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diff --git a/40534-8.txt b/40534-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0854e6b..0000000 --- a/40534-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5728 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Talks about Flowers., by M. D. Wellcome - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Talks about Flowers. - -Author: M. D. Wellcome - -Release Date: August 19, 2012 [EBook #40534] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALKS ABOUT FLOWERS. *** - - - - -Produced by Jennifer Linklater, sp1nd and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -Transcriber's Note: - -_Italic text_ is represented by underscores and =bold text= by equals -signs. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - - TALKS ABOUT FLOWERS. - - BY - - MRS. M. D. WELLCOME. - - Thank God for the beautiful flowers - That blossom so sweetly and fair; - They garnish this strange life of ours, - And brighten our paths everywhere. - - DEXTER SMITH. - - - PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR, - BY I. C. WELLCOME, - YARMOUTH, ME. - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, - BY I. C. WELLCOME, - In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. - - PRINTED BY B. THURSTON & CO., - PORTLAND, MAINE. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -To all Flower Lovers who may read these pages, we come with kindly -greetings. To you we dedicate our Work. - -Encouraged by the many testimonials of favor with which our Flower -Sketches have been received, which have appeared in the _Boston -Journal_, _Portland Transcript_, and the leading Floricultural journals, -we were induced to prepare this volume, intending it to be made up -chiefly of those articles revised and enlarged for this purpose; but -after entering upon this work, we found so little that was adapted for -use, nearly every page has been written while the sheets were passing -through the press. - -Before we were aware, the printed matter had exceeded our proposed -limits, and we were obliged to enlarge the work by additional pages, and -even then omit our chapter of "Floricultural Notes," for we wished to -put the book at a low price, that it might reach the masses. As it is, -we are sure that we have given you a great amount of valuable -information, and just such as amateurs need, respecting the habits and -requirements of those flowers which are best adapted for general -cultivation, and in a form specially new and attractive, combining the -_history_ and _literature_ of flowers, with description and mode of -culture. - -It may be deemed strange that we should omit from a work of this -character a "Talk" about the Queen of Flowers, but the subject was -so full that we thought best to devote the space to other varieties -and refer our readers to our recently published "Essay on -Roses,"--advertised in another part of this work--in which they will -find the subject fully treated. - -We would here acknowledge our obligation to Mr. James Vick for the -beautiful Bouquet of Flowers which constitutes our Frontispiece. - - MRS. M. D. WELLCOME. - _Yarmouth, Me._, June 9, 1881. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - - Introduction 9 - - A Talk to Farmers' Wives 12 - - A Talk About "The Wild Garden" 15 - - A Talk About Stocking the Garden 19 - - Phlox Drummondii 24 - - Verbenas 25 - - Petunias 29 - - A Talk About Pansies 33 - - Asters 35 - - Balsams 37 - - A Talk About Geraniums 39 - - A Talk About Begonias 46 - - Gloxinia, Tuberose 50 - - A Talk About Gladiolus 54 - - A Talk About Pelargoniums 60 - - A Talk About Fuchsias 69 - - A Talk About Coleuses 75 - - Ornamental Foliage Plants 83 - - A Talk About Primroses 98 - - Carnations and Picotees 101 - - A Talk About Climbers 107 - - Thoughts in My Garden--A Poem 117 - - A Talk About Several Things 118 - - The Love of Flowers 122 - - A Talk About Abutilons 125 - - A Talk About Dahlias 130 - - Amaryllis 135 - - Hoya Carnosa or Wax Plant 137 - - Among My Flowers 138 - - A Talk About Cyclamens and Oxalis 143 - - A Talk About Lilies 147 - - Double Bouvardia 152 - - Camellia Japonica 154 - - Azalea 155 - - The Ingathering of the Flowers 156 - - My Window Box 157 - - Hyacinths 158 - - Insects 160 - - - - -Introduction. - - "Thank God for the beautiful flowers, - That blossom so sweetly and fair; - They garnish this strange life of ours, - And brighten our paths everywhere." - - _Dexter Smith._ - - -I have been thinking for some time of writing a few articles about -flowers, not for the entertainment nor instruction of those who have -extensive gardens artistically laid out, and fine conservatories with -skilled gardeners to care for the rare and costly plants, but for those, -who, like myself, have only a few beds filled with flowers, cared for by -one's own self. - -Every year there is a marked advance in the floricultural kingdom. Books -and periodicals devoted to flower culture are on the increase; florists -are enlarging their domain; catalogues are scattered broadcast, and as -free as autumn leaves, some of them beautiful with their colored plates, -handsome enough to frame. Very many of the literary, religious, and -political journals of the day have their floral department, in which the -ladies gossip of their experience and exchange opinions, and we doubt if -any column is read with greater interest. - -What recreation for the mind and body more pure, refining, healthful, -than that of the cultivation of flowers? How they reveal the Father's -love, and wisdom, and power! How perfect his work! Very fully have I -realized this, as I have examined bud, blossom, and leaf under the -microscope. Its magnifying power when applied to man's work, reveals -coarseness and imperfection, but in God's work only reveals new -beauties, and greater perfectness. The tiny flower, the details of which -cannot be perceived by the eye unaided, when magnified, surprises us -with its loveliness. We wonder and adore that Being whose hand created -its perfect form and arranged its tints with so much harmony. The study -of flowers with the microscope is one of never failing delight, and one -needs not the costly instrument to enjoy this study. The round open -glass, the size of a half dollar, and costing the same, serves every -needful purpose. - -Not only have I enjoyed the examination of flowers, but also of insect -life, specially of those terrible pests to our rosebushes and some other -plants--the _aphides_. I have closely watched their development, from -the tiny egg to the portly insect, so filled with the juice of the leaf, -that like it, he is green all over. First I observe a little speck of -red in the egg--then it has slight motion--next it runs about, and the -spot is a little larger, sometimes it is black. Sometimes the baby aphis -is all red. Now and then I find a different sort mixed up with them; the -body is much larger and transparent white. Some have wings. Skeletons, -or more properly, cast-off skins, are often seen, but with the closest -observation I have never been able to trace these to their source. Once, -I was sure that a fellow was divesting himself of his overcoat, and I -watched him till my eyes ached too badly for further investigation. - -These insects are the cows of a certain species of ant, and I am sure -they are quite welcome to all I have, provided they will have their yard -on other premises, though I would like to detain them long enough to see -the milking process. Some have seen it and written about it, so, strange -as it seems, it is no fiction. - -In this series of articles which I have entitled "Talks About Flowers," -I shall, in a very informal manner, talk to you about just those matters -pertaining to the flower garden, in which beginners and amateurs are -interested; to this class I belong; I am not a skilled florist, my -experience is limited; I am only a student in the lower classes of -floriculture, but I dearly love my lessons. I am acquiring knowledge -both from books and personal observation, and I shall enjoy imparting to -those not so favored with time and resources the results of this study, -believing it will be duly appreciated by my readers, and their interest -in the cultivation of flowers be thereby increased. I shall talk to you -about the sowing of seeds, the arrangement of your garden, the plants -with which to stock it, treating of them historically and descriptively, -with mode of culture. I shall talk to you about the most desirable -bulbs, about climbing plants, hanging pots, and the window garden, and -shall seek to meet in all these the wishes of many inquirers. - - - - -A Talk to Farmers' Wives. - - "Not useless are ye flowers, though made for pleasure, - Blooming in field and wood by day and night; - From every source your presence bids me treasure - Harmless delight." - - -"Once more I take my pen in hand," as the old time epistle was wont to -begin. While a "Young Farmer" discourseth of matters pertaining to the -farm, I propose to talk to farmers' wives and daughters of matters -relating to the flower garden. This article is specially dedicated to -them, and not to them as a whole, but to that class among them who take -no periodical devoted to flower culture, and find no time even to study -the various catalogues scattered broadcast, as sure precursors of spring -as are the falling leaves of autumn. Therefore you who have your floral -papers, your bay windows filled with plants, or your fine -conservatories, whether a farmer's wife or not, this is not written for -you, and you need not read any further. - -There are many farmers' wives who give little attention to the -cultivation of flowers. Busy lives the most of them lead, and their -indoor work shuts them off largely from the enjoyment of those beauties -nature has so lavishly spread around them. It is a pity that any of them -should say, "I have no time to waste over flowers; they bring neither -food nor clothing." - -Call that wasted time when tired, nervous, fretful perhaps, you leave -the heated rooms and run out to see if the seeds you sowed last week -have come up, or how the seedlings you set out are thriving? To look at -that opening rosebud, pick off the withered leaves from the geranium, -stir the earth a bit around that heliotrope, and linger over the dear -little pansies as their bright faces are up-turned to greet you and -cheer you with their diversified beauty? Gather a few; they will bloom -all the more because of it. There, now, don't you feel nicely rested? -The feeling of fretfulness is all gone. Refreshed in body and mind, you -resume your housework, and accomplish it much more effectively than if -you had kept right on, so tired and all out of sorts. Better far these -moments of out-door recreation than blue pill or bitters. All this is -anticipatory of the "good time coming" to you this summer. That kind -husband of yours when he goes to the store to buy his garden seeds, or -order them from abroad, is going to include an equal number of flower -seeds. He would have done it long ago but he did not think anything -about it. But you are going to give him a hint this spring. You can tell -him that in the general seed box there is one corner where are certain -dainty little packages labeled Candytuft--purple, carmine, white or -mixed; Mignonnette, Aster, Balsam, Pink, Petunia, Sweet Peas, etc., -etc., and you tell him that those Sweet Peas bloom the most fragrant -blossoms for five months, while his "Extra Early," whether "Blue Peter" -or "Blue Tom Thumb," last only a little while. So as he goes on his way -he will think to himself, "Wife works hard; she makes capital butter and -keeps the house real tidy, and I guess I must indulge her." When he -returns home he gives you those little packages, in each tiny brown seed -of which there lies hidden a beautiful life--a life that shall, by -loving care, develop "the red, white and blue" in settings of emerald, -the influence of which shall be felt by the entire household, and bring -forth a fruitage of brightness, gladness and love. - -It may be that you live remote from the village store, or perhaps there -may not be kept there a good, reliable assortment of flower seeds, so I -will tell you what to do in that case, for I wish to be helpful every -step of the way. You must send to some good florist for what you want, -enclosing stamps, if for an amount less than one dollar. You have your -seeds now, and some of them need to be started in the house in order to -secure early flowers, Asters, Petunias, Pinks, Pansies, Snapdragon and -Sweet Peas. Sift your earth through a coarse sieve. A little sharp sand -is good to mix with it. Shallow boxes are best, except for the peas. I -use cigar boxes. Dampen the earth, then sow thickly in rows, cover -lightly with more soil, dampen again, label, cover with paper so that -the moisture may not evaporate rapidly, and place in a sunny window. -Daily sprinkle through a fine rose pot, or with your fingers lightly if -you have none. However good your seeds may be, they will not grow if -kept dry, and will rot if kept too wet. The seedlings must be nursed -with care, not too much sun while tender. I do not thin out mine till I -transplant to the border, but many do, potting them singly. Peas can be -set out earliest of any. Sunny days in May often tempt one to bed out -their tender plants, and sow seed in open ground; then come cold nights, -when the fragile seedlings need a hot soapstone to their feet. It is -best to wait till warm weather is fully established, and then choose a -cloudy day for the work. Protect from the sun's rays till the plants are -established in their new quarters. Now, all this looks like much work -and care, I know, but it is only a little work, a little care each day, -and it is a work that will be a restful change, and bring you better -health and better feelings, and when you gather the lovely flowers from -the seeds you have sown and cultured, you will not say: "My time was all -misspent." - - - - -A Talk About "The Wild Garden." - - The lengthened days have come, - The busiest of the year-- - - -When the annual house cleaning treads heavily on the toes of spring -gardening, and one feels tempted to crowd the work of two days into one, -though sufficient for the present is the work thereof. The bright warm -days draw one forth to spend "an hour or two" they say, and they mean it -too--with shovel or spade in hand to prepare the flower beds, but the -air is so refreshing, and there is so much to be done, that they keep on -"a little while longer," "just a few minutes more," till Sol pours his -burning rays down upon them with the unmistakable assurance that it is -near the hour of noon. - -These are the days that try men's souls, and women's, too; days when one -wishes with Dudley Warner for a "cast iron back," but would fain add the -improvement of rubber hinges; days when the inquiry is often provoked, -"Will it pay?" - -As we change the numerous boxes of seedlings from one position to -another, that they may catch the sunbeams, "Will it pay?" As we take -them out of doors these warm days, and bring them all back again at -night, lest the air prove too harsh for the tender things, "Will it -pay?" - -Yes, we know from past experience that it will pay even a hundred fold -for all our care when the restful days shall come, and we watch with -hopeful hearts each bud of promise as it grows, and gather our hands -full of lovely flowers, the fruitage of our seed sowing and unceasing -care. - -Have been bedding out to-day my old stocky geraniums, after cutting off -all the dead and unsightly branches. These were just packed into large -boxes in the autumn--as closely as possible--dirt then thrown in to fill -up the spaces, and they were put into the cellar and severely let alone -till the weather admitted of their being taken out of doors. - -Many throw away their geraniums, if the stalks decay by being -frost-bitten or for some other cause, when often the roots are alive, -and with proper care will sprout again. I had a few in my window box -that were touched by frost one intense cold night in December, and died -down to the roots. To my surprise, they sprouted in March, for I did not -suppose they would be seemingly lifeless so long in a sunny window. - -Some of my neighbors hang up their large geraniums by the roots in the -cellar, and thus keep them throughout the winter nicely, but I have -never been successful with this method. - -My house plants are nearly all re-potted, ready to be plunged into the -ground the first of June. I put in a bit of potsherd to keep the roots -from going astray, then small pieces of coal for drainage, then fill -with mellow sifted soil, enriched with well-rotted manure. I found it so -much better last year to bed out in pots that I shall practice it more -fully this summer. When the time comes in the autumn for taking them in -doors, the work can be done in half the time. - -My seedlings will be six weeks or more in advance than those sown in the -open border. My sweet peas must go out very soon or I shall have to give -them a support, they are so tall. - -Now I am going to tell you about another sort of a garden--"a spick-span -new" sort--and I know you will be pleased to hear about it, and I think -you will want to have one of your own. - - -THE WILD GARDEN. - -Mr. B. K. Bliss, of New York, in a note, said: "We have put into your -box a packet of flower seeds for the wild garden, which we think will -interest you. We also send you the initial number of our new paper, -"_The American Garden_." In this journal I find a very interesting -article on "The Wild Garden," how to make it, and a description of one -at the country residence of Mr. M. S. Beach, near Peekskill, from his -own pen. We will quote a part of it. He says: "We plowed a strip about -six feet wide all around a five-acre field, close to the fence. On this -plowed ground, the seed, previously well mixed, was thrown just as it -happened to come. The surface having afterwards been well smoothed over, -we waited the result. This proved satisfactory. We had a wild garden -indeed. The plants came up as thickly as they could grow, and flourished -and blossomed as freely as though they had enjoyed all the care usually -given to hot-house exotics. - -"Sweet Alyssum, Mignonnette, the pretty blue Nemophila and bright -colored Phlox Drummondii seemed to cover the ground. Morning Glories of -every shade and delicate Cypress vines tried to cover the fences and run -up every tree. Quaint little yellow and green Gourds appeared in the -most unexpected places, and the whole bed seemed to be ablaze with the -orange and yellow of the Eschscholtzia, Marigolds, Calendula Officinalis -and Zinnias. One of the chief charms of this wild flower bed was the -variety and change--not from season to season, but from day to day. -Every morning would find some new, unexpected, and previously forgotten -flower in bloom." - -The packet of Flower Seeds for the "Wild Garden" consists of more than a -hundred varieties, sufficient for a square rod of ground. There must -needs be a peculiar charm in the "Wild Garden." When one wearies of the -monotonous ribbon beds and geometrical designs so long in fashion, they -can turn to the spot where flowers run riot at their own sweet will, and -give daily surprises because sown broadcast without any regard to their -names and location. Multitudes there are, who, with abundance of land -at their command, can have one on a large scale, others can have, but a -small spot. There are many who have ground specially adapted by its -wildness for the blending of the cultivated flowers with those which -grow in their native dells or woods. Wild shrubs, wild flowers, wild -climbers, can be transplanted to situations quite like their own. There -can be ferneries and rockeries, beds of violets and wild evergreens, and -combined with careless grace, such tropical plants and brilliant annuals -as would give the most pleasing effect and afford a beauty wholly -unique. - - - - -Make Home Beautiful. - - Make your home beautiful--bring to it flowers; - Plant them around you to bud and to bloom; - Let them give light to your loneliest hours-- - Let them bring light to enliven your gloom; - If you can do so, O make it an Eden - Of beauty and gladness almost divine; - 'Twill teach you to long for that home you are needing, - The earth robed in beauty beyond this dark clime. - - - - -A Talk About Stocking the Garden. - - "The flowers we love?--They are those we gathered - Years ago, when we played at home! - Flowers by the door stone, dropped and scattered - Here and there as a child would roam." - - -"How shall I stock my garden?" is a question often asked by amateurs. -That depends very much on the size, location and soil of the ground to -be furnished. If the site is elaborate, and the beds to be geometrically -laid out, much skill, artistic taste and generous expenditure is needful -to produce a fine effect. If the flower beds are cut in the lawn a -different classification and arrangement of plants will be needful. If -they consist of long beds bordering a walk, or one bed only, beneath the -front window, there needs to be a grouping of flowers adapted to the -situation. None but the "wild garden" ought to be stocked hap-hazard -style. Arrange always so that there shall be a succession of flowers -during the entire season, for if you devote a space for those of brief -duration, you will by and by have a barren spot by no means pleasing. -The most exposed situations ought, of course, to be arranged with -special reference to the best possible effects or continuity of bloom -and harmony of colors. Don't mix in all sorts of colors and sizes of -plants in any bed. Masses of distinctive colors always have a fine -effect. Where there are varieties that have more show of flowers than of -leaves, it is well to intersperse plants whose beauty lies more in their -foliage than in blossoms. - -The beautiful Coleuses, Achyranthes and Alternanthera, with their richly -colored leaves, and Pyrethrums with their vivid green lancelated -foliage, are very effective for this purpose. Cannas are very fine among -tall, free blooming plants, particularly for centers. Care ought always -to be had in selections, so that a tall and coarse plant shall never -have for its surroundings the low and delicate growers. Imagine the -effect of a gorgeous California Sunflower or a towering Hollyhock in the -midst of a bed of Pansies, or Tea Roses, or a Dahlia in a bed of -Verbenas! Have your large stocky plants in a bed by themselves, unless -it be as a background border for the more delicate flowers. A long bed -running beside a fence, or one beneath the windows of a dwelling-house, -can have, with good effect, a dense background of shrubs or Pompone -Dahlias, or even the taller Dahlias, if relieved by a fence. Where there -is a large bed directly beneath the front windows, a good arrangement is -to have, first, trailing vines that shall cover far up the sides of the -dwelling. For this, the Ipomoeas are very appropriate; of these there -are numerous varieties. _I. Bona Nox_, with its large fragrant blossoms, -which however, expand in the evening; Mexicana _Grandiflora Alba_, -immense flowers of white, long tube, a native of Mexico; grows to the -height of ten feet. _I. Hederacea Superba_ is bright blue, with white -margin, Ivy-like foliage, and _I. Fol Mormoratis_, a new Japanese -variety, with foliage beautifully mottled and marbled with white; -_Coccinea_, or "Star" Ipomea, bears a great profusion of small flowers, -scarlet striped with white. With any of these, vines of the Canary Bird -Flower intermingled, would have a superb effect; the light green, deeply -lacinated leaves and bright, yellow fringed flowers, proving a marked -contrast to the foliage and blossoms of the Ipomea. It is a very rapid -grower, and will climb and branch out ten feet or more. In front of -these climbers, or whatever others may be preferred, a row of Sweet -Peas, quite thickly set, can be trained so as to fully cover the vines -below the flowering branches, and to conceal the unsightliness of these -low down, a row of Pyrethrums or some dwarf compact plants would be -attractive. Then a walk, if the bed is sufficiently wide. The plants on -the opposite side can be arranged so as to have those of medium height -next to the path, and low bedding ones for the foreground. Verbenas are -very fine for this, and so is the Double Portulaca. For an edging, many -things are appropriate; whether one desires merely a low green, or a -border of dwarf blooming plants. For the latter, we know of nothing -prettier than the new dwarf Candytuft, Tom Thumb. Its habit is low and -bushy, and its clusters of white blossoms continue a very long time. - -Mr. Vick has for several years recommended Thrift as the best edging -plant for northern climates. It is easily propagated from cuttings; -every piece will make a plant, if taken in the fall or spring, and is -perfectly hardy. It bears tiny clusters of pink flowers, and the foliage -is fine for floral work. - -In arranging your garden stock study the adaptions of your plants to -certain positions. Some require for their best development, a great deal -of sunshine, others require somewhat sheltered positions. Portulacas -revel in dry and sunny spots, laughing at drought, while Pansies love a -cool and moist situation, therefore to bed them in a sandy soil, and a -position where they would be exposed to the intense sunshine of mid-day, -and the Portulaca in the sheltered, moist situation would be a great -mistake. - -Coleuses ought not to be set in a very open sunny place, but with plants -that will serve as a protection somewhat, or they will lose their vivid -markings. We observed this first with C. Shah; when exposed to a strong -light, the rich, velvety maroon changed to a dull color hue, but when -partially shaded it was of a very deep, rich color. The next summer we -had the beautiful Pictus, and its leaves looked as though they were -indeed painted with yellow, brown and green, but exposed for a time to -the direct sunshine nearly all day, it changed to a dark green, with -brown markings, and, robbed of its gold, it possessed no special beauty. -We speak only of our own experience, which has not been limited by any -means to these two varieties. We have had a few that would retain their -distinctive markings well, even in quite an exposed situation. - -In the arrangement of your garden, have it adapted to its surroundings. -The broad leaved Palms, the Tropical Caladiums, the stately Cannas, the -Cape Jessamine and Crape Myrtle are in perfect harmony with the well -kept lawn and stately mansion, but quite out of place in the simple -border of a vegetable garden, or rough grass-plot belonging to a low, -plain cottage. - -I will tell you of a bit of a garden furnished in harmony with its -surroundings. It was rudely dug and roughly finished by two very small -hands. It was a very wee bed, indeed. It was fenced on the west side by -a rough board shed; on the north by an old stump; the other side and end -had no protection. Without any method of arrangement, or reference to -artistic effects, here was massed the following assortment: Monks Hood, -Bachelors Buttons, Butter and Eggs, Star of Bethlehem, Poppies and -Marigolds; these last more odorous than fragrant. Old fashioned flowers -truly. But they harmonized with their surroundings, and the little pale -faced child thought them very beautiful. - -It is not essential to harmony however, that the flower bed be rudely -prepared, though the cot be lowly and its surroundings rough; the -garden, however small, can be neatly prepared, provided there are -stronger and older hands than those of the little maid referred to, and -there may be a display of taste in the arrangement of the most common -flowers, in our day at least, where beautiful varieties are within reach -of all. But it was not so fifty years ago; boxes of flower seeds were -not to be found in the shops; catalogues were not scattered broadcast -like autumn leaves and as free; "a greenhouse at your door," was not -then, as now, a verity. School girls exchanged their limited floral -treasures, and now and then a slip could be begged from the fortunate -possessor of a few house plants. But if greenhouse flowers were rare, -there were thousands in the meadows, on the hills, in the woods; the -sweet May flowers, unknown then to the little maiden as the Trailing -Arbutus, the Anemone, Hepatica, Columbine, Violets of different hues, -Wild Roses, Gay Lilies, and late in autumn, the lovely fringed Gentian: - - "Each chalice molded in divinest grace, - Each brimmed with pure, intense and perfect blue." - -What could be more lovely among the garnered treasures of the -greenhouse? But our talk is a long one, and we will defer to another -what we have further to say on this subject. - - - - -The Phlox Drummondii. - - "Flowers for gladness and flowers for sorrow, - Shadowing forth what we fail to tell; - Mystic symbols of tender meanings, - Such as the heart interprets well." - - -This is one of the most desirable of our annuals, coming into bloom -early in the season and continuing in flower till frost. They are very -effective in massed colors, and make fine ribbon beds. Contrasting -shades should be selected. A writer in the _Garden_ says that the -following are very desirable for this purpose: "Phlox Lothair, salmon -shaded with violet; Mons Henrique, brilliant reddish crimson; Venus, -pure white; Mons Goldenschugh, rosy violet; Spenceri, dark rosy lilac. -An excellent front edging for this ribbon bed is the variegated -Periwinkle. In order to grow them thoroughly well, and so to insure a -lengthened period of blooming, the ground should be deeply trenched and -well enriched with good manure from the farm yard, and not more than six -heads of bloom should be allowed to each plant. Thus treated, when -planted in long lines, it is difficult to convey an impression of these -and similar varieties." - -There are many beautiful varieties of color; deep blood purple, -brilliant scarlet, large blue with white eye, not truly a blue, but the -nearest approach to it of any; Leopoldii, splendid deep pink, with white -eye; Carmine Queen and Violet with a large white eye; Vick's _New Double -White_, the only one that is reliable, from seed, to produce double -flowers. Then there are the buffs and the stripes, crimson striped with -white, and rose and purple. Mr. Vick, who makes a specialty of the -Drummondii Phlox, they being a favorite with him, devotes acres to their -cultivation, and who has been experimenting with them for several -years, has produced several new sorts that are very fine; one of them is -deep red with a fringed edge. There have been very marked improvements -since this plant was first discovered in Texas by Mr. Drummond, a -botanical collector sent out by the Glasgow Botanical Society, and it -was one of the last, if not the very last, sent to Europe by him. He -soon after went to Cuba, where he died of a fever in the prime of life. -Sir N. J. Hooker named the plant after its discoverer as a memento. When -first discovered it was very inferior to the flowers seen in our -gardens, as is very apparent from an engraving of it taken from a -drawing in Mr. Vick's possession, which was made in 1838, three years -after its discovery. It is given in _Vick's Magazine_ for September, -1880, with the items we have cited. The word Phlox signifies flame, and -is supposed to have been applied in allusion to the flame-like form of -the bud. - -A lady who had excellent success with her seedlings, started early in a -box, and bedded out one cloudy day in May, says: "I was surprised to -find flowers on the plants when so young and small. I don't believe they -had been transplanted five days before half of them had flowers, and -soon the rest followed, and for more than two months my bed has been -glorious--a mass of bright colors more beautiful than any carpet or -dress pattern ever made. It is near the middle of September, and if the -frost will only keep away, it looks as though they would keep on -flowering for years. Tell everybody to have a Phlox bed and how to do -it. It is the cheapest pleasure possible." - - CARRIE, in _Vick's Magazine_. - - -VERBENAS. - -This we must have, for it is one of the most beautiful annuals -cultivated. So varied its hues! So abundant its blooms! Not a brief -season of flowering, and then naught but leaves, which are, not of -themselves attractive, but an increase of blossoms from June till -October, and it requires quite a severe frost to mar their beauty. They -have the best effect massing each color by itself, and beds of a -circular form cut in the lawn and filled with Verbenas, have a superb -effect. Seedlings are much the best for bedding out, they are so much -stronger and more bushy. Those plants offered for sale in pots, having -one tall slender stem, crowned with a cluster of flowers, are almost -worthless for the garden. True, if you get a healthy one, by layering -and pegging down, you can sometimes get good plants, but you had better -purchase seedlings by the dozen as they are offered in boxes and -baskets, or order them of the florist by mail or express, and you will -have plants that will grow compact, bloom early and profusely, with far -better foliage than the puny straggling ones rooted from cuttings. One -objection to purchasing seedlings by the clump is, I am well aware, the -fact that they are not labeled as to color, and everybody wants to know -that they will have at least one scarlet, one white, purple, and so on, -and unless the color is peeping through the bud, one must buy with the -risk of not knowing the desired color. This is the true state of the -case so far as my own observation extends. But it need not be so, and we -presume it is not so everywhere. Seedlings can be raised of course with -each of the leading colors separate, and those in greatest demand in -large quantities to meet the wants of the general public, while the -fancy sorts can be of mixed varieties. Those who raise their own -seedlings, usually buy a paper of mixed sorts, so in that case they are -no better off than those who purchase seedlings of the florist, and as -their facilities are far greater for raising early plants, it seems -preferable as a general thing, to buy of them, for these reasons. In -order to have good sizable plants for bedding out in May and June that -will bloom in August, seed must be sown the first of March, at the -latest, for it takes weeks for the little dry sticks to germinate, and -then they are such slow growers, unless under the most favorable -circumstances, they do not become strong vigorous plants by the time -you want to bed them out. Few can care for them properly while their -sunny windows are full of choice house plants, so that as a rule, we -should deem it preferable to wait until May, and then purchase the large -budded seedlings, which so quickly unfold their beautiful flowers to -brighten the garden, when it is almost barren of bloom. They do not cost -usually more than sixty cents per dozen, and one is saved from so much -care. - -However, for the benefit of those who prefer to sow their own seed, we -will give directions for the best method. First, be sure that the seed -is new. Don't sow old seed for it will not germinate. If you have no hot -bed, make one in a box or pan by putting in a layer of quite fresh horse -manure for bottom heat; over this a layer of coarse sand; then fill the -box with finely sifted soil, mixed with at least one-third fine sand. -Make it smooth; then in little rows drop the seeds, not very sparsely, -for all may not germinate, and if too thick when they come up they can -be thinned out. Press the seed down with a bit of flat board, sift a -little soil over them and then dampen by light spraying with tepid -water; a brush