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LIBRARY 


OF  THE 


MASSACHUSETTS 

AGRICULTURAL 

COLLEGE 

No....?l.4-L^--DATE..4.rJ.§Jio 


SOURCE. 


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This    book   may    be    kept   out 

TWO  WEEKS 

only,    and    is   subject    to    a    fine    of   TWO 
CENTS   a    day  thereafter.       It    will    be    due 
on    the   day    indicated    below. 

MAY  1  4  19»(, 


AN 


ILLUSTRATED    PERIODICAL 


DEVOTED  TO 


Horticulture  in  all  its  Branches. 


CONDUCTED   BY 


Elias  A.  Long,  Author  of  '"Ornamental  Gardening  for  Americans" 
"  The  Home  Florist,"  Etc.,  Etc. 


Mark  the  matchless  workings  of  the  power, 
That  shuts  within  its  seed  the  future  flower: 
Bids  these  in  elegance  of  form  excel, 
In  color  these,   and  these  delight  the  smell; 
Sends  Nature  forth,  the  daughter  of  the  skies, 
To  dance  on  earth,  and  charm  all   human  eyes. 

— Cowper. 


Volunie   1,    188o  =  H6. 


BUFFALO,    N.    Y.: 

Popular  Gardenino  Publishing  Co., 

202  Main  Street. 


V.  I 

■^INDEX**- 


TO 


Volume  I  of  Popular  Gardening. 


A 

Abutilon.  The 85 

About  the  Place,  in  Nov..  23;  Dec, 

3:3;  Jan.,  45;    Feb.,  57;  AprU,  78: 

May,  90;    June,  103;   July,  114; 

Aug.,  126. 

Achimenes 104 

Adam's  Needle 40 

Airing  Conservatories     38 

Air-layering  ( lUustnt  ted)  63 

Algte,  The 45 

AUamandas  [Illustrated) 68 

AUamandas 104 

Amazon  Lily 4 

America,  the  worst  Fruit  Growing 

Country  y 55 

Amaryllis.  Twelve  in  pot 116 

Amaryllis.  The 124 

Amaryllis  and  other  Flowers 68 

American  Pomological  Society..  .  20 
American  Horticultural  Society. . .  65 
American  Horticultural  Enterprise   77 

Ampelopsis  Veitchii 75 

Annual  Flowers 129 

Annuals,  The  best  Blue  Dwarf  ..      62 

An  Alarming  Measure 63 

Ann\ia\»,  A  Chapter  on  {Illustrated)    77 

Antidotes  for  Poisons 60 

Ants 105,  108 

Ants,  Black  116 

Ants.  To  destroy 100 

Apricot,  The  Russian ..     32 

Apple,  The  Duchess  (Illustrated).  113 

Aquarium,  A  simple 127 

Arctic  Plants 90 

Asparagus  Bed , 8 

Astilbe,  Japan  (Illiist rated) 14 

Asparagus,  The  Climbing 57 

Asparagus,  Have  you? 77 

Aspen,  The  Trembling 85 

Asclepias  Tuberosa. 114 

As  to  the  Future 135 

Auricula,  The  ilUusfrated) 75 

Audubon  Society,  The 109 

A  Universal  Favorite  42 

B 

Back  Yard,  The  {Illustrated)  ....      5 

Balsam,  Impatiens  Sultana 17 

Bamboo,  The 48 

Balsam,  A  new 116 

Balky  Horse        126 

Begonia  Weltoniensis 1 

Begonias,  Tuberous-rooted 87 

Beds,  About  our 12 

Bees:  Wintering,  2:3;  Late  Pastur- 
ing, 23:  In  Dec,  S3;  Where  to 
locate,  57;  In  Early  Spring,  78; 
Swarming,  102;  In  a  bad  plight, 
103;  Clustering,  114. 

Bee-moth  Worms 90 

Beet  Seed,  Saving 134 

Beet,  The  . .     . .    44 

Begonias 20 

Began  at  the  Foot 59 

Begun  at  Home 140 

Behavior  towards  the  Sick GO 

Berry  Custard 1.32 

Bell-tlowers  or  Campanulas  (///.)..  136 

Binomial  Nomenclature 78 

Bird  Seed,  Raise  your  own 79 

Birds  and  Insects 89 


Birds,  Bathing  for,  91 ;  Spare  the,  92 

Birds  Robbed  of  Home...    115 

Birds  have  Friends,  The 128 

Blackberries,  New  Growth  in, 138 

Blackberries  and  Rust 8 

Blackcurrants. 77 

Bleeding  Heart,  The 92 

Bleaching 96 

Botanical  Budget;  Jan..  45;  Feb., 
57:  March,  70;  April  78;  May,  90; 
Jime,  102;  July,  114;  Aug.,  126; 
Sept.,  137;  Oct.,  8;  Nov.,  30; 
Dec,  33; 

Botanical  Names  and  Bugs  29 

Botanic  Garden  Statistics 102 

Botany,  Study  of,  8;  Study  of 
Plantsin  Winter,  57;  In  America, 
33;  For  Young  People,  78;  Horti- 
culture and,  78;  For  the  Sick,  90; 
Sedentary  Pursuits  and;  126. 
Botany  at  the  Science  Meeting  ...  137 

Border.  The  Mixed  (3  III.)  18 

Borders  of  Hardy  Plants 123 

BougainviUea 78 

Bouquet,  A  beautiful 90 

Bouvardia 105 

Bouvardia  Humboldtii  119 

Bouquets,  Making  114 

Bouquets,  Instead  of 137 

Boutonuiere,  The.   .     Vi7 

Borer,  Protection  against 125 

Boys  doing  Housework  132 

Bridal  Rose  20 

Brides"  Bouquets 137 

Breaks 80 

Breathing  Habits 30 

Bridal  Dinner,  A 102 

Burdock,  eradicating 1 

Bulbs,  Successive  crops.  1;  In 
grass,  1;  Hardy  Dutch  (7/^.)  6: 
Summer  Flowering;  89. 
Buds,  Blossoms  and  Leaves,  short 
items,  Jan.,  40;  Feb.,  52;  March, 
64;  April,  80;  May,  92;  June,  104; 
July,  116;  Aug.,  128;  Sept.,  140; 
Oct.,  4:  Nov.,  16;  Dec,  28. 

Buds  but  no  Flowers 95 

Butterfly  Weed  114 

Butter,  To  keep  hard 144 

Buffalo  Parks  117 


Caterpillars  on  Geraniums 1 

Catnip  for  Bees 11 

Cats  and  Horticulture 16 

Cardinal  Flower 17 

Canary  Birds,  Care  of,  33;  Un- 
healthy, :S5;  Breeding,  .59;  Bel- 
gian, 71 ;  Nests  for,  103. 

Cabbage  Plants.  Raising :33 

Cabbage  Worm.  Days  of.  Num- 
bered, 137. 

Cabbage  Worms 113 

Cabbage  from  Slips  102 

Canker  on  Pigeons  35 

Carpets 108 

Carpet  Sweeper,  Have  you  a ;56 

Carpet-bag  Flower 136 

Carpet  Bedding  of  Plants  (3  III.}..     86 

Carpet  Bedding 123 

CaiTot  Seed,  Saving 134 

Catalpa,  The  Hardy 4fl 


Carnation.  The  {Illustrated)  .     .,     42 
Cage  Birds    47 

Catalogues.  List  of 51 ,    63 

Cannas  in  Winter 40 

Canna  from  Seed 53 

Canna  Ehemanni  ( Illustrated) 88 

Cat  Worship,  Ancient 71 

Cactuses,  Two  Fine  {Illustrated)  .     81 
Cactuses,  About  (5  Illustrations)    110 

Cactus  not  Blooming .39 

Cactus,  Spin- wheel  {Illustrated)..  138 

Cactus,  How  often  to  water 119 

Catalogue  List,  continued 83 

Carpeting  Gladiolus  Beds 88 

Camellias.  Watch  the         97 

Calceolarias ]  00 

Canning  Fruit 108 

Cattleya  Mossiee 112 

Cat  in  Fruit  Time,  The 115 

Callas,  Growing  young 119 

Catnip  plant  for  Bees    126 

California  Fruits    128 

Cement  for  Mounting  8 

Celery,  Trenching  {Illustrated). ..     15 

Celery  for  Seven  Months 113 

Celery,  Tiles  for 1:51 

Century  Plant.  Too  long  to  wait. . .    91 

Century  Plant  in  Bloom 116 

Cellars,  Clean    90 

Cereus,  Night-blooming 131 

Childhood.  Dull    9 

Chrysanthemum, The (/Hiwfra^ed)    30 
Chrysanthemums.  Resting,  27,  39; 
Shows,  31. 

Chrysanthemums  from  Seed 41 

Chrysanthemums.  How  to  grow; 
(4  Illustiations)  53. 

Chrysanthemums,  Southern 105 

Chrysanthemum.  Likes  of 12Vt 

Chrysanthemums,  Culture  m  Sep- 
tember, 142. 

Charcoal  as  Kindling     24 

Cholera,  Fowl 34 

Children,  Where  do  they  sleep 36 

Christmas  Gifts 36 

Chickens,  Raising  in  Winter 46 

Chicken  Yard  Now 132 

Chicks.     Eggs    for    feeding,    72; 
Young.  73. 

China,  To  Cement     144 

Christmas  Rose,  The  {rihtsfrafed).  134 

Cherries,  A.ho\\t\ Illustrated) 56 

Cherry,  Double  Flowering,  {III.)..     76 

Cholera,  Chicken 96 

Cissus  discolor 39 

Cinerarias 105 

Climbers,  Tie  up  the  canes 28 

Climbers  for  Greenhouse 62 

Cleaning  Plants 41 

Clematises,  grafting,  66;  Other  col- 
ors than  blue  {Illustrated),  67. 

Clematises  in  Beds 105 

Clematis.  Crispa    93 

Cleaning  Mixture 84 

Clubfoot  and  Cabbage  Flies 125 

Cotton  Bands,  Take  down 5 

Cotton  and  Caterpillars 134 

Combination  Plants ...       5 

Corsage  Favors  for  Lunch 20 

Coleus  in  House 27 

Coal-oil  Barrel.  Cleaning  a :B2 

Cold,  Catehing 'ii> 


Cocoanut.  Dessicated     48 

Cocoanut  Pudding 36 

CowsHps  in  January  {Ilhtstrated)  41 

Coal  Ashes,  Save  up  the 44 

Cow,  Feeding  the 45 

Cobsea,  The  Variegated  (.III.) 65 

Corn  Popper,  The 71 

Corn,  Sweet  {Illustrated)  89 

Country  and  Town 79 

Convention,  Nurserymen's 118 

Crocuses  in  grass,  1 ;  Arranging  in 
masses,  2. 

Crocus,  A  fine  {Illustrated)  37 

Crab  Apples,  The  t  Illustrated) ....  13 

Crates.  Shape  of      44 

Crepe  Veils  and  Health 60 

Crescent,  The 102 

Cultivating  Strawberries 138 

Currant  Worms  95 

Currants,  Standard  113 

Curtains,  Washing 108 

Cut  Worms 131 

Cypress,  How  named,  The 35 

Cyclamens.  Care  of 52 

D 

Dahlias  from  Seed,  Single 64 

Dahlia,  The  Single  {Illustrated)...     87 

Dandelions.  The  91 

Daisies.  Field    114 

Daffodils  flowering  Twice 1 16 

Designs,  Four-leaved  Clover 33 

Deep  Planting 89 

Deceived  Flower  Buj'ers 93 

Decorations.  Midsummer 126 

Dibbling  Plants  ilUustrated) 2 

Dish  Washing  and  the  Hands 36 

Dish  Water  and  Plants     100 

Dicentra  .«pectabilis 92 

Dogs  as  Helpers         22 

Dog-house  Door 47 

Dog  Ringing  Bell 71 

Dog  Trainers,  Monks  as 103 

Dominiques,  Good  looking 46 

Double-flowering  Cherry  {III.) 76 

Dr.  Nichols's  Fruit  Cellar  {///.)  ...  133 
Drenching  Board  (Illustrated)....     26 

Dry  Earth  as  an  Absorbent 33 

Draining  to  Excess 33 

Drains,  House 90 

Drying  Fruits 113 

Ducks  in  the  Garden    34 

Ducks.  Rouen  ( Illustrated) 46 

Earache 48 

Easel,  Cherry-stained 48 

Early  Flowers 93 

Earth  in  the  Stable 110 

Edelweiss.  Protecting  the 33 

Edging  Iron  (Illustrated) 62 

Education,  Effects  of  103 

Educational  Collections 137 

Eggs  in  Winter,  22;  Importation 
of,  22;  From  Cheap  to  Dear,  108; 
By  Weight,  124. 

Eucharis  Amazonica 4 

Eulalia.  Zebra 37 

Eulaha,  Japonica  zebrina(/i/.) —    85 

Eutoca 80 

Evaporated  Fruit,  Hold  on  to 138 

Evergreens  at  Lyndale,;37:  Arrange- 
ment of.  :37;  ivs'.  Fruit  Trees,  64; 
Soil  for,  104:  Shape  up  the.  104. 


I  isr  ID  E  x. 


Evergreen  Leaves  (/ilJM/ra/cd)...    59 

Exercise  for  Girls 12 

Example.  Power  of 80 

Fall  Sowing  of  Lawns 135 

Fattening  Swine 23 

Fan  Palm,  The  aUustraUd) 40 

Ferneries ...     14 

Fernery 100 

Fertilizer,  A  Home-made 53 

Fence,  To  cover  Stone 40 

Fences  for  Poultry  Yards 58 

Ferns TO 

Feathers,  Eating 120 

Feather  Trimming 48 

Fish-tank,  The 10 

Fire-place.  The 86 

Flowers.  Packing,  8.  33;  Trade  in, 
8;  Long-stem.  :53:  Protecting,  3:5; 
For  the  Sick,  .53;  In  Arranging 
Follow  Nature's  Suggestions,  57; 
Perfume,  47;  Cheaper  in  June 
^Jllustratrd),  57:  Shipping,  78; 
For  Gifts,  80;  Our  Second  Child- 
ren. 5;  Of  What  Use,  80;  Talks 
about.  80;  Nip  the  First,  92;  Eat- 
ing of ,  102. 
Flower.  A  PuzzUug  i Illustrated),  9; 
Holders,  ;^3. 

Flower-loving  Employees 17 

Flower,  An  Early-commencing(/fi.)  21 
Flowerpots, Adorning(//(i(s<rci*ed)    82 
Flower  Garden,  in  Oct.,  2;  Nov., 
14;  Dec,  26;  Jan..  38;   Feb.,  50; 
March,  62;  April,  82;   May,   94; 
June.  106;  July.   118:  Aug..  130. 
Sept.  142. 
Floral  Fashions ;  Jan.,  45;  Feb.,  57; 
March,  70;    April,  78;  May,  90; 
June,  102;  July,  114;   Aug.,  126; 
Sept.,    137;    Oct.,    8;    Nov.    20; 
Dec,  .33. 

Flowers  and  Table-spreads  137 

Flowers  for  the  Sick 137 

Flowers  on  the  Hair 137 

Flora  of  Greenland 137 

Floral  Clock 20 

Floral  Crescent  and  Owl  (/li.) 45 

Floral  Designs,  Pansy 78 

Floral  Gift  for  Babes  70 

Floral  Chime 90 

Floral  Muffs  137 

Floral  Ring,  Golden 102 

Floriculture.  Fitness  in 6 

Floriculture,  Improved 41 

Flowering  Maple,  The 85 

Florists,  Those  Designing  ( :•)  123 

Florist  Business,  Big  Stories  about  76 
Florists,  Philadelphia  Meeting  of..  141 
Fowls  tor  Table  and  Eggs,  10; 
Breeds  for  the  Farmer,  11 :  Ham- 
burgh. 34 :  To  Know  the  age  of, 
46;  Good  Looking,  46;  Eating 
Feathers.  108;  Guinea,  96. 

Fowl  Cholera M 

Foliage,  Plants  of  Striking Ill 

Foliage,  Effects  in  114 

Found  Out  at  Last 35 

For  the  Fun  of  it 68 

Fruit  Garden,  in  Oct.,  3:  Nov.,  15; 
Dec  ,  27;  Jan  ,  39;  Feb., 30;  March, 
62;  April,  SS:  May,  94;  June,  106; 
July,  119:  Aug.,  131;  Sept.,  14;J. 
Fruit  Under  Glass  in  Oct.,  3;  Nov.. 
15;  Dec,  27;  Jan.,  39;  Feb.,  51; 
March,  63;  April,  83;  May,  95; 
June.  107;  July,  119;  Aug.,  i:Jl. 
Sept.,  143. 

Fruits  from  Seed  .New 32 

Fruits,  In  Choosing  Market 44 

Fruits,  Drying 113 

Fruit  Time,  Cat  in  115 

Fruit,  On  Choosing  Varieties  of,  7; 
Shipping,  7;  Shipping  fresh,  32; 
Culture  in  Manitoba,  69;  Canning, 
108;  Thinning,  118;  Bee's  Injur- 
ing, 124. 

Fruit  in  Western  New  York 138 

Fruit  Bores  ...  137 

Fruit,  Picking  and  Packing  (/«.) . .  143 

Fraxinella  or  Burning  Bush 5 

Frosts  and  House  Plants 53 

Freezing,  Effects  of,  on  the  Soil. . .    44 


Fuchsia  Fruit 57 

Fuchsias  AiUng 143 

Fussiness  in  Housekeeping 84 

C 

Gardening,  Great  Men  and  6  Pleas- 
ures of,  80;  Apron  (/(/.i,  94;  Pro- 
gress in,  42. 

Garden,  Selecting  the W 

Geraniums,  Caterpillars  on,  1;  To 
Keep  Over.  83;  A  Sportive,  92; 
In  the  Cellar,  93;  Massing,  123. 

Geese.  Keeping 2;^ 

Glass,  Plant  Culture  Under,  in  Oct.. 
2;  Nov..  14;  Dec,  26;  Jan.,  38; 
Feb.,  62:  March,  62;  April,  82; 
May,  94;  June,  106;  July,  118; 
Aug.,  130;  Sept.,  14:). 

Glass,  How  to  Compute 65 

Gladiolus  Beds,  Carpeting 88 

Gladiolus,  Mulching 141 

Glue  for  Herbarium 96 

Gloxinias,  About 109 

Glory  of  the  Snow  [Illustrated) 141 

Gooseberry  C\ilture 32 

Gooseberrj-,  Is  the  English  Worth 
Growing,  19. 

Gooseberries  Without  Mildew 125 

Goldfish,  The 35 

Gold  Fish,  Water  tor 79 

Golden  Wedding  Decoration 90 

Good  Treatment:  What  it  Does 66 

Good  Move,  A 102 

Goats  and  Gardens    128 

Grape,  Wild,  13:  The  Niagara,  20; 
Rejuvenating  Old  Vines,  .32;  The 
Jessica,  69. 

Grape  Vines,  Summer  Pruning  . .  109 

Grape-vine  Mildew,  Remedy  for. . .  135 

Grass  Vases.  Italian  {III.) 29 

Grass  Under  Trees  52 

Green  Growth  on  Pot  Soil 15 

Green  Dinners          90 

Greenhouses  for  Amateurs  (3  III. ) .  124 

Growth.  Undesirable  rapid 29 

GraftingiiH.) 50 

Grading 80 

Graves.  Periwinkles  for 105 

Guinea-fowls,  About 96 

Guinea-fowl,  The    144 

Guard  for  Street  (.Illustrated) 82 

H 

Hamburg  Fowls  (III.) 34 

Hard  Wood 45 

Hardy  Plants,  Garden  of 121 

Hanging  Gardens  of  Babylon  ...  79 

Helianthus  Maximilari 25 

Heliotrope  in  the  House  28 

Heliotrope  From  Seed 143 

Hellebore,  The  (Illustraled) 134 

Hedge,  Quick  Growing  51 

Heating  With  Coal-oQ  (III.  I .38 

Hen  House,  Stoves  in 58 

Hen,  To  Cook  an  Old 60 

Hens,  Setting  the 72 

Herbarium,  Glue  for 90 

High  Quality  Costs  Something 136 

House  Plants,  in  Oct.,  2;  Nov.,  14; 

Dec,  26:  Jan..  38;  Feb.,  50;  Mar., 

62;  April,  82:  May,  94;  June,  106; 

July,  118:  Aug.,  i:W;  Sept.,  142. 

House  Plants,  Select  Lists  67 

House  Plant,  The  Smallest 78 

House  Drains.  90 

House-top  Gardens  17 

Hollyhocks  140 

Hollyhocks  for  Bouquets 134 

How  to  Pot  a  Plant  (2  flls  ) 135 

Hot-bed  Making  (;H.) 51 

Hot-bed,  A  Miniature 76 

Horse-radish 89 

Hoi"se-chestnut,  Growth  of 90 

Horse-chestnut,  The  Red 104 

Horticulture  and  Botany 78 

Honey  Combs  and  Frosts    45 

Honeysuckle 141 

Home  Upholstery     60 

Huntsman's  Cup  (///((.sfra(ed)  91 

Hyacinths,    Starting,    Forcing,  2; 

In  Glasses,  26;  After  Flowering. 

86. 

Hyacinth  and  its  Name.  The .35 

Hj'drangea 92 

Hj'drangea,  PaDicle-flowered 121 


I 

Ice  Plant.  The 17 

Impatiens  Sultana 17 

Incubators,  Using 46,    58 

Insect  icicle,  A  New .52 

Insects  in  <  Irchard 63 

Insects,  Killing 101 

Insects,  Well  Begun  Half  Done. ...  140 
Insect,  Enemies,  113;  A  Useful  Gar- 
den (/(/.I,  126. 

Iron  Pipes,  Painting 41 

Isle  of  Natal,  The 41 

Is  it  Necessary 72 

Is  Watermelon  King? 137 

Ivy  for  Decoration 137 

Ivy  in  Funeral  Designs 45 

J 

Japanese  Gardening  Notions 41 

Japan  Creeper 75 

Jamestown  Weed  as  an  Insecticide  137 

Jewell  Strawberry,  The  (/«.)  141 

Jerusalem  Cherry  (Illustrated) 142 

Johnson  Grass 78 

July.  Lifting  Plants  in 109 

K 

Keiffer  Pear,  The 44,    69 

Kennedyas    81 

1, 

Lawn,  in  Oct.,  2;  Nov.,  14;  Dec, 

26;  Jan.,  38;  Feb.,  50;  March,  62; 

April,  82;    May,  94:    June,  106; 

July,  118;  Aug.,  130;  Sept.,  142. 

Lawn  Mowers,  Fifty  Thousand 53 

Lawn,  Mow  Frequently 93 

Lawns,    Making  by   Seeding,  73; 

Running  to  Ruin,  125;  Seeding 

vs.  Sodding,  128. 

Lawns,  Fall  Sowing  of 135 

Lachenalias    27 

Latania  Bourbouica  (III.) 41 

Laying  Power  of  Hens 72 

Lasiandra 104 

Layering  i  llhistrated) 118 

Layering  Plants 138 

Lady-bird  (or  bug).  The  (.111.) 127 

Label  the  Trees  89 

Latanias,  Large 139 

Leucojum  Aestivum 7 

Leaf  Falling  13 

Lesson  for  the  Children,  A 29 

Leaves,   As  to  Size,  57;    Internal 

Structure  of,  70;  Beauty  of  (III.) 

35. 

Lifting  Plants 142 

Lily  of  the  Valley,  Forcing 8 

Lily  of  the  Valley,  Not  Blooming..  29 

Lily  of  the  Valley  Dress,  A 45 

Lily  Beds,  Carpeting 88 

Lily,  White  or  Madonna  (/«.)..     ..  128 

Lilies,  Cover  the  41 

Lilies 93 

Lilium  Candidum  (7  llust rated) 128 

Linnaeus,  In  Memory  of 8 

Liquid  Manure  for  Pot  Plants 15 

Liquid  Manure 81 

Little  Things  at  Right  Time    19 

Lilacs,  Forced  45 

Lindens,  Flowering  of Ill 

Lightning  Rods 126 

Lightning,  Trees  as  Protectoi-s. ..  6 

Living  For  the  Most  Good 132 

Lobelia  Cardinalis  17 

Luncheon  Decorations 136 

Lycium  barbarum I 

Lyndale.  Notes.  1,  13,  25,  37,  49.  61, 

111,  123,  i;w. 

Lycaste  Skinneri  i  //(.  i  25 

91 

Matrimony  Vine 1 

Madras  Curtains,  etc    13 

Marechal  Neil  Rose,  Southern 44 

Maiden  Hair  Ferns 45 

Making  Garden  in  the  Fall 183 

Maples  in  Pots,  Japanese 41 

Manure,  Gathering,  57;  Liquid, 81; 
From  One  Cow,  102. 

Manure,  .Summer  Waste  of  137 

May  Number,  Notes  on 99 

Jlaiden  Hair  Fern  for  Table 114 

Mastiff,  The 127 

Meat,  Unwholesome 24 


Mealy  Bug,  Scale  and 38 

Memory,  The  47 

Melons,  Shading li!5 

Mildew,  Remedy  for 135 

Mistakes  that  are  Natural 35 

Moccasin  or  Carpet-bag  Flower...  136 
Mock  Orange,  Large-fl'w'ng  (III.).     19 

Mocking  Birds 22 

Mother  of  Thousands 29 

Morning  Glories   41 

Morning  Glory  Tree,  A 134 

Monkeys 59 

Montbretias  ■  Hlu.strated)  100 

Mulching.  Materials  for 113 

Mulches 42 

Mulleins,  The 114 

Mulberries,  About  (Illustrated). . .     61 
Mushrooms.  Edible  and  Others 5 

Nature.  Study 5 

Narcissus.  Early-flowering  17 

Narcissus,  Not  Blooming 104 

Nature  as  a  Builder  (4  III.) 79 

Nasturtiums 80 

Nelumbium  speciosum 70 

Nmpha?a  Odorata,  Culture Ill 

No  Discounting  Nature 144 

Not  Clear 9 

November  Flowers 13 

Nothing  to  Sell  Here 113 

Nui-serymen's  Convention 117 

O 

Oak,  The  Golden  Leaved 17 

Oleander.  The 117 

Oleander  Slips 65 

Onions,  Winter  Treatment  of ;32 

Onion  Seed,  Saving 134 

Orchard,    in    Jan.,    39;    Feb.,    51; 

March,   68;   April,  82;    May,  95; 

June,  107;  July,  119;  Aug.,  131; 

Sept.,    143;    Oct.,    3;    Nov.,    15; 

Dec,  27. 

Orchards,  Cultivating 8 

Orchards,  Planting  New 139 

Orchid,  An  Easy  Flowering  (III.), 

35;  A  fine  (III.),  55;  For  window, 

1!2. 
Orchids.  102;  Of  the  North,  136. 

Ordering  Nursery  Stock 49 

Overbearing 64 

Oxalises,  Spring-flowering 70 

Oxalis,  Rose  Colored 42 

Oysters,  To  Fry 12 

I» 
Parrot,  A  provoking,  9;  Feeding,  10. 

Pansy  Bed.  A  Great  41 

Pansy  Floral  Design  78 

Pansy.  The  Time  to  Sow  (/!(.).   ...  120 

Pansy  Seed,  Home-sown 134 

Pansies,  How  to  Raise  (III.)  122 

Pansies.  About 117 

Palms  for  House    131 

Palms  for  Greenhouse 53 

Packing  Flowers 8 

Pancakes   48 

Parsnip  Seed,  Saving 134 

Partridge  Cochin  Fowls 10 

Pasture,  Lots  in  Fall 23 

Pasty  Soil  Expeiments  in 86 

Palace  Car  for  Babies  84 

Patching  and  Darning 144 

Pacific  Coast  Letter,  A 136 

Pear.  Reliabililj-  of.  8;  Louise 
Bonne.  Si:  Culture  for.  69. 

Peai"s,  About  Ripening I'M 

Pea.,  The  (Illii.itrated) 69 

Pet  Birds.  Animals,  etc.,  Oct,  10; 
Nov,,  22;  Dec,  3o:  Jan..  47;  Feb., 
59;  March,  71;  April,  79;  May, 
91;  June,  laS;  .July,  115;  Aug, 
127:  Sept.,  — 

Peach   Yellows  4;) 

Perfume  of  Flowers 47 

Petunia.s.  The 69 

Petunias.  Rilising  Improved 113 

Pei'cnnials,  ( >u  Sowing 122 

Periwinkle  for  Graves 105 

Philadelphius  (Illustrated) 19 

Phlox  Urummondi,  Wild  116 

Pigeons,  Carrier 23 

Pigeons,  Canker  on 35 

Pigeons,  About 116 


I  nsr  X)  E!  x: 


Pipes,  (ias  and  Tar  65 

Pine  as  a  Fruit  Tree.  The 71 

Pine-apple,  The  iUhi.itrated) 71 

Pine-apples,  Cannius 108 

Pitcher  Plant,  Asiatic  {Illuatmted)  91 

Pitcher  Plants,  Asiatic  140 

Plants  for  an    Invalid,  27;  When 
need  Water,  S<.l;  For  Shade,  3i). 

Plants,  Modification  of  by  Chmat«  33 

Plants,  Cleaning 41 

Plants  and  Animals    45 

Plants  for  Under  Stages 51 

Plants,  Dish  Water  on     100 

Plants  Have  a  Party,  The  (TU.) ....  115 

Plants  in  Rooms 117 


78 


Plants,  Lifting 

Plant,  The  Barest  (.Illustrated),  47: 
Culture  at  South,  80;  At  Sleep, 
115. 

Plant  Life  in  the  Arctics 

Plant  Box  I  nl  list  rated) 

Plant  Multiplies,  A 

Plant,  About  the  House 

Plantain  Lily  not  Blooming 27 

Planting,  Tree 62 

Planting;  After  Fifty 137 

Plums,  Something  About 76 

Plungmg  Pot  irilustrated) 106 

Platycodon  grandiflora 4 

Poetry;  Three  Roses,  4;  Choice,  4: 
Fruit  Talk,  10;  Leaves  Turning 
Brown,  16;  An  Autumn  Hostelry, 
21;  Old-fashioned  flowers,  20; 
When  the  Woods  turn  Brown, 
28;  The  Violets,  40;  Ou  a  Green- 
house, 40;  Each  Has  its  Place, 
33:  The  Rose  Buds  Tale,  45; 
Winter  Aconite,  52;  What  They 
Say,  .52;  City  Flowers,  57;  To 
the  March  Flowers,  64 ;  Summer 
shut  in,  64;  Cultivate  Chrysan- 
themums, TO;  Oh  March,  70;  My 
Easter  Lily,  78;  April,  80;  Far 
reaching,  80;  Trees  have  no  His-  I 
tory,  80;  A  Bunch  of  Rosebuds, 
90;  May  Day,  90;  Firstlings  of 
Spring,  92;  A  Spring  Song,  92; 
June,  97;  Ode  to  the  Rose,  102; 
A  Dispute  in  the  Garden,  102; 
Roses,  104;  Butt^-rcups,  104;  A 
Summer  Picture,  109;  Daisy  Nur- 
ses, 114;  Wild  Roses,  116;  Sum- 
mer Hymn.  121 ;  Roses  Dead,  126; 
Cat-tails,  128;  How  the  Pansy 
was  Made,  128;  September.,  133; 
Thistle  Down,  137;  Marigolds,  140; 
The  Reason,  140. 

Poetical  and  Practical 127 

Poets  and  Gardening 140 

Poultry;  Preparing  for  Winter.  10; 
Care  diu-ing  Moulting,  11;  A 
Farm,  11;  Neglecting,  11;  Sun- 
flowers for,  2;i;  Preparing  for 
marliet  23;  To  keep  Large 
Flocks.,  2:3;  In  Russia,  23;  To 
treat  colds  in,  :i4:  Best  stock  for 
Winter  Laying,  :34 ;  Sent  the  food 
to,  34;  Comfort,  :54:  Some  great 
figures,  46;  Cleanliness  for,  46; 
Scratching  for.  46;  Salt  in  the 
Food.  46;  Fences  for  Yards,  .58; 
Keeping  Individual  Records,  58: 
Roosts,  58:  Incubators,  .58: 
More  Food  with  Laying.  .58;  Not 
Enough  Light,  58;  Improved 
Breeds,  72:  How  to  Begin  Busi- 
ness, 72:  Feed  for  Shells,  72; 
Necessaries  in  Raising.  84;  Go- 
ing for  them  Sharp.  .SI:  Not  a 
Revolving  Chair.  &4 :  Green  Food 
for,  84,  Profitable  Raising,  96: 
Future  of  Business,  108;  Profit- 
able, 108:  Disease.  Aim  to  Pre- 
vent, 108:  In  Large  Flocks,  1:32. 
Poultry,  Condensed  Notes:  Oct., 
11;  Nov.,  22:  Dec,  24;  Jan.,  46: 
Feb.,  58;  March,,  72;  April.  M; 
May,  96;  June,  108;  July,  120; 
Aug..  132:  Sept.,  144. 

Poultry  Manure         139 

Poultry,  Fattening 144 

Potting 29,    40 

Pot  a  Plant,  How  to 135 

Pots,  Too  Large  28 


Potatoes,  Newer  Species 20 

Portieres 60 

Poisons,  Antidotes  for 60 

Poison  Ivy,  The 126 

Poppies  and  Railroads  65 

Pond   Plants  100 

Primus.  Pissardi  25 

Prune  When  You  Plant  {2  III) 66 

Pruning  Trees  14  Illustrations)  .- .  30 

Privets,  for  Ornament 37 

Progress  in  Gardening 42 

Primrose  Convention,  A,  45:  The 

Chinese,  (Illujitrated)  49. 

Propagating  Pots  (.Illustrated).. . .  .53 

i  Primrose,  Hardy        75 

Putty,  Substitute  needed    5 

Puss  and  Birds 109 

Public  Squares  as  Markets 64 

Q 

Quack  Grass    m 

Quality  not  Quantity 141 

Questions  and  Answers 138 

R 

Rabbits,  To  keep  from  Trees,  IT; 

Scurf  on,  22;  And  Trees,  64. 

Radish.  Long,  Black  Winter  (III.).  44 
Raspberry,    The    Red    (///.),    101; 
Canes,  125. 

Raspberry  Clearing 1.39 

Raspberries.  New  Growth  in 138 

Raspberries,  Cutting  Back 1.38 

Raspberries,  Trimming  Away  Old 
Wood,  138. 

Remedy  Worse  than  Disease :i5 

Red  Spidei-,  The  (Illustrated) 65 

Reticule,  The 96 

Rhubarb,  A  Large  Bed 117 

Ring  Doves  lO 

Rice,  A  Delicious  Dish  of 24 

Riches  Flying  Away  .. 90 

Roses:  Sweet  Brier,  1;  Dog,  1; 
Flowers  that  Combine  with,  20; 
The  Marechal  Niel,  South,  44; 
Old-fashioned,  52;  Propagating. 
8:3;  Hardy,  A  Bed  of,  93;  Moss 
(/((.I,  98;  A  Screen  of  {III).  99: 
Insects  of,  99;  For  Amateurs,  105; 
Select  List,  105;  Tree,  111;  Yel- 
low, 116;  La  France  (III.),  117; 
Slugs  on,  119;  Mulch  for,  128. 

Rose  Culture  in  America 97 

Rose-!eaf  Pillow.  A  97 

Rose  Slugs 93 

Rosebush,  A  Celebrated  41 

Roots  and  Drains 5 

Rochester  Convention 68 

Rock  Work 93 

Robins 113 

Rustic  Vase,  Costless 76 

Rural  Adornment 101 

Rush  Ornaments 137 


Salsify  (Illustrated) 8 

Salsify  Seed,  Saving 134 

Saxifraga  sarmeutosa 29 

Salvia,  The  Scarlet  i Illustrated) ...    92 

Scale  and  Mealy  Bug 28 

Scattering  the  Seed 47 

Scarecrow  not  Scaring 103 

Scarlet  Runners  54 

Scilla.  Bell-flowered  (Illustrated).     17 

Scratching  for  Food 144 

Seed  Trade  and  the  Government . .     16 

Seed  Sowing 134 

Seeds,  Vitality  of,  45;  Slow-start- 
ing, 52;  Sowing  fine,  106. 

Seed,  Greenhouse  Plants  from 53 

See-weed,  An  important 53 

Seedsman,  Meeting  of  142 

Selling  and  Selling 56 

Seckels,  Prolific 80 

Seasoning  96 

Setting  Hen.  Breaking  up  120 

Shetland  Ponies  10 

Shade  in  the  Hen  Yard 11 

Shrubs,  .Specimen,  14;  Why  not 
more  planted,  25;  Select,  28,  39; 
Pruning,  50;  A  Selection  of  good, 
73;  July  lull  in  Flowers,  111. 


Shakespeare  and  Strawberries 18 

Sharing  Equally  21 

Shirts,  Starching  and  Ironing 24 

Shrubbery  Walk 25 

Shortia  galacif  oha  Ullustrated) ...    47 

Shiny  Clothes 60 

Shifting  backwards 65 

Shade  for  the  Well  78 

Shady  Gardens  85 

Shipped  Plants  93 

Sis  "Keeps" 16 

Single  Dahlia  (Illustrated) 85 

Small  Fruits  in  Shade 8 

Small  Fruits,  Shall  we  Plant    138 

Small  Fruits,  Fall  Planting  of 138 

Small  Farming  in  England  ...  .57 

Smilax    Leaves,    20;    Culture    in 
House,  80. 

Smilax  Insect,  New         52 

Smilax  in  England 70 

Society  ol  Am.  Florists 5 

Soil,  Good 29 

Soil,  Fitting  it  up 49 

Soup 60 

Sodding . .    62 

Soot  for  Plant  54 

Sprouts.  Keep  down  the 91 

Squashes,  Keeping  ( Illustrated). . .     32 

State  Fairs,  List  of  142 

StephanotLs  ^onh\nda.(Ulustrated)      1 

Study  Nature 5 

Strawberries.  Shakespeare  and ...    18 
Strawberries,  Have  a  plenty,  (6  II- 
lustrations)  74. 

Strawbenies.  Planting 125 

Strawberry   Vote,    A,    20;    Rust- 
White,  101. 

Starching  and  Ironing  Siiirts 24 

Straw  Mats  tor  Protection 25 

Steam  Heating  a  Success 32 

Stockings,  Washing.  48 

Straight  Lines  in  Planting,    (2111.)    67 

Street  Trees    128 

Street  Trees,  Guard  for,  (//(.) 83 

Stencil  Plate,  Have  a 90 

Stones  as  a  Mulch 125 

Stones  for  Layering 140 

Sugar  and  Fruit  (  anning 144 

Sulphide  of  Potassium 139 

Summer  Snowflake 7 

Sunflowers  and  Sun  Worship 74 

Sweet  Peas 81 ;  114 

Sw-eet  Potato  Culture 88 

SvffulCoTu  (Illu.itrated) 89 

Sweet  Potatoes,  Keeping  139 

Swarming  of  Bees 108 

T 

Table  Covers,  12;  Screen,  24;  Cloths, 
36:  Decorations,  114. 

Tacsonia  from  Seed 51 

Tea-drinking  Delusions 12 

Tea  Remedy,  A 140 

Teeth.  Care  of 132 

Tendrils  of  Cireubitaceous  Plants. 
The,  137. 

The  Weeds 137 

Title  Page  and  Index  141 

Tools,  Keep  Clean 89 

T'other  Side's  Always  Best  (III.)..  115 
Trees,  Mounding  up  (Illwitrated), 
3;  It  pays  to  plant,  4;  Peisia, 
Large,  5;  Protectors  from  Light- 
ning, 6;  For  Windy  Place,  15; 
Starvation  for,  18;  About  Pi-un- 
ing,  (4  III.],  30:  Ti-ausplanting, 
(2  III.),  43;  Thinning,  49;  Grass 
under,  52:  Plant,  52:  Trees,  Value 
of,  61. 

TreePaeony 45,    65 

Tree,    Severing    a    boulder,     71  ; 
Agents,  51,  75. 

Tree  pets  in  China 7 

Tree  Roses Ill 

Trees.  Healtbf  ulness  of 133 

Training  Animals,  etc 10 

Trenching  (/;h(s(™(ed) 14 

Transplanting  Large  Trees,  (2  III.)    43 
Treeclimber's  Talks,  Oct.,  9;  Nov.. 
21:  Dec,  35;  Jan.,  47;  Feb.,  59; 
March,  71;    April,  79:  May,  91; 
June,  103;  July,  127. 

Tritomas 105 

Tuberose.  A  branching 4 


Turkey,    Fattening,    11,    22:   The 
American  (Illustrated)  23. 

Turkeys,  Food  for 84 

Tuberoses,  Pearl 13 

Turnip  Seed,  Saving 134 

i; 

Umbrellas,  Care  of  46 

Union  there  is  Strength,  In 112 


Varieties  running  out. 20 

Varieties,  Too  many )25 

Vegetable  Garden,  in,  Oct.,  3;  Nov., 

15:  Dec,  27:  Jan..  39:  Feb..  51; 

March,   53;   April,  83;   May,    95; 

June,   106;  July,  119;  Aug.,  131; 

Sept.,  143. 
Vegetables  under  Glass,  in  Oct.,  31 ; 

Nov.,    15:    Dec,    27;    Jan.,    39; 

March,  63;  April,  83;  May,  95; 

June,  107;  July,  119;  Aug..  131; 

Sept.,  143. 

Vegetation  at  the  Equator 33 

Vegetables,  Some  of  the  Newer. ..    56 

Vegetable,  Found  by  a 59 

Vegetable  Fly-trap,  A  (Illustrated)  103 

Vegetable  Pillows 140 

Vegetable,  A  New J41 

Verbascums J14 

Viburnum,  The  Japan  or  Plicate..  140 

Vinca  for  Mounds  25 

Vines,    Propagating   from    Single 

Eyes 56 

Violets 70,  107 

Violet  as  an  emblem.  The 78 

Visitors  and  Visiting 120 

■w 


Watering,  A  Mistake  in 

5 

Washing  Plants  (Illustrated) . .     . 

26 

Water,  Pure 

45 

Wasps'  Nests  

57 

Washing  Compounds,  About 

72 

Water,  How  to  Cook 

72 

Waterside  Plants  (rilustraled).  . . 

73 

Walks,  Grass  in 

105 

Water-lily  Culture 

111 

Water  Lily,  Rose-colored 

114 

Watering  Troughs 

114 

Washing,  Care  in 

120 

Wax  Plant,  A  fine 

Wedding  Branch 

90 

Weeds,  An  Eye  to 

125 

Weeding  Tool  (Illustrated) 

106 

Why  Men  Cannot  Fly 

21 

White  Worms 80 

S3 

White  Grubs  

Whiflletrees  Barking  Trees 

101 

Whitewash.  A  Dm-able 

102 

White  Lilies  (Illuslraied) 

128 

What  one  Giri  Did 

129 

Wild  Garden  at  Lyndale 

1 

Wine  in  the  United  States 

20 

Witch  Hazel  (Illustrated) 

21 

Window  Drapery 

24 

Wind  Screen    

Window  Box  in  Winter,  The 

31 

Window  Box,  The 

.54 

Winter  Flowers,  Plants  for 

97 

Wild  Garden,  A  Miniatm-e 

102 

Wild  Sprouts,  Look  out  for  (///.). . 

112 

Work  of  the  Season,  Oct..  2;  Nov., 

14;  Dec,  26;  Jan..  38:  Feb.,  50: 

March,  64;    April.  82:    May   94: 

June,  106:   July,  118;   Aug.,  130: 

Sept.,  142 

Women  as  Commercial  Florists  . . . 

30 

Work  Not  to  be  Evaded,  47;    Shall 

the  Giris,  48. 

Word  to  the  Men  Folks,  A 

48 

Worms  in  Flower  Pots .80, 

83 

Wyandot  tes.  The 

96 

Yards,  The  Back  {Illustrated)        .      5 

Yards,  What  neat  ones  do 90 

Yard  Cleaning 114 

Yucca  filamentosa 40 


Zebra  Grass.  Japanese  (///.) 85 


0.. 


LR,    l8^§Sh, 


POPULAR  GARDENING 


FOR    TOWN    AND    COUNTRY. 


■VOL-    I- 


Garden  Notes  from  Lyndale. 

BY  A.  H.  E. 

October  2.  Few  plants  of  a  large  collec- 
tion afford  greater  satisfaction  than  Begonia 
Weltoniensis.  Several  late-starled  ones,  standing 
in  a  shady  border  are  yet  covered  with  clouds 
of  rosy  bloom.  For  many  weeks  they  have 
been   very  attractive. 

This  Begonia  is  easy  to  manage,  and  assumes 
a  fine  form  without  either  stakes  or  tying  up. 

A  few  days  later  I  will  lift  the  plants,  set  the 
roots  firmly  into  pots  of  earth,  water  and  then 
gradually  drj'  off.  During  the  winter  the  pots 
are  laid  on  their  sides  in  a  temperature  of  about 
50  degrees,  and  are  not  watered.  In  the  spring 
I  start  them  up  at  intervals  for  a  succession. 

*** 
The  Matrimony  Vine, Lyfhdm  barbarum,zom- 
mon  and  almost  weedy  thing  that  it  is,  displays 
such  richness  in  its  fruit  now,  to  say  nothing  of 
bloom  earlier,  that  for  my  part  I  really  don't 
care  to  be  without  it.  But  every  plant  in  its 
place.  I  confine  this  vine  to  a  pile  of  boulders 
on  the  hill  side,  letting  it  clamber  about  and 
tangle  up  as  it  chooses.  Here  the  clusters  of 
orange-scarlet  berries  show  most  attractively;  I 
can  think  of  nothing  in  this  line  to  equal  them 
in  beauty,  from  now  on. 


October  jih.  About  the  only  insects  to  trou- 
ble out-door  Geraniums  here  are  caterpillars  of 
several  species.  While  they  are  voracious  feeders 
on  the  leaves,  their  numbers  are  not  so  great, 
but  that  with  looking  out  for  them  daily,  they 
are  kept  from  spoiling  much. 

These  large  hairy  worms  when  at  it  feed  as  if 
they  meant  to  have  the  plant.  I  kill  everyone 
met,  thus  destroying  a  present  cause  of  trouble, 
and  cutting  off  future  increase,  for  next  year 
will  find  the  moth  of  every  one  that  escapes 
this  year,  laying  many  eggs  apiece,  a  thing 
equivalent  to  much  future  trouble. 

»       * 
* 

Coming  in  possession  of  a  strip  of  land  a 
year  ago  that  was  burdened  with  several  patches 
of  Burdocks.  I  took  in  hand  to  eradicate  them. 
And   I   succeeded,   but  it  was  a  job.      This 


by  arming  myself  with  a  butcher  knife  and  de- 
capitating every  plant  just  below  the  surface, 
as  it  first  appeared  in  sight.     They  gave  up  first. 

* 

.•\lthough  I  am  rather  fond  of  a  dressy  gar- 
den, that  part  of  Lyndale  devoted  to  a  Wild  Gar- 
den certainly  yields  much  satisfaction. 

For  one  thing  this  piece  of  rurality  costs  but 
little  care,  it  being  chiefly  in  the  direction  of 
eradicating  weeds  and  such  plants  as  would  soon 
become  weeds  if  allowed  to.  What  enhances 
the  value  of  the  spot  is  the  happy  freedom  with 
which  all  the  plants  are  growing. 

There  is  no  time,  from  the  dawn  of  spring 
until  freezing  weather  in  autumn,  but  that  some 
object  may,  in  a  walk  through  the  Wild  Garden, 
be  met  to  please  the  eye,  and  the  other  senses. 

*** 
October  Sl/i.  I  mentioned  the  Matrimony 
Vine  as  being  attractive  with  fruit  now.  Fur- 
ther along  in  the  W'ild  Garden,  are  some  clumps 
of  Sweet  Brier  and  Dog  Roses,  which  also  dis- 
play a  showy  crop  of  fruit. 

Much  as  I  prize  the  improved  Roses  of  the 
borders,  these  wild  sorts  would  be  greatly 
missed  were  they  to  be  taken  away.  The  plants 
have  always  had  very  much  their  own  way. 
They  are  now  eight  feet  high  and  with  droop- 
ing branches  that  one   can  walk  undsr. 

No  one  would  care  to  come  very  close  to 
these  thorny  chaps  one  might  think,  and  yet 
when  they  were  in  bloom  a  shady  nook  in  the 
Sweet  Briers  afforded  a  very  inviting  sitting 
place.  Here  at  that  time  I  found  much  to 
admire  in  the  delicate  beauty  and  contrasts  of 
these  two  species  of  Roses,  loaded  down  with 
their  hundreds  of  pretty  single  blooms. 
*  ^  * 


October  loth.  In  planting  my  Dutch  Bulbs 
to-day,  I  repeated  a  plan  for  successive  crop- 
ping of  flowers  in  the  spring,  on  two  small  beds 
that  in  the  past  has  usually  pleased  me  greatly. 
These  beds  are  only  two  feet  across  and  lie 
conspicuously  on  each  side  of  the  front  walk 
near  to  the  steps.  I  set  out  Crocuses,  Hyacinths 
and  Parrot  Tulips  all  in  the  same  beds. 


My  way  of  planting  wasas  follows:  First, I  dug 
up  the  soil  well,  mixing  in  some  manure  during 
the  process,  and  after  shaping  up  the  top  tramp- 
ed it  rather  firmly.  Then  I  dug  out  each  bed 
exactly  five  inches  below  the  surface.  On  this 
bottom  fifteen  bulbs  each  of  Single  Hyacinths 
and  Parrot  Tulips  were  set,  and  covered  with  a 
layer  of  two  inches  of  soil.  This  new  surface 
was  for  the  Crocuses,  and  on  it  I  placed  six  dozen 
imported  bulbs,  dividing  the  spaces  between 
them  uniformly. 

Early  next  Spring  there  will  be  sheets  of 
Crocus  flowers  over  these  beds.  These  will 
soon  be  followed  by  Hyacinth,  and  later  yet  will 
come  along  the  Parrots. 

After  the  Tulips  are  done,  the  same  beds  are 
planted  with  summer  flowers,  thus  securing  to 
me  an  almost  perpetual  period  of  bloom  from 
March  until  October. 

*  .„  * 

* 

October  iSlh.  I  notice  a  growing  interest  in 
the  planting  of  Bulbs  in  grass  plats,  which  I 
like  to  see. 

For   this   purpose   it    is    hard    to    conceive 

of  anything  that  does   better  or  is  finer  than 

the  old-fashioned  Von  Sihon  Daffodils.     They 

grow  compactly  and  strong,  and  when  seated 

on  the  grass  are  exceedingly  handsome  as  the 

flowers  are  swayed  too  and  fro  by  the  Spring 

breezes.     A  strong  point  in  their  favcr  is,  that 

the  plants  grow  in  close  clumps,  thus  allowing 

the  grass  from  the  ver)'  earliest  mowing  in  the 

Spring  to  be  kept  closely  cut  right  up  to  them, 

maintaining  a  neat  appearance. 

*       * 
« 

Crocuses  succeed  well  in  the  grass  but  better 
in  the  cultivated  border.  The  objection  to 
them  in  the  lawn  is,  that  the  grass  must  be  left 
uncut  until  the  bulbs  have  made  their  growth 
for  the  season,  thus  tending  to  a  general  ap- 
pearance of  untidiness. 

In  the  Wild  Garden  where  tidiness  is  at 
a  discount,  these  as  well  as  Snowdrops  and 
others  of  similar  needs,  are  exactly  in  place 
growing  in  the  grass.  Here  of  all  places  an 
abundance  of  Crocuses  should  be  found. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


October, 


In  planting  Crocuses  and  similar  things,  why 
is  the  custom  so  common  of  arranging  the  bulbs 
in  rows  or  blocks  ?  Nature  never  arranges  in 
lines  and  squares,  and  we  would  do  well  to  take 
lessons  from  her  in  setting  these  little  bulbs. 
When  I  plant  such  things  either  in  grass  or 
borders,  I  set  them  in  irregular  masses,  allow- 
ing these  to  die  out  through  a  thin  sprinkling 
of  bulbs  into  nothing.  When  several  colors 
are  used  each  one  is  kept  somewhat  by  itself, 
but  is  usually  allowed  to  blend  with  the  other 
masses  in  their  edges. 

October  Sjth.  My  last  Hyacinths  for  winter 
blooming  in  the  house  and  conservatory  were 
put  into  pots  to-day.  I  never  feel  that  I  am 
ready  for  winter  until  at  the  least  some  dozens 
of  these  most  charming  and  easily  managed 
bulbs  are  under  way. 

Whatever  the  extent  of  the  stock  contem- 
plated, I  divide  up  my  bulbs  into  about  three 
lots.and  plant  these  then  at  dififerent  times. 


HOUSE  PLANTS. 

October  is  an  important  month  in  the  window 
gardener's  calendar.  It  marks  the  beginning  of 
the  in-door  season  of  growth.  Before  the  month 
is  past  the  plant  windows  should  be  furnished,  and 
a  reserve  of  stock  be  found  in  the  cold  pit  or  cellar 
for  bringing  in  during  the  coming  months. 

This  is  a  most  favorable  season  for  rapid  and 
healthy  growth  in  plants,  as  light,  air  and  heat  are 
all  easily  provided  now.  Let  this  be  taken  advantage 
of  to  the  utmost,  for  securing  to  every  subject  a 
large  degree  of  vigor  preparatory  to  the  imtoward 
condition  of  things  which  will  follow  later. 

Abutilons  lift  easily  from  the  open  ground; 
count  them  among  the  best  plants  for  both  foliage 
and  flowers. 

Agapanthus.  Beautiful  in  summer  now  they 
must  go  to  rest.  Store  in  a  dry,  cool  place,  as  in  a 
frost-proof  cellar— it  need  not  be  very  light — and 
give  a  very  little  water  occasionally. 

AmiNG.  Look  upon  this  as  a  great  lever,  for 
getting  up  a  momentum  of  vigor  at  this  season  to 
carry  the  plants  through  the  dark  months.  Air 
freely,  you  cannot  over  do  it. 

AsPinisTRAS.  Shift  such  as  are  growing  rapidly, 
provided  many  roots  show  around  the  ball  of  earth. 
No  one  fails  with  this  plant. 

Azaleas  now  need  light,  air,  about  50  degrees 
of  heat  and  careful  watering. 

Bulbs.    See  article  on  page  6. 

Callas.  Give  ample  sized,  but  not  over-large  pots 
and  rich  soil;  don't  crowd  the  leaves. 

Carnations,  Monthly  .  See  Lifting  .  Those 
grown  over  summer  in  pots,  should  with  the  lifted 
ones,  go  into  their  flowering  pots  now.  Pots  larger 
than  7  inches  or  less  than  5  inches  across,  inside 
measure,  will  seldom  be  wanted.  Give  moderately 
rich  earth,  45°  to  55°  of  heat,  plenty  of  air  and 
never  excessive  moisture. 

Chrysanthemums  must  have  plenty  of  water; 
a  top  dressing  of  old  manure  on  the  surface  or  else 
liquid  manure, occasionally  ,until  flowering  is  begun, 
is  very  helpful  to  the  bloom.  Look  out  for  cater- 
pillars on  them. 

Cyclamens.  With  warm  light  soil,  and  kept  near 
the  glass  these  plants  will  do  well. 

Daisies  succeed  as  winter  plants  if  grown  in  6- 
inch  pots.  Give  plenty  of  sun,  air  and  water; 
allowed  to  get  parched  the  red  spider  will  soon 
appear,  to  annoy  you. 

Ferns.  Keep  in  a  cool  window,  with  little  or  no 
sun,  water  freely  at  the  roots,  but  never  over  the 
fronds. 

Forget-me-nots.  Fine  for  a  sunny  window  in  the 
winter.  Get  a-growing  in  ample  sized  pots  of  about 


6  inches  across,  keep  in  a  cool  place  where  it  does 
not  freeze  and  give  plenty  of  air  until  January. 
Then  begin  to  force  them. 

Fuchsias  for  winter  flowers,  should  be  in  their 
final  pots  now.  Light  rich  soil,  sunshine,  moderate 
airing  and  freedom  from  insects  are  chief  requir- 
ments.     When  in  bloom  give  plenty  of  water. 

Hardy  Plants.  The  Dicenti-a  spectabilis  or  Bleed- 
ing Heart,  Japan  Astilbe,  Lily  of  the  Valley.  White 
Christmas  Rose  Hellebore  Niger  all  succeed  easily 
in  the  window.  Lift  strong  roots  about  Nov.  1st, 
and  pot,  crowding  the  roots  somewhat. 

Insects.  Some  there  will  be,  for  they  come  in 
from  the  outdoor  plants.  Keep  a  watchful  eye  for 
them;  when  discovered  concentrate  a  pound  of 
pressure  upon  each  one  through  the  smooth  side  of 
the  thumb  nail. 

Lifting  Plants.  Above  all  else  retain  every 
root  possible.  A  firm  ball  of  earth  about  the  roots 
is  desirable,  but  generally  less  so  than  is  supposed; 
it  may  fall  to  pieces  before  it  is  reduced  to  fit  the 
pot.  Cut  back  the  leading  branches  of  rank  grow- 
ers, like  Geraniums  and  Coleus,  about  one-third, 
but  do  not  prune  winter  flowering  plants  that  have 
been  pruned  throughout  the  season.  Lift  all  kinds 
before  sharp  frosts  appear. 

Pot  firmly,  using  good  soil  to  fill  up  the  spaces; 
draining  with  pot  sherds  in  the  bottom  of  the  pots. 
Keep  the  plants  well  watered,  closely  shaded  and 
out  of  the  wind  for  a  week,  at  the  same  time 
sprinkling  the  foliage  lightly  twice  a  day.  Inure 
them  to  the  confined  air  of  the  windows  or  plant 
house  gradually. 

Palms  need  only  the  most  ordinary  treatment  in 
the  window.    But  few  ever  fail  with  them. 

Petunias.  These  are  gay  winter  bloomers. 
Plants  brought  along  in  pots  are  the  best. 

Roses.  Lift  and  pot  about  the  middle  of  the 
month.  They  need  fibrous,  moderately  rich  soil, 
partaking  more  of  clay  loam  than  sand.  Provide 
ample  drainage. 

Tea  Roses  for  early  bloom,  should  be  gradually 
brought  into  the  close  atmosphere;  when  used  to 
it,  allow  no  draughts  to  strike  the  plants. 

Keep  Hardy  Roses  for  spring  flowers  in  the  cold 
pit  until  February. 

Shrubs.  The  Deutzia,  Mock  Orange,  Lilac,  Har- 
dy Azalea  and  Japan  Snowball  all  flower  well  in 
the  dwelling  or  greenhouse.  Lift  by  end  of  month, 
pot  firmly  in  scant  sized  pots  and  subject  to  at  least 
one  sharp  frost,  before  bringing  in  to  force.  Do 
not  prune.    Store  in  cold  pit  until  forced. 

Verbenas.  Old  plants  are  not  worth  bothering 
with  to  lift;  strike  new  ones  from  soft  cuttings. 

Violets  .  See  lifting.  Keep  all  the  runners 
trimmed,  and  give  the  plants  plenty  of  air,  and 
light  with  a  low  temperature. 


LAWN  AND    FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Annuals.  Early  in  this  month  seeds  of  Sweet 
Alyssum,  Candytuft,  Centaurea,  Clarkia,  Callirhoe, 
Calendula,  Larkspur,  Lupines,  Mignonette,  Nemo- 
phila,  Portulacca  and  Poppy  may  be  sown  for 
spring  flowering,  whenever  the  ground  is  light  and 
dry.  These  will  flower  earlier,  better  and  larger 
than  if  sowing  is  deferred  until  spring.  In  the 
South,  all  annuals  but  the  most  tender  sorts  may 
be  sown  in  October. 

Bulb  Planting.    See  article  on  page  G. 

Caladidms.    Treat  like  Cannas. 

Cannas.  Lift  after  the  frost  has  hurt  the  leaves; 
remove  the  tops  and  dry  in  the  shade.  Winter  in 
dry  sand,  in  a  cool  place,  away  from  frost. 

Dahlias.  Treat  hke  Gladiolus,  but  store  the 
tubers  in  a  frost-proof  cellar,  as  one  would  potatoes 

Dibbling.  If  Pansies, 
Hollyhocks,  and  other  Har- 
dy Perennials  were  sown 
in  August  and  September, 
they  will  need  transplant- 
ing now.  For  this  use  the 
dibble  is  a  simple  tool  that 
is  so  handy,  every  gard- 
ner  should  employ  it  often. 
For  a  few  small  plants  a 
dibble  the  size  of  a  finger  How  to  Use  the  Dibble, 
but  longer,  made  of  wood  neatly  whittled  to  a  point 
will  answer.  In  using,  first  make  a  clean  hole  in 
the  soil  to  receive  the  roots.  Then  with  one  hand 
set  the  plant  into  the  hole,  holding  it  at  a  proper 
height,  with  the  other,  prick  in  the  dibble  near  hole 
number  one,  as  shown  in  the  engraving,  forcing 
the  soil  that  is  between,  against  the  roots.    Do  this 


so  firmly,  with  one  or  two  additional  picks  if  neces- 
sary, that  in  drawing  on  a  leaf  it  will  break  off,  be- 
fore pulling  up  the  plant.  Unless  the  soil  is  quite 
wet,  water  afterwards. 

EcHEVKRiAS.  Take  up,  divide  and  plant  closely 
in  shallow  boxes  of  earth.  Store  these  in  any  cool, 
half -lighted  place  where  it  does  not  freeze,  keep- 
ing the  soil  almost  dry. 

Flower  Beds.  By  ])rotecting  the  finer  ones  with 
canvas,  or  other  covering,  through  frosty  nights, 
they  will  be  handsome  for  the  weeks  of  fine  weather 
we  usually  enjoy  after  the  first  sharp  frosts. 

GLAnioLus.  Take  up  after  the  first  keen  frost, 
dry  thoroughly,  and  store  in  paper  bags  away  from 
freezing  and  moisture. 

Hardy  Plants  may  be  divided  and  reset  where 
the  soil  is  light.  Paeonies  especially,  succeed  much 
better  if  reSet  in  the  fall,  instead  of  spring.  The 
same  is  true  of  hardy  Lilies.  All  fall-transplanted 
stock  should  receive  a  mulch  of  leaves  or  coarse 
litter  before  winter  sets  in.  for  protection.  Divid- 
ing and  removing  hardy  plants  into  fresh  soil  every 
third  year,  is  what  they  need  for  doing  their  best. 
Improvements,  such  as  draining,  trenching,  and 
grading  cannot  be  done  at  a  better  time  than  just 
in  advance  of  the  fall  rains.  The  soil  then  handles 
lightly,  and  the  weather  is  invigorating  for  work, 
both  important  factors  in  such  matters.  Doing 
these  operations  when  the  ground  is  sloppy,  is  up- 
hill business. 

Lawns  improve  in  this  month,  with  its  cool 
weather  and  increased  moisture.  Mow  regularly 
but  not  very  close  ;  they  will  be  in  all  the  better 
shape  next  spring  for  it. 

Leaves  must  be  cleaned  up  often,  where  regard 
is  had  to  tidiness.    Either  pile  up  to  rot  or  to  us© 
;  for  mulching,  store  for  bedding,  or  if  there  is  no 
I  other  possible  use  for  them,  burn. 
Lifting.    See  under  House  Plants. 
Maueira  Vine.    Treat  like  Dahhas. 
I      Seeding  down  new    lawns    is  yet   in     order  if 
I  done  at  once.    There  is  no  better  time  for  sodding 
I  than  this.     Uneven  parts  of  the  lawn  may  how  be 
I  leveled  up;  if  depressions,  cut  and  rollback  the 
'  turf,  not  detaching  it,  fill  in  new  soil  to  even  up  the 
i  place,  returning  the  turf;  if  mounds  take  the  same 
''  course,  except  to  level  by  removing  surplus  soil. 
I      Tidiness.    Don't  give  the  garden  over  to  chaos 
I  with  the  first  hard  frost.    Gather  up  the  blackened 
I  plants;  in  lifting  roots  and  other  stock,  level  the 
j  surface  afterwards  a  little,  rake  up  leaves,  and 
so  on,  for  enjoying  order  and  beauty  here  during 
the  weeks  of  delightful  autumn  weather  to  come. 
Tigridias.    Treat  like  Gladiolus. 
Tuberose.    Treat  like  Gladiolus  but  winter  In  not 
less  than  45°  of  heat. 

Walks  ANn  Drives.  Clean  them  of  weeds,  touch 
up  the  surface  with  the  rake,  and  attend  to  the 
edges  now,  and  their  care  will  be  about  ended  for 
this  season. 

Weeds.  Many  kinds  grow  rampantly  in  cool 
weather.  Keep  watch  to  prevent  this  in  borders, 
the  wild    garden  and  every  where  else. 


