There are many plants that are so hardy that they will flourish with but trifling care and attention, and without many of the advantages demaded by others which are more delicate in habit. But all should have proper care as to their needs, and should be given locations most suited to them, where they will do better and prove much more satisfactory. Many plants are like salamanders, and will stand any amount of heat and sunlight, and these do best if placed in a south window ; others will thrive in an east or west window, but will grow very little if placed where they get the direct sunshine during the middle of the day. Few plants will bloom well in a north window, yet those which are grown for the beauty of their foliage, instead of flowers, generally do well in such a location; ferns, violets, begonias, etc., are among those which will succeed there. Geraniums and oxalis do best in a south window, while feverfew, begonias, callas. mignonette and fuchsias do well in east or west exposures.

There is one thing in the repotting of plants which is of the utmost importance, and which, when neglected by amateurs, will often cause failure. This is the proper firming down of the soil around the plant. Press it down as hard as possible with the fingers.

Drainage is also quite as important an item with these plants. Be sure to begin with a clean pot; then take some clean broken potsherds, place the larger pieces at the bottom over the hole, and fill in the chinks with the smaller ones. Very few plants can dispense with proper drainage, especially the delicate growers. The earth will get sour and sodden and the plant will fail to grow.

Never try to take up old verbena plants. It will not be worth while to bother with them. Rather root fresh cuttings and keep them over winter. They grow quickly and do much better.

To succeed with the Clematis Jackmanni, it must be well pruned. I know of a man who cuts his Jackmanni down to the gronnd every fall. During the next summer bis vine will grow from ten to twelve feet high, and it will be covered with one mass of bloom.

The Fig may be easily grown as a window plant, but certain rules or directions should be carried out when the leaves have all fallen, and the wood is well ripened, which will be generally about the middle of October. The plant should be washed, brought indoors, and placed in a warm, well-lighted window. It will seem to make no progress towards growth, and there will be many who will become discouraged; but if they would have a pretty fig tree with good genuine figs on in the summer, they must keep the little tree over in a warm, light place during the winter, even if it takes the best window. In March the plant will begin to show signs of growth, when commence watering with tepid water; never let the soil become dry, neither take the other extreme of keeping the earth fairly sodden or stagnant. Keep the leaves clean by syringing them frequently, especially on the underside where the red spider is liable to lurk. As soon as there are six good leaves on each shoot, the shoot should be pinched back. When the weather becomes warm the tree should be put out of doors where the sun is hot and in every warm shower. When the plant gets large enough for an eight or ten inch pot it need not be repotted oftener than once in two years.

But take off the top soil and add fresh soil and a top dressing of ground bone and wood ashes. When fruit begins to swell, give liquid manure occasionally.

The Dracanas are very ornamental plants for house culture; they are easily grown, and are exceedingly graceful standing well the hot dry air of our living rooms. The plants need repotting every spring and fall. During the winter the leaves should be wiped off with a damp sponge, as often as the dust accumulates on them. They need some sunshine, to bring out the colors, and require considerable moisture. Dracana terminalis is very beautiful, with its long leaves of a dark crimson, marked lengthwise with a lighter pink. D. superba has pendulous arching leaves of a bronze-green shade, striped and margined with crimson. D. angustifolia has leaves fifteen inches long and one inch in width, the margin being of a rose color. The leaves of D. Baptistii have narrow irregular stripes of cream and pink. D. Goldie ana is one of the most splendid. It has broad leaves of a pale yellowish green, with dark green markings.

If fresh cuttings are allowed to wilt once before planting and watering them, they will have suffered much damage.

Try to have every plant a specimen ; it is always well to aim high.

Forget-me-nots male nice winter plants, but they require heat. They flower best in a cool, moist atmosphere. Direct sunlight is not essential, but a little does no harm. Myosotis dissitiflora is a very desirable white-flowered variety.

The berries from the mountain ash may be dried for for winter use, by tying the bunches together and hanging them with the berries downwards.

Hyacinth bulbs do well in hanging baskets.

Ferns are rarely troubled by any kind of insect.