dipped in water makes a gentle sprayer. Cover with paper, -glass, or what is better, a bit of soft flannel wrung out of water laid -on the surface, as it keeps the soil damp without sprinkling, by being -wet as it dries. The soil must be kept moist, not soaking wet, for -however helpful to germination a previous soaking may be, when sown the -seed must not be drenched, and the same rules are equally applicable to -the seedlings, for in either case rot would surely follow. It is just -here where the special care is requisite to insure success. After the -plants have come up, the flannel or paper must be removed and the -seedlings given sunshine and air, though it is well to have a glass over -the top of the box for a week or more, as more moisture is thereby -secured; but there ought to be an aperture for the admission of air. -When two or more leaves are developed, it is well to prick them out into -other boxes or pots, if they are too thick for free growth; not all, a -part can remain undisturbed. They should be gradually hardened as a -preparation for out-door life, by being placed in cool situations. While -heat is essential to start the seed into growth, it is not beneficial to -the plants, and those who have a cold frame had better remove the plants -to it as soon as the temperature will admit. - -In bedding out, an open situation is preferable. The ground should be -well dug and enriched, with well-decomposed manure, and if the soil is -heavy a liberal mixture of sand. A situation where the morning sun will -not strike them before the dew is off in the morning is best, as this is -one cause of the mildew or rust which so frequently saps the vitality of -the leaves. In order to promote their spreading, it is a good plan to -fasten down some of the branches when sufficiently flexible to the -ground, and for this, nothing is more convenient than hair-pins. All the -seed vessels should be pricked off in order to secure the best results, -as much of the strength of the plant goes to them if allowed to remain. -One can afford to be very liberal in gathering the flowers, for the more -liberally they are picked off, the more rapidly buds form and develop. -As it was with one of Bunyan's characters: - - "There was a man (though some did count him mad), - The more he cast away, the more he had." - -The wise man says: "There is that scattereth and yet increaseth." - -A florist says that "to grow Verbenas successfully, plant them in beds -cut in the turf. Chop the turf well and thoroughly mix with it a good -share of well-decomposed stable manure; never, on any account plant them -in old and worn-out garden soil as they will most assuredly fail. Give -them a change of soil each season, as they do not thrive well two years -in the same bed." - -As a house plant the Verbena is not a success. It is most always sickly, -and infested with red spiders. They cannot be kept over winter in a -cellar; it is growth or death. - -Verbenas were first introduced into Europe about fifty years ago from -South America, and a few years later into this country. They have been -greatly improved, and the varieties are very numerous. Many are -fragrant. The only hardy sort is Montana, a native of Colorado. It is a -profuse bloomer, color, a bright rose. There are the German Hybrids, the -Italian stripes, and the Drummondii from Texas. Every year brings its -novelties, as with other flowers. Mr. C. E. Allen, who makes a specialty -of seedling Verbenas, is sending out several fine ones this season; -Silver Queen, Florence, Emma, Carroll, Ralph and Variegata are very -attractive according to the descriptions. - - -PETUNIAS. - -[Illustration] - -Few things in the garden will make more show throughout the entire -season, even after quite severe frosts, than a bed of Petunias from a -paper of seed marked "Choicest Mixed from Show Flowers." They will -produce such a profusion of flowers, charming one from day to day with -their variations of markings, and of color. Some retain their -distinctive characteristics, while with others they are changeful as the -Kaleidoscope. Stripes, blotches, sprays, white throats, green edges, -they are just lovely. Then there are the double sorts; purple with white -spots, white with purple; rose color, white, purplish-crimson margined -with white; lilac veined with purple; white with stripes of purple in -the center of each petal, some exquisitely fringed; large and full as a -rose, and some almost as sweet. - -In nothing, perhaps, has there been such a wonderful improvement by -culture and hybridising as the Petunia. Mr. Vick tells us how that half -a century ago, he saw for the first time, a Petunia. It was a novelty--a -strange flower from a flowery land, South America, and it was carefully -treated in green-houses. The flower was white and small, and looked -somewhat as if made of paper--such a flower as would now be destroyed if -by chance seen growing accidentally in our gardens. The novelty soon -subsided, and although it was ascertained that it could be grown in -gardens, it did not possess sufficient merit to gain popular favor. A -little later, however, about 1831, to the astonishment of the floral -world, it was announced that a new Petunia, of a purple color, had been -discovered in Buenos Ayres. It was first flowered and seeded in the -Botanic Gardens of Glasgow, and thence seed was sent all over Europe and -to America, where it soon became a great favorite. About thirty years -ago a double Petunia was grown and propagated by cuttings. It was only -semi-double and white, but it was the commencement of a new era in -Petunia culture. Truly wonderful have been the advances in development -of this beautiful flower. - -The Petunia is divided into three distinct classes, the Grandiflora, -Small Flowered and Double. - -The Grandiflora varieties have a strong succulent growth, the flowers -are not so numerous as some others, but are very large and double, -frequently measuring three inches in diameter, and some kinds are -exquisitely marked with various shades of violet, purple, maroon and -scarlet upon white ground; some striped, others bordered, some marbled, -some deeply fringed. The double Petunia gives no seed, and it is only by -fertilizing single flowers with the pollen of the double that seed can -be obtained. But Petunias of all kinds are easily multiplied by -cuttings. - -The Small Flowered class are those that make our gardens so attractive -with their varied hues and markings. Some of the new hybrids are of -wonderful beauty. Last year gave two of the Double and Fringed sort that -have been frequently noted as gems of the first water. - -Mrs. Edward Roby, color, a glowing crimson-maroon, edged with pure -white, very double and deeply fringed. Model of Perfection, deep maroon, -heavily edged with white, and deeply fringed. These were priced last -year in a Western catalogue at $1.50 each; this year they are priced at -30 cents. So one gains by waiting a year for high-priced novelties. - -New Double Fringed Petunia for 1881, is President Garfield, which -originated with Mr. C. E. Allen, and is thus described in his catalogue: -"Color, light purple veined with deep purple magenta, edged with a broad -band of an exquisite shade of green. Very novel in its appearance and a -new color in double petunias; flower very large and deeply fringed. -Plants strong and vigorous; one of the finest sorts ever offered." For a -Petunia so unique as this, with its broad band of green, and now offered -for the first time; its price, 75 cents, is low. - - - - -Pansies. - - "Open your eyes, my Pansies sweet, - Open your eyes for me, - Driving away with face so true, - The chilling wind and wintry hue, - That lingers so drearily. - - "Open your eyes, my Pansies sweet, - Open your eyes for me. - Where did you get that purple hue? - Did a cloudlet smile as you came through? - Did a little sunbeam bold - Kiss on your lips that tint of gold? - Tell me the mystery. - - "In your eyes a story I read-- - A story of constancy. - After the storms and winter's wind, - Softly you come with influence kind; - Then as I bend with listening ear, - Your cheerful voice I plainly hear, - Preaching a sermon to me. - - "So, whisper to me, my Pansies sweet-- - Tell me in rustlings low, - Of that beautiful land where fadeless flowers - Brightly bloom in immortal bowers, - And no blighting wind doth blow. - - "Tell of the care that is over all-- - That gives you your garments gay; - Whose loving hand clothes the floweret small - That grows in the field, or by the garden wall, - Whose life is only a day. - - "Yes, tell of the love, my Pansies sweet, - Of the love that knows no end; - That through earth's winter safely keeps - Watch over his children, and never sleeps; - The love that paints the violet blue, - And quenches your thirst with drops of dew, - The weary heart's faithful friend." - - - - -A Talk About Pansies. - - "Pray you love, remember, - There's Pansies--that's for thought." - - _Shakespeare._ - - -I find my Pansies are coming up finely. My bed of Pansies last year from -"choicest mixed seed" sown in April, began to bloom in June, and -afforded me so much pleasure with their varied beauty, that I resolved -this year to have a great many of them. I see, now that the snow has -melted from the bed, that the plants have wintered well. I had all of -the colors shown in the chromo plate of my catalogue, excepting _Emperor -William_, dark blue. I think that somebody else must have got him, for -my packet of seed was divided and sub-divided. _King of the Blacks_ was -rightly named, a mere dot of yellow in the center, and _Pure White_ was -in striking contrast, while _Pure Yellow_ was golden, and _Odier_ was -splendid with its dark center banded with yellow and scarlet. Then there -was copper-colored and striped, and such rich purples with a dot of -yellow. How lovely they were! They were not very large at first, but in -August after a rain, I had superb specimens. They were bedded beneath a -fruit tree, where they were sheltered from the noonday glare. They -thrive best in a moist, partially shaded situation. The blossoms ought -to be picked as they fade, for if left to seed the strength is taken -from the plants and the blossoms are smaller. - -This season I have sown musical Pansies. "Musical Pansies! what are -they? What sort of music do they make? Will it be of the Brass Band -order, or that of the hand-organ style?" - -No, no! Not that coarse, harsh, loud sort at all. If you could hear -their low, sweet notes, you would be enraptured. But this cannot be. I -call them musical, because named for the great composers, Mozart, -Handel, Schiller, Goethe, Beethoven, Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Schumann. -They are the "New German Pansies," of which types are given in oil -colors, in the catalogue of B. F. Bliss & Sons, and represent the most -beautiful strains I have ever seen. They are no fancy sketch, but drawn -as true to life in color and size as it was possible to make them, if we -will accept the testimony of Dr. Thurber in the _American -Agriculturist_. He says, that "no doubt many who have seen the colored -plate published by Messrs. B. F. Bliss & Sons, have supposed that the -artist had exercised his imagination both as to size and the strange -combinations of colors. So far from this being the case, the flowers -are, if anything, rather below the real size, and as to colors, it would -be impossible to conceive of any artificial colors more brilliant, or -more strongly contrasted, than they are in flowers, produced by this -remarkable strain of seeds." - -In my childhood I knew nothing of the Pansy. The little Heartsease or -Ladies' Delight, as it was then called, was alone cultivated. Mr. Vick -tells us how it grew to be the fine flower now so highly prized. About -sixty years ago, a very young English lady living on the banks of the -Thames, had a little flower garden of her own, and one bed she filled -with Pansies, selecting from her father's grounds the finest she could -obtain. The gardener, seeing her interest and success, became ambitious -to try his hand, and grew plants from the finest specimens. These -attracted the attention of professional florists, and speedily the Pansy -became a popular flower. Every country gives it a pet name--Heartsease, -Fringed Violet, Trinity Flower, Butterfly flower, and Johnny-jump-up, -while the French call it _Pensée_, from which our name of Pansy is -probably derived. It means to remember or keep in mind. A floral work -published in 1732, illustrates it with a colored plate, which shows it -to have been then small like the Ladies' Delight. - - -MODE OF CULTURE. - -For summer blooming plants sow seed in the house, in March or April. -Cigar boxes are very suitable for seed sowing. Put in a layer of coarse -sand for drainage, then one of horse manure for bottom heat. Fill with -rich, mellow earth sifted and mixed with one-third silver sand, or -finely pulverized leaf mold. Have it moist but not drenched. With a -narrow strip of board, make tiny furrows about one and a half inches -apart, and in these carefully drop the seed one by one an inch distant. -Cover slightly, and press the soil firmly, then lay a piece of old soft -flannel folded once or twice, and wrung lightly out of warm water, -carefully over the soil, which will keep it damp. Cover with glass, and -keep in a warm place. In a few days see if the covering is dry, if so -damp it again, and watch for the seedlings. When they appear, remove the -flannel, but still keep on the glass, not, however, so close as to -exclude all air. Gradually inure them to the sunlight, and as soon as -they have made four or five leaves, it is best to transplant every other -one, so that they may have room to grow. Great care is needful with -tender seedlings to keep them from damping off. If too wet, they will do -this, or if kept too shady. Good judgment is essential for success. As -the weather becomes warm, expose them at first an hour or two, to the -outdoor air, and thus prepare them for early bedding out. Being hardy -plants, living out of doors during the winter, with slight protection at -the North, they will bear transplanting sooner than many other -seedlings. A rich moist soil, and somewhat cool and shaded situation, -are best adapted for their growth. For winter flowers, sow seed the last -of August, or first of September, in a frame or boxes kept in a shady -place. - - -ASTERS. - -These must be included among the essential annuals for the garden. They -are one of the chief attractions of the border in the autumn, when many -flowers have passed their prime. This plant, like the Petunia, has in -skillful hands and by hybridization, developed from a very inferior -flower to one of great beauty and numerous classes, which embrace a -great many varieties. They are represented by _Dwarfs_ and by _Giants_, -ranging intermediately from five or six inches in height to two feet. -_Dwarf Bouquet_ presents a mass of flowers with scarcely a leaf, while -_Tall Chrysanthemum_ grows to the height of two feet, and the _New -Victoria_, _Giant Emperor_, _Truffant's Perfection_ and the _New -Washington_ bear immense flowers of great beauty. The last named bears -the largest flowers of any variety; sometimes they measure more than -five inches across. The _New Rose_ is of a strong habit, and the petals -of its large blossoms are finely imbricated. _Truffant's Fiery Scarlet_ -and _Dwarf Fiery Scarlet_, are a novelty in color among Asters. -_Goliath_ is of a bushy form, and its flowers are very large. Fine -colors. _Victoria_ is a dwarf; snow-white, very double. The _Crown -Asters_ have white centers surrounded with various bright colors, and -are very pretty. The _Quilled Asters_ are quite distinct in character, -the petals consisting of tubes or quills with outer blossom petals -slightly reflexed. _Newest Shakespeare_ and _Diamond_ and _Meteor_ are -novelties of recent introduction, and come in numerous colors. We grew -them last year and deem them admirable. - -The native country of this plant is China, hence it has been called -frequently China Aster. It had originally only a few rows of petals and -a large disk. It was first discovered about a century and a half ago, by -a missionary, and sent to Europe. It was first cultivated in France, and -the French florists have done the most toward perfecting the -flat-petaled Aster, and this style of flower is known as the French -Aster. On the other hand the Germans have sought to produce fine flowers -with tubular petals, and the quilled are therefore called German Asters. -Within a few years, however, the Germans have rivaled the French in -originating superior varieties of the flat-petaled style. - -When first cultivated in France it was called _Reine Marguerite_, -meaning Queen Daisy; afterward in England it was called _China Aster_, -which means China Star. - -Asters require a rich, deep soil. Twelve inches apart is a very good -distance for the large varieties, the dwarf can be set about six inches, -or even less will do. The tall kinds need to be staked, or they are -liable to be blown down, or prostrated by heavy rains. Do not tie one -string around the entire plant, but use several, and confine a few -branches with each, so that, while having sufficient support, they may -retain their natural position. - - -BALSAMS. - -[Illustration] - -Have been sowing my Balsams to-day in a box, so as to have nice -seedlings to bed out in six weeks from now. My Balsams last year were -superior to any I had seen, but Mr. J. L. Childs, who rather prides -himself on his plants, has sent me several packages for trial. He says: -"My stock of Balsams is undoubtedly the finest in the world; all who saw -them flowering the past season were astonished at their size and -magnificence. The new variety (Child's Camellia Flowered Perfection), is -indeed a great acquisition; its flowers are of gigantic size, and so -double and perfect that they resemble small Camellias; it is also a very -free bloomer. I have counted five and six hundred perfect flowers upon a -plant at the same time." That is a wonderful yield, truly; I cannot -expect so many, but half that number would satisfy me. The Camellia -Flowered Perfection comes in nine colors; pink, scarlet, striped white -and purple, mottled, white and delicate pink, magenta spotted with -white, crimson spotted with white, purple spotted with white, pure -white, and rose-flowered perfection, lavender color, buds when half -open, resemble a rosebud. - -I shall sow some of the seeds in June, for autumn blooming, and shall -try more fully than last year the pruning method. This is done by -removing all of the branches, and then the main stock will grow two or -three feet in height, and be a perfect wreath of blossoms. Another -method is to remove the leader and let two or three branches remain. The -flowers are larger, and the plant handsomer than when allowed to grow at -its own sweet will. They do best in a light, rich soil, and a liberal -supply of liquid manure will greatly advance their growth. A writer in -the _Gardener's Chronicle_ says: "Considering the very effective display -that these plants make when associated with stately foliage plants in -sub-tropical beds, I think they are worthy of more extended cultivation. -There are few plants better adapted for the above purpose than the -Balsam, being easily raised from seed, and as is well known, they are -rapid growers if they are planted in a rich soil. Several samples of -these plants with us are now three feet through and over two feet high, -and they work admirably with such things as Castor Oils, Cannas, and the -beautifully striped Japonica. The plants referred to were planted out -early in June, and I am so pleased with their behaviour in the -sub-tropical garden, that I intend to grow them largely another year." - -I know of no reason why the Balsam might not with good cultivation -thrive as well here as in England. Let us try our "level best," and see -what we can do. - - - - -A Talk About Geraniums. - - -My interest in this class of plants was specially awakened four years -ago by the successful cultivation of a dozen or more new varieties which -I was induced to send for by the reception of the catalogue of the -"Innisfallen Green houses," containing a more attractive list of -geraniums, and at lower prices than I had ever seen. I secured a Club by -a little effort, and thus obtained so many fine extras, that it was a -very agreeable surprise. I have since learned that very many others have -had a similar surprise. - -The next spring I had a much larger assortment, and last year the -greatest variety I ever saw. I am sure that I had sixty kinds in bloom -at once. Although very small plants, as they always are when many are -ordered by mail, they throve wonderfully, and with one exception, were -all in flower in a few weeks, and kept on blooming till after removal in -the autumn. - -My method of treatment is the following: On opening the boxes I find -them packed in damp moss, many closely tied together. I take off the -oiled paper, loosen the moss packed around them, and put them in a -shallow pan, in which is sufficient tepid water to cover the roots. -After an hour or two I set them in three and four inch pots, first -putting a bit of crock over the hole in the bottom of the pot, so as to -keep the roots from going astray, then some of the coarse siftings of -soil, or small bits of coal for drainage. As geraniums are not at all -fastidious about soil, I take whatever is available, mix a small -quantity of sand with it to make it friable, enriching with old manure. -I nearly fill the pot, and then make a hole in the center, set in the -plant, press the earth firmly around it, fill to the top and press down -again, water, and set the pot in a cool and shady place for several -days, then bring to the light for a few hours, gradually accustoming -them to the sunshine, until they become fully established in their new -quarters. When the weather is sufficiently warm, I plunge the pots in -the border for the summer, covering the pots entirely. I choose a cloudy -day if possible; if otherwise, I do the work late in the afternoon, so -that the intense sunshine may not at the first beat upon them. I prefer -massing these new plants by themselves, as the effect is more pleasing -than when intermixed with other kinds. The geranium bed is the most -attractive one of my garden. It is always full of bloom, and the varied -hues commingled are very attractive. I remove all decayed leaves, and -the trusses as soon as the flowers have faded. Frequently there will be -a few decayed pips marring the beauty of a fine truss, and these I -carefully remove. All of my large stock geraniums which have been -wintered two years, I set by themselves, and they furnish an abundance -of flowers for bouquets, and cuttings for new plants. Where one has a -plenty of garden room, they need not mind having several choice -geraniums of a kind. Slips will root well during the summer months, if -set in the earth near the parent stock, where they are shaded from the -direct rays of the sun. Care must be had to set the cuttings well down -in the soil, and firm the earth compactly around them. In this way one -can obtain with little care nice plants for the winter window garden, -which will be more shapely than those which have become very branchy. -Geraniums are ill growing plants unless pruned and trained with skill. -But they are so easily cultured, adapting themselves to most any -situation whether of shade or sunshine, are so hardy, and bloom so -freely, that we can but admire them though they yield no fragrant -flowers. There are many varieties of scented leaved geraniums, and these -mixed with the odorless blossoms are almost an equivalent. Then the -beautiful "Golden Bronzed Zoned" geraniums, and the "Silver Margined" -and "Tricolored," are so beautiful in foliage, while _Happy Thought_, -with its creamy yellow leaf margined with green; _Distinction_, with -deep green leaves zoned with black; Mrs. Pollock with bronze red zone -belted with bright crimson margined with golden yellow, are exceedingly -ornamental. Beside these there are many perhaps equally attractive, not -often named in the general collection. _Freak of Nature_, first sent out -last year, is an improvement on Happy Thought the center of pure white -narrowly margined with light green; flowers light scarlet; habit very -dwarf and spreading. It originated with Mr. Gray of England, and was -awarded three first class certificates. - -[Illustration: BISHOP WOOD GERANIUM.] - -Of the numerous classes into which geraniums are divided, few only are -given usually by florists. There are the Ornamental Foliage of which we -have cited a few examples, and the Golden Tricolors, Silver Tricolors, -Golden Bronze, Nosegay and Lilliputian Zonale; Double and single -Geraniums. - -We will specify a few varieties worthy of special note, as we can -testify by personal observation. Bishop Wood, Madam Baltet, C. H. -Wagner, Madam Thibaut, Victor Hugo, Jean Dolfus, Cassimer Perier, John -Fennely, Naomi and Rose d'Amour, all double sorts. Of the single, Dr. -John Denny possesses a rare beauty, and is thus described by an English -writer: "Dr. John Denny, raised by J. Sisley, has quite set at rest the -probability of a blue or a purple, which is a positive fact, and great -honor is due to its distinguished raiser. It also possesses another -novel and distinct feature. The base of the two top petals is of a -bright crimson tinted with orange, which gives it a most striking -appearance; this, together with its immense sized trusses, free growth -and shape of blooms, renders it one of the best for pot or house -decoration, and is of great acquisition." Jean Dolfus belongs to this -purple magenta class, a double geranium, very beautiful. Also Zuleika, -which has larger pips and trusses. It is a little more striking in color -than John Denny, but both are just as lovely as a geranium can possibly -be. When Jealousy was sent out, there was much ado over it because it -was the nearest approach toward a yellow Zonal, but it was eclipsed -pretty soon by Guinea, which was an advance by a shade or two. We had -the two in proximity last summer, and though but little difference, it -was sufficiently marked to enable us to decide that Guinea for color, -size and form, was preferable. We just get settled down on that, when we -are startled by the announcement of another novelty, "New Guinea" by -name, "a great improvement on Guinea, being two shades brighter." Well, -well! we must have that, too, and see if in other respects as well as -color, it is worthy to eclipse our favorite. - -Henry Cannell--this is a new geranium, originating with Mr. John Thorp -of Queens, New York, who makes a specialty of seedling geraniums, and -has sent out from his grounds many of great value, one of them Happy -Thought, so widely known. We have not tested H. Cannell, ours was sent -from Innisfallen during the winter, and has not yet bloomed, but we are -sure that it would never have received the name of the most -distinguished florist in England, if it were not a superior variety. - -New Life originated with Mr. H. Cannell of Swanley England, in our -Centennial year, and he sent out the first thousand by subscription -only, at £1 each--not one sold till the thousand were engaged! When -introduced the following year to this country, stock plants were sold -for $5.00 each. Now you can purchase it at prices ranging from ten cents -to thirty. It is unique in color, being splashed, striped, and flecked -with salmon and white on an intense scarlet ground. It is sometimes -freakish, having pips with some petals salmon, others partly white and -partly scarlet, others pure scarlet. But this very freak is charming, -for with beautifully striped trusses there will be others thus sportive. -Its habit is dwarf, compact, and its dark leaves zoned with black are -very handsome. It cannot be surpassed as a free bloomer. Mr. Cannell, -when sending it out, expressed the wish that the day might come when -there would not be a cottage in the land where New Life was not found. -John Fennely, salmon striped with white, and Fairy, flaked and striped -with crimson on a bluish white ground, are very pretty. Dazzle, Harry -King, Richard Dean, and Jean Sisley are scarlet with white eye. Of -several single white geraniums in my garden, I gave decided preference -to Madame Quinet. - -There is a great difference in the duration of the flowers. Victor Hugo, -a splendid geranium, retains its beautiful trusses full five weeks. -Bishop Wood is also admirable in this respect, and Jenny Dolfus and -Naomi we believe cannot be surpassed. - -[Illustration] - -Of the Sweet Scented Geraniums, we have none equal to the hybrid, Mrs. -Taylor, for beauty of foliage and of flower. It is a fine grower, and -for green to mix with flowers it is admirable. Dr. Livingstone, a more -recent novelty, is very handsome and fragrant. Rose and Lemon scented -are delicious. Lady Plymouth is a variegated rose; leaves bronzy green, -fringed with creamy white, sometimes assuming a pink tinge; very -ornamental. London Blue is a very rare variety of scented geranium, of -heavy creeping growth, with large crimped or curled leaves covered -thickly with fine spines or hairs. Seldom blooms. - -We have specified a goodly number, yet but a few from the many, and we -can assure you that if you have a large bed of geraniums you will -greatly admire them, and feel satisfied that you have the most effective -bedding plants, requiring the least care, and for the smallest outlay, -that you could possibly obtain. In California they grow without culture -to an enormous size. From an editor's notes we cite the following: - -"A little slip of geranium planted out in the spring, had grown in the -summer to 150 branches, its stalk at its base four inches thick, and -bearing over a thousand blooms! I saw a fence fifteen feet high, -sixty-five feet long, covered with geranium vines that had clambered up -one side, and then dropped down the other, filling both sides with a -blanket of scarlet blossoms. It grows like weeds, and needs no care." - -Geraniums are so hardy that one can leave them to the last in removing -from the border in autumn. Frosts that kill Dahlia tops, and many other -plants, do not harm geraniums. Some of mine, for lack of time to remove, -are exposed till late without harm. The roots have great vitality, and -when the stalk has frozen and rotted to the ground, a new growth will -start forth, sometimes in a few weeks, and sometimes not for three -months. I have had this proved by plants in my window boxes. So one need -not be in a hurry to pull up the frozen geraniums. My large stocky -plants I pack in dry goods boxes, filling in earth around the roots, and -put them in the cellar where they have little light. The pot plants, -also, are mostly put away so as to give all the available room to the -cuttings rooted in the summer, and the rare and tender plants that will -not live in a cellar. These cuttings make fine plants for bedding out in -May or June. - -In the spring the large geraniums are brought up to the open air and -trimmed of their dead leaves, pruned of dead branches, and put in a -large bed with the Hybrid Perpetual Roses. - - - - -A Talk About Begonias. - - -My first Begonia was a Rex. It thrived for several years, and then to my -regret died, for it was quite a favorite with me. Its large leaves with -broad silvery belt and red dots, were very handsome. This species thrive -best in a Wardian case and are of rare beauty and size, grown under such -circumstances. A cool, moist atmosphere is the best for them; they burn -and shrivel exposed to the intense sunlight. They are easily multiplied -from the leaves. Cut the leaf so that a small portion of the stem will -remain, insert this in a pan of damp sand, laying the leaf out flat upon -the sand, upper side uppermost. It can be retained in place by bits of -stone or small pegs. Cuts must then be made in a number of places so as -to sever the veins, thus checking the flow of sap. A callus then forms -at the base of each piece of vein where severed, and just above it, a -bud starts out, and thus a new plant is formed. It is essential for -success, that there should be bottom heat, and that the air should be -moist. A bell glass is the best to put over the leaf, and if there is -danger that the air become too moist, the glass can be tilted up to -allow of an escape. The leaves best adapted for propagation are those -neither very young nor very old, but healthy and vigorous; yet that this -is not absolutely essential is shown by the experience of a lady who had -excellent success with a leaf that was some what decayed around the -edges, and for that reason was cut off and thrown away. Remembering -afterward that the plant was sometimes grown from pieces of a leaf, she -hunted it up, trimmed off the decayed portion, and planted it at the -foot of a tree, about half under ground, and pressed the soil firmly -around it. A few months afterward she had a nice little plant from it, -with its beautiful leaves unfolding finely. - -[Illustration] - -There are many varieties of the Rex family; some have brilliant colors -in their leaves, others are thickly covered with short hairs. These are -more difficult to manage, and require great care to preserve from dust, -as like all rough leaved plants, they do not enjoy spraying, as do -smooth leaved ones. It is well to set them out in a mild shower -occasionally. Tepid water is the best for watering. - - -BEGONIAS, NOT REX. - -This class are the most generally cultivated, and they embrace a great -many varieties, which are specially distinguishable by the diversity of -their leaves. Most of them are one-sided, that is, they are larger on -one side of the mid-rib than on the other. Some have fern-like foliage, -others lobated. Some have large palmate leaves, others are spotted and -laced with white. As a class they are very beautiful for their foliage, -but when to this attraction is added beauty of flowers, it will be seen -at once that they are eminently deserving of the prominent position now -given them both in the open border and the window garden. - -We will name for the benefit of amateurs some of the most desirable as -given by Mr. Vick: _Fuchsioides_, with its drooping scarlet flowers, is -one of the most desirable of the whole class; the leaves are small, and -of a dark green color, and the small, delicate brilliant flowers are -produced in great profusion. As a winter blooming sort it is -indispensable. _F. Alba_ bears white flowers. _Richardsonii_, a variety -with white flowers and deeply cleft palmate leaves, requires more heat -than the former, therefore well adapted to our warm rooms. _Subpeltata -nigricans_ has large, dark purple leaves, and bears clusters of large -rosy flowers, very ornamental. _Grandiflora rosea_, with light pink -flowers, and _Sandersonii_, scarlet flowers; _Weltoniensis_, of dwarf -habit and small dark green foliage, rich pink flowers, are all fine -winter bloomers. _Argyrostigma picta_ has long, thick leaves, with white -spots. _Metallica_, an elegant plant with bronzy green foliage, and -producing an abundance of pale peach-colored flowers, is of very recent -introduction. _Louis Schwatzer_ has a beautiful marked foliage in the -style of Rex, dwarf habit. _Mons. Victor Lamoine_, leaves marbled like -lace. _Glaucophylla Scandens_ is of quite recent introduction, and the -very best of all for a hanging basket. It is of a drooping habit, and -its bright glossy leaves are very handsome. It bears large panicles of -orange salmon flowers. - - -TUBEROUS ROOTED BEGONIA. - -This is a class of quite recent origin, and differs from the more -general varieties, in that it has bulbous roots which can be taken up -and stored during the winter like Gladioli and Gloxinia bulbs. It has -larger flowers than the other species; red, orange, yellow, with -intermediate tints. A writer in the London _Garden_ says of them: - -"The bulbous Begonias, mostly of the Boliviniensis and Veitchi sections -or families, may have also a brilliant future in the flower garden. -Meanwhile, their proper place seems to be in the conservatory, -greenhouse and window garden. For such positions it is well-nigh -impossible to match the bulbous-rooted Begonias for brilliancy, grandeur -and grace, three qualities seldom combined in the same plant. The plants -are also characterized by great distinctness and freshness of style and -character." - -They are both double and single. Of the single flowered, the most -important sent out last year was _Davisii_. It is a native of the Andes -of Peru. Dwarf in habit, the leaves and flowers all springing from the -root stalk. "The scapes which rise erect above an elegant bluish green -foliage, are light red; each scape bears three dazzling scarlet flowers. -The plant is of very free growth, and a profuse bloomer." _Frobelii_, a -new species from Ecuador, said to be very attractive, producing, well -above the foliage, erect branches of large brilliant scarlet flowers; -the foliage is of bright green, furnished on the under side with a thick -covering of white hairs. _White Queen_, a very elegant variety with -numerous racemes of ivory white blossoms. - -Of the new double flowered, _Glorie de Nancy_ is represented as a -magnificent variety, with large very double carmine flowers, and very -floriferous. _Louis Van Houtte_, flowers large, of a crimson scarlet -color; of fine habit, and a free bloomer. - -"_Comtesse Horace Choeteau_, is an inch or more in diameter, very -double, and of a delicate, soft shade of rose; the young plant in a -three-inch pot presented a number of flowers and buds, indicating a good -blooming habit. As a double flower it is remarkably fine, the petals -being well formed, pretty smoothly laid and imbricated."