Give plenty of air, even opening the windows directly upon them when the day is bright and not too cold ; avoid drafts or any great changes in temperature. Use water in the furnace, or better still, have a tank in the register; it is astonishing how much water can in this way be evaporated within a short time. Wash the plants often, not only to get rid of insects but also to clean off the dust; a little warm water applied with a sponge, using soap or Gishurt's compound, is a great help to all foliage plants, like palms or ficuses.

There are few plants which can be recommended for house culture which will not stand the tempreature as low as forty degrees, and even below this on occasion. It will be found that plants do best in those rooms which have a comparatively low night temperature - forty or fifty degrees. Sometimes, therefore, a spare room, an attic or bed room, can be used to good advantage as a "feeder" to the living rooms. Plants often thrive in the kitchen, if sunny, largely owing to the moisture.

I shall divide the plants suitable for window-gar-ening into two classes ; a permanent set, likely to be of interest all the year round, made up mostly of foliage plants; while the second lot would be mainly flowering plants which could be either grown in the house for the purpose, or better still, bought from time to time of the florist just as one would buy flowers; only the plant will generally be less expensive and will last much longer. If one has a greenhouse this part of the problem is easy and does not need elaboration. For permanent plants, I will name only those with which I have had personal experience for several years, and have found in every way desirable ; we have here both gas and a furnace, but keep what would be called a cool house. The palms come first: Latania Borboniea (Liv-istomi sinensis) Chamarops Fortunii Corypha australis, and Pharnix reclinata are all good in every way, and will stand almost any variation likely to occur. Coeos plumosa is good, but requires a little higher temperature ; u n -doubtedly others could be added to the list. They are kept most of the time in the windows, but are often used for weeks away from direct sunlight.

Ficus elastica is probably among house plants what the Bald-win is among apples and the Concord among grapes - always reliable and always giving a good return for the investment. Be careful not to let the room get suddenly overheated, and be sure that the pot or tub is not dry at the bottom ; otherwise you may lose the lower leaves and injure the beauty of the plant but even then you can cut it back and start afresh. Other ficuses that are also good, are F. ferruginea and F. Indica, the banyan tree. Cyeas revoluta, the sago palm, ranks with the above-named plants; it is rather difficult to handle the young plants and large ones are expensive, but it succeeds admirably in a room which is not too hot, and certainly nothing can be finer. If kept too warm it is likely to start into growth too early, and as a result the young leaves are often nipped in the dry atmosphere. The green-leaved cordylines and draexnas are good and easily handled ; so too, is the screw-pine, Pandanus utilis - they seem capable of standing any vicissitudes, and group well with the palms. The New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax, is fine and well adapted to the house ; probably the same could be said of the variegated variety.

Crevillea robusta has always done well with me ; it is a beautiful plant, and although a sudden change or neglect in watering will cause the cast-ing of the leaves, it very soon recovers itself with a new set. Among ferns there is nothing better than the sword fern, Nephrolepis ensiformis. There seem to be several varieties or species, all of which are excellent; one must be on guard here against scale. Musa Ensete thrives, and the leaves are not torn as they are in the open ; they must sometimes be supported by guys from the ceiling, and fre-quent washing alone will keep down the red mite and mealy bug. If this is not done the plant will fail before the season is over. The English ivy is always attractive, and seems to grow at its best. It is a mistake to keep old plants too long; either cut back or get fresh stock and so start anew.This seems to grow in less light than almost any other plant. Tradescantia will succeed, and so will aspidistra, almost anywhere, but they are uninteresting in comparison with these others.

I find the Portugal laurel, English holly, Irish yew, Arauearia imhricata, Cryptomeria japonica, and maybe some other half-hardy plants are thoroughly good if they can be kept cool, but a low temperature is a sine qua non.

Sister Gracious' Window Garden. (See page 769).

Now with a background made up of thick fine foliage it is very easy and inexpensive to introduce from time to time flowering plants which will add color and life. Perhaps cyclamen and Chinese primrose should have first place, because they continue in bloom such a long time and give a good variety in color. They must have the best light and air and great attention in watering; when properly cared for they will last a long time in good condition. The Dutch bulbs are desirable; tulips, narcissus, and hyacinths are much more satisfactory if used as pot plants than as cut flowers, and this, too, even if not kept in the windows, but disposed upon the tables away from direct light. They must have plenty of water and should always be brought into the house before they are in full bloom. It is quite possible to handle this class of plants without professional assistance ; the cool cellar or cold frame will give them a good start, and then they can be carried along in the cool upstairs rooms until ready to flower; a little experience will enable one to have a succession.

Chrysanthemums are like Dutch bulbs, much finer growing in pots than when used as cut flowers ; in a fairly cool room, if well watered, they will last for several weeks and make a much more characteristic appearance than if taken from the plant and put in vases. Many flowers will not readily lend themselves to artificial arrangement in bouquets and the like ; this is strikingly true of these last-named plants.

Scarlet geraniums are effective, but require bright sunshine ; the plants should not be too large, and they should be well prepared beforehand. Azalea Indica lasts a good while in bloom if kept fairly cool; they can sometimes be grown in an attic and brought into the living rooms in full flower, and then put back to make their growth. Cinerarias will do well when grown in a greenhouse and brought into the parlor; the large leaves will flag and dry up, but if they are carefully sprinkled for the first few days this is not so noticeable. Daphne odora, laurestinus, hydrangea, oleanders, agapanthus and Vallota purpurea can often be wintered in a light cellar and brought into bloom either in the house or on the piazza or lawn ; a furnace-heated cellar is too warm generally, and some provision, must be made to keep the temperature low. Very little water need be given these plants while at rest.

Bussey Institution. B. M. Watson, Jr.