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NOTHING is so pleasant and encouraging as success, and no success quite so satisfying as success in the culture of flowers. It is a pleasure with no compensating pain— one which purifies while it pleases. We gaze upon the beautiful plants and brilliant flowers with a delicious commingling of admiration and love. They are the offspring of our forethought, taste and care

—a new, mysterious, and glorious creation. They grew —truly, but very like Sg lp wae the stars and the rainbow. A few short weeks ago the brown earthy beds were o OM bare and lifeless; now they are peopled with the fairest and frailest of earth’s children. We have created all this grace; moulded the earth, the sunshine and the rain into forms of matchless beauty, and crystallized the dew-drops into gems of loveliness. There is no greater pleasure than this in all the earth, save that sweetest and noblest of pleasure, the fruit of good deeds. There may be hard-hearted, selfish people who love flowers, we suppose; for there were bad angels in heaven, and very unreliable people in the first and best of all gardens; but it has never been our ill-fortune to meet with one such, and if by accident we should discover a monstrosity of this kid, We teh Seige ened than we were a long time ago at what ] el gricuitural ie ry i we thought a ghost sitting on a cemetery gate. ee | is RECEIVEL To LOVE flowers, however, because of their Be mt sweetness and beauty and companionship, and 196! as the wonderful work of a Father’s loving ZL ee ftment of\ Agriculture |

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hand, is what we mean when we speak of the love of fiowers. Many cultivate flowers from a desire to excel their neighbors, or as an evi- dence of their refinement and culture, who know nothing of the absorbing love that causes a man almost involuntarily to raise the hat and bow the head in the presence of

“

; 2 i “hi Pe iis / so much heaven-lent loveliness. This love Rif Saad of flowers is confined to no age or station; CR 2 = ~ 4 . . ie aN as att if, we see it in the prince and peasant; it is ND Ten Sia

shown by the aged father tottering near the grave, who seems almost to adore the fragrant flower in his button-hole, and by the little ones, who, with childish glee, search the meadows for the Dandelions of early spring. ‘The love of flowers, we fancy, is the most pure and absorbing with the young. ‘The innocent and pure can love the pure flowers, we think, with an earnest-

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ness and devotion unknown to some of us that are older. A beautiful sight greeted us not long since, which we will endeavor to portray with pencil and graver, but perhaps without much suc: cess, as the spirit of such scenes is not easily copied. A plant stood on the sill of the window, , Which attracted more than ordinary admiration | from a little girl whose parents were probably the owners of both house and plant. Pleasure was expressed in every feature; and when we saw the gentle kiss imprinted on each flower and opening bud, we came nearer breaking that com- mand which forbids coveting than we ever did before—and we didn’t want the plant either. This little girl had been brought up in an atmo- Si ii!,7 sphere of love and flowers and plants, and you

! think her tastes would have been different with less favorable surroundings —

— Several years ago we happened to be in one of our nurseries, when two little German girls, coarsely dressed, and apparently sisters, entered the grounds, and when first attracting our special attention, had made their way to the green-house, and were endeavoring to purchase a pot-plant. When one was selected and the price ascertained, each one brought a few pennies from the depths of her dress pocket, and an anxious counting commenced. Their united purses did not seem enough, and another search was made in the cor- ners of the pockets, followed by a more careful counting; and when the sad truth became appa- rent that their means were insufficient for the purchase, we watched the sorrowful countenances, the silent tear—a beautiful study for an artist. When the good gardener, with a smile of pleas- ure—the glow of a kindly act—delivered the plant to his anxious customers, taking their little all in payment, their joy shed : Ss sunshine all around. We ~s

have tried our pencil on this S scene.

This is the genuine love of flowers that we wish to see spread all over our land. We want to see flowers in the mansion, the cottage and the garret; in, the school- rooms, the hospitals and the churches. Above all, we wish the young to cultivate flowers. This is why we write in a simple way of flowers, and of simple flow- ers, and leave fine writing about rare and costly things to others. These living WPS preachers, through voiceless ZX Wx TGS Za lips, are exerting an influ. =aW2INGs AIAN eM A? ence for good that few realize, and nowhere greater than in our new-born land, America. It is a pleasure to feel that we have been enabled in some measure at least to speed this good work, which brings refinement and happiness to so many, and sin and sorrow to none. Perhaps we

134

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‘could not better conclude what we at first designed only for a few introductory remarks, than by -copying some lines of HORACE SMITH’s beautiful ““ HYMN TO THE FLOWERS :”’

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“*©*Neath cloistered boughs each floral bell that swingeth, “Floral Apostles! that in dewy splendor,

And tolls its perfume on the passing air, Weep without sin, and blush without a crime; Makes Sabbath in the fields, and ever singeth O, may I deeply learn, and ne’er surrender A call to prayer. Your love sublime! “© Your voiceless lips, O Flowers, are living preachers— | ‘* In the sweet-scented pictures, Heavenly Artist, Each cup a pulpit, and each leaf a book— With which thou paintest Nature’s wide-spread Supplying to my fancy numerous teachers What a delightful lesson thou impartest {hall ; From lowlhiest nook ! Of love to all!”’

THE GOVERNMENT SEED-SHOP AT WASHINGTON.

In one of the numbers of the GuIDE last year we called attention to the fact that the Ameri- .can Government keeps a seed-shop at Washington, and also recommended that it should retire from the business—make an assignment, or something of the kind —because as a seed-buyer and seller the American Government was nota success. Then it hardly agrees with our ideas of the dignity of a great nation, this peddling of seeds and quibbling with English seed-dealers about the price of cabbage seed, and the price they must receive for putting them up in bags “with a foreign aspect—as little like those used by American seedsmen as possible.”’ We did feel a little ashamed when we read such instructions in the orders sent by our government to the seed- merchants of London. We would liked to have blotted such quackery and humbugging out of the record; but there it stood in black and white, and we merely remarked that England did not contain all the fools in the world.

Then it is not fair to the seedsmen. There are a good many men engaged in the seed trade, and struggling for a livelihood with the rest of their fellow-citizens. But what chance can they have, for Congress appropriates money and appoints a superintendent, and opens a shop and gives away pumpkin and melon and squash and mignonette seed, and rye and barley and lark- ‘spur seed to politicians and lawyers in all parts of the country. It is also unjust to the whole people. Seedsmen are compelled to pay the Government a duty of twenty per cent. on all they import from Europe. Of course, the people who purchase have to pay this duty. This money is taken and sent to Europe to buy seeds to give away to favorites, who have no need of ‘seeds, or are too mean to pay for them. This is justice with a vengeance! Are the people wil- ling to submit to this stupid and dishonest waste of their money any longer +

Our strictures on this subject were attempted to be answered in the Washington Chronicle. We are indebted to a friend in Washington for a copy of the article, prefaced with the following remarks: “Your views, as expressed in the GUIDE, are reasonable, and your statements truthful. The Department of Agriculture, or the seed part, is kept up for the benefit of politicians and their welatives. No one having a friend at head-quarters need purchase a seed, or choice shrubbery ;

135

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but let a common citizen ask for a paper of seeds, and he or she is told, ‘your district or State has received its allotment.’ The institution is one of the humbugs of Washington, kept up for the purpose of dispensing patronage.”

We told a story that we heard in London, of an agent sent out by the Government to buy seeds becoming much alarmed at the sight of a barrel of onion seed, Supposing it to be gunpow- der, as he was smoking in its vicinity. We did not vouch for its truth. It may be only a joke told at the expense of the agent, and in ridicule of his extreme ignorance. The article in the Chronicle denies that the Agricultural Department ever sent an agent to Europe to select seeds. What an enterprising seed establishment that must be at Washington! Every prominent nursery- man and seedsman visits Europe once in three or four years at least, and no one can keep at the head of his profession without this; but the Agricultural Department has been organized some fifteen cr more years, and has had no occasion to learn anything new. The facts to which we alluded occurred, however, when the Agricultural Department was connected with the Patent Office. The instructions about seed-bags were more recent, in 1871. We are fully prepared to. prove all the statements we have made, and a good deal more which we have concealed for the credit of our country.

The correspondent of the Chronicle then endeavors to show the great good accomplished by the Department in distributing seeds, instancing the introduction of Sorghum and the Sugar- Beet, and which has been “so improved by Mr. LANE, of Vermont, as to revolutionize the root culture of that region.”’ In relation to sorghum, we have no hesitation in saying that it has not added one penny to the wealth of the country, and the same amount of skill and money expended on almost any other crop would have yieldcd a far greater return. The improved Sugar-Beet we imported long before it was thought of by the Government, and so did the Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture of Ohio, and it was grown extensively at that time by Mr. JosepH Harris, one of the editors of the American Agriculturist. As to Mr. LANE’s improvement, it has been an improvement in the wrong direction. The saccharine matter has been improved away, or rather the size increased without any increase of sugar. This may be no objection for feeding, but for this purpose the Yellow Globe Mangel is far preferable. But, why does the Agricultural Department claim the credit of what was done twenty years ago, if it repudiates the acts of the Department and the follies of its agents at that time? This looks extremely like pettyfogging.

We are opposed entirely to spending the people’s money for the purchase of common garden and flower seeds, to be distributed among political favorites, or scattered at random over the country. It is a wicked waste of money entrusted to the care of the Government for its legitimate uses, and a prolific source of favoritism and fraud. It makes us the laughing-stock of the civil- . ized world. The people desire it ended, and their wishes are law. We shall expose its stupid- ity and folly until we write its epitaph.

Se HAS GOVERNMENT A RIGHT TO BE MEAN?

This is a question we have often asked ourselves and others wiser than we are, and obtained but one answer. To-day, we received a letter from Dublin, Ireland, and the gentleman who for- warded it supposed that two-pence—about four cents——in stamps, was the right postage. He should have placed upon his letter three-pence, but on account of his ignorance we were fined sex cents, and then the Post Office Department, by some rule-of-three figuring, declared that the one-penny lacking was worth three cents more, so we had to pay ze cents to get that letter The idea of fzzzg us because our Irish customer had made a mistake is decidedly rich.

Our friends will therefore please be careful what kind of postage stamps they place upon their letters, for if a mistake is made, and you place a one-cent stamp instead of a ¢iree, we are fined three cents for your blunder, in addition to having to pay the two cents lacking. It is because the Government takes such mean little advantages, that the people get an idea it is right and proper to make reprisals, and cheat the Government at every convenient opportunity. The few dollars lost or gained are of little consequence, but a spirit of hostility and a desire for revenge is engendered that works mischief, and leads to dishonesty. If a person feels that he has heen cheated out of six cents, he will get even with the Government if he can, and think it right,

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io SOR v eS, THE POST OFFICE AND SEED DISTRIBUTION.

It is known, of course, to our readers, that seeds and all articles not likely to be injurious to other matter, are carried through the mails, whether the distance is long or short, at eight cents a pound. ‘This is a great convenience to all, and especially to those far away from the large cities and villages. We have no doubt also that it brings a good revenue to the Gov- ernment, and if the Post Office should be confined to carrying letters and papers, the deficiency in the revenue would show the great mistake. However, if eight cents a pound is not enough to pay the expense, let it be increased to twelve or even sixteen cents. There is certainly some price at which seeds, etc., can be carried, and pay our government a profit, though we believe profit is not the object of the Department. ‘The American people are not paupers, and the seed- planters of America have no desire to have seeds transported at less than cost.