PLANT  CULTURE  UNDER  GLASS, 

Abutilons  do  better  for  being  cut  back  occasion- 
ally. 

Chrysanthemums  need  liquid  manure,  but  less  as 
they  show  color,  and  none  at  all  after  the  first 
flowers  are  open;  water  freely.  Thin  the  flowers 
on  plants  that  are  to  be  cut  from. 

Cinerarias  need  light,  plenty  of  fresh  air,  free 
watering  and  an  occasional  dose  of  liquid  manure. 
They  cannot  tolerate  having  their  roots  pot- 
cramped. 

Climbers  are  indispensable;  quick  growing  ones 
like  Tropaeolums.  Passion  Flowers  and  Jasminums 
are  to  be  recommended,  because  of  the  free-cutting 
back  they  will  bear,  thus  ensuring  plenty  of  young 
handsome-looking  shoots. 

Dutch  Bulbs.    See  article  elsewhere  in  this  issue. 

Hanging  Baskets  for  winter  adornment  should 
befitted  up.  A  basket  of  drooping  Ferns  is  ex- 
ceedingly handsome.  Any  of  the  greenhouse  droop- 
ers  will  answer. 

Insects.  Attack  them  promptly  now,  and  they 
will  trouble  very  much  less  later;  for  green  fly 
or  aphis,  burn  J^  pound  of  refuse  tobacco  for  each 
500  square  feet  of  house  from  once  to  twice  a  week. 
Dusting  any  affected  plants  with  tobacco  powder 
will  kill  them  quickly.  Moisture  created  by  syring' 
ing  is  the  safest  remedy  against  red  spider.  Scale 
and  mealy  bugs  are  easily  destroyed  by  washing 


1 88s. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


and  brushing  any  parts  affected,  with  soapsuds 
or  tobacco  water  heated  to  about  125°  ,  rinse  after- 
wards with  clean  water.  Kill  angle  worms  in  the 
soil,  by  soaking  the  earth  with  lime  water. 

Label  the  plants  and  varieties  if  you  would  be- 
come famiUarwilh  them.  Attention  to  this  point 
will  help  beginners  more  than  any  amoimt  of  book 
study.    Revise  names  when  plants  are  in  bloom. 

Orchids  as  a  rule  need  less  moisture  as  the  days 
shorten.  Prepare  them  to  go  through  the  winter 
at  as  low  a  temperature  and  as  near  dorment  as 
possible.  Most  growers  hurt  them  with  too  much 
moisture  and  heat  in  the  winter.  Keep  clear  of 
insects. 

Cool  Orrhids  will  need  no  artificial  heat  until  the 
temperature  falls  to  45°  at  night.  These  can 
stand  more  moisture  than  the  other  classes  ;  in 
sunny  weather  the  atmosphere  will  not  be  too 
moist  even  with  daily  sprinkling  about  the  house. 
Such  as  are  in  Bower  will  bloom  stronger  next 
spring  for  removing  some  of  the  flowers  now. 

Priuulas  now  want  heat,  light  and  moderate 
moisture  in  the  air.  Give  weak  manure  water  to 
blooming  plants,  both  double  and  single,  once  every 
two  weeks. 

Pkopagation  can,  especially  in  bedding  plants, 
be  carried  on  to  any  required  extent  now,  that  out- 
door cuttings  are  abundant.  Cuttings  also  strike 
readily  without  the  help  of  bottom  heat  at  this 
time.  Set  them  firmly  into  beaten  down  sand, 
sprinkle  lightly  and  often,  shade  from  the  sun  and 
admit  air  freely,  but  not  in  draughts. 

KosES.  Syringe  twice  a  day,  aiming  to  wet  aU 
the  leaves,  but  not  causing  excessive  wetness  to 
the  soil.  Anight  temperature  of  from5.i°  to6.i° 
is  the  most  suitable  for  flowers. 

Prune  Tea  Roses  as  the  buds  are  cut,  by  taking 
off  each  shoot  back  to  within  two  eyes  of  its  base ; 
occasionally  also  pass  over  the  plants  and  remove 
all  "bUnd  shoots,"  in  other  words  such  as  have 
ended  their  growth . 

Stephamotis.  Keep  rather  dry  and  cool  until 
early  spring.    Keep  down  mealy  bug. 

Stocking  Up.  It  any  tender  plants  that  are 
needed  yet  remain  in  the  outdoor  beds,  no  time 
should  be  lost  to  get  them  in.  See  Lifting,  under 
House  Plants.  Give  newly  brought-iu  plants  plenty 
of  space,  air,  and  the  foliage  a  light  sprinkling 
with  water  about  six  times  a  day  for  a  while.  JMost 
kinds  will  then  bear  the  change  from  out  doors  to 
in-doors  without  showing  it. 

TrnERosES.  Keep  in  a  night  heat  of  60®  to  65°  . 
Avoid  chilling  draughts,  water  moderately. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Cider  should  only  be  made  from  perfectly  clean 
and  sound  apples,  to  be  good .  Insist  on  cleanliness 
being  practiced,  at  every  stageof  the  making.  For 
preserving  it,  there  should  first  be  slow  fermenta- 
tion in  a  cool  place  and  after  fermentation,  bung 
tightly.  In  a  short  time  the  cider  will  become  clear, 
then  rack  off  into  clean  barrels. 

Cuttings  of  Currant,  Grape,  Quince  and  Goose- 
berry are  easily  made  by  anj'one  and  may  be  cut 
and  set  this  month.  Make  6  inches  long  each; 
place  in  lines  about  4  inches  apart— in  trenches, 
packing  the  soil  firmly  against  them.  Cover  with 
coarse  litter,  to  prevent  winter-heaving. 

Grapes.  Pick  for  winter  or  for  wine  only  after 
fully  ripe;  all  may  not  color  at  the  same  time,  be 
patient  up  to  hard  frosts.  Ripeness  is  known  by 
the  stem  turning  brown  and  shrivehng  somewhat. 

Grapes  unUke  some  fruits  w^on't  ripen  after  gath- 
ering. Gather  in  fair  weather  and  between  dews, 
place  in  shallow  drawers  in  a  cool  room  until  as- 
sorted, and  packed. 

Marketing.  Pack  uniformly,  whether  in  barrels 
for  shipping,  or  in  crates  or  baskets  for  the  home 
trade.  Strict  honesty  is  the  best  practice;  once  let 
a  grower  obtain  the  reputation  for  "facing"  his 
packages  more  than  they  will  bear,  and  he  will  find 
difficulty  in  selling,  as  he  deserves  to 

Nuts  should  not  be  gathered  until  frosts  start 
dropping  somewhat. 

Planting.  One  season  with  another,  we  prefer 
to  plant  fruit  trees  of  all  but  stone  fruits,  in  this 
month,  provided  the  ground  is  properly  drained. 
Raspberries  and  Blackberries,  we  think,  also  do  bet- 
ter to  set  now  on  such  land.  Whatever  planting 
cannot  be  done  before  the  10th  of  November  in  the 
Northern  States,  had  better  be  deferred  until  spring. 
The  work  may  begin  as  soon  as  the  leaves  show 


maturity  by  their  color;  if  they  persist  in  hanging, 
strip  off  with  the  hand. 

In  planting  shorten  all 
the  main  shoots,  some- 
what, as  shown  in  the  en- 
graving. Have  the  hole 
large  enough  to  receive  all 
the  roots  without  bending. 
Spread  them  out  naturally, 
bring  fine  earth  between 
and  against  all  the  fibers 
and  other  parts,  and  pack 
the  soil  firmly.  In  finish- 
ing the  job.  raise  a  mound 
of  earth  against  the  tree 
as  shown  in  the  cut.    This  Mounding  Up, 

will  steady  the  tree,  shed  water  from  and  protect  the 
roots.  In  exposed  places  a  stake  should  also  be 
provided . 

Any  trees  or  plants  received  too  late  for  fall 
planting,  should  be  buried  root  and  top  in  earth  in 
some  dry  spot .  Some  who  prefer  spring  planting, 
advocate  this  course  with  all  the  stock  to  be  set  out. 

Seeds  of  fruit  may  easily  be  saved  by  washing  the 
pomace  of  such  kinds  as  are  made  into  cider. 
Small  quantities  may  be  gathered  up,  when  hand- 
paring  and  quartering  is  done.  Wash  clean,  dry 
and  keep  until  planting  time  in  boxes  of  sand. 
Peach  and  other  stones  as  well  as  nuts  for  seeds 
should  be  packed  in  sand  and  set  out  doors  to 
freeze  hard,  during  the  winter. 

Weeds,  should  be  kept  down  with  the  hoe  to  the 
end  of  the  season.  Manj'  kinds  grow  rapidly  now, 
and  to  kill  them  will  save  work  next  year. 

Winter  ArrLEs  and  Pears.  Leave  on  the  trees 
while  growth  keeps  up,  unless  freezing  weather  is 
expected.  All  fruit  not  intended  for  cider  should 
be 'hand  picked.  Bruises  from  falls  cause  rot. 
Keep  wormy  fruit  from  the  sound.  Store  in  a  cool 
dry  room  in  heaps  for  several  weeks,  in  order  to 
dry  out  somewhat,  before  consigning  to  winter 
quarters.  For  winter,  store  in  shallow  bins  that  ad- 
mit of  a  circulation  of  air  through  them. 


Sweet  Potatoes,  will  suit  these.  A  cellar,  unless 
warm  and  dry,  is  too  damp  for  them. 

Stakes  and  Poles  if  housed  after  use,  will  last 
much  longer  than  If  left  out;  place  in  the  dry. 

Sweet  Potatoes.  Dig  before  hard  frost-s,  han- 
dle carefully,  as  bruises  lead  to  rot;  store  in  a  dry 
warm  place,  in  a  temperature  near  60  ° .  In  many 
cases,  a  shelf  of  the  kitchen  closet  would  do. 

Tomatoes.  Plants  not  yet  touched  by  frost,  will 
if  protected  by  a  frame  and  sash,  ripen  fruit  for  a 
month  longer.  Green  fruit  that  is  three  fourths  or 
more  developed,  at  a  time  when  no  longer  safe  to 
leave  it  outside,  will  ripen  if  brought  under  shelter, 
as  in  the  dwelling  or  greenhouse. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Beets.  Gather  and  store  in  a  cool  cellar,  after 
the  growth  is  checked  by  frost.  The  quality  and 
flavor  will  be  better  retained  by  packing  in  sand. 
If  there  is  a  large  crop,  they  may  be  kept  in  pits 
over  winter.  Locate  these  in  well  drained  ground, 
covering  with  straw  and  earth,  to  prevent  hard 
freezing,  and  sudden  changes  of  temperature. 

Brussels  Sprouts  .     Treat  like  Cauliflower. 

Carrots.    Treat  as  directed  for  Beets. 

Cauliflower.  When  indications  of  freezing 
weather  appear,  gather  those  not  fully  headed, 
and  plant  in  boxes  of  soil  in  a  cool  cellar.  Similar- 
ly treated  in  glass-covered  pits  will  also  answer. 

Celery  grows  well  now,  and  will  need  close  at- 
tention in  earthing  up.  The  early  crop  may  go 
into  trenches  for  winter. 

Chervil.    Treat  as  directed  for  Parsley. 

Chicory,  for  use  as  a  salad  in  winter,  should  be 
lifted  by  the  end  of  the  month,  stored  in  a  cool 
part  of  the  cellar,  and  brought  mto  a  warm  place 
for  growth  as  wanted . 

Digging  over.  As  the  crops  are  gathered  dig 
over  the  earth,  so  that  the  air  and  frost  may  have 
full  effect  upon  it.  By  such  a  course,  the  larvae  of 
many  injurious  pests  will  freeze  to  death. 

Greens  tor  spring  use,  such  as  Spinach  and  Corn 
Salad,  should  be  thinned  if  needing  it;  keep  the 
ground  clean. 

Lettuce  can  be  cut  from  the  open  ground  for  a 
month  or  more  yet.  Some  brought  on  in  frames, 
will  answer  a  month  later  than  that. 

Onions.  For  the  earliest  crop  next  year,  plant 
some  sets  about  the  middle  of  the  month  in  rich, 
drained  land ;  protect  with  hay  or  leaves  over  winter. 

Parsley.  This  is  easily  brought  along  for  use, 
either  in  a  cold-frame,  window  or  green-house,  by 
lifting  the  plants  now,  and  setting  them  in  pots  or 
boxes.  The  leaves  may  also  be  dried,  and  in  this 
shape  be  preserved  for  use . 

Parsnips.  The  main  crop  should  stand  until 
spring;  lift  some  for  winter  use  and  store  in  pits 
or  the  cellar. 

Radish.  Dig  the  winter  sorts  after  hard  frosts, 
store  in  light  earth  in  the  cellar. 

Salsify  or  Vegetable  Oyster.  The  same  as 
Parsnips. 

Sijuashes.      The  directions    given   tor   storing 


FRUIT  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS. 

Grapery.  Houses  with  fruit  that  is  not  yet  fully 
ripe,  should  have  the  temperature  kept  at  about  .Vi " 
at  night,  and  10^  or  more  higher  by  day .  A  gentle 
fire  heat  may  be  needed  for  maintaining  this,  and 
for  keeping  the  atmosphere  of  the  house  dry  and 
favorable  to  ripening  the  fruit  and  leaves. 

Prune  successional  houses  as  soon  as  the  leaves 
fall,  also  cleansing  the  canes.  This  is  also  the 
time  for  washing  or  painting  interior  wood  work. 

Lettuce  tor  use  by  Christmas  and  later,  may 
now  be  planted  in  hot-beds  or  green-house;  55o  of 
heat  with  proper  airing  suits  it. 

Mushroom  beds  for  winter  supply  must  be  pre* 
pared,  if  not  yet  done.  Collect  plenty  of  short, 
fresh  dung,  and  lay  in  small  heaps  until  you  have 
a  barrow  load,  then  mix  it  up  with  half  its  bulk  of 
fresh  pasture  loam,  that  is  free  from  fungi.  Turn 
the  heap  daily  until  enough  of  the  material  is  se. 
cured  to  stock  the  bed,  directions  for  making  which, 
will  be  given  next  month. 

Radishes  can  be  grown  at  any  season  where  .'■)5° 
of  heat,  and  an  abundance  of  light  and  air  with 
suitable  moisture  can  be  provided. 

Rhubarb  is  so  easily  forced  in  the  winter,  even 
as  a  "  house  plant,"  that  we  wonder  it  is  not  of  tener 
done .  The  large  root  stored  full  of  nourishment, 
is  what  the  growth  must  depend  upon  mostly;  if  in 
addition,  there  be  warmth,  moisture  and  a  little 
light,  the  conditions  needful  to  raise  a  crop  of  fresh 
pie-making  material  in  the  winter  are  all  at  hand. 
After  several  hard  frosts  is  the  time  to  start  in  on 
the  work,  by  lifting  the  roots  and  storing  them 
away  from  hard  frosts,  so  they  can  be  got  at .    . 

Strawberries  to  be  forced,  should  now  be  strong 
plants  with  well  formed  crowns  and  occupying  six 
inch  pots.  If  they  were  treated  right  when  shifted, 
the  pots  were  then  plunged  to  the  rim  in  sawdust, 
coal  ashes  or  the  like,  on  some  smooth  surface 
where  angle  worms  could  not  get  into  the  pots. 
Here  they  should  stand  until  November. 


^/ 


nqujc 


UIRR 


This  beina  th^  PeopWs  Paper  it  is  open  t<>  ail  their  In- 
quires, beartiiij  on  Gardening. 

on  the  vtlu-r  hand,  anstrers  to  published  inquirea  are 
earnestly  requested  from  readers. 

The  editors  and  special  contributors  are  ready  to  do  a 
la  rue  share  of  the  answering,  but  the  rxjterience  of  many 
being  more  valuable  than  of  the  fete,  hoteever  varied  that  i«, 
andconditivns  andloealities  being  so  different,  they  prefer 
to  receive  answers,  etvn  several  of  them  to  the  same  quea 
tion,  from  readers  everi/ichere.  /)on7  hesitate  to  xcrite 
because  yon  may  feel  you  are  no  fine  tcriter:  give  facts  and 
ideas  and  the  editors  tcill  see  that  they  a/»pear  in  credi- 
table shape. 

In  tcriting,  give  the  number  of  the  qxteation  you  are  an^ 
swering;  your  lucaldy  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publica- 
tion unless  you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  jtaper 

Flowers  will  be  gladly  named  provided  first,  that  no  more 
than  three  be  sent  at  one  time.  Second,  that  these  he  fully 
prejiaid.  Third,  that  several  sjtecimena  of  each  reach  us  in 
good  shape.  We  cannot  undertake  to  name  florists'  varie> 
tiest 


1. —Green  Growth  on  Pot  Soil.   The  soil 

in  my  Camellia  pots,  is  covered  with  a  preen  prowth. 
How  shall  this  be  prevented  and  remedied?— E.  F. 
DeS. 

2.— Liquid  Manures  for  Pot  Plants. 
Will  some  one  kindly  say  what  is  the  best  manure 
water  for  greenhouse  plants?  Is  diluted  ammonia 
of  any  use?— A.  P.  C. 

3.— Weeping  Trees.  Whatkindsare  to  be 
preferred  for  a  lawn  exposed  to  strong  southwest 
winds  y-Mrs.  R.  L.,  Oil  City,  Pa, 

5._Select  list  of  Shrubs.  We  are  making 
improvements  about  our  grounds,  and*  would  Uke 
to  set  out  some  hardy  shrubs,  such  as  give  flowers 
for  a  long  season,  will  some  one  name  a  hst  or  a 
dozen  or  twenty.— A  Flowbr  Lover. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


October, 


1 


A  Column  devoted  to  the  Paper's  Interests. 


IT    XS    ISTOT 

OUR  INTENTION 

To  keep  secret  the  fact  that  this  paper  needs 
many  subscribers.  So,  because  some  depart- 
ments are  not  much  crowded  yet,  we  take  one 
column  to  talk  of  the  matter. 

First  of  all  we  want  to  impress  the  fact,  that 
we  design  to  make  of  Popular  G.\rdening, 

The  Brightest, 
The  Cheapest, 

The  Most  Useful  and 

The  Most  Popular 

paper  of  its  kind  in  America,  and  one  that  will 
be  wanted  in  hundreds  of  thousands  of  families. 
This  number  is  a  fair  sample  of  what  will 
follow,  excepting  that  some  departments  are  yet 
undeveloped.  A  constant  aim  will  be  to  render 
all  parts  of  Popular  Gardening  reliable  and 
concise  in  character.  Any  contributions  that 
will  not,  on  the  part  of  their  writers,  allow  of 
reasonable  editorial  revision  in  our  hands,  if 
needed  to  get  at  their  substance  in  the  fewest 
words,  are  not  wanted.     Some  say  the 

PRICE  IS  TOO  LOW: 

that  no  well  edited  paper  can  live  at  such  rates. 
We  are  aware  that  the  price  is  low,  e.'cceeding- 
ly  low,  but  w^e  have  faith  in  the  people,  to  be- 
lieve that  this  feature  is  all  right.  Many  of  our 
best  papers  are  among  the  cheapest  of  papers. 
What  looks  like  a  defect  here  to  some,  appears 
all  right  to  the  masses,  and  they  make  up  for 
this  in  increased  patronage. 

And  this  is  what  we  shall  count  on 
them— may  we  say  on  You  kind  Read- 
er among  the  number — to  do  in  our 
case.  With  50,000  subscribers  as  a  basis 
soon,  we  can  furnish  a  paper  that  shall  be  won- 
derful in  beauty,  in  worth  and  in   price.     This 

50,000  at  60  Cents, 

50,000  at  60  Cents, 

50,000  at  60  Cents, 

let  us  say,  we  shall  work  hard  to  secure,  within  one 
year  if  possible,  but  only  because  we  expect  to  offer 
a  paper  in  every  way  worthy  of  them.    And  now. 

To  all  Persons  In  Town  or  Country 
who  love  Flowers,  Plants,  and  fine 
Lawns  we  are  free  to  say  we  want  to  count 
you  among  our  first  50,000  suppor- 
ters! Look  over  the  paper  carefully.  Can  you  af- 
ford to  be  without  such  a  mass  of  interesting  matter, 
when  60  cents  will  buy  it  for  a  whole  year? 

To  all  who  grow  Fruits  and  Vegeta- 
bles! We  want  you  among  our  subscribers  at 
once .  You  cannot  possibly  invest  the  price  of  this 
paper  to  better  advantage,  than  to  subscribe. 

To  you,  Botanists;  to  you,  Poultry 
Raisers;  to  you,  Aparians;  to  you. 
Housewives;  to  you, Children!  We  want 
to  see  the  names  of  one  of  you  from  every  family, 
at  least,  among  our  subscribers.  We  promise  you 
all  a  rich  treat  of  matter  throughout  the  year. 

Remember  that  60  cents,  or  only 
50  cents  In  clubs  of  five,  will  secure  this 
paper  crammed  with  choice  matter  for  one  year. 

TO  CAUTIOUS  PEOPLE. 

See  Page  1  3. 


Three  Roses. 

All  bright,  dewy-tipped,  and  fragrant. 

Delicate,  dainty,  and  shy, 
A  secret  sweet  in  its  bosom, 

A  tear  and  a  smile  in  its  eye; 
This  opening  Moss  rose  which  blushes 

Its  fringes  of  green  above. 
I  choose,  for  its  grace  and  beauty. 

As  symbol  of  maiden's  love. 

For  its  lustrous,  matchless  splendor. 

For  joys  its  beauties  impart. 
For  the  lavish  way  it  squanders 

The  richest  sweets  of  its  heart. 
For  its  queenly  air  and  color, 

The  depths  of  its  velvet  hues. 
Symbol  of  wifely  devotion. 

This  royal  Red  rose  I  choose. 

For  purity  fair  and  spotless, 

For  breath  fresh  as  early  mom. 
Because  its  warm  heart  is  golden. 

Because  it  has  ne'er  a  thorn. 
Because  its  blossoms  are  unfailing, 

So  sweet  none  can  e'er  refuse. 
Symbol  of  mother's  affection, 

This  modest  White  rose  I  choose. 

—Dart  Fairthome 


Choice. 


Ihave  a  garden  full  of  blooms; 

Oh  will  you  choose  ? 
I  know  them  by  their  own  perfumes. 

Their  varied  hues. 
And  when  between  their  ranks  I  walk 
I  kiss  the  hly  on  her  stalk, 
I  touch  the  rose  and  mignonette 
And  smile  to  see  the  pansy  wet. 

With  piuple  dews. 
I  have  a  heart  so  full  of  friends 

I  cannot  choose. 

— Kathertne  Lee  Bates. 


Roses  now  improve. 

Garden  intelligently. 

Bone  manure  suits  Lilies. 

Dutch  bulbs  art  superior. 

Walk  in!    Chrysanthemums. 

Smilax  won't  grow  from  slips. 

Are  the  flower  pots  on  hand  ? 

Why  not  set  some  Parrot  Tulips  ? 

Hit  us  with  a  club — of  subscribers. 

Water  enough,  but  don't  overwater. 

Subscribe  for  Popular  Gardening. 

Pl.\nt  bulbs  in  masses  rather  than  rows. 

We  never  raise  our  own  Daisies  from  seed. 

New  York  City  has  150  cut-flower  stores. 

Be  free  to  ask  us  questions  about  gardening. 

This  Paper  may  be  obtained  of  newsdealers. 

Lantanas  came  from  the  West  Indies,  1692. 

Never  pay  fancy  prices  for  untried  nov- 
elties. 

Flowers,  are  jewels  for  the  rich  and  poor 
alike. 

All  successful  gardening  is  pleasure  gar- 
dening. 

In  France  the  Oleander  is  called  Rose 
Laurel. 

Forget-me-nots  suffer  more  from  wet  than 
from  cold. 

If  you  want  to  plant  a  Beech,  be  sure  to  do 
so  in  the  fall. 

The  fate  of  flowers — In  doing  their  best 
they  get  blowed . 

Stand  up  and  be  counted  among  the  first 
50,000  subscribers. 

St.  Paul's  Church,  New  York,  has  a  con- 
servatory of  its  own. 

Messrs.  Cassell  are  publishing  "Familiar 
Trees"  in  monthly  parts. 

Measure  a  g.\rden  as  you  would  a  picture, 
not  by  size  but  by  quality. 


Messrs.  Kelway  &  Son..  Longport,  Eng- 
land, grow  20  acres  of  Gladiolus. 

If  you  are  puzzled  how  to  manage  some 
plant,  ask  Popular  Gardening. 

Will  the  Bennet  Rose  take  Gen.  Jacque- 
minot's place  is  the  question  of  the  day. 

Reader  !  Can  you  not  give  us  some  idea 
or  information  of  interest  to  others.  Ic  would 
be  welcome. 

One  German  seed  catalogue, that  of  Haage 
&  Schmidt,  of  Erfurt,  offers  more  that  13,000 
distinct  sorts. 

Alw.\ys  exercise  care  in  handling  or  prun- 
ing the  Oleander;  its  juices  are  known  to  be  poi- 
sonous to  persons. 

Christ.mas  Hyacinths  are  possible  to  be  had 
in  the  house,  by  starting  bulbs  of  the  White 
Romans  at  once. 

The  Agroste.mma  or  Rose  Campion,  a  plant 
easily  grown  from  the  seed,  blooms  well  in 
the  house.     So  says  a  correspondent. 

On  the  Occasio.v  of  Mr.  John  Frost's,  aHas 
Jack  Frost's,  evening  visits  to  the  flowers, 
paper  hoods  are  to  be  a  leading  feature  of  dress. 

It  p.\ys  to  plant  trees.  Set  a  dollar  tree  to- 
day and  in  ten  years  a  hundred  dollar  bill 
wouldn't  buy  it.  What  other  investment  to 
equal  this? 

Why  Not  Work  a  little  for  this  paper 
among  your  friends.  To  be  candid,  it  needs 
just  such  help  now.  Only  50  cents  a  year  in 
clubs  of  five  and  more. 

Why  trees  lean  towards  the  East  so  gener- 
ally, is  a  question  puzzling  to  the  savants.  It 
is  claimed  that  more  than  the  wind  has  to  do 
with  the  matter.     We  don't  believe  it. 

Get  up  a  Club  for  Popular  Garden- 
ing. You  will  find  this,  at  its  low  price, an  easy 
task,  by  applying  to  your  friends  to  subscribe. 
Only  50  cents  a  year,  in  clubs,  remember. 

If  you  wish  to  promote  your  love  for  plants 
hear  what  Mr.  C.  L.  Allen  says:  Understand 
the  plant  and  its  wants,  study  it,  take  it  into 
your  heart  and  mind,  become  familiar  with  it. 

A  branchi.n'G  double  Tuberose,  has  appear- 
ed in  a  Chicago  collection.  If  the  freak  will 
be  repeated  in  the  progeny  of  the  bulb  pro- 
ducing it,  a  remarkable  race  will  be  the  result. 

Rusticus  wants  to  get  a  "  tree  box  "  and 
asks  where.  If  a  tree  of  that  name,  at  a  nursery, 
if  a  box,  patronize  a  carpenter.  Merely  to  see 
a  tree  box,  a  boxing  master  ought  to  be  able  to 
advise. 

Plant  shelter  belts  of  trees,  especially 
Evergreens  about  your  grounds.  Then  you 
can  grow  a  thousand  things  well  where  now  but 
a  hundred  will  succeed,  and  have  the  arboreal 
beauty  too. 

How  to  help  promote  a  wider  love  for 
gardening  in  your  vicinity.  Get  your  neighbors 
to  join  with  you,  in  ordering  this  paper  at  the 
club  rates  of  50  cents  a  year  for  five  or  more 
subscribers. 

.\  Neighbor  who  knows  how  to  garden, 
both  for  pay  and  for  pleasure,  has  two 
secrets.  Here  they  are  for  our  readers:  a  large 
manure  and  compost  heap  always,  and, never  let 
weeds  propagate. 

Looks  as  if  the  Lily  of  the  Amazon 
(Euckaris  Amazonica, )  must  be  given  up  as  a 
blooming  plant  in  the  average  hot-house. 
What  it  needs  is  about  100  degrees  of  heat,  and 
little  fussing  with  besides. 

Those  who  have  the  free  flowering  Platy- 
codon  grandijlora,  white  or  blue,  growing  in 
their  gardens,  will  be  glad  to  know  that  a  rosy- 
violet  variety  has  been  introduced  from  Japan 
by  Mr.  Maires.     It  is  to  bear  his  name. 

To  Amateurs.  If  you  know  of  a  brighter, 
better  or  cheaper  paper  than  Popular  Garden- 
iNii  by  all  means  subscribe  for  it,  and  let  us 
know,  that  we  may  do  likewise.  If  you  don't, 
send  in  your  subscription  to  this  office,  and  you 
wont  miss  it  much. 

Let  not  how  much,  but  how  well,  be  your 
aim  in  gardening  matters.  Give  us  three  plants 
well  grown,  rather  than  twenty  scrawny,  ill- 
treated  things;  two  square  rods  of  vegetable 
garden  in  good  order,  than  half  an  acre  crowded 
down  with  weeds  and  otherwise  ill-attended. 


iSS:;. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


Cactaceous  Plants.  Under  this  title  Mr. 
Lewis  Castle,  of  the  London  Journal  of  Horti- 
culture, has  published  a  little  treatise  on  the 
history  and  culture  of  these  plants  that  will 
prove  useful  to  amateurs,  in  America  as  well  as 
in  England. 

Take  Down  the  bands  of  cotton,  put  around 
the  trees  in  June  to  starve  the  caterpillars. 
They  can  be  of  no  possible  use  after  this,  and 
will  soon  be  tattered  and  stained,  looking  worse 
than  a  dirty,  frayed  collar  on  a  well-dressed 
person's  neck. 

Sound. — The  editor  of  Libbys  American 
Garden  never  put  more  sound  advice  for 
amateurs  into  few  words,  than  when  in  speak- 
ing of  Pansy  culture,  he  said  :  "It  is  useless 
to  expect  good  flowers  from  poor  seed  ;  better 
pay  well  for  the  best  than  accept  poor  seed  as 
a  gift." 

The  Histories  of  great  men  show,  that 
most  of  them  have  been  lovers  of  gardening 
or  farming.  It  has  always  been  so.  Com- 
munion with  nature  broadens  and  invigorates 
the  mind,  as  well  as  restores  it  when  tired  out. 
The  same  remedy  is  one  that  will  help  tired- 
out  women  folks. 

This  paper  has  come  to  stay.  It  is  backed 
by  abundant  capital,  ability  and  enterprise  to 
fully  establish  it.  Those  who  subscribe  for 
PoPUl..*^R  Gardening  now,  will  in  after  years, 
find  great  satifaction  in  knowing  they  were 
among  its  earliest  subscribers.  It  will  be 
something  to  be  proud  of. 

Think  of  the  Tulip  Craze  of  1635,  when 
one  sturdy  Hollander  gave  twelve  acres  of  val- 
uable land  for  a  single  bulb,  of  a  variety  called 
Semper  Augustus.  Now  you  can  buy  more 
beauty  in  Tulips  for  twelve  cents  than  he  did 
for  twelve  acres.  By  all  means  have  a  Tulip 
bed,  so  beautiful  and  yet  so  cheap. 

The  price  at  which  Popular  Gardening 
has  been  placed,  is  really  experimental.  It 
certainly  will  remain  as  it  now  is  for  one  year; 
we  believe  for  always.  But  this  is  a  matter 
that  depends  upon  the  support  the  paper  receives. 
A  subscription  list  of  50,000  or  upwards  will 
ensure  the  present  price  permanently. 

There  are  no  purer,  more  noble  or  more 
satisfying  delights,  than  those  which  spring 
from  the  successful  managment  of  flowers, 
plants  and  other  things  of  the  garden.  To 
lovers  of  Nature,  few  things  possess  equal 
charms,  to  those  revealed  by  the  study  of  the 
nature  and  historj-  of  plants,  and  the  noting  of 
their  peculiar  habits  and  characteristics. 

It  is  an  old  tradition  that  the  Fraxi- 
nella  catches  fire  when  a  light  is  brought  near  to 
it,  hence  it  has  been  called  the  "Burning 
Bush."  The  notion  no  doubt  gained  currency, 
from  the  fact,  that  the  stem  is  set  with  oil-glands, 
which  on  being  touched,  give  out  a  strong  scent. 
We  have  tried  to  ignite  the  plant  and  have 
failed  to  see  it  burn.     Drop  the  old  name. 

Persia,  in  the  Old  World,  is  as  famous 
for  her  large  trees  as  is  California  in  the  New 
World.  In  the  former  country,  a  Plane  or  as 
commonly  called  by  us  a  Buttonwood  tree,  at 
Tadjrich,  is  widely  celebrated  for  its  great  pro- 
portions. This  wonderful  tree  measures  over 
48  feet  around  the  trunk.  Only  think  of  it,  a 
Plane  tree  one  rod  in  diameter.  The  ponder- 
ous limbs  are  themselves,  it  is  said,  as  large  as 
ordinary  trees. 

A  SUBSTITUTE  FOR  PUTTY  NEEDED.  Putty 
answered  well  enough  under  the  old  system  of 
plant  houses  with  heavy  timbers  and  small 
lights;  that  era  has  passed  away,  and  for  the 
lighter  houses  now  demanded,  in  which  light 
bars  and  larger  panes  of  glass  are  used,  some- 
thing more  elastic  and  lasting  than  putty  is 
needed.  Every  owner  of  a  range  of  glass  has 
felt  this.  Let  our  inventors  help  out  here,  and 
help  themselves  to  a  source  of  income  at  the 
same  time. 

"  The  American  Florist." — On  August 
15th  the  first  number  of  this  semi-monthly 
appeared  from  its  publication  office  in  Chicago. 
It  is  a  trade  paper  for  the  commercial  florist. 
In  the  present  progressive  state  of  the  plant 
and  flower  trade,  we  do  not  see  how  any  florist 
can  get  along  without  the  market  reports, 
prices,  descriptions   of  new  designs,  directions 


,  2.     Improved  Plan  of 
Back  Yard. 


for  cultivation,  advertisements,  &c.,  which  each 
issue  contains.     Price,  one  dollar  a  year. 

Tree  Roots  have  often  been  known  to 
cause  trouble  in  drains.  A  stoppage  occurs, 
the  pipes  are  taken  up.  when  it  is  found  that 
roots  have  penetrated  between  the  joints  into  the 
pipes,  sometimes  filling  them  completely.  This 
would  seem  like  a  serious  matter  indeed,  were 
it  not  one  that  can  be  obviated  with  slight  ex- 
pense when  the  drains  are  laid.  Pipes  with 
sockets  should  be  used  in  the  vicinity  of  all  trees 
and  shrubs.  Fill  their  ends  with  cistern  cem- 
ent in  putting  them  together. 

Is  This  Your  Mistake?  We  often  see 
plants  in  pots  suffering  severely  from  dryness 
at  the  root,  and  yet 
watered  every  day.  You 
ask  how  this  can  be  ? 
Well,  when  the  ball  of 
earth  in  a  pot  once 
happens  to  get  perfectly 
dry  to  the  center,  it 
takes  in  water  very 
slowly.  At  the  same 
time  it  also  shrinks  in 
size,  so  as  to  leave  a 
narrow  space  between 
the  earth  and  the  pot 
all  around.  To  dash 
a  teacupful  of  water 
into  the  pot  every  day, 
may  keep  the  surface — 
the  only  portion  one 
sees — wet,  and  some 
water  may  find  its  way 
down  the  sides  to 
show  in  the  saucer 
below,  thus  satisfying  the  eye  that  it  is  watered 
enough,  while  in  fact  most  of  the  earth  is  left 
about  as  dry  as  powder.  Remedy;  dig  into 
the  earth  a  little,  if  you  find  it  very  dry,  set 
the  pot  and  its  contents  into  a  bucket  of  water 
for  twenty  minutes. 

Combination  Pl.\nts. — Not  nearly  as  much 
advantage  is  taken  of  combinations  among 
plants  as  they  are  capable  of  affording.  Last 
June  we  noted  a  plant  of  the  Bladder  Senna, 
Colutea  arborescens,  and  the  Amorpha 
frutescens,  which  had  managed  to  grow  to- 
gether forming  one  stock;  that  both  coming 
into  bloom  at  the  same  time,  one  with  bronzy 
purple,  the  other  with  orange  yellow  flowers, 
had  a  very  pretty  effect  indeed.  So  says, 
Thomas  Meehan  in  the  Gardeners'  Monthly. 

Study  Nature.  Many  a  clump  of  shrubs 
or  trees  in  wild-places,  is  fit  for  a  model,  to  im- 
itate in  embellishing  the  home  yard.  When 
such  a  clump,  that  would  beautifully  adorn  your 
place  if  it  was  there,  is  met,  make  a  sketch 
of  it.  gi\-ing  outline,  and  the  location  of  indi\nd- 
uals  approximately,  to  use  as  a  guide,  when 
planting.  With  all  the  attractions  of  this  kind 
to  be  met  about  meadows,  hills  and  swamps, 
there  is  really  nothing  to  equal  what  it  is  easily 
in  our  power  to  create  on  our  lawns.  Tr>'  your 
hand  at  some  handsome  groups  on  the  lawn. 

Our  Second  Children.  Some  one  speaks 
of  plants  and  flowers  as  our  second  children, — a 
not  inapt  term,  surely.  .\  few  days  ago,  we 
heard  a  lady  who  had  raised  a  fine  young  India 
Rubber  Tree  say,  that  if  she  knew  it  would  be 
neglected  while  she  was  gone  on  a  contemplated 
visit,  she  wouldn't  go.  The  lady  loves  that 
plant,  with  a  love  as  for  a  child.  It  has  grown  up 
from  a  weak  slip  into  a  handsome  specimen,  by 
her  care,  and  is  still  dependent  on  her  for  its 
ver\-  existence.  One  may  soon  tire  of  the  finest 
work  of  art,  but  never  of  a  plant  or  flower  raised 
into  a  thing  of  beauty  by  one's  own  hand. 

Mushrooms  Edible  and  Poisonous.  The 
Messrs.  Prang  &  Co. ,  of  Boston,  Mass. ,  are  en- 
titled to  the  thanks  of  ever)-  .American,  for  issu- 
ing in  a  handy  form.  Mr.  Julius  A.  Palmer's 
work  on  this  subject.  No  countr)-  is  richer  in 
Fungi  than  America;  the  people  of  no  country 
in  the  world,  perhaps,  know  so  litttle  about 
which  of  these  are  food  and  which  poisons  as 
our  own.  Result,  the  absolute  waste  of  a  vast 
amount  of  valuable  food.  Messrs.  Prang  & 
Co's  new  work  affords  a  remedy.  In  it  are 
given  chromo  representations  of  zS-of  the  com- 
monest k'nds.  both  edible  and  poisonous,  so 
perfectly  that  anyone  can  determine  by  them,  at 
a  glance,  the  good  from  the  bad.   Directions  for 


using  the  former  are  also  g^ven.  The  price  of 
the  work,  $2.00,  could  in  thousands  of  instances 
soon  be  made  up,  by  the  new  food  supplies  it 
would  introduce  its  owners  too. 

We  think  no  one  will  discover  much  stiff- 
ness or  formality  of  style  about  POPULAR  Gar- 
dening. We  mean  they  never  shall.  Whatever 
anyone  has  to  write  or  say  or  ask  concerning  gar- 
dening matters  let  them  out  with  it,  when  ad- 
dressing this  paper.  Be  natural;  write  your 
letters  just  as  you  would  talk  to  us  if  we 
called  on  you  in  your  parlor,  kitchen  or  garden. 
Never  mind  spending  time  in  fixing  up  a  postal 
card  or  letter  in  a  "  very  proper  "  style.  "Tell  us 
about  your  successes  and  your  failures;  items 
we  will  be'glad  to  weave  into  the  warp  and  woof 
of  the  paper.  Let  us  mention  one  thing 
about  which  we  are  particular:  all  matter  in- 
tended for  the  editors,  should  be  written  with 
plain  ink.  and  on  one  side  of  the  paper  only. 
We  cannot  explain  why  here,  but  in  handling 
much  matter  this  will  make  a  great  saving  of 
labor  to  them  in  the  aggregate. 

Society  op  American  Florists.  This,  the 
first  society  of  its  kind  in  America,  was 
organized  at  Cincinnati  on  August  the  12th  last, 
and  the  dkys  following.  There  were  present 
some  300  florists  from  all  parts  of  the  country. 
Mr.  John  Thorpe,  of  Queens,  N.  Y.,  was 
elected  President  of  the  Society.  During  the 
three  days  of  the  convention,  besides  the 
business  of  organizing,  there  were  read  and 
discussed  papers  bearing  upon  leading  subjects 
of  interest  to  florists,  including  among  them 
such  extreme  topics  as  Steam  Heating,  and 
Protection  against  Hailstorms.  .\  most  de- 
lightful features  was  the  excursion  tendered  to 
the  florists  by  the  C.  H.  &  D.  railroad  to  the 
Soldier's  Home  Park,  at  Dayton,  Ohio.  The 
new  Society  is  in  the  hands  of  efficient  and 
wise  officers,  and  must  prove  a  great  benefit  to 
the  future  flower  interests  generally,  of  the 
countrj'.  The  florists,  who  naturally  are  a 
home-staying,  hard-working  set,  were  much 
pleased  to  see  what  a  fine,  wide-awake-looking 
lot  of  fellows  they  together  make,  when  in  this, 
their  opportunity,  they  could  see  each  other 
face  to  face.  The  meeting  of  1886  will  be  held 
at  Philadelphia. 

The  Back  Yard.  It  is  often  more  puzzling 
to  treat  the  back  part  of  a  lot,  with  good  effect, 
than  the  street  end,  be- 
cause the  former  is 
usually  surrounded  by 
high  fences  or  buildings 
that  detract  from  garden 
effects.  A  common 
arrangement  by  those 
who  care  to  grow 
flowers  here,  is  that 
shown  by  fig.  I.  This 
consists  of  perhaps  a 
cross  line  of  shrubs  at 
the  extreme  end,  and 
some  flower  beds  of 
geometrical  outline 
cut  into  the  grass.  Let 
us  suggest  the  far 
better  style  of  arrange- 
ment shown  in  fig.  2. 
Here  not  only  are  the 
Fig.  I.  Plan  of  Back  Yard  shrubs  kept  next  to  the 
devoted  to  Lawn,  Shrubs  fence,  but  all  the  flowers 
and  Flowers.  with  them,  are  placed  in 

a  continuous  irregular  border  outside  of  the 
lawn,  with  this  latter  kept  open  in  its  centre. 
The  advantages  of  this  plan  are,  1st,  that  the 
open  central  lawn  gives  character  and  dignity 
to  that  part  of  the  ground,  in  a  degree  it  is 
impossible  to  secure  by  spreading;  out  flower 
beds  over  the  area.  2nd,  the  flowers  and  shrubs 
have  a  setting  of  grass  in  effect,  as  seen  from 
any  point  fonvard.  3d,  there  is  grace  and 
naturalness  about  the  latter  as  against  the 
formality  of  the  former,  which  is  worth  much 
forappearances.  Lastly  the  opportunities  for  in- 
trcxlucing  more  shrubs  and  flowers,  and  thus 
great  variety,  with  the  effect  that  the  more  of 
these  brought  in,  the  better  will  the  fence  be 
hid,  by  material  in  the  highest  d^ee  orna- 
mental. One  portion  of  this  outside  border 
might  be  devoted  to  rockwork.  The  principles 
here  involved  are  worth  careful  study  by  all 
improvers  of  home  grounds. 


<r 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


October, 


Hardy  Dutch  Bulbs:     Plant  Now. 

What  are  known  as  the  Dutch  bulbs,  em- 
bracing Hyacinths,  Tulips,  Narcissus  and  others, 
must  be  planted  in  the  fall  months  if  at  all. 
Because  people  often  fail  to  grasp  this  fact, 
the  work  is  neglected  at  the  proper  time,  only 
to  be  repented  of,  when  the  blooming  season 
comes  around.  The  culture  of  the  entire  list 
of  kinds  set  forth  in  the  dealer's  catalogues, 
either  in  the  window,  conservatory  or  garden  is 


GROUP  OF  SINGLE  HYACINTHS. 

SO  simple,  the  prices  of  choice  bulbs  so  low, 
and  the  results  invariably  so  satisfactory  to 
growers,  that  we  always  feel  to  recommend  their 
culture.  They  are  a  class,  that  even  the  inex- 
perienced succeed  with.  Several  of  our  adver- 
tisers this  month,  offer  these  bulbs. 

Hyacinths  are  justly  very  popular.  They 
bloom  early,  are  very  sweet,  handsome  and 
durable  when  in  flower.  We  can  suggest 
no  flowers  that  would  be  finer  next  February 
and  March  in  the  window,  then  some  dozens 
of  these  brought  along  in  pots.  For  forcing, 
the  single  varieties  should  generally  be  chosen, 
a  group  of  which  is  shown  in  the  accompany- 
ing engraving.  A  half  dozen  fine  singles  mak- 
ing a  variety  of  color,  would  be  Argus,  dark 
blue,  Grand  Vedette,  pure  white.  Norma,  deli- 
cate rose.  Priestly,  delicate  lavender.  Queen 
Victoria  Alexandria,  bright  crimson,  Marie, 
blue.  Among  doubles  that  force  well,  La 
Virginite,  rosy  white,  Czar  Nicholas,  pink  and 
Bloksbergen,  blue,  are  favorites  with  us. 

We  are  not  sure,  but  Tulips  are  more  thought 
of  than  Hyacinths.  They  lack  somewhat  the 
■  long-keeping  qualities  when  in  bloom  of  the 
former,  and  perhaps,  also,  in  delicacy  of  color 
and  fragrance,  as  compared  with  them.  But  on 
the  other  hand  Tulip  bulbs  are  very  cheap,  the 
flowers  exceedingly  varied  and  brilliant,  and 
once  the  bulbs  are  planted  they  continue  to 
thrive  for  years.  In  forcing  Tulips  no  one 
ever  fails,  we  believe. 

Narcissus  or  Daffodils,  while  they  have  always 
been  favorities,  have  received  more  attention 
from  growers  in  late  years  than  any  other  one 
class  of  Dutch  bulbs.  As  a  result,  the  improve- 
ment in  the  flowers  and  the  increase  in  the 
number  of  the  varieties  has  been  remarkable. 
No  one  ever  regrets  investing  some  money,  in 
these  fine  ornaments  of  the  spring  garden. 


The  Crown  Imperial  {Fritillaria  imperialis) 
is  a  grand  old  plant,  which  seems  to  be  gaining 
favor  again  with  planters,  as  it  deserves  to  do. 
We  wish  we  could  speak  well  of  its  odor,  but 
because  one  might  not  care  to  fondle  the  plant 
or  its  flowers  on  account  of  their  peculiar  smell, 
is  no  reason  why  the  plant  may  not  occupy  a 
prominent  place  in  the  border.  Here  it  is  an 
admirable  subject,  for  the  effect  its  coronets  of 
bright-colored  blooms  produce. 

The  smaller  hardy  bulbs 
such  as  Crocus,  Snowdrops, 
Scillas,  and  the  like,  are  in- 
dispensable to  every  good 
flower  garden.  The  cost  of 
the  bulbs  is  quite  insignifi- 
cant. They  thrive  year 
after  year  with  being  set 
once.  Any  of  these  also 
force  well  in  the  window. 

As  for  starting  bulbs  in 
pots,  Hyacinths  and  those 
of  a  similar  size,  should 
have  a  pot  4  or  5  inches 
across  inside  for  a  single 
bulb,  or  7  inches  for  three 
bulbs.  Smaller  kinds  may 
be  set  proportionately  close. 
The  soil  should  be  rich,  and 
made  light  by  the  use  of 
sand.  Drainage,  in  the 
shape  of  some  pot  sherds 
in  the  bottom  of  each  pot, 
is  essentia?.  In  planting 
keep  the  bulb  near  the 
surface  with  its  tip  in 
sight;  press  the  soil  firmly.  After  setting 
them,  our  practice  is  to  plunge  the  pots  in  coal 
ashes  or  soil  in  a  cold  frame,  shed  or  cellar, 
and  covering  six  inches  deep  with  the  same 
material.  If  it  freezes  where  they  stand,  no 
harm,  provided  straw  is  used  for  protection  in 
case  of  much  cold.  In  about  six  weeks  after 
starting,  they  will  be  fit  to  bring  into  heat. 

To  grow  bulbs  in  glasses,  keep  the  glasses 
so  filled  with  soft  water,  that  the  bulb  will  just 
touch  it.  Set  them  away  in  a  cool,  dark  place, 
but  where  it  does  not  freeze,  for  six  weeks, 
when  they  may  be  brought  into  light  for  top- 
growth.  Any  water  lost  by  evaporation  or 
otherwise,  must  be  made  up  for. 

Outdoor  bulb  culture  is  a  very  simple  matter. 
Here  they  all  like  a  rather  rich  soil.  Plant 
those  of  the  size  of  Hyacinths  and  Narcissus  6 
inches  deep,  and  the  smaller  ones  about  4 
inches  deep.  For  distance  apart,  this  may  be 
a  little  closer  than  the  depth  in  inches,  recom- 
mended. About  the  ist  of  December,  the  beds 
of  bulbs  should  be  covered  over  with  coarse 
litter  or  evergreen  branches  for  protection. 


Fitness  in  Floriculture. 

Whether  one  gardens  for  pleasure  or  for  pro- 
fit, the  fitness  of  plants  or  things  for  any  given 
end  must  not  be  lost  sight  of.  Every  species 
and  variety  in  the  Vegetable  Kingdom  is 
adapted  to  some  particular  end,  and  this  it  will, 
under  proper  conditions,  reach  and  fit  better 
than  any  other  one  possibly  could  do. 

Attempts  are  often  made  by  amateurs  to  grow 
such  Roses  as  Marechal  Neil,  Cornelia  Cook  or 
others  of  a  similar  class  in  the  window  or  sum- 
mer flower  beds.  Such  attempts  illustrate  what 
may  be  called  an  utter  disregard  f»r  fitness  in 
floriculture.     Here  the  culture  of  a  most  valua- 


ble class  of  Roses  is  undertaken,  in  a  way  that 
in  nine  cases  out  of  ten,  leads  to  the  most  com- 
plete kind  of  failure,  because  the  conditions  of 
culture  are  unfitted  to  the  plants. 

Take  the  Marechal  Neil,  and  it  is  certmnly 
one  of  the  grandest  Roses  ever  originated.  Its 
fame  is  world-wide;  it  is  deserving  of  all  that 
has  ever  been  said  for  it,  regard  being  had  to 
fitness.  The  writer  knows  of  a  single  plant 
that  has  yielded  8,806  large,  perfect,  golden 
buds  in  the  space  of  one  year.  It  may  be  said 
that  there  was  no  month  in  the  twelve  in  which 
less  than  120  buds  were  cut.  From  this  num- 
ber the  yield  ran  as  high  as  1,800  buds  in  a  sin- 
gle month. 

Now  this  valuable  Rose  is  both  highly  es- 
teemed and  extolled,  just  as  it  should  be.  It  is 
offered  in  the  catalogue  of  every  large  grower 
of  Roses,  and  this  also  as  it  should  be,  unless 
pains  are  taken  by  said  growers  to  misrepresent 
its  value  for  window  culture  and  bedding. 
We  are  not  aware  that  this  has  been  done  in  the 
catalogues.  Indeed,  as  the  result  of  some  pains 
taken  to  look  into  this  matter,  it  must  be  said 
that  no  overdrawn  description  or  improper 
recommend  of  the  Marechal  Neil,  has  been 
found  in  many  catalogues  examined. 

Still  thousands  of  Marechal  Neil  and  similar 
Roses  are  bought  and  tried  every  year,  with 
about  the  same  number  of  failures  attending. 
Undoubtedly  most  of  these  cases  of  disregard 
for  fitness  arise  out  of  pure  ignorance.  Knowl- 
edge is  power  in  gardening,  as  in  anything  else. 

It  shall  be  within  the  sphere  of  Popular  Gar- 
dening, to  so  diffuse  information  on  gardening 
matters,  that  at  least  its  readers,  may  be  on 
their  guard  against  committing  errors  of  this 
kind.  Such  errors  are  now  not  only  very  com- 
mon, but  really  prove  to  be  a  great  drawback 
to  progress  in  popular  gardening. 


Trees  as  Protectors  from  Lightningr. 

For  many  years  the  writer  has  labored  to 
encourage  the  planting  of  trees.  His  main 
arguments,  have  been   aimed    to   show,    that 


A  FINE  TULIP. 

trees  directly  afford  beauty,  shade  and  shelter, 
besides  in  a  general  way  soon  adding  to  the 
value  of  a  place,  a  hundred  fold  more  than 
their  cost. 

In  addition  to  the  old  arguments,  the  com- 
paratively new  one,  of  planting  as  a  safe-guard 
against  lightning  can  now  be  added.  To  be 
able  to  rid  the  summer  showers  with  their 
flashes  of  deadly  electricity,  of  all  terror,  by 
planting,  and  also  reap  every  other  benefit  that 


i88s. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


comes  from  this,  is  well  worth  our  considering. 

The  Electricians  of  the  Old  World,  are  among 
the  latest  strong  advocates  of  employing  trees 
as  protectors  from  lightning.  Investigation 
leads  them  to  conclude, that  the  greatest  protec- 
tion a  building  can  have  is  to  have  tall  trees 
near  by.  The  branches  are  so  many  points, con- 
ducting the  electricity  by  the  trunk  to  the  ground. 

As  to  what  particular  trees  are  the  best  for 
this  purpose,  there  is  some  question,  but  all 
agree  that  tall  growers  are  the  most  desirable, 
also  that  those  with  erect  branches  are  better 
than  such  as  have  spreading 
ones.  Perhaps  all  tall  grow- 
ing kinds  like  Oak,  Poplar, 
Hickory,  Horse-chestnut, 
Elm,  Pine  or  Spruce,  are  of 
nearly  equal  value. 

It  is  an  old  belief  that  a 
Beech  tree  is  never  struck 
by  lightning.  Instances  are 
on  record  to  show  that  this 
tree  has  been  struck,  but 
these  are  so  few,  as  to  lead 
to  the  belief  that  at  the  most, 
it  rarely  attracts  the  electric 
bolt.  But  this  being  true  it 
is  of  course  against  the  use 
of  the  Beech  in  the  close 
neighborhood  of  building, 
for  the  trees  wanted  here  as 
guards,  are  those  that  are 
not  obnoxious  to  lightning, 
but  will  attract  it  and  thus 
keep  it  away  from  the 
buildings. 

The  place  for  a  tree  like 
the  Beech,  would  rather  be 
in  parks,  cemeteries,  pastures 
and  similar  places  remote 
from  buildings.  Then 
persons  and  animals  could 
find  comparative  safety 
under  them,  during  sudden 
thunder  storms.  The 
Chestnut  is  also  believed  to 
be  repulsive  to  lightning. 

In  planting  to  protect  buildings,  a  distance 
of  fifty  feet  away  would  be  proper.  To  have 
the  trees  closer  there  would  be  danger,  in  case 
of  a  stroke  of  lightning,  that  the  fluid  would 
follow  the  ground  to  the  building.  A  small 
pond  between  the  tree  and  the  building  would 
render  the  protection  about  complete. 


sembles  somewhat  a  tall,  vigorous  Snowdrop, 
the  pure  white  flowers  being  tipped  with  green 
at  the  ends  of  the  petals,  inside  and  out.  The 
season  of  bloom  is  early  summer.  The  plant 
somewhat  resembles  that  of  the  DatTodil,  thrives 
in  any  soil,  and  multiplies  by  the  division  of  the 
bulb.  It  forms  a  pleasing  object  either  in  the 
mi.xed  flower  border,  or  in  the  margin  of  shrub- 
beries. Indeed  so  readily  does  it  succeed,  that 
we  are  not  sure  but  it  would  take  good  care  of 
itself,  in  the  uncultivated  wild  garden.  The 
only  American  catalogue  in   which  we  find  the 


A  Good,  Hardy  Plant— The  Summer 
Snowflake. 

It  shall  be  the  aim  of  Popular  Gardening 
from  month  to  month,  to  introduce  plants  of 
merit  to  the  attention  of  its  readers.  Not  only 
will  we  attempt  to  show  by  descriptions  and 
engraving  what  they  are,  and  where  and  how 
they  should  be  grown,  but  what  is  often  of 
more  importance  to  growers,  where  they  may 
be  procured.  While  this  may,  as  in  the  present 
case  necessitate  the  mention  of  the  names  of 
growers  or  dealers,  this  will  always  be  done 
with  the  utmost  impartiality.  Let  it  be  under- 
stood once  for  always,  that  this  paper  is  the 
organ  of  no  concern,  but  the  helper,  first  of 
amateurs,  and  then  of  all  growers  and  dealers  of 
articles  of  the  garden,  whoever  they  may  be. 

The  Summer  Snowflake  (Leucojum  astivum) 
is  a  handsome  and  graceful  plant,  bearing  flow- 
ers of  the  size  and  form  shown  in  the  engraving, 
on  stalks  from  i  foot  to  lA  feet  high.     It  re- 


some 

advertisers 


autumn  or 
the  spring.  In 
any  case  the 
plants  would 
flower  somewhat  during  the  following  season. 


THE  SUMMER   SNOWFLAKE. 


Tree  Pets  In  China. 

No  doubt  the  people  in  China  have  as  good 
a  right  to  adopt  pets  after  their  own  fancy,  as 
other  people  have.  While  we  have  no  fancy 
for  curiously  dwarfed  tree  pets  that  may  be  fifty 
years  old,  and  yet  not  more  than  a  foot  high, 
still  we  must  state  a  preference  even  for  the 
taste  which  produces  these,  to  that  shown  by 
some  Christians  for  dwarfed  canine  pets,  cham- 
eleons and  the  like.  But  these  dwarfed  trees, 
aside  from  being  marvels  in  their  way,  teach  a 
lesson  on  the  adaptability ]of  vegetation,  worth 


noticing.  It  is  wonderful  to  see  minature  aged 
Oaks,  Chestnuts,  Pines  and  Cedars,  growing  in 
small  flower  pots.  The  dwarfing  process  con- 
sists in  commencing  with  the  young  plant,  and 
cutting  off  its  tap  root  and  placing  in  good  soil. 
Rapid  growth  is  checked  by  shortening  the 
roots.     The  leaves  grow  smaller  year  by  year. 

On  Choosing  Varieties  of  Fruit. 
"What  shall  I  plant,"    is  a  common  and 
natural   question   addressed   by  a  great  many 
prospoftive  planters,  to  their  gardening  papers. 
It  would,  in  most  cases,  be 
better   to  consult   local 
authorities    and    learn    pre- 
cisely  what    kinds    succeed 
best,  in  any  given  locality, 
than  to  rely  upon   the  judg- 
ment  of    men   living   far 
away.    Local  meteorological 
influences,    soil    and    situa- 
tion, are  such    important 
factors  in  deciding  upon 
such   points,  that  general 
advice    in    this,  is  compara- 
tively without  great  value. 

The  importance  of  good 
selections  needs  hardly  to 
be  urged.  It  may  be  said, 
however,  that  a  dozen  trees 
in  kinds  exactly  adapted  to 
a  certain  locality,  will  at  any 
time  yield  many  times  better 
results,  than  a  dozen  trees 
that  are  ill-suited  to  the 
place. 

Watch  the  doings  of  your 
neighbors  who  raise  fruit. 
Be  on  hand  where  they  sell 
their  products  and  it  may 
soon  become  apparent  which 
kinds  stand  in  the  highest 
favor  with  producers  and 
consumers  both,  and  which 
command  the  best  prices. 
Kinds  that  are  conspicuous 
in  such  respects,  and  which 
are  known  to  be  healthy 
growers  and  good  bearers, 
are  the  ones  it  is  safe  to 
decide  upon.  Don't  hesitate 
to  seek  an  acquaintance  with 
neighboring  fruit  growers, 
with  a  view  to  consulting 
them  about  this  matter. 
Generally  you  will  find  these  ■ 
men  an  open-hearted  class, 
that  in  a  marked  degree  are 
unguided  by  narrow  princi- 
ples, and  who  will  be  glad 
to  give  you  such  advice  as 
lies  in  their  power. 
It  is  worth  while  to  be  at  a  good  deal  of 
pains  in  deciding  on  what  to  plant.  Trees 
once  planted  are,  or  ought  to  become,  permanent 
features  of  one's  possessions.  Poor  calculations 
at  the  start  will  probably  work  against  the 
planter's  interests  for  a  life  time. 

Shipping  Fruit. 

In  shipping  fruit,  mark  plainly,  including 
your  own  name  or  initials,  and  take  receipts  for 
all  packages,  from  the  carriers.  Make  out  com- 
plete invoice  and  advice,  which  send  by  mail, 
with  duplicates  in  a  marked  package.  Study  to 
patronize  the  quickest  transportation  lines. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


October, 


S^f.^i 


^^To^ 


-fTOP  H  C  I  E  S  > 

Bring  Lilies  tor  a  maiden's  grave, 

Rces  to  deck  the  bride. 
Tulips  tor  all  who  love  through  lite 

In  brave  attire  to  ride: 
Bring  each  tor  each,  in  bower  and  hall. 

But  cull  the  Columbine  tor  all. 


previous  to  their  out-door  flowering  time.  But 
some  years  ago  Valley  Lily  blooms  began  to  be  seen 
in  the  market  as  early  as  October  and  November 
ot  each  winter,  and  still  later,  in  about  every  month 
of  the  twelve  This  remarkable  achievement  is  to 
be  credited  to  the  skill  of  Mr.  CarlJurgens,  of  New- 
port, R.  I.,  who  is  now  widely  known  as  the  "  Lily 
ot  the  Valley  man."  Mr,  Jurgens  possesses  some 
secrets  by  which  he  seems  to  rule  the  habits  of  this 
flower,  and  which  not  a  few  florists  would  give  a 
small  fortune  to  possess.  He  appears  to  have  a 
"  corner  "  on  supplying  the  flower  to  the  florists, 
tor  about  eight  months  of  the  year. 


ADDITIONAL     FRUIT    AND     VEGE- 
TABLE   NOTES. 


Marigolds  are  wet  weather  flowers. 
The  sentiment  of  Moss  is  Maternal  Love.   , 
Wreaths  of  natural  flowers  are  beginning  to  be 
worn  on  the  hair. 

The  craze  tor  Orchids  in  floral  decorations,  is 
even  more  manifest  in  Europe  than  with  us. 

Funeral  designs  made  ot  a  single  kind  of  flower 

and  this  not  white,  are  now  considered  appropriate. 

For  evening  wear,  young  ladies  place  one  small 

tuft  of  flowers  in  the  hair  and  another   on  the 

shoulder. 

Cut  flowers  will  keep  longer  for  changing  the 
water  daily,  and  at  the  same  time  snipping  back 
the  stem  ends  a  little . 

A  St.  Louis  florist  boasts  of  having  the  finest 
photograph  album  of  floral  designs  in  the  country. 
Will  the  Chicago  florists  see  about  this? 

Baskets  and  Vases  of  Birch  bark  are  now  in 
vogue  as  flower  holders.  This  material  is  very 
elegant  while  partaking  of  a  rustic  nature. 

One  year  with  another  the  taste  tor  "  large  bud  " 
roses  increases.  The  old  favorite  Satrano,  has  al- 
most been  crowded  out  of  some  cut  flower  shops. 

For  a  light,  graceful  and  inexpensive  bouquet  for 
the  table  or  mantle,  nothing  can  be  flner  than  Car- 
nations with  long  stems,  set  in  their  own  foliage. 
A  narrow  vase  is  the  most  suitable  holder. 

When  all  other  trades  are  retrenching,  the  flor- 
ists seem  to  be  biulding  up  as  much  glass  as  ever.  It 
is  a  healthy  indication  of  the  deep-seated  love  tor 
flowers,  when  people  forego  necessaries  that  they 
may  enjoy  these  luxuries. 

With  the  increasing  use  of  long  stem  flowers  along 
with  their  own  leaves,  the  demand  for  Smilax  is 
said  to  be  falling  off  in  a  measure.  Well,  tor  such 
good  reasons  let  it.  Every  flower  is  more  beautiful 
for  being  supported  by  its  own  foliage. 

The  growth  of  the  cut  flower  and  plant  trade  in 
America  during  the  last  twenty  years  is  one  ot  the 
wonders  ot  the  ninteenth  century.  No  doubt,  tor 
every  commercial  greenhouse  establishment  that 
existed  twenty  years  ago,  we  now  have  not  less 
than  twelve,  and  many  ot  these  are  ten  times  larger 
than  the  average  one  ot  the  previous  time  referred 
to.  Mr.  John  Thorpe,  in  his  address  recently, 
before  the  Convention  of  American  Florists  at 
Cincinnati,  put  the  number  of  florists  in  America 
to-day  at  no  less  than  8,000.  Allowing  4,000  feet  of 
glass-covered  surface  to  each  florist,  would  give  a 
totalof  3.200,000  square  feet  or  730  acres  of  glass. 
This  would  be  equivalent  to  six  farms  of  120  acres 
each,  covered  over  with  glass  for  growing  plants 
and  flowers,  for  the  American  people.  The  num- 
ber ot  private  establishments  devoted  to  a  similar 
use,  would  swell  these  figures  largely. 