--_James Vick._ - -The soil best adapted for Begonias is turfy loam, leaf-mold, sand, and -old well-rotted manure in equal parts. When growing, they require a -liberal supply of water, applied directly to the soil. - -The Begonias are natives of the tropical countries of Asia, Africa, and -America, and most of them inhabit the mountainous regions at a -considerable elevation. They were first brought to notice and introduced -into cultivation about two hundred years ago by a French naval officer, -Michel Begon, from whom they derived their name. - - -GLOXINIA. - -This bulbous plant is a native of the tropical region of South America, -and deserves a more general culture, for all the varieties of this -genus are very handsome, _magnificent_ is not too strong a term to apply -to many of them. They may be raised from seed by sowing early in spring -in a finely sifted soil of leaf mold and garden loam. But great care is -needful, and then one has to wait the following year for the flowers. It -is better to obtain the bulbs in the spring all started, then they will -bloom during the summer. Mine had several leaves, and I removed them -from the thumb pots to five-inch size, which I judged would be -sufficiently large for them. They need plenty of light and heat and -plenty of air. To prolong the flowering an occasional watering with -manure water should be given. In the autumn they must be gradually dried -off and the bulbs kept in a warm, dry place, secure from frost. They can -be potted any time from February to May. The bulb must be planted so -that its top will be level with the surface of the soil, and watered -sparingly until the leaves appear. - -I will describe a few "superlatively beautiful." _Cinderella_, pure -white with pink band. _Brilliant_, bright crimson, margined with rose, -rich violet throat. _Rose d'Amour_, rose carmine, cream colored throat, -zone of cerise. _Nero_, dark purple, white throat. _Princess Royal_, -tube and edges white, throat mottled with dark blue. _Lamartine_, very -beautifully undulated, magnificent shape; white bordered rose limb, -veering to cochineal, marbled with white and elegantly veined with rose. -_Boule de Neige_, pure snowy white, an abundant bloomer. These are only -a few selections from the many, but sufficient to give you an idea of -the variety of colors. - - -TUBEROSE. - -What flower can be whiter, sweeter, and more lovely than the Tuberose? -As the flowering bulbs can be bought for ten and fifteen cents, -according to size, no one need be without this charming flower. It is a -native of the East Indies, and was introduced into Europe more than two -hundred years ago. Until recently Italy grew the tubers for Europe and -America, but it has now been discovered that American grown tuberoses -are superior in quality to the imported, and many florists of Europe now -advertise them. - -Here is a description of the tuberose, which appeared originally in a -volume entitled "_The Flower Garden Displayed_," published in England in -1732: - -"This is a bulbous root, brought to us from Italy every year. It brings -a spike of white flowers on the top of a stalk about three feet high, -and is very sweet scented. The flower buds are a little tinted with a -lake or carmine color. We raise this by planting the roots in pots of -fine earth, and plunging them in hot beds in February or March; but give -them no water till they sprout, then we have this flower in July. Or -else set the roots in a warm border under a south wall, and they will -some of them flower in August and some in September, or this month or -the next. When these blossom you may pot them and set them into the -green-house, and some will even bloom in December." - -Mr. Vick, from whose magazine we quote the foregoing, gives an engraving -copied from the work, showing the character of the tuberose as it was -nearly a century and a half ago. It represents a small single flower, -that would be lightly esteemed by us. - -The flower stalk is from three to five feet in height, and bears from -twenty-five to eighty blossoms. The _Pearl_ is much the finest sort. -When the bulbs are obtained from the florist they have usually several -little tubers round the large one. These ought to be taken off and -placed in rich, mellow soil to the depth of four or five inches. They -must be cared for by keeping the earth loose and watering occasionally. -Before frost they should be lifted, their tops cut away, and then kept -in a dry, warm place during the winter. The strongest ones will usually -blossom in the autumn. But summer flowering bulbs are so cheap it seems -scarcely worth the trouble. - -Will Tuberoses flower the second year, is a question frequently asked, -and usually answered in the negative, even by popular florists. A writer -in an English periodical, _Gardeners' Chronicle_, gives the following -facts: - -"Last year, instead of throwing away all our plants when they had done -flowering, as is, I believe, customary, I saved back twelve plants, not -picked ones, which were placed under a stage in a late vinery, where -they remained until the end of April without receiving any water to the -roots, other than what they derived from the moisture of the house, by -which time most of them had thrown up their flower-spikes, which -proceeded from young tubers, formed immediately upon the top or crown of -the old ones, and from the union of which--when the plants had received -a thorough watering, and otherwise were subject to a growing -temperature--a profusion of roots emanated, after which the plants -received a suitable shift to a small 24. The spikes of these plants, -although not so strong or fine as those produced by tubers imported last -autumn, are nevertheless good, both in spike and each individual flower, -which, moreover, expanded in the most satisfactory manner possible, so -much so, that this and other seasons I intend to save all my tuberoses -for flowering the second year, and perhaps the third. I may here remark -for the information of the uninitiated in tuberose culture, that in -potting the tubers all little bulbets or offsets should be rubbed off, -and subsequently any suckers which may appear should be removed -forthwith, otherwise failure to flower these most beautifully scented -flowers will, in all probability be the result. The plant is of -comparatively easy and simple culture, and considering the value of the -tuberose while in flower, and its great suitability for bouquet-making, -etc., the wonder is that it is not more extensively cultivated in -private establishments as well as by market gardeners." - -A gentleman writes me of a new method with Tuberoses; new to him, and -he says that in a large range of horticultural reading he has never seen -it mentioned nor heard of its being used except in the instance he -cites. He says: "I have grown Tuberoses for the past ten years with -varying success, but the main difficulty has been that so long a time -has been required in rooting and stocking them that the first frost -finds a large proportion of them just budding, or not commenced to -spindle. Had tried various places, hot-bed, furnace-room and hot-house, -and all the early spring months and December, but that made no -difference; they would not start until they got ready, and I lost many -bulbs from rotting. Two years ago, a friend who had had a similar -experience surprised me by showing me plants about the first of May with -fine tops that had been planted but three weeks, and the first of June -had stalks a foot high, while my bulbs which had been planted the first -of February, did not commence to sprout until June, although they had -been in a hot-house under favorable conditions. - -"Now the reason simply was this: He had taken his bulbs and not only -pulled off all the small ones attached, but had dug out with a sharp -knife all the small eyes, and had cut off the whole of the tuberous -part, leaving only the bulb proper. This I tried on one-half my bulbs, -with the result that they were nearly two months earlier than those -planted the same time, that I did not cut. Although this seems to be -rather severe treatment of the bulb, it has given such good results that -I propose to continue the practice." - -My own experience is that of late blooming. Of the dozen I planted in -the border in June, five were finely budded when taken up in September, -and have since bloomed. Two others had just begun to spindle, the others -with one exception look as though they would not stalk. Next year I -purpose to try this new method. - - - - -A Talk About Gladiolus. - - "Posthumous glories, angel-like collection, - Upraised from seed or bulb interred in earth, - Ye are to me a type of resurrection - And second birth." - - -It was my intention to devote this entire article to "Ornamental Foliage -Plants," but I think I will have a prelude, and my prelude may have no -more connection with my "talk" proper than Mr. Cook's preludes do with -his lecture proper, and I think that frequently the first is the most -interesting and important; and from the fact that in the published -reports much more space is afforded to the prelude than the lecture, I -opine that others are of the same opinion. "The Topic of the Hour," -whatever may be the question just then stirring the public mind, is -usually chosen as the preface. The topic of the hour to-day has been a -bit of a sermon from the text, "And to every seed its own body," and the -lesson embodied was that of Faith. The preaching came from a package of -gladiolus bulbs, just received, and it run on this wise: - -[Illustration] - -Here are these dry bulbs, separately wrapped and labeled. They look -alike in color, and very nearly alike in form; some are rather more cone -shaped than others. One is larger and more flat. But there is nothing in -form nor size to show that they will not develop precisely the same form -and color of flower. I know that they will all reveal the leaf, habit of -growth, bud and bloom that distinguishes this species of plant from all -others, because I know that these are gladiolus bulbs, and every seed -hath its own body. A gladiolus bulb never yet produced a dahlia. A -tigridia or shell-flower bulb, though greatly resembling some gladiolus -bulbs, and its form of leaf is very similar, yet it never produces a bud -nor blossom like the gladiolus. The tigridia hath "its own body," -peculiarly and exclusively its own. I have spoken thus far of -demonstrated facts--facts that have become to me a matter of personal -knowledge. - -But now comes the lesson of _Faith_. I find each bulb bears a different -name. I take my catalogue and read the description against the name on -each label. Thus I am told what colors pertain to each bulb, inclosed, -shut up beyond my ken. Do I have any doubts respecting these -descriptions--that the distinguishing characteristics of each sort -before me will fail to correspond? Here is _Lord Byron_ and _Lord -Raglan_. How do I know that the former will be a brilliant scarlet, -stained and ribboned with pure white, while the latter will have salmon -colored blossoms, spotted with scarlet and blotched with dark garnet? I -do not _know_ this, for I have never seen it demonstrated, but I have an -_assured faith_ that in due time I shall behold those flowers true to -their assigned colors, and if there should be a failure I should -attribute it to the mistake of the labeler. - -But why should these brown bulbs, so alike to outward view, bear flowers -so widely differing in hues? Why should _Cleopatra_ have a large flower -of soft lilac tinged with violet, and a purple feathered blotch, while -_Meteor_ is dark red with pure white stain? Why should _Nestor_ be -yellow striped with red, and _Addison_ dark amaranth, with white -stripes? Vainly would I seek by dissection to fathom the mystery of -these hidden diversified markings, but He who created this plant of -wondrous beauty gave to each "seed its own body," and thus we can plant -in faith--yea in full assurance of faith--that in due time our eyes will -behold all those varied tints now secreted in these bulbs before us. -Our seed sowing is all the work of Faith, and Hope looks beyond with -bright anticipations of the summer and autumn harvest. - -The gladiolus is very easily cultured, and I have far better success in -keeping the bulbs through the winter than I have with the dahlia. The -tubers of the dahlia easily rot, on account of the dampness of the -cellar, though carefully dried and packed in sand. But the gladiolus -bulbs, without any special care, come out in fine condition. I like to -add a few new ones to my old standard stock, so as to have a variety of -colors, for few flowers make such a grand display in the flower garden, -and the spikes of bloom are admirable for bouquets, as the buds will -unfold day after day for a long time. The lower flowers on the stalk can -be removed as they fade. The flowers are very fine also for saucer or -shoal dish bouquets. I have a special liking for these. Fill the shallow -dish with water or sand--I prefer the latter kept constantly wet--then -arrange tastefully short stemmed flowers till they are a mass of bloom. -I first make a green border of geranium leaves, or some trailing vine. -Different shades of gladiolus flowers picked from the stalk are very -effective to set off the flowers not so striking. Where the season for -out-door culture is short, as it is here in Maine, it is best to get the -bulbs started in the house. Some do this by simply placing them in a -sunny window without covering. I always plant mine in a box. - -The gladiolus can be raised from seed, but they are of slow growth, and -one has to wait till the third summer usually for their flowering. It is -far better to purchase the bulbs, then they bloom the first season, and, -except some of the rare sorts, multiply rapidly. Although novelties, and -some rare sorts are very expensive, $1.50, $2 and $3 for a single bulb, -yet very fine bulbs of choice colors can be obtained for that price _per -dozen_. In reply to the question, "What are the names of six of your -finest gladiolus not very expensive?" the reply is, "Calypso, -Cleopatra, Agatha, Eldorado, James Carter and Lord Byron." These six -cost but little more than $1. Of those more expensive the following are -very desirable: Addison, Eugene Scribe, Etenard, La France, Meyerbeer -and Rossini. These cost a little less than $3. Unnamed bulbs, a good -variety, can be bought for $1 per dozen of reliable florists. - -Of the new varieties sent out the present season for the first time, are -the following raised during the past year by M. Souchet, M. Leomine and -other French growers, who have for years made the improvement of the -gladiolus a special study. They are said to be superior to any gladiolus -hitherto introduced. Aurore, Bremontier, Chameleon, Corinne, Dalila, -Eclair, Gulliver, Hermione, Lesseps, Tolma, Victor Jacquemont. The -descriptions represent them as superb, and they ought to be at the price -named, $4 per bulb! Some of us will have to wait till their novelty is -worn off. - - -NEW HYBRID GLADIOLUS. - -_Lemoinei_ and _Marie Lemoine_. "These two varieties are Hybrids of -gladiolus purpureo-auratus, and are of the old garden varieties of -Gandavensis, and are now offered for the first time. In form they -approach the old Gladiolus Biperatus, the colors being creamy ground -with distinct markings of crimson-maroon, with lemon and salmon colored -cloudings. They have proved quite hardy and may be left out of doors -from year to year." Mr. Henry Cannell of Swanley, England, a florist of -world-wide reputation, says of those hardy Hybrids: "It is considered -both by professionals and the trade, that M. Leomine's greatest victory -was in crossing Gladiolus purpureo-auratus and gandavensis, two distinct -species, and at the time they were awarded first-class certificates, it -was thought by many that some higher and substantial recognition ought -to have been made for introducing a perfectly hardy constitution into -our glorious garden gladiolus, and saving the trouble of housing them -from frost every season." - - -GLADIOLUS PURPUREO-AURATUS. - -This is a new species from Natal, quite distinct from the common species -of gladiolus and very attractive. On a slender, bending stem, which -rises to the height of three or four feet, are borne from eight to -twelve nodding flowers, somewhat bell-shaped in form, and yellow in -color, with broad purple stripes on the lower divisions within. Its -bulbs are small, and at the end of long runners numerous offsets are -produced which are more certain to flower the succeeding season than are -the old bulbs. - - -GLADIOLUS GANDAVENSIS. - -This ancient type is a very ordinary flower, and it seems almost -incredible that such superb varieties should have been produced -therefrom by cross-fertilization. In the hands of the French florists it -has attained to the superior position it occupies to-day. More than -forty years ago Mons. Souchet, head gardener at the Château of -Fontainebleau, first called attention to this flower, and began its -improvement, and although some few other French florists, such as -Messrs. Courant, Berger, Lamoine, Verdier and others followed his -example, yet nearly all of the varieties now in commerce in France, are -of the raising of that now venerable and respected private citizen. His -successors, Messrs. Soulliard and Brunelet supply the great French -houses of Paris, by whom the bulbs are forwarded to all parts of the -world. About thirty years ago Mr. Kelway of Longport, in Somersetshire, -began his culture and hybridizing of the flower, and has built up an -immense business. He devotes fifteen acres to Gladiolus exclusively, and -the number of seedlings annually raised is 200,000. In 1879-80, Mr. -Kelway exhibited eighteen named seedlings which were severally awarded -first-class certificates as possessing striking original -characteristics. Of our own eminently successful growers, Messrs. -Hallock and Thorp of Queens, N. Y., take the lead. They devote over -seven acres to Gladiolus, and raise thousands of seedlings. - - -MODE OF CULTURE. - -For diversity of color and general effect, either in masses, or in beds -of three or four rows, placing the bulbs one foot apart and three inches -deep. Mix a liberal supply of well-rotted manure with the soil, and if -clayey, use sand. As soon as the plants are sufficiently tall stake -them, and mulch with dressing. - - -The Use of Flowers. - - God might have made the earth bring forth - Enough for great and small, - The oak-tree and the cedar-tree, - Without a flower at all. - We might have had enough, enough, - For every want of ours, - For luxury, medicine, and toil, - And yet have had no flowers. - - Then wherefore, wherefore, were they made, - All dyed with rainbow light, - All fashioned with supremest grace, - Upspringing day and night;-- - Springing in valleys green and low, - And on the mountains high, - And in the silent wilderness, - Where no man passes by? - - Our outward life requires them not,-- - Then wherefore had they birth?-- - To minister delight to man, - To beautify the earth; - To comfort man,--to whisper hope, - Whene'er his faith is dim, - For Who so careth for the flowers, - Will care much more for him. - - MARY HOWITT. - - - - -A Talk About Pelargoniums. - - "And so I hold the smallest flower - Some gracious thought may be; - Some message of the Father's love - Mayhap to you or me." - - -Here we step on disputed ground. Are Geraniums Pelargoniums? Who shall -decide when florists disagree? There are eminent names on both sides of -the question. Mr. Henry Cannell of Swanley, England, a florist who -stands in the front rank, and whose name has become so widely known in -connection with _New Life_ Geranium, of which he was the originator, -jumbles up together under the head of Pelargoniums everything we on this -side of the water class under the head of Geraniums. A veritable muddle -he makes of the matter--that is our private opinion--we whisper it to -you confidentially. Here is our yellow Zonal _Guinea_; our best scarlet -bedder, _Gen. Grant_, and _Wellington_, and _Mrs. Pollock_, and _Happy -Thought_, all called Pelargoniums, and yet are quite unlike in leaf and -flower what we Americans denominate a Pelargonium; and, to avoid -confusion, it is certainly advisable for us to adhere to our established -distinctiveness. We quote from the _Gardener's Chronicle_ of January 3d, -1880, a sensible talk on this subject, to which Mr. Cannell takes -exceptions: "Pelargoniums and Geraniums--I think it would be as well to -settle by authority the exact names of those flowers that seem to be -indiscriminately called Pelargoniums and Geraniums. Botany has been -described as the 'science of giving polysyllabic barbarian Greek names -to foreign weeds;' but while some plants, Abies Mariesii for instance, -are most carefully described, others, as Geraniums, seem to be called by -names that do not belong to them, but to quite a different flower. I -notice, both in your letter-press and advertisement, mention made of -Zonal Pelargoniums; now I should certainly decline to receive Geraniums -if I ordered Pelargoniums. I am old enough to remember that we had a -parti-colored green-house flower of a violet shape that was called a -Geranium, then came a lot of hardy-bedding-out stuff with a truss of red -flowers, all of one color, followed by _Tom Thumbs_ and _Horseshoes_ -which grow nicely out of door. Then we were told that we must no longer -call those green-house plants _Geraniums_, that their right and proper -name was Pelargoniums, and that those bedding-out plants were, strictly -speaking, Geraniums. Now, however, the old name Geranium seems to be -dropped for both, and the new name Pelargonium given to both, surely -erroneously! Let us, however, have it fairly settled which is which, so -that we may clearly and distinctly know what we are talking about, and -not make mistakes either in writing or talking, in sending to shows, or -in ordering plants."--_James Richard Haig, Blair Hill, Sterling._ - -We will now give a part of a lecture delivered last spring before a -Pelargonium Society in London, by Shirley Hibberd, a delightful writer -on Horticulture, says Mr. Vick, from whose magazine we quote the -following: - -"A Pelargonium is not a Geranium, although often so called. The true -Geraniums are for the most part herbaceous plants inhabiting the -northern hemisphere, and the Pelargoniums are for the most part shrubby -or sub-shrubby plants of the southern hemisphere. Let us for a moment -wander among the pleasant slopes of Darley dale in Derbyshire, or by the -banks of the Clyde or the Calder. We shall in either case be rewarded by -seeing vast sheets of the lovely meadow Crane's Bill, Geranium pratense, -a true Geranium, and one of the sweetest flowers in the world. In the -rocky recesses of Ashwood Dale, or on the banks of the 'bonny Doon,' we -may chance to see in high summer a profusion of the Herb Robert, -Geranium Robertianum, with pink flowers and purple leaves, a piece of -true vegetable jewelry. And, once more, I invite you to an imaginary -journey, and we will ride by rail from Furness to Whitehaven, in order -to behold on the railway bank, more especially near St. Bees, a -wonderful display of the crimson Crane's Bill, Geranium sanguineum, -which from July to September, forms solid sheets, often of a furlong in -length, of the most resplendent color. No garden coloring can even so -much as suggest the power of this plant as it appears at a few places on -the Cumberland coast; even the sheets of scarlet poppies we see on badly -cultivated corn lands are as nothing compared with these masses of one -of the most common and hardiest of our wild flowers. - -"Now let us fly to the other side of the globe and alight in the -vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope, say on the vast desert of Karroo, -where there is much sand, much sunshine, and little rain. Here, in the -midst of desolation, the world is rich with flowers, for the healthy -shrub that occurs in patches, glowing with many bright hues, consists in -part of wild Pelargoniums, which often take the form of miniature -deciduous trees, although in the valleys, nearer the coast, where more -rain falls, they are evergreen bushes. - -"Very different in their character are these two tribes of plants, and -they are not less different in their constitution and aspects. We may -regard the Geraniums as herbs of Europe, and the Pelargoniums as -miniature trees of Africa. When we examine the flowers, we find the fine -petals of a true Geranium of precisely the same shape and size; but the -fine petals of a Pelargonium are not so, for sometimes the topmost are -the largest, and stand apart from the rest with great dignity, like -mother and father looking down on their dutiful daughters, and in other -cases they are the smallest, suggesting that the daughters have grown -too fast and become unmanageable. The florists are doing their utmost to -obliterate the irregularity of the petals of the Pelargonium, and in -this respect to convert Pelargoniums into Geraniums, but the conversion -will not be complete until much more wonderful things are accomplished. -A Geranium has ten stamens, and a Pelargonium has only seven (perfect -ones). These numbers are not constant, but the exceptions are of no -consequence in a general statement of the case. - -"When all is said that can be said about the differences and -resemblances of the several genera of Geraniaceæ, there remains only one -constant and unfailing test of a true Pelargonium, and that is the -nectariferous tube immediately below the flower, and running down one -side of the flower-stalk. If you hold the pedicel up to the light, it -may be discerned as giving an indication of a double flower-stalk, but -when dissected with a pin or the point of a knife, it is found to -proceed from the base of the largest of the green sepals, and it often -appears to form a sort of digit or point in the line of the pedicel. -When you have mastered this part of the story, you may cherish the idea -that you know something about Pelargoniums. - -"The large flowered show varieties and the large-flowered single Zonals -take the lead, and they are pleasantly followed by a crowd of -ivy-leaved, double-flowered and variegated sorts that are useful and -beautiful. The Pelargonium Society has set up a severe standard of -judging, and a variety must be distinct and good to pass through the -sieve. Moreover the raising of varieties has been to a great extent -reduced to scientific principles, and we obtain as a result new -characters suggestive of the great extent of the field that still lies -open to the adventurous spirit in cross-breeding. No one in recent years -has contributed more directly toward the scientific treatment of the -subject than our own painstaking Treasurer, Dr. DENNY, of whose labors I -propose to present a hasty sketch. - -"Dr. DENNY commenced the raising of Pelargoniums in the year 1866, -having in view to ascertain the influence of parentage, and thus to -establish a rule for the selection of varieties for seed-bearing -purposes. In raising varieties with variegated leaves, as also with -distinct and handsome flowers, he found the pollen parent exercised the -greatest influence on the offspring. The foundation of his strain of -circular-flowered Zonals was obtained by fertilizing the large starry -flowers of Leonidas with pollen taken from the finely formed flowers of -Lord Derby. From 1871 to the present time Dr. DENNY has sent out sixty -varieties, and he has in the same period raised and flowered, and -destroyed about 30,000. These figures show that when the selection is -severe, and nothing is allowed to pass that is not of the highest -quality, there must be 500 seedlings grown for the chance of obtaining -one worth naming." - -We have devoted a good deal of space to this citation because of its -interest and value on the question at issue. Mr. Hibberd has, we think, -made the matter very clear, and conclusive it must be to the most of -minds. Pelargoniums are divided into classes, though we rarely see any -classifications of them in the catalogues. - - -REGAL PELARGONIUMS - -Are comparatively a new type, and from the fact of their having more -scalloped petals, somewhat approaching a double; they retain their -petals instead of shedding them as do the single show flowers. The -Beauty of Oxton and Queen Victoria, novelties of very recent -introduction, belong to this class. We had them in bloom last year and -thought them very fine. The Beauty of Oxton has the upper petals of a -very rich maroon color, darkly blotched; under petals very dark crimson, -shaded with maroon; light center tinted with rose. All the petals are -attractively and regularly margined with white and beautifully fringed. -The flowers are large and the extra number of petals gives them the -appearance of being semi-double. - -Queen Victoria is of a very novel type and marvelously beautiful. The -flowers have crispy petals, all of which are a rich vermilion in color, -broadly margined with white, and the upper ones blotched with maroon. -The "Show and Fancy Pelargoniums" have what the florists term -"blotches," i.e. large spots on the two upper petals, and "spots" which -mean the darker marks upon the center of the lower ones. The Lady of the -Lake belongs to this class. Lower petals orange-rose painted with -crimson, very dark maroon top petals with a narrow, even crimson edge, -white center. Prince Charlie is very unique in its markings. Color white -elegantly tipped, with rose-violet blotches. - - -FRINGED AND STRIPED PELARGONIUMS. - -This is a very handsome class of which there are many new varieties. -Princess of Wales we had last summer. It has elegant frilled petal -margins; flower trusses large size and borne in profusion well above the -foliage; ground color pure blush, each petal alike marked with a rich -dark velvet crimson-scarlet margined blotch. - -Star of the East resembles the Princess of Wales in growth and profusion -of bloom, but with larger flowers, of pure white ground. The petals are -elegantly fringed, the upper ones marked with a rich crimson spot, and -the under ones elegantly penciled with violet-colored lines. These are -among the novelties of recent introduction. - - -HYBRID PERPETUAL PELARGONIUMS. - -A class of distinct habit, free bloomers, mostly fragrant foliage, good -for bedding out. Of these we have only had Madame Glevitsky of Bavarian -origin. Color, upper petals a fine vermilion, veined and spotted with -purple, under petals vermilion. - -We were much pleased with Pelargonium Filicifolia Odorata for its finely -cut leaves of a Fern-like appearance and pleasing fragrance. - -Our specimens of the various classes were from the extensive and superb -collection of Mr. John Saul, of Washington, D. C. Among them was one -which originated in his establishment and was named for his wife. It -belongs to the "Regal" class. The habit is compact and very free -flowering, producing large trusses of flowers the color of which is a -rich glowing vermilion, with light center and light margin to the -petals. - -We are indebted to Mr. John G. Heinl for specimen plants of two "New -Monthly Pelargoniums," now offered for the first time to the general -public. Of the origin of one, _Fred Dorner_, we have this account given -in a letter to Mr. Heinl, from Fred Dorner, Esq., of Lafayette. Mr. -Dorner says: - -"Six years ago I undertook to grow some Pelargoniums from seed. I -procured some very choice seed of Ernest Benary of Erfust. The seedlings -grew finely. About midwinter one commenced to bloom, and to my -astonishment kept on blooming for ten months, during which period it was -never without flowers. The plants grew to a good size and at one time I -counted forty-seven good-sized trusses on it. The winter and -everblooming quality, with the large and beautifully colored flowers, -makes this Pelargonium a great acquisition to the amateur as well as the -florist. I have seen here in Lafayette plants in windows blooming all -winter, and it is acknowledged here to be the best and easiest kept -house and window plant, blooming from nine to ten months in the year." - -_Freddie Heinl_ originated with Mr. John G. Heinl, who says it is a -sport from _Fred Dorner_; it is lighter-colored and the flowers are -somewhat larger. That these are both a rare acquisition is evident from -the testimony of such florists as Mr. John Thorp of Queens, and Mr. -Henry A. Dreer of Philadelphia. Mr. Thorp says, "There are no -Pelargoniums equal to them and they have a decided right to be called -perpetual." Three months later he writes: "I am more than ever impressed -with their superiority over any perpetual blooming varieties, and they -must take foremost rank." Mr. Dreer says: "The Pelargoniums have proven -very satisfactory. They flowered during the greater part of the summer, -and are now full of buds." - -The colored lithograph, which Mr. Heinl says is a good representation, -shows them to be very beautiful. We should think that to call a plant so -dissimilar in foliage and flower a Geranium, would be a misnomer, why -not equally such to call a Geranium a Pelargonium? - - -MODE OF CULTURE. - -As we have seen by Mr. Hibberd's address, the Pelargonium's native home -is on arid plains where there is much sand, much sunshine and little -rain, so that they are chiefly dependent on heavy dews for moisture. To -plant them in heavy soil, give them a sheltered situation and liberal -and frequent watering, would be a mode of treatment directly the reverse -of what they require. In the cultivation of all plants we should as far -as possible adapt them to their native conditions. One skilled amateur -says his rule is to let the earth in the pots become thoroughly dry -before watering, and always to give a period of rest after blooming. -Another, a lady, said she never had any success with Pelargoniums until -she gave them a heavy period of rest after blooming. In the spring, when -putting her plants out of doors, she laid the pots containing -Pelargoniums on their sides, and let them remain perfectly dry until -fall. She then took the plants out of the pots, shook the soil from the -roots, and scrubbed them well with a hard brush and water. The -old-looking roots were cut off and the top trimmed down to six or eight -inches in height. They were then repotted in rich earth and watered very -moderately till they started into full growth, and after that more -freely. With this treatment they never fail to bloom. - -A young physician who raised many extraordinarily fine varieties of -Pelargoniums from seed, in stating his mode of culture, said that _his_ -practice was to re-pot large plants whenever they seemed in danger of -being pot-bound. The mold he used was made up of black earth from under -a manure heap, and a little stiff clay to retain the water. After the -plants were done flowering, they were trimmed rather close, and with -regard to probable places of sprouting. They were then placed in partial -shade, and all shoots found straying out of symmetry were pinched off. -His large plants were kept moist till after bloom, and then rather -dry.