The express companies, of course, are not benefited by the arrangement, and as they are wealthy and influential, are making an effort to render the law unpopular, with a view to its final repeal. The people will have need to watch their Representatives in Congress, and take some means to make their wishes known, Specious arguments and wonderful stories bearing on this law, are now appearing in the papers and magazines. The December number of the Atlantic Monthly devoted six or eight pages mainly in an attempt to prove that the Government cannot afford to carry seeds at eight cents a pound; a rather cool operation, in view of the fact that its own lumberly pages are transported through the mails at about one-third this price—three cents a pound. One of the leading arguments in the article against the carrying of seeds in the mails, is, that some of the merchants in New York are advertising to send dress patterns, etc., through the mails, to the injury of the merchants in villages. We submit this argument to the Patrons of Husbandry, and would merely suggest that this system is greatly to the advantage of the people, compelling country merchants to keep fresh saleable goods, and, to supply their customers at rea- sonable prices. ‘The producers of the country are no longer at the mercy of the shop-keeper.

a 9

NOVELTIES FOR THE SPRING.

Every year produces its list of NOVELTIES. Some of them may be newly discovered species, but usually they are supposed to be improved varieties of some of our old favorite flowers. A new color, even, of many kinds, like Phlox, is sufficient to make a novelty. Some of these novel- ties are acquisitions for which we have reason to be thankful, but the majority are generally unworthy the notice of American cultivators. A little difference in form, or a new shade of color, is not of sufficient importance to most of our readers to induce them to pay the price usually demanded for these zew things, while other varieties really as good can be bought for a tenth of the price. There are some, however, who desire the new, and when money is not scarce, it is a desirable ambition. We give below a full list of novelties for this season, with such remarks on each as we believe to be truthful, though in some cases we have had to rely on the descriptions of others:

AGROSTIS MINUTIFLORA. An elegant ornamental grass of com- pact growth, with a mass of erect culms, terminated by a large inflor- escence of airy lightness. Recommended for vases, as well as for cutting for winter bouquets.

Yale ALONSOA LINIFOLIA, ROEZL. This is a new, iii i) and said to be a very pretty Alonsoa, introduced Wht i) by Rorzi. The habit, as shown by the engrav- SAW) ing, is certainly very fine, and the flowers are also good. The plant is from twelve to eighteen inches in height, and the leaves are narrow and flax-like. It is said also to flower very freely.

ALONS DA ie Ore er ant AND FLOWER. Flowers scarlet.

‘ ALONSOA MYRTIFOLIA is introduced by the same, as the name indicates, with leaves like the Myrtle. It is of more vigorous habit than the previous one, and grows more than two feet in height. Very large flowers, of intense scarlet.

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AMARANTUS AMABILIS TRICOLOR. <A species of Indian origin; plant of a bushy habit, 20: : inches in height; leaves broad and long, rose, yellow, and fiery red, studded with spots of intense brown.

AMARANTUS HENDERI. This is thought to be the most beautiful Amaranth grown; from three to five feet in height; leaves. long, sometimes twelve inches; and with the branches gracefully bending. The engraving will show its character better than any description.

AMARANTHUS OLBIENSIS QUEEN VICToRIA. Leaves long and

ALONSOA MYRTIFOLIA FLOWER. narrow, like A. saliczfolius, but red and yellow, like A. ¢ricolor,. and if it generally comes true and the colors are bright, it must be a very pretty plant indeed.

AMARANTUS SANGUINEUS ELATOR. This is represented as a mammoth variety, often nine- feet in height, while the colors, claret on the upper side of the leaf and crimson on the lower, are said to be strong and clear.

AMARANTUS SALICIFOLIUS SPLENDIDISSIMUS. An improvement on A. salicifolius, but in what way we have not been able to learn, unless in a brighter colored leaf, which is said to be- ‘rich golden and purplish red.”

BISMARCK LARKsSPUR. — Flowers red-striped, and thought to be a cross between the Candela- brum and Emperor Larkspur. Growth only from nine to ten inches.

BLUMENBACHIA (Cajophora) CORONATA, which we have never seen, is represented as a pretty plant, the habit being shown in the engraving, with large orange-colored flowers. It is a native of Peru, and was sent from there by Mr. PEARCE, late botanical collector for JAMES VEITCH & Sons,. of London. The flowers are borne in great profusion, and are of a striking orange-red color, coronal shaped, about three-quarters of an inch deep, and an inch-and-a-half in diameter. The. plant is covered with stinging, nettle-like hairs, like the Loasa.

CELOSIA CRISTATA VARIEGATA, VAR. PUMILA. A dwarf variety of the variegated Cockscomb introduced several years ago. That was so untrue that it proved useless, and the more consci-. entious seedsmen of Europe refused to sell it on this account, as several informed us when we sent them orders for the seed. It was also so late as to be of little account except at the South, even. had it proved true. This dwarf sort may or may not prove better.

CELLULAR VICTORIA ASTER, CRIMSON. A new and bright color of the Victoria Aster. It is said to be very constant in its color.

CENTAUREA AMERICANA HatLi. This is advertised as a new color of our American Centaurea, from Texas, but we have no doubt it is the same we have supplied to our customers for several years. All who have sown our Centaurea seeds, know there are two colors, one lilac, and the other purple. We have never separated them, and we have no doubt it is this dark purple variety that is now sent out on the other side of the water as a novelty.

CLEOME SESQUIORGYALIS. This is a remarkable annual on account of its great size, good specimens grow- ing ten feet in height. The leaves are very large. It cer- tainly will be a curiosity, and all will like to see it, but if the engraving, which we copy from a foreign source, is cor- rect, we cannot think that as an ornamental plant it will ever equal the Ricinus, which, for a large ornamental annnal, and for common use, is without a rival—that is, in our opinion. It is from South America.

DIANTHUS BARBATUS NANUS COMPACTUS FLORE-PLENO —all of which simply means, Compact Dwarf Double Sweet Wiliam. This is a very neat dwarf variety of the Sweet William first brought out last season. The habit of the plant is very good, but we have not yet seen the flowers.

DOUBLE CINERARIA. New colors and superior strains of the Double Cineraria are described_ by several of the European florists.

AMARANTUS HENDERITI.

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ERAGROSTIS MAXIMA. A new Ornamental Grass from Abyssinia, from three to four feet in height, and a strong plant. Is said to produce from fifty to a hundred richly-leaved culms, and very handsome, terminating in graceful panicles. It is an annual.

FEDIA CORNUCOPIA FLORIBUNDA. Leaves very decorative, with a

. @ gee mass of brilliant scarlet flowers. yy NY FENZLIA DIANTHIFLORA ALBA. This is a white variety of the little SAD and pretty Fenzlia dianthiflora. Maes GOMPHRENA PROSTRATA VAR. ARGENTEA. Low, prostrate plant, Bs forming almost a carpet; leaves and flowers white.

IMBRICATED Pompon AsTER, WHITE. ‘The Imbricated Pompon are the most perfect and beautiful of all the small Asters. This new white variety, like the White Dwarf Chrysanthemum, changes to azure blue after being open for a day or two.

LEPTOSYNE STILLMANNI. A composite annual of dwarf habit, only about nine inches in height, blooming freely, with large orange-yellow blossoms. Perennial, and recommended for herbaceous borders,

LINARIA MAROCCANA was discovered by Dr. HooKER on the Atlas Mountains. Flowers purplish, and continue in flower a long time.

LoASA HISPIDA, ROEZL. This is an erect-growing species of Loasa, attaining three feet in height, with narrow leaves six inches in length. Plant two feet in height. Flowers yellow and white.

Lycunis HAAGEANA NANA. A dwarf Lychnis with flowers as large as the old varieties of Haageana, while the plant being only eight inches in height and very compact, is not apt to be

BLUMENBACHIA CORONATA.

injured by the winds, like the larger sorts.

Lycunis HAAGEANA NANA HYBRIDA. A new dwarf Lychnis, with flowers as large as the old Lychnis Haageana, while the plant only attains eight inches. If flowers are abundant, it must make a very pretty plant, and if it will endure our hot sun, may make a desirable plant for bedding.

LyYCHIS VISCARIA ALBA is a white variety, and is new only in color.

Myosotis ALPESTRIS, DWARF WHITE AND BLUE, two dwarf and very pretty Forget-me-nots from the Alps. Only about four inches in height.

NastTurRTIUM RusBy KING, a dark-leaved dwarf Nasturtium. Flowers very pretty pink, shaded with carmine. In England the Dwarf Nasturtiums are excellent bedding plants, giving fine masses of color, but in this country, perhaps on account of our summer’s sun, they do not flower freely.

OXALIS ROSEA ALBA, a white variety of annual Oxalis that ( VAN re-produces itself from seed. Ai)

PENSTEMON PALMERI is of very robust habit, growing four or p aS ZZ five feet in height, with broad, short and open mouth. The corolla “A \

of the flower is peach-colored, the reflexed lobes of the lower lips marked by a central reddish line, and remarkable for its con- spicuous projecting yellow-bearded sterile filament. We saw it in the Rocky Mountains, and have obtained seeds from Utah.

PHLOX DRUMMONDII GRANDIFLORA SPLENDENS, one of the new large-flowered Phloxes; and they are really magnificent. In less than ten years from this time the Annual Phlox will be the best and most popular annual in cultivation in America—at least so we think—and in no place do they flourish as in America. This professes to be a new color, but if the colored plate is a fair representation, we had abundance of this color in our grounds last year.

PHLOX DRUMMONDII NANA COMPACTA (CHAMOIS RosE), a dwarf, compact Phlox, of a chamois-rose, or somewhat nankeen color; but we have never found these dwarf Phloxes healthy.

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CLEOME SESQUIORGYALIS.

See ant aac: VCS » — Zz SiS a UW St igh fogs ens Ge Peres or TES SZ 2 Es GE Be : MS ace ON Se pe DS

They all seem to be sickly and unable to bear an American sun. We have hundreds of dwarf plants every season, but could never select seeds that would give a healthy plant.

PHLOX DRUMMONDII PRINCE BIsMARCK. ‘THis splendid new variety is purple-colored, with a broad white margin, rendering it one of the finest of recent introductions.”’ So say our German friends, and we hope this is so, and that the white margin will prove constant; but we have had a white-bordered pink Phlox that we have been trying to make constant for three or four years and without success. It has improved a little since we first obtained it from Germany, but is yet unreliable, as we fear this new one will be.

PHLOX HEYNHOLDI CUPREATA. Flowers of a pretty coppery hue, but we would not give a penny for the whole Heynhcldi strain of Phlox. Each plant needs an attendant with an umbrella to protect it from the sun.

RHODANTHE MANGLESII FLORE-PLENO. A double variety of that old and beautiful everlast- ing 2. Manglesi?. A DOUBLE DWARF VARIETY is also advertised, with smaller flowers, but so abundant as to literally cover the plant. We are really prepared to believe these are decided acquisitions, and shall await their flowering with the greatest interest.

Ricinus “ DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH.” A bronze-leaved variety from the Island of Suzon. Of a compact branching habit, five feet in height. If the description is true, which represents the foliage to be dark reddish-purple, this must be a valuable acquisition indeed.

