m^- * UMASS AMHERST ■ ^9H * » 1 27TI:, fl v: <^ s «i.1^ ^' ■ N-<,> ^^;^^ .^^ ^-''d^iS ^E^ ^^Mi^ '^^ ^ PJ^yWH % ^- LIBRARY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE No....?l.4-L^--DATE..4.rJ.§Jio SOURCE. i\ This book may be kept out TWO WEEKS only, and is subject to a fine of TWO CENTS a day thereafter. It will be due on the day indicated below. MAY 1 4 19»(, AN ILLUSTRATED PERIODICAL DEVOTED TO Horticulture in all its Branches. CONDUCTED BY Elias A. Long, Author of '"Ornamental Gardening for Americans" " The Home Florist," Etc., Etc. Mark the matchless workings of the power, That shuts within its seed the future flower: Bids these in elegance of form excel, In color these, and these delight the smell; Sends Nature forth, the daughter of the skies, To dance on earth, and charm all human eyes. — Cowper. Volunie 1, 188o = H6. BUFFALO, N. Y.: Popular Gardenino Publishing Co., 202 Main Street. V. I ■^INDEX**- TO Volume I of Popular Gardening. A Abutilon. The 85 About the Place, in Nov.. 23; Dec, 3:3; Jan., 45; Feb., 57; AprU, 78: May, 90; June, 103; July, 114; Aug., 126. Achimenes 104 Adam's Needle 40 Airing Conservatories 38 Air-layering ( lUustnt ted) 63 Algte, The 45 AUamandas [Illustrated) 68 AUamandas 104 Amazon Lily 4 America, the worst Fruit Growing Country y 55 Amaryllis. Twelve in pot 116 Amaryllis. The 124 Amaryllis and other Flowers 68 American Pomological Society.. . 20 American Horticultural Society. . . 65 American Horticultural Enterprise 77 Ampelopsis Veitchii 75 Annual Flowers 129 Annuals, The best Blue Dwarf .. 62 An Alarming Measure 63 Ann\ia\», A Chapter on {Illustrated) 77 Antidotes for Poisons 60 Ants 105, 108 Ants, Black 116 Ants. To destroy 100 Apricot, The Russian .. 32 Apple, The Duchess (Illustrated). 113 Aquarium, A simple 127 Arctic Plants 90 Asparagus Bed , 8 Astilbe, Japan (Illiist rated) 14 Asparagus, The Climbing 57 Asparagus, Have you? 77 Aspen, The Trembling 85 Asclepias Tuberosa. 114 As to the Future 135 Auricula, The ilUusfrated) 75 Audubon Society, The 109 A Universal Favorite 42 B Back Yard, The {Illustrated) .... 5 Balsam, Impatiens Sultana 17 Bamboo, The 48 Balsam, A new 116 Balky Horse 126 Begonia Weltoniensis 1 Begonias, Tuberous-rooted 87 Beds, About our 12 Bees: Wintering, 2:3; Late Pastur- ing, 23: In Dec, S3; Where to locate, 57; In Early Spring, 78; Swarming, 102; In a bad plight, 103; Clustering, 114. Bee-moth Worms 90 Beet Seed, Saving 134 Beet, The . . . . 44 Begonias 20 Began at the Foot 59 Begun at Home 140 Behavior towards the Sick GO Berry Custard 1.32 Bell-tlowers or Campanulas (///.).. 136 Binomial Nomenclature 78 Bird Seed, Raise your own 79 Birds and Insects 89 Birds, Bathing for, 91 ; Spare the, 92 Birds Robbed of Home... 115 Birds have Friends, The 128 Blackberries, New Growth in, 138 Blackberries and Rust 8 Blackcurrants. 77 Bleeding Heart, The 92 Bleaching 96 Botanical Budget; Jan.. 45; Feb., 57: March, 70; April 78; May, 90; Jime, 102; July, 114; Aug., 126; Sept., 137; Oct., 8; Nov., 30; Dec, 33; Botanical Names and Bugs 29 Botanic Garden Statistics 102 Botany, Study of, 8; Study of Plantsin Winter, 57; In America, 33; For Young People, 78; Horti- culture and, 78; For the Sick, 90; Sedentary Pursuits and; 126. Botany at the Science Meeting ... 137 Border. The Mixed (3 III.) 18 Borders of Hardy Plants 123 BougainviUea 78 Bouquet, A beautiful 90 Bouvardia 105 Bouvardia Humboldtii 119 Bouquets, Making 114 Bouquets, Instead of 137 Boutonuiere, The. . Vi7 Borer, Protection against 125 Boys doing Housework 132 Bridal Rose 20 Brides" Bouquets 137 Breaks 80 Breathing Habits 30 Bridal Dinner, A 102 Burdock, eradicating 1 Bulbs, Successive crops. 1; In grass, 1; Hardy Dutch (7/^.) 6: Summer Flowering; 89. Buds, Blossoms and Leaves, short items, Jan., 40; Feb., 52; March, 64; April, 80; May, 92; June, 104; July, 116; Aug., 128; Sept., 140; Oct., 4: Nov., 16; Dec, 28. Buds but no Flowers 95 Butterfly Weed 114 Butter, To keep hard 144 Buffalo Parks 117 Caterpillars on Geraniums 1 Catnip for Bees 11 Cats and Horticulture 16 Cardinal Flower 17 Canary Birds, Care of, 33; Un- healthy, :S5; Breeding, .59; Bel- gian, 71 ; Nests for, 103. Cabbage Plants. Raising :33 Cabbage Worm. Days of. Num- bered, 137. Cabbage Worms 113 Cabbage from Slips 102 Canker on Pigeons 35 Carpets 108 Carpet Sweeper, Have you a ;56 Carpet-bag Flower 136 Carpet Bedding of Plants (3 III.}.. 86 Carpet Bedding 123 CaiTot Seed, Saving 134 Catalpa, The Hardy 4fl Carnation. The {Illustrated) . ., 42 Cage Birds 47 Catalogues. List of 51 , 63 Cannas in Winter 40 Canna from Seed 53 Canna Ehemanni ( Illustrated) 88 Cat Worship, Ancient 71 Cactuses, Two Fine {Illustrated) . 81 Cactuses, About (5 Illustrations) 110 Cactus not Blooming .39 Cactus, Spin- wheel {Illustrated).. 138 Cactus, How often to water 119 Catalogue List, continued 83 Carpeting Gladiolus Beds 88 Camellias. Watch the 97 Calceolarias ] 00 Canning Fruit 108 Cattleya Mossiee 112 Cat in Fruit Time, The 115 Callas, Growing young 119 Catnip plant for Bees 126 California Fruits 128 Cement for Mounting 8 Celery, Trenching {Illustrated). .. 15 Celery for Seven Months 113 Celery, Tiles for 1:51 Century Plant. Too long to wait. . . 91 Century Plant in Bloom 116 Cellars, Clean 90 Cereus, Night-blooming 131 Childhood. Dull 9 Chrysanthemum, The (/Hiwfra^ed) 30 Chrysanthemums. Resting, 27, 39; Shows, 31. Chrysanthemums from Seed 41 Chrysanthemums. How to grow; (4 Illustiations) 53. Chrysanthemums, Southern 105 Chrysanthemum. Likes of 12Vt Chrysanthemums, Culture m Sep- tember, 142. Charcoal as Kindling 24 Cholera, Fowl 34 Children, Where do they sleep 36 Christmas Gifts 36 Chickens, Raising in Winter 46 Chicken Yard Now 132 Chicks. Eggs for feeding, 72; Young. 73. China, To Cement 144 Christmas Rose, The {rihtsfrafed). 134 Cherries, A.ho\\t\ Illustrated) 56 Cherry, Double Flowering, {III.).. 76 Cholera, Chicken 96 Cissus discolor 39 Cinerarias 105 Climbers, Tie up the canes 28 Climbers for Greenhouse 62 Cleaning Plants 41 Clematises, grafting, 66; Other col- ors than blue {Illustrated), 67. Clematises in Beds 105 Clematis. Crispa 93 Cleaning Mixture 84 Clubfoot and Cabbage Flies 125 Cotton Bands, Take down 5 Cotton and Caterpillars 134 Combination Plants ... 5 Corsage Favors for Lunch 20 Coleus in House 27 Coal-oil Barrel. Cleaning a :B2 Cold, Catehing 'ii> Cocoanut. Dessicated 48 Cocoanut Pudding 36 CowsHps in January {Ilhtstrated) 41 Coal Ashes, Save up the 44 Cow, Feeding the 45 Cobsea, The Variegated (.III.) 65 Corn Popper, The 71 Corn, Sweet {Illustrated) 89 Country and Town 79 Convention, Nurserymen's 118 Crocuses in grass, 1 ; Arranging in masses, 2. Crocus, A fine {Illustrated) 37 Crab Apples, The t Illustrated) .... 13 Crates. Shape of 44 Crepe Veils and Health 60 Crescent, The 102 Cultivating Strawberries 138 Currant Worms 95 Currants, Standard 113 Curtains, Washing 108 Cut Worms 131 Cypress, How named, The 35 Cyclamens. Care of 52 D Dahlias from Seed, Single 64 Dahlia, The Single {Illustrated)... 87 Dandelions. The 91 Daisies. Field 114 Daffodils flowering Twice 1 16 Designs, Four-leaved Clover 33 Deep Planting 89 Deceived Flower Buj'ers 93 Decorations. Midsummer 126 Dibbling Plants ilUustrated) 2 Dish Washing and the Hands 36 Dish Water and Plants 100 Dicentra .«pectabilis 92 Dogs as Helpers 22 Dog-house Door 47 Dog Ringing Bell 71 Dog Trainers, Monks as 103 Dominiques, Good looking 46 Double-flowering Cherry {III.) 76 Dr. Nichols's Fruit Cellar {///.) ... 133 Drenching Board (Illustrated).... 26 Dry Earth as an Absorbent 33 Draining to Excess 33 Drains, House 90 Drying Fruits 113 Ducks in the Garden 34 Ducks. Rouen ( Illustrated) 46 Earache 48 Easel, Cherry-stained 48 Early Flowers 93 Earth in the Stable 110 Edelweiss. Protecting the 33 Edging Iron (Illustrated) 62 Education, Effects of 103 Educational Collections 137 Eggs in Winter, 22; Importation of, 22; From Cheap to Dear, 108; By Weight, 124. Eucharis Amazonica 4 Eulalia. Zebra 37 Eulaha, Japonica zebrina(/i/.) — 85 Eutoca 80 Evaporated Fruit, Hold on to 138 Evergreens at Lyndale,;37: Arrange- ment of. :37; ivs'. Fruit Trees, 64; Soil for, 104: Shape up the. 104. I isr ID E x. Evergreen Leaves (/ilJM/ra/cd)... 59 Exercise for Girls 12 Example. Power of 80 Fall Sowing of Lawns 135 Fattening Swine 23 Fan Palm, The aUustraUd) 40 Ferneries ... 14 Fernery 100 Fertilizer, A Home-made 53 Fence, To cover Stone 40 Fences for Poultry Yards 58 Ferns TO Feathers, Eating 120 Feather Trimming 48 Fish-tank, The 10 Fire-place. The 86 Flowers. Packing, 8. 33; Trade in, 8; Long-stem. :53: Protecting, 3:5; For the Sick, .53; In Arranging Follow Nature's Suggestions, 57; Perfume, 47; Cheaper in June ^Jllustratrd), 57: Shipping, 78; For Gifts, 80; Our Second Child- ren. 5; Of What Use, 80; Talks about. 80; Nip the First, 92; Eat- ing of , 102. Flower. A PuzzUug i Illustrated), 9; Holders, ;^3. Flower-loving Employees 17 Flower, An Early-commencing(/fi.) 21 Flowerpots, Adorning(//(i(su Sowing 122 Periwinkle for Graves 105 Philadelphius (Illustrated) 19 Phlox Urummondi, Wild 116 Pigeons, Carrier 23 Pigeons, Canker on 35 Pigeons, About 116 I nsr X) E! x: Pipes, (ias and Tar 65 Pine as a Fruit Tree. The 71 Pine-apple, The iUhi.itrated) 71 Pine-apples, Cannius 108 Pitcher Plant, Asiatic {Illuatmted) 91 Pitcher Plants, Asiatic 140 Plants for an Invalid, 27; When need Water, S<.l; For Shade, 3i). Plants, Modification of by Chmat« 33 Plants, Cleaning 41 Plants and Animals 45 Plants for Under Stages 51 Plants, Dish Water on 100 Plants Have a Party, The (TU.) .... 115 Plants in Rooms 117 78 Plants, Lifting Plant, The Barest (.Illustrated), 47: Culture at South, 80; At Sleep, 115. Plant Life in the Arctics Plant Box I nl list rated) Plant Multiplies, A Plant, About the House Plantain Lily not Blooming 27 Planting, Tree 62 Planting; After Fifty 137 Plums, Something About 76 Plungmg Pot irilustrated) 106 Platycodon grandiflora 4 Poetry; Three Roses, 4; Choice, 4: Fruit Talk, 10; Leaves Turning Brown, 16; An Autumn Hostelry, 21; Old-fashioned flowers, 20; When the Woods turn Brown, 28; The Violets, 40; Ou a Green- house, 40; Each Has its Place, 33: The Rose Buds Tale, 45; Winter Aconite, 52; What They Say, .52; City Flowers, 57; To the March Flowers, 64 ; Summer shut in, 64; Cultivate Chrysan- themums, TO; Oh March, 70; My Easter Lily, 78; April, 80; Far reaching, 80; Trees have no His- I tory, 80; A Bunch of Rosebuds, 90; May Day, 90; Firstlings of Spring, 92; A Spring Song, 92; June, 97; Ode to the Rose, 102; A Dispute in the Garden, 102; Roses, 104; Butt^-rcups, 104; A Summer Picture, 109; Daisy Nur- ses, 114; Wild Roses, 116; Sum- mer Hymn. 121 ; Roses Dead, 126; Cat-tails, 128; How the Pansy was Made, 128; September., 133; Thistle Down, 137; Marigolds, 140; The Reason, 140. Poetical and Practical 127 Poets and Gardening 140 Poultry; Preparing for Winter. 10; Care diu-ing Moulting, 11; A Farm, 11; Neglecting, 11; Sun- flowers for, 2;i; Preparing for marliet 23; To keep Large Flocks., 2:3; In Russia, 23; To treat colds in, :i4: Best stock for Winter Laying, :34 ; Sent the food to, 34; Comfort, :54: Some great figures, 46; Cleanliness for, 46; Scratching for. 46; Salt in the Food. 46; Fences for Yards, .58; Keeping Individual Records, 58: Roosts, 58: Incubators, .58: More Food with Laying. .58; Not Enough Light, 58; Improved Breeds, 72: How to Begin Busi- ness, 72: Feed for Shells, 72; Necessaries in Raising. 84; Go- ing for them Sharp. .SI: Not a Revolving Chair. &4 : Green Food for, 84, Profitable Raising, 96: Future of Business, 108; Profit- able, 108: Disease. Aim to Pre- vent, 108: In Large Flocks, 1:32. Poultry, Condensed Notes: Oct., 11; Nov., 22: Dec, 24; Jan., 46: Feb., 58; March,, 72; April. M; May, 96; June, 108; July, 120; Aug.. 132: Sept., 144. Poultry Manure 139 Poultry, Fattening 144 Potting 29, 40 Pot a Plant, How to 135 Pots, Too Large 28 Potatoes, Newer Species 20 Portieres 60 Poisons, Antidotes for 60 Poison Ivy, The 126 Poppies and Railroads 65 Pond Plants 100 Primus. Pissardi 25 Prune When You Plant {2 III) 66 Pruning Trees 14 Illustrations) .- . 30 Privets, for Ornament 37 Progress in Gardening 42 Primrose Convention, A, 45: The Chinese, (Illujitrated) 49. Propagating Pots (.Illustrated).. . . .53 i Primrose, Hardy 75 Putty, Substitute needed 5 Puss and Birds 109 Public Squares as Markets 64 Q Quack Grass m Quality not Quantity 141 Questions and Answers 138 R Rabbits, To keep from Trees, IT; Scurf on, 22; And Trees, 64. Radish. Long, Black Winter (III.). 44 Raspberry, The Red (///.), 101; Canes, 125. Raspberry Clearing 1.39 Raspberries. New Growth in 138 Raspberries, Cutting Back 1.38 Raspberries, Trimming Away Old Wood, 138. Remedy Worse than Disease :i5 Red Spidei-, The (Illustrated) 65 Reticule, The 96 Rhubarb, A Large Bed 117 Ring Doves lO Rice, A Delicious Dish of 24 Riches Flying Away .. 90 Roses: Sweet Brier, 1; Dog, 1; Flowers that Combine with, 20; The Marechal Niel, South, 44; Old-fashioned, 52; Propagating. 8:3; Hardy, A Bed of, 93; Moss (/((.I, 98; A Screen of {III). 99: Insects of, 99; For Amateurs, 105; Select List, 105; Tree, 111; Yel- low, 116; La France (III.), 117; Slugs on, 119; Mulch for, 128. Rose Culture in America 97 Rose-!eaf Pillow. A 97 Rose Slugs 93 Rosebush, A Celebrated 41 Roots and Drains 5 Rochester Convention 68 Rock Work 93 Robins 113 Rustic Vase, Costless 76 Rural Adornment 101 Rush Ornaments 137 Salsify (Illustrated) 8 Salsify Seed, Saving 134 Saxifraga sarmeutosa 29 Salvia, The Scarlet i Illustrated) ... 92 Scale and Mealy Bug 28 Scattering the Seed 47 Scarecrow not Scaring 103 Scarlet Runners 54 Scilla. Bell-flowered (Illustrated). 17 Scratching for Food 144 Seed Trade and the Government . . 16 Seed Sowing 134 Seeds, Vitality of, 45; Slow-start- ing, 52; Sowing fine, 106. Seed, Greenhouse Plants from 53 See-weed, An important 53 Seedsman, Meeting of 142 Selling and Selling 56 Seckels, Prolific 80 Seasoning 96 Setting Hen. Breaking up 120 Shetland Ponies 10 Shade in the Hen Yard 11 Shrubs, .Specimen, 14; Why not more planted, 25; Select, 28, 39; Pruning, 50; A Selection of good, 73; July lull in Flowers, 111. Shakespeare and Strawberries 18 Sharing Equally 21 Shirts, Starching and Ironing 24 Shrubbery Walk 25 Shortia galacif oha Ullustrated) ... 47 Shiny Clothes 60 Shifting backwards 65 Shade for the Well 78 Shady Gardens 85 Shipped Plants 93 Sis "Keeps" 16 Single Dahlia (Illustrated) 85 Small Fruits in Shade 8 Small Fruits, Shall we Plant 138 Small Fruits, Fall Planting of 138 Small Farming in England ... .57 Smilax Leaves, 20; Culture in House, 80. Smilax Insect, New 52 Smilax in England 70 Society ol Am. Florists 5 Soil, Good 29 Soil, Fitting it up 49 Soup 60 Sodding . . 62 Soot for Plant 54 Sprouts. Keep down the 91 Squashes, Keeping ( Illustrated). . . 32 State Fairs, List of 142 StephanotLs ^onh\nda.(Ulustrated) 1 Study Nature 5 Strawberries. Shakespeare and ... 18 Strawberries, Have a plenty, (6 II- lustrations) 74. Strawbenies. Planting 125 Strawberry Vote, A, 20; Rust- White, 101. Starching and Ironing Siiirts 24 Straw Mats tor Protection 25 Steam Heating a Success 32 Stockings, Washing. 48 Straight Lines in Planting, (2111.) 67 Street Trees 128 Street Trees, Guard for, (//(.) 83 Stencil Plate, Have a 90 Stones as a Mulch 125 Stones for Layering 140 Sugar and Fruit ( anning 144 Sulphide of Potassium 139 Summer Snowflake 7 Sunflowers and Sun Worship 74 Sweet Peas 81 ; 114 Sw-eet Potato Culture 88 SvffulCoTu (Illu.itrated) 89 Sweet Potatoes, Keeping 139 Swarming of Bees 108 T Table Covers, 12; Screen, 24; Cloths, 36: Decorations, 114. Tacsonia from Seed 51 Tea-drinking Delusions 12 Tea Remedy, A 140 Teeth. Care of 132 Tendrils of Cireubitaceous Plants. The, 137. The Weeds 137 Title Page and Index 141 Tools, Keep Clean 89 T'other Side's Always Best (III.).. 115 Trees, Mounding up (Illwitrated), 3; It pays to plant, 4; Peisia, Large, 5; Protectors from Light- ning, 6; For Windy Place, 15; Starvation for, 18; About Pi-un- ing, (4 III.], 30: Ti-ausplanting, (2 III.), 43; Thinning, 49; Grass under, 52: Plant, 52: Trees, Value of, 61. TreePaeony 45, 65 Tree, Severing a boulder, 71 ; Agents, 51, 75. Tree pets in China 7 Tree Roses Ill Trees. Healtbf ulness of 133 Training Animals, etc 10 Trenching (/;h(s(™(ed) 14 Transplanting Large Trees, (2 III.) 43 Treeclimber's Talks, Oct., 9; Nov.. 21: Dec, 35; Jan., 47; Feb., 59; March, 71; April, 79: May, 91; June, 103; July, 127. Tritomas 105 Tuberose. A branching 4 Turkey, Fattening, 11, 22: The American (Illustrated) 23. Turkeys, Food for 84 Tuberoses, Pearl 13 Turnip Seed, Saving 134 i; Umbrellas, Care of 46 Union there is Strength, In 112 Varieties running out. 20 Varieties, Too many )25 Vegetable Garden, in, Oct., 3; Nov., 15: Dec, 27: Jan.. 39: Feb.. 51; March, 53; April, 83; May, 95; June, 106; July, 119; Aug., 131; Sept., 143. Vegetables under Glass, in Oct., 31 ; Nov., 15: Dec, 27; Jan., 39; March, 63; April, 83; May, 95; June, 107; July, 119; Aug.. 131; Sept., 143. Vegetation at the Equator 33 Vegetables, Some of the Newer. .. 56 Vegetable, Found by a 59 Vegetable Fly-trap, A (Illustrated) 103 Vegetable Pillows 140 Vegetable, A New J41 Verbascums J14 Viburnum, The Japan or Plicate.. 140 Vinca for Mounds 25 Vines, Propagating from Single Eyes 56 Violets 70, 107 Violet as an emblem. The 78 Visitors and Visiting 120 ■w Watering, A Mistake in 5 Washing Plants (Illustrated) . . . 26 Water, Pure 45 Wasps' Nests 57 Washing Compounds, About 72 Water, How to Cook 72 Waterside Plants (rilustraled). . . 73 Walks, Grass in 105 Water-lily Culture 111 Water Lily, Rose-colored 114 Watering Troughs 114 Washing, Care in 120 Wax Plant, A fine Wedding Branch 90 Weeds, An Eye to 125 Weeding Tool (Illustrated) 106 Why Men Cannot Fly 21 White Worms 80 S3 White Grubs Whiflletrees Barking Trees 101 Whitewash. A Dm-able 102 White Lilies (Illuslraied) 128 What one Giri Did 129 Wild Garden at Lyndale 1 Wine in the United States 20 Witch Hazel (Illustrated) 21 Window Drapery 24 Wind Screen Window Box in Winter, The 31 Window Box, The .54 Winter Flowers, Plants for 97 Wild Garden, A Miniatm-e 102 Wild Sprouts, Look out for (///.). . 112 Work of the Season, Oct.. 2; Nov., 14; Dec, 26; Jan.. 38: Feb., 50: March, 64; April. 82: May 94: June, 106: July, 118; Aug., 130: Sept., 142 Women as Commercial Florists . . . 30 Work Not to be Evaded, 47; Shall the Giris, 48. Word to the Men Folks, A 48 Worms in Flower Pots .80, 83 Wyandot tes. The 96 Yards, The Back {Illustrated) . 5 Yards, What neat ones do 90 Yard Cleaning 114 Yucca filamentosa 40 Zebra Grass. Japanese (///.) 85 0.. LR, l8^§Sh, POPULAR GARDENING FOR TOWN AND COUNTRY. ■VOL- I- Garden Notes from Lyndale. BY A. H. E. October 2. Few plants of a large collec- tion afford greater satisfaction than Begonia Weltoniensis. Several late-starled ones, standing in a shady border are yet covered with clouds of rosy bloom. For many weeks they have been very attractive. This Begonia is easy to manage, and assumes a fine form without either stakes or tying up. A few days later I will lift the plants, set the roots firmly into pots of earth, water and then gradually drj' off. During the winter the pots are laid on their sides in a temperature of about 50 degrees, and are not watered. In the spring I start them up at intervals for a succession. *** The Matrimony Vine, Lyfhdm barbarum,zom- mon and almost weedy thing that it is, displays such richness in its fruit now, to say nothing of bloom earlier, that for my part I really don't care to be without it. But every plant in its place. I confine this vine to a pile of boulders on the hill side, letting it clamber about and tangle up as it chooses. Here the clusters of orange-scarlet berries show most attractively; I can think of nothing in this line to equal them in beauty, from now on. October jih. About the only insects to trou- ble out-door Geraniums here are caterpillars of several species. While they are voracious feeders on the leaves, their numbers are not so great, but that with looking out for them daily, they are kept from spoiling much. These large hairy worms when at it feed as if they meant to have the plant. I kill everyone met, thus destroying a present cause of trouble, and cutting off future increase, for next year will find the moth of every one that escapes this year, laying many eggs apiece, a thing equivalent to much future trouble. » * * Coming in possession of a strip of land a year ago that was burdened with several patches of Burdocks. I took in hand to eradicate them. And I succeeded, but it was a job. This by arming myself with a butcher knife and de- capitating every plant just below the surface, as it first appeared in sight. They gave up first. * .•\lthough I am rather fond of a dressy gar- den, that part of Lyndale devoted to a Wild Gar- den certainly yields much satisfaction. For one thing this piece of rurality costs but little care, it being chiefly in the direction of eradicating weeds and such plants as would soon become weeds if allowed to. What enhances the value of the spot is the happy freedom with which all the plants are growing. There is no time, from the dawn of spring until freezing weather in autumn, but that some object may, in a walk through the Wild Garden, be met to please the eye, and the other senses. *** October Sl/i. I mentioned the Matrimony Vine as being attractive with fruit now. Fur- ther along in the W'ild Garden, are some clumps of Sweet Brier and Dog Roses, which also dis- play a showy crop of fruit. Much as I prize the improved Roses of the borders, these wild sorts would be greatly missed were they to be taken away. The plants have always had very much their own way. They are now eight feet high and with droop- ing branches that one can walk undsr. No one would care to come very close to these thorny chaps one might think, and yet when they were in bloom a shady nook in the Sweet Briers afforded a very inviting sitting place. Here at that time I found much to admire in the delicate beauty and contrasts of these two species of Roses, loaded down with their hundreds of pretty single blooms. * ^ * October loth. In planting my Dutch Bulbs to-day, I repeated a plan for successive crop- ping of flowers in the spring, on two small beds that in the past has usually pleased me greatly. These beds are only two feet across and lie conspicuously on each side of the front walk near to the steps. I set out Crocuses, Hyacinths and Parrot Tulips all in the same beds. My way of planting wasas follows: First, I dug up the soil well, mixing in some manure during the process, and after shaping up the top tramp- ed it rather firmly. Then I dug out each bed exactly five inches below the surface. On this bottom fifteen bulbs each of Single Hyacinths and Parrot Tulips were set, and covered with a layer of two inches of soil. This new surface was for the Crocuses, and on it I placed six dozen imported bulbs, dividing the spaces between them uniformly. Early next Spring there will be sheets of Crocus flowers over these beds. These will soon be followed by Hyacinth, and later yet will come along the Parrots. After the Tulips are done, the same beds are planted with summer flowers, thus securing to me an almost perpetual period of bloom from March until October. * .„ * * October iSlh. I notice a growing interest in the planting of Bulbs in grass plats, which I like to see. For this purpose it is hard to conceive of anything that does better or is finer than the old-fashioned Von Sihon Daffodils. They grow compactly and strong, and when seated on the grass are exceedingly handsome as the flowers are swayed too and fro by the Spring breezes. A strong point in their favcr is, that the plants grow in close clumps, thus allowing the grass from the ver)' earliest mowing in the Spring to be kept closely cut right up to them, maintaining a neat appearance. * * « Crocuses succeed well in the grass but better in the cultivated border. The objection to them in the lawn is, that the grass must be left uncut until the bulbs have made their growth for the season, thus tending to a general ap- pearance of untidiness. In the Wild Garden where tidiness is at a discount, these as well as Snowdrops and others of similar needs, are exactly in place growing in the grass. Here of all places an abundance of Crocuses should be found. POPULAR GARDENING. October, In planting Crocuses and similar things, why is the custom so common of arranging the bulbs in rows or blocks ? Nature never arranges in lines and squares, and we would do well to take lessons from her in setting these little bulbs. When I plant such things either in grass or borders, I set them in irregular masses, allow- ing these to die out through a thin sprinkling of bulbs into nothing. When several colors are used each one is kept somewhat by itself, but is usually allowed to blend with the other masses in their edges. October Sjth. My last Hyacinths for winter blooming in the house and conservatory were put into pots to-day. I never feel that I am ready for winter until at the least some dozens of these most charming and easily managed bulbs are under way. Whatever the extent of the stock contem- plated, I divide up my bulbs into about three lots.and plant these then at dififerent times. HOUSE PLANTS. October is an important month in the window gardener's calendar. It marks the beginning of the in-door season of growth. Before the month is past the plant windows should be furnished, and a reserve of stock be found in the cold pit or cellar for bringing in during the coming months. This is a most favorable season for rapid and healthy growth in plants, as light, air and heat are all easily provided now. Let this be taken advantage of to the utmost, for securing to every subject a large degree of vigor preparatory to the imtoward condition of things which will follow later. Abutilons lift easily from the open ground; count them among the best plants for both foliage and flowers. Agapanthus. Beautiful in summer now they must go to rest. Store in a dry, cool place, as in a frost-proof cellar— it need not be very light — and give a very little water occasionally. AmiNG. Look upon this as a great lever, for getting up a momentum of vigor at this season to carry the plants through the dark months. Air freely, you cannot over do it. AsPinisTRAS. Shift such as are growing rapidly, provided many roots show around the ball of earth. No one fails with this plant. Azaleas now need light, air, about 50 degrees of heat and careful watering. Bulbs. See article on page 6. Callas. Give ample sized, but not over-large pots and rich soil; don't crowd the leaves. Carnations, Monthly . See Lifting . Those grown over summer in pots, should with the lifted ones, go into their flowering pots now. Pots larger than 7 inches or less than 5 inches across, inside measure, will seldom be wanted. Give moderately rich earth, 45° to 55° of heat, plenty of air and never excessive moisture. Chrysanthemums must have plenty of water; a top dressing of old manure on the surface or else liquid manure, occasionally ,until flowering is begun, is very helpful to the bloom. Look out for cater- pillars on them. Cyclamens. With warm light soil, and kept near the glass these plants will do well. Daisies succeed as winter plants if grown in 6- inch pots. Give plenty of sun, air and water; allowed to get parched the red spider will soon appear, to annoy you. Ferns. Keep in a cool window, with little or no sun, water freely at the roots, but never over the fronds. Forget-me-nots. Fine for a sunny window in the winter. Get a-growing in ample sized pots of about 6 inches across, keep in a cool place where it does not freeze and give plenty of air until January. Then begin to force them. Fuchsias for winter flowers, should be in their final pots now. Light rich soil, sunshine, moderate airing and freedom from insects are chief requir- ments. When in bloom give plenty of water. Hardy Plants. The Dicenti-a spectabilis or Bleed- ing Heart, Japan Astilbe, Lily of the Valley. White Christmas Rose Hellebore Niger all succeed easily in the window. Lift strong roots about Nov. 1st, and pot, crowding the roots somewhat. Insects. Some there will be, for they come in from the outdoor plants. Keep a watchful eye for them; when discovered concentrate a pound of pressure upon each one through the smooth side of the thumb nail. Lifting Plants. Above all else retain every root possible. A firm ball of earth about the roots is desirable, but generally less so than is supposed; it may fall to pieces before it is reduced to fit the pot. Cut back the leading branches of rank grow- ers, like Geraniums and Coleus, about one-third, but do not prune winter flowering plants that have been pruned throughout the season. Lift all kinds before sharp frosts appear. Pot firmly, using good soil to fill up the spaces; draining with pot sherds in the bottom of the pots. Keep the plants well watered, closely shaded and out of the wind for a week, at the same time sprinkling the foliage lightly twice a day. Inure them to the confined air of the windows or plant house gradually. Palms need only the most ordinary treatment in the window. But few ever fail with them. Petunias. These are gay winter bloomers. Plants brought along in pots are the best. Roses. Lift and pot about the middle of the month. They need fibrous, moderately rich soil, partaking more of clay loam than sand. Provide ample drainage. Tea Roses for early bloom, should be gradually brought into the close atmosphere; when used to it, allow no draughts to strike the plants. Keep Hardy Roses for spring flowers in the cold pit until February. Shrubs. The Deutzia, Mock Orange, Lilac, Har- dy Azalea and Japan Snowball all flower well in the dwelling or greenhouse. Lift by end of month, pot firmly in scant sized pots and subject to at least one sharp frost, before bringing in to force. Do not prune. Store in cold pit until forced. Verbenas. Old plants are not worth bothering with to lift; strike new ones from soft cuttings. Violets . See lifting. Keep all the runners trimmed, and give the plants plenty of air, and light with a low temperature. LAWN AND FLOWER GARDEN. Annuals. Early in this month seeds of Sweet Alyssum, Candytuft, Centaurea, Clarkia, Callirhoe, Calendula, Larkspur, Lupines, Mignonette, Nemo- phila, Portulacca and Poppy may be sown for spring flowering, whenever the ground is light and dry. These will flower earlier, better and larger than if sowing is deferred until spring. In the South, all annuals but the most tender sorts may be sown in October. Bulb Planting. See article on page G. Caladidms. Treat like Cannas. Cannas. Lift after the frost has hurt the leaves; remove the tops and dry in the shade. Winter in dry sand, in a cool place, away from frost. Dahlias. Treat hke Gladiolus, but store the tubers in a frost-proof cellar, as one would potatoes Dibbling. If Pansies, Hollyhocks, and other Har- dy Perennials were sown in August and September, they will need transplant- ing now. For this use the dibble is a simple tool that is so handy, every gard- ner should employ it often. For a few small plants a dibble the size of a finger How to Use the Dibble, but longer, made of wood neatly whittled to a point will answer. In using, first make a clean hole in the soil to receive the roots. Then with one hand set the plant into the hole, holding it at a proper height, with the other, prick in the dibble near hole number one, as shown in the engraving, forcing the soil that is between, against the roots. Do this so firmly, with one or two additional picks if neces- sary, that in drawing on a leaf it will break off, be- fore pulling up the plant. Unless the soil is quite wet, water afterwards. EcHEVKRiAS. Take up, divide and plant closely in shallow boxes of earth. Store these in any cool, half -lighted place where it does not freeze, keep- ing the soil almost dry. Flower Beds. By ])rotecting the finer ones with canvas, or other covering, through frosty nights, they will be handsome for the weeks of fine weather we usually enjoy after the first sharp frosts. GLAnioLus. Take up after the first keen frost, dry thoroughly, and store in paper bags away from freezing and moisture. Hardy Plants may be divided and reset where the soil is light. Paeonies especially, succeed much better if reSet in the fall, instead of spring. The same is true of hardy Lilies. All fall-transplanted stock should receive a mulch of leaves or coarse litter before winter sets in. for protection. Divid- ing and removing hardy plants into fresh soil every third year, is what they need for doing their best. Improvements, such as draining, trenching, and grading cannot be done at a better time than just in advance of the fall rains. The soil then handles lightly, and the weather is invigorating for work, both important factors in such matters. Doing these operations when the ground is sloppy, is up- hill business. Lawns improve in this month, with its cool weather and increased moisture. Mow regularly but not very close ; they will be in all the better shape next spring for it. Leaves must be cleaned up often, where regard is had to tidiness. Either pile up to rot or to us© ; for mulching, store for bedding, or if there is no I other possible use for them, burn. Lifting. See under House Plants. Maueira Vine. Treat like Dahhas. I Seeding down new lawns is yet in order if I done at once. There is no better time for sodding I than this. Uneven parts of the lawn may how be I leveled up; if depressions, cut and rollback the ' turf, not detaching it, fill in new soil to even up the i place, returning the turf; if mounds take the same '' course, except to level by removing surplus soil. I Tidiness. Don't give the garden over to chaos I with the first hard frost. Gather up the blackened I plants; in lifting roots and other stock, level the j surface afterwards a little, rake up leaves, and so on, for enjoying order and beauty here during the weeks of delightful autumn weather to come. Tigridias. Treat like Gladiolus. Tuberose. Treat like Gladiolus but winter In not less than 45° of heat. Walks ANn Drives. Clean them of weeds, touch up the surface with the rake, and attend to the edges now, and their care will be about ended for this season. Weeds. Many kinds grow rampantly in cool weather. Keep watch to prevent this in borders, the wild garden and every where else. PLANT CULTURE UNDER GLASS, Abutilons do better for being cut back occasion- ally. Chrysanthemums need liquid manure, but less as they show color, and none at all after the first flowers are open; water freely. Thin the flowers on plants that are to be cut from. Cinerarias need light, plenty of fresh air, free watering and an occasional dose of liquid manure. They cannot tolerate having their roots pot- cramped. Climbers are indispensable; quick growing ones like Tropaeolums. Passion Flowers and Jasminums are to be recommended, because of the free-cutting back they will bear, thus ensuring plenty of young handsome-looking shoots. Dutch Bulbs. See article elsewhere in this issue. Hanging Baskets for winter adornment should befitted up. A basket of drooping Ferns is ex- ceedingly handsome. Any of the greenhouse droop- ers will answer. Insects. Attack them promptly now, and they will trouble very much less later; for green fly or aphis, burn J^ pound of refuse tobacco for each 500 square feet of house from once to twice a week. Dusting any affected plants with tobacco powder will kill them quickly. Moisture created by syring' ing is the safest remedy against red spider. Scale and mealy bugs are easily destroyed by washing 1 88s. POPULAR GARDENING. and brushing any parts affected, with soapsuds or tobacco water heated to about 125° , rinse after- wards with clean water. Kill angle worms in the soil, by soaking the earth with lime water. Label the plants and varieties if you would be- come famiUarwilh them. Attention to this point will help beginners more than any amoimt of book study. Revise names when plants are in bloom. Orchids as a rule need less moisture as the days shorten. Prepare them to go through the winter at as low a temperature and as near dorment as possible. Most growers hurt them with too much moisture and heat in the winter. Keep clear of insects. Cool Orrhids will need no artificial heat until the temperature falls to 45° at night. These can stand more moisture than the other classes ; in sunny weather the atmosphere will not be too moist even with daily sprinkling about the house. Such as are in Bower will bloom stronger next spring for removing some of the flowers now. Priuulas now want heat, light and moderate moisture in the air. Give weak manure water to blooming plants, both double and single, once every two weeks. Pkopagation can, especially in bedding plants, be carried on to any required extent now, that out- door cuttings are abundant. Cuttings also strike readily without the help of bottom heat at this time. Set them firmly into beaten down sand, sprinkle lightly and often, shade from the sun and admit air freely, but not in draughts. KosES. Syringe twice a day, aiming to wet aU the leaves, but not causing excessive wetness to the soil. Anight temperature of from5.i° to6.i° is the most suitable for flowers. Prune Tea Roses as the buds are cut, by taking off each shoot back to within two eyes of its base ; occasionally also pass over the plants and remove all "bUnd shoots," in other words such as have ended their growth . Stephamotis. Keep rather dry and cool until early spring. Keep down mealy bug. Stocking Up. It any tender plants that are needed yet remain in the outdoor beds, no time should be lost to get them in. See Lifting, under House Plants. Give newly brought-iu plants plenty of space, air, and the foliage a light sprinkling with water about six times a day for a while. JMost kinds will then bear the change from out doors to in-doors without showing it. TrnERosES. Keep in a night heat of 60® to 65° . Avoid chilling draughts, water moderately. FRUIT GARDEN AND ORCHARD. Cider should only be made from perfectly clean and sound apples, to be good . Insist on cleanliness being practiced, at every stageof the making. For preserving it, there should first be slow fermenta- tion in a cool place and after fermentation, bung tightly. In a short time the cider will become clear, then rack off into clean barrels. Cuttings of Currant, Grape, Quince and Goose- berry are easily made by anj'one and may be cut and set this month. Make 6 inches long each; place in lines about 4 inches apart— in trenches, packing the soil firmly against them. Cover with coarse litter, to prevent winter-heaving. Grapes. Pick for winter or for wine only after fully ripe; all may not color at the same time, be patient up to hard frosts. Ripeness is known by the stem turning brown and shrivehng somewhat. Grapes unUke some fruits w^on't ripen after gath- ering. Gather in fair weather and between dews, place in shallow drawers in a cool room until as- sorted, and packed. Marketing. Pack uniformly, whether in barrels for shipping, or in crates or baskets for the home trade. Strict honesty is the best practice; once let a grower obtain the reputation for "facing" his packages more than they will bear, and he will find difficulty in selling, as he deserves to Nuts should not be gathered until frosts start dropping somewhat. Planting. One season with another, we prefer to plant fruit trees of all but stone fruits, in this month, provided the ground is properly drained. Raspberries and Blackberries, we think, also do bet- ter to set now on such land. Whatever planting cannot be done before the 10th of November in the Northern States, had better be deferred until spring. The work may begin as soon as the leaves show maturity by their color; if they persist in hanging, strip off with the hand. In planting shorten all the main shoots, some- what, as shown in the en- graving. Have the hole large enough to receive all the roots without bending. Spread them out naturally, bring fine earth between and against all the fibers and other parts, and pack the soil firmly. In finish- ing the job. raise a mound of earth against the tree as shown in the cut. This Mounding Up, will steady the tree, shed water from and protect the roots. In exposed places a stake should also be provided . Any trees or plants received too late for fall planting, should be buried root and top in earth in some dry spot . Some who prefer spring planting, advocate this course with all the stock to be set out. Seeds of fruit may easily be saved by washing the pomace of such kinds as are made into cider. Small quantities may be gathered up, when hand- paring and quartering is done. Wash clean, dry and keep until planting time in boxes of sand. Peach and other stones as well as nuts for seeds should be packed in sand and set out doors to freeze hard, during the winter. Weeds, should be kept down with the hoe to the end of the season. Manj' kinds grow rapidly now, and to kill them will save work next year. Winter ArrLEs and Pears. Leave on the trees while growth keeps up, unless freezing weather is expected. All fruit not intended for cider should be 'hand picked. Bruises from falls cause rot. Keep wormy fruit from the sound. Store in a cool dry room in heaps for several weeks, in order to dry out somewhat, before consigning to winter quarters. For winter, store in shallow bins that ad- mit of a circulation of air through them. Sweet Potatoes, will suit these. A cellar, unless warm and dry, is too damp for them. Stakes and Poles if housed after use, will last much longer than If left out; place in the dry. Sweet Potatoes. Dig before hard frost-s, han- dle carefully, as bruises lead to rot; store in a dry warm place, in a temperature near 60 ° . In many cases, a shelf of the kitchen closet would do. Tomatoes. Plants not yet touched by frost, will if protected by a frame and sash, ripen fruit for a month longer. Green fruit that is three fourths or more developed, at a time when no longer safe to leave it outside, will ripen if brought under shelter, as in the dwelling or greenhouse. VEGETABLE GARDEN. Beets. Gather and store in a cool cellar, after the growth is checked by frost. The quality and flavor will be better retained by packing in sand. If there is a large crop, they may be kept in pits over winter. Locate these in well drained ground, covering with straw and earth, to prevent hard freezing, and sudden changes of temperature. Brussels Sprouts . Treat like Cauliflower. Carrots. Treat as directed for Beets. Cauliflower. When indications of freezing weather appear, gather those not fully headed, and plant in boxes of soil in a cool cellar. Similar- ly treated in glass-covered pits will also answer. Celery grows well now, and will need close at- tention in earthing up. The early crop may go into trenches for winter. Chervil. Treat as directed for Parsley. Chicory, for use as a salad in winter, should be lifted by the end of the month, stored in a cool part of the cellar, and brought mto a warm place for growth as wanted . Digging over. As the crops are gathered dig over the earth, so that the air and frost may have full effect upon it. By such a course, the larvae of many injurious pests will freeze to death. Greens tor spring use, such as Spinach and Corn Salad, should be thinned if needing it; keep the ground clean. Lettuce can be cut from the open ground for a month or more yet. Some brought on in frames, will answer a month later than that. Onions. For the earliest crop next year, plant some sets about the middle of the month in rich, drained land ; protect with hay or leaves over winter. Parsley. This is easily brought along for use, either in a cold-frame, window or green-house, by lifting the plants now, and setting them in pots or boxes. The leaves may also be dried, and in this shape be preserved for use . Parsnips. The main crop should stand until spring; lift some for winter use and store in pits or the cellar. Radish. Dig the winter sorts after hard frosts, store in light earth in the cellar. Salsify or Vegetable Oyster. The same as Parsnips. Sijuashes. The directions given tor storing FRUIT AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS. Grapery. Houses with fruit that is not yet fully ripe, should have the temperature kept at about .Vi " at night, and 10^ or more higher by day . A gentle fire heat may be needed for maintaining this, and for keeping the atmosphere of the house dry and favorable to ripening the fruit and leaves. Prune successional houses as soon as the leaves fall, also cleansing the canes. This is also the time for washing or painting interior wood work. Lettuce tor use by Christmas and later, may now be planted in hot-beds or green-house; 55o of heat with proper airing suits it. Mushroom beds for winter supply must be pre* pared, if not yet done. Collect plenty of short, fresh dung, and lay in small heaps until you have a barrow load, then mix it up with half its bulk of fresh pasture loam, that is free from fungi. Turn the heap daily until enough of the material is se. cured to stock the bed, directions for making which, will be given next month. Radishes can be grown at any season where .'■)5° of heat, and an abundance of light and air with suitable moisture can be provided. Rhubarb is so easily forced in the winter, even as a " house plant," that we wonder it is not of tener done . The large root stored full of nourishment, is what the growth must depend upon mostly; if in addition, there be warmth, moisture and a little light, the conditions needful to raise a crop of fresh pie-making material in the winter are all at hand. After several hard frosts is the time to start in on the work, by lifting the roots and storing them away from hard frosts, so they can be got at . . Strawberries to be forced, should now be strong plants with well formed crowns and occupying six inch pots. If they were treated right when shifted, the pots were then plunged to the rim in sawdust, coal ashes or the like, on some smooth surface where angle worms could not get into the pots. Here they should stand until November. ^/ nqujc UIRR This beina th^ PeopWs Paper it is open t<> ail their In- quires, beartiiij on Gardening. on the vtlu-r hand, anstrers to published inquirea are earnestly requested from readers. The editors and special contributors are ready to do a la rue share of the answering, but the rxjterience of many being more valuable than of the fete, hoteever varied that i«, andconditivns andloealities being so different, they prefer to receive answers, etvn several of them to the same quea tion, from readers everi/ichere. /)on7 hesitate to xcrite because yon may feel you are no fine tcriter: give facts and ideas and the editors tcill see that they a/»pear in credi- table shape. In tcriting, give the number of the qxteation you are an^ swering; your lucaldy and name, the latter not for publica- tion unless you desire. Write only on one side of the jtaper Flowers will be gladly named provided first, that no more than three be sent at one time. Second, that these he fully prejiaid. Third, that several sjtecimena of each reach us in good shape. We cannot undertake to name florists' varie> tiest 1. —Green Growth on Pot Soil. The soil in my Camellia pots, is covered with a preen prowth. How shall this be prevented and remedied?— E. F. DeS. 2.— Liquid Manures for Pot Plants. Will some one kindly say what is the best manure water for greenhouse plants? Is diluted ammonia of any use?— A. P. C. 3.— Weeping Trees. Whatkindsare to be preferred for a lawn exposed to strong southwest winds y-Mrs. R. L., Oil City, Pa, 5._Select list of Shrubs. We are making improvements about our grounds, and* would Uke to set out some hardy shrubs, such as give flowers for a long season, will some one name a hst or a dozen or twenty.— A Flowbr Lover. POPULAR GARDENING. October, 1 A Column devoted to the Paper's Interests. IT XS ISTOT OUR INTENTION To keep secret the fact that this paper needs many subscribers. So, because some depart- ments are not much crowded yet, we take one column to talk of the matter. First of all we want to impress the fact, that we design to make of Popular G.\rdening, The Brightest, The Cheapest, The Most Useful and The Most Popular paper of its kind in America, and one that will be wanted in hundreds of thousands of families. This number is a fair sample of what will follow, excepting that some departments are yet undeveloped. A constant aim will be to render all parts of Popular Gardening reliable and concise in character. Any contributions that will not, on the part of their writers, allow of reasonable editorial revision in our hands, if needed to get at their substance in the fewest words, are not wanted. Some say the PRICE IS TOO LOW: that no well edited paper can live at such rates. We are aware that the price is low, e.'cceeding- ly low, but w^e have faith in the people, to be- lieve that this feature is all right. Many of our best papers are among the cheapest of papers. What looks like a defect here to some, appears all right to the masses, and they make up for this in increased patronage. And this is what we shall count on them— may we say on You kind Read- er among the number — to do in our case. With 50,000 subscribers as a basis soon, we can furnish a paper that shall be won- derful in beauty, in worth and in price. This 50,000 at 60 Cents, 50,000 at 60 Cents, 50,000 at 60 Cents, let us say, we shall work hard to secure, within one year if possible, but only because we expect to offer a paper in every way worthy of them. And now. To all Persons In Town or Country who love Flowers, Plants, and fine Lawns we are free to say we want to count you among our first 50,000 suppor- ters! Look over the paper carefully. Can you af- ford to be without such a mass of interesting matter, when 60 cents will buy it for a whole year? To all who grow Fruits and Vegeta- bles! We want you among our subscribers at once . You cannot possibly invest the price of this paper to better advantage, than to subscribe. To you, Botanists; to you, Poultry Raisers; to you, Aparians; to you. Housewives; to you, Children! We want to see the names of one of you from every family, at least, among our subscribers. We promise you all a rich treat of matter throughout the year. Remember that 60 cents, or only 50 cents In clubs of five, will secure this paper crammed with choice matter for one year. TO CAUTIOUS PEOPLE. See Page 1 3. Three Roses. All bright, dewy-tipped, and fragrant. Delicate, dainty, and shy, A secret sweet in its bosom, A tear and a smile in its eye; This opening Moss rose which blushes Its fringes of green above. I choose, for its grace and beauty. As symbol of maiden's love. For its lustrous, matchless splendor. For joys its beauties impart. For the lavish way it squanders The richest sweets of its heart. For its queenly air and color, The depths of its velvet hues. Symbol of wifely devotion. This royal Red rose I choose. For purity fair and spotless, For breath fresh as early mom. Because its warm heart is golden. Because it has ne'er a thorn. Because its blossoms are unfailing, So sweet none can e'er refuse. Symbol of mother's affection, This modest White rose I choose. —Dart Fairthome Choice. Ihave a garden full of blooms; Oh will you choose ? I know them by their own perfumes. Their varied hues. And when between their ranks I walk I kiss the hly on her stalk, I touch the rose and mignonette And smile to see the pansy wet. With piuple dews. I have a heart so full of friends I cannot choose. — Kathertne Lee Bates. Roses now improve. Garden intelligently. Bone manure suits Lilies. Dutch bulbs art superior. Walk in! Chrysanthemums. Smilax won't grow from slips. Are the flower pots on hand ? Why not set some Parrot Tulips ? Hit us with a club — of subscribers. Water enough, but don't overwater. Subscribe for Popular Gardening. Pl.