W --Star. *o« :tffib»': -ov^ r-SlK; *-o< -*°^ . iP^ <» '•'tv?* * « o* %, **£r* 4 A <» '♦'TV?* * .0* %, *'• V** •■ V> * • • **■<* -Jill'' "^ " 4' 3&7 ■ .. • , $ the Practical Dairyman A = and Agriculturist. Jk CHATHAM, N. Y. IT • * * AN EXCELLENT DAIRY AND FARM JOURNAL OF SIXTEEN PAGES- Subscription Price, 50 Cents a Year. Three numbers 10 Cts. for Examination. The best writers In the country its con- tributors! Dairymen, Creamery men and general farmers— all will find it helpful. Try it At Least Send 10 Cents for Three Number i and look it over. y^ ¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥ ¥¥¥¥ ¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥ ¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥/* * £S, * * * * * * * * * 'CATTLE Aftfp Tl(E pAl^Y." Send 25 cents for our book on "Cattle and the Dairy," writ- ten in questions and answers, discussing 200 topics. CONTENTS. Chapter I. Cattle; Care and Management. Chapter II. Feeding Chapter lit. Milk and Butter. Chapter IV. Cheese This book is simply an extension of the idea of the "Question Box" of the Farmers Institutes It is written in the form of Questions and Answers and is compiled from reports of the proceedings of Farmers 1 Institutes of New York, Minnesota and Wiscon- sin, from the New York Dairy Conferences and from agricultural journals. It pre- sents a mass of practical information in condensed form. Tlw Secretary of the Conn. State Dairy Association says: "I consider it the most valuable hand book up u n matters pertaining to the dairy, based upon the latest data available, of any that I am acquainted with." The Practical Dairyman, Chatham, N. Y. * * * * * \VAAA 4*44 44444444 44444444 AA4*^AA #4*44 444 44." a I'©'©'©''©'©'©/©/© -'©/©-''©/©<'© /©/©/©/©/© /©/©/©/Q/©/©'©''© 'O / © / © / © / © / © / © A 50 Cent Book For Only 25 Cents. It is the famous -work entitled "DAIRYING FOR PROFIT" or "THE POOR HAN'S COW." By Mrs. E. M. Jones of Canada. We have secured a limited edition of this valuable work which retails everywhere nt 50 cents, but nt so favorable a pKcjs that we can furnish it nt ONLY 25 CENTS- One says, "I consider it a hook that no one who ban anything fo do with dairying should be without, and to whom it is worth as many doll us as you charge cents* " The Practical Dairyman, - Chatham, N. Y. / , © / © / © / 9 / ©^® / © / © / ^^ / CVSM3/©'®'®''©' ©'©/'&'©<'©'©'©'©' ©•©'©•©'©'©/£ FLOWER QUERIES ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ 500 Questions on Practical Floriculture Answered and Topics Discussed. A Practical Book Written in the form of Questions and Answers on the Cultivation and Care of In-Door and Out-Door Plants and Flowers. J Price 23 Cents. NOV 9 [COPYRIGHT 1896, BY J. W. DARfiOW.l Chatham, N. Y., THE COURIER PRESS, 1896. PREFACE. In presenting to the public this little book on floriculture we indulge the hope that it will prove practically helpful to those who are interested in the care and culture of flowers. It does not claim to be more than it is. In it one will not find every question that might be asked in floriculture, but we have pre- sented as many topics as a book could be expected to contain at the small price which is asked for it, and we have tried to make a judicious selection of topics. The style in which "Flower Queries" is written (i. e., questions and answers), permits of the succinct, practical treatment of the topics named, and the reader may rely implicitly on the authoritativeness of the answers given. This is not saying that the culture and treatment rec- ommended herein for any given plant or flower is the only correct one; there may be others, but those methods given are drawn from experience and are practical, though they may not always be the best, and yet we believe them to be as good as what others may deem the "best." The division of the matter into chapters is somewhat arbi- trary, and yet for convenience of reference it will be found all that is necessary to the purpose. That there is a demand for such a little treatise on flower culture as this, there seems to be good reason to believe. We have tried most satisfactorily this popular method of treating such subjects by questions and answers in our other little books written in the same style, viz., " Five Hundred Questions and Answers on Poultry Culture," "Questions and Answers on Cattle and the Dairy," and "Pigeon Queries," all of which have had a large sale. We ask the reader not to expect too much of "Flower Queries," but take it as it is, "for better or for worse." THE PUBLISHER. 5> CHAPTER I. Soil and General Cultivation. "CleaVe tl\e tougk; greel\sWarcj Witl\ tk^ spacje - . Wic|e let it5 follow t>c4 be h\a^e; Tl\ere gervtly lay tke roots, a(\cj tl\ere Sift tKe dark mould Witk kirvd'y calre, At\d press it o'er tketn tenderly." Bryarvt. Enriching Sandy Soil — What is the best way of enriching' a sandy soil? Sandy soil requires plenty of rich, well-rotted stable manure and with this some heavy clay or marl. Show Beds.— What plant-; should be used 'in show beds ? Any plant that will look well massed. Many varieties of foliage plants, close- growing, flowering plants, but nothing that needs to stand alone to show its beauty. Improving Clayey Soil.— What can be done to improve clayey soil ? An admixture of sand and leaf mould, muck, or any kind of decayed vegetable matter, will greatly improve clayey soil. Add to this a generous .supply of decomposed stable manure and von will have a good garden soil. Frozen Plants. — What is the best way of saving plants touched bylrost? Darken them. Not partial dark- ness, but absolute and entire. Close every single avenue of light, exclude every ray and leave them to thaw gradually, according to nature's own plan. Give heat very gradually, and do not restore the light until the gradual change in temperature from natural or artificial causes, shows by the thermometer that they have warmth enough for a thaw. It is the sudden transition from cold to heat that bursts the cellular tissues of plants and destroys them after freezing. Sowing Flower Seeds.— How Should seeds be sown? A hotbed is the best place to start tender seeds: hardier kinds may be sown in cold frames. Perhaps the most important part of sowing seeds either in hotbeds or open ground is the covering. There is much less risk in covering too little than too much. As a rule the smaller the seeds the more lightly they should be covered. Depth of Soil— What should be the con- sistency and depth of soil in flower beds? The consistency anil fertility of soil is of first consideration. It should lie rich, light and mellow, yet retentive enough not to dry out too quickly. To attain the best results with flowers. the soil in the beds should be not less than lb' inches to two feet deep. Starting Cuttings.- What is the simplest way of starting cuttings? Take a pan or dish about three inches deep, place it on the window ease where it will receive the full light of the sun. Fill the pan nearly to the top with sand, make the sand very wet. of the consistency of mud. The cuttings are to be inserted in the sand and kept very wet. never being al- lowed to become dry for a moment: if neglected in this respect the plants will surely be lost. Drainage is not necessary for the short period of time required for rooting. Evaporation will carry off moisture almost too rapidly, to say nothing of drainage. Flower Queeies. Veiy Small Seeds.— How should very small - 1)2 MIlVIl ? Very lightly. They should simply be strewn thinly over smooth soil and not covered at all. In sowing seeds in pots it is a good plan to place the pot in lukewarm water, not dee]) enough to run over the brim, until the soil is thoroughly soaked. Then place the pot in a warm position, covered with a plate of glass and well shaded for a few days. Snil for Potted Flams.— How should the soil be prepared for plants in pots? Soil of light, friable texture, such as may be collected about fence corners where leaves have decayed, is essential for the most successful culture. It should be sifted through a sieve with half inch meshes. When the plants to be potted require a little more enrich ing, put the heavier part of the soil at the bottom of the pot filling up with the well-sifted, light soil. Starting Delicate Seeds.— What is the surest way ut starting very delicate seeds'.' Fill a common flower pot with fine loam and scatter the seeds over the surface, which should be first finely pulverized, and by jarring the pot settle the seeds well among the parti cles of soil. Do not press or pack the surface or any other part of the soil, but settle moderately by jarring the pot. Set the pot in shadow water, in a warm, sunny window, and keep sufficient water at the base of the pot to keep the surface of the soil wet. Re-potting Plains. — Is there ary special rule for or way of re-potting plants? There is a great difference in plants. Some need to be set well down in the soil with a little groove about the base of the plant where the water will run, and so give water close to the stalk. Others utterly refuse to grow under such treatment, and almost before you know it they will have rotted off, and your plant is dead with no seem- ing cause. You will, however, find that it has rotted off at the base. The common Geranium, the Abutilon, the Chinese Hibiscus, all like to he set well into the soil, ami no great harm is done if there is a lowering of soil about the stalk. The Chinese Prim- rose, the Begonia and other succulent plants must be set up well, for they will not bear too much wetting above the base. Both plants mentioned above dislike water upon the leaves' too. The Amaryllis Johnsonii, the Sea Onion and many such plants need setting on top of the soil. There will be roots and these must he covered, but the bulbs must be placed well on top of the earth if you wish them to succeed. Palms may be shifted occa- sionally, but this should never be done • while they are resting. It is never best to re-pot a plant when it is dor- mant, as this frequently causes death. Watering Foliage of Flauts.— Is it well to wet the foliage of plants every day ? No. When watering plaids avoid wetting the foliage as much as possi- ble, as they will not bloom as freely as if the leaves were dry, except in cases of plants troubled with insects, for which many rules of spraying and syringing, even dipping in hot water, are given elsewhere. Transplanting, Method of. —What is the best method of transplanting? A trowel is indispensible to lift the little plants so as to keep some soil around the tender little roots. Mois- ture is of first essential, and the best way to apply that is to puddle the soil where tlie transplants are to go. Then gently cover with dry soil and firm it a little around each. Shade with broad leaves or little leafy branches for a few days. Frost-Bitten liedded Plants. — How may frost-bitten beds of plants be saved? Whole beds of tender plants may be saved from death by early frost by rising before sunrise and completely drenching the leaves with water, im- mediately covering the plants with sheets, until all trace of frost is ^one, when they may be exposed to the light. Layering Plants. — What plants may be multiplied by layering? The list is long if given in full. Moss Roses, most of our hardy shrubs, Chrysanthemums, Heliotropes. Ver- benas, nearly all kinds of hardy vines, such as the Clematis, Honeysuckle, Wistaria and many others are a par- tial list. In layering tender plants like Heliotrope, Verbenas, etc., it is often well to plunge pots a little way in the ground at the side of the main plant, that the branches need not be severely bent. Boil and General Cultivation. Transplanting Seedlings. — How should seedlings be transplanted V Take the small seedlings and set them out closely in boxes or in a well- prepared little plot, where they ean be shaded with branches till they get started again. Watering Plants in Saucers. — Is it better to water plants from the saucer than from the top V Decidedly better. The roots will drink up the moisture from the saucer as they need it. While a plant watered from the top may remain wet two or three days unless the air in the room is very hot and dry. ■Wintering Heliotrope and Salvias. — Can Heliotrope and Salvia be wintered in cellars ? They can. Heliotrope roots. Gerani- ums, Salvias and even some Roses and Carnations, may be well kept in eel lars, trenched in moderately moist .sand. Many of these plants too large for window gardens may in this way be saved for another season. Watering Potted Plants.— Can you give any general directions as to watering plants ? The tendency is to give plants, par- ticularly in-doors. too much water. They should be watered when they need it. One authority has given this rule: "It will be evident that they require wetting if. on digging the earth in the pot it crumbles to pieces like dust; a sure sign is to knock on the side of the pot. near the middle, with the finger-knuckle. If it gives forth a hollow ring, the plant needs water: if there is a dull sound, there is still moisture enough to sustain the plant. Plants must not be wet more than once or twice a day; on dry. clear days they require more water than on damp, cloudy days. ( >n the other hand, the earth must not be allowed to dry out entirely, for that is also very injuri- ous. In wetting them, the water must be poured on in such a way that it will run out again through the whole in the bottom of the pot. If the earth gets too dry. it is best to place the pot in water, so that the water will satu- rate the soil very gradually." Temperature of Window Garden. — What temperature is best for a successful window garden ? This question of temperature can- not be answered independently of the question of atmosphere. As careful a writer as James Sheehan, says: " Plants will not flourish, bloom, and be healthy, in a dry. dusty atmos- phere, even though the best of care otherwise may be bestowed upon them; hence it is that those who at- tempt to raise plants in their dwell ings meet with so little success. There is an immense contrast between the atmosphere of a well-regulated green- house and that of an ordinary dwell- ing. In the green-house, the atmos- phere is moist and well-tempered to the healthful growth of plants: while that of the parlor or sitting-room is invariably dry and dusty, and plants will not flourish in it as they would in the conservatory. If the dwelling be heated by coal, there is more or less gas constantly discharged into the air of the room, which is of itself enough to destroy vegetation, or make it sickly. Houses heated by steam, are better adapted to the cultivation of plants." A moist atmosphere and temperature not above 80 degrees by day nor below 00 degrees at night is safe for most house plants. Replanting Perennials.— When is tin time to plant perennials? After a good, soaking rain is an ex- cellent time to divide ami transplant spring-blooming plants: it gives thein an opportunity to establish themselves before winter sets in. Plants with thick roots, and which die down in winter, may be transplanted with good success any time before winter sets in. Heliotrope Cuttings.— How can Heliotrope cuttings be successfully rooted? Take young, growing shoots and place them in good soil — loam two parts and sand one — place them in a strong light in a temperature of 60 degrees and keep them moderately moist. When rooted, place them in a. sunny window, keep moist and a wealth of flowers will follow. Manure Water.— Will manure-water agree with all plants? No. Apply manure water to strong, vigorous, rapidly-growing plants as you would give strength-producing food to a hard-working man. Strong plants can stand it. but poor, dyspep- tic plants cannot digest strong food; they require a light diet. 6 Flowek Queries. Ammonia.— Is ammonia a good plant toad'.'' Yes. It is used one tablespoonful in about eight quarts of water, and the plant watered with the solution. Layering-, Manner of. — What is the correct process of layering ? Bend the branch to be layered as low down as possible to prevent too acute a bend. In handling woody plants give a slight cut or twist at tin- point where roots are desired to arrest the flow of sap at this place. Bend the branch carefully down and after having been firmly pegged to keep it in place, cover with dirt, leaving the end or tip of the branch exposed. Only the middle of the branch con- taining- the cut or abrasion should be covered. When these layers fail to produce roots by fall they should be left undisturbed, as another season will rarely fail to give good roots. Roots ought to form in a month. Transplanting from Pots. — How should plants be handled in transplanting- from pots? Turn them bottom side upward on your left hand and rap sharply with the rim of the pot against a. table or box. and the ball of earth will fallout. Loosen the roots gently and shake them out slightly. Have the larger pot ready with soil well moistened. Set the plant into the soil a little deeper than it was in the pot. Press the earth firmly around the stem of the plant, protect from the sun and you will not lose a plant. Layering. Season of.— What is the proper season for layering- ? Any time during the summer will do for plants containing no hard fibre. The fibre of woody plants, such as shrubbery, should contain sufficient sap to prevent their breaking when bent over. Changing colors of Flowers.— Is there any way of coloring liow< rs while mowing- by the use dt vegetable pigments? According to the view stated by August Vogel, in Popular Science Monthly, tannin is an important factor in the generation of vegetable colors; it is found in almost every plant, the petals not excepted., and by the action of the most varying re-agents — alka- lies, earths, metallic >alts. etc. — it as- sumes the most manifold hues, from pale rose to deep black. A darker color, therefore, is produced in flowers rich in tannin, when manured with iron salts, since, as everybody knows, tannin and iron salts dye black and produce ink. A practical use has been made of this fact in the raising of Hydrangeas and Dahlias. The former. which in ordinary soil blossomed pale red, became sky blue when trans- planted into soil heavily manured with iron ochre, or when occasionally watered with a dilute alum solution. Preserving Seeds. — What is the besl way of prest rving seeds '.- Tie them in bags and hang them upon wires in a dry. cold place, hang- ing them about three feet from the ceiling to be safe front mice. Seeds will not be injured by the severest cold if atmosphere be pure and dry. Soil for Potted Plants.— When one cannot gel at loam, peat, sand and manure for the different plants, how can they have goo for window gardens V Procure good mellow garden soil which is neither sand, clay nor gravel; this will answer for nearly all kin plants. After plants have grown vig- orously some months in the pots, it may be well to remove a little of the earth from the top and till up with fresh soil. When one cannot get at good manure or compost of any kind, it is well to use ammonia — a weak sol i it ion— using it a few days in suc- cession only, and always being careful not to sprinkle the leaves. Wintering Plants in Cellars. — How should plants be treated for wintering in cellars? As the object of wintering plants in cellars is to allow them to be dormant all winter, it is not necessary to give them any water, but keep the soil as dry as possible and not allow the plants to shrivel or wither. The leaves of all deciduous plants should be removed before they are put away in this manner. Turning Window Plants. — How should window plants be turned ? They should be turned every few days so that every part may equally enjoy the light. This treatment, to- gether with judicious pruning, will give better shaped plants and more blossoms than can possibly be ob- tained from one-sided plants produced by the never turn method. Soil and General Cultivation. Composts and Manures.