RictNus GiBsONII is a remarkable Ricinus, or Castor-Oil Bean. It grows four or five feet in height, and its only merit over other varieties is that it has deep red foliage. If the color is bright and good it must be a desirable acquisition, particularly for this country, where the Ricinus does so well. It is said to be a native of the Phillipine Islands, and was named in honor of Mr. Gipson, of Hyde Park. We are hoping a good deal from this.

SCABIOSA CANDIDISSIMA PLENA. Our readers will recollect the Double Dwarf Scabiosa, introduced some ten years since. This is a white variety, and being pretty pure in color it is claimed will be desirable for bouquets.

SCABIOSA MAJOR GRANDIFLORA FL.-PL. This is recommended as a double Scabiosa like the dwarf double sorts, but very large, three inches in diameter, and blooming until frost. All varieties of Scabiosa bloom late, and sometimes survive the winter and flower the second season, even as far north as Rochester.

ScaBlosA ToM THUMB, FL. PL. This is a very dwarf double sort, not growing more than seven or eight inches in height, and therefore may be useful, when it becomes plenty, for edgings.

SCHIZANTHUS ALBUS OCULATUS, a white variety of Schizanthus, with a large black spot in the center.

TROPEOLUM MAJUS HEMISPHARICUM. A gigantic variety of the climbing Tropzolum. Flowers, leaves and branches said to be twice the size of the old sorts.

VISCARIA CARYOPYLLOIDES. Flowers beautifully striped with purple, rose and white. Raised from Viscaria elegans picta.

VISCARIA ELEGANS PICTA STRIATA. The Viscaria much resembles the Lychnis, but the flowers of this new variety are said to be very conspicuous, because striped with red.

We have given our readers a full list, with brief descriptions, of all the Novelties this season offered by European florists and seed-growers —at least of all that we considered worthy of notice in this country. Next season we sha!l publish a report of our trials, so that all will have an opportunity to learn of their merits. To those who wish to try for themselves, we will furnish a package containing a few seeds of any one kind—and of some kinds there will be very few— for 50 cents each, or five kinds for $2.00.

— ee DO GLADIOLUS RUN OUT?

* Mr. Vick :— Please inform us in your next Gurpr whether Gladiolus ever ‘run out ”’—that 1s, 1f handsome desirable colors change to dull ones in the course of years? Ina friend’s experience it seems so; and in my own. this year.”’— Mrs. M. G. R., West Danvers Function, Mass.

Gladiolus, if grown several years in the same soil, will become weakened, the bulbs and plants showing less vigor, and the flowers less beauty. Get a new stock of bulbs, and plant them in beds where Gladiolus have not been grown for some years.

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THE FLOWERS OF CALIFORNIA.

We have written a good many pages about our travels in California, and have had a dozen or more engravings made illustrating its scenery and flowers, but these we are compelled to reserve for our next number, which we design to publish pretty soon, for the truth is, when we are at work at the GUIDES we get so interested and enthusiastic, that we feel like getting out a number every week or day, or all the time, and can hardly wait the proper season. There are flowers, however, that we must describe in this number, because we have seeds or bulbs that we gathered, or had collected for us, that perhaps some of our readers will like to obtain,

Never did any one meet with kinder friends than it was our exceeding good fortune to fall in with in California. If we wanted to say ever so bad things about the country we couldn’t do it, if we thought it would hurt the feelings of these friends, even for a moment. Fortunately we have nothing bad to say, and therefore no temptation to conceal the truth. There was our good friend, Professor CARR and his active, wonderful wife, who scales the highest summits of the Sierra Mountains on botanical excursions, and practically asserts woman’s rights by carrying her portion of tent and provisions over heights that only the feet of Indians have trod. And Dr. KELLOGG, one of the most enthusiastic botanists we have ever known, and one of the noblest of men. When in the Bank of California, surrounded with tons of the precious metals, one of the officers remarked, pointing to a bag of gold, if KELLOGG was after a new flower and that bag of gold should be in his path, he would not see it, or if he did, would jump right over it; gold is dross to him. Another choice spirit, and enthusiastic botanist, was our kind friend BLOOMER. His attentions were so delicate that we could bear any amount, without feeling it at all oppressive. Every day, almost, he furnished our breakfast table with a choice bouquet, and every evening but- ton-hole flowers for ourselves and friends. With what delightful anticipations have we been look- ing forward to a month’s tent life among the mountains and canons, with BLOOMER, and KELLOGG, and Mrs. CARR, as guides and companions—a half-planned excursion for another summer. Alas! in such company we shall never tread the snow-capped summits, or search the wild-flowers in the shady canons, for a heart-broken widow and sorrowing children are watering with tears the flowers that blossom on the grave of the kind-hearted BLoomMeEr.

Very many and very pleasant friendships we formed, and to many are we indebted for atten- tions that made our journey pleasant and profitable. To these we shall allude in the sketch of our travels. We only designed to say in this, that having seen and heard of some things new, and others not yet in general cultivation, we engaged Dr. KELLocG to spend the summer and autumn in collecting for us, and have received from him almost every week both bulbs and seeds. Most of these we have placed in our grounds for trial, but a few we feel prepared to offer our customers.

VEGETABLE FIRE-CRACKER, Brodiwa coccinea.

This is one of the most curious and interesting of the California plants. The flowers are a little larger than Chinese fire-crackers, nearly ~ the same shape and color, though the scarlet is

\\ more brilliant. The clusters are very large, ne andif our recollection is not at fault, we meas- || iil ured them eight inches across, and at a dis- ik i tance the resemblance to a pendant bunch of

1 NAY fire-crackers is certainly very striking. The Hi i; bulb grows deep in the ground, as do nearly | I, all the California bulbs. The flowers retain i i) =—=s their bright color for a long time, after every i particle of moisture is dried out, and we have | MA TANS them now, six months after being gathered, of “|| Hie 4 very good color. From forty to fifty flowers

| F712 KY ys y y

; are often found on a single stalk. The root is edible and sought for by the Indians, and abounds in a mucilaginous or starchy substance, very apparent when a bulb is only slightly bruised. The Brodiza belongs to the Lily family, and is found mainly along the northern coast of

141

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Si 7 ae A v 3A CORR Be

California, on the tops of the mountains, in gravelly and rocky soils, in. half-open woods, among oaks and conifers. Our engraving does no justice to the flowers, and we may illustrate it-in our next chromo. The single blossom is of natural size. Seeds 25 ¢ts.a package; bulbs 50 ¢ts. each.

ROMNEYA COULTERI.

A new and peculiar flower, belonging to the Poppy family, which we did not meet in Cali- fornia, but of which we often heard. The plant was represented to us as two feet or more in height, with white, fragrant flowers quite five KY ie <yoe inches in diameter. The petals are pure white,. M » stamens bright yellow, foliage pale green, some- / what glaucus. Flowers fragant, and often from forty to fifty adorning the plant at one time. We have made an engraving from a drawing sent us. by a California florist whom we engaged to collect

our seed. Packets of seed, 25 Cts.

DELPHINIUM NUDICAULE.

Among the beautiful flowers that adorn the Cali- fornia Mountains, we saw nothing really more decorative than the bright scarlet Larkspur De/- phinium nudicaule. Every mountain-top, espe- cially in the neighborhood of the Geysers, seemed covered with these brilliant little flowers. We filled our hands with the flowers, and our pockets. with the seeds; and though often warned that rattle-snakes abounded, we saw nothing more for- midable than the pretty little lizards, that seemed. as lively as crickets. Package of seeds, 25 Cts.

PENTSTEMON PALMERI

Is a very robust growing species with a narrow foliage, and making a pretty strong bush about four feet in height. The flowers are short, with broad, open throat, on long panicles, sometimes. eighteen inches in length, and are of a pretty peach color. We have received this from our collector in California, and also from Utah, and we see European florists offer it among their novelties this spring. Packages, 50 ¢ts.

ROMNEYA COULTERI.

CALOCHORTUS.

On the mountains of California, and abounding in the neighborhood of the Yosemite Valley, is a beautiful, low-growing plant, known generally as the Marzfosa Tulip. It is a liliaceous, bulbous plant, which sends up a slender stem about a foot high, bearing straight, rigid, chan- neled leaves. The flower is from two to three inches in diameter, erect, bold and curiously formed. The colors of the different species are purple, white and yellow, variously / marked. When we first saw the yellow sort at a distance, | the thought struck us that we had found a new and grand species of Eschscholtzia, and though none the less beautiful on that account, we must own to a little disappointment when we found it to be a Calochortus, and that we had no right to be considered a discoverer. We have secured a few bulbs which we can forward at 25 Cts. each. We do not know how well they will succeed, but some bulbs we planted in the autumn of 1873, flowered well last summer.

RHODODENDRON CALIFORNICUM.

We have seeds of this beautiful plant, received from Dr. KELLOGG, which we shall be pleased.

to furnish any of our readers for trial, at a merely nominal price, 10 ¢ts. a package. 142

USEFUL FACTS AND USELESS GOSSIP.

DCUBLE PETUNIAS FROM SEED.

W. B. Wooprurr, Florist, of Westfield, New Jersey, sends us a very pleasant note, in which he speaks in a very flattering manner of our Double Petunia seed, as well as of our BORDER ‘OXALIs and our favorite ToMATO. He also writes very gently of some poor Cabbage seed — just like one who knows how difficult it is to be always right; and how hard the seed-grower strug- gles against the tendency to degenerate, unfavorable seasons, and the like:

“ Dear Vick :—I raised about one dozen different kinds of double Petumas from seed bought of you. Some of them are very nice. The Oxalis for bordering is magnificent, splendid! You could not have introduced a finer plant for that purpose. Why, the foliage is splendid, not including the pretty pink flowers! Not grumbling, but for your good and mine—do you raise your Early Wakefield Cabbage seed? It 1s badly mixed; only one out of every tenis true. We have lost quite a considerable by the seed. Your Hathaway Tomato is fine. It is as early -as any — within four to five days of the Early Robert, beats the Canada Victor, and are smooth and fine. We picked the first July 20.”’

We do think our double Petunia seed is the best the world produces; and we are also glad to find other florists agree with us respecting the merits of our border Oxalis. The Hathaway Tomato everybody praises—but that Cabbage seed: ‘The truth is, we engaged the original grower of the Early Wakefield Cabbage to grow our Early Wakefield seed. In consequence of a bad season, this Cabbage, with him, perfected scarcely a seed, and he could not furnish it. We had to look elsewhere for a little to partially supply the demand, and thought we had secured some on which we could depend. If people knew what efforts good seedsmen make to grow and obtain reliable seeds, and how difficult it is to keep seed pure and true, they would have a good deal of charity for our failures. — ;

May M. Bowen, of Harrison ccunty, West Virginia, writes: ‘From a paper of Double Petunia seed I obtained thirteen lovely kinds, and should have had many more, but for an accident that destroyed fully half my plants when young.” A gentleman in the upper part of New York City writes us a scolding letter, complaining that he had only two plants, from the ‘same kind of seed exactly, and one of them was single. What caused the difference? Just -what causes some people to fail in everything they undertake—want of knowledge or care, or both combined; and those who fail are usually much more conceited and self-confident than ‘those who succeed.

THE AURATUM LILY.