\nt bulbs in masses rather than rows. We never raise our own Daisies from seed. New York City has 150 cut-flower stores. Be free to ask us questions about gardening. This Paper may be obtained of newsdealers. Lantanas came from the West Indies, 1692. Never pay fancy prices for untried nov- elties. Flowers, are jewels for the rich and poor alike. All successful gardening is pleasure gar- dening. In France the Oleander is called Rose Laurel. Forget-me-nots suffer more from wet than from cold. If you want to plant a Beech, be sure to do so in the fall. The fate of flowers — In doing their best they get blowed . Stand up and be counted among the first 50,000 subscribers. St. Paul's Church, New York, has a con- servatory of its own. Messrs. Cassell are publishing "Familiar Trees" in monthly parts. Measure a g.\rden as you would a picture, not by size but by quality. Messrs. Kelway & Son.. Longport, Eng- land, grow 20 acres of Gladiolus. If you are puzzled how to manage some plant, ask Popular Gardening. Will the Bennet Rose take Gen. Jacque- minot's place is the question of the day. Reader ! Can you not give us some idea or information of interest to others. Ic would be welcome. One German seed catalogue, that of Haage & Schmidt, of Erfurt, offers more that 13,000 distinct sorts. Alw.\ys exercise care in handling or prun- ing the Oleander; its juices are known to be poi- sonous to persons. Christ.mas Hyacinths are possible to be had in the house, by starting bulbs of the White Romans at once. The Agroste.mma or Rose Campion, a plant easily grown from the seed, blooms well in the house. So says a correspondent. On the Occasio.v of Mr. John Frost's, aHas Jack Frost's, evening visits to the flowers, paper hoods are to be a leading feature of dress. It p.\ys to plant trees. Set a dollar tree to- day and in ten years a hundred dollar bill wouldn't buy it. What other investment to equal this? Why Not Work a little for this paper among your friends. To be candid, it needs just such help now. Only 50 cents a year in clubs of five and more. Why trees lean towards the East so gener- ally, is a question puzzling to the savants. It is claimed that more than the wind has to do with the matter. We don't believe it. Get up a Club for Popular Garden- ing. You will find this, at its low price, an easy task, by applying to your friends to subscribe. Only 50 cents a year, in clubs, remember. If you wish to promote your love for plants hear what Mr. C. L. Allen says: Understand the plant and its wants, study it, take it into your heart and mind, become familiar with it. A branchi.n'G double Tuberose, has appear- ed in a Chicago collection. If the freak will be repeated in the progeny of the bulb pro- ducing it, a remarkable race will be the result. Rusticus wants to get a " tree box " and asks where. If a tree of that name, at a nursery, if a box, patronize a carpenter. Merely to see a tree box, a boxing master ought to be able to advise. Plant shelter belts of trees, especially Evergreens about your grounds. Then you can grow a thousand things well where now but a hundred will succeed, and have the arboreal beauty too. How to help promote a wider love for gardening in your vicinity. Get your neighbors to join with you, in ordering this paper at the club rates of 50 cents a year for five or more subscribers. .\ Neighbor who knows how to garden, both for pay and for pleasure, has two secrets. Here they are for our readers: a large manure and compost heap always, and, never let weeds propagate. Looks as if the Lily of the Amazon (Euckaris Amazonica, ) must be given up as a blooming plant in the average hot-house. What it needs is about 100 degrees of heat, and little fussing with besides. Those who have the free flowering Platy- codon grandijlora, white or blue, growing in their gardens, will be glad to know that a rosy- violet variety has been introduced from Japan by Mr. Maires. It is to bear his name. To Amateurs. If you know of a brighter, better or cheaper paper than Popular Garden- iNii by all means subscribe for it, and let us know, that we may do likewise. If you don't, send in your subscription to this office, and you wont miss it much. Let not how much, but how well, be your aim in gardening matters. Give us three plants well grown, rather than twenty scrawny, ill- treated things; two square rods of vegetable garden in good order, than half an acre crowded down with weeds and otherwise ill-attended. iSS:;. POPULAR GARDENING. Cactaceous Plants. Under this title Mr. Lewis Castle, of the London Journal of Horti- culture, has published a little treatise on the history and culture of these plants that will prove useful to amateurs, in America as well as in England. Take Down the bands of cotton, put around the trees in June to starve the caterpillars. They can be of no possible use after this, and will soon be tattered and stained, looking worse than a dirty, frayed collar on a well-dressed person's neck. Sound. — The editor of Libbys American Garden never put more sound advice for amateurs into few words, than when in speak- ing of Pansy culture, he said : "It is useless to expect good flowers from poor seed ; better pay well for the best than accept poor seed as a gift." The Histories of great men show, that most of them have been lovers of gardening or farming. It has always been so. Com- munion with nature broadens and invigorates the mind, as well as restores it when tired out. The same remedy is one that will help tired- out women folks. This paper has come to stay. It is backed by abundant capital, ability and enterprise to fully establish it. Those who subscribe for PoPUl..*^R Gardening now, will in after years, find great satifaction in knowing they were among its earliest subscribers. It will be something to be proud of. Think of the Tulip Craze of 1635, when one sturdy Hollander gave twelve acres of val- uable land for a single bulb, of a variety called Semper Augustus. Now you can buy more beauty in Tulips for twelve cents than he did for twelve acres. By all means have a Tulip bed, so beautiful and yet so cheap. The price at which Popular Gardening has been placed, is really experimental. It certainly will remain as it now is for one year; we believe for always. But this is a matter that depends upon the support the paper receives. A subscription list of 50,000 or upwards will ensure the present price permanently. There are no purer, more noble or more satisfying delights, than those which spring from the successful managment of flowers, plants and other things of the garden. To lovers of Nature, few things possess equal charms, to those revealed by the study of the nature and historj- of plants, and the noting of their peculiar habits and characteristics. It is an old tradition that the Fraxi- nella catches fire when a light is brought near to it, hence it has been called the "Burning Bush." The notion no doubt gained currency, from the fact, that the stem is set with oil-glands, which on being touched, give out a strong scent. We have tried to ignite the plant and have failed to see it burn. Drop the old name. Persia, in the Old World, is as famous for her large trees as is California in the New World. In the former country, a Plane or as commonly called by us a Buttonwood tree, at Tadjrich, is widely celebrated for its great pro- portions. This wonderful tree measures over 48 feet around the trunk. Only think of it, a Plane tree one rod in diameter. The ponder- ous limbs are themselves, it is said, as large as ordinary trees. A SUBSTITUTE FOR PUTTY NEEDED. Putty answered well enough under the old system of plant houses with heavy timbers and small lights; that era has passed away, and for the lighter houses now demanded, in which light bars and larger panes of glass are used, some- thing more elastic and lasting than putty is needed. Every owner of a range of glass has felt this. Let our inventors help out here, and help themselves to a source of income at the same time. " The American Florist." — On August 15th the first number of this semi-monthly appeared from its publication office in Chicago. It is a trade paper for the commercial florist. In the present progressive state of the plant and flower trade, we do not see how any florist can get along without the market reports, prices, descriptions of new designs, directions , 2. Improved Plan of Back Yard. for cultivation, advertisements, &c., which each issue contains. Price, one dollar a year. Tree Roots have often been known to cause trouble in drains. A stoppage occurs, the pipes are taken up. when it is found that roots have penetrated between the joints into the pipes, sometimes filling them completely. This would seem like a serious matter indeed, were it not one that can be obviated with slight ex- pense when the drains are laid. Pipes with sockets should be used in the vicinity of all trees and shrubs. Fill their ends with cistern cem- ent in putting them together. Is This Your Mistake? We often see plants in pots suffering severely from dryness at the root, and yet watered every day. You ask how this can be ? Well, when the ball of earth in a pot once happens to get perfectly dry to the center, it takes in water very slowly. At the same time it also shrinks in size, so as to leave a narrow space between the earth and the pot all around. To dash a teacupful of water into the pot every day, may keep the surface — the only portion one sees — wet, and some water may find its way down the sides to show in the saucer below, thus satisfying the eye that it is watered enough, while in fact most of the earth is left about as dry as powder. Remedy; dig into the earth a little, if you find it very dry, set the pot and its contents into a bucket of water for twenty minutes. Combination Pl.\nts. — Not nearly as much advantage is taken of combinations among plants as they are capable of affording. Last June we noted a plant of the Bladder Senna, Colutea arborescens, and the Amorpha frutescens, which had managed to grow to- gether forming one stock; that both coming into bloom at the same time, one with bronzy purple, the other with orange yellow flowers, had a very pretty effect indeed. So says, Thomas Meehan in the Gardeners' Monthly. Study Nature. Many a clump of shrubs or trees in wild-places, is fit for a model, to im- itate in embellishing the home yard. When such a clump, that would beautifully adorn your place if it was there, is met, make a sketch of it. gi\-ing outline, and the location of indi\nd- uals approximately, to use as a guide, when planting. With all the attractions of this kind to be met about meadows, hills and swamps, there is really nothing to equal what it is easily in our power to create on our lawns. Tr>' your hand at some handsome groups on the lawn. Our Second Children. Some one speaks of plants and flowers as our second children, — a not inapt term, surely. .\ few days ago, we heard a lady who had raised a fine young India Rubber Tree say, that if she knew it would be neglected while she was gone on a contemplated visit, she wouldn't go. The lady loves that plant, with a love as for a child. It has grown up from a weak slip into a handsome specimen, by her care, and is still dependent on her for its ver\- existence. One may soon tire of the finest work of art, but never of a plant or flower raised into a thing of beauty by one's own hand. Mushrooms Edible and Poisonous. The Messrs. Prang & Co. , of Boston, Mass. , are en- titled to the thanks of ever)- .American, for issu- ing in a handy form. Mr. Julius A. Palmer's work on this subject. No countr)- is richer in Fungi than America; the people of no country in the world, perhaps, know so litttle about which of these are food and which poisons as our own. Result, the absolute waste of a vast amount of valuable food. Messrs. Prang & Co's new work affords a remedy. In it are given chromo representations of zS-of the com- monest k'nds. both edible and poisonous, so perfectly that anyone can determine by them, at a glance, the good from the bad. Directions for using the former are also g^ven. The price of the work, $2.00, could in thousands of instances soon be made up, by the new food supplies it would introduce its owners too. We think no one will discover much stiff- ness or formality of style about POPULAR Gar- dening. We mean they never shall. Whatever anyone has to write or say or ask concerning gar- dening matters let them out with it, when ad- dressing this paper. Be natural; write your letters just as you would talk to us if we called on you in your parlor, kitchen or garden. Never mind spending time in fixing up a postal card or letter in a " very proper " style. "Tell us about your successes and your failures; items we will be'glad to weave into the warp and woof of the paper. Let us mention one thing about which we are particular: all matter in- tended for the editors, should be written with plain ink. and on one side of the paper only. We cannot explain why here, but in handling much matter this will make a great saving of labor to them in the aggregate. Society op American Florists. This, the first society of its kind in America, was organized at Cincinnati on August the 12th last, and the dkys following. There were present some 300 florists from all parts of the country. Mr. John Thorpe, of Queens, N. Y., was elected President of the Society. During the three days of the convention, besides the business of organizing, there were read and discussed papers bearing upon leading subjects of interest to florists, including among them such extreme topics as Steam Heating, and Protection against Hailstorms. .\ most de- lightful features was the excursion tendered to the florists by the C. H. & D. railroad to the Soldier's Home Park, at Dayton, Ohio. The new Society is in the hands of efficient and wise officers, and must prove a great benefit to the future flower interests generally, of the countrj'. The florists, who naturally are a home-staying, hard-working set, were much pleased to see what a fine, wide-awake-looking lot of fellows they together make, when in this, their opportunity, they could see each other face to face. The meeting of 1886 will be held at Philadelphia. The Back Yard. It is often more puzzling to treat the back part of a lot, with good effect, than the street end, be- cause the former is usually surrounded by high fences or buildings that detract from garden effects. A common arrangement by those who care to grow flowers here, is that shown by fig. I. This consists of perhaps a cross line of shrubs at the extreme end, and some flower beds of geometrical outline cut into the grass. Let us suggest the far better style of arrange- ment shown in fig. 2. Here not only are the Fig. I. Plan of Back Yard shrubs kept next to the devoted to Lawn, Shrubs fence, but all the flowers and Flowers. with them, are placed in a continuous irregular border outside of the lawn, with this latter kept open in its centre. The advantages of this plan are, 1st, that the open central lawn gives character and dignity to that part of the ground, in a degree it is impossible to secure by spreading; out flower beds over the area. 2nd, the flowers and shrubs have a setting of grass in effect, as seen from any point fonvard. 3d, there is grace and naturalness about the latter as against the formality of the former, which is worth much forappearances. Lastly the opportunities for in- trcxlucing more shrubs and flowers, and thus great variety, with the effect that the more of these brought in, the better will the fence be hid, by material in the highest d^ee orna- mental. One portion of this outside border might be devoted to rockwork. The principles here involved are worth careful study by all improvers of home grounds. Bring Lilies tor a maiden's grave, Rces to deck the bride. Tulips tor all who love through lite In brave attire to ride: Bring each tor each, in bower and hall. But cull the Columbine tor all. previous to their out-door flowering time. But some years ago Valley Lily blooms began to be seen in the market as early as October and November ot each winter, and still later, in about every month of the twelve This remarkable achievement is to be credited to the skill of Mr. CarlJurgens, of New- port, R. I., who is now widely known as the " Lily ot the Valley man." Mr, Jurgens possesses some secrets by which he seems to rule the habits of this flower, and which not a few florists would give a small fortune to possess. He appears to have a " corner " on supplying the flower to the florists, tor about eight months of the year. ADDITIONAL FRUIT AND VEGE- TABLE NOTES. Marigolds are wet weather flowers. The sentiment of Moss is Maternal Love. , Wreaths of natural flowers are beginning to be worn on the hair. The craze tor Orchids in floral decorations, is even more manifest in Europe than with us. Funeral designs made ot a single kind of flower and this not white, are now considered appropriate. For evening wear, young ladies place one small tuft of flowers in the hair and another on the shoulder. Cut flowers will keep longer for changing the water daily, and at the same time snipping back the stem ends a little . A St. Louis florist boasts of having the finest photograph album of floral designs in the country. Will the Chicago florists see about this? Baskets and Vases of Birch bark are now in vogue as flower holders. This material is very elegant while partaking of a rustic nature. One year with another the taste tor " large bud " roses increases. The old favorite Satrano, has al- most been crowded out of some cut flower shops. For a light, graceful and inexpensive bouquet for the table or mantle, nothing can be flner than Car- nations with long stems, set in their own foliage. A narrow vase is the most suitable holder. When all other trades are retrenching, the flor- ists seem to be biulding up as much glass as ever. It is a healthy indication of the deep-seated love tor flowers, when people forego necessaries that they may enjoy these luxuries. With the increasing use of long stem flowers along with their own leaves, the demand for Smilax is said to be falling off in a measure. Well, tor such good reasons let it. Every flower is more beautiful for being supported by its own foliage. The growth of the cut flower and plant trade in America during the last twenty years is one ot the wonders ot the ninteenth century. No doubt, tor every commercial greenhouse establishment that existed twenty years ago, we now have not less than twelve, and many ot these are ten times larger than the average one ot the previous time referred to. Mr. John Thorpe, in his address recently, before the Convention of American Florists at Cincinnati, put the number of florists in America to-day at no less than 8,000. Allowing 4,000 feet of glass-covered surface to each florist, would give a totalof 3.200,000 square feet or 730 acres of glass. This would be equivalent to six farms of 120 acres each, covered over with glass for growing plants and flowers, for the American people. The num- ber ot private establishments devoted to a similar use, would swell these figures largely. In packing flowers to send by mail or express, the inexperienced often make the mistake of plac- ing them so loosely in the box, as to cause them to shake about to their damage. The best way of packing is to place some springy material like crumpled leaves, hemlock twngs or even cotton in the bottom ot the box first, covering this with water-proof paper, on which to place the flowers. Lay the firmer kinds, like unopened Rose-buds, Carnations and the like in first, and finish with the more fragile ones If a tubular flower like the Calla is to be sent, place a bit of cotton in its throat to prevent crushing. Finish off at the top with paper and of the other material used in the bottom. The contents as finished may stand out above the box somewhat, so that with closing the cover, a gentle pressure will prevail throughout the mass. In packing, most kinds of flowers should be sprinkled hghtly, but Carnations, never. The Lily of the Valley is naturally a spring-bloom !)0t9.nic^l0)^d^et Stems, when green, perform the ofllce ot leaves. The Sweet Potato is a root the Common Potato a tuber. The University of Nebraska has established a Botanic garden . To THE Botanist every plant possesses some points of interest. The bark, leaves and cones ot the Alder have value tor tanning. The late George Bentham bequeathed £1000 to the Linnaean Botanical Society. The Herbarium of Cornell University has been estimated to be worth $1000, by evidence given in a recent wiU suit. A SMUT on cultivated Violets, named Uroctjstis VioUe, has appeared in France, and is proving very destructive. Birches have a wide range throughout the northern hemisphere. Some stunted shrubs are found north up to the limit of perpetual snow. It is more logical to say that a plant multiplies than that it divides by branching. A vegetable may thus be looked upon, not as an individual but as a collective being, or as an aggregation ot individuals nourished in common like the zoophytes of a coral.— La Maout. Make Frequent Excursions to the fields and forests, while pursuing your botanical studies, it you would find them full ot interest. A closet botanist never yet made attainments that were worth much. Text books are valuable aids, but the book of nature should be the main reliance. Cement for Mounting Plants.— Mr J. H. Oyster, ot Paola, Kansas, says, that the best cement he has ever used for specimens is made by dissolving crude India rubber in bisulphide of carbon, of any desired quantity to make the proper consistency. This is a strong cement always ready for use, and adapted to many purposes. A GOOD SIGN tor the future of botany as a study in America, is found in the fact that now it is looked upon as a branch necessary to a fair education. As an interest in this study increases, a field also opens up for private instructors in botany. We caU to mind the case ot one woman who has such a class ot seventy students. The PEOPLE ARE MANY, who would be glad to de- vote more attention to the study ot botany, were increased encouragement given to them in the shape ot books, written by scientific men in non- technical language, to meet a popular want. With this demand well supplied, there would follow such a hungering tor more knowledge on this subject as would soon lead many a non-scientific reader to become a scientific student. The Memory of Linn.eus, the great Swedish Botanist, is not in danger of soon dying out in his native land. Recently there was unveiled in the j Humlegarden Park of Stockholm, amid much ! ceremony, an imposing statue to the great natural- ist. Its central figure represents him at sixty, meditating over a bunch of flowers. Four allegorical female figures, representing botany, zoology, medicine and mineralogy respectively surround the main one. "Agassiz Bulletin," is the name ot a 4-page monthly published in this city, from the State Normal School, and^ devoted to natural sciences. Its contents are of an attractive character, as well ing plant! and one tha't tew others can equal for i to the ordinary reader as to trained naturalists, charming qualities. It is to many people's minds Although a small paper, it is all " meat," no adver- the ideal flower tor bride's bouquets. The tore- tiseraents being inserted. The August number ing of the flowers out of their natural sea- 1 contains an excellent article on " The Enemies of son, has long been practised with success so ; Our Shade Trees," by Prof. D. S. Kellicot. Fifty far as concerns a period of three or tour months i cents a year is the paper's price. yi Clear op after the crops. Let Beets grow until sharp frosts. Tod cannot raise fine berries on poor land. Don't let manure come against the roots at planting time. There is little use ot trying to make raisins from our native grapes; its not in the blood. Some of our readers may not know that the Black Raspberries are much hardier than the Beds. A lady recently stated at a horticultural meeting that she planted Raspberries forty five years ago that are bearing good crops yet. A GOOD DEAL ot difference exists between red cabbage heads. Give us our choice for pickling and we take those that are plump, dry, solid. Until it is tried, few growers have any idea of ■what can be done in working up a home market for fruit, and vegetables. It's a reliable one. A Mrs. Mitchell, ot Oxford, Ohio, says the best Grape trellis she knows of is a tree. On this the fruit never mildews or rots. The best specimens are at the top. Where rust prevents success with Blackberries, it is said that to sow red clover among the bushes after they are well established, and allowing the clover after each mowing to remain as a mulch, the disease will be prevented . This is easily tried. _ The Pear is, for family use, a more reliable fruit on an average, than the Apple. It's crops are more certain, and come earlier in considerable quantity. No tree takes care ot itself so well. This has been our experience; we believe it is a universal one. Salsify or Vegetable Oyster. This delicious and healthful vege- table is not found so often as it should be in American gardens. Why this is so, it is difficult to con- cieve, for it is grown with the greatest ease. The same treat- ment that will suit the Parsnip suits this plant also. But it may be said that where any person fails with either ot these winter vegetables, it must be because either the ground is not rich or deep enough, or else the plants are too much crowded during the time of growth. Directions tor planting Salisfy will be given in Popular Gardening early next year. Here we wish to say that the roots may be wintered in the ground where they grow, the same as Parsnips. But a portion ot the crop should be lifted before the ground freezes hard, or kept in pits or in the cellar, to be used from during the winter. The bush small fruits, includ- ing Currents, Goosberries, and Raspberries, do not object to some shade. A good place tor them is in a row against the garden fence. Here with a light rail in front of the plants, and the fence behind them, the branches, whether of prickly kinds or not, are kept well out of one's way. By setting a six inch wide board on the ground under the rail, and filling in the space back of it with leaves every tall, the trouble of cultivating the plants will be about done away with. This is what we call a simplified course of culture. Cultivating Orchards. Evidence accumulates to show that orchards in grass are more productive than those kept cultivated, provided there is no lack ot fertility along with the grass culture sys- tem. No continued good results can be expected from the orchard without manuring, whatever the plan of management is. October is a good month to top-dress the grass-clothed orchard with manure. Let this be done every year. If AN Asparagus bed is wanted to supply the family, we can hardly recommend the plan of a friend, who, in his first attempts at gardening, bought a paper of the seed along with Radish and Lettuce seed.and sowed them.expecting Asparagus tor the table in a month or two. It takes several years to grow this root to a productive size from seed. As strong nursery grown roots two years old, can be bought tor about two cents apiece, I what's the use of bothering. SALSIFY. i88s. POPULAR GARDENING. A PUZZLING FLOWER. All my young friends no doubt enjoy puzzles, especially when they command the answer end. One plant which grows near my climbing place, is as good a puzzle to the eye, as any met in the books. It is a Wild Violet with blue oder- Mr. TreecKmber Introduces Himself. To the young readers of PopUL.vu Garden- ing I present myself as the man who lives in the tree tops, that is, some of the time. From this, do not make out that I am some odd individual who cannot live as other folks live, but must climb and climb like a squirrel, in or- der to be contented. It is true that in my boy- hood days, I had a great passion for treeclimb- ing ; my love of trees, the strange scenes to be met in their tops, and their products often leading me up into them. I think it was the ones that held mellow apples, luscious cherries or sweet nuts that attracted me the oftenest. Now my climbing is of a kind, that better be- comes legs and arras, which have lost much of the gripping power for tree trunks which they once possessed. I will explain. In a grove to the rear of the house in which I live, is a large Walnut tree, with dark furrowed bark and a spreading head. At about eighteen feet from the ground, in this tree, is an arrangement of branches, which years ago suggested to me the idea of laying a floor upon them. To have a sitting place, a real arbor up in the Walnut, w'as a thought not to be put aside and it was soon built. The floor which is ten by thirteen feet in size, is enclosed by a railing three feet high, for safety. To reach the platform, a winding stairway was built connecting it with the ground. This also had a side rail to make ascending and descend- ing easier. With such a delightful bower in mid-air, I think you can easily understand how it is that I am a somewhat noted tree-climber, here where I am known. During warm weather, every day finds me for some hours, in my "perch" in the tree top. Here I read, write and enjoy the rare pleasures of the spot. I often have visitor tree-climbers, too, — you may be sure this is a place that pleases the boys and girls to visit; they are always welcome. The birds also come near, for they have learned that the occupants of this " nest " are their friends. There is another reason why my young friends like this place besides the novelty of its situation. It is because I am always ready to tell them about what I see, and have seen in the beautiful book which Nature holds open to our gaze. They say that I see so many inter- esting things which their eyes miss entirely. So I loan them the use of my eyes, as it were, and show how they may employ their own to better advantage. Now in my tree perch, or in my study I can never expect to receive more than a small number of visitors. But the publishers of Popular Gardening, have very kindly asked me to invite their thousands of young readers to my quarters, through their handsome paper, which I gladly do. So in the space they allow me to occupy each month, I will talk of flow- ers, botany and other matters relating to natural history. I hope by this means, to interest you in many of the beautiful and curious things which surround us in this world of ours, and which, having eyes we should cultivate them to see. Timothy Treeclimbkr. Puzzling Violet Flowers. less flowers, a drawing of one of which I here show. These, like all violets, blossom early in the spring, but they seldom give seed. A month or two after the spring blooms are gone, many large seed-pods like the one shown at c, strangely appear on the plants. These could not come from the spring flowers, for it is too long since. More than that, the seed-pods keep increasing in numbers steadily until fall ; each good sized plant yielding hundreds of these all full of white seeds. Where do the pods and seeds come from is the puzzle? for we know that true seeds — and these are true seeds — can only be the outgrowth of flowers, that have organs of reproduction. For my summer visitors, young and old, during the last season, I here had a standing puzzle, and rarely was it made out. But this puzzle like all others is easy enough when you know it. Here is the answer: This Violet, in common with some other, has the re- markable quality of yielding, aside from their showy flowers of spring, others that are so small they can only be seen by very sharp look- ing. Figure b shows such a one drawn to life- size. These minute flowers never open, the process of fertilization taking place within the closed parts. On this account botanists call them by the rather long name of Cleistogamous flowers. While there is no sign of a flower about them to the eye, careful dissection and the use of a magnifying glass, reveals the stamens and pistils clearly. What looks very strange is, that the flowers, as at a which one would natuially look to for seed, rarely produce it, while these tiny ones like figure b, completely hidden by the sepals, yield large plump seeds that grow freely when planted. Why all this is so, unless to puzzle us, and lead us to examine things closely, is more than can be told to his young friends by Treecli.mber. Dull In Childhood, Not Always Dull. We heard a business man who had recently employed a new boy, for choring about his store, say, " He is not as bright as the boy I had before him, but he will make a smarter man. He is slow, but sure. " A bright child is apt to rely too much upon his or her ability to comprehend any matter easily, and thus loses the benefit of the close application, which is a necessity to a dull child. But this training of the dull child, to labor hard for whatever is acquired, often enables him to outstrip his brighter companion, in the long run. Sir Isaac Newton was known as a dunce in his early school (lays. One day, the "bright boy'" of the school gave him a kick wliich caused him severe pain. Tlie insult stung young Newton to the quick, and he resolved to make himself felt and respected by improved scholarship. He applied himself resolutely to study, and ere long stood in bis cla.ss above the boy who had kicked him, and ultimately became the first scholar in the school. Oliver Goldsndth was the butt of ridicule at school for his duliness His relatives, teachers and schoolmates ail told him that he wa-s a fool, which verdict he did not dispute, but took good-humor- edly. And yet by close applir>ation, he made up for his youthful dullness ana became famous. .\dam Clark, the great connueiitator on the Bible, was pronounced by his father to be a *' grievous dunce." Sir Walter Scott was a dull boy, and even at college went by the name of " The Great Block- head." But he wasted no lime on trifles, and pursuing a course of study that he loved, was per- severing and methodical. His knowledge increased, until it lay hke a great volume in his mind. When he began to make use of that knowledge, society gave him another name, "The Great Magician." A Provoking Parrot. The remarkable power parrots have of imitating human speech, gives them an inter- est possessed by few others, of the lower creatures. While in a measure they are docile and affectionate, often they are capricious and prove very annoying, by bad behavior when good deportment would much better become them. The following incident shows, that a talking parrot is not to be trusted too far in good company. " Children's Day " was observed in a church at Rexford Flats. New York, recently, and the room was decorated for the occasion . There were not only Howers on the walls, but canaries sang from their little gilt cages, hanging here and there among the evergreens. One lady, not having a canarj-. brought her only pet bird, a parrot, which she thought would add to the looks of the room. The parrot behaved very well for a few hours, and was an object of interest to the boys and girls, who crowded round the cage. Later the parrot fell from grace, and became very naughty indeed. When a little boy mounted the stage to speak a piece, the parrot began to mock him. much to the annoyance of the lad, and amusement of the con- gregation. Finally the parrot screeched out, ■'Hey. j'ou little rascal!" which cau.sed the boy to go crying to his seat, and threw the audience into an uproar. The offending bird was taken out of church in deep disgrace. Not Clear. The feats of modern engineers, and the inven- tions of modern thinkers as shown in railroads and their equipments, look strange enough to those who are unfamiliar with them. So it was with the man who opposed Stephenson, when he first set forth his wonderful invention. " Suppose that when a train is going at the rate of ten miles an hour, a cow should get on the track, wouldn't that be very embarrassing?" '■ Aye," returned Stephenson " very embar- rassing— for the cow." At the time of the building of the Cincinnati Central Railroad, the civil engineer found some difficulty in tunneling a mountain on the bank of the Cumberland River. That river is now spanned by a fine bridge leading to the tunnel, but there was? then no sign of the structure. One morning a Tenuesse "corn cracker" rowed across the river and engaged in conversation with the engineer. " Yon seem to be scatterin' dirt and gravel round here pretty peart." " Well, yes; we're getting through the hill quite lively." " Who's payio' for all this fuss?" " The city of Cincinnati." " Well, it must cost a heap of money. What's it fur, anyhow?" The engineer explained that he was engaged in building a tunnel, and further that it was cheaper to bore a hole through the mountain for the cars to run in than to level it. or make a " cut " down the grade. The native took it all in, and then queried, — "So the steam-kyars is goin' to come right through this tunnel away north?" "Yes, that's just it " " Well, major, that's askin' too much for a man to believe," said the cracker, " that every time that ere iron boss of yourn jumps across the river, he's goin 'to strike this little hole right squar' an' far. No, sir; I can't swaller it." 10 POPULAR GARDENING. October, Said Mr. Baldwin Apple To Mrs. Bartlett Pear; " You're growing very plump, madame, Aiid also very fair. And there is Mrs. Clingstone Peach, So mellowed by the heat. Upon my word she really looks Quite good enough to eat." And before the month was ended, The fruits that looked so fair Had vanished from among the leaves. And the trees were stripped and bare. CAGE BIRDS, PET ANIMALS, ETC. Feeding Parrots. Although in a wild state Parrots thrive on the simple diet of grain and water, in captivity something more delicate is also desirable for them. Caging, with lack of exercise, alters the constitution and digestive powers. Canary seed should be the main article of food. Hemp- seed tends to impair digestion if fed freely, but a teaspoonful once a week mixed with the Can- ary seed is beneficial. A little dry bread and all the raw fruit they will consume, is proper enough. Celery is a treat now and then. All foods such as meat, cake, biscuit or milk, that contain the slightest amount of grease, salt or pepper, must never be fed. Hot foods and soups are also bad; the feeding of such may prevent the return of feathers after moulting. Keep everything about the cage very clean, and avoid draughts of air upon the bird. Ring Doves. The common complaint that these are quar- relsome, is not heard where the birds are prop- erly paired off. Whenever there are several hens and one male, the former will quarrel, break their eggs, and otherwise behave as if possessed. Ring Doves unlike many cage birds, are adapted to be kept in a plant conservatory. They thrive best on a feed of small grains such as millet, hemp and wheat. Green food does not appear necessary to them, but they will sometimes eat of it. Plenty of clean water for drinking and bathing, are among the essentials in their management. When properly paired, Ring Doves breed with readiness. The list of suitable kinds is not small . For ordinary sized tanks we would suggest Cape Pond Weed, {Aponogeton (//j-^air/y';«), Eel Grass, {Vallisneria spiralis,) Arrow Head, {Sagittaria naians or lanceolata) and Small Duck Meat, (Lemna minor). All but the first one named, are natives, familiar to nearly every botanist, and can be gathered where they grow. When this is impracticable, they can usually be had, together with the Cape Pond Weed, of dealers in aquaria. About Training Birds, Dogs, Etc. For training it will be found that to select from breeds known to possess readiness in learning, will be a great gain. Sufficient train- ing may make an inferior bird, dog or other animal tolerably good, but the time wasted upon such a one would train two or three good ones. A good trainer soon discovers an animal's capacity for learning, and it is a waste of time to train a stupid one if another one can be had. Because any boy or girl might not succeed in training an animal quickly, it does not follow that the same animal in the hands of a profes- sional trainer, would not show capacity in that direction. Usually it is the better way for the ! inexperienced to buy a well-trained pet, and after becoming familiar with its ways and attainments, it would be a far easier matter to take in hand another one for training. The Fish Tank. Failures with goldfish and other species would be less common, if the necessity of grow- ing plants in the tanks was understood. Plants give the air to the water which the fish require. The Shetland breed of ponies are natives of Great Britian. When imported they possess a rough and shaggy appearance, which is lost in a measure after the second generation is reached in this country. They grow a little larger here than at home, but only to render them so much more valuable. Minks submit to domestication readily if they are taken when young. They breed readily, and command high prices to those who raise them . poultry. Partridge-Cochin Fowls. The Cochin breed of fowls was introduced into England about the year 1847, and soon after into this country. To this event is to be attributed what will long be known as the " poultiy mania," when as high as $500 was repeatedly paid for a single cock. If no other good had come out of introducing this breed, than the stimulus it gave to improving all breeds PAIR OF PARTRIDGE-COCHINS. of fowls, then their introduction would have been one of great importance. The Cochin breed proper, embraces four principle sub-varieties, the white, black, buff and partridge. All of these are favorites, but the white and bufl are perhaps the best known. The Patridge-Cochins are much admired both for their beauty and their productions. In the hens the neck hackles are bright gold, striped with black, the rest of the body being light brown, pencilled with a very dark shade of the same color. The hackles and saddle of the Partridge-Cochin cock are a bright red, striped with black; wings and back are a dark red, the former crossed with a bar of metallic green- black; breast and under parts black. The principle merits claimed by breeders of these fowls is hardiness, tameness, rapid growth when young, excellence as winter layers, and ability to do well in limited quarters. It is true that with all these good qualities there are also defects. The flesh is inferior, though very fair when eaten young, and the meat of the leg is more tender than is usually the case with other breeds. The hen, while an excellent layer, is sometimes troublesome from her desire to sit unduly; but on this account she is valuable where the raising of many chickens is an object. On the whole, the breed is a family rather than a market fowl. Fowls for the Table and for Eggs. The breed best suited to the wants of the average poultry keeper, is one that combines both the quality of laying well and affording good flesh when killed. The fowls should also be of good form so as to present a fine appearance on the table. The too common practice of breeders, in having more regard to plumage, comb and other fancy points, than to size, quality ol flesh, and laying capacity, is entitled to severe cen- sure. Even our old favorite, the Plymouth Rock has not escaped the present absurd regu- lations as to color of plumage, size and carriage of tail laid down by judges. As combining both of the good qualities first referred to the Plymouth Rocks and the Hou- dons stand prominently. The flesh of both possesses firmness and delicacy, while they are of good size and handsome shape. Let breeders not carry their so-called improvments to such an extent, as to give us impairment in these quali- ties of great importance. A judicious cross may be productive of cap- ital table fowls. One that can be recommended is the Game crossed with the Brahma. Here is secured^the delicate flavor of the former with the size of the latter. Turn a Game cock two years old in with half a dozen large dark Brahma hens and a satisfactory result will be certain. Hatch the chickens of such a cross in March, and with proper care and feeding, they will suit the cook in three or four months. Another good cross is the Houdon cock with Brahma hens. Preparing for Winter. BY L. P. RAINSPUK. October is none too early to put the poultry house in order for winter. It would be strange if there were not some cracked and broken lights in the windows, if so the latter should be replaced, while the same is usually true of the former if they are cracked way across. .Short cracks or small corners broken out, can be repaired by the help of putty. If the heat of summer has opened cracks in the boards by warping, they should now be stopped up or battened. For adding warmth to the house, old newspapers or building paper tacked over the inside surface, with liberal laps, will do wonders. The newspapers can be had almost for nothing, or perhaps enough could be saved up in the house to answer the purpose; building paper costs about i}( cents a square foot by the roll, in either case the slight expense attending this kind of papering, will soon be made up by the increased productions of the fowls. Where the paper is lapped, light strips of wood, or tacks with leather heads, which anyone can cut and put on, will, if used, make a better job of work. To promote cleanliness and freedom from vermin, the paper after it is on, should receive a coat of lime whitewash. It may be added that tarred paper affords an excellent winter lining for poultry houses, and in itself possesses the advantage of being re- pulsive to all insects, i8S5. POPULAR GARDENING. 