improve every year. All those who take it here like 
it very much indeed. Anna Bubb. 
Answer .—We cannot name plants from the leaf 
only. The flower is from the Canna Indica. 