J. Keene, of Middleton, N. Y., furnishes a very interesting report of his experience with the Auratum Lily — interesting because so very successful. Our correspondent also notices a fact not ‘generally known, and that is the difference shown in time of blooming by bulbs in the same bed, and apparently alike in all respects. In our large beds we have stated, to the surprise of many, that from the opening of the first flowers until the last bloom disappears, the time is usually ‘more than two months. Our correspondent, it will be seen, has two that flowered forty days apart. We are anxious to learn whether the habit of early and late flowering will be permanent.

**T can’t help saying that of two bulbs of Lzléum auratum you sent me in the spring of 1871, both bloomed that season, one of them sending up a single cane, and has continued so to do each year since. This year it produced ‘nine flowers, very large and fine. The other bulb threw up two stalks the first season and has increased the num- tber yearly, until the present, when eight came up. One, however, was imperfect and I destroyed it. The remain- ing seven canes showed fifty-nine full buds, over thirty of which were in bloom at one time, making a fine show, ‘you may be sure. Another peculiarity, to me, is the fact of their blooming so great a length of time apart. It was just forty days from the opening of the first flower on the single cane, to the opening of one on the bulb of seven canes. If face to face, I should ask if these were peculiarities to you, but as it is, I am content to state the facts, ~with no wish to bore you.”’

A LITTLE OF THE EVIL WITH THE Goop.—A lady friend in Oldham county, Kentucky, ~vrites: ‘Insect life abounds in our State—the golden bug, cricket, and a hundred other pests ‘try our patience daily; and the size and luxuriance of the weeds would amaze one used to a northern climate; but it is a land of flowers, and under your influence, a taste for their culture is rapidly becoming general.’’ We cannot have all good and no evil. Here we long, sometimes, ‘during our cold, wet and unpleasant springs, for a little of Kentucky mildness and sunshine.

143

THR SNOW PLANT,

«Mr. Vick :— In my wanderings last summer among the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I saw a most beautiful -flow- ering plant, known here as the Szow Plant. It comes up as the snow melts off, generally found on high points, and under the immense pines of the cold and elevated regions. It is perennial, a beautiful carnation-red, resembling a large bunch of grapes. It is said to be a fungus production. I think this a mistake, as I find it has roots that strike deep in the earth. Adjacent to them in the mountain meadows I saw the most magnificent 7iger Lzlies.’’— J.J. L. D., White River, Cal.

The Snow Plants grow only on the mountains, and never less, we judge, than four or five thousand feet above the level of the sea. It is said that they grow under the snow, and their bright colors may be seen peeping through the snow-banks. We never saw them in this situation, but we have seen them growing within a few feet of snow-banks. In form, they are very much like a mammoth single Hyacinth. If it is possible to imagine a Hyacinth truss a foot or more in height, and of the most brilliant crimson, both stalk and flowers, and without a leaf, a pretty good idea will be formed of the appearance of this gorgeous plant. We saw scores of the Snow Plants. last summer in our rambles over the California mountains. They are wonderfully curious and beautiful. It was our good fortune to meet a New York artist sketching mountain scenery. We wanted a painting of one of these flowers, but hesitated to ask an artist of renown to engage in so humble a work. However, we thought impudence had carried us over a great many hard places, and might stand us again in time of need, so we boldly asked the artist to make us a painting of the Snow Plant, and in a tone calculated. to convey the idea that we were conferring instead of asking a favor. We were delighted, and gave our mountain artist a good, hearty shake of the hand when he informed us that it was the love of flowers, and his desire to see their portraits on canvass after the frail beauties had passed away, that made him an artist. And so we secured a painting, and shall give it to our readers in our next chromo.

COOKING MUSHROOMS.

“In your GuipE No. 2, 1874, you give directions for the culture of Mushrooms. I was always fond of some- thing new for the table, and think anything which James VicKx loves must be good; my mouth watered while I was looking for directions to prepare and cook them, but in vain! Now, you must not waste your precious time in. telling us backwoodsmen that a thing is good, unless you tell us how to use it. Can you give me some light in a. future number?’’—B. F. C., Cabot, Ark.

Well, if that isn’t strange—don’t know how to cook Mushrooms! When we were younger, and hunted Mushrooms in the meadows, we sometimes made a bonfire, and after skinning them, would turn them up-side down like an inverted umbrella, put a tittle salt around the stems and roast them upon the live coals. They are excellent put in a frying-pan with a little butter and salt, to be eaten with beef-steak or roast beef. A dozen in a meat-pie is a treat fit for the King of the Sandwich Islands. We Zz don’t know any way in which they are not good.

LO but then we dont boast much of our cooking abilities. What a relish they give, to be sure, to a meat-stew, and for catsup there is nothing so.

good. Catsup is made, we think, by salting the Mushrooms, stewing and straining.

A GOOD REPORT FROM THE SOUTH.

Perhaps our readers cannot sympathize with us in the pleasure we feel at the success of our customers. Our hearty good wishes go with every paper of seeds we sell, and we rejoice with those who rejoice, while a reported failnre causes us a good deal of pain and sadness. Such reports as that received from a young lady of Atlanta, Georgia, causes sunshine around our path for a day or two:

“T have tried your seeds in Northern Florida, at Jacksonville, on the St. John’s river, and agoin this year in. Atlanta, Georgia, and can assure you they do beautifully in both places. We gota large quantity of both vegetable

and flower seeds from you, and none have failed where properly cared for. Two dozen Gladiolus I got from you in the spring, after blooming beautifully, I find have increased to five dozen. Accept my best wishes for your

success.— Miss J. F. K.

144

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OUR SEEDS AMONG THE WESTERN INDIANS.

Those benevolent men and women who are sacrificing self for the good of others—the missionaries — deserve to be always held in remembrance. Prompted by some impulse (we can- not now remember what), last spring we forwarded a box of seeds to Bishop WHIPPLE, of Min- nesota, to be distributed among the Indians under his charge. The Bishop writes: ‘ Accept my heartfelt thanks for your generous gift of seeds to the Indians of White Earth. It was a very great kindness, which I pray God to reward you for.’ JI. A. GILFILLAN, the resident mission- ary of White Earth, for the Chippewa Indians, writes: “Many thanks for the gift. In other way would the same amount of money do the same good as in this. Could you have seen their pleased and grateful faces as they came to me and received their seeds, you would think yourself abundantly repaid.” How much good we can do, and how many people we can make happy, with very little trouble and expense, if we only try.

HEALTH AND LIvING Rooms.—In one of the numbers of last year we made some remarks on ovyer-heated, dusty living rooms, injurious to the owners as well as plants. Some persons may have thought our remarks somewhat radical, but they seem to have pleased the doctors, and the editor of one of our medical journals sends us the following note:

“The remarks you make about health of rooms is true, and I think plants could be used as a sort of vitaometer. I think the value of plants in a health point of view is not yet appreciated as it will be. A room where plants do well makes a good livingroom. The three sources of ill health in in-door life, in winter in particular, are, first, super-heated air; second, too dry air; and third, an air loaded with carbonic acid. Regulate the first two condi- ditions so plants will live and thrive, and they will rapidly absorb the acid. Under our plant stand, my wife has a long tray of water, which keeps the air moist by evaporation, absorbs the carbonic acid, and our plants are the wonder of my patients and the health of our rooms. I can thus point many_a lesson in hygiene.’’— T. C. D.

Y)

Tue ITALIAN ONIONS.—Those who have read previous numbers of the GUIDE will recol- lect, perhaps, that we have recommended the new Italian Onion for the South. The experience of Mr. BAnKs, of Barnesville, Pike county, Georgia, we think will be interesting :

“ Mr. Vick :—In the spring of 1873, among various seeds sent by you to my wife were several papers of < Ital- ian Onion’ seed. She had read a description of them in your ‘ Guide,’ and felt anxious to try them. We sowed the seed, and when the tops died (in early summer), we took up the bulbs, which were about the size of small walnuts. In September following, we set them out as we did other sets, and the result was something wonderful in the shope of onions. Some of them weighed one and a half pounds, and some measured in circumference eight- een inches. In flayor they were much milder than other onions, and much more tender. They are not good keepers, but in size and flavor { consider them superior to all other onions.’’— B.

JENNETT ELLIoTT, of Auburn, N. Y., writes: “I had two ounces of your Giant Rocca Onion seed last year, and from these two ounces [ raised thirty bushels. Many of the onions

weighed two pounds. They met with universal favor from the community in general.”

THE LAND OF FLOWERS.— We have been in more than one place where we were ready to exclaim, ‘This is THE land of flowers!”’ A good lady of Goshen, Indiana, writes: ‘J want two copies of the FLORAL GuipDE—one to be sent to Australia, to the very land of flowers, where rose-hedges are twelve feet in height, and embrace two hundred and fifty distinct varieties— and yet there comes a cry from our Yankee girl, ‘Send me a catalogue of our simple home flowers. I am hungry to see their dear little faces, if only on paper, —so send me two copies of the beloved GUIDE, which first opened my eyes to the nurselings of our own dear land, that I may be able to gladden a wanderer’s heart by scenes of home.”

Our MIxepD GLApDIOLUS.— We have always sold our mixed Gladiolus with pleasure, both on account of their good quality and cheapness. GEO. GEER, Esq., of Plainville, Connecticut, writes :

“Mr. Vick :—The 100 mixed Gladiolus you sent me for $3 was the most satisfactory purchase of the kind I ever made. The entire lot were good, and there were more than a dozen real gevzs among them —the finest I ever saw in any place, and it is a wonder to me that people do not send to you for them more generally.”’

WHITE PANsy.—A customer writes: ‘Do you know anything of the new white Pansy advertised as White Treasure, and said to be new and a great acquisition?’’ Specimens of this Pansy were sent us with a proposition to purchase the stock, which we declined, for in our acres of seedlings we find a score of white Pansies as good or better than this every year. It is of bad

form, and deficient in substance. 145

A FLORAL DISAPPOINTMENT.

““Mr. Vick: —I have for the most part good success in raising flowers, and they are a source of a great deal of pleasure, not only to myself and friends, but to the public, if 1 may judge by the admiration they receive. Last year | determined to have the Celosia Japonica. I sent to you for the seed, and when they arrived, I had a box filled with rich earth from the garden, and planted them. I watched them carefully, and after a time was well rewarded by seeing little plants appear. I watched and tended them with the greatest care, and finally trans- planted them to my flower-beds, but judge of my chagrin when they proved to be tomato plants. I had thought they looked very much like them, but knew I had planted no tomato seed, and so dismissed the thought, but the seeds must have been already in the dirt. The Celosia Japonica did not show itself.” —Mrs. L. D., Jr., Lawrence- ville, Pa., May 15, 1874.

The Celosia does not like to grow in cold, damp earth, and we are really thankful for the thoughtfulness which pointed out the origin of the tomatoes truthfully. Half the people in the - world would have accused us of sending them tomato seed. Almost every one knows how nearly alike a young Tobacco and Petunia plant looks. A few years ago we had been cleaning Tobacco seed, and some had become scattered in the soil and carried about by the wind. We sowed enough Petunia seeds in boxes to furnish a couple of acres with plants, and they came up very thick and unusually strong. Our foreman stated he never had such a fine growth of plants, and kept pulling up the weaker ones, until at last he discovered that he had destroyed all his

Petunias, and had a splendid crop of Tobacco plants.

LOVING, BUT NOT WISELY.

Many persons who really love flowers, yet who, perhaps somewhat late in life, for the first time are so situated as to gratify this love, feel a little awkward, and make a good many mis- takes. They soon learn the proper treatment, and their former blunders are a source of amuse- ment, and furnish many a pleasant story.