1 1 It ought to be needless to say that south and west windows give the best light for poultry quarters, and yet I sometimes see houses in which this fact seems to have been lost sight of. Horizontal windows are belter for diffus- ing light over the house, than those running up and down. These should be set so as to admit a good deal of light upon the roosts. The providing of lime must not be neglected; usually there is no trouble to get a hold of some old plaster or brick mortar where house repairing is going on. Oyster shells from the restau- rants, burned in the stove or in brush heaps are excellent. Bones broken to the size of peas, will be eaten with avidity by hens that are lay- ing; they are a necessity, place them in broad shallow boxes in a place convenient for the hens to get at. Attention to such points as I have referred to, or their neglect make a great i difference in the results, in poultry keeping. The Breeds for the Farmer. Improved fowls they should be, of course, but let it be remembered, that such are only better than common ones, with having better care also, and then they are far more satisfac- tory. One of the first requisites for keeping im- proved breeds of poultry, is a warm house in the winter. With this provided, we would place the Silver Gray Dorkings among the best breeds for the farmer, especially where roaming can be allowed. They are fine table fowls, and lay well until seven or eight years old, are handsome, and good setters and mothers. With a warm hen-house in winter, the White- faced Black Spanish are the most profitable where eggs are the chief object. They lay very large white eggs in great numbers. An objection to them is, that they are subject to loose feathering in the summer, a trouble that may in a measure be averted, by giving fresh meat regularly and not over feeding with corn. Care During the Moulting Period. In all birds the feathers are periodically cast off and renewed, a process which takes place with fowls during the period from August until cold weather of each year, varying with kinds and ages. During this time the tax upon the system, in making a new growth of feath- ers, is a great one, and this should be aided by special care for a spell. On this subject we re- produce an article from that excellent periodi- cal, the American Poultry youriial, which will be of service to our readers : The treatment should be especially kind, at this critical period. The sexes should be sepa- rated and kept in different yards by themselves, especially the larger varieties. Let the feed be light, nutritious, and not especially fattening. Wheat, oats, bone-meal, cracked corn and plenty of green food with fresh water once or twice daily, will keep them in good thrift and bring them out in fine shape to begin laying early in the winter. A few drops daily of Tincture of Iron, mixed with either their food or drink, will assist in di- gestion and strengthening the system. Some varieties have more difficulty in moult- ing than others do, taking longer time, which of course is more exhaustive on the system. Among these are the non-setters, and it is late in the fall before they get their new growth of feathers. It may be said, that this is one reason why the non-setters do not lay better during the winter, they do not fully recover from the effects of moulting until cold weather comes. It is then hard to get them in good laying con- dition, while the larger breeds of the Asiatic class are heavily feathered, and are belter pre- pared for the cold weather, hence are considered the best layers in a northern climate. During the moulting period super-abundant animal matter, which during the spring and early summer went into eggs is now used in the production of new feathers. It is for this reason that the fowls seldom ever lay during moulting. Good kind treatment not only benefits the health of the fowl, but also shortens their moulting season and leaves them in excellent condition for the winter. CONDENSED POULTRY NOTES. Fowls dislike sloppy food. You can't clean the coops too often. Whitewash the roof also, on the inside. A half-starved hen won't lay many eggs. Petroleum ointment is a specific for vermin. Ungalvanized iron vessels are the best for water. Surface water is as unfit for hens, as for persons. An egg in the winter is worth two in the summer. Fowls and vermin caunot both thrive at the same time. Divide the skimmed milk between the swine and the hens. Don't keep confined fowls, if you cannot tend them well. Young Pullets should be the main reiianee for winter eggs. If sickness in fowls does not yield earlj' to treat- ment, the axe is the best cure. Both buyers and sellers suffer injustice from reckoning eggs by count. Will this sign of Amer- ican backwardness ever be removed ? A correspondent says he sows a patch of rye for his poultry every fall, for early greens in the spring. Has sown as late as November and got a good stand. The end of money making at poultry keeping, is often defeated by building a large house, to start in with. Small houses and more of them, is a better course. In building a hen house study 1st, comfort, light, and ventilation; 2d, convenience; .3d, roominess; and lastly, economy with all, where profit is the main consideration. We have known fowls to hold off from eating large sunflower seeds, as if from fear. Crush a few first, in such cases, and they will soon take kindly to whole ones, no matter how large. A ton or more of turkeys are too valuable to leave out nights now. Feed at night-fall, enticing them into the house, have a good lock on the door, and then make it your own business to see that it is locked every night . C. Whitcher of Holland, N. Y., the other day found a hen's egg contained within another egg. both shells being perfect. The inside egg was com- mon size, the outside one being very large and having quite a thin shell. "Can't they sit down" asked Uttle Freddie, on his first visit to the farm, from his city home, last summer, after he had been watching the busy movements of thi! " chicky birds" for some time. Tired, he thought, because always on their feet. The average cur of the country is useless, Iience to feed him is a waste. The average flock of poul- try is very useful and ought to be very profitable, but too often is not, because of scant feeding. Shoot the useless dog, and turn his food in for the chickens. It you are looking for a profit in the chicken house this winter, make up your mind from the first to feed meat regularly. Scraps from butcher- ing or the same bought of butchers, is an inex- pensive article, that can be turned into expensive eggs to those who buy. Shade in the summer in the hen yard is of great benefit. A good bush for this purpose is the Cur- rant. It will thrive in any out of the way place; does not require much room, and the hens like to hide under its branches. The fruit is also accept- able and seems to do them good. We mention this now because now is a good time to get the bushes. Stand a line of laths around each to keep the hens off of the freshly handled earth. There are farmers who neglect their poultry, but who would not think of neglecting their horses or other live stpck. Properly managed, and there is no more profitable source of returns on the farm for the outlay, than through the poultry yard. Of- ten those who insist that poultry don't pay. are the ones who should restrict themselves to saying that poultry won't pay for poor management or for money thrown away in needlessly elaborate build- ings.—Loi'is. Turkey fattening should soon progress rapidly for early sales. In mild, early autumn weather, these birds lay on fat rapidly with good feeding. At first they need to be fed only at night; they should go to their roosts every night with full crops. This will not prevent their morning excursions. Turkeys prefer corn to any other food ; it should be ground, mixed with water and fed warm. The addition of mashing boiled potatoes,will help their relish for it. As insects drop off, flesh and scraps should be increased. For the last six weeks of his life he should be plied with com. A PotiLTRv Fabm —There is a poultry farm of 8,000 Plymouth Rocks at Lancaster, Mass. Mr. Hawkins, its owner, calculates to have about 8,000 fowls every fall, and carries over a,.'')00 laying hens through the winter. His farm contains 85 acres, and his poultry buildings occupy an acre and a half. These comprise six or seven sheds 200 feet in length. Each shed is divided into apartments of 12 by 20 feet, and about 2.5 bens are kept in each division. A yard is made in front of each apart- ment, Mr. H. believes that if confined poultry have their wants attended to, they will do as well as if allowed free range. He bases this belief upon several actual tests. In hatching time he sets 200 hens on one day, and puts 500 eggs in an incubator which is due to hatch on the same day, the chick- ens from which will be distributed among the 200 hens. His sales of fowls and eggs for hatching at fancy prices are large, about 90 per cent, being profit. He also has a standing order for sixty to ninety dozens of eggs daily, for which he gets the highest market price. Mr Hawkins began, at the age of 21, with 100 hens, and by careful manage- ment and economy, his business has enlarged so that, at the age of 29. he has a very handsome in- come. The poultry manure is quite an item; he sold last year 500 l»arrels, at $1.50 per barrel. NOTES FOR BEE KEEPERS. Bees usually do well in cities. An eastern slope for an apiary site. Use the smoker and you won't get stung. Honey from sugar is of an inferior quality. Flower-raising— a natural adjunct to bee-keep- ing. A queen from Palestine was received some time ago by mail, by a Pennsylvania bee keeper. Women find apiary work, quite as suitable tor themselves, as it is for men. Equal rights here for the sexes . Before fretting long about what market to take your honey to, try the home market. Put your product up in an attractive shape, offer it at the neighboring stores for a reasonably paying price, and you'll find customers enough, we'll warrant. The bee men at the fairs, who attract crowds by handling hives of bees as by a charm, are looked upon as a wonderful set The good temper of the bees is largely accounted for by their being from home, and being kept overfed, conditions always lending to make them tame. Those who enjoy flowers and gardening, usually find it easy enough to get interested in bees, and by taking the step, derive pleasure, profit and plenty of table sweets, even if engaging in it in only a small way. Popular nAKr>ENi.\o will offer a good deal of assistance in this line, during the year. Bear in nitnil that the common Catnip is one of the most valuable plants for bees. The flowers are rich in honey, and for several months commencing with .Tune of each year, yield it freely at all hours and in every kind of weatlier. A patch may easily be raised from the seed, sown the latter part of summer or early in the spring. 12 POPULAR GARDENING. October, "^e Household About Our Beds. On an average we spend more than one-third of Hfe in our beds; let us study the comfort and healthfulness of these more. The best bed of all is the woven wire mattress.in which comfort is chiefly secured by the peculiar construction of the web, without the intervention of any body of elastic material, which must tend to prevent the circulation of air upwards through the bed. In the summer a single blanket over j the wire makes it a cool and easy couch ; while as the season advances, additions are required only to correspond with the colder atmosphere. Ne.\t to a wire mattress a husk or straw tick is the best, either one being preferable to hair. Of the two first named, the husk bed is the favorite usually. Husks are very com- fortable, it the tick is not filled so full as to ren- der it hard — a common fault. Before putting in the husks, split them with a fork for making a softer bed. It is well to prepare these before using, by soaking them in water; drying after- wards on sheets spread in the sun. A slit should be formed in the top of every husk bed for daily stirring up the contents; fasten with buttons. By washing and scalding husks every other summer, they will last for years. Feather beds are now recognized to be a nuisance. Bed- ding should be kept very clean, it is our night clothes. Woolen blankets are the healthiest covering, and much better than quilts. The latter tend to confine the exhalations of the body, the former to release them, an important point. To convince yourself of the difference between the two as to this, place one and then the other over a kettle of hot water, and notice how the steam goes up through the wool but not through the other. To wash a quilt properly you have first to loosen up the pressed cotton in it; a woolen blanket can, with very slight labor, be washed and dried in a few hours time. cause we have underrated the taste of Americans for flower culture and kindred matters. We do not believe we have. Will you support our ef- fort to place the best matter on these subjects before the public at the lowest possible price, by becoming one of the first 50,000 subscribers? Tea-Drinking Delusions. Tea having been in use asadrinkforages,it is not strange that some delusions should be asso- ciated with its use. It does not possess all the virtues popularly ascribed to it, while in a pure state — to say nothing of very harmful adulter- ations that are common — it holds some object- ionable properties. Tea contains a quantity of tannin, as is shown when a drop is allowed to remain on a steel knife, by its leaving a black spot. The presence of tannin in the stomach after one has eaten fresh meat, tends to interfere with digestion. As to the value of tea for food, wrong ideas prevail. Dr. Wilson of London, England, has the following on this point: Tea is a stimulant. It is not a food in itself; and those who spend money upon tea. in the delusion that they are purchasing a food, really illustrate a practice which is comparable to that ot the man who swallows whiskey or brandy under a like de- lu.sion. The only persons who can really afford to take tea, are those who have plenty of true food to eat. The sooner the common delusion regarding the place of tea as a food is exploded, the better will it be for the national health at large. Tea- drinking, as ordinarily practiced, is really at the bottom of as much illness, and of as many cases of disordered digestion, as alcohol; and this for the reason that, though probably not so rapidly injuri- ous in its action, the habit of drinking tea at all hours is more widely practiced than alcoholic im- bibition. Brieflets. The less spice, the better health. A feverish patient cannot take cold. Employment is the true remedy for troubles. Brighten the house with plants in every favor- able window. Chew thoroughly; you cannot have the good ot food, without. Cocaine the new pain reliever, affords instant relief in bad burns or scalds. With the first chilly nights, get around the extra flannels, for old and young. Were this practice common, you would hear less of "this is the worst season to take cold." Many families never use arrowroot. It must be from ignorance ef its value. The article gives rich- ness to sauces, rendering less butter necessary, than when flour is used for thickening. Lemon jelly is delicious. Grate the rind and take the juice; add one cup sugar and three eggs for each lemon; beat together thoroughly, boil, setting the vessel in water on the stove. For a layer cake, this receipt can bg perfectly rehed upon:— One cup sugar; one-half cup butter, one and a half cups flour; whites of three eggs; one half cup sweet milk ; two teaspoonf uls of baking powder. Makes three layers. Don't place any reliance on steady warm whether after this date, and you may save a bad cold or intermittent fever. In our uncertain climate , the stoves and fire-places should now be in order, for starting up heat on short orders. Sidney Smith made it a rule of his life to cause each day to be a happy one for some fellow crea- ture, as a result of a special act of his. He said " if you send one person, only one, happily through each day, that is three hundred and sixty-five in the course of a year; and suppose you live forty years only after you commence thatcourseof med- icine, you have made 14,600 beings happy— at all events, for a time." This is Orra Raymond's receipt for frying oysters in batter "as we get them at hotels"— Put the oysters in a colander to drain off. Then roll each oyster in cracker dust and dip in beaten eggs seasoneb with salt and pepper, next into the cracker dust again. Have ready a kettle of good hot lard, the same as for doughnuts. Drop in each oyster thus prepared, and when a light brown, they are done. Put on a platter on which a napkin or cloth has been spread to saturate what grease will cling to the oysters. Teach your girls the value of exercise in the air and sunlight; they will naturally take to this, unless their minds have become preverted by the notion that life in the parlor with fancy work in the hands, is more " lady like." Nothing will be more helpful in such a direction, than to encourage them in light gardening. Let them have plenty of plants and flowers to look after, both indoors and out. Aid them all you can to become interested in botany and perhaps entomology, insisting that they keep up the study of these when out of school. The ex- ercise such a course will incite, will preserve the bloom on the cheeks, and add strength and enjoy- ment to their lives. Besides an abundance ot air there should be wholesome food, regularity ot diet, and healthful modes of dress, for securing healthy bodies and happy minds. Of covjrse you, reader, will subscribe for Popular Gardening. Fifty thousand sub- scribers is the figure down for this paper to reach within a year. If we don't get them it is be- Notes on Dress and Home Art. Stripes are in great favor. Large hats; small bonnets. Long veils are fashionable- The Polonaise is to be revived . Sashes of all sorts are very popular. Silver jewelry is worn more every day. Screens are always in season for one use or another. Lace jackets with silk lining are coming in fashion. Imitation stained glass papers are not to be re- commended. Trimmings placed on one side only, are now a prominent feature. "Bunchy " side draperies for dresses have passed entirely out of style. Pale pink, cream and gray receive honers about equally in popular favor, Knots,ot everything tied around the neck, should be located just back of the left ear. Velvet belts from the side seams forward, are fastened in front by buckles of hammered silver. In mounting a deers antlers never decorate them, they are handsomer in their own natural beauty. For traveling dresses the darker shades ot green and blue, lead color and russet brown are much represented. Jenny June says, English girls carry tight lacing to a much greater degree of absurdity than fash- ionable American girls do. A new fabric ot woolen for mourning wear, is called crepe imperial. It looks very much like crepe, but surpasses it in durability. Some of the new velvet jackets are crossed in front, the parts being fastened by a single jeweled button of gold, at the waist. Chair tidies look well indeed, but they are voted a nuisance by the average man. Let there be one or two comfortable chairs without them. The sensible jersey is still retained for home wear in demi-toilette. It is a useful garment to go with black silk skirts that are somewhat worn. The shaggy fabrics, the rougher the better, are to be fashionable for day wear this fall; for evening dress elegance must be the prevailing mark Ruchings tor neck and sleeve finishings, continue to be very popular, notwithstanding the prediction of their going out of style ; those with edge lines ot gilt and tinsel are worn, also the pretty ruchings of crepe lisse. Plomb, or lead, is a leading color in millinery at this time. For tall bonnets, combinations ot red with bronze and moss green are to be in favor. Fancy stuff's of two or three kinds are to be used tor dress bonnets. Madras muslin bed spreads are very pretty. They should pass up over the bolster. In fashionable houses pillow shams are not used. For pillows.only the small soft ones used for sleeping on are used, and these should be kept out of sight during the day. Madras curtains costing in the large towns from about forty cents a yard and upwards, are inexpen- sive and yet attractive. These however, as do most kinds of cheap curtaining fade somewhat when ex- posed to the full light, but are quite lasting when hung in windows with blinds or shades. A wooden screen, oak framed and enclosing frieze panels of wood, on which are painted two symbol- ical figures.are quaint and charming in appearance. The figures may be those of "Luna" and "Aurora" the former reclining on the curve of a cresent moon, and this drawn along the evening sky by a procession of bats; the latter shown wafted in clouds with a back ground ot the rising sun. For an inexpensive but neat table cover for a common room choose a square of cretonne with very small figures, and ot not too bright colors; tor a border put a band of linen around it— dark drab linen; fringe this out quite deep; where the row ot linen joins the cretonne, on the seam put a fine feather stitching and on the corners also. Dust does not show on this spread, and can be easily shaken from it. The leaves ot the Virginia creeper, when they are turning red and bronze in autumn, are a favorite subject for painting. In speaking ot the paints which should be used tor the purpose. The Art Interchange has the following: Use for the red leaves, madder lake, vermilion, light red, white, raw umber and a little ivory black. In the shadows, use burnt sienna, Indian red, raw umber, ivory black, and whatever white is needed. For the high lights, use white, vermilliou, madder lake, yellow ochre and ivory black. The bronze- green leaves are painted with terre verte, burnt sienna, white, yellow ochre and ivory black. For those having a richer, deeper tone ot green, add Antwerp blue, cadmium, and madder lake to the terre verte and other colors already given. To paint the purple berries, use permanent blue, light red, white, ivory black for the general tone. In shading use permanent blue, madder lake, raw umber, ivory black and burnt sienna. In the high Ughts, use permanent blue, madder lake, white 1 yellow ochre and ivory black. i885. POPULAR GARDENING. Amateur gardeners a»fi botanists often hare an exeesn of some kinds nf Seeds, Plants, Specimens, etc., while in tratit of others. This department is designed to bi-ing about free ejcehanges in such eases among our renders. In The Exehange maybe given the names of tehut can be spared in any case, and what is wanted in return, also the address. Noprice figures admitted. Any offer that may appear objectionable to the publishers, they reserve the right not to admit, A'o responsibility leill be assumed for any results connected with The Exehange. Those using the column should correspond with each other, with a viejo to a dtjinite understanding, b^ore sending articles 1. -Seeds of the pretty little Maiden Pink (Dian- thus deltoides,} the Scarlet Lychnis and of the showy-leaved Bupthalmum cordifolium. will be given for Seeds of pretty Wild Fknversof the ex- treme Western States Address before November 1st. Mrs. A. M. Sweitzer, Pines, Mich. 2 —Will exchange six of the finest i/arrf|/ Phloxes of a large collection, for same number of named Gladiohis. of extra quality. Miss Esther Summy, corner 14th and Connecticut Streets, Buffalo. N. Y. 3.— Have saved seed of some beautiful hardy Double Maroon Pinks, also Delphinium form osum which will exchange for choice plants for Rock Work, Carrie E. Baker, CG Ashland avenue, Buffalo, N. Y, Pr tljepriner Push the fattening. Clean the open ditches. Oil the harness twice a year. Grass is nature's remedy for sick animals. The drouth in England recently, must help the price of grain. To breed swine for best results, raise only one litter of pigs in a year, from each sow. Reduce the fencing ; one and one third billions of dollars is the estimate of the cost of farm fences in this country. Put it down as a rule, that manure lying in the yards a year, will in one way or another deteriorate one fourth in value. The corn crop in Missouri, according to Cole- man's Rural World promises to be about one-sixth below the average of five years past. Grass, as well as any other crop, is much more valuable for being grown upon drained land, in- stead of such as is frequently loaded with water. Those who have facihtles for growing German carp fish, can procure a stock by writing to Prof. S. F. Beard. Fish Commissioner. Washington, D.C. A Mitchell county, Kansas, report says, wheat and rye are short crops, say fifteen to twenty bushels to the acre. Spring wheat and oats are good, in fact were never better. Denmark butter makers reckon on wheat, bran, oats and rape cake as first-class butter foods; barley as second-class food; while peas, rye and linseed cake are placed as low as third class. Repeated croppings of leguminous crops may so exhaust the soil, as to render it what is called **clover" or "bean sick.'' ^his condition may be remedied by the growth of other crops for several years. Clean fence rows, add 50 per cent to the appear- ance of any farm, as compared with one which has its fence corners crowded with weeds, briers and tangled grass. It's a good time now to start im- provements here. If the chance exists on your place, try it. A little forethought displayed when erecting a com crib to have it mounted on posts several feet above the ground, and these capped on the top with inverted metal pans, will save enough grain from rats and mice each year to pay for the im- provement. Rye may still be sown for pasture; it should oftener be relied upon for early spring grazing as well as for seeding. If lambs are late in the spring nothing will help them along toward market faster than an abundance of early pasture. Rye will fit in capitally for this. It rests a horse greatly to be relieved of his har- ness during the noon hour. A hurried rubbing over the surface of the body with a wisp of straw before putting the harness back will be grateful to the horse. Practice these little acts of kindness, they bring comfort and strength to the animal and peace to your own mind, as his keeper. Marks of Character In Horses. A great width between and prominence of the eyes indicates a teachable and tractable horse. Width between the ears indicates courage, noble- ness and strength of character. Roundness and elevation between the eyes indicate mildness of disposition, and desire to be caressed and to re- ciprocate kindness, but never trust one that shows much white above the pupil of the eye. or with white in that organ. Sore Shoulders. Always be on guard against these on your horses- See that the collars are kept clean, and if they have become hard, beat them limber before making your horses work in them. Wash the sweat off from the shoulders after a hard day's work. If there is an inclination to soreness in any spot, relieve it by cushioning around this spot. Were such means more practiced, this faithful beast would be sub- jected to far less cruel suffering than he is now forced to endure by brutal owners. Many a balky horse became so through being worked with a sore neck. Be merciful to the faithful horse. Accidents on the Farm. A life insurance man has informed the writer, that more deaths and accidents come from the kicks of animals than from any other one cause. Every year the number of accoimts of death and injury to farmers from all kinds of farm machin- ery is surprisingly great. These facts indicate that it is part of the farmer's duty to cultivate carefulness in himself, his children and help, at all times. Great risks are often run by boys and others in climbing up on vehicles over the wheels or while these are in motion. Only lately a lad in Connecticut while attempting to jump into a wagon which was moving rapidly, ran his leg between the spokes of the wheel, and had it twisted off just below the knee, soun caused his death. Be more careful boys. Loss in Stacking Hay. Not much argument is needed to see that barn stored hay is worth far more than that which is taken from the stack. We think that an estimate of the loss of one quarter in stacking is not wide from the mark. There is a Iofs from moulding at the bottom of the stack, for the old rails, boards or straw placed at the bottom of the stack can not wholly prevent it. Then the whole area of the ex- ternal surface, which numbers many square feet, is weather beaten to some depth, causing the less of much of its sweetness and nutrition, while it is not improbable that impairment of the quality may extend through the whole stack. Why then follow a practice that entails so great a waste. If one's hay that goes into stacks is worth $500. ac- cording to the estimate made, such a man pays $125 a year for the privilege of stacking. But if besides this, the hay is fed at the stack, the loss above alluded to, is but a small part of the entire loss. It costs no less than an increase of one-third in the feed, if animals are fed and kept in the open. These are strong arguments for more barn room. Is a 3 column, W pnpre, beautifully Illustrated Magnzine. Published at Chicago, III,, Subscription price $1.25 a year. It has the lai-pest corps of practical Breeders as editors and correspondents, of any Journal of its class in the World. Vol. 17 l>egina Januaiy, 18*6, lOOK HERE! UNTIL NOVEMBER 1, 1885. 1 will send the Journal one year to all who will fiend mo Only 60 Cents. ONE YEAR Only 60 Cents. Sample Copy, six cents. Address, C. J. WARD, 103 State St, Chicago. How to Pack Butter to Keep. The question was asked in a recent number of the Farm Journal, "The best way to pack down butter to keep till next winter " It was answered by a Lancaster Co., Pa., correspondent as follows: I will give my plan, which has proved to be a good one with me: Make good, firm butter, and work the bntter-milk well out of it, then put into a stone jar, a few pounds at a time, and press down well with a wooden potato-masher, beingcaref ul to leave no room for air to get in around the edge of the jar; leave two or three inches of space at the top of the jar, then lay a thick piece of muslin close over the butter, then All in fine salt enough to fill the jar full, then tie paper closely and cover on top with a slate or wooden cover, and keep in a dry, cool place. I put some up in this way last August and Sep tember and used it last spring, and it was ealen by good butter judges about the last of May, and pro- nounced as good as fresh butter. I never wash butter, but try to keep it as clear of water as possi- ble, and do not like even any pickle about it. Grind y®""" "*" ^»"«' WIIIIU >i^.,,_ Oyster Shell., . Oyste IQR.VIIAM Flour iind C'ura I/in Iht' $5 XX-A-PTX} aa^XjXj 'iF. Wilsnn'3 Patent). lOO per cent, inure maile in keepini; poul- Also POWER IMILI^S and FARM BED ]U11.11,S. Circulars and Testimonials sent on application. WII.SOK BROS., £a*toii, Pu. To Cantions People. Three months for 20 cents, but no club rates. Because Popular Gardening is a new paper, some very cautious people may be found, who would not dare to risk 60 cents on a year's subscription in advance. Perhaps this may not be unreasonable, yet after all, we think that when a paper is backed by the capital and ability which Popular Gardkni.vg com- mands, as shown on its very face, any person ought to readily trust it for the small sum of 60 cents in advance, for one year's subscription. Still we will accomodate any such timid ones, by accepting their subscription for three months for 20 cents, after which we are sure they will hke the paper so well, as to renew for one year, and get their friends to join with them. A Paper for Hard Times. The Greenback is that paper, many would say. Our answer; PoruL.VR Gardening, be- cause it gives the substance of a two dollar paper for only 6o cents a year. All can afford such a paper. To Receivers of Specimen Copies. Every month some persons will receive a Specimen of Popular Gardening each, for examination, with a view to their subscribing. IIF ITGTJ who read this are among the number this month, we trust you will not consider the offer of such an excellent paper, at its very low price, lightly, but that you will subscribe. Let us say, that while desiring to bring our paper to the notice of every lover of Gardening, no specimen copy will knowingly be sent to the same person t7vice. This, therefore is YOUR chance. Subscribe today, while you think of it. Popnlar Gardening as a Present. When sending in your subscription, think what an elegant and useful gift another sub- scription, sent in at the same time, would make to some friend near or far away. It would be a reminder of your esteem once a month for a year. We will in such a case notify the receiver as \o who sent it, if you desire. IV POPULAR GARDENING. October, WINTER AND SPRING FLOWERING BULBS. Jf2/«ci»(/Kv, finest named, double or single, all colors, tor Glasses or Pots, $3.50 per doz. Good quality tor Bedding, $1. 50 per doz. Tulijis from 60 to 75 cents per doz Crocus, $3 50 per hun- dred. Glasses tor Hyacinths $2 per doz , 20 cents each. Flower Heeds tor greenhouse or conservatory. Catalogues tree. Miniature earthen vases for growing Italian seed, 15 and 20 cents, with seed, and by mail 30 cents. ORANGE W. CLARK, Seedman, 59 Seneca Street, BUFFALO, N. Y. BULBS For Fall Planting. For Winter Blooming FLOWKRS For Gifts and Various Uses. Thomas Young, Jr. U/t?ole5ale plori5t, No. 11 West 27th Street. -n^E"vsr iroi?/K:.- CHOICE ROSES A SPECIALTT. Send for Catalogue, which is furnished free, and mention Popular Gardening. HARRY CHAAPEL Williamsport, Pa. IJIiu/T) J^ar^i88i, Better known as the Bermuda Easter Lily, the best in the world for forcing for Winter flowers. We are HEADQUARTERS FOR THIS LILY and supply them at wholesale and retail in this country and in Europe. All strong, field-grown Bulbs, from our own grounds in Bermuda. We also make a specialty of the magnificent, hardy JAPAN, OR BOSTON IVY, Ampelopsis Veitchii, and furnish strong plants. Address for Prices, etc. , F. R. HIERSON & CO., Florists & Seedsmen, TARRYTOWN, N. Y. V3lUGH:lN'S BULB LIST Is Ready. Illustrated. Address J. C. VA UGH AN, 42 La Salle Street, CHICAGO. B!sta.TDi±si>.ecL i7eB. HARDY PLANTS AND IB TJ Xu B S We make a Specialty of the above articles and | have to offer for Fall planting an extra fine stock ' of well-grown, thrifty 1 PLANTS AND BITLBS. If you wish to ornament your grounds with plants which do not require to be renewed every , season, and that increase in size and beauty every year, send for our large Catalogues, containing ! full directions for growing all HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. A. H. HEWS & CO., Sent by mail to all applicants enclosing a stamp. \Xir\f\\ or"\M JP /^r^ Manufacturers of Hand and Machine M.-jde Lock Drawer E. PASSAIC, N. J. f^l^v*i»y^«. F^y^^/^ Orchid Pots in Great Variety. Grass-Growing Vases in Various Shapes and Sizes. Illustrated Catalogue free on application. Address, North Cambridge, - Mass. CARNATION PINKS, WHITE VIOLETS, ROSES. Etc.. For Winter Flowering. Catalogue free, BANNOCKBURN GREENHOUSES, ROCHESTER. N. Y. s EED WHEA Karniers. send your address for particular _ .jt new varieties of Wheat. We have Wheat I that alwavs yields five to ten bushels ni . _ — per acre than Fultz. and will make % oi a. — _ crop when Fultz or Clawson entirely winter kills. We don I claim each of a dozen kinds to lie the best. We kn..w which are the best and sell you such. BE SURE to slc .u, cata- logue for reliable information bcf.>re I'li' iin: y-ur '-"-ft''- in- troducers of and headauarlers for tnn/ Martin AmDer Wheat. J. A. EVERITT & CO., Seedsmen, Watsontown, pa., or Indianapolis, Ind. A. BLANC, 314 N. nth street, Philadel- phia. I Engraver for Florists. ' Seedsmen and Nurserymen. 10,000 Electros for sale cheap. Large hook free, to those sending their catalogue. Mankato Clay Works, T MANUFACTURERS OF Fire BM& Clay Drali Tile DEALERS IN VITRIFIED SEWER PIPE, Retail and Wholesale, MANKATO, - MINN. Keep a good stock constaotly on hand . GARDENING FOR PLEASURE Includes fruit, vegetable, and flower-gardening, greenhouses and window-gardening. By Peter Henderson. 2,50 pages. Price Sl'iO by Mail Pre- paid. Address Ransoh, Long & Co., Buffalo, N. Y. PANSY Grand collection of all the most elegant and distinct varieties of Pansies, including the latest novelties. Strictly First-class Seed only. Descriptive circular mailed free on application. ALBERT BENZ, Pansy Specialist, Douglaston, Queens Co., N. Y. THE PRICE TELLS IN CLUBS AS WELL AS ELSEWHERE. Subscriptions for the following Publications, will be received at this office, in connection with Popu- lar Gardeni.n'G, at the low rates named. NOTICE, that in some cases it costs no more to have two papers than one alone. Our Prico Price each. for 8 60 Popular Gardening and ^ 1 50 American Agriculturist $1 60 50 Bab viand 90 4 00 Century, The 4 10 1 50 Chautauquan 1 90 2 00 Demorest's Monthly 2 15 3 CO Golden Days 3 00 4 00 Harper's Bazaar 4 00 4 00 Harper's Magazine 4 00 2 00 Harper's Young Folks 2 10 1 10 Household 1 40 1 50 Our Little Ones 1 80 2 00 Prairie Farmer 2 05 3 00 St. Nicholas 3 10 3 00 Wide Awake 3 10 1 75 Youth's Companion, new, $1.85 old 2 25 50 Farm Journal 85 3 00 Lippincott's Monthly 3 00 50 Good Cheer 90 .1 25 Poultry Journal 1 35 Also many other papers on equally good terms. Address, RANSOM, LONG & CO., BUFFALO, N. Y. DERMADOR Owes its origin to the discovery of Homer Anderson, A. M,, late professor of Chemis- try, in the Clinton Institute, of Oneida County, N. Y. In experimenting for the purpose of making Prussia Acid, a residuum was left, which, on being applied to bruises and inflamed parts, by the students of the Institute, was found to possess the remark- able property of cooling down and carrying off the inflammation and soreness at once, and restoring the parts to health without pain or irritation. ITS CHARACTER. Dermador is uot a heating Liniment, but acts by its peculiar chemical qualities in dis- solving and scattering any soreness and inflammation of injured parts. By a free application, the surface soon becomes cool and moist, and is reared to natural health without suppuration or destruction. Alike suitable for Jlan and Beast. DOCTORS USE IT. Dr. C. W. Noble, Barton, N. T., says: "I have used Dermador in my practice with good success; and am now using it in some cases of Chronic Affections, in which I think it is likely to perform some remarkable cures." Dr. G. W. P. Wheeler. Garrattsville, N. Y., says: "I have tried Dermador, in ex- treme cases of inflammation, with entire satis- faction. It is a valuable compound. Dr. William Bassett, of Morris, N. Y. , said: " I tried it with the happiest effects, and must say, as an external application for local Inflammations, Bruises, Cuts, Burns, etc. , it far surpasses any other remedy offered to the public." Dr. J. C. Wycofl, Otselic, N. Y., said: " For Bruises, Lacerated Wounds, Sore Eye, and acute local inflammations, I know of nothing which is equal to the 'Dermador." Sold by all Druggists. POPULAR GARDENING FOR TOWN AND COUNTRY. ■'ACCUSE NOT NATURE, SHE HATH DONE HER PART; DO THOU IH'T 7'//7.VK."-MrLTON. Vol. 1. IiTO"VE3S^nBEia, 1885. No 2. The Crab Apples. Both as Drnaiueiital aud fruit-beariuj;- tieus the Cral) Apples, possess vaUie; wliy they are not more planted, must be because of their merits uot being well enough known. The true Crabs, of which the Siberians are the type, are, as the name indicates, natives of Siberia, which fact, accounts for their sujierior hardiness among fruit trees. Num- erous sorts have sprung from the originals, hut among the.se all, the latter continues to occupy a high place. The chief merits of the Crab Apples, may be summed u]i as e m b racing gi'eat hardiness, beauty of habit, foliage and flowers, and their value for fruit-bearing. Considered merely as ornamental trees, their culture has been much neglected; no other apple pro- duces such a quantity of beautiful flowers as the Crab, — the trees being smothered with bloom in its season. Planted as single specimens on small lawns, or in numbers, as an ojien group on a large [irea, and any of the varieties wo\ild afford satis- faction. Although dwarf in stature, the Crabs grow freely and flower and fruit consideralily, in about three years. Later on they bear profusely, — the writer remembers once count- ing 127 apples on a branch thirty inches in length. The fruit is valuable for making into preserves or jellies. Of the various Crab Apples, the Transcendent variety shown in the engraving, is one of the largest and most useful, very handsome, bein.s;- golden yellow, with a crimson cheek in the sun. This variety is valued as a table fruit in some sections. The Large, Yellow Siberian Crab and the Red Siberian Crab are still among the most u.se- ful kinds of this interesting class. Trees, of these and others, are procurable fnmi the leading nurserymen. They transplant read- ily in the fall months. It may be mentioned that there is a Double-flowering Crab Apple, which is s|iecially recommended as a lawn tree, on account of its fine flowers, but tliis sort pos.sesses no value for fruit. leafing to late-leafing kinds, then — otlier things Ijeing equal, so for this season, those kinds with attractive foliage, be it in green or the rich autunm tints, are preferred to kinds that early become bare. Indeed the choosing and arrang- ing of these, with a view to fine autinuu effects, after the last flowei-s are past, and the season's desolation has set in, has always been a favor- ite study with me, in managing mj- collection. -■Vmong a large collection here, I find the fol- lowing are now attractive in leaf, the colors The fruit is Garden Notes from Lyndale. BY A. H. E. Niii-ciiihi-r ■'>. The diflfereuee in the leaf -fall- ing time of ibfferent trees and shrabs, is even gi-eater than is the difference of their time in coming out, in the spring. As I prefer early- TRANSCENDENT CRAB APPLE. varying somewhat. Conspicious among those of a good green now, ai'e the Ash, Cork Maple, Purple Fringe in part. Birches, Sycamore Ma- ple, Norway Maple, European Linden, Balsam Poplar, Weeping Beech, Rosemar^'-Ieaved Wil- low, Lilacs, Japan Quince, Forsjthia, Privet, Vibui'num Opulus, Weigela, Berberry, Rough- leaved Viburnum, Snowtjerry, Corchorus, Ce- lasti-us, and some others. Kinds that show a good deal of yellow, are the Cut^leaved Bu-cb, Balsam Poplar, Mulberry, some Elms, some Lindens, Tulip Tree, White Fringe, Fortune's Spira?a and so on. Of kinds that are now brilliant with crimson, orange and other rich tints ai-e the Red Oak, Liquid Amber, Bird Cherry, Sumachs, Sa.ssa- fraji, Ko:-lreuteria, Thorns, Native Viburnums, Red-barked Dogwood, Plimi-leaved Spu-aea,some Purple Fringe, Flowering Currants, Blackber- ries and Virginia Creeper. * * *■ Noceiiibi-r 7. Of all the months, flowers are the scarcest, I think, in NovemlK?r. But while .so many others fail now, the Chrysanthenuim— the Glory of the Autunm— never fails. I should have said it never fails with I'e'-eiv- ing tolerably fair treatment. Quite hardy as the plants are, there is no use to eoiuit on How- e!"s in the open gi-ound, unless the buds and blooms receive some shelter from untoward autumn weather. Several years ago I had a fine lot of Chrys- anthemums in a border against the grapery, that flowered IjeautifuUy with being eovere Chrysanthemums. These are from a select lot of bulbs, that were kept dry and cool through the spi'ing and up to August 1st, before starting. Then they were put into light rich soil in six-inch pots, a bulb in each jjot, aud kept in a frame until eai'ly in October. The Tuberose is a plant that requires heat, sun aud air liljerallj- to, produce good bloom ; without these now, the buds would lie likely to blast before a flower develops, causing the loss of much trouble. * * * IVoiviiibi'r 12. A large Wild Grape Vine, climbing over a Maple tree, in the wooil near by, is full of interest to the children of the neighborhood just now. It is of the species kno«Ti as the Frost Grape, Vifis vofdifolin. Before the recent frosts, the .small black fruit was " soiu' grapes" indeed; the youngsters. who have access to better fruit, would by no means touch it. But lij' this time the autumn frosts have so improved the flavor of these grapes, that now they are.for novelty,uot whoUj' unpalatable. The Ix^auty of this old Grape Vine, which neaily covei-s its supporting tree forty feet in height, and the sweetness of its flowers in sum- mer, leads me to s-jx'ak in praise of the (rraiK", as an ornamental climber. For this purpose, the free-gi-owing, clean-leaved wild sorts, or neai- relatives in cultivatit>n. are the most suit- able. Among kmds advertise- in a gi'eater degi'ee. To gi'ow such well, only requires that they have a well-prepared and suitable s<^il, an abun- dance of room for development, and no injus- tice done them in pnining and other aft^r cai-e. A list of handsome specimen shrubs that have gi'own up quickly on our gi'ounds, as the result of good treatment, embraces Lilacs, Weigela,Deutzia gi*acilis,Forsythia viridissima, Double-flowering Plum, Spiraeas. Japan Quince and Euonjinus. THE HOUSE PLANTS. From now until after the winter solstice near De- cember's end, when the days again begin to length- en, we are in the dull season of window gardening. Both sunlight and heat, those important elements to plant life now recede. The former, we have no means of augmenting by art, the latter can be pro- vided for, in fair degree. Along with the lessened sun power, is apt to come much cloudy weather, so that were it not for what was gained in the past, in stored up plant strength, to help now. and then the hope of the future, the task of plant growing would be discouraging. But if there was no lack of attention (hiring summer, to have all plants strong and healthy, these sustaining conditions will serve now to make our windows not only not desolate, but they may show some bloom. Cactuses. Keej) quite, but not wholly dry; in moderate light, if full light is not to spare. Much heat is not needed. See Epiphyllum. Gallas. Encourage growth by free watering, and ample light. The soil should be rich. Camellias like a temperature of 50° to ^6" now. Water moderately: keep the foliage clean by fre- quently sponging it. Carnations should be showing bloom : water mod- erately, keep staked, but don"t crowd the leaves into bunehes when tying up. Cinerarias need coolness, and ample pots always. Cleanliness about the plant stand, in the way of picking off dead leaves, wilted flowers and the like, as soon as any appear, and then in brushing over the surface where the pots stands daily, helps ap- pearances much. Cuttings struck last month and earUer. should now be in small, clean pots. Deutzia and other shnibs may. for early bloom- ing, now lie brought into moderate heat. Dutch Bulbs may yet be started in pots and glasses. See (_)ctober number. Epiphyllum. Enconrage early bloom, by giving a light, warm place; moderate watering, until growth starts, then more. The soil must be light, open, and well drained. Ferneries or plant cases should now be under way. Plants with attractive leaves, and especially Ferns and Lycopuds should be ehietly relied upon. Most bulbous tlowei-s do well in these however. Plants with fiiiit like the Ardisia or the hardy Partridge or Squaw berr}- Mitchelht repens, of the woods are very useful. After plantmg, air daily, by tilting up the cover, water with extreme caution, as there is great danger of overdoing this part. Geraniums kept from bloom last summer, will now be full of fl^owers. Over-watering is injm-ious. For fine specimens as seen from the room, turn the plants often: to be finest as seen from the street. never turn them. Heat. A night temperature ranging from 4.5* to tK)* suits the average collection. Do not thnik that high heat can make up for dark days; ifs the other way, in cloudy weather there should be less heat, than in sunny weather. Hydrangeas should now be at rest, by keeping the soil all hut dust diy. Alight cellar is the best place for them through the wint-er. Insects increase less rapidly at this season than at most othei-s. but they increase. Head off future trouble from these, by clearing off every one seen. Ivy. See that no scale insects are on the leaves or stents, to remove which, use an old tooth bnish and soapsuds, cleansing later with clear water. Japan Astilbe. a cut of which is given below, as well as the other hardy plants mentioned in this department of the October nundjer. may still be lifted for forcing. The roots shouhl be quite closely crammed into the pots. Lemon. Treat like Oranges. Oleanders. Treat like Hydrangeas. Oranges. Water less freely than in summer. If sickly, lack of drainage most likely is the cause, in which case repot providing plenty of clean drain- age. For scale treat as for Ivj'. Ozalis. To encourage bloom, keep in a light, warm place and water moderately. Primroses. Future well doing, depends on good care now. Keep near glass: water moderately. Roses. Monthlies that were lifted, shoiUd remain in a pit or other cool place this month out at least. Those smnmered in pots, may be urged on for bloom. Tliey need a warm, light place, and fre- quent leaf -sponging. Mildew must be killed, by dust- i ig flowers of sulphur on the leaves wdien wet. Sponging off the leaves frequently, is one of the secrets of successfid plant culture. It must take tlie place of syringing as practised in hot houses, a thing that is done here evei'y day. Accumulated dust on the leaves is destructive to plant life. Stocks. Treat like Primroses. Verbenas that were stuck last month, .should have the tip pinched out to induce branching. Small pots, a cool, light, airy place and no stint of water suit them. Water plants that are strongly in flower, more than those that are not; such as are making httle growth less than those gi'owing more. LAWN AND FLOWER GARDEN. Christmas Rose, HfUeboms nider. This remark- able plant, which blooms in the winter if the season is mild, svicceeds well with the slight protection of a cold-frame. Plants lifted, and taken to the win- dow or the plant house flower well in either place. tection over the roots in the fall, to prevent alteniate thawing and freezing during winter. In places ex- posed to winds, there is no better cover than ever- green boughs; if hay or similar material is used, some boards or brush should be thrown on this, to keei> it from being scattered about by the wind. Lawns showing slight irivgidarity of surface, may easily be evened up now. by spreading some fine eaith intothe depressions; next spring the grass will spring up through this. Leaves. These are valuable to use for mulching, [ protection, compost, etc.. and a good lot should be gathered now. For the foraier uses, they make a light and effective coat. When used as a mulch, do not remove in the spring but spade under. Pansy plants are hardy, but suffer from alternate freezing and thawing: cover after the first bard freeze, with a light coat of bay or leaves. JAPAN ASTILBE. Chrysanthemums gi'owing outside must be staked. If shelteretl liy sash, or in l)ad weather bj' matting, they will Idooin much finer for it. Daises. Treat as for Pansies. Drains, (.'lean these generally and see that the outlets are clear. New ones, when needed, should be put down this fall in i)reference to spring, then to badly delay other work. Dutch Bulb planting, while the earlier done the better, need not cease, so long as the ground remains unfrozen. About the end of the month, cover over the bed with coarse litter or evergreen boughs, for protection. Evergreen Shrubs, including Mahonia, Box and Rhododendrons, suffer less from cold than from sun and wind in the winter; they should be protected somewhat. Place Evergreen boughs, say one or two onthesouthsideof each shrub, the butt ends thrust i ito the earth to steady the boughs. Forget-me-nots. Treat as for Pansies. Hardy Plants growing in beds and rockeries, suc- ceed better year by year, if they receive some pro- B wMMmmwm TRENCHING ILLUSTRATED* Summer Flower Beds. Dig over before winter, tmiiing in some manure at the same time. Heavy land, that is to remain unoccupied until spring, should be left rough without breaking the clods; the effects of rain and frost will reduce these to powder by spring. Tree Planting. For trees and plants of undoub- ted hardiness, there are some advantages and no great I'isks in fall planting. Some kinds like Larch. Birch and Beech it is always best to plant in the fall. With Evergreens it is different; plant only in the spring or just after midsummer. After several hard frosts, the earlier that fall planting can then be done, the better: if leaves remain, strip them off. Stake securely in windy places: mound up as illustrated under Fruit (iarden and Orchard last month. Never plant a tree or shrub deei>er than the collar. Trenching is a suitable operation for this season; it should lie practised wherever gardening is done, especially on a small scale. For large areas subsoil plowing often takes its place. Trenching consists in working over not only the surface earth of fertile nature to its full depth, but also the comparatively poor subsoil beneath, to at least a spade's depth. How this is