The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Window Gardener

The foliage is clear green, shining in some species; and the flowers, which are very abundant, are in dense corymbs. The color is usually white, but some are pink or purple.

Cuttings are struck in the spring, grown out of. Doors all summer, the plants being frequently pinched to keep them in shape. Just before the frost, the plants are potted, shaded for a few days to establish them, and forced into bloom in December. After blooming, the plants are thrown away, except the few needed for cuttings. The soil should be good loam, and water should be given freely. The best species for window culture is S. salici- folia.

THE PETUNIA

This well-known plant blooms freely in the window, and is very easily grown.
It is a native of South America; and from the white variety (P. nyctiginiflora) and the small purple (P. vio- laced) all the beautiful varieties now found in gardens have originated.

The plants only require common soil, and to be trained upon a trellis, and, while they give but little bloom in winter, will, towards spring, give the greatest profusion. The double varieties are showy, but are not favorites of ours.

One of the best petunias is Countess of Ellesmere, a charming variety; color rosy-red, with a pure white throat.

FERNS IN THE PARLOR

Although most ferns can only be grown in the parlor with the protection of a Wardian case, there are some which succeed well grown upon the centre-table, provided the room is light and airy.

We have for years grown some species most success- fully in this way, planting them in porcelain pots, or boxes, without drainage from the bottom, in which they have developed finely.

In the bottom of the pot put two layers of potsherds, broken up rather fine, and upon this a few small lumps of charcoal; upon this fill the soil, a compost of peat, loam, and sand, broken fine, but not sifted, and set the plant; give a good watering, and the work is done.

Care must be taken not to over-water so as to rot the roots, and not to keep the room very hot and close.