The Mineral argus., 1884-05-15

then lacking bits of twisted messy
branches irregularly back and forth till
the desired height was reached; then
longer pieces formed an arch over the
tor. In one box q white abutilon
formed the center piece, with scarlet
geraniums and sweet breathed hello
tropes on either side, while delicate
~maurandyas, with their dainty leaves
and blossoms, twined around and over
the rustic supports. Then, mlngl1ng
with the stronger growing German
ivy, senecio scandens fell in long festoons
from the arch above. Bulbs of oxalis
deppi, which had been tucked in here
and there, furnished abundance of pref
tily marked leaves, and the outside OF
the box was completely hidden by a
perfect mat of othonna, tradescantia,
German ivy and dew plant. The other
box had a large, double, purple fuschla
in the centre, with white geraniums on
either side, surrounded by quantities of
mignonette and the same charming con-
fusion of dropping vines. These boxes
were sheltered by a veranda, but had
an unlimited supply of sunshine during
the middle of the day, and were perfect
marvels of luxurisnt growth.
Bogonias are among the most suitable
plants for this kind of gardening, and
the tuberous-rooted varieties reduce
the labor to a minimum. A box on my
own veranda, last summer, contained
our of the latter, while Madeira
vines clambered oven the
lattice work of slender will
lows to the ends, and wreathed the up
per part of the window with their own
peculiar drapery of green leaves, and
family sweet flowers. A quantity of va
riegated p%eriwinkles completed the eff
feet. On the approach of cold weather,
such a box can easily be removed to
warmer quarters, gradually dried off,
and then placed in a frost-proof room or
dry cellar until the following spring.
A collection of fuchias, half a dozen
different kinds, in a large box is also a
charming, and unlike specimen pot
plants, they can be left to their own de-
vices, and neither trimmed nor trained.
For a good-sized box no vine is more
desirable than the coboa scandens, and
it is easily grown from seed. Two little
pots filed with moist earth and placed
side by side in an empty match box, the
spaces around them tightly packed with
wet moss, the seeds planted edge down,
the whole covered with a pane of glass,
set in a warm place and not watered,
have year after year started beautiful
plants for me. After the seeds
have terminated, they ask little favor
of any one, and their rapidity of growth
something marvellous.
Nothing adds 50 much to the CHAINS
the rich, glowing colors of foliage
plants as a judicious mixture of ferns,
and some of our native ones are quite
equal to the greenhouse varieties.
Taken up in early spring before the
in the sunlight, and put here
and there among brilliant coleus or
crimson d~rac@nas, they Will grow and
thrive either in shade or sunshine, and
lend grace and beauty TO their surround
ings. Rustic boxes filled entirely with
and wild grasses, and draped
with mitchella vines, may deck a shell
tered veranda all summer, and then do
duty at a north window as ferneries all
Cyperus alternifolius, also, though
recommended for Wardian
cases, will give charming effects among
bouvardias or abutilons in a large win
dow box, and sweet peas and mignon-
cite are always acceptable. Sweet peas
must be covered three or sour inches
sown, or the vines will soon turn
and droop away without a single
blossom.
In regard to the size, shape and or
lamentation of the boxes much will de-
pend on Elephants chosen. For strong.
luick-growing ones, depth of soil and
of root room are required, while
or the l~ower-growing and delicate ones
boxes are more desirable. One
bear in mind no art can deco
'ate equal to the forms, c%olors, shad-
ngs, intricate loopings and draperies
If healthy vines and flowers, so there is
10 necessity for elaborate ornament in
he box itself; it should always be sub
ordinate to the plants therein. The
'oil should be light and rich, and the
of water must be ample.-Vick's
illustrated Magazine.