--_Floral Cabinet._ - -We have given these methods so that if not successful with one, another -can be adopted. - - - - -The Rhodora. - -LINES ON BEING ASKED, WHENCE IS THE FLOWER? - - In May, when sea-winds pierced our solitudes, - I found the fresh Rhodora in the woods, - Spreading its leafless blooms in a damp nook, - To please the desert and the sluggish brook; - The purple petals fallen in the pool, - Made the black waters with their beauty gay,-- - Here might the red-bird come his plumes to cool, - And court the flower that cheapens his array. - - Rhodora! if the sages ask thee why - This charm is wasted on the marsh and sky, - Dear, tell them, that if eyes were made for seeing, - Then beauty is its own cause for being. - Why thou wert there, O rival of the Rose! - I never thought to ask; I never knew, - But in my simple ignorance suppose - The selfsame Power that brought me there, brought you. - - RALPH WALDO EMERSON. - - - - -A Talk About Fuchsias. - -A LEGEND OF THE FUCHSIA, FROM VICK'S MAGAZINE. - - A legend of this little flower, - I heard not long ago; - 'Tis this, that when upon the cross - The sinless Saviour died, - And soldier with his cruel spear - Had pierced his precious side, - The holy drops flowed to his feet, - Then fell upon the sod, - When Mary knelt and wept for Him, - Her son, and yet her God; - An angel who was hovering near, - Thus breathed a prayer to heaven: - "Oh, Father, let them not be lost, - These drops so freely given, - But in some form of beauty still, - Let them remain on earth, - And here upon this rugged hill, - Give some sweet floweret birth." - Then, forth from the ensanguined sod, - A Fuchsia sprang that morn, - Rich crimson, dyed with Christian blood, - Wrapped in his "robe of scorn," - Drooping in sorrow, still it bows - Ever its graceful head; - Shivering in the slightest breeze-- - Trembling in fear and dread; - For the dark shadow of the cross - Can ne'er forgotten be, - Where all the perfume of its breath - Was spent on Calvary. - Yes, offering its rich fragrance there, - As incense at His feet, - The Fuchsia, though so beautiful, - Can never be more sweet. - - -ITS HISTORY AND CULTURE. - -The Fuchsia was introduced into England in the latter half of the last -century by a sailor, at whose home it was discovered by Mr. James Lee, a -florist of Hammersmith, who secured the original plant by paying quite a -sum of money for it, and in addition promising to give to the sailor's -wife one of the first young plants he would succeed in raising. In a -short time he succeeded in producing several hundred nice plants, nearly -all of which were sold at a guinea each. Shortly after this a captain -Firth presented one that he had brought from Chili to the Royal Garden -at Kew. The plant was named in honor of Leonard Fuch, an eminent German -Botanist, who lived in the 16th century. The varieties in cultivation -to-day are vast improvements. One of the early varieties was called -_Fulgens_. We recollect seeing this variety some four or five years ago, -and could not refrain from comparing it with a number of varieties -lately introduced. The flower may be described as follows: A slender -crimson tube two inches in length; sepals narrow, one-half inch; in -color a shade lighter than the tube; the corolla purple; in size very -small compared with the varieties of the present time. This variety is a -strong grower, large foliage which has a silvery appearance. Thus we can -have a slight idea of that from which have been produced the beauties of -our time; thus can we see what a skillful florist can do when he has -something to begin with. Some of the varieties of the Fuchsia are hardy -in England as well as in some parts of our own country. A traveler -informs us that he has seen them in California trained over arbors and -to the houses just as we train grape vines here, and growing most -luxuriantly. They grow in favor very rapidly wherever introduced, and it -was but a short time after they became known we find the Poet eulogizing -them in these lines-- - - "Graceful flowers on graceful stem, - Of Flora's gift a favorite gem; - From tropic fields it came to cheer, - The natives of a climate drear; - And grateful for our fostering care, - Has learnt the wintry blast to bear." - -While some flowers have been extremely popular for a season, and then -have sunk into comparative obscurity, the popularity of the Fuchsia has -never waned, but on the contrary has continually been on the increase -until now it occupies a prominent place in every collection of plants, -be that collection large or small. There is a cause for this popularity, -and that cause is, it is of easy culture and produces its flowers -freely, often under adverse circumstances. The Fuchsia is readily -propagated by cuttings of the young wood. These will root in from two to -three weeks, when they should be potted in rich soil, say one-half -garden soil or loam enriched with well-rotted manure, and one-half leaf -soil, with a little sand added to make the compost very porous. From the -time the plant is first potted it should never be allowed to become so -dry as that the growth will be checked. The great secret of growing -Fuchsias successfully is to _keep them growing_. In order to do this we -must provide for them a rich soil, an abundance of pot-room and a moist -atmosphere. If you wish to grow large specimen plants the cuttings -should be struck (that is rooted), early in the season. This will allow -a longer period for them in which to make their growth before the season -for blooming arrives; by keeping the plants supplied with plenty of -pot-room the time of blooming will be somewhat retarded, and if on the -other hand we desire to have the plants in bloom as early as possible we -allow plenty of pot-room during the early part of the growing season, -after which we allow the pots to become pretty well filled with roots, -and abundance of beautiful pendulous flowers will be the result. - -As house or window plants the Fuchsias are very popular. The variety -_Speciosa_ will bloom very freely during the winter. During the summer -months they should be protected from the direct rays of the sun, and -kept well syringed. As bedding plants their utility is limited, as they -must be planted in a shaded position. A bed of them in such a position -makes a pleasant appearance, and in this way they are easily kept -through the hottest part of the year. They may be bedded out, or may be -allowed to remain in the pots and the pots plunged in the garden. In -this latter way they will need additional care, as they must not be -allowed to suffer for want of water. If it is desirable to keep the old -plants another year they may be removed to the house or cellar, and kept -cool and dry until toward spring, when they can be repotted in fresh -soil, watered scantily, and started into growth and pruned or trained to -any desired shape or form.--_The Floral World._ - -The foregoing article so fully and clearly stated all that was essential -respecting the culture of the Fuchsia, that we have transferred it -entire instead of writing something original. We need now only add a few -things respecting some choice varieties and recent novelties. "_Champion -of the World_ has the largest blooms of any Fuchsia; the tubes are -short; sepals very broad and of great substance, well reflexed, and of a -most beautiful coral red; the foot-stalk of each bloom is of unusual -length and strength, so that each flower stands out bold and graceful. -Corolla of immense size, and as it expands forms two-thirds of a perfect -ball. Color is of the most intense bright dark purple. Free tall grower, -and for conservatory decoration is one of the most remarkable Fuchsias -for size ever yet sent out."--_H. Cannell._ - -The illustration of this Fuchsia in Mr. Cannell's _Floral Guide_ -measures two and one-third inches in diameter, and yet we are told that -when well grown, the _Champion_ produces much larger bloom than the -engraving. It has four rows of petals, and looks round and full like a -pink. _Bland's New Striped_ is of the single class, but the corolla is -very large, of a rich plum-colored purple, regular and distinctly -striped red and rose, pyramidal shape, habit strong. - -Of the Hybrid variegated Fuchsias, _Sunray_ is by far the best with red -variegated leaves ever sent out; it is very ornamental. _Pillar of Gold_ -is a very showy variety with yellow leaves. Among the novelties in -color, we find mention of _Aurora Superba_; tube and sepals rich salmon, -corolla large and spreading of a distinct orange scarlet highly suffused -with yellow, fine habit and free bloomer. _Polyhymnia_ is a dwarf -yellow. - -Of _Lord Beaconsfield_, Mr. Cannell says: "One of the strongest and most -conspicuous blooming varieties ever sent out, and one of the very best -for sale and decoration; flowers neither good shape nor color, but -produced in very large clusters and blooms nearly all the year if -allowed plenty of root room." - -This Fuchsia originated with Mr. John Laing, Stanstead Park Nursery, -Forest Hill, near London, and is a cross between Fuchsia Fulgens and one -of the modern varieties known as "Perfection." It was exhibited at some -of the meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society first, as Laing's -Hybrid, in 1875 or 1876. It much resembles the old Speciosa, but is more -free blooming even than that, and its flowers are twice as large. - -Kingsburyana, figured in Mr. Cannell's _Floral Guide_--which comes to us -from Swanley, England--is very large and double. "It is another addition -to the double white corolla class, and is remarkable for its fine -vigorous growth and large showy flowers; its corolla is particularly -novel and beautiful." - -Mrs. H. Cannell, named for the florist's wife by Swaffield, its -originator, "was one of the greatest lifts in bringing the double white -corolla to perfection," and has given great satisfaction in this -country. We have never seen one so beautiful, but Mr. C. E. Allen who -has a large collection, including those rare gems from across the water, -we have named, says: "_Snow White_ is the very best double white Fuchsia -ever sent out. A fine, erect grower, and a remarkably free and early -bloomer. Sepals coral red. Superior to Miss Lucy Finnis in that it is of -a stronger habit. Have none now in bloom." Among the fine specimen -blooms of the dark purple type sent us by Mr. Allen, we think _Elm City_ -the gem for size, richness of color--a double dark purple striped with -scarlet, sepals scarlet-crimson--and compact form. The _Swanley Gem_ is -of a peculiar shape, single, very open bell-shape corolla, "frilled" Mr. -Cannell calls it, rose color with tube and sepals coral scarlet, the -latter are very prettily reflexed. - -We began our list with the _Champion_--the largest known--we will end it -with the tiniest, _Microphylla_, the whole plant, flowers and leaves are -Liliputian among the Fuchsias. - - -FUCHSIAS IN THE ISLE OF MAN. - -Here these are truly wonderful; they grow up the house fronts, and grow -into large trees, so large that you can have a tea-party around the bole -of the trees. They are also grown for hedges and kept nicely clipped, -and with their bright green leaves and scarlet flowers look cheerful and -refreshing. The winds and the spray from the sea do not in the least -affect them.--_The Garden._ - -Mr. Vick, in his Magazine says: "Once when in Europe, we saw at Ventnor, -in the Isle of Wight, a Fuchsia tree, perhaps twenty feet or more in -height, with a trunk full fifteen inches in diameter. The editor of the -_Flore des Serres_ of Belgium, in writing of this tree, says it is -doubtless the largest specimen in Europe, but is only a baby compared -with specimens the editor has seen in South America. Seeing our notice -of this tree, Mr. NICHOLLS of Sharon Springs, N. Y., wrote us that he -had "seen Fuchsias in the Isle of Jersey, in the English Channel, thirty -feet in height, and there are hundreds there from twenty to twenty-five -feet." - - -PROPAGATING FUCHSIAS. - -We have found the most effective method to be by placing the cuttings in -a bottle of water, and keeping them in a sunny window, but the following -method is said to be practiced by cottagers in the west of England: "In -the autumn, after the frost has destroyed the foliage, the wood of the -present season is cut off close to the ground and laid like a sheaf of -corn in a trench a foot deep. The bundle is covered with a few inches of -soil, and here it remains until spring, when a multitude of young shoots -may be seen pushing their way through. The soil is then carefully moved, -and with a sharp knife a cut is made each side of a joint, and the -result is rooted plants enough for the parish. The old stool throws up -more vigorously than before, to be served in the same way the following -autumn." - - - - -A Talk About Coleuses. - - -BY ONE OF THEMSELVES. - -Only a few years ago, not one of the Coleus family had a place in the -gardens of Europe and America, and I have been told that in our absence -gardeners depended chiefly upon plants with showy flowers for -ornamenting their gardens and grounds. When some of my remote relatives -were introduced, numerous were the surmisings as to what place they -should occupy amongst cultivated plants. This was especially so in the -case of Perilla Nankinensis, a plant of most sombre hue, but so striking -withal as to attract general attention. Some looked upon it as the -forerunner of a class of plants destined to play an important part in -the future, whilst others regarded it as a vile weed. Nevertheless, -considerable attention was bestowed upon its cultivation for a time; but -ultimately became so neglected as to be met with chiefly as a garden -weed. This may have been owing in some measure to the introduction of -Coleus Blumei, which species was regarded with greater favor, and at -once took a place which it held fairly well for a time, or until he -whose name I bear obtained from it varieties so novel and brilliant in -color, as to entitle them to rank high amongst the time-honored -favorites of the garden. From the most reliable information, I infer -that this species at least is one of my immediate ancestors, and whether -I owe as much of kinship to any other, has not been made known. But this -I do know, from the day I was first introduced to the public, in my -chocolate and violet colored suit until the present time, I have been -praised as few plants have been. But being neither envious nor vain, I -have desired the company of those whose colors are brighter than my own, -as variety in harmony gives greater satisfaction than any one can singly -bestow. Some of the older varieties are well fitted to produce this -effect, and none more so, perhaps, than my old friends Aurea Marginata, -and Golden Circle; but the majority of their class either lack -expression, or are so delicately constituted as to become perfect -"frights" when planted out of doors. - -[Illustration: DREER'S NEW HYBRID COLEUSES.] - -During my time, many varieties with excellent characters when in my -company, have performed their parts but poorly, whilst others have had -enough to do to keep up a doubtful reputation. It was with pleasure, -therefore, I hailed the arrival of a fresh set from England a short time -ago, headed by George Bunyard, who, with his companions were so highly -spoken of, that I hoped one or more of them would prove of service to -me. But this hope has not been realized, and to-day, for all of them, I -am as destitute of support as I was before their arrival. Poor George, -after being much in his company for a season, it is only fair to say, he -performed his part so poorly that I hope, for the credit of both, we -shall never meet again under similar circumstances. - -What the incoming season may bring forth, yet remains to be seen, but at -present the prospects are good for a grand display, as a new order of -aspirants are being marshaled for duty, whose merits, some say, are such -as to eclipse the old members of our family, and even take from me the -honors I have enjoyed so long. Should their claim be well founded, I -shall surrender my right to the first place without regret, and be even -glad to take any subordinate place I may be deemed competent to fill. -But should they fail to meet the expectations thus produced, it will be -my duty to remain at my post until such time as new varieties are found, -regarding whose merits there can be no doubt. - -Be it understood that what has been said about my associates has -reference only to them as bedders; for it is well known, many varieties -when grown under glass, and partially shaded from the glare of sunshine, -possess greater brilliancy and beauty than I lay claim to. For this -reason, I think those so constituted as to require the protection of a -green-house, should be sparingly, if at all, planted out of doors, and -the outside department exclusively occupied by such as attain their -greatest perfection in free air and the full tide of sunlight. - -Before closing this monologue, I am forced to say a word in behalf of a -plant seemingly possessed of extraordinary capacity for the work in -which I excel. I refer to Acalypha Macaffeana, the leaves of which are -large and finely formed; color, reddish-brown, and irregularly blotched -with bright shades of crimson. When fully exposed to sunlight, it looks -as if "on fire through all its length," and being much more stately than -myself, might form the central figure in a group of Coleus or other -plants with the greatest acceptance.--VERSCHAFFELTII, in _Gardeners -Monthly_. - -We do not know who is the author of this very interesting autobiography -of an old and popular Coleus. The florist for whom it was named, M. -Nuytans Verschaffelt, was the adopted son of the late Jean Verschaffelt, -of whose nursery near Ghent, he was the manager, and to which he -succeeded on the death of the proprietor. M. Nuytans was a very -distinguished and highly esteemed horticulturist; he was an active -member of the Royal Agricultural and Botanical Society of Ghent and -Chevalier of the Order of Philip the Magnanimous. He died June, 1880, in -the forty-fourth year of his age. - -There has been a remarkable progress in the development of the Coleus -since the introduction of Blumei, but the two past years have been more -distinguished than any previous ones by the originating of many new and -beautiful hybrids. Pre-eminent among these are "Dreer's Set of -Tri-colored Coleus," fifteen varieties; "Queensland Set," fifteen -varieties, and "Queensland Set of Dwarfs," ten varieties. Mr. Henry A. -Dreer says of them: "These varieties which it is a pleasure to offer, -have originated in our nursery grounds during the past summer, were -selected from perhaps six thousand seedlings excelling in point of -color, variety, habit and novelty, and we feel safe in predicting for -them a future that leaves nothing wanting in this class of plants." - -Mr. Dreer is sustained in his statement by the verdict of many of the -leading florists who visited them, and the committees of the Cincinnati, -Philadelphia and New York Horticultural Societies, the summer and autumn -before they were offered to the public. - -In the February number of the _Gardeners Monthly_, a lady asks some of -the correspondents who have tried the new Coleuses, to report thereon, -whether as brilliant as their illustrated types, and if they retain -their colors in bedding out. We will give the replies from the March -number. - -J. R. H., Richmond, Va., says: "In response to the query of Mrs. R. B. -Edson about Dreer's New Hybrid Coleus, I take pleasure in giving my -experience with regard to their hardiness in the summer sun. As the -summers in our city are extremely dry and hot, I think it a very fair -trial of them. - -"When I received my box of Coleus from Mr. Dreer and opened it, the -first thought was that I was swindled nicely, while I at once perceived -that they were of an entirely new type of Coleus, but considered their -colors very ugly indeed, and quite different from the colored sheet in -his catalogue. However, I determined to give them a trial before -expressing my opinion. I put them in the hottest place I could find, -determined to get out of them all the 'come out,' should there be any, -and to my utter surprise, their colors changed so rapidly and -beautifully, that after a lapse of two weeks, I could scarcely believe -they were the same plants. I so much liked them I determined they should -have a prominent place in my garden, and accordingly planted them in my -border where they did not miss the sun at all while it shone. They grew -off at once with the old colors (as when received), which discouraged me -again, when to my surprise, about the middle of June, they began to -show their bright colors again, and in three weeks they were the -brightest and prettiest Coleuses I have ever seen, and remained so with -a continual growth until they were killed by the frost. - -"I must confess I never saw plants resemble as much the colored plates -of their likeness, as did my Coleus; just like the plate with the -exception of the fine gloss, which of course I did not expect. It seemed -that the hotter the atmosphere was the brighter they looked, and have -stood the sun about twenty per cent better than the older varieties. -They have given me more pleasure than any set of new plants I have ever -received. I consider them the greatest acquisition I have known in the -soft-wooded class of plants. While there is quite a similarity in the -tri-colored set, it is not at all an objection. The only objections to -any of them are that Amabilis and Mrs. E. B. Cooper, while very rank -growers, are exceedingly ugly, and Superbissima entirely worthless. It -will not grow, I don't care what I do with it. Some seedlings that I -have raised from them are very richly colored, and I think them much -prettier than their parents, though I have not had a chance to test -their qualities in the summer." - -We regret that the writer did not give the names of those Coleus he so -much admired as well as those which are "exceedingly ugly" and "entirely -worthless." We can report the same lack of success with Superbissima. It -would not grow one bit, but remained stationary several months, and then -died. - -Mr. E. L. Koethens reports from a large collection: "For bedding these -are the chosen ones, Gracilliana, Miss R. Kirkpatrick, Superbissima, and -above all, Speciosa. But for inside culture, many of the new ones are -unsurpassed for beauty in any class of decorative plants. Here again -Speciosa and Miss R. Kirkpatrick of Dreer's set, lay claims to -attention, and his Amabilis is attractive for its free blooming -properties. Fairy is also conspicuous, and Beacon takes the place of -Superbissima indoors, but Zephyr, in my opinion crowns them all as a -foliage plant for indoor culture; a single head often measuring ten -inches across, with a rich bronzy-brown color. The above are all -valuable acquisitions and should be in every collection." - -Mrs. M. D. Wellcome thus writes: "Mrs. R. B. Edson in her charming -'Garden Notes and Gossip,' asks that some of the correspondents who have -tried the new Coleus, Dreer's and Henderson's new sets, report thereon. -I have not tried Henderson's, and only six of Dreer's, so I am not -prepared to report very fully. But I wish to make special mention of -Miss Ritta Kirkpatrick, which looks like the picture only it is -handsomer. It is the one represented by a large leaf, creamy white -center, broad, green lobed margin. It was a wee plant when it came to me -in early spring, but it very rapidly outgrew the other five, branching -out finely, so that I began in June to take slips from it, and have -continued to do this each month to the present time. I should think I -had rooted full thirty cuttings, and the original plant, which has been -beheaded on three of its branches, has now twenty-eight that would I -think all make very nice plants, if treated as were the others. I rooted -them all in sand, kept constantly wet, and exposed nearly all day to the -rays of the sun. I never saw anything so quickly take root and so -rapidly grow as did those cuttings. At one time I kept half a dozen -about two months in the pure sand, till they were fine large plants, -with a great mass of roots. They can be removed from the sand to pots of -earth without retarding their growth. I always allow the particles which -adhere to remain in transplanting. This Coleus is a special favorite -with me. Fairy, foliage yellow and green, blotched with crimson-scarlet, -and Charm, yellow, tinged with bronzy scarlet, stained with dark brown; -green deeply serrated margin, were very beautiful in the open ground, -and from these I rooted also in sand several very fine cuttings. But -the original plants did not grow rapidly. I think the Coleus adds much -to the attraction of the border, but it is for the winter window-garden -they are specially valuable." - -These new Hybrids have stood the test of a year's trial, and three -varieties exhibited at the June meeting of the Royal Horticultural -Society, London, carried off the highest prize for this class of plants, -and received very flattering newspaper notices. In Mr. Dreer's catalogue -for 1881, he has selected twenty-four which he calls the cream of those -New Hybrids. Superbissima is included, while Zephyr is omitted. -Kirkpatrick is among them, we are happy to say. So superb are some of -the recent Coleuses, Verschaffeltii, we fear, will have to retire still -further into private life. Being quite advanced in years, we presume he -will not regret this. We are sure that he will always be treated with -that respect which is due to honorable old age. - - - - -Ornamental Foliage Plants. - - -How much one who gives attention may learn in the vast field of Nature! -How varied are its attractions, how wonderful its work, how -indescribable its beauties! There is a fascination in these studies, -whatever may be the department to which they are directed, and the more -one learns the more sensible they become of the limitations of their -knowledge. I have already told you I had within a year or two been -awaking to a realization of the value of ornamental foliage plants in -giving an abiding brightness and beauty to the window-garden and open -border. As humanity is ever prone to extremes I may become too -enthusiastic in this direction. I thought there was some danger of it as -I surveyed my array of pots filled with fine specimens of various sorts. -I will take them for my subject to-day, giving whatever facts of -interest I have been enabled to gather from various sources. - - -CROTONS. - -Everybody has heard of croton oil, but only a few of that same everybody -know anything about Crotons. The number of species known is enormous, -and they are found in many parts of the world, but chiefly at the South -Sea Islands. Some kinds are native to our own country, mainly in the -South and Southwest, but these are not characterized by the brilliant -markings of the foreign varieties. Their leaves are often thick and -large, but usually they are very long and narrow and ribbed, veined, -spotted and blotched with crimson, scarlet and gold. They are a very -interesting class of ornamental plants, and their low price, twenty-five -to fifty cents, except for novelties, places them within reach of the -common people. They do best in a rich soil, with a little peat and sand; -also an abundance of water. - -The specimens I have are these: _Aucubæ Folium_--leaves large, dark -green, blotched with golden yellow. _Interruptum_, very long leaves, -mid-rib bright scarlet, shading to gold--very graceful. _Irregulare_, so -named because of the irregularity of its leaves in shape and color--two -precisely alike being rare. - -The handsomest however of my collection, is Croton _Weismanni_. The -ground color is a shining bright green, striped and mottled with golden -yellow. The leaves grow to a foot in length and three-fourths of an inch -wide. Among the more recent and high priced novelties are Croton -_Evansianus_ and _Princess of Wales_. The former is "distinguished by -the peculiar form of its trilobate leaves and the depth of coloring -pervading the whole plant. The newest formed leaves are light olive -green with mid-ribs and veins of golden yellow, and the interspaces -spotted with the same color. As the leaves become older, the green -deepens and changes to a bright bronzy crimson, and the golden yellow of -the mid-ribs, veins and spots becomes a rich orange scarlet." _Princess -of Wales_ is one of the long-leaved drooping forms of Croton, and is -very distinct in character. The leaves are from one and one-half to two -feet in length. The ground color is green, and the variegations -creamy-yellow, very variable in color. The markings are of the maculate -style, with here and there large blotches of clear cream-yellow, and and -in other parts clouded markings of smaller confluent blotches and spots. -Occasionally these conditions are reversed. - -The Croton _Fenzii_, recently offered in commerce by M. SOLVIATI, of -Florence, is described as a jewel among the Crotons. It is the result of -a cross effected in the green-houses of Sesto, between _C. Veitchii_ and -_C. Weismanni_, and has moderate sized oval acuminate leaves, richly -veined with golden yellow, the principal nerves being purplish-red, -which color extends to the stem and the petiole. The habit is so dwarf -and compact that plants only a foot high are often seen with all their -splendor, the yellow streaking then extending to almost the whole -surface of the leaf, and the red nerves shining on the yellow ground. It -is a variety especially fitted for the decoration of small green-houses, -as it requires very little room to be able to develop all its charms. -This variety has been dedicated to the Chevalier E. O. FENZI, President -of the Royal Horticultural Society of Tuscany.