done the cut will help to show. First the surface soil at A, say 4 feet wide and running across the bed or plat is thrown entirely out ex- posing subsoil D. This is then worked over with the spade its entire length, intermixing some manure at the same time. Now the soil of space B is thrown into the vacant space A, exposing subsoil at E. This is treated the same as D w^as, and so on across the piece, returning the first soil thrown out, into the vacancy that occurs at the end. PLANT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. Achimenes. Keep in about .50° of beat, with the earth dry during winter. Airing as to time and amount, must depend upon the weather and the kinds of plants. There will be warm spells yet when the ventilators over most plants, may be kept open fi*om morning until night, and perhaps some into the night. When it is chilly and windy outside much less air should be let in. At such times, open the ventilators only so much, that the draft will be felt but about three feet from the opening. This for the generality of kinds, but Carnations, Violets and others that dis- like heat, may have more upon them. In chilly or windy weather lift the sashes on the side of the bouse away from the wind. Amaryllis should now be at rest. The evergreen sorts must not get so dry that the leaves will shrivel; deciduous kinds may get quite dry. Bouvardia. This plant blooms as well when bedded as ua pots and with less trouble. If grown in .5.5° of beat, the form and color will be better than in a higher temperature. Stake in such a manner that the air and light can reach the soil. Boronias. See that they are free from mildew and given-rty. Caladiums. Treat like Achimenes. Camellias. Give full sunshine from now until early spring. Syringe twice a week, air freely in fine weather. .50° to .55° at night, affords the best temperature during the blooming season. Carnations need plenty of air even in cold weath- er. A slight touch of fi'ost, while it does them no good, would hiu't them less than continuous close confinement and dampness. Cyclamens. The early plants should have for blooming 45° to.5U° of heat at night, with some more in the day. To retard plants for later bloom, keep them in a temperature of not above 45° 1885. POPULAR GARDENING. Eclieverias to be raised from seed, slioiild have this sown now fur next year's beddmg phmts. Euphorbia. Treat as for Poiusettias. Gardenias with advanced buds should be kept at im^ ni^rhl. and later plants somewhat cooler, water carefully but with moderation. If the i>ots of I>lants about to bloom are full of roots, sprinkle a little br>ne dust on the surface of the soil. Gloxinias. Treat like Achimenes. Hyacinths, for early bloom, may come into heat as soon as the ball of earth is well marked by roots. Lig'Ilt is very imi)(.irtant at this season; if the glass is clouded with summer whitening or other substance, clean it. Lilies of the Japan spec ies. for forcing, should Ije potted early in the month: keep in cold pit for some weeks before Ijringing into heat. Lily of the Valley uiay >>e brought in for forcing into early bloom, towards the eud of the month. Mignonette for spring bloom should be sown. Orchids. At this season may be seen the ad- vanta^'e of ( >rchid houses, with divisions for those requiring different treatment. In absence of this, any kinds in a growing state might be moved into the hot-house or forcing pit. so as to allow of the cooling down of the house containing the main col- lection, for securing complete rest. In this state they should be comparatively cool and dry; 50° by night and (iiP by day will suit. Fumigate the houses for thrip and fty. Pansies. Directions for Violets will suit. Poinsettias for earlj- should now have brisk heat, with tlie lu'Uvls all but touching the glass. Roses. Climbing Noisette Roses under glass need to have their shoots cut back to four eyes afttr each crop of tli>wers. The Marechal Neil needs the same treatment, but this should have been applied when the summer flowering season was over. Tulips. Treat as for Hyacinths. Violets keep near the glass, air very freely day and niglit, provided upwards of 4()° of heat can be maintained. Kept too close and warm there | will be no Howere. Trim off runnei-s and dead leaves. FRUIT GARDEN AND ORCHARD. Blackberries- Trim out the old wood now, to save time in tlie spring. Clear off "id rubbish, prunings, etc,, and' bum. Loose material lying about will afford a harbor for insects, many of which but for this would freeze. Cutting's of Grape Vines, Currants, Gooseberries and Quinces, can now be made and buried on a dry knoll \mtil spring, when they will grow more readily then if cutting is deferred until that time. Fruit Cellars. Keep weU ventilated in fine weather. The utmost regard to cleanliness, and the prevention of decaying substances in the apart- ments, should receive attention. Grapes. To pre.serve fresh, a cool, diy room or cellar is needed. Keep the temperature within a few degrees of 3H if possible: here they will keep readily for months, with little trouble. Pack in boxes, in Iayei*s, the bunches close together, with heavy paper between the layere. Before this, they must be freed of moisture by exposure to the air. An excellent way to keep large handsome speci- mens, is hy passing the stem through a perforated cork into a liottle of water and .sealing with wax. Grape Vines. Throughout the north the best winter treatment for these is to prune soon after leaf-falling; then lay down the remaining parts and cover with a small amount of earth or sods, for protection until spring. Grafts uiay be cut this month. Tie in bunches and set one third of their length in sand in a moder- ately cool cellar. Packing in Barrels. Use clean barrels. Those for Pears must be lined with straw-paper to prevent wood stains : tVtr Apples this is not needed. Take out one head and place the fruit in nice layers, starting against the other end which is to open fii"st. Fill in without bruising the fruit, setthng or shaking the barrel occasionally, until it is a httle more than full ; bring the head in place with a lever. Apples may be pressed to advantage in jjacking. so those against the bottom head will even bnaise a little, but Peai-s not. Choice Pears are usually packed in boxes holding a bushel or less, with each speci- men wrap]>ed separately in paper. Pits and Nuts for planting, should be mixed with sand, amt l>e set in an exposed place to freeze. Plowing and Spading* of land to be planted with fruit m thr siiring, snould- be done now. The hai'row will ht it up for work then at planting time with little delay. Boot Cuttings afford the means of propagating Blackberries and Kiispberries. Roots the size of a pencil antl smaller, are cut into pieces two or three inches long. These are placed in layers alternately with earth in a box. which tlien is Inn-icd in a dry place until spring. Then the cuttings are jilanted. Strawberries. Mulch with leaves or straw just as winter sets in. to prevent their being lifted by freezing and thawing. The m_ulch can then renuiln until after fniiling to protect the crop from dirt. Vinegar making is in order. Apple cider is the foundation stock for this usually, but the juice of any fruit will answ er. Water cider, made by satu- rating the pomace after it is removed from the press, with water, and re-i)ressing it. makes good vinegar. In any case allow the cider to ferment, after which add some old vinegar or mother, keep- ing the casks in a warm place. Young Trees. Bank up as directed last month, both tu steady them and to prevent mice girdling. VEGETABLE GARDEN. Artichokes. Jerusalem or Sunflower Artichokes should be lifted before hard frosts and treated like Potatoes. Give Globe or true Artichokes, a protec- tion of leaves or litter just befoi-e winter, to keep them over alive. Asparagus. Mow the tops and burn. Now is a good linu* to manm-e the beds, a thing that .should be done lihtMally when needed. Broccoli sometimes does not head before hard frosts. Lift such carefully with earth on the roots, and set in a damp cellar to develop. Cabbage. When growth has ceased becau.se of cold, pull and store. Placing it heads down, close together on a dry spot hi the garden, and covering over some weeks later with straw or leaves, as high as the roots.'and on this some s n\ sheltering all with boards it will keep well until March. A small stock for use, during winter, may be kept in a barrel or box that is set up on eud in a dry place, and which is banked all around and to its top with earth, and covered with a close fitting double cover of boards. Celery. As long as gi*owing weather i-emains- and Celery grows in pleasant autumn weather, even though cool—keep earthed up. Before very hard frosts, tlie main ^ ^ ' crop for winter and - _ - - spring use should go into winter quartet's. Some for using soon, may be tied in bunches, and packed in sand in a cool, dark cellar. The balance should go into narrow trenches a foot or less in width, and of depth suitable to the height of the stems, as shown in the cut. These must be located hi dry ground, where there w ill be no d a ng e r of water accumulating in them. Pack the Celery close in the trenches. Cover as the weather giv»^\s cold with straw ami boards, increasing the thickness as the season ad- vances, to prevent hard freezmg and allow of easily getting some as needed for use. In the Southern States Celeiy may be left standing where it grew. Drains. See under Lawn and Flower Garden. Plants of Cabbage and Cauliflower raised from seed sown in Septenil)er. may be wintered in cold frames for an early crop next year. This hardly pays. h'>wever. as plants from an early hot-bed. are quite as good and less trouble. Rhubarb, liberally manured now, will advance all the more raiiidly for it next spring, hoth in earliness and quality. Roots, such as Horseradish, Parsnips. Salsify, Scorzonera freezing does not hmt. Of these the maiuY-rop may.be left where they gro^\-. over winter, but some slutuld be dug and stored in the cellar for winter use. Trenching. See under Flower Garden and Lawn. 7/y Celery in Trench. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS. Asparagus uiay be forced as directed for Khubar-b last montli. Grapery. Where fruit is to hang a long time, all Iterries that show a touch of decay, must be cut out from time to time, and the atnios[>here kept dry. in early houses, the vines of which are breaking, an increase of heat must be gradually applied. The stai*t shoukl be made at an average of .j5" at night. with 10" higher during sunshine. Lettuce in'ids abundant airand about 55" of heat. Mushrooms. Directions for preparing the material for beds, was given in the October issue. With this on hand, make the Ix'ds under a green- house stage, in the cellar or any place where from 45^* to )k»* of heat can iM'liad. In making, distribute the material in layers over the surface, beating ed. ami on this 3 or 4 inches of straw, then wait for your crop, wliich will not \yi very long in coming. Peaches grown for forcing, now nee\v should these be treated in general and win -m si ion Id they be repotted? Mrs. M. B. 11 -Hardy Ivy. Is the evergreen Ivy hardy as far north as this place? Some say it is. othere de- clare just the opjiosite. Will you please inform me before next planting season?— S. S.. Jack.^oii. Mich. ANSWERS TO PAST INQUIRIES. 1 -Green Growth on Pot Soil. Frequent si in-ing of the carlli hy a sharji slick or i>eii-kuife will pre- vent and be a remedy also.- Sister Gracioi's, De- troit. Mirh. 1— Green Growth on Soil. Scrape this and the soil off to depth of one-half an inch, and replace with fresh soil eonsisting of one-third shari) sand.— A. H. K. 2 Liquid Manures for Pot Plants. A tea made from tlie sooi shjikt-n liom a slow pipe, applied once a week is good. Also, jiour water over cow manure, let it stand a day or two. then apply once a week. Last winter 1 bought at the seed sl'ore. a line black powder called Plant Fotni. and userin>it\ Mich. 3- Weeping Trees for Windy Place. Birches. Wiers >hi|)It'. Wr.-piiiK^ Larch. Weeping Linden, and the vaiions Weeping Khns would lie suitable.— L. R., Geuevii. .V. y. 3- Weeping Trees for Windy Place. I have both the Cnt-Leavi'd Birch and the White Weeping Birch growing on nn exposed knoll, and thev succeed well. G. K. L.. Miliraiikcv, Wa. i6 POPULAR GARDENING. November, When the Leaves are Turning Brown. Never is my lieart so gay In the budding month of May. Never does it beat a time Half so sweet in blooming June. Never knew such happiness As on such a day as this. When the autmuu dons her cro-mi ' And the leaves are turning brown. Breathe, sweet children, soft regrets For the vanished Violets; Twist yom* cbaplets in young June, Maidens— they will fade full soon; Twine ripe Rose.s. July — red. Leaves for the dear ones head; I will weave my richer crown ^\Tien the leaves are turning brown. — Elizabeth Akens Allen. The sober robin hunger-silent now. Seeks cedar-I>erries blue, his autumn cheer; The squirrel, on the shingly shagbark's bough. Now- saws, now lists with downward eye and ear. — Lou-elL Camellias appear. Violets rlislike heat. Specimen copies free. Don't delay the Club. Have you subscribed? Fansies succeed iu i)nts. For Mildew use sulphur. Frimroses need full light. Write for yoiu- own paper. Wanted, .i(i,000 subscribers. Lantanas are good house plants. Immortelles are now appreciated. Cobaeas tough-out the season well. Crowding plants or trees is harmful. Know e\-ery plaut by its right name. Slugs cannot travel over dry sawdust. Single PaF'i )nies are becoming popular. Flant cm knolls rather than in hollows. The Snow-white Pansies are shy seeders. Never apply ga.s-tar to the bark of trees. Fropagate double Nasturtiums from slips. Flowers are messengers of grace to the sick. An out door Coral plant — the Barberry in fiiiit. Fill up the outside plant boxes with Ever- greens. Clove Carnations do not come with certainty from seed. Eucalyptus leaves, it is said, will remove scale from boilers. The first seed store in New York City was c»penefl in 1802. A Magnolia, in Attica, N. Y. , bloomed twice dui'iug the past sea.son. By digging over ground this fall, many kinds of weeds will be put back. For a lasting inheritance to your children's children plant some trees. A Cotton plant with bursting seed-podicals, se- cure a large share of their readers from cities; it ought not to be different in America. " I like to know about these things." said a lady addressing the writer with some questions about Pansies. There never was a time when such a demand for information concerning flowers and gardening prevailed, as at the pres- ent time. The mission of this paper is to in part meet this demaiid. Are we succeding ? The way that subscribers and clubs of sub- scribers begin to come in to Popular Garden- ing, leads one friend of the paper at our elbow, to say, "you can ti-ust the people to know a 1885. POPULAR GARDENING. 17 goofl thing wIk'U tliey see it." There is no dis- counting" the common sense of tlie peoi»Ie, that's certain. By tlieui true worth is ajipreciated. A teaspoonful of tinc-ture of a.ssafietichi in half a liui'ketful of liijuid nmd, apjilied with a brush to the stem anf one of our dealers, saying he must have them; if his em- ployer wouldn't pay for the bulbs he would, and set them in his own little garden. Early Flowering Narcissi. There are two Narcissi r>f special value for the production of flowers at mirl-wint^i'r, found in nearly every bulb dealer's stock. These ai'e the Ro- man, which has iloulile white flowers, and the Paper White, which ha.s snuiU single white flowers. Both are especially suitalile for cut flowers, and also for conservatory decoration. For the latt<'r ])un»se, grow in five inch pots, a bulb to each. But when intended for cut flowers, gi-ow in iians or boxes, as they then re(iuire much less space. Their re(|nircments in the matter of soil do not difl'er matt'rially from those of any other bulbs, a soil that is light and rich suiting them well. A Horticultural Directory of great merit has recently been issued by Isaac f). Sailer, Phila- delphia, Pa. It is the work of Mr. C. F. Evans, many suKscriliers, 'M.m) in fact. Now wliile we are much encouragwl at the gi-oHth of our list of subsi-riljoi-s since starting this paper, we are free to say it ought to grow still faster, considering the nature of our papei- and its price. If you are not a subscrilKM-, mav we not count upon you as one at once, and not only this but that you will interest yourself to get up a cluh. In this way, you can help along our needed .")ll,i)0() subscribere, at a jumping rate. Location of Auturrin Flowers, The Mixed Flower Border" page 18. of that city, a gentleman qualified for such a task as few others are. The directory proper embraces the United States. In addition to this there is "Supplement A," giving the names and addresses of those engaged in the Horti- cultui-al trade in the British Isles, and "Supple- ment B," the same covering Continental Em-ope, Australia, Africa, India, Japan and Brazil. A careful examination shows this work to be remarkablj' correct in detail, while the above outline is sufficient to indicate that no directory could be more comprehensive. The Cardinal Flower, Lobelia Cardinalis, is one of the most brilliant flowers known. The flowers are of a deep scarlet, produced on short pedicles in a handsome nodding raceme. The plant is hardy and a native, found in moist meadows and along streams, in many parts of our country. Although it likes moisture, it is of ea.sy cultivation in the common border, and even in clay soils. It succeeds well on the shady side of a house. Its time of bloom is from late summer until October, There is also a white- flowering variety. The plants are procurable at those nurseries, which make a specialty of hardy perennial plants and bulbs. Count them. An enthusiastic friend of Popu- lar (Jardexing— anil the paper has many such already — tells us what we ourselves were not aware of, that last month's issue contained .34.5 sepai-ate and distinct articles and items of infor- mation. Whether the present issue contains more or less we cannot say, but one thing we know, and that is that our endeavor is to make each succeeding number better than those be- fore it. But let us take om- friends count, and figure a little. At this rate, a yearly volume would contain over 4000 such articles or (!9 for fetch cent the paper costs. Who that loves flowers or gardening can afford to do without such a paper? House top gardens will perhaps never be as popular in America as in Europe ; land for gar- dens lieing so plenty here. Still we maintain there are many places in which if the needed patch cannot be secured on term firiiiii, that the right thing to do would be to gai'den on the roofs. It would be easy in nuiny such cases to Ht these up, so far as gi'ade, and other mattei's are concerned, for the purpose. The objection has been raised, that the sparrows would injure such gardens; we would not expect much trouble. Snap a gun at them every time they are around, and you can frighten them from being verj' bad. Their occasional presence would be some help in keeping down insects. Reader : Your aid nml influence in behalf of swelling the subscription list of this periwlical is solicited, and will be greatly appreciated. To furnish such a handsome and valuable paper as this one is aihnitted to lie, at the present low price, requires not only subscril)ei-s, but very A new red label for exjiress packages of cut flowers, has l)een designed for, and as we are told, has been adojited by the Society of Ameri- can Florists. We hope there may be some mis- take about the last |)art of this statement. A sample before us, shows the label to he about as far from what such a latel for general use should be, as it could be made. The designer evidently had in mind to create a fanciful effect, with ornamented letters and words all jumbled together, so as to l:)e almost um-eada- ble, instead of making a card so plain, that he who runs as express caiTiers do, may read. Fancy seeing shipping agents all over the coun- try .spending time in unravelling the muddled lettering of this label, which should tell them at a glance, that the contents of the package are quickly perishable, fresh flowei-s ! It is not a label we expect to see practical shippers adopt, whatever the Society's committee may have done about it. Try again, gentlemen ! How is this. Either we failed, after a good deal of pains, to make clear the fact in our last issue, that Popular Gardening is an inde- pendent paper without a single seed, bulb, sprout, root, cion, jdant, shrub, trailer or tree for sale, or else the jjerson who sent us a postal card with the following matter on it, must have skipped a good deal of what we wrote ; N, J., Sept. 21, 1885, Messrs. Ransom, Long »£ Co, Dear Sirs:— Will you plea.se send to nie bj- return mail your prices of Double Hyacinths, Tulips and Sum- mer Snow Flake, and oldige. We have nothing in the world to sell, but this paper and a few incidental hooks. We don't aspire to more than this, provided we get the 50,000 subscribei-s we have now made a good beginning on enrolling. Our resjiected but possibly careless reader, is referred to our advertisci-s for the information he is in want of. Bell-flowered Scilla. Sometimes the botani- cal name of a genus, is prettier and easier to use than the conmion name it is knowni by. In such a ca.se the former should be used for the icmnuon n.ime. An instance of this kind, is found in the Scilla, or as it is often called Squill. We greatly prefer foi- the s])ecies fig- ured on the opposite page, the name Bell-flower- ed Scilla to BeU-flowcrcd Squill. But najiie a.side. this is a desirable Spring-flowering bulb that should oftener l)e seen. It is harrly in the ojien ground even in the nt)rth, but a slight cover over the bulbs during wintci- is lieneficial. The color of the species is a l)eautiful hyacinth blue; but there are also varieties of white and other colorivl flowers. Plant the bulbs in the fall months, at any time liefore the gromid fri'ezes. They can be bought for about 7.5 cents a dozen from dealei-s in Dutch Bulbs. The bulbs also force easily for flijwers, in the window. i8 POPULAR GARDENING. November, The Mixed Flower Border. As this is a goiid season for planiiing^and starting the work of nialvinsr a mixed flower border, illustrations for arranging the prin- ciple plants of one, are herewith given. This one is designed to be largely composed of hardy plants. The kinds of these to choose, and the manner of placing for having the same border showing hard_v flowers at the different seasons, is the object in showing entire bed. Such persons must continue to look to the free-flowering tender bedders chiefly, which while constantly very attrac- tive in hot weather, call for an expenditure for new stock each sjiring, the old perishing with the fall frosts. But the true lover of nature sees beauty in plants when they are out of bloom, as well as when in bloom. For most of .such, the large variety of sorts, and the succession ^ Anemones. J^"^/-* I'aiuii-s \( Locatioq of Spriqg Flowers, Fig 2. Locatioq of Sumnier Flowers. THE MIXED FLOWER BORDER, The three figures .showiiiK liimls of hardy Huwers in liloom at difTerent seasons, and location of groups in the same border. The hultis and tender plant.s to occup.y intervening places, are not named. Scale about 10 feet to the inch. See page 17 for Fig. 3. three engravings of the same lied. In the original bed which furnished the idea of these figures, many tender plants and Itulbs were planted between the groups each spring, but lack of space forljids naming such in the diagrams. Aside from print- ing these plans, which were carefully en- graved expressly for Popular G.\RDENrN(i, little if anything is left to be said, concern- ing arrangement. It may be remarked how- ever, that in general the lower or front part of the bed is devoted to low growing kinds of |ilants with taller ones, graded as to height, further back, the highest of course in the rear. In introducing the tender flow- (Ts and bulbs into the border in the spring, re,gard is had to the same principle. A liorder of this kind has the merit of ;ifTording perhajis the greatest degree of in- terest and attractiveness, for the least outla}' of money, of any style of adornment in this line that can be employed. With due atten- tion to planting some good tender stock each spring, between the permanent hardy flowers, not only will there be a display of bloom from early spring until late fall, but every week will see a pleasing variation in the ap- pearance of the bed, from that of the W(>eks that have gone before. To be sure along with using hardy flowers largely, that have but one time of bloom in each season, there will also neces- sarily be seen, many blank spaces between the resiJective clumps of flowers throughout the season. This is the chief obJecfiIock Orange, or Philiidelphns. to use the botanical name. The shrubs are very hard}', adai»ted toall places and soils, and are par- ticularly noted for the beauty and sweetness of the flowers. Indeed t h e C o m m o n G a r 1 a n d Mock Orange, the flowers are .so highly .scented, that some persons are found wlio object to them on this account, .just as some persons do not like the Tuliero.se fra.granee. Among the dilTerent Mock Oranges none are more gen- erally desirable than the Large-fl(jwering one, of which we present a spirited engrav- ing herewith. It belongs to tile section of free growing sorts. In time a bush will reach the height of ten feet or more, with eight feet or more tlirough. It is slightly strag- gling in habit, only to render it the more ornamental for this. Besides producing flowers that are mtich larger than I hose of the Com- mon Garland s p e- cies, the.se are less stron.glv fra.grant. which will be looked upon as another point in favor of this sort, over the we 1 1 known old one. The large pure white flowers, which aji- jiear along the twigs in.June. areremark- alily showy, in con- trast with the dark green leaves. For cutting to use in tnble vases, few shrub blooms are more effective. When planted in mas.ses with other shrulis, this, like the other strong growing Mock Oranges, should be placed somewhat in the rear, because of its taller growth, which is above the average of flowering shrubs. For the same reason it is better placed in the back portion of the lawn than near the street, wliere it might cut ott' the view too much from till' house. While this shrub ma.v not be found in every nursery which sells ornamental trees and shrubs, we And it offered in enough nursery catalogues, to show that any one de- siring to |)lant it can ea.sily procure the slock. Is the English Gooseberry Worth Growing by Us- II came very near lieing iilaced on the Re- jeted List of fruits, by the American Pomo- logical Society at one of its meetings some time a.go. That such an act would have been one of injustice to a fine and wholesome fruit, is shown by the accounts of success in growing it in America, that are constanllv eimun,g up. It now seems (piite certain, that where there is failure with this fruit, 'it is open culture circumstances must dictate how to shade, I tind bast mats answer well. For surface mulching, the best way is to remove the top soil down to near the roots, in a circle of three or four feet in diameter. Any uncovered roots must be covered agaiii a little, .so as not to let the manui-e come di- rectly in contact with the roots; then four (H' five inches of old rotten manui'(\ laid on and ti'oddeii; then rejilace the earth, rake, and the manure will scarcelv be seen. THE LARGE-FLOWERING MOCK ORANGE. owing to mismanagement. Here is wliat Mr. T. Bennett, a successful grower, lately had to say about the English Gooseberry in the GiirdcKcrs Monthli/, his remarks being somewhat condensed by our editors: It flourishes best in a clay soil or heavy loam, but will glow in much lighter soils. The [ilants only need sufficient shading and good summer mulching, with at least one good watering, when going out of blossom, to yield and rijien large crops of its delicious fruit. It will grow under shade lieller than any other fruit, and does well trained up to the north side of a fence or building. In Little Things at Right Time. Too many plant - growers are like N a a m a n of old, anxious to do some great thing in a lordly style, instead of attending to the simple little reiiuire- ments that lead to success. It may be seen for example, that better actual results at plant culture are sometimes found in the kitchen window of the most humble dwelling, where there is a fight against frosts all through the winter perhaps, than in elaborate plant houses, excelling in facilities to meet the wants of jilant life. In the one case there is close attention to the small require- ments which the true lover of flowers is ever ready to he- stow, in the other a rule-limited haj)- ha/.ard way of ear- ing for the subjects. An esteemed cor- respondent of Poi"- I'L.M! G.\l{I)KXI.N(i living in Detroit, -Michigan, who signs herself "Sister (irac'ious," Ijils the nail squarely on the head, in giving her "only.secrel " of successat liloomiii.g Gerani- ums, Begonias and .so on in midwinter. She writes on this mailer as follows: "I think of them at the right time. For instance, a night promi.ses to be extra cold, so I siiend five minutes ])utling iu'wspai>ers lietwen the .gla.ss and the jilaiits. Then when to water, bothers some folks. It i.s well to have a set time for this, say after the silling room is put loriirhls. Push up the soil with the finger, if it is damp, pa.ss it by. if dry and dusly pour on \v;iriiiish water. Another thing: wash the leaves once a week. I lake a tub, put the plant in, and cleanse with a fine sprinkler. The leaves thank me for this by their bright looks afterwards. A small whisk broom, dipped in water and shaken over I he plants also answers. As for lime, it lakes me about half an hour a da.v, and the work is such a delighlfnl ehanire it rests me, mind and bodv." 20 POPULAR GARDENING. November, ^ff^-^fcT^lf o ^i^o^}p^:^<^]-y^. PNC f^s^' Fair Aral>ella.'_talking slang. Cannot endiire old-fashioned flowers— '■ Cheap flowers, you know, so awful slow. That in poor peoples' gardens grow. And only watered by the showers; I like a liloom that costs a guinea! "" Fair AraljeUa, you're a ninny. And think, perhaps, park air's too common To please so superfine a woman! And that the sunshine could be sweeter If bought like gaslight, by the meter. Chrysanthemum days. Willows wfpp now. if ever. Autumn's glory is declining. Fond Lilies are being forced. Marechal Neil Koses, run scarce. Scarlet and crimson blooms suit brunettes. Flat bouquets for brides, are coming more into use. In using ribbons with flowers, take complemeutal colors. Corsage bunches of Mignonette with Adiantuni fringing are exquisite. Cut blooms of Doulile Bouvardia must not lie sprinkled; it will blacken them. Fern fronds keep fresh longer, if immersed in water for an hf that common and easily grown favorite. Libonia flftribunda, associate well in table glasses, with the blue Salvia. The handsome blooms of ras.siflora qnadrangu- laris, sliow with charming effect when arranged singly in finger glasses. Few flowers are prettier for the coat, than the Sw.'et Jasmine, which should now be in bloom. A bit of its own foliage. Ls the most suitable, asagreen. No flowers grown are easier to arrange with good effect than the Chrysanthemums, provided only, they are cut with long stems, and are kept un- crowded. It is said that the ])retty scarlet hemes of the Rivina Hinnilis. if applied to the cheek will give it a healtliy. natural biiniette blood color, that is last- ing and defies detection. We cannot vouch fortius. The Rose grower who will build up an estabhsh- ment for forcing the finer kinds le instead of Rose, being veiy near the Raspberry, and known botanically as Rulms rosrefolius. Mosses and Liverworts. In her new catalogue of these. fr leaves in the well-known, but eiTO- neously named Smilax. Mi/rsijiJiylluni asparoyoifieii, are not leaves at all. but leaf-branches called clado- phylls, which perform the oflice of leaves. The true leaves consist of thin and minute scales, which take careful looking for to discover. It is gratifying to note, that at the recent meeting of the American Association for the Ae expected to be of more than ordinary value. We have before us such a volume recently written hy this gentleman. It« value imjjresses us so favorably, that we feel to re- commend it to every cultivator in need of a guide of this kind. Our space does not allow of an extended notice. In brief, it may be said that the book covei"s the entire groimd in an admirably clearstyle. Pub- hshed by Houghton. Miffiin & Co.. Boston. American Pomological Society. The meeting held at Grand Rapids. Mich., in September, was one of the best ever known, notwithstanding the opposi- t^n that early prevailed against holding it in what some called an "out of the way place." An exhibit of 4,0(K) di.shes of fruit was brought together. The essays and discussions were of an order never before equalled, in interest and value. Much regret was manifested at the absence of the venerable president Wilder, of Boston. The offtcers re-elected and elected, are Marshal P. Wilder, Pi-esident, Patrick Bariy. Vice-President, B. Smith. Treasurer, Charles Garfield. Secretary. Boston. Mass.. was chosen as the uext place of meeting two yeai*s hence. 1885. POPULAR GARDENING. 2 I Treecllmber's Talks. AN EARLY-COMMENCINO FLOWER. In my jauuts away from the tife-top, I fre- qviently get into the outlying meadows and woods. A walk here is rarely taken in Octolier without running across my interesting old frienil .the Witeh-hazel, in bloom. This shrub has the queer habit of flowering late, after all other blooms are past, and even when its own leaves are ripened ami falling. I she > w au en- gi'aving of a leaf and some flowers of the bush. These late flowers, so far as their more im- portant functions of maturing seed is concerned, belong to next sea.son. The}' are merely com- nienciu.g the coming year's operations in the end of this year, in which rcs|ject they are like the schools that have commencements at the end of each yearly term. The blossoms, of a jiale vellow. showing prettily along the twigs, remain in a (hied state where they are. through the winter. When spring comes thev develop into fruit, and require the season to mature. I never see the Witch-hazel blooming in this unseasonable mouth, without thinking of the special perniit it seems to have from mistress Nature, of thus getting the start of her sister flowere that bloom in the spring. But nature appears to delight in allowing these odd caprices sometimes, as we see in many singidar habits and forms in the vegetable world. The Creator who ordered things so, saw that it was good, and we cannot but en jo}' in this bush the pleas- ing variations of some flowei-s late in the fall, amongst the sombre aspect of natm'e at this sea.son. The flowers ajipear much more attract- ive now than they could if their opening was deferred until spring, among the many early flowers. As a lawn flowering shi-ub this late bloomer is of value. A friend in another state reports a handsome specimen ten feet high, in the shape of a sugai- loaf, which every autumn is charmingly coverefl with golden bloom. Now you may want to know about THE NAME WITCH-HAZEL. This shrub of singular habit has long been associated with supei-stitious notions. Those who have read from the poems of Token, may have seen the following allusion to it: Mysterious plant : }\'liose golden tresses wave With a sad beauty in the dying year. Blooming amid Xoveinber's frost severe. Like a pale corpse-light o'er the recent grave. If shepherds tell us true, th.v wand hath power, With gracious influence to avert the harm Of ominous planets. The fact that the shrub was formerlv thus regarded, together with its close resemblance to the trae Hazel, easily accounts for its common name. It is known lx)tanically as HatnttmHis \'iryiniana. The branches were formerly in re- pute as "divining rods" by means of which deep springs of water, and precious metals were supposed to be revealed. All intelligent persons know V)etter now than to believe that anj'thing possesses such power, and the notion meets with ridicule. That the Witch-hazel has some medical virtues is not doubted, and an extract from it is a popnlar remedy. Timothy Treeclimber. can never rea.sonably lie expected to be done, is thus set forth by a recent writer: Tocarr.v the \iiuly nf even a small women, weigh- ing, say, Km pounds, wonlil reifnire a machine hav- ing at leasl four liiirse power. This would call for wings, supjiosing we hail the machine to work them, of enormous size. The liirds fnmid far out at sea, known a.s Mother Carey's chickens, seem t tons: Hour. 300 barrels, and egtcs. l.'Jim dozen. Kresh vegetables, dead meat, and live bulli>cks, sheep, piKS, geese, turkeys, ducks, fowls, fish, and casual game are genei'ally supplied at each port, so that it isdiftieult to estiimil<. them Probably two ilozeii bullocksand si.\ty sheep would be a fair averaee for the whole vo.vage. and the rest ma.v he inferred hi projjortion. During t he sunnner months, when traveling is hea\'y. twenty-live fuw Ls are often used in soup for asiugle dinner. lie pen Read hit to me. AN EARLY-COMMENCING FLOWER all birds capable of extended flight. Man's strength, it is estimated, would have to be increased some thirt.v fold before he could fly. and then he would be forced to confine himself to dead calm weather. CmTents of air have often a velocity of twenty miles per hour, a fact which .shows how might.v must be the power man must command before he can launch himself upon the air and compete \\ ith even the slowe.st birds. Aside from au extreniel.v jtowerful motor there must be some apparatus that will do the same special .service for man that feathers and wings do for birds. Sharing Equally. The visions of Socialists and others, who be- lieve that an equal distribution of wealth among all mankinil is needed for securing the highest sum of happiness, can never be realized. Even if it were possible to be carried out. the results would not effect any material change in the condition of the poor. During one of the revolutions in the city of Paris, several t-ough-looking men entered the banking house of Rothschild and demanded nione.v. saying that all men were brethren, and that the lich should share with the poor. " Here is your .share." said the banker, handing each man a" five-franc piece: "there are many of my poor brethren in Parts." An Eastern parable runs thus; .4. very poor man went to a very rich man and said. "We are two sons of Adam and Eve: therefore we are brothers. 'V'ou are very rich, and I am verj- poor; give me a brother's share." The rich man gave to the poor man one cowrie — the smallest jiiec-e of mone.v. a tiny shell. 'The pour num said. "O sir. why do , von not bestow upon me a brothers share "r" To which the rich man rei>lied. " Be content, my good friend : if I give all luy poor brothers one cow- rie each, 1 shall not have any remaining. Writing not Easy Work Colonel "^'erger's negreople concerning the shape of the earth, should reflect that it is only a few hunch'eiied that men were apt to travel in circles, as they often do when lost. Then it was urged that white men said so, and they knew more than the Indians: hut it was an- swered white men frequenth' lied, as the Indians ver.v well knew, ■The matter was settled finalfv as follows: A stake was driven into the groimrl. and at night an apple was placed upon the stake. In the morning the apple was still there: whereupon the chief, who was acting as referee in the ca-se. ectator, as a large portion of the vessel lies out of sight beneath the surface of the water. The Loiidtin Tiinrs thus descriiies the provisiimiug of a large vessel, for passengers and crew : In each vessel Ls packeil away :i..'>00 pounds of butter rj.iwohams; l.liW pounds of biscuits, exclu- sive of those supplied for the crew: S.lXKl pounds of grapes, almonds, figs, and other dessert fruits: l,.'jil0 An investment in knowledge always pays the liest interest. An Autumn Hostelry. It was the dear «)ld appU* tree. ^\1lo took me for his gue.st : He gave me shelter, gave me food. And welcome of the best, A hetl I foiuid for slinnlier sweet, < If sfiflest mosses made: The host himself he covered me With cool and pleasant shade. .\nd when I asked what I owed. He shook his leaves at me. Be blessings on ,vour tieatl for a.ve. You dear olil aiiple tree. — t'///and. 22 POPULAR GARDENING. November, CAGE BIRDS, PET ANIMALS, ETC. Dogs as Helpers, One of the pleasant things about the service of dogs is that they delight to serve. Their work is not for pay, Imt only kind words, gen- tle treatment, and now and then a bone, sufBces to attach them to their masters, for lite and in death. Man has not been slow to avail himself of this willing helper. A new use to which the dog has been put — carrying letters tor a little mining camp in California, is thus reported by a paper : The place is hardly big enough to liaveanarae, and of course cannot thiik of having a [..ist (■fflce; but the few niinei's there want their letters just as badly as though tliey lived in New York city itself. They could not tinil a man to hi-ingtliem three miles from the nean-st [lost-c iffice. f. ir cxei y man in a camp wants to dig lor K'old. so they liav.. Iaut,'lit a dog to doit. Dorsev is the nanieot Hip faitlilnl lellow. and he run his three miles every dai . from t'alico where the stage stops, to Bismark, the camp, in twenty minutes, with the letter bag strapped to his back. Care of Canary Birds. A common nustake with those who undertake to have a canary for the first time, is to keep the cage suspended too near the ceiling. The heat and impurities of the atmosphere rise to the ceiling, and in these the bird can never be healthy, and an unhealthy bird does not sing. To keep a bird in a room where gas is burned at night for illumination is also not good, un- less the cage is hung low while the gas is lighted, and is kept covered. A friend who complained that her bird never sang, and moulted continu- ally, was atlvised to move the cage into a room imlighted by gas. Here it put on a splendid coat of plumage and soon began to sing with vigor. As for feeding, this is a more simple matter than many suppose. On this point the f olliiwing from the pen of Mrs. Silas Hill, in the PhiUt- delphia Frcas, but somewhat condensed by us, is to the point: I have had good success with raising canary birds, having had one bird that lived to lie si-xtcen years and six months old. I have alH ays inl tlii-m every- thing that 1 knew they like to eat inclu.lint; liread. crackers, with boiled potatoes, licet, turnip, lettuce cabbage and cWck weed, I'or srril I get liemp anil canary Imt mostly hemp, as my ninlslike itthehest. I always give my tiirds plenty ot water tor drink anti to ha the in. Plenty ot sand in the cage, cuttle-houe and red peppers, 'i have never had any trouble in raising young birds, 1 give the lit! le ones uard boiled eggs and bread and mnk wiili a sininkling ot sugar in It, One year 1 raised thirteen oirdstroin one pair; eight of them were singers. Food for the Mocking Bird. Mr. Ruth an experienced bird fancier of Reatling, Pa,, prescribes the followiiig food for these birds: "Take the yolk of a hard boiled egg, and about the same amount ot a boiled potato, and mix. Then add as much prepared food to ecjual the amount of the egg and potato. I'Ved in a smalt dish. Mi.x all up thoroughly, feed fresh every day. Give plenty ot clean water and strew the cage with gravel. \V ash out the cups every morniug. A meal worm or a grasshopper every tlay, and once in a while some raw beet, is aloo very good. If the bird gets droopy, feed it a spider.'' Scurf in Rabbits. Accortling to The Featlti'n'il [Viirld, tliis ail- ment comes from scantiness of fresh green food, or else contagion. The remedy suggested is to wash the parts with warm water, cleaning away every sign of scurf. Half an hour later apply a solution of strong tobacco and water, say an ounce of common shag to half a pint of boil- ing water ; using it luke warm. Continue this treatment every other day for a week. Healthy animals must be kept apart from affected ones. Carrier Pigeons MightOften be made Useful. Cai'i'ier pigeons have been employed for some time by Dr. Harvey, of Berlin, as assistants. In going tmt on practice the doctor takes sev- eral birds along with him in a small basket, and after seeing a patient, ties the prescrip- tion I'ouiul the neck of one of them and libei'- ates him, when he flies straight home to the sm*gei".y, where the meiiicine is prepared and sent to the patient without loss of time. Should any patient be very ill, and an early report of his condition be desired by the physician, a bird is left with him to bring the later tidings. This use of these birds, seems to show that in many cases they might be used to advantage. A Berlin paper reports the death of a parrot in Paris at the age of one hundi'ed years. Since the government of Napoleon III it is said to have spoken very little. Sunflower seed makes a good addition to the food for hard-billed, seed-eating birds, sucli as all classes of cardinals, grossbeaks, parrots, cockatoos, etc. In selecting globes for gold flsh, choose those with thin glass. oviltry. How to get Eggs in Winter. When hens fail to lay in the winter, it is be- cause they ai'e not fairly treated. Suitable feed and shelter should start pullets in laying this month, and to be kept nij steadily through the cold season. The difference in the actual cost of keeping over in good condition for lay- ing, andof keeping them in a halfway condition, ought not to be above a fraction of the increase in the income that attentLs good cai'e, through the high prices winter eggs always command. To induce winter laying, rests chiefly, but not wholly with the feetling. The staple food of Indian corn is unequalled for furnishing heat and fat, but is deficient in albumen and phos- phates. For some breeds like the Asiatics it is rather too fattening. Wheat is a more perfect food , as it is also preferred Ijy fowls, when they have a choice of both. A mixture of the two is desirable, with some oats added for a change. There must be at least some variety in the grain fed, for the best results. In addition to grain animal food is needed. Where milk in any shape is at hand, it is one of the best of foods. Refuse from the butchers, scrap cake and oft'al from the flsh market fiu'- iiish valuable material for making eggs. We at one time h,ad access to a slaughter house, where hogs lungs coulil be had by the bushel basketful, briven to the hens the)' were tle- voured with avithty, and aided in the return of large yields of eggs in the winter. To feed an- imal lungs, they should have a string tied tightly around the middle, and be hung on strong nails. Then the hens can easily eat them, but if thrown in loose they cannot. Vegetable food in some form is also necessary. Potatoes and turnips boiled and mashed with Indian meal is hard to equal. Cabbage is always acceptable, and where there is an ab- sence of other vegetables, provision should be made each season, to have a good stock laid up for the fowls in winter. For lack of ever)' kintl of green vegetables, not a bad substitute may be hatl in clover hay. Those who have never fed this will be sui-prised to .see how fond fowls are of it, at this .season. If fowds have the run of the grounds, and there is no snow laying, they will manage to pick up some green food outside ; this should not be too much counted on. But to aid in the grinding of the food that is going on in the gizzard, and also to afford material for the formation of egg-shells, it must not be forgotten to provide laying hens with small gravel aiitl grit, broken bones, shells and the like. They should have free access constantly to all they will care to consume of such things. Properly fed, and kept in a warm, well-lighted and well-ventilated house during the winter, and hens will not fail to lay well. Provisions for heating the house a little during the coldest weather, is a form of expenditure that repays amply for the outlay, however warm the' house may otherwise be. No Small Matter. Too often we fail t^i realize how impoidant a part, the egg product plaj's in the food supply and commerce of our land. On this point Mr. C. P. Dewey sometime since, contributeii some interesting figures to the American Arp-icul- furist, from which we condense the following : Five million dozen of eggs are annually im- ported from the Dominion of Canada alone. The egg import from Em'ope is also large. Eggs pay no duty, and when we reflect, that this product comes from millions of humble sources — the poultry yards of small farmers — and that it is only the surplus that goes to market, we may well wonder, where and how the billions of eggs consumed in the United States are produced. It is probable that the egg consumption of our fifty million inhabit- ants is not less than three billion a year, at a valuation of from twenty -five to thirty millions of dollars. There are " egg trains " on the rail- roads of the northern frontier. The import of eggs at Ogdensburg alone, was valued at one hundi'ed and fifty thousand dollars for the last fisc.al year. At Buffalo and in two districts in Maine, nearly thi'ee times this traffic in im- ported eggs is done. These eggs are taken from the original packages, carefully examined by candle or lamp light, ami then repacked, the defective eggs being laid aside. If transporta- tion is not immediate, the eggs are placed in colli storage warehouses, where the temperature is a few degrees above freezing, anil there kept until shipped. About Turkeys and Fattening Them. A better illustration of the turkey in his prime, is seldom seen than the artist and print- er have set forth in the accompanying engrav- ing. How it came about that this noble American bird, which receives so much atten- tion during our holiday feasts, was given its present name is not known. Some suppose that it arose through a mistaken idea wdien first in- troduced into England, that the bird came from Turkey. But his meat is as sweet and tooth- some, and the profits he affords to his raisers as acceptable under this, as any other name. Those who raise turkeys are well aware that the critical time in the life of the fowl, is in the chick state. Indeed so much peril is associated with the rearing of young turkeys, that many Persians maintain that all things consiilered, the matter of profit in growing them is very ques- tionalile. AVe think this is one of those things which depend largely upon circumstances. When these are of such a chai'acter as to iiermit of some special care being given, the raising ot turkeys for market becomes a decidedlj' profit- able business. As a rule the housewife succeeds best in the management of poultry, and the turkeys usually tall to her share as a special perquisite. At the present season we have to do with preparing turkeys for mai'ket, rather than with the difficulties of early mouths. Chickens that were hatched early, wiU be large enough to fat- ten this fall, while with older ones this process may be well under way now, for nieeting the demand of Thanksgiving day. For fattening, Indian corn should be chiefly relied upon. By the addition of some oats, gi-inchng both of these grains into a meal, and scalding this with hot sweet milk, a food that fattens quickly is obtained. The atldition of some boiled potatoes or roots to the diet once a da)% will iiniu-ove digestion with goixl effect. Turkeys are gross feeders and lovers of variety ; almost anything that would ordinarily get into the pig trough, will prove acceptable to them. Ply the feeding freely and often. Especially in the last three weeks of his life, there must be no stint in pruyidmg corn. A lean turkey will not bring a fat price. 