ON WINDOW FLORICULTURE. 
103 
means that can be devised. The root of all the valuable part of 
it consists in its giving an attachment to home, and that of the 
purest and simplest nature that can well be devised. But when 
the floriculturist will needs have the choicest sorts of florists’ 
flowers, he then involves himself in labours which he has no 
scope for carrying out; and the result is what we might expect— 
disappointment. The questions which have been asked of us 
appear to bear upon this part of the subject; and though the 
said questions are easily put, the answering of them is a matter 
of great difficulty ; because flowers disposed in the windows of a 
room are in a highly artificial and very peculiar climate ; and it 
is not easy to say which are best adapted to that climate. The 
climate of a room is, generally speaking, more uniform than that 
of any place out of doors, unless in winter, when there is a fire 
during the day and none in the night; and then the strength of 
the plant is put to a very severe trial. None of the species from 
the tropical countries, which have winters of extreme drought, 
whatever the temperature may be, will suit this sort of climate, 
because it will not let them rest. In general the air of a room 
which people inhabit is humid, more so in proportion in winter 
than in summer ; and in the former season the cold near the 
window condenses the moisture of the atmosphere, and renders 
it absolutely damp. The plants to which we allude are always in 
damp atmospheres during the season of their growth ; and when 
they are in a state of repose the atmosphere is very dry. But in 
a room the heat and damp of the atmosphere during the day call 
the plants into action when they should be at rest; and the cold 
of the night checks their growth and makes them sickly. If water 
is given them, it is almost instant death ; and even without water 
the plants seldom or never flower, but soon canker, and gradually 
waste away. The tropical orchideae are the plants least fitted for 
window culture ; and any attempt thus to cultivate them is sure 
to be a failure. In all tropical countries, according as the 
seasons are more strongly marked as rainy and dry, the plants 
are less adapted for window cultivation. At present these are, 
however, the most fashionable plants ; and therefore those who 
can afford the price are anxious to have them, even for the deco¬ 
ration of their windows ; but if they will have the flowers in per¬ 
fection, for only a short time, they must content themselves with 
purchasing a new supply every year. This is an expensive mode ; 