— What makes the best compost ? In every garden there should be a place set apart for keeping manure, loam, peat and rotted leaves in, and those who have compost or heaps of any kind of fertilizers should hear in mind that manure and leaves r'eqnire the most frequent turning over to pre- vent their heating too much. Should either appear dry, wet them thoro- ughly with water, or what is Letter, with the liquid from the barn-yard manure pile, the slops from the house. or, if there is such a thing near, the water from a stagnant pool or ditch. Every time this heap is turned over cover it up with a coating of earth. This will check the escaping gases which are the best part of the manure. If you can procure such a tiling as a bushel or two of lime it will materially assist the decomposition of the heap and greatly increase its litness for vegetable food. Make this head as large as you can. It is the richness of your garden; without it, even with the best of management, your flowers will be poor and unsatisfactory. With it liberally applied, they will lie rich in color and odor. Search, therefore, for material to increase its bulk as you would for gold in California. It i> better than any of The wild chemi- cal schemes now Too prevalent in this country. It has heen tried and proven for centuries and sTands Today The best fertilizer. Sand in Plant Culture.— Is not sand a very essential element to success in floriculture — even equal to fertilizer ? Some say they would sooner omit The fertilizer Than sand if they had To make a choice. Amateurs don't give it the attention it demands. Plenty of sand prevents the soil from becom- ing heavy and sour. It allows the air to peneTrate to The roots easily, and The water To run out readily. manure tor Foiled Plants.— Is it well to use manure for potted plants? Only in small quantities and when the manure has been well rotted and then sifted several times. Ammoniacal Carbonate of Cupper. -How is the ammoniacal carbonate ol copper pre- pared ? Take a half pint of spirits of am- monia, add Three fourths of an ounce of carbonate of copper. Shake until The copper-carbonate dissolves. I)i lute this amount to six gallons. Poultry manure for Plants.— Would you advise the use ol' poultry manure in the flower garden ? This fertilizei is not extensively used because it is not fully appreciated. It is a very powerful plant stimulanl being very rich in ammonia. It should be composted with turf. muck. decayed leaves or other absorbents. Store it in barrels and reduce it to a powder before applying To the plant. This compost may be dissolved in water and applied in solution when iT acts more powerfully than when dry. Aquatics, e oil for.— What is the Inst soil tin' growing aqual >< e We (pioTe Iron: James Sheehan "The best soil for growing aquatics, is That obtained from The bed of a pond, or a slow, swampy stream, but when this is not readily obtainable, a mixture of equal parts of good, rich garden loam and stable manure will be almost as good Some use a mix- ture of muck and bog peat, from which they claim very satisfactory results in grov . _ iqual ithev can be used with gOOd succ ■ Commercial Fertilizers.— To what extent should commercial t'ertil zers be used on plants ? Care must be used in applying them as they are powerful and if too much is placed among the roots, it will kill the plant. Liquid manure may be used with good effect on plants en- feebled by blooming, and it is a good fertilizer To have on hand at all Times. This may be applied with greater fre< dom Than commercial fertilizer, Special Soils.— Is not too much stress usu- ally laid on the requirements Ol :i sp< prepared soil fordiff< rent plants Possibly it is so. Most plants will thrive in a soil composed of a mixture of turfy loam, garden mold, well- rotted manure, and sharp -and. in the proportion of one third of loam, one third garden seal, and the other third made up of tin manure and sand. For strong-rooted plants add less sand than for those having many small roots. Most plants will do well in al- most any good soil. It is astonishing how readily plants accommodate themselves to circumstances different from those in their natural si CHAPTER II. Bidbous Plants. "So l\oW you Walk'c) be-si<4c al\ ocjorou-s fc>ec| Of cjorxjeou-s Hues, purfjle, ahcj g°M, ar\4 ^C^-" Leigk Hu>\t. Cyclamen Seed*.— Do Cyc!arnen seeds prop- agate readily? J! 'The seeds propagate readily and there is no difficulty in raising- bulbs: however, the bulbs cost SO little and bloom so soon after planting that we recommend The purchase of bulbs. Gloxinias, Propagation of. — How sin mid Gloxinias be started from leaves? Take a shallow pan, with holes for drainage, and filled with sandy soil: insert the leaf stems full length around the edges of the pan. Place it in a warm, shady place and keep it rather moist When the leaf has dried up, young tubers will haveformed. These should be left undisturbed during the winter, giving just water enough to keep alive. In early spring bring into the light, water more frequently and pot as i hey become large enough Gloxinia*. t h e G i o s -What ,11 e t it ■ requirement ■ i J Gloxinias succeed best in partially shaded places, protected from rains and strong wind, yetthej likeawarm, moist atmosphere. It requires great care and patience to grow them from Thi seei I so we w >uld advise our readers b buy the tubers. These should be potted in sandy soil and kept but moderately moist until growth commences, when they should be transferred into larger pots with good, rich soil. Leal mould and well rotted manure make a good compost, but directly around the tuber should be a handful of very sandy soil. After blossoming they should be dried off and kept dormant until anotherseason. Chinese Primroses.— Will Chinese Prim- roses that have bloomed in the winter bloom again in the summer? They will if after the winter bloom- ing they are given a little rest by being set aside and given just water enough to keep the tiny rootlets from becom- ing too dry. As soon as the frost is past, give them a shady spot and plenty of water and they will bloom all summer. In repotting the Prim- rose, part of the old roots should be removed. With fairly good soil the> require very little additional fertilizer. The Iris.— When should the Iris !>e planted out ? How often should bulbs be re-planted? In autumn, about October; in a light, well-drained soil ; treat them ex- actly like other Dutch bulbs, covering the bed with a mulch as winter conies on, uncovering in the spring. It is however, necessary every few years to take up the bulbous species after the leaves have faded, and to replant them, as the new bulbs annually formed are below the old. Begonias, Culture fonias require a sunny hadj Tuherons Tiilii'PHis Be; place - One may truly say either, for they do well iii the sunshine and in the shade. Tlie sunshiny blossoms may be a tint richer, but the shady ones are just as free and pretty. It is in every respect a most generous plant ; it begins to blossom when only a few inches high and never ceases, and the more the blossoms are cut the more there are to follow. The amount of bloom from one thrifty plant is little short of marvellous. Bulbous Plants. Alpine Violet. — How long is the season of < ho Alpine Violet ? From four to five months and a most charming little flower it is. It adds a. charm to any collection of plants. The broad, heart-shaped leaves, handsomely variegated with lighter shades, vigorous and freely produced in a graceful crown that covers and overlaps the jar, is hand- some before the pink and white blossoms appear. The blooms are particularly graceful in the manner in which they are disposed upon the stem. Butterfly-like, tremulous and nodding with each stir of air, white tipped and bordered with what one calls "purplish -pink," another crim- son-lake." but what in its beauty is like the intermingled roseate hue of the apple blossom of spring time. This unique little bulbous plant crowns the foliage with masses of bloom. Cyclamen Bulb's.— How should Cyclamen Bulbs be planted i The crown of the Cyclamen must be above the surface of the soil. Other bulbs require to be covered to the depth of several inches, but this one demands exposure to the air. Allow the crown to project a half inch above the soil else it will deeav. Spider JLilie bloomers? Are Spider Lilus free Yes. If you have never had a Spider lily get a bulb at once. The large bud grows slowly till ready to burst. disclosing smaller buds ready to develop into perfect flowers. They are very interesting when just ready to open, as they are closely folded bud will suddenly be seen to move and in less than Ten minutes fully developed blossoms are before you filling the air with most delightful fragrance. Agapanthus. — What soil shou'd he usi <1 for the best growth of the Agapanthus ? Good loam, with a little rotted ma- nure, is all that is necessary to start them growing strongly. As they make strong, fleshy roots, they require an abundance of water and a liberal sup- ply of clear manure water while flowering. After the summer and fall blooming 1 out of doors, the Agapan- thus should be given rest in a cool room or cellar, safe from frost. Holland Bulbs. — Are Tulips. Jonquils, Narcissuses and Hyacinths entirely hardy? All of the above-named bulbs are entirely hardy and will stand in the ground without any surface protect) >n through the severest winters. Tuberous Begonias. Varieties of.— Pleas< name some of the choice varieties of Tuber- ous Begonias. Begonia Rubia. President Carnot, Begonia Vernon. Begonia Evansiana, Dewdrop Begonia. Crocus, Forcing the. — Will Crocuses stand forcing? How used to the best advantage? Severe forcing must not be at- tempted. They are naturally an out of door bulb, and while a few may be planted in shallow boxes and then lifted into hanging baskets or fancy boxes, yet their charm is out of doors in the early spring-. They form a beautiful margin for a flower bed and show beautifully in beds of design Tulips and Jonquils.— Are Tulips and Jon- quils desirable lor house culture ? The above-named bulbs are especi- ally desirable for house culture in winter. Plant them in fine, rich loam, water thoroughly and set away in a cool, dark place. ' In about three weeks bring them into the full light and water freely, they will surely bloom throughout the winter. After tin 1 bulbs are through blooming they may be left in the soil in which they grew through the winter and removed to a dry place forest in preparai for starting them another fall. Tulips and Hyacinths.— How should Tulip and Hyacinth bulbs be treated so as to pro- duce bulbs for future us ■-? Tulips are readily increased by set- ting the little bulbs out in good, rich soil that will not cake or get hard and where they will not suffer from drought. In this way very tine bulbs may be grown for market in this country. Fair sized Hyacinth bulbs may be raised in a soil composed largely of chip dirt and woods soil, if the seasons are favorable; but as a rule. Hyacinth bulbs cannot be satis- factorily grown. It is better to pur- chase these than to attempt to grow them under the unfavorable condi- tions to which we must subject them. 10 Flower Queries. Dahlias, Planting Out.— At 'I Dablias be planted out? They should lie planted out in May, and well supported with stakes as they advance in growth. They are showy plants, easy of culture, like a deep mellow soil and plenty of water. Must rest in a dry cool place through the winter. what Time | Ixias. Half Hardy,— Arc the Ixias hardy V Describe them. When can the bulbs be potted, and how? Gladiolus, lvee|iinj> Bulbs of.— What is the best way of keeping Gladiolus bulbs'? Spread them in shallow boxes about two inches deep covering the bottom evenly, but not two layers deep. Leave them in a warm dry place for a week or ten days, or rill they are perfectly dry, then separate the bulbs and put them in a flat-bottom basket and hang - in a cool dry place. Hang- ing them up allows the air to circulate freely around and through them. Gladiolus. Propagation of. — How may the - be best propagated? Gladioli are as easily raised from seed as any vegetable grown. No more culture is needed to raise them in this way than is ordinarily ex- pended on common flowers grown from seed. They should be sown in spring in beds prepared the same as for any annual and covered not deeper than one inch. The resulting bulbs should be taken up in the fall when they show signs of ripening, and stored in a dry cellar free from frost. Colchicnm. — When should the Colchieurn anted ? When do they bloom ? In September, if possible. They re- quire only ordinary garden soil. The only special care that they need is To be replanted every three years or so at a depth of about three inches. The bulbs have a Tendency To get deeper in The ground Thus developing root growth rather Than flowers. The blossoms come in August and Sep- tember. Dahlias.— How may Dahlia roots be safely ■ (1 ? Dahlia roots may be safely wintered in any cellar that will keep potatoes. They should be well dried before putting in the cellar and should be kept cool, but not cold enough to freeze. Moisture will either mould or rot them according to the temperature. Keep them dry, No. They are only half hardy. They have small bulbs and narrow sword-shaped leaves, with slender, simple or slightly branched stems bearing spikes of large showy flowers, the centres of which are always different from The other parts so That they are exceedingly beautiful when in full bloom, the colors being rich. beautiful and varied. Few flowers attract more attention by their curious form and strange coloring, all showing three or four colors; there is a greater difference in the form and colors in the several species and varieties of Ixias Than with any other class ot plants. The bulbs can be potted at any time from September to Decem- ber. The pots one-third filled with drainage will be none too much. Two-thirds turfy loam, one-third well decomposed manure or leaf mould, with a good sprinkling of sharp sand will be suitable. As many as six bulbs can be placed in a five-inch pot, cover- ing them about an inch in depth When iirsT ported, water thoroughly and seT in a dark cool place while roots are forming or for about six or eight weeks, rhen give Them a light cool place in your window garden. (alias in Small or Largpe l'ots. — W Callus do better in small or large pots, other things being equal ? Asa rule, Callas should be planted in comparatively small pots, as in large ones they are apt to produce too luxuriant foliage, to the detriment ot flowers. Planrs that have been kept dry during summer, intended for winter flowering, should be watered more frequently as soon as they srart into growth; when growing vigor- ously, They may be kept standing in a saucer filled with water at all rimes Most amateurs are likely to give too little water to The < 'alia. And They require a very rich soil. If each !'• is cut off as soon as it shows signs of withering a new bud will soon form Allium.— Aie the Allium bulbs hardy ? A\-<- the plants difficult to cultivate? They are all hardy, very showy and continue a long rime in bloom. They are easy to cultivate, content with almost any kind of soil; can be grown indoors or outdoors. Bulbous Plants. 11 Fr*>psins.— What is the best soil for cultiva- ting Freesias ? They suceeed best in a mixture of good fibrous loam, leaf mould and well-rotted manure, in equal propor- tions, with sand to insure drainage. They force very easily, growing to a height of nine or ten inches and pro- ducing six to eight Mowers on a stem. They are very valuable as cut flowers, opening delightfully in water, filling the air with a most delicate perfume. Cnmias.— Can Carinas l>e grown successfully from the seej and how should the seed be started? Cannas maybegrown from the seed. Make a hole through the shell and soak them in water. It is not neces- sary that the hole be large. Gladioli, List of. — Please give a list of good varieties of Gladioli. Their name is legion. It is bard, indeed, to know where to begin or to end. We will name some that have been well tested. Of red varieties: Brenchleyensis, Meyerbeer and Van Spandonk- Striped: Eugene Scribe. Milton and Shakespeare. Salmon or buff: Penelope and Mazeppa. White: La Candeur, John Bull and Virginalis. Yellow: Isaac Buchanan, Canari and Citrinus. Chinese Sacred Lily. — What is the most satisfactory way of growing the Chinese Sacred Lily ? It grows well potted in a light, rich soil, but it is more charming grown in shallow ornamental bowls or vases containing water, the bulbs being held in place by pebbles. By slightly cutting the skin near the Ton of the bulb, the flowers may be increased. One bulb will produce by tins treat ment from eight to twelve spikes of bloom. The bulbs ought to bloom about eight weeks after planting or placing in the bowls. Zephyranth.es. — Are Zephyranthes luilhs hardy? By what other name is this plant known? They are hardy and may be planted early in the spring. With a slight pro- tection in the winter they may be left undisturbed several years. They are often called Fairy Lily." Yucca.— Will the yucca grow in the north? What soil do tiiey require? It is perfectly hardy at the north although being a native of the south. It blooms freely and soon forms a large-sized clump, sometimes attaining a height of twenty and even thirty feet. The flowers are produced in great ' abundance on long panicles, rising from the center of a leafy crown. The common name is "Adam's Needle." There are varieties of Yucca that are not hardy, growing beauti- fully in the tropics, but Too Tender for the open air in the northern States. They like light, sandy soil with plenty of drainage when grown in pots. Old rotted sods chopped up fine with an admixture of clean, gritty sand and no manure, is their delight. Amaryllis not Flowering. — My Amaryllis docs not lilo mi to suit me. What particular care does it require? Rest after blooming, or after the leaves have attained their full size is the essential point in Amaryllis cul- ture. Water should tie withheld gradually, and entirely so after the leaves are drying off. During summer and autumn the bulbs are to be kept entirely dormant. When wanted to bloom again they are re-potted in rich, sandy loam and leaf mold, put in a warm place, and moderately watered. As soon as the leaves appear, and es- pecially during the blooming season, water has Tobe given in' abundance The Amaryllis is an interesting plant, desirable for growing in pots, produc- ing showy flowers, that are very at- tractive and handsome. Narcissus. — How often should Narcissus bulbs, grown outdoors, be divided ? Every three or four years. The bulbs get overcrowded and lose strength unless divided. They should be replanted in groups of five or eight, in well enriched soil and about three inches apart. They like top dressing in the winter and when first starting in the spring. The size and beauty of the flowers can be very much increasd by the use of liquid manure. Trillium.— Will Trillium bear cultivation. Although essentially a wild flower, the roots may be planted early in the Zephyr Flower and ; fall in a shady place— under trees even. They like leaf mould and sand. 12 Flower Queries. Scillas.— How should Scillas be treated '.- The Scilla bulb is like the small va rieties of Hyacinth and requires about the same culture. The soil should be rich and light and well-drained. It is often well to put a little sand around each hull> as they are apt to rot if kept very wet. It is better to plant early in The autumn that the bulbs may become established before winter. As the plants are dwarf, they should always be in clumps of at least a dozen; the smaller kinds should beset about two inches below the surface, the. larger somewhat deeper. They increase rapidly and yet may be left undisturbed for several years. Tigridias.— Are the bulbs of the Tigridias as hardy as those of the Gladiolus .- The bulbs are not as hardy as the Gladiolus and should not be planted until all danger of frost is over. They should be planted about two inches deep in light, rich soil. Oxalis Cernvm.