1885. POPULAR GARDENING. CONDENSED POULTRY NOTES- Long iicrks sliow inferiority. Fowls dou't pay stingy feeders. Spare some wlieat for baekuaril chicks. Give soft food in the inorniii}^. liard at nijfht. In France inoval>le i>ouItry houses are popular. Hen manure when dry loses httle strenj^th with a^e, Pick out the l)est cockerels for stock, market tlie othei"s. Small potatoes niay he turned into larj^e ej^j^s, by feeding- Delay is especially dangerous, when ai>plied to puttint^ coops in order. In our 3'ard we notice the cocks displa.^■ the ego- tism, the liens the eggs. Don't go into the winter with a flock of fine fowls, and a miserable cold house. Air-slacked lime is a simple and elticient deodor- izei- about the hen house. Use it frequently. Closeness of the poultry hovise is important in winter, but it must not be at the ex- pense of good ventilation. Where lime in every other forui is unavailable for fowls, bone-dust or even pulverized chalk mixed with the food will answer. The product of one hen for a slKirt time will pay for Pop- ixAR Gardening for a year. Really, at such a price you cannot afford to be without it. Suppose you subscribe now, while the thought is on your mind. To be a raiser of fancy poul- ti-y. there is one thing more im- portant than some others to lie ' and tie the wings and legs, and hang them alive one after another on a pole. When a few are thus sus- pended, take a sharp knife and sever the head of each fowl closely, letting them hang afterwai'ds threi' Ut three and a half feet apart and twelve tt^ eighteen inches in the rf)ws. I cultivate with a horse when 1 lind the hoe is too tedious. Such a distance between the ro«s atToi;*l*«-H»itu»tilent space for the coops of hens with, tlii-irlDroOds. ""Yhti-iJlants make excellent shade aufl Up- occasitMKiJ i,idliv;ni4.'U gives the chicks fresh w^i^ih t»j enjoy themsehxs in. When the seeds jV* ^"'^'^"'''Vly ripmed f.jr fo<)U, 1 bend the stalks o^tlu* smaller/ J'njads over; so tftv (lowers will hang ih^x^T Uvelve ificljeH'/rotii Jht*. gruunil. Tliis allows nu.'Cliiwks and fowls ti»dot heir I own harvesting of these; but leaves Uie larger ones' to'i'i]H'n fidly. when thi-y may begalbered treshod with a Hail, run through the fanning luUl^.auil kept for future u.se. No other food will at al! compare with them to pi'<.dii<-e eggs or to give a tine glossy plumage. No wonder THE AMERICAN TURKEY. [See Opposite page.] until all the blood is out of them. If the fowls are to be shipped, plucking the feathers should be done di-y, conunencing at once while the body is still warm. Pidl a few at a time, the way the featheis lay and they will come easily. Let the birds hang until cold, when they should be wiped with a damp cloth. For marketing near home, the fowls may be more easily cleaned of feathers by first dipping in scalding water, for not over five seconds. By this course they will not keep so well, but will look plumper, because of the skin shrinking slightly. The fat on the surface is also melted, perhaps by this jjrocess, for by it the birds take on a clean, yellow look, wln'ch is attractive. The Sunflower for Poultry. This stately, if somewhat coarse looking plant, has some claims on the attention of those who keep poultry, aside of its use for ornament, in the value of the seed for feeding. The (juick growth of the plants, and the ample shade they soon afford if planted where fowls assemble, is also an argument in their favor. An enthusiastic grower of the plant in coimection \\ ith poultry keeping, thus speaks of it in the September Poultry Journnl: As a shae contracted. The wise course is to be on the alert with careful, systematic feeding, according to the actual needs of the case. But to feed carefnily, anil then neglect proper sheltei- from chilly or wet fall weather, would not be wise. Shelter shoidd accompany the feeding. Swarms <»f bees to be wintered in the cellar should be taken in during this month. Thej- should be dis- turbed as little as possible in the moving. Once in jilace, the covei" sliouM be taken olT the hive and a piece of carpet ov other coarse clitth. that will admit ofthcescapeofmoisture.be thrown over instead. If the cellar be dark, well ventilated, and of a tem- perature within live degrees above or below 42* Fahrenheit, the bees will need ver>- little care until April. So long as they are ipiiet they are all right. if ivstle.ss and loud bu//ing proceeds from the hive, allowing them to Hy *ni the fii-sl warm, pleasant day is desirable. 24 POPULAR GARDENING. November, "^e Household How to starch and Iron Shirt Bosoms. To a neat and painstaking liousewife, few things are more exasperating, than to have the starching of shirt bosoms not turn out well. The applying of the starch is au important pai-t of the work. Some succeed with cold starch, but a better course is to nse hot aud cold both. If a little more work to use both, this is repaid by a handsomer and more lasting finish to the bosom, and there will rarely be a shirt to go back into the wash. In using both hot and cold starch, the for- mer is applied first, allowing it to ch*y before using the other. For the hot starch, count on a teaspoonful of good di'y starch for each bosom. It should not be made very thick, and iu applying, the hotter it can be put on the Ijet- ter. Of this i>repared starch, spread on a table- spoonful at a time, rubbing in well before put- ting on more. Apply first on the right side and later from the under side, keeping at it iintil the linen will take up no more, with- out showing a mussed appeai'ance. tThe starch must be well rubbed in, if it is not, the iron will stick, and sjiecks and blisters appear. Following on this, the shirt shctuld be di'ied, after which the cold stai'diing may l_)e done. In making uj) a batch of cold starch for use ahead, as should always be done, the following well tested receipt, will provide enough to last for some months. Take two ounces borax, one ounce white laumii-y wax, one teacup wa- ter, three cups of starch. Dissolve the borax and wax in the water, sufficiently heated for the purpose, but not so hot as to scald the starch ; into this mix the starch after pulver- izing aud passing it through a flour seive. Dry on platter ami keep iu box. In using, take a teaspoonful of this preparelanted t Every home with a quarter of an acre or upwards of lawn and garden, ought to have its Shrulibery Walk or some clumps of shrubs. The gotxl qualities of shrubs for orna- menting grounds, can be summed up in a very tew words. They cost but little money to begin with, they transplant and start into gi'owth easily; they develop into beauty almost in one season; they possess the quality of permanency; they require hai'dly any cai'e. What other ornamental growths, can excel them in as many ))ar- ^-»A, \ ticulars as these named ; ^^ Deveiiihei- 18. Last night we hauled out the straw mats to protect the lower end of the cool gi'eenhouse from a peneti'a- tiug ''Norea-ster" that had spnmg up before dark. The almost inunediate result of this course, was a rise of .5 or (J in the temiierature, a point we aimed to gain, for the Christnuis bulbs in this part of the house, to hurrv them along into bloom. * * * I sometimes question whethei- the value of outside i)rott'ction to gla.ss is well undei-stood. In times of storm, or in cold damp weather, when the fires burn poorly and si"emt'ing a drculai- space about S feet across on a lawn. The mound is shapely and rises about 3 feet above the sm'f ace at its highest point. The Periwinkle forms a solid mass of foliage, which with being of a much darker shade of gi'een than is the grass, presents a contrast that is decided- ly pleasing. AVhen the plants are in bloom the mound looks still handsomer. This kind of an embellishment is one thatisnotonly most read- ily made, but one that is actually less trouble to care for, than the same sjiace devoted to grass would be. * I am satisfied from long experience that more plants are injured bj^ having the pots too large than too small. This is especially true in the eai'ly winter season when plant growth is in- active. More than once I have taken plants in band for treatment that were not thriving at all well at the time. But by knocking them out of the pots, reducing the balls of earth about two-thirds, and repotting into pots several sizes smaller than they stood in before, using good earth, they have conmienced to improve quickly and well. The main trouble was found in the fact that the pots had been too large. THE HOUSE PLANTS. To keep the window plants vigorous through this month of much cloudy weather, dark days, and cold, is a sure test of a grower's ability. With tlie coming of January, there may be no less cold— in fact there will be an increase of cold, but with it there will also be more sunshine, a condition the lack of which, can never be made up for by artificial means, while heat in a measm'e can be. Let growers not therefore begi'udge any extra pains that plants maj' now take, for the better the health of these now, the larger will be the reward when the time of more natural growth again comes. Adiantums ^r Maiden Hair Ferns, succeed quite readily in the window, with the same care that any ferns need. They requu'e no direct sunshine. Christmas Roses or Hellebores that were lifted in the fall, will blortni freely, in a cool window. Cobcea Scandens. Few plants succeed better in the house: its worst enemy, green tty, nmst be guarded against closely at all times. Callas ought to be ^crowing with vigor, and if so- will need plenty of water. This plant, let us not forget, is a s\ib-aquatic, hence, little in danger from over-watering; more, of not being watered enough. The saucers may have water much of the time. Chrysanthemums after bloom. may be removed to any place where there is little or no frost; if the temiieratiu-e is low enough to prevent growth, light is nut needed. Here they may remain until spring. Cytisus kept in a cool place, not too dark, suc- ceeds well; much heat with dryness of air invites the red spider. The plant blossoms in the spring. Dutch Bulbs of the earlier kinds, like Komau Hyacinths and Due Von ThoU TuUps, that were pot- ted early in October ought now to be near bloom; all of the early batch should be in heat. Hyacinths like sun; Tulips get along well with little light. High heat suits neither of tliese, or anj' others of this class, as well as does a temperature of So*". But there must be no frost. Admit air freely, it will promote a sturdy gi-owth that will assure fine, enduring flowers. Growing bulbs, need more water than the average of plants. Manure or soot water applied as the shoots develop will help the bloom. Fresh air. Natural light and heat both lack somewhat now. but fresh air, so important to plants, is not lacking. See that the collection receive a plenty in all mild weather; even when the weather is cold, some should be admitted. One reason why plants do so well in kitchens, is that the oft-opened outside door admits fresh air freely, here. Fuchsias nmst not be crowded. Give g^rowing plants plenty of pot room, with light, rich soil. Hyacinths in Glasses. It is yet time to start these. The single varieties are preferable to the doubles. Low glasses that are broad at the base are better than tall ones, because less liable to be upset: the flowei-s can be better supported in them also. Colored glasses suit root growth better than clear ones do. but the roots in the latter can be so much better seen, that a few of these are also desii'able. To start, fill with soft water to near the base of the bulb, when in its place. Set in a cool, dark closet, but where no frost entei"s. for four or six weeks, after which bring to light. Inspect the gla.sses oc- casionly from the first, reijlacing any water that may have been lost by evav>oration. Charcoal in small pieces in the water tends to keep it pure. Insects. For small collections, we have gi-eat faith in the thumb-nail as a remedy against all kinds. But on some plants, hke the Stocks or Gilly-Howers, Callas, etc., they get into the buds and ilowers. and cannot be easily reached. Then we use tobacco dust on the pests, such as can l>e had at the cigar shops for almost nothing, and nm through a fine sieve for the sittings. This proves very effective. Lily of the Valley brought in after it has had frost, will grow and fiower well in the window. Mignonette. Keep the soil open by stirring the surface occasionally. The nearer to light the better. Over-Watering. There is some danger of this now when plant growth is not rapid. Geraniums and Primroses are especially susceptible to injury from this. Whenever we are called to look at plants of these that are ailing, we expect to see the cause, in too much water given, and are rarely disappoint- ed. Do not however run into the other extreme. I Palms. All these if suitable in size, succeed well in the window. Keep the foliage perfectly clean. Propagation. There may be slips suitable to root, of (ieraniunis, Fuchsias. Verbenas, iUyssum, etc : put in now. these will be strong plants by spring. ' Stapelias must be kept dry now like Cactuses. Stocks sown this month will tlower by next April. Violets. Remove the runners and all dead leaves. Washing Plants. This is such a desirable thing ' to do. and to do often, that we urge it frequently. For the task, a Drenching Board like the one here- with figured, is very useful. No explanation is needed beyond giving this cut, save to name the dimensions. A good size is 2 ft. liigh at the rear, with the front so that a pail can stand beneath to catch the water. The board may be IH in. wide at the upper end, and a little narrower further down. With such a board, there is no excuse for dirty plants. LAWN AND FLOWER GARDEN. Evergreens. Small globe-headed Arbor Vitres, and other kinds, often suffer in winter from snow settling into their tops, dividing them. A shed made of two boards to form a letter V. and this inverted over any such, will prevent this, and prove a good protection otherwise. Where fine Evergi-eens are much exposed to the wind, a screen across the path of the prevailing winds, will be of good seiwiee. Fountains and artificial plant aquariums must have no water in the basins over winter to freeze and injure them. A shed of boards should also be placed over them to keep out wet and snow. It is well to bank up around these to prevent injury to the masonry from severe freezing. Hardy Flowers. Ifs a mistake to think that hanly jjlants need no winter pi'otection; they will live without it. but their growth and bloom will be better next year for covering the roots now. Nature sets us the ti-ue example: each faU she sheds down leaves as a winter cover to the roots of plants and trees in the ground. Hay or leaves form the best material for this purpose; they may be applied to a depth of several inches. Lawns that need mamuing, as all do occasion- ally, may be treated now to advantage. But where it is objectionable to have manure laying all win- ter, as near the house, the applying may be deferred until spring, with fair results. The best manure is that which is so old, as to give oif no bad smell, and so fine that nothing remains to ever rake away. Roses. The Bengal and Bourbon sections among the Monthlies, maybe wintered where they stand in most sections with safety, by attention to covering. This is best done, by taking a spadeful of earth away, next to the plant on one siiie, depositing it close to the hole on the side away from the bush. Then bend over the plant in the direction of the hole, and cover it with a small m<.»und of earth, or else with sod, the grass side up. Tea-roses cannot be protected to live in the open ground during winter, in the Northern States. Hybrid Perpetuals should be cared for as directed for recently planted shrubs, imder Shrubbery. Hyb- rid Teas need the care prescribed for the Bengals. Shrubbery. For appearance sake, if nothing more, the surface of cultivated shrubberies should be pointed over (spaded shallow) in the fall. There is also no better time for applying a coat of manure, if the growth made by the shrubs the past season shows this is needed. Use onlj- well decayed manure ; any with straw in it is apt to invite mice and this will lead to trouble, by their girdling the shrubs. Recently planted shrubs, should have their branch- es protected with straw, and their roots sheltered by some kind of cover for several wintei-s at least, after planting. It is easy to straw them up neatly and well. Bring the branches closely together by the use of strong twine, then set straight straw closely around, binding with twine. Bend over the Ujp of the straw, to bring it under the upper circle of twine. In renovating old shrubberies, cut out all dead wood, and trim the plants according to their require- ments, to prevent the forming of a jungle. Trellises, Stakes, Vases and fixtures that are movealtle, as a rule, should be brought under cover for the winter. To repair and paint them is in order. Walks. A single line of plank, a foot or more wide, run along the center of these, for the winter, is a decided improvement. Be prompt in keeping all walks and drives that are used and especially street walks, cleared of snow. If the work is hired done, or any way. let it be attended to very early in the morning, both to accomodate early passera, and to prevent the snow being tramped, hindering the clearing. PLANT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. Achyranthes. See directions for Alternanthera. Alternantheras and similar heat -loving bedding lilants kept up for stock to propagate from, must have fair attention in these coldest months. Usually such are grown with the greatest ease, if but a tem- perature of 60° is provided and common treatment besides. If much young stock is wanted in the spring, propagation may begin at once to the extent of all good cuttings, not taking them close. Alyssum wanted strong in the spring, should now be propagated either from seeds or cuttings. Camellias. Water moderately; too much or too little water at the root, is a common cause of the discouraging trouble of buds dropping. This plant does not soon show diyness, for the leaves never Hag from this or any other cause. Too much wet at the roots causes the root fibers to become in jiu-ed, hence, impaired and disaster to the fiower buds is quite sure to follow. If the pots are over -large, this DRENCHING BOARD. last named condition is also liable to be met. Lightly sprinkling the plants three or four times a week, is a necessary course at this season. Carnations. These useful flowers should now be in full bloom. They cannot tolerate much shade for best results. When bedtled under glass as is now usually done in commercial houses, there is some danger of keei^ing too wet at the root. In pot cul- ture, they do not care for larger pots than about six inches across. An occasional dose of liquid manure or lime water, is of great benefit. Centaureas or Dusty Millers continue to be popu- lar. The species Candida, both in young and old plants, is now liable to injiu*y from over-watering. Cinerarias. Given a moderate tempeiature, say 45 degrees at night, a light place, plenty of air, and ample space and pot room, and no plants are easier to grow or more rewarding for the trouble required than these. But while on the one hand they cannot stand heat, on the other a frost injures them quickly. Coleus, Observe directions for Alternanthera. Ferns. These requu-e no shading overhead from now on. Adiantums delight in warmth, but it must not be at the expense of too little fresh air. Because they love moisture, it is often too freely applied in the way of syringing. Keep near the glass. Fuchsias. Winter-flowering ones should be en- couraged by ample pot room, fertihty and free watering. Strong plants trained to the roof, for having the fiowera danghng from above, have a charming effect. Start up spring and jnununer flowering plants, cutting them back and shifting into fresh soil, using small pots to commence on. 1 885- POPULAR GARDENING. 27 Geraniums. Propagration of thes** in all sorts, fderate heat, and keeping moderately wet. Temperature. Aim at uniformity: respect the needs of the majority. In almost everj- plant- hoiise a considerable variation in the heat is found in different parts. Place the heat-lovers in the warmest i)arts, and so on. If separate apartments are had for the Stove or Hot-house plants and for the Green-house plants— and this is the best way- aim at from 00° to 70° for the former and about 45° to 50'^ for the latter at night. Verbenas. The directions for Geraniums apply. old stocks that were housed before freezing weather. After grafting, pack the grafted stock in boxes of earth in the cellar until spring. A jirejudice is afloat against root -grafted trees: there is reason in this, as applied to grafts upon pieces of root; not so when graftelant. Whatever system of priming is ailopted. let it be re- membered that there is more danger of not pruning enough, than of over-pruning. Also that the object of pruning shoiUd be to secure strong shoots fo?" bearing, and to replace these annually by new ones. After pnining. the vines should be laid down and covered as directed for Raspberries. above f»0° should be kept up in the daytime, but this may be allowed to fall to i't' or even less in secure weather at night. Plants for late fruiting should !>e in the pit. freezing that will not break the pots will do them no hiu't if it iseonlinuotis. FRUIT GARDEN AND ORCHARD. Now that the work of the year is about all done , in this department, it is a good time to look back over the results of the season, and forward to mak- ing improvements. It should be remembered that \ the best success here usually attends the greatest degree of practical intelligence appUed; new ideas concerning kinds and methods should be sought in the winter's leisure, by visiting and consulting other fiiiit growers, by reading horticultural l)ooks and periodicals, ete. In communities where the inter- j est in fruit culture is somewhat general, a Fruit i Urowei-s" Club is a good thing; now is a proper time to establish it. Let it be largely informal in 1 its character and methods. Let the meetings be held once or twice a month at the houses of in- terested persons,— then the social features will also ' aid in strengthening the work. Manuring. Whether the orchard is kept culti- vated or in grass, it needs a hgbt dressing of ma- nure every year for best results. This is the best month for ai>plying, by top dressing. Let it be fine j and old. Composts are excellent. ; Peach trees when young, can readily be pro- tected by digging on one side of the tree, taking some earth out from under the body, then cutting some of the roots, bending down the tree and peg- ging it to the earth. Then the roots should be heavily covered with soil and the top either with soil or straw, the former we think the l)est, in light soils. Trees as high as ten feet have l»een thus cov- ered every year, with the result of bearing heavy crops of fruit even in the North. Pests. Mice and rabbits injure and kill nuiny yomig trees each winter by gnawing the bark. Wi-ap tarred felt around the trunks to prevent this. Baspberries niay yet be protected if it was nreak them, in the direction of the row. and cover slightly with earth. One man can do the work. but two men will doit more than twice as fast. Root grafting is work for the w inter season, as it is done in the house upon the roots of oue-year- VEGETABLE GARDEN. Cabbage and Cauliflower Plants. < »n raising these next spring, see article elsewhere in this issue. A main part to observe now. is to prepare the soil of the seed bed before winter. The land can hardly be made too rich. Apply a heavy coat of old tinely- divided manure, either as a top dressing or by spad- ing it in. Fresh manure will not answer for the purpose. Celery. In the Middle States and further south, the directions of last month may apply. In the North thetrvnchesshoul I receive their final covering. Composts and manure should now be aceumu- lated into heaps, and worked over occasionally, so as to be in proper condition for the lanlants. but merely to prevent too severe freezing and injury from exposure to wind. On all mild days admit air freely. Cucumbers. Seed sown in Septeml>er will bear by Januar\- and later, in a suitable temperature. Their culture in winter re'iuires a bottom heat of nearly 70°. produced by the use of leaves with a slight addi- tion of stable manure; a t<-)p heat of 70° at m'ght and 80° in the pen in suitable weather to bring them into rest. Lettuce. Plenty of ventilation on all fine days must be afforded, and all decayed leaves must be picked off the plants as observable, for if left they will souii cause damp. Strawberries. When flower stems api>ear the plants shouhl go to the lightest and most aity place of the house, that the plants may not become tlrawn. and to favor fertilization of ttie Howei-s. Water only enough to promote healthy growth and syringe the plants in the foreut»on of bright days. A heat of This being thf People's PafKr it is open to all their In- quires, bearing on Oardening. On the otht-r hand, ansirers to published inquirea art fiimfstlu requested from readers. The editors and sjiecial contrihutOTV am ready to do a Inrge shitre 0/ (ht- tuisteering, but the experience of many being nmre vaiua/>le thnn of thrfcic, hotrt-ver tytried that is. and coudit ions and li^ralitieit bt-ing so different, they pr^er to receive ansicers, even several of them to the name quet tion, from readers eferywhere. Don't hesitate to write because you may feel you are nojlne writer; give facta and ideas and the editors teilt see that they appear tn credi- table shape. In writing, give the number of the question you are an- stpering; your locality and uarnt; the latter not for publica- tion unless you desire. M'riteonly on one side of the pajter Flowers will be gladly named pi-ovided first, thatnomorr than three be sent at one time. Second, that these be fully prepaid. Third, that several specimens of each reach us in good shape. We cannot umlt-rtake to name florists' varie- ties, 12.— Chrysanthemums. Please state how long a rest potted plants ..f these need, and should they be allowed to get dust ed in a much shaded yard? Mrs. Bell. M'ln/nt.shoro, Pa. IS.— Cissus discolor. I have been told that this plant renuires nuich heat, but does it want sun or shade l)esides: J. E. Wales, IVabash. hid. Ui. -Cactus. What will make my Cactus bloom? It is four years old and never had a tlower. Rainbow, ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES- 5.— Plants for an Invalid. Plants easily grown in a window, are English, (Jei'uum and Kenilworth Ivies. Tradescanthia can lie grown in water. Cfilxea. a vine, will be veiy satisfactorj". Geraniums, when well started, simply need watering now and then. Sister Gracious. 0.— Cpleus in the House. This can be easily raised in the window, if only care is t-aken against frost. Mme succeeded well' on a shelf half waj- up the window. The dark red-leaved kind is the "best to winter. Si.'^ter (iRAciot's. 5.— Plants for an Invalid. The Begonias in var- iety are among the easirst grown and the most sat- isfactory plants both in f<)liage and flowers. They bear the close, hot atmosphere of our coal-heated rooms acUnirabiy: they are of neat habit and orna- mental, aside from the blossoms. The Cyclamen is a lieautiful bulbous plant: with embroideretl leaves and curious tiownrs r.n long stems. Freesias grown in clumps in a hanging pot. are lovely. H3'acintbs are very easUy grown in pots or glasses, and are so sweet and lovely. 1 would not fail to have them. 10.— Lachenalia. These should be potted in Oc- tober, in light tibrous soil with a little sand inter- mixed and watered m. tdt^rately. They bloom in the winter. After tlowering. they need to be watered until the foliage Ix-^ins to ttu'u yellow. They should be kept in the soil. dry. during the summer. Mr.s. M. D. Wellcome. Yanii'mth. Mt . 0— Plantain Lilies not Blooming. I would sug- gest that Mrs. H C. F. lift her plants early next spring, divide each one int«i three or four and reset in fresh soil, A. H. K. 7.— Night Smelling Jasamine. it will keep all winter in a room oi- greenhituse that is moderately warm. It is set out in May and flowers steadily through the season. .Shps "grow easily in a wann propagating bed. A, H. K. s.— Tuberous Begonias. After flowering, the tulHn*s may In- Kurii-d in dry sjind or earth and win- tered in any out of the-way place, where it d(»ejs not freeze. M. F. Wallace. .Yr"- Lisbou. O. 11.— Hardy Ivy. We should exi)ect the Irish Ivy to be hardv at .iaeksun. Mich., if grown in good soil imthf north side of n l.uiMing. Kn.s. P. (i. i-i. -Chrysanthemum, in resting iiot chrjsanthe- nuuns we would not allow them to become dust drv. although m-arlv so. They do not need light when at rest. To rest them until April is not to*3 long, ludess you looming plants cannot get too nincli. Write to Popular Gardening about y plants. The Feverfews or Pyi-ethrums are natives of the Caucasus mountains. Autumn feeds spring, through the richness that comes from the leaf crop. About a hundred species of AiliKiitiiin in- Maiden hair ferns are known. In potting, the hnnps should go to the bottom, of the pots, the ttne earth above it. We would like the showy fruiting Jerusalem Cherry l>etter. but for its unplea.sant odor. Boom Gardening. When Bachelor's Buttons are being sewed (on) by the wearers themselves. Who ever bestows a second look on the pots of artificial flowers, handsome as they may be; Room Plants have one enemy not knowii to the greenhouse, namely, dust. Easily van- qitished. You need the Floral Note Book offered on the next to la-st page, a-s a gift to new subscribers until Christmas day. The language of flowers was never better ap- plied than to the Mignonette, "Moral worth superior to beauty. " Soft-wooded plants shoidd stand nearest to the light, the hard-wooded ones, liack, if all cannot have equal light. Why paint the flower pots '! They are both better and more becoming to the eye, in the natin-al color of burnt clay. The Tomato is still known as the Love Apple in England and Germany, a name once com- mon for the fruit in this country. Chrysanthemum Shows were held with great success in several cities, during the past month. It's ea.sy to get up enthusiasm for this flower. Have you a friend, near or far away, who might like this paper? Kindly send us the ad- dress and we will mail a cojiy for examination. Imagine the sight of this earth stripi)ed of ever}' vestige of plant life, you who say " who cares for looks," when tn'ged to set out some flowers or trees. A young poetess told her " secret to the sweet Wild Rose." This was imprudent. Soon the sweet wild rose will "blow" and then she'll wish she had kept her secret. To be or not to be healthy, has much to do with plants being free or otherwise from insects. Certainly insects may appear on the healthiest of plants, but notice that they are the thickest on the weak subjects always. Clubs are easily made up for this paper. Its lieauty, worth and price do the business, wliere there is only someone to help the matter along a little. Reader, will you not see what you can do for it among your friends ? The pleasure to be derived from gardens is by no means measured by their size. A well- flUed bay-window may cc mtain more real inter- est than a lar-ge gi-eenhouse. A quarter-acre garden than a ten acre park. Some plants in the garden should have a change of position every year. This is especially true of Verbena-s anil Daisies; when there is failure with these plants, it is almost always because the soil is Verbena-sick or Daisy-sick. Shrubs, If we had room for Imt one free-growing flowering shrub, it shoidd be a Weigela; if for two, a Golden Bell or Forsythia should be added, and if three, we would take in the Large-pan iclci I Hydrangea besides. If those having a lawn to sow, think that no grass but j> mixture will answer, they are mistaken. One kind alone, say the Kentucky Blue Grass, usually gives the best of results. Do not understand by this that Popular Gardening opposes good mixtures. One high American authority declares, that it does not matter whether the water used on plants in winter is cold or not. We differ. Experience ha.s shown us that plants do better with the water at the same temperature as the room, in which they grow, than if colder. Starch has not always been the common and inexpensive article it is to-day. We are told that in the time of Queen Elizabeth, the bulbs of the Blue-bell were used for starching the ruffs, then worn. The starch in these also served in- stead of paste and glue. The fresh bulbs of this plant are said to be poisonous. Mexicans are said to be very fond of flowers. Their gardens being brilliant with bloom, and their city markets thronged with flower sellers the year round. Many of their native plants being grown iu our greenhouse collections, it is not strange that the same as well a.s others, should be much made of at home. A sign. Many of the dry goods and furnish- ing stores of the larger cities now make an elaborate display of plants and flowers, at their annual openings. This is done because the public appreciate such efforts. Another sign of the spreading taste for gardening and its pro- ducts. Years ago such things were not done. The largest club of subscribers received from any person for Popular Gardening to date, numbered forty. Many of fifteen, ten and five subscribers each have reached us. We see by such efforts of our friends, that they are deter- mined to do their share, towards our getting .5(1,(1(111 subscribers in a j'ear. AVill not many more join in the good work ? Scale and Mealy Bug. These common of- fenders are best dealt with by being on picket duty against their approaches, and when any show up, kill. If they have made some headway to begin with, go at them with warm, almost hot soap suds and brush, cleaning them away entirely. If the water shows 12.5' of heat, it will destroy in a way that cold water cannot do. We told you so ! Concerning the new ship- ping lal)el for cut flowers to which reference was made iu the last ntnnber, Harry Chaapel, a wide-awake florist of Pennsylvania, wTites, "you hit the " Artistic Flower Tag " hard in the last number. I am with you, though I do think the design is handsome. One of our express- men read it " Free Flowers" at arms length." The Illustrated Garten Zietung, of Stuttgart, Germany, gave a chronn:> plate of a new Bego- nia, witli mottled leaves which remind one of Farfugium granai"ticalar information needed to suit pai'ticular cases. So whoever of our readers does not meet with just what he or she wants to know about gar- dening, in any of the other deiiartments, has only to ask tiu-ough this one, and an answer will be forthcoming. ITALIAN GRASS VASES. [See opposite page]. Heliotrope. Our friend " L. L." of Erie Co., New York, has related to us about her success with this plant a,s a winter bloomer. She starts with a rooted slip iu the summer. This is planted out in good soil: is pinched back occa- sionally and about the time of early frosts, is potted up for the winter. Result: Ample growth, plenty of flowers all throtigh the win- ter, and rarely an insect to be seen. The canes of verandah climbers, are not pleas- ing if left whipping and dangling about the posts and rails all through the storms of winter. Let them be taken down, be brought together, bound and then laid on the ground next to the foundation, until spring. Or if they ai'e too large for this, tie the loose ones up close to their supports where they are. Left loose, they slash about like the whip of an ox-driver, mak- ing impleasant sounds. Shall Popular Gardening have .50.(ill(i sub- scril lers by the end of one year .' That depends upon what you and you and you all around, who see it for the first time, shall say and do. We know there are .50,1(00 persons in this country who will take it when they but know of it. Are not you reader of these ; If so, let us enter your name at once. At the same time kindly send us the name of any friend who might be interested in the paper, that we may send to such person a specimen copy. iS85. POPULAR GARDENING. 29 A friend complains that her Lily of the Vallej- never Ijloc mis. Some iuquir}' has brought out the fact, that she each season mows off the foliage soon after the ordinary time of bloom. This is a mistake. A plant without leaves or with these imjjaired, is much like a person with lungs that are wasted by disease. There can be no healthy growth under such oouditions, and no wonder that Hi 1 wers are lacking. A good lesson to fix in the mind of children is that all (lowers, even the most common ones arc beautifid. Poets have ever delighted to honor the simple little primroses, snowdrops, \iolets, anil the like. More sweet verses have lieen a.scribed to wild-roses thanto thedouble-cui)pewn names. We often receive well written iettei's, that are jjerfectly legible until it conies to the name — usuallj' the most important part. This is dashed off in a free st}de, which may make it clear to those familiar with it, not so to strangers. A word to our lady correspondents: Please always write your name the same, — not Mrs. Elvira Smith one time and Mrs. Joshua Smith next. " We are coming." This is what hundreds of new suliscribers are saying right along in effect, in answer to the request we made for .50, ()()() subscriliers by the end of one year. But the quota is }'et so far from full, that we would urge many more to come. Look the paper over carefully, its contents, the quality of its reading, the engi'avings, the printing and then the jirice, you who have received a copy for the first time; If you love flowers and gardening or if you do not, can ytju afford to be without such a paper, at its low price i We need you as a I'eader; we think you neeii the papei'. The beauty of Popular Gardenini; apart from its reailing, has been widely noticed l>y the people and the press. For this we desire to render credit where credit is due. The printing is done by Messrs. Haas & Klein, of this city, who make a specialty of fine jjeriodical jirinting. Their «"t)rk speaks for them. Our spirited en- graved heading and most of the otiier original cuts used to einlielish our pages, are from the Art Printing Establishment of Matthews, Northrup & Co.. of Buffalo. This establishment, in a number of its departments, is widely ac- knowledged as standing at the head of Art Printing Works in America. A worthy namesake. We were glad lately to meet a most charming namesake, in volume one of Cirs Popular Gctrclt'tu'nr/^ issued by Cassell & Company, limited. New York and London. This is a liandsoine book of li^o large, double column pages, and several hundred en- FIG. 2. —RESULTS OF BAD PRUNING. (SEE PAGE 30.) gi-avings, inchidiug a beautiful chromo fi-ontis- piece of Roses. The work treats in clear and pleasing style of almost every conceivable sub- ject relating to flowers, fruits and vegetables. While it is an English work, and some of the directions may not be adapted to American practice as to details, still it must prove of great value to our people, in showmg them how in- telligent English gardeners manage. It is in every way a desirable book for Americans. Begonias of the sorts grown for winter flow- ers, are an attractive class of plants at this sea- son. The old sort usuallj- known as Carnea, (perhaps more correctl3- dipetalai of a delicate rose color is a favorite one, on account of its free blooming qualities. The flowers are un- equalled for cutting, to use in all arrangements of loose flowers. A varietj" of this one appar- ently, and called Incarnata, is in some places crowding out the other — it having advantages as a pot plant in being of dwarfer growth. The flowers are also of a deeper color, rendering them more attractive in the ej'es of some. Be- gonia Fuchsioides is an elegant pot plant, a little later than this, loaded as it will be with droop- ing cymes of bright scarlet-colored bloom. Grown as specimens for the dinner table, this sort is almost unequalled. Without good soil, no one can succeed in growing house plants well. We have little faith in clii]) dirt for plants for best results: we have great faith in what gardeners call " fi- brous loam " for the same pnipose. Those who live in the country, find it an easy matter to have a good lot of this artcle on hand at all tunes. City plant growers can procure the same of the florists at a small price per bushel. You maj' be sure they have it in stock if they know what is what: their bread and butter it might be said, depends upon whether the potting soil thej' use is full of fibers or not. How to get it up is told in a few words. Procure sods two or three inches thick, from a rich pasture lot, or from the roadside, at some spot where the earth is good. Stack it up in some out of the way place until wanted. Break this into pieces the size of acorns, and plants will find in it all the elements really needed to their existence. Or if it seems poor, add a little old fine manure. No need of nibbing siich soil through a fine sieve before using. Italian Grass Vases. These novelties in win- dow gardening, intrcxluced from Italy a year ago, are so charming and soea.sily managed, that they deserve attention here, Thi'ough the courtesy of Messi-s. A. H. Hews & Co., of North Caniliridge, Mass., who have come out with a handsome line of these vases in this country, we are able to give the engravings'opposite of two of them. To start these grass vases into gi'owth is a most simple matter. The va.ses being made of porous earthen ware, by filling them with water the clay is constantly moist on the outside. Now by sprinkling any kind of grass or other fine seeil over the vase it will adhere to the moist .surface, and will remain there so long as water is kept in the inside. AVliat follows is. that the .seed sprouts and gi-( tws, and in a short time there is a gi'een lawn-like object the jirecise shape of the vase. The whole affair is so iiretty and inexpensive, that it is not strange these have growii very popular in the large cities. The vases being small, are safely iirocnralile by mail ; those who sell them usually fui'nish seed for sowing gi'atis. Botanical names and Bugs. An editor of a milling journal pul>lished in Western New York is getting interested in gardening mat- ters, as a result of reading Popular Garden- ing. Some time ago, in visiting a neighboring town where lives an amateur gardener who has a large collection of plants, he early made an opportunity to call on this gentleman, and see, what was widelj' know, as a first-class garden. Now this respected editor and reader of P. G. as an enthusiastic seeker after gardening knowl- edge, walks with his eyes wide open. Here in this large and well kept gai'den he met many, to him, new and interesting sights. He saw before him a carrying out in part, of the gar- den he himself hoped some day to own. Being possessed of a quick and penetrating mind, as a result of long practice in looking fui'- ther into millstones, than most folks can do, om' friend arrived at man}' striking conclusions about gardening, in this one day spent in a fine garden. These things he stored up in his mind for future application in his own case. One conclusion soon reached, was the mani- fest potency of certain long and not easy to be remembered names, for keeping bugs away from plants. Here in this gai'den, at the side of nearly every one of hundreds of plants, wa.s a nice looking stake projecting about one foot out of the earth, and on this was painted in I clear letters some such words as DrlphiniuDi fonnosum, Ht'iiwrocallis Kwantio rarii'i/afit , Anthfi-ifVin lifittsfri'iii orthelike. Evei\yplant looked thrifty and perfect, as it stood out upon the well tilletl surface. And he noted with par- ticular interest that seemingly not a bug or worm was an^'where around. He remembered how at home, in a bed of six or seven plants in the back yard, there was no end of bugs, slugs and ' gruiis disporting over and fattening themselves on these, notwithstanding maii.y vigorous weeds, some as tall as the plants, which he hahosphate, at the rate of three pounds to five pounds to the square rod. Work it into the soil au inch or two deep, if convenient. If not, sow on the surface and trust to the rain washing it down to the roots of the plants. Winter Treatment of Onions. A warm place never answers in which to store onions over winter. Warmth will stai-t the bulb into gi'owth — a direct blow at its vital- ity for keeping. Onions keep much better in a frozen state, through the winter, provided the thawing out in the spring can Ije gradual, and provided further, that there is no liability of alternate freezing and thawing during this time. In a bai'u loft, covered with hay or straw a foot or more thick, the conditions for perfect keeping are well met. The onions should not be in lai-ge piles, l)ut rather in layers of not more than one foot through. Bj' this course of treatment, the risk of keeping is light in- deed, and those who a.ssume it, may expect a reward, in much higher prices in the spring, than if sales had l^een made before winter. Production of New Fruits From Seed. From that pai-t of Hon. Marshall P. Wilder's adih-ess, reail recently before the American Pomological Society's meeting, in which he spoke of the raising of new varieties of fruit from seed, we take the following: These ai'e the means, and the only means, provided for the improvement of our fruits. With a cai'eful study of the tendency of varie- ties, and a judicious selection of breeders, we shall go on to produce fruits which will be adapted to every part of our land where any species of fruit may be grown. When we see what nature has done without the aid of manipulation — in the cold regions of the North, as in Russia, from whence came the Oldenburg and Tetoftsky apples, the Black Tartarian cherry, and other good fniits, who can doubt our abilitj' to produce fine fruits even in tiie ct^lder regions of oiu' country ? The art of ci-ossing varieties for their improve- ment was scarcely known until our day, and see what wonders have been accomplished by it. Who can doubt that we may yet produce a pear with the richness of the Seckel, the form and size of the Bosc, and the vigor and productiveness of the Boussock. And so we may go on to improve other fruits, until all shall be made as perfect as ever were gi'own by "the grand old gardener of Eden." Can a coal-oil barrel be fitted for holding cider, vinegai', or the like J The American Afjrieultttrist in effect sa)'s " Yes, and ea,sily enough," in the following words : "Take one head out of the kerosene oil barrel, start a fire in the bottom, and put a bushel of dry straw or long shavings in to keep it burning long enough to draw tlie kerosene out of the wood ; let it burn a few minutes, and just before the wood commences to burn, turn the open end to the gi-ound, and the flames will be smothered. Use the barrel for water a couple of weeks, put the head in again, and they ai'e read)' for cider or anything else one chooses to put into them. The barrels will be worth double the price of common ones. Of course the other head should have simihir treatment." An Ohio amateur gooseberry grower succeeds in gi'owing very fine fruit, both in size and quality, on a cool, clay soil, keeping the plants open in the centre bj' pruning. AVhen they start into growth in the spring he immediatelj' disbuds, to pi"event them from becoming too dense, and thus admits a free circulation of ail-. He mulches heavily during the sununer. With this ti-eatment he is little troubled with mildew. The Russian Apricot according to the Or- chard tiiitt (rardcti is more than a mere novelty. It says; " It is the only good apricot which we ever have been able to fruit in this latitude in the orchard or open field. Other varieties do well enough in the South, but it woiild not pay to plant them in Northern states. The Russian apricot succeeds anywhere where our conunon fruits grow. " If you have fresh fruit to ship a long distance, and especially fine specimens, by first wrapping each specimen in paper which has lieen soaked in salicylic acid it will cany the safer for it. If to be shipjjed very far, use double thickness. We say this cm the authority of Professor Budd. A Grape vine wliich from old age yields in- ferior fruit, and little at that, niaj' be rejuve- nated in measure by cutting it clean away to the ground and manuring freely at this season. Result: next year new shoi^q^^^xau c i~^-i