In  packing  flowers  to  send  by  mail  or  express, 
the  inexperienced  often  make  the  mistake  of  plac- 
ing them  so  loosely  in  the  box,  as  to  cause  them  to 
shake  about  to  their  damage.  The  best  way  of 
packing  is  to  place  some  springy  material  like 
crumpled  leaves,  hemlock  twngs  or  even  cotton  in 
the  bottom  ot  the  box  first,  covering  this  with 
water-proof  paper,  on  which  to  place  the  flowers. 
Lay  the  firmer  kinds,  like  unopened  Rose-buds, 
Carnations  and  the  like  in  first,  and  finish  with  the 
more  fragile  ones  If  a  tubular  flower  like  the 
Calla  is  to  be  sent,  place  a  bit  of  cotton  in  its  throat 
to  prevent  crushing.  Finish  off  at  the  top  with 
paper  and  of  the  other  material  used  in  the  bottom. 
The  contents  as  finished  may  stand  out  above 
the  box  somewhat,  so  that  with  closing  the  cover,  a 
gentle  pressure  will  prevail  throughout  the  mass. 
In  packing,  most  kinds  of  flowers  should  be 
sprinkled  hghtly,  but  Carnations,  never. 
The  Lily  of  the  Valley  is  naturally  a  spring-bloom 


!)0t9.nic^l0)^d^et 

Stems,  when  green,  perform  the  ofllce  ot  leaves. 
The  Sweet  Potato  is  a  root  the  Common  Potato 
a  tuber. 

The  University  of  Nebraska  has  established  a 
Botanic  garden . 

To  THE  Botanist  every  plant  possesses  some 
points  of  interest. 

The  bark,  leaves  and  cones  ot  the  Alder  have 
value  tor  tanning. 

The  late  George  Bentham  bequeathed  £1000  to 
the  Linnaean  Botanical  Society. 

The  Herbarium  of  Cornell  University  has  been 
estimated  to  be  worth  $1000,  by  evidence  given  in 
a  recent  wiU  suit. 

A  SMUT  on  cultivated  Violets,  named  Uroctjstis 
VioUe,  has  appeared  in  France,  and  is  proving  very 
destructive. 

Birches  have  a  wide  range  throughout  the 
northern  hemisphere.  Some  stunted  shrubs  are 
found  north  up  to  the  limit  of  perpetual  snow. 

It  is  more  logical  to  say  that  a  plant  multiplies 
than  that  it  divides  by  branching.  A  vegetable 
may  thus  be  looked  upon,  not  as  an  individual 
but  as  a  collective  being,  or  as  an  aggregation 
ot  individuals  nourished  in  common  like  the 
zoophytes  of  a  coral.— La  Maout. 

Make  Frequent  Excursions  to  the  fields  and 
forests,  while  pursuing  your  botanical  studies,  it 
you  would  find  them  full  ot  interest.  A  closet 
botanist  never  yet  made  attainments  that  were 
worth  much.  Text  books  are  valuable  aids,  but 
the  book  of  nature  should  be  the  main  reliance. 

Cement  for  Mounting  Plants.— Mr  J.  H.  Oyster, 
ot  Paola,  Kansas,  says,  that  the  best  cement  he 
has  ever  used  for  specimens  is  made  by  dissolving 
crude  India  rubber  in  bisulphide  of  carbon,  of  any 
desired  quantity  to  make  the  proper  consistency. 
This  is  a  strong  cement  always  ready  for  use,  and 
adapted  to  many  purposes. 

A  GOOD  SIGN  tor  the  future  of  botany  as  a  study 
in  America,  is  found  in  the  fact  that  now  it  is 
looked  upon  as  a  branch  necessary  to  a  fair 
education.  As  an  interest  in  this  study  increases, 
a  field  also  opens  up  for  private  instructors  in 
botany.  We  caU  to  mind  the  case  ot  one  woman 
who  has  such  a  class  ot  seventy  students. 

The  PEOPLE  ARE  MANY,  who  would  be  glad  to  de- 
vote more  attention  to  the  study  ot  botany,  were 
increased  encouragement  given  to  them  in  the 
shape  ot  books,  written  by  scientific  men  in  non- 
technical language,  to  meet  a  popular  want.  With 
this  demand  well  supplied,  there  would  follow  such 
a  hungering  tor  more  knowledge  on  this  subject  as 
would  soon  lead  many  a  non-scientific  reader  to 
become  a  scientific  student. 

The  Memory  of  Linn.eus,  the  great  Swedish 
Botanist,  is  not  in  danger  of  soon  dying  out  in  his 
native  land.  Recently  there  was  unveiled  in  the 
j  Humlegarden  Park  of  Stockholm,  amid  much 
!  ceremony,  an  imposing  statue  to  the  great  natural- 
ist. Its  central  figure  represents  him  at  sixty, 
meditating  over  a  bunch  of  flowers.  Four 
allegorical  female  figures,  representing  botany, 
zoology,  medicine  and  mineralogy  respectively 
surround  the  main  one. 

"Agassiz  Bulletin,"  is  the  name  ot  a  4-page 
monthly  published  in  this  city,  from  the  State 
Normal  School,  and^  devoted  to  natural  sciences. 
Its  contents  are  of  an  attractive  character,  as  well 
ing  plant!  and  one  tha't  tew  others  can  equal  for  i  to  the  ordinary  reader  as  to  trained  naturalists, 
charming  qualities.  It  is  to  many  people's  minds  Although  a  small  paper,  it  is  all  "  meat,"  no  adver- 
the  ideal  flower  tor  bride's  bouquets.  The  tore-  tiseraents  being  inserted.  The  August  number 
ing  of  the  flowers  out  of  their  natural  sea-  1  contains  an  excellent  article  on  "  The  Enemies  of 
son,  has  long  been  practised  with  success  so  ;  Our  Shade  Trees,"  by  Prof.  D.  S.  Kellicot.  Fifty 
far  as  concerns  a  period  of  three  or  tour  months  i  cents  a  year  is  the  paper's  price. 


yi 


Clear  op  after  the  crops. 
Let  Beets  grow  until  sharp  frosts. 
Tod  cannot  raise  fine  berries  on  poor  land. 
Don't  let  manure  come  against  the    roots  at 
planting  time. 

There  is  little  use  ot  trying  to  make  raisins 
from  our  native  grapes;  its  not  in  the  blood. 

Some  of  our  readers  may  not  know  that  the 

Black  Raspberries  are  much  hardier  than  the  Beds. 

A  lady  recently  stated  at  a  horticultural  meeting 

that  she  planted  Raspberries  forty  five  years  ago 

that  are  bearing  good  crops  yet. 

A  GOOD  DEAL  ot  difference  exists  between  red 
cabbage  heads.  Give  us  our  choice  for  pickling 
and  we  take  those  that  are  plump,  dry,  solid. 

Until  it  is  tried,  few  growers  have  any  idea  of 
■what  can  be  done  in  working  up  a  home  market 
for  fruit,  and  vegetables.    It's  a  reliable  one. 

A  Mrs.  Mitchell,  ot  Oxford,  Ohio,  says  the  best 
Grape  trellis  she  knows  of  is  a  tree.  On  this  the 
fruit  never  mildews  or  rots.  The  best  specimens 
are  at  the  top. 

Where  rust  prevents  success  with  Blackberries, 
it  is  said  that  to  sow  red  clover  among  the  bushes 
after  they  are  well  established,  and  allowing  the 
clover  after  each  mowing  to  remain  as  a  mulch, 
the  disease  will  be  prevented .    This  is  easily  tried.      _ 

The  Pear  is,  for  family  use,  a  more  reliable  fruit 
on  an  average,  than  the  Apple.  It's  crops  are  more 
certain,  and  come  earlier  in  considerable  quantity. 
No  tree  takes  care  ot  itself  so  well.  This  has  been 
our  experience;  we  believe  it  is  a  universal  one. 

Salsify  or  Vegetable  Oyster. 
This  delicious  and  healthful  vege- 
table is  not  found  so  often  as  it 
should  be  in  American  gardens. 
Why  this  is  so,  it  is  difficult  to  con- 
cieve,  for  it  is  grown  with  the 
greatest  ease.  The  same  treat- 
ment that  will  suit  the  Parsnip 
suits  this  plant  also.  But  it  may 
be  said  that  where  any  person 
fails  with  either  ot  these  winter 
vegetables,  it  must  be  because 
either  the  ground  is  not  rich  or 
deep  enough,  or  else  the  plants 
are  too  much  crowded  during  the 
time  of  growth.  Directions  tor 
planting  Salisfy  will  be  given  in 
Popular  Gardening  early  next 
year.  Here  we  wish  to  say  that 
the  roots  may  be  wintered  in  the 
ground  where  they  grow,  the  same 
as  Parsnips.  But  a  portion  ot  the 
crop  should  be  lifted  before  the 
ground  freezes  hard,  or  kept  in 
pits  or  in  the  cellar,  to  be  used 
from  during  the  winter. 

The  bush  small  fruits,  includ- 
ing   Currents,    Goosberries,    and 
Raspberries,  do  not  object  to  some 
shade.  A  good  place  tor  them  is  in 
a  row  against  the  garden  fence. 
Here  with  a  light  rail  in  front  of 
the  plants,  and  the  fence  behind 
them,  the  branches,  whether  of  prickly  kinds  or 
not,  are  kept  well  out  of  one's  way.    By  setting  a 
six  inch  wide  board  on  the  ground  under  the  rail, 
and  filling  in  the  space  back  of  it  with  leaves  every 
tall,  the  trouble  of  cultivating  the  plants  will  be 
about  done  away  with.     This  is  what  we  call  a 
simplified  course  of  culture. 

Cultivating  Orchards.  Evidence  accumulates 
to  show  that  orchards  in  grass  are  more  productive 
than  those  kept  cultivated,  provided  there  is  no 
lack  ot  fertility  along  with  the  grass  culture  sys- 
tem. No  continued  good  results  can  be  expected 
from  the  orchard  without  manuring,  whatever 
the  plan  of  management  is.  October  is  a  good 
month  to  top-dress  the  grass-clothed  orchard  with 
manure.    Let  this  be  done  every  year. 

If  AN  Asparagus  bed  is  wanted  to  supply  the 
family,  we  can  hardly  recommend  the  plan  of  a 
friend,  who,  in  his  first  attempts  at  gardening, 
bought  a  paper  of  the  seed  along  with  Radish  and 
Lettuce  seed.and  sowed  them.expecting  Asparagus 
tor  the  table  in  a  month  or  two.  It  takes  several 
years  to  grow  this  root  to  a  productive  size  from 
seed.  As  strong  nursery  grown  roots  two  years 
old,  can  be  bought  tor  about  two  cents  apiece, 
I  what's  the  use  of  bothering. 


SALSIFY. 


i88s. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


A   PUZZLING   FLOWER. 

All  my  young  friends  no  doubt  enjoy  puzzles, 
especially  when  they  command  the  answer  end. 
One  plant  which  grows  near  my  climbing  place, 
is  as  good  a  puzzle  to  the  eye,  as  any  met  in 
the   books.     It  is  a  Wild  Violet  with  blue  oder- 


Mr.  TreecKmber  Introduces  Himself. 

To  the  young  readers  of  PopUL.vu  Garden- 
ing I  present  myself  as  the  man  who  lives  in 
the  tree  tops,  that  is,  some  of  the  time.  From 
this,  do  not  make  out  that  I  am  some  odd 
individual  who  cannot  live  as  other  folks  live, 
but  must  climb  and  climb  like  a  squirrel,  in  or- 
der to  be  contented.  It  is  true  that  in  my  boy- 
hood days,  I  had  a  great  passion  for  treeclimb- 
ing  ;  my  love  of  trees,  the  strange  scenes  to  be 
met  in  their  tops,  and  their  products  often 
leading  me  up  into  them.  I  think  it  was  the 
ones  that  held  mellow  apples,  luscious  cherries 
or  sweet  nuts  that  attracted  me  the  oftenest. 
Now  my  climbing  is  of  a  kind,  that  better  be- 
comes legs  and  arras,  which  have  lost  much  of 
the  gripping  power  for  tree  trunks  which  they 
once  possessed. 

I  will  explain.  In  a  grove  to  the  rear  of  the 
house  in  which  I  live,  is  a  large  Walnut  tree, 
with  dark  furrowed  bark  and  a  spreading  head. 
At  about  eighteen  feet  from  the  ground,  in  this 
tree,  is  an  arrangement  of  branches,  which 
years  ago  suggested  to  me  the  idea  of  laying  a 
floor  upon  them.  To  have  a  sitting  place,  a 
real  arbor  up  in  the  Walnut,  w'as  a  thought  not 
to  be  put  aside  and  it  was  soon  built.  The  floor 
which  is  ten  by  thirteen  feet  in  size,  is  enclosed 
by  a  railing  three  feet  high,  for  safety.  To 
reach  the  platform,  a  winding  stairway  was 
built  connecting  it  with  the  ground.  This  also 
had  a  side  rail  to  make  ascending  and  descend- 
ing easier.  With  such  a  delightful  bower  in 
mid-air,  I  think  you  can  easily  understand  how 
it  is  that  I  am  a  somewhat  noted  tree-climber, 
here  where  I  am  known. 

During  warm  weather,  every  day  finds  me 
for  some  hours,  in  my  "perch"  in  the  tree 
top.  Here  I  read,  write  and  enjoy  the  rare 
pleasures  of  the  spot.  I  often  have  visitor 
tree-climbers,  too, — you  may  be  sure  this  is  a 
place  that  pleases  the  boys  and  girls  to  visit; 
they  are  always  welcome.  The  birds  also  come 
near,  for  they  have  learned  that  the  occupants 
of  this  "  nest  "  are  their  friends. 

There  is  another  reason  why  my  young 
friends  like  this  place  besides  the  novelty  of  its 
situation.  It  is  because  I  am  always  ready  to 
tell  them  about  what  I  see,  and  have  seen  in 
the  beautiful  book  which  Nature  holds  open  to 
our  gaze.  They  say  that  I  see  so  many  inter- 
esting things  which  their  eyes  miss  entirely. 
So  I  loan  them  the  use  of  my  eyes,  as  it  were, 
and  show  how  they  may  employ  their  own  to 
better  advantage. 

Now  in  my  tree  perch,  or  in  my  study  I  can 
never  expect  to  receive  more  than  a  small 
number  of  visitors.  But  the  publishers  of 
Popular  Gardening,  have  very  kindly  asked 
me  to  invite  their  thousands  of  young  readers 
to  my  quarters,  through  their  handsome  paper, 
which  I  gladly  do.  So  in  the  space  they  allow 
me  to  occupy  each  month,  I  will  talk  of  flow- 
ers, botany  and  other  matters  relating  to  natural 
history.  I  hope  by  this  means,  to  interest  you  in 
many  of  the  beautiful  and  curious  things  which 
surround  us  in  this  world  of  ours,  and  which, 
having  eyes  we  should  cultivate  them  to  see. 
Timothy  Treeclimbkr. 


Puzzling  Violet  Flowers. 

less  flowers,  a  drawing  of  one  of  which  I  here 
show.  These,  like  all  violets,  blossom  early  in 
the  spring,  but  they  seldom  give  seed. 

A  month  or  two  after  the  spring  blooms 
are  gone,  many  large  seed-pods  like  the  one 
shown  at  c,  strangely  appear  on  the  plants. 
These  could  not  come  from  the  spring  flowers, 
for  it  is  too  long  since.  More  than  that,  the 
seed-pods  keep  increasing  in  numbers  steadily 
until  fall ;  each  good  sized  plant  yielding  hundreds 
of  these  all  full  of  white  seeds.  Where  do  the 
pods  and  seeds  come  from  is  the  puzzle?  for  we 
know  that  true  seeds — and  these  are  true  seeds 
— can  only  be  the  outgrowth  of  flowers,  that 
have  organs  of  reproduction.  For  my  summer 
visitors,  young  and  old,  during  the  last  season, 
I  here  had  a  standing  puzzle,  and  rarely  was  it 
made  out. 

But  this  puzzle  like  all  others  is  easy  enough 
when  you  know  it.  Here  is  the  answer:  This 
Violet,  in  common  with  some  other,  has  the  re- 
markable quality  of  yielding,  aside  from  their 
showy  flowers  of  spring,  others  that  are  so 
small  they  can  only  be  seen  by  very  sharp  look- 
ing. Figure  b  shows  such  a  one  drawn  to  life- 
size.  These  minute  flowers  never  open,  the 
process  of  fertilization  taking  place  within  the 
closed  parts.  On  this  account  botanists  call 
them  by  the  rather  long  name  of  Cleistogamous 
flowers.  While  there  is  no  sign  of  a  flower 
about  them  to  the  eye,  careful  dissection  and 
the  use  of  a  magnifying  glass,  reveals  the 
stamens  and  pistils  clearly. 

What  looks  very  strange  is,  that  the  flowers, 
as  at  a  which  one  would  natuially  look  to  for 
seed,  rarely  produce  it,  while  these  tiny  ones 
like  figure  b,  completely  hidden  by  the  sepals, 
yield  large  plump  seeds  that  grow  freely  when 
planted.  Why  all  this  is  so,  unless  to  puzzle 
us,  and  lead  us  to  examine  things  closely,  is 
more  than  can  be  told  to  his  young  friends  by 
Treecli.mber. 


Dull  In  Childhood,   Not  Always  Dull. 

We  heard  a  business  man  who  had  recently 
employed  a  new  boy,  for  choring  about  his 
store,  say,  "  He  is  not  as  bright  as  the  boy  I 
had  before  him,  but  he  will  make  a  smarter 
man.  He  is  slow,  but  sure. "  A  bright  child  is 
apt  to  rely  too  much  upon  his  or  her  ability  to 
comprehend  any  matter  easily,  and  thus  loses 
the  benefit  of  the  close  application,  which  is  a 
necessity  to  a  dull  child.  But  this  training  of 
the   dull  child,  to  labor  hard   for  whatever  is 


acquired,   often  enables  him   to    outstrip    his 
brighter  companion,  in  the  long  run. 

Sir  Isaac  Newton  was  known  as  a  dunce  in  his  early 
school  (lays.  One  day,  the  "bright  boy'"  of  the 
school  gave  him  a  kick  wliich  caused  him  severe 
pain.  Tlie  insult  stung  young  Newton  to  the  quick, 
and  he  resolved  to  make  himself  felt  and  respected 
by  improved  scholarship.  He  applied  himself 
resolutely  to  study,  and  ere  long  stood  in  bis  cla.ss 
above  the  boy  who  had  kicked  him,  and  ultimately 
became  the  first  scholar  in  the  school. 

Oliver  Goldsndth  was  the  butt  of  ridicule  at 
school  for  his  duliness  His  relatives,  teachers  and 
schoolmates  ail  told  him  that  he  wa-s  a  fool,  which 
verdict  he  did  not  dispute,  but  took  good-humor- 
edly.  And  yet  by  close  applir>ation,  he  made  up 
for  his  youthful  dullness  ana  became  famous. 

.\dam  Clark,  the  great  connueiitator  on  the  Bible, 
was  pronounced  by  his  father  to  be  a  *'  grievous 
dunce." 

Sir  Walter  Scott  was  a  dull  boy,  and  even  at 
college  went  by  the  name  of  "  The  Great  Block- 
head." But  he  wasted  no  lime  on  trifles,  and 
pursuing  a  course  of  study  that  he  loved,  was  per- 
severing and  methodical.  His  knowledge  increased, 
until  it  lay  hke  a  great  volume  in  his  mind.  When 
he  began  to  make  use  of  that  knowledge,  society 
gave  him  another  name,  "The  Great  Magician." 


A  Provoking  Parrot. 

The  remarkable  power  parrots  have  of 
imitating  human  speech,  gives  them  an  inter- 
est possessed  by  few  others,  of  the  lower 
creatures.  While  in  a  measure  they  are  docile 
and  affectionate,  often  they  are  capricious  and 
prove  very  annoying,  by  bad  behavior  when 
good  deportment  would  much  better  become 
them.  The  following  incident  shows,  that  a 
talking  parrot  is  not  to  be  trusted  too  far  in 
good  company. 

"  Children's  Day  "  was  observed  in  a  church  at 
Rexford  Flats.  New  York,  recently,  and  the  room 
was  decorated  for  the  occasion .  There  were  not 
only  Howers  on  the  walls,  but  canaries  sang  from 
their  little  gilt  cages,  hanging  here  and  there  among 
the  evergreens.  One  lady,  not  having  a  canarj-. 
brought  her  only  pet  bird,  a  parrot,  which  she 
thought  would  add  to  the  looks  of  the  room.  The 
parrot  behaved  very  well  for  a  few  hours,  and  was 
an  object  of  interest  to  the  boys  and  girls,  who 
crowded  round  the  cage.  Later  the  parrot  fell 
from  grace,  and  became  very  naughty  indeed. 
When  a  little  boy  mounted  the  stage  to  speak  a 
piece,  the  parrot  began  to  mock  him.  much  to  the 
annoyance  of  the  lad,  and  amusement  of  the  con- 
gregation. Finally  the  parrot  screeched  out, 
■'Hey.  j'ou  little  rascal!"  which  cau.sed  the  boy  to 
go  crying  to  his  seat,  and  threw  the  audience  into 
an  uproar.  The  offending  bird  was  taken  out  of 
church  in  deep  disgrace. 


Not  Clear. 

The  feats  of  modern  engineers,  and  the  inven- 
tions of  modern  thinkers  as  shown  in  railroads 
and  their  equipments,  look  strange  enough  to 
those  who  are  unfamiliar  with  them.  So  it  was 
with  the  man  who  opposed  Stephenson,  when 
he  first  set  forth  his  wonderful  invention. 

"  Suppose  that  when  a  train  is  going  at  the 
rate  of  ten  miles  an  hour,  a  cow  should  get  on 
the  track,  wouldn't  that  be  very  embarrassing?" 

'■  Aye,"  returned  Stephenson  "  very  embar- 
rassing— for  the  cow." 

At  the  time  of  the  building  of  the  Cincinnati 
Central  Railroad,  the  civil  engineer  found  some 
difficulty  in  tunneling  a  mountain  on  the  bank  of 
the  Cumberland  River.  That  river  is  now  spanned 
by  a  fine  bridge  leading  to  the  tunnel,  but  there 
was?  then  no  sign  of  the  structure. 

One  morning  a  Tenuesse  "corn  cracker"  rowed 
across  the  river  and  engaged  in  conversation  with 
the  engineer. 

"  Yon  seem  to  be  scatterin'  dirt  and  gravel  round 
here  pretty  peart." 

"  Well,  yes;  we're  getting  through  the  hill  quite 
lively." 

"  Who's  payio'  for  all  this  fuss?" 

"  The  city  of  Cincinnati." 

"  Well,  it  must  cost  a  heap  of  money.  What's  it 
fur,  anyhow?" 

The  engineer  explained  that  he  was  engaged  in 
building  a  tunnel,  and  further  that  it  was  cheaper 
to  bore  a  hole  through  the  mountain  for  the  cars  to 
run  in  than  to  level  it.  or  make  a  "  cut "  down  the 
grade. 

The  native  took  it  all  in,  and  then  queried, — 

"So  the  steam-kyars  is  goin'  to  come  right 
through  this  tunnel  away  north?" 

"Yes,  that's  just  it  " 

"  Well,  major,  that's  askin'  too  much  for  a  man 
to  believe,"  said  the  cracker,  "  that  every  time 
that  ere  iron  boss  of  yourn  jumps  across  the  river, 
he's  goin 'to  strike  this  little  hole  right  squar' an' 
far.    No,  sir;  I  can't  swaller  it." 


10 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


October, 


Said  Mr.  Baldwin  Apple 

To  Mrs.  Bartlett  Pear; 

"  You're  growing  very  plump,  madame, 

Aiid  also  very  fair. 

And  there  is  Mrs.  Clingstone  Peach, 

So  mellowed  by  the  heat. 

Upon  my  word  she  really  looks 

Quite  good  enough  to  eat." 

And  before  the  month  was  ended, 

The  fruits  that  looked  so  fair 

Had  vanished  from  among  the  leaves. 

And  the  trees  were  stripped  and  bare. 


CAGE    BIRDS,    PET  ANIMALS,  ETC. 


Feeding  Parrots. 

Although  in  a  wild  state  Parrots  thrive  on 
the  simple  diet  of  grain  and  water,  in  captivity 
something  more  delicate  is  also  desirable  for 
them.  Caging, with  lack  of  exercise,  alters  the 
constitution  and  digestive  powers.  Canary 
seed  should  be  the  main  article  of  food.  Hemp- 
seed  tends  to  impair  digestion  if  fed  freely,  but 
a  teaspoonful  once  a  week  mixed  with  the  Can- 
ary seed  is  beneficial.  A  little  dry  bread  and 
all  the  raw  fruit  they  will  consume,  is  proper 
enough.  Celery  is  a  treat  now  and  then.  All 
foods  such  as  meat,  cake,  biscuit  or  milk,  that 
contain  the  slightest  amount  of  grease,  salt  or 
pepper,  must  never  be  fed.  Hot  foods  and 
soups  are  also  bad;  the  feeding  of  such  may 
prevent  the  return  of  feathers  after  moulting. 
Keep  everything  about  the  cage  very  clean,  and 
avoid  draughts  of  air  upon  the  bird. 


Ring  Doves. 

The  common  complaint  that  these  are  quar- 
relsome, is  not  heard  where  the  birds  are  prop- 
erly paired  off.  Whenever  there  are  several 
hens  and  one  male,  the  former  will  quarrel, 
break  their  eggs,  and  otherwise  behave  as  if 
possessed. 

Ring  Doves  unlike  many  cage  birds,  are 
adapted  to  be  kept  in  a  plant  conservatory. 
They  thrive  best  on  a  feed  of  small  grains  such 
as  millet,  hemp  and  wheat.  Green  food  does 
not  appear  necessary  to  them,  but  they  will 
sometimes  eat  of  it.  Plenty  of  clean  water  for 
drinking  and  bathing,  are  among  the  essentials 
in  their  management.  When  properly  paired, 
Ring  Doves  breed  with  readiness. 


The  list  of  suitable  kinds  is  not  small .  For 
ordinary  sized  tanks  we  would  suggest  Cape 
Pond  Weed,  {Aponogeton  (//j-^air/y';«), Eel  Grass, 
{Vallisneria  spiralis,)  Arrow  Head,  {Sagittaria 
naians  or  lanceolata)  and  Small  Duck  Meat, 
(Lemna  minor).  All  but  the  first  one  named,  are 
natives,  familiar  to  nearly  every  botanist, and  can 
be  gathered  where  they  grow.  When  this  is 
impracticable,  they  can  usually  be  had,  together 
with  the  Cape  Pond  Weed,  of  dealers  in  aquaria. 


About  Training  Birds,  Dogs,  Etc. 

For  training  it  will  be  found  that  to  select 
from  breeds  known  to  possess  readiness  in 
learning,  will  be  a  great  gain.  Sufficient  train- 
ing may  make  an  inferior  bird,  dog  or  other 
animal  tolerably  good,  but  the  time  wasted  upon 
such  a  one  would  train  two  or  three  good  ones. 
A  good  trainer  soon  discovers  an  animal's 
capacity  for  learning,  and  it  is  a  waste  of 
time  to  train  a  stupid  one  if  another  one  can 
be  had. 

Because  any  boy  or  girl  might  not  succeed  in 
training  an  animal  quickly,  it  does  not  follow 
that  the  same  animal  in  the  hands  of  a  profes- 
sional trainer,  would  not  show  capacity  in  that 
direction.  Usually  it  is  the  better  way  for  the  ! 
inexperienced  to  buy  a  well-trained  pet,  and  after 
becoming  familiar  with  its  ways  and  attainments, 
it  would  be  a  far  easier  matter  to  take  in  hand 
another  one  for  training. 


The  Fish  Tank. 

Failures  with  goldfish  and  other  species 
would  be  less  common,  if  the  necessity  of  grow- 
ing plants  in  the  tanks  was  understood.  Plants 
give  the  air  to  the  water  which  the  fish  require. 


The  Shetland  breed  of  ponies  are  natives  of 
Great  Britian.  When  imported  they  possess  a 
rough  and  shaggy  appearance,  which  is  lost  in 
a  measure  after  the  second  generation  is  reached 
in  this  country.  They  grow  a  little  larger  here 
than  at  home,  but  only  to  render  them  so  much 
more  valuable. 

Minks  submit  to  domestication  readily  if  they 
are  taken  when  young.  They  breed  readily,  and 
command  high  prices  to  those  who  raise  them . 


poultry. 

Partridge-Cochin    Fowls. 

The  Cochin  breed  of  fowls  was  introduced 
into  England  about  the  year  1847,  and  soon 
after  into  this  country.  To  this  event  is  to  be 
attributed  what  will  long  be  known  as  the 
"  poultiy  mania,"  when  as  high  as  $500  was 
repeatedly  paid  for  a  single  cock.  If  no  other 
good  had  come  out  of  introducing  this  breed, 
than  the  stimulus  it  gave  to  improving  all  breeds 


PAIR  OF  PARTRIDGE-COCHINS. 

of  fowls,  then  their  introduction  would  have 
been  one  of  great  importance. 

The  Cochin  breed  proper,  embraces  four 
principle  sub-varieties,  the  white,  black,  buff 
and  partridge.  All  of  these  are  favorites,  but 
the  white  and  bufl  are  perhaps  the  best  known. 
The  Patridge-Cochins  are  much  admired  both 
for  their  beauty  and  their  productions.  In  the 
hens  the  neck  hackles  are  bright  gold,  striped 
with  black,  the  rest  of  the  body  being  light 
brown,  pencilled  with  a  very  dark  shade  of  the 
same  color.  The  hackles  and  saddle  of  the 
Partridge-Cochin  cock  are  a  bright  red,  striped 
with  black;  wings  and  back  are  a  dark  red,  the 
former  crossed  with  a  bar  of  metallic  green- 
black;   breast  and  under  parts  black. 

The  principle  merits  claimed  by  breeders  of 
these  fowls  is  hardiness,  tameness,  rapid  growth 
when  young,  excellence  as  winter  layers,  and 
ability  to  do  well  in  limited  quarters. 

It  is  true  that  with  all  these  good  qualities 
there  are  also  defects.  The  flesh  is  inferior, 
though  very  fair  when  eaten  young,  and  the 
meat  of  the  leg  is  more  tender  than  is  usually 


the  case  with  other  breeds.  The  hen,  while  an 
excellent  layer,  is  sometimes  troublesome  from 
her  desire  to  sit  unduly;  but  on  this  account 
she  is  valuable  where  the  raising  of  many 
chickens  is  an  object.  On  the  whole,  the  breed 
is  a  family  rather  than  a  market  fowl. 


Fowls  for  the  Table  and  for  Eggs. 

The  breed  best  suited  to  the  wants  of  the 
average  poultry  keeper,  is  one  that  combines 
both  the  quality  of  laying  well  and  affording 
good  flesh  when  killed.  The  fowls  should  also 
be  of  good  form  so  as  to  present  a  fine  appearance 
on  the  table. 

The  too  common  practice  of  breeders,  in 
having  more  regard  to  plumage,  comb  and 
other  fancy  points,  than  to  size,  quality  ol  flesh, 
and  laying  capacity,  is  entitled  to  severe  cen- 
sure. Even  our  old  favorite,  the  Plymouth 
Rock  has  not  escaped  the  present  absurd  regu- 
lations as  to  color  of  plumage,  size  and  carriage 
of  tail  laid  down  by  judges. 

As  combining  both  of  the  good  qualities  first 
referred  to  the  Plymouth  Rocks  and  the  Hou- 
dons  stand  prominently.  The  flesh  of  both 
possesses  firmness  and  delicacy,  while  they  are 
of  good  size  and  handsome  shape.  Let  breeders 
not  carry  their  so-called  improvments  to  such  an 
extent,  as  to  give  us  impairment  in  these  quali- 
ties of  great  importance. 

A  judicious  cross  may  be  productive  of  cap- 
ital table  fowls.  One  that  can  be  recommended 
is  the  Game  crossed  with  the  Brahma.  Here  is 
secured^the  delicate  flavor  of  the  former  with  the 
size  of  the  latter.  Turn  a  Game  cock  two  years 
old  in  with  half  a  dozen  large  dark  Brahma 
hens  and  a  satisfactory  result  will  be  certain. 
Hatch  the  chickens  of  such  a  cross  in  March, 
and  with  proper  care  and  feeding,  they  will  suit 
the  cook  in  three  or  four  months. 

Another  good  cross  is  the  Houdon  cock  with 
Brahma  hens. 

Preparing  for  Winter. 

BY  L.   P.  RAINSPUK. 

October  is  none  too  early  to  put  the  poultry 
house  in  order  for  winter.  It  would  be  strange 
if  there  were  not  some  cracked  and  broken 
lights  in  the  windows,  if  so  the  latter  should 
be  replaced,  while  the  same  is  usually  true  of 
the  former  if  they  are  cracked  way  across. 
.Short  cracks  or  small  corners  broken  out,  can 
be  repaired  by  the  help  of  putty. 

If  the  heat  of  summer  has  opened  cracks  in 
the  boards  by  warping,  they  should  now  be 
stopped  up  or  battened.  For  adding  warmth 
to  the  house,  old  newspapers  or  building  paper 
tacked  over  the  inside  surface,  with  liberal  laps, 
will  do  wonders.  The  newspapers  can  be  had 
almost  for  nothing,  or  perhaps  enough  could 
be  saved  up  in  the  house  to  answer  the  purpose; 
building  paper  costs  about  i}(  cents  a  square 
foot  by  the  roll,  in  either  case  the  slight  expense 
attending  this  kind  of  papering,  will  soon  be 
made  up  by  the  increased  productions  of  the 
fowls.  Where  the  paper  is  lapped,  light  strips 
of  wood,  or  tacks  with  leather  heads,  which 
anyone  can  cut  and  put  on,  will,  if  used,  make 
a  better  job  of  work.  To  promote  cleanliness 
and  freedom  from  vermin,  the  paper  after  it  is 
on,  should  receive  a  coat  of  lime  whitewash. 
It  may  be  added  that  tarred  paper  affords  an 
excellent  winter  lining  for  poultry  houses,  and 
in  itself  possesses  the  advantage  of  being  re- 
pulsive to  all  insects, 


i8S5. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


1 1 


It  ought  to  be  needless  to  say  that  south  and 
west  windows  give  the  best  light  for  poultry 
quarters,  and  yet  I  sometimes  see  houses  in 
which  this  fact  seems  to  have  been  lost  sight 
of.  Horizontal  windows  are  belter  for  diffus- 
ing light  over  the  house,  than  those  running  up 
and  down.  These  should  be  set  so  as  to  admit 
a  good  deal  of  light  upon  the  roosts. 

The  providing  of  lime  must  not  be  neglected; 
usually  there  is  no  trouble  to  get  a  hold  of  some 
old  plaster  or  brick  mortar  where  house  repairing 
is  going  on.  Oyster  shells  from  the  restau- 
rants, burned  in  the  stove  or  in  brush  heaps  are 
excellent.  Bones  broken  to  the  size  of  peas, 
will  be  eaten  with  avidity  by  hens  that  are  lay- 
ing; they  are  a  necessity,  place  them  in  broad 
shallow  boxes  in  a  place  convenient  for  the 
hens  to  get  at.  Attention  to  such  points  as  I 
have  referred  to,  or  their  neglect  make  a  great  i 
difference  in  the  results,  in  poultry  keeping. 


The  Breeds  for  the  Farmer. 

Improved  fowls  they  should  be,  of  course, 
but  let  it  be  remembered,  that  such  are  only 
better  than  common  ones,  with  having  better 
care  also,  and  then  they  are  far  more  satisfac- 
tory. 

One  of  the  first  requisites  for  keeping  im- 
proved breeds  of  poultry,  is  a  warm  house  in 
the  winter.  With  this  provided,  we  would  place 
the  Silver  Gray  Dorkings  among  the  best 
breeds  for  the  farmer,  especially  where  roaming 
can  be  allowed.  They  are  fine  table  fowls,  and 
lay  well  until  seven  or  eight  years  old,  are 
handsome,  and  good  setters  and  mothers. 

With  a  warm  hen-house  in  winter,  the  White- 
faced  Black  Spanish  are  the  most  profitable 
where  eggs  are  the  chief  object.  They  lay 
very  large  white  eggs  in  great  numbers.  An 
objection  to  them  is,  that  they  are  subject  to 
loose  feathering  in  the  summer,  a  trouble  that 
may  in  a  measure  be  averted,  by  giving  fresh 
meat  regularly  and  not  over  feeding  with  corn. 


Care  During  the  Moulting  Period. 

In  all  birds  the  feathers  are  periodically  cast 
off  and  renewed,  a  process  which  takes  place 
with  fowls  during  the  period  from  August  until 
cold  weather  of  each  year,  varying  with  kinds 
and  ages.  During  this  time  the  tax  upon 
the  system,  in  making  a  new  growth  of  feath- 
ers, is  a  great  one,  and  this  should  be  aided  by 
special  care  for  a  spell.  On  this  subject  we  re- 
produce an  article  from  that  excellent  periodi- 
cal, the  American  Poultry  youriial,  which  will 
be  of  service  to  our  readers : 

The  treatment  should  be  especially  kind,  at 
this  critical  period.  The  sexes  should  be  sepa- 
rated and  kept  in  different  yards  by  themselves, 
especially  the  larger  varieties.  Let  the  feed  be 
light,  nutritious,  and    not  especially   fattening. 

Wheat,  oats,  bone-meal,  cracked  corn  and 
plenty  of  green  food  with  fresh  water  once  or 
twice  daily,  will  keep  them  in  good  thrift  and 
bring  them  out  in  fine  shape  to  begin  laying 
early  in  the  winter. 

A  few  drops  daily  of  Tincture  of  Iron,  mixed 
with  either  their  food  or  drink,  will  assist  in  di- 
gestion and  strengthening  the  system. 

Some  varieties  have  more  difficulty  in  moult- 
ing than  others  do,  taking  longer  time,  which 
of  course  is  more  exhaustive  on  the  system. 
Among  these  are  the  non-setters,  and  it  is  late 
in  the  fall  before  they  get  their  new  growth  of 
feathers. 


It  may  be  said,  that  this  is  one  reason  why 
the  non-setters  do  not  lay  better  during  the 
winter,  they  do  not  fully  recover  from  the 
effects  of  moulting  until  cold  weather  comes. 
It  is  then  hard  to  get  them  in  good  laying  con- 
dition, while  the  larger  breeds  of  the  Asiatic 
class  are  heavily  feathered,  and  are  belter  pre- 
pared for  the  cold  weather,  hence  are  considered 
the  best  layers  in  a  northern  climate. 

During  the  moulting  period  super-abundant 
animal  matter,  which  during  the  spring  and 
early  summer  went  into  eggs  is  now  used  in 
the  production  of  new  feathers.  It  is  for  this 
reason  that  the  fowls  seldom  ever  lay  during 
moulting. 

Good  kind  treatment  not  only  benefits  the 
health  of  the  fowl,  but  also  shortens  their 
moulting  season  and  leaves  them  in  excellent 
condition  for  the  winter. 


CONDENSED  POULTRY  NOTES. 

Fowls  dislike  sloppy  food. 

You  can't  clean  the  coops  too  often. 

Whitewash  the  roof  also,  on  the  inside. 

A  half-starved  hen  won't  lay  many  eggs. 

Petroleum  ointment  is  a  specific  for  vermin. 

Ungalvanized  iron  vessels  are  the  best  for  water. 

Surface  water  is  as  unfit  for  hens,  as  for  persons. 

An  egg  in  the  winter  is  worth  two  in  the  summer. 

Fowls  and  vermin  caunot  both  thrive  at  the  same 
time. 

Divide  the  skimmed  milk  between  the  swine  and 
the  hens. 

Don't  keep  confined  fowls,  if  you  cannot  tend 
them  well. 

Young  Pullets  should  be  the  main  reiianee  for 
winter  eggs. 

If  sickness  in  fowls  does  not  yield  earlj'  to  treat- 
ment, the  axe  is  the  best  cure. 

Both  buyers  and  sellers  suffer  injustice  from 
reckoning  eggs  by  count.  Will  this  sign  of  Amer- 
ican backwardness  ever  be  removed  ? 

A  correspondent  says  he  sows  a  patch  of  rye  for 
his  poultry  every  fall,  for  early  greens  in  the 
spring.  Has  sown  as  late  as  November  and  got  a 
good  stand. 

The  end  of  money  making  at  poultry  keeping, 
is  often  defeated  by  building  a  large  house,  to  start 
in  with.  Small  houses  and  more  of  them,  is  a 
better  course. 

In  building  a  hen  house  study  1st,  comfort,  light, 
and  ventilation;  2d,  convenience;  .3d,  roominess; 
and  lastly,  economy  with  all,  where  profit  is  the 
main  consideration. 

We  have  known  fowls  to  hold  off  from  eating 
large  sunflower  seeds,  as  if  from  fear.  Crush  a  few 
first,  in  such  cases,  and  they  will  soon  take  kindly 
to  whole  ones,  no  matter  how  large. 

A  ton  or  more  of  turkeys  are  too  valuable  to  leave 
out  nights  now.  Feed  at  night-fall,  enticing  them 
into  the  house,  have  a  good  lock  on  the  door,  and 
then  make  it  your  own  business  to  see  that  it  is 
locked  every  night . 

C.  Whitcher  of  Holland,  N.  Y.,  the  other  day 
found  a  hen's  egg  contained  within  another  egg. 
both  shells  being  perfect.  The  inside  egg  was  com- 
mon size,  the  outside  one  being  very  large  and 
having  quite  a  thin  shell. 

"Can't they  sit  down"  asked  Uttle  Freddie,  on 
his  first  visit  to  the  farm,  from  his  city  home,  last 
summer,  after  he  had  been  watching  the  busy 
movements  of  thi!  "  chicky  birds"  for  some  time. 
Tired,  he  thought,  because  always  on  their  feet. 

The  average  cur  of  the  country  is  useless,  Iience 
to  feed  him  is  a  waste.  The  average  flock  of  poul- 
try is  very  useful  and  ought  to  be  very  profitable, 
but  too  often  is  not,  because  of  scant  feeding. 
Shoot  the  useless  dog,  and  turn  his  food  in  for  the 
chickens. 

It  you  are  looking  for  a  profit  in  the  chicken 
house  this  winter,  make  up  your  mind  from  the 
first  to  feed  meat  regularly.  Scraps  from  butcher- 
ing or  the  same  bought  of  butchers,  is  an  inex- 
pensive article,  that  can  be  turned  into  expensive 
eggs  to  those  who  buy. 

Shade  in  the  summer  in  the  hen  yard  is  of  great 
benefit.  A  good  bush  for  this  purpose  is  the  Cur- 
rant.   It  will  thrive  in  any  out  of  the  way  place; 


does  not  require  much  room,  and  the  hens  like  to 
hide  under  its  branches.  The  fruit  is  also  accept- 
able and  seems  to  do  them  good.  We  mention 
this  now  because  now  is  a  good  time  to  get  the 
bushes.  Stand  a  line  of  laths  around  each  to  keep 
the  hens  off  of  the  freshly  handled  earth. 

There  are  farmers  who  neglect  their  poultry,  but 
who  would  not  think  of  neglecting  their  horses  or 
other  live  stpck.  Properly  managed,  and  there  is 
no  more  profitable  source  of  returns  on  the  farm 
for  the  outlay,  than  through  the  poultry  yard.  Of- 
ten those  who  insist  that  poultry  don't  pay.  are  the 
ones  who  should  restrict  themselves  to  saying  that 
poultry  won't  pay  for  poor  management  or  for 
money  thrown  away  in  needlessly  elaborate  build- 
ings.—Loi'is. 

Turkey  fattening  should  soon  progress  rapidly 
for  early  sales.  In  mild,  early  autumn  weather, 
these  birds  lay  on  fat  rapidly  with  good  feeding. 
At  first  they  need  to  be  fed  only  at  night;  they 
should  go  to  their  roosts  every  night  with  full  crops. 
This  will  not  prevent  their  morning  excursions. 
Turkeys  prefer  corn  to  any  other  food ;  it  should 
be  ground,  mixed  with  water  and  fed  warm.  The 
addition  of  mashing  boiled  potatoes,will  help  their 
relish  for  it.  As  insects  drop  off,  flesh  and  scraps 
should  be  increased.  For  the  last  six  weeks  of  his 
life  he  should  be  plied  with  com. 

A  PotiLTRv  Fabm  —There  is  a  poultry  farm  of 
8,000  Plymouth  Rocks  at  Lancaster,  Mass.  Mr. 
Hawkins,  its  owner,  calculates  to  have  about  8,000 
fowls  every  fall,  and  carries  over  a,.'')00  laying  hens 
through  the  winter.  His  farm  contains  85  acres, 
and  his  poultry  buildings  occupy  an  acre  and  a 
half.  These  comprise  six  or  seven  sheds  200  feet  in 
length.  Each  shed  is  divided  into  apartments  of 
12  by  20  feet,  and  about  2.5  bens  are  kept  in  each 
division.  A  yard  is  made  in  front  of  each  apart- 
ment, Mr.  H.  believes  that  if  confined  poultry 
have  their  wants  attended  to,  they  will  do  as  well 
as  if  allowed  free  range.  He  bases  this  belief  upon 
several  actual  tests.  In  hatching  time  he  sets  200 
hens  on  one  day,  and  puts  500  eggs  in  an  incubator 
which  is  due  to  hatch  on  the  same  day,  the  chick- 
ens from  which  will  be  distributed  among  the  200 
hens.  His  sales  of  fowls  and  eggs  for  hatching 
at  fancy  prices  are  large,  about  90  per  cent,  being 
profit.  He  also  has  a  standing  order  for  sixty  to 
ninety  dozens  of  eggs  daily,  for  which  he  gets  the 
highest  market  price.  Mr  Hawkins  began,  at  the 
age  of  21,  with  100  hens,  and  by  careful  manage- 
ment and  economy,  his  business  has  enlarged  so 
that,  at  the  age  of  29.  he  has  a  very  handsome  in- 
come. The  poultry  manure  is  quite  an  item;  he 
sold  last  year  500  l»arrels,  at  $1.50  per  barrel. 


NOTES  FOR   BEE  KEEPERS. 

Bees  usually  do  well  in  cities. 

An  eastern  slope  for  an  apiary  site. 

Use  the  smoker  and  you  won't  get  stung. 

Honey  from  sugar  is  of  an  inferior  quality. 

Flower-raising— a  natural  adjunct  to  bee-keep- 
ing. 

A  queen  from  Palestine  was  received  some  time 
ago  by  mail,  by  a  Pennsylvania  bee  keeper. 

Women  find  apiary  work,  quite  as  suitable  tor 
themselves,  as  it  is  for  men.  Equal  rights  here 
for  the  sexes . 

Before  fretting  long  about  what  market  to  take 
your  honey  to,  try  the  home  market.  Put  your 
product  up  in  an  attractive  shape,  offer  it  at  the 
neighboring  stores  for  a  reasonably  paying  price, 
and  you'll  find  customers  enough,  we'll  warrant. 

The  bee  men  at  the  fairs,  who  attract  crowds  by 
handling  hives  of  bees  as  by  a  charm,  are  looked 
upon  as  a  wonderful  set  The  good  temper  of  the 
bees  is  largely  accounted  for  by  their  being  from 
home,  and  being  kept  overfed,  conditions  always 
lending  to  make  them  tame. 

Those  who  enjoy  flowers  and  gardening,  usually 
find  it  easy  enough  to  get  interested  in  bees,  and 
by  taking  the  step,  derive  pleasure,  profit  and 
plenty  of  table  sweets,  even  if  engaging  in  it  in  only 
a  small  way.  Popular  nAKr>ENi.\o  will  offer  a 
good  deal  of  assistance  in  this  line,  during  the  year. 

Bear  in  nitnil  that  the  common  Catnip  is  one  of 
the  most  valuable  plants  for  bees.  The  flowers  are 
rich  in  honey,  and  for  several  months  commencing 
with  .Tune  of  each  year,  yield  it  freely  at  all  hours 
and  in  every  kind  of  weatlier.  A  patch  may  easily 
be  raised  from  the  seed,  sown  the  latter  part  of 
summer  or  early  in  the  spring. 


12 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


October, 


"^e  Household 

About  Our  Beds. 

On  an  average  we  spend  more  than  one-third 
of  Hfe  in  our  beds;  let  us  study  the  comfort  and 
healthfulness  of  these  more.  The  best  bed  of 
all  is  the  woven  wire  mattress.in  which  comfort 
is  chiefly  secured  by  the  peculiar  construction 
of  the  web,  without  the  intervention  of  any 
body  of  elastic  material,  which  must  tend  to 
prevent  the  circulation  of  air  upwards  through 
the  bed.  In  the  summer  a  single  blanket  over  j 
the  wire  makes  it  a  cool  and  easy  couch ;  while 
as  the  season  advances,  additions  are  required 
only  to  correspond  with  the  colder  atmosphere. 

Ne.\t  to  a  wire  mattress  a  husk  or  straw  tick 
is  the  best,  either  one  being  preferable  to 
hair.  Of  the  two  first  named,  the  husk  bed 
is  the  favorite  usually.  Husks  are  very  com- 
fortable, it  the  tick  is  not  filled  so  full  as  to  ren- 
der it  hard — a  common  fault.  Before  putting 
in  the  husks,  split  them  with  a  fork  for  making 
a  softer  bed.  It  is  well  to  prepare  these  before 
using,  by  soaking  them  in  water;  drying  after- 
wards on  sheets  spread  in  the  sun.  A  slit 
should  be  formed  in  the  top  of  every  husk  bed 
for  daily  stirring  up  the  contents;  fasten  with 
buttons.  By  washing  and  scalding  husks  every 
other  summer,  they  will  last  for  years.  Feather 
beds  are  now  recognized  to  be  a  nuisance.  Bed- 
ding should  be  kept  very  clean,  it  is  our  night 
clothes.  Woolen  blankets  are  the  healthiest 
covering, and  much  better  than  quilts.  The  latter 
tend  to  confine  the  exhalations  of  the  body,  the 
former  to  release  them,  an  important  point.  To 
convince  yourself  of  the  difference  between  the 
two  as  to  this,  place  one  and  then  the  other 
over  a  kettle  of  hot  water,  and  notice  how  the 
steam  goes  up  through  the  wool  but  not  through 
the  other.  To  wash  a  quilt  properly  you  have 
first  to  loosen  up  the  pressed  cotton  in  it;  a 
woolen  blanket  can,  with  very  slight  labor,  be 
washed  and  dried  in  a  few  hours  time. 


cause  we  have  underrated  the  taste  of  Americans 
for  flower  culture  and  kindred  matters.  We  do 
not  believe  we  have.  Will  you  support  our  ef- 
fort to  place  the  best  matter  on  these  subjects 
before  the  public  at  the  lowest  possible  price,  by 
becoming  one  of  the  first  50,000  subscribers? 


Tea-Drinking  Delusions. 

Tea  having  been  in  use  asadrinkforages,it  is 
not  strange  that  some  delusions  should  be  asso- 
ciated with  its  use.  It  does  not  possess  all  the 
virtues  popularly  ascribed  to  it,  while  in  a  pure 
state — to  say  nothing  of  very  harmful  adulter- 
ations that  are  common — it  holds  some  object- 
ionable properties.  Tea  contains  a  quantity  of 
tannin,  as  is  shown  when  a  drop  is  allowed  to 
remain  on  a  steel  knife,  by  its  leaving  a  black 
spot.  The  presence  of  tannin  in  the  stomach 
after  one  has  eaten  fresh  meat,  tends  to  interfere 
with  digestion.  As  to  the  value  of  tea  for  food, 
wrong  ideas  prevail.  Dr.  Wilson  of  London, 
England,  has  the  following  on  this  point: 

Tea  is  a  stimulant.  It  is  not  a  food  in  itself;  and 
those  who  spend  money  upon  tea.  in  the  delusion 
that  they  are  purchasing  a  food,  really  illustrate  a 
practice  which  is  comparable  to  that  ot  the  man 
who  swallows  whiskey  or  brandy  under  a  like  de- 
lu.sion.  The  only  persons  who  can  really  afford  to 
take  tea,  are  those  who  have  plenty  of  true  food  to 
eat.  The  sooner  the  common  delusion  regarding 
the  place  of  tea  as  a  food  is  exploded,  the  better 
will  it  be  for  the  national  health  at  large.  Tea- 
drinking,  as  ordinarily  practiced,  is  really  at  the 
bottom  of  as  much  illness,  and  of  as  many  cases  of 
disordered  digestion,  as  alcohol;  and  this  for  the 
reason  that,  though  probably  not  so  rapidly  injuri- 
ous in  its  action,  the  habit  of  drinking  tea  at  all 
hours  is  more  widely  practiced  than  alcoholic  im- 
bibition. 


Brieflets. 

The  less  spice,  the  better  health. 
A  feverish  patient  cannot  take  cold. 
Employment  is  the  true  remedy  for  troubles. 
Brighten  the  house  with  plants  in  every  favor- 
able window. 

Chew  thoroughly;  you  cannot  have  the  good  ot 
food,  without. 

Cocaine  the  new  pain  reliever,  affords  instant 
relief  in  bad  burns  or  scalds. 

With  the  first  chilly  nights,  get  around  the  extra 
flannels,  for  old  and  young.  Were  this  practice 
common,  you  would  hear  less  of  "this  is  the  worst 
season  to  take  cold." 

Many  families  never  use  arrowroot.  It  must  be 
from  ignorance  ef  its  value.  The  article  gives  rich- 
ness to  sauces,  rendering  less  butter  necessary, 
than  when  flour  is  used  for  thickening. 

Lemon  jelly  is  delicious.  Grate  the  rind  and 
take  the  juice;  add  one  cup  sugar  and  three  eggs 
for  each  lemon;  beat  together  thoroughly,  boil, 
setting  the  vessel  in  water  on  the  stove. 

For  a  layer  cake,  this  receipt  can  bg  perfectly 
rehed  upon:— One  cup  sugar;  one-half  cup  butter, 
one  and  a  half  cups  flour;  whites  of  three  eggs; 
one  half  cup  sweet  milk ;  two  teaspoonf  uls  of  baking 
powder.    Makes  three  layers. 

Don't  place  any  reliance  on  steady  warm  whether 
after  this  date,  and  you  may  save  a  bad  cold  or 
intermittent  fever.  In  our  uncertain  climate ,  the 
stoves  and  fire-places  should  now  be  in  order,  for 
starting  up  heat  on  short  orders. 

Sidney  Smith  made  it  a  rule  of  his  life  to  cause 
each  day  to  be  a  happy  one  for  some  fellow  crea- 
ture, as  a  result  of  a  special  act  of  his.  He  said  "  if 
you  send  one  person,  only  one,  happily  through 
each  day,  that  is  three  hundred  and  sixty-five  in 
the  course  of  a  year;  and  suppose  you  live  forty 
years  only  after  you  commence  thatcourseof  med- 
icine, you  have  made  14,600  beings  happy— at  all 
events,  for  a  time." 

This  is  Orra  Raymond's  receipt  for  frying  oysters 
in  batter  "as  we  get  them  at  hotels"— Put  the 
oysters  in  a  colander  to  drain  off.  Then  roll  each 
oyster  in  cracker  dust  and  dip  in  beaten  eggs 
seasoneb  with  salt  and  pepper,  next  into  the 
cracker  dust  again.  Have  ready  a  kettle  of  good 
hot  lard,  the  same  as  for  doughnuts.  Drop 
in  each  oyster  thus  prepared,  and  when  a  light 
brown,  they  are  done.  Put  on  a  platter  on  which 
a  napkin  or  cloth  has  been  spread  to  saturate  what 
grease  will  cling  to  the  oysters. 

Teach  your  girls  the  value  of  exercise  in  the  air 
and  sunlight;  they  will  naturally  take  to  this,  unless 
their  minds  have  become  preverted  by  the  notion 
that  life  in  the  parlor  with  fancy  work  in  the  hands, 
is  more  "  lady  like."  Nothing  will  be  more  helpful 
in  such  a  direction,  than  to  encourage  them  in  light 
gardening.  Let  them  have  plenty  of  plants  and 
flowers  to  look  after,  both  indoors  and  out.  Aid 
them  all  you  can  to  become  interested  in  botany 
and  perhaps  entomology,  insisting  that  they  keep 
up  the  study  of  these  when  out  of  school.  The  ex- 
ercise such  a  course  will  incite,  will  preserve  the 
bloom  on  the  cheeks,  and  add  strength  and  enjoy- 
ment to  their  lives.  Besides  an  abundance  ot  air 
there  should  be  wholesome  food,  regularity  ot  diet, 
and  healthful  modes  of  dress,  for  securing  healthy 
bodies  and  happy  minds. 


Of  covjrse  you,  reader,  will  subscribe  for 
Popular  Gardening.  Fifty  thousand  sub- 
scribers is  the  figure  down  for  this  paper  to  reach 
within  a  year.     If  we  don't  get  them  it  is  be- 


Notes  on  Dress  and  Home  Art. 

Stripes  are  in  great  favor. 

Large  hats;  small  bonnets. 

Long  veils  are  fashionable- 

The  Polonaise  is  to  be  revived . 

Sashes  of  all  sorts  are  very  popular. 

Silver  jewelry  is  worn  more  every  day. 

Screens  are  always  in  season  for  one  use  or 
another. 

Lace  jackets  with  silk  lining  are  coming  in 
fashion. 

Imitation  stained  glass  papers  are  not  to  be  re- 
commended. 


Trimmings  placed  on  one  side  only,  are  now  a 
prominent  feature. 

"Bunchy  "  side  draperies  for  dresses  have  passed 
entirely  out  of  style. 

Pale  pink,  cream  and  gray  receive  honers  about 
equally  in  popular  favor, 

Knots,ot  everything  tied  around  the  neck, should 
be  located  just  back  of  the  left  ear. 

Velvet  belts  from  the  side  seams  forward,  are 
fastened  in  front  by  buckles  of  hammered  silver. 

In  mounting  a  deers  antlers  never  decorate  them, 

they  are  handsomer  in  their  own  natural  beauty. 

For  traveling  dresses  the  darker  shades  ot  green 

and  blue,  lead  color  and  russet  brown  are  much 

represented. 

Jenny  June  says,  English  girls  carry  tight  lacing 
to  a  much  greater  degree  of  absurdity  than  fash- 
ionable American  girls  do. 

A  new  fabric  ot  woolen  for  mourning  wear,  is 
called  crepe  imperial.  It  looks  very  much  like 
crepe,  but  surpasses  it  in  durability. 

Some  of  the  new  velvet  jackets  are  crossed  in 
front,  the  parts  being  fastened  by  a  single 
jeweled  button  of  gold,  at  the  waist. 

Chair  tidies  look  well  indeed,  but  they  are  voted 
a  nuisance  by  the  average  man.  Let  there  be  one 
or  two  comfortable  chairs  without  them. 

The  sensible  jersey  is  still  retained  for  home  wear 
in  demi-toilette.  It  is  a  useful  garment  to  go  with 
black  silk  skirts  that  are  somewhat  worn. 

The  shaggy  fabrics,  the  rougher  the  better,  are 
to  be  fashionable  for  day  wear  this  fall;  for  evening 
dress  elegance  must  be  the  prevailing  mark 

Ruchings  tor  neck  and  sleeve  finishings,  continue 
to  be  very  popular,  notwithstanding  the  prediction 
of  their  going  out  of  style ;  those  with  edge  lines  ot 
gilt  and  tinsel  are  worn,  also  the  pretty  ruchings  of 
crepe  lisse. 

Plomb,  or  lead,  is  a  leading  color  in  millinery  at 
this  time.  For  tall  bonnets,  combinations  ot  red 
with  bronze  and  moss  green  are  to  be  in  favor. 
Fancy  stuff's  of  two  or  three  kinds  are  to  be  used 
tor  dress  bonnets. 

Madras  muslin  bed  spreads  are  very  pretty.  They 
should  pass  up  over  the  bolster.  In  fashionable 
houses  pillow  shams  are  not  used.  For  pillows.only 
the  small  soft  ones  used  for  sleeping  on  are  used, 
and  these  should  be  kept  out  of  sight  during  the 
day. 

Madras  curtains  costing  in  the  large  towns  from 
about  forty  cents  a  yard  and  upwards,  are  inexpen- 
sive and  yet  attractive.  These  however,  as  do  most 
kinds  of  cheap  curtaining  fade  somewhat  when  ex- 
posed to  the  full  light,  but  are  quite  lasting  when 
hung  in  windows  with  blinds  or  shades. 

A  wooden  screen, oak  framed  and  enclosing  frieze 
panels  of  wood,  on  which  are  painted  two  symbol- 
ical figures.are  quaint  and  charming  in  appearance. 
The  figures  may  be  those  of  "Luna"  and  "Aurora" 
the  former  reclining  on  the  curve  of  a  cresent 
moon,  and  this  drawn  along  the  evening  sky  by  a 
procession  of  bats;  the  latter  shown  wafted  in 
clouds  with  a  back  ground  ot  the  rising  sun. 

For  an  inexpensive  but  neat  table  cover  for  a 
common  room  choose  a  square  of  cretonne  with 
very  small  figures,  and  ot  not  too  bright  colors; 
tor  a  border  put  a  band  of  linen  around  it— dark 
drab  linen;  fringe  this  out  quite  deep;  where  the 
row  ot  linen  joins  the  cretonne,  on  the  seam  put 
a  fine  feather  stitching  and  on  the  corners  also. 
Dust  does  not  show  on  this  spread,  and  can  be 
easily  shaken  from  it. 

The  leaves  ot  the  Virginia  creeper,  when  they 
are  turning  red  and  bronze  in  autumn,  are  a 
favorite  subject  for  painting.  In  speaking  ot  the 
paints  which  should  be  used  tor  the  purpose.  The 
Art  Interchange  has  the  following: 

Use  for  the  red  leaves,  madder  lake,  vermilion, 
light  red,  white,  raw  umber  and  a  little  ivory  black. 
In  the  shadows,  use  burnt  sienna,  Indian  red,  raw 
umber,  ivory  black,  and  whatever  white  is  needed. 
For  the  high  lights,  use  white,  vermilliou,  madder 
lake,  yellow  ochre  and  ivory  black.  The  bronze- 
green  leaves  are  painted  with  terre  verte,  burnt 
sienna,  white,  yellow  ochre  and  ivory  black.  For 
those  having  a  richer,  deeper  tone  ot  green,  add 
Antwerp  blue,  cadmium,  and  madder  lake  to  the 
terre  verte  and  other  colors  already  given.  To 
paint  the  purple  berries,  use  permanent  blue,  light 
red,  white,  ivory  black  for  the  general  tone.  In 
shading  use  permanent  blue,  madder  lake,  raw 
umber,  ivory  black  and  burnt  sienna.  In  the  high 
Ughts,  use  permanent  blue,  madder  lake,  white 
1  yellow  ochre  and  ivory  black. 


i885. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


Amateur  gardeners  a»fi  botanists  often  hare  an  exeesn 
of  some  kinds  nf  Seeds,  Plants,  Specimens,  etc.,  while  in 
tratit  of  others.  This  department  is  designed  to  bi-ing 
about  free  ejcehanges  in  such  eases  among  our  renders. 

In  The  Exehange  maybe  given  the  names  of  tehut  can  be 
spared  in  any  case,  and  what  is  wanted  in  return,  also  the 
address.  Noprice  figures  admitted.  Any  offer  that  may 
appear  objectionable  to  the  publishers,  they  reserve  the 
right  not  to  admit,  A'o  responsibility  leill  be  assumed  for 
any  results  connected  with  The  Exehange.  Those  using 
the  column  should  correspond  with  each  other,  with  a  viejo 
to  a  dtjinite  understanding,  b^ore  sending  articles 

1. -Seeds  of  the  pretty  little  Maiden  Pink  (Dian- 
thus  deltoides,}  the  Scarlet  Lychnis  and  of  the 
showy-leaved  Bupthalmum  cordifolium.  will  be 
given  for  Seeds  of  pretty  Wild  Fknversof  the  ex- 
treme Western  States  Address  before  November 
1st.  Mrs.  A.  M.  Sweitzer,  Pines,  Mich. 

2  —Will  exchange  six  of  the  finest  i/arrf|/  Phloxes 
of  a  large  collection,  for  same  number  of  named 
Gladiohis.  of  extra  quality.  Miss  Esther  Summy, 
corner  14th  and  Connecticut  Streets,  Buffalo.  N.  Y. 