— Is the Oxalis Cernua desir- able for winter blooming 1 ? The Oxalis Cernua is perhaps the most desirable of all varieties of Oxalis for window decoration. The large, yellow clusters are produced on long slender stems, and both foliage and flowers are of a drooping nature. Ranunculus. — What soil lust suits the Ranunculus '/ A strong, rich soil: rotted sod and well decomposed manure have the right kind of enriching properties. Good drainage is essential and plenty of water. The Ranunculus will not stand drought. frit till aria Me'eagris. — What treatment does the Frittillaria Meleagris require/ The plant requires very little care. The bulbs should be planted in autumn. The plants grow from a foot to a foot and a half in height. bearing at the top drooping clusters of flowers shading from white to almost black. Frittillaria Kecnrv*. — Can the Frittillaria Recurva be successfully grown in pots'/ Yes. Plant the bull's about three inches deep in the pots in well drained soil. Water them only when the soil is quite dry and then do it thoroughly. It will bloom several years without resting but when it gets ready to rest it tells you so, veryclearly, by sending up one big leaf, the next season it will bloom freely. The Crinnm -What variety ot the Crinum is the best tor ordinary culture'/ We would say the Crinum Peduneti latum It sometimes take- several years to attain the right strength for blooming, but when ready, it blooms the entire year. It likes a rich soil and yet will do astonishingly well in the poorest kind of soil. 11 has tow- insect enemies and [s altogether highly satisfactory. Caladiunts and Colocasias. — Does the treatment differ for these two named foliage plants; if so, in what respects, either for the garden or indoor? The garden treatment of both is the same. The tubers should he planted in the ground or turned out from pots, in which they have been started in a frame or greenhouse, about the last of May, in a rich, deep soil and in a warm exposure. If the season is dry. as they are naturally marsh plants, they should have liberal waterings. Under this treatment the Colocasias will develop enormous leaves and be con- spicuous objects in the garden until killed by the frost. The tubers should then be taken up and stored in a frost- proof cellar until spring. The indoor treatment is simply to pot the tubers, in March, in rich soil, give plenty of heat and moisture, shade somewhat to prevent burning, and. when the leaves begin to turn yellow, gradually withhold water to ripen the root. Turn the pots upon their side am! withhold water until the plants are again wanted. By successive pot- ings, plants may be had in perfection the whole year. Anemones. — When is the blooming sea90 i Of the Anemone'/ The springtime. Bulbs planted in September or October about two inches deep and protected through the winter, will flower beautifully in the spring. Ixias. Varieties of.— Name the most desira- ble varieties of Ixias. Among the best tire Crateroides, Galatea, Viridiflora, Duchess, Lady 3 ■ Titus and Wonder. CHAPTER III. Lilies, Culture and Care. "Tke lily holds herself like some sWe^t 5^.ir\t Afjart frotrv eartMy grief, as is a star Apart frctn ar»y fear of earthly tair\t;" HarjDer's. Japan Lilies. — Are Japan lilies hardy ? When suould the tulbs be set ? They are perfectly hardy. If good. strong bulbs are set out in tin- ground in the fall, perhaps as late as < k-tober or November, planted about eight Inches deep, they will throw up strong shoots the following summer, and bloom freely. Bulbs several years old produce the finest flowers, especially if they have been allowed to prow in one spot; they do not like to be dis- turbed. After several years of bloom- ing, The bulbs can be dug up, the off-shoots removed, and the old bulbs re-set. The time to do this is in the fall. Although hardy, the lilies seem to like a little care through the winter, such as a light covering of leaves or straw that can be raked off in the early spring. They require very little manure and really like a light, well- drained, sandy soil. Wliite Day-Lily. — }f what species is the White Day-Lily ? The white day lily is not a true lily, but a species of Funkia. It has fleshy roots: likes a partially shaded, moist but well drained place, and is entirely hardy. The flowers are borne upon scapes or terminal clusters, and the flowers remain out but a short time, though new buds are constantly open- ing. For this reason it is called '(lay- lily." The roots may be planted either in the spring or fail. Peruvian Lilies. — Are the Peruvian lilies de- sirable for summer blooming ? The summer is their season for blooming. The colors are varied; crimson, yellow, rose and purple, beau- tifully shaded and marked. The Aoav- ers are very desirable for cutting, last- ing a long time after being cut. Transplanting Lilies. — When is the best time to transplant lilies ? Lilies may be safely transplanted at almost any time. Their growth is con- tinuous; when not blooming, they are growing under ground. The only thing to be avoided is letting the bulbs be- come too dry. Lily-of-the- Valley.— What exposure should be given to the Lily-of-the- Valley 't The Lily-of-the- Valley thrives in a dense shade, where few other plants will live. It does better, however, in a partial shade, and blooms abund- antly. The pips are planted out in either autumn or spring. Resting of Callas.— How long a rest do Caila lilies require ? They must rest at least three months if expected to bloom successfully. By " resting " we mean allowing the leaves and stalks to die down completely to the bulb, withholding water, and let- ting the soil dry up completely ; this treatment kills the stalk but rests the bulb. Wild Lilies.— What varieties of wild lilies can be successfully transplanted ? L. Canadense, L. Superbum, L/Va tesbaei and L. Philadelphicum. *A11 these can easily be taken up 'and grown in the garden. 14 Flower Queries. Bermuda Easter lollies. — Are Bermuda Easter lilies hardy * Bermuda Easter lilies are hardy if planted eight inches deep and pro- tected by careful mulching. Easter Lilies-— How should Easter Lilies be treated when the bloomiDg season is over J Continue to water them until the foliage begins to decline, then grad- ually withhold the supply of water until the soil is almost dried out. Then set them in a cool, shady place until August, and then re-pot. or renew the soil, being careful not to injure the fleshy roots. If the Easter lily has not split up into small bulbs it will bloom again: if it has divided, however, it will not bloom, and should he set out in the garden, eight inches deep in well drained soil. Here it will live and grow, and form blooming bulbs in two or three years. Easter Lily Bullis — When and how should Easter Lily bu.bs be started ? Take large bulbs in autumn and put them in eight-inch pots, placing each bulb at least two inches below the sur- face of The soil. After watering, set the pots in a dark closet until roots form, then bring gradually to the light, giving them a cool, light win- dow. They will bloom in about five months after potting. Golden Banded Lily. — Has the Golden Banded Lily of Japan any other name ? It has. It is really the Lilium Aura- tum Of the family of Japan lilies, and it is one of the most beautiful in size and col< »ring. A golden band runs through each petal, and the spots are a rich chocolate crimson. It is well suited to house culture, and yet makes beautiful growth in the garden. Lily-of-theValley in Pots.- How should the Lily-of-the- Valley be started in pots; uKder what conditions ? Not more than live or seven pips should be placed in a six -inch pot. The soil should be an almost equal mixture of rich earth and sand. The pots should be given a southern expo- sure and a place where the roots can be kept warm. They should be wat- ered with warm water. This treat- ment will force the blossoms on most rapidly. Bermuda Lily. — How deep should the bulbs be planted, and i.ow soon may flowers be ex- pected ? The bulbs should be planted eight inches deep in well-drained, porous soil. The soil should be rich, hut do not enrich it by mixing stable litter with it. Phosphate or decayed turf is better. After the plants come up in the spring the bed may he mulched with stable litter to keep it cool and moist, as heated soil injures the growth and causes the buds to blight. This lily, however, is usually grown in pots for spring blooming. For this pur- pose, get sound bulbs nine to eleven inches in circumference, and pot in eight-inch pots, setting the bulb two to Three inches under the surface. Water, and set in a cool place to root. It is usually from four to five months in coming into bloom after the bulb is potTed. (live the pot a place in the window as soon as the leaves show above The earth, and water regularly and liberally. It likes a moist, cool atmosphere and a rather sunny expo- sure. As the buds begin to develop, a little phosphate or guano may be worked into the surface soil. If in- sects appear, syringe lively. After the buds develop, keep the plant in a cool room, and in a window where it will get but liTTle direct sunlight. After the flowers fade, continue watering until The foliage turns yellow. Then set the plant away in the cellar until au- tumn. Little Gem Calla.— What is the nature of the Little Gem Calla » What soil and treatment does it require ': The Little (rem calla should be planted in rich soil, and during its growing season should have an abund- ance of water, and liquid fertilizer at least once a week. If you want it for a winter blooming plant it should be allowed to rest during the summer. Lilium Caudidum. — Is the Lilium Candidal u hard> , and when does it bloom f It is quite hardy, and blooms in May and June. The bulbs should be planted early in the fall in a light, sandy soil. They should be set not less than eight or ten inches below the surface. They do not require any protection during the winter, and the beautiful, bell - shaped, snow-white blossoms are rarely beautiful in the early summer Lilies, Culture and Cake. Amaryllis Jolinsoiiii.--H nv should this plant oe treated to get best results ? A recent writer says: "There is no difficulty in getting Amaryllis John- sonii to bloom if the bulb is of bloom- ing size. Keep it in about an eight- inch pot, and sink in the open border during summer, if not too dry. On approach of cold weather remove to the house. It will soon show signs of resting. Then withhold water. Letting the foliage die down. About January remove the top earth without disturb- ing the roots, put on a coating of rich soil, water well, and bring to the light. Soon growth will commence, and in due time the flower scape will appear at the side of the bulb. A little man- ure water may be given when the bulbs are in bloom, or while the bulb is forming. Kaffir Lily.— How should the Kaffir lily be planted and cared for ? Plant the bulbs out-doors in the spring; in the autumn lift the plants and pot them. They will bloom for months at a time. The more the flow- ers are cut the more freely thev bloom. Wliite Egyptian Calla How should the Egyptian Calla oe treated ? How many flowers should it produce ? Each summer let it rest by turning it on its side by the wall, or any shel- tered spot, until early in September, when it should be re-potted with good, rich soil, using a six to eight-inch pot, giving it plenty of water, and light and heat in abundance. Feed it with barn - dressing reduced to a liquid form, using it sparingly — two large spoonfuls a week — and the result will be most satisfactory. The lily pro- duces but one flower, and buds about the middle of February. It is large and very fragrant, filling the room with a delicate and pleasing odor. The flower measures four to live inches across the top, is two feet high, and keeps white and fresh a long time. We have said that this lily pro- duces but one flower, and this is al- most always true, yet one sometimes finds at the base of the first flower - scape another bud in embryo. If the old stem is removed as soon as the flower fades, cutting it low, and leav- ing the young hud uninjured, the plant will usually perfect another bloom. t alias for Winter Bloom.— How should Callas be prepared tor winter blooming ? An experienced writer says: " After three months of rest, or about the first of October, we 'dump' out the plant, shake off all the old soil from the built or bulbs, and re-pot in fine, rich soil, using pots one size larger than those used the previous year: place the plants in a cool, shady spot and water freely. Let them remain for two or three weeks, until new roots have formed, after which all danger is passed, and they can be removed into full light and heat. When growing, water freely. An application of strong liquid manure once a week will add greatly to the growth of the plants, and to the number of blossoms pro- duced. A very pretty effect can be obtained by arranging the plants about a fountain or pond where they will bloom freely throughout the sum- mer season, presenting a tropical ap- pearance. They will also grow well by standing the pots completely in the water. Li II n in Annum.. — Will the Japan lily. Lili- nin Auratuni, thrive if grown in a pot ? VVne'i should it be potted ! It does well potted, but should not be forced. 5C is fairest Wl\el\ 'tis fc>u<44i^g r»eW, A^t^ hope i-a brigKtest Wh,ei\ it c)aWt\5 from fears; Tl\£ rose is sWeete5t Washed witt\ trvorrvirvg c)eW, Ar»4 loVe i$ loVeli^st wKeft etnbalmjcl irv tear^. 5cott. Standard Roses. — Hoiv should standard roses be wintered ? Standard roses may be tied up in straw or laid down and covered with soil. In laying the plant down the soil should be taken from close to the stem, on the same side as the roots are 1 growing. This loosens the roots and allows the plant to be safely turned down. Then cover with soil. La France Rose. — Is the La France one of the old roses ? The La France rose was developed from the Tea rose as late as 1867. It is a rarely beautiful rose, lovely in color and profuse in bloom. It is adapted to both indoor and outdoor culture, being a hardy, vigorous grow- er, retaining in outdoor growth the size and quality of its hot-house devel- opment. Monthly Roses, Fumigating. --Ought out door monthly roses to be fumigated J It is not generally thought neces- sary to fumigate outdoor roses. Care- ful syringing ought to keep them in good condition. Potted Roses In Cellars.— How should pot- ted roses be kept through the winter ? The roses when taken up from the garden and potted should be kept in a dark room for a week or two before taking them to the cellar. This pre- pare* them for the change, and they will rest during the winter and are ready for fine, strong growth a second summer. Crimson Rambler Rose. — Is this rGse hardy and easy to grow ? It is perfectly hardy, and the foliage is retained to a great extent during the winter, making it almost an evergreen. It is easy to grow, and in a single sea son makes shoots from six to ten feet in height. Tea Roses, House Culture. — Name some varieties of the Tea rose for bouse culture. The La France (Bourbon), bright lilac-rose, perpetual bloomer, fine form and half hardy; Perle de Jardins. sul phur yellow, full and double, an un- usually fine rose; Hermosa (Bourbon), light rose color, a most perpetual bloomer; Bon Silene, flowers purplish carmine, highly scented: Niphetos, pure white, an incessant bloomer. Monthly Roses In Winter. — How can Monthly roses be protected in v> inter ? As soon as the temperature gets be- low freezing they should be pegged down securely and covered to a depth of four or five inches with litter, leaves, and light covering. The covering should not be removed too early in the spring. Wait until the hard frosts come on before covering, and until April, at least, before uncovering the vines. The Prairie Rose.— Will the Prairie rose bloom early in the season ? The Prairie rose is a late bloomer, sending out clusters of large beautiful flowers when almost all other roses are gone. 18 Flower Queries. Bine Roses.— Is there such a flower as a Blue rose ? No. Blue roses are an utter impos- sibility. Mr. Henderson says: "It has long been known among the best observers of such matters, that in cer- tain families of plants, particular col- ors prevail, and that in no single in- stance can we ever expect to see blue, yellow, and scarlet colors in varieties of the same species. If any one at all conversant with plants, will bring any family of them to mind, it will at once be seen how undeviating is this law. In the dahlia we have scarlet and yel- low, but no approach to the blue; so in the rose, hollyhock, etc. Again in the verbena and salvia, we have scal- ier and blue, but no yellow. If we re- flect, it will be seen that there is noth- ing out of the order of nature in this arrangement; why then should we ex- pect nature to step outside of what seems to be her fixed laws, and give us a blue rose ".'" Jtliilching Rose Beds. — Is mulching neces- sary or desirable for rose beds :- American Gardening says: "A mulching on the rose beds is decidedly beneficial during The hot weather, not only preventing the too rapid evapor- ation of moisture from the soil, but also keeping the roots cool, and the most convenient material for this pur- pose is found in the clippings from the lawn, this being a covering that has been frequently proved most satisfac- tory. Where it is possible to do so, the rose beds should be freely watered during dry weather, for by this means quite a sprinkling of flowers may be had from the June roses (hybrid per- petuals), later in the season, beside greatly improving both quality and quantity of flowers on the so-called ever-bloominy; sorts." The Bridal Rose — What soil does the Bridal ro*e require, and is it hardy ? The Bridal Rose needs a loose, por- ous soil with good drainage. It may be called hardy, although in the north it requires a little protection through the winter. It also likes partial shade. Damask Roses.— Where did the Damask rose originate or receive its name ': The Damask rose came from the gardens of Damascus. It Avas intro- duced into Europe, and after many years was brought into this country. Tlie Sunset Rose.— From what variety does the Sunset rose originate ? The Sunset rose is a sport of the well known Perle de Jardins. The flowers, like those of its parent, are very large, full, well formed, and borne on stiff stems. It is a good rose for winter forcing, and is also desira- ble for outdoor culture. Fairy Roses.— To what class do the Fairy ros«s belong ? To the class of Polyanthas. They are a lovely and distinct class of ever- blooming roses, distinguished by their dwarf, bushy habit of growth, medi- um size and very double flowers, which are delightfully fragrant and are borne in large clusters and masses, frequent- ly seeming to cover the whole plant with a sheet of bloom. They are good, vigorous growers and constant and most profuse bloomers, very pretty and highly recommended for general planting, also for edges and borders to beds of the larger growing varieties. They are not entirely hardy, but will often survive the Avinters in favorable situations, with usual protection. Roses for the Window. — Name some roses that may be grown in the window. Do not try the varieties often talked of. such as Perle de Jardins and Cath- erine Mermet; they can only be grown well by florists. Try Queen's Scarlet, Hermosa, Marie Lambert and Francis- ca Kruger. These can be depended upon to give satisfaction and pleasure in the house. Rosa Wiclmriana.— Will the Rosa Wich- uriana make a good growth the first season ; This is a rapid grower, of trailing habit. It will sometimes run as much as twenty feet in one season. It likes, unlimited space. The flowers are large, white, and very abundant. Persian Rose. — How should the Persian rose be pruned and what are iis habits of growth ? The blossoms of the Persian rose are produced on the previous year's growth, which fact prevents much pruning. The dead branches should be cut out. This rose should be placed by itself, as it is of rambling growth. The beautiful sulphur yellow blos- soms come in early summer in great profusion, causing it to be a general favorite. Rose Culture. 19 Climbing Roses.— Name some desirable var ieties of climbing roses. There are many varieties of climbing roses; some of them are hardy enough to make a very fair growth in the north, but the most luxuriant growth is produced in California and the southern States. In these localities the beautiful Lamarque stands first. Others almost as beautiful and of vig- orous growth are the Banksian. Reine Marie Henriette, Cloth of Gold, Es- telle Pradez, Marechal Niel, Rosa mos- chata, and the Cherokee rose. Roses for Wintlovvs. — What is the best treatment tor roses intended for window culture ! Should the> be planted duriog summer or kept in pots ! Two systems may be practiced. One is to pot the plants into five or six - - inch size, using light, rich, turfy soil, and then sink the pots up to the rim in the ground. Cover with a light mulch to prevent evaporation, and give plenty of water. Soapsuds from the kitchen and weak liquid manure will assist growth. They may remain out of doors until the ground freezes. The other system is to plant them in the open ground early in the summer and let them remain there until late in the fall, then carefully lift and pot. Roses require a season of rest; they cannot be well forced the year around. Tea Roses, Outdoors.