--_London Florist._ - - -FANCY CALADIUMS. - -Of these the varieties are numerous, and the foliage very ornamental. -Those I have are _Dr. Hondley_; green ground, blotched with rose, -crimson center; _Madame Houllette_,--blush clusters and white spots on -green ground; _Sagittæfolium pictum_,--arrow-shaped leaves prettily -spotted with white; _Madame Alfred Bleu_,--the ground color of the -leaves is silvery white, which is blotched with green, in some leaves -very sparingly, in others, nearly half the surface; the veins are -prominent and of rich rosy crimson, bordered by narrow bands of a -lighter shade. _Alfred Mame_,--beautiful deep carmine, richly marked -with rosy spots and white leaf margin. _La Perle de Brazil_,--ground -color, green, reticulated all over with pure white, like fine lace. -These last three are from the collection of Mr. John Saul of Washington, -and are new. - -Fancy Caladiums do best in somewhat shaded positions, in well enriched -soil, composed of finely decomposed manure, leaf mold and sand, and a -moist, warm temperature. Great care must be had in their earliest stage -of growth, to prevent decay of the tubers by over-watering. They can be -preserved in sand during the winter, in a room sufficiently warm to -prevent danger from frost. - - -CALADIUM ESCULENTUM, - -Is the most striking and grand of the Ornamental Foliage Plants for the -lawn or flower garden. It will grow in any good soil, and is very easy -of cultivation. When of full size it stands about five feet high, and -its immense leaves often measure four feet in length by two and a half -in breadth; very smooth, of a light green color, beautifully veined and -variegated with dark green. When killed down by frost in the autumn, the -bulbs must be taken up and stored in the cellar. The Caladium belongs to -the family of "Jack in the Pulpit," or Indian Turnip, and the Ethiopian -or Egyptian Calla. They rarely bloom in our Northern States. The flowers -resemble in shape the Calla Lily, only are much larger and narrower, are -of a rich cream color, very fragrant at first, but soon lose their odor, -which resembles the Magnolia. - - -ERANTHEMUMS. - -These comprise a large genus valuable for their foliage and also winter -flowers, yet not very generally cultivated. Mine are labeled -_Andersonii_, "a handsome orchid-like flower, white, spotted with red." -_Pictum_, foliage prettily streaked with white, a strong, vigorous -grower; _Tricolor_, leaves prettily marked with pink and green; -_Cooperi_, has flowers white, prettily streaked with purple; _El -Dorado_, light green foliage, with golden veinings. - - -MARANTAS. - -These are considered by florists as among the most elegant of tropical -plants, but like the Eranthemums, are not generally known. They are all -natives of tropical America, and require strong heat with plenty of -moisture. They are low-priced, and ought to be more extensively -cultivated. I think mine are very beautiful. _Eximia_, upper surface of -leaves striped with grayish-white; under, purplish-violet. _Leopordina_, -pale green with oblong blotches of deep green. _Mikans_, shining green -with a white feathery stripe. _Van den Heckii_, dark glossy leaves, -mid-rib silvery white. _Makayana_, a very ornamental dwarf species; -leaf-stalks slender reddish-purple, blade of the leaf ovate, ground -color, olive green, beautifully and regularly blotched with creamy -yellow of a transparent character; on each side the mid-rib are oblong -dark green blotches, while the under side is rosy red. _Tubispatha_ is -an elegant and very attractive species of erect habit of growth; leaves -some nine or ten inches long, light green, ornamented on each side the -mid-rib with oblong blotches of cinnamon brown. _Veitchii_, "The leaves -of this grand plant are upward of twelve inches in length; the under -surface of a rich purplish-wine color, the upper of a deep shining -green, blotched with conspicuous patches along each side, of a -yellowish-green, almost verging on gray. The contrast is very marked, -and the whole plant very beautiful." - -ACHYRANTHES, a genus of richly colored tropical plants, are better -known, and to a limited extent are found in many gardens, -_Verschaffelti_, with its dark crimson leaf, being the most common. -_Brilliantissima_, ruby red, is a new English variety; _Wallisii_ is a -new dwarf, with small purple leaves; _Lindeni Aurea Reticulata_, foliage -netted with golden yellow, on a light green ground. These plants are of -the easiest cultivation, and endure strong sunshine without injury. - -ALTERNANTHERAS are also very effective for bedding plants; habit dwarf. -Foliage is in some of a magenta-rose color, others, yellow and red; -_Purpurea_ has a purplish tint, and _Versicolor_, crimson and pink -shadings. They are unsurpassed for ribbon or carpet bedding. - -DIEFFENBACHIA, a genus of stove plants with very showy foliage. -_Brasiliensis_, a handsome variety, the leaves averaging eighteen inches -in length by eight or nine inches in width; the ground color of the leaf -is deep green, and the whole surface is mottled with small blotches of -greenish-yellow and white; _Bausei_ is a stocky-growing, broad-leaved -variety, with yellowish-green leaves, which are irregularly edged and -blotched with dark green, and also spotted with white, the markings -being peculiarly effective; _Weirie_ is of dwarf habit, the foliage of a -bright green color, thickly blotched and spotted with pale yellow. One -of the finest of the species. They grow best in loam and peat equal -quantities, with a little sand. Require strong heat and frequent -watering. - -A few ornamental foliage plants of rare beauty received from Mr. John -Saul merit special notice: - -_Cyanaphyllum Spectandum_ is a grand plant with large, oblong, lustrous -leaves which have a rich, velvety appearance; they are beautifully -ribbed with whitish color. - -_Alocacia Macrorhiza Variegata_, its large caladium-shaped leaves are -marbled and broadly splashed with white. Some leaves are nearly all -white; _Zebrina_, fine yellow leaf-stalk with distinct black marks; -_Illustris_, the leaf-stalks are erect, and have a brownish-purple tint, -color a rich green, marked between the principal veins by broad patches -of a blackish olive, and forming a striking contrast with the brighter -green portions of the leaf surface; _Sedini_, "A very beautiful hybrid -between _A. Metallica_ and _A. Lowii_. The form of the leaf is perfectly -intermediate between the two parents, whilst the coloring is a very -striking and pleasing combination of the metallic hue of one parent, -with the dark green and prominent white veins of the other." Alocasias -require a moist heat during their growing season. Soil, peat, with a -small portion of loam, sand and manure. - -_Acalypha Macafeeana_ is another of the rare and beautiful foliage -plants alluded to. It is considered the best Acalypha ever offered. It -is certainly very handsome with its "sub-cordate and serrate leaves, -eight inches long and six broad, frequently cut into many forms, and -very highly colored bright red, blotched with deep bronzy crimson." It -proves to be an admirable plant for bedding out. Quite as attractive -every way is _Panax Laciniatum_, "An elegant and very distinct habited -stove plant from the South Sea islands. The leaves are tinted and -indistinctly marked with pale olive brown, and form a rather complicated -mass of narrow segments; they are bipinnate, nearly as broad as long, -and have a drooping contour; and the pinnules or segments are very -variable in size and form, presenting the appearance of a complex head -of foliage in which the lanceolate lobes or pinnules have the -preponderancy." - -_Panax Fruiticosm_ has a very graceful fern-like foliage. These plants -belong to the Aralia family, a genus very ornamental, natives of the -South Sea Islands. - -Another of my Washington collection, very graceful and beautiful, is -_Paulinia Thalictrifolia_. Its delicate cut leaves resemble the fronds -of a finely divided Maiden-hair Fern. The leaves are of a rich shade of -green. The young shoots and foliage are of a pinkish-brown color. It is -of slender growth and climbing habit, very similar to Capsidium -Filicifolium, which has long been a special favorite of mine. Both of -these are elegant, trained on a pot trellis. - -Paulinia Thalictrifolia is a native of the southern Brazils, from whence -it was introduced to the nurseries of Messrs. Veitch & Sons of Chelsea. -If only required for decorative purposes there should be no inclination -to make the plants produce flowers which are inconspicuous; therefore -the main object should be to have plenty of healthy foliage. To secure -this, the plant should be grown in a temperature of from 65° to 70°, and -if one part of the greenhouse is more adapted to its growth than -another, it is the dampest part. After this plant came into the -possession of Messrs. Veitch, and before its true value became known, -some plants of it were placed in a corner of an old, very damp, warm -pit, in which position they grew wonderfully strong, and quite surpassed -in vigor and beauty those that were, as was then supposed, placed under -more advantageous circumstances, i.e., in dryer and lighter parts of -other houses. Care is therefore now taken to keep them where abundant -atmospheric moisture can be supplied. A compost consisting of two parts -good substantial peat and one of loam, together with some silver sand, -suits it admirably.--_Gardening Illustrated._ - - -CANNAS. - -These form a very important part of the class of which we are treating. -They give a very beautiful and tropical appearance to the lawn and the -garden by their stately growth and broad massive foliage, relieved by -rich crimson, scarlet and orange-red flowers. Their foliage comprises -various shades of green, glaucous, chocolate and purple tints, ribbed -and striped, fitting them admirably for grouping with other plants. - -They are also very effective for large pot plants in the -pleasure-ground, or conservatory. Under rich cultivation they will -attain the height of five feet. They need water often. Among the newer -roots _Creole_, very dark foliage, grows to the height of about six -feet. _Ornement du Grand Rond_, very tall, with large bronzy-green -foliage, large scarlet flowers. _Oriflamme_ has large lanceolate-green -leaves, with violet veins, a vigorous showy plant with salmon-orange -flowers. - -The roots of Cannas must be taken up in the autumn. If wanted singly, -divide them, if a thick clump is desirable let them be planted out as -they are. They must be kept perfectly dry through the winter; if the -cellar is very damp they will do better packed in sand. - - -DRACÆNA. - -This is a valuable genus of ornamental plants, specially fine for the -center of vases, and for pot culture. Although their culture is on the -increase, they are not so frequently grown as they deserve. The species -are very numerous, and are found in tropical countries, especially in -the islands of the tropics. Many of them assume the proportions of -trees. The largest specimen ever known was one of Dracæna Draco, or the -Dragon tree of Oratava in Teneriffe, one of the Canary Islands. This -tree was remarkable for its monstrous dimensions and prodigious -longevity. About ten years since, or in the autumn of 1867, this -magnificent specimen was destroyed by a gale of wind. It was a special -object of interest in the Canary Islands, and received the attention and -veneration of visitors, as do the great Seguvia trees of California. Its -trunk below the lowest branches was eighty feet in height, and ten men -holding hands could scarcely encircle it; by one measurement this span -around it was seventy-nine feet. The trunk was hollow, and in the -interior was a winding stair-case, by which one might ascend as far as -the part from which the branches sprang. It is affirmed by tradition -that, when the island of Teneriffe was discovered in 1402, this tree was -as large, and the cavity in the trunk as great, as at the time of its -destruction. We are even assured that in the fifteenth century, at the -time of the conquest of the Canaries by the Normans and Spaniards, they -celebrated mass on a little altar erected in this cavity. From the slow -growth of the young Dragon trees in the Canaries, it has been estimated -that this monster tree before it was destroyed, was the oldest plant -upon the globe. A writer in describing it says: "Long leaves pointed -like swords, crowned the extremities of the branches, and white -panicles, which developed in autumn, threw a mantle of flowers upon this -dome of verdure." The popular name of this species is Dragon's-blood -Tree, because of a resinous juice of a red color which exudes from the -cracks in its trunk. At one time this resin formed a considerable branch -of commerce, as it was used medicinally as an astringent, but it has -fallen into disuse. - -The Dracænas belong to the Lily family, and they afford a remarkable -contrast to the palms and other arborescent endogens, by their branching -heads. The young trees of Dracæna Draco do not, however, send out any -branches, even in their native localities, until they are thirty years -old or more. The small plants of this species, cultivated for ornament, -have always a single, straight stem; but are much more robust, and -quickly assume more stately proportions than those of the other kinds -that will be mentioned. - -The Dracæna is admired for its peculiar grace of form--it would be in -vain in common house culture to expect flowers. To admire a plant for -its well developed and graceful form, marks an advancement in refined -taste beyond that which would induce one to exclaim, "Oh!" at the sight -of a brilliantly colored flower. Even in rearing a plant for flowers, -the first object should be to develop it to the fullest extent in size -and shape and strength--to make a beautiful object of the plant itself; -just as the first and main attention given to a child, for years, should -be to develop and build up its physical system. - -The Dracæna is a good house plant, a good balcony and veranda plant, -good for the vase in the open air, and in a handsome pot is a fine -ornament for table decoration. Its culture is of the simplest kind, -adapting itself to any ordinarily good soil, it only requires to be -supplied moderately with moisture and to have a temperature ranging -upward from sixty-five degrees. It delights in a moist air, and whenever -possible, water should be kept where it will rapidly evaporate, and thus -ameliorate the atmosphere in this respect for the plant. This condition, -moreover, is conducive to the well-being of most plants, and no good -plant-grower can disregard it with impunity. Washing the leaves and stem -of the plant frequently with a wet sponge, is favorable to its health -and vigor, and one of the best preventives of the attack of insects. -With dust on the leaves the plants look dingy, while frequent washing -keeps them bright and lustrous. - -Dracæna indivisa has long, slender, dark green leaves, about -three-quarters of an inch or an inch in width, and from two and a half -feet to three feet in length, and the lower ones especially are very -much recurved or gracefully drooping. This species is among the hardiest -of the Dracænas, and is frequently wintered in the open ground, with -some protection in climates where the temperature frequently descends -several degrees below the freezing point. - -Dracæna terminalis is the most popular of the whole family in this -country, and is worthy of all the admiration bestowed upon it. The -leaves are broader and more erect than those of the preceding species, -and of a dark green suffused with red, or having streaks of a reddish -color; the young leaves nearly pink, but assuming a dark bronzy copper -color afterward. It is a very distinct and showy plant, and adapted to a -great variety of ornamental purposes. The propagation and sale of it is -rapidly increasing every year, and it is already widely disseminated. At -the Sandwich Islands it is cultivated to a considerable extent for its -roots, which are baked and eaten. A fermented beverage is also made from -the juice, and its leaves are employed as fodder for cattle, and for -clothing and other domestic purposes. - -Dracæna Shepherdii is of a most noble form, and is one of the finest yet -in cultivation. It has long, spreading leaves, of a metallic green, with -stripes and border of bronzy-orange, and is a very free grower. Unlike -most of the forms already known, which color most on the free young -growth of vigorous plants, this plant takes on its distinctive coloring -gradually on the older leaves. - -Dracæna cannæfolia is an interesting species. Its peculiarity consists -in the length of petiole, which is as long as the rest of the leaf. The -blade of the leaf is elliptical in form, from fifteen to twenty inches -in length, firm, and of a glaucous green. - -Within a few years past much attention has been given by cultivators in -Great Britain and Europe to hybridizing the Dracæna, and producing new -varieties. The most remarkable success has attended the efforts in this -direction, of MR. BAUSE, in the establishment of MR. WILLS, of Anerly, -England. The variety is wonderful--"broad-leaved, medium-leaved and -narrow-leaved; bronzy and green, crimson, rose, pink, violet and white -variegations; drooping, spreading, and erect habits, are blended in all -sorts of combinations." - -One of the sorts produced is described as "a most important acquisition, -having quite the habit and character of the well-known favorite -terminalis, but with white variegation. The ground color is a bright -green, with bold, white variegation, the upper leaves being white, with -here and there a bar of green."--_Vick's Magazine._ - - -DRACÆNA GOLDIANA. - -Sent out in this country for the first time in 1880, is said to be "one -of the most magnificent ornamental foliage plants ever introduced, and -altogether unique in character and aspect. It is a native of Western -Tropical Africa. The plant is of erect habit, and the stems are closely -set with stalked spreading leaves, the petioles of which are of a -grayish color, terete with a narrow furrow along the upper side, the -base being dilated and sheathing the stem. The blade of leaf is marbled -and irregularly banded with dark green and silver gray in alternate -straight bands, the colors being about equally distributed. The back of -the unfolded leaves is a pale reddish-purple or wine color, and the -stem, where visible. It is, without doubt, one of the most superb of -ornamental stove plants." - -When first sent out in London in 1878, its price was from five to ten -guineas per plant. We do not know the price in this country. Mr. H. A. -Dreer who has an illustration of it in his catalogue, furnishes the -price only on application, which is evidence that it is costly. From the -type given, it must be exceedingly handsome, and wholly unlike any -Dracæna before offered in America. - -Dracænas, as we have noticed before, are particularly desirable house -plants, keeping in good condition for a long time, even in rooms where -gas is burned--places so unsuited to most plants. They are liable to -attacks of the Mealy Bug and the Red Spider if neglected, but the -syringing and sponging advised for them will effectually prevent their -gaining a foothold if frequently and thoroughly performed. After a year -or two the plants begin to lose their lower leaves, and to get leggy, a -state of things quite undesirable, as the beauty and effectiveness of -the plants depend upon their being furnished with leaves down to the -base of the stem. When the plants have become unsightly from the loss of -their leaves, they can be renewed very quickly by a simple process. Cut -a notch in the stem, on one side, just below the lowest good leaves, and -take out a piece of the wood, then do the same on the other side of the -stem, but not exactly opposite the first notch. The object is to check -the flow of sap at this point and yet allow enough of it to pass to -maintain the head. Having cut the notches, take some moss or sphagnum -and bind about the stem, covering the incisions and fastening it on -securely with twine or fine wire; the moss is to be kept gently moist, -and in the course of two weeks will have thrown out young roots above -the notches. The head can now be severed from the stem and potted in a -medium-sized pot. After keeping it a few days in the shade, it can be -gradually brought out into the full light, and will be found to be -established. - -Dracænas may also be multiplied by removing the thick, fleshy root that -may usually be found in the base of the plant. Those tuberous roots can -be potted, and if kept in a warm place will soon start and make new -plants. When plants are re-potted a favorable opportunity is offered for -taking off these roots, for the roots of the old plants are actively at -work and, with the fresh soil they receive, will soon recover from any -slight check they may have received. - -The most rapid method of propagating this plant is by cuttings of the -stem; the stem may be cut into pieces an inch in length, and those -pieces split in two, and all of those bits will root and become plants. -They should be placed in a light, sandy soil, and given a brisk bottom -heat of 70° or 80° degrees. They will break and start into growth in a -few days.--_Vick's Magazine._ - -So fully does the foregoing express all that is needful regarding the -Dracæna, we have thought best to give it entire. We might greatly -enlarge on the subject of Ornamental Foliage Plants, and speak of the -beautiful Palms, so fine for decorative purposes, the pretty Ferns and -elegant Aralias, of which latter "_Sieboldi_ is a capital house plant, -so enduring that it will live and keep its beautiful dark green color -for weeks almost in the dark." Then there is the Euonymus, so bright -with its glossy green leaves, long a favorite whether for the border or -window garden. _Argentea_ has striped foliage, and _Japonicas aurea_ has -its dark green foliage diversified with golden variegations. _Bicolor_, -foliage almost white, and _Tricolor_, a rarer form, is marked with pink -and white. - -With the numerous varieties we have named, it will be apparent how -ornamental our gardens, whether within doors or without, may be made by -plants, the beauty of which is wholly independent of flowers, and they -do wonderfully enhance the effect of the bloomers. The Centaureas and -Cinerarias with their deeply lobed leaves of white, are too well known -to need any special mention. We do not intend however to pass so lightly -over another stately and highly ornamental genus that comes within the -reach of everyone. Ricinus, the seed of which can be purchased for a -dime, are magnificent in foliage, and when combined with the brilliant -colored fruit of the giant varieties, the effect is very oriental. -Ricinus _Africanus albidus_ is of recent introduction. It is white -fruited, and the stems and leaves are silvery; height eight feet. -_Borbaniensis arboreus_ has very large and showy foliage; height fifteen -feet. _Communis_ is the Castor Oil Plant. _Sanguineus_ (Obermanii) bears -splendid red fruit in clusters, and is very ornamental. A species from -Phillippines has gigantic foliage; height ten feet. These can be -purchased in separate or mixed packets, and we advise everyone who has a -bit of ground to try them. We will close with - - -A BIG BEAN STORY. - -I have just harvested my Ricinus or Castor Bean, which I raised from the -seed you sent me last spring. It was of mammoth growth, attaining a -height of fourteen and a half feet, and sixteen feet across the branches -of which there were seventeen after cutting off five during the summer. -Each of the branches contained a cluster of burs, the center one having -one hundred and thirty-four burs, the other branches not so many. Many -of the leaves measured from thirty to thirty-two inches across from tip -to tip or point of leaves. When sawed off at the ground, the body -measured five inches and a half of wood in diameter, inside of the bark, -which was one-fourth of an inch thick. This is a big bean story but -nevertheless a true one.--T. G. T. in _Vick's Magazine_. - - - - -A Talk About Primroses. - - -It is an old adage that one must take Time by the forelock. In the -culture of flowers, we must certainly do so, planning and preparing in -spring for the coming winter, if we would secure for ourselves plants -that can be relied on for blooming. We know of none equal to - - -THE CHINESE PRIMROSE, - -for common house culture, commencing to flower usually in November, and -continuing through the spring months. The seed for this ought to be sown -in April--if later the plants will not come into bloom so early. The -soil for Primroses in all stages should be fine, light and rich, with a -good mixture of sand. - -For seed sowing it can be put in pans, boxes or six inch pots. First, -put in drainage--I use for this coarse sand--then the coarse siftings of -the soil. On this to the depth of one and a half or two inches, put the -fine mixed soil, press down smoothly and spray lightly with tepid water. -Sow the seed on the surface, and sift on enough of the fine earth to -partially but not fully cover them. Cover with a glass, or with a bit of -soft nice flannel, and place in the shade where a mild moist temperature -can be attained. Where flannel is used, it can be kept damp and thus -impart moisture to the seeds without their being saturated, washed bare, -or displaced by spraying. When the seed has germinated, then glass can -be substituted. The tender seedlings must be gradually brought to the -sunlight; too long exposure at first would kill them, and if kept in the -shade too much they will become drawn and dwarfed. This is the critical -period, and many fail at this point. Great care is essential till the -plants put forth the third leaf, which is rough and the true primula -leaf. Then the plants must be carefully transplanted into other pots -prepared as before. In about a month the glass can be removed and the -plants potted separately, setting them low, as it is a peculiarity of -the Primula to stretch itself up out of the soil, and become shaky. It -is necessary sometimes to give them support. In watering, care must be -had to prevent the water lodging in the axils of the leaves, which cause -them to decay. They will not bear showering like smooth surfaced plants, -and only occasionally should they be sprayed through a fine hose. They -must be kept during the summer months in a shady place, and have a cool -bottom to stand on; a cold frame is the best. They must be housed by the -end of September, and the best situation for them is a light, airy shelf -near the glass, yet not exposed to intense sunshine. They do not like -frequent changes of position and temperature, nor to be grown with other -plants. Give them a cool place where they will have the morning or -afternoon sun for a time. During the blossoming season stimulate the -soil once a week with liquid manure, or water with a few drops of -ammonia added. Pick off all flowers as fast as they fade. Plants are -stronger and better the second year, and unless they get too shaky, are -good for three years. They must, after blossoming, be taken out of the -pot, the ball of earth reduced from the roots, and then re-potted in -fresh soil. It is not needful to keep them dormant and shaded through -the summer, but in a cool and partially secluded position, they will -after a brief rest begin to grow, putting forth frequently little crowns -all around about the old one, and be full of blossoms during the autumn -and winter months. The double varieties are not so easily grown, and -cannot be recommended for general culture to be raised from seed. Fine -plants can be procured from the florists, but the large single sorts, we -think give the most satisfaction. Ellis Brothers, Keene, N. H., have -sent us for trial, packets of very fine strains; some are rare, and, -judging from the description, must be very beautiful. It is not often -that we find more than four varieties named in the catalogues. They -send out a dozen sorts, some of which we will name: _Primula Fimbriata -Kermesina Splendens_; Large flowers, brilliant velvet like crimson, -yellow eye. _Primula Frimbriata Punctata Elegantissima_; a new variety; -flower velvety crimson, edge spotted with white; very distinct. _Primula -Fimbriata Striata_; beautifully striped. _Primula Fringed_, _Fern Leaf_; -pure white, with large citron eye; very fine. _Primula Globosa_, new; a -large flowering, fringed sort; petals large and many of them crimped, -each overlapping the other, so that they appear almost semi-double; -colors white, light pink, crimson and lilac pink. All of these can be -bought in mixed or separate packets. We cannot find room for all of -these, but hope from the rarest to obtain some fine plants to brighten -our room the coming winter. Great advances have been made since the -Primrose was introduced into this country little more than half a -century ago. - -[Illustration] - -Of the novelties we find in the London _Garden_ special mention made of -Primula Sinensis Fimbriata Alba Magnifica. The writer says: "The -Primulas from Mr. B. S. Williams' Victoria Nurseries, Holloway, were -remarkably fine. The newest sort shown, Alba Magnifica, promises to be -an excellent kind; the flowers are large, produced in dense and many -flowered trusses, borne well above the foliage, which is also remarkable -being elegantly crisped at the margins. The color is white, the purity -of which, however, is more strongly marked when the plants are more -mature than those shown; the habit of growth is very robust." - -Of this novelty Mr. H. Cannell says: "The new white Primula is of -exquisite form and substance; the plants are exceedingly compact, with -deeply indented leaves of a light green color; the flowers measure two -and one-quarter inches in diameter, pure white, with large, bright -yellow eye, each petal being deeply and beautifully fringed, and are -borne in large trusses well above the foliage." - -We give an illustration of this Primula, kindly furnished by Ellis -Bros., who are of the first to offer it in this country. - - -CARNATIONS AND PICOTEES. - -"What is the difference between them? I am told differently by nearly -every florist I ask. An old Englishman told me the other day that he -used to grow great quantities of them in England, and that the -difference between the two is, that the Picotee has fringed edged -leaves, while in the Carnation proper the edge of the leaf is smooth -like a rose." - -The question is asked of Mr. Vick, and he thus replies: "The Carnation -and Picotee differ only in the arrangement of the color, or markings. -The distinction is made by florists, and is of course arbitrary. Seeds -saved from one plant, may produce both Carnations and Picotee, or even -from the same seed-pod. In an old work in our possession, the -distinction is as stated, but for long years any flower with an -irregular edge has been considered unworthy of propagation. The -Carnation should have broad stripes of color running through from the -center to the edge of the petals. The Picotee has only a band of color -on the edge of each petal."--_Vick's Magazine._ - -Although Mr. Vick here states that the Carnation should have broad -stripes of color, neither he, nor any other florist makes this -distinction, but call pure white, and pure red Carnations, just as -freely as those that are striped. - -There are two classes of Carnations, and thousands of varieties. The -class of Perpetual Bloomers are called Monthly and Tree Carnations. The -Garden Carnations are hardy, and can be left in the garden during winter -by giving them a covering of leaves, straw, or evergreen boughs. They -are easily raised from seed. Sown in June or July, will make good robust -plants before frost, which will bloom the following summer. Some of them -will be single, perhaps, and these can be removed. Those of superior -merit may be multiplied by _layering_. This method is to select good -healthy shoots that have not bloomed, and make a cut midway between two -joints. First cut half way through the shoot, then make a slit -lengthwise to a joint. Remove the earth a few inches in depth, and press -the branch down so that this slit will open, and then cover with the -soil. Roots will form where the cut was made, and thus a new plant will -be formed, which can be removed in the autumn or spring. Midsummer is -the best time to do this, and by adopting this method good, healthy -plants are secured. The plants should be well watered a day or two -before layering is commenced, and immediately afterward--then only -occasionally. They are frequently propagated by cuttings, which can be -rooted in wet sand, or in light sandy soil. - - -PERPETUAL BLOOMERS, - -Or Monthly Carnations, can be easily obtained of the florists for summer -or winter blooming; the former purchased in the spring, and the latter -in the autumn. If one raises their own stock, it is not best to allow -those to bloom much during the summer that are wanted for winter -flowering. It is well to sink the pots in a good sunny place in the -garden, and when they run up and show signs of bedding, cut back the -stalk so that it may become more compact and branchy, then the buds in -the late autumn or winter, will be much more numerous. The best for -winter blooming are _La Purite_ (carmine), _President de Graw_ (white), -_Peerless_ (white, striped with pink) and _Peter Henderson_, of the -well-known varieties. Of those of recent introduction, _Lady Emma_ is -said to be excellent. One florist says that "it is destined to be one -of the leading winter-blooming Carnations. From my bed of one thousand -plants in the green-house throughout December and January last, I -plucked more blooms than from any other variety occupying the same -space." It has proved excellent also for a bedding pink. Its color is a -rare shade of crimson scarlet; the flower is of medium size, full and -double, and never bursting down the side. _Lord Clyde_ has for three -years proved to be an excellent winter bloomer. It is of a very robust -growth, like its parent the _Edwardsii_, but of a more dwarf, -low-flowering habit. The ground-work is white, thickly striped with -carmine, and a frequent blotch of maroon; very floriferous, each stem -bearing from six to eight flowerets. _Lydia_ is another of the recent -novelties, and is very handsome. Flowers very large and intensely -double, of a rich rosy, orange color blotched and flecked with carmine. -_Crimson King_ is one of the largest Carnations, very full, bushy habit, -and robust, color crimson-scarlet. A pure bright scarlet is rare; when -therefore, _Firebrand_, a novelty of 1880, was announced as a bright -scarlet, it produced quite a sensation. It is very highly commended by -those who have seen it. _Grace Wilder_, _Princess Louise_ and _Fred -Johnson_, are new hybrid seedlings now offered for the first time to the -public. - -There was quite a discussion in the _Gardener's Monthly_ of last year as -to the best pure White Carnation. In the August number, Mr. E. Fryer of -Delaware writes: "The varieties called _Peter Henderson_, sent out by -Nanz and Neuner I have found to be the best white I have yet grown for -winter bloom. It is a stronger and better bloomer than de Graw, its only -drawback being that it runs up high like _La Purite_. _Snowdon_ is a -true dwarf, pure white, and if it proves a good winter bloomer, will -probably supersede all other whites, the flower being of fair size and -very fragrant. Bock's Seedling, _Charles Sumner_, I have grown the past -winter. The flower is of an enormous size, but it invariably bursts -before opening, and is a dull unattractive color. _Waverly_ I have also -grown last winter--a splendid variety, rich crimson scarlet; the color -was no way exaggerated as represented in the _Monthly_ a year ago; -produces a fair average of flowers to the plant, flowers selling readily -at ten cents each. I think this the most useful color to the commercial -florist. - -"I still cling to the old carmine _La Purite_, which for quantity of -bloom, size of flower and general good qualities, I think has not been -beat by any of the newer varieties for winter bloom." Mr. Peter -Henderson, one of the leading florists, places _Snowdon_ above all other -white Carnations, its dwarf habit making it specially desirable. - -Florist's Pinks are more dwarf than the Carnations, flowers very double, -clove scented, and are of various shades of maroon, carmine, crimson and -rose interlaced with white. - - -THE ORIGIN OF THE FLORIST'S PINK. - -The _Gardener's Chronicle_ gives the following interesting account of -the origin of this class: "It may be interesting to record the fact, -published in an old number of the _Floricultural Cabinet_, that the -first Pink worthy of notice was raised in the year 1772, by Mr. JAMES -MAJOR who was then gardener to the duchess of Lancaster; previous to -that there were but four sorts, and those of very little note, being -cultivated as only common border flowers. Mr. MAJOR having saved some -seed in 1771, he reared several plants, which, blooming the next season, -one of the number proved to be a double flower with laced petals, at -which he was agreeably surprised, although he considered it as being -only in embryo, and the prelude to still further advance to be developed -at some future period, which is now verified by the rapid strides this -beautiful flower made in size and quality during the years which -followed. Mr. MAJOR informed the writer of the foregoing remarks that he -made his discovery known to a nurseryman or florist and was offered the -sum of ten guineas for the stock of his new Pink; but, acting on the -advice of his friends, he declined to sell, and set to work instead and -increased the stock with a view of offering it in sale to the public. It -was sent out to the public at half a guinea a pair (for it has long been -a custom of offering Pinks in pairs, a custom which is continued to this -day), under the name of MAJOR'S Duchess of Lancaster, the orders for -which amounted to £80. It is recorded that one individual ordered as -many as twenty pairs, which was considered in those days an unusually -large number. It would be interesting to have a bloom of Duchess of -Lancaster to compare with the fine double varieties of the present day. -We appear to have come to something like a pause in the matter of Pink -production as the flowers are now very large and full, and the lacing is -as perfect as can well be conceived." - - -DIANTHUS. - -The word is derived from the Greek words _Dios_, divine, and _Anthos_, a -flower; God's flower, or the flower of Jove. There are several species, -and many varieties of Dianthus; _Dianthus Caryophyllus_ is what is -commonly known as the Clove Pink, and from it have been produced the -double varieties called Carnations and Picotees. The plant in its wild -state is found growing on the south side of the Swiss Alps, at a low -altitude, where the winters are not severe. The common perennial garden -Pink is _Dianthus Plumarias_. The old and well-known Chinese Pink, -_Dianthus Chinensis_, is a biennial, flowering the first season from -seed sown in spring, lives during the winter, blooms the second year, -and then dies. New and superb varieties have been introduced of late -years from Japan, and _Dianthus Laciniatus_, and _Dianthus Heddewigii_, -both single and double, make a splendid display, and are among the most -desirable of our garden flowers. _Dianthus Diadematus_ is of dwarf -habit, very profuse in blooming, and the flowers are of various hues, -from white to dark maroon, and also beautifully marbled and spotted. Of -the recent novelties _Eastern Queen_ and _Crimson Belle_ are superb; we -speak from personal knowledge. "Eastern Queen" is beautifully marbled; -the broad bands of rich mauve upon the paler surface of the petals are -very striking. "Crimson Belle," as its name implies, is of a rich -crimson hue, with dark markings; very large and finely fringed. - -For early blooming it is well to sow seed as early as April. June sowing -will secure good hardy plants for the following season. When there is a -profusion of bloom, it is well to remove a portion of the flowers, so -that the plants may not become exhausted, and the seed pods beyond what -are desired for ripening, ought also to be cut off. - - - - -A Talk About Climbers. - - Oh, a dainty plant is the Ivy green, - That creepeth o'er ruins old! - Of right choice food are his meals I ween, - In his cell so lone and cold, - The wall must be crumbled, the stone decayed, - To pleasure his dainty whim; - And the moldering dust that years have made, - Is a merry meal for him. - Creeping where no life is seen, - A rare old plant is the Ivy green. - - CHARLES DICKENS. - - -Have been off on a vacation, peering into other folks' gardens and -admiring other people's flowers. Visited the Public Garden of Boston and -saw that there had been a marked improvement within ten years. The -massed beds of several sorts, with their contrasting borders, were very -attractive, specially the maroon Coleuses with border of Centaurea. -There were few varieties of Geraniums, and these were mostly massed in -beds, some all scarlet, others wholly pink. - -At Forest Hills Cemetery there was the finest display of flowers and -tropical plants I ever saw, and they are very artistically and -tastefully displayed. I saw several beds with artistic designs on a -ground work of Sempervivum, evidencing great skill in the arrangement -and culture. The entrance gateway to Forest Hills Cemetery is very -beautiful in design, and here we saw that graceful climber Ampeclopsis -Veitchii, in the perfection of its beauty, covering the front almost -entirely. I had noted it in various stages of growth, clinging to the -dwellings in all parts of the city, requiring no aid but its own little -rootlets. It is a native of Japan and was introduced in this country -twelve years ago. It was slow at first in being duly appreciated, but -now is widely known and extensively propagated. Probably the finest -plant is owned by Mr. George L. Conover of Geneva, N. Y. It covers the -entire front of his two-story square house, and has become so famous -that horticulturists from all parts of the country have been attracted -by it, and a great many people have visited Geneva for the special -purpose of seeing this fine plant. It has proved to be perfectly hardy, -only the first year the young and tender plant needs some protection -during the winter. Florists are growing them in great quantities to meet -the increasing demand. It can be obtained for twenty cents. I received a -small plant last year and kept it in my window box during the winter. It -died down, however, and I quite forgot about it, till it sprang forth -anew in April. Since putting it in the ground it has grown rapidly, and -I shall value it now more than ever. - - -HONEYSUCKLE. - -_The Golden-Leaved Honeysuckle_ is a special favorite of mine. Its -leaves are so netted and veined with yellow as to give this hue the -predominance. The foliage is small; the flowers are yellow and fragrant. -The family of _Lonicerus_, or Honeysuckle, embraces a large variety. The -botanical name was given in honor of _Lonicer_, a German botanist, who -died about three hundred years ago. - -_Lonicerus Holliana_ was introduced into this country from Japan by Dr. -Hall. The flowers are pure white when they first open, but assume a -creamy tinge in a few days. This variety blooms almost continuously from -June till frost. It attains sometimes to the height of twenty, and even -thirty feet. The flowers are very fragrant. - -_Belgian_, or Monthly Fragrant, bears its blossoms in clusters. They are -pure white in the interior at first, but afterward change to creamy -yellow, deepening into orange. - -_Sempervirens_ (Scarlet Trumpet) is a native of this country, and -perfectly hardy. This is the most common, though not fragrant. It is a -strong grower, and blooms from June to November. Its scarlet flowers -tinged with orange afford a pleasing contrast with its dark, glossy -foliage. - - -CANARY BIRD FLOWER. - -For an out-door annual climber, what can be prettier than the dainty, -graceful Canary Flower? Mine have scorned the limitations of the twine I -had fastened to the lower limbs of a small pear tree and ascending far -above them, have run out a full yard on a large branch. The light green, -finely lacinated foliage is very handsome of itself, but when the Canary -bird flower is added, how lovely it is! It is so easily grown from seed -that I wonder so few have it. A paper costing only ten cents would give -you a score of plants, and they are much prettier for the bay window -than Madeira vines. - -A writer from England says: "While in the north of England, last fall, -we paid a visit to Alnwick Castle, the seat of the Duke of -Northumberland, and the ancient home of the Percy family.... The first -thing that struck me on entering the town was a bay window most -charmingly draped with light green climbers, and literally covered with -bright lemon yellow flowers. Now this appeared so strange to me (for the -chilly night air had already affected the geraniums and other tender -out-door plants), that I had to cross the street, take the Yankee -liberty to open the gate, go inside and examine this thrifty beauty. I -confess I was not only surprised but greatly interested to find it was -_only_ the Canary flower, _Tropaeolum peregrinum_, a member of the -Nasturtium family, and I concluded at once that there should be one -cottage in America next summer worth coming miles to see on account of -its climbing plants of light green foliage and rich yellow masses of -Canary bird flower."