3.— Have  saved  seed  of  some  beautiful  hardy 
Double  Maroon  Pinks,  also  Delphinium  form osum 
which  will  exchange  for  choice  plants  for  Rock 
Work,  Carrie  E.  Baker,  CG  Ashland  avenue,  Buffalo, 
N.  Y, 

Pr  tljepriner 

Push  the  fattening. 

Clean  the  open  ditches. 

Oil  the  harness  twice  a  year. 

Grass  is  nature's  remedy  for  sick  animals. 

The  drouth  in  England  recently,  must  help  the 
price  of  grain. 

To  breed  swine  for  best  results,  raise  only  one 
litter  of  pigs  in  a  year,  from  each  sow. 

Reduce  the  fencing ;  one  and  one  third  billions  of 
dollars  is  the  estimate  of  the  cost  of  farm  fences 
in  this  country. 

Put  it  down  as  a  rule,  that  manure  lying  in  the 
yards  a  year,  will  in  one  way  or  another  deteriorate 
one  fourth  in  value. 

The  corn  crop  in  Missouri,  according  to  Cole- 
man's  Rural  World  promises  to  be  about  one-sixth 
below  the  average  of  five  years  past. 

Grass,  as  well  as  any  other  crop,  is  much  more 
valuable  for  being  grown  upon  drained  land,  in- 
stead of  such  as  is  frequently  loaded  with  water. 

Those  who  have  facihtles  for  growing  German 
carp  fish,  can  procure  a  stock  by  writing  to  Prof. 
S.  F.  Beard.  Fish  Commissioner.  Washington,  D.C. 

A  Mitchell  county,  Kansas,  report  says,  wheat  and 
rye  are  short  crops,  say  fifteen  to  twenty  bushels 
to  the  acre.  Spring  wheat  and  oats  are  good,  in  fact 
were  never  better. 

Denmark  butter  makers  reckon  on  wheat,  bran, 
oats  and  rape  cake  as  first-class  butter  foods; 
barley  as  second-class  food;  while  peas,  rye  and 
linseed  cake  are  placed  as  low  as  third  class. 

Repeated  croppings  of  leguminous  crops  may 
so  exhaust  the  soil,  as  to  render  it  what  is  called 
**clover"  or  "bean  sick.''  ^his  condition  may  be 
remedied  by  the  growth  of  other  crops  for  several 
years. 

Clean  fence  rows,  add  50  per  cent  to  the  appear- 
ance of  any  farm,  as  compared  with  one  which  has 
its  fence  corners  crowded  with  weeds,  briers  and 
tangled  grass.  It's  a  good  time  now  to  start  im- 
provements here.  If  the  chance  exists  on  your 
place,  try  it. 

A  little  forethought  displayed  when  erecting  a 
com  crib  to  have  it  mounted  on  posts  several  feet 
above  the  ground,  and  these  capped  on  the  top 
with  inverted  metal  pans,  will  save  enough  grain 
from  rats  and  mice  each  year  to  pay  for  the  im- 
provement. 

Rye  may  still  be  sown  for  pasture;  it  should 
oftener  be  relied  upon  for  early  spring  grazing  as 
well  as  for  seeding.  If  lambs  are  late  in  the  spring 
nothing  will  help  them  along  toward  market  faster 
than  an  abundance  of  early  pasture.  Rye  will  fit  in 
capitally  for  this. 

It  rests  a  horse  greatly  to  be  relieved  of  his  har- 
ness during  the  noon  hour.  A  hurried  rubbing  over 
the  surface  of  the  body  with  a  wisp  of  straw  before 
putting  the  harness  back  will  be  grateful  to  the 
horse.  Practice  these  little  acts  of  kindness,  they 
bring  comfort  and  strength  to  the  animal  and  peace 
to  your  own  mind,  as  his  keeper. 


Marks  of  Character  In  Horses. 

A  great  width  between  and  prominence  of  the 
eyes  indicates  a  teachable  and  tractable  horse. 
Width  between  the  ears  indicates  courage,  noble- 
ness and  strength  of  character.  Roundness  and 
elevation  between  the  eyes  indicate  mildness  of 
disposition,  and  desire  to  be  caressed  and  to  re- 
ciprocate kindness,  but  never  trust  one  that  shows 
much  white  above  the  pupil  of  the  eye.  or  with 
white  in  that  organ. 


Sore  Shoulders. 

Always  be  on  guard  against  these  on  your  horses- 
See  that  the  collars  are  kept  clean,  and  if  they  have 
become  hard,  beat  them  limber  before  making  your 
horses  work  in  them.  Wash  the  sweat  off  from 
the  shoulders  after  a  hard  day's  work.  If  there  is 
an  inclination  to  soreness  in  any  spot,  relieve  it  by 
cushioning  around  this  spot.  Were  such  means 
more  practiced,  this  faithful  beast  would  be  sub- 
jected to  far  less  cruel  suffering  than  he  is  now 
forced  to  endure  by  brutal  owners.  Many  a  balky 
horse  became  so  through  being  worked  with  a 
sore  neck.    Be  merciful  to  the  faithful  horse. 


Accidents  on  the  Farm. 

A  life  insurance  man  has  informed  the  writer, 
that  more  deaths  and  accidents  come  from  the 
kicks  of  animals  than  from  any  other  one  cause. 
Every  year  the  number  of  accoimts  of  death  and 
injury  to  farmers  from  all  kinds  of  farm  machin- 
ery is  surprisingly  great.  These  facts  indicate 
that  it  is  part  of  the  farmer's  duty  to  cultivate 
carefulness  in  himself,  his  children  and  help,  at  all 
times.  Great  risks  are  often  run  by  boys  and 
others  in  climbing  up  on  vehicles  over  the  wheels 
or  while  these  are  in  motion.  Only  lately  a  lad  in 
Connecticut  while  attempting  to  jump  into  a  wagon 
which  was  moving  rapidly,  ran  his  leg  between 
the  spokes  of  the  wheel,  and  had  it  twisted  off 
just  below  the  knee,  soun  caused  his  death.  Be 
more  careful  boys. 

Loss  in  Stacking  Hay. 

Not  much  argument  is  needed  to  see  that  barn 
stored  hay  is  worth  far  more  than  that  which  is 
taken  from  the  stack.  We  think  that  an  estimate 
of  the  loss  of  one  quarter  in  stacking  is  not  wide 
from  the  mark.  There  is  a  Iofs  from  moulding  at 
the  bottom  of  the  stack,  for  the  old  rails,  boards 
or  straw  placed  at  the  bottom  of  the  stack  can  not 
wholly  prevent  it.  Then  the  whole  area  of  the  ex- 
ternal surface,  which  numbers  many  square  feet, 
is  weather  beaten  to  some  depth,  causing  the  less 
of  much  of  its  sweetness  and  nutrition,  while  it  is 
not  improbable  that  impairment  of  the  quality 
may  extend  through  the  whole  stack.  Why  then 
follow  a  practice  that  entails  so  great  a  waste.  If 
one's  hay  that  goes  into  stacks  is  worth  $500.  ac- 
cording to  the  estimate  made,  such  a  man  pays  $125 
a  year  for  the  privilege  of  stacking.  But  if  besides 
this,  the  hay  is  fed  at  the  stack,  the  loss  above 
alluded  to,  is  but  a  small  part  of  the  entire  loss. 
It  costs  no  less  than  an  increase  of  one-third  in 
the  feed,  if  animals  are  fed  and  kept  in  the  open. 
These  are  strong  arguments  for  more  barn  room. 


Is  a  3  column,  W  pnpre,  beautifully  Illustrated  Magnzine. 
Published  at  Chicago,  III,,  Subscription  price  $1.25  a  year. 

It  has  the  lai-pest  corps  of  practical  Breeders  as  editors 
and  correspondents,  of  any  Journal  of  its  class  in  the  World. 
Vol.  17  l>egina  Januaiy,  18*6, 

lOOK  HERE!  UNTIL  NOVEMBER  1, 1885. 

1  will  send  the  Journal  one  year  to  all  who  will  fiend  mo 

Only  60  Cents.       ONE  YEAR       Only  60  Cents. 
Sample  Copy,  six  cents.     Address, 

C.  J.  WARD,  103  State  St,  Chicago. 


How  to  Pack  Butter  to  Keep. 

The  question  was  asked  in  a  recent  number  of 
the  Farm  Journal,  "The  best  way  to  pack  down 
butter  to  keep  till  next  winter  "  It  was  answered 
by  a  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.,  correspondent  as  follows: 
I  will  give  my  plan,  which  has  proved  to  be  a  good 
one  with  me:  Make  good,  firm  butter,  and  work 
the  bntter-milk  well  out  of  it,  then  put  into  a  stone 
jar,  a  few  pounds  at  a  time,  and  press  down  well 
with  a  wooden  potato-masher,  beingcaref  ul  to  leave 
no  room  for  air  to  get  in  around  the  edge  of  the 
jar;  leave  two  or  three  inches  of  space  at  the  top 
of  the  jar,  then  lay  a  thick  piece  of  muslin  close 
over  the  butter,  then  All  in  fine  salt  enough  to  fill 
the  jar  full,  then  tie  paper  closely  and  cover  on  top 
with  a  slate  or  wooden  cover,  and  keep  in  a  dry, 
cool  place. 

I  put  some  up  in  this  way  last  August  and  Sep 
tember  and  used  it  last  spring,  and  it  was  ealen  by 
good  butter  judges  about  the  last  of  May,  and  pro- 
nounced as  good  as  fresh  butter.  I  never  wash 
butter,  but  try  to  keep  it  as  clear  of  water  as  possi- 
ble, and  do  not  like  even  any  pickle  about  it. 


Grind  y®"""  "*"  ^»"«' 

WIIIIU   >i^.,,_   Oyster  Shell., 


.   Oyste 
IQR.VIIAM    Flour    iind   C'ura 

I/in  Iht' $5  XX-A-PTX}  aa^XjXj 
'iF.    Wilsnn'3   Patent).     lOO    per 
cent,  inure  maile  in  keepini;  poul- 
Also   POWER    IMILI^S    and     FARM 
BED  ]U11.11,S.     Circulars  and  Testimonials  sent 
on  application.    WII.SOK  BROS.,  £a*toii,  Pu. 


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IV 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


October, 


WINTER  AND  SPRING  FLOWERING 

BULBS. 

Jf2/«ci»(/Kv,  finest  named,  double  or  single,  all 
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BULBS 

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We  are 

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s 


EED    WHEA 


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DERMADOR 

Owes  its  origin  to  the  discovery  of  Homer 
Anderson,  A.  M,,  late  professor  of  Chemis- 
try, in  the  Clinton  Institute,  of  Oneida 
County,  N.  Y.  In  experimenting  for  the 
purpose  of  making  Prussia  Acid,  a  residuum 
was  left,  which,  on  being  applied  to  bruises 
and  inflamed  parts,  by  the  students  of  the 
Institute,  was  found  to  possess  the  remark- 
able property  of  cooling  down  and  carrying 
off  the  inflammation  and  soreness  at  once, 
and  restoring  the  parts  to  health  without 
pain  or  irritation. 

ITS  CHARACTER. 

Dermador  is  uot  a  heating  Liniment,  but 
acts  by  its  peculiar  chemical  qualities  in  dis- 
solving and  scattering  any  soreness  and 
inflammation  of  injured  parts.  By  a  free 
application,  the  surface  soon  becomes  cool 
and  moist,  and  is  reared  to  natural  health 
without  suppuration  or  destruction.  Alike 
suitable  for  Jlan  and  Beast. 

DOCTORS  USE  IT. 

Dr.  C.  W.  Noble,  Barton,  N.  T.,  says:  "I 
have  used  Dermador  in  my  practice  with 
good  success;  and  am  now  using  it  in  some 
cases  of  Chronic  Affections,  in  which  I 
think  it  is  likely  to  perform  some  remarkable 
cures." 

Dr.  G.  W.  P.  Wheeler.  Garrattsville,  N. 
Y.,  says:  "I  have  tried  Dermador,  in  ex- 
treme cases  of  inflammation, with  entire  satis- 
faction.    It  is  a  valuable  compound. 

Dr.  William  Bassett,  of  Morris,  N.  Y. , 
said:  "  I  tried  it  with  the  happiest  effects, 
and  must  say,  as  an  external  application  for 
local  Inflammations,  Bruises,  Cuts,  Burns, 
etc. ,  it  far  surpasses  any  other  remedy  offered 
to  the  public." 

Dr.  J.  C.  Wycofl,  Otselic,   N.  Y.,   said: 

"  For    Bruises,    Lacerated    Wounds,    Sore 

Eye,  and  acute  local  inflammations,  I  know 

of  nothing  which  is  equal  to  the  'Dermador." 

Sold  by  all  Druggists. 


POPULAR  GARDENING 

FOR    TOWN    AND    COUNTRY. 

■'ACCUSE  NOT  NATURE,  SHE  HATH  DONE  HER  PART;    DO  THOU  IH'T   7'//7.VK."-MrLTON. 


Vol.  1. 


IiTO"VE3S^nBEia,    1885. 


No   2. 


The  Crab  Apples. 

Both  as  Drnaiueiital  aud  fruit-beariuj;-  tieus 
the  Cral)  Apples,  possess  vaUie;  wliy  they 
are  not  more  planted,  must  be  because  of 
their  merits  uot  being  well  enough  known. 

The  true  Crabs,  of  which  the  Siberians  are 
the  type,  are,  as  the  name  indicates,  natives 
of  Siberia,  which  fact,  accounts  for  their 
sujierior  hardiness  among  fruit  trees.  Num- 
erous sorts  have  sprung  from  the  originals, 
hut  among  the.se  all,  the  latter 
continues  to  occupy  a  high 
place. 

The  chief  merits  of  the  Crab 
Apples,  may  be  summed  u]i  as 
e  m  b  racing  gi'eat  hardiness, 
beauty  of  habit,  foliage  and 
flowers,  and  their  value  for 
fruit-bearing.  Considered 
merely  as  ornamental  trees, 
their  culture  has  been  much 
neglected;  no  other  apple  pro- 
duces such  a  quantity  of 
beautiful  flowers  as  the  Crab, 
— the  trees  being  smothered 
with  bloom  in  its  season. 
Planted  as  single  specimens 
on  small  lawns,  or  in  numbers, 
as  an  ojien  group  on  a 
large  [irea,  and  any  of  the 
varieties  wo\ild  afford  satis- 
faction. 

Although  dwarf  in  stature, 
the  Crabs  grow  freely  and 
flower  and  fruit  consideralily, 
in  about  three  years.  Later 
on  they  bear  profusely, — the 
writer  remembers  once  count- 
ing 127  apples  on  a  branch 
thirty  inches  in  length.  The 
fruit  is  valuable  for  making 
into  preserves  or  jellies. 

Of  the  various  Crab  Apples, 
the  Transcendent  variety 
shown  in  the  engraving,  is  one 
of  the  largest  and  most  useful, 
very  handsome,  bein.s;-  golden  yellow,  with  a 
crimson  cheek  in  the  sun.  This  variety  is 
valued  as  a  table  fruit  in  some  sections.  The 
Large,  Yellow  Siberian  Crab  and  the  Red 
Siberian  Crab  are  still  among  the  most  u.se- 
ful  kinds  of  this  interesting  class.  Trees,  of 
these  and  others,  are  procurable  fnmi  the 
leading  nurserymen.  They  transplant  read- 
ily in  the  fall  months.  It  may  be  mentioned 
that  there  is  a  Double-flowering  Crab  Apple, 
which  is  s|iecially  recommended  as  a  lawn 
tree,  on  account  of  its  fine  flowers,  but  tliis 
sort  pos.sesses  no  value  for  fruit. 


leafing  to  late-leafing  kinds,  then — otlier  things 
Ijeing  equal,  so  for  this  season,  those  kinds  with 
attractive  foliage,  be  it  in  green  or  the  rich 
autunm  tints,  are  preferred  to  kinds  that  early 
become  bare.  Indeed  the  choosing  and  arrang- 
ing of  these,  with  a  view  to  fine  autinuu  effects, 
after  the  last  flowei-s  are  past,  and  the  season's 
desolation  has  set  in,  has  always  been  a  favor- 
ite study  with  me,  in  managing  mj-  collection. 
-■Vmong  a  large  collection  here,  I  find  the  fol- 
lowing are  now  attractive  in  leaf,   the  colors 


The  fruit  is 


Garden  Notes  from  Lyndale. 

BY  A.  H.  E. 

Niii-ciiihi-r  ■'>.  The  diflfereuee  in  the  leaf -fall- 
ing time  of  ibfferent  trees  and  shrabs,  is  even 
gi-eater  than  is  the  difference  of  their  time  in 
coming  out,  in  the  spring.     As  I  prefer  early- 


TRANSCENDENT  CRAB  APPLE. 

varying  somewhat.  Conspicious  among  those 
of  a  good  green  now,  ai'e  the  Ash,  Cork  Maple, 
Purple  Fringe  in  part.  Birches,  Sycamore  Ma- 
ple, Norway  Maple,  European  Linden,  Balsam 
Poplar,  Weeping  Beech,  Rosemar^'-Ieaved  Wil- 
low, Lilacs,  Japan  Quince,  Forsjthia,  Privet, 
Vibui'num  Opulus,  Weigela,  Berberry,  Rough- 
leaved  Viburnum,  Snowtjerry,  Corchorus,  Ce- 
lasti-us,  and  some  others. 

Kinds  that  show  a  good  deal  of  yellow,  are 
the  Cut^leaved  Bu-cb,  Balsam  Poplar,  Mulberry, 
some  Elms,  some  Lindens,  Tulip  Tree,  White 
Fringe,  Fortune's  Spira?a  and  so  on. 

Of  kinds  that  are  now  brilliant  with  crimson, 
orange  and  other  rich  tints  ai-e  the  Red  Oak, 
Liquid  Amber,  Bird  Cherry,  Sumachs,  Sa.ssa- 
fraji,  Ko:-lreuteria,  Thorns,  Native  Viburnums, 
Red-barked  Dogwood,  Plimi-leaved  Spu-aea,some 
Purple  Fringe,  Flowering  Currants,  Blackber- 
ries and  Virginia  Creeper. 

*    *    *■ 

Noceiiibi-r  7.  Of  all  the  months,  flowers  are 
the  scarcest,  I  think,  in  NovemlK?r.  But  while 
.so  many  others  fail  now,  the  Chrysanthenuim— 
the  Glory  of  the  Autunm— never  fails. 


I  should  have  said  it  never  fails  with  I'e'-eiv- 
ing  tolerably  fair  treatment.  Quite  hardy  as 
the  plants  are,  there  is  no  use  to  eoiuit  on  How- 
e!"s  in  the  open  gi-ound,  unless  the  buds  and 
blooms  receive  some  shelter  from  untoward 
autumn  weather. 

Several  years  ago  I  had  a  fine  lot  of  Chrys- 
anthemums in  a  border  against  the  grapery, 
that  flowered  IjeautifuUy  with  being  eovere<l 
with  sash,  dui'ing  bad  weather  from  October 
1st  on.  For  my  main  supply  of  flowers  I  count 
on  i)lants  growing  in  jKits  in 
the  conservatory  or  window, 
these  having  mostly  been  lifted 
from  the  border  a  month  or 
more  ago.  With  having  them 
inside  I  can  get  the  good  of  them 
any  day  or  hour,  which  is  not 
always  the  case  when  they  are 
outside,  even  If  under  sashes. 

*  *    * 
Some  Pearl  Tuberoses  in  the 

conservatory  keep  company  in 
their  blooming,  with  the  early 
>  Chrysanthemums.     These  are 

from  a  select  lot  of  bulbs,  that 
were  kept  dry  and  cool  through 
the  spi'ing  and  up  to  August  1st, 
before  starting.  Then  they 
were  put  into  light  rich  soil  in 
six-inch  pots,  a  bulb  in  each  jjot, 
aud  kept  in  a  frame  until  eai'ly 
in  October.  The  Tuberose  is  a 
plant  that  requires  heat,  sun 
aud  air  liljerallj-  to,  produce 
good  bloom ;  without  these  now, 
the  buds  would  lie  likely  to 
blast  before  a  flower  develops, 
causing  the  loss  of  much  trouble. 

*  *    * 
IVoiviiibi'r  12.     A  large  Wild 

Grape  Vine,   climbing    over  a 

Maple  tree,  in  the  wooil  near 

by,   is  full  of  interest    to  the 

children    of    the  neighborhood 

just  now.     It  is  of  the  species 

kno«Ti  as  the  Frost  Grape, 

Vifis    vofdifolin.      Before    the 

recent    frosts,  the  .small  black 

fruit  was  "  soiu' grapes"  indeed;  the  youngsters. 

who  have  access  to  better  fruit,  would  by  no 

means  touch  it.     But  lij'  this  time  the  autumn 

frosts  have  so    improved    the   flavor    of  these 

grapes, that  now  they  are.for  novelty,uot  whoUj' 

unpalatable. 

The  Ix^auty  of  this  old  Grape  Vine,  which 
neaily  covei-s  its  supporting  tree  forty  feet  in 
height,  and  the  sweetness  of  its  flowers  in  sum- 
mer, leads  me  to  s-jx'ak  in  praise  of  the  (rraiK", 
as  an  ornamental  climber.  For  this  purpose, 
the  free-gi-owing,  clean-leaved  wild  sorts,  or 
neai-  relatives  in  cultivatit>n.  are  the  most  suit- 
able. Among  kmds  advertise<l  in  the  cata- 
logues, none  is  more  ornamental  in  foliage,  or 
more  vigorous  than  "Taylor  "  or  "Taylor's 
Bullet."  As  it  has  larger  leaves  than  the  wild 
sorts,  to  which  it  is  neai-ly  related,  it  may  well 
be  placed  at  the  head  of  the  list  for  this  pur- 
pose.    The  fruit  is  inferior. 

Planted  to  cover  a  trt»e,  arbor  or  verandah, 
gi-apes  of  this  cla.ss,  I  think,  are  always  satis- 
fai'tory.  In  fact,  for  ilensity  of  shade,  U-auty 
of  the  foliage  and  grace,  few  ifany  othei-  hardy 


H 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


November, 


climbing  shnibs  tail  excel  them.  There  is  a 
neatness  and  richness  in  their  appearance, 
which  rendei's  them  in  keeping  with  the  trim- 
mest of  gardens. 

*         *         * 

November  2o.  One  constantly  heai-sniuch  of 
the  growing  of  specimen  plants  in  the  window 
or  greenhouse.  I  am  a  lover  of  specimen  shrubs 
or  trees  on  the  lawn,  and  feel  more  proud  of 
these  perhaps,  than  I  do  of  my  specimen  plants 
in  pots  and  boxes.  They  possess  the  quality  of 
pemianeuc>-  in  a  gi'eater  degi'ee. 

To  gi'ow  such  well,  only  requires  that  they 
have  a  well-prepared  and  suitable  s<^il,  an  abun- 
dance of  room  for  development,  and  no  injus- 
tice done  them  in  pnining  and  other  aft^r  cai-e. 

A  list  of  handsome  specimen  shrubs  that 
have  gi'own  up  quickly  on  our  gi'ounds,  as  the 
result  of  good  treatment,  embraces  Lilacs, 
Weigela,Deutzia  gi*acilis,Forsythia  viridissima, 
Double-flowering  Plum,  Spiraeas.  Japan  Quince 
and  Euonjinus. 


THE   HOUSE    PLANTS. 

From  now  until  after  the  winter  solstice  near  De- 
cember's end,  when  the  days  again  begin  to  length- 
en, we  are  in  the  dull  season  of  window  gardening. 
Both  sunlight  and  heat,  those  important  elements 
to  plant  life  now  recede.  The  former,  we  have  no 
means  of  augmenting  by  art,  the  latter  can  be  pro- 
vided for,  in  fair  degree. 

Along  with  the  lessened  sun  power,  is  apt  to  come 
much  cloudy  weather,  so  that  were  it  not  for  what 
was  gained  in  the  past,  in  stored  up  plant  strength, 
to  help  now.  and  then  the  hope  of  the  future,  the 
task  of  plant  growing  would  be  discouraging.  But 
if  there  was  no  lack  of  attention  (hiring  summer,  to 
have  all  plants  strong  and  healthy,  these  sustaining 
conditions  will  serve  now  to  make  our  windows  not 
only  not  desolate,  but  they  may  show  some  bloom. 

Cactuses.  Keej)  quite,  but  not  wholly  dry;  in 
moderate  light,  if  full  light  is  not  to  spare.  Much 
heat  is  not  needed.    See  Epiphyllum. 

Gallas.  Encourage  growth  by  free  watering,  and 
ample  light.  The  soil  should  be  rich. 

Camellias  like  a  temperature  of  50°  to  ^6"  now. 
Water  moderately:  keep  the  foliage  clean  by  fre- 
quently sponging  it. 

Carnations  should  be  showing  bloom :  water  mod- 
erately, keep  staked,  but  don"t  crowd  the  leaves 
into  bunehes  when  tying  up. 

Cinerarias  need  coolness,  and  ample  pots  always. 

Cleanliness  about  the  plant  stand,  in  the  way  of 
picking  off  dead  leaves,  wilted  flowers  and  the  like, 
as  soon  as  any  appear,  and  then  in  brushing  over 
the  surface  where  the  pots  stands  daily,  helps  ap- 
pearances much. 

Cuttings  struck  last  month  and  earUer.  should 
now  be  in  small,  clean  pots. 

Deutzia  and  other  shnibs  may.  for  early  bloom- 
ing, now  lie   brought  into  moderate  heat. 

Dutch  Bulbs  may  yet  be  started  in  pots  and 
glasses.     See  (_)ctober  number. 

Epiphyllum.  Enconrage  early  bloom,  by  giving 
a  light,  warm  place;  moderate  watering,  until 
growth  starts,  then  more.  The  soil  must  be  light, 
open,  and  well  drained. 

Ferneries  or  plant  cases  should  now  be  under 
way.  Plants  with  attractive  leaves,  and  especially 
Ferns  and  Lycopuds  should  be  ehietly  relied  upon. 
Most  bulbous  tlowei-s  do  well  in  these  however. 
Plants  with  fiiiit  like  the  Ardisia  or  the  hardy 
Partridge  or  Squaw  berr}-  Mitchelht  repens,  of  the 
woods  are  very  useful.  After  plantmg,  air  daily, 
by  tilting  up  the  cover,  water  with  extreme  caution, 
as  there  is  great  danger  of  overdoing  this  part. 

Geraniums  kept  from  bloom  last  summer,  will 
now  be  full  of  fl^owers.  Over-watering  is  injm-ious. 
For  fine  specimens  as  seen  from  the  room,  turn  the 
plants  often:  to  be  finest  as  seen  from  the  street. 
never  turn  them. 

Heat.  A  night  temperature  ranging  from  4.5*  to 
tK)*  suits  the  average  collection.  Do  not  thnik  that 
high  heat  can  make  up  for  dark  days;  ifs  the  other 
way,  in  cloudy  weather  there  should  be  less  heat, 
than  in  sunny  weather. 


Hydrangeas  should  now  be  at  rest,  by  keeping 
the  soil  all  hut  dust  diy.  Alight  cellar  is  the  best 
place  for  them  through  the  wint-er. 

Insects  increase  less  rapidly  at  this  season  than  at 
most  othei-s.  but  they  increase.  Head  off  future 
trouble  from  these,  by  clearing  off  every  one  seen. 

Ivy.  See  that  no  scale  insects  are  on  the  leaves 
or  stents,  to  remove  which,  use  an  old  tooth  bnish 
and  soapsuds,  cleansing  later  with  clear  water. 

Japan  Astilbe.  a  cut  of  which  is  given  below, 
as  well  as  the  other  hardy  plants  mentioned  in  this 
department  of  the  October  nundjer.  may  still  be 
lifted  for  forcing.  The  roots  shouhl  be  quite 
closely  crammed  into  the  pots. 

Lemon.     Treat  like  Oranges. 

Oleanders.     Treat  like  Hydrangeas. 

Oranges.  Water  less  freely  than  in  summer.  If 
sickly,  lack  of  drainage  most  likely  is  the  cause,  in 
which  case  repot  providing  plenty  of  clean  drain- 
age.   For  scale  treat  as  for  Ivj'. 

Ozalis.  To  encourage  bloom,  keep  in  a  light, 
warm  place  and  water  moderately. 

Primroses.  Future  well  doing,  depends  on  good 
care  now.     Keep  near  glass:  water  moderately. 

Roses.  Monthlies  that  were  lifted,  shoiUd  remain 
in  a  pit  or  other  cool  place  this  month  out  at  least. 
Those  smnmered  in  pots,  may  be  urged  on  for 
bloom.  Tliey  need  a  warm,  light  place,  and  fre- 
quent leaf -sponging.  Mildew  must  be  killed,  by  dust- 
i  ig  flowers  of  sulphur  on  the  leaves  wdien  wet. 

Sponging  off  the  leaves  frequently,  is  one  of  the 
secrets  of  successfid  plant  culture.  It  must  take 
tlie  place  of  syringing  as  practised  in  hot  houses, 
a  thing  that  is  done  here  evei'y  day.  Accumulated 
dust  on  the  leaves  is  destructive  to  plant  life. 

Stocks.     Treat  like  Primroses. 

Verbenas  that  were  stuck  last  month,  .should 
have  the  tip  pinched  out  to  induce  branching.  Small 
pots,  a  cool,  light,  airy  place  and  no  stint  of  water 
suit  them. 

Water  plants  that  are  strongly  in  flower,  more 
than  those  that  are  not;  such  as  are  making  httle 
growth  less  than  those  gi'owing  more. 


LAWN  AND  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Christmas  Rose,  HfUeboms  nider.  This  remark- 
able plant,  which  blooms  in  the  winter  if  the  season 
is  mild,  svicceeds  well  with  the  slight  protection  of 
a  cold-frame.  Plants  lifted,  and  taken  to  the  win- 
dow or  the  plant  house  flower  well  in  either  place. 


tection  over  the  roots  in  the  fall,  to  prevent  alteniate 
thawing  and  freezing  during  winter.  In  places  ex- 
posed to  winds,  there  is  no  better  cover  than  ever- 
green boughs;  if  hay  or  similar  material  is  used, 
some  boards  or  brush  should  be  thrown  on  this,  to 
keei>  it  from  being  scattered  about  by  the  wind. 

Lawns  showing  slight  irivgidarity  of  surface,  may 
easily  be  evened  up  now.  by  spreading  some  fine 
eaith  intothe  depressions;  next  spring  the  grass  will 
spring  up  through  this. 

Leaves.    These  are  valuable  to  use  for  mulching, 

[  protection,  compost,  etc..  and  a  good  lot  should  be 

gathered  now.     For  the  foraier  uses,  they  make  a 

light  and  effective  coat.    When  used  as  a  mulch,  do 

not  remove  in  the  spring  but  spade  under. 

Pansy  plants  are  hardy,  but  suffer  from  alternate 
freezing  and  thawing:  cover  after  the  first  bard 
freeze,  with  a  light  coat  of  bay  or  leaves. 


JAPAN    ASTILBE. 

Chrysanthemums  gi'owing  outside  must  be 
staked.  If  shelteretl  liy  sash,  or  in  l)ad  weather  bj' 
matting,  they  will  Idooin  much  finer  for  it. 

Daises.    Treat  as  for  Pansies. 

Drains,  (.'lean  these  generally  and  see  that  the 
outlets  are  clear.  New  ones,  when  needed,  should 
be  put  down  this  fall  in  i)reference  to  spring,  then  to 
badly  delay  other  work. 

Dutch  Bulb  planting,  while  the  earlier  done  the 
better,  need  not  cease,  so  long  as  the  ground  remains 
unfrozen.  About  the  end  of  the  month,  cover  over 
the  bed  with  coarse  litter  or  evergreen  boughs,  for 
protection. 

Evergreen  Shrubs,  including  Mahonia,  Box  and 
Rhododendrons,  suffer  less  from  cold  than  from  sun 
and  wind  in  the  winter;  they  should  be  protected 
somewhat.  Place  Evergreen  boughs,  say  one  or  two 
onthesouthsideof  each  shrub,  the  butt  ends  thrust 
i  ito  the  earth  to  steady  the  boughs. 

Forget-me-nots.    Treat  as  for  Pansies. 

Hardy  Plants  growing  in  beds  and  rockeries,  suc- 
ceed better  year  by  year,  if  they  receive  some  pro- 


B 

wMMmmwm 

TRENCHING   ILLUSTRATED* 

Summer  Flower  Beds.  Dig  over  before  winter, 
tmiiing  in  some  manure  at  the  same  time.  Heavy 
land,  that  is  to  remain  unoccupied  until  spring, 
should  be  left  rough  without  breaking  the  clods;  the 
effects  of  rain  and  frost  will  reduce  these  to  powder 
by  spring. 

Tree  Planting.  For  trees  and  plants  of  undoub- 
ted hardiness,  there  are  some  advantages  and  no 
great  I'isks  in  fall  planting.  Some  kinds  like  Larch. 
Birch  and  Beech  it  is  always  best  to  plant  in  the  fall. 
With  Evergreens  it  is  different;  plant  only  in  the 
spring  or  just  after  midsummer.  After  several  hard 
frosts,  the  earlier  that  fall  planting  can  then  be  done, 
the  better:  if  leaves  remain,  strip  them  off.  Stake 
securely  in  windy  places:  mound  up  as  illustrated 
under  Fruit  (iarden  and  Orchard  last  month.  Never 
plant  a  tree  or  shrub  deei>er  than  the  collar. 

Trenching  is  a  suitable  operation  for  this  season; 
it  should  lie  practised  wherever  gardening  is  done, 
especially  on  a  small  scale.  For  large  areas  subsoil 
plowing  often  takes  its  place.  Trenching  consists 
in  working  over  not  only  the  surface  earth  of  fertile 
nature  to  its  full  depth,  but  also  the  comparatively 
poor  subsoil  beneath,  to  at  least  a  spade's  depth. 
How  this  is  done  the  cut  will  help  to  show.  First 
the  surface  soil  at  A,  say  4  feet  wide  and  running 
across  the  bed  or  plat  is  thrown  entirely  out  ex- 
posing subsoil  D.  This  is  then  worked  over  with  the 
spade  its  entire  length,  intermixing  some  manure 
at  the  same  time.  Now  the  soil  of  space  B  is  thrown 
into  the  vacant  space  A,  exposing  subsoil  at  E. 
This  is  treated  the  same  as  D  w^as,  and  so  on  across 
the  piece,  returning  the  first  soil  thrown  out,  into  the 
vacancy  that  occurs  at  the  end. 


PLANT    CULTURE    UNDER    GLASS. 

Achimenes.  Keep  in  about  .50°  of  beat,  with  the 
earth  dry  during  winter. 

Airing  as  to  time  and  amount,  must  depend  upon 
the  weather  and  the  kinds  of  plants.  There  will 
be  warm  spells  yet  when  the  ventilators  over 
most  plants,  may  be  kept  open  fi*om  morning  until 
night,  and  perhaps  some  into  the  night.  When  it  is 
chilly  and  windy  outside  much  less  air  should  be 
let  in.  At  such  times,  open  the  ventilators  only  so 
much,  that  the  draft  will  be  felt  but  about  three 
feet  from  the  opening.  This  for  the  generality  of 
kinds,  but  Carnations,  Violets  and  others  that  dis- 
like heat,  may  have  more  upon  them.  In  chilly  or 
windy  weather  lift  the  sashes  on  the  side  of  the 
bouse  away  from  the  wind. 

Amaryllis  should  now  be  at  rest.  The  evergreen 
sorts  must  not  get  so  dry  that  the  leaves  will  shrivel; 
deciduous  kinds  may  get  quite  dry. 

Bouvardia.  This  plant  blooms  as  well  when 
bedded  as  ua  pots  and  with  less  trouble.  If  grown  in 
.5.5°  of  beat,  the  form  and  color  will  be  better  than  in 
a  higher  temperature.  Stake  in  such  a  manner  that 
the  air  and  light  can  reach  the  soil. 

Boronias.  See  that  they  are  free  from  mildew 
and  given-rty. 

Caladiums.    Treat  like  Achimenes. 

Camellias.  Give  full  sunshine  from  now  until 
early  spring.  Syringe  twice  a  week,  air  freely  in 
fine  weather.  .50°  to  .55°  at  night,  affords  the  best 
temperature  during  the  blooming  season. 

Carnations  need  plenty  of  air  even  in  cold  weath- 
er. A  slight  touch  of  fi'ost,  while  it  does  them  no 
good,  would  hiu't  them  less  than  continuous  close 
confinement  and  dampness. 

Cyclamens.  The  early  plants  should  have  for 
blooming  45°  to.5U°  of  heat  at  night,  with  some  more 
in  the  day.  To  retard  plants  for  later  bloom,  keep 
them  in  a  temperature  of  not  above  45° 


1885. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


Eclieverias  to  be  raised  from  seed,  slioiild  have 
this  sown  now  fur  next  year's  beddmg  phmts. 
Euphorbia.    Treat  as  for  Poiusettias. 

Gardenias  with  advanced  buds  should  be  kept  at 
im^  ni^rhl.  and  later  plants  somewhat  cooler,  water 
carefully  but  with  moderation.  If  the  i>ots  of 
I>lants  about  to  bloom  are  full  of  roots,  sprinkle  a 
little  br>ne  dust  on  the  surface  of  the  soil. 
Gloxinias.     Treat  like  Achimenes. 

Hyacinths,  for  early  bloom,  may  come  into  heat 
as  soon  as  the  ball  of  earth  is  well  marked  by  roots. 

Lig'Ilt  is  very  imi)(.irtant  at  this  season;  if  the 
glass  is  clouded  with  summer  whitening  or  other 
substance,  clean  it. 

Lilies  of  the  Japan  spec  ies.  for  forcing,  should 
Ije  potted  early  in  the  month:  keep  in  cold  pit  for 
some  weeks  before  Ijringing  into  heat. 

Lily  of  the  Valley  uiay  >>e  brought  in  for  forcing 
into  early  bloom,  towards  the  eud  of  the  month. 

Mignonette  for  spring  bloom  should  be  sown. 

Orchids.  At  this  season  may  be  seen  the  ad- 
vanta^'e  of  ( >rchid  houses,  with  divisions  for  those 
requiring  different  treatment.  In  absence  of  this, 
any  kinds  in  a  growing  state  might  be  moved  into 
the  hot-house  or  forcing  pit.  so  as  to  allow  of  the 
cooling  down  of  the  house  containing  the  main  col- 
lection, for  securing  complete  rest.  In  this  state 
they  should  be  comparatively  cool  and  dry;  50°  by 
night  and  (iiP  by  day  will  suit.  Fumigate  the  houses 
for  thrip  and  fty. 

Pansies.     Directions  for  Violets  will  suit. 

Poinsettias  for  earlj-  should  now  have  brisk  heat, 
with  tlie  lu'Uvls  all  but  touching  the  glass. 

Roses.  Climbing  Noisette  Roses  under  glass 
need  to  have  their  shoots  cut  back  to  four  eyes  afttr 
each  crop  of  tli>wers.  The  Marechal  Neil  needs  the 
same  treatment,  but  this  should  have  been  applied 
when  the  summer  flowering  season  was  over. 

Tulips.    Treat  as  for  Hyacinths. 

Violets  keep  near  the  glass,  air  very  freely  day 
and  niglit,   provided  upwards  of  4()°  of  heat  can 
be  maintained.      Kept  too  close  and  warm  there  | 
will  be  no  Howere.     Trim  off  runnei-s  and  dead 
leaves. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Blackberries-  Trim  out  the  old  wood  now,  to 
save  time  in  tlie  spring. 

Clear  off  "id  rubbish,  prunings,  etc,,  and'  bum. 
Loose  material  lying  about  will  afford  a  harbor  for 
insects,  many  of  which  but  for  this  would  freeze. 

Cutting's  of  Grape  Vines,  Currants,  Gooseberries 
and  Quinces,  can  now  be  made  and  buried  on  a  dry 
knoll  \mtil  spring,  when  they  will  grow  more  readily 
then  if  cutting  is  deferred  until  that  time. 

Fruit  Cellars.  Keep  weU  ventilated  in  fine 
weather.  The  utmost  regard  to  cleanliness,  and  the 
prevention  of  decaying  substances  in  the  apart- 
ments, should  receive  attention. 

Grapes.  To  pre.serve  fresh,  a  cool,  diy  room  or 
cellar  is  needed.  Keep  the  temperature  within  a 
few  degrees  of  3H  if  possible:  here  they  will  keep 
readily  for  months,  with  little  trouble.  Pack  in 
boxes,  in  Iayei*s,  the  bunches  close  together,  with 
heavy  paper  between  the  layere.  Before  this,  they 
must  be  freed  of  moisture  by  exposure  to  the  air. 
An  excellent  way  to  keep  large  handsome  speci- 
mens, is  hy  passing  the  stem  through  a  perforated 
cork  into  a  liottle  of  water  and  .sealing  with  wax. 

Grape  Vines.  Throughout  the  north  the  best 
winter  treatment  for  these  is  to  prune  soon  after 
leaf-falling;  then  lay  down  the  remaining  parts 
and  cover  with  a  small  amount  of  earth  or  sods, 
for  protection  until  spring. 

Grafts  uiay  be  cut  this  month.  Tie  in  bunches 
and  set  one  third  of  their  length  in  sand  in  a  moder- 
ately cool  cellar. 

Packing  in  Barrels.  Use  clean  barrels.  Those 
for  Pears  must  be  lined  with  straw-paper  to  prevent 
wood  stains  :  tVtr  Apples  this  is  not  needed.  Take 
out  one  head  and  place  the  fruit  in  nice  layers, 
starting  against  the  other  end  which  is  to  open  fii"st. 
Fill  in  without  bruising  the  fruit,  setthng  or  shaking 
the  barrel  occasionally,  until  it  is  a  httle  more  than 
full  ;  bring  the  head  in  place  with  a  lever.  Apples 
may  be  pressed  to  advantage  in  jjacking.  so  those 
against  the  bottom  head  will  even  bnaise  a  little, 
but  Peai-s  not.  Choice  Pears  are  usually  packed 
in  boxes  holding  a  bushel  or  less,  with  each  speci- 
men wrap]>ed  separately  in  paper. 

Pits  and  Nuts  for  planting,  should  be  mixed  with 
sand,  amt  l>e  set  in  an  exposed  place  to  freeze. 

Plowing  and  Spading*  of  land  to  be  planted 
with  fruit  m  thr  siiring,  snould-  be  done  now.  The 
hai'row  will  ht  it  up  for  work  then  at  planting  time 
with  little  delay. 

Boot  Cuttings  afford  the  means  of  propagating 
Blackberries  and  Kiispberries.  Roots  the  size  of  a 
pencil  antl  smaller,  are  cut  into  pieces  two  or  three 


inches  long.  These  are  placed  in  layers  alternately 
with  earth  in  a  box.  which  tlien  is  Inn-icd  in  a  dry 
place  until  spring.    Then  the  cuttings  are  jilanted. 

Strawberries.  Mulch  with  leaves  or  straw  just 
as  winter  sets  in.  to  prevent  their  being  lifted  by 
freezing  and  thawing.  The  m_ulch  can  then  renuiln 
until  after  fniiling  to  protect  the  crop  from  dirt. 

Vinegar  making  is  in  order.  Apple  cider  is  the 
foundation  stock  for  this  usually,  but  the  juice  of 
any  fruit  will  answ  er.  Water  cider,  made  by  satu- 
rating the  pomace  after  it  is  removed  from  the 
press,  with  water,  and  re-i)ressing  it.  makes  good 
vinegar.  In  any  case  allow  the  cider  to  ferment, 
after  which  add  some  old  vinegar  or  mother,  keep- 
ing the  casks  in  a  warm  place. 

Young  Trees.  Bank  up  as  directed  last  month, 
both  tu  steady  them  and  to  prevent  mice  girdling. 


VEGETABLE     GARDEN. 

Artichokes.  Jerusalem  or  Sunflower  Artichokes 
should  be  lifted  before  hard  frosts  and  treated  like 
Potatoes.  Give  Globe  or  true  Artichokes,  a  protec- 
tion of  leaves  or  litter  just  befoi-e  winter,  to  keep 
them  over  alive. 

Asparagus.  Mow  the  tops  and  burn.  Now  is  a 
good  linu*  to  manm-e  the  beds,  a  thing  that  .should 
be  done  lihtMally  when  needed. 

Broccoli  sometimes  does  not  head  before  hard 
frosts.  Lift  such  carefully  with  earth  on  the  roots, 
and  set  in  a  damp  cellar  to  develop. 

Cabbage.  When  growth  has  ceased  becau.se  of 
cold,  pull  and  store.  Placing  it  heads  down,  close 
together  on  a  dry  spot  hi  the  garden,  and  covering 
over  some  weeks  later  with  straw  or  leaves,  as  high 
as  the  roots.'and  on  this  some  s  n\  sheltering  all  with 
boards  it  will  keep  well  until  March.  A  small  stock 
for  use,  during  winter,  may  be  kept  in  a  barrel  or 
box  that  is  set  up  on  eud  in  a  dry  place,  and  which  is 
banked  all  around  and  to  its  top  with  earth,  and 
covered  with  a  close  fitting  double  cover  of  boards. 

Celery.  As  long  as  gi*owing  weather  i-emains- 
and  Celery  grows  in  pleasant  autumn  weather, 
even  though  cool—keep  earthed  up.  Before  very 
hard  frosts,   tlie  main  ^     ^  ' 

crop    for    winter    and  -     _      -     - 

spring  use  should  go 
into  winter  quartet's. 
Some  for  using  soon, 
may  be  tied  in  bunches, 
and  packed  in  sand  in 
a  cool,  dark  cellar.  The 
balance  should  go  into 
narrow  trenches  a  foot 
or  less  in  width,  and  of 
depth  suitable  to  the 
height  of  the  stems,  as 
shown  in  the  cut.  These 
must  be  located  hi  dry 
ground,  where  there 
w  ill  be  no  d  a  ng  e  r  of 
water  accumulating 
in  them.  Pack  the  Celery  close  in  the  trenches. 
Cover  as  the  weather  giv»^\s  cold  with  straw  ami 
boards,  increasing  the  thickness  as  the  season  ad- 
vances, to  prevent  hard  freezmg  and  allow  of  easily 
getting  some  as  needed  for  use.  In  the  Southern 
States  Celeiy  may  be  left  standing  where  it  grew. 

Drains.     See  under  Lawn  and  Flower  Garden. 

Plants  of  Cabbage  and  Cauliflower  raised  from 
seed  sown  in  Septenil)er.  may  be  wintered  in  cold 
frames  for  an  early  crop  next  year.  This  hardly 
pays.  h'>wever.  as  plants  from  an  early  hot-bed.  are 
quite  as  good  and  less  trouble. 

Rhubarb,  liberally  manured  now,  will  advance  all 
the  more  raiiidly  for  it  next  spring,  hoth  in  earliness 
and  quality. 

Roots,  such  as  Horseradish,  Parsnips.  Salsify, 
Scorzonera  freezing  does  not  hmt.  Of  these  the 
maiuY-rop  may.be  left  where  they  gro^\-.  over  winter, 
but  some  slutuld  be  dug  and  stored  in  the  cellar  for 
winter  use. 

Trenching.    See  under  Flower  Garden  and  Lawn. 


7/y 
Celery  in  Trench. 


FRUIT    AND   VEGETABLES    UNDER 
GLASS. 

Asparagus  uiay  be  forced  as  directed  for  Khubar-b 
last  montli. 

Grapery.  Where  fruit  is  to  hang  a  long  time,  all 
Iterries  that  show  a  touch  of  decay,  must  be  cut  out 
from  time  to  time,  and  the  atnios[>here  kept  dry. 

in  early  houses,  the  vines  of  which  are  breaking, 
an  increase  of  heat  must  be  gradually  applied.  The 
stai*t  shoukl  be  made  at  an  average  of  .j5"  at  night. 
with  10"  higher  during  sunshine. 

Lettuce  in'ids  abundant  airand  about  55"  of  heat. 

Mushrooms.  Directions  for  preparing  the 
material  for  beds,  was  given  in  the  October  issue. 
With  this  on  hand,  make  the  Ix'ds  under  a  green- 


house stage,  in  the  cellar  or  any  place  where  from 
45^*  to  )k»*  of  heat  can  iM'liad.  In  making,  distribute 
the  material  in  layers  over  the  surface,  beating 
<h)wn  firmly,  the  more  solid  the  betl^'r,  until  some 
H  inches  in  depth  is  reached.  To  spawn  the  bed 
while  the  heat  in  it  is  liigh,  .say  about  05°.  woulil  be 
loss  of  tune.  When  a  temperature  of  \W  is  i-eached, 
insert  the  spawn  in  holes  at  about  u  foot  apart,  all 
over  the  bed,  healing  lightly  after  this  operation. 
In  H)  days  spread  several  inches  of  fine  loam  over 
the  l>ed.  ami  on  this  3  or  4  inches  of  straw,  then 
wait  for  your  crop,  wliich  will  not  \yi  very  long  in 
coming. 

Peaches  grown  for  forcing,  now  nee<l  a  thorough 
dres.sing:  clean  the  house,  prune  the  trees,  tie  in 
and  wash  the  stems,  mulch  the  border,  and  give  it 
a  thorough  soaking  with  tepid  water.  Keep  the 
house  close  at  night  but  arlmit  air  freelj'  <m  fine 
days. 

Pine  Apples  iu  fruit  need  to  have  a  moist  air  and 
good  b..tt..ni  heat.  For  the  general  stock  alow 
tempt*ratiirt' shmild  in »w  be  maintained,  say  55*  for 
a  rniniiiium.  witli  never  higher  than  75"^  hy  day. 

Strawberries.  The  potted  plants  that  are  still 
staiuling  outdoors,  should  be  moved  to  the  cold 
frame  before  hard  freezing  weather,  and  the  pots 
plunged  fn  their  rims  in  some  light  material  tn  keep 
the  np<itsri-nni  freezing.  Ilt-re  they  may  remain  a 
montli  longer  iH-fuiv  forcing.  Give  water  sparingly 
when  it  is  needed. 


HQUto 


This  being  the  People's  Paper  it  is  open  to  all  their  In- 
quiren.  bearing  on  Gardening. 

On  the  other  hand,  answers  to  published  inquirea  are 
earnestly  requested  from  readers. 

The  editors  and  special  contributors  are  ready  to  do  a 
large  share  of  (he  answering,  but  the  experience  of  many 
being  more  valuable  than  ofthefeic,  hotoever  varied  that  is. 
and  conditions  and  localities  being  so  different,  they  prefer 
to  receive  answers,  even  several  of  them  to  the  same  quea 
tion,  from  I'caders  everywhere.  Don't  hesitate  to  write 
because  yim  may  feel  you  are  no  fine  writer:  give  facts  and 
ideas  and  the  editors  will  see  that  they  appear  in  credi- 
table shape. 

In  writing,  give  the  number  nf  the  question  you  are  an- 
sicering:  your  locality  and  name,  the  latter  7iot  for  publica- 
tion uitless  you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper 

Flowers  will  be  gladly  named  provided  first,  thatnomore 
than  three  be  sent  at  one  time.  Second,  that  these  be  fully 
prepaid.  Third,  that  sei'eral  specimens  of  each  reach  us  in 
good  shape.     We  cannot  undertake  to  name  fiorists'  varies 

5— Easily  Grown  Plants.  I  would  be  glad  to 
have  named  a  good  Hst  of  easily  grown  window- 
plants,  for  u  jiersiin  who  is  unable  from  (Hsease  to 
give  them  much  care— An  Invalid. 

6— Day  or  Plantain  Lilies  not  Flowering.  I 
have  a  number  of  large  strong  plants,  but  they  have 
not  tiowered  in  late  yeai-s.  What  can  be  done  to 
bring  them  into  bloom.— SIrs,  H.  C.  F.,  Stmn  Street 
Bufffiln.  X.  y. 

7— Night  Blooming  Jasamine.  I  have  a  Night 
Blooming  .lasamint' Iliat  has  just  gone  out  of  blos- 
som for  the  tirst  rimr.  What  shaU  I  do  with  it?  My 
experience  is  hniit^'d  as  I  liavp  had  it  but  one  year. 
Does  it  slip  readily/— M.  E.  B..  cv,,s7/7e,  X  Y. 

8-  Tuberous  Begonias.  How  .shall  I  keep  these 
through  the  winter/  L'au  the  bulbs  be  dried  off  or 
not"/ — J.  C.  B..  Ciiledniiia.  Ohio. 

9— Coleus.  Last  winter  I  met  a  beautiful  Coleus 
that  was  said  to  have  been  grown  in  the  window.  I 
have  taken  up  several  plants  for  my  own  window, 
will  someone  tell  nie  the  best  treatnient  for  the  win- 
ter?—Mas.  (;.  L.  W..  CVn7/(,r</e.  Mo. 

10-Lachenalias,  \h>\v  should  these  be  treated  in 
general  and  win -m  si  ion  Id  they  be  repotted?  Mrs.  M.  B. 

11  -Hardy  Ivy.  Is  the  evergreen  Ivy  hardy  as 
far  north  as  this  place?  Some  say  it  is.  othere  de- 
clare just  the  opjiosite.  Will  you  please  inform  me 
before  next  planting  season?— S.  S..  Jack.^oii.  Mich. 

ANSWERS  TO  PAST  INQUIRIES. 

1 -Green  Growth  on  Pot  Soil.  Frequent  si  in-ing 
of  the  carlli  hy  a  sharji  slick  or  i>eii-kuife  will  pre- 
vent and  be  a  remedy  also.- Sister  Gracioi's,  De- 
troit. Mirh. 

1— Green  Growth  on  Soil.  Scrape  this  and  the 
soil  off  to  depth  of  one-half  an  inch,  and  replace 
with  fresh  soil  eonsisting  of  one-third  shari)  sand.— 
A.  H.  K. 

2  Liquid  Manures  for  Pot  Plants.  A  tea  made 
from  tlie  sooi  shjikt-n  liom  a  slow  pipe,  applied  once 
a  week  is  good.  Also,  jiour  water  over  cow  manure, 
let  it  stand  a  day  or  two.  then  apply  once  a  week. 
Last  winter  1  bought  at  the  seed  sl'ore.  a  line  black 
powder  called  Plant  Fotni.  and  use<i  it  with  good 
effect.  It  is  nicer  to  apjWy  than  either  of  theothei-s. 
Sister  (JRACior.s.  I>rin>it\  Mich. 

3- Weeping  Trees  for  Windy  Place.  Birches. 
Wiers  >hi|)It'.  Wr.-piiiK^  Larch.  Weeping  Linden,  and 
the  vaiions  Weeping  Khns  would  lie  suitable.— L.  R., 
Geuevii.  .V.  y. 

3-  Weeping  Trees  for  Windy  Place.  I  have  both 
the  Cnt-Leavi'd  Birch  and  the  White  Weeping  Birch 
growing  on  nn  exposed  knoll,  and  thev  succeed  well. 
G.  K.  L..  Miliraiikcv,  Wa. 


i6 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


November, 


When  the  Leaves  are  Turning  Brown. 

Never  is  my  lieart  so  gay 

In  the  budding  month  of  May. 
Never  does  it  beat  a  time 
Half  so  sweet  in  blooming  June. 

Never  knew  such  happiness 

As  on  such  a  day  as  this. 
When  the  autmuu  dons  her  cro-mi 

'  And  the  leaves  are  turning  brown. 

Breathe,  sweet  children,  soft  regrets 

For  the  vanished  Violets; 
Twist  yom*  cbaplets  in  young  June, 
Maidens— they  will  fade  full  soon; 

Twine  ripe  Rose.s.  July — red. 

Leaves  for  the  dear  ones  head; 
I  will  weave  my  richer  crown 
^\Tien  the  leaves  are  turning  brown. 

— Elizabeth  Akens  Allen. 


The  sober  robin  hunger-silent  now. 

Seeks  cedar-I>erries  blue,  his  autumn  cheer; 
The  squirrel,  on  the  shingly  shagbark's  bough. 

Now-  saws,  now  lists  with  downward  eye  and  ear. 

— Lou-elL 


Camellias  appear. 

Violets  rlislike  heat. 

Specimen  copies  free. 

Don't  delay  the  Club. 

Have  you  subscribed? 

Fansies  succeed  iu  i)nts. 

For  Mildew  use  sulphur. 

Frimroses  need  full  light. 

Write  for  yoiu-  own  paper. 

Wanted,  .i(i,000  subscribers. 

Lantanas  are  good  house  plants. 

Immortelles  are  now  appreciated. 

Cobaeas  tough-out  the  season  well. 

Crowding  plants  or  trees  is  harmful. 

Know  e\-ery  plaut  by  its  right  name. 

Slugs  cannot  travel  over  dry  sawdust. 

Single  PaF'i  )nies  are  becoming  popular. 

Flant  cm  knolls  rather  than  in  hollows. 

The  Snow-white  Pansies  are  shy  seeders. 

Never  apply  ga.s-tar  to  the  bark  of  trees. 

Fropagate  double  Nasturtiums  from  slips. 

Flowers  are  messengers  of  grace  to  the  sick. 

An  out  door  Coral  plant — the  Barberry  in 
fiiiit. 

Fill  up  the  outside  plant  boxes  with  Ever- 
greens. 

Clove  Carnations  do  not  come  with  certainty 
from  seed. 

Eucalyptus  leaves,  it  is  said,  will  remove  scale 
from  boilers. 

The  first  seed  store  in  New  York  City  was 
c»penefl  in  1802. 

A  Magnolia,  in  Attica,  N.  Y. ,  bloomed  twice 
dui'iug  the  past  sea.son. 

By  digging  over  ground  this  fall,  many  kinds 
of  weeds  will  be  put  back. 

For  a  lasting  inheritance  to  your  children's 
children  plant  some  trees. 

A  Cotton  plant  with  bursting  seed-po<ls,  is  in- 
teresting in  the  greenhouse. 

Roses  carry  pistils,— the  War  of  the  Roses  is 
of  cc.iursc.  thus  easily  accounted  for. 

The  building  of  greenhouses  for  amateurs, 
iiftoi-ds  a  lai'ge  business  in  England. 

A  Flower  Sermon  is  preached  every  year  at 
St.  Katharine  Kree  Church,  London. 

The  feathery  see<l  heads  of  oiu'  native  Clt- 
matis  work  into  winter  bouijuets  well. 


The  Chrysanthemum  now  so  charming,  is  of 
Chinese  origin;  introduced  to  Europe  lTfJ4. 

Mowers  that  leave  a  "ribby  "  lawn,  are  not 
geared  high  enough,  or  else  have  too  few  knives. 

.ffiolus  has  freely  let  loose  the  winds  of  late, 
and  leaves  have  come  down  like  snowflakes. 

To  have  particularly  fine  flowei-sof  any  kind, 
remember  one  thing ;  namely,  thin  out  the  buils. 

Poly  Ann  Thus.  With  but  a  single  exception 
or  two  the  flowers  you  ask  about,  are  as  hardy 
as  Tulips. 

Don't  err,  by  taking  the  forcing  bulbs  from 
the  plunge  heap,  before  they  are  well  furnished 
with  roots. 

For  every  person  interested  in  flowers  and 
gardens  twenty  years  ago,  there  are  now  a  hun- 
dred pei'sons. 

Flowers  are  everywhere  over  the  earth,  evi- 
dently a  reminder  that  there  is  an  Eden  and  we 
may  regain  it. 

An  amateur  friend  says  she  never  accoimts 
the  attention  she  gives  her  plants,  work,  be- 
cause it  is  all  pleasure. 

An  east  side  dealer  advertises  "Rows  Perta- 
ters."  His  tubers  are  having  a  ten-ible  spell — 
we  wouldn't  trust  them. 

November  has  not  a  good  reputation  as  a 
floral  month;  but  one  thing  is  sure,  the  Chrys- 
anthemums are  not  to  blame. 

We  want  every  amateur  gardener,  poultry 
raiser,etc. ,  to  see  Popular  Gardening.  Speci- 
mens free  to  such.     Send  in  their  names. 

Hay  is  better  material  than  straw  to  cover 
beds  for  winter,  being  more  springy  it  does  not 
settle  down  close,  to  smother  the  plants 

We  give  away  this  paper  now,  that  is.  om- 
offer  of  it  in  clubs  with  other  popular  periodi- 
cals, in  another  colimin,  amouuts  to  this. 

No  other  pursuit  can  compare  with  gardening 
in  the  quick  returns  of  plea.sm-e,  profit  and  re- 
laxation, for  the  time  and  money  invested. 

On  a  lawn  within  our  view  is  an  Elm  tree 
eleven  years  planted,  and  then  smaU,  that  is 
now  nearly  .30  feet  high.     A  secret:  Good  soil. 

A  Changeable  Hydrangea,  //.  Hortennix,  3 
feet  liigh  anrl  ."i  feet  through,  with  200  heads  of 
flowers,  was  met  bj'  one  of  our  editors  la-st 
month. 

We  knew  that  if  you  would  dally  around 
about  getting  in  the  tender  things  some  would 
get  nipped ;  don't  blame  us,  we  said  a  month 
ago  it  was  time. 

We  didn't  apologize  for  No.  1  of  Popular 
Gardening,  nor  we  ilon't  propose  to  blow  our 
horn  over  the  improvements  visible  in  No.  2. 
It's  not  our  way. 

Sometimes  we  forget  how  important  are  the 
conunon.  simple  and  cheap  flower  pots  in  plant 
growing.  They  virtually  endow  plants  with 
locomotive  powers. 

Six  "keeps"  in  growing  house  plants:  keep 
clear  from  dust,  keep  free  from  cold  cb-aughts, 
keep  fairly  watered,  keep  out  of  gas,  keep  off 
insects,  keep  from  frosts. 

A  common  comijlaiut  against  the  Wistaria  is 
that  it  is  slow  to  bloom.  This  is  true:  little 
bloom  need  be  looked  for  during  the  first  half  a 
dozen  years  after  planting. 

Last  month  we  said  "Hit  us  with  a  Club." 
A  gotxlly  number  have  responded.  We  stand  it 
well.  It  is  in  fact  delightful.  Keep  it  up  until 
cm-  .50,000  subscribers  are  iu. 

A  good  many  pei-sons.  have  stood  up  as  we 
suggesteil  last  month  to  lie  counted  iu  the  first 
.50,000  subscribers,  but  the  quota  is  very  far 
from  full  yet.     Are  yuu  cotmted  reader? 

Levi  P.  Morton  has  given  the  city  of  New- 
port. R.  I.,  where  he  has  a  summer  residence, 
.«(jO,ooo  for  a  jjai-k.  That  is  quite  like  Mr.  Mor- 
ton,    His  hands  and  heart  are  alwaj's  open. 

The  American  Garden,  published  by  E.  H. 
Libby.  (Greenfield.  Mass.,  will  enlarge  to  a 
two  liollar  paper  on  January  1st  next.  It  is  an 
able  anil  iudependeut  journal,  over  whose  pros- 
perity we  rejoice. 


Thank  you !  for  the  kind  words  showered  upon 
us,  on  the  success  of  No,  1  of  our  paper.  This 
to  thousands  whom  we  cannot  answer  in  per- 
son; too  busy.  Such  a  hearty  greeting  all 
around,  shall  lie  an  inspiration  to  the  editors 
and  publishei-s  to  do  better  j-et. 

There  is  no  end  of  competent  judges  who  have 
travelled,  and  who  pronounce  Mr.  Herman 
De Vry's annual  display  of  flowers  in  the  Chicago 
Parks,  as  unequalled  by  anything  the  great 
gardens  of  the  world  besides  affords. 

Gardening  interests  are  with  everything  else, 
rapidly  developing  in  the  west.  Mr.  John  M. 
Clark  of  Chicago,  writes  to  this  paper,  that  at 
the  recent  Illinois  State  Fair,  the  show  of  Vege- 
tables, Flowers,  Seeds,  etc.,  was  much  in  ad- 
vance of  an}-  previous  year. 

For  mailing  small  sums — the  price  of  this 
paper  for  example — U.  S.  Postal  Notes  are  very 
convenient.  Every  postmaster  in  the  land 
keeps  them  and  will  furnish  at  3  cents  each. 
Try  a  150  cent  one  on  us.  See  our  club  rates  for 
leading  periodicals  on  another  page 

Sweet  are  the  uses  of  forgetfuluess.  With 
but  a  darkeneil  recollection  of  forgone  seasons, 
we  feel  that  the  beauty  of  the  autumn  leaves, 
or  of  the  simimer  flowers,  or  of  the  spring  de- 
lights of  the  present  season  are  the  finest,  ever 
seen.     Thus  are  we  the  more  happy. 

Cats  are  useful  iu  their  place ;  but  their  place 
isn't  on  the  greenhouse  roof,  breaking  entrances 
through  the  glass  on  cold  nights.  If  anj-  cat 
attempts  this  trick,  catch  him  Iwe  are  will- 
ing to  allow  it  is  a  Thomas.)  take  to  an  open 
meailow.  and  there  "shoot  him  on  the  spot." 