— Can Tea roses be cultivated out of aoors successfully ! As good an authority as James Shee- hansays: 'Tea roses may be culti- vated out of doors with success, but they must be taken up in the fall and removed indoors. We know it is the custom of some gardeners to lay the bushes down in the fall, and cover them with earth and leaves; while in some cases this may preserve them, it cannot be depended on as a rule. To keep up a steady bloom, pinch off all flowers as soon as they begin to fade. It is best to not let the buds open fully while on the bush, but they should be cut in the bud, and placed in a vase of water, where they will expand and keep for a long while. All dead leaves and flower stems should be carefully removed, and the surface of the soil in the pots should be stirred up occa- sionally with a stick; this Avill keep the plants in a growing condition, and if they can be kept growing, they will bloom continuously." Hermosa Rose.— Is this a winter bloomer, and what treatment does it require ? "We quote from Park's Floral Maga- zine: ••Hermosa rose blooms well either summer or winter. If wanted for winter-blooming get a young plant in the spring, pot if in a three-inch pot, and shift it as it grows to make strong roots and retard blooming. Cut the buds off as they appear. By autumn the plant should occupy a six-inch pot, and if given a sunny win dow will bloom freely under favorable conditions. Cut the flowers as they fade, with a portion of the branch, to induce new growth, on which the buds appear. For summer-blooming bed out in May, and mulch the bed with stable litter as the weather be- comes warm. Thus treated they will bloom all summer, and bear the win- ter without protection, though a board frame around the lied, or a covering of evergreen boughs placed over the bed in December is often beneficial." Rose Bert.— What is the best location for a rose bed ? To begin with the bed should be well sheltered from wind and yet sun ny. It should not be near large trees. as the large roots of the trees will take all the nourishment from the soil, and will fairly starve the poor roses. The making of the bed is very important. It should be mellow and well worked to a depth of at least twelve inches; the soil should be rich and yet with a good deal of sand worked in. perhaps as much as one-third. With care in making the bed the roses will not need enriching until a second season, and even then it must be done with care: use only well-rotted manure and not too much of that. Too much enrich- ing will burn the plants, yellow tin- leaves, and blast the buds. The plants should be set about twelve or eighteen inches apart. The roots must never be crowded. Ten Roses. — Name ten roses for general cul- ture. We should name Clothilde Soupert. Mrs. Degrauw, rose color; Malmaison, flesh color and deliciously sweet : La France, clear soft pink; General Jacqueminot, crimson ; Duchess of Al- bany, deep pink; Dinsmore, coral red. Empress Augusta Victoria, white and very fine; Papa Gontier, bright red. and Etoile de Lyon. The three last are not quite hardy. 20 Flowek Quekies. Tea Kose Cuttings.— When should Tea rose cuttings be started for the next summer's use i About September the cuttings .should be made. They should he started in sand with a temperature of about 65 degrees. The process of rooting covers from twenty to thirty days, when they should be ready for transplanting into pots. Roses need rather large pots. They need constant syringing and fumigating with tobac- co because of their deadly enemies, the aphis and the red spider. They require good soil and may he placed in 1mm Is as early as Ma v. Hoses for tlic Garden. — Name some desire able varieties for garden culture. "La France, Mrs. John Laing, John Hopper, General Jacqueminot, Paul Neyron, Maurice Bernardin, Ulrich Brunner, Baroness Rothschild, Mer- veille de Lyon, Hermosa, Anne de Diesbach. Eugene Verdier, Fisher Holmes, Coquette des Blanches. Mal- maison and Mdme. Plantier, the latter being a particularly free - blooming white variety, but belonging to the China section, and consequently only to be relied upon to produce one crop of flowers in the season." The above list is given by so good an authority as American Gardening. Hardy Tea Hoses.— Name some Tea roses that are hardy. Very few Tea roses are hardy; we name some that may be relied upon in temperate localities, not north of ]N"ew York City: Marie Van Houtte, Papa Gontier, Dinsmore, Marie Guil- lot, Perle de Jardins, Mdme. Lom- bard, Souvenir dun Ami, and Cather- ine Mermet. Hosts, Indoors. — What varieties of roses are best for indoor culture ? The roses best adapted for indoor culture are Tea roses ; these are ten- der, of a busy growth, and will bloom the year round; the flowers have a strong tea -scent. Moss Roses.— Are Moss roses entirely hardy ? They are entirely hardy, and can be wintered without any protection. They should be well, even severely pruned in the spring, carefully remov- ing all the old wood. We would name the White Perpetual, pure white; the < 'rested, rose color, and perhaps the Salet, deep pink. Dwarf Roses.— What are the most desirable* dwarf roses ? American Gardening gives the fol- lowing: "By repeated and careful selections a new race of roses has been produced, which, like annuals, ger- minate, flower, and produce seeds in less than a year. As to the word ' dwarf,' that is justified by the height, which in adult plants is only about twenty inches. The flowers are single, semi-double or double, in almost equal proportions, and present almost all the variations of color observed in cul- tivated roses. Flowering commences, as has been already said, in the first year, and even a few months after sowing. This precocity is one of the most remarkable and interesting fea- tures of this new type, in which, in fact, the rose assumes some of the characteristics of an annual. It is very curious to see a small rose tree, perhaps only about three inches high, with a very slender stem and a few small leaves, put forth in less than three months, numerous flower buds which soon open into pretty little semi-double roses the size of a florin or of a half crown, and resembling in ap- pearance Lawrence's Bengal rose, or even more closely, the Rose Pompon de Mai. A young plant raised from seed sown on January 15, expanded its first flower three months later. Blooming is continuous throughout the summer, but is naturally more abundant in the second year, when the plant assumes the corymb charac- ter peculiar to Rosa polyantha." Roses for Rock Gardens. --What rosts can be grown best in a rockery ? There are several varieties of roses of rambling growth that makes them very desirable for a rockery. R. blan- da. R. caroliniana. R. lucida, R. folio losa. and the little Scotch rose. R. spinosissima. are all inclined to wild rambling growth. Clothilde Soupert Rose.— Is the Clothilde Soupert rose a free bloomer ? Clothilde Soupert is a beautiful rose either in bud or fully blown, of a beau- tiful soft pink when first opening, changing to paler pink as it gets older, and some of the flowers are almost pure white. It is beautifully formed, very double, sweet-scented and a most prolific bloomer. It will continue in bloom from early spring till frost in the fall. Rose Culture. 21 .Mildew on Roses — Can rose mildew he pre- vented ? The best care cannot insure the ab- sence of mildew. However, the use of sulphur will always destroy the germs of mildew. TJie Cherokee Rose. — Is the Cherokee rose hardy, and what is the nature of its growth ? The Cherokee rose may be said to be hardy as far north as New Jersey. It is a climber of most luxuriant growth. It yields a prolusion of large white flowers. 'Wintering Tea Rosen.— Can Tea roses be wintered out of doors ? By cutting the plants back slightly and bending them down and securing them with leaves, not too heavily, they may be safely carried through the winter. Black Spots on Roses. — What will remove black spats from roses ? The best remedy we know is cup- ram, an ammoniacal solution of car- bonate of copper. All spotted leaves should be removed and burned, then spray the plant Avith cupram. Rose Cuttings.— When should rose cuttings be made f How long a time is required for rooting? September is the best time. After inserting the cuttings they should be kept in an even temperature of about sixty -five, watered carefully, not too profusely. The time required for root- ing varies from three to four weeks. The Sweetljrlar. — Is the Sweetbriar rose hardy '! The Sweetbriar is hardy and is alto- gether a most charming rose. The blossoms, though single, are of a beau- tiful shade of pink, and the fragrance of its foliage is very delightful. It re- tains this fragrance for many months after being cut. Hybrid Peipetnals.lt] wintering Hybrid Perpetuals is it necessary to peg down the shoots ? It is entirely unnecessary. A much better way is to carefully prune the bush, then throw up soil around each plant to the depth of six or eight inches; cover the entire bed with a good mulching of half-rotted cow manure, and your roses will come beautifully in the spring. Sprinkling Roses.— How often ought roses to b^ sprinkled ? Rose foliage should be sprinkled every day. Both upper and under sides of the leaves should be wet; if this is not done thoroughly the small red spider will take possession and ruin the plant. Transplanting Rose Cuttings — What soil should be used, ami how should rose cuttings be transplanted ? The soil should be very carefully prepared : one-third cow manure, two- thirds turf, both well rotted and mixed together, and a small amount of sand. They should be potted in very small pots at first. Pruning Roses. — Give suggestions for pruu- ing roses. AVe take the following excellent sug- gestions from Dingee and Conard's catalogue: "The different varieties of roses differ very much in habit of growth ; many are neat and compact, requiring little or no attention, while others of the same class are vigor- ous and straggling, sending out long shoots which tend to outrun the lim- its assigned them. Pruning, therefore, is a matter to be governed by the judgment of the possessor of the plants. We will add, however, that plants of persistent growth should be trimmed back each fall or in early spring about one-half to two thirds of the season's growth. Where plants. apparently healthy, fail to mature the buds which they bear, remove a large percentage of the undeveloped buds and imperfect blooms and prune se- verely. Also trim back about one- third when, after planting, they shed their leaves and exhibit signs of weak- ness; this gives the roots a chance to become vigorous. CHAPTER V. Vines or Climbers. "Lurk'cJ a pavilion, a ^eliciovi-s -sigt\t, .Stnall, marble, Well-f>roportioA'd, melloWy wKitf, Witt\ >elloV Vine leaVes sprif\klecl, — " LeigK Hunt. Ornamental Gourds.— Is any special cul- ture necessary to success with ornamental gourds ? These gourds require but little care after the seeds are planted, except to train the vines. When the ground has become warm in spring, plant the seeds in rich soil where you want the gourds to grow, and should dry weather follow, water them liberally. The first frost kills the plants, but usually not until they have ripened an abundance of seeds. The growth of of the gourd is proverbial and the plant will soon cover long trellises and produce a very beautiful effect. The Balsam Apple (Momordica) is nearly related to the gourd family. It is a slender climber with a delicate foliage. The seeds should be started in pots and tlie plants turned out early in .Tune into rich, moist soil, where they can have a, sunny exposure Plumbago Capensls. pensis easy co cultivate ? -Is the Plumbago Ca- Cisstis Heterophylla.— Is tlie Cissus Hete- rophyila of rank growth enough to be useful for shade ? It is one of the most beautiful and most desirable of vines. It grows lux- uriantly, making a dense shade. It will grow in almost any kind of soil. The foliage is very beautiful, the leaves are a rich dark green with cream-white blotches. The blossoms are followed by berries, so the vine is at all times one of unusual beauty. It is entirely hardy, and the richness of the variegation increases with age. It is unusually free from insect pests. Altogether one of the most beautiful of vines for piazza decoration. We very much admire the Plumba- go Capensis and we quote a fine des- cription of the vine from Park's Floral Magazine: "There is scarcely any" other window flower of the same ex- quisite delicate blue, and I know of no other so successfully cultivated. A small plant bought in the spring or early summer will soon begin bloom- ing, throwing out several trusses of lovely phlox-like flowers, and continue in bloom for months at a time, the plant constantly growing finer. The blooms are produced on the new wood, and for this reason as each branch finishes flowering it should be cut back rigorously to induce a greater number of flowering branches. The plant should be turned e^'ery day or two to allow every side of it a fair ex- posure to the sun, then allow the new branches to grow any length desired before pinching out the top. If it is budded do not pinch it, as the flowers are too lovely to lose. If pinched in time, however, a great many more blooming shoots will be produced. I have had branches over three feet long on a year old plant, and these in turn branched nearly to the l>ase. and at the end of every branch a large truss of the exquisite blue flowers. This Plumbago is not fastidious as to treatment, and will stand a good deal of neglect. It is also quite hardy, standing cold nights extremely well."' When these plants show fatigue let them rest on a back shelf, giving water only once a week. A few weeks of rest will do wonders for them. Vines or Climbers. 23 Vines for tlie Veranda. — Kame some Vines most desirable for growing about a veranda. Ever - blooming roses are always beautiful. The Honeysuckle is a very clean, pleasant vine, with its delight- ful fragrance. The Wistaria is very showy, as is also the Trumpet Creeper. For temperate localities the Carolina Yellow Jasmine and the Plumbago Ca- pensis are very desirable. The Moon- flowers, Maurandia and Coboea Scan- dens are desirable for quick growth. The Madeira vine grows quickly too, and the flowers are inconspicuous and very fragrant. Many varieties of Cle- matis are very desirable. The dainty Tropaeolum Canadensis must not be forgotten. If vines are wanted simply for foliage or to cover walls, the Eng- lish Ivy and Ampelopsis Veitchii are very beautiful. Varieties of Clematis.— Please name some of the best varieties of Clematis. There are many, but the following will give general satisfaction : Alexan- dra, color reddish-violet; Flammula, small white flowers: Gem. deep laven- der-blue; Grloire de St. Julian, white; Hendersoni, bluish-purple; Henryii, white; Imperatriee Eugenie, white; Jackmanii, beautiful purple; Jeanne d'Arc, grayish-white ; Lanuginosa Can- dida, white; Lanuginosa nivea, white; Lawsoniana, bluish-purple; Magnifica, rich purple ; Otto Frcebel, white ; Prince of Wales, purple with red bar in centre of each petal: Rubella, claret color; Rubra violaeea, maroon-purple; Star of India, violet-purple with tur- key-red bars in the center of each flower leaf; Velutina purpurea, black- ish-purple; Viticella rubra grandiflora, claret-crimson with green stamens; Viticella venosa, reddish-purple vein- ed with crimson. Morning Glories.— Is it well to let Morning Glories sow themselves ? Not if you want the choice colors and a variety of them. You can get much finer and more varied colors in a choice mixture procured from some reliable seedsman. Sow them in a box and transplant when the plants are large enough. Furnish support as soon as the plants show a disposition to climb. The variety and beauty of the flowers from such plants will be a source of much pleasure and satisfac- tion every morning during the sum- mer and autumn. They are especially valuable for porches and screens. Dlanettia Leaves Curling.— What causes the leaves of Mauettia-vine to cu 1 and dry up at the edges ? Manettia bicolor is troubled with blight, or the attack of a parasitic fungus, when the conditions for its growth are not entirely favorable. The vine needs plenty of room for its roots, plenty of heat," a moist atmos- phere and partial shade. When the disease appears, remove all affected leaves, and change the conditions to promote the health of the plant. Hardy Moon-nower.— How should Hardv Moon flower be cultivated ? Is it a ready grower ? The Hardy Moon-flower (Ipomaea pandurata) is a wild vine found in fields in many sections of our country. I The plant is found trailing on the i ground, and bears large, white nioni- 1 ing-glory-like flowers, with a rosy throat. ' These are always found open in the morning, and are often called morning-lilies. The roots are very large and lie beneath the reach of the plow, so that the farmer finds the vines troublesome to get rid of. All that need be said as to cultivation Ls, to plant the roots. The vines will take care of themselves. Cinnamon Vine.— Where does the Cinna- mon vine come from, and is it hardy ? This beautiful climber is extensively grown in the East and West Indies as an article of food where the roots grow to large size and very much re- semble a sweet potato in shape. They are roasted and eaten as bread, and considered very nutritious. When in- troduced into this country they cre- ated quite a sensation, and although they are not considered a very valu- able eatable, as beautiful, hardy. climbers, they are highly appreciated. These vines are of easy culture. Be- fore cold weather cover slightly with straw if where the winter is severe. As a covering for an arbor or veranda they are exceedingly desirable, not only on account of their beautiful foliage, but because of the profusion of the sweet-scented flowers which prove a source of constant delight. English Ivy Is the English Ivy an ever- green ? The English Ivy (Hedera Helix) is a true ivy, and a hardy evergreen, the foliage 'remaining green throughout the winter. 24 Flower Queries. Manettia Blight.— Are all varieties of Man- ettia-vine subject co blight ? Manettia cordifolia is not affected with blight. It is tuberous-rooted, blooms in summer, bearing a j)rofusion of open, carmine flowers, and dies down in autumn. It is really more desirable than Manettia bicolor for the ordinary amateur, as it never fails to grow and bloom satisfactorily. For blight, give partial shade and water occasionally with soot tea. Apios Tuberosa.— Is the Apios Tuberosa a wild vine ? The Apios Tuberosa is a wild vine and found in moist places. The tubers are about as large as a hen's e^g, and joined together. The vine will grow from ten To Twelve feet in height, and when well cared for produces clusters of bloom not unlike short clusters of black locust bloom, but of a peculiar brownish color. The plant is not satis- factory as an ornamental vine. Hoya Carnosa. — Can the Hoya Carnosa be started from a leaf ? From a well matured leaf it can be successfully started. It is slow in coming, but very sure. Do not re-pot for as many as four or five years. Even strong plants do not like to be disturbed. The soil may be strength- ened by removing old soil from the top and filling up with fresh soil well enriched. Clematis.— What is the easiest way of propa gating Clematis ? The easiest way for the amateur is by layering. Plants used for propa- gation should be given very rich soil ; as they grow, the steins should be peg- ged down and covered with soil at the joints. It is best not to cut off the layers before the following year. Climbing Japanese Fern.— Is the Climb- ing Japanese Fern a vine ? IT is a vine quite like the Cypress in its growth and foliage. It will cover a trellis or wall most charmingly, and it will quickly cover a small Tree or shrub. Wistarias.— When and how should the Wis- taria be pruned ? In midsummer. The side shoots should be cut back to about one foot from The main stem. Other side shoots will quickly start, which should, when a few inches long, be pinched in again ; in this way producing flower buds in- stead of leaf buds. If the young shoots make a strong growth during the sea- son, they should be cut back again the following spring without waiting for The midsummer pruning. Torenia. - baskets ? Is Torenia suitable for hanging Torenia is very desirable for hang- ing baskets, as it starts quickly from seed, it bears transplanting well, and it much likes intense heat. It grows very rapidly and will of itself cover a basket and cling so closely to its sides* that one can see but a mass of lovely green sprays covered with whiTe and blue blossoms. Japanese Hop.