“*T love flowers, but I am afraid I do not always love them wisely. I have a way of simultaneously adoring and

killing them that in my-reflective moments saddens me. I used to puzzle over that song:

‘I'd offer thee this hand of mine, If I could love thee less ;’

but now I understand it. I would buy more than one delicious glory of the greenhouse, if I could love itless! I have not the heart, any longer, to drag them from their royal homes to my humble window-sills, to have them lay down their innocent lives there and shake their emerald locks at me and say I did it. Thanks to your GuIpE and a little bit of inherited common-sense, I am becoming less and less of a floral assassin; but still, I had rather all rare and delicate exotics would avoid me. * * [ love them all, but as I said before, I am willing to resign them for their own sweet sakes.”’— E. H., Caledonia, Minn.

SUMMER TREATMENT OF CALLA LILIES.

A lady of Rushford, Minnesota, a good friend of Troy, N. Y., and several others have inquired the best summer treatment of Callas, so as to secure a good growth and plenty of flowers the following autumn and winter. ‘The common practice, we think, is to remove the pots to a shed or any place where they will be dry, and lay them upon the side, where they may remain until time for re-potting in the autumn. Of course the roots become dry. Another plan, and one we practice, is to remove the plants from the pots to the garden, where they will remain in a half-dormant condition until autumn. No water must be given, and no culture is required. In the autumn re-pot in a good, rich soil, and give plenty of water, but don’t water too freely until signs of growth. By the latter plan, flowers are secured earlier in the winter. We tried to describe this method on page 72 of the first number of the FLORAL GUIDE but it seems we were not sufficiently precise to be understood by ail.

PREMIUM ONIons.— A friend at Hermitage, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, writes: ‘We can beat anything in the county with vegetables grown from your seeds. Last year I took the first premium at the County Fair for Onions, and this year my neighbor W. took the first premium at the Horticultural Exhibition. The first premium Onion weighed two pounds, one and a half

ounces.”’

HyYAcINTH Butps.— Mrs. R. H.F., Attica, N. Y., asks: ‘* Will Hyacinths flowering in pots this winter answer for winter-flowering another year?’’ Hyacinths, once flowered in the house, particularly if in water, should not be used a second time for the purpose, but transferred to the garden, and just as early as possible in the spring.

146

DECAYING SODS FORK COMPOST, ETC.

In using decayed sod for manure, or rather for soil, would it be ready for use in the spring if collected in mid- summer? Would a layer of manure between the faces of the sod hasten its decomposition? When starting seeds in a hot-bed, would it do to plant all the seed of different varieties at the same time? Please tell me what time would be the earliest I could have Hyacinths in bloom?—C. M. D., Wadnut H7rll, Ohio.

Sods collected in the spring will be ready for use in the autumn. Layers of manure will hasten the rotting of the sod, and is especially beneficial if the sod is obtained late in the season, when the grass is pretty dry. When the grass is in a growing condition, with plenty of moisture, it will root very rapidly. Where it is only convenient to have one hot-bed, it is not easy to man- age so as to give each kind of seed the treatment they would prefer. The Cockscomb likes a

ood deal of warmth in the soil, but plenty of air. The Pansy will germinate best, and make the > Yi g D

most vigorous growth, with plenty of cold and moisture both in the soil and atmosphere. With

some care and management, and by sowing the more hardy things after the heat has somewhat

subsided, success is generally assured. Hyacinths will not usually flower until February, no

matter how early they may be planted. The little White Roman will bloom in © few weeks

after planting, and this makes it very useful for cut flowers, as well as for other decorative purposes.

FLOWERS AND HEALTH.

A gentleman of Allens, Miami county, Ohio, is very much pleased, and somewhat excited, we judge. His wife was an invalid for many years, although all ordinary and some extraor- dinary means were tried for her relief. It seems by some means she became possessed of a few copies of the FLORAL GuIDE. We don’t remember ever having recommended our floral maga- zine for chronic complaints, though we have known a great many worse things recommended and paid for also. We will give a line or two from a long letter:

“After failing, by every ordinary means to restore my wife to health, we were indnced by your recommendation to experiment on floral culture, hoping that its excitement and out-door exercise might prove beneficial. To our great surprise and satisfaction, one summer has revealed the ‘ philosopher’s stone!’ She is in fine and comfort- able health now. But reasonable people must not expect great benefits without sacrifice. The bill of cost to me is, that she has become so perfectly victimized that I have to apply the spade to the sterile soil, transport original compost from the woods, tack up little boxes and big boxes, punch holes 1n all sizes of crocks, urns and paint kegs, shave out stakes by the hundred, and carry water by the hogshead to quench the thirst of Caladiums, Cannas, etc., and the marking out of avenues, beds, mounds and borders exactly as Vick tells it, until the last foot is occupied. Now, sir; if any of your gentlemen friends are threatened with the loss of a dear wife or daughter by unconquer- able chronics, you are at liberty to let them know of one successful case, on very easy terms.”’

Our FLowers 1N CALIFORNIA.—A San Francisco lady writes us a very interesting letter about flowers, and desires to say “(a word about a few of my garden favorites grown from the seeds you sent me last summer. The double Portulacas were so splendid they attracted general praise. Whitlavia grandiflora bloomed from May until September constantly. Surely this is not short-lived! TZinnias, Phlox Drummondii, Petunias, and many other of our annuals bloom until some winter storm kills them. I have now (Oct. 11th) a Maurandya in full bloom so high that I cannot reach its top. No one can tell how pretty the Maurandya is who has never seen it in the open ground.’ We never expect to be forgiven for having once said the Whitlavia was short-

Zived, although we repented of the hasty words long ago.

STIMULATING PLANTS TO PRopUCE FLowers.—A subscriber used hen manure water on Ger- aniums and Heliotropes, and instead of forcing them to flower, it caused the leaves to turn brown. The liquid must have been too strong. Care must be used in giving manure water to pot-plants, because all is confined near the roots; while with plants in the garden this is not the case. Rich food and a rapid succulent growth is not always favorable to the production of flowers.

Texas PLuME.— ToMMIE BRADFIELD, a flower-loving boy of Mosquite, Texas, sends us a package of seeds of the 7Zexas Plume, saved from the wild flowers that cover the prairies. The Texas Plume is Ipomopsis, described on pages 60 and 113 of our last number.

ScHIZOSTYLIS.— The specimen sent us by S. J. TUTTLE, and which he received for Amaryl-

lis is Schizostylis coccinea. 147

DOUBLE BALSAMS.

There is a little mystery sometimes about Balsam seed. We have known Balsam seed saved from very fine flowers to produce single blooms, while the next year seeds from the same plant and saved in the same little bag, gave fine double flowers; and sometimes it is hard to account for the difference. Some gardeners think—indeed, the opinion has been quite general—that only o/¢ seed will produce double flowers, and we were once told by a benighted gardener down in Essex county, England, that there was only one way to be sure of dowé/e Balsams, and that was to “carry the seed in your waistcoat pocket for a year.” We know a gentleman who sowed Balsam seed that we obtained of VILMORIN & Co., of Paris,and had kept in store fez years. The flowers produced from this seed were pretty poor—only semi-double, and consequently pro- duced seed in large quantities, which were not gathered, but allowed to drop on the soil. Many of these fallen seeds produced plants the next spring, and they were as double as Camellias, almost as perfect and quite as large. This seed, when first obtained by us, produced flowers of excellent quality. A good lady of Bloomingdale, Essex county, N. Y., picks off the first flowers that open, and these are usually single, and the result is double flowers. That little early Italian Onion, Marzajola, seems to do well far North. We have a few of those Petunias, 50 cents each.

** James Vick — Dear Sir:—I bought a package of double camellia-flowered Balsam seeds of you three years ago, planted them inthe house, took good care of them, and at last they blossomed —a poor, single flower ; of course I was disappointed, and only for the beauty of the plant, should have thrown it out of doors, but I picked the first and second set of buds and blossoms off, and 'n about six weeks it blossomed again, large, double flowers, like the engraving in the Guipr. Since then J] make my single blossoms grow double ones, and i think everybody could have nice double flowers, if they knew or thought of picking off the first single flowers on the plants. Now about some Onions: I bought the seed of you, (Marzajola), sowed it the same day the Early Red was sown, and on ground not halfas rich. The result was, every seed grew a nice, handsome Onion, long before the Red was ripe. You don’t say half enough in favor of that beautiful and excellent Onion. The Petunia in the GuripE — colored plate—is splendid. Name the price of that, and double white, and others double, by mail, in your next. I have tried to raise them from the seeds, but have failed. Ifyou grow them from cuttings, they will be like the original plant, perhaps.’’— Mrs. W. L. i

BEES IN THE MAIL BAGs.— To show how the law allowing seeds and other goods to be car- ried in the mail bags is prostituted to base uses, some of the papers have stated a case in which an Italian queen bee was enclosed in a little cage which was properly wrapped and directed, and then entrusted to the tender mercies of the mail bags. Sad to state, some inquisitive or thievish post-master or clerk got badly stung. It would be a good idea for our customers to get good vig- orous bees and inclose with their remittances. It might result in checking the fearful amount of stealing by those connected with the mails, or at least show that sin sometimes secures its own

punishment.

THE FERTILITY OF KANsAS.— We have heard some people say that with two grasshopper years the people of Kansas would become discouraged, and portions of the State would be soon left for the sole use of Indians and grasshoppers. However, the people of Kansas are not dis- couraged, and so fertile a soil and so beautiful a State is worthy a struggle. A customer of Mon- rovia, Kansas, writes: “I have raised Asters two feet high, with 120 perfect blooms to the stock; and Balsams four feet high, pruned to one stem, covered with flowers as perfect as roses.”

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS.— Many persons have written us for some work giving the language of flowers. We now have such a little work, of 125 pages, as neat as can be desired, and just what the ladies have been asking for. In addition to the Language, there is the Poetry of Flowers, and useful instruction for floral decorations. Price, 25 Cts.

PROLIFIC DAHLIAS.—JAcoB DEEMs, Jr., of Baltimore, Maryland, says: ‘From twenty Dahlias received from you, and ten of my own, I cut between July 29th and October 29th, 1,465

good flowers.”

PANSIES AT CHRISTMAS.—A lady of Oakland, Maryland, writes, “I had Pansies in bloom in my yard on Christmas, grown from seed that I purchased of you last spring.”

Broom Corn.—We have the Evergreen Broom Corn, that we have reason to believe true, and of very superior quality. Price, per quart, 50 cts.

CHROMOS.—For descriptions of CHRomos, see pages 127 and 128, first number of FLorar Gurbe for 1875.

148

— Ie orl SN - cae emma AS | PA

THE CULTURE OF HOUSE-PLANTS IN ROOMS.

This subject has occupied the attention of florists for a long time, and is one on which hundreds of articles have been written and many rules necessary to success laid down. The con- ditions are so varied in respect to light, heat and moisture, that specific directions, in very many cases, prove useless. One has a pet theory, and thinks he has found the true secret, if secret there be, of success, when suddenly he comes across a window full of plants whose beauty of foliage and abundance of flowers completely overshadcws his own; and upon inquiry he finds that hardly one of his important rules has been followed. In fact, the owners themselves, cannot say why they are more successful than others. One will grow plants and flowers to almost green-house perfection, in a north window, where the plants have little, if any sunlight; another, with a west window, will show some specimens that cannot be excelled even under the most favorable conditions. I mention the above cases because they are usually considered the worst exposures that can be given.