It  has  been  truthfully  said,  that  the  seed  trade 
is  the  only  line  of  business  in  which  our  govern- 
ment is  in  competition  with  its  citizens.  We 
are  glad  to  see  the  voice  of  the  justly  indig- 
nant dealers  raised  against  our  infamous  gov- 
erment  seed  shop.  Let  it  be  razed  from  the 
earth,  why  cumbereth  it  the  gj'otmd? 


The  Bell-Flowered  Scilla.    See  Opposite  Page. 

Aside  of  the  many  subscribers  coming  to 
Popular  Gardening  from  Buffalo,  many  are 
also  coming  in  from  other  large  cities  and 
towns.  We  expected  this.  In  England,  the 
numerous  excellent  gardening  perif>dicals,  se- 
cure a  large  share  of  their  readers  from  cities; 
it  ought  not  to  be  different  in  America. 

"  I  like  to  know  about  these  things."  said  a 
lady  addressing  the  writer  with  some  questions 
about  Pansies.  There  never  was  a  time  when 
such  a  demand  for  information  concerning 
flowers  and  gardening  prevailed,  as  at  the  pres- 
ent time.  The  mission  of  this  paper  is  to  in 
part  meet  this  demaiid.     Are  we  succeding  ? 

The  way  that  subscribers  and  clubs  of  sub- 
scribers begin  to  come  in  to  Popular  Garden- 
ing, leads  one  friend  of  the  paper  at  our  elbow, 
to  say,  "you  can  ti-ust  the  people  to  know  a 


1885. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


17 


goofl  thing  wIk'U  tliey  see  it."  There  is  no  dis- 
counting" the  common  sense  of  tlie  peoi»Ie,  that's 
certain.     By  tlieui  true  worth  is  ajipreciated. 

A  teaspoonful  of  tinc-ture  of  a.ssafietichi  in 
half  a  liui'ketful  of  liijuid  nmd,  apjilied  with  a 
brush  to  the  stem  an<l  branches  of  3'ouug  trees, 
will  preserve  them  from  the  attacks  of  rabbits 
and  other  pests,  without  iujui-y  to  the  trees. 
Two  or  three  applii'ations  during  the  winter 
will  be  sufficient.     So  says  the  Kinjliuli  (larili'ti. 

The  Golden-leaved  Oak, 
Qitt'rr}fs  Rithur  ronrtinliti  is 
one  of  the  handsomest, small- 
growing  lawn  trees  we  know 
of.  The  leaves  are  of  a  rich 
yellowish  hue.  ami  present 
a  remai'kably  waxy  appear- 
ance. The  peculiar  color  is 
retained  throughout  the 
season,  thus  rendering  the 
tree  most  efTeetive  for  plant- 
ing in  conjunction  with 
" blood- leaved ■'  trees,  for 
creating  strong  contrasts. 
We  notice  this  tree  is  offei'ed 
by  Ellwanger  &  Barry. 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  Parsons  &  Sons,  Flush- 
ing. N.  Y. 

Impatiens  Sultana.  This  new  Balsam,  while 
not  as  showy  in  our  garden  as  we  anticipated 
it  would  be,  still  proves  very  desirable.  The 
gi'owth  has  been  free.' the  flowers  faii'ly  numer- 
ous since  July:  perhaps  if  our  seasons  now  for 
two  ,veai's,  had  not  been  both  cool  and  wet,  the 
gi'owth  in  both,  would  have  went  more  to  bloom 
and  less  to  plant.  We  would  not  however  give 
it  up,  even  a.s  a  wet  season  bedder. 

A  doable  significance  attaches  itself  to  the 
botanical  name  of  the  well  known  Ice  Plant. 
Mcst'inhrijaiithfininn  rrystaUinifni.  Crystalli- 
uum  refers  to  the  appearance  of  the  watery 
pustules  with  which  the  plant  is  covered,  and 
which  glisten  in  the  sun  like  fragments  of  ice. 
On  the  other  hand,  in  the  Canary  fslands 
where  the  Ice  Plant  is  at  home,  large  quantities 
of  it  aj'e  gathered  and  bui-ned,  the  ashes  being 
sent  to  Sijain  for  use  in  the  making  of  glass. 

"I  read  every  word  of  number  one"  writes  an 
admiring  correspondent  from  Michigan.  This 
we  take  as  the  highest  fonn  of  praise  for  oui- 
work.  There  is  so  much  wordj'  trashy,  reading 
afloat  concerning  gardening  matters,  which  no 
one  can  caa'e  to  read,  that  when  in  the  estimation 
of  readers  we  succeed  in  our  purpose  to  make  of 
Popular  fiARDEKiNO  a  paper  every  word  of 
which  is  to  the  point  and  interesting,  we  ai'e 
well  jileaseil. 

No  objectionable  oi-  um/outh  advertisements 
will  lie  admitted  into  this  paper.  Gt.iod  adver- 
tisers will  thus  alwavs  find  themselves  in  good 
company  in  our  columns,  with  theii"  anuounce- 
uients  set  up  in  gooil  looking  pages.  That  a 
better  class  of  readers  can  be  foimd  anywhere, 
before  whom  t<3  place  advertisements,  than  the 
readei-s  of  Popular  Gardening,  no  one  will 
assume.  To  advertise  in  this  paper  can  hardly 
fail  to  jirove  a  good  investment. 

Flower-loving  employei's  and  flower-loving 
employees  do  nt  )t  always  come  together.  Usu- 
ally the  complaint  is  heard  from  the  former, 
that  their  help  are  intUfferent  to  the  beauty  or 
well-<loing  of  flowere.  The  other  day  the  writer 
hearil  a  ca.se  just  the  revei-se  of  this.  A  coach- 
man who  also  attends  the  garden,  and  is  more 
enthusiiustic  perhaps  over  tine  flowers  than  over 
horses,  ordered  some  choice  Tulips  (>f  one  of  our 
dealers,  saying  he  must  have  them;  if  his  em- 
ployer wouldn't  pay  for  the  bulbs  he  would, 
and  set  them  in  his  own  little  garden. 

Early  Flowering  Narcissi.  There  are  two 
Narcissi  r>f  special  value  for  the  production 
of  flowers  at  mirl-wint^i'r,  found  in  nearly 
every  bulb  dealer's  stock.  These  ai'e  the  Ro- 
man, which  has  iloulile  white  flowers,  and 
the  Paper  White,  which  ha.s  snuiU  single  white 
flowers.  Both  are  especially  suitalile  for  cut 
flowers,  and  also  for  conservatory  decoration. 


For  the  latt<'r  ])un»se,  grow  in  five  inch  pots, 
a  bulb  to  each.  But  when  intended  for  cut 
flowers,  gi-ow  in  iians  or  boxes,  as  they  then 
re(iuire  much  less  space.  Their  re(|nircments  in 
the  matter  of  soil  do  not  difl'er  matt'rially  from 
those  of  any  other  bulbs,  a  soil  that  is  light  and 
rich  suiting  them  well. 

A  Horticultural  Directory  of  great  merit  has 
recently  been  issued  by  Isaac  f).  Sailer,  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.     It  is  the  work  of  Mr.  C.  F.  Evans, 


many  suKscriliers,  'M.m)  in  fact.  Now  wliile 
we  are  much  encouragwl  at  the  gi-oHth  of  our 
list  of  subsi-riljoi-s  since  starting  this  paper, 
we  are  free  to  say  it  ought  to  grow  still  faster, 
considering  the  nature  of  our  papei-  and  its 
price.  If  you  are  not  a  subscrilKM-,  mav  we  not 
count  upon  you  as  one  at  once,  and  not  only 
this  but  that  you  will  interest  yourself  to  get 
up  a  cluh.  In  this  way,  you  can  help  along  our 
needed  .")ll,i)0()  subscribere,  at  a  jumping  rate. 


Location  of  Auturrin  Flowers, 


The  Mixed  Flower  Border"  page  18. 


of  that  city,  a  gentleman  qualified  for  such  a 
task  as  few  others  are.  The  directory  proper 
embraces  the  United  States.  In  addition  to 
this  there  is  "Supplement  A,"  giving  the  names 
and  addresses  of  those  engaged  in  the  Horti- 
cultui-al  trade  in  the  British  Isles,  and  "Supple- 
ment B,"  the  same  covering  Continental 
Em-ope,  Australia,  Africa,  India,  Japan  and 
Brazil.  A  careful  examination  shows  this  work 
to  be  remarkablj'  correct  in  detail,  while  the 
above  outline  is  sufficient  to  indicate  that  no 
directory  could  be  more  comprehensive. 

The  Cardinal  Flower,  Lobelia  Cardinalis,  is 
one  of  the  most  brilliant  flowers  known.  The 
flowers  are  of  a  deep  scarlet,  produced  on  short 
pedicles  in  a  handsome  nodding  raceme.  The 
plant  is  hardy  and  a  native,  found  in  moist 
meadows  and  along  streams,  in  many  parts  of 
our  country.  Although  it  likes  moisture,  it  is 
of  ea.sy  cultivation  in  the  common  border,  and 
even  in  clay  soils.  It  succeeds  well  on  the  shady 
side  of  a  house.  Its  time  of  bloom  is  from  late 
summer  until  October,  There  is  also  a  white- 
flowering  variety.  The  plants  are  procurable 
at  those  nurseries,  which  make  a  specialty  of 
hardy  perennial  plants  and  bulbs. 

Count  them.  An  enthusiastic  friend  of  Popu- 
lar (Jardexing— anil  the  paper  has  many  such 
already — tells  us  what  we  ourselves  were  not 
aware  of,  that  last  month's  issue  contained  .34.5 
sepai-ate  and  distinct  articles  and  items  of  infor- 
mation. Whether  the  present  issue  contains 
more  or  less  we  cannot  say,  but  one  thing  we 
know,  and  that  is  that  our  endeavor  is  to  make 
each  succeeding  number  better  than  those  be- 
fore it.  But  let  us  take  om-  friends  count,  and 
figure  a  little.  At  this  rate,  a  yearly  volume 
would  contain  over  4000  such  articles  or  (!9  for 
fetch  cent  the  paper  costs.  Who  that  loves 
flowers  or  gardening  can  afford  to  do  without 
such  a  paper? 

House  top  gardens  will  perhaps  never  be  as 
popular  in  America  as  in  Europe ;  land  for  gar- 
dens lieing  so  plenty  here.  Still  we  maintain 
there  are  many  places  in  which  if  the  needed 
patch  cannot  be  secured  on  term  firiiiii,  that 
the  right  thing  to  do  would  be  to  gai'den  on  the 
roofs.  It  would  be  easy  in  nuiny  such  cases  to 
Ht  these  up,  so  far  as  gi'ade,  and  other  mattei's 
are  concerned,  for  the  purpose.  The  objection 
has  been  raised,  that  the  sparrows  would  injure 
such  gardens;  we  would  not  expect  much 
trouble.  Snap  a  gun  at  them  every  time  they 
are  around,  and  you  can  frighten  them  from 
being  verj'  bad.  Their  occasional  presence  would 
be  some  help  in  keeping  down  insects. 

Reader  :  Your  aid  nml  influence  in  behalf  of 
swelling  the  subscription  list  of  this  periwlical 
is  solicited,  and  will  be  greatly  appreciated.  To 
furnish  such  a  handsome  and  valuable  paper 
as  this  one  is  aihnitted  to  lie,  at  the  present  low 
price,  requires  not  only  subscril)ei-s,  but  very 


A  new  red  label  for  exjiress  packages  of  cut 
flowers,  has  l)een  designed  for,  and  as  we  are 
told,  has  been  adojited  by  the  Society  of  Ameri- 
can Florists.  We  hope  there  may  be  some  mis- 
take about  the  last  |)art  of  this  statement.  A 
sample  before  us,  shows  the  label  to  he  about 
as  far  from  what  such  a  latel  for  general  use 
should  be,  as  it  could  be  made.  The  designer 
evidently  had  in  mind  to  create  a  fanciful 
effect,  with  ornamented  letters  and  words  all 
jumbled  together,  so  as  to  l:)e  almost  um-eada- 
ble,  instead  of  making  a  card  so  plain,  that  he 
who  runs  as  express  caiTiers  do,  may  read. 
Fancy  seeing  shipping  agents  all  over  the  coun- 
try .spending  time  in  unravelling  the  muddled 
lettering  of  this  label,  which  should  tell  them 
at  a  glance,  that  the  contents  of  the  package 
are  quickly  perishable,  fresh  flowei-s !  It  is  not 
a  label  we  expect  to  see  practical  shippers  adopt, 
whatever  the  Society's  committee  may  have 
done  about  it.     Try  again,  gentlemen ! 

How  is  this.  Either  we  failed,  after  a  good 
deal  of  pains,  to  make  clear  the  fact  in  our  last 
issue,  that  Popular  Gardening  is  an  inde- 
pendent paper  without  a  single  seed,  bulb, 
sprout,  root,  cion,  jdant,  shrub,  trailer  or  tree 
for  sale,  or  else  the  jjerson  who  sent  us  a  postal 
card  with  the  following  matter  on  it,  must  have 
skipped  a  good  deal  of  what  we  wrote ; 

N,  J.,  Sept.  21,  1885, 

Messrs.  Ransom,  Long  ȣ  Co, 
Dear  Sirs:— 

Will  you  plea.se  send  to  nie  bj-  return  mail 
your  prices  of  Double  Hyacinths,  Tulips  and  Sum- 
mer Snow  Flake,  and  oldige. 


We  have  nothing  in  the  world  to  sell,  but 
this  paper  and  a  few  incidental  hooks.  We 
don't  aspire  to  more  than  this,  provided  we  get 
the  50,000  subscribei-s  we  have  now  made  a 
good  beginning  on  enrolling.  Our  resjiected 
but  possibly  careless  reader,  is  referred  to  our 
advertisci-s  for  the  information  he  is  in  want  of. 

Bell-flowered  Scilla.  Sometimes  the  botani- 
cal name  of  a  genus,  is  prettier  and  easier  to 
use  than  the  conmion  name  it  is  knowni  by.  In 
such  a  ca.se  the  former  should  be  used  for  the 
icmnuon  n.ime.  An  instance  of  this  kind,  is 
found  in  the  Scilla,  or  as  it  is  often  called 
Squill.  We  greatly  prefer  foi-  the  s])ecies  fig- 
ured on  the  opposite  page,  the  name  Bell-flower- 
ed Scilla  to  BeU-flowcrcd  Squill.  But  najiie 
a.side.  this  is  a  desirable  Spring-flowering  bulb 
that  should  oftener  l)e  seen.  It  is  harrly  in 
the  ojien  ground  even  in  the  nt)rth,  but  a  slight 
cover  over  the  bulbs  during  wintci-  is  lieneficial. 
The  color  of  the  species  is  a  l)eautiful  hyacinth 
blue;  but  there  are  also  varieties  of  white  and 
other  colorivl  flowers.  Plant  the  bulbs  in  the 
fall  months,  at  any  time  liefore  the  gromid 
fri'ezes.  They  can  be  bought  for  about  7.5  cents 
a  dozen  from  dealei-s  in  Dutch  Bulbs.  The  bulbs 
also  force  easily  for  flijwers,  in  the  window. 


i8 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


November, 


The  Mixed  Flower  Border. 

As  this  is  a  goiid  season  for  planiiing^and 
starting  the  work  of  nialvinsr  a  mixed  flower 
border,  illustrations  for  arranging  the  prin- 
ciple plants  of  one,  are  herewith  given.  This 
one  is  designed  to  be  largely  composed  of 
hardy  plants.  The  kinds  of  these  to  choose, 
and  the  manner  of  placing  for  having  the 
same  border  showing  hard_v  flowers  at  the 
different  seasons,  is  the  object  in  showing 


entire  bed.  Such  persons  must  continue  to 
look  to  the  free-flowering  tender  bedders 
chiefly,  which  while  constantly  very  attrac- 
tive in  hot  weather,  call  for  an  expenditure 
for  new  stock  each  sjiring,  the  old  perishing 
with  the  fall  frosts. 

But  the  true  lover  of  nature  sees  beauty 
in  plants  when  they  are  out  of  bloom,  as 
well  as  when  in  bloom.  For  most  of  .such, 
the  large  variety  of  sorts,  and  the  succession 


^      Anemones.  J^"^/-*      I'aiuii-s      \( 


Locatioq  of  Spriqg   Flowers, 


Fig  2.      Locatioq  of  Sumnier  Flowers. 

THE  MIXED  FLOWER  BORDER, 

The  three  figures  .showiiiK  liimls  of  hardy  Huwers  in  liloom  at  difTerent  seasons,  and  location  of  groups  in  the  same 
border.  The  hultis  and  tender  plant.s  to  occup.y  intervening  places,  are  not  named.  Scale  about  10  feet  to  the  inch.  See 
page  17  for  Fig.  3. 


three  engravings  of  the  same  lied.  In 
the  original  bed  which  furnished  the  idea 
of  these  figures,  many  tender  plants  and 
Itulbs  were  planted  between  the  groups  each 
spring,  but  lack  of  space  forljids  naming 
such  in  the  diagrams.  Aside  from  print- 
ing these  plans,  which  were  carefully  en- 
graved expressly  for  Popular  G.\RDENrN(i, 
little  if  anything  is  left  to  be  said,  concern- 
ing arrangement.  It  may  be  remarked  how- 
ever, that  in  general  the  lower  or  front  part 
of  the  bed  is  devoted  to  low  growing 
kinds  of  |ilants  with  taller  ones,  graded  as 
to  height,  further  back,  the  highest  of  course 
in  the  rear.  In  introducing  the  tender  flow- 
(Ts  and  bulbs  into  the  border  in  the  spring, 
re,gard  is  had  to  the  same  principle. 

A  liorder  of  this  kind  has  the  merit  of 
;ifTording  perhajis  the  greatest  degree  of  in- 
terest and  attractiveness,  for  the  least  outla}' 
of  money,  of  any  style  of  adornment  in  this 
line  that  can  be  employed.  With  due  atten- 
tion to  planting  some  good  tender  stock  each 
spring, between  the  permanent  hardy  flowers, 
not  only  will  there  be  a  display  of  bloom 
from  early  spring  until  late  fall,  but  every 
week  will  see  a  pleasing  variation  in  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  bed,  from  that  of  the  W(>eks 
that  have  gone  before. 

To  be  sure  along  with  using  hardy 
flowers  largely,  that  have  but  one  time  of 
bloom  in  each  season,  there  will  also  neces- 
sarily be  seen,  many  blank  spaces  between 
the  resiJective  clumps  of  flowers  throughout 
the  season.  This  is  the  chief  obJecfi<iu 
raised  to  this  style  of  bediling,  by  those  who 
can  be  satisfied  with  nothing  short  of  a  bril- 
liant  and  constant  sheet   of  bhuini  over  tlie 


of  flowers  if  somewhat  broken  in  places,  of 
the  mixed  border,  afford  satisfaction  as  no 
formal  bed  of  a  few  sorts  of  summer  liloomers 
could  possibly  do.  The  botanist  would  also 
quickly  decide  in  favor  of  the  mixed  border 
for  main  display,  over  any  other  style  of 
flower  bed. 

In  thus  calling  attention  1o  the  mixed  bor- 
der, we  would  not  desire  to  make  less  of 
summer  bedding,  but_  more  of  this  style  of 
planting.  Both  have  their  place  in  the 
adornment  of  our  grounds.  Before  the  time 
of  planting  out  next  spring,  arrives,  numer- 
ous beautiful  designs  for  summer  flower 
beds  will  be  given  in  these  i)ages,  so  that  all 
styles  may  be  fairly  rejiresented.  Of  one 
thim;  we  are  sure,  that  the  more  general  the 
intelligence,  concerning  all  modes  and  uses 
of  employing  decorative  plants,  the  better 
will  the  true  interests  of  both  growers  and 
planters  of  flowers,  be  promoted. 

So  far  as  actual  work  on  starting  a  mixed 
border  goes,  it  is  important  that  the  ground 
be  thoroughly  put  in  order  this  fall,  by 
trenching.  This  operation  is  described  on 
another  page,  under  "Work  of  the  Sea.son." 
Then  soine  time  before  the  planting  season, 
in  the  spring,  the  plants  and  seeds  for  stock- 
ing up  the  beds  .should  be  ordered,  so  that 
setting  them  out  may  then  take  place  at  the 
first  suitable  time  for  getting  to  work  on  the 
ground  in  the  early  .spring  months. 


Starvation  for  Trees, 

Does  any  reader  (if  Popfi„\R  G.\ni)ENiNO 
thiidv  that  a  street,  shade  or  fruit  tree, becau.se 
it  is  a  tree,  has  less  need  of  good  soil  than  a 
hill  of  corn  or  a  sipiasli   vine  hasV     If  so  let 


the  notion  be  dropped.  There  may  be  varia- 
tions in  the  degree  of  richness  needed  but  all 
plant  life  requires  fertility  of  soil  for  thrift. 

It  is  true  and  a  pity,  that  thousands  of 
persons  set  trees  into  any  kind  of  poor,  un- 
fertilized earth,  some  even  into  sand  or 
gravel  banks  and  call  this  tree  planting. 
Then  they  wonder  why  trees  don't  grow  fas- 
ter. We  do  not  want  one  of  our  readers  to 
be  clas.scd  among  such  planters. 

Let  it  be  understood  that 

, ^  a  tree  can  no  more  grow 

.^. ^  without  suitable  food,  than 

a  pig  or  an  ox  can.  What 
would  be  thought  of  a 
farmer  who  would  keep 
his  animals  at  the  starving 
point,  with  protruding  ribs 
and  hipbones,  year  in  and 
year  out,  and  call  this 
stock  raising.  Many  who 
set  trees  act  no  wi.scr. 

If  the  soil  is  poor  where 
trees  are  to  go,  enrich  it 
with  fine  old  manure,  or 
with  loam,  if  very  poor 
scrape  out  a  pot-hqle  to 
make  several  cart  loads, 
and  replace  with  soil  from 
a  cidtivated  garden  or 
other  rich  spot,  and  in  this 
Jilant  the  trees. 

If  trees  that  were  .set 
some  years  ago,  are  in  a 
starving,  stand-still  condi- 
tion— and  this  nine  times 
in  ten  is  what  ails  them 
when  they  don't  gro\\-  well 
— treat  to  overcome  the 
trouble.  In  most  cases  let 
them  be  taken  up,  the  soil 
])roperly  fitted,  replanting 
again.  If  tf)o  large  to  take  up,  fertility  may  be 
supplied  in  good  measure  by  toivdressing  the 
surface  over  the  roots  with  good  stable 
manure.  Now  is  the  best  season  for  doing 
this.  Let  the  coat  be  two  or  three  inches 
thick,  the  rain  and  frost  will  then  r<'duce  the 
manure  and  wash  its  substance  into  the 
soil.  By  next  season  the  roots  will  get  the 
benefit,  andlhrougli  the  roots  the  tree  aliove. 


C    tuberoaa    i 


Shakespeare  and  Strawberries. 

Students  of  Shakespeare  have  noticed  the 
following  passage  in  Richard  III,  Acts  3, 
Scene  4. 

My  Lord  of  Ely,  when  I  was  last  at  Holborn  I  saw 
good  strawberries  in  .your  garden  there,  I  do  beseech 
you  send  for  some  of  them. 

This  quotation  is  interesting,  first  as  show- 
ing that  the  great  dramatist  missed  nothin,g, 
and  second,  that  in  his  remote  time,  horti- 
culturally  speaking,  strawberries  passed  for 
good  fruit. 

In  those  daj's  the  delicious  berry  we  are 
now  accustomed  to,  was  wholly  unknown. 
The  kind  cultivated  at  Holborn  most  likely 
was  the  Alpine,  now  commonly  met  b}- 
travelers  in  Switzerland.  But  with  the  rapid 
advance  made  in  gardening  since  Shakes- 
peare's day,  the  Strawberry  has  received  due 
attention  at  the  imjirovcrs'  hands,  A\ith  very 
remarkable  results. 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  stale,  that  not  un- 
til the  beginning  of  the  present  century,  did 
the  Strawberry  begin  to  assume  the  import- 
ant position  it  now  holds.  In  1824.  by  order 
of  the  Botanical  Society  of  London,  Mr. 
James  Barnett,  of  Cheswick,  drew  up  a  re- 
port  of   the   kinds   tlien    under   cullivation. 


1885. 


POPULAR    GARDENING, 


19 


with  tlio  rvsnU  of  t^ffccting  increased  interest 
in  the  fruit,  nnd  the  production  of  new  vari- 
eties of  greiit  value. 

In  hiter  yt'ars,  the  advancement  made  in 
improving  tins  fruit  has  been  more  rapid  in 
America  than  abroad.  Not  a  year  now 
(lasses,  l)ut  a  manlier  of  new  sorts  are  otTered 
to  the  jiublic  by  their  originators  here.  With 
all  of  our  present  attainments  in  this  tield, 
it  is  iirobablc  we  shall  yet  .see  better  kinds 
tlian  any  now  known. 

But  of  oiu'  present  luscious  Strawlu'rries, 
what  could  Shakespeare,  had  he  known  them, 
have  said,  when  he  could  notice  with  favor 
the  very  inferior  kinds  familiar  to  his  age. 


The  Large-Flowering  Mock  Orange. 

Not   even  a  small  collection  of  shrubs  is 
(•(jmiilete.  if  it  does  not  include  at  least  one 
>Iock  Orange,  or  Philiidelphns.  to  use  the 
botanical  name.     The  shrubs  are  very  hard}', 
adai»ted  toall  places  and  soils,  and  are  par- 
ticularly noted  for  the  beauty  and  sweetness 
of  the  flowers.     Indeed 
t  h  e    C  o  m  m  o  n    G  a  r  1  a  n  d 
Mock  Orange,  the  flowers 
are  .so   highly  .scented,    that 
some  persons  are  found  wlio 
object  to  them  on  this  account, 
.just  as  some  persons   do  not 
like  the  Tuliero.se  fra.granee. 

Among  the  dilTerent  Mock 
Oranges  none  are  more  gen- 
erally desirable  than  the 
Large-fl(jwering  one,  of  which 
we  present  a  spirited  engrav- 
ing herewith.  It  belongs  to 
tile  section  of  free  growing 
sorts.  In  time  a  bush  will 
reach  the  height  of  ten  feet  or 
more,  with  eight  feet  or  more 
tlirough.  It  is  slightly  strag- 
gling in  habit,  only  to  render  it 
the  more  ornamental  for  this. 

Besides  producing  flowers 
that  are  mtich  larger  than 
I  hose  of  the  Com- 
mon Garland  s  p  e- 
cies,  the.se  are  less 
stron.glv  fra.grant. 
which  will  be  looked 
upon  as  another 
point  in  favor  of  this 
sort,  over  the  we  1 1 
known  old  one.  The 
large  pure  white 
flowers,  which  aji- 
jiear  along  the  twigs 
in.June.  areremark- 
alily  showy,  in  con- 
trast with  the  dark 
green  leaves.  For 
cutting  to  use  in 
tnble  vases,  few 
shrub  blooms  are 
more  effective. 

When  planted  in  mas.ses  with  other  shrulis, 
this,  like  the  other  strong  growing  Mock 
Oranges,  should  be  placed  somewhat  in  the 
rear,  because  of  its  taller  growth,  which  is 
above  the  average  of  flowering  shrubs.  For 
the  same  reason  it  is  better  placed  in  the  back 
portion  of  the  lawn  than  near  the  street, 
wliere  it  might  cut  ott'  the  view  too  much 
from  till'  house. 

While  this  shrub  ma.v  not  be  found  in 
every  nursery  which  sells  ornamental  trees 
and  shrubs,  we  And  it  offered  in  enough 
nursery  catalogues,  to  show  that  any  one  de- 
siring to  |)lant  it  can  ea.sily  procure  the  slock. 


Is    the    English    Gooseberry    Worth 
Growing  by    Us- 

II  came  very  near  lieing  iilaced  on  the  Re- 
jeted  List  of  fruits,  by  the  American  Pomo- 
logical  Society  at  one  of  its  meetings  some 
time  a.go.  That  such  an  act  would  have 
been  one  of  injustice  to  a  fine  and  wholesome 
fruit,  is  shown  by  the  accounts  of  success  in 
growing  it  in  America,  that  are  constanllv 
eimun,g  up.  It  now  seems  (piite  certain,  that 
where  there  is  failure  with  this  fruit, 'it  is 


open  culture  circumstances  must  dictate  how 
to  shade,  I  tind  bast  mats  answer  well. 

For  surface  mulching,  the  best  way  is  to 
remove  the  top  soil  down  to  near  the  roots, 
in  a  circle  of  three  or  four  feet  in  diameter. 
Any  uncovered  roots  must  be  covered  agaiii 
a  little,  .so  as  not  to  let  the  manui-e  come  di- 
rectly in  contact  with  the  roots;  then  four 
(H'  five  inches  of  old  rotten  manui'(\  laid  on 
and  ti'oddeii;  then  rejilace  the  earth,  rake, 
and  the  manure  will  scarcelv  be  seen. 


THE    LARGE-FLOWERING  MOCK  ORANGE. 


owing  to  mismanagement.  Here  is  wliat 
Mr.  T.  Bennett,  a  successful  grower,  lately 
had  to  say  about  the  English  Gooseberry 
in  the  GiirdcKcrs  Monthli/,  his  remarks  being 
somewhat  condensed  by  our  editors: 

It  flourishes  best  in  a  clay  soil  or  heavy 
loam,  but  will  glow  in  much  lighter  soils. 
The  [ilants  only  need  sufficient  shading  and 
good  summer  mulching,  with  at  least  one 
good  watering,  when  going  out  of  blossom, 
to  yield  and  rijien  large  crops  of  its  delicious 
fruit.  It  will  grow  under  shade  lieller  than 
any  other  fruit,  and  does  well  trained  up  to 
the  north  side  of  a  fence  or  building.     In 


Little   Things   at 
Right  Time. 

Too  many  plant - 
growers  are  like 
N  a  a  m  a  n  of  old, 
anxious  to  do  some 
great  thing  in  a 
lordly  style,  instead 
of  attending  to  the 
simple  little  reiiuire- 
ments  that  lead  to 
success. 

It  may  be  seen  for 
example,  that  better 
actual  results  at 
plant  culture  are 
sometimes  found  in 
the  kitchen  window 
of  the  most  humble 
dwelling,  where 
there  is  a  fight 
against  frosts  all 
through  the  winter 
perhaps,  than  in 
elaborate  plant 
houses,  excelling  in 
facilities  to  meet  the 
wants  of  jilant  life. 
In  the  one  case  there 
is  close  attention  to 
the  small  require- 
ments which  the 
true  lover  of  flowers 
is  ever  ready  to  he- 
stow,  in  the  other 
a  rule-limited  haj)- 
ha/.ard  way  of  ear- 
ing for  the  subjects. 

An  esteemed  cor- 
respondent of  Poi"- 

I'L.M!       G.\l{I)KXI.N(i 

living  in    Detroit, 
-Michigan,  who  signs 
herself     "Sister 
(irac'ious,"    Ijils  the 
nail  squarely  on  the 
head,   in  giving  her 
"only.secrel  "  of  successat  liloomiii.g  Gerani- 
ums, Begonias  and  .so  on  in  midwinter.     She 
writes  on  this  mailer  as  follows: 

"I  think  of  them  at  the  right  time.  For 
instance,  a  night  promi.ses  to  be  extra  cold, 
so  I  siiend  five  minutes  ])utling  iu'wspai>ers 
lietwen  the  .gla.ss  and  the  jilaiits.  Then  when 
to  water,  bothers  some  folks.  It  i.s  well  to 
have  a  set  time  for  this,  say  after  the  silling 
room  is  put  loriirhls.  Push  up  the  soil  with 
the  finger,  if  it  is  damp,  pa.ss  it  by.  if  dry 
and  dusly  pour  on  \v;iriiiish  water. 

Another  thing:  wash  the  leaves  once  a  week. 
I  lake  a  tub,  put  the  plant  in,  and  cleanse 
with  a  fine  sprinkler.  The  leaves  thank  me 
for  this  by  their  bright  looks  afterwards. 
A  small  whisk  broom,  dipped  in  water  and 
shaken  over  I  he  plants  also  answers. 

As  for  lime,  it  lakes  me  about  half  an  hour 
a  da.v,  and  the  work  is  such  a  delighlfnl 
ehanire  it  rests  me,  mind  and  bodv." 


20 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


November, 


^ff^-^fcT^lf 


o 


^i^o^}p^:^<^]-y^. 


PNC 


f^s^' 


Fair  Aral>ella.'_talking  slang. 

Cannot  endiire  old-fashioned  flowers— 

'■  Cheap  flowers,  you  know,  so  awful  slow. 

That  in  poor  peoples'  gardens  grow. 

And  only  watered  by  the  showers; 

I  like  a  liloom  that  costs  a  guinea! "" 

Fair  AraljeUa,  you're  a  ninny. 

And  think,  perhaps,  park  air's  too  common 

To  please  so  superfine  a  woman! 

And  that  the  sunshine  could  be  sweeter 

If  bought  like  gaslight,  by  the  meter. 

Chrysanthemum  days. 

Willows  wfpp  now.  if  ever. 

Autumn's  glory  is  declining. 

Fond  Lilies  are  being  forced. 

Marechal  Neil  Koses,  run  scarce. 

Scarlet  and  crimson  blooms  suit  brunettes. 

Flat  bouquets  for  brides,  are  coming  more  into 
use. 

In  using  ribbons  with  flowers,  take  complemeutal 
colors. 

Corsage  bunches  of  Mignonette  with  Adiantuni 
fringing  are  exquisite. 

Cut  blooms  of  Doulile  Bouvardia  must  not  lie 
sprinkled;  it  will  blacken  them. 

Fern  fronds  keep  fresh  longer,  if  immersed  in 
water  for  an  h<jur  before  using. 

Clasped  hands,  made  of  Immortelles,  on  the  face 
of  funeral  pilluws,  is  a  new  featiu'e. 

Chrysanthemums  brilliant,  lasting  and  cheap 
when  bdught.  are  unequalled  for  wear. 

Standing"  pieces  are  now  preferred  to  hanging 
designs,  like  liells  and  balls  for  weddings. 

In  San  Francisco,  Violets,  Stocks.  Candytuft, 
etc.,  are  produced  at  extremely  low  rates,  by  Italian 
market  gardeners. 

Report,niakes  the  surface  devoted  to  winter-bloom- 
ing Carnation  plants,  this  year  less  than  the  average 
of  former  seasons. 

Sprays  •  >f  that  common  and  easily  grown  favorite. 
Libonia  flftribunda,  associate  well  in  table  glasses, 
with  the  blue  Salvia. 

The  handsome  blooms  of  ras.siflora  qnadrangu- 
laris,  sliow  with  charming  effect  when  arranged 
singly  in  finger  glasses. 

Few  flowers  are  prettier  for  the  coat,  than  the 
Sw.'et  Jasmine,  which  should  now  be  in  bloom.  A 
bit  of  its  own  foliage.  Ls  the  most  suitable,  asagreen. 

No  flowers  grown  are  easier  to  arrange  with 
good  effect  than  the  Chrysanthemums,  provided 
only,  they  are  cut  with  long  stems,  and  are  kept  un- 
crowded. 

It  is  said  that  the  ])retty  scarlet  hemes  of  the 
Rivina  Hinnilis.  if  applied  to  the  cheek  will  give  it 
a  healtliy.  natural  biiniette  blood  color,  that  is  last- 
ing and  defies  detection.     We  cannot  vouch  fortius. 

The  Rose  grower  who  will  build  up  an  estabhsh- 
ment  for  forcing  the  finer  kinds  <if  Roses,  to  be  sold 
at  wholesale,  somewhere  midway  between  Chicago 
and  Boston,  near  the  line  of  the  lakes,  could  doubt- 
less soon  work  up  a  paying  business. 

Flower  holders,  of  basket  ware,  but  in  the  form  of 
pitcliers.  are  favorites.  Filled  with  Roses  having 
long  stems,  or  other  flowers  similarly  furnished, 
with  some  of  these  hanging  over  one  side,  to  nearly 
touch  the  table,  they  look  most  gi-aceful. 

A  Floral  Clock.  Our  correspondent,  Mr.  John  M. 
Clark,  of  Cook  Co..  111.,  writes  that  among  many 
beautiful  floral  designs,  shown  at  the  Illinois  State 
Fair  recently,  one  in  the  form  of  a  clock,  was 
especially  so.  This  design  represented  an  old-timer. 
five  or  more  feet  high,  with  its  various  external 
parts  shown  almost  perfectly,  in  flowei"s  and  buds. 

Not  every  flower  combines  well  with  the  large 
Roses,  and  particularly  with  Uen.  Jacqueminot  and 
other  Hybrid  sorts.  To  use  these  alone  however  in 
bouquets,  tends  to  a  lack  of  freedom  in  the  effect. 
By  scattering  sprays  of  well  grown  Mignonette.  Lily 
of  the  Valley  or  Slaiden  Hair  Fern  fronds  among 
the  Roses,  tlic  bunch  may  be  livened  sufficiently. 

We  cannot  credit  the  statement  that  the  general 
demand  i.s  nmning  for  the  comjiact.  old  style  bou- 
quets, in  which  the  flowers  are  crowded  beyond  al- 
lowing of  fair  individual  display.  Ultra-fashionable 
people  may  ask  for  such,  but  not  people  of  taste. 
The  step  from  the  style  referred  to,  to  the  natural 


arrangement  in  bouquets  of  recent  yeai*s.  is  one  of 
the  most  pronounced  signs  of  improved  taste  in 
these  matters. 

For  a  lunch  or  tea-drink,  individual  corsage 
favors,  as  many  as  there  are  lady  guests,  may  be  used 
for  making  up  the  chief  table  piece  of  flowers,  be- 
fore distributing  them  to  the  wearei"s.  These  should 
be  composed  of  long-stem  flowers,  Roses  being  gen- 
erally preferred.  They  may  be  tied  with  ribbons, 
and  should  be  finished  complete  for  wear  before 
making  into  the  large  piece.  For  the  holde^r.  pro- 
cure a  deep,  basket  with  flaring  rim.  Into  this 
place  the  bunches,  using  Fern  fronds  or  Smilax 
around  the  edge,  and  between  the  flowei"s  for  keep- 
ing them  in  place.  Everything  must  be  dry.  or  the 
ribbons  wiU  become  soiled:  if  the  stems  are  not  so. 
dry  them  with  soft  paper  before  tying.  The  lunch 
over,  pass  the  basket,  each  lady  taking  a  bouquet. 

D)otanicalB)\id^et 

KootS  absorb  mostly  by  their  tips. 
Lilac  stems  annually  become  two  forked. 
Of  all  plant  organs,  leaves  are  the  most  varied. 
Many  so-called  Vines  are  not  such:  the  Grape  is  a 
Vine. 

A  Chrysanthemum,  precisely  one-half  of  which 
was  iif  a  purphsh  ro.se  color,  the  other  pure  white, 
has  been  met. 

Mr.  A.  Blanc  reports  a  plant  of  the  Marigold, 
that  Ijeai-s  both  single  straw  colored,  and  double 
orange  blooms  on  the  same  plant. 

Dr.  Hexamer  strongly  claims,  that  the  male  plant 
has  through  the  poUen  a  powei'ful  special  influence, 
not  oidy  ou  the  offspring,  but  also  on  the  female. 

A  comparison  of  the  flora  of  New  Brunswick  with 
the  same  species  of  that  further  inland,  shows 
that  the  low  temperature  and  damp  air  of  the  former 
place  has  quite  a  pecuhar  effect. 

The  so-called  White  Bridal  Rose,  grown  in  pots  in 
the  \\  indow  and  greenhouse,  is  a  Branil>le  instead  of 
Rose,  being  veiy  near  the  Raspberry,  and  known 
botanically  as  Rulms  rosrefolius. 

Mosses  and  Liverworts.  In  her  new  catalogue 
of  these.  f<ir  Amei'i<'a  n<irlh  of  Mexico.  Clara  E.  Cuni- 
niings.  cpf  Wellt^sley.  IMass..  records  HW  species  of 
the  former,  231  of  the  latter,  besides  many  varieties. 

The  newer  species  of  Potatoes,  inchiding  the  P^xi- 
zona  Potato.  .S'«/n»um  JffTXfs/,  and  the  Darwin  Po- 
toto.  S.  magliu.  together  with  the  possibility  of  em- 
ploying them  for  the  improvement  of  the  esculent 
potato,  are  receiving  much  attention  from  garden- 
el's  and  }iyliridizei"s. 

What  pass  f'>r  leaves  in  the  well-known,  but  eiTO- 
neously  named  Smilax.  Mi/rsijiJiylluni  asparoyoifieii, 
are  not  leaves  at  all.  but  leaf-branches  called  clado- 
phylls,  which  perform  the  oflice  of  leaves.  The  true 
leaves  consist  of  thin  and  minute  scales,  which  take 
careful  looking  for  to  discover. 

It  is  gratifying  to  note,  that  at  the  recent  meeting 
of  the  American  Association  for  the  A<lvanoment  of  i 
Science,  the  interest  shown  in  the  botanical  branch  of  I 
the  work  of  this  society,  excelled  that  of  all  others.  I 
Says  a  report,  "the  best  atteiuled  meetings  are  those  ' 
of  the  Botanical  Club,  where  no  formal  papers  are 
presented,  but  merely  short  notes  and  observations,  i 
which  are  discussed.  The  success  that  has  attended  j 
the  work  of  this  club  is  very  encouraging  iudeed." 

The  death  of  Judge  G.  W.  Clinton,  at  Albany,  N.  j 
Y..  on  Septemlier  7th.  removed  a  great  jurist,  a  de-  I 
voted  student  of  Botany,  and  a  most  estimable  citi-  ; 
zen.  Although  his  attainments  as  a  Botani.st  were  i 
far  above  the  ordinary,  he  pursued  this,  his  favorite 
study  in  Natural  Science,  only  as  a  recreation  from  i 
his  legal  labors,  and  because  of  a  simple  love  of  Na-  i 
ture.  We  wish  more  of  our  professional  and  busi-  i 
ness  men.  could  learn  the  secret  of  his  joyous  life, 
by  finding  recreation  in  the  ample  field  of  Nature,  as  , 
he  did.  Botany  in  New  York  State  will  not  soon  find  , 
another  more  devoted  follower  than  was  this  learned,  i 
simple-mannered  and  good  man. 

"  Talks  Afield  "  is  the  name  of  a  delightful  trea-  | 
tise  of  178  pages  about  plants  and  the  science  of  ! 
plants,  adapted  to  the  wants  of  non-scientific  readers.  [ 
It  is  from  the  iien  of  L.  H.  Bailey.  Jr..  who.  in  various 
ways,  in  recent  years,  has  done  a  good  work  in  pop-  , 
ularizing  the  science  of  Botany.    The  present  work  ' 
will  go  far  as  a  first-book  in  supi^lying  the  wants  of  i 
that  large  class,  who  feel  tlie  need  of  being  inform-  , 
ed  on  the  conunon   principles  of  this  subject;  we  , 
venture  to  say  that  those  who  turn  from  the  average  , 
work  on  Botany  as  being  dry  reading,  will  not  long 
lay  aside  this  hook  until  its  la.st  chapter  is  reached. 
From  the  Riverside  Press  of  Houghton.  Mitfiin  &  Co., 
Boston,  Mass.  i 


ADDITIONAL     FRUIT    AND    VEGE- 
TABLE NOTES. 


Sort  before  storing  away. 

The  more  fruit  the  better  health. 

Vegetable  roots  keep  weU  in  coal  ashes. 

Garlics  winter  best  when  hung  in  a  Avy,  cool 
place. 

The  Romans,  according  to  Pliny,  had  2:2  varieties 
of  aju^les. 

The  Long  Island  Cabbage  seed  crop  is  reported 
1.5  per  cent  below  average. 

Twenty  acres  have  been  set  to  Figs,  by  Major 
Russell,  in  Baker  county.  Florida. 

The  Concord  graj^e  is  said  to  have  originated  as 
one,  out  ()f  a  total  of  '^*2,iX)0  seedlings. 

Plenty  of  manure  makes  tender  Rhubarb  and 
prime  Asparagus.  Try  at  least  a  part  of  the  patt'h. 
and  see. 

Insects  multiply  rapidly,  but  invention  and  hu- 
man ingenuity  more  than  keep  pace  with  them,  said 
Prof.  A.  J.  Cook,  at  the  Orand  Rapids,  Mich.,  Ponia- 
logical  Meeting. 

It  is  estimated  that  the  fruit  yield  of  the  Hudson 
River  district  this  year  is  running  :W  per  cent  ahead 
of  that  of  former  years.  The  shipments  of  Grapes 
will  reach  about  5,250  tons,  valued  at  S3fi7,500. 

A  Strawberry  vote  reported  from  six  different 
Western  Slates,  to  the  Prairie  Former,  ran  thus: 
the  most  profitable  strawberry  stood.  Crescent,  nine ; 
Wilson,  four.  The  vote  on  second  best  was.  Wilson, 
four:  Crescent,  three:  and  the  others  scattering. 

Varieties  Running  Out.  The  accomplished  edi- 
tor of  the  (Titniriiirs'  Mimthly  has  little  faith  in  this. 
Varietes  may  be  moved  to  soil  or  climate  or  both 
unfavorable  to  health  and  here  wear  out.  There  is  no 
known  reason  why  varieties  should  not  last  bnndreils 
of  years. 

The  culture  of  the  BluebeiTy  is  finding  an  advo- 
cate in  Mr.  Delos  Staples.  West  Sebewa,  Mich.  The 
plants  are  of  the  "tiiie  blue"'"  as  regards  hardiness. 
.'Standing  4()°  below  zero,  without  injury.  They  are 
said  to  be  capable  of  producing  li^l  bushels  to  the 
acre,  under  ordinary  treatment. 

Wine  in  the  United  States.  The  Wine  and  Fruit 
Qroirrr  of  New  York,  predicts  that  the  annual  pro- 
duction will  soon  reach  HX1  million  gallons.  Al- 
though France  leads  all  other  countries  in  her  pro- 
ducts of  the  vine,  it  is  claimed  that  there  are  in  the 
United  States  1(X)  acres  adapted  to  grape  culture, 
for  every  one  in  France. 

"We  smile  al  the  story  of  the  boy  who  planted  a 
sixpence,  thinking  more  would  gi'ow.  The  boy  was, 
perhaps,  not  over  bright.  But  we  can  suggest,  if 
not  the  actual  planting  of  money,  something  that 
will  do  as  well  as  ever  the  boy  desired,  namely,  the 
depositing  of  tiO  cents.  as"'seed."  with  the  publishers 
of  PopiT^R  Gardening,  and  receive  in  return  a 
prepetnal  and  large  crop  of  valuable  ideas  and  in- 
formation, throughout  the  year.  Try  this  kind  of 
husbandry. 

The  Niagara.  Popilar  Gardening  takes  hearty 
pleasure  in  adrlinga  word  for  this  new  Grape. which 
originated  in  the  neighboring  city  of  Lockport.  Of 
the  lieantiful  and  delicious  fruit  it  is  enough  to  say, 
that  in  the  Buffalo  market  it  readily  fetches  from 
15  cts.  to  25  cts.  per  pound,  alongside  of  Black  Grapes 
selling  at  5  cts.  As  to  vigor,  young  vines  set  last 
spring,  grew  twelve  feet  during  the  season.  It 
proves  to  be  an  enormous  bearer.  Being  perfectly 
hardy  as  far  north  as  Lockport.  it  must  prove  so 
everj-where  in  our  country. 

A  new  book  on  Fruit  Culture.  When  a  man 
with  the  ripe  experience  at  fruit  growing  possessed 
by  Mr.  Wm.  C.  Strong,  of  Boston.  Mass.,  writes  a 
book  on  this  subject,  it  may  l>e  expected  to  be  of 
more  than  ordinary  value.  We  have  before  us  such 
a  volume  recently  written  hy  this  gentleman.  It« 
value  imjjresses  us  so  favorably,  that  we  feel  to  re- 
commend it  to  every  cultivator  in  need  of  a  guide  of 
this  kind.  Our  space  does  not  allow  of  an  extended 
notice.  In  brief,  it  may  be  said  that  the  book  covei"s 
the  entire  groimd  in  an  admirably  clearstyle.  Pub- 
hshed  by  Houghton.  Miffiin  &  Co..  Boston. 

American  Pomological  Society.  The  meeting 
held  at  Grand  Rapids.  Mich.,  in  September,  was  one 
of  the  best  ever  known,  notwithstanding  the  opposi- 
t^n  that  early  prevailed  against  holding  it  in  what 
some  called  an  "out  of  the  way  place."  An  exhibit 
of  4,0(K)  di.shes  of  fruit  was  brought  together.  The 
essays  and  discussions  were  of  an  order  never  before 
equalled,  in  interest  and  value.  Much  regret  was 
manifested  at  the  absence  of  the  venerable  president 
Wilder,  of  Boston.  The  offtcers  re-elected  and 
elected,  are  Marshal  P.  Wilder,  Pi-esident,  Patrick 
Bariy.  Vice-President,  B.  Smith.  Treasurer,  Charles 
Garfield.  Secretary.  Boston.  Mass..  was  chosen  as 
the  uext  place  of  meeting  two  yeai*s  hence. 


1885. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


2  I 


Treecllmber's  Talks. 

AN   EARLY-COMMENCINO    FLOWER. 

In  my  jauuts  away  from  the  tife-top,  I  fre- 
qviently  get  into  the  outlying  meadows  and 
woods.  A  walk  here  is  rarely  taken  in  Octolier 
without  running  across  my  interesting  old 
frienil  .the  Witeh-hazel,  in  bloom.  This  shrub 
has  the  queer  habit  of  flowering  late,  after  all 
other  blooms  are  past,  and  even  when  its  own 
leaves  are  ripened  ami  falling.  I  she  > w  au  en- 
gi'aving  of  a  leaf  and  some  flowers  of  the  bush. 

These  late  flowers,  so  far  as  their  more  im- 
portant functions  of  maturing  seed  is  concerned, 
belong  to  next  sea.son.  The}'  are  merely  com- 
nienciu.g  the  coming  year's  operations  in  the 
end  of  this  year,  in  which  rcs|ject  they  are  like 
the  schools  that  have  commencements  at  the 
end  of  each  yearly  term.  The  blossoms,  of  a 
jiale  vellow.  showing  prettily  along  the  twigs, 
remain  in  a  (hied  state  where  they  are.  through 
the  winter.  When  spring  comes  thev  develop 
into  fruit,  and  require  the  season  to  mature. 

I  never  see  the  Witch-hazel  blooming  in  this 
unseasonable  mouth,  without  thinking  of  the 
special  perniit  it  seems  to  have  from  mistress 
Nature,  of  thus  getting  the  start  of  her  sister 
flowere  that  bloom  in  the  spring.  But  nature 
appears  to  delight  in  allowing  these  odd  caprices 
sometimes,  as  we  see  in  many  singidar  habits 
and  forms  in  the  vegetable  world.  The  Creator 
who  ordered  things  so,  saw  that  it  was  good, 
and  we  cannot  but  en  jo}'  in  this  bush  the  pleas- 
ing variations  of  some  flowei-s  late  in  the  fall, 
amongst  the  sombre  aspect  of  natm'e  at  this 
sea.son.  The  flowers  ajipear  much  more  attract- 
ive now  than  they  could  if  their  opening  was 
deferred  until  spring,  among  the  many  early 
flowers.  As  a  lawn  flowering  shi-ub  this  late 
bloomer  is  of  value.  A  friend  in  another  state 
reports  a  handsome  specimen  ten  feet  high,  in 
the  shape  of  a  sugai-  loaf,  which  every  autumn 
is  charmingly  coverefl  with  golden  bloom. 

Now  you  may  want  to  know  about 

THE   NAME   WITCH-HAZEL. 

This  shrub  of  singular  habit  has  long  been 
associated  with  supei-stitious  notions.  Those 
who  have  read  from  the  poems  of  Token,  may 
have  seen  the  following  allusion  to  it: 

Mysterious  plant :    }\'liose  golden  tresses  wave 
With  a  sad  beauty  in  the  dying  year. 
Blooming  amid  Xoveinber's  frost  severe. 
Like  a  pale  corpse-light  o'er  the  recent  grave. 
If  shepherds  tell  us  true,  th.v  wand  hath  power, 
With  gracious  influence  to  avert  the  harm 
Of  ominous  planets. 

The  fact  that  the  shrub  was  formerlv  thus 
regarded,  together  with  its  close  resemblance  to 
the  trae  Hazel,  easily  accounts  for  its  common 
name.  It  is  known  lx)tanically  as  HatnttmHis 
\'iryiniana.  The  branches  were  formerly  in  re- 
pute as  "divining  rods"  by  means  of  which 
deep  springs  of  water,  and  precious  metals 
were  supposed  to  be  revealed.  All  intelligent 
persons  know  V)etter  now  than  to  believe  that 
anj'thing  possesses  such  power,  and  the  notion 
meets  with  ridicule.  That  the  Witch-hazel  has 
some  medical  virtues  is  not  doubted,  and  an 
extract  from  it  is  a  popnlar  remedy. 

Timothy  Treeclimber. 


can  never  rea.sonably  lie  expected  to  be  done,  is 
thus  set  forth  by  a  recent  writer: 

Tocarr.v  the  \iiuly  nf  even  a  small  women,  weigh- 
ing, say,  Km  pounds,  wonlil  reifnire  a  machine  hav- 
ing at  leasl  four  liiirse  power.  This  would  call  for 
wings,  supjiosing  we  hail  the  machine  to  work  them, 
of  enormous  size.  The  liirds  fnmid  far  out  at  sea, 
known  a.s  Mother  Carey's  chickens,  seem  t<i  he  lal'Kc. 
but  when  killed,  and  the  body  stripped  of  feathers, 
it  Ls  not  much  bigger  than  a  canary  bird.    And  so  of 


Why  Men  Cannot  Fly. 
What  boy  as  he  has  watched  the  gracefid 
flight,  and  free  and  rapid  movements  of  birds 
through  the  aii-.  has  not  wished  that  he  could  fly ; 
Inventors  for  ages  have  dreamed  of  a  time  to 
come,  %vhen  men  could  put  on  wings  and  fly. 
Much  money  has  been  spent  in  devising  and 
building  flying  machines,  all  thus  far  without 
securing  anything  capable  of  serving  any  prac- 
tical or  useful  pm-pose.     Why  flying  Viy  men 


pounds  of  jams  and  jellies:  tinne<l  meats.  6,(100 
pounds:  di-ied  beans,  :).iK»i  pounds:  rice,  •'j.mniixiimds; 
onions,  .-j.mil  pounils;  potatiH's.  *>  tons:  Hour.  300 
barrels,  and  egtcs.  l.'Jim  dozen.  Kresh  vegetables, 
dead  meat,  and  live  bulli>cks,  sheep,  piKS,  geese, 
turkeys,  ducks,  fowls,  fish,  and  casual  game  are 
genei'ally  supplied  at  each  port,  so  that  it  isdiftieult 
to  estiimil<.  them  Probably  two  ilozeii  bullocksand 
si.\ty  sheep  would  be  a  fair  averaee  for  the  whole 
vo.vage.  and  the  rest  ma.v  he  inferred  hi  projjortion. 
During  t he  sunnner  months,  when  traveling  is  hea\'y. 
twenty-live  fuw  Ls  are  often  used  in  soup  for  asiugle 
dinner. 


lie 


pen 


Read  hit  to  me. 


AN   EARLY-COMMENCING  FLOWER 


all  birds  capable  of  extended  flight.  Man's  strength, 
it  is  estimated,  would  have  to  be  increased  some 
thirt.v  fold  before  he  could  fly.  and  then  he  would 
be  forced  to  confine  himself  to  dead  calm  weather. 
CmTents  of  air  have  often  a  velocity  of  twenty  miles 
per  hour,  a  fact  which  .shows  how  might.v  must  be 
the  power  man  must  command  before  he  can  launch 
himself  upon  the  air  and  compete  \\  ith  even  the 
slowe.st  birds.  Aside  from  au  extreniel.v  jtowerful 
motor  there  must  be  some  apparatus  that  will  do 
the  same  special  .service  for  man  that  feathers  and 
wings  do  for  birds. 


Sharing  Equally. 

The  visions  of  Socialists  and  others,  who  be- 
lieve that  an  equal  distribution  of  wealth  among 
all  mankinil  is  needed  for  securing  the  highest 
sum  of  happiness,  can  never  be  realized.  Even 
if  it  were  possible  to  be  carried  out.  the  results 
would  not  effect  any  material  change  in  the 
condition  of  the  poor. 

During  one  of  the  revolutions  in  the  city  of  Paris, 
several  t-ough-looking  men  entered  the  banking 
house  of  Rothschild  and  demanded  nione.v.  saying 
that  all  men  were  brethren,  and  that  the  lich  should 
share  with  the  poor. 

"  Here  is  your  .share."  said  the  banker,  handing 
each  man  a"  five-franc  piece:  "there  are  many  of 
my  poor  brethren  in  Parts."  An  Eastern  parable 
runs  thus; 

.4.  very  poor  man  went  to  a  very  rich  man  and 
said.  "We  are  two  sons  of  Adam  and  Eve:  therefore 
we  are  brothers.  'V'ou  are  very  rich,  and  I  am  verj- 
poor;  give  me  a  brother's  share." 

The  rich  man  gave  to  the  poor  man  one  cowrie — 
the  smallest  jiiec-e  of  mone.v.  a  tiny  shell. 

'The  pour  num  said.  "O  sir.  why  do , von  not  bestow 
upon  me  a  brothers  share  "r" 

To  which  the  rich  man  rei>lied.  "  Be  content,  my 
good  friend :  if  I  give  all  luy  poor  brothers  one  cow- 
rie each,  1  shall  not  have  any  remaining. 


Writing  not  Easy  Work 
Colonel  "^'erger's  negr<i  Sum,  although  very 
useful  as  a  general  utility  man  about  his  mas- 
ter's j)laee,  found  it  exhausting  to  wiite  letters. 
According  to  Ti.nis  Siflinris  he  thus  applied  to 
his  employer  for  some  clerical  aid,  with  the  re- 
sult stated : 

"Boss,  I  wants  yerter  write  mealetteiter  Waco." 

"All  righl,  Sam,  I'll  do  it." 

"Has  yer  got  de  paper  an'  de  ink 
ready  dar'r" 

"  \es,  Sam.  go  ahead." 

"  Write  Austin,  Texas." 

"  All  right." 

"  Has  yer  got  hit  written?" 

"Yes." 

"  Allobhit?" 

"Certainly." 

"What  has  .ver  got  written? 
boss." 

"  An.stin,  Texas." 

"  Pat's  right.    Now  write  June  de  fourteenf." 

".\II  right.  Sam." 

"  Has  3'er  got  hit  down  boss.  alread.v." 

"  Yes." 

"(i'wa.y.  boss,  .you  am  jokin'.    Read  hit  ler  me." 

".Tune  fourteenth." 

"Y'ou  has  got  hit  down  all  right.     Now.  boss, 
reail  hit  all  ober  from  de  heny  begiimin' 

"Austin.  Texas,  June  fourteenth." 

"  Dat's  right.    "V^Tiew :  I  say.  boss,  let's  res'  awhile, 
I's  tired.    M.v  head  aches  like  hitwasgwintersplit." 


Satisfied  that  tha  Earth  is  not  Round. 

We,  who  are  amuseil  at  the  theories  of  un- 
civilized or  ignorant  ]>eople  concerning  the 
shape  of  the  earth,  should  reflect  that  it  is  only 
a  few  hunch'e<l  years,  since  even  wise  men,  were 
ske])tical  as  to  the  matter  of  its  rotundity. 
Following  is  an  account  of  the  pros  and  cons 
on  this  same  subject  and  a  test  of  the  I'a-se,  by 
two  braves  of  an  Indian  village,  near  Quebec, 
some  time  since,  and  printed  in  the  Golden 
Days: 

One  held  that  it  was  round,  because  men  had  trav- 
eled in  a  straitrht  line  and  had  come  back  to  the 
ver.v  spot  whence  the.v  had  started. 

To  this  it  was  rei>iied  that  men  were  apt  to  travel 
in  circles,  as  they  often  do  when  lost. 

Then  it  was  urged  that  white  men  said  so,  and 
they  knew  more  than  the  Indians:  hut  it  was  an- 
swered white  men  frequenth'  lied,  as  the  Indians 
ver.v  well  knew, 

■The  matter  was  settled  finalfv  as  follows:  A  stake 
was  driven  into  the  groimrl.  and  at  night  an  apple 
was  placed  upon  the  stake.  In  the  morning  the 
apple  was  still  there:  whereupon  the  chief,  who  was 
acting  as  referee  in  the  ca-se.  <leclared  that  if  the 
earth  had  revolved  in  the  nij^ht  the  apple  would 
have  fallen  off. 


Professor  dooking  at  his  watch) :  "  As  we 
have  a  few  more  minutes,  I  shall  lie  glad  to  an- 
swer any  question  that  any  one  may  wish  to 
ask." 

Weary  Student :  "What  time  is  it,  plea-sef 


The  pleasantest  things  in  the  world  are  pleas- 
ant thoughts,  and  the  greatest  art  in  life  is  to 
have  as  inmiv  of  them  as  [wssible. 


Provisions  for  an  Ocean  Steamer. 

Persons  from  the  interior,  who  for  the  first 
time  see  a  large  ocean  steamer,  are  quite  cer- 
tain to  be  impresswl,  by  its  vast  proportions. 
And  yet  its  cupatity  for  holding  freight  and 
pa.s.seugei-s,  and  the  extent  of  the  ojierations  of 
loading  and  fitting  ui)  the  vessel  for  a  voyage, 
are  hanl  to  be  realized  liy  the  casual  si>ectator, 
as  a  large  portion  of  the  vessel  lies  out  of  sight 
beneath  the  surface  of  the  water.  The  Loiidtin 
Tiinrs  thus  descriiies  the  provisiimiug  of  a  large 
vessel,  for  passengers  and  crew : 

In  each  vessel  Ls  packeil  away  :i..'>00  pounds  of 
butter  rj.iwohams;  l.liW  pounds  of  biscuits,  exclu- 
sive of  those  supplied  for  the  crew:  S.lXKl  pounds  of 
grapes,  almonds,  figs,  and  other  dessert  fruits:  l,.'jil0 


An  investment  in  knowledge  always  pays  the 
liest  interest. 

An  Autumn  Hostelry. 

It  was  the  dear  «)ld  appU*  tree. 

^\1lo  took  me  for  his  gue.st : 
He  gave  me  shelter,  gave  me  food. 

And  welcome  of  the  best, 

A  hetl  I  foiuid  for  slinnlier  sweet, 

<  If  sfiflest  mosses  made: 
The  host  himself  he  covered  me 

With  cool  and  pleasant  shade. 

.\nd  when  I  asked  what  I  owed. 

He  shook  his  leaves  at  me. 
Be  blessings  on  ,vour  tieatl  for  a.ve. 

You  dear  olil  aiiple  tree. 

—  t'///and. 


22 


POPULAR     GARDENING. 


November, 


CAGE    BIRDS,   PET   ANIMALS,    ETC. 


Dogs  as  Helpers, 

One  of  the  pleasant  things  about  the  service 
of  dogs  is  that  they  delight  to  serve.  Their 
work  is  not  for  pay,  Imt  only  kind  words,  gen- 
tle treatment,  and  now  and  then  a  bone,  sufBces 
to  attach  them  to  their  masters,  for  lite  and  in 
death.  Man  has  not  been  slow  to  avail  himself 
of  this  willing  helper.  A  new  use  to  which  the 
dog  has  been  put — carrying  letters  tor  a  little 
mining  camp  in  California,  is  thus  reported  by 
a  paper : 

The  place  is  hardly  big  enough  to  liaveanarae, 
and  of  course  cannot  thiik  of  having  a  [..ist  (■fflce; 
but  the  few  niinei's  there  want  their  letters  just  as 
badly  as  though  tliey  lived  in  New  York  city  itself. 
They  could  not  tinil  a  man  to  hi-ingtliem  three  miles 
from  the  nean-st  [lost-c  iffice.  f.  ir  cxei  y  man  in  a  camp 
wants  to  dig  lor  K'old.  so  they  liav..  Iaut,'lit  a  dog  to 
doit.  Dorsev  is  the  nanieot  Hip  faitlilnl  lellow.  and 
he  run  his  three  miles  every  dai .  from  t'alico  where 
the  stage  stops,  to  Bismark,  the  camp,  in  twenty 
minutes,  with  the  letter  bag  strapped  to  his  back. 


Care  of  Canary  Birds. 

A  common  nustake  with  those  who  undertake 
to  have  a  canary  for  the  first  time,  is  to  keep 
the  cage  suspended  too  near  the  ceiling.  The 
heat  and  impurities  of  the  atmosphere  rise  to 
the  ceiling,  and  in  these  the  bird  can  never  be 
healthy,  and  an  unhealthy  bird  does  not  sing. 