— Is the Japanese Hop an an- nual ? How cultivated ? The Japanese Hop is an annual, easily grown from seeds and self-sows when once introduced. It is a coarse vine that grows rapidly, and some cul- tivators prize it highly, especially the variegated-leaved variety. Treat it as you would the old-fashioned Morn- ing-glory. Clematis Panlculata— Is the Clematis Pani- eulata entirely hardy ana what are its habits of growth ? It is a thrifty, robust-growing vine of graceful habit and attractive foli- age. It is entirely hardy. The vine dies down in the fall, but the next spring it starts with added strength and makes very rapid growth. It grows well over woven wire, or it can be tacked to a Avail. The pretty star- like florets with feathery stamens are very lovely. Virginia Creeper.— Does the Virginia Creep- er require protection in winter ? Not after the first season. The first year's growth should be slightly pro- tected with evergreen boughs or branches of some kind. After the first winter it is strong enough to endure almost any amount of cold. It is a very desirable vine, because of its rapid growth and of its brilliant color- ing in the autumn. Climbers.— Name some desirable Climbers of ea*y growth. Convolvulus, Canary Creeper, Sweet Pea, and Major. These are all easy to grow and pleasing in effect. Vines or Climbers. 25 Boston Ivy.— Is Boston Ivy hardy ? How best grown ? Boston Ivy (Ampelopsis Veitchii) is hardy unless it is taken into the ex- treme north. It must be grown against a Avail. It is a deciduous, shrubby vine, losing its leaves in au- tumn. German Ivy.— Give culture of German Ivy. What color are its blossoms ? The German or Parlor Ivy grows very rapidly. Planted in a large pot with rich porous soil, then trained about the room, its growth is almost marvellous. The blossoms are small and of a rather bright orange color. Coboea Scandens. — Is the Coboea Scandens only a summer growing vine ? Coboea Scandens really bel< >ngs to the south. It is not hardy at the north, indeed it will rarely even perfect seeds in this climate. As a summer vine it is charming, it grows rapidly and well, blooms freely, bearing large, purple, bell-shaped flowers from midsummer till frost. Seeds started in April bloom in July. Stephanotis Floribunda.- Will the Step- hanotis Floribunda grow outdoors ? This is a hot-house evergreen and cannot be grown in gardens. It is pro- pagated by cuttings, and requires sev- eral re-pottings. The plant has to be cut back, and the soil very much en- riched for two years before allowing it to develop. It then makes a reliable greenhouse vine, yielding a wealth of bloom annually. Kiisleiita Alblda, When aacl how does the Ensienia Albida bloom ? It blooms late in the summer, the flowers are small, white and sweet- scented. The vine has a clean, smooth, green stem and the leaves are very distinctly veined, sometimes veined with white. It is a rapid grower. Seneclo Macroglossis, — Can the Senecio Macroglssis be propogated from slips ? It propogates readily from slips. This is one of the most beautiful of vines for house culture. The dark green, shiny leaves are beautiful even without the light yellow flower with its beautiful veins on the lower side. I It is a high climbing vine of rapid growth. Cypress Vine.— Will Cypress Vine bear trans- planting ? The Cypress vine will not bear transplanting well. Plant the seeds, they germinate readily. The blossoms with their star-like beauty give rare pleasure as they unfold every morn- ing. The fact that they only* remain open a part of the day matters little, as the vine itself is so beautiful with its soft fern-like foliage. Madeira Vine.— Give some informati-n on the cultivation of the Madeira vine. The Madeira vine will grow from either seed or tubers, but rather better from the tubers. It requires a rich soil and a shady position. The vine grows exceedingly rapidly, requiring constant training. The leaves are of a light green, waxen and glossy. The racemes of bloom are creamy white and very fragrant. The vine grows and blooms luxuriantly until frost. Clematis Coccin»a— Is the Clematis Coccinea hardy in the north, ar/d is it a desirable variety ? The Clematis Coccinea is entirely hardy and we consider it very desir- able. Being herbaceous, it dies down every winter, and in spring throws up eight to twelve vines to a height of eight to ten feet. Early in July, and continuing till frost appears, its one to one and one half inch long, bell-shap- ed flowers, of the most intense coral scarlet, shine as if polished. They are produced from the axil of each leaf, on strong, wiry peduncles, three to four inches long, standing out boldly from the foliage. The leaves are of a rich, deep, glossy green, deeply lobed, and of a firm texture. The foliage and en- tire habit of the plant is elegant, bright, and attractive, — indeed, even without flowers it would be a valuable addition to a garden. Its cultivation is of the easiest kind, as it thrives in any moderately rich soil, and in any situation where it gets the benefit of a few hours of sunshine a day. Another great point in its favor is that it is not subject to insect depredations, which prove so disastrous to many other climbers. Kcnlhvortli Ivy.— Is the Kenihvoith Ivy hardy ? It is not. It is simply a dainty vine for house culture, and especially pleas- ing for hanging baskets or window brackets. It is a very free bloomer. 26 Flower Queries. Ivy Cuttings. — Will cuttings ef Ivy root easily, and what treatment does the vine require? We quote from James Sheehan: "The Ivy may be easily cultivated from slips or layers. In soil, sand, or even in pure water, cuttings will root, and they will take up with almost any kind of soil, but that which can be easily kept loose is preferable. The Ivy is partial to shade, and if it never saw the sun it would make no differ- ence, as it would grow and flourish jus,t the same. There is no sight more attractive in a window-garden than a tine Ivy vine trained up the casement, over the wall and ceiling its dark, rich, glossy leaves, and thrifty look, make it an object to be admired. If grown in pots in the house, the soil will soon become exhausted, if the plant is growing rapidly ; and it should be changed or enriched with decayed manure at least once each year, care being taken not to disturb the roots to a great extent. It is a mistake to allow Ivies too much pot-room ; they will do better if the roots are consider- ably confined. Soap-suds or liquid manure if applied once a month when the plants are growing, will promote a luxuriant growth. When dust ac- cumulates on the leaves, as it will, if grown indoors, wash it off with a damp cloth or sponge; if this is long neglected you need not be surprised if you soon discover the leaves to be covered with red-spider or scale-lice. Cold water is the best wash, when washing be sure and treat the under- side of the leaves as well as the upper surface. I would recommend the English Ivy as being the best sort for general cultivation." Tropwolum Peregi in u 111. — Will the Tra- ps-dura Peregrinum grow out of doors ? It will grow well outdoors if started in the house and transplanted. The foliage of the vine is very beautiful, and with the delicately fringed yellow flowers looking like yellow birds with wings outstretched the effect is charm- ing. The Tropa-olum is more com- monly known as the Canary Bird flower. Variegated Hop.— Is the Variegated Hop of rapid growth ? The Variegated Hop grows rapidly, the foliage is not as dense as that of the common hop, but much more beautiful. The vine self-sows, and the second year vines are often much stronger in growth than those of the first season. Yellow Jasmtiie. — Will the Yellow Jasmine live in the north, and what soil does it require ? The Yellow Jasmine may be called hardy until taken into the extreme north. It makes a beautiful trellis vine, although it will not grow with its southern luxuriance. In its own climate it covers fences and shrubs and even tall pines. It grows best in a soil composed of sod, leaf mould, and sand in about equal parts. The Honeysuckle. — Is the Honeysuckle sub- ject to insect enemies ? We have always found the Honey- suckle to be unusually free from in- sects, which is a great recommenda- tion for a vine to be grown near the house. Solanums,- Will Solanums bloom in the ■wjnter? By taking cuttings in midsummer, which root very easily, blossoms may be produced in the winter. The vine is. however, most truly a summer vine. If set outdoors in the spring in a sunny corner and given deep, rich soil and some kind of lattice for sup- port, it will grow to a height of twenty feet or more, giving all the time a wealth of airy clusters of starry blossoms. The Hoya.— How may the Hoya be most sat- isfactorily grrown ? Hoya is a plant that gives the best satisfaction as a house plant. Its large waxen leaves are very beautiful when sponged and kept free from dust. It may be new to many to know that the buds of the Hoya form in the joint between the stem and the leaf one year before it blooms. It is a little crooked stem, turned down, and a little head at the end which make> one think of a snake's head. The next year this stem raises up and the buds expand; and we have a cluster of five-sided waxen lumps, each on the end of a stem. When opened, a lovely five-pointed star, with a velvety look and bright as with dew, is a delight to the eye and nostril. When these lovely flowers fade and drop off, be sure to leave the little stump on the vine, for the next year a similar bunch of buds will grow "out of the center of that little stump; and more flowers will gladden the heart of the possessor of the blooming Hoya. CHAPTER VI Shrubs. "It WaA a shallow 4ell, $et \r\ a taoulid" Of .sloping scrubs, tkat h\our\te4 by 4c9 ree 5 — Tke birck al\c| poplar mixecl it\ l\eaVier trees;" LcigK Hui\t. Rhododendrons.— When should Rhododen- drons be planted ? In the Northern States spring plant- ing is preferable, and also wherever the ground is not perfectly drained. The proper selection of varieties is of the greatest importance. More plants are lost from not being suited to out- door culture than from any other ■cause. In the south, they may be planted in either autumn or spring. Starting Slips. — Is there any particular kind of soil better than another for starting slips? The best medium in which to place cuttings of nearly all the ordinary house-plants is pure building-sand. This is to be kept very wet until the cuttings become rooted. The young plants are then to be transplanted in small pots — two to two and a half inches in diameter — in soil consisting of equal parts of well-decomposed manure, loamy garden soil, ami sand. Hardy Rhododendron. — What soil does the Rhododendron require-, and is it hardy ? The Rhododendron thrives in a loose, porous, well-drained soil. It is hardy even in the north if planted in a protected, partially shaded place. The flowers are very beautiful and borne in June in great clusters. h airy Shrub.— What is the Fairy shrub ? It is a species of shrubby Clematis. A very dainty shrub well deserving the name of Fairy shrub. A native of the south. Native Spii-eas.— Will the Nat ive Spiraeas bear transplanting? The native Spiraeas are very much improved by cultivation. In choosing the shrubs, select only young plants of symmetrical growth; cut out the dead wood and rank-growing stems Work the soil lightly about the roots to encourage a strong fibrous growth, and when the leaves have fallen the bushes will be ready to transplant. They are entirely hardy and with proper care will flourish wonderfully. Spirea Callosa Alba. Alba a dwarf shrub ? -Is the Spirea Callus?, It is a dwarf, of bushy yet symmet- rical growth: yielding most profuse bloom during the summer months. It requires a deep, moderately rich soil and a sunny situation. Occasional top dressings of well-decayed manure in- crease its growth. The branches should be cut back in the early spring enough to keep good shape, but they should not be severely pruned. Cape Jasmine.— To what extent is the Cape Jasmine hardy, ai»d what culture does it require? The Cape Jasmine is only hardy at the south. In the north it can only be grown in pots. It is easy to culti- vate, requiring a mixture of loam and sand, plenty of water while in blossom and very little water while it is rest- ing. The flowers must be cut with short stems. After the flowering season, the plant may be cut back. The flowers are double, white and de- lightfully fragrant. It is often called the Grardenia. 28 Flower Queries. Syringa Vn'garis. — What is the Syringa Vulgaris, and how is it propagated? It i.s really The common Lilac. There are numerous varieties, ranging in color from white to deep purple. Most of them are perfectly hardy, and all are extremely ornamental. They are readily propagated from the numerous j suckers which they send forth. Simply separate the shoot from the old bush. The Syringa.— When does the Syringa blos- som, and what is its growth ? It blossoms in June and is indigen- ous to the United States. It is a strong grower and makes a large-sized shrub unless kept in hand by pruning. The flowers, which are pure white and fragrant, are produced in great pro- fusion in June. Althaea— Is the Althaea an early bloomer '? No. The Althaea or Hibiscus Syria- cus, is a most desirable shrub, easy of culture but it will not bloom before August or September. Fruit-Bearing Shrubs. — Are any of the fruit-bearing shrubs dtcorative ? Several of them are. The foliage of the Buffalo Berry is silvery white with large clusters of rich crimson berries. The Tree Cranberry is a very pretty shrub, about the size of the Lilac and with drooping clusters of bright red berries. The dwarf Rocky Mountain Cherry grows about four feet high and hears an enormous amount of fruit every year. The dwarf Juneberry is a beautiful shrub, growing very quickly and bearing fruit when very small. The lovely little blossomscome before the leaves start. The fruit is purple when ripe and about the size of a cherry. All of these named are ornamental as shrubs. The Spirea.— Is the Spirea a tree blooming shrub? The Spirea is a very free bloomer. The blossoms come early in May and continue long on the shrub. The ordinary growth of the bush is from five to seven feet in height. •Jasminum Uraiiditlorum. — Is the Jas minum Wranditiorum a vine or a shrub ? It is inclined to climb, yet with proper pruning it makes a most satis- factory shrub. By pinching off the top when it has reached the height you desire, you will cause it to throw out lateral shoots, and pinching these off in turn produces a bushy symme- trical shrub with delicate foliage and small, sweet nowers. A Hardy Border. — When and how should a hardy border be planted ? A hardy border may be planted either in the spring or autumn. Large, well-grown clumps, such as some nur- serymen sell, will make a really tine display the first season. They should be set out in their permanent places so as to become well established be- fore winter. In planting, remember one principle: hardy plants produce their best effects when arranged in groups or masses, the size of these de- pending on the extent of the grounds and length of the border. Never plant fewer than six or twelve plants of a kind, and plant them near enough to- gether to form, when grown, a solid mass of foliage and bloom. Arrange the various groups irregularly in the border, planting the taller and coarser varieties in the background, having due regard to season and bloom. Make a plan of the border in advance, and study carefully the characteristics of the plants in making their arrange- ment. The following list is well ar- ranged in classes according to height; Low — Achillea alba, Phlox sublata, va- rious Pinks, Carnations, Grallardia, Iceland Poppy, Coreopsis lanceolata. Plumbago larpentae. Medium — Pe- onies, Oriental Poppy, Hardy Phlox, Platycodon, Iris Germanica. Tall — Delphinium (Hardy Larkspur), Aqui- legia (Columbine), Campanula (Can- terbury Bell), Digitalis (Fox Clove), Hollyhock, Dahlia, Sunflower. Hibis- cus, Iris Ksempeferii. Hydrangeas.- \re Hydrangeas hardy, and when shoula cuttings be rooted :' Some varieties of Hydrangeas are entirely hardy, others are half hardy. The most satisfactory varieties for permanent shrubberies are Paniculata Grrandiflora, Hortensia and Thomas Hogg. Of the half hardy varieties perhaps the Otaska, Thunbergii and the Lindleyii are the most desirable. The cuttings should be rooted in July, then potted in a rich, peaty loam. By taking later cuttings in the autumn, a succession may be established and one may have Hydrangeas in blossom at almost any season. Shrubs. 29 Oleanders — Are Oleanders easy to cultivate ? Should they be watered freely ? The Oleander is not difficult to culti- vate, and when in full bloom nothing can be prettier. It likes a rich soil and plenty of pot room. During its growing season it should be watered abundantly, in fact, it never should become entirely dry at that period, else the flower buds will drop off. Pyrus .Japonica — Is the Pyrus Japonica an early flowering- shrub? The Pyrus Japonica, or Japan (Quince, is one of the very earliest flowering shrubs and produces a great quantity of bright scarlet flowers, not fragrant, but exceedingly brilliant. The bush requires careful pruning as its natural growth is straggling. It is entirely hardy. Deutzist Crenata.— Is the blossom of the Deutzia Crenata single or double? Double. The growth of the shrub is from three to six feet in height. There is a dwarf single variety that may be said to be more generally satis- factory, as it blooms more freely and the blossoms come early in June. •Japanese Desnioiliuiu— Describe the growth of the Japanese Desuuodiuin and culture. Can it be propagated by cuttings ? The Japanese Desmodium. or Sweet Pea shrub, is a very beautiful, hardy perennial. It dies to the ground every fall, and the following spring it throws up robust shoots to the height of four or five feet ; the shoots branch freely, and by autumn the plant assumes the proportion of a medium-sized bush, with gracefully curved branches. The foliage is a bright green color, and the deep rosy-purple, pea -shaped flowers are produced in pendulous racemes all along the curving branches in the greatest profusion. It is perfectly hardy and free from all insect pests ; it well deserves a place in all collections. It prefers a very deep, moderately en- riched soil, a sunny situation and sufficient space in which to properly develop its growth. Every fall a good top dressing should be given and dug in the following spring. The Desmo- dium can be readily increased by cut- tings of the half-ripened wood. It will not bear being disturbedjor trans- planted. Forsithia.— Is the Forsithia a haidy shrub? What soil is best adapted to it ? The dark leaved Forsithia, also popularly known as Golden Bell, is a very beautiful, hardy, ornamental shrub. It attains a height of from four to six feet by as much in breadth. The leaves appear after the flowers, and are retained until the late autumn months. The pendulous, bell-shaped, bright yellow flowers are produced in clusters, or tufts of two or three on all parts of the roil-like branches, and in the greatest profusion about the last of Api-il or the first of May. Forsithia does best when given a deep, well en- riched loamy soil. It will not bear neglect for any length of time, grass or weeds should not be permitted to grow around it. It is also well to give it a good top dressing of stable manure occasionally, and this if possible should be dug in early the ensuing spring. Never trim the Golden Bell in the fall, but pinch back the shoots in the spring when they show a tend ency to grow out of place. Weigela Hosea.- Does the Weigela Rosea require a rich soil? It will grow in almost any soil, but a good, rich soil greatly intensifies the beauty of the blossoms. It is a most showy shrub, making rapid growth early in the season, coming into full bloom in June. Transplanting Magnolias. — How early can the Magnolia be safely transplanted ? In the spring, just as early as the ground can be dug; lift carefully, so that all the small, fibrous roots are preserved; protect them against sun and wind, and move with as little de- lay as possible. Magnolias require a dry, warm, and rich soil. Hibiscus Sunset.