I ES >'i:7— The rose said to the Hly: "'Thou must Iiow Thyself in holj" reverence to me; For it is I. ahout whose scented brow The purest love is twined so Ki'ii<-*i'>"sly" The lily said: " To nie is beauty given - Love is thine alter, iiinueenee my shrint-- Death stole my blush, and addiiiic it to thine. Hath fitted thee for earth, and me for heaven." The poet said: ■■' Sweet sisters, oh, be still: To eaeh of ye was given a separate birth. To each a separate and an envied worth. Then bloom both rose and lily: bloom and till The air with all your purity and love: Earth's harmony, oh, rose, fair lily, life above." —Tapley. Carnations are staple. The fringy sweet Stevia is in. Flowers blush without crime. Violets signify modesty in floral language. The broken wheel as a funeral design is in use. The florists, dream of Holiday orders and fat imrses. Look out famous old ''.lack " Ritse: yomig Wni. Bennett means to push you bard! Now that flower's are scarce, take a lesson in not crowding lliem, till their beauty is largely gone. For trimming' the casket of au aged person, gar- lands of Ivy leaves around the outside, are appro- jiriate. An autumn effect in tluwers recently made, con- sisted of a liasket of White C'hi*ysanthemums edged with autuuui leaves. The " Oh's !" and " Ah's !" drawn from admiring dames and misses at the C'hrysanthenuim shows, ai-e only equalewei-s in high vases, so that the guests can look underneath the flowers. The Carlsbad beer glasses called "■schooners'* are favorite holdei"s f<)r these high-waving bouquets. If flowers are to be carried througli the street pi'otect with paper, even if it is not freezing at the time. Air and sunshine are needed when growing tlow'ers. it is tnie, but once flowers are cut. the less exposed to these elements the longer will they last. At a recent show of the Massachusetts Hoi-ticid- tui-al Society, an attractive display of Water Lilies in a large tank was niade by Mr. Stini/evant of Bor- dertown, N. J. Ten varieties of Nymphteas both liai'dy and tender were shown, one the blue Devo- niensis. w itli tltpwers a foot across. Packing cut flowers. On this point a writer in the Aiitenian Fhnist says; Dining thirty > ears ex- perience I have never found flowers, particularly Roses, travel well when cut and packed immediately; on the contrary, where they have been cut and placed in a vase of clean water for a few hours and carefully packed. I have never had a complaint that they did not reach their destination in good order. The true lover of flowers seldom orders a made bouquet foi- his or her own pleasure, but wants the blooms louse and with long stems. How sensible. AVe wouhl rather see three flowers with liberal stems to them as they are cut from the plants, placed with- out a thought of arrangement, in a glass on the table, than a score of blooms crowded closely into a bouquet or basket. Let us remember that nature arranges flowers quite uncrowded,and always with fine effect. Four-leaved Clover designs, so called, belong to a class we iirvi-r cfuld appreciate. As usually made \i\t there is a base of four Hat baskets, each T-epre- sentiug a clover-leaf. From the point where these I come f<>getber at the center, three long stems i)ro- I ject upward, each one surmounted by a ball which i is to be worked into a "clover head." Usually these ' heads are made up stiffly of Violets,— as if clover of such a color ever grew. Tbr whole idea is alwurd. and like tbt- Imtcbniairs "(iates A.iar" needs a label, to tell what if is. The flower holders made of Birch bark, are as handsome as anj' novelty we have seen in this line for many a day. Those made to represent a section of a ti'ce trunk, perhaps nine inches through and a foot or more long, are at once simple and elegant. The bark is left with all its nuirks and loose curling ends, just as it was on the free. ( )ne of these "fnmks'^ filled with a free arrangement of Roses ami other long-stemmed flowers in the top. and then partly en- circled by a garland of bloom, is a charming thing to behold. DotanicdlB)\](I^et Flowers ai-e but colored leaves. Species is the unit in botanical classiHcatinn, No two individuals or organs of the same kind, are exactly alike. The famous Botanic Ganlen at Kew, London, cover an area of 200 acres. The Castor-oil plant, an aimual in the United States, is a i>iM'enuial in warm climates. The growth of biennials is divided into two stages; first year vegetation, second fructification. Dr. Asa Gray asks that botanists who can do so conveniently, will send him seeds of Coreopsis an's- tosff, Bmitisia h'ucojjhcea and B leucantha. Ad- dress him at Cambridge. Mass. A German naturalist, finds that the eastern hemisphere affords 2i>'.t plants and fifty-eight ani- mals useful to man, while the western world contri- butes only fifty-two i>lants and thuteen anmials. The Common Daisy Bdlis perennis hortciisis is, perhaps, the most divisible plant in the garden. Each separate branehlet may be removed with its modicum of root, auit will form a plant. Protecting the Edelweiss. The Austrian Cen- tral Tourist Club has addressed a petition to the Assemblies of the Austrian Alpine Provinces, to pass a law jirohibiting the wholesale uprooting of this plant now carried on. The petitioners point out that hundreds of thousands of the plants are dug up and sent abroad, even to America, so that there is a fear that the favorite plant of the Alps will be totally wiped out. except in n few remote places. Modification of Plants by climate. Mr. A. a. Crozier, of the University of Jlichigan, has pubhshed a thesis on this subject. In it he sums up con- cerning the matter as follows: '" It seems to be established that as plants move from the locality of their largest development toward their northei-n limit of growth, they become dwarfed in habit, are rendered more fruitful, and all parts become more highly colored. Their comparative leaf surface is often increased, their form modified, and their com- position changed. Their period of growth is also shortened and they are enabled to develop in all respects at a lower temperature." Vegetation at the Equator. "I never was any- where more foi-cibly inq)ressed with the thought that the productive powers of nature on receding from the pole, had collected themselves iu their greatest strength near the equator, spreading their gifts with open hand, and manifesting the abund- ant fertility of the soil, than when I first beheld the famous Water Lily. Victoria Regia, in the river Rupunuri. The wiiole margin of the water was bordered with its gigantic leaves, many of them 7 1-3 feet in diameter, interspersed with the magnifi- cent flowers of all shades from white to junk, the largest 14 inches across." Dr. R. SchomhnniU. Botany in America. An Englishman wlio at- tended a recent meeting of the Botanical Chib of The American Association for the Advancement of Science, was greatly surprised at the interest shown in Botany here. He had never seen anything like if at home he said, and he took it as a sign that bot- any is much more appreciateil as a jtopular study in Atnei'ica. than it is in the l >Id World. These for- eigners begin U^ recognize the fact, that when once Americans awaken to. and take ahold of any matter. we show the same Zealand progressi\eness hei'e, which enabled us to clear up and improve this country as has been (.lone. < )ne o\ these days oiu" conservative friends of Europe will find that we have out-distanced them also in the department of popu- lar gardening, a thing less easy to be done than sonie othei*s. It will yet come, depend upon it. ! The Labiata ordei- to which such common plants I as Salviii. Rosemary. Monarda, Coleus.Sage. Thyme and so on belong, enjoys the distinction of being one of the most natural groups of plants. I By this is meant, that the character of its several I thousand numiber.s. are more distinef and uniform than is generally the case in a natural unler. In 1 fact the variations from one type throughout the I family, is no greater than is often found in a single I genus of other orders. I The chief characteristics of this oriler are stems, hei'baci'ous or sub-wooily. usually squai'e: leaves o]iposite or whorled. exstipulate and usually aro- matic; flowei-s labiate orlip-.shaped mostly irregular. While it requires but a slight fanulitirity with bot- any to determine the order of any Labiate met. the disci'iminalion of the genera is often quite difficult. ABOUT THE PLACE, Now '(^>y a comjiost heap. Drain away from the well. Manure is the measure of results. Bevise the labels before the winter sets in. Rubbish about fences and trees, draws nuce, to the injury of the latter. If you have a wheat field try a light umlch of coarse manure on part of it at least. Ladders are needed about every place, and now there ought to be time to get one or more made. Don't forget this. Potato tops are well worth carting to the barn yard for increasing the nuinure pile, they are rich in potash. Left where they grow, they dry up or are blown about to waste. If a pump freezes, procure a lead pipe or any kind of tube, and lower it to rest on the ice. Into this pour hot water with a funnel. The force of the water on one spot, will cause the ice to melt rapidly. Those suffering from depredations of rats will be glad to Unow that the i-odents have so great an aversion to chloride of lime, that they will vacate the premises where it is scattered freely. The net proceeds of a bee-keeper in New York State for thirteen years, from an average of forty- six hives, was $]2.800. an average of $04(5 a year. He thoroughly understood the business, however, and gave it his whole time and attention. There are now more cattle of the favorite little Jerseys in this country than in tlie Isle of Jei-sey where they orginated. It is doubtful, ti.)o. whether any better animals remain at home than we have, for American money has tempted away the prime animals. Most dairy farmers have learned from experi- ence that tm-nips or turnip tops when fed to milch cows should be given du-ectly after they have been milked. When this practice is not obsei-wd. the turnips will cause an unpleasant flavor in the milk, which \f ill also be imparted to the butter. Bees retpiire little attention this month, but what is needed should not be withheld. The maintenance of an e(|ual temperature in the hives is essential, as extremes of either heat or cold at this season is ■what tries the swarms. The risk of their suffering from warmth is slight, and yet there may be days when the .sun's heat woidd be felt enough on the hives to .start flying, which is not desirable. At such times a shed of b()ai'ds or straw is a good thing. But protection fn'Ui cold is of more import- ance, and the kind of shelter alluded too iib<»ut will sei've for this also. There is some absurd talk in the papei-s against draining to excess, and, that on some land tile draui- ing is outlay lost. Considering the labor and expense ueces,sary to underdraining. it is not likely these cases ever occur. AVhere draining would do m > good, the land is in such a shape, tliat the need of it would never occur, hence no one would be stupid enough to undertake it. But where tile draining is econom- ically done on land that will bear it, tin' gains in im- proved crops will always warrant the cost. In a great majority of cases judicious underdraining has paid for itself in two or three crops. Lucky is the man who in connection with- hLs stable has a well filled bin of dry muck or earth, if he cares to have the.se sweet and healthy. Dried earth~-and nmck especially— have a wonderful ca- pacity as absorbents of the Uquid and gaseous substances about stables. A few shovelfuls of earth scattereou the increase of the manure yield. We have no doubt that the value of the sea.S(m"s manure jtile may be dip, after which the flock of ducks was reduced to three, and these kept to guard against further trouble. To be sure, some things can be brought against the keeping of ducks in the garden, butthese do not offset the benefits. They have a gi-eat Uk- ing for Strawlierries, about the onlj' fruit they will trouble. Keep them from the Straw- berry enclosm-e during fruiting time, and trouble is averted. The Muscortes eat buds and young shoots, — we can keep other kinds which do not. But ducks do trample domi the plants and tilled earth, and eat young leaves. This is the most serious charge against them, but it may be reduced to a small thing, by not giving them free range at all times. Turn them mto the garden only for an horn- or two hours daily, and that in the morning, when the dew is on the plants. Then they wUl seek mostly for slugs and similar pests. At other times they may be about the lawn. Where there is no natural bed of water for ducks, pains should be taken where they are kept, to proride a change of water in a clean tank ever)' day. This should be located near the water tank or other supply, for convenience. the long run is to kill the birds affected. As is often the case, in spite of all that can be done, the disease develops into roup, which is known by a foul breath, in addition to the other sjTuirtoms already described, and by a swelling up of the eyes and face. Then all dishes and troughs had better be washed with some disinfectant, such as cai'bolic acid or Lit- tle's Phenyle, and the coops be well white- washed to prevent contagion. If possible, let the recovered birds be removed to fresh ground, and a little lime spread thinly over the vacated iims, so as to purify the ground. Colds in Poultry: How to Treat. At this season, when human beings ai'e so subject to colds, fowls, too, often suffer from the same cause. Neither are the sjinptoms wholly different in the two, these being usuaUj' such as a running at the nostrils, watering of the eyes and sneezing. Cold, says the EmjUsJt Lire Stock Journal, is by no means difficult to cure if taken in time, but neglected, it may soon develoji into roup or consmnption, both of which are speedily fatal, though the latter is seldom seen save wheu there is an inherent tendency to it. As soon as there is noticed any secreti<.)n at the nostrils, the biixl should be separated from the othere, and i)ut in a warm, comfortable place. The food should be of a nourishing nature, and for medicine we know of nothing better than tincture of aconite, of which a suffi- cient dose for a young chick will lie a half of a teaspoonfnl of water, in which a single ch'op has been put. A little camjihor may also be jmt in the drinking water when the sneezing is connuon. B3' these means the disease will generally be stamped out, but if not, the cheapest way in SILVER SPANGLED HAMBURGHS. Hamburgh Fowls. On the whole these fowls can be strongly recommended for profit. While rather small for marketing, they will in the production of eggs exceed all other breeds. They lay ueai-ly every day all thi-ough the year, except during the moulting sea.son, hence have been called "Dutch e very-day layei's." An annual pro- duction of from 3(10 to 3.5(1 eggs per hen in a year, is not uncommon. For family use they are especially desirable, as aside from their value as laj'ers, all the breeds ai'e decidedly ornamental. The varieties of Hamburghs, are the Black, Golden and Silver Pencilled, Golden and Silver Spangled and A\Tiite. The jjencilled breeds should be classed among rather delicate birds, but their beauty and free laying propensities, ai'e a sufficient reward to many growers, for the extra care they requii'e. This class is rather liable to roup if exposed to cold or wet, hence they should be hatched somewhat late. The Spangled Hamburghs, of which we show an engraving, are hardy and lay larger, if per- haps fewer, eggs than the pencilled. For profit, however, we would be disposed to place the Black Hambm'ghs ahead of all the others, both on account of the large size of the eggs and theii- productiveness, which certainlj' exceeds that of all breeds known. Although Hamburghs naturally love a wide range, there is no real difficulty in keeping them in confinement, provided only that clean- liness be closely attended to. None of the varieties ever show any disposition to sit, un- less it is in a state of gi'eat freedom. While the objection is raised to Hamburghs of being too small to figiu-e much on the table, it may be said that the bones also are small, and really carry more meat than might lie sup- posed from the appearance, and what there is of it is delicious, both as to qualit)' and flavor. CONDENSED POULTRY NOTES. Avoid ovcr-crowiling. Divide up the large flocks. Fatten the tall, thin turkeys. Provide a plenty of nest boxes. The Bronze turkeys are the best paying. To the block at once with egg-eating hens. Feed warm nuish. not too hot, on cold mornings. On cold days go over the nests for eggs several times. Our experience has lieen that barley freel.v fed, impaii's fivedoni in laying. A little celery fed to fatteunig dueks. adds a delicious flavor to the meat. Dry. warm quarters for your hens now, will soon make dry silver quartei-s for the pocket. Wyandottes. The demand for these at present is remarkably brisk, but prices tend downwards. If you are only beginning the poultry business, start in with twenty fowls rather than with a hundred. "With wheat comparatively cheap, it is entitled to a leading position in feeding both heavy and light breeds. We believe that half the diseases of fowls could be traced to their being forced to drink stale and polluted water. Time of hatching. Hens' eggs hatch m twenty days; turkeys' and dncks' in twenty -eight days; geese's in thirty days. The number of poultry associations started with- in the past year is reall.v surprising. This shows wbich way the wind blows as to poultry interests. A poultry raiser near the writer's place, makes it a rule to allow six square feet, say two feet by three feet, of floor room for each fowl above six. No hen should be kept beyond her second laying season, as a rule. Because many pay no heed to this point, but keep hens along three, five or more years, they wouder why they lay so poorly. Turkeys for breeders. Only select ones should be saved back for this purpose. Old gobblers, say from two to fotn- years, are the best. Choose out such as are broad across the back, short -legged and square built. Soaking Grain. Contrary to what the practice of many ixinltry keepers would indicate, the diges- tive apparatus of fowls, does not require that grain be soaked before feeding. In fact, to soak the grain, is to fill the bird's crop with a quantity of water to no pnn>ose. Fed dry and the grain is better rel- ished and does more good. Fowl cholera. This is also a disease of the sea- son. It is more easil.v prevented than cured. Thor- ough cleanliness in every jjarticular. pure air, pure water, moderate feeding, avoiding excess of fat, and a healthful variety of food, including plenty of fresh bones finely crushed, will help to evade the disease. Teaspoonfnl doses of .saturated solution of hyposulphite of soda, given daily, an entire absence from food for several days, have been found an effective remed.v in cases not too far advanced. — Agriculturtst. Look well to the comfort of your fowls at this seasou; imcomfortable hens never do much. Mix with the morning feed of graiu, a little boiled meat, cheap offal from the butcher's, bullock's tripe, liver, or anything in that wa.v, twice or three times a week. From half an ounce to one ounce is quite sufficient at a time, for each bird. .\lso do not for- get to add some green food right along. Then if the house is in good order, and the breed right, you will be paid for your pains over and over, by the frequency of the cackle, teUing you of the addi- tion to the store of eggs, at this time, when they are worth picking up. Suit the food to the time it is fed, for the best re- sults. To do this, give ungruimd grain at night be- fore roosting time, and soft food in the morning. The former will last in the crop longer into the night with benefit. The grain food given at the morning meal, allows of digestion commencing at once. This is beneficial, for nothing seems to tell so stronglj- against the well-doing of a fowl, as to remain for hours with an unoccupied stomach. Let the' morning feeding be done as early as possible in the morning, and that of evening just before going to roost, if the fowls are confined, and with no chance iif picking up anything through the day, they will require another feeding about noon. Best Stock for "Winter Laying. We agree with a writer in the Atneriron Pitnlti-r/ Journal on this subject. He says: The most desirable stock to have on hand, at any time, is early-hatched pidlets. The.v become large and well developed by fall, gen- erally begin laying before cold weather, as they do not moult the first season, and with proper care will keep laying throughout the winter. Then, by spring they will have laid several litters of eggs, and will be fully as desirable for breeding purposes as adult hens, and will, in tlieir turn, bring off nice, early broods, to take their place the following season. Late-hatched pullets are even worse than old hens, both for winter laying and early spring breed- ing, for they will be small wheu the coM weather comes, which will serve to stunt them more or less, and they will not begin laying until the warm weather of spring, and then the eggs are so cheap that they hardly pay for feeding and taking care of the fowls. Besides this, the first litter of eggs laid by a pullet are not fit to iLse for breeding purposes, as they will not produce near as strong and healthy chicks as those coming from older hens. i885. POPULAR GARDENING. Treeclimber's Talks. leaves: their absence. But a few weeks ago, aud all the trees and Iiusheswere elothed with leave.s, now most of these ai'e bare. What a great change has come over the face of nature Ix^cause of this. We do not, however, mind the absence of leaves so much, l)ecause we know that in a few months a new crop will come forth, seem- ingly more fresh aud beautiful than any of former years. Examine even now ahuost any ti'ee, and the buds of next year's growth may reailily be seen : they are only waiting for the warmth of next sprmg. to shoot out into new verdure. When that time arrives, we will enjoy the sight all the more, for the winters break, of several months" duration, in leaftime. RE.\UTV AND VARIETY IN LEAVES. I want to speak somewhat of the beauty and variety found in leaves. The beauty of flowers is constantly on the tongiies oi people, and in the poet's vei-ses. but not so of tlie hardly less beautiful leaves. I have made a ih'aw- ing in outline of four leaves which the publishei-s have had engraved very well, to show something about this matter of shapes and beaut}'. The engraving represents some very common leaves. The one to the left is that <.if Grass, next to anil jjartly under this one, is a divided leaf of the Lupine, a common garden Hower raised from seed; the finely-cut leaf to the right is that of a si^ecies of Pojjpy, and back of this, a small leaf taken from a tree of the common Chestnut. Here are but f om- forms ; how differ- ent they are, and how pleasing to look at. But the forms found in nature are endless, and af- ford a degree of vai-iety in their shapes that is truly a.stouishing. We have but to open our eyes as we walk out in the season of leaves, to see very many of these. Their forms ai-e the mai-ks by which we may distinguish one kind of plant from another. The more striking shapes of leaves have names, and to gain an acquaint- ance with these is one of the eaa-hest and most useful things to be leanied in studying botauy. FLOWERS AND LEAVES. I have said, that we hear more of the beauty of flowers than of leaves. Much as I love the flowers which natm-e spreads out over the earth, I think that so far as the office of adorn- ing the earth's sm-face is concerned, the leaves are more important even than are the flowers themselves. The beauty of the gi-een gi-ass which gTows everywhere the world over, hes in the leaf, and the same is chiefly true of the forests: no quantity of beau- tiful flowers could make up for the complete absence of these from this earth. I do not draw this compai'ison, as if there was any rivah-y between flowers and foliage as adorning matei-ial. Both have their place and fill it well, but in the constant admiration which flowei-s call fortli, I desire to incite more attention to the beauty of leaves. ABOUT THE HYACINTH AND ITS NAME. The Hyacinth which is so well known by all, Is a native of the oldest mhabited parts of the world. In such eastern countries as Asia Minor, Syria and Pensia, it is found growing wild, abundantly. We can readily accept the fact that it has also been in cultivation from the remotest times, for no flower to-day is more highly es- teemed, or more easily managed. Its present name has come down to us through all the ages, from ancient Greece, and is interesting on this account. Grecian fable links the origin and name of the flower witli the character's of an- cient mythology. A legeml relating to this subject, whiili wa-s lately handed to me by a friend runs as follows: "Apollo, god of the arts and .sciences, became very fond of asliephenlyouth, whose name was Hjacinthus, ami took great delight in throw- ing tlie discus with him, a ]>a.stime much in- dulged in by the old Greeks and Romans. One day while engaged in this sport, the discus thrown by .4pollo struck Hyacintluis in the head, aud killed him on the spot. Apollo, very much grieved bj- the sad death of his favorite, chauged liim into a lovely flower which he called after him Hyacinth. " HOW THE CYPRE.SS WAS NAMED. Another fable told of this same god, and which accounts for the name of the Cyi>ress aihnirable as this may l)e, may not prevent the road from being systematically cheated, for a long time, without detection, but also that wrong-doing nmst .sometime have its end, and the wrong-doer l>e made to sutt'er. -Vbout fouryeais ajjii sdiiic repairs wei-e made to a small bridge, some miles awnv from auy station, on a railroad in Illinois, and iit' course the bridge gang had jmt up a signln.ai-d ■■|-iui slow," on either siile dnnng the day iir so the liriclgc was weakened. .Just about a.s they hud finished their work the sign- hoards disappeared, and tlievilidnt take the trouble to hunt them uj). Some weeks afterwartis tliese signs reappeared in the former places. Xohodv cared. The section mennodoubt thought the bridge men had done it. It was none of the enf^ineei-s' business why tliey were there— their dnty ivi|nir-ed them to slow dow'n at all such signs, luid this they ncet a wake, an'— Lady— I am afi-aid she is too good, Mrs. McNam- I ara. Notes on Dress and Home Art. Plainess for .lerseys. Silks were never cheaper. Jackets vary without end. Flush is more in favor again. Braid or cord lacing is much used. Dishes "f cut glass are fashionable. Bright Colors w ere never more popidar. Green for gowns of rich fabrics, continues to hold its place. Eed cloth jackets are favorites with young ladies for driving. Eed is nmch used as a third color with brown and blue c'.)stmnes. Underskirts of black next to the dress, are be- coming very popular. Fur, and especially sable, is used f or trinuning all kinds of cloth and velvet tlresses. Gray and pearl-color gloves, will be more woni than they have been for many seasons. Bretelles the name for the V-shaped trimmings, are nuicb in favor on dress waists and mantles. The colored glassware of the table now so often seen is very pretty, but too gaudy for lasting good taste. Spirits of Ammonia rnblwd over nickel orna- ments, by applying with a saturated woolen cloth, will keep them bright. For a stylish collar, the dog collar two inches in height, made of velvet, lined with silk and adiM-iied with beads or chenille, prevails. Now the old-fashioned quilted skirts of our grand mothers, have been reached. For warmth, they de- sen-e renewal after their long rest. The hang across the nape of the neck is out of the back hair. of the head, for style, but crinqjing is still applied to before it is carried up to the crown • coiling there. No one can object to the use of some bright rib- bons about the parlor, on braided and other chairs, baskets, frames and the like, but being easily ap- plied the custom of using these is often carried far- ther than good taste sanctions. On wool and velvet costmnes. a group of three large buttons on each side of the corsage, anil of six or eight on the skirt in the lengthwise pleats or panels at the sides, is very fashionable. The but- tons are metal and flat, with raised (lowers or other figures, and of a color suited to the di-ess. Table-cloths. The latest departure in these, is highly embroidered linen, with elaborate floral pat- terns in crewel, cotton or washable silk, extending from the hem far up into the center. Curious and handsome doyleys of Turkish embroidery are put trader the glass finger bowls. These being interest- ing objects, give guests something to talk about. The fire-place is receiving more and more atten- tion from builders of new houses, as years pass on. It seems destined to again occupy much of its old- time prominence and glory. The time was. when the fire-pliice was the center of attraction in the home, 1 and much could be said for promoting it to this ]50sition again. In the finer class of houses now built, nearly every room has an open fh-e-place. ' Some Christmas gifts that are elegant, useful and easily made, are the following: .\ visiting-card case of olive velvet, lined with red, size five by seven inches: in making, use some , stiff canvass between the velvet and the lining: a silk pocket three inches deep is set on the inside of each cover: on the up- per cover should be embroidered in Japanese gold thread, initials, a motto or other device. A stand of wickerwork for music or drawings, may be pur- chased, and if Uned with embroidered plush and set oft with handsome fringe and ta,ssels, is an elegant affau- for the parlor. Pincushions for the parlor, the library or any other room, now so much in style, are very appropriate as Holiday gifts. Some beau- tiful designs for these are small bellows made in cardboard covered with satin, or a doll dres.sed as an undergraduate, in cap and gown, and a w heel- barrow made after the same order, the cushion be- ing located inside the barrow. Quite the newest idea is a tin.v wooden sabot converted into a pin- cushion, being stuffed inside. A perambulator is also adapted to a work-case, reels of cotton forming the wheels. A large silk, satin or plush sack is a good notion for a pincushion. One of the prettiest kind, however, is hung against the wall, covered with velvet, having an appliiine of open brass work on either side, taken from horses" harness, which only now have been turned to this new purpose. For bedrooms there is a new coronet pincushion, made of an octagonal box of pasteboard and the sides covered alternately in plush and satin. POPULAR GARDENING FOR TOWN AND COUNTRY. "ACCOSE NOT NATURE, fiHE HATH DONE HER PART; DO THOU BUT THINE.-^iliuros. Vol. 1. J'-A.2SrjJJ^:Ei,-Z', 188S. No. 4. A Fine Autumn-blooming Crocus. Altogether the Crocus nciuis is a verj- ex- tensive one, and is known to embraoc no less tlian seventy species. So far from all lieiug spring-tlowering sorts, like the common ones {('roi-iix tvrnii/< anil varieties) of our gardens, it may be said, that the various species to- gether afford a continuous succession of tiowers from the beginning of August, until April. But of all these, with their varied season of bloom, it is only the earlier autumnal or the distinctlj- vernal, .spe- cies that can be relied upon in the north for garden decoration. Far enough towards the equator, as in the parts of Asia, where many of the species are at liome, and where frosts, even in winter, are not severe, the winter sorts flower abundantlj'. One single species of the fall-flowering class is well known in cultivation, as the Saffron plant, Ci-uciik niitirim^of our gardens. This one blooms handsomely in September and is espec- ially valued for the medicinal virtues of its large stigma.s. Borj''s Silver Crocus, C. Bari/i. of which we give an engraving, is another autumnal bloomer, and one of marked beauty. No Crocus can very well be fairer than this little species, which blooms in October. Its flowers are of the size shown in the engraving. They are beautiful in all stages; the purple- streaked buds and the half-opened, cup- shaped blossoms being in their way as lovely as the pure white orange- throated starry flowers themselves. The leafage — as if to suit the delicate flowers — is most slender and elegant. This species while quite hardy, does not bloom well without the protection of glass, the rains and frosts of October lieing sufficient to prevent the develop- ment of the dainty little flowers. In a frame protected with sash it ought to succeed well eveiTwhere. This Crocus like others of its same season of bloom should be planted in midsummer. The plants delight in a rich, well-drained soil; the conns should be liuried about three inches 'deep, in planting. At the approach of winter, all those sorts which lack some- what in robustness, as does the one figured, should have a coat of straw or leaves over their tops, and between them and the glass of the frame in which they are growing. dale. But these kinds show so many variations in appearance, that to one unacquainted with trees, there might seem to be many more kinds. * * * The fine winter effect produced by the Ever- greens here, is owing chiefly to three things: first, the sorts planted are such as are adapted to the climate and the place; second, the ar- rangement, is on a plan that tends to enhance the beauty of individual sorts, and lastly, Init in Noteafrom Lyndale. BY A. H. E. ■Ifiiiuary 3. Visitors to Ljndale in the win- ter are much attracted by the beauty of the Evergreens on the place. It is not so much that the number of kinds growing here is very extensive, as that what there are are thrifty and attractive. Indeed, when it comes to the matter of kinds, it may be said that the Pines, Spruces (including Hemlocks anfl Fii-sl,Juni- jiers. Arbor vitfes and Retinsporas, constitute fully nine-tenths of all there are grown at Lyu- A Fine Autumn-blooming Crocus.- Bora's Silver Crocus. its way perhaps more important than anything else, is the fact that every tree planted is well planted at the outset. * * * Let me speak of the planting first. 1 lielieve in giving every Conifer (Cone-beai-er) that I set, plenty of good soil to grow in : no tree is expected to do well if not thoroughly well planted at first, few fail to do well under this provision. In planting, the process is suited to the nature of the soil where the tree is to go, as nearly as possible. A fir-st step in this operation is to make a hole three feet deep. The subsoil is kept separate, and if pai'ticularly unfavorable to the growth of roots, none of it is returned. Such mater- ial as old sods from the roadside, or old put- ting mould, the rougher the better, is the main reliance, either used alone or mixed with the soil just thrown out. I take special pains in placing the roots when the work is being done. The tap-root is allowed to descend perpenrliculajdy into the bed of new soil; the others are spreafl out in the directions they lay where they grew before. Then each tree is laised somewhat above the orthnarv sur- face,in a way that leaves it on a slight elevation as the planting is finished. This has the effect of throwing the water off from the base of the tnnik, when there are but few roots to the parts on whii-h the feechng roots exist. * * * ./tiniiurii 10. Reference was made to the arrangTuent of Evergreens here. Let me en- large on this. Fir.st of all be it understood that I detest the indiscriminate mixing up of kinds in planting. As a rule, I plant either as isolat- ed specimens or else in uatiu-e-gi-oups, but chiefly the latter. The groups consist either of one species or a mixture of the different varieties and species of the same kind. To illustrate, I will say, that one conspicuous grou]) of about 7") feet in length, and from one-third to one-fourth of this width, consists of Spruces. At one end there are seven of the free-growing Norway Spruce in a loose clump. At the other end is a mass of the dwarf and compact Finedon Hall Spruce; there are also a few clumps of the same here and there along the front edge of the lai'ge group throughout its length. Between the tall Norway's at one end and the dwarfs at the other end of this elongated group are planted several dozen of the small Pyramidal Spruce, backed by half as mauj' Glaucous White Spruce. Throughout this group, as in all my ai'- rangements of this kind, I do not clearly define the minor groui« but allow the members of different ones to mingle with each other at their edges. The general outlines of the compound groups is de- cidedl}- free, that is to say it is not regular. The description of this one group, will give an idea of the principle I adopt in all my plantings of this kind. ■/iiiiudrii ICi. In holding up the claims of the Privets for ornamental iilauting, not enough is generally made I think of the fact that they are half-evergreen in character. During November and pai-t of December, when most deciduous trees and shrubs ai'e leafless, these are as green and lively in appearance as at any pi-evious time. A mass of two kinds, the Common and the Oval-leaved, near a side path, is quite certain to catch the eyes of all going that way, during the fall months, by their liright green foliage in the midst of autmnn desolation. But it is not the leaves alone of the Privets that prove attractive to the eye. for all during fall and winter the shrubs carry a quantity of handsome black berries about the size of peas, and ai-ranged in clusters. Then flowering late in the spring as these shrubs do, and when the majority of June bloomere ai-e done, they also prove decidedly ornamental because of then- free crop of white, svveet-scentetl flowers. * « « JiniKdrii 'J-'. I am much i)leased with the Zebra Eulalia as an ornamental plant. In the garden b«Ls during summer it is not excelleil by any other hardy grass of equal size, for effectiveness ; its zebra-like cross variegations of .yellow on the green ground of the leaves, giv- ing to the plant a very striking api>earance. But aside from its value in the garden, it is a fine i)ot [jlant for the conservatoi-y the year around. When the plant was first introducerl from Japan, here under glass, was suiniosed to POPULAR GARDENING. January, be its place imtil its hardiness became known. As a pot plant the Eulalia is delicate and gi-ace- ful looking- in a decided degree, and along with its peeular markings is sure to attract atten- tion in any rolleci'tion of plants. * * * Janudi'if 28. In managing a plant conser- vatory, I have found through yeai's of exper- ience, that, to have "air on" as the florists say, for a longer or shorter time by one or two hours daily, makes agi'eatdifference in the well doing ' of the plants. My rule in all mild weather is to go over the house four times daily, in open- ] ing and closing the ventilatoi's. As soon as the outside temperature begins to i rise a little, I open the ventilators, a little only ; then in perhaps an hour I go through the house \ again, and open them as much as they will beai' ; i in the afternoon this plan is reversed. Those plant growers who find too much trouble in this system, are sure also to find something else that I don't often meet, namely: unhealthy plants, and along with these insects without end, to cover them. >>g^:^^^T^. THE HOUSE PLANTS. If plants put forth flowers at all in tliis dark, cold, opening month of the year, it must be mainly on the strength of earlier stored-up vitality. There are the Hyaciuths. Tulips and other Dutch Bulbs, however, which are exactly suited by natui'e for now doing this, and doing it well, if allowed to. The bulbs of these are receptacle of acquired plant food, and in a measure which permits of growth and bloom imder conditions decidedly adverse to most plants doing much. On these, therefore, we may depend for flowers in January, when so few other plants are disposed to bloom. But this class of bxdbs are so well adapt- ed to house ciUture and afford so much beauty and varietj' in their flowers, that it is easy with these, and the few Callas, CameUias, Carnations, Cycla- mens, Heliotrope, Libonias, Chorozemas, Primroses, and so on that are now likely to come out to have quite a presence of fine flowei's even now. Towards the end of ihe month, the greater length t.'f the (.lays will tell favorably on the growth and bloom of other plants, helping their attractiveness. The non-flowering (under common culture) kinds, such as Palms, Aspidistras, Rubber Trees, Ivies, Dracaenas and so on, should now be looking well. These ought to be rehed upon, to give a charming tone in leaf beauty, to the winter collection. Air. On all mild days treat the plants freely to outside air; in all but the coldest weather, at least some air shoidd Ije admitted daily, if only after the morning sweeping. Much dryness in the air is un- favorable; a vessel of water on the back of the stove to evaporate will help this matter greatly. Begonias of either the Rex or the flowering sorts are among the best of house ]>lants. "WTiile they have no need of bright sunshine— in fact dislike it, yet a light place in other respects suits them. The Rex division delight in a moist atmosphere. Camellias. Keep in a temperature near 50°, be- low rather than above; sponge off twice a week. Cinerarias. Great care needs to be taken against their becoming pot-bound; growth must be constant. Cyclamens, when done blooming, are usually dried off; a better CO ui"se is to keep them growing until spring, then turn them into the border for the Bummer. Daphnes like coldness and humidity with low heat. Dutch Bulbs. As the earUer started ones pass out of bloom they should have their tlower stalks cut out. Those to be saveu the trunks will prevent this. Bock work in some shape is desirable in nearly every place. This is a good season for gathering material with which to construct, so that when spring comes formation may be begmi early. One or two kinds of stone look better usually in construc- tions of this kind than more would, the idea being to make it appear as if the stone were natural to the place. In the absence of stone, fair substitutes may be had in the odd shaped chnkei-s that come from fiunaces. and distorted burned bricks from kilns. Eustic work may now be made. Cedar is a favor- ite and easily worked wood for this purpose— now that the swamps are closed it is readily procured. Lam-el w^ood. and especially its roots, is another fav- orite material; but many other kinds that will work up well may be used. AVith a little ingenuity rustic tables, seats, arbore, vases and so on may be maile that will be both beautiful and inexpensive. Snow drifts so high, where young trees are stand- ing, as to reach above the place of branches leaving the tnmks. are liable to cause the limbs to break, Heating with a Coal-Oil Lamp, wheu later the snow settles away. A little shoveling will prevent this. Snow that has accumulated in the tops of evergreens or shrubs should be shaken out ivhen it is Hght and soft. Tree Pruning, if any part of a tree lacks in free growth, by pinming now, the shoots will push with increased vigor next year. See article in December issue. All scars above an inch across should be coated with paint or tar to keep out moisture. PLANT CULTURE UNDER GLASS Amaryllis. Repot those showing signs of growth, watering very little at fii"St but gradually increasuig. Azaleas coming into bloom need plenty of water. A collection may be had in tlower over a much longer season, if different temperatures are at com- mand, by bringing some into high heat by degrees, for early, keeping others cooler, some quite cool. Begonia Rex may be propagated now from leaves. Turn well matured ones of these bottom side up, and with a sharp knife cut the main ribs here and there, and just below dividing points, at about, say nine places. Then lay on sand, with the right side up, in a heat of ()()<^ with a httle sand on top of the leaf to weigh it down. The ah should be moist. We have Hung the leaves under bedded Rose bushes, grown for Rose buds, and without fiu*- ther care have found them to root well. Broken glass must have immediate attention. In our greenhouse we keep " life preservere,*" made in several sizes on hand, to close up any breaks until they can be repaired. These consist of pieces of board a trifle larger than one, two or more panes of glass respectively, and which are used to lay over any breaks. A screw-eye is put into one ^ide near the center of each board, and to this is attached a cord, holding a weight, for keeping tlie board in place over the opening. These serve their purpose well. Bulbs like Gladiolus, Tuberose and the like should be looked after at this season that they are in good order. Ciladiolus, Cannas and Dahhas are often kept under the greenhouse stages; see that no moisture comes to them to induce gi'owth now. Tuberoses and others should be cleaned up, and have the offsets removed during the winter's leisure. Flowering Begonias that have gone out of bloom should be pruned somewhat and kept rather dry. When signs of new growth appear, repot. Avoid over*watering always. Fuchsias should now be struck for nice spring plants. Once in jjots they are impatient of cramped root room ; let them not want water or light. Plants stuck after this should not have their tops pinched off, but should be grown naturally and quick. Geraniums. Fall propagated ones wiU be putting on new signs of vigor now^; see that they are not in the way of being crowded with the fii"st in- crease of growth l)y standing to close. Repot to produce a good growth for spring. Geraniums of the tricolor section being less robust than the com- mon sorts, need a little extra attention. They de- light in a warm place, say bo", and much light,— shelves near the glass in a Bouvardia house suiting. Heating. For heating a small plant house or to provide extra heat in the colder parts of one, a coal oil heater may often be used to advantage. The ac- couipanyiug cut shows such a stove with hot water i886. POPULAR GARDENING. attachment, ami pipes to convey the heat for some distance. Ttie upper part consists simply of a cone shaped water jacket of copper or galvanized iron, to wbich is connected a continuous pipe (shown broken in the eutt two or more inches in diameter, for circulating the hot wat^^r to impart heat. Un- derneath is a movable base in which I be lami> is set. A pipe for conducting any smoke or smell arismg from combustion to a chuuney or stove pipe is provided. Heaters of this or a similar style are much used in England. One advantage possessed is the slight care needed to manage them. Orchids at rest should have a complete rest, with not a drop more of water than is absolutely needed to prevent the bulbs shriveling. Better if they nmst suffer, that it be from too little instead of too much moisture. Cattle3"as, (^ncidiimis, and othei-s with large fleshy bulbs need even less water than the Vandas. Saccolabiums. Aerides and. those of a sim- lar st.vle of growth. AMieu watering is really nec- essary, do it eai'ly in the day and so carefully that the tender foliage wUl not become splashed over. The temperatiu'e for Orchids should he very regular 1 as a general thing, but during excessively cold spells it would be better to allow the thermometer to drop a few degrees below the average, than to employ vei'y strong firing in ordei' to reach its reg\i!ar height. Pelargoniums. The beauty of these attractive spring flowers later, will depenil upon free growth now. The plants like rather a warm dry place, plenty of room, air and sun-light. Feperomias. Propagate by division or else by in- serting the leaf stalks into sand, to have the leaf lying closp down to the same. Petunias. Du'ections for Geraniums will apply. Roses. The chief requirements of the ever bloom- ing class nr.w. is a uniform temperature of from 5.5'= to 60° by night, with 15° or 20° higher by day; syr- inging twice daily; a flttle air on all suitable days, and if the soil shows signs of exhaustion, liquid ma- nm'ing once a week. The plants should be gone over at intervals and have all blind shoots as well as unduly straggling ones removed. If in cutting Roses these are taken off with stems running back to the second eye from the uext larger branch, little other pruning besides this mentioned will be needed. Hybrid Perpetuals now under way, must have an abundance of water, and plenty of air. A high temperature is not needed. Seed sowing. See under The House Plants. Spring plants should be propagated according to their habits; those flowering only after consider- able growth has been made first, while quick bloomers may have this deferred. Favor kinds of which stock is scarce for hurrying up the growth of cuttings. Ventilate freely in bright and mild weather to keep the atmosphere sweet. FRUIT GARDEN AND ORCHARD. Catalogues- See under Lawu and Flower Garden, Currants niay be pruned by shortening the last seasons growth, and trimming to fonn open head. Cuttings. If Grape or Currant cuttings were made in the fall, the^- should have slight protection now; an inch in thickness of straw will answer. Gooseberries. Dn-ections for Currants will apply. Grape Vines in localities where they are not covered, and are not yet pruned, should be pruned in mild days before spring, to prevent free lileeding. It is not known that bleeding does any real hurt, it certainly does no good, being unnatural, and it looks unsightlj' so had better be prevented. Insects. Very few are visible at this season, and yet a sharp eye run over the branches, may detect the rings of tent caterpillar eggs on them: and also cocus insects when present. Wherever found remove them; each one of the former destroyed now. is equivalent to lessening the caterpillars of uext season by three or four hundi'ed. Lahels on trees, if left as they come from the nvirserj'- "'i^ *^y their wires as the branches enlarge in time, cause strangulation. Serious damage is often done to trees in this way. On mild days, go over the trees and i-emove any that are liable to do this. For permanent labels, use pine, making them heavy, and painting, or else use zink and in either case, copper wire about size Xo. H5. for fastening to the trees making the loops so large that in years the growth will not fill them. Mice and Rabbits. See under other depai-tments. Shelter Belts. The winter season is a good time to consider the etfects of these on the orchard. Before spring we shall say more on this subject. Tree Pruning may be done in mild weather. More harm comes from over-jiruning than from not pruning enough. Week and impeif ect shoots should come out, as also such as cross each other in close conjuction. Weak or stunted trees may often be helped by a severe cutting back. Aim in piiming to open the head,.that air and sun can enter. Tree Trunks may be scraped of loose bark, and if infested with moss orscale.be painted with a mixture of lime, soot and clay. Work the brush vigorously that t!ie lifpiid may get into every crevice. Some fruit growers find in liuseed oil one of the best washes againsi bark insects, and it adds to, rather than detracts from the appearance of trees. Winter Covering. If this has been displaced, re-apply. Some dirt or moLst coal ashes on them may serve to keep down light covei*s. \im\i VEGETABLE GARDEN. At the South farly vegetables may be sinvn from January to April. Vegetables like flowers, may be classed as hardy and tender, the former ineludiiiK Peas. Parsnips, Parsley. <^nion. Leek, Lettuce. Cab- bage, ( 'auIiHower, Cress. Spinach, Beets, etc. , may be sown as soon as the conditi(>n of the soil will allow, in any section. Tender kinds such as Beans, Toma- toes, Cucumbei's and Melons, can only be sown with safety South, North, or anywhere at Corn-planting or Cherry-blossoming time. Cabhage plants in frames neetl an abmidance of air whenever the temperature is to the thawing point and abo\e, below this they need net be urtcovered even for days together. Hot Beds. For these horse manure should be ac- cumulated in a dry place, but not piled so deep as to induce free heating before it is needed. A few boards or rails laid up slanting where the manure is deposited to prevent close settling, will aid in this. Lettuce in frames. See on Cabbage jjlants. Manure. Plent.r of manure, with tillage are al- most the only secrets of raising large crops. In cold j weather and with frozen ground manure hauling ' may be done with greater ease to teams, than at any other time. Manure should not however be spreail at this season but so distributed in heaps, as to be quickly available when needed. The piles should be in a compact rather than a loose scattered form, to prevent waste by the washing out of the strength before the earth Ls thawed to receive it. nice are often troublesome in frames, cold pits, root cellars and the like, now that their food is scarce. Fix up some " pills " for them, by soaking peas in water until they sweU, then roll in arsenic and bury just below the surface in some light earth. They will take these in preference to plants or veg- etables, and it will be better that they should. Straw mats will be needed where there are sash beds, A good size is to make them the width of a sash and a halt, and of a length to hang down half a foot at top and bottom of sash over edges of bed. Tools. Put in order. New ones that are needed may be made or ordered in the winter's leisure. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS. Asparagus. Observe dh'ections for Rhubarb. Cucumbers in bearing, will require much light, a moist but not very hmnid atmosphere, and a brisk temperature. An occasional watering of bearuig plants with weak hquid manure will be of use. Fumigate for Greenfly or Thrip. Graperies that are now being started up should have not above .^5'' of heat at the outset, and be well syringed twice a day, to assist the breaking of the buds. As the young gi-owth appears, sufticient air must be admitted to prevent the growth from being weak and the foliage thin, .\dvantage should be taken of mild days to air the structure freel.y. Mushrooms. The nearer the temperature of bear- ing beds can be kept to liO° the better. Steady temperature will greatl.y prolong the bearing of the beils. ^laniu-e should be saved up for new beds. Rhubarb under glass, nuist be kept well watered. Snow on Glass, On warm forcing houses it usu- ally soon melts, but where the temperature inside is kept rather low. it may need removing. A snow scraper three feet long is one of the safe.st articles for removing .soft snow. If a shovel nuist be used, let it be of sufflcient width to reach over at least two bars. Cold pits that are frozen up should not have the snow removed from the glass, but frames that are unfrozen inside nuist be kept clear of snow. Strawberries must not Vte allowed to overbear, or the fruit will be small: a modei-ate number of large berries are much more satisfactory than many snmll ones. When enough have set. clip off the remaining flowers, and then later count some in removing the smallest ber-ries also. Appl.v the syringe to keep down red spider. .\voiiI both drouth and overwatering at the root. This being the PeopWs Paper it ia opeii tu all their In- quires, bearing on Gardening. On the other hand, answerit to published inquires are earnestly requested from readers. The editors and special contributors arc ready to do a large share of the an steering, but the extterience of many bring moi'e vatualile than of the feir, however varied that is. andconditions andlocalitieN heiiig so different, they prefer to receive ansteers, even several of them to the same ques tion, from reaut in :■ Are they pot grown?— H. H. H. 21.— Will you tell me what plant the enclosed leaves belong to? It was sent me niinurs a name — bore large ciustei-s i whitish flowers I which remained long on stem. Is it Hyilrangea or Abutilon? — Mrs. RoBT. Earl. '2. — Chrysanthemums, How do florists increase their stock of the.se '; Are t he plants left in the green- hou.se unpi-uned, or are they cut back or divided? Must I water or dry .off.— Mrs. J. S. R. T. 3:1—1 have a grand vine of Ipomea Nocturna or Evening (ilory, a pure white, star-pointed flower, pale green stripes to each point, deliciously fragrant, which I desire to increase but do not know first step to such accomplishment.— Mrs. J. S. R, T. 34— Plants for Growing under Stages. Could you name a hst of jjlants for this use? My conserva- tory runs east and west, and I desire, especially, to stock its space underneath the six feet wide central stage.— Novice. 2.5.— Tacsonia. I have heard it said that Tacso- nia's can be raised from the seed, if so will you please direct here.— J. G. H.arts. •21! —Palms for Greenhouse. Oblige 'Ignoramus' b,y naming some of the best Palms tor a cool green- house. 2r.— Quick Growing Hedge, AVhat plants do you recommend fur making a liedge. along m.v fruit garden, that soon will be fid! and handsome. — Walter Gaims. (''iltitftntijus Co., X.Y. REPLIES TO INQUIRIES. 4.— Select Schrubs, For twelve excellent flower- ing Shrubs, we would include Golden BeU or For- sythia, Japan Qninee, Flowering Plum. Plum-leaved Spirtea, Lilac Persian. Lanced-ieaved Spira?a, Large- flowered Jlock l.)range. Double Deutzia, Weigela, Japanese Spira;a, Altlia>a, Lange-panicled Hydran- gea. For increasing the nimiber to twent.v, add to the above, Mezeron. Bush Honeysuckle, Dwarf, Snowball. Alder-leaved Clethra, Purple Fringe.— A. H. E. 12.— Black Insects. Dust the Chiysanthemums with tobacco powder, obtained by sifting the refuse of cigar shops, through a fine seive.— Mrs. Geo. WiLSGER, Lltkv i'll.. Ohio. l.i.— India Rubber Tree. The matter of propa- gating this tree, will receive full attention m the coming March issue.— Eds. Popclar Gardening. Ki.— Tree Paeony. It would be impossible to point the cause of the flower buds blasting, without see- ing the plant, its l.>catioii, etc. I have noticed that they grow ami blimin lietter in a sunny exposiu-e then where there is shade. They delight in a rich loamy soil.— -V. H. E. 31— Names Wanted. It is not possible as a rule, to name plants from leaves alone. These enclosed are certainly not Abutilon. they may be some species of Hydrangea, jierhaps H. Hortensi's.— Eds. P. ti. 22.— Chrysanthemum. See answer to No. 13, page 27, December number. Previous to going to rest, as there reterreil t.i, the i>lants are cut down to the groimd. Florists pr.^iiagate their stock in Febru- ary and March iisuallv. in which case the old plants should be started into new growth, the latter part of this month. Young shoots spring up from the roots, and these are used for propagation.— A. H. E. ir.-Plants for Shade, On our place the follow- ing succeed well in a sliaily yard. Sweet \ lolets, Dicentra or- Bleeding Heart, Bloodroot, Tiilhums. Hepatica's, some Campanula's. Vinca, Moueyvine, several of the Herbaceous Spirii's and Saxifrages among plants ; Tree-Box. Privet, Ivy, Daphne aiid Kalmias, among hard wood growths.— Mrs. R. L. Wade, Biirustnlttc Co., .l/r/.ss. 18.— Cissus discolor. Aside from requiring the accominnil,itioiis of a hot -house temperature, this plant nerds huuiiditv and shade. Care must be taken not U' syringe the leaves of the plant, tor this will destroy their exquisite luster.— Williams Bros. m— Cactus not Blooming. You do not specify the kind of Cactus you have. In general it may be said, that Cactuses are natives of regions where there is an excessively dry season, and an excessively wet season in each year. Such a condition should be imitated in our culture of them: the winter season should be the ili'v season for most sorts.— .\. H. E. 40 POPULAR GARDENING. January, The Violets. Under the heiige, all safe and vvai-in. Sheltered friini boisterous wind and storm We Violets lie With each small eye ( 'kisely shut while the cold goes by. You look at the bank, mid the biting frost. And you sigh and you say that we're dead and lost; But Lady stay For a sunny day. And you'll find us again, alive and gay. — Loui! erirh, and are to be had of ei-ei-tj post- master in the United States, Don't send checks on your local banks, they cannot be collected here without discount. Oliver Wendell Holmes, in a letter to the American Forestry Congress, held last Septem- bei" in Boston, in which he referred to the wanton destruction of forests, said pertinently, he hoped the people would allow the country to retain " leaves enough to hide its nakedness, of which it is already beginning to be ashamed. " The Hardy Catalpa, so called, C. xjjeviosa, according to the Bulletin No. 7 of the Agricul- tural College of Lansing, Michigan, proves to be no hardier in those parts, than the Common Catalpa, ('. bignoniaide.'t. The latter species is a handsome and hardy tree in most sections of the country if not greatly exposed to high winds in winter. With 50,000 subscribers on our books within one year, and the price of this pajjer will re- main permanently at 00 cents a year. Will you who read these words, if you are not a subscriber now, do your share towards our reaching this end '. Most any one of you could easily get one or more neighbors to subscribe also. This woidd help greatly. Those who try their hand at potting plants for the first time, usually manage to fill the pots even full of soil at this first efl'ort, but not often afterwards. They soon see, or ought to, that the water applied wiU not disobey the laws of nature, even for a novice, by staying on the soil for soaking in, uidess the pot rim or something else is there to hold it. THE FAN PALM— ILATANIA BOURBONICA). Plants receive not all their food through the roots, but also a good deal through their leaves from the ail-. Indeed, some kinds like Air plants of the Orchis and other families live on air wholly. These facts point to the importance of pm-e air for plants. An atmos- phere charged with gas or other deleterious substances soon plays havoc with jilant life. Oh, now be fair! We refer to those exchanges who drop down on our carefully prepared col- umns, clip out matter wliich is solely our own. and print it in their jiages without giving Pop- ular (tardexln-g due credit. We detest such a practice as we detest thieving from our or- chard or from our purse. Clip if .you wUl, but give credit where credit is due. That's aU we ask. With January 1st, Mr. E. H. Libby's pajjer, The American Ganlen, assumes the dignity of an enlarged «2.00 monthly. Popular Ctar- DENING so far from being envious at this sign of prosperity, wishes this excellent paper great success, in its new departure. We go f iu^;her ; we offer Popular Ctardening and the Garden together for one year for *2.(K), the price of the latter alone. We like to meet people who think that their own flower gai-den is the best in the neighbor- hood, just as we like to see parents having high opinions of their own children. If a prize could i886. POPULAR GARDENING. 41 l)e offei-ed for the best flower garden in any one county that, might lie named, there would no doubt lie many entries for the prize. The cul- ture of flowers admits of a large amount of good uatUT-i'd ri\alry. The celebrated Rosebush at Hildasheim. iu Hanover, l)elieved to be l,tKlli years old (tradi- tion says it was planted by Charlemagne), never bore so many roses as in the past season. The shoots grafted on its ti-unk in recent years are growing admirably. The bush stands at the outer wall of the catheih-al crypt. Its branches extend about ;is feet high, and 34 feet in width. It is an object of much curiosity. The Japanese have some unique notions of garden adornment. One of these is the mak- ing of borders to walks, some two feet wide, and filled in with variously colored clays, which are so abundant in Japan. The nearest thing to this which we have met, was the use of snow whitt' gravel and small shells of difl'erent colors, used along with plants in the formation of some elaborate carpet beds, in past years in Linct)ln Park, Chicago. There is a great need in some parts of the great West for sound inf ( irmation on gardening. For example, ahnost anything would be better than ridiculous trash like this, which lately ap- peared in a floral .iournal of that region: "With Heliotrope, Fuchsias, etc. , of a tender woolly nature, split the ends of your slips and insert an oat ; tie with a .string : the oat swells in a day or so, and will nourish the plant and assist the cutting to root. " Fudge ! "As juicy, and rich in good meat as an apple," is what Mr. Or. L. Heinhoklof Wayne Co., Fa.. says of Popular Uardenin<;. If wewerechs- posed to follow the example of some publish- ei-s we would give column after column of kind words, which our subscribers have to sa3' for this paper. The above extract is .so full and pointed, that it is given as a i'e]jresentation of all these. Our rule is to let the papei' speak its own praises, by the valuable matter we insert. A good paper. Our table is every month visited by a neat 6md excellent journal from Highland Park, Chicago, called the Floriil W'oilil. It treats chiefly of the beautiful and cm'ious things found in the floral world ; surely there ai'e enough of these to well occupy one paper. It also contains floricultnral directions suited to amateui's. Harleigh Gillette is its publisher, and M cents a year its price. We can, by special arrraugement, furnish this paper and Fopri.AR (iARDENixii for one year at '.10 cents. Fainting Iron Pipes. Few things add more to the good appearance of a plant house, than to have the pipes and other iron work kept painted a jet black. .1 bad paint for this pur- pose and one often tried with disappointment, is lampblack mixed with linseed oil — it doesn't dry well. Instead, use 1 lb. of ordinary black jjaint, 1-1 lb. patent dryer, and thin for use with one-third vai'nish and two-thirds boiled oil. This will dry anywhere or on any surface that is clean. Two thin coats well worketl- iu are bettei- than one thick one. A great Pansy Bed. It is located at the Assembly grounds, Chautauqua Lake. It is called the '" Pansy Plat." and has a fountain in its midst, and neatly trimmed grass around. Seed for the bed was received from interested persons in various states, and this was sow'n, thelxfl properly prepared andplanted many more clubs liefore our quota of ."i(l,(KIII sidwcribers is full. Will not you, reader, help along the goo cents each. COWSLIPS IN JANUARY. The Fan Palm, Lnlania Honrlnmivii. illus- ti'ated opposite, is one of the best known of all the Palms. It is suitable as a window plant, or for summer decoration in the open ground, and no collection of greenhouse plants is con- sidered complete without one or morejjlants of it. Under gla.ss it sometimes reaches the height of twelve or more feet ; but it cannot be said that its beauty increases with size. In fact as it acquires age, it loses the compactness of form, which is one of its greatest charms when young. The Palm-leaf fans so familiar every- where ai-e made from its leaves. It is indeed gratifying to the publishers and editors who are working hard to make this paper what it is, to see the interest taken by its many friends in swelling the subscription list of Popular Gardenlng. We oui-selves have never set our expectations higher than .iO.Olin subscribers at the end of one yeai". But many of om- subscribers are so elated over the worth and popularity of the paper, that they are anxious we shall have twice as many sub- scribers in that time. And a most hopful sign is. that they ai'e seconding their good wishes by their good work, iu securing for the paper many subscribers. Chrysanthemums can easily be grown from seed by anyone whti cares for this sort of thing. The seeds are procurable of the seedsman, and may be sowni during January or February. They will soon sprout, and by spring will make plants of about equal strength with good ones struck from cuttings in March. Then treat as you would those from cuttings, up until fl(jwering. But the flowers of plants raised from seed will prove to be very inferior as a rule, to the named sorts from cuttings. There is, however, to many people, a charm iu rais- ing seedlings which no one knows for the life of them how they will come out, that more than ott'sets the lack in the quality of the bloom. The Isle of Natal,near the southern extremity of Africa, is almost the perfect home of flowers. No frosts ever blast vegetation here. Roses of such fine sorts as Souvenir de la Malmai- sou grow to the height of ten feet in the open air, and are loaded with magnificent flowers. Tulips, Narcissus, and hosts of garden flowers we here prize, grow wild along the roadside. Oleanders and Myrtles are so common that their wood is usetl for fuel, Dracsena and Yucca reach the stature of trees. The Passiflora, Bougainvillea and Tacsonia. which are grown in the north under glass, climb the stathouse, some- thing like Oleanilei's. So far as their orna- mental value is concerned, nothing can exceed the showiness and divei-sitv of their foliage in its range from bronzy black to the most fiery crimson. With some size, these Maples afforil the most striking forms of leaf-coloring our gardens possess. Morning Glories. This subject may appear unseasonable nou, but we may at least recall the l>eauty of these flo\\"crs in jiast sea.sons,and plan for their use in the<'omingone. Mrs. Ella (i. Campbell, owner and manager of large greenhouses in Cleveland, Olno, and surrounded by a large collection of <;hoice flowers, fiiuls en- joyment in turning to t he simple lieauty of these vines. She wrote to us of their use in this strain lately. " One of the most beautiful fea- tures our place is its vines. Mother has built screens and aivhes and covered fences, bams, chicken-houses, as well as the house with vines. And at the present writing the Morning (ilories are indeed in their glory. An old greenhouse chinmey in ruins, is a living monument to their beauty combined with several screens and the fences near by, all covered with the same." Cover the Lilies. A number of our fine Lil- ies, the little L. tennuifolium for example, are natives of northern latitudes like Siljeria, yet they as a rule ijrove tender with us. Why is this; Simply be<'ause in their home, although the winters are nmch colder than with us, they ai'e well protected by that best of winter cov- ers— snow from fall until spring. Once there is a coat of snow on the ground in the fall, iu those northern regions, it never leaves until the general break-up of the next season. Let us ib'aw our lesson, and apply a cover over the choice Lilies to imitate a heavj' coat of snow. Let it be earth, coal ashes or straw ; if of the two former, bank it up somewhat heaping to shed excessive wetness. It is not so much from hard frost, as from alternate freezing and thawing, that Lilies and things of similar nature suffer. Improved Floriculture. What is the use of it; The naturalists claim that nature produces no bad work, the roughest weeds are really the equals in pure beaut.y to the finest florists flow- ers, hence, to improve is to waste time and labor. To this the favorite flowers, the im- proved garden fruits, vegetables, and many things besides join in giving answer. Thej' say: the use of art is the improvement of nature. That to accept nature « ithout the im- provements that art has made, would be to live on wild berries and crouch in nakedness iu any cave that would ort'er shelter from the weather. It is through the improvement of nature by the hand of man, that we have obtained not alone improved flowei-s, and other jiroducts of the garden, but even our bi-ead and clothing, and the very artificial thing called a house. Will our ultia-natnralists be consistent and in all things accept what nature offei-s, nn- marred by the arts of man's busy hands; In cleaning Ivies, (Jleanders and like plants that ai-e subject to scale insects, peojjle often wonrler why a new lot of these pests show up so soon after the ta.sk, taking the place of those cleaned away. Plain enough: the means em- ployed for destroying these were not effective ao'ainst the young broods, so small as to escape detection, when the plants were gone over. Now to prevent just such vexatious hap]K'n- ings, we use water in wa.shing plants, that is shari^ened to about 120 of heat, and by the addition of tobacco juice to give it a color like weak tea. or else whale oil or common soap, to create suds freely. Such a liquid starts up young and old alike, and the former if they should not hapiMui to lie brushed away, l>ecause overlooked, are not likel.\- to settle back and thrive. Some advocate the use of hot water alone, we prefer the aildition of eithei- toliacco or soap. The washing thoroughly done, then wait a little, after whii'h strong licpiid with clean water. 42 POPULAR GARDENING. January, A Universal Favorite— The Carnation. Wherever flowers are cultivated, the im- proved Carnation is a leading favorite. It possesses the beauty of form, color, and the sweetness, if not the hardiness of the much esteemed Clove Pink (which is its pa- rent), and then the great additional quality in its improved sorts, of being a perpetual liloomer. To such an extent is this last named quality appreciated and made use of, that now in every well-conducted florist establishment, the supply of Carnation blooms may be said to be con- stant the year through. The Carnation as to color is brought under various divisions, the va- riety afforded here cover- . ing a remarkaljle range. Before this favorite loom- ed up so prominently as a commercial flower, the two main divisions were consifiered to l.)c the Bi- zarres and the Flakes, with distinct classes un- der these. Now, at least in ccmimercial import- ance, the Selfs^tliose in which one or more colors are distributed all o\er the flower, receive the most attention. The Pi- cotees are a leading class also and distinct in color; it is a question wlietlier they are a distinct species of the Diiiiithiix genus or liut a variety of D. Cdi-y- , E. B. Engle, Waynesborough, Pa., Secretary. Ontai'io Fruit Growers Association : at Strat- ford, Ontario, January 31, D. W. Beadle, St. Catherine, Out., Secretai\v. Buffalo Horticultural Society, at Buffalo, January 13. W. Scott. Buffalo, N.Y., Secretary. The Keiffer Pear has now been weighed, and found utterly wanting. As a tree it blights badly and is tender in winter. The finiit if not unattractive in appearance, is utterly wanting in flavor, and would not be sought for a second time by the eater. More trees of it are cut down now every year, perhaps, than ai'e planted. So much for another one of the long list of worthless varieties that are introduced at high prices with a flourishing of trumpets, flnd- ing many eager victims. Stick to the well tested sorts, kind readier, until new comers prove their worth beyond a doubt. It's the safe rule. The Beet draws its nourishment from an area of twelve to twenty square feet for each plant. This has been proven by exploring to the ends of the roots carefully, it being found that these extend dowuwai-d and outward in all directions for several feet. It is evident that where size of root is desired, the plants must be given plenty of room. In Choosing Market Fruits, Mr. Lyons, a vet- eran fruit growei', would look first to produc- tiveness: next tokeepingand shipping ([uahty: then to size: then to appearance and lastly to eating quality. The points of merit should stand in a different order where the object is fruit for the home table, iu fact should be just reversed, placing quality first. In shipping by the Express Companies, much fruit is injuried by being in cars that are too warm. On this account many shippers do not patronize these carriei-s and by the means save largely on freight also. A temperature of between 4(i° and .W is the most suitable for fruit transportation. Shape of Crates. Parker Eaile offers the good suggestion, that fruit crates should not be made so nearly square as at the present time. When of this shape, it cannot be readily seen which side belongs up, and the fruit suffers from bad handling and bad ]iositions iu ship- ping- A good New Year's resolve: to make ycjur berry patch double its present size. Even the hardiest Strawben-ies do better for a winter covering. Plan to have the best garden you ever saw, this year. Cut the small sappy shoots from A]jple trees. 1 886. POPULAR GARDENING. 45 kON C I ES The Rose Bud's Tale. Thoug^li the^■ whisper, he and !\Iay. I can hear eaeh word they say : For I rest,— Cliagiugto the ball-room's queeu. 'Mid the laee and silken sheen— At her breast *' Give me but that rose of thine. I will build for it a shrine Near my heart." From my bed she draws me out. For a moment seems in doubt — Then we part . In his waistcoat, crushed. I lie— 'Mid cigars and purse I die : Ere the daj' Am forgotten, and, ere night. Trophy of a conquest light. Ttu-own away I Roses are in lietter color. Poinsettias are firey -looking now. Camellias with long stems last well. The Horseshoe design is out of style. Hot houses lonk bare after the Holiday plucking. Single Primroses are finer as vase flowei-s. than douiile ones. Londoners use the Ivy leaf as green for winter button hole bouquets. Chorozema, the dainty la-illiant tiower. is used with etTect for hair sprays. Lilies should seldom be mixed with other tlowers ; they l«iok better by themselves. If you would have your tioral arrangements al- wa,^'s interesting, keei> out of the rut of sameness in making. A florist should have a special taste for tlowei-s, and the essence of his ambition will be to prefer na- ture's best work to her more ordinary. Cleaning Flower Vases. When gla.ss vases be- come discolored or furred, a weak solution of hytb-o- chloric acid will easily remove the stain, a better plan than undue rubbing, which endangers the glass. FLORAL CRESCENT AND OWL. "Why are cut tlowers so dear," is a question often asked at this season. The owner of a range of hot houses requiring 400 tons of coal to keep them warm through one winter, could quickly answer. In keeping flowers over night it is well to exclude air as entirely as possible from them. If you can- not place them in a refrigerator, they may go on the cellar tloor, sprinkling lightly and inverting a tub or tight vessel over them. Maiden Hair Ferns. No green is more charming fur intermixing with cut tlowei'S or for touching up tloral designs, than the fronds of these. Yet, as with all other fine things, their use might be over- done. We have seen such cases. A Lily of the Valley Dress ! Wlmt ovild that be like? One so called was recentlj' worn by a bride in New York. The corsage and overdress of white silk tulle, over pearly satin, was strewn thickly with the deUcate sprays of this favorite bloom of young brides. The eflfect Ls said to have been exquisite. Flowers, the measure. ^liss (jascom spoke uf a funeral she had liei-n tu as a tmiching atfair and the most devotional occasion she ever witnessed. >Irs. Harland was not so impressed, she saw no tears shed and no emotion. " But the flowers, Mrs. Harland," said Miss Gascom. "' why one of the pyramids was five feet high." The Crescent and Owl. This grotesque rtoral C^^ feet. The Microphytes have a wonderful power of re- sistance. Professor MeHendrick. found that after subjecting organisms like Bacteria to a temperature 120'^ below zero, and then thawing the fluids con- taining them. living organisms yet remained. Astonishing ! A si>ecirnen of the Giant Puff- ball, Lycoperdon (jignntruni^ of the immense size of five feet four inches its largest way, and four feet six inches the smallest way in diameter, was in 1877 found by Pn.f. R. E. Call, in Herkimer Co.. X. Y. Plants and Animals. The laboi-s of Botanists and Zoologists have long been directed to discover absolute differences Itetween these two, but in vain. There are points in the scale from the higher to the lower orders in each, where no line can positively be di'awn between the two kingd<)ms. Hard wood, a '.rvi- known as the Desert Iron Wood, and gi'owing in the dry wastes along the line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, is reported as l>e- iugoneof the hardest woods in existence. Its specific gravity almost e-- face of the earth, as follows, the numbers indicating per cents: A ni/7>/a ninculdto, none: QCnofhfro biennis. eighty-two: Plantago major, none: i\)lf/gotiiim Jii/- dro-piper^ six; Portulaca aleracea, th irty -eight : Quercus rubra, none; TrifoUum rcpens^ four; Verhaatinn iiuiiiKua^ eighly-four. A Primula Convention, international in its na- ture, will be held in London. England, commencing on April 23 next. It will be conducted somewhat after the plan of the great Orchid Convention of last year, which resulted so well in advancing the general knowledge of Orchids. At the coming Convention, the Polyanthus, .\uriculas, American Cowslips. Cyclamens, and other favorites of the Primnlarefv. will each receive a share of attention. The high character of the meeting is sufficiently indicated by the fact that the committee for the United States consists of Prof. Asa Gray, of Harvard, Prof. Thur- ber of Xew .Jersey, Prof. Sleehan of Philadelphia and Prof. Lawson of Halifax. Nova Scotia. ABOUT THE PLACE. Corn is a warming food. Plan improvements by this weather. Store pigs will consume a little clover hay with profit, if given the chance. To scatter ashes on icy walks costs nothing; broken limbs are very costly. The use of the easily made A-shaped snow scrap- ers, may save much tiresome trudging through the unbroken paths. Many a valuable horse has been crippled by sli[)- ping cents a year. The i>ractice is as wasteful as it is abomniable, fully one-fourth of the food being lost, we are smv. Feeding the cow, when choice is to be had be- tween good timothy and clover hay, feed the lattei". If of good quality, not too coarse, ami not smoky, it may be fed long. Unless it is flret-rate, it will go further for being cut. but otherwise will be no better for the ciiw. Our choice in such a case, if the sup- ply- is ample, would be not to cut. and let her reject the pooi'er parts. (Jood bright corn fodder, cut up short, are fully the equal of good hay for feeding. For meal, gi'ound oats is to be preferred above any other kind : a mixture of half and half oats and corn, groimd. is excellent for the milk yield. Half a pint of linseed oil cake or cotton seed cake daily, will keep the system in fine tone, and increase the milk. Several quarts of roots per day. isanotiier addition to the food not to be gotten along without, wheit- the Iwist results are aimed for. 46 POPULAR GARDENING. January, poviltry. Raising Chickens in Winter. The desiiability of hatching uhiol^ens early in the season, whether the object ahead, Is early broilers for mai-ket, or eggs in winter, is not in question. Tlie matter of the best ways and means to such ends, is the one which deserves our best attention at this season. For the earliest broods, the start at hatching may be made at any time now. As to the rela- tive advantages of hatching by hens or by in- cubators, we shall only say that with judicious action and close attention either course may be successful for extra early hatching. With hens, it is not necessary that tlie nest boxes be in a warm place, neither should they be where it is cold. Not more than nine eggs should be given to each hen at this season. As soon as the chicks are out, a special house or room must be provided. This should be ar- tificially heated to be comfortably warm. A coal stove is better than a wood stove tor this purpose, because of the more uniform heat possible with it. The floor of the room should be kept covered with fine dry soil or coal ashes, and the utmost care be paid to cleanliness. Wheie incubatoi-s are used, some hens should also be set when the eggs are started, with a view to acting as mothers to the otherwise motherless chicks, This they will readily do. As many as from M to llJt) chicks may be had to follow one hen: they will be more contented with the clucking of a "mother " to lead them. The best food tor the young chicks at first is stale bread crumbs, moistened very slightly in sweet milk. But little corn meal should be fed until they have become fuUy feathered, and that should be well cooked. We ai-e great ad- vocates for making sweet milk a leading article of food for early chicks after they are some weeks along. It must never be allowed to get sour, as this would disturb the digestive organs, a thing to be avoided, if we would have broilers by asparagus time. For variety some cracked wheat, rice, oaten gi'its " Cottage cheese," etc.. may occasionally be fed, all of which are most excellent and not so heating as corn meal. No trouble is ever found in turning early hatched chickens to a very profitable account. For marketing when weighing from two to four pounds per pair, they go off readily at high i-ates, sometimes retailing at S;1..50 per pair in good markets. If the prices are not too temi)ting, by keeping the pullets through, they will commence laying iu September, or earlier, and continue to do so right through the winter with the most ordinary fair treatment. How to Know the Age of Fowls. Soon after pullets reach the age of a year or fifteen months, they take on an adult look, which renders it not easy for a stranger, or even their owner, sometimes, to distinguish them from hens at least a year their seniors. For a person then to be deceived by buying old stock when young was wanted, or selling off young stock good for future serv-ice yet, when only the number of the older ones was to be reduced, is, in either case, most exasperating. These ideas suggest the importance of being able to keep track of the age of each member of your own flock, or to know the age, very nearly, at sight of those of any other. As for always knowing the exact age of each fowl in your own charge, it is not difficult to so mark the broods of each successive year, that they may be readily detected ever after- wards. Let all birds that were raised in the past year for example, be caught at this time, and marked by twisting a small piece of, .say brass wire, loosely round the left leg. Then let the brood of the present year 1880, be sim- ilarly marked in the fall, but on the right leg. A year later similarly mark the fowls of 1877 on the left leg with copper instead of brass wire, and further on, those of 1888 with the same wire on the right leg. In the year after that, you could stai't in with the bra.ss marks again, and so on by romids of four years indefi- nitely. In this way, a mark on the left leg would always indicate the odd numbers of years ; on the right the even numbers. Such a ring attached by a few twists would, if loose, be no annoyance to the fowl, while it would serve as a sure mark of the age. With the best judges, there are found no true signs of the exact age in external appearances. Yet some indications are comparatively relia- ble. Rough legs for one thing are a tolerably A PAIR OF ROUEN DUCKS. true sign of age, the legs of the young Ijcing generally very smooth. Another clue, although not an infallible one, is the time of year at which a fowl moults. As a rule bu-ds moult later every year, so that if a hen changes her feathers early in the autumn, it may be taken for granted that she was hatched the year pre- vious. Again, fowls get lighter in color as theii- years increase. And lastl)', in old birds there is an absence of that sprightliness com- mon to youth, and, at the same time, they car- ry that appearance of age which ought not to deceive even a novice at poultry keeping. Rouen Ducks. Of the two principle varieties of the domestic duck, the Rouen and the Aylesbury, the former appears to be the greater favorite. Perhaps a sufficient reason for this is found, iu the fact that they do better iu many parts than the Aylesbury. They also have a reputation for superiority of flesh, in the fall months especially. As for appearances, the Rouen easily leads the white in the estimation of the masses. Indeed, nothing can exceed the beauty of a drake of the former when he is in full plumage. The points that should be aimed for in ducks of this variety for breeding purposes, may be summed up about as follows : The di'ake should have a shapely form and a commanding ap- pearance. The head should be green and pur- ple, with a long clean bill, having a yellow ground with a very pale wash of green over it, and the "bean" on the end of it jet black. There should be a sharp closel.y-defined ring of white ai'ound the neck, save that it should not quite meet at the back. Breast a clear claret- brown to swell below the water line, where it should pass into a beautiful French gray for the under body, shading into white near the tail. The back ought to be a rich greenish black with wings of a grayish brov^^l, bearing distinct purple and white ribbon-marks. The flight feathers must be gi-ay and brown, no white. Legs a rich orange. In the duck the bill should be shorter than in the drake; orange brown as a gi-ound color, shading off at the edges to yellow, and at the top a nearly black mark. Any approach to slate color in birds of either sex, would be a fatal blemish. The head of the duck is dark brown; the breast a pale brown, delicately penciled with dark brown, the back with black on a dark brown ground. BeUy a light brown with the feathers delicately penciled to the tip. CONDENSED POULTRY NOTES. Soughing it won't do for hens. Make low roosts for large-sized breeds. Many diseases may be laid to cold and wet. Notice how fowls will fret if the food comes lat^?. One thing is sure: china nest eggs never break from frost. Not much use looking for winter layers in hens over two years old. To neglect tlie morning feetUng, an experienced poultry man tells us, will make few eggs for that day. If we wish eggs when eggs are dear, we must hatch early or push the medium early pullets rap- idly when hatched. A warm hen house, not a very close one, is wan- ted: there should be ventilation at the top for draw- ing out the foul air. Lime is good for fowls, but it must not be mixed with food, or they may get too much of it. Keep it in a shallow box. where they can take of it at will. A thought for the New Year: Don't spend all the money on ornamenting the house and barn: put some touches also on the poultry house. Have you never noticed how much a tasty-looking, well- painted hen house adds to the appearance of a place? Those of our readers who tliink of usinp an incu- liator this s]iring for hatching chicks should have it on hand now or shoidd order it right away. It is prudent to become acquainted with these machines by running them a few days, before entrusting to their care oue or two hundred high priced eggs. Salting the food, wliile it is a^oodplan toa slight extent, especially when there is a disposition to feather eating, must be guardedly done. We call to mind the ease years ago of a neighbor who was told that to feed salt woidd increase the laying. He fed salt, not sparing it, and liow his hens did begin to lay--on the dung pile. dead. Scratching is good afternoon exercise for hens. To get them at it have a drv place on the floor in some part away from the roost, and defined by boards ten <>r twelve inches high. Into this place several inches of dr,y earth, sand, coal ashes, chaff,, or anything the hens can scratch. Then every noon scatter some buckwheat or other grain on the surface, working it in with the foot, and let the hens go to work. Its fvm to watch them. If you want a t'owd that looks good anywhere, writes a correspondent of the Journal— in the fowd yard, the field, the pot, that acts hke a good fowl should in the laying nest, the incubating nest or brooding coop — you mu.st hunt long and dillip;ently to tind the equal of the well-known but too little prized Dominiques. Its only the careless, shiftless poidtry keeper, who is heard to complain about chicken ailments as a rule. Give your fowls good care, and our wonl for it you may laugh at most diseases. Talk and Cleanliness. There is a good deal of talk about cleanliness in the poultry house, but what does the word mean here? it means remove all the excrement every day, not half of it; renew the nests often, using clean material at each start; to keep the walls nice and sweet, bv the application of a lime-wash occasionally: to aim at having the fowls clean of insects, by dosing the roosts with some vernun kiUer, as well as the nest boxes, cor- ners, etc., to provide a suitable bathing place— even if the material of the bath is nature's strange choice for fo%vls. dry dust. All these things are wanted before we can call the hen-house in a clean and healthy state. Frequently brushing up the floor, of scattered dust and filth is also necessary. Great Figures iielong to a great country like our own, of course. The last U. S. census brought out a good many of these, most of which are altogether too immense for our minds to anything hke near grasp. For instance, here as to domestic fowls: In the country at the time the census of 1880 was taken, there were of common fowls 10a,^'2,]:3.5, and of other fowls, which we suppose includes turkeys, geese and ducks '53,33.5.187, or a total of ia.5,507,:K8 fowls of all sorts. From such a number the product is something enormous. It is not imreasonable to suppose that the average product from each fowl would be flve pounds of dressed poultry for market, worth yj cents per pound. The market value of this product would be $7.5,:W4,:3i)3.2(1. The number of eggs reported was 4.5ti,910,iilG doz- ens. It is not stated whether this is the number laid or the number sold. But as it only allows 43 eggs to a fowl we suppose it is the number sold. Allow- ing 15 cents per dozen as a fair average price the season through and the country over, we have a market value of $(i8,.'):3i),l)37. Adding the meat and egg product we have a grand total of $143,841,030 as the vahie of the poultry product of the United States. i886. POPULAR GARDENING. 47 owGjfeppue^ Treeclimber's Talks. ABOUT THE RAUKIST AMERU'AN PLANT. Some plants, like the Dandelion and Chick- weed, are so (.-oiuniou that everybody knows them. This is also true of sueh shrubs as the Hose and the Lilac,audof Maple, Elm and Poplar trees, which shade our streets, and yrow in the forests. Of course we all know that many other kinds of plants are less common ; it is not a strange thing to hear people say when they visit other peoples' gardens, " I never saw this plant before," referring to one sort or another, that pei-haps is not common. No one can know evei-y plant. I desire now to introduce my young readers to one o( the rarest plants of America, or indeed of the world. It is so rare, in tact, that it has almost became extinct. For a plant or an animal to become extinct, you know, means that it has died out on the face of the globe, a thing which has occurred to numbere of both plants and animals. The plant I here refer to is the PRETTY LITTLE SHORTIA GALACIFOLIA. This plant has been found growing only in two small spots on the globe, one in Japan, the other in McDowell Co., North Cai'olina. So being it is an American, in part at least, we of this country shoiild take the greater interest in it. The ac- companying engraving shows the plant at about one-half its natural size. As you may see, the flowers are primrose-like in form; the leaves ai'e dai'k green and glossy, resembling somewhat those of the Wintergreen plant of om' woods. To show how comparatively scarce the Shortia is, it may be said that while the common little Dandelion opens its bright golden flowers abun- dantly on this continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Gulf of Mexico northwards to the Ai'ctic regions, wherever man lives, this only known habitation of Shortia in America, in the county above named, is a space of less than ten feet wide by forty feet long, and here not over one hundi'ed plants have been found. For many years after the existence of such a plant in Amei-ica was first suspected, by the presence of a dried siiecimen of it in a Paris mu- seum, labeled as from this country, its localitj- was unknown. Much search was given to finding its whereabouts, but for a long time without suc- cess. At last, however, some eight years ago, this small patch of it was discovered to the great joy of aU our botanists. The place has of lat« years been visited by many lovers of rare plants. THE PERFUME OF FLOWERS. Whenever you are shown a handsome flower, one of the first things you want to know, is, whether it is sweet or not. No matter how gaudy may be its colors or pleasing its form, if it lacks fragi'ance you thiuk less of it. About the only charm possessed by the modest Mignonette is its odoi-; yet that is enough to cause it to be loved by everyone as few other flowers are. It maj" be noticed that such sweet flowers as Mignonette, Violets, Lily of the Valley, Car- nations anil Roses, are the greatest favorites with true lovers of flowers. They please the nose as well as the eye ; without such as these a nosegay cannot be made. Little is known about the perfume of flowers besides the mere fact that it exists. No one can describe it, exept by saj-ing it resembles the odor of other flowers or things. I have often been amused to hear how many people will say> when they smell of the Heliotrope, IT .SMELLS LIKE ICE CREAM, they could more properly Say it resembles the odor of vanilla, an article ranch used for flavor" ing ice cream and candies. We can say of the Gilly flower, tliat it has a fi'uity fragi'auce, of the Tubei'ose that it has a Jasamine-like smell, and of the leaves of the Rose Geranium, that their sweet odor closely resembles thai of Roses, and thus convey an idea of these, but further than this no one can describe a fragrance so that another would know it from the descrip- tion given. The perfvmie of flowers is gathered and pre- served for later use in [Jerfumery. All boys and girls, I believe, like perfumery of one kind or another. Perfumery of some kinds is derived This is utit a iin-tty picture, but it is a tnie one. Wliere there's a will ton the mind, is oni' of the most wonderful gifts tcj mall. "Why some tilings should be readily retained in the memory, and then others of equal importance shoulrl he as easily lost has puzzled many witliout a solution of the matter being reached. It is Siiid that memory depends upon attention, or that the more we attend to a thing the better we remember it. The old remark that a person never forgets a debt owing to him, perhaps illusti-ates this. Cicero after long thinking about the memory, found in it a striking proof to his mind of the immor- tality of the soul and the existence of a God. Samuel Smiles recently remarked on this subject as follows: The most extraoi'Uinary instances of memory are those furnished by the ages which pre- ceeded the art of printing. Plato, Socrates, and the philosophers of their time, depended entirely on their memories. Seneca could repeat two thousand proper names in the order in which they had been told him. without a mistake. After prmting had been invented, but while books were still rare and dear, memory con- tinued to perfonn its great teats. Bot'tigella knew by heart wdiole books verbatim. It is recorded of Pascal, that he forgot nothing of what he had done, read or thought, in any part of his rational Hfe. He knew the whole Bible by heart, and could at any moment cite chapter and verse of any part of it. THE RAREST AMERICAN PLANT— SHORTIA GALACIFOLIA from animals as in the case of musk, but plants furnish the most of that used. In these it is due to a volatile and highly inflammable oil known as otto. The chief pai't of the per- fumer's ai-t is to separate this oU from the vegetable matter in which it exists. Some sub- stances, like the peel of oranges or lemons con- tain so much of this oil, that it can be squeezed out with the hand. Timothy Treeclimber. A Condition not to be Evaded. One of the conditions of our existence in this world is, that we must work. It is n,ot always an easy idea for the young, those who have plenty of the needful things of life all about them, provided by the hands of others, to come to. But it must be done if we would be truly independent and happy throughout life. Let one look about him, and if he is a close student of humanity he wiU see that those who ai'e busily employed, are the most contented, while the few who try to get tlu'ough life with- out labor, however wealthy they may chance to be, ai'e anything but happy. The ranks of the "tramps" aresoouer or later mostly made up of those who ridiculously boast that the world owes them a living, without their work- ing for it. On the subject of work and money making for the young, Mr. Charles Barnard says, in the Youth^:^ Cniiipttniitn : Must a fellow work to get money "/ Thafs a sorry end to the matter. Is there no other way of getting money y No. The fact is the world is a hard place to live in for lazy folks; unless you can do some- thing; unless you can pick money out of the ground, or the sea; unless yon are wilUng to work for some one wdio has money, you can cohie to w ant with the greatest ease. If you cannot work by reason of any defect, the public will supply your needs— in a hospital. If you will not work, down, down yon go, deeper and deeper into poverty, poorer and poorer, till at last there is the poorhouse, with its bare doors, its coarse bread and miserable end— a nameless grave in the Potter's Field. PET BIRDS, ANIMALS. ETC. The Goldfish does not bear cold well. Never let the cage door slain, it you want a tame bu-d. Where Goldfish are common flsh, they are eaten as a delicacy. Name your pets when you fu-st get them: use the name and it will soon be learned. If the door of the dog-house be at the side near the end, instead of in the end as usually made, there will be better protection to the animal from wind and ram. The bed in winter should consist of plenty of fine shavings or wheat straw; change at least once eveiy fortnight. The house needs to be raised from the earth, to pi'event dampness. Has the Bell Yet. About twenty fouryears ago. just a little before the war of the rebellion, a turkey buzzard was caught, and a bell attached to his neck. This bird has occasionally been identified, and again quite recently by the ringing of the bell. This fact goes to show what has long been known, that the turkey buzzard is long hved. In most of the South- ern States, it is unlawful to kill them, because of their value as consumers of carrion. They are further presen-ed by the superstition of the negroes, that it is liad luck to hurt them. Scattering the Seed is a troublesome and waste- fid trick in a bii'd. Mi-s. Helen Jliller writes that if you wish to avoid this, never p;it twt> kinds of seed together, and never leave shells on lop of the seed. ^Vllat leads to the practice of this trick, is that birds get ui the way of looking for a favorite kind, and this they learn is to be found under other kinds some- times. Always put fresh seed in the dish even if it is not half eaten, blowing out all shells first. lu giving two kinds have two dishes or else — what is better— put one kind on the ground. Cage Birds do not require any special attention at this season of the year. The chief points are, to supply them with suflicient food and no more, to avoid coddling them, on the one band, and ex- posing them to cold draughts on the other. The cages should be suspended in a light position and near the window, or other position where they will have a fair amount of air. In gas-hghted rooms the tops of the cages should be from three to four feet from the ceiling, because of the impurity of the atmosphere of the npi>er part of rooms where special means are not adoiited for carrying off the vitiated air. The food with which the birds are suppheil should be generous, but not overheating or too fattening, and the supplj" of green food nuist not be neglected. At the present time there is no green food to surpass \Vatercress,grown under glass, and groundsel, for Canary and other small birds. 