To  keep  a  bird  in  a  room  where  gas  is  burned 
at  night  for  illumination  is  also  not  good,  un- 
less the  cage  is  hung  low  while  the  gas  is  lighted, 
and  is  kept  covered.  A  friend  who  complained 
that  her  bird  never  sang,  and  moulted  continu- 
ally, was  atlvised  to  move  the  cage  into  a  room 
imlighted  by  gas.  Here  it  put  on  a  splendid 
coat  of  plumage  and  soon  began  to  sing  with 
vigor. 

As  for  feeding,  this  is  a  more  simple  matter 
than  many  suppose.  On  this  point  the  f  olliiwing 
from  the  pen  of  Mrs.  Silas  Hill,  in  the  PhiUt- 
delphia  Frcas,  but  somewhat  condensed  by  us, 
is  to  the  point: 

I  have  had  good  success  with  raising  canary  birds, 
having  had  one  bird  that  lived  to  lie  si-xtcen  years 
and  six  months  old.  I  have  alH  ays  inl  tlii-m  every- 
thing that  1  knew  they  like  to  eat  inclu.lint;  liread. 
crackers,  with  boiled  potatoes,  licet,  turnip,  lettuce 
cabbage  and  cWck  weed,  I'or  srril  I  get  liemp  anil 
canary  Imt  mostly  hemp,  as  my  ninlslike  itthehest. 
I  always  give  my  tiirds  plenty  ot  water  tor  drink  anti 
to  ha  the  in.  Plenty  ot  sand  in  the  cage,  cuttle-houe 
and  red  peppers,  'i  have  never  had  any  trouble  in 
raising  young  birds,  1  give  the  lit!  le  ones  uard  boiled 
eggs  and  bread  and  mnk  wiili  a  sininkling  ot  sugar 
in  It,  One  year  1  raised  thirteen  oirdstroin  one  pair; 
eight  of  them  were  singers. 


Food  for  the  Mocking  Bird. 

Mr.  Ruth  an  experienced  bird  fancier  of 
Reatling,  Pa,,  prescribes  the  followiiig  food  for 
these  birds: 

"Take  the  yolk  of  a  hard  boiled  egg,  and  about 
the  same  amount  ot  a  boiled  potato,  and  mix. 
Then  add  as  much  prepared  food  to  ecjual  the 
amount  of  the  egg  and  potato.  I'Ved  in  a  smalt  dish. 
Mi.x  all  up  thoroughly,  feed  fresh  every  day. 
Give  plenty  ot  clean  water  and  strew  the  cage  with 
gravel.  \V  ash  out  the  cups  every  morniug.  A  meal 
worm  or  a  grasshopper  every  tlay,  and  once  in  a 
while  some  raw  beet,  is  aloo  very  good.  If  the  bird 
gets  droopy,  feed  it  a  spider.'' 


Scurf  in  Rabbits. 

Accortling  to  The  Featlti'n'il  [Viirld,  tliis  ail- 
ment comes  from  scantiness  of  fresh  green  food, 
or  else  contagion.  The  remedy  suggested  is  to 
wash  the  parts  with  warm  water,  cleaning  away 
every  sign  of  scurf.  Half  an  hour  later  apply 
a  solution  of  strong  tobacco  and  water,  say  an 
ounce  of  common  shag  to  half  a  pint  of  boil- 
ing water ;  using  it  luke  warm.  Continue  this 
treatment  every  other  day  for  a  week.  Healthy 
animals  must  be  kept  apart  from  affected  ones. 


Carrier  Pigeons  MightOften  be  made 
Useful. 

Cai'i'ier  pigeons  have  been  employed  for  some 
time  by  Dr.  Harvey,  of  Berlin,  as  assistants. 
In  going  tmt  on  practice  the  doctor  takes  sev- 
eral birds  along  with  him  in  a  small  basket, 
and  after  seeing  a  patient,  ties  the  prescrip- 
tion I'ouiul  the  neck  of  one  of  them  and  libei'- 


ates  him,  when  he  flies  straight  home  to  the 
sm*gei".y,  where  the  meiiicine  is  prepared  and 
sent  to  the  patient  without  loss  of  time.  Should 
any  patient  be  very  ill,  and  an  early  report  of 
his  condition  be  desired  by  the  physician,  a 
bird  is  left  with  him  to  bring  the  later  tidings. 
This  use  of  these  birds,  seems  to  show  that  in 
many  cases  they  might  be  used  to  advantage. 


A  Berlin  paper  reports  the  death  of  a  parrot 
in  Paris  at  the  age  of  one  hundi'ed  years.  Since 
the  government  of  Napoleon  III  it  is  said  to 
have  spoken  very  little. 


Sunflower  seed  makes  a  good  addition  to  the 
food  for  hard-billed,  seed-eating  birds,  sucli  as 
all  classes  of  cardinals,  grossbeaks,  parrots, 
cockatoos,  etc. 


In  selecting  globes  for  gold  flsh,  choose  those 
with  thin  glass. 


oviltry. 


How  to  get  Eggs  in  Winter. 

When  hens  fail  to  lay  in  the  winter,  it  is  be- 
cause they  ai'e  not  fairly  treated.  Suitable 
feed  and  shelter  should  start  pullets  in  laying 
this  month,  and  to  be  kept  nij  steadily  through 
the  cold  season.  The  difference  in  the  actual 
cost  of  keeping  over  in  good  condition  for  lay- 
ing, andof  keeping  them  in  a  halfway  condition, 
ought  not  to  be  above  a  fraction  of  the  increase 
in  the  income  that  attentLs  good  cai'e,  through 
the  high  prices  winter  eggs  always  command. 

To  induce  winter  laying,  rests  chiefly,  but 
not  wholly  with  the  feetling.  The  staple  food  of 
Indian  corn  is  unequalled  for  furnishing  heat 
and  fat,  but  is  deficient  in  albumen  and  phos- 
phates. For  some  breeds  like  the  Asiatics  it  is 
rather  too  fattening.  Wheat  is  a  more  perfect 
food ,  as  it  is  also  preferred  Ijy  fowls,  when  they 
have  a  choice  of  both.  A  mixture  of  the  two 
is  desirable,  with  some  oats  added  for  a  change. 
There  must  be  at  least  some  variety  in  the  grain 
fed,  for  the  best  results. 

In  addition  to  grain  animal  food  is  needed. 
Where  milk  in  any  shape  is  at  hand,  it  is  one 
of  the  best  of  foods.  Refuse  from  the  butchers, 
scrap  cake  and  oft'al  from  the  flsh  market  fiu'- 
iiish  valuable  material  for  making  eggs.  We 
at  one  time  h,ad  access  to  a  slaughter  house, 
where  hogs  lungs  coulil  be  had  by  the  bushel 
basketful,  briven  to  the  hens  the)'  were  tle- 
voured  with  avithty,  and  aided  in  the  return  of 
large  yields  of  eggs  in  the  winter.  To  feed  an- 
imal lungs,  they  should  have  a  string  tied  tightly 
around  the  middle,  and  be  hung  on  strong  nails. 
Then  the  hens  can  easily  eat  them,  but  if  thrown 
in  loose  they  cannot. 

Vegetable  food  in  some  form  is  also  necessary. 
Potatoes  and  turnips  boiled  and  mashed  with 
Indian  meal  is  hard  to  equal.  Cabbage  is 
always  acceptable,  and  where  there  is  an  ab- 
sence of  other  vegetables,  provision  should  be 
made  each  season,  to  have  a  good  stock  laid  up 
for  the  fowls  in  winter.  For  lack  of  ever)'  kintl 
of  green  vegetables,  not  a  bad  substitute  may 
be  hatl  in  clover  hay.  Those  who  have  never 
fed  this  will  be  sui-prised  to  .see  how  fond  fowls 
are  of  it,  at  this  .season.  If  fowds  have  the 
run  of  the  grounds,  and  there  is  no  snow 
laying,  they  will  manage  to  pick  up  some 
green  food  outside ;  this  should  not  be  too  much 
counted  on.  But  to  aid  in  the  grinding  of  the 
food  that  is  going  on  in  the  gizzard,  and  also  to 
afford  material  for  the  formation  of  egg-shells, 
it  must  not  be  forgotten  to  provide  laying  hens 
with  small  gravel  aiitl  grit,  broken  bones,  shells 
and  the  like.  They  should  have  free  access 
constantly  to  all  they  will  care  to  consume  of 
such  things. 

Properly  fed,  and  kept  in  a  warm,  well-lighted 
and  well-ventilated  house  during  the  winter, 
and  hens  will  not  fail  to  lay  well.  Provisions 
for  heating  the  house  a  little  during  the  coldest 


weather,  is  a  form  of  expenditure  that  repays 
amply  for  the  outlay,  however  warm  the'  house 
may  otherwise  be. 


No  Small  Matter. 

Too  often  we  fail  t^i  realize  how  impoidant  a 
part,  the  egg  product  plaj's  in  the  food  supply 
and  commerce  of  our  land.  On  this  point  Mr. 
C.  P.  Dewey  sometime  since,  contributeii  some 
interesting  figures  to  the  American  Arp-icul- 
furist,  from  which  we  condense  the  following : 

Five  million  dozen  of  eggs  are  annually  im- 
ported from  the  Dominion  of  Canada  alone. 
The  egg  import  from  Em'ope  is  also  large. 
Eggs  pay  no  duty,  and  when  we  reflect,  that 
this  product  comes  from  millions  of  humble 
sources — the  poultry  yards  of  small  farmers — 
and  that  it  is  only  the  surplus  that  goes  to 
market,  we  may  well  wonder,  where  and  how 
the  billions  of  eggs  consumed  in  the  United 
States  are  produced.  It  is  probable  that  the 
egg  consumption  of  our  fifty  million  inhabit- 
ants is  not  less  than  three  billion  a  year,  at  a 
valuation  of  from  twenty -five  to  thirty  millions 
of  dollars.  There  are  "  egg  trains  "  on  the  rail- 
roads of  the  northern  frontier.  The  import  of 
eggs  at  Ogdensburg  alone,  was  valued  at  one 
hundi'ed  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  for  the  last 
fisc.al  year.  At  Buffalo  and  in  two  districts  in 
Maine,  nearly  thi'ee  times  this  traffic  in  im- 
ported eggs  is  done.  These  eggs  are  taken  from 
the  original  packages,  carefully  examined  by 
candle  or  lamp  light,  ami  then  repacked,  the 
defective  eggs  being  laid  aside.  If  transporta- 
tion is  not  immediate,  the  eggs  are  placed  in 
colli  storage  warehouses,  where  the  temperature 
is  a  few  degrees  above  freezing,  anil  there  kept 
until  shipped. 


About  Turkeys  and  Fattening  Them. 

A  better  illustration  of  the  turkey  in  his 
prime,  is  seldom  seen  than  the  artist  and  print- 
er have  set  forth  in  the  accompanying  engrav- 
ing. How  it  came  about  that  this  noble 
American  bird,  which  receives  so  much  atten- 
tion during  our  holiday  feasts,  was  given  its 
present  name  is  not  known.  Some  suppose  that 
it  arose  through  a  mistaken  idea  wdien  first  in- 
troduced into  England,  that  the  bird  came  from 
Turkey.  But  his  meat  is  as  sweet  and  tooth- 
some, and  the  profits  he  affords  to  his  raisers  as 
acceptable  under  this,  as  any  other  name. 

Those  who  raise  turkeys  are  well  aware  that 
the  critical  time  in  the  life  of  the  fowl,  is  in  the 
chick  state.  Indeed  so  much  peril  is  associated 
with  the  rearing  of  young  turkeys,  that  many 
Persians  maintain  that  all  things  consiilered,  the 
matter  of  profit  in  growing  them  is  very  ques- 
tionalile.  AVe  think  this  is  one  of  those  things 
which  depend  largely  upon  circumstances. 
When  these  are  of  such  a  chai'acter  as  to  iiermit 
of  some  special  care  being  given,  the  raising  ot 
turkeys  for  market  becomes  a  decidedlj'  profit- 
able business.  As  a  rule  the  housewife  succeeds 
best  in  the  management  of  poultry,  and  the 
turkeys  usually  tall  to  her  share  as  a  special 
perquisite. 

At  the  present  season  we  have  to  do  with 
preparing  turkeys  for  mai'ket,  rather  than  with 
the  difficulties  of  early  mouths.  Chickens  that 
were  hatched  early,  wiU  be  large  enough  to  fat- 
ten this  fall,  while  with  older  ones  this  process 
may  be  well  under  way  now,  for  nieeting  the 
demand  of  Thanksgiving  day.  For  fattening, 
Indian  corn  should  be  chiefly  relied  upon.  By 
the  addition  of  some  oats,  gi-inchng  both  of 
these  grains  into  a  meal,  and  scalding  this  with 
hot  sweet  milk,  a  food  that  fattens  quickly  is 
obtained.  The  atldition  of  some  boiled  potatoes 
or  roots  to  the  diet  once  a  da)%  will  iiniu-ove 
digestion  with  goixl  effect.  Turkeys  are  gross 
feeders  and  lovers  of  variety ;  almost  anything 
that  would  ordinarily  get  into  the  pig  trough, 
will  prove  acceptable  to  them. 

Ply  the  feeding  freely  and  often.  Especially 
in  the  last  three  weeks  of  his  life,  there  must  be 
no  stint  in  pruyidmg  corn.  A  lean  turkey 
will  not  bring  a  fat  price. 


1885. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


CONDENSED  POULTRY   NOTES- 

Long  iicrks  sliow  inferiority. 

Fowls  dou't  pay  stingy  feeders. 

Spare  some  wlieat  for  baekuaril  chicks. 

Give  soft  food  in  the  inorniii}^.  liard  at  nijfht. 

In  France  inoval>le  i>ouItry  houses  are  popular. 

Hen  manure  when  dry  loses  httle  strenj^th  with 
a^e, 

Pick  out  the  l)est  cockerels  for  stock,  market  tlie 
othei"s. 

Small  potatoes  niay  he  turned  into  larj^e  ej^j^s,  by 
feeding- 
Delay  is   especially  dangerous,  when  ai>plied  to 
puttint^  coops  in  order. 

In  our  3'ard  we  notice  the  cocks  displa.^■  the  ego- 
tism, the  liens  the  eggs. 

Don't  go  into  the  winter  with  a  flock  of  fine  fowls, 
and  a  miserable  cold  house. 

Air-slacked  lime  is  a  simple  and  elticient  deodor- 
izei-  about  the  hen  house.     Use  it  frequently. 

Closeness  of  the  poultry 
hovise  is  important  in  winter, 
but  it  must  not  be  at  the  ex- 
pense of  good  ventilation. 

Where  lime  in  every  other 
forui  is  unavailable  for  fowls, 
bone-dust  or  even  pulverized 
chalk  mixed  with  the  food  will 
answer. 

The  product  of  one  hen  for 
a  slKirt  time  will  pay  for  Pop- 
ixAR  Gardening  for  a  year. 
Really,  at  such  a  price  you 
cannot  afford  to  be  without  it. 
Suppose  you  subscribe  now, 
while  the  thought  is  on  your 
mind. 

To  be  a  raiser  of  fancy  poul- 
ti-y.  there  is  one  thing  more  im- 
portant than  some  others  to  lie 
<lone.  and  that  is.  that  j-ou  look 
to  their  wants  yoursei/  every 
day  without  fail.  Fix  this  fact 
in  your  mind  if  you  go  no  fur- 
ther. 

In  keeping  geese,  fall  is  a 
good  time  to  buy.  The  com- 
pact birds  are  the  best;  even 
the  neck  should  not  be  long. 
A  chief  point  when  buying  is 
to  note  the  size  of  the  abdomi- 
nal pouch,  for  the  larger  it  is 
the  less  is  the  value,  because 
the  gi'eater  is  the  age  of  the 
bird. 

A  chicken  louse  is  a  minute 
affair,  but  multitudes  together 
are  enough  to  cause  failure  in 
any  poultry  growing  venture. 
We  read  in  Our  Countrif  Home 
lately,  how  a  hen  that  seemed 
to    be    dying    with    lice,    was  '^ 

caught,  sprinkled  with  Persian 
insect  powder,  and  rolled  into 
a  newsjiaper  for  HO  minutes. 
When  shook  out  there  was  a 
full  t^^aspoouful  of  these  red 
coop  lice,  gorged  with  the  hen's  blood 
a  lousey  hen  looks  pale. 

Poultry  in  Russia.  Poultry  breeding  is  univer- 
sal, and  a  very  important  adjunct  to  peasant  life; 
statistics  are  not  to  be  had,  tiiough  the  product  is 
valued  at  75,OO0.OiX)  dollars.  The  people  are  great 
egg  consumers,  besides  j'early  exporting  more  than 
KK1.00(J,000.  The  millions  of  large  eggs  and  poultry 
coming  to  St.  Petersburg  are  mostly  from  beyond 
Moscow.  Estimates  based  on  the  annual  egg  pro- 
duction indicate  the  existence  of  52,800,000  chickens. 
—Orloff. 

Mr.  Lang,  the  Cove  Dale,  Ky.,  poultrj-  grower, 
recommends  a  good  device  for  catching  the  drop- 
ings  from  roosts.  It  consists  of  a  V  shaped  trough, 
but  with  only  one  end  piece.  This  is  made  of  two  14 
inch  wide  boards,  the  length  of  the  perch,  nailed  to- 
gether. One  of  these  troughs  sprinkled  on  the  in- 
side with  a  little  dirt  and  lime  is  hung  under  each 
pole.  Every  morning  or  everj-  second  one  it  is  emp- 
tied of  its  contents  into  a  barrel  and  replaced. 
Cheap,  simple  and  cleanly. 

To  keep  large  tlocks  of  poultry  free  from  lice, 
the  following  method,  according  to  the  Poultry 
Monthly,  is  adopted  by  not  a  few  extensive  breed- 
ers. With  a  gallon  of  crude  petroleum  and  a 
spraymg  bellows,  or  a  brush  if  you  have  nothing 
better,  saturate  everj'  part  of  the  inside  of  the 
houses.    This  will  rid  them  of  every  vestige  of  lice, 


large  or  suuill,  and  as  the  small  ones  mostly  leave 
the  fowls  in  the  nu)rning,  it  will  soon  kill  all.  A 
touch  of  lard  oil  and  kerosene,  half  and  half,  under 
the  wings  will  kill  any  large  lice.  Hut  every  per- 
son who  has  many  fowls  should  have  a  sjiraying 
apparatus,  and  with  this,  spray  the  house  once  a 
month  with  kcroseru'  frnulsion.  This  can  be  quickly 
done  at  niglil,  wlieii  tbr  fowls  are  at  roost. 

Preparing  Poultry  for  Market.  The  prices  one 
can  coiiimand  depend  laiKfly  on  how  the  billing 
and  preparation  is  done.  The  birds  should  be  fat 
and  have  empty  crops.  No  one  is  liable  to  be  de- 
ceived into  jiaying  the  price  of  poultry  for  the  little 
corn  that  may  be  in  the  crop,  while  its  presence 
may  prejudice  good  customers  against  buying. 
Don't  catch  the  bii-ds  liy  running  them  down,  and 
then  after  chopping  off  their  heads  allow  them  to 
"tlop'"about  violently,  to  bruise  and  disfigure  them- 
selves. Catch  (juietly;  hold  each  liird  (iriul>'  and 
tie  the  wings  and  legs,  and  hang  them  alive  one 
after  another  on  a  pole.  When  a  few  are  thus  sus- 
pended, take  a  sharp  knife  and  sever  the  head  of 
each  fowl  closely,   letting  them  hang  afterwai'ds 


threi'  Ut  three  and  a  half  feet  apart  and  twelve  tt^ 
eighteen  inches  in  the  rf)ws.  I  cultivate  with  a  horse 
when  1  lind  the  hoe  is  too  tedious.  Such  a  distance 
between  the  ro«s  atToi;*l*«-H»itu»tilent  space  for  the 
coops  of  hens  with, tlii-irlDroOds.  ""Yhti-iJlants  make 
excellent  shade  aufl  Up-  occasitMKiJ  i,idliv;ni4.'U  gives 
the  chicks  fresh  w^i^ih  t»j  enjoy  themsehxs  in. 
When  the  seeds  jV*  ^"'^'^"'''Vly  ripmed  f.jr  fo<)U,  1 
bend  the  stalks  o^tlu*  smaller/ J'njads  over;  so  tftv 
(lowers  will  hang  ih^x^T  Uvelve  ificljeH'/rotii  Jht*. 
gruunil.  Tliis  allows  nu.'Cliiwks  and  fowls  ti»dot  heir  I 
own  harvesting  of  these;  but  leaves  Uie  larger  ones' 
to'i'i]H'n  fidly.  when  thi-y  may  begalbered  treshod 
with  a  Hail,  run  through  the  fanning  luUl^.auil  kept 
for  future  u.se.  No  other  food  will  at  al!  compare 
with  them  to  pi'<.dii<-e  eggs  or  to  give  a  tine  glossy 
plumage. 


No  wonder 


THE  AMERICAN  TURKEY.     [See  Opposite  page.] 

until  all  the  blood  is  out  of  them.  If  the  fowls  are 
to  be  shipped,  plucking  the  feathers  should  be  done 
di-y,  conunencing  at  once  while  the  body  is  still 
warm.  Pidl  a  few  at  a  time,  the  way  the  featheis 
lay  and  they  will  come  easily.  Let  the  birds  hang 
until  cold,  when  they  should  be  wiped  with  a  damp 
cloth.  For  marketing  near  home,  the  fowls  may  be 
more  easily  cleaned  of  feathers  by  first  dipping  in 
scalding  water,  for  not  over  five  seconds.  By  this 
course  they  will  not  keep  so  well,  but  will  look 
plumper,  because  of  the  skin  shrinking  slightly. 
The  fat  on  the  surface  is  also  melted,  perhaps  by 
this  jjrocess,  for  by  it  the  birds  take  on  a  clean, 
yellow  look,  wln'ch  is  attractive. 

The  Sunflower  for  Poultry.  This  stately,  if 
somewhat  coarse  looking  plant,  has  some  claims  on 
the  attention  of  those  who  keep  poultry,  aside  of 
its  use  for  ornament,  in  the  value  of  the  seed  for 
feeding.  The  (juick  growth  of  the  plants,  and  the 
ample  shade  they  soon  afford  if  planted  where  fowls 
assemble,  is  also  an  argument  in  their  favor.  An 
enthusiastic  grower  of  the  plant  in  coimection  \\  ith 
poultry  keeping,  thus  speaks  of  it  in  the  September 
Poultry  Journnl: 

As  a  sha<le  for  fowls  and  growing  chicks  the  plants 
are  unequaled;  the  birds  preferring  them  to  corn- 
field, shrubbery  or  artificial  shades  of  any  kind. 
Again  a  given  quantitj-of  gi'ound  will  produce  more 
bushels  of  sunHower  seed  than  of  corn,  and  it  iscer- 
taiuly  superior  as  poultry  foo*,!.     I  plant  it  in  rows 


ABOUT  THE  PLACE. 

Plan  to  have  an  ice  hou.se. 
Leaves  make  good  stable  l)edding. 
Granulated  sugar  is  the  l»esi  bee  food. 

A  smooth  animal  coat  indi- 
cates health. 

House  all  tools,  stakes  and 
portable  trellise. 

Extracted  honey  keej.sthe 

best  in  open  vessels. 

In  selling  honey,  a  neat  ap- 
l)earance  is  one  half. 
\r  Let  neatness  adorn  all  parts 
of  the  home  grounds. 

Eye  may  yet  be  sown  for 
early  spring  cow  feed. 

In  building  stables,  make 
sure  of  the  future  comfort  of 
the  animals. 

Posts  or  stakes,  with  their 

gi'ound  ends  charred,  and  dip- 
ped in  boiling  coal  tar.  will  be 
more  lasting  than  if  not  so 
treat, -d. 

For  calves  and  yearling 
cows,  bran  and  oat  meal  are 
t he  best  gra in  food .  These 
should  be  treated  for  keeping 
thrifty  without  forcing. 

Bees,  to  be  wintered  on  the 
stands,  either  in  chaff,  hives  or 
in  packing,  need  little  care 
after  this,  beyond  seeing  that 
the  entrance  is  kept  clear  of  ice 
or  snow. 

Pasture  lots  need  manuring 
as  well  as  any  other  land  from 
which  crops  are  taken.  This 
is  the  best  month  to  apply  top 
dressings  to  these.  The  manure 
should  be  old  and  fine;  if  fresh 
it  will  not  have  so  good  effect, 
l)esides  this  will  render  the 
gr'ass  distasteful  to  the  animals 
~=^^^T:^^^  when  next  turned  out. 

'''■^  Fattening  of  swine  or  any 

<tther  animals  should  now  be 
jjushed.  The  farther  the  mat- 
ter is  deferred  into  cold  weath- 
er, the  greater  will  be  the  consumption  of  feed  'to 
secure  the  same  gains.  The  cooler  weather  does 
not  yet  make  great  draughts  on  the  feeding  to 
secure  additional  animal  warmth,  while  it  does 
stimulate  the  ai^iietite, 

Late  Pasturing.  Now  when  the  frosts  affect  the 
gi-ass  unfavorably  for  feed,  is  a  tiying  time  for 
milch  cows  or  other  animals,  unless  foddering  in 
addition  to  pasture  is  freely  practiced.  Without 
this  the  cows  are  apt  to  fall  away  rapidly,  and  may 
meet  a  condition  not  fitting  them  for  wintering 
well,  or  even  disease  l>e  contracted.  The  wise 
course  is  to  be  on  the  alert  with  careful,  systematic 
feeding,  according  to  the  actual  needs  of  the  case. 
But  to  feed  carefnily,  anil  then  neglect  proper 
sheltei-  from  chilly  or  wet  fall  weather,  would  not 
be  wise.    Shelter  shoidd  accompany  the  feeding. 

Swarms  <»f  bees  to  be  wintered  in  the  cellar  should 
be  taken  in  during  this  month.  Thej- should  be  dis- 
turbed as  little  as  possible  in  the  moving.  Once  in 
jilace,  the  covei"  sliouM  be  taken  olT  the  hive  and  a 
piece  of  carpet  ov  other  coarse  clitth.  that  will  admit 
ofthcescapeofmoisture.be  thrown  over  instead. 
If  the  cellar  be  dark,  well  ventilated,  and  of  a  tem- 
perature within  live  degrees  above  or  below  42* 
Fahrenheit,  the  bees  will  need  ver>-  little  care  until 
April.  So  long  as  they  are  ipiiet  they  are  all  right. 
if  ivstle.ss  and  loud  bu//ing  proceeds  from  the  hive, 
allowing  them  to  Hy  *ni  the  fii-sl  warm,  pleasant  day 
is  desirable. 


24 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


November, 


"^e  Household 

How  to  starch  and  Iron  Shirt  Bosoms. 

To  a  neat  and  painstaking  liousewife,  few 
things  are  more  exasperating,  than  to  have  the 
starching  of  shirt  bosoms  not  turn  out  well. 
The  applying  of  the  starch  is  au  important 
pai-t  of  the  work.  Some  succeed  with  cold 
starch,  but  a  better  course  is  to  nse  hot  aud 
cold  both.  If  a  little  more  work  to  use  both, 
this  is  repaid  by  a  handsomer  and  more  lasting 
finish  to  the  bosom,  and  there  will  rarely  be  a 
shirt  to  go  back  into  the  wash. 

In  using  both  hot  and  cold  starch,  the  for- 
mer is  applied  first,  allowing  it  to  ch*y  before 
using  the  other.  For  the  hot  starch,  count  on 
a  teaspoonful  of  good  di'y  starch  for  each 
bosom.  It  should  not  be  made  very  thick,  and 
iu  applying,  the  hotter  it  can  be  put  on  the  Ijet- 
ter.  Of  this  i>repared  starch,  spread  on  a  table- 
spoonful  at  a  time,  rubbing  in  well  before  put- 
ting on  more.  Apply  first  on  the  right  side 
and  later  from  the  under  side,  keeping  at 
it  iintil  the  linen  will  take  up  no  more,  with- 
out showing  a  mussed  appeai'ance.  tThe  starch 
must  be  well  rubbed  in,  if  it  is  not,  the  iron  will 
stick,  and  sjiecks  and  blisters  appear. 

Following  on  this,  the  shirt  shctuld  be  di'ied, 
after  which  the  cold  stai'diing  may  l_)e  done. 
In  making  uj)  a  batch  of  cold  starch  for  use 
ahead,  as  should  always  be  done,  the  following 
well  tested  receipt,  will  provide  enough  to  last 
for  some  months.  Take  two  ounces  borax, 
one  ounce  white  laumii-y  wax,  one  teacup  wa- 
ter, three  cups  of  starch.  Dissolve  the  borax 
and  wax  in  the  water,  sufficiently  heated  for 
the  purpose,  but  not  so  hot  as  to  scald  the 
starch ;  into  this  mix  the  starch  after  pulver- 
izing aud  passing  it  through  a  flour  seive.  Dry 
on  platter  ami  keep  iu  box.  In  using,  take  a 
teaspoonful  of  this  prepare<l  starch,  dissolve  in 
water  not  so  cold,  but  that  the  wax  in  it  will 
soften.  Applj'  by  dipping  the  bdsom,  already 
treated  with  hot  starch  and  dried,  a.s  described, 
into  this  new  batch,  and  i-inging  (nit;  rubbing 
but  slightly.     After  au  hour  or  moi'e,  iron. 

In  ironing,  tu'st  rub  the  bosom  carefullj'  with 
a  cloth  wrung  out  of  hot  water,  to  equalize  the 
starch  on  the  surface.  For  the  first  time  of 
passing  the  iron  over  the  bosom,  lay  a  thin 
cloth  between.  Then  remove  this,  dampen  the 
sm-face  of  tbe  bosom  a  little,  and  iron  carefully, 
repeating  several  times,  and  until  the  finish  is 
satisfactory.  If  the  outside  cover  of  the  iron- 
ing board  he  of  flannel,  the  shirt  will  not  stick. 
Careful  attention  to  these  details,  will  be  re- 
warded by  shirt  bosoms  so  white  and  glossy  as 
to  give  full  satisfaction  for  the  pains  taken. 

Some     Facts     About    Unwholesome 
Meat. 

Dr.  Eli  H.  L<Mig,  of  Erie  County,  N.  Y., 
sends  in  the  following  interesting  facts,  about 
unwholesome  meat,  to  our  columns.     He  says: 

"  Our  present  knowledge,  points  to  decompo- 
sition in  meat  as  the  source  of  substances  that 
ai'e  positively  poisonous,  and  as  such  very  dele- 
terious to  health.  The  odor  of  putrefying  flesh 
for  example,  it  is  well  known,  may  cause  vom- 
iting and  diari"h<ea.  Probably  the  cases  of 
sausage  poisoning  we  heai-  of,  come  from  this 
kind  of  poison,  iu  old  meat  in  the  sausage. 

The  notion  that  meat  and  game  is  the  better 
for  hanging  some  time  before  using,  becoming 
more  tender  by  the  means,  is  a  dangerous  one 
to  ailopt.  It  is  true  that  meat  thus  grows  ten- 
der, but  let  it  be  borne  in  mind,  that  this  soft- 
ening process,  is  the  beginning  of  piitrefaction, 
and  with  it,  comes  unwholesomeness.  The 
fresher  meat  is,  the  more  wholesome  it  is. 

The  practice  of  eating  raw  or  rare  meat,  is 
not  a  good  oue.  This  not  so  nmch  because 
such  meat  is  in  itself  unhealthy  for  f(jod,  as  of 
the  danger  of  introducing  the  parasites  of  tape 
worm,  trichina  and  the  like,  into  the  system. 
The  flesh  of  different  animals,  may  contain 


these  pai-asites  in  their  undeveloped  state,  one 
of  the  most  familiar  examples  of  which  is 
found  iu  "  measly  "  pork.  Swallowed  alive  in 
flesh  that  is  raw  or  partly  so,  the  parasites,  in 
embryo  in  such  pork,  soon  develop,  into  the 
much  dreaded  tape  worm. 

For  readers  to  learn  these  facts,  need  not 
alarm  them  lest  they  have  tape  worm,  because 
of  eating  rai-e  meat,  for  not  all  meat  contains 
these  parasites.  But  to  be  safe  from  all  danger 
in  the  future,  eat  no  meat  unless  it  be  well 
cooked.  The  cooking  process,  may  be  relied 
upon  as  certainly  desti'oyiug  the  miimte  crea- 
tures in  their  ever3'-  form. 

Trichina,  the  other  commonly  dreaded  meat 
parasite,  usually  infests  the  muscles  of  animals, 
but  never  the  fat,  as  many  people  suppose.  It 
is  not  the  flesh  of  swine  alone,  that  contains 
these,  but  that  of  a  number  of  other  animals, 
as  well.  With  these,  as  with  most  other  such 
parasites,  they  remain  dorment  in  the  flesh 
until  swallowed  by  some  other  animal,  when 
they  become  active,  multiply  and  cause  disease. 
A  sure  preventive,  as  in  the  former  case  alluded 
to,  is  found  in  thoroughly  cooking  the  meat. 


Brieflets. 

Boiling,  weakens  vinegar. 

Pepper  is  half  p's  anyway. 

Keep  cake  in  tin  or  a  stone  jar. 

Plenty  of  stove  holders  save  the  hands. 

Beef  .tongue  and  ox-tail  soup  make  both  ends 
meet. 

To  dry  wet  shoes  iu  good  shape,  stuff  with  dry 
paper. 

Prick  pntatnes  before  baking,  that  they  may  not 
bui-st  in  the  fiven. 

In  blacking  the  stove,  slip  the  brnsh  Jiand  in  a 
paper  ba^  for  iiri)tectiou. 

Bar  soap  Iiought  in  quantity  and  dried  before 
usiuK.  K'»"*s  much  farther  than  if  used  fresh. 

If  Specks  tlake  otT  from  tlje  tiat  irons,  wash  hi 
soap  snds  and  dry  quickly  to  prevent  rusting. 

Strong  lie  will  clean  tainteil  porl^barrels  or  other 
vessels,  also  tin  paint  cans  coated  with  paint. 

It  is  said  that  Sassafras  bark  scattered  through 
dried  fruit,  will  keep  out  worms.    Easily  tried. 

Never  tise  tea,  for  washing  out  the  eyes  if  weak 
or  intlauied;  it  is  injurious.  Tea  is  not  a  bad  article 
to  nse  on  house-plants. 

A  lamp  standing  for  some  time  in  a  cold  room 
and  then  filled  full  of  coa!  oi!,  will  run  over  through 
tlie  expansion  of  the  oil  when  taken  to  where  it  is 
warm.  Then  the  lamp  may  he  blamed  for  leaking. 
To  tibviate  this,  never  fill  the  lamp  quite  full. 

What  nonsense  is  sometimes  offered  as  advice. 
Here  it  is  again  iu  directions  to  hold  a  pin  between 
the  teeth  while  peeling  onions,  to  keep  the  eyes  from 
smartinji;.  Have  the  onions  under  water  in  a  dish 
while  paring  them,  aud  you'll  not  be  troubled. 

If  the  broom  is  wearing  away  unevenly,  place  its 
bottom  part  in  boiling  water  for  a  moment  or  two, 
shake  out  as  dry  as  possible,  tie  a  string  around  it 
to  improve  its  shape,  and  finish  drying  in  sun  or 
near  the  stove.  When  dry,  trmi  off  the  ends  that 
are  inieven.  Whisk  brooms  may  l)e  similarly  treated. 

Cultivate  in  your  ehiUlreu  the  hahit  of  breathing 
only  through  the  nose;  many  distressing  ailments 
are  due  to  the  evil  effects  of  mouth  brealhing.  If 
there  is  the  disposition  to  throw  the  head  back  when 
asleep,  inducing  breathing  through  the  mouth,  cor- 
rect it  as  often  as  is  necessary,  by  gently  bringing 
the  head  forward  somewhat. 

Charcoal  as  Kindling.  This  is  obtainable  in  most 
places  at  twenty  cents  a  bushel,  or  even  less.  At 
this  rate  it  affords  'one  of  the  cheapest,  handiest 
and  best  articles  to  use  as  kindling,  especially  coal 
fires.  A  good  handful  or  two  at  most,  of  charcoal, 
will  be  sufficient  to  ignite  even  hard  coal.  Paper 
alone  will  serve  to  fire  the  charcoal.  Tried  once,  it 
will  always  be  used. 

Here  is  how  to  get  up  a  delicious  dish  that  will 
suit  most  all  tastes.  Boil  one-fourth  part  of  rice  in 
a  pint  and  a  half  of  milk,  adding  two  ounces  of 
sweet  almonds,  anil  white  sugar  to  suit  the  sweet 
tooth.  Boil  until  the  rice  is  soft,  sturiug  as  little  as 
possible;  to  shake  the  vessel  in  which  it  boils  will 
save  some  stirring.  It  is  to  be  served  in  cups,  which 
should  be  first  wet  with  cold  water.  Fill  to  leave  a 
space  at  the  top  of  each  cup,  in  which  put  a 
spoonful  of  jelly  with  cream  poured  around  it,  or 
whipped  cream  and  powdered  sugar,  or  a  chocolate 
frosting  like  that  for  cake. 


Notes  on  Dress  and  Home  Art. 

Beads  are  much  worn. 

Plain  black  silks  are  stylish. 

Astrachan  continues  in  favor. 

White  skirts  are  going  out  of  style. 

Cream  is  a  favorite  color  for  evening. 

How  many  shades  of  green  are  there? 

Water-proof  cloth  is  again  coming  out. 

Striped  mantles  are  among  the  novelties. 

Mats  inq)rove  cheap  engravings  in  frames. 

Bonnets  call  for  feathei-s  more  than  flowei-s. 

Staining  wood  work,  is  in  better  taste  than  grain 
ing. 

The  rage  for  '■*  crazy  ''  patch  work  is  more  modi- 
fied, 

For  a  much  used  parlor,  choose  a  medium  dark 
carpet. 

Carved  wooden  beads  are  very  stylish  for  outside 
adornment. 

Embroidered  cloth  bonnets  go  with  embroidered 
costumes. 

Kilt  skirts  continue  to  be  proper  for  young  ladies 
aud  misses. 

Short,  plain  waists  are  made  slightly  pointed  in 
front  but  round  behind. 

On  felt  bonnets  and  hats,  gay  wool  scarfs,  in 
bundled  up  bows,  will  be  much  used. 

Deep  cherry  paint  for  the  wood  work,  and  dark 
red  witli  olive  paper  suit  the  dining  room. 

Congress  canvass  or  grenadines  afford  an  inex- 
pensive material,  for  bureau  or  table  spreads. 

The  pretty  peasant  dress,  with  full  round  skirt 
and  short  plain  waist,  continue  to  be  very  stylish 
for  little  girls. 

Little  Jack.— "My  mamma's  new  fan  is  hand- 
painted."  Little  Dick— "Pooh!  who  cares?  Our 
wlnile  fence  is.'' 

The  cloak  of  medium  length  has  had  its  day; 
they  must  either  be  very  long  or  very  shoit.  For 
these,  dull  red  clotli  is  coming  in  favor. 

No  more  sensible  and  tasty  outside  wrap  can  be 
made  for  children  than  the  newmarket.  For  fabrics 
plush,  honiespun  and  astrachan  are  used. 

An  elegant  cover  for  a  small  table  may  be  made 
of  a  copjier  colored  jilush  scarf,  with  silk  tassels  of 
same  cohir.  run  through  crescents  at  the  edge. 

If  the  little  dog  that  is  made  to  stand  guard  by 
the  parlor  door  or  window,  is  placed  upon  a  thin, 
soft  cushion,  covered  with  scarlet,  he  will  look  more 
lifelike  aud  at  ease. 

Engravings  Lhal  are  printed  on  tliick  handsome 
paprr  should  not  have  mats  in  framing.  There 
must  however  be  a  white  margin  of  some  inches 
in  width  around  the  print. 

A  curtain  for  the  lower  sash  of  a  window,  made 
up  plain  of  cotton  scry m,  painted  in  bold  designs 
of  Morning  Glories,  Nasturtiums  or  other  showy 
flowers  is  very  effective  and  pretty. 

The  newest  mantles  and  coats  are  made  without 
pleats  in  the  back.  Green  billiard  cloth  very  similar 
to  that  used  on  billiard  tables  is  a  novelty  for  tailor 
jackets,  to  be  worn  by  young  ladies  with  black, 
green  and  brown  dresses. 

Where  windows  are  not  wider  than  the  usual 
width,  and  one  feels  they  cannot  well  afford  double 
curtains,  single  ones  may  be  draped  so  gracefully 
that  they  will  answer  well.  Do  not  loop  back  with 
ribbons,  but  pin  or  tack  them  back  in  several  places. 
The  tacking  should  he  started  quite  high,  to  prevent 
a  drawn  and  awkward  apiJearauce  lower  down. 

The  hideous  black  water-proofs  must  go,  those  of 
fine  cashmere  or  silk  in  desirable  colors,  taking  their 
place.  Will  the  meufolks  give  up  the  gossamers 
tooy  While  ladies  could  very  sensibly  use  the  gar- 
ment as  a  complete  protector  from  wet,  nothing  ev- 
er occurred  more  ridiculous  to  the  writer's  eyes, 
than  to  see  the  sterner  sex  adopt  the  same  garment, 
which  .serving  only  to  reach  a  little  below  the  knees, 
conveyed  the  th'ip  into  the  pant  bottoms  and  boots. 
Table  Screen.  A  novel  and  easily  made  screen 
for  the  talile,  is  described  in  the  October  Aiiiericati 
Agi'iriiltiirist.  For  a  base,  a  wicker  covered  bottle 
or  flask  is  used.  Such  a  one  as  the  Italian  wines 
come  iu,  and  which  may  usually  lie  had  at  hotels 
for  a  very  little  or  nothing,  are  admirable.  Into 
this  insert  the  handles  of  three  small  Japanese 
fans,  spreading  the  fans  as  widely  as  possible  above 
to  form  the  screen.  A  ribbon  may  be  tied  around 
the  fan  handles  at  the  moiith  of  the  flask,  with  a 
bow  on  one  side.  Silk  cord  ending  tu  a  tassel,  may 
be  twined  loosely  around  the  neck  of  the  flask.  The 
fans  selected  should  be  light  and  brilliantly  colored. 
The  covering  of  the  flask  may  be  adorned  by  staining 
or  gilding,  and  with  ribbons.  Sand  or  shot  should 
be  filled  into  the  flask  to  give  it  stability. 


POPULAR  GARDENING 

FOR    TOWN    AND    COUNTRY. 

"ACCUSE  NOT  NATURE,  NHE  HATH  IHINE  IIEK  PART;   DO  THOU  HUT  7'///,VK."-Milton. 


Vol.  1. 


X)EGB3VIBEia,    1885. 


No.  3. 


An  Easily-grown  Orchid. 

Oni'  of  lla-  best  Orchids  for  i;rowcrs,  who 
lack  both  experieuce  iind  facilities  for  liaml- 
lin.i;'  a  collection  of  these  plants,  is  Lycaste 
Skiiincri.  It  is  what  is  known  as  a  cool 
winter-flowering  Orcliid;  it  has  even  been 
calleil  the  coolest  of  cool  sorts.  Tlie  plant  will 
bear  a  great  deal  of  knocking  about,  not  that 
it  thrives  so  well  by  .such  treatment,  but  we 
mention  this  as  showing,  that 
it  has  a  chance  of  succeeding, 
with  h.'indling  that  woidd  kill 
most   other  kinds,  outriglitly. 

( )nce  fairly  under  way,  and 
this  Orchid  is  one  of  the 
easiest  things  to  grow.  After 
lieing  well  and  jiroperly  potted 
it  only  needs  close  attention  to 
two  point.s,  namely:  that  it  be 
kel)t  always  cool  and  always 
moist.  When  the  large  leaves 
begin  to  unfold,  it  i.s  astoni.sli- 
ing  how  mucli  water  it  will 
take.  The  temperature  suited 
to  the  f'ineraria  would  suit 
this  phmt  well.  If  there  is 
any  time  when  it  needs  more 
heat  than  at  others,  it  is  when 
it  is  making  its  first  growth, 
and  then  a  warm  green-liouse 
will  answer. 

As  for  potting  material,  this 
should  consist  of  lumps  of 
fil)erv  peat,  chopped  up 
Sphagnum  and  cliarcoal.  In 
potting,  the  operation  should 
be  tinished  by  having  some 
Si)hagnuin  and  charcoal  at  the 
top.  But  it  may  be  added, 
that  if  in  this  some  bits  of  old 
perfectly  dry  cow-manure  be 
in.serted,  it  will  be  a  great 
source  of  strength.  Without 
this,  the  plant  should  receive 
an  occasional  treat  to  guano 
water,  when  growing. 

If  Lj'caste  Skinneri   is  not 
the   very   handsomest  of   tlie 
Ij)'castes.  it  is  one  of  the  cheapest  to  Iiuy,  as 
well  as  the  easiest  to  manage.     We  notice 
them  offered  in  .some  of  the  florists  catalogues 
at  from  one  to  two  dollars  each. 

Some  one  may  wish  to  know  whether  this 
desirable  orcliid. would  stand  any  cliance  in 
the  window  garden.  Any  experienced 
grower  of  window  plants  ought  to  succeed 
with  it  readily  here.  It  is  an  orchid  tliat 
svicceeds  admirably  in  a  dwelling,  if  brovight 
in  just  as  blooming  commences. 


flowered  with  us  for  the  first  time  this  season. 
It  is  a  hardy  perennial  sjiecies,  of  handsome 
growth,  with  large  flowers,  for  this  section. 
In  general,  it  is  not  excelled  in  beauty  by  any 
of  the  vai'ious  bandsome  pei'ennial  suiitiowei's. 
But  coming  in  flower  about  a  mouth  later  than 
the  others,  and  when  flowers  begin  tcj  I'un  very 
scarce,  it  proves  to  be,  perliaps  the  most  valu- 
able of  all  the  species. 


Notes  from  Lyndale. 

BY  A.   H.  E. 

Dcrrinhi'r  .5.  To  plan  for  having  the  gai'den 
gay  with  bloom  in  Spring  and  Summer  is  easy 
enough ;  not  so  to  provide  for  Octotier  and  No- 
vemljer  flowei'S  liere.  I  wa.s  nuich  pleased 
lately  with  the  addition  made  to  the  fall 
bloomers  in  our  garden,  by  the  not  conunon 
Sunflower    Hflhiiitliiis    Maj-imiliaii,     which 


AN   EASILY-GROWN  ORCHID.— LYCASTE    SKINNERI. 

I  take  pleasure  in  i-eporting  on  the  new  Pur- 
ple-leaved Plum  Pntniis  Pisscirdi,  in  my 
grounds.  It  ceilainly  stands  at  the  head  of 
purple-leaved  shrubs  and  trees  in  more  respects 
than  one.  It  is  a  free  grower,  while  no  othei- 
purple-leaved  sort  with  which  I  am  acciviainted, 
can  begin  to  equal  it  for  richness  and  perma- 
nency of  the  peeidiai-  color.  The  PuriJlc-leaved 
Barl)erry  is  a  mild  looking  shnrb  side  of  it. 
Unlike  the  Pui-jjle-leaved  varieties  of  Filbert, 
Peach,Beeeh  and  Maple,— which,  although  rich- 
ly colored  in  the  sprnig,  lose  much  of  this  by 
fading,  later  on,— this  new  Plum  increases  in  the 
richness  of  its  purple  color  as  the  season  ad- 
vances. This  sort  needs  to  be  classed  as  one  of 
the  most  ])romising  new  shrubs  or  small  trees, 
that  has  been  introduced  for  a  long  time.  It  Ls 
said  to  be  a  free  bloomer,  bearing  rosy  flowere. 
*  *  * 

JJi'ri'uibyr  VZ.  In  my  la.st  entry,  I  spoke*  of  a 
pronusing  new  shrub  in  jjai-ticular,  let  me  now 
say  a  few  words  for  my  slu'ubs  in  general.  The 
Shrubbery  Walk  at  Lyndale  is  one  of  the  fea- 


tures of  the  place.  It  is  a  winding  walk,  some 
four  huniln'd  feet  in  length,  skirti'd  on  each 
side  by  irregidar-sha|)ed  clumiis  of  shrubs, 
on  lawn  that  stretches  away  on  eai'h  side. 

Here  are  chmips  of  early-flowering  sbi'ubs: 
clumps  of  late-flowei'in^  shrubs,  and  elumps  of 
intermediate  sorts.  Here  are  masses  of  varie- 
gated leaved,  cut-leaved,  common-leaveil  and 
evergreen  shrubs.  Some  gi'oups  are  made  up 
ofilwarf  ami  formal-looking  sorts,  such  as  the 
.  dwarfer  kmds  of  Mock  Orange, 
Deutzia,  Hypericums, (..V)rchorus 
etc\,  others  are  composed  of  tall 
or  straggling  growers,  includ- 
ing Smoke  Trees  and  Altheas, 
fully  twelve  feet  high  eai'li. 

There  is  hardly  a  <Iay  in  the 
year  but  I  can  fin<I  some  attrac- 
tions along  the  Shrubbery 
Walk,  while  in  the  height  of  the 
blooming  season,  this  part  of 
the  gi-ounds  is  a  perfe<'t  little 
Paradise;  so  beautiful  in  foliage, 
flowers  and  general  sweetne.ss. 
*  u.  * 
Who  can  tell  why  the  hardy 
shrubs  are  not  more  i>lanted  t 
Every  home  with  a  quarter 
of  an  acre  or  upwards  of  lawn 
and  garden,  ought  to  have  its 
Shrulibery  Walk  or  some 
clumps  of  shrubs.  The  gotxl 
qualities  of  shrubs  for  orna- 
menting grounds,  can  be 
summed  up  in  a  very  tew  words. 
They  cost  but  little  money  to 
begin  with,  they  transplant  and 
start  into  gi'owth  easily;  they 
develop  into  beauty  almost  in 
one  season;  they  possess  the 
quality  of  permanency;  they 
require  hai'dly  any  cai'e.  What 
other  ornamental  growths,  can 
excel  them  in  as  many  ))ar- 
^-»A,      \  ticulars  as  these  named  ; 

^^  Deveiiihei- 18.     Last  night  we 

hauled  out   the  straw  mats  to 

protect  the  lower    end  of  the 

cool  gi'eenhouse  from  a  peneti'a- 

tiug   ''Norea-ster"    that   had 

spnmg  up  before  dark.      The 

almost  inunediate  result  of  this 

course,  was  a  rise  of  .5    or  (J   in 

the  temiierature,  a  point  we  aimed  to  gain,  for 

the  Christnuis  bulbs  in  this  part  of  the  house, 

to  hurrv  them  along  into  bloom. 

*  *  * 

I  sometimes  question  whethei-  the  value  of 
outside  i)rott'ction  to  gla.ss  is  well  undei-stood. 
In  times  of  storm,  or  in  cold  damp  weather, 
when  the  fires  burn  poorly  and  si"emt<i  give  out 
no  heat,  the  straw  units  on  the  outside  have  a 
wonderful  ell'e<t.  Then  wheie  ordinarily  a 
saving  of  fuel  is  a  special  object,  inst4»id  of 
firing  hard  towards  sundown  let  the  fires  be 
checkefl,  and  mats  Iw  applied  by  twice  going 
over  the  job  to  avoid  a  t<)o  sudden  rise  of  the 
tcmi)erature,  anil  the  house  may  be  brou;?ht 
through  the  night  in  jiood  sha|)e  with  a  de- 
cided saving  of  fuel.  The  .same  piineiple  holds 
good  in  protecting  pits,  fi-anies  or  any  glass. 

*  ...  * 
* 

DcremhiT  23.  It  seems  to  me  it  is  not  gener- 
ally known  what  a  u.seful  jjlant  the  conunon 
Periwinkle  or  \'iiirii,  (sometimes  wrongly  calleil 
myrtle)  is  for  ornumenting  grounds,  by  cover- 


26 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


December, 


ing  a  mound  of  earth  on  a  la\^^l  or  elsewhere, 
with  it.  I  have  a  mound  of  this  kind  here,  occu- 
p>'ing  a  drculai-  space  about  S  feet  across  on  a 
lawn.  The  mound  is  shapely  and  rises  about  3 
feet  above  the  sm'f ace  at  its  highest  point.  The 
Periwinkle  forms  a  solid  mass  of  foliage,  which 
with  being  of  a  much  darker  shade  of  gi'een  than 
is  the  grass,  presents  a  contrast  that  is  decided- 
ly pleasing.  AVhen  the  plants  are  in  bloom  the 
mound  looks  still  handsomer.  This  kind  of  an 
embellishment  is  one  thatisnotonly  most  read- 
ily made,  but  one  that  is  actually  less  trouble 
to  care  for,  than  the  same  sjiace  devoted  to 
grass  would  be. 

* 
I  am  satisfied  from  long  experience  that  more 
plants  are  injured  bj^  having  the  pots  too  large 
than  too  small.  This  is  especially  true  in  the 
eai'ly  winter  season  when  plant  growth  is  in- 
active. More  than  once  I  have  taken  plants  in 
band  for  treatment  that  were  not  thriving  at 
all  well  at  the  time.  But  by  knocking  them 
out  of  the  pots,  reducing  the  balls  of  earth  about 
two-thirds,  and  repotting  into  pots  several  sizes 
smaller  than  they  stood  in  before,  using  good 
earth,  they  have  conmienced  to  improve  quickly 
and  well.  The  main  trouble  was  found  in  the 
fact  that  the  pots  had  been  too  large. 


THE  HOUSE  PLANTS. 

To  keep  the  window  plants  vigorous  through  this 
month  of  much  cloudy  weather,  dark  days,  and 
cold,  is  a  sure  test  of  a  grower's  ability.  With  tlie 
coming  of  January,  there  may  be  no  less  cold— in 
fact  there  will  be  an  increase  of  cold,  but  with  it 
there  will  also  be  more  sunshine,  a  condition  the 
lack  of  which, can  never  be  made  up  for  by  artificial 
means,  while  heat  in  a  measm'e  can  be. 

Let  growers  not  therefore  begi'udge  any  extra 
pains  that  plants  maj'  now  take,  for  the  better  the 
health  of  these  now,  the  larger  will  be  the  reward 
when  the  time  of  more  natural  growth  again  comes. 

Adiantums  ^r  Maiden  Hair  Ferns,  succeed  quite 
readily  in  the  window,  with  the  same  care  that  any 
ferns  need.     They  requu'e  no  direct  sunshine. 

Christmas  Roses  or  Hellebores  that  were  lifted  in 
the  fall,  will  blortni  freely,  in  a  cool  window. 

Cobcea  Scandens.  Few  plants  succeed  better  in 
the  house:  its  worst  enemy,  green  tty,  nmst  be 
guarded  against  closely  at  all  times. 

Callas  ought  to  be  ^crowing  with  vigor,  and  if  so- 
will  need  plenty  of  water.  This  plant,  let  us  not 
forget,  is  a  s\ib-aquatic,  hence,  little  in  danger  from 
over-watering;  more,  of  not  being  watered  enough. 
The  saucers  may  have  water  much  of  the  time. 

Chrysanthemums  after  bloom. may  be  removed  to 
any  place  where  there  is  little  or  no  frost;  if  the 
temiieratiu-e  is  low  enough  to  prevent  growth,  light 
is  nut  needed.     Here  they  may  remain  until  spring. 

Cytisus  kept  in  a  cool  place,  not  too  dark,  suc- 
ceeds well;  much  heat  with  dryness  of  air  invites 
the  red  spider.     The  plant  blossoms  in  the  spring. 

Dutch  Bulbs  of  the  earlier  kinds,  like  Komau 
Hyacinths  and  Due  Von  ThoU  TuUps,  that  were  pot- 
ted early  in  October  ought  now  to  be  near  bloom; 
all  of  the  early  batch  should  be  in  heat. 

Hyacinths  like  sun;  Tulips  get  along  well  with 
little  light.  High  heat  suits  neither  of  tliese,  or  anj' 
others  of  this  class,  as  well  as  does  a  temperature  of 
So*".  But  there  must  be  no  frost.  Admit  air  freely, 
it  will  promote  a  sturdy  gi-owth  that  will  assure  fine, 
enduring  flowers.  Growing  bulbs,  need  more  water 
than  the  average  of  plants.  Manure  or  soot  water 
applied  as  the  shoots  develop  will  help  the  bloom. 

Fresh  air.  Natural  light  and  heat  both  lack 
somewhat  now.  but  fresh  air,  so  important  to  plants, 
is  not  lacking.  See  that  the  collection  receive  a 
plenty  in  all  mild  weather;  even  when  the  weather 
is  cold,  some  should  be  admitted.  One  reason  why 
plants  do  so  well  in  kitchens,  is  that  the  oft-opened 
outside  door  admits  fresh  air  freely,  here. 

Fuchsias  nmst  not  be  crowded.  Give  g^rowing 
plants  plenty  of  pot  room,  with  light,  rich  soil. 


Hyacinths  in  Glasses.  It  is  yet  time  to  start  these. 
The  single  varieties  are  preferable  to  the  doubles. 
Low  glasses  that  are  broad  at  the  base  are  better 
than  tall  ones,  because  less  liable  to  be  upset: 
the  flowei-s  can  be  better  supported  in  them  also. 
Colored  glasses  suit  root  growth  better  than  clear 
ones  do.  but  the  roots  in  the  latter  can  be  so  much 
better  seen,  that  a  few  of  these  are  also  desii'able. 

To  start,  fill  with  soft  water  to  near  the  base  of  the 
bulb,  when  in  its  place.  Set  in  a  cool,  dark  closet, 
but  where  no  frost  entei"s.  for  four  or  six  weeks, 
after  which  bring  to  light.  Inspect  the  gla.sses  oc- 
casionly  from  the  first,  reijlacing  any  water  that 
may  have  been  lost  by  evav>oration.  Charcoal  in  small 
pieces  in  the  water  tends  to  keep  it  pure. 

Insects.  For  small  collections,  we  have  gi-eat 
faith  in  the  thumb-nail  as  a  remedy  against  all  kinds. 
But  on  some  plants,  hke  the  Stocks  or  Gilly-Howers, 
Callas,  etc.,  they  get  into  the  buds  and  ilowers.  and 
cannot  be  easily  reached.  Then  we  use  tobacco  dust 
on  the  pests,  such  as  can  l>e  had  at  the  cigar  shops 
for  almost  nothing,  and  nm  through  a  fine  sieve 
for  the  sittings.    This  proves  very  effective. 

Lily  of  the  Valley  brought  in  after  it  has  had 
frost,  will  grow  and  fiower  well  in  the  window. 

Mignonette.  Keep  the  soil  open  by  stirring  the 
surface  occasionally.    The  nearer  to  light  the  better. 

Over-Watering.  There  is  some  danger  of  this 
now  when  plant  growth  is  not  rapid.  Geraniums 
and  Primroses  are  especially  susceptible  to  injury 
from  this.  Whenever  we  are  called  to  look  at  plants 
of  these  that  are  ailing,  we  expect  to  see  the  cause, 
in  too  much  water  given,  and  are  rarely  disappoint- 
ed. Do  not  however  run  into  the  other  extreme. 
I  Palms.  All  these  if  suitable  in  size,  succeed  well 
in  the  window.     Keep  the  foliage  perfectly  clean. 

Propagation.      There  may    be  slips  suitable  to 
root,  of  (ieraniunis,   Fuchsias.  Verbenas,  iUyssum, 
etc :  put  in  now.  these  will  be  strong  plants  by  spring. 
'       Stapelias  must  be  kept  dry  now  like  Cactuses. 

Stocks  sown  this  month  will  tlower  by  next  April. 

Violets.     Remove  the  runners  and  all  dead  leaves. 

Washing  Plants.  This  is  such  a  desirable  thing 
'  to  do.  and  to  do  often,  that  we  urge  it  frequently. 
For  the  task,  a  Drenching  Board  like  the  one  here- 
with figured,  is  very  useful.  No  explanation  is 
needed  beyond  giving  this  cut,  save  to  name  the 
dimensions.  A  good  size  is  2  ft.  liigh  at  the  rear,  with 
the  front  so  that  a  pail  can  stand  beneath  to  catch 
the  water.  The  board  may  be  IH  in.  wide  at  the  upper 
end,  and  a  little  narrower  further  down.  With  such 
a  board,  there  is  no  excuse  for  dirty  plants. 


LAWN  AND  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Evergreens.  Small  globe-headed  Arbor  Vitres, 
and  other  kinds,  often  suffer  in  winter  from  snow 
settling  into  their  tops,  dividing  them.  A  shed  made 
of  two  boards  to  form  a  letter  V.  and  this  inverted 
over  any  such,  will  prevent  this,  and  prove  a  good 
protection  otherwise.  Where  fine  Evergi-eens  are 
much  exposed  to  the  wind,  a  screen  across  the 
path  of  the  prevailing  winds,  will  be  of  good  seiwiee. 

Fountains  and  artificial  plant  aquariums  must 
have  no  water  in  the  basins  over  winter  to  freeze 
and  injure  them.  A  shed  of  boards  should  also  be 
placed  over  them  to  keep  out  wet  and  snow.  It  is 
well  to  bank  up  around  these  to  prevent  injury  to 
the  masonry  from  severe  freezing. 

Hardy  Flowers.  Ifs  a  mistake  to  think  that 
hanly  jjlants  need  no  winter  pi'otection;  they  will 
live  without  it.  but  their  growth  and  bloom  will  be 
better  next  year  for  covering  the  roots  now.  Nature 
sets  us  the  ti-ue  example:  each  faU  she  sheds  down 
leaves  as  a  winter  cover  to  the  roots  of  plants  and 
trees  in  the  ground.  Hay  or  leaves  form  the  best 
material  for  this  purpose;  they  may  be  applied  to  a 
depth  of  several  inches. 

Lawns  that  need  mamuing,  as  all  do  occasion- 
ally, may  be  treated  now  to  advantage.  But  where 
it  is  objectionable  to  have  manure  laying  all  win- 
ter, as  near  the  house,  the  applying  may  be  deferred 
until  spring,  with  fair  results.  The  best  manure  is 
that  which  is  so  old,  as  to  give  oif  no  bad  smell, 
and  so  fine  that  nothing  remains  to  ever  rake  away. 

Roses.  The  Bengal  and  Bourbon  sections  among 
the  Monthlies,  maybe  wintered  where  they  stand  in 
most  sections  with  safety,  by  attention  to  covering. 
This  is  best  done,  by  taking  a  spadeful  of  earth 
away,  next  to  the  plant  on  one  siiie,  depositing  it 
close  to  the  hole  on  the  side  away  from  the  bush. 
Then  bend  over  the  plant  in  the  direction  of  the  hole, 
and  cover  it  with  a  small  m<.»und  of  earth,  or  else 
with  sod,  the  grass  side  up. 

Tea-roses  cannot  be  protected  to  live  in  the 
open  ground  during  winter,  in  the  Northern  States. 

Hybrid  Perpetuals  should  be  cared  for  as  directed 
for  recently  planted  shrubs,  imder  Shrubbery.  Hyb- 
rid Teas  need  the  care  prescribed  for  the  Bengals. 


Shrubbery.  For  appearance  sake,  if  nothing  more, 
the  surface  of  cultivated  shrubberies  should  be 
pointed  over  (spaded  shallow)  in  the  fall.  There 
is  also  no  better  time  for  applying  a  coat  of  manure, 
if  the  growth  made  by  the  shrubs  the  past  season 
shows  this  is  needed.  Use  onlj-  well  decayed  manure ; 
any  with  straw  in  it  is  apt  to  invite  mice  and  this 
will  lead  to  trouble,  by  their  girdling  the  shrubs. 

Recently  planted  shrubs,  should  have  their  branch- 
es protected  with  straw,  and  their  roots  sheltered  by 
some  kind  of  cover  for  several  wintei-s  at  least,  after 
planting.  It  is  easy  to  straw  them  up  neatly  and 
well.  Bring  the  branches  closely  together  by  the 
use  of  strong  twine,  then  set  straight  straw  closely 
around,  binding  with  twine.  Bend  over  the  Ujp  of 
the  straw,  to  bring  it  under  the  upper  circle  of  twine. 

In  renovating  old  shrubberies,  cut  out  all  dead 
wood,  and  trim  the  plants  according  to  their  require- 
ments, to  prevent  the  forming  of  a  jungle. 

Trellises,  Stakes,  Vases  and  fixtures  that  are 
movealtle,  as  a  rule,  should  be  brought  under  cover 
for  the  winter.   To  repair  and  paint  them  is  in  order. 