— Is the Hibiscus a plant that will bloom late in the fell ? The Hibiscus will bloom late in the fall as well as all through the summer, in fact, until severe frosts come. It is a shrubby perennial which blooms in two months from seed ; and bears large mallow-like flowers from six to eight inches across, of a rich cream color with a velvety maroon center. The plant usually bears from ten to fifteen flowers at a time. CHAPTER VII Ferns and Palms. " NcW tnea-sure-s 5ul\g to tuh,e.s qivirve; But »\or\e, O p>altT\, should equal trvirve!" Bayard Taylor. Filafera Palm— Doc- require much sun ? s the Filafera Palm The Tree Fern. — How is the Tree Fern pro- pagated, and how should it be cared for? This palm does not like strong sun- light. Partial shade, sweet soil and good drainage will usually give fine growth. This palm is easily propa- gated from seeds, which germinate in from three to six weeks. The first leaves are long, unparted and slender, and do not show filaments or threads along the margin. The second leaves are the true, cut leaves. This palm is known as the Brahea filamentosa, or Washingtonia filafera. Yellow Foliage on Palms — What does yellow foliage on palms indicate? Yellow foliage on palms indicates that the plants are either starved at The roots and need feeding, or that the foliage through exposure to sun and wind, has become, comparatively speaking, dried out, and unless a stimulant is given to the roots and likewise to the leaves, the plants will ultimately become stunted; and in- stead of being ornamental and useful, they will become an eyesore. If the plants be in this condition, and yet in fair good condition at the root, water- ing twice a week with liquid cow or sheep manure, and syringing the foliage twice or three times a week with water in which a little ammonia has been mixed, should rapidly bring back a healthy green color to the plants. About a dozen drops of spirits of ammonia to a four-gallon can of water will soften the water, and materially aid toward feeding the foliage. This is recommended by American Otai'dening. The Tree Fern (Acacia lophantha) starts readily from seeds and requires only ordinary care. It grows about two feet in height with dainty little paint-brush-like bloom. Scale on Palm.— Is it possible to destroy scale on palms ? It is difficult to find a remedy that will kill scale on palms, without at the same time injuring the plant itself. Kerosene emulsion is an excellent aid. At the same time remember the scale has to be removed by hand. The best plan is to first wash the affected parts with the insecticide then go over the leaf with a bit of wood which has- been reduced to a thin edge and made smooth, dislodging all the scales ; then wash again. This is the only possible Avay to clean a palm that is badly affected. An Aesthetic Palm.— What Palm of easy- culture may be called most decorative? For an aesthetic-looking pot plant we recommend a graceful palm, Kentia australin. The Kentia flourishes like a green bay tree. The only care required is to sponge the leaves about once a week, and water it when dry. It must not be dried out, but neither must it be soddened. It looks wonder- fully handsome standing in a bowl- like pot of red Japanese ware. The ordinary flower-pot is plunged inside this, when an ordinary pot stands in- side a glazed one, there is no danger of any "muss" from watering. Only, don't let water stand in the outer pot. Ferns and Palms. 31 Rustic Fern Tray.— What is the easiest way of making a rustic fern tray, andwhat varieties of ferns are most dtsirable for that use? A very neat and inexpensive tray can be made of boards, and covered with the bark of trees or split branches. The box can be of any size, most con- venient to fit the recess of a window. Three feet by fifteen inches, and eight inches deep, are good dimensions. The box should be lined with sheet lead, zinc, or tin, painted ; at one end a small pipe, of about two inches in length, should be firmly soldered into the lining. This may be stopped by an ordinary bottle cork, or what is better, have a small tap or stopcock attached, to draw off the superfious water. The bottom of the tray should be covered, to a depth of an inch or an inch and a half, with coarse gravel or pieces of broken flower-pots, to effect perfect drainage. The remain- ing space is then filled with dark soil from the woods, such as is found among rocks. Where this is not ob- tainable, a mixture of loam, sand and a small portion of decayed manure may be used. In digging up the plants, small specimens are to be pre- ferred, as with these the roots are less liable to be injured, as is almost un- avoidable with large ones. A damp or cloudy day should be chosen, and the roots covered with soil at once. When planted in the box, all decayed matter should be removed, and the roots placed in their natural position; tint soil should be drawn around them, firmly pressed, and covered but little deeper than the plant stood in the woods. When all are planted, give a good watering with a fine rose, and apply no more water till the soil be- comes dry. Some of the ferns most desirable for this use of the evergreen species are Polypodium vulgare and Aspidium acrostichoides ; then there are the delicate Maiden-hair, Adiantum pedatum. and the Bladder Fern, Cystopteris fragilis, the Sensitive Fern, Onoclea sensibilis, and many excel lent kinds of Aspidium, Asplenium, Woodsia, Dicksonia and Botrychium. To protect the Ferns from the dust arising in sweeping, which is especi- ally injurious to plants, a light, cheap wire frame may be constructed, to stand over the box, which should be covered with a cloth or newspaper when the room is being swept, and when the doors and windows are open during freezing weather. The box should be so arranged that it may oc- casionally, during mild weather, be taken out-of-doors, and the plants washed off with water sprayed through a fine rose. This will remove the dust from the leaves, and prove exceedingly beneficial to the general condition of the plants. Palms.— Should a novice attempt to grow Palms from the seed, and what soil is best suited to these plants? You can grow them from seed, but as the young plants can be purchased of seedsmen at very moderate prices, it is hardly worth while to try to raise them. Window Palms can be bought for 23 cents, and large sizes for 50 cents and si.oo, and it is usually better to buy the larger ones. Young plants, of most varieties, are best grown in rather peaty soil, well mixed with sand. As they increase in size and it becomes desirable to retard their growth, substitute sandy loam with but very little peat or leaf-mould mixed through it. In this kind of soil they grow slower, at the same time maintaining their healthy, green appearance. They should have a regular but not excessive supply of water, though in summer it may be quite liberal. It is a good plan to syringe or spray the leaves daily, par- ticularly in winter, if they are in a room with dry furnace heat. The Sword Fern.— What is the nature of the growth of the Sword Fern? The Sword Fern (Nephrolepis ex- altata) forms a fine mass of more or less upright fronds that will sometimes attain a length of three to four feet. and as this beautiful species has a habit of sending out runners some- what in the same manner as a straw- berry, it is comparatively easy to in- increase it by this means. Ke-pottinjj Palms.— When should palms for summer decoration be re-potted? January is the time to re-pot palms for the summer. They then have time to make vigorous growth before being exposed. Germinating Palm Seeds.— What is the surest method of germinating- palm seeds? A bed of sphagnum moss and fine sand in equal parts. Then, if possi- ble, give bottom heat. 32 Flower Queries. Hardening Palms.— When is it safe to take palms outdoors? They may be taken out quite early in the summer, but they ought to be thoroughly hardened fur weeks before- hand by careful ventilation at night. North Window Palm.— Name a desirable palm for a north window. The Seaforthia is one of the best palms for house-culture. Its special beauty is the long, graceful, divided leaf. It endures the dry air of the house and a north window gives it just the right light. Maidenhair Fern.— How can one success- fully transplant the Maidenhair Fern? In taking it up from its native heath, the woods, preserve the roots and the half-decayed matter that clings to them. It requires a soil of leaf-mould and a little sand, and it should be kept in the shade at least a part of the time, that is where the sun cannot strike it continually. Don't apply much water to the foliage. Varieties of Palms. — Please name some of the most popular varieties of the Palm. QremlUa Bobusta (The Silk Oak.) A magnificent plant for decorative pur- poses, of easy growth, finely cut foliage, rivaling a rare fern. The young growths are a light bronze color, the tips being covered with a soft down closely resembling raw silk, hence the name of "Silk Oak." Latania Bor- bonica. (Fan Palm.) The typical Palm and recognized as being indis- pensable in every collection. Areca Lutescens. (The Ostrich Feather Palm. ) One of the grandest and most useful Palms in cultivation, full of grace and beauty. Dracaena Indivisn. (The Foun- tain Plant.) This plant is unsur- passed for hardiness in the house and eminently fitted to contrast with palms and other decorative plants. Kentia Bdmoreana. (The Curly Palm.) The finest, perhaps, of all Palms for house culture, and very beautiful in form. Oyperus Alter nifolius. (The Um- brella Palm.) Styled "The Umbrella Palm " as the leaves radiate from the stein and curve downward in graceful fashion. Livistonia Botundi folia. One of the prettiest Palms in cultivation. The foliage, which is similiar to La- tania Borbonica, but smaller, is grace- fully recurved so as to form almost perfectly round plants. Seaforihia fSlegans. This is the beautiful "Feather Palm" of Queensland, where it is one of the most conspicu- ous and stately objects in the land- scape, growing as it does to a height of 70 to 80 feet. The pinnate leaves are a lovely soft light green and most gracefully arched. Coeos Weddebana. This beautiful Palm is unquestionably one of the most elegant and graceful in cultivation. The finely cut leaves are recurved with exquisite grace. Aravcarm Excelsa. (Norfolk Island Pine.) Deep green, feathery foliage. arranged in whorls, rising one above the other at regular distances; its sym- metry of form, grace and beauty of foliage are unequaled in the vegetable kingdom. Phoenix rvpicola. A beauti- ful plant for decorative purposes. The leaves are mostly pinnate, beauti- fully arched and well furnished to the surface of the pot. This makes a very attractive plant for the window, never growing to a large size. House Culture »f Palms. — What are the conditions nec< ssary for the successful cul- ture of Palms in the house? A recent writer has answered this question very well by saying that as a rule the culture of palms in the ordi- nary living room is far from satisfac- tory. The larger proportion are stove plants and require a considerable amount of heat and moisture; good drainage is indispensable. Authori- ties recommend equal proportions of loam, vegetable mould, peat and sand as a compost. Yellow loam and plenty of sand and some charcoal intermixed makes a good soil; they require heat. but not sun. As a fertilizer, use ma- nure water made of cow manure and soot. Thorough drainage and a i liberal supply of water are essentials ! to success. Potting Palms. — How should palms be potted ? Do they require much water? The tendency of Palm roots is to run down ; for this reason they need a rather deep pot with plenty of char- coal in the bottom for drainage. After potting they should be watered only when the surface has a dry ap- pearance; do not allow water to re- main in the saucers as it is liable to bring disease. Palms require a good good light but not strong sunlight. Ferns and Palm; Ferns for House Culture, adapted to house culture. Nephrolepis davalloides, Aspidium angulare proliferum, Pteris eretica, Aspidium capense, Pteris serrulata, Platyeerium aleicorne, Aspidium fal- catum and Nephrodium mode. Hartford Fern.— Is the Hartford Fein a climber? The Hartford Fern (Lygodium pal- matum) is a climbing fern and one of the most graceful species. It is native to New England. From a running root-stock it sends up slender, twining stems with smooth, palmate leaves. like a miniature ivy. Name terns Palms as House Plants.— Are palms diffi- cult to cultivate as house plants/ In what temperature do they flourish V Walking Fern — Can the Walking Pern be transplanted successfully ? Transplanted in September and handled with care, the Walking Fern (Camptosorus rhizophyllus) may be successfully grown. It is quite an oddity with its heart-shaped leaves that gradually taper into a slender runner, which strikes root at the end and forms a new plant. Cultivation of Maidenhair.— What are some essentials to the successful cultivation of this fern? Maidenhair is one of the most deli- cate and graceful of ferns and one of The easiest to care for. Plenty of moisture and a shady situation are the essential requirements. Dust either outdoors or indoors is its worst enemy. It needs moisture, but not on the leaves. Palms are of easy culture, espeei ally those known as Brahea filamen tosa. Latania borbonica and Ph<> j.x reclinata. They should be potted in a compost of rich, porous loam, w tn g 1 drainage. Water freely in sn a mer and keep in partial shade. In winter keep the earth moist, but not wet. Palms should have a tempei ture ranging from forty-five to sev five: cool through the night. Re-pot the plants in the spring in pots two sizes larger than the ones they on Sponge the foliage once a week wash The pots occasionally to promote drainage. This simple treatment \ ul generally be found satisfactory. Starting Palm Seeds. — How should palm seeds be started ? The Palm seed should be fresh, as at best they are slow in starting, vary- ing from Three weeks to three months. They should be planted from one to three inches dee]) according to the size of the seed. The soil should be kept moist until The plants app< : ; it should be loose and porous. Ferns for Cutting. — Name some kii ferns that can be raised for cutting ? The best kinds for cutting are Ad>- antum farleyense, Adiantum cvj turn, Adiantum gracilhmum, Adian- tum decorum, Adiantum affine, Adi antum assinile. Also some of the Pteris, the Pteris tremula, Pt< i s serrulata and Pteris argyrea CHAPTER VIII. Insects and Diseases. "The Worrrv Wa^ puhi^hecj, .sir, for early rising'." JoKrv (J. Sax.£. Petunias ami Keel Spider.— Will the red spider trouble Petunias? Petunias are very apt to be troubled with red spider. If the leaves begin to turn brown and die off, you may be pretty sure the spider is at work. Frequent sprinkling- of the foliage will prevent the coming of the pest, the more to be dreaded as it is so insidu- ous. It is a good plan to spray every day, if the plants are grown in a com- mon sitting-room where the air is apt to be hot and dry, just the sort to suit the red spider, but death to the plants. 3lildew on Flowers. — What is the white substance that sometimes appears on roses and other tiowers, and how removed or pre- vented ? It is mildew. A good remedy is flowers of sulphur dusted over the plants when they are moist. Kerosene Emulsion.- Give the recipe for makinir this useful remedy. Kerosene, two parts. Slightly sour milk, one part. Churn together until the two liquids unite. When small quantities are prepared, use an egg- beater. If a larger amount is desired, use a large brass syringe, which may be inserted in the liquid and used like a pump. Much agitation is needed to make the liquids unite. Use one part of the "butter" to twelve parts water. Spray the plants with this emulsion. Garden Moles.— How can moles be kept out of flower beds? To prevent moles from burrowing under the flower beds, excavate the bed to the depth of two feet, and board the sides, allowing the boards to extend three or four inches above the surface; then put in some porous material for draining, and fill with turfy loam, decayed manure and sand, well mixed. The bed will be all the better for this preparation, while the boards surrounding it will effectually prevent burrowing of moles. The Blaek Fly.— My Begonia drops its leaves prematurely. What alls it ? It is probable that the small black fly is getting in its work. It deposits its eggs in the soil and from these are developed the worms that injure the roots of the plant, Use lime water, and take a lump of fresh lime as large as a teacup to a pail of water, to make it. Apply the clear water, thoroughly saturating the soil of the pot, R«>d Spider on Fuchsias. — Are Fuchsias subject to red spider? Fuchsias are often troubled with red spider. Wash the leaves thorough- ly with soap-suds, and as thoroughly rinse with cold water. Do this twice a week until the pest is eradicated. When plants are badly " spidered." the best way is to strip off the leaves and burn them, and depend upon new growth to clothe the naked plants. Plant Lice.— What will kill plant lice? Wood ashes sprinkled on before a rain, or watering the plant with a tea made of wood ashes or soot, Wood-lice. — How can wood-lice be de- stroyed? By vigorous use of an old tooth- brush dipped in either strong soap- suds, kerosene or alcohol. Insects and Diseases. 35 The Mealy Bug.— Name some remedies for the mealy bug-. The best remedy we know is a mix- ture of strong soap-suds and soot, ap- plied with an old tooth-brush. The mealy bugs gets into all the small cracks of the bark, so that sprinkling or using the syringe will not be effec- tive. Soap-suds with a little sulphur will sometimes do the work. Kerosene may l>e used successfully. Alcohol diluted will be sure death. Powdered white hellebore is used sometimes with good success. Karth-Worms- How may earth-worms be removed from the soil in whieh plants are grown? In many ways. Small bits of cam- phor dug in the earth among the roots will kill them. A turnip cut in small bits and left on the surface of the soil at night will attract the worms to the surface, where it is easy to kill them. To sprinkle wood ashes over the sur- face of the soil will destroy them. Another exceedingly good preparation is carbonate of ammonia, one ounce to a gallon of water. Scale on Ivy.— How can scale be removed from ivy? Scraping with a knife is the only sure way. Treatment of any other kind is useless, yet care must be taken to not injure the bark of the plant. Aster- Worms. — What will destroy Aster- worms? Nothing has been discovered as yet that will destroy the real Aster- worm. The plant should be carefully watched, and stalks showing worms at once re- moved. Bed Spider.— What will prevent the com- ing- of the red spider ? Place a quart bowl of boiling water on the table among the plants every inorrting. The steam acts as a preven- tive. Green Fly.— What will exterminate green tiy ? How should tobacco be used ? Tobacco in some form. Make a strong solution by soaking tobacco stems in water, and syringe the plants thoroughly. Another way is to burn the tobacco stems, allowing the smoke to circulate among the leaves. Repeat the dose several times: it will surely do the work if used carefully and with a fair amount of patience. liulbs Botting. — Am troubled with bulbs rotting-. How can 1 prevent it? Bulbs may become infected by vari- ous diseases, and some forms will re- main in the ground for several years, attacking all the bulbs that may be planted in it, but the most frequent cause of rot is want of drainage. In deep, light, and well-drained soil there is little danger of bulbs rotting. Bose-Bugs.— What will conquer the rose- bug ? Patient picking off by hand is the surest way of conquering the rose-bug. Air-slacked lime on the bushes before a shower will sometimes prevent their coming. A strong tea of quassia-bark will sometimes destroy them. One always safe remedy is warm soap-suds, after using which the foliage should be carefully sprayed with clear warm water. Bose Slugs.