48 POPULAR GARDENING. January, "^e Household Pancakes. A writer in the Cuiik comlemus pancakes in the most vigorous terms, particularly buck- wheat pancakes, which he considers chief of all dietetic abominations, because buckwheat is heating. We imagine that the principal injury ai-ising froni the use of buckwheat pancakes is when the use of these is overdone. That the gi-ain of buckwheat is nutritious is indisputable, containing as it does, about 10 per cent, of gluten and 52 per cent, of starch, besides about (i per cent, of g-um and sugar, but that it has an injurious action on the blood, causing skin eruptions, and perhaps also a bad effect on the brain, seems also to be established. As a supplementary ai'ticle of food it is entitled to use in a reasonalile degree, and then no harm would need to be expected. To bring the cakes hot from the greasy pan in American style on the table once a day, and then make of them almost the sole article of food is too overdo in their use ; such a rule iu vogue should be broken. That we may di-ive further terror into the heart of the luxurious buckwheat cake eater, we print the closing flourish of the article, by the writer referred to : •'Their one merit, that of increasing the tem- perature of the consumer, is in nearly all ca.ses an evil. Were a man residing at the North Pole, he might warm himself by eating buck- wheat cakes; but in any decent latitude, buck- wheat injuriously c i verheats the blood. All the benefits of buckwheat cakes could be obtained by swallowing cotton while sitting on a mod- erately hot stove. At the same time, one of the evils of buckwheat— the blood-poisoning and cutaneous eruptions which mark the victim of buckwheat— could be avoided. People with their circulatiou stimulated and their stomachs and livers inflamed by buckwheat, are unfit for pursuing the ordinary affairs of life, let alone anv others."' Shall the Girls be Taught to Work? The popular verdict seems to lie that they should be taught everything except useful work. Of a practical knowledge of housekeep- ing, a young woman is not unfrequently al- lowed to remain in entire ig-n(3iance all through girlhood. Every right thinking person must see in this a great error, aud will agree with the following sensible words, relating to this question, by Ida Hinman, in the Chrixfian Wmnan: What father would think of setting his son up in business without giving him some prac- tical knowledge of it i But the daughter, in many cases, is allowed to enter upon her life work without the least prepai-ation. It is wonderful that she succeeds as well as she does ; for housekeeping is one of the most difficult of trades; it is a combination of many trades in one. Circimistances may not compel her to work, but then ignorance places her at a disailvantage with her domestics. That manual labor is not honorable is a mis- taken idea, yet this is lai-gely the feeling in re- gard to girls. For this polite society is chiefly to blame. There is no reason why a girl who can cook a good dinner, or make a di'ess well, does not deserve as nuich credit as one who can play the piano or paint a picture; she is cer- tainly more useful. A good housekeeper is en- titled to dignity and respect; there is no more honorable calling. We would not have a young girl made a drudge and kept in the kitchen, or spend any gi'eat part of her time there, unless circum- stances demand it ; and we are not saying a word against her liberal education. Let her study all the languages, dead or modern, for, which she may have inclination. Let her take a regidar college coiu'se with her brothers, and add music and painting if she has talent for them. Let her study what she will and all she will; but let her also have some practical knowledge of household duties; for it she has not this, she has not a liberal education. Brieflets. Cold air is cot always pure. Have at least three dish towels. Health is easier retained than regained. Sixty-eight to seventy degrees is the best room temperatiu-e. Lay aside the cai-es of housekeeping too. when the work is done. Paper nibbed over tin will produce a better sbine than (lannel will. Chloroform will take out paiut from any material if well rubbed in. Fresh fish soaked for half an hour in salt water before cooking will be the nicer for it. When your tooth lirush is badly woi-n, get a new one for the teetli. usingthe old one for cleaning lamp burners, window sash and the like. The battle is not always to the strong: else the onion would always be ahead. The most it does is to wring tears from those whom it opposes, but never as a real victor. Earache. This distressing ailment so connnon to childhood, may be relieved almost immediately by the use of the following simple remedy which is to be found in every family: Take a bit of raw onion and beat it to a pidp. Si)rend this on a piece of thin mushn. and roll into a form that may be placed into the opening of the ear. This is all, and a care may l)e exi>ected when other remedies fail. Washing stockings is a disagreeable part of the wash day work. It can l>e made easier and less re- pulsive by putting the stockings to soak in luke- warm water to wdiich a little pearliue has been added, at the beginning of washing. Then leave them nntil the last thing, when it will be fotnid that the dirt and perspiration held will be loosened so as to come out easily without hand-rubbing. Stockings, like any other w-ooien garment, should be washed without rubbing. This process is very wearing and shrinks the material. When clean, wring them from the water in which they were soaked: rinse in blue water: stretch int" shape and dry at once. Make your own Dessicated Cocoanut. Now that tile cocoanut season opens anew, let us give some simple directions for preparing this delicious article of the cook room, to be both better and much cheaper than that which is sold at the stores. Buy the nuts, remove the shells and reduce through a coarse grater. Before the grated substance has a chance to dry, stir in as much pulverized or granu- lated sugar as the moisture will cause to adhere to the particles. Dry quickly but without iiigh heat, to prevent its turning sour: stir repeatedly. After it is thoroughly dried, put into paper bags, which should then be kept in a dry pantry or chest. Use the same as the article wliicli may be bought. A Word to the Men Folks. Although your oc- cupation takes you out of doors and away from home, do not at this season which is so trying to the housekeeper, neglect to give whatever aid yon can in her department. The fact that you are much away, and to this extent relieved from the extra cares of winter housekeeping, makes it all the more desirable that you sometimes lend your help. The writer who comes over to these colmuns to say so, happens to know verj- well how a man's judgment, or his strong arms occasionally offered, can lighten the additional labors that come with the winter here, and this too, whether there is hired help or not. See to it that the heating is well furnished in fuel and kindling right along— let the wife be re- lieved of any cares about this matter. Provide utensils, and if needed, sometimes muscles, for keep- ing draughts clear of clinkers and pipes and chim- neys in order. Fi'ee burning fires are wonderfully cheering to home life in winter, and promotive of happiness all around. Then the snow shovel is out of place in a woman's hands if there be a man about, who has time to handle it. By this we mean reasonable time, and few men are so situated but that they can keep the walks and steps clean of snow every day in the winter. This suggestion might seem uncalled for, were it not that the writer knows of cases where women clean the walks and the men are idle. One man in particular we have heard about, keeps his lazy body to bed mornings now-a-days, while his wife rousts about tending the fires and shoveling off walks. Such men are an unmitigated ilisgrace to civilizatittn. Notes on Dress and Home Art. Kid gloves are low in price. Yellow is growing more popular. A plain tailor suit, is a safe investment. Sonnet strings three inches wide are worn. Press seams with a warm, but not hot iron. Women are in high feather; look at the hats. Velvet is in full fashion for elegant winter wraps. The old-fashioned pumpkin hood is to be re- vived. For Childrens' costumes very small buttons are in vogue. Puffed draperies are considered in poor taste for children. Furniture polish of good quality may be made by combining sweet oil aud paraftine. Braid should alwa3-s be shrunk in warm water and irtaied before putting on the bottom of skirts. For economy in dress goods, black is the color; it does not bear its date so soon as do figured or col- ored dresses. The shelf-like bustle seems to have been '■ shelved ■■ at last. We have noticed that it has long been going Iceland. A room crowded to discomfort with furniture and ornaments, no matter how costly, has more of the aspect of a museum than of a restful home. For dressy evening bonnets this winter, those of white or pale-tinted satin are forsaken for black velvet, trimmed with soft shades of pigeon gray and various shades of pink. Flacques of brass or bronze are an elegant ad- dition to prints and paintings for the adornment of walls. The prices this season are so moderate that all can afford at least a touch of their solid beauty. A dark and gloomy room may be relieved by placing ebonized shelves over the doors and win- dows, grouping bright scarlet, yellow or gilded fans upon the walls, and placing pretty bric-a-brac and vases where they will have a cheerful background. Feather trimming may be a becoming, and not an expensive garniture, but it is not satisfactory in the best sense. Both cold and dampness soon affects the natural oil of the feathers, and they fall and look duU and soiled. Holding before a brisk fire may for a time renew the soft, fluffy appear- ance which is their first attraction, but the improve- ment is not lasting. As they last w-ell for one sea- son and wide bands can now be purchased at a small cost, they are used by many to renovate last year's wraps, for which they are admirable. The Bamboo funiishes a natural basket-making mateiial, and by means of it the ingenious Orien- tals produce work of unrivalled beauty and finish. The bamboo wicker-work with which the Japanese inclose their delicate egg-shell porcelain is a mar- vellous example of manipulation, and they and the Chinese excel in the application of bamboo wicker- work to furniture. Some extraordinarily delicate baskets made by Siamese artisans are to be seen iu the collections, those intended for ladies' use being as fine as lace-work in their decoration. Cherry-Stained Easel. A subscriber of the.tr( Iiiteirliiimji- gives these suggestions for staining and adorning a plain pine easel. Rub iodine, such as is sold at the di-uggisfs, on the wood until it is covered, with a bni.sh. The addition aftenvard of a strong solution of logwood would give the cherry effect. Some mouldings or rosettes of Lincrusta- Walton fastened on the easel and stained with this will make it look like a carved easel. After stain- ing, when drj-. go over the easel with Saddler's pol- ish, using clean cloths to apply, and afterwards rub dry. ■garnish may be removed by flist rubbing with fine sand-paper until the hard upper gloss is removed, then by washing in a strong, hot solution of wa.shing soda. Finish by rulibing off with a wet rag sjiriukied with fine pmnice powder. TJmbrellas, says the Boston Cult imtor, very sen- sibly, will last far longer if when wet they are placed handle downward to dry. The moisture falls from the edges of the frame and the 'fabric dries uniformly. It stood handle upward, which is commonly the case, the top of tlie umbrella holds the moisture, owing to the lining underneath the ring, and therefore takes a long time to dry, thus injuring the silk or other fabric with which it is covered. This is the prime cause of the top of the umbrella wearing out sooner than the other part. Umbrella cases, too, are responsible tor the rapiil wear of the silk. The constant friction causes the tiny holes that appear so provokingly early. When not in use leave the umbrella loose; when wet, never leave it open to dry. as the tense condition thus produced makes the silk stiff and it soon cracks. POPULAR GARDENING FOR TOWN AND COUNTRY. "ACCUSE NOT NATURE. SHE HATH DONE HER PART; DO THOC BUT THINE."— Uiuioi Vol. 1. IFEBK-TTJ^ia-S-, 188S. The Chinese Primrose, The Garden Primroses have been favorite flowers, no one can tell Jiow far liaek into the ages — prol)a1)ly from the \ery liei'inuina' of floriculture. Most of. the hardy species, enibrat'in.i;- tlie comnwrn sort, the Cowslip and the Auricula, are natives of Europe. Being these, as a class, find a climate better .suited to their ■nants abroad — and especially in England, than with us, the^' have always received more attention from the .gardeners of the Old World than from our own. Still, .some of the kinds are ami>ng our most val- uable garden flowers. But with the introduction of the beautif\il lender Chinese Primroses, some flft_y years ago, there came into our hands a class quite as desirable for cultivation in America as in Europe. This valuable section needs the protection of glass almost the year around, hence the conditions of growth are about as well met in one place a.s in another. What the hardy Primrose has for ages been as an out-door flower, this tender Asiaticau has proven to be for in-door use, namely: Every- body's flower. As a plant for window culture, no less than for the c o n s e r V a t o r j^, we know no other one that is so sure to bloom as this. From the holiday season until hot weather of eacli year, it is one of the sorts capable of adding much to the beauty and life of every plant collection. These tender Primrose.s, so far as the handsome single- flowering sorts, and some of the double ones, are con- cerned, are easily raised from the seed. This is sown in the summer, and by the following winter the plants raised should be of a blooming size. Where the raising of plants has been neglected they can be bought of almost ever}- florist for a small price per pot, at this season of the year. In purchasing, select such as have not been forced, but only exposed to the heat of a cool greenhouse. If the forms of the plants are dwarf, .something as .shown in our engra\'ing, this may be taken as a sign tliat they were well grown: choose such. In culture. Primroses need a light place, l)ut do best in a room that is not very warm. The flowers should be picked off as soon as they are past their prime, as seed-bearing will needlessly exhaust the plants. young growths will stand closely from the start, to create good effects very soon. Then I count upon this thinning-out process year by year, to prevent the subjects from gettint,' bfjdly crowded. By planting- closely, in well-prepared soil at the first, 'one needs never to be heard saying: " It takes a lifetime before such things make any show." The fact is, that by such a course an excellent showing may be made in shrub- bery and hardy plants the verj' year of plant- ing, to be gi-eatly improved by the second year and later. Trees take about twice the time for producing good effects that shrubs dn. My method of close planting is to arrange the shmbs or trees that are to be- the i^erma- Ft'h Notes from Lyndale. BY A. n. E. 'iiiirij 3. The winter and spring seasons never have come ai'ound since the trees and shrubs at Lyndale have gotten fairly started, that some thinning-out of these has not been done. I believe in so planting these that the A FINE TYPE OF THE PRIMROSE PLANT. nent subjects of any group, first. These go in at what seems like a good distance apart for the youug specimens, say from fom- to six feet apart, on an average, for shnibs, and nearly thi-ee times as far for most kinds of trees. Then between these I place, for shrubs, either of the same kinds or else some free-growing sorts, such as Sprisea, Houe3-suckles, etf., that quickly become attractive. In trees, free- growers, like the Poplars, Birches and Silver Maples,are used as the filling-in material. Such robu.st and strong growers serve also to "nurse" the more delicate ones by breaking the winds. * * * Fvbniiiry 7. Let me supplement a previous note by this cautionary one ; I would never ad- vise close planting excepting to those persons who give enough thought and care to their grounds, to see that the plantations are thor- oughlj--well thinned out as needed later. A lack of trees and shrubs in a gm-den is bad enough, as e\eryone not devoid of taste knows, but to have these standing so thick from the close- planting but never-thinning system as to cause excessive shade and closeness is even woi-se. I say, therefore, to the careful gardener who gives a good deal of time and labor to keeping up his place, plant close at the start and rely on thinning afterwards; to those who are disposed or compelled to follow a hap-hazard style of gardening, do not plant too thickly. The former will have the most beauty from the start, but it will come, as it naturally should come, from some increase of cost and care. *** Febridirji Vo. If there is one thing more than another, to which may be attributed the success met at Lyndale in gardening, it is to the matter of thoroughly fitting up the soil for every operation. I have often heard people among my visitois attribute the ill-looking condition of their own flower beds to the par- ticular kind of soil of the beds, as being unfa- vorable. I smile at such apolo- gies, for I don't much believe in the bad-soil theories. My experience in the grow- ing of flowers, vegetables and fruit here, has been in all kinds of soil, from clay to light sand and "chawed rock." I have met, if not equal success in all, at any rate very good success in all. My pi-eference is for a loam, neither heavy nor very li.ght, failing in that as I do in some parts of the grounds, I take what I find, knowing that to render it fit for supporting plant life is chiefly a matter of what 1 bring to it as plant food or else take from it. * * * In the first place, in fitting up my grounds I have taken from every part of them except the bog, the excessive moisture of the soil, by under-draining. Then I have in each ease of a bed or border fitted up, brought on an ami)le stock of plant food in the shaiie of well-decayed raanm-e. To the teds in heavy soil I have, besides the manure, added sand, or coal ashes, for reducing the tenacious quality of the eai-th. To some of the beds in light soil, vegetable matter from depressions in a half-clearecl forest not far away. Then, I practice deep tillage, incoiiiorating these substances referred to, with the soil to the depth of at least eighteen inches. This is done by trenching. The roots of the plants are thus encouraged to extend downwai-ds and outwards to a gieat length. They find an abundance of sustenance wherever they go, this being the one thii.g needed for jironioting vigor and teauty. 1 jilant to lm\c things gi'ow, not to lia\e them starve. * * * Fi'linidi-ij IS. To-day I made out my ne«- order for fruit trees and ornamental shrubs and plants, to sevei'al nurseries. It may be six or eight weeks yet In't'ore the orders can be fiUeil, but there is the satisfaction of knowing that to get them in early the orders will be fillee against slope, as shown at D. The bark of the two parts should be even, at least on one side. Tightly en- closing the joined parts by a strip of paper or cloth saturated with grafting wax, completes the opera- tion. Put away the grafts as the work proceeds into boxes of earth, in the cellar, here to remain un- til the planting-out time arrives. The entire matter is so simple any one may expect to succeed with it. Top Grafting. Do not be imi)atient to get at it. If the grafts have been cut and properly buried in earth (this may yet be done, if done at once.t to keep them naturally moist, late grafting, ay just at the time the leaf -buds burst, is better than earlier. With such grafts on hand, it may be done, even in June, with success. By that time the sap is in a condition to support larger grafts than if the grafting were to be done earlier, and the use of such proves to be a gain. should be on hand for covering the glass every cold night. The hot-bed is a suitable place for sowing all kinds of seeds for early plants, starting Sweet- Potatoes, bulbs, etc.. rooting cuttings, growing early vegetables, pot and bedding plants, and the like. Lettuce sown in a box in the window, hot-bed or green-house now, will give nice jilants for frames w a warm spot in the garden in April, to mature in May. Curled Silesia is one of the best for early. Bhubarb, if covered in the beds with boxes or barrels, and plenty of manure is packed around these, will come weeks earlier than without this. Seeds, Uet around a complete supply in ample , time. Test old ones. I Site. In choosing a site for vegetables, a south- east aspect should be preferred, as aiding earliness. Lay off in squares, with plenty of narrow walks be- tween the divisions, devoted to different crops. VEGETABLE GARDEN. At the South, Asparagus, Rhubarb and Horse- radish beds may be made. Potatoes may be planted, and in the more southern i)arts the seeds of Squashes and Melons, provided some means of pro- tection are at hand against hard weather. The most successful gardeners are always ready to take some risks in starting their crops early. See last month, under this heati. Cold Frames. As the weather grows warmer, Cabbage, Lettuce, etc., in these will need more air. Dig Parsnips, Horee-radish and Salsify when the groimd is open. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS. Cucumbers. Any fruit that shows before the plants are tolerably strong, nip out. When fruiting may go on, the hills will want earthing up some- what with nice light loam. As bearing begins, stop regularly one joint beyond the fruit. Figs that are being forced should now be freely syringed. They need more water also, at this time, Grapery. Vines started early should be kept trainetl. and have the laterals disbudded. After blooming, care should be taken not to syringe the biuiches, but every ineh of wall and path should be well moistened to keep down Red Spider. Avoid the extreme, however, of creating so much mois- ture as to generate mildew. On newly starting up vines, see directions in the January issue. Lettuce is a crop that grows finely under glass during this month and later. Provide about 45° of heat at night, (iive an abumlance of air in mild weather. Water liberally, but not to excess. Orchard House. Peaches or any other trees in these, will set their fruit better for free airing while blossoming is going on. Keep the atmosphere as dry as possible at this important stage, but after the fruit is set syringe freely, using tepid water. Bhubarb may be had early by taking some roots under glass or to any warm place, even if it is not well lighted. A Small Hot-bed for Family Use Hot-beds. Some hot-beds are made by market gardeners for early crops during this month, but for family use, next month ought to be early enough in most parts of our land. A small hot-bed of several sash or upwards in size, is a pleasant addition to any garden. It comes in during the early spring months as a minature green-house at a trifling cost. The heating agent, besides the sun, is horse and other manure, but chiefly that of the former. A frame is made of plank, or better yet, double-walled of studs, covered inside and out with matched boards, and of a size to suit the munber of sashes to be used. These are to slide on the top, supported by cross-bars, and made to fit tightly. What is wanted, as to manure, is a body of this which is fresh, not spent by heating. It should be of a size two feet longer, and wider than the frame of the bed, and about two feet deep, closely packed by tramping. This may be placed above ground or it may be lowered one or more feet into the earth, with some saving of heat. If above earth, the ex- posed manure should be sheltered bj- banking some soil, tanbark or similar material against it. After the frame is in place, some fine, rich loam, enough to cover the manure three or four inches deep, should be put into it. A thermometer now thrust into the manure ought to soon indicate as high as 100 degrees of heat. AVheu such a degi-ee of warmth subsides to 90 degrees or less, the bed is ready for use. Straw mats or light board shutters The Annual Spring Gardening Cata- logues. These are now reaching us, one after another in quick succession, from seedsmen, florists, nui-sery- men and othere, with more yet to be heard from. From fu-st to last these yearly trade publications are a re- markably handsome and useful class of prints, and, with rare exceptions, show much care in their preparation. Indeed, we question whether any other line of business in existence, bestows an equal degree of attention to retail trade announcements as is here shown. But the people are, after all, the real catalogue makers. As the fountain cannot rise above its source, so the catalogues, as to their beauty and worth, must be taken as an index of the taste and the expenditures in this line, of the people, who support them. The American gardening catalogues, indeed, speak well for the growing taste for gardening in all its departments among our people. Hailing, as Popular Gardening does, gladly, every sign of advancement here, we take pleasure in call- ing the attention of our readers to all such cata- logues received at this office. A number of these are also announced in our advertising columns. DeVeer & BooNEKAMP, ID Broadway, N, Y. Cat- alogue of Dutch BuU.is and Plants for Spring, IBSG. Benjamin Hammond. Fishkill-on-Hudson, N. Y. Circular of Hammond's Slug Shot Insect Killer and Lawn Fertilizer. Peter Henderson & Co., 35-37 Cortlandt St., New York. Manual of '* Everything for the Garden." A remarkable catalogue, of i:38 pages, containing hun- dreds of engravings and three colored plates of flowers and vegetables. It contains descriptions and prices of all desirable garden requisites. Hill & Co., Richmond, Ind. Catalogue of Roses and other plants. This is a large, handsome pam- phlet of 00 pages, bearing many marks of taste and originality in its get up. T. S. Hubbard, Fredouia, N. Y. Wholesale and special price list of grape vines. J. E. Jeffords & Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Illus- trated List of Flower Pot*!, Seed Pans, and other Florists' crockery supplies. W. H. Johnson, Mineral Ridge. O. Circular and Price List of the Plum Tree Poultry Yards C. A. Kuehn's, St. Louis, Mo. Catalogue of Pal ent Clamp Florist's Designs. D. Landreth & Sons, Philadelphia, Pa. Kitchen Garden Price List of American Pedipi'ee Seeds. Chas. Lorenz, Erfurt. Prussia. A handsome UO- page catalogue of garden seeds, issued from this German house for amateurs, and printed in the English language. Well illustrated. W. E. Morton it Co.. Portland, Maine. Morton's Annual, a work of -IK pages, substantially bovmd in cloth. Besides containing prices of plants and flow- ers, it gives the Language of Flowere. Floral Knowl- edge, etc., and is altogether interesting. No price is given. Stark Nurseries, Louisiana, Mo. Spring Price List and announcement of the Mariana Plum. Herman Perlich, 18:^ South Broadway, Baltimore, Md. Circular of Excelsior Fumigator. Pratt Brothers, Rochester, N. Y. Announce- ment of the Empire Stato Grape, with handsome colored plate. Chas. A. Reeser, Springfield, O. Winter offer of Roses and Greenhouse Plants. James Vick, Rochester, N. Y. Floral Guide com- bined with the January number of Vick's Magazine, and together forming an elegant and useful work of nearly 2(K) pages. This being the People's Paper it is open to alt their In- quires, bearing on Gardening. On the other hand, ansicern to published inquires are enrneslly requested from readers. The editors and special contributors are ready to do a large shure of the unswerving, but the experience of many being more vaiuaiiie than of the fen', however varied that is. ayidconditiuns and localities being so different, they prefer to receive answers, even several of them to the same ques tion, from readers evet^uhere. Don't hesitate to write because you may feel you are no fine writer; give facts and ideas and the editors will see that they appear in credi- table shape. In writing, give the number of the question you are an- swering: your locality and name, the lattei' nf>t for publica- tion unless you desire. Write only on one side of the paper Flowers will be gladly named provided first, that no mart than three be sent at one time. Second^ that these be fully prepaid. Third,4hat several specimens of each reach us in good shape. H'e cannot undertake to name fiorists' varie- ties, 28. —Budding Chrysanthemums. We would like information on this subject. —Two SrsscRiBERS. 29.— When to buy Orchids, which is the proper time to get Lycaste Skiuneri:'— Mrs. H. W. S., Bel- mont Co.. Ohio. 30.— Passion Vines Fruiting. I>o either of these bear under cultivation, and if so, how should they be treated for this/— W. Shinton, Paterson, A'. J. 31. — Bouvardia. I would like some one to tell me how to treat Bouvardias twe never have any frost, so I have all my i>lants in open ground). Are they ever-bioomei-s or not? Mine bloomed in the fall and now stand still.— B. H. Young, *'fl;i Dieyo, Cal. 32.— Seedling Lemons. I planted seeds two years ago and the plants fr(tm them are now only nine inches high. What will liasten their growth? 3;i.— Puny Geraniums. The leaves are very small and they sprout from the root. What is the trouble? ^34.— Plant Fertilizer. Please tell me what is good to enrich the soil. ;i5.~Puny Fuchsia. How should such an one be treated. Would it be well to cut it back.— Mi.ss Fannie Purple, AVw York City. REPLIES TO INQUIRIES. 15.— India Rubber or Ficns Trees can be raised from seeds.— B. 11. Yoitjo, tian JHegn, Cnl. in.— My Cactus was 5 years old and luid never bloometl in the house, so I sunk the j^ot in the f round in my garden last spring, and then it loomed well — B. H. Young, Son Dieyo, Cal. 24 —Plants for Growing under Stages. Trades- canthia, zebrina. Isolepis gTaeilis. Selaginella deu- ticulata, Fittoiiia ufg.\rea, and Ferns of the Pteris tribe, succeed with the greatest ease here, while many others,such as Begonia. Rivinias,Gymnostach- yms, and so on, do nearly as well.— A. H. E. 25.— Tacsonia. I have raised these by sowing seed in Marcli. in a warm i)lace, to be '^^ feet in length, ill l^< mouths time.- A., sfaten Ishiud. ,V. V. 20. —Palms for Greenhouse. In answer to "Ig- noramus," 1 would Siiy. llie tollowing do well witli me; Fan Palm, clioiiiii^rojis t'.rccls(t, African-hair Palm, CUamwrops hmiiiliu,, Bourbon Palm. Latanitr borhonica. Bungalow Palm, St-n/orthia ei('(j(tns, and Kentia australis. I pot in loam and sand and keep nicely moist. Cii.\s. H \'<\siiM.\.,^teitbin Co., y. Y. 27— Quick-Growing Hedge. Honey Locust, Privet and Norway Spruce are all rapid growers in good soil. -A. H. K., En'r Co., A*. Y. :^!t.— When to Buy Orchids. At most any season when they are out of blouni. L.ycaste Skiuneri, being a winter bloomer, should be bought between spring and autumn.— Mrs. P. L. Wade. Barmtultle Co.,, Mass. POPULAR GARDENING. February, Winter Aconite or Eranthis. Flower that foreteil'st a spring thou ne'er shalt set' Yet sniiiest still upon thy wintry day. Content with the joy -giving destiny. Nor envying fairer llowers thy festal May. — O golden-fhalieed Aconite: 1*11 la.y To heart the lesson that thou teaehest me: 1. too, contented with m.y times will be, And still a placid aspect will display In tempest-troubled seasons,— nor repine That others, coming after, shall enjo.y -\ calmer day, a sunnier sky than mine: To speed the present, be my sweet emplo.y : To cast into a storaiy world my mite Of cheer, like thee, gloom -gilding Aconite! — Thomns Nofh What They Say. The Red Rose sa.vs, " Be sweet," And the Lil.y bids, " Be pure; '' The hardy, brave Chrysautheraum. " Be patient and endure." The Violet whispers " Give, Nor gioidge, nor count the cost; " The Woodbine, " Keep on blossoming. In spite of chill or frost." -Phil'a Call. More sun, more flowers. There is a double Oxalis. Patronize our adyertisers. A beautiful catalogue crop. Overshaded houses are unhealthy. Abutilons come readily from seed. The Fuchsia is a Tropical-American. February is a good time to subscribe. The Medlar Tree is not a meddler iu fact. Subscriptiona may begin with any mouth. Violet is the name of a Missouri Post-office. Some one call.s the Snowdrops, "Fair maids of February." Thank you ! To our many friends who have sent iu clubs. Success with Smilax as a house plant is by no means uniform. The plural of Forget-me-not is forget-us-uot, said one little girl. The catalogues, on the whole, are a very in- structive literature. The Rose of Jericho is not a Rose ; botanicaUy it is nearer a cabbage. Cranberries— 90il,UOO bushels, is the latest esti- mate for the ci-op of 188.5. In looking up a list of late-flowering annuals don"t forget the Godetias. Plants do Shoot. A gardener advertises Roses " well I'ooted, many shooted." Looks as if Anthuriums could never be i^couuted on as window plants. Should Horticulture receive State recogni- tion ! is a pi'e.sent question iu England. Children love the beautUul ; let them engage iu the innocent pastime of light gardening. Iron-plate staging for hot-houses is in use in Laing & C'o's nurseries, London. Thej- are in- destructible, of course. The charming, but rare Maiden Hair Fern, Adiantuin Fiirleijensis is propagated by divi- sion and not from spores. A subscriber truthfully claims that florists, as a class, pa5' too Uttle attention to the cor- rect laljelliug of plants. Washing the leaves of a plant, like washing the face of a child, helps wonderfully for good looks and general sweetness. " Oh how hard is my lot I " groaned Tom, as he laid aside pick and spade, after half an hour's work in fineing up the surface. The secret at the bottom of growing the common Maiden Hair Fern, Adiantum cunen- tnin, is high heat and much moisture. Do you, kind reader, take a good gardening I^aper : If not, why not, when only 6U cents will bring this one every month for a year. The young folks are sending in manj- clubs to this paper. They find the work of securing subscribers easy, and of course it is pleasant. Oranges must soon be scarcer. Mr. Ives, of the Finritla Fntit Kvchanyt', puts the loss by frosts to this fruit in January at one millon dollars. Sun heat on plants and flowers seems to start them up like magic. Sun heat is life to plants. A continuous high artificial heat, without siui- shine, is death to them. A Hint to Growers. It woiUd be better for you, for dealers and for consumers alike — if one-half or more of the present varieties, in all departments, were weeded out. Look out I One introducer of a new potato is Just that anxious to have them look well and sell at a fancy price that it is said, he has col- ored those he exhibits, artificially. We enjoy this being hit with Clubs, greatly, and, what's cm-ious about it is, that the more we are hit the pleasauter is the sensation. So go in, and we'll stand the consequences. Among Palms, which a writer to a gardening paper tinds the best for window cultiu-e,are the Fan Paliu, Lataniii boidhoiiira, (figured last month) , and Kentia AustraUs and Baknoreana. Every issue of tliis jjaper is complete in itself, so just arrange yourself in the ranks of the 50,000 subscribers to be reached b\- the end of the year, iu anj' mouth. Only don't defer it until forgotten. A new insect, some relative of the turnip fly, sa3-s Prof. Riley, turns up as a troubler of the Smilax. Tobacco smoke seems not to kill it, as it does the ordinary Aphis, but insect pow- der is a good remedy. A Nation of Planters. It is said that in Spain an old custom among the countrj- people, is never to eat fruit out of doors without plant- ing the seed. The roads are lined with trees whose fruit is free to all. Fumigating the apartments where plants are grown, we suppose, will always be the main reliance for killing plant lice. An utensil for doing this neatl3', effectually, safely, is described in our advertising columns. The best blue hardy annual we have is un- questionably the Dwarf Morning Glory, Con- volvulus mino}-. It makes an effective small bed or an edging to a large one. The seed may be sown where it is to flower. Cyclamens are particular as to watering. They suft'er quickl}' from being too dry, and just as quickly from too much wetness. Many of these plants die annually from lack of free drainage, which causes a water-logged soil. Grass under Trees. The Gur(:lriu'i\s Monthly advises a correspondent to sow the English Sheep Grass, Festuca orina, and the Flat-stem- medBlue Grass, Foil comp/csso, here. We would add another to the list as good — the Creeping Bent Grass, Aijrosfis sfolotiifi'rti. Plant trees and shrubs, for they serve to purify both the earth and the air : the former by sucking up unwholsome organic matter, the latter by absorbing carbonic acid and return iug life-giving ox3'gen. But don't plant, trees especially, too thick, or too close to the house. When Europeans send out a new plant, thej' are almost sure to hang a long name to it. We often meet worse cases than that found in the excellent new Rose, William Francis Bennett. But even this is too long for American notions. Let us all drop the first two-thirds. Bennett alone answers better. We place our love for the Hybrid Perpetual Roses second to no one else's, but \'et we do think there is too great a tendency towards elbowing out the old-fashioned Summer Roses and Prairie Climbers, that this newer class may be given more place. We say, give all classes a chance, according as the5' deserve. Slow; that's all ! Many a pot in which Mau- randia, Caima, ArcUsia or other slow-starting seeds have been sown has had the soil turned out, in the belief that the seeds were dead, when a few weeks longer of waiting would have found the plants coming through all right. It may take several months time in all. The bothersome, white-complexioned. Meal}- bug belongs to the same family as the red Cochineal insect, from which the Cochineal dye is obtained. We draw the color line here in favor of the red-skin, every time. Brush the pale-face away whenever one shows up on a plant. Not safe company to have around. A New Insectcide. In France, tons of bisul- phide of carbon are used in the vineyai-ds to check the ravages of the Phylloxera, with good results. What is good against that louse ought to answer for destroj'ing many other insects. The objection to this di-ug on pot plants is, its odei' is offensive. Don't forget to trj' it in the garden, though. We have received at this office Mr. J. H. Tryon's ' ' Practical Treatise on Grape Culture, with Instructions How to Prune and Train the Vine. " Perhaps the greatest merit of this prac- tical essay is its brevity, and yet Mr. T. man- ages to put a good deal of the " How to do it " in the dozen well-filleii pages. His address is Willoughby, Ohio. Our clerks have had an unusually busy time during the last month, entering the new sub- scribers received. But they had been pretty well drilled for it, and knew just what to ex- pect. The .50,0(XI subscribers we are working towards: readers, club agents, publishers, all, vrill take some work to handle, but we are ready; so, forward, all I Pots Arranged for Propagating.— See opposite page. Too bad: Our young friend Angelina has, with sorrow, thrown up learning to paint floral subjects. We cannot think this was wise, and j-et, on the face, the case does look bad enough. An acquaintance of hers has made the trouble by mistaking her last group of yellow Pansies for Bluebells. We tell Angelina that we think her friend is color blind. To Subscribers. We know that some friends of }-ours would like to take Popular Garden- IN(;, if they knew how useful, beautiful and cheap a paper it is. So if you wiU send in the names of any such, we will gladly mail to each a paper. We would also appreciate very greatly any direct personal work you might do in introducing the paper to others. A new- paper needs a good deal of this kind of help, to be sure. Josh Billings used to say ; ■ ' I don't care how much people talk if the}- will only saj" it in a phew words. " On that point we agree exactly with the lamented philosopher. It is the one aim of Popular Gardening to not oidy give sound instruction on many subjects connected with the gardens of the people, but to say it iu a few plain words. No hunting for a needle in a straw heap here. It beats all, how some writers for papers can spread out ' ' talk "' over i886. POPULAR GARDENING. .•^j) sheet after sheet of paper ; sometimes the less to say the more words used. Canna or Indian Shot from Seed. We hear that some fail to get tliese hard sliot-like seeds to grow. Here we fire a charge of directions that we'll warrant will bring them along if they have life : Place in a dish ; pour on boiling wa- ter to cover them; keep in a warm, but not a hot place (for example, on the givenliouse water pipes or a shelf near the stove,) for four days: then plant in a pot of earth, keeping the pot in a temperature of upwards of sixty de- grees. With this treatment they will come up like Peas. A sign of improved gardening: Fifty thou' sand lawn mowers are now made yearlj' in the United States. In consulting files of old pa- pers, we cannot find one lawn mower adver- tised for sale in this country previous to thirty- five years ago. Everj'body knows that each law^l mower stands for one neat garden. How many more of these there are to-day than twenty, thirt}', or more years ago! A next step forward : Every one of the hundreds of thousands of present owners of this popular implement, should be a taker of the populai" garden helper— Popclar Gardening. They are fast commg to this. A Good Paper. The Voiith^s (Ainijjaninn, iniblished at Boston, is not far from our ideal of a journal for the young. Indeed, we are free to say that, in some of its main features, we take pleasure in looking upon this able paper of ripe experience as a model to pattern after in our own paper. It is a handsome, well-printed paper; it is thoroughly edited, and crammed with matter of the most varied and interesting character ; it abounds in short, pithy articles by the ablest American and for- eign wi'iters ; its illustrations are of a superior quality. That it meets a popular want is sufK- ciently shown bj' its having ueai-ly 3.50,000 sub- scribers. It is a weekly, at .*1.T.5 a year. An important Sea-weed. According to Dar- win, it is a fact, strange as it may seem, that the fate of one nation hangs on a Sea-weed. Reference is had to the giant Sea-weed Mricro- cystis pi/i-ifi'i'ti, which abounds in the tropical seas and near the laud of the Fugeans. Amid the leaves of this plant niunerous species of fish live, which nowhere else could find food and shelter. Were the Sea- weed absent, these fish would be lacking, in which event the many cormorants and other birds, the otters, seals and poipoises would soon perish also. These largely afford the food supply of this cannibal people, and was the source cut off, cannibalism woujd increase, their numbers be diminished and they would perhaps cease to exist. Propagating Pots. Double flower pots, made expressly for propagating purposes, have long been in use. But these are not always easily attainaljle. In the accompanying engraving we show how two common flower pots, say a 0-inch and a 4-inch, may be used together, in- stead of the combined ones as made by the potters. The space between the pots is filled with sand, into which the cuttings are [ilaced ; the inner pot is packed with Moss or Spagh- num, which, during propagation should be kept constantly saturated with water. A bell glass, of a size to fit the rim of the outer pot, and inverted over it, would aid to the making of almost a complete propagating apjiaratus for amateurs. This would be found particu- larlj' successful with hard wooded cuttings, which so often fail. A Home-made Fertilizer. One of our corres- pondents, Mrs. L. D. Richardson, of Mitchell County, Iowa, who has been a cultivator of flowers for many yeai's, sends us her met hod of making a fertilizer for pot plants, which we are glad to print: " From a blackismith shop I obtain the clippings of the horses hoofs, and as they sweep the floor, some of the coal dust and the steel or iron cinders and filings also. I fill a pail about one-fourth full of this sub- stance and then add boiling soft water enough to make the pail full. Once a week, then, I give the plants a thorough bath, usually set- ting the pots for a while in the liipiid. I have found this treatment most excellent; it seems to furnish a complete food, for the jilants at all seasons have the freslmess ami greenness of June, au(.l arc remarkably prolific in flowering.'' From Seed. Sometimes we meet the inquiry as to whether Fuchsias, Geraniums, Heliotrope, Lantanas, and other plants in the same line, can be I'aised tVom seed. Certainly they can, and quite easily, too. But whether the gains are worth the pains is quite another tiling, for seedlings of such plants ai'c, with very rare ex- ceptions, vastly inferior to the common kinds of the florists. You might raise ten thousand seedlings each of Fuchsias and Geraniums without getting one to equal the old Elm City of the former, or General Grant of the latter, a small slip of either of which may be pur- chased for a dime. Still there is a fascination in raising new sorts from seed, not knowing what is to come forth, that many will consider a sufficient reward for the trouble, even though the quality of the flowers raised is , inferior. How to proceed in this matter is to procure the seeds to be sown, now, sow in about fom'-inch pots that have been filled to withiu half an inch of the rim with fine soil. Water before solving. Then cover the seeds thinly with light earth or sand, afterwards putting a pane of glass on the pot until the young plants appear, when this can be gradually removed. The pots will need an occasional watering. Flowers for the Sick. Those very practical- minded people, who talk about the uselessness of flowers, could never, we are sure, have seen how a sick person may find pastime and recre- ation in a nosegay of bright blooms. The company of fresh flowers will often cheer up a despondent patient as nothing else possibly could do, and no doubt may sometimes even turn the tide towards recovery. One of our readers from Erie County, New York, who stands high as a helper in sick rooms, sends us the following, concerning flowers for the sick: "Send fresh, sweet flowers to the sick, but not such as have a