Again, the professional says, “discard all china, lava, glazed or metal pots, for the roots of plants must have air, and they can get it only through the sides of the common soft burned porous pot.”” The theory may be well enough, but one day he discovers in some cottage window a plant whose beauty arrests his attention, and whose luxuriousness would fill the heart of a green- house man with envy. He knocks at the door, asks the privilege of a closer view, and finds it growing in a two-quart tin pail without the least sign of pores in its sides.

WHAT IS DESIRED AND HOW OBTAINED.

The great desideratum in window plants is, that they give us either flowers or foliage through the dreary winter months. This can be arrived at only by careful attention to a few necessary details. First of all, plants in proper condition must be obtained. We must not expect those that have given us of their bounty all summer to continue the same through the winter. A season of rest is absolutely necessary to almost all plants. Preparation for winter should begin as early as June. Even earlier than this, seed of Chinese Primrose and Cineraria should be sown. Plants for winter flowering should be kept in pots all summer, or plants in a proper state must be procured from some florist in the early fall. All buds should be taken from plants designed for winter flowering until about the middle of August. After that they may be allowed to grow that we may have early winter flowers. The later the buds are pinched off in the summer, the later will the plants be in coming into flower in the winter. This 1s especially the case with Carnations, Chry- santhemums, Bouvardias, Heliotropes, and similar plants. Plants should be brought into the house and placed in position before the winter fires are made, that they may become “ wonted”’

to their in-door life. . AIR AND VENTILATION.

Plants should be given fresh air every day, unless the weather is too cold—say when the mercury registers 10 deg. above zero, This can be done by opening a window farthest away from the plants. When too cold, a door or window in an adjoining room can be opened. Care should be taken, how- ever, that no direct draft blows upon the tender plants. The cracks around the sash-and casing should be effectually closed. This can be done very neatly by pasting narrow strips of paper over them. A storm-sash or double window is the surest protection against frost, and next to this is a paper cur- tain between the plants and the window.

THE SOIL AND WATER.

The soil used in potting should be neither too sandy, as it will dry out too quickly; nor too heavy, for this holds the water too long, and is apt to become soggy. A mixture of sand, leaf-mould and common garden-loam will suit almost all Si aa

: JULY. kinds of room plants. I would recommend the use of finely é powdered charcoal in the bottom of the pots, not so much to secure good drainage as to correct ascidity in the soil occasioned by over-watering. A moderate use of stimulants will be found very 149

ps fe S SSN We LB AU = ve Mae eye ayee WAS

(2 BA AD uN > ‘yy Cit ed AORN eau <7 PRIN

beneficial to growing plants, but they should not be used on such as are partially or wholly dor- mant. Bone-dust, guano, and special ammoniated preparations are the most convenient, especially for city residents. To those who have the facilities for making liquid barn-yard manure, I would say, use that in preference to any other.

The subject of watering is one that cannot be too carefully studied. How and when to water must be learned by experience. General directions only can be given. First of all, invariably use warm water. Water only when the soil becomes dry, and apply enough to wet the whole body of earth in the pot. Water sparingly rather than too often. Plants die more easily from drowning than from thirst.

PLANT ENEMIES.

Foremost among the enemies of house-plants I would place Dus¢. It stops the pores of the leaves through which they all breathe. It smothers them as effectually as though buried a foot deep in the earth. Smooth, glossy leaved plants, like the Ivy or Wax-Plant, should be washed as often as once a week, with a sponge or cloth dipped in water. Others, like the ornamental foli- aged Begonias, Primroses and Cy- clamens should be treated with a small feather-duster or soft, dry sponge, as they are very impatient of moisture over head. Gerani- ums, Roses, etc. should be show- ered frequently with a small syr- inge, atomizer, or when nothing better is at hand, a small whisk- broom dipped in warm water.

The Aphis or Green-fly coming upon the tender, succulent shoots, sucking the vitality and materially injuring the plants, can be easily destroyed by inverting the plant and dipping it a few minutes into a solution of tobacco water, whale-oil soap, or even in common soap-suds, all made quite warm. They should be thoroughly rinsed after the operation. This. will also destroy the minute Red Spider, that almost imperceptible little pest that causes the leaves. to turn a rusty brown without any apparent cause.

The White Worms in the soil are to be treated with the same tobacco tea, aided by a slight sprinkling of wood ashes on the surface of the soil.

The Lrown Scale is easily killed by touching with a camel’s hair brush dipped in alcohol. The same treatment answers for the Mealy Bug.

PLANT AS IT APPEARS IN SEPTEMBER.

PREPARING PLANTS FOR WINTER FLOWERING—CARNATION.

As before remarked, flowers need a preparation for winter blooming. Those that have flowered during the summer, and are therefore exhausted, it will be quite evident are entirely unfit for this. purpose, as they need a season for rest and recuperation. Some plants are also quite unsuited to winter flowering, while others are particularly adapted to the purpcse. In our next we shall con- tinue the subject, giving a more full description of the insects injurious to house-plants, and the kinds of flowering and foliage plants that succeed best and with the least risk and trouble. To illustrate what we haye said on the preparation of plants for winter flowering, we introduce a ew white Carnation, VESTA, one of the very best of winter flowering plants, of the purest possible white, and an abundant winter bloomer. We will suppose that a young plant is obtained in the spring, and that it is planted in a good soil in the garden, or kept in a large sized pot, which is. sunk in the earth to the top. By about mid-summer, it will show a dispostion to flower, when the flowering-stalk must be cut back to the bud below. ‘The plant thus treated will throw out

150

many branches, and become a strong, compact plant, as shown in the first engraving. Later in the season, early in September, in this latitude, it will appear something like our second engray- ing, with a few buds beginning to form. The plant should now be re-potted, and placed in the x house. A portion of the buds may be

a ey ENC a Mayas oe removed, though if many flowers are de-

\ iy Hil! \ i

sired early in the winter, or if the plant is not over-crowded with buds, all should allowed to remain. All plants newly re-potted should be placed in a cool, shady spot for a day or two. Flowers = N are produced by this Carnation in great

— abundance during the whole winter,. and as it is of so pure a white, and white flowers are so much needed, and is of so fine a form, we think this plant worthy of particular notice, and there- fore give an engraving of a bloom of natural size grown in our houses this winter.

While speaking of winter-flowering Carnations, it will perhaps be well to call attention to two of our old favorites that have been for nearly a score of years a great boon to all lovers of win- ter flowers, and especially to profes- sional florists. Pyrestdent DeGraw is a good white winter-flowering Carnation, and Purity an excellent carmine, and the very best bright colored winter bloomer. It is these two varieties that many of our readers have noticed dis- played so freely during the winter in the show-windows of the New York florists, and for but- ton-hole flowers there is nothing better. Treatment same as for Vesta. Plants, 50 cts. each.

S —= < Z=—=

AA

oS

CARNATION FLOWER -— VESTA.

HYACINTH OFF-SETS.

Several of our customers inqnire if the flowers of Hyacinths are injured by allowing the young bulbs to grow at the sides, or whether they had better be taken off, one of which forwarded us a drawing, which we give with slight corrections. As the little bulbs are almost independent of the main one, we do not think their growth injures the flower of the main bulb, and sometimes, after the leading spike is gone, these butblets will give little trusses of flowers that look very pretty, especially if the -origiual spike is remoyed as soon as the flowers fade. As to the value of these young bulbs for the purpose of propagating new ones, we cannot speak very encouragingly. After one years’s growth, they can be removed and planted in rows in the garden, but it will take sev- eral years to make a good flowering bulb. Asa matter of curi- osity and experiment, we would like to have our friends try the growing of Hyacinth bulbs from the young offsets, but as a matter of profit or economy the undertaking would no doubt be a failure. Our friends in Holland have a monopoly of bulb-growing, which they seem likely to keep for a long time. The ease with which Hyacinths are grown in the deep, rich, mucky soil about Haarlem is indeed a wonder to us and a joy to the good Dutch burghers.

a2 SSSA BSS

——

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151

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PLANTS BY MAIL OR EXPRESS.

Many of our customers, when ordering seeds or bulbs, desire us to supply them with plants for the house, or for bedding out in the garden in the spring. We are prepared to furnish a few of the most popular and useful kinds which we can forward either by mail or express. When per- sons have green-houses in their neighborhood, and can there obtain what they wish, we have no desire that they should desert and discourage their own florists to send to us for plants. The fol- lowing plants we will send by mail, prepaid, at prices named, or by express, if the purchaser wishes to pay express charges, in which case extra plants will be sent to compensate. When received before the weather is warm enough to plant out, they should be potted or planted in boxes and shaded. Give a good watering when planted, and then only as the soil becomes dry. If received at a suitable time for out-door planting, see that they are shaded for a few days. Where customers order plants by name, such as Roses, etc., we will endeavor to supply such as are called for, if we have them in stock. In case we are out of the variety named, we reserve the right to substitute, unless otherwise instructed. No orders filled for less than One Dollar.

Plants for mailing must necessarily be small.

BEGONIAS. 30 ¢ts. each. Gem, corolla violet ; sepals crimson ; winter-flowering. Fuchsioides, scarlet; winter-floweriug. Geo. Felton, Dbl., corolla violet purple. Hybrida multiflora, rosy pink; winter-flowering. Speciosa, corolla scarlet; sepals blush; winter-flow- Grandiflora rosea, bright pink; winter-flowering. ering. Parviflora, white. Tower of London, Dbi., corolla violet blue; sepals Rex, ornamental foliage. crimson. Sandersonii, scarlet; winter-flowering. | Try Me, Oh, corolla very dark; sepals red. Weltoniensis, rich pink. ! Vanquer de Puebla, Dbl., white; sepals red. BOUVARDIAS. 30 ¢ts. each. GERANIUMS 30 ¢ts each, except where noted. Davidsonii, white. SINGLE. Hogarth, rich carmine. Gen. Grant, scarlet. Leiantha, scarlet. Queen of the West, light scarlet. Elegans, bright carmine. Jean Sisley, scarlet, white eye. SINGWMOORS, Wittesitremed: cogs Gan, | Soe Boece: age pik Brose Deer ane Mrs. Jas. Vick, white, with pink center. Lia Puteee eine White Tom Thumb, white. 5 5 Vesta, white. SILVER-LEAF.

CALEAS. coe: acre of Snow, leaves white margined ; flowers

CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 30 ¢ts. each. Bijou, leaves white-margined; flowers scarlet. Anne Ferrier, rose. BRONZE

Bob, dark reddish buff. Boule de Neige, white, yellow center. Beauty of Calderdale, golden bronze. Perilla, bronze.

Cricket Ball, white. Tieneoe

olden Crescent, rich, dark yellow. : S c Teme Certs) Mrs. Pollock, leaf yellow, scarlet and green. Innocence, pure white.

ls ae : DovusBLe. Laciniata, white-fringed. : yt Duc de Suez, scarlet crimson. Model, white. d : Sapier Pompier, orange-scarlet.

Prince Victor, dark red maroon. MadieeiNicinesbachi nine COBG@:A SCANDENS. 50 ¢ts. Aline Sisley, double; white. 50 cts.