--WALTON, in _Vick's Magazine_. - -Do not forget to include this pretty vine in your seed order next year. - - -COBOEA SCANDENS. - -This is one of the best of our climbing annuals, on account of its rapid -and luxuriant growth, attractive foliage and large bell-shaped flowers. -Under favorable circumstances they will grow to the height of twenty and -even thirty feet in a summer. They commence to bloom when quite young, -and continue in bloom until destroyed by frost. Some people remove them -from the border to the house for winter blooming, but the change from -out-door to indoor life, often retards their growth and mars their -beauty. They are too cumbersome for window plants after having grown -during the season, and it is better to sow seed in August, and get in -this way plants for the house. They are hard to germinate, and need to -be started in pots or in a hot bed. Place them in moist earth _edge -down_, and do not water until the young plants appear above the surface, -unless the earth becomes very dry. - -For out-door blooming sow in March or April. As soon as the plants are -strong enough, transplant to three-inch pots; keep them shaded from the -sun for a few days, gradually expose to the open air, and plant out when -all danger from frost is over. The soil should be well stirred to the -depth of nearly two feet, and well rotted manure worked in. In dry -weather they need liberal watering as often as once a week, and liquid -manure water occasionally is of great benefit to them. - -The Coboea can be propagated by layers at almost any season of the year. -It is done in this way: Cut a notch near a joint, place in a pot and -fill with soil, and keep the soil moist. It takes from two weeks to a -month for them to root. - -A writer says of this plant: "The Coboea is an old favorite and it is -worthy of remark that but few of the novelties introduced of late years -can equal some of the old favorites that we have been accustomed to -grow. The Coboea is a native of Mexico, from which country it was -introduced in 1792. It was named in honor of Bernandez Cobo, a Spanish -priest and botanist. The growth of the vine is very luxuriant, and it is -equally easy of cultivation, the only essentials to success being -warmth, a rich, light soil, and sufficient water. If allowed to become -very dry, it will soon wither away. It requires sun and a warm room to -grow it to perfection; yet it is not a tender plant, that is, it will -live anywhere, provided the frost does not touch it, and is one of the -few plants which will flourish luxuriantly in parlors lighted with gas -and kept almost at fever heat. If grown in a hanging basket or pot, it -must be large and the roots allowed plenty of room to spread out in. In -the summer the pots can be removed from the interior room to a balcony -or piazza, or plunged until they are again wanted. Then clip off the -growth of branches and leaves, place the pot back again in a sunny -window, where it will soon start afresh, with new arms and leaves to -cover the window. It is one of the best vines for parlor decoration, as -it will drape and festoon the window, and stretch forth its tendrils, -running up even to the ceiling. The tendrils are so clinging in their -nature that they will attach themselves to anything which comes within -their reach--curtain cords, branches of other plants, brackets, -etc.,--throwing out new branches everywhere. - -"I advise all who adopt the plan of plunging the plant in the pot in the -open air during the summer, either to shift into a pot two sizes larger, -or else to take it out of the pot and reduce the ball of earth nearly -one-half, and repot it in fresh compost before removing it to the house. -This should be done not later than September 10th. The plants will amply -repay this little attention by an increased luxuriance of both foliage -and flowers during the winter months, while plants not so treated will -become sickly and unhealthy before spring, and beside, when pot-bound, -they soon become the prey of numerous insects." - -There are several varieties of the Coboea, though _scandens_ is the most -generally known. The large bell-shaped flowers are greenish at first, -but rapidly change to a dull purple. Coboea Scandens _Alba_ has greenish -white flowers. Coboea _variegata_ is one of the most magnificent -ornamental climbers, the leaves being broadly margined with yellowish -white, the variegated foliage forming a beautiful contrast with its -large purple flowers. It is of strong habit, a rapid grower, attaining -frequently the height of fifty feet in a short time. It is, however, -difficult of propagation, rooting with difficulty. The seeds vegetate as -readily as the common sort, but the plants are apt to die off soon after -attaining their seed leaves. Layering in the manner already specified, -is the best method of increase. - -Coboea scandens _argentea_ is another variegated leaved variety, -differing from _variegata_ in that its leaves are of a purer white. It -is described by some as being identical with Coboea scandens, Schuerens -Seedling, but by Messrs. Leeds & Co., of Richmond, Indiana, as being "a -great improvement on the old variegated variety. Leaves large, green, -bordered with creamy white; calyx of the flowers variegated like the -leaves." - - -CLEMATIS. - -Clematis (_Virgin's Bower_), derives its name from _klema_, a -vine-branch. The popular name, Virgin's Bower, was given to _Clematis -Viticella_ upon its introduction into England during the reign of -Elizabeth, 1569, and was intended as a compliment to that sovereign, who -liked to be called the Virgin Queen. - -There are, it is said, two hundred and thirty described species, the -majority of them free-growing, hardy climbers. They are among the most -gorgeous perpetual-blooming of the class under consideration. Great -improvements have been made during the past twenty-five years by -hybridization, but the finest varieties have originated within ten -years. Of the new English hybrids _Jackmanii_ stands in the front rank. -The flowers are from five to six inches in diameter, and consist of from -four to six sepals which have a ribbed bar down the center; the color -is of an intense violet-purple, remarkable for its velvety richness, and -a shading of reddish-purple toward the base, and they are furnished with -a broad central tuft of pale green stamens. It originated with Jackman & -Son, England, and was first exhibited at Kensington, 1872. It is a cross -between _Clematis Viticella_ and _Clematis Lanuginasa_. From this cross -many excellent seedlings have been raised, closely resembling the parent -stock in color and general character. - -Of Jackman's Clematises the English _Gardener_ has the following: "They -are magnificent; and more than this, they do give us some of the -grandest things in the way of creepers the horticultural world has ever -seen, making glorious ornaments either for walls, verandas, or rustic -poles or pillars, varying in color from deep rich violet hue to dark -velvety maroon, and in the newer seedlings, forms beautiful shades of -pale bright blue." - -Mr. Vick says of the Clematis: "Having a rather unsightly pile of stones -in the back part of our grounds, we had them thrown together more in the -form of a stone-heap, perhaps, than of anything worthy of the name of -rockery, and planted _Jackmanii_ and other fine sorts in the crevices, -and for three summers this stone-heap has been covered most gorgeously. -Thousands of flowers, in fact a mound of flowers, every day for months, -has been the delight of visitors, causing one to exclaim, 'Nothing since -Paradise has been more beautiful.'" - -These fine hybrids will endure our Northern winters if somewhat -protected. A gentleman in Rochester, N. Y., had a Jackmanii which bore -full exposure without protection and came out in the spring uninjured to -the height of nine feet. The extremities of the shoots for about two -feet were winter-killed. - -_Clematis Sieboldii_ is a native of Japan, whence it was introduced by -Mr. Low in 1837. It is of a slender free-growing habit. "The flowers -which are produced from July to September are composed of six ovate -sepals of a creamy white color, which form a fine background for the -large rosette of purple stamens which occupy the center and render the -flowers particularly attractive." - -_Clematis graveolins_ is a native of the mountains of Thibet. It is of -comparative recent introduction. The flowers are produced on long stalks -at the axils of the leaves, and are of a light yellow--an unusual color -in this genus. It grows to the height of from ten to fifteen feet, and -blooms freely during the entire season. - -A lady writes to Vick's Magazine that she has a Clematis graveolins -which is a wonderful sight. It grew from a feeble plant planted out in -spring, two inches in height, into a column twelve feet high and three -feet broad by August, and was a mass of yellow blossoms, and then, of -the most exquisite, long-haired, silvery seed pods until hard frost. It -lived through the winter, to its extreme tips, and then grew so rapidly, -shading such an important part of her garden, that she had to remove it -in the autumn, cutting it back severely. The seedlings from it grow, she -adds, to eight or ten feet in a season. - -_Clematis crispa_ is of Southern origin; the flowers are one and a half -inches long, produced singly on long stalks, and delightfully fragrant, -a rapid grower, and perfectly hardy. _Clematis coccinea_ is of recent -introduction from Texas, the flowers are bell-shaped, of a most -brilliant scarlet, and are produced in great abundance. This rare -variety is offered only by Woolson & Co., Passaic Falls, N. J., who make -a specialty of hardy herbaceous plants. _Vesta_, a Jackman, is large and -of fine form; dead white, with a creamy tinge over the center bar, -delicate primrose fragrance, an early bloomer. _Mrs. James Bateman_, -pale lavender, and _Thomas Moore_, violet, superb, are Jackman -seedlings, which flower in the summer and autumn, successionally, in -masses, on summer shoots. These are all high priced. Many fine sorts can -be purchased at prices ranging from thirty cents to one dollar. - -The Clematis requires only ordinary garden soil. Where there are severe -winters it is best to give the young plants at least some protection. -They can be propagated by layering, which is rather a slow method, or -rapidly by seed. - - -WISTARIA. - -Very beautiful among the hard-wooded Climbers, is the Chinese Wistaria -when in bloom. Its long, pendulous racemes of blue flowers are -exceedingly graceful. They are frequently twelve inches in length and -highly fragrant. The flowers appear about the last of May and first of -June. It is not a continuous bloomer like the Clematis, but often gives -a few flowers in August. It is rather slow at first, but after getting a -good start the second or third year grows very rapidly. It is hardy -after it gets strong, but young plants need some protection. - -The Chinese White Wistaria was introduced by Mr. Fortune, and is -regarded as a great acquisition. The _Double Purple_ is illustrated in -Ellwanger & Barry's Catalogue, by a full page engraving, which gives one -an idea of its beauty better than the description which is as follows: -"A rare and charming variety, with perfectly double flowers, deeper in -color than the single, and with racemes of remarkable length. The plant -is perfectly hardy, resembling Wistaria _Sinensis_, so well known as one -of our best climbing plants. The stock which we offer was purchased of -Mr. Parkman, who received this variety from Japan in 1863, and was the -first to bloom and exhibit it in this country." - -_White American Wistaria_ is a seedling originating with Messrs. -Ellwanger & Barry, of Rochester, N. Y. Flowers clear white; bushes -short. Free bloomer. - - -CHINESE WISTARIA AS A STANDARD. - -A novelty has been offered to the horticultural public of London this -spring (1880), in the shape of standard trees of Wistaria Sinensis, -raised in tubs, having heads five or six feet in diameter and covered -with clusters of bloom. The plants were raised in Rouen, France, and -sent to London for sale. It requires several years to attain plants of -good size in this style, and as a matter of profit, a strict account -would no doubt show a balance on the wrong side. In this country where -the Wistaria is "at home," it may be raised in tree-shape in the open -ground without expense, save the necessary care in pinching in and -shaping. "So completely did the plants offered in London strike the -popular taste, that there was quite a competition to become purchasers -of them, and large sums were offered by those anxious to possess them. -The general public, unaccustomed to this fine Chinese climber, looked on -with wonder at "Lilacs" of such unwanted size and beauty of -color."--_Vick's Magazine._ - -Mr. Vick evidently does not deem this method an improvement on the -natural graceful climber, for it reminds him of an anecdote which he -thus relates in reply to an inquirer respecting the Wistaria as a -standard. - -"Once upon a time some kind of a steam cannon was invented, and a day of -trial was arranged at Portsmouth, England, to which the Lords of the -Admiralty and the Duke of Wellington were invited. After the exhibition, -which we believe was somewhat successful, opinions of its merits were -freely expressed, but the Iron Duke said nothing. When urged to give his -opinion, he replied that he was thinking--'thinking if the steam gun had -been first invented, what a grand improvement gunpowder would have -been.' If the Chinese Wistaria had been a tree, and some one could have -induced it to climb and cover our porches and arbors and old trees and -buildings, what a grand improvement it would have been." - - - - -Thoughts in My Garden. - - My faultless friends, the plants and flowers, - Have only smiles for me. - When drought withholds refreshing showers, - Through hot and dreary summer hours, - They then droop silently. - - When tired and worn with worldly care, - Their fragrance seems like praise, - A benediction in the air; - Pure as an unfallen angel's prayer, - Sweet'ning the saddest days. - - No frowns, no pouting, no complaints, - In my bright garden fair, - A colony of sinless saints, - Whose beauty Nature's pencil paints, - Are my fair darlings there. - - No inattention can awake - Envy or jealousy; - Their alabaster boxes break, - As Mary's did, and I partake - Of their rich fragrancy. - - Sometimes with weary soul and sad, - I taste their sweet perfume; - And then my soul is very glad, - I feel ashamed I ever had - A hateful sense of gloom. - - Flowers are the sylvan syllables, - In colors like the bow, - And wise is he who wisely spells - The blossomed words where beauty dwells, - In purple, gold and snow. - - O! sacred is the use of these - Sweet gifts to mortals given. - Their colors charm, their beauties please, - And every better sense they seize, - And bear our thoughts to Heaven. - - GEORGE W. BUNGAY. - - - - -A Talk About Several Things. - - "Spake full well in language quaint and olden, - One who dwelleth by the castled Rhine, - When he called the flowers, so blue and golden, - Stars, that in earth's firmament do shine. - Wondrous truths, and manifold as wondrous, - God hath written in those stars above; - But not less in these bright flowerets under us, - Stands the revelation of His love." - - -What changes have been manifested--how unceasingly and with what -deftness Nature has silently wrought in tapestry and embroidery, -sculpture and painting, till beauty is all around us, in the green -carpet of earth, brightened with flowers and leafage of every hue! No -wonder the birds sing praises to Him who gave them life with its -fullness of blessings. Sad to think that man, high over all, and under -the greatest obligation, too often is silent in thanksgiving for the -gifts of a Father's love. - -No month to me has such charms as June, when nature's robes are so fresh -and clean, and the balmy air is redolent with fragrance. How delightful -to be abroad with the early worm and early bird, working in the garden, -while the songsters give free concerts, and the hum of the honey bird, -and buzz of the bee, set forth a good example of cheerful industry! - -The house plants have become established in the open border, and are so -glad to get away from artificial heat and confined atmosphere into the -broad sunlight of heaven, and breathe in full draughts of pure air and -sweet dew, that they put on their best attire, and most attractive -ornaments. Before the roses bloom, the bed of geraniums looks bright -with flowers, each ambitious to excel his or her neighbor, either in -beauty of color, or form, or duration of bloom, thus leaving me in -perplexity as to choice. When _Pliny_ bloomed everybody admired who saw -his beauty; then _Romeo_ with quite another style looked charming, but -when _Naomi_ unfolded her large trusses of double pips, of a rare, -peculiar shade, nobody ever saw a geranium quite so lovely, and then its -duration of bloom--full six weeks! _Jennie Dolfus_, however, became a -dangerous rival--a deeper, richer shade, and not a pip would she allow -to fade so long as _Naomi_ looked so pert. Some said, "I like _Naomi_ -the best;" others said, "I think _Jennie_ is the prettiest." But -_Beauty_, close by, hearing the praises lavished on her sisters, and -perchance trusting in her good name, came forth one day in dress of -white with deep pink ornamentation. Never had such unique beauty as this -ever been seen in Geranium before, and, "Isn't it lovely!" "Just -splendid!" "What a beauty!" were uttered with exclamation points, till -she blushed with becoming modesty--the flush spread and deepened until -her face was completely suffused with the delicate tint, making her yet -more attractive. _Wellington_ donned his crimson suit, and _De Gasx_ an -orange yellow; _Pauline Lucca_, prima donna though she be, appeared in -dress of pure white, and _Richard Dean_ in scarlet with a white star -that was very becoming. _New Life_ thought to draw special attention by -odd freaks, and came out in a parti-colored dress of the most singular -combinations; part of it was scarlet dotted with white--part of it half -scarlet, half salmon, part of it widely striped, and part white with -just a flush of pink! I must call him the clown of the family! - -I have only named a few of the rare Geraniums that adorn one of the beds -of my garden. For beauty, free flowering, and duration of bloom they -cannot be surpassed. - -Interspersed with them are ornamental leaved Geraniums, _Crystal Palace -Gem_, an improvement on _Cloth of Gold_; _Marshal McMahon_, the best of -all the bronzes; _Cherub_, deep green, white and orange, flowers -carmine; _Glen Eyre Beauty_, _Dr. Livingstone_, a new, sweet-scented, -fine cut-leaved Geranium; _Happy Thought_, one of the most attractive, -with its dark green leaves and creamy white center. Here and there are -commingled Anchryanthus of divers hues, and Coleosus, giving a fine -effect to the whole. This is now the most attractive bed of all, but -when the Lilies are in bloom, and the dear little Tea Roses, the bed -parallel with it will be the sweetest, if not so brilliant. - -This year I have a tropical bed of oblong form. A Castor Bean rises -majestically in the center, two beautiful Cannas each side, while a -Dracæna, a splendid Croton, two fancy Caladiums, and a few other choice -plants fill the space, the whole bordered with Coxcombs. In a few weeks -this bed will look gorgeous, and those filled with annuals will have -changed from their present inattractiveness to delightful bloom. August -is really the month of fullness of blossom, and of restful enjoyment of -beauty and fragrance. The weary days of preparation, of bedding out and -of weeding, are over, and one may now give themselves up to the -enjoyment of the fruit of their labor, till the chill nights of autumn -bring a renewal of the toil. - -"Does the brief period of restful enjoyment repay for the many weary -days antecedent and subsequent?" - -Yes, richly, fully, for there is pleasure with the toil, and to me -health-giving influences that energize the physical system for indoor -work, and stimulate the brain for literary pursuits. To me my garden is -a God-send, fraught with blessings. - -"Gardening is a pleasant pastime." I am prepared to adopt that sentiment -to-day, if I did demur somewhat last month. It is a delightful pastime, -in the early morning, to spend an hour among the flowers, trowel in -hand, rooting out the weeds, loosening the soil around your plants, and -tying up here and there the tall and fragile, while the birds are -singing in the trees around you their morning song of gladness. How the -dew-laden grass and shrubs impart sweetness to the air, and your lungs -inhaling its purity, are expanded and invigorated, your whole system -feels the better for the tonic, and prepares for breakfast, and the work -that shall follow. - -It is a pleasant pastime, when wearied with toil you go forth for a time -among your flowers and search for the buds, or examine the newly-opened -flower. How it rests you! - -It is a pleasant pastime, when the labors of the day are over, and the -sun is throwing long shadows from the west, you take watering-pot in -hand, and shower the refreshing spray upon your plants, cleansing them -from the dust, and cooling them after the heat. How they thrive, and bud -and bloom! - - - - -The Love of Flowers. - - "We should love flowers, for when we are gone - From this forgetful world a few short years-- - Nay, months, perhaps--those whom we hold most dear, - Cease to bedew our memories with tears, - And no more footsteps mark the paths that lead - To where we dreamless lie; but God's dear flowers - Give to our very graves the loveliness - That won our tender praise when life was ours." - - -LAST WORDS OF THE POET HEINE. - -Of the many touching tributes paid to flowers, there is a beautiful one -associated with the closing hours of Henry Heine, the poet. He was dying -in Paris. The doctor was paying his usual visit, when Heine pressed his -hand and said: "Doctor, you are my friend, I ask a last favor. Tell me -the truth--the end is approaching, is it not?" - -The doctor was silent. - -"Thank you," said Heine calmly. - -"Have you any request to make?" asked the doctor, moved to tears. - -"Yes," replied the poet; "my wife sleeps--do not disturb her. Take from -the table the fragrant flowers she brought me this morning. I love -flowers so dearly. Thanks--place them upon my breast." He paused, as he -inhaled their perfume. His eyes closed, and he murmured: "Flowers, -flowers, how beautiful is Nature!" These were his last words. - - -THE OLD MAN AND THE FLOWERS. - -A few years since the Belfast (Me.) _Journal_ gave this touching -incident: "One day last week an elderly man, known to our people as an -honest and hard-working citizen, was walking slowly up Main street. -There was sorrow in his countenance, and the shadow of grief upon his -face. Opposite the Savings Bank his eye caught sight of the flowering -Oleander, that with other plants fill the bay-window of the -banking-room. He looked at it long and wistfully. At length he pushed -open the door, and approaching Mr. Q., said: - -"'Will you give me a few of those flowers?' - -"The cashier, leaving the counting of money and the computing of -interest, came around the counter, bent down the plant, cut off a -cluster of blossoms, and placed it in the man's toil-hardened hand. His -curiosity led him to ask: - -"'What do you want them for?' - -"'My little granddaughter died of scarlet fever last night,' the man -replied with faltering voice, 'and I want to put them in her coffin.' - -"Blessed be flowers, that can thus solace the bereavement of death and -lend their brightness as a bloom, to the last resting-place of the loved -one." - - -CONVERTED BY A FLOWER. - -There is a beautiful incident told of a Texas gentleman who was an -unbeliever in the Christian religion. One day he was walking in the -woods, reading the writings of Plato. He came to where the great writer -uses the phrase, "God geometrizes." He thought to himself, "If I could -only see plan and order in God's works, I could be a believer." Just -then he saw a little Texas Star at his feet. He picked it up and then -thoughtlessly began to count its petals. He found there were five. He -counted the stamens, and there were five of them. He counted the -divisions at the base of the flower, there were five of them. He then -set about multiplying these three fives to see how many chances there -were of a flower being brought into existence without the aid of mind, -and having in it these three fives. The chances against it were one -hundred and twenty-five to one. He thought that was very strange. He -examined another flower, and found it the same. He multiplied one -hundred and twenty-five by itself, to see how many chances there were -against there being two flowers, each having these exact relations of -numbers. He found the chances against it were thirteen thousand six -hundred and twenty-five to one. But all around him were multitudes of -these little flowers, and they had been growing and blooming there for -years. He thought this showed the order of intelligence, and that the -mind that ordained it was God. And so he shut up his book, picked up the -little flower, kissed it, and exclaimed: "_Bloom on little flowers; sing -on little birds; you have a God, and I have a God; the God that made -these little flowers made me_." - - - - -A Talk About Abutilons. - - -This species is one of the most desirable of hardy-wooded plants we -possess. They are admirable for the house, for the balcony, the piazza, -or the border, being handsome in foliage, and very graceful and -beautiful in flowers. Some are stately, others dwarf, some are flexible -and drooping. We have had for several years three that we have greatly -admired for their variegated leaves, especially for the winter -window-garden, where they compensate for the scarcity of flowers, by the -brilliancy of their foliage, yellow and green, finely mottled and -marbled. - -_Duc de Malakoff_ is stately, and by cutting off the top of the main -stalk, it is made to branch out very largely, forming a miniature tree. -It grows very rapidly, and its leaves are like the Maple in form, which -has led many to call the plant Flowering Maple, but this is not correct, -as it is not a Maple at all, but an Abutilon. Some of the leaves on one -only a year old, measure seven inches across, and eight and a half in -length. In the older plant they are not so large. _Thomsonii_ much -resembles _Malakoff_, but its markings are not so handsome; the green is -darker, and predominates over the yellow, so far as my observation -extends, but it is a more abundant bloomer. Flowers are orange color. I -have vainly searched through many catalogues to find the color of the -_Duc de Malakoff_ blossom, but all are silent; it is not even said that -they flower at all, but my four-year-old had one bud last year, which -unfortunately blighted. The yearling has one bud, and I hope it will -live and afford me the knowledge I have failed to find in books. -_Malakoff_ not variegated, has large orange bells, striped with brown. - -My other variegated Abutilons are of trailing habit; _Mesopotamicum_ is -very graceful, one droops over the side, and climbs and twines around -the cords of a large hanging-pot, for which it is admirably adapted. Its -small pendant blossoms, crimson and yellow, growing profusely along the -slender branches, drooping among the elegantly marbled foliage, give -this variety a very attractive charm. Another is trained to a pot -trellis, and is very beautiful in this form. We advise every one to add -this variety to their collection. _Pictum_ is very similar in every -respect; the leaves are darker, and not so variegated. They require a -strong light to bring out their markings, and hence are more perfect in -beauty when bedded out in the garden, where they can have plenty of -sunshine. - -_Boule de Neige_ (Fairy Bell) has long been a favorite for its pure -white bells and constancy of bloom. A splendid winter bloomer. _John -Hopkins_, with its rich, dark, glossy leaves and golden flowers has -superseded the old _Pearl d'Or_, which was for a time the only real -yellow. _Darwinii_ is one of my favorites. The flowers are more -spreading than any other variety, opening like a parasol; color -orange-scarlet veined with pink. It blossoms very profusely, and when -only a few inches in height. The flowers are large and well formed, and -borne in clusters rather than singly, like many older sorts. This -variety was cross-fertilized with _Santana_, crimson flower, and as a -result we have _Darwinii tessellatum_, combining the variegated foliage -of Thomsonii with the free-blooming qualities of _Darwinii_. - -The improvements by hybridizing have been very great within a few years, -and many new varieties have been sent out. One of these is _Roseum -Superbum_, the flowers of which are of a rich rose color, veined with a -delicate pink. Very free bloomer. _Venosum_, we find only named in an -English catalogue. "The magnificent blooms of this variety place it at -the top of all the Abutilons. Although it is of tall growth its -beautiful palm-shaped leaves and gorgeous flowers make it invaluable for -crossing and for conservatories."--_H. Cannell._ - -Among the new and valuable novelties of American origin are _Arthur -Belsham_, _Robert George_, _J. H. Skinner_, and _Joseph Hill_. These -have been three years before the public, and Mr. John Thorp, a -well-known popular florist of Queens, N. Y., says of them, "We have not, -amongst all the flowering Abutilons, such fine varieties as these. I -have had plants between five and six feet high, pyramidal shape and -literally covered with flowers." - -They originated with Messrs. Leeds & Co., of Richmond, Indiana, who make -quite a specialty of new seedling Abutilons, and this year offer four -"of new shades and colors." - -_A. G. Porter._ "Flowers of a beautiful lavender color, delicately -suffused with a light shade of rosy pink, and handsomely veined with -magenta, forming a flower of magnificent color and shape, a very free -bloomer. A cross between _Boule de Neige_ and _Rosaflora_, with the -habit and growth of _Boule de Neige_." - -_Little Beauty_, "A very dwarf grower, having a short, compact, -symmetrical bush, which is completely covered with its medium-sized but -well-shaped flowers, of a very light salmon color, beautifully veined -with rosy carmine. It blooms in clusters and when in full bloom makes a -remarkably fine appearance. A cross between _Rosaflora_ and _Darwinii_." - -_N. B. Stover_, "A low, compact grower. Flowers large and well-formed, -almost covering the bush; color, rich ponceau, finely veined with -carmine. A decided novelty, being a new color among Abutilons." - -_Dr. Rapples._ "Light orange salmon, veined with crimson. One of the -most attractive in the set." - -A new Abutilon, a decided novelty in color, comes to us from "The Home -for Flowers," Swanley, England, sent with other choice plants by Henry -Cannell & Son. It is thus described in his _Floral Guide_: - -FIREFLY (Swanley Red). By far the highest and brightest color of all -the family; habit dwarf, and one of the freest bloomers, throwing -flowers out on strong foot stalks of the finest shape; certainly one of -the noblest, and when grown in a pot it flowers all the winter, and all -the summer when planted out, and forms one of the best flowering shrubs -that we possess. - -PARENTAGE OF THIS FLOWER.