The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-04-26
1.-THE FAIR YOUNG FLOWERS.

SOME HINTS AS TO THEIR CULTURE
OUT DOOR FLowERs-THE FRESH FASH
IONS.
From an interesting article upon fori-
culture in the New York Times the follow
ing Is taken: In window gardening a
great advance has been made, not only In
the size and beauty OF the vases and trays
used, but also in the beauty and variety of
the plants which can be obtained from the
florists. A thorough experience, acq uired
by careful experiments and OF ssrvstions,
has enabled tue dealers to give such accu-
Ia q instructions in regard to the culture
OF all window plants sold by them, that
with reasonable care, Unsuccessful growth
OF a beautiful cluster OF flowers is almost
certain. The most fashionable window
pots and trays this season will be those
made of terra Gotta, aud Of china and en-
caustic tiles, the first of deliberately classic
and rustic designs, apo the second long
enough to go entirely across the window,
about twelve inca es in depth and from ten
TO fourteen inches wide. OF the common
clssses of plants suitable for window gar
dens the following will be found to be the
best: OF &c rAuiums tbereis large variety,
some of which are admired on account of
their bright flowers and others because OF
the beautiful contrasts afforded by their
foliage. Among the latter may be enumer-
ated the avalanche, a wnite-howered
variety, the leaves of which are green,
bordered with pure white; the happy
thought, having a large yellow blotch In
the center of the Leaf, with an outer band
OF green, and flowers of a rich magenta
rose; the mountain OF snow, the leaves of
which are white on toe under side, and the
Mrs. Pollock, which has leaves OF a dark
bronze color. Fucbsias, pelargoniums,
heliotropts, petuniss, dwarf Gala lilies,
carnations, and verbeDas are also valuable
as window plants. r see, too, are much
admired, and add much TO the appearance
OF a well-filled tray or vase. Among thoss
best suited to window and house culture,
may be mentioned the bon silene, bright
pink tea; the safrado, yellow tea; the
marshal neil, a beautiful and moss fra
grant yellow rose, and the bella, which il
pure white. Among the
FLOWERS NOT so WE'LL KNOWN,
the begonias are much admired, the pecu-
hsrity of their foliage being very attract
i've. A new variety just put in the market,
called the begonia froebeli, recently dis
covered in the mountain regions of Peru,
is very beautiful. It has large clear green
leaves, and large clusters of brilliant scar
let flowers two inches in diameter, which,
are net pendulous, as is the case with
nearly all this species. The begonia rex is
cultivated chiefly ior the beauty OF
the foliage, and only in pots or
trays, being too tenoer to endure
the summer sun. All the other varieties
of the begonia are very beautiful, and do
well in the house. The cuphea platycentrs,
or cigar plant, is very pretty. The tube OF
the flower is scarlet, with the end part
white and crimson, having somewhat the
appearance OF a miniature lighted cigar.
The abutilan bouIe de Deige is one OF the
best that has been introduced. 1t is of COM
pact growth, with an abundance OF flow
ers, which make 1t attractive for houss
culture. The gloxinia can be had of any
color. 1t has beautiiuJ tubulsr-shaped
flowers rising three or four inches above
the foliage, and blooms through the whole
summer. The lophosphernum scandens,
q beautiful climbing plant with heart
shaped leaves, is also we'll adapted to win
dow and house culture. The plea mus
cosa, or artillery plant, has graceful, frond
like leaves. Wnen water Is thrown on the
flowers they burst with Swapping sound
and emit slight powder which resembles
SMOKE. The richardis alba macuiats Is a
lily of the same character as the Gala. The
fOlisge Is prOfusely spotted with white
spots. 1t is of dwarf habit, and blooms
freely throughout the summer. The cal
ce0larlo, or carpet Dag mower, Is very Deau-
tiful, and can be had In many varieties of
color. The ficus elsstics. or India rubber
plant, Is very graceful and beautiful. It's
bright green foliage makes IL peculiarly
desirable as window plant. 1t can be had
of almost any size. The coleus Is lovely
plant, grown solely on account of it's brill
liant foliage. There ara 25 or 80 varieties
of color. The lonicers surea reticulsta, the
new variegsted German ivy, and the green
and red drscoeDss are also much admired
TOR the beauty of their foliage. Besides the
vases and lrsys mentioned, hanging pols
of
TRAYS OF TERRA GOTTA,
in the shape of rough logs or branches OF
trees, will be mucn used. From the fact
that they are made OF solid material, and
that the moisture will not percolsle