— What can you recommend to destroy these pests of the rose bushes ? Give several remei ies. Sprinkle the plant with a liquid pre- pared as follows: To three gallons of water add one-fourth of an ounce of Paris green and one-fourth of an ounce of quicklime. Stir briskly, and apply while in motion. This material may be applied upon any plants troubled with enemies which eat the leaves or flowers. Whale-oil soap, one pound to eight gallons of water, and applied with a syringe for several days in succession. A strong suds made of soft soap is also good. Dusting the plants with pow- dered lime, Persian powder or sulphur is effective. A solution of carbonate of ammonia is perhaps one of the best remedies. Yet we would add one more, the best of all, wood ashes sifted on when the leaves are damp. Parattine Oil for Lice. — How should Para- tine oil be used to destroy lice? The oil should be diluted in the proportion of a half pint of oil to a gallon of water. This should be used on plants troubled with lice as often as twice a week. 36 Flower Queries. Wire-Worms.— How can I rid plant jars of wire-worms? Salt, either dry or in diluted solu- tion will prove very effective. Preventing Insert Pests. — Can trouble with insects be averted? It is sometimes possible to keep off Troublesome inserts by the systematic use of tobacco tea, using the tea as often as once in two weeks. Cold Water Injurious. — Does cold water injure plants to which it is applied ? Possibly. The water should be of about the temperature of the room where the plants are, although good authorities claim that water at 40° may be used when temperature is 80°. It is. however, likely that cold water has a tendency to check growth of tender roots. Insects on Rubber Plant. — Brown and black spots appear on my rubber plant. What causes them? They may come from an insect. Ex- amine for the red spider. If found, shower the plant freely every day. See that the roots have ample pot room. Yellow Geranium Leaves. — What is the cause of and remedy for geranium leaves turning- yellow ? Defective drainage or poor soil will cause the geranium leaves to turn yel- low, curl up and fall off. The plant should be re-potted in loam, leaf- mould and sand. Thrips.— What is the best way of destroying thrips? How would yon use the tobacco remedy? We consider tobacco the surest rem- edy, and fumigating the best way of administering it. AVhere this cannot conveniently be done, the syringe may be used with good results. When using the liquid tobacco for thrips it is well to add soap enough to make a strong suds ; this rarely fails to finish the pests. With small plants in pots it is sometimes easier and surer to use your tobacco and soap-suds with a sponge, taking each leaf gently enough to not disturb the thrip, which will be found on the under side of the leaf, and wiping- it carefully and yet firmly enough to kill every one. Lime AVater. — I* there any danger of using too much lime water in treating insects? No, as only a certain quantity <>t the element which causes death to* the insect can be held in suspension, and this quantity is not sufficient to cause injury to the plants. Tbe Aphis.— Is tobacco the only remedy for the aphis? No. There are many ways of gel ting rid of the aphis or green fly. Laurel leaves thoroughly bruised and placed on the soil under the plant, the plant then being covered for a few hours, will usually kill the aphis. Quassia tea will also destroy it. Two ounces of quassia chips steeped in a gallon of hot water makes tlie tea in which to dip the plant. Carbolic soap-suds at a temperature of about 1-0 degrees is another good remedy. The plants after being dipped in the carbolic soap-suds should be carefully dipped into clean water, thoroughly washing the leaves. Clear hot water will also kill the aphis if used at a temperature as high as 150 degrees. Lice on Knses.— What will keep lice off roses ? To keep lice off your roses, fumi- gate them at least twice a week by burning tobacco stems. Syringing them daily will to a great extent pre- vent the coming of lice. Another method is to take a large pail or tub. ! fill it with water that is warm to the touch, not scalding, just so you can hold your hand in: and Turn the rose- top down and hold the entire plant in the water for three or four minutes: take it out for a few minutes, then re- peat the bath, and you will find the lice all gone. After a few days repeat the process to kill what may have hatched since the firsT bath. Many house plants will amply repay one for this simple treatment, by more thrifty I growth, aside from the benefit of get- ting rid of insect life. The Scale.— Will white hellebore destroy the scale? White hellebore and soap-suds will destroy the scale. Persian insecticide and many of the solutions used for aphis will also be effective with the scale. Insects and Diseases. 37 lied Ants.— H w can red ants be exter- minated? Various remedies are popularly sup- posed to i>c effective for getting rid of them, among which ;ire mentioned chalk lines, i. e., lines made with white chalk upon the floor or shelves, or around boxes. These, it is asserted, will stop their progress, as they will no1 cross theiu. Another is the free use of powdered cinnamon in the cup- boards and closets and on the edge of the boxes. For this purpose, it would be best to e-et the cinnamon bark and have it ground, as that sold in the s!n i[>s is undoubtedly very much adul- terated. Brushing the floors and shelves with a .solution of carbolic acid is recommended, and where there are no children, and care is exercised in the use of it. corrosive sublimate may be used, either in the solution or in a powdered form. Still another remedy, which a housekeeper of some years experience used with entire suc- cess was kerosene used freely in the Cracks in the floor and on the shelves. Benzine would probably be equally successful. But first, and most neces- sary of all, is to do away with the source of attraction to them. Shelves and floors, and all of their resorts, must be made scrupulously clean. Grubs in Pots.- destroyinjj grubs ? -Is there any sure way of The only safe and sure way of re- moving grubs is to turn the plant out of the pot and find the grub. Almost anything powerful enough to kill the grub will also kill the plant. is the best way of Tobacco Tea. — What making tobacco tea '.- Simply take a handful of tobacco stems and steep them by pouring boil- ing water over them until it looks like strong tea. When ir is cool pour it over the plants. Heliotrope Turning Brown. — What is the cause of the heliotrope sometimes turning brown? Either from lack of water or lack of root room. It is difficult for the water to percolate through the very fine roots of this plant. Wliitn Worms. — What will destroy white worms? Camphor. One teaspoon of liquid camphor in a pint of water. This will destroy instantly, but should be repeated occasionally. Camphor water not only destroys the insects but acts as a stimulant to many plants, such as geraniums, lilies, roses, cacti, begonias, and many others. Lime- water is another good remedy; a tablespoonful twice a week. Insects on Chrysanthemums. — Please give remedies for' black aphides and thrips which infest chrysanthemums and other plants. The chrysanthemum, although more exempt from insect enemies than al- most any other genus of plants, be- comes sometimes infested with black aphides, which may be easily removed by fumigation in the house, or by sprinkling the plants with tobacco dust, if outdoors. The white and black thrips are also troublesome oc- casionally, but yield to the same treat- ment and plenty of water. Angle-Worms.— How may the angle-worm be destroyed? A few applications of lime-water will generally destroy the angle-worm. Ants. — What will drive ants away from flower beds? Scatter powdered borax among the flower beds troubled with tints. CHAPTER IX. Hiscellaneous Queries. "Your Voic^le-s-s Hf>5, O floWer-s! arc living preachers, Ea(;l\ cuf> a pulpit, <;Vcry leaf a book, Supplying to tr\y f&t\Qy (\uhr\crouA tcachx*"- 5 ? From loneliest h,ook." Horace Smith. Scarlet Sage. — What is the best way of growing- the Scarlet Sage? The Scarlet Sage, or Salvia splen- dens, may be grown from cuttings or from seed, the latter method being the better. The seed should be sown very early in the spring and transplanted into small pots, and again in May into open ground. It is a rank grower, and should be pinched back in its early growth to form compact plants. It requires a deep, rich soil and plenty of water. The flowers come in the early fall and continue till frost conies. and are exceedingly beautiful. The Godetii. -When should the seed of the Godetia be sown, and what are its require- ments? The seed should be sown early in the spring in hot-beds or in the house. In transplanting they should not be crowded, as the sun needs to get at the soil around the roots to produce flowers. They are very showy, with a profusion of rosy lilac blossoms. When groAvn in the house the seed should be sown in autumn. They re- quire a mellow, light soil. Castor Beans. — What are the best varieties of Castor Beans for bedding? R. Borboniensis Arboreus, (Grigan- teus), immense green foliage; Sanguin- eus, a distinct variety with beautiful brownish-red foliage and bright seed pods, and is very effective; Oambod- tjensis, large palm-like leaves of the darkest bronzy maroon; stalk and stem nearly black. Halsams.— How soon after planting- seed will Balsams be larg-e.enough to transplant ? In about six or eight weeks they should be sufficiently large for trans- planting. Pancratium. — Is the Pancratium suitable for a window garden ? We cannot recommend the Pancra- tium for the window. It belongs to the southern states, and when brought north thrives better with hot-house care. It can be grown in a dwelling house, but requires the most watchful care and very even temperature. The Antirrhinum.— Will the Antirrhinum bloom the first summer? It will not only bloom well the first summer but often so profusely as to weaken the plant. By using a little care and cutting off some of the flower stalks the growth will be more vigor- ous, and they will sometimes blossom three seasons in succession. Still it is usually better to raise new plants every other year. They require a light covering to protect them from the severity of the winter. The Flame Flower.— What soil is required for the Flame flower, and is it hardy? The Flame flower will grow in any well-drained soil, the deeper and richer the better. They are not entirely hardy, and to be on the safe side their roots should either be taken up before severe frosts occur or else covered with leaves or light mulching material. Miscellaneous Queries. 39 Nicotiana Affinis.— Tell Ihe nature and re- quirements of Nicotiana affinis. It grows most easily from seed. Its growth is most luxuriant, a single plant sometimes holding sixty flowers at a time. The flowers are pure white and they give out at evening a most delightful ' fragrance. When grown outdoors the seeds sow themselves. When potted the plant after flowering should be cut down and allowed to rest, after which resume watering, and new growth will quickly come. Delphiniums.— Are Delphiniums hardy, and how should they be started and cared for ? Delphiniums are hardy herbaceous plants. The seed should be sown in midsummer and protected by a frame or heavy covering of leaves in the winter. The flowers come early in the season and after flowering the plants may be cut back, after which they will make new growth and flower freely in the autumn. Heliotropes.— Lift and pot old plants early and they will bloom in spring. Late potted plants may bloom well but cannot be relied on. Vernations — If flower shoots have been pinched off during earl v summer, by August they should be quite stocky. Do not pot them until September. People who do not have greenhouses— nothing but their windows to depend on for their winter blossoms— had better begin to lift and pot their plants early, in order to have them well rooted and estab- lished in the pots while the weather is warm and favorable. Such plants bloom better and sooner than poorly rooted ones. See to it that all plants are properly cleaned and free from mealy bugs', red spider, and scale. These insects increase immensely on indoor plants. Have soil and clean pots ready, ami as soon as you pot a plant, if it needs it. stake and tie it. Winter-blooming Plants.— Please name a select list of winter-blooming: plants, with brief references as to culture. Among the best winter-bl< >< uners are the following: Bouvardias. — Pot them in August or early September and get them well rooted before cold weather. They are very tender. Handle care- fully. Gloxinias. — Lift the bulbs in October and store them in boxes of earth or sand. They require three or four months' solid rest. PoinseWas. — These should not be planted out in summer, as they lift poorly. Keep them dry after finishing blooming. They require warmth and water. Cin- erarias. — Seedlings should be re-potted before they get pot-bound. Old plants should be broken up and each sprout treated as a separate plant. Give plenty of water. Calceolaria*. — Treat similar to Cinerarias, and if seedlings be very careful about keeping them cool and clean. Chinese Primroses. — Grow them in a cool, lightly-shaded cold frame; do not let them get dry; re-pot them when they need it. Calla-s. — Get them well-rooted before cold weather comes. They need a rich, turfy soil and plenty of water. Nu im; Paiisies.— When should Pansy seed i m\ [i :- The besi answer to this is given by - Sheehan, as l aiows: " The stoni i- to sow pansy seed in e are in favor of spring have tried sowing seed isons, and find that plants grown from spring-sown seed I >1< >< >ni freely throughout the hot hsof summer, while plants raised ill soy ing become exhausted, and I flowering much sooner. Seed in March, in light, rich soil, will liiii blooming plants the same »n. Pansies are hardy, if they good protection with a litter of >s or straw, or any light covering, i should be removed very early H'ing, or ,-i- s< ion as danger .ivy frosts is over. Plants re ingii ground through the winter, care is given them, will in v r < early in the spring, as soon e I'r »st is out of the ground. We ?een the frail blossoms peep- ing up I rough the --now. but the bi on xhausted ami cease ring before midsummer. It is possible to ha> bloom through- ire winter by taking up old a the open ground in i >cto- ully planting them in a - i col frame in a sheltered loca- •ing ! he frame with glazed s is o me by florists lemands the 11' >wers at seas< i of the year, and especially in spring. Treated thus, they -: r abundantly. The same can be kvii I , \ iolets. Pa nsies require a and a _ >ocl, rich, loamy an occasional watering n i he dry seasi >n x - III help " Fuchsia Procuinbens. — Is the Fuchsia pro- eumbens of trailing growth? TheFuchsia procumbensis of slen- der, trailing habit. A beautiful plant for brackets or hanging baskets. The flowers are small hut a bright red. Coleus.— ( an Coleus be gr< wn quickly Irom le - e easih grown from seeds ne with great variety in The} an most desirable f -corative beds cut in lawns. They ept ti immed - » as to produce m >st beautiful effects. Canterbury Bells. — Do Canterbury Bells require any unusual soil '.- No; they are among the old-fash- ioned garden favorites and require onlv ordinarv conditions and care. Primula Obcnnica. — Is the Primrose, Piini- i ree bloomer? Tlie Primula obconiea is one of the ail Primroses. A very free uer iving as many as ten flower a time. The flowers are ; ly tinged with lilac, and ha ' e t he true primrose fragrance. Care <>i Geraniums.— How should Ge alli- um-; be treated to secure winter blooming, and what fertilizer would you recommend .- I reranium plants that have flowered during the summer should not he ex pected to continue to bloom equally well in the winter. They should be specially grown during summer, and the best specimens should be selected for the purpose. In potting, says Mr. ('has. E. Parnell. select porous or soft-baked pots, proportionate to Tii" si/.e of the plant, and place in the bottom of each at least an inch of broken pots to insure a perfect drain age. Keep the plant- in the center of the pots, and firm the soil well around their roots. When the plants are pot- ted, water thoroughly, and place in a shady situation fora week or ten days, after winch they should he exposed to the sun. Have them well supplied with water, and remove all flower buds until it is time to bring them in- which will be on the approach of cool weather. (rive them a light, sunny situation, and an average tem- perature of -V> degrees. D > not crowd the plants, and turn them occasionally, so a- to develop an even, symmetrical shape. When large specimens are de- sired the plants should he re-potted as often as the pots become filled with roots, or until they have reached tin- desired size, when they can he treated as above advised. The most suitable compost for < lera niiim- is a mixture of two-third- well- rotted sods from an old pasture: one- third well-decayed manure, and a fair sprinkling of bone-dust, thoroughly mixed and pulverized before using. Water should he given as often as necessary, care being taken to give an ample supply, ami when the pots he- come tilled with roots, liquid manure water should be given twice a week. One ounce of guano, dissolved in two gallons of water, will he a proper pro- portion for tin- purpose. Miscellaneous Queries. 41 Carnations. — Are there any varietii ition^that will blooml,the first summer seed '.- The Gruillaud carnation] and the Mad. Gruillaud. Carnations for Winter. — What must be ■ . prepare Carnations for winter bloom '.- When only a few inches high the pruning of the plants should begin r<> produce side shoots and an abundance oi buds. They should be kept inoder- moist and watered occasionally with liquid manure. During the winter they require an even tempera- of about 10 degrees to produce inosl perfect blossoms. Salpigiossis.— When should the seed of the Salpiglossis i>" sown, and are the plants hardy? - eds should not be sown in the open ground before the latTt-r part of May or first of June. They will do best in light, warm soils. They do not bloom until late in summer, and show best when arranged in clumps of from Three to five plant-. Seed should !><• sown in -hallow pans, in light, rich soil mixture of equal parts of peat. loam and leaf-mold, or peat may be omitted. The plants are not entirely ha rdv. Azaleas in Summer. — "What care does the ,t require during the summer? The plant should be placed outdoors i airy, partially shady place. If pot- are filled with roots, or I'OOt- id as we often say, the plant should be given a large pot with rich and plenty of drainage. Azaleas - fer greatly from over-watering, yet ssive dryness will do quite as n ch harm. Umbrella Plant.— What soil does tin um- i plant require '.- The Umbrella plant will -row in al- most any kind of -oil it it is kept p. The whole secret is moisture, ■ait flooding the plant. The Godeti». — What is the best exposure foi tin.' Godetia. The Grodetia will endure almost any isure, although its delicate, al- transparent petals thrives best :i sheltered, partially shaded situa- ■ Orchids.— Name some varieties of Orchids for bouse culture. 'rlir Cyprepedium pseviflorum, »' adnidum, (J. spectabile, < '. pube- - are the most desirable tor house are. The Lantana —Will tin- Lantana do as well In ots as beaded out ? Almost as well. The Lantana lias most generally used as an out do >r plant for summer blooming, but fully potted and freely watered it -a beautiful plant for a window garden; especially one variety called feb I >on ( 'almet. Camellias.— When should Camellias be started for winter blooming '.- .lame- Sheehan says in "Your Plants' : "Camellias bloom in the winter, and at no other season of the year. Plants should be purchased of the florist in the fall or early in winter, and such plants as have flower-buds ahead} formed; those plants, if kept in the right atmosphere, will bloom profusely, hut they must have an atmosphere of 50 degrees until the buds are all expanded, after which there will ]>•- no danger of the flowers blasting. .X- soon as the bloom has all passed off. the plants should be taken from their coo! quarters and placed with the other plants in a warm temperature, and watered freely, to encourage a vigorous growth previous to removing them out-of-doors in the spring. As soon as all danger of heavy frosts is over in the spring, the plant's should he taken from the house and removed to some shady location, under a grape-arbor, in a pit or frame cover- ed with shades: here leave them stand- ing in the pots, 'plunging' the pots in earth or sand to prevent too rapid dry- ing out. The summer is the period in which the flower-buds are formed that bloom in winter: the plants should lie kept growing, and watered freely throughout the summer. They must i.e left out of -doors as long as the weather will permit, but, on the ap- proach of frost take the plants into tlie house, and let them stand in a cool room, where the temperature is not over 50 degrees. This is the criti- cal time, for if they are removed into a warm temperature of 70 or 80 degrees the buds will all blast and dropoff. and no flowers will he produced. If the plants are large and well-budded, a succession of bloom will be yielded throughout the entire winter." 