Walks.  A  single  line  of  plank,  a  foot  or  more 
wide,  run  along  the  center  of  these,  for  the  winter, 
is  a  decided  improvement.  Be  prompt  in  keeping 
all  walks  and  drives  that  are  used  and  especially 
street  walks,  cleared  of  snow.  If  the  work  is  hired 
done,  or  any  way.  let  it  be  attended  to  very  early 
in  the  morning,  both  to  accomodate  early  passera, 
and  to  prevent  the  snow  being  tramped,  hindering 
the  clearing. 


PLANT  CULTURE  UNDER  GLASS. 

Achyranthes.     See  directions  for  Alternanthera. 

Alternantheras  and  similar  heat -loving  bedding 
lilants  kept  up  for  stock  to  propagate  from,  must 
have  fair  attention  in  these  coldest  months.  Usually 
such  are  grown  with  the  greatest  ease,  if  but  a  tem- 
perature of  60°  is  provided  and  common  treatment 
besides.  If  much  young  stock  is  wanted  in  the 
spring,  propagation  may  begin  at  once  to  the  extent 
of  all  good  cuttings,  not  taking  them  close. 

Alyssum  wanted  strong  in  the  spring,  should  now 
be  propagated  either  from  seeds  or  cuttings. 

Camellias.  Water  moderately;  too  much  or  too 
little  water  at  the  root,  is  a  common  cause  of  the 
discouraging  trouble  of  buds  dropping.  This  plant 
does  not  soon  show  diyness,  for  the  leaves  never 
Hag  from  this  or  any  other  cause.  Too  much  wet 
at  the  roots  causes  the  root  fibers  to  become  in  jiu-ed, 
hence,  impaired  and  disaster  to  the  fiower  buds  is 
quite  sure  to  follow.    If  the  pots  are  over -large,  this 


DRENCHING   BOARD. 

last  named  condition  is  also  liable  to  be  met. 
Lightly  sprinkling  the  plants  three  or  four  times  a 
week,  is  a  necessary  course  at  this  season. 

Carnations.  These  useful  flowers  should  now  be 
in  full  bloom.  They  cannot  tolerate  much  shade  for 
best  results.  When  bedtled  under  glass  as  is  now 
usually  done  in  commercial  houses,  there  is  some 
danger  of  keei^ing  too  wet  at  the  root.  In  pot  cul- 
ture, they  do  not  care  for  larger  pots  than  about  six 
inches  across.  An  occasional  dose  of  liquid  manure 
or  lime  water,  is  of  great  benefit. 

Centaureas  or  Dusty  Millers  continue  to  be  popu- 
lar. The  species  Candida,  both  in  young  and  old 
plants,  is  now  liable  to  injiu*y  from  over-watering. 

Cinerarias.  Given  a  moderate  tempeiature,  say 
45  degrees  at  night,  a  light  place,  plenty  of  air,  and 
ample  space  and  pot  room,  and  no  plants  are  easier 
to  grow  or  more  rewarding  for  the  trouble  required 
than  these.  But  while  on  the  one  hand  they  cannot 
stand  heat,  on  the  other  a  frost  injures  them  quickly. 

Coleus,     Observe  directions  for  Alternanthera. 

Ferns.  These  requu-e  no  shading  overhead  from 
now  on.  Adiantums  delight  in  warmth,  but  it  must 
not  be  at  the  expense  of  too  little  fresh  air.  Because 
they  love  moisture,  it  is  often  too  freely  applied  in 
the  way  of  syringing.    Keep  near  the  glass. 

Fuchsias.  Winter-flowering  ones  should  be  en- 
couraged by  ample  pot  room,  fertihty  and  free 
watering.  Strong  plants  trained  to  the  roof,  for 
having  the  fiowera  danghng  from  above,  have  a 
charming  effect.  Start  up  spring  and  jnununer 
flowering  plants,  cutting  them  back  and  shifting 
into  fresh  soil,  using  small  pots  to  commence  on. 


1 885- 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


27 


Geraniums.  Propagration  of  thes**  in  all  sorts, 
f<ti-  nsf  ui'Xt  summer,  may  go  on,  as  slips  apijeur. 

Geraniums,  Fancy  Leaved.  These  are  not  strouj? 
pro\vei"s  naturally,  hence  must  be  favored  at  this 
season.  On  shelves  near  the  glass,  in  a  t<'mperature 
of  from  ."»<i-  to  GO'',  is  the  kind  of  place  they  need. 

Heliotrope.    Propagate  for  early  spring  plants. 

Lobelias.    The  dii-ections  for  Alyssum  will  apply. 

Lycopodium.  It  is  a  good  time  now  to  divide 
these,  for  getting  up  fine  plants  by  next  spring. 

Maurandia.    The  directions  for  Alj'ssum  will  suit. 

Mignonette.  Sow  now  for  early  spring  bloom. 
The  Summer-raised  plants  designed  for  winter 
bloom,  should  have  a  warm,  light  place.  Flower- 
ing plants  will  bear  liquid  manure  occasionally. 

Odd  jobs  lit  in  well  at  this  season,  when  work 
luuler  glass  does  not  crowd  much.  It  is  a  time  for 
washing  every  soiled  pot  on  the  place;  for  putting 
sash,  hand  glasses,  frames,  etc.,  that  will  be  wanted 
in  early  spring,  in  order:  forgetting  up  the  neces- 
sary plant  stakes,  labels  and  the  like,  ^^^len  a  few 
only  of  these  are  wanted  they  can  easily  be  whittled 
out;  if  many,  it  is  much  the  cheapest  way  to  buy. 

Orcllids  require  a  watchful  eye  among  them.  So 
many  diverse  climates  are  now  represented  in  col- 
lect ions  of  these,  that  it  is  dilticult  to  rest  all  together. 
Such  kinds,  therefore,  as  should  now  be  kept  grow- 
ing hke  Coelogyneas.  Ada  aurantiaca  or  C'idium 
macranthum.  it  is  better  to  move  into  a  growing  tem- 
perature, than  to  risk  keeping  them  with  the  others, 
which  are  now  treated  to  a  cool  atmosphere. 
While  Cool  Orchids  require  no  more  than  45"  to  50° 
of  heat,  and  will  bear  free  airing,  still  they  must  not 
be  submtted  to  strong  or  chilling  draughts. 

Pelargoniums  should  be  helped  to  make  a  free 
growth  at  this  season,  a  thing  they  will  readily  do 
if  not  neglected.  Along  with  this,  there  must  be 
attention  to  pineliingback  for  making  bushy  plants. 

Koot  Cuttings  '^f  Anemone.  Bouvardia.  and  simi- 
lar plants  that  propagate  by  the  roots,  may  be 
made  and  started,  by  putting  into  light  earth,  in 
]nr>derate  heat,  and  keeping  moderately  wet. 

Temperature.  Aim  at  uniformity:  respect  the 
needs  of  the  majority.  In  almost  everj-  plant- 
hoiise  a  considerable  variation  in  the  heat  is  found 
in  different  parts.  Place  the  heat-lovers  in  the 
warmest  i)arts,  and  so  on.  If  separate  apartments 
are  had  for  the  Stove  or  Hot-house  plants  and  for 
the  Green-house  plants— and  this  is  the  best  way- 
aim  at  from  00°  to  70°  for  the  former  and  about 
45°  to  50'^  for  the  latter  at  night. 

Verbenas.    The  directions  for  Geraniums  apply. 


old  stocks  that  were  housed  before  freezing  weather. 
After  grafting,  pack  the  grafted  stock  in  boxes  of 
earth  in  the  cellar  until  spring.  A  jirejudice  is 
afloat  against  root -grafted  trees:  there  is  reason 
in  this,  as  applied  to  grafts  upon  pieces  of  root; 
not  so  when  grafte<l  on  stocks  at  the  (M)llar. 

Vines  set  out  last  spring,  may  before  winter  Ih* 
pruned  down  to  about  three  buds.  Those  .set  a  year 
ago  and  longer,  should  have  the  canes  that  are  to 
bear  next  si'ason.  cut  l)ack  to  six.  seven  or  eight 
buds  each,  according  to  the  strength  of  thei>lant. 
Whatever  system  of  priming  is  ailopted.  let  it  be  re- 
membered that  there  is  more  danger  of  not  pruning 
enough,  than  of  over-pruning.  Also  that  the  object 
of  pruning  shoiUd  be  to  secure  strong  shoots  fo?" 
bearing,  and  to  replace  these  annually  by  new  ones. 
After  pnining.  the  vines  should  be  laid  down  and 
covered  as  directed  for  Raspberries. 


above  f»0°  should  be  kept  up  in  the  daytime,  but  this 
may  be  allowed  to  fall  to  i't'  or  even  less  in  secure 
weather  at  night.  Plants  for  late  fruiting  should  !>e 
in  the  pit.  freezing  that  will  not  break  the  pots  will 
do  them  no  hiu't  if  it  iseonlinuotis. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Now  that  the  work  of  the  year  is  about  all  done  , 
in  this  department,  it  is  a  good  time  to  look  back 
over  the  results  of  the  season,  and  forward  to  mak- 
ing improvements.    It  should  be  remembered  that  \ 
the  best  success  here  usually  attends  the  greatest 
degree  of  practical  intelligence  appUed;  new  ideas 
concerning  kinds  and  methods  should  be  sought  in 
the  winter's  leisure,  by  visiting  and  consulting  other 
fiiiit  growers,  by  reading  horticultural  l)ooks  and 
periodicals,  ete.     In  communities   where  the  inter-  j 
est  in  fruit  culture  is  somewhat  general,  a  Fruit  i 
Urowei-s"  Club  is  a  good  thing;  now  is  a   proper 
time  to  establish  it.    Let  it  be  largely  informal  in  1 
its  character  and  methods.    Let  the  meetings  be 
held  once  or  twice  a  month  at  the  houses  of  in- 
terested persons,— then  the  social  features  will  also  ' 
aid  in  strengthening  the  work. 

Manuring.    Whether  the  orchard  is  kept  culti- 
vated or  in  grass,  it  needs  a  hgbt  dressing  of  ma- 
nure every  year  for  best  results.    This  is  the  best 
month  for  ai>plying,  by  top  dressing.    Let  it  be  fine  j 
and  old.     Composts  are  excellent.  ; 

Peach  trees  when  young,  can  readily  be  pro- 
tected by  digging  on  one  side  of  the  tree,  taking 
some  earth  out  from  under  the  body,  then  cutting 
some  of  the  roots,  bending  down  the  tree  and  peg- 
ging it  to  the  earth.  Then  the  roots  should  be 
heavily  covered  with  soil  and  the  top  either  with 
soil  or  straw,  the  former  we  think  the  l)est,  in  light 
soils.  Trees  as  high  as  ten  feet  have  l»een  thus  cov- 
ered every  year,  with  the  result  of  bearing  heavy 
crops  of  fruit  even  in  the  North. 

Pests.  Mice  and  rabbits  injure  and  kill  nuiny 
yomig  trees  each  winter  by  gnawing  the  bark. 
Wi-ap  tarred  felt  around  the  trunks  to  prevent  this. 

Baspberries  niay  yet  be  protected  if  it  was  n<it 
done  last  month.  Bend  over  the  canes  carefully, 
not  to  t>reak  them,  in  the  direction  of  the  row.  and 
cover  slightly  with  earth.  One  man  can  do  the 
work. but  two  men  will  doit  more  than  twice  as  fast. 

Root  grafting  is  work  for  the  w  inter  season,  as 
it  is  done  in  the  house  upon  the  roots  of  oue-year- 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Cabbage  and  Cauliflower  Plants.  <  »n  raising 
these  next  spring,  see  article  elsewhere  in  this  issue. 
A  main  part  to  observe  now.  is  to  prepare  the  soil 
of  the  seed  bed  before  winter.  The  land  can  hardly 
be  made  too  rich.  Apply  a  heavy  coat  of  old  tinely- 
divided  manure,  either  as  a  top  dressing  or  by  spad- 
ing it  in.  Fresh  manure  will  not  answer  for  the 
purpose. 

Celery.  In  the  Middle  States  and  further  south, 
the  directions  of  last  month  may  apply.  In  the 
North  thetrvnchesshoul  I  receive  their  final  covering. 

Composts  and  manure  should  now  be  aceumu- 
lated  into  heaps,  and  worked  over  occasionally,  so 
as  to  be  in  proper  condition  for  the  lan<l  in  the 
Spring.  Have  an  eye  to  seeming  any  valuable  fer- 
tilizers, that  may  be  going  to  waste,  or  which  can 
be  bought  at  a  small  cost  in  your  neighborhood. 
The  place  one  can  usuallj-  strike  such  is  about 
slaughter-houses,  bi'eweries.  and  like  places. 

Crops  like  Spinach,  sown  in  the  fall  for  spring  use. 
should  receive  a  two  inch  coat  of  leaves  or  hay. 
when  hard  cold  is  at  hand. 

Digging  over  unoccupied  areas,  can  usuall^v  be 
as  weU  done  this  month  as  any  time.  Deep  stirring 
and  successive  freezing  of  the  soil  is  of  gi'eat  benefit 
to  the  crops,  and  for  best  results  not  a  square  rod  of 
the  empty  beds  should  be  left  undug. 

Improvements  and  alterations  about  the  gardens 
may  yet  be  made.  Where  old  bushes  are  to  be 
grubbed  up,  or  underdraining  or  trenching  is  to  be 
done,  this  is  a  suitable  time  for  the  work. 

Leaves.  A  good  lot  should  be  gathered  for  mix- 
ing with  fresh  manure  to  make  hot -beds  next  spring. 
Allowed  to  decay,  thej-  afford  an  excellent  material 
to  mix  with  soil,  for  any  kind  of  plants. 

Peas  and  Lettuce  may  now  be  sown  at  the  South. 

Seeds.  Let  «.ild  stock  be  overhauled  and  the 
worthless  thrown  out.  Keep  the  good  in  a  cool,  dry 
place,  and  away  from  mice  and  I'ats. 

Tools  should  all  be  housed  and  in  clean  order. 


FRUIT   AND    VEGETABLES   UNDER 
GLASS. 

Cold  Frames  or  Pits.  The  object  of  these  is  not 
to  advance  the  i>lants.  but  merely  to  prevent  too 
severe  freezing  and  injury  from  exposure  to  wind. 
On  all  mild  days  admit  air  freely. 

Cucumbers.  Seed  sown  in  Septeml>er  will  bear  by 
Januar\-  and  later,  in  a  suitable  temperature.  Their 
culture  in  winter  re'iuires  a  bottom  heat  of  nearly 
70°.  produced  by  the  use  of  leaves  with  a  slight  addi- 
tion of  stable  manure;  a  t<-)p  heat  of  70°  at  m'ght  and 
80°  in  the  <lay  with  00°  in  the  sun.  They  should  not 
be  encouraged  too  much  with  stimulants,  unless  the 
plants  are  strong.  Train  the  leaders  up  their  entire 
length,  before  stopping,  then  stop  all  side  shoots  at 
the  second  joint. 

Grapery.  Where  Grapes  of  late  vineries  have 
been  allowed  to  remain  on  the  plants  until  this  time, 
they  now  should  be  cut.  as  they  will  keep  better  in 
the  fruit  room  than  on  the  vines.  After  tbe  plants 
of  late  vineries  have  been  cleared,  they  shoidd  be 
pnmed  and  cleansed:  dress  the  cuts  with  .styptic 
and  throw  the  ventilatersi>pen  in  suitable  weather  to 
bring  them  into  rest. 

Lettuce.  Plenty  of  ventilation  on  all  fine  days 
must  be  afforded,  and  all  decayed  leaves  must  be 
picked  off  the  plants  as  observable,  for  if  left  they 
will  souii  cause  damp. 

Strawberries.  When  flower  stems  api>ear  the 
plants  shouhl  go  to  the  lightest  and  most  aity  place 
of  the  house,  that  the  plants  may  not  become  tlrawn. 
and  to  favor  fertilization  of  ttie  Howei-s.  Water  only 
enough  to  promote  healthy  growth  and  syringe  the 
plants  in  the  foreut»on  of  bright  days.     A  heat  of 


This  being  thf  People's  PafKr  it  is  open  to  all  their  In- 
quires, bearing  on  Oardening. 

On  the  otht-r  hand,  ansirers  to  published  inquirea  art 
fiimfstlu  requested  from  readers. 

The  editors  and  sjiecial  contrihutOTV  am  ready  to  do  a 
Inrge  shitre  0/  (ht-  tuisteering,  but  the  experience  of  many 
being  nmre  vaiua/>le  thnn  of  thrfcic,  hotrt-ver  tytried  that  is. 
and  coudit ions  and  li^ralitieit  bt-ing  so  different,  they  pr^er 
to  receive  ansicers,  even  several  of  them  to  the  name  quet 
tion,  from  readers  eferywhere.  Don't  hesitate  to  write 
because  you  may  feel  you  are  nojlne  writer;  give  facta  and 
ideas  and  the  editors  teilt  see  that  they  appear  tn  credi- 
table shape. 

In  writing,  give  the  number  of  the  question  you  are  an- 
stpering;  your  locality  and  uarnt;  the  latter  not  for  publica- 
tion unless  you  desire.     M'riteonly  on  one  side  of  the  pajter 

Flowers  will  be  gladly  named  pi-ovided  first,  thatnomorr 
than  three  be  sent  at  one  time.  Second,  that  these  be  fully 
prepaid.  Third,  that  several  specimens  of  each  reach  us  in 
good  shape.  We  cannot  umlt-rtake  to  name  florists'  varie- 
ties, 

12.— Chrysanthemums.  Please  state  how  long  a 
rest  potted  plants  ..f  these  need,  and  should  they 
be  allowed  to  get  dust  <lry:'  Will  suckers  that  have 
appeared  thus  early,  answer  as  well  for  next  year's 
stock  as  spring  pi'opagated  ones?  Japanese  C'hrys- 

ANTHEMX'M. 

13.— Black  Insects.     Whal  will  keep  these  from 

Chrysanthemums.     A    L..  Detroit,  Mich, 

14.— Ferns  for  Bouquets.  Will  someone  give  nie 
the  names  of  in\e  or  two  Fi-rns  besides  Maicfen  hair, 
suitable  for  making  buttonhole  bouquets  and  suit- 
able for  growing  ni  a  gret-nhouse.     Novice. 

ij.— Indian  rubber  Tree.  I  shall  be  thankful 
if  some  reader  of  Pop.  (Jardenino  will  give  me  in- 
formation for  iiroi'agating  this  plant.  I  tried  sev- 
eral cuttings  last  y^-ar  but  failed  with  all.  New 
Beginner. 

1(5— Tree  Pseony.  My  plant  has  lost  every  flower 
bud  by  blasting  just  before  the  time  of  opening. 
Can  any  one  tell  how  this  may  be  prevented 
in  the  future.    L.  E.  L.,  Angola.  X.  Y. 

17.— Plants  for  shade.  Can  any  reader  give  a 
list  of  plants  that  will  succt>ed  in  a  much  shaded 
yard?    Mrs.  Bell.  M'ln/nt.shoro,  Pa. 

IS.— Cissus  discolor.  I  have  been  told  that  this 
plant  renuires  nuich  heat,  but  does  it  want  sun  or 
shade  l)esides:    J.  E.  Wales,  IVabash.  hid. 

Ui. -Cactus.  What  will  make  my  Cactus  bloom? 
It  is  four  years  old  and  never  had  a  tlower.  Rainbow, 

ANSWERS  TO  INQUIRIES- 

5.— Plants  for  an  Invalid.  Plants  easily  grown 
in  a  window,  are  English,  (Jei'uum  and  Kenilworth 
Ivies.  Tradescanthia  can  lie  grown  in  water.  Cfilxea. 
a  vine,  will  be  veiy  satisfactorj".  Geraniums,  when 
well  started,  simply  need  watering  now  and  then. 
Sister  Gracious. 

0.— Cpleus  in  the  House.  This  can  be  easily 
raised  in  the  window,  if  only  care  is  t-aken  against 
frost.  Mme  succeeded  well' on  a  shelf  half  waj-  up 
the  window.  The  dark  red-leaved  kind  is  the  "best 
to  winter.     Si.'^ter  (iRAciot's. 

5.— Plants  for  an  Invalid.  The  Begonias  in  var- 
iety are  among  the  easirst  grown  and  the  most  sat- 
isfactory plants  both  in  f<)liage  and  flowers.  They 
bear  the  close,  hot  atmosphere  of  our  coal-heated 
rooms  acUnirabiy:  they  are  of  neat  habit  and  orna- 
mental, aside  from  the  blossoms.  The  Cyclamen  is 
a  lieautiful  bulbous  plant:  with  embroideretl  leaves 
and  curious  tiownrs  r.n  long  stems.  Freesias  grown 
in  clumps  in  a  hanging  pot.  are  lovely.  H3'acintbs 
are  very  easUy  grown  in  pots  or  glasses,  and  are  so 
sweet  and  lovely.  1  would  not  fail  to  have  them. 

10.— Lachenalia.  These  should  be  potted  in  Oc- 
tober, in  light  tibrous  soil  with  a  little  sand  inter- 
mixed and  watered  m.  tdt^rately.  They  bloom  in  the 
winter.  After  tlowering.  they  need  to  be  watered 
until  the  foliage  Ix-^ins  to  ttu'u  yellow.  They  should 
be  kept  in  the  soil.  dry.  during  the  summer.  Mr.s. 
M.  D.  Wellcome.  Yanii'mth.  Mt . 

0— Plantain  Lilies  not  Blooming.  I  would  sug- 
gest that  Mrs.  H  C.  F.  lift  her  plants  early  next 
spring,  divide  each  one  int«i  three  or  four  and  reset 
in  fresh  soil,     A.  H.  K. 

7.— Night  Smelling  Jasamine.  it  will  keep  all 
winter  in  a  room  oi-  greenhituse  that  is  moderately 
warm.  It  is  set  out  in  May  and  flowers  steadily 
through  the  season.  .Shps  "grow  easily  in  a  wann 
propagating  bed.     A,  H.  K. 

s.— Tuberous  Begonias.  After  flowering,  the 
tulHn*s  may  In-  Kurii-d  in  dry  sjind  or  earth  and  win- 
tered in  any  out  of  the-way  place,  where  it  d(»ejs  not 
freeze.     M.  F.  Wallace.  .Yr"-  Lisbou.  O. 

11.— Hardy  Ivy.  We  should  exi)ect  the  Irish  Ivy 
to  be  hardv  at  .iaeksun.  Mich.,  if  grown  in  good  soil 
imthf  north  side  of  n  l.uiMing.     Kn.s.  P.  (i. 

i-i.  -Chrysanthemum,  in  resting  iiot  chrjsanthe- 
nuuns  we  would  not  allow  them  to  become  dust 
drv.  although  m-arlv  so.  They  do  not  need  light 
when  at  rest.  To  rest  them  until  April  is  not  to*3 
long,  ludess  you  <lesiiv  to  propagate  them  from 
sliijs,  in  whii'h  ca.se  start  up  m  Febniai-j .  Wf 
would  much  iirefer  young  sprnig  propagated  plants 
tosuckei-s  otfall.  although  the  latter  should  also 
succeed  if  kept  a  growing.    Eds.  V.  G 


28 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


December, 


When  the  Woods  Turn  Brown. 

How  will  it  be  ivhen  the  roses  fade. 
Out  of  the  garden  and  out  of  the  glade  y 
When  the  fresh  pink  bloom  of  the  sweet-brier  wild. 
That  leans  from  the  dell  like  the  cheek  of  a  child, 
Is  changed  for  dry  hips  on  a  thornj'  bush? 
Then,  scarlet  and  carmine,  the  groves  will  flush. 
How  will  it  be  when  the  woods  turn  brown. 
Their  gold  and  their  crimson  all  dropped  down. 
And  crumbled  to  dust  ? 

O,  then  as  we  lay 
Our  ear  to  Earth's  lips,  we  shall  hear  her  say, 
•'  In  the  dark  I  am  seeking  new  gems  for  my  crown." 
We  will  dream  of  green  leaves  when  the  woods  turn 
brown.  —Lncij  Uiroim. 


Announced  by  all  the  tnmipets  of  the  sky. 

Arrives  the  snow,  and  driving  o'er  the  fields. 
Seems  nowhere  to  alight.    *    *    The  housemates 
sit 
Aroimd  the  radiant  fire-place  enclosed 
In  a  tiniudtons  privacy  of  storm.— 

— Emerson. 


Hyacinths  detest  heat. 

Dirty  pots  are  abomiuable. 

Primroses  should  be  iu  bud. 

Flowers  are  emblems  of  purity. 

Fragrance  varies  with  the  hour. 

The  glory  of  Chrysanthemums  wanes. 

July  sown  Sweet  Alyssum  is  in  bloom. 

Children  easily  become  lovers  of  flowers. 

Philadelphia  is  i-alled  the  hull  of  Roses. 

"A  Christmas  Gift"  is  oflFered  elsewhere. 

In  choosing  bulbs  look  to  weight  rather  than 
size. 

Of  sun,  most  l>looming  plants  cannot  get  too 
nincli. 

Write  to  Popular  Gardening  about  y<nu- 
plants. 

Large  saucers  for  plants  tend  to  keep  ofT 
insects. 

Include  this  paper  in  your  list  of  familj-  read- 
ing for  issi;. 

Wanted!  Enough  subscribers  to  swell  our 
list  to  ol  1,(11  III. 

To  find  pleasure  in  flowers,  is  one  sign  of  a 
sweet  ilisposition. 

Dogs,  by  their  fllthiness,  are  death  to  small 
Evergreens,  in  towns. 

Sudden  and  great  changes  in  the  temperature, 
are  ruinous  tc:>  plants. 

The  Feverfews  or  Pyi-ethrums  are  natives 
of  the  Caucasus  mountains. 

Autumn  feeds  spring,  through  the  richness 
that  comes  from  the  leaf  crop. 

About  a  hundred  species  of  AiliKiitiiin  in- 
Maiden  hair  ferns  are  known. 

In  potting,  the  hnnps  should  go  to  the  bottom, 
of  the  pots,  the  ttne  earth  above  it. 

We  would  like  the  showy  fruiting  Jerusalem 
Cherry  l>etter.  but  for  its  unplea.sant  odor. 

Boom  Gardening.  When  Bachelor's  Buttons 
are  being  sewed  (on)  by  the  wearers  themselves. 

Who  ever  bestows  a  second  look  on  the  pots 
of  artificial  flowers,  handsome  as  they  may  be; 

Room  Plants  have  one  enemy  not  knowii  to 
the  greenhouse,  namely,  dust.  Easily  van- 
qitished. 

You  need  the  Floral  Note  Book  offered  on  the 
next  to  la-st  page,  a-s  a  gift  to  new  subscribers 
until  Christmas  day. 


The  language  of  flowers  was  never  better  ap- 
plied than  to  the  Mignonette,  "Moral  worth 
superior  to  beauty. " 

Soft-wooded  plants  shoidd  stand  nearest  to 
the  light,  the  hard-wooded  ones,  liack,  if  all 
cannot  have  equal  light. 

Why  paint  the  flower  pots  '!  They  are  both 
better  and  more  becoming  to  the  eye,  in  the 
natin-al  color  of  burnt  clay. 

The  Tomato  is  still  known  as  the  Love  Apple 
in  England  and  Germany,  a  name  once  com- 
mon for  the  fruit  in  this  country. 

Chrysanthemum  Shows  were  held  with  great 
success  in  several  cities,  during  the  past  month. 
It's  ea.sy  to  get  up  enthusiasm  for  this  flower. 

Have  you  a  friend,  near  or  far  away,  who 
might  like  this  paper?  Kindly  send  us  the  ad- 
dress and  we  will  mail  a  cojiy  for  examination. 

Imagine  the  sight  of  this  earth  stripi)ed  of 
ever}'  vestige  of  plant  life,  you  who  say  "  who 
cares  for  looks,"  when  tn'ged  to  set  out  some 
flowers  or  trees. 

A  young  poetess  told  her  "  secret  to  the  sweet 
Wild  Rose."  This  was  imprudent.  Soon  the 
sweet  wild  rose  will  "blow"  and  then  she'll 
wish  she  had  kept  her  secret. 

To  be  or  not  to  be  healthy,  has  much  to  do 
with  plants  being  free  or  otherwise  from  insects. 
Certainly  insects  may  appear  on  the  healthiest 
of  plants,  but  notice  that  they  are  the  thickest 
on  the  weak  subjects  always. 

Clubs  are  easily  made  up  for  this  paper.  Its 
lieauty,  worth  and  price  do  the  business,  wliere 
there  is  only  someone  to  help  the  matter  along 
a  little.  Reader,  will  you  not  see  what  you  can 
do  for  it  among  your  friends  ? 

The  pleasure  to  be  derived  from  gardens  is 
by  no  means  measured  by  their  size.  A  well- 
flUed  bay-window  may  cc  mtain  more  real  inter- 
est than  a  lar-ge  gi-eenhouse.  A  quarter-acre 
garden  than  a  ten  acre  park. 

Some  plants  in  the  garden  should  have 
a  change  of  position  every  year.  This  is 
especially  true  of  Verbena-s  anil  Daisies; 
when  there  is  failure  with  these  plants,  it 
is  almost  always  because  the  soil  is 
Verbena-sick  or  Daisy-sick. 

Shrubs,  If  we  had  room  for  Imt  one 
free-growing  flowering  shrub,  it  shoidd 
be  a  Weigela;  if  for  two,  a  Golden  Bell 
or  Forsythia  should  be  added,  and  if 
three,  we  would  take  in  the  Large-pan iclci  I 
Hydrangea  besides. 

If  those  having  a  lawn  to   sow,  think 
that  no  grass  but  j>  mixture  will  answer, 
they  are  mistaken.     One  kind  alone,  say 
the  Kentucky  Blue  Grass,  usually  gives  the  best 
of  results.     Do  not  understand  by   this  that 
Popular  Gardening  opposes  good  mixtures. 

One  high  American  authority  declares,  that 
it  does  not  matter  whether  the  water  used  on 
plants  in  winter  is  cold  or  not.  We  differ. 
Experience  ha.s  shown  us  that  plants  do  better 
with  the  water  at  the  same  temperature  as  the 
room,  in  which  they  grow,  than  if  colder. 

Starch  has  not  always  been  the  common  and 
inexpensive  article  it  is  to-day.  We  are  told  that 
in  the  time  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  the  bulbs  of 
the  Blue-bell  were  used  for  starching  the  ruffs, 
then  worn.  The  starch  in  these  also  served  in- 
stead of  paste  and  glue.  The  fresh  bulbs  of  this 
plant  are  said  to  be  poisonous. 

Mexicans  are  said  to  be  very  fond  of  flowers. 
Their  gardens  being  brilliant  with  bloom,  and 
their  city  markets  thronged  with  flower  sellers 
the  year  round.  Many  of  their  native  plants 
being  grown  iu  our  greenhouse  collections,  it 
is  not  strange  that  the  same  as  well  a.s  others, 
should  be  much  made  of  at  home. 

A  sign.  Many  of  the  dry  goods  and  furnish- 
ing stores  of  the  larger  cities  now  make  an 
elaborate  display  of  plants  and  flowers,  at  their 
annual  openings.  This  is  done  because  the 
public  appreciate  such  efforts.  Another  sign  of 
the  spreading  taste  for  gardening  and  its  pro- 
ducts.     Years  ago  such  things  were  not  done. 


The  largest  club  of  subscribers  received  from 
any  person  for  Popular  Gardening  to  date, 
numbered  forty.  Many  of  fifteen,  ten  and  five 
subscribers  each  have  reached  us.  We  see  by 
such  efforts  of  our  friends,  that  they  are  deter- 
mined to  do  their  share,  towards  our  getting 
.5(1,(1(111  subscribers  in  a  j'ear.  AVill  not  many 
more  join  in  the  good  work  ? 

Scale  and  Mealy  Bug.  These  common  of- 
fenders are  best  dealt  with  by  being  on  picket 
duty  against  their  approaches,  and  when  any 
show  up,  kill.  If  they  have  made  some  headway 
to  begin  with,  go  at  them  with  warm,  almost 
hot  soap  suds  and  brush,  cleaning  them  away 
entirely.  If  the  water  shows  12.5'  of  heat,  it  will 
destroy  in  a  way  that  cold  water  cannot  do. 

We  told  you  so !  Concerning  the  new  ship- 
ping lal)el  for  cut  flowers  to  which  reference  was 
made  iu  the  last  ntnnber,  Harry  Chaapel,  a 
wide-awake  florist  of  Pennsylvania,  wTites,  "you 
hit  the  "  Artistic  Flower  Tag  "  hard  in  the  last 
number.  I  am  with  you,  though  I  do  think 
the  design  is  handsome.  One  of  our  express- 
men read  it  "  Free  Flowers"  at  arms  length." 

The  Illustrated  Garten  Zietung,  of  Stuttgart, 
Germany,  gave  a  chronn:>  plate  of  a  new  Bego- 
nia, witli  mottled  leaves  which  remind  one  of 
Farfugium  gran<le,  in  its  September  issue. 
But  its  botanical  name  is  horribly  long,  Bcffo- 
via  nuniirafa  aifira-uHtfii/afa.  Its  introdu- 
cers should  have  started  it  oft'  with  a  more 
simjile  name,  or  else  with  an  easy  common 
name,  in  addition. 

The  Inquiry  Column.  This  is  designed  to  be 
a  most  useful  department  of  Popular  (iARDEN- 
ING.  It  is  intended  to  afford  the  i>ai"ticalar 
information  needed  to  suit  pai'ticular  cases. 
So  whoever  of  our  readers  does  not  meet  with 
just  what  he  or  she  wants  to  know  about  gar- 
dening, in  any  of  the  other  deiiartments,  has 
only  to  ask  tiu-ough  this  one,  and  an  answer 
will  be  forthcoming. 


ITALIAN  GRASS  VASES.    [See  opposite  page]. 

Heliotrope.  Our  friend  "  L.  L."  of  Erie  Co., 
New  York,  has  related  to  us  about  her  success 
with  this  plant  a,s  a  winter  bloomer.  She  starts 
with  a  rooted  slip  iu  the  summer.  This  is 
planted  out  in  good  soil:  is  pinched  back  occa- 
sionally and  about  the  time  of  early  frosts,  is 
potted  up  for  the  winter.  Result:  Ample 
growth,  plenty  of  flowers  all  throtigh  the  win- 
ter, and  rarely  an  insect  to  be  seen. 

The  canes  of  verandah  climbers,  are  not  pleas- 
ing if  left  whipping  and  dangling  about  the 
posts  and  rails  all  through  the  storms  of  winter. 
Let  them  be  taken  down,  be  brought  together, 
bound  and  then  laid  on  the  ground  next  to  the 
foundation,  until  spring.  Or  if  they  ai'e  too 
large  for  this,  tie  the  loose  ones  up  close  to  their 
supports  where  they  are.  Left  loose,  they 
slash  about  like  the  whip  of  an  ox-driver,  mak- 
ing impleasant  sounds. 

Shall  Popular  Gardening  have  .50.(ill(i  sub- 
scril  lers  by  the  end  of  one  year  .'  That  depends 
upon  what  you  and  you  and  you  all  around, 
who  see  it  for  the  first  time,  shall  say  and  do. 
We  know  there  are  .50,1(00  persons  in  this  country 
who  will  take  it  when  they  but  know  of  it. 
Are  not  you  reader  of  these  ;  If  so,  let  us  enter 
your  name  at  once.  At  the  same  time  kindly 
send  us  the  name  of  any  friend  who  might  be 
interested  in  the  paper,  that  we  may  send  to 
such  person  a  specimen  copy. 


iS85. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


29 


A  friend  complains  that  her  Lily  of  the  Vallej- 
never  Ijloc  mis.  Some  iuquir}'  has  brought  out  the 
fact,  that  she  each  season  mows  off  the  foliage 
soon  after  the  ordinary  time  of  bloom.  This  is 
a  mistake.  A  plant  without  leaves  or  with 
these  imjjaired,  is  much  like  a  person  with  lungs 
that  are  wasted  by  disease.  There  can  be  no 
healthy  growth  under  such  oouditions,  and  no 
wonder  that  Hi  1  wers  are  lacking. 

A  good  lesson  to  fix  in  the  mind  of  children  is 
that  all  (lowers,  even  the  most  common  ones  arc 
beautifid.  Poets  have  ever  delighted  to  honor 
the  simple  little  primroses,  snowdrops,  \iolets, 
anil  the  like.  More  sweet  verses  have  lieen 
a.scribed  to  wild-roses  thanto  thedouble-cui)pe<l 
and  flaming  florists'  sorts.  AVe  look  upon  the 
inci'easing  taste  for  single  and  "  old  fashioned" 
flowers,  as  a  real  sign  of  advancing  taste. 

Mother  of  Thousands.  This  in  England,  is 
the  connnon  name  for  the  well  known  Sii.ri- 
friii/d  saniii'iitii^ii.  We  prefer  it  to  Strawberry 
Geranium,  a  name  sometimes  applied  t<j  the 
same  plant.  It  is  no  geranium;  not  even  a 
relative,  so  it  is  better  that  this  name  should 
not  be  mixed  up  with  that  plant.  This  is  one 
of  the  best  of  plants  for  drooping  over  the  sides 
of  banging  lia-skets.    Everyone  succeeds  with  it. 

In  Potting  cuttings  and  shifting  plants,  many 
amateurs,  perhaps  the  majority  of  them,  and 
also  some  florists,  press  the  earth,  but  lightly  as 
if  they  were  afraid  of  hurting  the  roots  of  the 
plant.  Let  us  say  that  to  lightly  press  the  soil 
only,  gives  to  the  roots  no  fair  chance  to  lay 
hold  of  the  food  for  them,  in  the  earth,  and  the 
plants  suffer  to  correspond.  Press  the  soil  vei-y 
firmly  in  these  operations,  as  a  rule.  The  soil 
of  course  must  be  light,  porous  and  fb'y. 

How  can  I  tell  when  my  plants  need  water  I 
is  sometimes  asked.  A  bright  Dublin  gardener 
gives  his  rules  thus:  1.  By  the  appearance  of 
the  soil  or  feeling  it  with  the  finger.  [He  might 
have  added,  if  dust  can  be  worked  iijj.]  2.  Tap- 
ping the  pot  with  the  knuckles.  The  pot  has 
a  sharj)  hollow  sound  or  "ring '"  when  the  earth 
it  contains  is  ch'v.aud  a  dull,  heavy  "thudding" 
s<iuiid  when  moist.  3.  By  lifting  the  pots  and 
ti'sting  their  weight,  wet  soil  of  course  being 
niucli  heavier  than  dry. 

Rapid  growth  is  seldom  desirable  in  house 
plants.  When  plants  shoot  uji  quickly,  the 
leaves  ai-e  more  apt  to  timi  yellow  and  drop 
early,  than  if  the  growth  is  slower.  Miss  M. 
E.  Benedict  of  Castile,  N.  Y.,  in  referring  to 
her  success  with  plants  says,  "I  give  plenty  of 
cleai'  water,  but  rarely  anj'  manure  water 
ami  seldom  ivpot  them."  If  there  is  one  time 
more  than  any  other,  that  plants  can  be  given 
stimulants  to  advantage,  it  is  when  they  are  in 
bud,  ready  to  break  out  strongly  into  bloom. 

Horticulturists  ought  to  be,  and  no  doubt  gen- 
erally are.  a  iiainstaking  class  of  persons,  yet 
among  them  are  some  who  do  not  take  much 
care  in  wi'iting  their  <_>wn  names.  We  often 
receive  well  written  iettei's,  that  are  jjerfectly 
legible  until  it  conies  to  the  name — usuallj'  the 
most  important  part.  This  is  dashed  off  in  a 
free  st}de,  which  may  make  it  clear  to  those 
familiar  with  it,  not  so  to  strangers.  A  word 
to  our  lady  correspondents:  Please  always 
write  your  name  the  same, — not  Mrs.  Elvira 
Smith  one  time  and  Mrs.  Joshua  Smith  next. 

"  We  are  coming."  This  is  what  hundreds  of 
new  suliscribers  are  saying  right  along  in  effect, 
in  answer  to  the  request  we  made  for  .50, ()()() 
subscriliers  by  the  end  of  one  year.  But  the 
quota  is  }'et  so  far  from  full,  that  we  would 
urge  many  more  to  come.  Look  the  paper  over 
carefully,  its  contents,  the  quality  of  its  reading, 
the  engi'avings,  the  printing  and  then  the  jirice, 
you  who  have  received  a  copy  for  the  first  time; 
If  you  love  flowers  and  gardening  or  if  you  do 
not,  can  ytju  afford  to  be  without  such  a  paper,  at 
its  low  price  i  We  need  you  as  a  I'eader;  we 
think  you  neeii  the  papei'. 

The  beauty  of  Popular  Gardenini;  apart 
from  its  reailing,  has  been  widely  noticed  l>y 
the  people  and  the  press.  For  this  we  desire  to 
render  credit  where  credit  is  due.    The  printing 


is  done  by  Messrs.  Haas  &  Klein,  of  this  city, 
who  make  a  specialty  of  fine  jjeriodical  jirinting. 
Their  «"t)rk  speaks  for  them.  Our  spirited  en- 
graved heading  and  most  of  the  otiier  original 
cuts  used  to  einlielish  our  pages,  are  from  the 
Art  Printing  Establishment  of  Matthews, 
Northrup  &  Co.. of  Buffalo.  This  establishment, 
in  a  number  of  its  departments,  is  widely  ac- 
knowledged as  standing  at  the  head  of  Art 
Printing  Works  in  America. 

A  worthy  namesake.  We  were  glad  lately 
to  meet  a  most  charming  namesake,  in  volume 
one  of  C<isst>irs  Popular  Gctrclt'tu'nr/^  issued  by 
Cassell  &  Company,  limited.  New  York  and 
London.  This  is  a  liandsoine  book  of  li^o  large, 
double  column  pages,  and  several  hundred  en- 


FIG.  2. —RESULTS  OF  BAD  PRUNING.   (SEE  PAGE  30.) 

gi-avings,  inchidiug  a  beautiful  chromo  fi-ontis- 
piece  of  Roses.  The  work  treats  in  clear  and 
pleasing  style  of  almost  every  conceivable  sub- 
ject relating  to  flowers,  fruits  and  vegetables. 
While  it  is  an  English  work,  and  some  of  the 
directions  may  not  be  adapted  to  American 
practice  as  to  details,  still  it  must  prove  of  great 
value  to  our  people,  in  showmg  them  how  in- 
telligent English  gardeners  manage.  It  is  in 
every  way  a  desirable  book  for  Americans. 

Begonias  of  the  sorts  grown  for  winter  flow- 
ers, are  an  attractive  class  of  plants  at  this  sea- 
son. The  old  sort  usuallj-  known  as  Carnea, 
(perhaps  more  correctl3-  dipetalai  of  a  delicate 
rose  color  is  a  favorite  one,  on  account  of  its 
free  blooming  qualities.  The  flowers  are  un- 
equalled for  cutting,  to  use  in  all  arrangements 
of  loose  flowers.  A  varietj"  of  this  one  appar- 
ently, and  called  Incarnata,  is  in  some  places 
crowding  out  the  other — it  having  advantages 
as  a  pot  plant  in  being  of  dwarfer  growth. 
The  flowers  are  also  of  a  deeper  color,  rendering 
them  more  attractive  in  the  ej'es  of  some.  Be- 
gonia Fuchsioides  is  an  elegant  pot  plant,  a  little 
later  than  this,  loaded  as  it  will  be  with  droop- 
ing cymes  of  bright  scarlet-colored  bloom. 
Grown  as  specimens  for  the  dinner  table,  this 
sort  is  almost  unequalled. 

Without  good  soil,  no  one  can  succeed  in 
growing  house  plants  well.  We  have  little 
faith  in  clii])  dirt  for  plants  for  best  results:  we 
have  great  faith  in  what  gardeners  call  "  fi- 
brous loam  "  for  the  same  pnipose.  Those  who 
live  in  the  country,  find  it  an  easy  matter  to 
have  a  good  lot  of  this  artcle  on  hand  at  all 
tunes.  City  plant  growers  can  procure  the 
same  of  the  florists  at  a  small  price  per  bushel. 
You  maj'  be  sure  they  have  it  in  stock  if  they 
know  what  is  what:  their  bread  and  butter  it 
might  be  said,  depends  upon  whether  the 
potting  soil  thej'  use  is  full  of  fibers  or  not. 
How  to  get  it  up  is  told  in  a  few  words. 
Procure  sods  two  or  three  inches  thick,  from  a 
rich  pasture  lot,  or  from  the  roadside,  at  some 
spot  where  the  earth  is  good.  Stack  it  up  in 
some  out  of  the  way  place  until  wanted.  Break 
this  into  pieces  the  size  of  acorns,  and  plants 
will  find  in  it  all  the  elements  really  needed  to 
their  existence.  Or  if  it  seems  poor,  add  a  little 
old  fine  manure.  No  need  of  nibbing  siich  soil 
through  a  fine  sieve  before  using. 


Italian  Grass  Vases.  These  novelties  in  win- 
dow gardening,  intrcxluced  from  Italy  a  year 
ago,  are  so  charming  and  soea.sily  managed,  that 
they  deserve  attention  here,  Thi'ough  the 
courtesy  of  Messi-s.  A.  H.  Hews  &  Co.,  of  North 
Caniliridge,  Mass.,  who  have  come  out  with  a 
handsome  line  of  these  vases  in  this  country, 
we  are  able  to  give  the  engravings'opposite  of  two 
of  them.  To  start  these  grass  vases  into 
gi'owth  is  a  most  simple  matter.  The  va.ses 
being  made  of  porous  earthen  ware,  by  filling 
them  with  water  the  clay  is  constantly  moist 
on  the  outside.  Now  by  sprinkling  any  kind 
of  grass  or  other  fine  seeil  over  the  vase  it  will 
adhere  to  the  moist  .surface,  and  will  remain 
there  so  long  as  water  is  kept  in  the  inside. 
AVliat  follows  is.  that  the  .seed  sprouts  and  gi-(  tws, 
and  in  a  short  time  there  is  a  gi'een  lawn-like 
object  the  jirecise  shape  of  the  vase.  The  whole 
affair  is  so  iiretty  and  inexpensive,  that  it  is 
not  strange  these  have  growii  very  popular  in 
the  large  cities.  The  vases  being  small,  are 
safely  iirocnralile  by  mail ;  those  who  sell  them 
usually  fui'nish  seed  for  sowing  gi'atis. 

Botanical  names  and  Bugs.  An  editor  of  a 
milling  journal  pul>lished  in  Western  New 
York  is  getting  interested  in  gardening  mat- 
ters, as  a  result  of  reading  Popular  Garden- 
ing. Some  time  ago,  in  visiting  a  neighboring 
town  where  lives  an  amateur  gardener  who  has 
a  large  collection  of  plants,  he  early  made  an 
opportunity  to  call  on  this  gentleman,  and  see, 
what  was  widelj'  know,  as  a  first-class  garden. 
Now  this  respected  editor  and  reader  of  P.  G. 
as  an  enthusiastic  seeker  after  gardening  knowl- 
edge, walks  with  his  eyes  wide  open.  Here  in 
this  large  and  well  kept  gai'den  he  met  many, 
to  him,  new  and  interesting  sights.  He  saw 
before  him  a  carrying  out  in  part,  of  the  gar- 
den he  himself  hoped  some  day  to  own. 

Being  possessed  of  a  quick  and  penetrating 
mind,  as  a  result  of  long  practice  in  looking  fui'- 
ther  into  millstones,  than  most  folks  can  do, 
om'  friend  arrived  at  man}'  striking  conclusions 
about  gardening,  in  this  one  day  spent  in  a  fine 
garden.  These  things  he  stored  up  in  his  mind 
for  future  application  in  his  own  case. 

One  conclusion  soon  reached,  was  the  mani- 
fest potency  of  certain  long  and  not  easy  to  be 
remembered  names,  for  keeping  bugs  away  from 
plants.  Here  in  this  gai'den,  at  the  side  of 
nearly  every  one  of  hundreds  of  plants,  wa.s  a 
nice  looking  stake  projecting  about  one  foot 
out  of  the  earth,  and  on  this  was  painted  in 
I  clear  letters  some  such  words  as  DrlphiniuDi 
fonnosum,  Ht'iiwrocallis  Kwantio  rarii'i/afit , 
Anthfi-ifVin  lifittsfri'iii  orthelike.  Evei\yplant 
looked  thrifty  and  perfect,  as  it  stood  out  upon 
the  well  tilletl  surface.  And  he  noted  with  par- 
ticular interest  that  seemingly  not  a  bug  or 
worm  was  an^'where  around.  He  remembered 
how  at  home,  in  a  bed  of  six  or  seven  plants  in  the 
back  yard,  there  was  no  end  of  bugs,  slugs  and 
'  gruiis  disporting  over  and  fattening  themselves 
on  these,  notwithstanding  maii.y  vigorous 
weeds,  some  as  tall  as  the  plants,  which  he  ha<l 
left,  as  he  claims,  for  these  little  pests  to  consume, 
if  they  must  be  there.  But  he  had  set  out  no  such 
stakes  with  long  names  on  them.  Putting  this 
and  that  together,  he  was  not  slow  to  see  that 
here  was  the  cause  of  all  his  trouble.  And  now 
in  his  kind-hearted  way  he  is  going  about  and 
freely  offering  to  all  his  friends,  this  valuable 
discover}-  for  keeping  bugs  from  flower  beds. 

It  may  lie  addeil  that  so  far  as  the  case  of  our 
philosophical  friend  of  flouring  interests  was 
c(mcernerl.  the  season  was  too  far  gone  to  allow 
him  to  work  any  improvement  by  hisdiscovery 
in  his  own  back  yard,  this  year.  But,  next 
sunimeiv  we  are  a.ssured,  he  will  spare  no  stakes 
or  long  words  to  ward  off  from  his  patch  the 
evil-doing  insects.  In  the  meantime  our  read- 
ers ma)'  expect, — perhaps  next  month — in  Pop- 
ular G.\Ri)ENlNi;,  some  of  the  rea.sons  why  fine 
gai'dens  are  usuall.\'  seen  where  stakes  with  long 
names  on  tlu'in  are  fi'eely  used,  and  rii-f  rrrstt. 
Besides  this  we  will  give  the  reasons  why  b()t- 
anical  names,  if  they  are  sometimes  ini'onveni- 
eutly  long,  are  a  real  necessity. 


30 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


December, 


About  Pruning  Trees. 

In  no  part  of  what  may  be  called  popular 
gardening,  is  there  greater  need  of  increased 
knowledge,  than  in  that  which  relates  to  the 
pruning  of  shade  and  other  trees.  The 
damage  done  every  year  by  bad  pruning  is 
simply  appalling.  To  say  that  some  self- 
styled  tree  pruners  never  touch  a  tree  with 
saw  and  knife  but  to  sadly  mar  it's  beauty, 
and  shorten  its  life  by  years  for  each  bung- 
ling assault,  is  not  away  from  the  truth. 


Fig,  l.-Bad  and  Good  Pruning,  tlie  former  shown  to 
the  left,  the  iatter  to  the  right,  side. 

Tree  owners,  especially  in  our  villages  and 
towns,  submit  to  the  imposition  of  this  class, 
when  if  they  were  to  order  them  off  the 
place  and  themselves  direct  the  work  of 
pruning,  it  could  be  rightly  done  as  easily  as 
otherwise.  We  propose  in  the  present  arti- 
cle, to  throw  some  light  on  this  subject,  and 
especially  as  to  pruning  large  branches. 

It  is  on  street  trees  more  than  any  others 
that  the  pruning  away  of  comparatively  large 
branches  is  done.  Trees  planted  here, 
are  usually  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet  high 
when  they  are  set.  So  far  as  looks  go,  or  as 
the  matter  of  providing  shade  early  is  con- 
cerned, a  liberal  top  is  wanted  on  these  from 
the  day  they  are  planted. 

For  the  first  ten  years,  therefore,  there  is 
no  thought  about  pruning,  usually.  But  l)j- 
and  by  the  tree  tops  reacli  upward  and  out- 
ward on  all  sides,  and  the  branches  soon 
meet  those  of  their  neighbors,  or  nearly  so. 
This  point  reached  with  most  kinds,  and 
there  is  not  only  an  obstruction  to  the  view 
of  the  street  as  seen  from  the  house,  but  also 
closeness  is  created  about  the  place  through 
the  shade,  and  the  intei'ferencc  of  the  tops 
with  a  free  circulation  of  air.  To  prune  the 
lower  branches  off,  properly  comes  as  a  sug- 
gestion to  the  owner's  mind. 

To  the  left  side  of  fig.  1  is  shown  how 
many  ignorant  pruners  leave  the  job  of  cut- 
ting away  a  branch.  As  the  easiest  way  of 
doing  the  work,  they  sever  it,  some  ways 
from  the  trimk,  leaving  a  stump,  as  if  to 
hang  a  horse  collar  on.  Right  in  this  act  is 
where  trouble  begins. 

What  a  tree  owner  should  know  enough 
to  do  if  his  workman  does  not.  is  to  insist  in 
all  pruning.  Ihat  in.stead  of  leaving  a  snag 
like  tliis,  the  cutting  be  done  close  to  the 
main  part,  as  shown  by  the  scar  on  the  right 
side  of  the  same  figure.  Tlien  the  scar  .should 
be  thickly  painted  to  keep  out  moisture. 

Pruning  of  rather  large  branches,  is  at  all 
events  a  harsh  stroke  to  a  tree.  But  nature 
in  such  cases  if  not  hindered,  at  once  sets 
about  recovering  the  tree  from  it.  One  of 
the  first  things  is  to  heal  the  exposed 
part,  by  covering  it  with  new  bark.  This  is 
most  important  for  preventing  the  exposure 
of  vital  parts  to  the  elements  and  to  decay.  It 
is  as  to  this  point,  that  the  difference  between 


the  good  and  bad  pruning  illustrated,  comes 
in,  as  may  be  seen  by  our  other  engravings. 

The  projecting  stump  of  fig.  1  alluded  to, 
of  course  prevents  any  closing  up  of  the 
wound  by  new  bark,  here,  for  its  end  dries 
up  and  prevents  growth  where  the  cut  was 
made,  and  there  is  no  chance  for  this  any 
nearer  to  the  trunk.  Fig.  2  on  page  39  shows 
the  appearance  of  such  bad  pruning  six  years 
later.  One  has  not  to  walk  the  shaded  streets 
of  any  town  far,  to  meet  illustrations  of  this. 

Fig.  3  represents  another  stage  reached  in 
the  effects  of  bad  jjruning.  But  this  is  not 
the  last,  for  now  an  opening  has  rotted  out, 
exposing  the  very  heart  of  the  tree  to  moisture 
and  air.  With  this  comes  as  a  consequence, 
decay  to  the  center.  The  final  end  of  such 
blundering  work  is  early  death. 

Fig.  4  on  the  other  hand,  bj'  illustrating 
two  scars,  .show  the  later  results  of  rightly 
jiruniug  close  to  the  trunk.  The  one  scar 
is  almost  closed  over  with  new  bark;  the 
other  is  entirely  so,  leaving  this  part  of  the 
tree  as  sound  and  well  protected  as  any  other 
part,  just  as  it  should  be. 

A  fine  tree  ordinarily  is  of  great  value, 
requiring  many  years  to  reach  Its  prime. 
What  a  great  pity  it  is,  that  so  many  trees 
are  sacrificed  to  ignorance  in  pruning,  every 
year.  If  the  simple  points  laid  down  in  the 
foregoing  are  observed  by  our  readers,  they 
need  make  no  mistakes  in  this  matter. 

Women  as  Commercial  Florists. 

That  women  may  find  in  some  of  the 
lighter  branches  of  horticulture  employment 
that  is  both  pleasant  and  remunerative  to 
them,  has  frequently  been  jjroven  in  late 
years.  This  is  especially  true  in  that  con- 
stantly increasing  business,  namely:  the 
growing  and  selling  of  flowers. 

In  each  one  of  half-a-dozen  cities  that 
could  be  named,  there  are  female  florists 
who  are  meeting  with  perfect  success  at 
their  business.  We  refer  here  to  such  as  are 
themselves  jjroprietors  and  managers,  and 
who  have  to  comiietc  with  florists  of  the 
other  sex,  recognized  for  their  ta.ste  and  bus- 


Fig.  4.— Scars  of  Rightly  Pruned  Branches  healed  over. 

iness  qualifications.  The  women  in  these 
cases  seem,  with  little  effort  in  the  way  of 
advertising  or  outside  display,  to  work  into 
a  thrifty  business  that  adheres  closely  to  them. 
Besides  as  being  propriet(irs,  many  wo- 
men work  at  fair  wases  at  the  flower  coun- 
ters, in  arranging  bouquets  and  designs, 
stemming,  and  so  on.  For  this  kind  of  work 
a  woman  really  has  some  advantages  over  a 
man.  She  naturally  possesses  a  keener  sense 
of  what  is  jjroper  in  comljining  flowers,  and 
in  handling  them  her  fingers  are  more  deft. 
These  are  points  customers  appreciate. 


In  the  managing  of  a  large  range  of  green 
houses,  merely  as  growers,  as  is  done  about 
the  large  cities,  we  are  not  aware  that  wo- 
men are  often  proprietors.  But  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  small  towns  and  in  the  villages, 
to  meet  the  demands  of  a  moderate  general 
trade,  this  is  frequently  the  case.  In  such 
instances,  it  usually  amounts  to  this,  that  a 
good  share  of  the  business  is  in  cut  flowers. 

It  .should  be  remembered,  that  the  growing 
and  selling  of  jilants  and  the  growing  and 
selling  of  flowers,  ma.y  be  quite  distinct. 
It  is  more  particularly  in  the  latter  branch, 
which  is  considered  to  be  the  most  profit- 
able, as  it  also  is  the  lightest  and  most  pleas- 
ant branch  of  the  business,  in  which  a  woman 
usually  finds  herself  best  at  home. 


Fig.  S.^Decay  as  a  result  of  Bad  Pruning. 
Besides  the  cut  flower  trade  there  are  the 
pursuits  of  growing  fruit,  vegetables,  plants, 
seeds,  and  the  finer  arts  of  hybridizing, 
teaching  botanj'  and  others,  all  of  which  are 
suitable  for  females  to  engage  in.  It  being 
the  mission  of  Popul.\r  Gardeneng  to 
throw  light  upon  these  subjects  as  they  bear 
upon  pleasure  and  profit  seeking,  there  will 
be  in  future  issues  other  matter  relating  to 
these  as  occupations  for  women. 

The  Chrysanthemum. 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  of  this  fine  Asi- 
atic flower,  that  in  the  present  da}'  it  is  hon- 
ored by  attentions  such  as  no  other  flower, 
the  Rose  alone  excepted,  receives.  And  yet 
while  positively  everybody  is  acquainted  with 
the  Rose,  the  same  thing  is  quite  far  from 
true,  as  regards  the  C'hrysanthemum.  Go 
where  one  might  and  persons  of  intelligence 
could  be  found,  who  woidd  be  unable  to 
name  the  flower  if  they  saw  it. 

Only  the  other  day  at  the  Chrysanthemum 
Show  in  Buffalo,  a  reporter  on  his  first  visit 
here,  pointed  to  a  group  of  large  Palms  jiujt 
inside  the  hall  in  which  the  show  was  held, 
and  asked  in  all  earnestness,  "are  those 
Chrysanthemums?"  Whoever  .sees  but  the 
life-like  engravings  of  this  flower  herewith, 
ought  never  to  make  such  a  l)lunder. 

But  the  Chrysanthemum  is  fast  growing  in 
popularity.  Tliis  is  evident  for  one  thing  in 
tlie  Shows  devoted  every  year  to  this  flower 
alone,  in  nearly  all  large  towns.  The  fact 
that  it  is  possible  to  get  up  successful  exhibi- 
tions, year  after  year,  mostly  of  one  flower, 
speaks  much  for  its  worth;  few  indeed  are 
the  kinds  that  eotdd  bear  this  test. 

Let  us  glance  at  the  qualities  which  go  to 
give  the  Chrvsanthenuun  its  prominent  place 
among  flowers.  First  of  all,  it  is  one  of  the 
easiest  of  plants  to  succeed  with.  Amateurs, 
however  unskilled  they  may  be  as  plant  grow- 
ers, are  sure  of  a  liberal  reward  in  flowers, 
for  the  pains  they  may  bestow  on  plants  of 
these,   while  accomplished   plant  raisers  as 


i 


i88s. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


31 


well  as  growers  of  new  sorts,  meet  with  results 
(juite  niiirvclous.  for  tlie  outlay  they  make. 

The  form,  brilliiuiey  and  profuseness  of  the 
bloom  are  \uiequalleil  among  flowering  plants 
for  effeetiveness.  The  vigor  of  the  plant,  its 
ease  of  jiropagation,  its  liardiness,  and  its 
freedom  from  disease  and  insects,  together 
afford  a  list  of  qualities  quite  unsurpassed. 

Neither  is  t  he  Chrysanthemum  a  mere  flow- 
er of  fashion.  Its  merits  are  of  a  kind,  that 
have  for  ages  found  appreciation  in  other 
lands;  it  is  destined  to  fare  as  well  here. 

Has  this  flower  no  undesirable  qualities? 
These  are  few  indeed,  and  whether  such  as 
we  shall  attempt  to  name,  would  be  gener- 
ally considered  objectionalile,  is  a  question. 
For  one  thing,  the  season  of  bloom  is  limited 
to  a  few  weeks;  this  does  not  suit  those  peo- 
ple who  are  alwaj's  after  continuous  bloom- 
ers.    But  if  the  flowering  season  is  somewhat 


In  plants  exhibited,  there  were  upwards  of  i 
400  specimens,  most  of  them  marvels  in  the  j 
way  of  size   and  beauty.      Many   of   these  | 
were  fully  three  feet  and  a  half  in  diameter. 
Tho.se  shown  in  the  amateur's  class,  were  quite 
as  striking  as  any  shown  by  the  florists.  ] 

An  attractive  group  consisted  of  grafted 
Japanese  standards  embracing  25  varieties. 
Some  of  these  were  eight  feet  tall,  with  hun- 
dreds of  open  flowers.  One  .specimen  wliicli 
attracted  nnu'h  attention  was  seven  feet  high 
and  had  six  different  colors  grafted  into  it. 

The  finest  specimens  among  the  bush  or 
low  Chrysanthemums  were  the  President 
Cleveland,  three  feet  in  diameter,  loaded 
with  hundreds  of  pure  white  1)lossoms,  and 
the  Jlrs.  R,  Brett,  a  new  American  seedling, 
with  plume-like  flowers  of  a  golden  shade. 

In  the  department  of  cut  Chrysanthemums 
the  display  wa-s  grand, there  having  been  over 


earned.  Indeed  competent  judges  who  were 
present,  and  who  had  visited  the  .shows  of 
the  larger  cities,  were  free  to  state  that  in 
general,  this  one  was  not  excelled  by  any 
other.  Both  amateur  and  professional  grow- 
ers were  among  the  exhibitors,  and  some 
hundreds  of  fine  specimen  plants,  attested  to 
the  skill  of  the  growers  in  managing  this 
Queen  of  AtUiunn  flowers. 


The  Window  Box  in  Winter. 

Oureorresjjondent,  Jlrs.  M.  I).  Wellcome, 
of  Yarmouth,  Maine,  is  so  much  plea.sed 
with  an  inside  window  box  she  has  now  had 
in  use  for  five  winters,  that  she  has  kindly 
described  it  for  the  readers  of  Popular 
Gardeninc;. 

"  It  is  made  of  zinc,  size  3  feet  by  14  inches, 
and  7  inches  deep.     Were  I  to  have  another 


JAPANESE   CHRYSANTHEMUM,   MRS.    N.   HALLOCK 


short,  it  comes  fittingly  when  few  plants  are 
in  bloom.  It  fills  up  the  "  November  gap" 
in  flowers  most  completelj'. 

Then  the  plants  are  somewhat  large  for 
the  window,  when  grown  to  full  size.  But 
this  point  can  be  overcome,  by  raising  plants 
of  smaller  size  for  hei'c.  Such  would  stand 
no  chance  at  the  Shows  for  prizes  perhaps, 
Init  they  would  .satisfy  in  their  place.  Im- 
Ijrovements  are  also  being  made,  in  raising 
new  sorts  small  in  stature  for  window  culture. 


A  GOOD  CHRYSANTHEMUM   FLOWER- 

8000  in  competition,  including  600  varieties.  I  would  add  twoorthree  inchesto  the  width. 
Among  the  Japanese  varieties  were  many  j  To  give  it  strength,  it  is  framed  in  a  box  of 
flowers  each  over  six  inches  in  diameter,  wood.  Such  a  box  can  be  painted  any  color 
The  incurved  Chinese  sorts,  forming  almost  one  fancies,  or  the  wood  may  be  walnut  or 
perfect  globes  of  bloom  four  inches  and  a  ^  some  other  kind  of  natural  color, 
half  high,  were  much  noticed.  Of  single  ,  "In  this  box  I  find  room  for  about  forty 
flowering  varieties,  with  conspicious  centers,     plants;  none  of  them  large;  the  highest  aver 


there  was  a  good  exhibit,  in  which  the  colors 
were  remarkably  striking. 

