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

Window Gardener

The best aret —
Gloire de Nancy, Double. Cherry.
William Pitt. " Scarlet,
Madam Lemoine, " Pink.
Marie Lemoine, " "

It is said a double white variety has been produced in France; but if so, it is not yet for sale in this country.

IYY-LEAYED GERANIUMS

The old ivy-leaved geranium (P. peltatum) is a wellknown window' plant, of easy culture. The leaf is ornamental, and the flower, though not very showy, is pretty.
This species has been wonderfully improved during the past few years. A variety with leaves beautifully marked with silver has been raised, which proves a capital window plant, and requires no more care than the old kind. There is also a variety with golden-edged leaves.

There has also been great improvement in the flower. The first advance in this direction was P. peltatum elegans, in which the flowers were bright pink, and of better form. Next we had Princess Thyra, flowers deep flesh color, marked with pink; and Grand Duchess Maria, violet pink, with deep violet marks. But the latest and by far the finest varieties are those with bright rosy-pink or scarlet blossoms, which are so beautiful that, when they become common, they must be favorite window plants. They are hybrids between the zonale and ivy-leaved sections, but retain the ivy leaf while gaining the brilliancy of flower of the zonale varieties. Willsii has deep scarlet bios-soms; and in Willsii rosea they are delicate salmon rose. Lady Edith and Gem of the Season are two of the newest varieties, which are superior to all others in color and form of flower.

PALMS FOR HOUSE CULTURE

Many of the palms are very ornamental grown in the parlor. Their stiff foliage is well adapted to endure the impure air of apartments, and is not injured by gas. They also thrive with very little sun, and are easily kept clean by dusting or washing. It is, however, only the more hardy species which can be so used, and the best of all is fortunately the most common.

Livistona bourbonica, commonly known as Latania bourbonica, is a showy plant, with broad fan-shaped leaves, which grows freely, and is very useful for interior decoration. All the species of Chamoerops are very hardy, andare very easily grown. The most common are G. humilis, Fortunei, and Palmetto.