42 Flower Queries. The Cactus.— Will you give some hints on the cultivation of the Cactus? It is a very difficult matter for the amateur florist to grow the Cactus from seed. It is quite as hard as it is to kill the plant after it is once well grown. In purchasing these plants ascertain if possible their native home, and then try to make the conditions surrounding them as nearly similar as possible to those of their habitat. Study their habits and apply common- sense methods in their care. Sandy soil is not absolutely necessary for cacti. A mixture of other soils often proves advantageous. It should be porous and easily drained. Loam, leaf-mould or common garden soil mixed with sand will often make finer plants. During winter keep the soil as dry as possible and give plenty of light and air; little heat and sunshine. When growth begins in spring, in- crease the moisture and give full sun- light and keep plants growing rapidly. Do not fertilize too heavily; a weak liquid fertilizer is sufficient. Avoid exposing the plants to the protracted and fierce rays of the sun if grown in small pots of sandy soil. In setting the pot in the ground, excavate a hole for it and put in a layer of coal ashes and cinders. Set the pot on those and fill in around it with soil. Ten-week Stock.— Is Ten-week Stock a good winter bloomer? It is if you grow the plant intended for winter use, in pots, through the season. Sow the seed in pots, and al- low half a dozen or so plants to grow in each pot until they bloom. A large proportion of them will be single; pull these up, and keep the others growing- through the summer, not permitting them to bloom much. Pinch in fre- quently to insure stocky growth. Never allow seed to form if flowers are wanted. The greatest enemy to this plant in the house is the red spider. As a preventive, apply water to under side of foliage every day. Ivy-leaved Geraniums. — What soil should lie used in potting- Ivy-leaved Geraniums v A good, rich garden soil, with a small quantity of lime. Liquid man- ure about once a month is the I test fertilizer for the ivy leaved geranium. Cuttings should be planted late in August. They grow very rapidly and require frequent re-potting. Propagation of Fuchsias. — Are Fuchsias easily propagated ? James Sheehan says: -They are easily propagated, either from cut- tings or by layers, and the amount of bloom one strong, healthy plant is capable of producing under favorable' circumstances, is truly wonderful. The right kind of soil has everything to do with success in growing fine fuchsias; it should be of a light, peaty quality, with one-third cow manure, and thoroughly mixed together until well decayed. They also relish an abund- ance of water; and if they have, while growing, an application of liquid manure once or twice a week, it will be beneficial; never allow the roots to 1 )(•(•< >me pot-bouhd, but when the roots begin to form a mat on the outside of the ball of earth, it is time to shift the plant into a pot of the next larger size, and so on as the plant requires it. This is a very important point, and should not be overlooked if strong, healthy plants are expected. The Ageratuiii.— How can the Asperatum be best propagated, from cuttings or from the seed, and can thev be grown under glass in winter successfully ? The Ageratum may be propagated from either cuttings or seeds, the lat- ter being the best method of procur- ing the superior varieties. Yet it is not always easy to procure cuttings, and seed-propagation must be adopt- ed. Seeds should be sown about the end of March, in a well-drained pot or pan filled with light, sandy soil. Sow them thinly, cover with a mere dust- ing of soil, and place in a warm, moist place close to the glass. So soon as the young plants are strong enough to handle, they should be transferred in- to shallow boxes filled with light, loamy soil, in rows an inch and a half apart each way. These young plants should be kept close and moist until they become well established and growth commences, when they are to lie removed to a cooler and more airy situation until all danger of frost is over, when they can be planted out- side. Oxalis.— How should the Oxalis be potted? The pots should be well-filled; as many as twelve bulbs in a six-inch pot. Leaf mould and sand suits them well. They grow readily and bloom steadily. Miscellaneous Queries. 43 Nasturtiums. — Would you choose Nastur- tiums lor summer or for winter blooming? Both. Enough can hardly be said in favor of Nasturtiums, the cheer- iest, most generous of flowers. Try this plan: Purchase a large packet of mixed varieties; plant half the seed outside. They will soon begin to bloom, and will produce quantities of blossoms all summer, until killed by the frosts. About the middle of sum- mer a few seeds, from the half packet, are planted in a pot, and sunk in the open border, and the vines trained on a fancy trellis fastened securely in the pot. This will be entirely covered with the beautiful foliage, and many blossoms will begin to appear, when it is time to take it in the house. A few seeds may be started in a pot of good garden soil at any time, and as they wil] begin to bloom about nine or ten weeks from the time of plant- ing, you may plan to have a large pot of the blooming beauties, ready to present to an invalid, or friend, when ever you wish, during the winter. But late in the fall you will find many green seed pods, even if the blossoms have been picked before fading, many down back of the leaves, will form seeds before you notice them and just before the frost, the last blossoms may be allowed to "go to seed " ; and you will be surprised to find what a quan- tity of these pods may be gathered from a few feet of trellis which has oeen covered with the vines all summer. Azaleas.— Can Azaleas be well grown in the house? There is no plant more easily culti- vated, when once understood, than the Azalea. They bloom in the winter and must rest in some shady, cool spot during the entire summer. It is luring this season of rest that they throw out the branches that give the luxuriant bloom of the winter. They need not be brought into the house until just before severe frosts; then given good care, and an atmosphere not far from or above 60 degrees, they will give constant pleasure for months. Sweet Violets.— Will Sweet Violetsblossom in the house? Yes. Place them in pots early in the fall, but do not bring them in till cold weather really comes; then put them in a room where they can have sun but only stove or furnace heat enough to keep them from freezing. When ready to bloom, bring them into a warmer room, but keep them as far from the heat as possible. They must have water in abundance, both on soil and foliage, Propagating Verbenas.— Is there any '"best way" of propagating the Verbena? A good way, which may not be the best, however, is as follows: At the close of the bedding season select the best in color, and place a handful of the runners in a shallow box, three or four inches deep, and throw over them a shovel of road sand. Water them and put them in the shady side of a cold frame or pit. Don't let them grow over the edge of the box from November until March. In March pinch off every terminal eye, cover with an inch or two of swamp moss mixed with a little bone-dust, say one- twentieth its bulk, and set the box in the sun. Then you will see them grow, and you will have all the plants you wish. Sliad Bnsli.- Will the ordinary Shad Bush bear transplanting? The Shad Bush bears transplanting admirably. Few indigenous trees or shrubs repay one better for cultiva- tion. The flowers become larger and more abundant, the general character of the plant is improved. The earlier in the spring the bushes are dug up the better and for one year after trans- planting they should be severely pruned and kept from blossoming. Gladiolus, the First Season. — Will the Gladiolus blossom the first season ? Sometimes, but they cannot be de- pended upon to do so. Ordinarily, it takes a second year's culture of the bulb to produce good flowers. Wintering of Oleanders. — Fow should Oleanders be wintered ? Oleanders may be wintered in a light, cool cellar, giving them but little water. They should be transplanted in the spring and at this time, the long straggling branches should be cut back ; they will soon throw out young shoots, forming handsome, bushy plants. Oleanders are apt to be troubled with a whitish scale. Fre- quent syringing will usually prevent, its coming:. 44 Flower Queries. The Lemoine Gladiolus.— Can you tell me of a choice variety of hardy Gladiolus? Yes. The Lemoine. This variety is some two or three weeks earlier than other varieties. In shape thej sonie- what resemble a beautiful orchid and yellow, white, brown, crimson, pink arc blended together producing an effect seen in no other flowers. They are >aid To be hardy, but have not been Tested many seasons through northern winters. Pomegranate. — Can the Pomegranate be wintered outdoors? No. The Pomegranate is only hardy in the south. In the north it must be kept in cellars and watered very spar- ingly. The plants are easily propa- gated either from roots or from cut- tings. They require judicious prun- ing; large branches should be cut rathei- than the little twigs, as the lit- tle twigs bear The flowers. Bluets.— How may Bluets 1> i propagated? Bluets are easily grown from seeds. The botanical name is Houstonia coerulea. Tecoiua Mackeitil.— Where does the Tecoma Mackeuii come trom, and what are its habits of growth ? It is a native of Caffraria in South Africa. It is a strikingly beautiful vine. ( )ne specimen of it is thus well described in Park's Floral Magazine: " It had formed a great sheaf of shoots Ten feet through and fifteen feet high, and held hundreds of very large race nies of trumpet-shaped flowers quite Three Inches long and broad, colored bright rosy lilac, with a few darker pencilings and a blotch of yellow in the throat. The mass was a glorious picture." Night-blooming Cereus. — How may the Night-blooming Cereus be made to blossom freely ? James Sheehan says : " These plants can lie made to bloom freely by keep- ing the soil quite dry. and allowing them very little pot-room, as they de- pend more upon the atmosphere Than the soil for their growth. We have known large plants of a n uzfirandiflonts to produce as many as twenty-five tine blossoms each in the course of a sea- son. AVe have found that liquid man- ure, if applied to these plants about once a month, and when the soil about them is very dry, will work wonders in their growth, and when a rapid growth can he obtained, there will he no trouble in having an abundance of flowers at regular intervals. ('are must lie taken not to have the liquid too strong. A small quantity of brick dust, mixed with the soil in which thev are growing, will be beneficial." Reserve lieds.— What is the best plan tor a reserve bed ? The plan of a kitchen garden; that is plant your seeds or roots in rows. All quick-growing, free-bloom- ing flowers desirable for picking should be in a reserve bed. This kind of a bed usually makes a good place for plants that are weary with winter con- finement — a place where they may grow without being forced. Chrysanthemums in Pots. — Can Chrysan- themums be brought to as great perfection out-of-doors as when grown continuously in pots? To obtain the best results in shape and color of flowers and the highest development in general, pot-growing of this plant is preferable. That well known authority. John Thorpe, gives his plants the following treatment: Take the cuttings, or suckers, from the parent plant when they are three to four inches in length. About the first week in March the young plants are potted in three-inch pots in ordin- ary potting soil. As soon as required, they are re-potted into four-inch pots in soil to which about a fiftieth part of bone-dust is added. The next shift is into six-inch pots, well drained, and in soil composed of rich, turfy loam, with a good sprinkling of bone dust. The plants are kept in the house until the first of May, "stopped" from time to time as required, ami afterward plunged outside in an easterly expos- ure. They have to be kept carefully watered ail the time, and given occas ionai soakings of guano water — one ounce of guano to three gallons <>l water being a good proportion. By the first of June all are potted into their blooming pots, stoppingand ty- ing the shoots as required. From the beginning of -Inly until taken in the house in October, they have to be watered several times a da>'. every two or three hours sometimes; and this. although expensive, is absolutely nec- essary for the production of the be>T developed flowers. The last "stop- ping" is made the last week in July. CHAPTER X. Floral Hints. "Frc*r\ bucj-s are tke-se, of re4> a*4 pirxk, ai\d gold, Mo5< c^eliQatcl} frit\gcc|, wkile fold orvfold, TKcy grace tkc -sle*der *teh\, ar\d all day lor\g, WaVe geKtly to tl\e tul\e of glad fc>ird--sol\g." P\<.. Lebat\or» Cedar Bovjgks. Dahlias love .1 moist atmosphere. Moisture is sure death to red spider. The best flowers make the best seeds. Mignonette does not require much water. Begonias like a moist shady place in summer. A Tulip l>eut avoid to much water in winter culture. A great many tender summer bloom- ing bulbs may be potted in March: they will make a good growth, and can be planted out in May. They will then get the benefit of two months' start. Your Gladioli. Ma deria Vines and Tigredias may so be treated. INDEX. Ammonia 6 Ammonical Carl). C>i per ? Aquatics 7 Alpine Violet 9 A gapanthus 9 Allium 10 Anemones 12 Amaryllis Johnson ii 15 Amaryllis, not Flowering 11 Anios Tuberosa 24 Atlhea 88 Aster- worni 39 Aphis 36 Angle-worms 37 Ants 37 Antirrhinum 38 Azaleas 40 Bedded Plants 4 Barbadoes Spice Lily 16 Blue Roses is Bridal Rose 18 Black Spot on Roses 31 Boston Ivy 85 Border Plants 88 Bermuda Lilv 14 Black Fly 34 Bulbs rotting 35 Balsams 38 Changing Colors Composts Commercial Fertilizers Clyclamen Seeds Clyclamen Bulbs Chinese Primroses Crocus. Forcing the Colchicum Callas. Size Pots for Callas. Resting of Calla. Little (.em Calla. White Egyptian Callas, for Winter Cannas Chinese Sacred Lily Crinum Caladiums Colocasias Crimson Rambler Rose Climbing Roses Clothilde Soupert Cherokee Rose Cissus Heterophylla Clematis Paniculata Clematis Varieties of Clematis, Culture of Cinnamon Vine Cilmbing Japanese Fei n Climbers Cobea Scandens Cj'press Vine Clematis Coccinea Cape Jasmine Cuttings, starting Cold water on plants Carnations Coleus Camellias Cactus culture Chrysanthemums Castor Bean PAGE Delicate Seeds, starting 4 Dahlias, Planting out 10 Dahlias. Wintering 10 Dwarf Roses 20 Deutzia irenata Damask Rose is Delphiniums 39 Dwarf Convolvulus 39 Enriching Sandy Soil ?, Easter Lilies 14 Easter Lilv Bulbs 14 English Ivy 33 Ensleuia Albida 25 Earth worms 35 PAGE 12 20 23 25 25 Frozen Plants 3 Flower Seeds, sowing 3 Foliage, watering 4 Frost bitten Bedded Plants 4 Frittillaria Maleagris la Frittillaria Recurva 12 Fairy R ses 18 Fairy Shrub 27 Fruit bearing Shrub 25 Fr.rsithia 29 Filafera Palm 30 Fern Tray 31 Fern, Maidenhair 32-33 Fern, the Sword 31 Fern, House Culture 33 Fern, the Hartford 33 Fern, the Walking 33 Ferns for Cutting 33 Freesias 11 Fumigating Roses 17 Flame Flower 38 Fuchsia procumbens 40 Fuchsias 42 Gloxinias, Culture of 8 Gladiolus, Keeping bulbs 10 Gladiolus, propagation 10 Gladioli. List of 11 Golden Band Lily 14 Guernsey Lily 16 German Ivy 25 Grubs in Pots 37 Godetia 38-40 Geraniums, culture .,1 40 Garden Moles ?A Green Fly 35 Heliotrope Cuttings ' 5 Holland Bulbs 9 Hermosa Rose 19 Hardy Tea Roses 20 Hardy Moon Flower 23 Hardy Rhododendron 27 Hybrid Perpetuals 21 HoyaCarnosa ;»4 Hop. Japanese -,'4 Hop. Variegated ^7 Honeysuckle 26 Hoya 26 Hydiangeas 28 Hardening Palms 32 Hibiscus Sunset 29 Heliotrope turning brown 37 Iris, planting 8 Ixias. half-hardy 10 Ixias. varieties of Indoor R. >s^< Ivy, English Ivy, Boston I- y, I ierman Ivy, Kenilworth Ivy cuttings 26 Ivy, scale on 35 Ivy-leaf Geranium 42 Japan. Lilies 13 Ja minum Grandiflorum £8 Japanese Desmodium 29 Kerosene Emulsion 34 Kenilworth Ivy 25 Kaffir Lily 15 Layering Plants 4 Layering. Manner of 6 Layering. Season of 6 Lilv. Japan 13 Lily. White Day 13 Lily. Bermuda 14 Lily. Little Gem Calla 14 Lilv. Kaffir i r Lily. Turk's Cap 15 Lily, Barbadoes 16 Lily of the Valley 13-14 Lilies. Transplanting 13 Lilies. Water 16 Lilies. Peruvian 1* Lilies. Guernsey 16 Lilies. WiM 13 Lilies. Soil for 11; Lilium Cacdidum 14 Lilium Auratum 15 Lilies. Season for planting 16 Lice on rosts 36 Lime water 36 Lantana • 40 Manure Water 5 Manure for plants 7 Manure, poultry 7 Monthly Roses" 17 Mulching rose beds 1 i Moss Roses 20 Mildew on roses 21 Morning Glories 23 Manettia Leaf curl 25 Manettia blight 24 Madeira vine 25 Magnolias. Transplanting 29 Maidenhair Fern 32 Meal}' Bug 35 Mignonette 39 Narcissus n Native Spira?as 27 North window Palm 32 Nicotians Affinis 39 Nasturtiums 4.} Night Blooming Cereus 44 Oxalis cernua 12 Ornamental Gourde 22 Oleanders 29 Oleanders, wintering 43 Orchids 40 Oxalis 42 48 Index. Potted plants, soil for Plant foliage, watering Plants, frost bitten Plants, repotting Plants, transplanting Plants, layering Plants, watering in saucers Poultry manure Planting our I 'ahlias Putted roses Plumbago capensis Pyrus Japonica Palms, yellow foliage Palms, scale on Palms, aesthetic Palms from seed Palms, varieties of Palms, potting Palms for house Palm seeds Petunias and i ed Spider Plant Lice Preventing Insect Pests Pancriatum Pansies, sowing Primula obconica Pomegranate Repotting pli Replanting perennials Ranuculus Roses, monthly Roses, standard AGE 4 4 4 4 4 4 10 17 22 30 30 30 31 32 32 32-33 33 34 35 36 38 41 41 44 4 5 12 17 17 Roses. Tea 17, 10, 21 Rose, La France 17 Rose. Prairie 17 Rose, Crimson Rambler 17 Rose. Blue IS Rose, Bridal Rose. Sunsei Hose Damask Rose. Fairy Rose, Persian Rose, Hermosa Hose. Sweetbriar Rose bed Rose beds, mulching Roses, pruning Roses, climbing Ptoses for windows Rose Wichuriana Roses, ten varieties Red Spider Rose slug Rose bugs Red ants Roses for garden Rock garden Ri »se mildew Roses, sprinkling Rose cuttings Repotting Palms Show Beds Sowing seeds Small seeds Soil for Pot plants Sand Special soils Spider Lilies Scillas Stephanotis tloribunda Senscio macroglossis Solanums Slips, starting Spireas is IS 18 is 1* 19 21 lit 18 21 19 lit 18 19 34-35 35 35 37 20 20 21 21 2! 31 3 3 4 PACK S\ oinga Scale Scarlet sage Salpiglossis i Shad hush Transplanting Transplanting seedlings Temperature Tuberous Begonias Tulips Trillium Tigridias Tea roses 17, 19 Torenia 24 Tropa j olum Tree fern Thrips Tobacco tea Ten week stock 43 Vines for verandas Vine. Cinnamon Virginia creeper 24 Variegated iiop Verbenas 43 Watering foliage Wintering Heliotrope Wintering in cellars 6 Wistarias Weigela rosea 29 White worms Winter bloomers Yucca Yellow Jasmine ■j; :.'s Zephyranthes 36 91 FANCIERS' REVIEW PUBLICATIONS. TLbc fl>ossum Creek poultry Club. Lots of fun! Lots of "chicVen sense. 500 Questions auo answers. A new book by J. II. Davis, Editor Fanciers' Re- view. Written in pure negro dialect, and the funniest poultry book on earth. The club dis- cusses a great many questions and holds a show. Finely illustrated Table of Contents: Chapter I, Uncle Rastus «n "Chicken Hobbies." Chap. II, "Edification" in the Chicken Business " Chap. Ill, Debate on "Mashi s and Egg Producers." Chap. IV, Rules and Regulations for the Club. Chap V, Signs, Grips, rafis-words and Benefits. Chap. VI, A Letter from Washington Causes Trouble Chap. VII, Members in the " 'boose"— Oyster Shells Chap. VIII, About Score Cards and Judging. Chapter IX, The CJub holds a Show. 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