COLEUS. 6varieties. 30 cts. each. SCENTED.

CRAPE MYRTLE, white. 75 éts. Dr. Livingston; Rose; Lemon; Balm; Nut-

CUPHEA INSIGNIS. Scarlet and black. 30 éts. mee s Apple. Pesan

FUCHSIAS. 30 cts. each. L’Elegante, white margin, tinged with pink; flowers Arabella, corolla rose; sepals white. hire

Arabella Improved, corolla rose; sepals white. Holly Wreath, leaves light green; broad white

Avalanche, Dbl., corolla violet; sepals crimson. margin; flowers rose.

Avalanche, Dbl., Smith’s, corolla white; sepals | Lady Edith, crimson, tinged with purple; leaves dark. ~

GERMAN or PARLOR IVY. 30 ¢ts.

HELIOTROPES. 30 4¢ts. each. Lady Cook, dark violet; very fine. Brilliant, light violet. Corymbosa, lavender.

Garibaldi, white.

Mrs. Wynes, rosy lilac. Wm Pfitzer, dwarf; scarlet:

crimson. | Bismarck, Dbl., corolla plum; sepals crimson. | Beauty of Sherwood, corolla violet; sepals nearly white. |

Brilliant, corolla scarlet ; sepals white. Carl Halt, corolla crimson, striped with white, win- | ter-flowering. | Day Dream, corolla maroon; sepals crimson. | 3)

152

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APIS,

JASMINE. 30 éts. each. Jasminum grandiflorum, or Catalonian Jasmine, flowers white; fine for early winter.

LEMON VERBENA. Aloysia citriodora.

LANTANAS. 30 &ts. each. Snowball, white. Canary, yellow. Marcella, lilac-rose, changing to yellow. Lina Entiger, straw color; dwarf.

CLIMBING ROSES.—Hardy. 40 cts. each. Baltimore Belle, pale blush; nearly white. Gem of the Prairies, carmine crimson. Queen of the Prairies, rosy red. Triumphant, deep rose.

AUSTRIAN OR YELLOW.

Yellow Persian, deep golden yellow. 50 ¢ts.

HYBRID PERPETUAL ROSES. 40 éts. each. Hardy, blooming profusely in June, and occasionally through the summer.

-Augusta Mie, glossy pink. Amelia Halpin, dark pink. Belle Normandie, light rose. Baron Provost, deep rose. Caroline de Sansal, delicate blush. Chas. Verdier, pink. Doctor Marx, rosy carmine. Giant of Battles, crimson. Gen. Jacqueminot, crimson scarlet. Gen. Washington, crimson. Jules Margottin, carmine purple. La France, silvery white, back of petals rose, La Reine, deep rosy lilac. Louise d’ (Gasae white, tinged with blush, Lord Macauley, beens crimson. L’Enfant du Mont Carmel, purplish red. Mrs. Elliott, rosy purple. Madame Place, pinkish red. Madame Margottin, red. Marechal Souchet, reddish crimson, Pius IX, deep rose. President Lincoln, dark red. Sydonie, light pink. Souv. du Comte de Cavour, bright crimson, shaded with black. Madame Plantier, (Hyb.China), summer bloomer : pure white.

30 cts.

| MONTHLY ROSES.

oy > IS ec) eves

|

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C1 rae Wisc ie : = CEM jv erin psa EAS a WZ ee IN Sy

MOSS ROSES. Alice Leroy, rosy lilac. Countess of Murinais, pure white. Madame Alboni, clear pink, changing to purple. Princess Adelaide, pale blush. Salet, bright rosy red. White Perpetual, white.

50 Cts. each,

4o ¢ts. each. Blooming all summer, but requiring protection through the winter north of Philadelphia.

b. Zaelede

. Agrippina, bright crimson.

- Archduke Charles, rose.

- Bella, white.

Bon Silene, carmine, tinted with salmon,

. Cloth of Gold, yellow.

z, Caroline, rosy flesh.

c. Eugene Beauharnais, amaranth.

c. Imperatrice Eugenie, rose, shaded with salmon. zt. Jean d’Or, yellow.

. Jeanne d’Arc, white, center flesh.

. Hermosa, pink.

z. Gloire de Dijon, cream, shaded flesh.

¢. Louis Phillippe, dark crimson.

. Lamarque, white, shading to lemon.

. La Pactole, pale lemon.

Mad. Isa Imbert, yellowish salmon.

Mad. de Vatry, nearly white.

Mad. Bravy, creamy white.

. Marechal Niel, yellow, tea-scented.

Mad. Bureau, blush, changing to white. Pheenix, rosy purple.

. Purple Crown, purplish crimson.

. Prest. d’ Olbecque, rosy crimson,

. Pauline La Bonte, creamy flesh.

. Safrano, saffron-yellow.

. Souv. de la Malmaison, pale flesh ; ¢. Sanguinea, deep crimson.

z. Gen. Tartas, deep rose, shaded salmon. m. Washington, white; cluster.

2. Woodland Marguerite, white.

OTHONNA CRASSIFOLIA. A charming plant for baskets. 30 ¢ts. POMEGRANATE. James Vick, dwarf. SALVIA SPLENDENS, scarlet. SMILAX. 30 cts. VERBENAS. Per dozen, $1.50.

c. China; xz. Noisette; 3ourbon ;

AAAAOBARAXAHRY

large.

30 ets.

30 Cts.

TT ADDITIONS AND OMISSIONS.

We have a few additions to make to the list of seeds formerly given.

A few of them were

accidentally omitted, while others at the time our first number went to press we were not sure of

obtaining. FLOWERS.

Petunias—Choicest mixed, for large show flowers, 25

Phlox Drummondii, Radowitzia violacea— Wreler eiinieerl ye” SEW eo ae Same elena Io

Phlox Drummondii, New Fringed—A new vari- ety; very prettily fringed ; of dwarf habit, free- bloomer: color scarlet; a novelty of ours we had forgotten, S38! St, CMO gye Op Be CNN eH SE aektealt Se near 25

Sweet Pea—White, Dery ite ihxesor Oz-, 15 Cts,, | seers

Passion Flower—Choice mixed, for green- -house See Me Te ee hl he 25

Passiflora coerulea—The hardiest of the Passion eho Sg eS en ee I5

VEGETABLES.

Collards—The true Cyeole, very popular at the

South for greens, per fb., $3.00; 0z.,30, ... 10

Endive, Green Curled—Per fh., $2.50; 0z., 25c., 10 ot White Curled—Per tb., $2.50; 0z., 25c¢., 10 s€ Batavian—Per fb., $2.50; 0z., 25¢., 10 Leek, Broad Flag—Per Ib., $2.50; 0z., 25 cts.,. 10 ‘© Musselburg—Per th., $6.00; 0z., 50 ¢ts., 20 Onions, Early Flat, White, Italian Tripoli— LSP 5 ASCO SIA Io CUS a uohlg. pe euleldce I5 Sea Kale—Per ib., $3.00; 0z., 30 cts... ..... Io Spring Vetches—Per 100 ibs., delivered to rail- TOAC Si eee tcl AP une aes Aliant Sena es 24 $10.00 Bu ccne (Alfalfa)—Per tb., by mail, 75 éts.; 100 GEMMerecuheresuemen | qutactiem ricmisto sy 1-)Er $50.00 aeeenes California Avni —Per hb., by mail, 75 as, : too tbs., delivered here, ...... $50.00 Sainfoin—Per bushel, delivered here, 50 0 0 oMeHels

153

PRICES FOR FARMERS AND GARDENERS.

To market gardeners and others who wish to purchase the larger seeds, in large quantities, we offer them at the prices named below. The articles quoted in this list are packed and delivered at expresss offices and railway depots in this city at the annexed prices. Freight charges to be paid by the purchaser on receipt of the goods, unless the amount has been previously advanced to us for that purpose. No charge for bags, packing or carting.

BEANS. PEAS.

per bush. peck. per bush. peck.

‘Early Rachels 95 20. .sen ciate ee S250) Sts T-00 | Carter's Nirst\Gropjart os. ss = ooo 00 ae so iHarlyaValentine sm. ey cteiteemenoeme = mernS=50 1.60°| Mcliean’s dattle (Genre eee eee >| « £2.00 3.25 Harly ‘China; "= ¢ 7.0 ~attcneeonenemette eters 4-50 F235 MecLean‘s Advancer, 2). 4 = a Si ars OKES) 2.50 Karly Mohawic,’. ic 1. qesniette bekene ate 10250 #£:85 >| Kentish, Jnyictay Sean eee eee oh 39200 2.50 Long Yellow Six Weeks, .....e... 8.cv 2.25 4) sax tonssvAll pha ae ae eae sien :00 2.50 Wax-or Butters ii oheret deneibeetemerie £e.00 22500 Nutting’s Nos, 0, cect came aeee a OO 4.00 Refugee, :. -./s,a) «te wucnceeneunkee Ta 5550 200s Com “hun baer eee eee ot ce ea tO!OO 2.55 *Wihite Kidneyev aeons eens ietes’ ee t-50 2.35 |] Blue\Peterye." ge tas ape te sas eae 30-00 745 White Marrowiate ec elie settetere 0's) 214250 £35 || Waite’s Caractacus se. oe wee eae 17200 2.00 darces ima hc une mnie Momemerieeins 2s0E 5.00 S250 Barlyskentsse-weaee anes Bog GN 5. S GREE 1.60 Laxton’s Prolific Early Long-Pod,. . . . 7.00 2.00 CORN. Molean’s<Premiet,j2 (7h mett-1n' tisenie O-00 2.50 Barly Mimnnesotasjensschicis = (ol «le oon 15-00. 2 SE-5Ol Wtupenie aay a Sooo sO Om oo 6 COO | Auxe ‘Campbell’s Early Sixty Days, .... . 6.00 £.75)1|| Canteris| SURprISe ts. \-ul- iene age to OOO EIS oc Russ elissProlitvesemcn aycricecite! eireuioite) <tr 4250 z.35 || Blue Impenal. = 5 257 aes eek aeons EOLOO I.75 Moore7s Barlya@oncordsayee: «elle e226) 5-00 2°50 ||| (Champion.or Buslands masa. meee OLOO E275 {Crosby-Swlarlyameen 2...) <juenie! (eine ee abies 4200 £.25 4) PalliSugans.. os (Soiiee) cmcihe ecaleae alae P4200 3-75 Early Eight-Rowed Sugar, . ....-. 4.50 1.35 | Dwarf Sugar, 256565665565 0 TSHES 3.50 Stowellis Biverereenss ww cuemew cele, <) 21.4200 1.25 | Black-Eyed Marrowfat,. ...... . « 3.00 90 Parching; (Cars) gee weieecicouie a0 .elre mate. oni s25 275

HORTICULTURAL BOOKS.

The following are among the best Horticultural Books published, and we can forward any or all at the prices named below, postage paid, to any address.