--Mr. George states that he sometime since -flowered a small red variety, which had a very lively shade of color, -and determining to make this a seed parent, it occurred to him to use on -it the pollen of the single deep color Hibiscas, which, like the -Abutilon, is included in the natural order _Malvaceæ_. Mr. George thinks -the fine color seen in his new variety, _Firefly_, is due to this happy -inspiration of color. - -The _Gardener's Chronicle_ has this paragraph respecting Firefly: A red -Abutilon, one of a batch of recent seedlings raised by Mr. J. George of -Putney Heath, well deserves the foregoing appellation. The flowers are -of large size and of a much greater depth and vividness of color than -that possessed by any variety in the Chiswick collection. It has been -provisionally named Firefly, and we believe the stock has passed into -the hands of H. Cannell & Son, of Swanley, for distribution. - -A writer in _Vick's Magazine_ describes a method of training the -Abutilon that must, we think, be a very attractive one. - -"A pretty plant may be obtained by inarching Abutilon Mesopotamicum upon -_Abutilon Darwinii_, or some other strong-growing variety, and training -it so as form an umbrella head, which can easily be done. The stock for -this purpose should be about five or six feet high. Grown in this way it -produces an abundance of bloom, and the flowers being elevated are seen -in all their beauty. If _Abutilon Mesopotamicum_ is inarched upon -_Abutilon Thompsonii_, the result will be _Abutilon Mesopotamicum -Variegatum_. A well-formed plant of this on a stock about five feet high -is one of the finest of plants; whether in blossom or not it is always -adapted for decorative or exhibition purposes. Care must be taken at -all times to keep them tied to stakes, as they are liable to be broken -off by the wind." - -Abutilons are apt to be infested by the red spider, if kept in too dry -an atmosphere, and not frequently sprayed. Moisture is death to this -pest, but as it makes its home on the under side of the leaf, it is too -often overlooked until it has destroyed the vitality of the foliage. -Recently I found that my large _Duc de Malakoff_ looked sickly, and I -concluded it had become root-bound. A few days later, I noticed brown -spots thickly covering the bark. I removed one, and on examining the -under side through a microscope, I saw several tiny insects moving -about. I decided that my plant was troubled with the scale of which I -had often read, but never seen. I made a pretty strong solution of -soap-suds, and with a sponge quite easily removed all of the pests. - -In bedding out Abutilons, it is better to have them in pots, plugging -the hole, or setting the pot on a stone or piece of brick, so that the -roots may not go astray, for if plunged directly in the ground they -throw out many roots and the plant becomes too large for re-potting to -advantage. If, however, they are planted in the earth, in August they -should be cut around the stock so as to bring the roots within due -bounds, and the plant can be pruned in the autumn. This method is -applicable to all strong plants that run largely to roots. They should -be cut off sufficiently to leave only a ball of earth of convenient size -to set in the pot when the plant is transplanted. - - - - -A Talk About Dahlias. - - -The genus Dahlia comprises but few species, all natives of the mountains -of Mexico, whose range is from 5000 to 10,000 feet above the level of -the sea. About one hundred years ago a Spanish botanist introduced seeds -of the Dahlia into his native country, and named the genus in honor of a -Swedish botanist, DAHL. The first seed imported seemed to be variable -and not very promising. About seventy years since, HUMBOLDT sent fresh -seed to Germany. Soon after this, both seeds and bulbs were introduced -into England and France, and began to attract considerable attention, -some enthusiast being rash enough to hazard the assertion that "there -are considerable reasons for thinking that the Dahlia will hereafter be -raised with double flowers." - -About 1812 probably the first double Dahlia was grown, but for several -years after this both double and single varieties were figured in -colored plates, and exhibited at horticultural shows. That the single -varieties were prized is not strange, for the double were not very good, -and even as late as 1818, published figures showed very imperfect -flowers. - -The improvement of the Dahlia after this was rapid, and its popularity -quite kept pace with its improvement. Dahlia exhibitions were held in -England and on the continent, which were crowded by enthusiastic -admirers of this wonderful Mexican flower. For many years the Dahlia -maintained its popularity, but there is a fashion in flowers, as in -almost everything, and for a time the Dahlia became, to a certain -extent, unfashionable, and this was well; for it placed the flower upon -merit alone, and growers were compelled to introduce new and superior -varieties to command either attention or sale for their favorite -flower. - -A taste for old styles is now the "correct thing," and so we have -imitations of ancient earthenware, furniture, etc., and import -_original_ Chinese Aster seed, and also obtain roots of the single -Dahlia from Mexico. - -There are three pretty distinct classes, the _Show_ Dahlias, the Dwarf -or Bedding, and the _Pompon_ or Bouquet, and to this we may add the -_Fancy_ Dahlia. The _Show Dahlia_ grows from three to four feet in -height, and embraces all our finest sorts, fit for exhibition at -horticultural shows, from which the name is derived; the flowers range -in size from two and a half to five inches in diameter. The striped and -mottled and spotted varieties belonging to the Show section are called -_Fancy_, and though not as rich, nor usually as highly prized as the -selfs, or those of one color, are very attractive. The _Dwarf_ or -_Bedding Dahlia_ grows about eighteen inches in height, and makes a -thick, compact bush, and covers a good deal of surface; flowers of the -size of Show Dahlias. They are therefore very desirable for bedding and -massing. The _Pompon_ or _Bouquet Dahlia_ makes a pretty, compact plant, -about three feet in height. The leaves are small, and the flowers from -one to two inches in diameter. Many expect to find small flowers on -their Dwarf Dahlias, and feel disappointed because they are of the -ordinary size, not knowing that it is the plant, and not the flower, -that is dwarfed, and that only the Pompon gives the small flowers. The -word _Pompon_ is French for topknot or trinket, meaning about the same -as the English word cockade. The English term _Bouquet_ is very -appropriate, as the flowers are so small they are very suitable for -bouquets. Being of a spreading habit, they cover a good deal of ground. -Unlike most of our bedding out plants, they do best in a poor soil; if -rich, they grow to branches and leaves so much, they bloom sparingly and -late. - -Generally those who plant Dahlias purchase the tuberous roots, because -they give good strong plants, that flower freely without trouble or -risk. They are smaller and better than the large, coarse roots usually -grown, because they are raised from cuttings, and generally form their -roots in pots. When a tuber is planted, a number of buds that cluster -around its top will push and form shoots, and if too numerous, a portion -should be removed; indeed, one good, strong plant will suffice, and then -the plant will become a tree instead of a bush. Even then, if the top -become too thick, a little thinning of the branches will be of -advantage. If the young shoots that start from the neck of the bulb, are -cut off near a joint and placed in a hot-bed in sandy soil, they will -root, form good plants, and flower quite as well as plants grown from -the tuber; this, however, requires some care and experience, and -amateurs generally will succeed best with bulbs. - -New varieties of Dahlias, of course, are from seed. Some of them prove -good, others fair, and a portion utterly worthless. As a general rule, -we would not advise amateurs to trouble with seeds, although there is -pleasure in watching the birth and development of a new and beautiful -variety. - -The seed of Dahlias may be sown in pots in early spring or end of -winter, in a light, loamy soil; they will germinate quickly, and as soon -as they begin to show their second leaves they should be pricked out -into other pots or boxes, so that they may have plenty of room and -air--they are very liable to damp off if at all crowded. After pricking -out they should be kept in a thrifty, growing condition, by proper -attention to watering and temperature; the temperature should be -maintained as near 70° as possible, and the watering be sufficient to -preserve a moderate moisture. - -If the green fly attack them, it will be best to treat them to a very -weak dilution of tobacco water; the young succulent plants are very -sensitive to smoke, and it is best not to fumigate them. In about two -months the young plants should be large enough to pot off singly, or to -be transplanted into a frame or bed, where protection can be given them -from the cold of night-time, or from late frosts. As soon as all danger -is past they can be transplanted into their summer quarters, and should -stand at least three feet apart. The soil where they are to grow, should -be rich and mellow. In August they will come into flower, and those -having blooms worthy of cultivation can be retained, and the others -destroyed. Only a small proportion of the plants grown from common seed -produce flowers equal to those now in cultivation, but when seed is -saved from a choice collection of named varieties, the chances are that -a large proportion of the plants will produce very good -flowers.--_Vick's Magazine._ - -"The Dahlia is called a _gross feeder_, but it is not. It loves moisture -rather than rich elemental food. In clay it finds the best constituents -of its development--moisture, silex, lime and alumnia. So we say to -those who love this queenly flower, if you would see the queen in all -her glory, plant in a comparatively heavy soil, no manure, and reduce -the stalks to one for each tuber, set the stakes firmly, to keep the -stalks from swaying, and if the season is dry, give the bulbs a -_soaking_ with water every evening during the drought. My word for it -you will then be proud of your success." - -The Pompon, or Bouquet Dahlia is a favorite variety of this genus. The -little round balls of bloom are so pretty and trim. _Beatrice_, blush -tinted with violet; _Dr. Stein_, deep maroon, striped and mottled; -_Goldfinder_, golden yellow; _Little Philip_, creamy-buff edged with -lilac; _Little Valentine_, crimson; _Mein Streifling_, salmon, striped -with crimson; _Pearl_, white; _Prima Donna_, white, fimbriated; -_Perfection_, deep maroon. - - -SINGLE DAHLIAS. - -Anything for a change from the common order of things, seems to be the -fashion now-a-days, in flowers as well as in house building and house -furnishing. The antique, the antique, is the rage! So after years of -labor and hybridization to bring the Dahlia up from its native state of -single blessedness, to its enormous cauliflower blooms, there comes a -reaction, and now single Dahlias are praised as "the most beautiful of -all flowers," the "_par excellence_ the Londoner's flower!" Well, let -the English florists thus praise its beauty if they want to, but we -opine that on this side of the great ocean it will never be considered -"the most beautiful of all flowers," however attractive some of them may -be, and well adapted for bouquets. There is no danger of their -superseding the doubles, but it is well to have both when one can afford -it; their present high price puts them beyond the reach of those whose -purses are not well filled, but in a year or two, when the novelty is -worn off, they can be purchased at half or even less, perhaps, than -their present price. - -We find in the London _Garden_ the following: "Dahlia perfecta, -originally introduced by Messrs. Henderson, is perhaps the finest flower -which we possess, unless Paragon, brought into notice by H. Cannell, may -be considered to bear away the palm. Lutea, a quilled yellow, is also a -grand bouquet flower." - -The single Dahlias, Paragon and Lutea, are now offered for the first -time in this country, by Messrs. Hallock & Thorp of Queens, N. Y., and -the former is finely illustrated in their catalogue. Color very dark -velvety maroon with shadings of bright scarlet around each petal; small -yellow disk. Lutea is pure yellow, with dark orange center. The same -firm offer Dahlia Juarezii, of which Mr. Cannell says: "The grandest -novelty of the year, and not only a novelty, but a most valuable and -useful decorative plant for all purposes through the late summer and -autumn months. Its blossoms are of a rich crimson, and very much -resemble in shape and color the well-known Cactus, Cereus -_speciosissimus_. Height about three feet, very bushy flowers of very -striking appearance and quite unlike those of an ordinary double Dahlia, -the flowerets being flat and not cupped. Figured in _Gardener's -Chronicle_ October 4th, 1879, and awarded a Botanical Certificate Royal -Horticultural Society." - -The following statement was made in the _Gardener's Chronicle_ -respecting this new type: - -"A remarkable box of Dahlias was shown by Messrs. Cannell with three or -four of the single forms, which, if it were not heresy to say so, we -should so much prefer to the formal lumps so dear to the florist proper; -and then there was a new type of Dahlia altogether, a Sea Anemone among -Dahlias, with long crimson scarlet pointed petals, like the tentacles of -an Antinia--a striking novelty, christened temporarily the Cactus -Dahlia, and which will be the parent of a new strain. It received a -Botanical Certificate; some said this ought to have a higher award, but -what higher or more appropriate form of a certificate could be given to -such a flower. If we were a Dahlia, we should greatly prefer the honor -of a 'Botanical,' to that of a 'First Class Certificate.'" - -This new type is illustrated in Hallock & Thorp's Catalogue. - -Two new Dahlias not yet introduced in this country are included among -the novelties of 1881. _Cannell's Scarlet_, a Show Dahlia, several -shades higher and brighter in color than any scarlet before introduced. -"Its shape is most model-like, and not excelled by any other, and is -without doubt the best Dahlia of the year." _Miss Cannell_, -(Eckford)--"Mr. Eckford's Dahlia, Memorial, was the king of best shapes -for many years, but the one now offered is of greater excellence, and by -far the best of its class; color white, tipped with rose-pink, and the -depth and build of flower is most model-like." - - -AMARYLLIS. - -These are the finest of all summer flowering bulbs, throwing up strong -flower stems in June and July, bearing from two to six magnificent -lily-like blossoms. The varieties are numerous, but only a few sorts are -found catalogued. Amaryllis Johnsonii is the finest of the commonly -grown varieties. Its leaves are a dark rich green, two inches broad, and -two feet long. The flowers which are five or six inches long, are -crimson with a white stripe through the center of each petal, and are -borne upon a stalk two feet high. They usually bloom twice a year, the -flowers appearing just as the leaves begin to grow. - -Amaryllis formosissima is of a very peculiar form. The flowers are -scarlet-crimson, very velvety in appearance; there are six petals, three -of them nearly erect, and three drooping very long. After being bedded -out, it quickly throws up a flower stalk and blooms before the leaves -appear. It is a superb flower, known sometimes by the name of Jacobean -Lily. Amaryllis vittata is a splendid hybrid, red ground striped with -white. Amaryllis Valotta purpurea is an evergreen variety, and should be -kept growing the year round. In August it throws up a flower-stem from -one foot to eighteen inches high, bearing a cluster of light scarlet -flowers two or three inches in diameter. A light soil and small pot -suits it best. Mr. John Lewis Child of Queens, N. Y., has a finer -collection and more numerous varieties than are usually found named in -the catalogues. Some of them we will specify. Johnsonii Grandiflora, an -improvement on the well-known Johnsonii Harrisoni, large, pure white, -with double crimson streaks running through each petal. It has a -delicious, orange-blossom fragrance. Reticulata, a bright rose color, -the foliage is very attractive--dark green with a white stripe running -through the center of each leaf. Aulica Stenopelalon, a magnificent -species, having large orange crimson flowers, beautifully veined with -scarlet. "Equestre fl. pl. This grand novelty was discovered in 1877, in -one of the West India Islands. The flowers are perfectly double, -resembling those of a large Camellia. Its color is rich, fiery orange -red. We believe we have the only stock of this beautiful flower in -America." JOHN L. CHILD. - -This and Harrisoni, are priced at $4.50, so they must be very rare and -beautiful. Aspasie, white, tinted with yellow and red; large and -perfect. Crinum Amænum, new and very beautiful, white-striped crimson. -Lutea, a hardy variety, which blooms in the autumn; pure yellow. -Calafornica, pure white. - -The bulbs are of easy culture. After blooming, and the foliage fully -grown, they should be allowed to rest for several months, then start -into growth by watering sparingly until the flower stalks appear, when a -more liberal supply should be given. Usually two successions of bloom -can thus be obtained. The bulb should be planted so as to leave the -upper portion uncovered. - - -HOYA CARNOSA, OR WAX PLANT. - -This plant is a native of tropical Asia, where it is partially -parasitical, its roots penetrating the bark of the trees which support -it. It was introduced into England in 1802. There are several species, -but only one is generally cultivated. Hoya Carnosa has thick waxy -leaves, and bears umbels of beautiful flesh-colored flowers which are -very wax-like in appearance. It is an excellent plant for house culture -as it stands the extremes of heat and cold better than most plants, and -is not easily injured by neglect. It can be trained to climb on -trellis-work to almost any height, and when in bloom, which continues -for half the year, it is a very interesting plant. - -There are several varieties of Hoya, but one only is generally -cultivated. _Silver Variegated Foliage_ is said to be very handsome but -is of slow growth and difficult to propagate. _Imperialis_ is a new -variety with beautiful foliage and scarlet flowers. _Cunningham_ has -light green leaves, deeper colored flowers than the Carnosa and is a -rapid grower. - -They succeed best in peat, with some fibrous soil and sand. They must -have perfect drainage, and require a period of rest. Hoya Carnosa is -easily propagated from cuttings. A very good method is to wrap a cutting -in moss, keeping it moist until the roots are well started. - - - - -Among My Flowers. - - -August is the month when we rest from our labor in gardening, and -abandon ourselves to the full enjoyment of the varied blossoms which so -abundantly meet our eye. Now we can best determine what changes may be -required in the arrangement of our plants next year, in order to give -the most pleasing effect. A tall plant may have been inadvertently set -out in the midst of those of low growth, and we see now how awkward it -looks. Short-lived annuals may have occupied a conspicuous place, and on -their departure left an unseemly vacancy. A bed may have been filled -with a class of plants that are not free bloomers, and so there has been -little beside leaves, while another bed has been brilliant during all -the summer months with flowers. Annuals of a new kind, high-priced -novelties, have been tested; are they any better than our old favorites? -If we cannot indulge in many sorts, what do we find the most -satisfactory? Twenty-five cents per packet seemed very expensive for -Heddewigii Pinks, but Crimson Belle and Eastern Queen are of such -superior size and rare beauty that the investment is not regretted, and -then we know that they will bloom in greater perfection next year, and -that the seed saved this autumn and sown in early spring, will increase -the stock. Twenty-five cents for a paper of Candytuft seed looks -extravagant, but no one who invests in Tom Thumb would regret it. It is -so dwarf, so compact and bushy, such a long continued bloomer, so -admirable for edging a bed, that it is really almost an essential. Then -it will sow itself, and the seedlings will be up as soon as the frost is -out of the ground, and plants from self-sown seed are so much more -thrifty and early than those one sows in the spring, that this is a -great gain. - -Candytuft--white, pink, light purple, dark purple and crimson, I find it -well worth while to culture for early and profuse flowers, and admirably -adapted for bouquets. I always have large quantities of the white, to -set off the brighter flowers, and by sowing seed in June and July, have -a succession of blooming plants. Foxglove, both white and purple, with -their thimble-shaped spotted blossoms profusely borne on tall spikes, -with side branches loaded with bloom, has been one of the greatly -admired flowers of my garden. Plumbago, with its clusters of tube -flowers, of the palest of blue, is very beautiful. Godetia, "Lady -Albemarle," I have found to be all that it is represented. For two -months it has been in constant bloom, and it will continue to flower -till frost. It is of a bushy, compact habit, about twelve inches high, -the flowers are from three to four inches in diameter, and of a -rosy-carmine color. Everybody who has seen it, has a word of praise for -this most beautiful of all the Godetias. _Alba_ is a new variety, having -pure white flowers; _Insignis_ is pure white with a crimson blotch on -each petal; _Whitney's_ is of dwarf habit, and has large flowers, -blush-colored, marked about the center with a handsome crimson stain. -The new French Marigolds "Cloth of Gold," and "Meteor" are just splendid -with their large and beautifully striped imbricated leaves. One has gold -bars evenly marked on the rich dark velvety petals, and the other has -deep orange stripes on a pale straw-colored, almost white ground. -"Meteor" is a perfect gem among the Calendulas. - -Convolvulus minor--new crimson-violet with yellow eye encircled with a -band of pure white; dark blue and light blue with yellow eye margined -with white; pure white with yellow eye, and blue and white striped, are -very pretty free-blooming dwarfs of this species. - -My Stocks are very fine, from mixed seed of the German, new large -flowering. They are mostly very double. The creamy white are especially -beautiful. The bright crimson and canary yellow are handsome. There are -many varieties of this species, but what are generally termed Ten-weeks -Stock are best known. They are classed under five heads: Dwarf, -Miniature, Large-flowered, Pyramidal and Wall-flower-leaved. Then there -are the Intermediate Stocks, prized for their late autumn blooming, of -which there are twelve or more varieties. The German Brompton Stocks are -divided into two sections; Brompton and Hybrid, or Cocordean. The latter -bloom with a single stem which forms a splendid pyramid of flowers, and -is cultivated largely in pots. Seeds sown in early spring will bloom in -autumn, and if carefully potted will flower during winter; if sown in -July and August, and cultivated in pots will flower the following spring -and summer. The Imperial or Emperor stocks, sometimes called Perpetual, -are large flowering, and white, rose, crimson and blood-red in color. - -"Hardy's All-the-Year-Round," is a perpetual bloomer. The plants grow -about twelve inches high, and produce hundreds of bunches of double -white flowers. - -Let us linger a little while at this rose bed. Are not those Teas -lovely? Look at Madame Lambard, one of the finest French roses imported -recently from Paris. Is not the color exquisite--a beautiful shade of -silver bronze, changing to salmon and fawn, delicately shaded with -carmine rose. And so deliciously fragrant! That rose so large and full, -with a rare shade of violet red, brightened with crimson maroon, is -Aline Sisley. It is surprising how such a tiny plant could have produced -such an immense flower! And this is Letty Coles, a new French rose, very -handsome and sweet; color rosy-pink, deeply shaded with intense crimson. -Perle des Jardins is magnificent with its rich golden yellow, and Bon -Silene has long been a special favorite. Its buds are large and -beautiful. That charming white so deliciously scented is Mademoiselle -Rachel, and this one with pure deep green flowers is Verdiflora, or -Green Rose, scentless, and of no value except as a curiosity. - -This grand rose is Abel Carriere, a hybrid perpetual more beautiful I -think than the popular Jacqueminot in the perfectness of its form, and -richness of its color. The outer petals are bright glowing -crimson-scarlet, while the center is a deep fiery red. But it will never -do to linger longer among the sweet roses, for there are many other -flowers to show you. - -I think that Hydrangea, with its immense trusses of bloom, is just one -of the most desirable shrubs we can have in the garden. I have had mine -six or seven years, and it bore three clusters of flowers the first -year, though a wee plant. It blooms from August till hard frost, and -needs no protection in the winter, though I do sometimes put a mulching -of straw or a bit of brush around the roots. A lady writing to _Vick's -Magazine_ says of this Hydrangea: "The first year I planted _Hydrangea -Grandiflora_ it produced three heads of flowers, the second, fifty-six, -and the third year ninety-two. Thorough cultivation and a pail of liquid -manure once a week, helped the plant to bear this enormous load of -flowers." - -Hydrangea _Alaska_ is a more recent acquisition. Its flowers frequently -measure twelve inches across, and are of a bright pink color, not hardy -at the North. _Hydrangea Thomas Hogg_ would be a very unpoetical name -did it not remind one of "The Ettrick Shepherd." This variety was sent -to the United States from Japan, by that eminent botanist for whom it is -named, and has become deservedly popular. It belongs to the Hortensia -section of the family, but is a far more abundant bloomer than any -other. The flowers are of the purest white, of very firm texture, and -retain their beauty for a long time. - -A more recent novelty sent from Japan by Mr. Hogg, is the "New Climbing -Hydrangea," which he describes as clinging to trees to the height of -fifty feet, producing corymbs of white flowers of the size of ordinary -Hydrangeas. It clings exactly like the Ivy, and must produce a striking -effect when in full bloom. It is entirely hardy. Mr. Peter Henderson was -the first to offer this novelty here and in Europe. _Elegantissima_ is a -novelty truly with its leaves flaked, bordered and striped with golden -yellow. I do not know whether it blossoms or not, it is handsome enough -without flowers. - - -HELIOTROPE. - -The new Heliotrope _Le Negre_ is the darkest of this genus, and _Snow -Wreath_ the nearest approach to white we have yet had; truss very large, -growth compact, and fragrance exquisite. _Garibaldi_ is almost white; -_Mrs. Burgess_ is dark violet, and _Duc de Lavendury_ is a rich blue, -dark eye. - -[Illustration] - -Sweet Alyssum is another of the essential flowers for the border, -admirable for edgings, for its dwarf habit and continuity of bloom. The -great novelty of last year was the new double variegated Sweet -Alyssum--"The Gem." The flowers are very full, and the foliage broad -with a mid-rib of light green, bordered on each side with pure white. It -is a fine, compact grower, and far superior to anything of this species -yet offered. - -Lantanas, I think, add greatly to the attractions of the garden, so rich -in color and profuse in blooming. _Clotilda_, pink with yellow center, -and _Comtesse de Diencourt_, flower bright rose and yellow center -sulphur, are very desirable. _Alba perfecta_, pure white, is fine, so -also is _Alba lutea grandiflora_, white with yellow center. _Mine d'Or_ -is a new variety, with bright orange and crimson flowers, and golden -variegated foliage. _M. Schmidt_ is a beautiful novelty. Flowers of a -brilliant yellow, passing into purple vermilion; grows in the style of a -Petunia. - - - - -A Talk About Cyclamens and Oxalis. - - -Next to Primroses, and by no means below them in value, we place the -Cyclamen. The leaves, a deep green with white embroidery, are very -ornamental, but when surmounted with a wealth of bloom, what can be more -charming? Two of mine have begun to blossom--a white and a pink--and the -buds are numerous. Others will bloom later. They continue in bloom for a -long period, and are easy of culture, though where there is over-dryness -of atmosphere, they are apt to be infested with the red spider. They -need to be frequently sprayed and it is well to immerse occasionally the -entire plant in water so as to wet the under surface of the leaves. The -water ought to be tepid, and indeed for all plants in cold weather. To -keep the dirt from falling out when the plant is plunged top downward, -something can be wrapped around the pot. A mixture of turfy loam and -sandy peat is best, but when not available, leaf mold or a rich mellow -soil mixed with silver sand will do. - -There are several varieties of Cyclamen, but the most common is -_persicum_, and many catalogues name no other. One of mine is -_gigantium_, an improvement on _persicum_, the flowers being much larger -and finer in every respect. Among many catalogues I find this named in -only one. _Persicum_, white and pink, is a sweet scented variety from -Cyprus; _Africanum_, white and rose, from Africa; _hederæfolium_, from -Britain. Other rare and expensive sorts are _Atkinsii_, white, crimson -and rose colored; _Europeum_, red, and _Coum_, which in the early spring -months bears above its very ornamental leaves "a profusion of small -bright, rosy, crimson and snow-white turbinate blossoms of a roundish -recurved outline, blotched with violet-crimson at the base, very -beautiful." - -The bulbs of all Cyclamens, except _Coum_, should be placed on the -surface of the soil, covered half an inch, and water given moderately -till the leaves are fully developed, and the flowers appear, when it may -be applied more liberally. Do not make a mistake and plant your bulb -upside down as did a lady I know of. "I have an idea that it is put in -wrong, as the leaves seem to come from the under side," she writes. It -is difficult to tell sometimes which is the right side to put down. - -_Persicum_, with its dappled green and silvery gray, rounded, -heart-shaped leaves, embroidered margins, is a fine ornament, but when -these are surmounted with a profusion of pure silvery white oblong -lanceolate petals, blotched with violet-crimson at their base, borne on -slender flower-scopes, the plant is very beautiful. It varies in color -from snow-white delicate peach and rosy crimson. Some are delightfully -fragrant. During the growing and flowering season the plant should have -a full exposure to the light, but not to the intense sunshine. After -blooming, the bulbs may be allowed a time of rest, removing them to a -cool and shady place in the border, if desired, watering rarely. In -early autumn repot, and after a few weeks of growth, water more freely. -It does not, however, injure the plant to keep it constantly growing, -and the best florists have very generally abandoned their former method -of letting them rest during the summer. _Cyclamen autumnale flore alba_, -white, and _rubra_, red, blossom in the autumn. - - -OXALIS. - -The winter blooming varieties are admirably adapted for hanging-pots, -and being cheap and very easy of cultivation, they ought to be in every -dwelling. There are one hundred and fifty known varieties, though our -catalogues rarely name half-a-dozen. Some are strictly winter bloomers, -others flower only in summer, and some blossom the year round. The -_floribunda_ varieties belong to this class of perpetuals. _Ortgiesi_ -also, which is a wonderful bloomer, and on account of its erect growth, -is admirably adapted for pot culture. It is a new and somewhat rare -species from Brazil. It often grows eighteen inches high, and in good -form. The upper side of the leaf is rich olive green, and the under side -bright violet purple. The flowers are quite small, yellow, and borne in -clusters. The special beauty is in the foliage. - -_Floribunda alba_ and _rosea_ have tuberous roots. The foliage is very -strong, and the clusters of bloom are borne on long foot-stalks starting -directly from the tuber. A single small tuber will often have a hundred -open flowers at a time. They are from one-half to three-quarters of an -inch in diameter. This variety can be obtained and planted at any time -of the year. It is admirably adapted for baskets or a hanging-pot. - -_Oxalis acetocella_ is the true shamrock of Ireland. Flowers are white, -borne on stalks two to four inches high. _Versicolor_ is a winter -bloomer; color white, with bright pink margins to the petals; requires -sunshine; the flowers will not expand in cloudy weather. _Floribunda_ -has no such freaks, but smiles in the storm, as well as the sunshine. A -lady writing to Mr. Vick becomes enthusiastic over her Oxalis. She says: -"The sixth of last October I planted a bulb of _Oxalis versicolor_, and -it is just beginning to bloom. And oh! what lovely flowers; delicate and -perfect in form, pure white, with just the faintest tinge of yellow in -the center, and beautiful crimson stripes on the outside. The plant also -is of a very graceful habit, bearing its tuft of small leaves, and -clusters of flowers on the top of a short, slender stem. It seems -strange that so small a bulb can produce such beautiful flowers." - -Of _Bowii_ she thus writes: "A year ago last October I planted a bulb of -_Oxalis Bowii_ in a small bed. The bulb was so very small that I did not -believe the flowers could amount to much, but was soon most agreeably -disappointed. Such a mass of flowers on one small plant I had never seen -before, and such large, bright-colored flowers! Many stopped to admire -it, and ask its name. It continued to produce a mass of flowers the -entire winter and part of the spring, until the sun became very hot. -From this one bulb I obtained eight, which I wrapped in paper and kept -in a dry place. About the first of August they commenced growing, and so -I planted them, and the first of September they were in full bloom, -though