American Weeds and Useful Plants, ..... .$t 75 | Husmann’s Grapes and Wine,.......... I 50 Parny;sehruitGardeny. +) ee. ts Soo wo a6 ee | Kemp’s Landscape*Gardening, =>. . 5. 2 2 2° 2 50 Breck’s New Book of Flowers, ....... . +275 | Miss Tiller’s Vegetable Garden, Anna Warner, .1 00 Bridgemans Young, Gardener's Assistant, «2 25. 2)50.| Onion Culture) = 22) ee eee 20 Brill’s Farm Gardening and Seed Growing,. . . .1 00 | Parsonson the Rose, ............. ‘iP 50 Bryant:sphorestebreess saan a Slap seemaite veh eae ste 5O Pedder’s Farmer’s Land Measurer, ....... 60 Buist’s Flower Garden Directory, ....... 250! Play and Profit in my Garden, Roe, ....... I 50 ‘Chorlton’s Grape Grower’s Guide,........ 75 @uinnss Money, inthe Gardens 55> 0 eee I 50 Downing’s Encyclopedia of Fruits and Fruit Trees Quinn’s Pear Culture for Profit; 2 =.) eae nto

of America (revised edition), 2 vols... . ...5 00 | Rand?sBulbss 3 3.5 .icecme lene tor ome ae I 50 Downing’s Landscape Gardening, ....... .6 50) Rand’s Flowers for Parlor and Garden, .... .3 00 Wownings SelectedsPraitss. 5. . < + ss « © «2 50+) Rand:s75scopular lowers) ee eee eee ESO Elliot’s Western Fruit Grower’s Guide, .. > ..2Z 50 | River's Miniature Fruit Garden,. ........ I 00 Every Woman her own Flower Gardener, . ... 50 | Scott’s Suburban Homes, an elegant work,. . . .8 00 Pine (Charles I's)jonsGrasses,, 5 so 2 ls te) o 1e> 0 ee 2 On| hes Parlor Aquariums) 2-0 eee en on cme ntome we I oO Hullers+Horestlree Culturis& <u. vere) Sp emeh oemet 5Ou Ghelangnace of Mlowersy cen eeee esa < 25 Pullers Grape Culeure sg 2:s1s1,s+ 0 « .6..s @ «sek 50, i phnomas. Prt Cullunist sega men YE Gio co 9 34 Ce Fulleris Small Brait Culturist;—., 65 « « « «+2 50 |> hhree Iittle Spades vAnna Warners. re) eens OO ‘Gardening by Myself, Anna Warner,. . . . . « -I 25 | Warder’s American Pomology, ......... 3 00 Henderson’s Gardening for profit, . . ... ...2Z 50 } Warder’s Hedges and Evergreens,........ I 50 Henderson’s Practical Floriculture, ....... 72150) |) Woodwardssi Graperiessictey nme noi salcen eens EeSO ‘Hollywood Series, Francis Forrester, 4 vols., each, 1 25 | White’s Gardening for the South, ........ z 00 Hoopes’ Book of} Hvergreens, <). 2 22). . . 546s | Wheeler’s Homes for the People, ....... -3 00 Hops Culeire I-32) eee na eg Sn = oe ees ioe . 40 | Window Gardening, Williams,. .........Z 50

jae Re Pr, WE, Si es 2 ee eee ee eee

FLORAL GUIDE FOR 1875.— Those who have not received the first number of the Frorar Gurpe for 1875, and who are entitled to it will please notify us of the fact, and it will be forwarded immediately. The first number for 1875 is not sent to customers unless ordered, because we do not know but it has been previously received. The full year 1s made up by forwarding the first number for 1876.

GARDEN REQUISITES, Etc.— For a pretty full assortment of Garden Requisites, see page 131 of first number of the Fora Guipe for 1875. For Drizis AND CULTIVATORS, page 129. For WInDow BRACKETS, etc., page 132, and for House ADORNMENTS, page 130.

For General Priced List of Seeds, etc., see No. 1, FLoRAL Gu1bE, from page 104 to 132.

154

© : Ky - =. Vagos » : bi, (ex € SE 4 ROC = YEN a 5 = ) (QS) PTR DES Te AN Fa, So , BF Per 8 NY AAVIRTTT S Dob GS eee * a. TAS ay PeL=ID ee

EVERLASTING FLOWERS, GRASSES, BASKETS, ETC.

Having a very large stock of Jzmortelles and Everlasting Flowers and Grasses of all kinds, and the Baskets ' used for making ‘‘ Floral Baskets,’’ and as many take pleasure in arranging such ornaments, we have thought it best to offer them in large and small quantities, and at such prices as we are sure will prove satisfactory. All sent by mail, prepaid, at prices named. A full list of Everlastings will be found in No. 1 Floral Gaide, page 126. IMMORTELLES (Guraphaliums). Feather Grass, 15 inches high, in 5 colors, per Ib., 5.50

Mixed bunches of Feather Grass and Ornamental Grassests a) ero cca: Fe yk a hee EO Half a pound will be sufficient to fill two large Vases.

IN ORIGINAL BUNCHES, AS IMPORTED,

Statice (zzc. hyb.), indispensable for bouquets and wreathes, resembling the white Erica, per

tin Chitwrsecn ceri wsncunciee hp acoss . 30 cts. and so Moss, light and dark green, per bunch,. ..... 25

BASKETS OF FINE WHITE WILLOW. Ovav Baskets wirH Borpers. Each. ¥% dz.

21%4x4 inches, (borders not measured), . . $0.10 {0.50 ce “ec ce ce

3 x5 SRC acy I5 75 34Ux5% of ce ce (73 yo 35 1.75 3% x 6 Ge es Be ie nS Ca 2200 AKT, OG os A i a[hrb \e 40 2.25 MOY a GNAPHALIUM — ORIGINAL BUNCH. In white. lilac, light blue, orange, rose, green, cherry, violet-blue, or all colors mixed, per TUDES out Reet Sa aa a Mate a ome +75 Proinwernatiral colors. 9)! 8 ne oie das x! 150 i}

} Mh Rounp BasKETs with HANDLES. of be i 4imchesindiameter,........ . $0.28 $2.25 yy Ving His APY tig oo Sa ie 2a: cronies Hera NE Co lAe (0) OS \ Wy oD) Va | Rounp BASKETS WITHOUT HANDLE. | 6 inches in Giamreten' sarc eaeinie cae pOntE2 In hON7ZO Vp Cate na ag Pear net me W Fa hor Nao ZO LEO | Prices for Dealers on application. ORNAMENTS FOR CEMETERIES. GNAPHALIUM — NATURAL SIZE. MANUFACTURED OF SHEET-IRON. Crosses of green Ivy leaves and white Lilies, 10x 15 ORNAMENTAL GRASSES. inches, . RPM ME Mer Lie Rta hen on eee eee AIH 3C5O ‘Natural colors, in great variety, per fb., . . . . . $3.25 | Crosses of green Ivy leaves and white Lilies, 12 x20 “Other colors, as green, blue, rose, etc., per tb.,. . 4.50 HOMES he. tye ene. Ge lou cian Somo™ idol ious 5.00 Mixed—colored and natural, .......... 4.00 | Wreaths, with a variety of flowers, from . $3.00 to 6.00 Feather Grass (Stipa pennata), 15 inches high, in Wreaths and Crosses of green leaves, without pe TSS MAM ccc cD, OM. so, Lila kt REO MLOWiELS yp teeistesi som cater Poteau Muerte Sete awe ee 3EOO

PATENT UNIVERSAL ATOMIZER.

This new and ingenious apparatus is the best thing ever invented for destroying ‘insects on house-plants, by the application of solutions of Whale Oil or Tobacco Soaps, in the form of a vapor or exceedingly fine spray; effectually destroying all insects without the annoyance of waste of material, as is unavoidable when applied with a syringe. This little instrument will be found valuable generally, and particularly for house- plants, on account of the neatness and facility attending its use, and its effect in keeping plants in a vigorous and healthy condition. Price, $1.65, by mail, post-paid. The bottle

holds three ounces. WHALE OIL SOAP.

Whale Oil Soap is one of the most useful articles we possess for the destruction of insects on plants. ‘We have it put up so as to be readily shipped by express or mail.

BER UORES MG ion.) |. PARAS bakes ths a0 eek pOLge.|\eTOub! boxes, % SIS oun tae 6c ZipseDyemall. pre-paid... 4). 0... . Ae San tee tee Bb Ou eon © Mee ellis Sales lee tatee ons 5 aga, Oy i rs 80

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ASI on ee 2 =r OS haz. SS ees Wa

WERS:

Lawn Mowers are now a necessity. As a general rule, we may say there can be no good lawn without this useful machine. Not one in ten thousand can use a scythe with sufficient skill to secure a good lawn, and nothing is more excruciating than to see an awkward person chopping away at the grass with a sickle. Although Lawn Mowers are an English invention, and the first used here were imported from that country, the American improvements have been so great that what they call Anglo-American machines are now the most popular, and we believe, the most generally used in England. We are prepared to supply customers with any of the Lawn Mowers manufactured in the country, and of all sizes.

THE. “€HARTER Gake

From a pretty thorough examination of this machine, its workmanship, and the principles upon which it is con- structed, we are disposed to think it one of the best, if not the best Lawn Mower ever introduced. This is what the manufacturers say regarding it:

“The long sought for Hand Lawn Mower brought out at last ! Combining simplicity, durability and light draft, making this the most common-sense machine that has yet made its appear- ance. The machine is light and easily operated, beautifully and mechanically made and fin- ished, leaving no essential point overlooked; has a threc-blade solid revolving cutter, prevent- ing any appearance of ribbing on the finest English grass lawn. It has patent journals and boxes which prevent and over- come the grass winding around the cutter—a great and intport- ant improvement—a noiseless ratchet, close covered gears, iron handle and reversible driv- ing wheels, allowing the ma- chine to turn either to the right or left without injury to the sod, and weighs fifteen pounds less ee : than the oldstyles. These, with ried Ss ff many other good points embod-

PA gas wis \S ZZ eA 1ed in this Mower, make it the

‘= ape ht Me Yen S S SSS < as i Pea Ae UENO OS SS Zahn 7, «most perfect hand Mower we

4) Maia tera ata NWO Ce DI NSS SE NU : Ves Ale Mie COA NO TK. SSS N Na WN, have offered to the public. We

Ava boat y ft 1

‘ Hey) yA NG warrant it unconditionally. To EEUU RAN Mira “aaa see this new Mower will be only : to appreciate it.”’ We have made such arrangements that we can forward this Machine to any point, frezght prepaid by us, at the following prices: I5-INCH CUT, $25.00; 18-INCH CUT, $30.00.

EXCELSIOR MOWER.

The Excetsior has been long in the market, and mamtains an excellent reputation. It has a pretty heavy roller, thus rolling and cutting the iawn at the same time. This roller, of course, adds to the weight. and makes the draft heavier. The Exce stor is wit] out doubt the best roller machine made. Price, 12-INCH CUT, $20.00; 15- INCH CUT, $25.00. Horse Machines from 25-INCH to 40-INCH cut; prices ranging from $75.00 to $200.00.

PHILADELPHIA MOWER.

The PHILADELPHIA is a very light and easy running machine, without roller; and well liked by very many on account of the ease with which it is worked. Ona tolerably smooth surface, and when the grass is not allowed to get too long, it does excellent work. Price, 14-INCH CUT, $20.00; 16-INCH CUT, $25.00.

{ AW) ee. MA Ly ay yi ZERIT) NER

Rta

VICK’S FLORAL GUIDE is published quarterly, the four numbers making two hun- dred pages’or more. Price. 25 cents a year. The GUIDE is printed in German, and will be sent to all who prefer it in that language, at the same price as the English.

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