the flower grew large as the days became less hot, until they -were nearly as large as Petunias. The soil in which they grew was mostly -sand and rich surface earth from the woods, and I sometimes watered them -with weak soap-suds." - -Mr. Vick, to whom we are indebted for the most of our information on -this subject, says that this variety has large, thick, fleshy leaves, -and large, bright, rose-colored flowers, the largest, indeed, of any of -the cultivated kinds. - -In his illustrated article he gives an engraving of one named _Cernuus -plena_, the flowers of which resemble double Portulacas; erect, borne in -clusters. We regret that he gives no reference to this variety whatever. -It must be a rare sort, probably not in the market here. - - - - -A Talk About Lilies. - - -"CONSIDER THE LILIES." - -Thus spake one wiser than Solomon, even He whose hand created and -beautified the Lilies with a glory surpassing that of the greatest of -Israel's kings. - -This department of the Floral kingdom is too vast for us to explore; we -can only make a selection of a few of the numerous varieties for -consideration, gathering our information from the various sources at -hand, and adapting it to our present use. - -The Lily is the rival of the Rose, and by many is considered far -superior. They certainly are far more easily cultivated. They are hardy, -elegant, gorgeous sometimes, and sometimes of snowy purity. Many of them -are of exquisite fragrance. There are early and late bloomers, and one -can have these desirable flowers in succession for several months, by a -right selection. The earliest bloomers are the _Pomponiums_, natives of -Siberia, and are perfectly hardy. The _Lancifolium_ or _Speciosum_ is -the autumn blooming Lily, native of Japan. _Lancifolium Album_, a fine -sort, with pure white petals and a pea-green stripe, very fragrant. -_Lancifolium Rubrum_, and _Roseum_, though catalogued separately, are -the same with different shadings. Some purplish crimson, others a faint -blush of rose. Some have a red stripe, others a dark dull green, but all -are specially recommended. _Lancifolium Punctatum verum_ is a late -bloomer; color, clear white with soft rose spots and green stripes. -Finest of the species, _Lancifolium Praecox_; flowers white with a -purplish-blush at the tips. _Lancifolium Monstrosum_ or _Corymbiflorum -rubrum_, bears its crimson flowers in large clusters. Grows to a great -size. - -The Lancifolium Lilies are of special value for their hardiness and -varied beauty, and their cheapness places them within general reach. -They are classed under the head of MARTAGONS, or TURKS CAP. - -[Illustration] - -_Auratum Imperial_ is the Golden-banded-Lily of Japan which has become -so extensively known and popular since its introduction from Japan by -Mr. Gordon Dexter. It was first exhibited in July 1862, at the -Massachusetts Horticultural Exhibition. It first bloomed in England same -year. It was for sometime considered too tender for the Canadas and New -England states, but it proved to be hardy. We have had ours twelve -years, and give it only a slight protection. The petals of the Auratum -are snowy white with a golden band running down the center of each, and -freely spotted on the sides with deep carmine red. They are very -fragrant. Being of somewhat slender growth, they need support. It does -best in a warm sandy soil that has been well manured and dug deeply. It -is easily propagated from the scales of the bulbs, each scale producing -a small bulbet. They should be planted in a box about a foot deep, in -good friable soil about three inches deep, and one inch apart. Sink the -box in some out of the way place in the garden, and water frequently. In -a short time small bulbs will be found forming on the base, which -rapidly grow, and must be transplanted out the second year in the bed; -the third or fourth year it will bloom. The little bulbets which form on -the mother bulb blossom a year earlier. They should be renewed in the -fall, after the foliage is dead. Plant in a bed about four inches deep, -and let them remain undisturbed for two years; then they are large -enough to bloom and should be transplanted into a permanent bed, if -required. - - -LONGIFLORUM LILIES. - -[Illustration] - -These trumpet-shaped Lilies are charming in appearance, quite hardy and -fragrant. They bloom in July or August, and continue in beauty for a -long time. - -Longiflorum _Japonicum_ blooms in July, and is a fine dwarf bedder; -color pure white, with occasionally a greenish tinge outside. Increases -rapidly. _Eximium_ bears a longer flower, from six to nine inches in -length, and is more open at the mouth than the common Longiflorum. Pure -white and very fragrant. _Brownii_ is a native of Japan, and is a grand -Lily of rare beauty. It resembles Longiflorum in shape, but is larger -and more expanding; color white inside, exterior brownish-purple; -stamens rich chocolate, which forms a distinctive feature in this -species. It has been frequently confounded with _Japonicum_, but the -difference is very marked in the illustrations of the two, and are thus -noted in Messrs. Hallock & Thorp's "Catalogue of Lilies." - -"JAPONICUM (_Odorum, Japonicum Colchesterii_). One of the most beautiful -and rarest Lilies in cultivation. It differs from Brownii and all the -forms of Longiflorum in many respects. Note the following marked -differences: Its broader, fewer and more spreading leaves, the shape of -the entire flower and broader claw of its divisions, its shorter anthers -with pollen tinged with red. The flower is solitary and large, interior -pure white, exterior of a pinkish-brown color, tubular, bell-shaped, -with spreading revolute tips; the bud shows a rich golden tint. Bulb -white, or whitish-yellow, never red or brown, broad at the base, the -scales which are somewhat narrow and acute at the tip, the outer ones -terminate at about two-thirds of the height of the inner scales, whereas -in Brownii the scales are broad, and all pass up, overlapping, and -terminate together at the apex of the bulb, thus making the base much -narrower than the apex." - -It is a native of Japan, and is so exceedingly rare that it is priced at -$7.00, more than double the cost of any other in the list. Brownii was -priced, when a novelty at $4.00, but is now offered for $1.75. - -[Illustration] - -_Candidum_, sometimes called Easter Lily, is one of the best known and -commonly grown of all the Lilies. It has been in cultivation for about -three hundred years. Bears a profusion of pure white fragrant flowers in -a compact head. - -The double _Tiger Lily_ is a very great improvement on the old single -variety. It is very double, and very showy. _Wallacei_ is a new Japanese -variety, said to be magnificent; color, buff, spotted with black. - -_Chalcedonicum_ or _Scarlet Martagon_ is supposed to be the "Lily of the -field" mentioned in the Gospel. "It is magnificent, and its intense -scarlet is one of the finest shades in the whole vegetable kingdom. A -full bed is a most magnificent sight, and if suddenly looked at on a -bright day, has nearly the same effect for a moment as if looking at the -sun. It is much scarcer than it should be, and requires careful culture, -to be planted about six or eight inches deep, and watered in the summer -time. It pleases every one who is capable of being pleased." - -Lilies, as well as many other bloomers, are greatly improved by -thinning out the overplus, thus concentrating the sap to fewer blossoms, -which being thus liberally nourished, greatly increase in size, and -amply repay, by their superiority, for the loss in numbers. Although -this is a demonstrated fact, yet few have the courage to prune where -flowers are not very abundant, and many will not when they are. - -Those who have limited space are loth to devote much room to Lilies, -preferring plants that bloom continually throughout the season, or that -make more show. But it is not essential that the bed should be devoted -exclusively to lilies. For early spring blooming there can be the -Crocuses, Snowdrops, Hyacinths, Tulips, all of which will bloom before -the lilies, and after flowering can be taken up, i.e., the Tulips and -Hyacinths, and low bedding plants take their places. Portulaca, Pansy, -Ageratum, Mignonnette, Nemophila, Sweet Alyssum, are all suitable for -this purpose, and will not only make the bed beautiful all the season -with their blossoms, but will also be of real benefit to the Lilies by -shading their roots somewhat, and keeping the soil more cool and moist. - -Lilies must never be crowded; a foot or twenty inches is about right. -The soil should be dug deep and mixed with old rotted manure and sand -liberally, unless the soil is naturally sandy; if heavy, clayey soil, it -ought to have in addition to sharp sand, leaf mold and bog muck. Plant -the bulbs from six to eight inches deep, according to the size. Last -autumn, in planting my Lily, Tulip, Hyacinth, and other bulbs, I made a -little bed for each of pure sand, and then covered well with soil, over -which was put a blanket of old dressing, then, before snow, a covering -of boughs. The bulbs never came up so grandly, nor grew so rapidly -before. October is the best month for bedding out, later will do, and -many do not plant their Lilies till the frost is out in the spring. - -The two leading Lily growers of this country are John L. Child and V. H. -Hallock & Thorp, of Queens, N. Y. - - -[Illustration] - -DOUBLE WHITE BOUVARDIA, "ALFRED NEUNER." - -This is indeed a novelty among this class of valuable plants, being the -first double ever known. It is said to be equal if not superior, in -profuse blooming quality, and vigorous, healthy growth, to the single -white variety, _Davidsonii_, of which it is a sport. The flowers are -rather larger than those of the single flowering, and composed of three -perfect rows of petals, of the purest waxy white color, each floweret -resembling a miniature Tuberose. The trusses are large and perfect, and -are freely and without interruption produced, even on the small side -shoots, which generally make no flowers on the single one. It is highly -praised by Mr. Thomas Meehan, florist and editor of the _Gardeners' -Monthly_, and by Mr. Henry A. Dreer, florist, of Philadelphia. "A grand -thing," says Mr. Meehan. "Gives great satisfaction. It has excelled our -expectation," says Mr. Dreer. - -My own specimen, about four inches in height, has twelve buds; two small -clusters are on side-shoots. The very fine illustration of this -Bouvardia we give our readers, has been kindly loaned by the Ellis -Brothers, Keene, N. H., who have a fine stock which they are offering to -the public. - -Mr. Henry Cannell says, "Of all plants the Bouvardia, in our opinion, -excels for cut flowers, no matter either for button-hole bouquets or -table decoration; a spray of it is sure to be most prominent and -pleasing, and the odor of several kinds is deliciously refreshing, and -if well-grown they will more or less continue flowering nine months out -of the year. Strange to say, they need only the ordinary course of -cultivation of the winter-flowering Zonal Pelargonium; hitherto they -have been treated as a stove plant, whereas they only need a temperature -not higher than 50° to 60°, and in the summer to have every attention, -like a specimen Chrysanthemum, and on the first appearance of frost to -be taken into the house, and when growing and flowering, to be supplied -with liquid manure occasionally." - -Our only experience with this genus has been with _Bouvardia Humboldtii -Corymbiflora_, and it has proved to be a very valuable plant. Its pure -white flowers are produced in large trusses; their tubes are three -inches in length, and very fragrant. It blooms very freely and for a -long period. This variety and _Vreelandii_ are the best single white. - -_Liantha_ is a dazzling scarlet, and a very profuse bloomer. _Elegans_, -salmon-scarlet; large and fine. _Lady Hyslop_, a light rose. _Canspicua_ -is of a blood-red color, with whitish tube. _Bicolor_, a -summer-flowering variety. Flower tube purple, with tint of blue and -delicately mottled flesh, tipped with white. These last we find, only in -Cannell's _Floral Guide_. - -I have no difficulty in keeping my Bouvardia in the cellar, the leaves -drop off, but they come out anew in the spring. - - -CAMELLIA JAPONICA. - -This is a very popular genus on account of their rich dark-green leaves, -and beautiful rose-like flowers. They are hardy greenhouse plants, and -thrive best in light loam mixed with sand and peat, but will do well in -light soil without the peat. It will not flourish in a limestone soil. -Mr. Vick gives the following in his Magazine: - -"The Camellia Japonica was sent to England in 1739 by Father Kamel, a -missionary, for whom it was named. As a house-plant the Camellia -requires considerable care, on account of the tendency of the flower -buds to drop off. A northern exposure is best, and a temperature of from -forty to fifty degrees. When the buds are swelling, water plentifully -with warm water, but allow none to stand in the saucer. Sponge the -leaves once a week. In the spring put the plant out in a shady place on -the north side of a house or fence, not under the drip of trees, and -water it every day. Set the pots on a hard bottom, so that no worms can -get into them. They form their flower beds during the summer, and at -this time a good growth of wood must be encouraged. - -"In the Southern States the Camellia can be raised with not more than -ordinary care; at the North it must be considered entirely a green-house -plant, and as such will always be highly prized. We are often asked how -it should be cared for as a house-plant, and to all such, in the -northern part of the country, where it is necessary to maintain good -fires in warm houses for several months of the year, we have no -hesitation in saying, let it alone, do not expend care and labor where -there is so little prospect of reward." - -Camellias are of many hues, and some are beautifully striped. _Gen. -Lafayette_, bright rose, striped with white, imbricated. _Bell Romann_, -imbricated, large flower and petals, rose striated with bright crimson. -_Matteo Molfino_, petals cerise, with pure white band down center. -_Mrs. Lurmann_, crimson, spotted, very beautiful. Pure colors of white, -red, crimson, rose and carmine, can be obtained. - - -AZALEA.--Shrubby green-house plants of easy cultivation. Very showy and -hardy. Like the Camellia, they are found in all the leading colors, and -also striped, blotched and spotted. They are both single and double. - -_Alexander II_, is white, striped with vermilion; edges of petals -fringed. _Aurelia_, white, striped with rosy orange, amaranth spots. -_Flag of Truce_, is a pure double white, very fine. _Her Majesty_, is -rosy-lilac, edged with white. _Alice_, rose, blotched with vermilion; -double. - -Mr. Vick gives the following directions: "Azaleas need a light soil of -sandy loam, to which should be added one-half leaf mold. Repotting -should be done in May, trimming the tops to bring them into shape. Then -plunge in some sheltered spot in the garden. In September the plants -should be brought in under cover, or into a cool room. They do best when -the temperature ranges from forty degrees at night to sixty-five or -seventy by day. The foliage should be showered once a week, but care -must be taken that the roots are not over-watered, as they rot easily. -Small plants bloom well, but their beauty increases as they get age and -size. The flowers appear on the terminal shoots, and are from one inch -to two and a half inches in diameter. - -"Azaleas if left to themselves will develop long shoots, that after a -time become naked below and are furnished with leaves only at their -extremities. Flower stems are formed on the new wood of each summer's -growth, consequently the amount of bloom, other things being equal, -depends upon the amount of new wood annually produced. In order to have -plants of good shape when they become large, it is necessary to give -attention to pinching and training them from the first. The pyramid -form, or more properly that of a cone, and rounded at the top, is -considered the best for the plant, as it allows the greatest exposure -of leaf-surface. Two principal methods are adopted to regulate the -growth and bring plants into shape: one is by successive pinchings as -the growth proceeds, the other by allowing long shoots to grow and then -bending and training them down, thus causing many of the dormant buds -along their whole length to break and develop into shoots. A skillful -combination of the two methods is probably better than either -exclusively." - -Mr. John Dick, Philadelphia, has the largest stock of Camellias and -Azaleas, it is stated, in the United States. Their catalogue list of -these plants embraces more than a hundred varieties, to which we refer -our readers. - - - - -The Ingathering of the Flowers. - - -We have come to see your garden, said a gentleman with a lady in -company. They were from a neighboring town. This two weeks after the -heavy frost! - -I told them my garden was in the stable, and thither I piloted them. It -was not a very small garden if it was in a stable. A hundred or more -plants had been hurriedly removed from the beds the day before that -freezing night! There they were, in the soiled pots just as taken from -the ground, or packed closely in boxes. Not very attractive looking, in -one sense, yet in another they were, for they were bright, healthy -appearing plants--leaves as fresh as when in the open air, pretty -Geraniums in bloom, a mass of Lobelia, attractive with their tiny blue -flowers, Coleus of varied hues, and even a few Roses struggling into -bloom. - -Then we strolled among the despoiled beds, and the Pansies, so large and -pert, elicited admiration, and the Sweet Peas, just as fragrant as -though blight were not all around them, while dear little Mignonnette -seemed to have taken a new lease of life. - -Yesterday I arranged in a shallow glass dish as handsome a bouquet as I -have had for the season. Sweet Clover sprays, Mignonnette and fragrant -Geranium leaves for the foundation all around the dish, a few bunches of -the little white wax balls, with their glossy leaves, Geranium blossoms, -and lots of Sweet Peas, from the most delicate shades to the deepest, -and bunches of splendid Pansies, Sweet Alyssum, a bit of purple Verbena -here and there, and white-eyed Phlox. It was just lovely. - -When the evidence was sure that frost was surely coming, and a great -many plants must be taken up in a few hours' time, I was so glad that -full half of them were in pots. I could never have potted a third of -them in the time. The great object was to get them sheltered, and the -repotting could be done at my leisure. - -But I almost changed my mind the other day after toiling several hours -at the business. So many pots to wash! then fill with fresh earth, and -set the plant. O dear, wasn't I tired! But then the wide door was open, -the day was lovely, and I rather think potting plants in a stable is -better than potting out of doors on a cold day, and when one is in a -great hurry. Plants that are in pots plunged in the ground do not grow -so many roots, and that is another advantage. - - -MY WINDOW BOX. - -Perhaps I may as well tell you about my most important window box. I -had it made last autumn, and I was greatly pleased with it. It is made -of zinc, size one yard long, fourteen inches broad, seven inches in -depth. To give it strength it is framed at the top with wood. You can -have this of black walnut, or stained in imitation. You can have the -box painted any color you wish, or leave it unpainted. In the center -is Croton "Weismanni," on one side of it a fine Eranthemum pictum; its -green leaves look as though they were painted with white streaks; on -the other side, Acalypha "Macafeeana." These are the largest plants in -my box, and they do not exceed ten inches in height. There are sixty -plants in all, mostly averaging six inches in height, but a few are -quite small. They consist of very choice Geraniums--some of them -handsome-leaved--variegated Abutilons, Lemon Verbena, two bright -Achyranthes, six very beautiful Coleuses, and four fine Begonias. -There are others I cannot stop to specify. You will see that I have -filled my box with what are, in themselves, beautiful without the aid -of flowers, though I expect to have a few of these by-and-by. I am -perfectly satisfied with it, however, just as it is. I had a large -German Ivy growing out of doors, which consisted of several long -vines. This I planted in one corner of the box, and then drooped and -twined it on the outside. The change to indoor life caused the large -green leaves to fall off, but already new ones have put forth, and the -vines are rapidly growing. Everything else had been previously -prepared so that there was no change in their leafage after being put -in the box. It is a great addition to the beauty of the box to have -vines of pretty foliage drape the sides. This autumn I have had it -placed on a small, low table with castors, so I can change the plants -every week, and thus avoid that turning toward the window which they -always assume if kept in one position. - -I first put in drainage, and then filled the box with rich, mellow earth -in which was a mixture of one-third sand. I have been thus particular in -my description, for many, no doubt, who, like myself, have to make the -most of limited space, will be glad to know just how to keep the -greatest number of plants to the best advantage. Not only is there a -saving of room, but of labor, and it is more cleanly. - - -HYACINTHS. - -Among the essentials for winter flowers are the bulbs. Of these the -hyacinth takes the lead. They are so easily grown; so lovely and so -fragrant that they are worthy of a place in every collection. They -should be planted so that the upper surface of the bulb is visible. -Water liberally and then put away in a cool dark place for several -weeks, six weeks is none too long, and some I allow to remain a longer -time, bringing them to the light at intervals so as to have a succession -of flowers. They are very effective planted in a group. They are very -pretty in hyacinth glasses, but this method ruins the bulbs for future -use. Planted out they will sometimes flower. The best time to plant them -in the border is in October, but the first of November will do. It is a -good plan to make a little bed of sand for the bulb, and then cover with -light porous soil. Hyacinths are classed as tall and dwarf, single and -double. The Roman Hyacinth is the earliest bloomer, coming into flower -about the holidays if started in season. The spikes are small and -flowers rather scattering. As soon as the blooms fade, the stalk should -be removed, and when the leaves turn yellow, they can be cut off, and -the bulb dried and packed in paper bags and kept till time for autumn -planting. - -Hyacinth bulbs come from Holland. About Haarlem the rubbish heaps are -hyacinths, and the air is oppressive with their perfume. - -In California there grows what is called the Twining Hyacinth. It grows -in the mountains, and twines about the bushes, sometimes going up eight -and ten feet. After it gets to the top of the bush and rests awhile, it -lets go of the earth and goes on blooming for months, regardless of the -burning sun. The flower stem breaks off near the ground, and the flowers -are kept swinging in the air supported only by the bush about which it -twines. The color is deep rose, and it is said to be very pretty. The -picture of it certainly looks attractive. It is a large cluster composed -of dozens of blossoms. - -For flowering in the house the Polyanthus Narcissus are very desirable. -They can be put into glasses as well as the Hyacinth, but the most -natural method is in a pot of earth, and the bulb is in a better -condition for after use. The Jonquils are also pretty. Snowdrops, -Scillas and the Crocus are cheap bulbs, and planted in the autumn will -show their bright, sweet faces soon after the snow is gone. They are -also very fine for house culture. Should be planted in groups. - -Tulips ought to have a place in every garden. They make a brilliant show -in the Spring, when the beds are bare of other flowers, and afford bloom -for a long time, if a good assortment is selected. The pretty little -dwarf Duc Van Thols are early bloomers and very gay. They are admirable -also for the house, and by planting in September, will come into flower -in December. There are early single and double Tulips, and also late -bloomers, so that by having a variety, the border may look gay for a -long time. The Parrot Tulips are large and very brilliant in color, and -picturesque in appearance. All of these varieties succeed in ordinary -garden soil. They ought to be planted in October or November, about four -to six inches apart, and about four inches under the surface. Before -severe frost they need to be protected by branches of evergreen, straw -or leaves. After blooming, and the leaves have died down, they can be -taken up, dried and stored till autumn, if the bed is needed for other -flowers. - -The Bulb catalogues issued by leading florists in the autumn, and sent -free to all applicants, will enable you to select just what you want. - - -INSECTS. - -In a work of this character it seems needful to treat more fully of -those pests which prove so destructive to plant life, than we have in -our brief references. - -The APHIS or green louse is the one that most frequently infests our -plants, and the rapidity with which it multiplies, is astonishing. -REAUMER has proved that in five generations one aphis may be the -progenitor of six thousand millions, and there may be ten generations in -a year! - -The method most generally adopted for their destruction is fumigation -with tobacco. As this is attended with considerable difficulty, a weak -solution may be used quite as effectively. We have had no experience -with either method, having used another with good success for several -years. This is white hellebore which we usually apply in the powder when -the Rose-bushes are wet with dew or rain, bending the branches over, so -that the application can be made chiefly on the under side of the -leaves, where the pests are found. Two or three times proves sufficient. -For our house plants we usually make a solution, by putting half an -ounce of the hellebore into pretty warm water, and letting it stand for -several hours, stirring it up however, before spraying the leaves. -Afterward, the plants need to be washed. - -For the SCALE a strong solution of soap-suds applied with a sponge or a -small stiff brush. A tooth brush is very suitable for this purpose. - -For MEALY BUG, a mixture of one part alcohol and three parts water, -applying with a feather, or what is better, a camel hair brush. Another -method is to use kerosene in the same way. A florist who has practiced -this for eight years, says it is sure death to the insect. The feather -should be brushed all over the mealy-looking substances found usually in -the axils of the leaves. - -WORMS IN POTS. Lime water is a safe and effectual remedy for the little -white worms often found in the soil. Slake the lime in water and after -it has settled, pour off the clear water and drench the earth. - -ANTS. Various remedies have proved effective. One is to take a vial or a -cup nearly filled with sweet oil, and sink it in the ground where the -ants resort, so that the rim is on a level with the surface. The ants -are very fond of it, but it is sure death to them. - -A German writer says that carbolic acid and water will drive ants away -from any grounds--one hundred parts of water to one of the acid. Mix in -a tub and stir repeatedly for twenty-four hours, taking off the scum -that rises to the top. - -Kerosene or coal-oil mixed with water has proved very successful in the -destruction of noxious insects and grubs. A tablespoonful of the oil to -two gallons of water is the rule for tender plants; for hardy ones it -will be necessary probably to have it of greater strength. As the -compound does not mix readily, it needs to be thoroughly stirred, and -then quickly applied. The best way is to draw it back and forth a few -times in a syringe, and then apply. - -Water tainted with coal-oil, poured into little holes made in mole -tracks, will, it is said, drive them effectually away. - - - - -INDEX OF FLORISTS. - - -For the convenience of our readers who may wish to procure varieties of -plants of which we have treated in this work, we give the address of -reliable florists who make a specialty of those connected with their -address. All of them will furnish their catalogues free when requested. - - PANSIES. SEEDS FOR THE WILD GARDEN. B. K. Bliss & Sons, New York - City. - - VERBENAS, PETUNIAS, FUCHSIAS. C. E. Allen, Brattleboro, Vt. - - GERANIUMS. Innisfallen Greenhouses, Springfield, Ohio. - - PELARGONIUMS, ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS, GLOXINIAS. John Saul, - Washington, D. C. - - GLADIOLUS, SINGLE DAHLIAS, NOVELTY DAHLIA. V. H. Hallock & Thorp, - Queens, N. Y. - - COLEUSES--NEW HYBRIDS, DRACÆNAS. H. A. Dreer, Philadelphia, Pa. - - CHINESE PRIMROSES, NEW PRIMULA, DOUBLE WHITE BOUVARDIA. Ellis - Brothers, Keene, N. H. - - NEW MONTHLY PELARGONIUMS. John G. Heinl, Terre Haute, Ind. - - WISTARIA. E. H. Ellwanger, Rochester, N. Y. - - AMARYLLIS, RARE VARIETIES. John L. Child, Queens, N. Y. - - LILIES A SPECIALTY. John L. Child; V. H. Hallock & Thorp, Queens, N. - Y. - - CAMELLIAS AND AZALEAS. John Dick jr., 53d st., and Darby Road, - Philadelphia, Pa. - - - - -AUTHOR'S NOTES. - - -_Vick's Illustrated Magazine_ is the best Floricultural Monthly we know -of for amateurs. We are indebted to it for much of the information we -have obtained respecting the culture of flowers, and have drawn largely -from its pages in this work. There is a finely colored frontispiece in -each number, and it is otherwise fully illustrated. Its entire -arrangement evidences the fine æsthetic taste of its editor and -publisher. It is very low at $1.25 per year. Beautifully bound vols., -$1.75. Mr. James Vick, Rochester, N. Y. - -_The Gardener's Monthly and Horticulturist_ takes a wider range, -treating not only of Flowers, but also of Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, -Natural History and Science, Forestry, etc. The ample Notes pertaining -to the several departments, by its editor, Mr. Thomas Meehan, are of -special value. Published by Chas. H. Marot, Philadelphia, Pa., at $2.10 -per annum. - - - - -"AN ESSAY ON ROSES." - -NOTICES OF THE PRESS. - - -Mrs. M. D. Wellcome of Yarmouth, Me., whose pleasant and helpful "Talks -About Flowers" are familiar to the readers of _The Journal_, has -published in a neat pamphlet, _An Essay on Roses_, which was read before -the Maine Pomological Convention last March, and has since been revised -and enlarged for publication. This essay treats the subject historically -and descriptively. It considers the classification of Roses, tells what -Roses to plant, gives suggestions as to the best mode of culture, and -furnishes a list of the best hybrids and of the best ever-blooming -varieties. Mrs. Wellcome writes with enthusiasm, and from a thorough -knowledge and a considerable experience. All lovers of roses, and all -amateur horticulturists will find the little monograph interesting and -suggestive. - - _Boston Journal._ - -The valuable and instructive _Essay on Roses_ read before the Maine -Pomological Convention by Mrs. M. D. Wellcome, has been issued in a neat -pamphlet.... Our readers who are familiar with Mrs. Wellcome's writings, -will know how to value this production of her busy pen. - - _Portland Transcript._ - -Our well-appreciated correspondent, Mrs. M. D. Wellcome, has published -in a neat pamphlet, an essay upon "Roses."... It is an interesting and -practical little manual, and will prove a valuable aid to young -horticulturists. - - _Zion's Herald._ - -The _Waterville Mail_ says: "Of this essay it is sufficient to say that -it was prepared by a graceful writer,--a well-known contributor to the -literary department of several prominent Journals, and a skillful -florist--and that it secured the approbation of the Convention before -whom it was read, and the representatives of the agricultural press." - -Rev. J. M. Orrock, editor of _Messiah's Herald_, after describing the -work, adds: "The author says in her introduction, 'I have brought you a -bouquet of Roses, and there is little of my own but the string that -binds them.' It is indeed, a pretty bouquet, and we hope many of her -friends will want to see and enjoy it." - -Mr. Samuel L. Boardman Esq., editor of the _Home Farm_, says: "This -little booklet about Roses is just the plain, sensible guide all amateur -growers will be profited by reading. There is just enough of history and -sentiment in its opening pages, ample directions for culture, treatment, -etc., closing with descriptions of the most desirable Roses, and lists -from which to make selections for larger cultivators. Mechanically, the -little book is as delicate as a rosebud; and every lover of this queenly -flower should procure a copy." - -The "Essay" is issued in a neatly illustrated pamphlet of 24 pages, with -ornamental cover. Price 15 cents. For sale by the author, Yarmouth, Me. - - - - -GERANIUMS! - -We offer a fine assortment of Geraniums at =10 CENTS EACH=, for your -selection; or we will send =16 FINE SORTS= of our own selection, all -labeled, prepaid, by mail, for a remittance of $1.25. We have by far the -largest stock of Geraniums in this country. - - -Roses, Ever Blooming. - -We have a fine collection of Roses that we offer, strong flowering -plants, labeled, at =10 CENTS EACH=, your choice; or we will send =16 -FINE PLANTS= of our own selection, prepaid, by mail, for a remittance of -$1.25. - -We also offer a fine assortment of all kinds of flowering plants at the -above low price. Send for a catalogue. - -Address, - - INNISFALLEN GREENHOUSES, - SPRINGFIELD, O. - - -The Latest Novelty in Roses. - -NEW HYBRID TEAS. - -This new class of ROSES combine =HARDINESS=, =CONSTANT BLOOM=, and -=DELICATE COLORING=. They originated in England, and are now offered for -the first time in this country. For full description of these Roses, and -price, send for catalogue. - -E. C. ALLEN, Brattleboro, Vermont. - - -FREE! - -We wish to obtain 25,000 New Subscribers to - -THE FLORAL MONTHLY - -during the next few months, and we propose to give to every reader of -this paper - -_Fifty Cents Worth of Choice Flower Seeds_. - -Our offer is to send, Free of Cost, 50 cents worth of Choice Flower -Seeds to each and every one who will send us 25 two cent postage stamps -for the FLORAL MONTHLY one year. Seeds sent free by return mail. -Specimen copies free. Address - -=W. E. MORTON & CO., FLORISTS=, 615 Congress Street, =Portland, Me.= - -(NATURAL FLOWERS PRESERVED TO LAST FOR YEARS.) - - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber's Note: - -Punctuation has been standardised, and typographical errors such as -missing or reversed letters have been silently corrected. - -Variations in hyphenation (such as greenhouse and green-house), and -obsolete or variant spelling have been preserved. In particular, -variations in the spelling of some botanical names have been left as -printed in the original book. - -In the Table of Contents, the entry "A Talk About Pansies" was printed -as "Pansies"; this has been changed to match the chapter title as -printed on page 33. - -The following changes were also made: - -Pg 82, Verschaffellii changed to Verschaffeltii: (Verschaffeltii, we -fear). - -Pg 109, Ainwick changed to Alnwick: (a visit to Alnwick Castle). - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Talks about Flowers., by M. D. 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