Without  any  doubt  the   most   marvelous 
specimen  of  the  raisers'  skill  in  the  cut  flow- 


As  house  plants,  the  Chrysanthemums,  if     er  exhibit  was  the  new  seedling  Porcupine, 


somewhat  bulky,  are  on  the  other  hand  most 
accommodating.  They  can  be  grown  out- 
side until  within  a  few  weeks  of  blooming. 
Then,  given  a  place  within  while  the  flower- 
ing is  going  on,  they  may  at  once  after  bloom 
be  moved  to  the  cellar  or  store-room  for  the 
winter,  to  give  no  more  trouble. 


Recent  Chrysanthemum  Shows. 

Of  the  New  York  show  held  during  the 
first  week  of  November,  our  representative, 
Mr.  John  Thorpe,  Jr.,  reports  as  follows: 


grown  Ijy  Mr.  J.  Thorpe,  of  East  Hinsdale, 
New  York.  This  flower  was  of  terra-cotta 
shade,  with  entirely  tulmlar  petals,  and  is 
the  first  of  its  kind  ever  produced. 

In  the  second  week  of  N(jvember.  Chrys- 
anthemum Shows  were  held  in  Pliiladelphia 
and  Buffalo  respectively.  Of  the  former  no 
report  has  reached  us  beyond  a  few  words  by 
postal  card  from  one  who  attended,  and 
which  .states  that  it  was  "  perfectly  grand." 
The  Buffalo  .show,  the  first  of  its  kind  ever 
held  here,  was  a  great  success  as  far  as  the 
extent  and  variety  of  the  display  was  con- 


age  ten  or  twelve  inches,  and  this  size  make 
up  about  one-half  the  number.  The  small 
ones  I  set  mostly  on  the  outside. 

"  As  to  kinds,  I  use  liberally  of  such  as 
have  ornamental  foliage  in  Abutilons, 
Palms.  Marantas,  Begonias  and  the  Tri-col- 
ored  Geraniums.  To  these  I  add  Fuchsias 
and  other  green-leaved  plants. 

"This  liox  fairly  under  way,  is  a  veritable 
garden  and  of  bvit  little  trouble.  A  gen- 
erous shower  bath  from  the  sprinkler  once  a 
week  is  sutticient  in  the  way  of  water.  This 
method  keeps  the  foliage  clean,  and  there  is 
no  overflow  nor  dirt  as  from  pots. 

"In  filling  the  box  I  first  put  in  a  layer 
of  coarse  stuff  for  drainage,  gravel  and  bits 
of  coal  from  the  siftings.  Then  I  fill  with 
good  earth,  such  as  I  use  for  plants." 


32 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


December, 


The  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey. 

When  the  same  fniit  has  numerous  names, 
it  is  always  presumptive  e\'idence  of  goodness. 
In  this  respect,  the  old  French  pear  named  at 
the  head  is  fortunate,  both  in  the  synonyms  it 
bears, — having  no  less  than  a  dozen,  and  in 
real  worth.  Let  it  not,  however,  be  con- 
founded with  the  variety  known  simply  as 
Louise  Bonne,  which  is  quite  distinct. 

Wherever  the  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey  suc- 
ceeds, it  is  a  favorite  dessert  fruit,  and  profit- 
able for  market.  Where  it  is  not  know^l  to 
succeed,  it  should  be  tried  in  the  fii'st  list  of 
sorts  planted. 

The  tree  comes  in  beai'ing  among  the  very 
fii'st,  as  to  age.  It  is  a  rapid  gi-ower  and  a 
great  beai-er;  no  pear  succeeds  better  as  a 
dwarf  budded  on  the  quince. 

The  f i-uit  is  large,  pyriform ;  gi-eenish  yellow, 
mostly  oversjiread  with  browiiish-red,  and  with 
a  red  cheek  in  the  sun.  The  ilesh  is  delicious 
in  more  than  ordinary  degree,  being  very  juicy, 
rich,  rineous,  and  melting  in  the  mouth.  It  is 
an  early  autimin  peai-. 


Keeping  Squashes:    The  Hubbard. 

In  keeping  Squa.shes  over  winter,  one  must 
not  forget  that  this  vegetable  is  a  native  of  the 
warm  parts  of  the  earth.  To  jnit  them  in  a 
cool,  damp  cellar,  that  would  suit  most  roots 
and  vegetables  would  be  to  invite  their  decay. 

Most  of  the  winter  varieties  of  Squash,  and 
of  which  the  Hubbard,  herewith  illustrated, 
continues  to  be  the  leading  sort,  if  iilaced  in  a 
ch"y  room,  with  a  temperature,  from  forty  to 
fifty  degrees,  wiU  keep  until  spring.  Indeed, 
the  Hubbard  is  only  in  jjerfectiou  when  it  has 
been  kept  until  late  winter  or  eai-ly  spring. 
Such  earlier  kinds  as  the  Boston  marrow  may 
have  their  season  much  prolonged  b}'  proper 
care  in  this  way. 

When  winter  squashes  are  grown  on  a  lai'ge 
scale,  they  are  usually  carried  through  the 
winter  in  bins,  arranged  one  above  another  in 
a  dry  apai'tmeut.  This  room  is  provided  with 
a  stove,  in  which  to  keep  a  little  fire  whenever 
there  is  danger  of  freezing.  For  family  use, 
w'here  but  a  small  munber  are  wintered,  an 
upper  shelf  in  a  closet  leading  from  a  room 
where  there  is  some  fire,  is  a  suital^le  place  for 
keeping  this  vegetable. 

It  should  be  added,  that  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant points  connected  with  keeping  squashes, 
is  that  they  be  handled  carefully.  Au  exten- 
sive grower  of  this  crop  saj's  he  handled  it  as 
he  would  handle  eggs,  and  never  allows  rolling 
or  tossing  them  about  carelessly.  The  smallest 
bruise  received  will  lead  to  decay. 


system  of  piping  seems  as  near  perfect  as  can 
be,  working  nicely  at  two  and  thi'ee  pounds 
pressm'B.  But  this,  like  any  other  system  takes 
coal,  when  we  want  heat. 

We  consider  steam  heating  a  success  with  us, 
though  we  pay  $-l..50  per  gi'oss  ton  delivered 
for  large  broken  hard  coal,  and  it  has  cost  us 
over  S4U(  I  for  coal  the  winter  just  past,  to  heat 
oui"  entire  place. 


Steam  Heating  a  Success. 

For  some  time  the  fight  has  been  going  on  in 
the  gai'dening  periodicals,  conceniing  the  mer- 
its of  steam  for  heating  glass  structures,  as  ; 
against  hot  water.  Popular  Gardening  has 
no  I'oom  for  the  long-winded  arguments  set 
forth  on  both  sides.  It  takes  pleasure,  however, 
in  stating  facts,  hence  makes  room  for  the  few 
words  which  follow,  from  our  friend  H.  Chaapel 
of  William.sport,  Pa.,  and  which  first  ap- 
peared in  the  November  Gardener\'<  Monthly. 

I  have  about  12,0110  square  feet  of  gla.ss,  a 
packing  house  1(1x40,  a  dwelling  of  eight  rooms, 
and  my  office,  using  about  (i,000  feet  of  11-1 
inch  pijie.  lam  using  the  '* Exeter''  Boiler 
No.  2,  33  sections,  including  the  "Exeter"  1 
manifold  valves,  automatic  dampers,  etc.    The  I 


Raising  Cabbage  Plants. 

Gardeners  will  no  doubt  be  early  on  the  look- 
out, to  see  that  the  scarcity  of  the  cabbage 
plant  crop  of  188.5,  will  not  be  repeated  next 
year.  Various  causes  conspired  towards  the 
dearth  of  these,  of  the  past  season.  Perhaps  the 
most  common  one  was,  that  less  seed  was  sown 
than  usual. 

Then  insects  destroyed  the  sowings  of  some 
gi-owers,  who  had  never  before  been  seriously 
troubleil  by  them.  This  lesson  should  lead  us 
to  be  on  om'  guai-d  against  inviting  destruction 
to  the  fruit  of  our  labors,  from  insect  ene- 
mies in  the  future.  On  this  subject  Joseph 
Harris  presents  some  valuable  advice  in  the  Oc- 
tober Anifncan  Agricvftio'fsf  as  follows: 

The  chief  es.sentials  for  success  are:  Rich, 
waiTU,  and  well  cultivated  land,  good  seed  and 
a  liljeral  ch-essing  of  superphosphate.  Perhaps 
the  last  is,  practically,  the  most  important. 

A  chief  cause  of  failure  is  the  Black  Jumping 
Beetle.  Lime,  ashes,  soot,  cheap  tobacco  dust, 
or  snuff,  dusted  on  the  plants,  will  more  or  less 
benefit.  The  true  remedy  lies  back  of  this. 
Plenty  <if  planh,  unit  rapid  (iroirth. 

There  is  nothing  that  will  push  a  cabbage 
plant  forward  like  superphosphate.  The  seed 
contains  very  little  food  for  the  young  plant ; 
superphosphate,  under  the  seed,  has  a  magical 
effect.  We  sow  in  rows  twenty-one  inches 
apart.  This  enables  us  to  go  thi-ough  the  rows 
with   a  horse-hoe. 

Get  the  land  thoroughly  prepared  and  heav- 
ily manured  in  the  fall.  If  the  land  is  light 
and  sandy,  it  will  need  nothing  but  a  little  sur- 
face cultivation  before  sowing  the  seed.  Sow 
the  supen>hosphate,  at  the  rate  of  three  pounds 
to  five  pounds  to  the  square  rod.  Work  it  into 
the  soil  au  inch  or  two  deep,  if  convenient.  If 
not,  sow  on  the  surface  and  trust  to  the  rain 
washing  it  down   to   the  roots  of  the  plants. 


Winter  Treatment  of  Onions. 

A  warm  place  never  answers  in  which  to 

store  onions  over  winter.  Warmth  will  stai-t 
the  bulb  into  gi'owth — a  direct  blow  at  its  vital- 
ity for  keeping.  Onions  keep  much  better  in 
a  frozen  state,  through  the  winter,  provided 
the  thawing  out  in  the  spring  can  Ije  gradual, 
and  provided  further,  that  there  is  no  liability 
of  alternate  freezing  and  thawing  during 
this  time. 

In  a  bai'u  loft,  covered  with  hay  or  straw  a 
foot  or  more  thick,  the  conditions  for  perfect 
keeping  are  well  met.  The  onions  should  not 
be  in  lai-ge  piles,  l)ut  rather  in  layers  of  not 
more  than  one  foot  through.  Bj'  this  course 
of  treatment,  the  risk  of  keeping  is  light  in- 
deed, and  those  who  a.ssume  it,  may  expect  a 
reward,  in  much  higher  prices  in  the  spring, 
than  if  sales  had  l^een  made  before  winter. 


Production  of  New  Fruits  From  Seed. 

From  that  pai-t  of  Hon.  Marshall  P.  Wilder's 
adih-ess,  reail  recently  before  the  American 
Pomological  Society's  meeting,  in  which  he 
spoke  of  the  raising  of  new  varieties  of  fruit 
from  seed,  we  take  the  following: 

These  ai'e  the  means,  and  the  only  means, 
provided  for  the  improvement  of  our  fruits. 
With  a  cai'eful  study  of  the  tendency  of  varie- 
ties, and  a  judicious  selection  of  breeders,  we 
shall  go  on  to  produce  fruits  which  will  be 
adapted  to  every  part  of  our  land  where  any 
species  of  fruit  may  be  grown. 

When  we  see  what  nature  has  done  without 
the  aid  of  manipulation — in  the  cold  regions  of 


the  North,  as  in  Russia,  from  whence  came  the 
Oldenburg  and  Tetoftsky  apples,  the  Black 
Tartarian  cherry,  and  other  good  fniits,  who 
can  doubt  our  abilitj'  to  produce  fine  fruits 
even  in  tiie  ct^lder  regions  of  oiu'  country  ? 

The  art  of  ci-ossing  varieties  for  their  improve- 
ment was  scarcely  known  until  our  day,  and 
see  what  wonders  have  been  accomplished  by 
it.  Who  can  doubt  that  we  may  yet  produce 
a  pear  with  the  richness  of  the  Seckel,  the 
form  and  size  of  the  Bosc,  and  the  vigor  and 
productiveness  of  the  Boussock.  And  so  we 
may  go  on  to  improve  other  fruits,  until  all 
shall  be  made  as  perfect  as  ever  were  gi'own  by 
"the  grand  old  gardener  of  Eden." 


Can  a  coal-oil  barrel  be  fitted  for  holding 
cider,  vinegai',  or  the  like  J  The  American 
Afjrieultttrist  in  effect  sa)'s  "  Yes,  and  ea,sily 
enough,"  in  the  following  words :  "Take  one 
head  out  of  the  kerosene  oil  barrel,  start  a  fire 
in  the  bottom,  and  put  a  bushel  of  dry  straw 
or  long  shavings  in  to  keep  it  burning  long 
enough  to  draw  tlie  kerosene  out  of  the  wood ; 
let  it  burn  a  few  minutes,  and  just  before  the 
wood  commences  to  burn,  turn  the  open  end  to 
the  gi-ound,  and  the  flames  will  be  smothered. 
Use  the  barrel  for  water  a  couple  of  weeks,  put 
the  head  in  again,  and  they  ai'e  read)'  for  cider 
or  anything  else  one  chooses  to  put  into  them. 
The  barrels  will  be  worth  double  the  price  of 
common  ones.  Of  course  the  other  head  should 
have  simihir  treatment." 

An  Ohio  amateur  gooseberry  grower  succeeds 
in  gi'owing  very  fine  fruit,  both  in  size  and 
quality,  on  a  cool,  clay  soil,  keeping  the  plants 
open  in  the  centre  bj'  pruning.  AVhen  they 
start  into  growth  in  the  spring  he  immediatelj' 
disbuds,  to  pi"event  them  from  becoming  too 
dense,  and  thus  admits  a  free  circulation  of  ail-. 
He  mulches  heavily  during  the  sununer.  With 
this  ti-eatment  he  is  little  troubled  with  mildew. 

The  Russian  Apricot  according  to  the  Or- 
chard tiiitt  (rardcti  is  more  than  a  mere  novelty. 
It  says;  "  It  is  the  only  good  apricot  which 
we  ever  have  been  able  to  fruit  in  this  latitude 
in  the  orchard  or  open  field.  Other  varieties 
do  well  enough  in  the  South,  but  it  woiild  not 
pay  to  plant  them  in  Northern  states.  The 
Russian  apricot  succeeds  anywhere  where  our 
conunon  fruits  grow. " 

If  you  have  fresh  fruit  to  ship  a  long  distance, 
and  especially  fine  specimens,  by  first  wrapping 
each  specimen  in  paper  which  has  lieen  soaked 
in  salicylic  acid  it  will  cany  the  safer  for  it. 
If  to  be  shipjjed  very  far,  use  double  thickness. 
We  say  this  cm  the  authority  of  Professor  Budd. 

A  Grape  vine  wliich  from  old  age  yields  in- 
ferior fruit,  and  little  at  that,  niaj'  be  rejuve- 
nated in  measure  by  cutting  it  clean  away  to 
the  ground  and  manuring  freely  at  this  season. 
Result:  next  year  new  sho<its  will  spring  up, 
which  will  come  into  bearing  like  young  vines. 

Apples  are  on  the  rise  in  price  in  this  coun- 
try and  are  bringing  from  .$:!.00  to  -*.5.00  per 
baiTel  in  England.  On  the  whole  the  apple 
crop  is  not  so  large,  but  that  growers,  who  have 
good  fruit  on  hand  may  expect  very  satisfac- 
tory prices. 

According  to  Mr.  Patrick  Bai-ry  a  Mr. 
Lewelling  of  California  has  40  acres  planted 
with  the  cherry  currant.  The  yield  per  annum 
is  about  1.50,000  lbs.  and  fetches  at  the  rate  of 
10  cents  per  pound. 

Darkness  is  one  of  the  essential  conditions  to 
the  keeping  of  fresh  grapes.  Tliey  should  be 
placed  so  as  not  to  come  in  contact  with  one 
another. 

T.  S.  Hubbard,  the  great  gi-iipe  grower  of 
Chautauqua  county,  N.  Y.,  advises  deep  plant- 
ing for  vines.     Tends  to  prevent  winter  killing. 

More  cabbage  is  spoiled  in  winter  by  storing 
earl\-  and  keeping  too  warm,  than  by  freezing. 

Culture  and  not  nndching  for  Grape  vines, 
mulching  and  not  culture  for  Goosberries. 

Keep  down  the  suckers  of  Raspberries. 


i88s. 


POPULAR     GARDENING. 


^^f^?-!^ 


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I  ES 


>'i:7<i^-T:0 


\^'~-x_--<^-i     >— 


The  rose  said  to  the  Hly:  "'Thou  must  Iiow 
Thyself  in  holj"  reverence  to  me; 
For  it  is  I.  ahout  whose  scented  brow 
The  purest  love  is  twined  so  Ki'ii<-*i'>"sly" 
The  lily  said:  "  To  nie  is  beauty  given   - 
Love  is  thine  alter,  iiinueenee  my  shrint-- 
Death  stole  my  blush,  and  addiiiic  it  to  thine. 
Hath  fitted  thee  for  earth,  and  me  for  heaven." 
The  poet  said:  ■■'  Sweet  sisters,  oh,  be  still: 
To  eaeh  of  ye  was  given  a  separate  birth. 
To  each  a  separate  and  an  envied  worth. 
Then  bloom  both  rose  and  lily:  bloom  and  till 
The  air  with  all  your  purity  and  love: 
Earth's  harmony,  oh,  rose,  fair  lily,  life  above." 

—Tapley. 
Carnations  are  staple. 
The  fringy  sweet  Stevia  is  in. 
Flowers  blush  without  crime. 
Violets  signify  modesty  in  floral  language. 
The  broken  wheel  as  a  funeral  design  is  in  use. 
The  florists,  dream   of  Holiday  orders  and  fat 
imrses. 

Look  out  famous  old  ''.lack  "  Ritse:  yomig  Wni. 
Bennett  means  to  push  you  bard! 

Now  that  flower's  are  scarce,  take  a  lesson  in  not 
crowding  lliem,  till  their  beauty  is  largely  gone. 

For  trimming'  the  casket  of  au  aged  person,  gar- 
lands of  Ivy  leaves  around  the  outside,  are  appro- 
jiriate. 

An  autumn  effect  in  tluwers  recently  made,  con- 
sisted of  a  liasket  of  White  C'hi*ysanthemums  edged 
with  autuuui  leaves. 

The  "  Oh's  !"  and  "  Ah's  !"  drawn  from  admiring 
dames  and  misses  at  the  C'hrysanthenuim  shows, 
ai-e  only  equale<l  in  numlier  and  sincerity,  by  those 
vdiced  at  the  Rose  shows  of  early  summer. 

Winter  flowers  are  the  cheapest  of  all  forced 
vegetable  products;  compare  prices  of  these,  for  ex- 
aniple.  with  those  of  forced  Strawberries  and  Mnsh- 
r(.»oms.  and  the  same  all  around,  in  smiimer. 

At  a  state  meeting  of  the  la\vyers  of  Illinois,  at 
Sju-ingtleld.  some  time  ago,  a  wind  mill  wasthe  lead- 
ing floral  design  at  the  bantiuet.  Enough  "  wind  " 
is  said  to  have  beeu  raised,  to  turn  the  wheel  several 
times  around. 

The  commercial  florists  are  now  a  large  and  in- 
fluential body  of  men.  .'^ince  tlowei-s  are  considered 
so  nuicb  a  uecessity.  More  fiowers  are  grown  for 
l^iu'ely  commercial  demands,  than  for  all  other  pur- 
poses combined. 

Advanced  style  in  table  decorations,  calls  for  all 
tlie  fli>wei-s  in  high  vases,  so  that  the  guests  can  look 
underneath  the  flowers.  The  Carlsbad  beer  glasses 
called  "■schooners'*  are  favorite  holdei"s  f<)r  these 
high-waving  bouquets. 

If  flowers  are  to  be  carried  througli  the  street 
pi'otect  with  paper,  even  if  it  is  not  freezing  at  the 
time.  Air  and  sunshine  are  needed  when  growing 
tlow'ers.  it  is  tnie,  but  once  flowers  are  cut.  the  less 
exposed  to  these  elements  the  longer  will  they  last. 

At  a  recent  show  of  the  Massachusetts  Hoi-ticid- 
tui-al  Society,  an  attractive  display  of  Water  Lilies 
in  a  large  tank  was  niade  by  Mr.  Stini/evant  of  Bor- 
dertown,  N.  J.  Ten  varieties  of  Nymphteas  both 
liai'dy  and  tender  were  shown,  one  the  blue  Devo- 
niensis.  w  itli  tltpwers  a  foot  across. 

Packing  cut  flowers.  On  this  point  a  writer  in 
the  Aiitenian  Fhnist  says;  Dining  thirty  >  ears  ex- 
perience I  have  never  found  flowers,  particularly 
Roses,  travel  well  when  cut  and  packed  immediately; 
on  the  contrary,  where  they  have  been  cut  and 
placed  in  a  vase  of  clean  water  for  a  few  hours  and 
carefully  packed.  I  have  never  had  a  complaint  that 
they  did  not  reach  their  destination  in  good  order. 

The  true  lover  of  flowers  seldom  orders  a  made 
bouquet  foi-  his  or  her  own  pleasure,  but  wants  the 
blooms  louse  and  with  long  stems.  How  sensible. 
AVe  wouhl  rather  see  three  flowers  with  liberal  stems 
to  them  as  they  are  cut  from  the  plants,  placed  with- 
out a  thought  of  arrangement,  in  a  glass  on 
the  table,  than  a  score  of  blooms  crowded  closely 
into  a  bouquet  or  basket.  Let  us  remember  that 
nature  arranges  flowers  quite  uncrowded,and  always 
with  fine  effect. 

Four-leaved  Clover  designs,  so  called,  belong  to  a 
class  we  iirvi-r  cfuld  appreciate.  As  usually  made 
\i\t  there  is  a  base  of  four  Hat  baskets,  each  T-epre- 
sentiug  a  clover-leaf.    From  the  point  where  these 


I  come  f<>getber  at  the  center,  three  long  stems  i)ro- 
I  ject  upward,  each  one  surmounted  by  a  ball  which 
i  is  to  be  worked  into  a  "clover  head."  Usually  these 
'  heads  are  made  up  stiffly  of  Violets,— as  if  clover  of 

such  a  color  ever  grew.    Tbr  whole  idea  is  alwurd. 

and  like  tbt-   Imtcbniairs   "(iates  A.iar"   needs  a 

label,  to  tell  what  if  is. 

The  flower  holders  made  of  Birch  bark,  are  as 
handsome  as  anj'  novelty  we  have  seen  in  this  line 
for  many  a  day.  Those  made  to  represent  a  section 
of  a  ti'ce  trunk,  perhaps  nine  inches  through  and  a 
foot  or  more  long,  are  at  once  simple  and  elegant. 
The  bark  is  left  with  all  its  nuirks  and  loose  curling 
ends,  just  as  it  was  on  the  free.  ( )ne  of  these  "fnmks'^ 
filled  with  a  free  arrangement  of  Roses  ami  other 
long-stemmed  flowers  in  the  top.  and  then  partly  en- 
circled by  a  garland  of  bloom,  is  a  charming  thing 
to  behold. 

DotanicdlB)\](I^et 

Flowers  ai-e  but  colored  leaves. 
Species  is  the  unit  in  botanical  classiHcatinn, 
No  two  individuals  or  organs  of  the  same  kind, 
are  exactly  alike. 

The  famous  Botanic  Ganlen  at  Kew,  London, 
cover  an  area  of  200  acres. 

The  Castor-oil  plant,  an  aimual  in  the  United 
States,  is  a  i>iM'enuial  in  warm  climates. 

The  growth  of  biennials  is  divided  into  two  stages; 
first  year  vegetation,  second  fructification. 

Dr.  Asa  Gray  asks  that  botanists  who  can  do  so 
conveniently,  will  send  him  seeds  of  Coreopsis  an's- 
tosff,  Bmitisia  h'ucojjhcea  and  B  leucantha.  Ad- 
dress him  at  Cambridge.  Mass. 

A  German  naturalist,  finds  that  the  eastern 
hemisphere  affords  2i>'.t  plants  and  fifty-eight  ani- 
mals useful  to  man,  while  the  western  world  contri- 
butes only  fifty-two  i>lants  and  thuteen  anmials. 

The  Common  Daisy  Bdlis  perennis  hortciisis  is, 
perhaps,  the  most  divisible  plant  in  the  garden. 
Each  separate  branehlet  may  be  removed  with  its 
modicum  of  root,  au<l  every  l>it  will  form  a  plant. 

Protecting  the  Edelweiss.  The  Austrian  Cen- 
tral Tourist  Club  has  addressed  a  petition  to  the 
Assemblies  of  the  Austrian  Alpine  Provinces,  to 
pass  a  law  jirohibiting  the  wholesale  uprooting  of 
this  plant  now  carried  on.  The  petitioners  point  out 
that  hundreds  of  thousands  of  the  plants  are  dug 
up  and  sent  abroad,  even  to  America,  so  that  there 
is  a  fear  that  the  favorite  plant  of  the  Alps  will  be 
totally  wiped  out.  except   in  n  few  remote  places. 

Modification  of  Plants  by  climate.  Mr.  A.  a. 
Crozier,  of  the  University  of  Jlichigan,  has  pubhshed 
a  thesis  on  this  subject.  In  it  he  sums  up  con- 
cerning the  matter  as  follows:  '"  It  seems  to  be 
established  that  as  plants  move  from  the  locality  of 
their  largest  development  toward  their  northei-n 
limit  of  growth,  they  become  dwarfed  in  habit,  are 
rendered  more  fruitful,  and  all  parts  become  more 
highly  colored.  Their  comparative  leaf  surface  is 
often  increased,  their  form  modified,  and  their  com- 
position changed.  Their  period  of  growth  is  also 
shortened  and  they  are  enabled  to  develop  in  all 
respects  at  a  lower  temperature." 

Vegetation  at  the  Equator.  "I  never  was  any- 
where more  foi-cibly  inq)ressed  with  the  thought 
that  the  productive  powers  of  nature  on  receding 
from  the  pole,  had  collected  themselves  iu  their 
greatest  strength  near  the  equator,  spreading  their 
gifts  with  open  hand,  and  manifesting  the  abund- 
ant fertility  of  the  soil,  than  when  I  first  beheld  the 
famous  Water  Lily.  Victoria  Regia,  in  the  river 
Rupunuri.  The  wiiole  margin  of  the  water  was 
bordered  with  its  gigantic  leaves,  many  of  them 
7  1-3  feet  in  diameter,  interspersed  with  the  magnifi- 
cent flowers  of  all  shades  from  white  to  junk,  the 
largest  14  inches  across."    Dr.  R.  SchomhnniU. 

Botany  in  America.  An  Englishman  wlio  at- 
tended a  recent  meeting  of  the  Botanical  Chib  of 
The  American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of 
Science,  was  greatly  surprised  at  the  interest  shown 
in  Botany  here.  He  had  never  seen  anything  like 
if  at  home  he  said,  and  he  took  it  as  a  sign  that  bot- 
any is  much  more  appreciateil  as  a  jtopular  study 
in  Atnei'ica.  than  it  is  in  the  l  >Id  World.  These  for- 
eigners begin  U^  recognize  the  fact,  that  when  once 
Americans  awaken  to. and  take  ahold  of  any  matter. 
we  show  the  same  Zealand  progressi\eness  hei'e, 
which  enabled  us  to  clear  up  and  improve  this 
country  as  has  been  (.lone.  <  )ne  o\  these  days  oiu" 
conservative  friends  of  Europe  will  find  that  we  have 
out-distanced  them  also  in  the  department  of  popu- 
lar gardening,  a  thing  less  easy  to  be  done  than  sonie 
othei*s.     It  will  yet  come,  depend  upon  it. 


!       The  Labiata  ordei-  to  which  such  common  plants 

I  as  Salviii.  Rosemary.  Monarda,  Coleus.Sage.  Thyme 

and  so  on  belong,  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being 

one  of  the  most  natural  groups  of  plants. 

I       By  this  is  meant,  that  the  character  of  its  several 

I  thousand  numiber.s.  are  more  distinef  and  uniform 

than  is  generally  the  case  in  a  natural  unler.     In 

1  fact   the  variations  from  one  type  throughout  the 

I  family,  is  no  greater  than  is  often  found  in  a  single 

I  genus  of  other  orders. 

I  The  chief  characteristics  of  this  oriler  are  stems, 
hei'baci'ous  or  sub-wooily.  usually  squai'e:  leaves 
o]iposite  or  whorled.  exstipulate  and  usually  aro- 
matic; flowei-s  labiate  orlip-.shaped  mostly  irregular. 
While  it  requires  but  a  slight  fanulitirity  with  bot- 
any to  determine  the  order  of  any  Labiate  met.  the 
disci'iminalion  of  the  genera  is  often  quite  difficult. 


ABOUT  THE  PLACE, 

Now  '(^>y  a  comjiost  heap. 
Drain  away  from  the  well. 
Manure  is  the  measure  of  results. 
Bevise  the  labels  before  the  winter  sets  in. 
Rubbish  about  fences  and  trees,  draws  nuce,  to 
the  injury  of  the  latter. 

If  you  have  a  wheat  field  try  a  light  umlch  of 
coarse  manure  on  part  of  it  at  least. 

Ladders  are  needed  about  every  place,  and  now 
there  ought  to  be  time  to  get  one  or  more  made. 
Don't  forget  this. 

Potato  tops  are  well  worth  carting  to  the  barn 
yard  for  increasing  the  nuinure  pile,  they  are  rich 
in  potash.  Left  where  they  grow,  they  dry  up  or 
are  blown  about  to  waste. 

If  a  pump  freezes,  procure  a  lead  pipe  or  any 
kind  of  tube,  and  lower  it  to  rest  on  the  ice.  Into 
this  pour  hot  water  with  a  funnel.  The  force  of  the 
water  on  one  spot,  will  cause  the  ice  to  melt  rapidly. 

Those  suffering  from  depredations  of  rats  will 
be  glad  to  Unow  that  the  i-odents  have  so  great  an 
aversion  to  chloride  of  lime,  that  they  will  vacate  the 
premises  where  it  is  scattered  freely. 

The  net  proceeds  of  a  bee-keeper  in  New  York 
State  for  thirteen  years,  from  an  average  of  forty- 
six  hives,  was  $]2.800.  an  average  of  $04(5  a  year. 
He  thoroughly  understood  the  business,  however, 
and  gave  it  his  whole  time  and  attention. 

There  are  now  more  cattle  of  the  favorite  little 
Jerseys  in  this  country  than  in  tlie  Isle  of  Jei-sey 
where  they  orginated.  It  is  doubtful,  ti.)o.  whether 
any  better  animals  remain  at  home  than  we  have, 
for  American  money  has  tempted  away  the  prime 
animals. 

Most  dairy  farmers  have  learned  from  experi- 
ence that  tm-nips  or  turnip  tops  when  fed  to  milch 
cows  should  be  given  du-ectly  after  they  have  been 
milked.  When  this  practice  is  not  obsei-wd.  the 
turnips  will  cause  an  unpleasant  flavor  in  the  milk, 
which  \f  ill  also  be  imparted  to  the  butter. 

Bees  retpiire  little  attention  this  month,  but  what 
is  needed  should  not  be  withheld.  The  maintenance 
of  an  e(|ual  temperature  in  the  hives  is  essential, 
as  extremes  of  either  heat  or  cold  at  this  season  is 
■what  tries  the  swarms.  The  risk  of  their  suffering 
from  warmth  is  slight,  and  yet  there  may  be  days 
when  the  .sun's  heat  woidd  be  felt  enough  on  the 
hives  to  .start  flying,  which  is  not  desirable.  At 
such  times  a  shed  of  b()ai'ds  or  straw  is  a  good 
thing.  But  protection  fn'Ui  cold  is  of  more  import- 
ance, and  the  kind  of  shelter  alluded  too  iib<»ut  will 
sei've  for  this  also. 

There  is  some  absurd  talk  in  the  papei-s  against 
draining  to  excess,  and,  that  on  some  land  tile  draui- 
ing  is  outlay  lost.  Considering  the  labor  and  expense 
ueces,sary  to  underdraining.  it  is  not  likely  these 
cases  ever  occur.  AVhere  draining  would  do  m  >  good, 
the  land  is  in  such  a  shape,  tliat  the  need  of  it  would 
never  occur,  hence  no  one  would  be  stupid  enough 
to  undertake  it.  But  where  tile  draining  is  econom- 
ically done  on  land  that  will  bear  it,  tin'  gains  in  im- 
proved crops  will  always  warrant  the  cost.  In  a 
great  majority  of  cases  judicious  underdraining  has 
paid  for  itself  in  two  or  three  crops. 

Lucky  is  the  man  who  in  connection  with- hLs 
stable  has  a  well  filled  bin  of  dry  muck  or  earth,  if 
he  cares  to  have  the.se  sweet  and  healthy.  Dried 
earth~-and  nmck  especially— have  a  wonderful  ca- 
pacity as  absorbents  of  the  Uquid  and  gaseous 
substances  about  stables.  A  few  shovelfuls  of  earth 
scattere<l  over  the  floor  after  cleaning  will  rentier 
the  air  of  the  apartments  imre  and  wlmlsonie.  Then 
all  who  liave  gardens  coimt  iq>ou  the  increase  of  the 
manure  yield.  We  have  no  doubt  that  the  value  of 
the  sea.S(m"s  manure  jtile  may  be  d<inl)hM|.  by  the 
free  use  of  such  absorbents.  The  strength  of  the 
gases  and  liquids  aiisorbeii  are  retaini-d.  and  are  the 
very  essence  of  good  manure. 


34 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


December, 


poviltry. 

Ducks    in  the   Garden. 

Of  ^^•hat  ,nre  termed  large  'water-fowls,  in- 
cluding Dueks,  Geese  and  Swans,  the  former  ! 
are  well  entitled  to  consideration  for  use 
and  ornament  about  gardens  and  elsewhere, 
even  if  living  water  for  them  is  lacking. 
Not  but  that  it  is  f  ai-  more  desirable  that  ducks 
have  access  to  a  lake  or  stream,  than  otherwise, 
but  they  will  get  along  with  a  small  supply  of 
water  in  a  jiond  or  tank  a  few  feet  across,  in 
a  waj'  that  the  others  could  not  near  so  well  do. 

Kept  in  such  a  manner,  and  ducks  will  not 
ouly  be  found  profitable  and  ornamental  about 
a  garden,  but  serviceable;  the}'  offer  the  ad- 
vantages of  being  voracious  insect  consum- 
ers, and  of  neither  .scratching  up  seeds  or  roots 
or  flying  about  mischieveously.  It  is  a  special 
recommend  that  they  will  destro}'  those  gi-eat 
plagues  of  the  garden,  namely,  slugs,  a  thing 
that  even  hens  will  not  do.  One  of  our  friends, 
once  had  a  gai'den  on  sandy  soil,  which  as  a 
result  of  the  heavy  manuring  needed  to  fit  the 
soil  for  vegetation,  tecame  ten-ibly  filled  with 
slugs,  cutworms  and  other  insects ;  the  young 
plants  were  destroyed  and  roses  and  other 
bushes  greatly  marred. 

Some  ducks  was  suggested.  Eight  or  nine  of 
these  were  bought,  tiu-ned  into  the  gai-den 
and  given  free  range.  The  result  was  most  as- 
tonishing ;  in  a  few  months  the  insects  seemed 
entirely  used  >ip,  after  which  the  flock  of  ducks 
was  reduced  to  three,  and  these  kept  to  guard 
against  further  trouble. 

To  be  sure,  some  things  can  be  brought  against 
the  keeping  of  ducks  in  the  garden,  butthese  do 
not  offset  the  benefits.  They  have  a  gi-eat  Uk- 
ing  for  Strawlierries,  about  the  onlj'  fruit  they 
will  trouble.  Keep  them  from  the  Straw- 
berry enclosm-e  during  fruiting  time,  and 
trouble  is  averted.  The  Muscortes  eat  buds 
and  young  shoots, — we  can  keep  other  kinds 
which  do  not.  But  ducks  do  trample  domi  the 
plants  and  tilled  earth,  and  eat  young  leaves. 
This  is  the  most  serious  charge  against  them, 
but  it  may  be  reduced  to  a  small  thing,  by  not 
giving  them  free  range  at  all  times.  Turn 
them  mto  the  garden  only  for  an  horn-  or  two 
hours  daily,  and  that  in  the  morning,  when 
the  dew  is  on  the  plants.  Then  they  wUl  seek 
mostly  for  slugs  and  similar  pests.  At  other 
times  they  may  be  about  the  lawn.  Where 
there  is  no  natural  bed  of  water  for  ducks, 
pains  should  be  taken  where  they  are  kept,  to 
proride  a  change  of  water  in  a  clean  tank  ever)' 
day.  This  should  be  located  near  the  water 
tank  or  other  supply,  for  convenience. 


the  long  run  is  to  kill  the  birds  affected.  As 
is  often  the  case,  in  spite  of  all  that  can  be 
done,  the  disease  develops  into  roup,  which  is 
known  by  a  foul  breath,  in  addition  to  the 
other  sjTuirtoms  already  described,  and  by  a 
swelling  up  of  the  eyes  and  face.  Then  all 
dishes  and  troughs  had  better  be  washed  with 
some  disinfectant,  such  as  cai'bolic  acid  or  Lit- 
tle's Phenyle,  and  the  coops  be  well  white- 
washed to  prevent  contagion.  If  possible,  let 
the  recovered  birds  be  removed  to  fresh  ground, 
and  a  little  lime  spread  thinly  over  the  vacated 
iims,  so  as  to  purify  the  ground. 


Colds  in  Poultry:  How  to  Treat. 

At  this  season,  when  human  beings  ai'e  so 
subject  to  colds,  fowls,  too,  often  suffer  from 
the  same  cause.  Neither  are  the  sjinptoms 
wholly  different  in  the  two,  these  being  usuaUj' 
such  as  a  running  at  the  nostrils,  watering  of 
the  eyes  and  sneezing. 

Cold,  says  the  EmjUsJt  Lire  Stock  Journal, 
is  by  no  means  difficult  to  cure  if  taken  in  time, 
but  neglected,  it  may  soon  develoji  into  roup 
or  consmnption,  both  of  which  are  speedily 
fatal,  though  the  latter  is  seldom  seen  save 
wheu  there  is  an  inherent  tendency  to  it. 

As  soon  as  there  is  noticed  any  secreti<.)n  at 
the  nostrils,  the  biixl  should  be  separated  from 
the  othere,  and  i)ut  in  a  warm,  comfortable 
place.  The  food  should  be  of  a  nourishing 
nature,  and  for  medicine  we  know  of  nothing 
better  than  tincture  of  aconite,  of  which  a  suffi- 
cient dose  for  a  young  chick  will  lie  a  half  of 
a  teaspoonfnl  of  water,  in  which  a  single  ch'op 
has  been  put. 

A  little  camjihor  may  also  be  jmt  in  the 
drinking  water  when  the  sneezing  is  connuon. 
B3'  these  means  the  disease  will  generally  be 
stamped  out,  but  if  not,  the  cheapest  way  in 


SILVER  SPANGLED  HAMBURGHS. 

Hamburgh  Fowls. 

On  the  whole  these  fowls  can  be  strongly 
recommended  for  profit.  While  rather  small 
for  marketing,  they  will  in  the  production  of 
eggs  exceed  all  other  breeds.  They  lay  ueai-ly 
every  day  all  thi-ough  the  year,  except  during 
the  moulting  sea.son,  hence  have  been  called 
"Dutch  e very-day  layei's."  An  annual  pro- 
duction of  from  3(10  to  3.5(1  eggs  per  hen  in  a 
year,  is  not  uncommon.  For  family  use  they 
are  especially  desirable,  as  aside  from  their 
value  as  laj'ers,  all  the  breeds  ai'e  decidedly 
ornamental. 

The  varieties  of  Hamburghs,  are  the  Black, 
Golden  and  Silver  Pencilled,  Golden  and  Silver 
Spangled  and  A\Tiite.  The  jjencilled  breeds 
should  be  classed  among  rather  delicate  birds, 
but  their  beauty  and  free  laying  propensities, 
ai'e  a  sufficient  reward  to  many  growers,  for 
the  extra  care  they  requii'e.  This  class  is 
rather  liable  to  roup  if  exposed  to  cold  or  wet, 
hence  they  should  be  hatched  somewhat  late. 
The  Spangled  Hamburghs,  of  which  we  show 
an  engraving,  are  hardy  and  lay  larger,  if  per- 
haps fewer,  eggs  than  the  pencilled.  For  profit, 
however,  we  would  be  disposed  to  place  the 
Black  Hambm'ghs  ahead  of  all  the  others,  both 
on  account  of  the  large  size  of  the  eggs  and 
theii-  productiveness,  which  certainlj'  exceeds 
that  of  all  breeds  known. 

Although  Hamburghs  naturally  love  a  wide 
range,  there  is  no  real  difficulty  in  keeping 
them  in  confinement,  provided  only  that  clean- 
liness be  closely  attended  to.  None  of  the 
varieties  ever  show  any  disposition  to  sit,  un- 
less it  is  in  a  state  of  gi'eat  freedom. 

While  the  objection  is  raised  to  Hamburghs 
of  being  too  small  to  figiu-e  much  on  the  table, 
it  may  be  said  that  the  bones  also  are  small, 
and  really  carry  more  meat  than  might  lie  sup- 
posed from  the  appearance,  and  what  there  is 
of  it  is  delicious,  both  as  to  qualit)'  and  flavor. 


CONDENSED  POULTRY    NOTES. 

Avoid  ovcr-crowiling. 

Divide  up  the  large  flocks. 

Fatten  the  tall,  thin  turkeys. 

Provide  a  plenty  of  nest  boxes. 

The  Bronze  turkeys  are  the  best  paying. 

To  the  block  at  once  with  egg-eating  hens. 

Feed  warm  nuish.  not  too  hot,  on  cold  mornings. 

On  cold  days  go  over  the  nests  for  eggs  several 
times. 

Our  experience  has  lieen  that  barley  freel.v  fed, 
impaii's  fivedoni  in  laying. 

A  little  celery  fed  to  fatteunig  dueks.  adds  a 
delicious  flavor  to  the  meat. 

Dry.  warm  quarters  for  your  hens  now,  will  soon 
make  dry  silver  quartei-s  for  the  pocket. 


Wyandottes.  The  demand  for  these  at  present 
is  remarkably  brisk,  but  prices  tend  downwards. 

If  you  are  only  beginning  the  poultry  business, 
start  in  with  twenty  fowls  rather  than  with  a 
hundred. 

"With  wheat  comparatively  cheap,  it  is  entitled 
to  a  leading  position  in  feeding  both  heavy  and 
light  breeds. 

We  believe  that  half  the  diseases  of  fowls  could 
be  traced  to  their  being  forced  to  drink  stale  and 
polluted  water. 

Time  of  hatching.  Hens'  eggs  hatch  m  twenty 
days;  turkeys'  and  dncks'  in  twenty -eight  days; 
geese's  in  thirty  days. 

The  number  of  poultry  associations  started  with- 
in the  past  year  is  reall.v  surprising.  This  shows 
wbich  way  the  wind  blows  as  to  poultry  interests. 

A  poultry  raiser  near  the  writer's  place,  makes 
it  a  rule  to  allow  six  square  feet,  say  two  feet  by 
three  feet,  of  floor  room  for  each  fowl  above  six. 

No  hen  should  be  kept  beyond  her  second  laying 
season,  as  a  rule.  Because  many  pay  no  heed  to 
this  point,  but  keep  hens  along  three,  five  or  more 
years,  they  wouder  why  they  lay  so  poorly. 

Turkeys  for  breeders.  Only  select  ones  should 
be  saved  back  for  this  purpose.  Old  gobblers,  say 
from  two  to  fotn-  years,  are  the  best.  Choose  out 
such  as  are  broad  across  the  back,  short -legged  and 
square  built. 

Soaking  Grain.  Contrary  to  what  the  practice 
of  many  ixinltry  keepers  would  indicate,  the  diges- 
tive apparatus  of  fowls,  does  not  require  that  grain 
be  soaked  before  feeding.  In  fact,  to  soak  the  grain, 
is  to  fill  the  bird's  crop  with  a  quantity  of  water  to 
no  pnn>ose.  Fed  dry  and  the  grain  is  better  rel- 
ished and  does  more  good. 

Fowl  cholera.  This  is  also  a  disease  of  the  sea- 
son. It  is  more  easil.v  prevented  than  cured.  Thor- 
ough cleanliness  in  every  jjarticular.  pure  air,  pure 
water,  moderate  feeding, avoiding  excess  of  fat,  and 
a  healthful  variety  of  food,  including  plenty  of 
fresh  bones  finely  crushed,  will  help  to  evade  the 
disease.  Teaspoonfnl  doses  of  .saturated  solution  of 
hyposulphite  of  soda,  given  daily,  an  entire  absence 
from  food  for  several  days,  have  been  found  an 
effective  remed.v  in  cases  not  too  far  advanced. 
— Agriculturtst. 

Look  well  to  the  comfort  of  your  fowls  at  this 
seasou;  imcomfortable  hens  never  do  much.  Mix 
with  the  morning  feed  of  graiu,  a  little  boiled  meat, 
cheap  offal  from  the  butcher's,  bullock's  tripe,  liver, 
or  anything  in  that  wa.v,  twice  or  three  times  a 
week.  From  half  an  ounce  to  one  ounce  is  quite 
sufficient  at  a  time,  for  each  bird.  .\lso  do  not  for- 
get to  add  some  green  food  right  along.  Then  if 
the  house  is  in  good  order,  and  the  breed  right, 
you  will  be  paid  for  your  pains  over  and  over,  by 
the  frequency  of  the  cackle,  teUing  you  of  the  addi- 
tion to  the  store  of  eggs,  at  this  time,  when  they  are 
worth  picking  up. 

Suit  the  food  to  the  time  it  is  fed,  for  the  best  re- 
sults. To  do  this,  give  ungruimd  grain  at  night  be- 
fore roosting  time,  and  soft  food  in  the  morning. 
The  former  will  last  in  the  crop  longer  into  the 
night  with  benefit.  The  grain  food  given  at  the 
morning  meal,  allows  of  digestion  commencing  at 
once.  This  is  beneficial,  for  nothing  seems  to  tell 
so  stronglj-  against  the  well-doing  of  a  fowl,  as  to 
remain  for  hours  with  an  unoccupied  stomach.  Let 
the'  morning  feeding  be  done  as  early  as  possible  in 
the  morning,  and  that  of  evening  just  before  going 
to  roost,  if  the  fowls  are  confined,  and  with  no 
chance  iif  picking  up  anything  through  the  day, 
they  will  require  another  feeding  about  noon. 

Best  Stock  for  "Winter  Laying.  We  agree  with 
a  writer  in  the  Atneriron  Pitnlti-r/  Journal  on  this 
subject.  He  says:  The  most  desirable  stock  to 
have  on  hand,  at  any  time,  is  early-hatched  pidlets. 
The.v  become  large  and  well  developed  by  fall,  gen- 
erally begin  laying  before  cold  weather,  as  they  do 
not  moult  the  first  season,  and  with  proper  care 
will  keep  laying  throughout  the  winter.  Then,  by 
spring  they  will  have  laid  several  litters  of  eggs, 
and  will  be  fully  as  desirable  for  breeding  purposes 
as  adult  hens,  and  will,  in  tlieir  turn,  bring  off  nice, 
early  broods,  to  take  their  place  the  following 
season. 

Late-hatched  pullets  are  even  worse  than  old 
hens,  both  for  winter  laying  and  early  spring  breed- 
ing, for  they  will  be  small  wheu  the  coM  weather 
comes,  which  will  serve  to  stunt  them  more  or 
less,  and  they  will  not  begin  laying  until  the  warm 
weather  of  spring,  and  then  the  eggs  are  so  cheap 
that  they  hardly  pay  for  feeding  and  taking  care  of 
the  fowls.  Besides  this,  the  first  litter  of  eggs  laid 
by  a  pullet  are  not  fit  to  iLse  for  breeding  purposes, 
as  they  will  not  produce  near  as  strong  and  healthy 
chicks  as  those  coming  from  older  hens. 


i885. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


Treeclimber's   Talks. 
leaves:  their  absence. 

But  a  few  weeks  ago,  aud  all  the  trees  and 
Iiusheswere  elothed  with  leave.s,  now  most  of 
these  ai'e  bare.  What  a  great  change  has  come 
over  the  face  of  nature  Ix^cause  of  this. 

We  do  not,  however,  mind  the  absence  of 
leaves  so  much,  l)ecause  we  know  that  in  a  few 
months  a  new  crop  will  come  forth,  seem- 
ingly more  fresh  aud  beautiful  than  any  of 
former  years.  Examine  even  now  ahuost  any 
ti'ee,  and  the  buds  of  next  year's  growth  may 
reailily  be  seen :  they  are  only  waiting  for  the 
warmth  of  next  sprmg.  to  shoot  out 
into  new  verdure.  When  that  time 
arrives,  we  will  enjoy  the  sight  all  the 
more,  for  the  winters  break,  of  several 
months"  duration,  in  leaftime. 

RE.\UTV   AND   VARIETY  IN  LEAVES. 

I  want  to  speak  somewhat  of  the 
beauty  and  variety  found  in  leaves. 
The  beauty  of  flowers  is  constantly  on 
the  tongiies  oi  people,  and  in  the  poet's 
vei-ses.  but  not  so  of  tlie  hardly  less 
beautiful  leaves.  I  have  made  a  ih'aw- 
ing  in  outline  of  four  leaves  which  the 
publishei-s  have  had  engraved  very 
well,  to  show  something  about  this 
matter  of  shapes  and  beaut}'. 

The  engraving  represents  some  very 
common  leaves.  The  one  to  the  left  is 
that  <.if  Grass,  next  to  anil  jjartly  under 
this  one,  is  a  divided  leaf  of  the  Lupine, 
a  common  garden  Hower  raised  from 
seed;  the  finely-cut  leaf  to  the  right  is 
that  of  a  si^ecies  of  Pojjpy,  and  back  of 
this,  a  small  leaf  taken  from  a  tree  of 
the  common  Chestnut. 

Here  are  but  f om-  forms ;  how  differ- 
ent they  are,  and  how  pleasing  to  look  at.  But 
the  forms  found  in  nature  are  endless,  and  af- 
ford a  degree  of  vai-iety  in  their  shapes  that  is 
truly  a.stouishing.  We  have  but  to  open  our 
eyes  as  we  walk  out  in  the  season  of  leaves,  to 
see  very  many  of  these.  Their  forms  ai-e  the 
mai-ks  by  which  we  may  distinguish  one  kind  of 
plant  from  another.  The  more  striking  shapes 
of  leaves  have  names,  and  to  gain  an  acquaint- 
ance with  these  is  one  of  the  eaa-hest  and  most 
useful  things  to  be  leanied  in  studying  botauy. 

FLOWERS   AND   LEAVES. 

I  have  said,  that  we  hear  more  of  the  beauty 
of  flowers  than  of  leaves.  Much  as  I  love  the 
flowers  which  natm-e  spreads  out  over  the 
earth,  I  think  that  so  far  as  the  office  of  adorn- 
ing the  earth's  sm-face  is  concerned,  the 
leaves  are  more  important  even  than  are 
the  flowers  themselves.  The  beauty  of  the 
gi-een  gi-ass  which  gTows  everywhere  the 
world  over,  hes  in  the  leaf,  and  the  same  is 
chiefly  true  of  the  forests:  no  quantity  of  beau- 
tiful flowers  could  make  up  for  the  complete 
absence  of  these  from  this  earth. 

I  do  not  draw  this  compai'ison,  as  if  there 
was  any  rivah-y  between  flowers  and  foliage 
as  adorning  matei-ial.  Both  have  their  place 
and  fill  it  well,  but  in  the  constant  admiration 
which  flowei-s  call  fortli,  I  desire  to  incite  more 
attention  to  the  beauty  of  leaves. 

ABOUT   THE  HYACINTH  AND   ITS   NAME. 

The  Hyacinth  which  is  so  well  known  by  all, 
Is  a  native  of  the  oldest  mhabited  parts  of  the 
world.  In  such  eastern  countries  as  Asia 
Minor,  Syria  and  Pensia,  it  is  found  growing  wild, 
abundantly.  We  can  readily  accept  the  fact  that 
it  has  also  been  in  cultivation  from  the  remotest 
times,  for  no  flower  to-day  is  more  highly  es- 
teemed, or  more  easily  managed.      Its  present 


name  has  come  down  to  us  through  all  the  ages, 
from  ancient  Greece,  and  is  interesting  on  this 
account.  Grecian  fable  links  the  origin  and 
name  of  the  flower  witli  the  character's  of  an- 
cient mythology.  A  legeml  relating  to  this 
subject,  whiili  wa-s  lately  handed  to  me  by  a 
friend  runs  as  follows: 

"Apollo,  god  of  the  arts  and  .sciences,  became 
very  fond  of  asliephenlyouth,  whose  name  was 
Hjacinthus,  ami  took  great  delight  in  throw- 
ing tlie  discus  with  him,  a  ]>a.stime  much  in- 
dulged in  by  the  old  Greeks  and  Romans.  One 
day  while  engaged  in  this  sport,  the  discus 
thrown  by  .4pollo  struck  Hyacintluis  in  the 
head,  aud  killed  him  on  the  spot.  Apollo,  very 
much  grieved  bj-  the  sad  death  of  his  favorite, 
chauged  liim  into  a  lovely  flower  which  he 
called  after  him  Hyacinth.  " 

HOW   THE   CYPRE.SS   WAS   NAMED. 

Another  fable  told  of  this  same  god,  and 
which  accounts  for  the  name  of  the   Cyi>ress 


aihnirable  as  this  may  l)e,  may  not  prevent  the 
road  from  being  systematically  cheated,  for  a 
long  time,  without  detection,  but  also  that 
wrong-doing  nmst  .sometime  have  its  end,  and 
the  wrong-doer  l>e  made  to  sutt'er. 

-Vbout  fouryeais  ajjii  sdiiic  repairs  wei-e  made  to 
a  small  bridge,  some  miles  awnv  from  auy  station, 
on  a  railroad  in  Illinois,  and  iit'  course  the  bridge 
gang  had  jmt  up  a  signln.ai-d  ■■|-iui  slow,"  on  either 
siile  dnnng  the  day  iir  so  the  liriclgc  was  weakened. 
.Just  about  a.s  they  hud  finished  their  work  the  sign- 
hoards  disappeared,  and  tlievilidnt  take  the  trouble 
to  hunt  them  uj). 

Some  weeks  afterwartis  tliese  signs  reappeared  in 
the  former  places.  Xohodv  cared.  The  section 
mennodoubt  thought  the  bridge  men  had  done  it. 
It  was  none  of  the  enf^ineei-s'  business  why  tliey 
were  there— their  dnty  ivi|nir-ed  them  to  slow  dow'n 
at  all  such  signs,  luid  this  they  <licl.  For  about  four 
years  not  a  train  had  pas.s..d  over  that  little  bridge 
without  .slowmt;  almo.st  to  a  standstill,  costing  the 
coinijany  thousands  of  dollars,  to  stop  and  start 
trains. 

How  it  all  came  about,  was  this:  An  unscnipu- 
lous  fanner  near  by  stole  these  boards  and  put  them 
up  again  at  his  leisure.  For  four  yeai-s  he  ha.s 
been  going  into  the  town  or  coming  from  it  on 
the  trains,  getting  on  or  off  right  at  his  own  door. 
It  was  a  slick  scheme,  but  his  game  is  uii 
now.  and  the  engineers  are  having  their 
revenge  by  keeping  up  an  infernal  screech- 
ing of  their  whistles  at  all  houi-s  of  the 
day  or  night  whenever  they  pass  that 
farmhouse. 


LEAVES  OF  VARIOUS  SHAPES- 

tree  was,  that  Apollo  was  also  very  much  at- 
tached to  another  shepherd -hoy,  for  this  god 
was  the  guardian  deity  of  the  herds  and  flocks. 
The  boys  name  was  Cyjjarissus,  and  it  is  said 
that  he  had  the  inisfortime  to  accidentally  kill 
one  of  the  favorite  stags  of  the  god.  This  so 
grieved  him  that  he  pined  away  and  died  of 
a  broken  heai-t.  Apollo  then  transformed  him 
into  the  Cypress  tree,  which  has  ever  since 
borne  his  name, 

Timothy  Treeclimber. 


Mistakes  that  are  Natural  Enough. 

It  is  not  strange  that  chikh-en  should  make 
many  mistakes,  before  they  master  the  ai-t  of 
spelling  words  with  silent  letters  in  them. 
Usually  there  is  very  little  to  indicate  what 
the  silent  letter  might  be,  by  the  sound  of  the 
word  or  syllable,  containing  it.  A  difliculty 
somewhat  like  this  is  found,  in  mastering  the 
use  of  words  which  liave  the  same  sound  but 
are  flifferently  spelled,  or  have  different  mean- 
ings. So,too,in  the  application  of  namesthatare 
aUke,  or  nearly  so,  as  the  Pine,  which  may  re- 
fer to  either  the  tree  by  that  name  or  to  the 
Pineapple,  In  view  of  this  fact  relating  to  the 
word  pine,  and  also  tliat  the  fruit  of  the  pine- 
apple somewhat  resembles  a  pine-cone,  the  mis- 
take of  the  boy  here  alluded  to  was  natural 
enough. 

One  day  last  ni.intli  a  lady  in  Maryland  gave  her 
son,  a  lad  of  five  years,  iierniission  to  eat  a  "  pine- 
apple." although  she  wondered  at  the  time  wTiere 
he  could  get  a  pineapple.  Later  she  saw  him  sit- 
ting in  the  yard  trying  to  chew  a  pine-cone  that  he 
had  pulled  from  a  neighboring  tree,  under  the  belief 
it  was  a  real  pineapple. 


Found  Out  at  Last. 

The  following  amusing  incident  told  by 
the  Chhayu  Hi-nild,  shows  how  the  work- 
ing out  of  all  the  details  of  a  gi-eat  railroad, 


The  young  ai-e  apt  to  look  upon 
discipline  and  early  responsibility  as  a 
form  of  adversity.  On  the  other  hand 
the  exjierience  of  this  world  teaches, 
that  in  the  long  run,  the  tiling  we  call 
good  fortune — shelter  from  hardships ; 
indulgence  of  all  kinds  and  money  aid 
for  every  venture,  or  every  fancy, 
more  often  work  against  the  true  in- 
terests of  the  young  throughout  tlieir 
lives  than  otherwise. 


PET  BIRDS,  ANIMALS,  ETC. 

If  you  have  more  than  one  cage,  re- 
member that  birds  get  jealous,  over  hav- 
ing their   neighbors   perch   higher   than 

they  do. 

The  Goldfish  is  a  carp,  and  a  native  of 
the  warm  jiarts  ot  China,  It  is  now  natur- 
alized in  many  ot  the  .streams  of  southern 
Eiu'ope,  and  also  in  American  waters.  Its 
perfect  adaptability  to  glass  globes  in  living  rooms, 
is  partly  accounted  for  by  the  fact  of  its  thriving  Ijest 
in  water  kept  above  the  ordinary  temperature. 

At  night,  in  cold  weather,  unless  the  bird  cage 
is  kept  in  a  warm  room,  it  should  be  covered.  For 
this  an  old  woolen  shawl  is  better  than  anything 
else.  It  not  only  keeps  the  bu-d  warm  but  through 
darkening  the  cage,  makes  him  later  in  waking  in  the 
morning,  and  thus  leaves  you  to  finish  your  own 
nap,  without  being  disturbed  by  his  early  cries. 

Bad  as  a  disease  is,  the  remedy  may  be  worse. 
A  friend  had  a  bird  that  was  troubled  with  vermin ; 
an  authority  was  consulted  as  to  what  to  do,  A  re- 
medy for  the  trouble  ran  thus:  "Wash  both  cage 
and  bird  m  hnseed  or  rape.seed  oil."  These  instruc- 
tions were  followed  to  the  letter;  although  it  killed 
the  parasites,  it  left  the  bird  m  a  most  uncomfortable 
condition,  veiy  near  killing  it.  The  oil  was  only 
removed  by  the  light  use  of  refined  benzine  on  the 
feathers,  taking  a  tew  at  a  time. 

For  Canker  about  the  head  of  pigeons,  says  a 
writer  in  the  Piiullry  ^fontllll/,the  best  application  is 
nitrate  of  silver-  Touch  with  this  to  begui  with  and 
afterwards  apply  twice  a  day  a  solution  of  one  part 
of  L-arbolic  acid  to  ten  parts  ot  glycerine ;  keep  the 
parts  clean  by  a  sponge  dipped  in  permanganate  ot 
potash.  To  make  this,  add  a  tcaspoonful  of  potash 
to  a  quart  bottle  of  water,  and  shake  till  dissolved. 
This  is  a  capital  disinfectant  for  sprmkling  about 
the  nests  or  shebes.  or  the  Kjft  generally. 

Unhealthy  Canary  Birds.  .Sometimes  when  ca- 
nary birds  are  not  doing  well,  and  one  cannot  im- 
agine what  the  trouble  is,  it  hes  in  then-  being 
affected  with  the  red  mite.  To  ascertain  whether 
such  may  be  the  ca.se,  cover  up  the  cage  at  night 
with  a  white  cloth,  and  in  the  morning  you  will  see 
the  tiny  red  mites  on  the  cloth.  To  get  rid  of  these 
pests,  dust  the  bird  with  insect  powder,  wash  the 
cage  with  scalding  water,  and  keep  it  also  dusted 
with  the  powder.  It  is  also  a  good  plan  to  give  the 
bird  a  bath,  have  the  water  tepid,  and  put  some 
flowers  ot  sulphur  in  it.  This  is  to  be  repeated  every 
other  day.  Two  or  I  liree  drops  of  sherrj-  in  its  water 
as  a  tonic  is  also  desirable.  I^t  it  have  lettuce  or 
any  green  food  you  can  get.canary  .seeil  or  inga  seed. 


36 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


December, 


th. 


"^e  Household 

Where  do  the  Children  Sleep? 

A  friend  noteil  tor  her  good  common  sense, 
tells  about  having  been  approached  b)-  an 
anxious  mother,  concerning  the  iU-health  of  a 
daughter  of  seventeen,  when  she  in  return  asked 
to  see  her  sleeping  room.  The  mother  was  sure 
nothing  could  be  w]-oug  here,  for  servants  had 
attended  it  daily,  to  see  that  it  was  warm,  and 
that  no  dampness  could  enter. 

The  room  reached,  it  reminded  the  visitor  of 
the  Catacombs:  not  a  ray  of  simshine  l)eing 
ever  admitted—' '  I^ight  hurts  Sarah's  eyes  "  was 
the  excuse.  The  most  noticeable  thing  in  it  was 
a  close,  musty  smell.  When  asked  whether  it 
wasever  aired,  the  answer  was:  only  on  sweep- 
ing day.  Ventilation  at  night  being  suggested 
to  allow  the  carbon  exhaled  by  breathing  to  ^ 
give  way  to  pure  air,  the  mother  replied  that 
such  a  course  would  kill  the  girl,  as  she  never 
could  bear  tb-aughts  and  damp  ail-.  Our  friend 
gave  the  mother  such  wholesome  advice,  as  we 
are  sure  will  prove  a  gi-eat  benefit  to  that  girl's 
health,  if  it  is  heeded. 

This  incident  shows,  what  we  have  long  no- 
ticed with  pain,  that  many  parents  are  careless 
as  to  the  sleeping  place  of  children  and  young 
people.  No  doubt  the  same  are  careless  of  their 
own  sleeping  rooms  also,  but  bad  effects  from 
such  causes,  tell  less  liard  against  the  old,  than 
against  the  young. 

Dm-ing  the  whole  period  of  growth  in  a  child, 
the  constructive  operations  of  the  body  ai-e 
very  active  in  sleep.  This  fact  demands,  that 
if  children  are  to  lie  healthy,  the  conditions  that 
surround  them  at  night  must  be  conducive  to 
tliis.  It  is  of  the  gi-eatest  importance  that  plen- 
ty of  fresh  air  be  admitted  at  some  of,  if  not 
all,  the  tmie  of  the  twenty-tom-  hours.  The 
window  or  windows  of  the  room,  should  be 
throwii  wide  open  soon  after  the  hour  of  rising ; 
the  bedding  be  well  exposed  to  the  air;  so  to 
remain  for  some  hours  at  least.  The  children 
may  be  taught  to  thi-ow  back  the  cover  them- 
selves, when  they  get  up.  In  all  but  the  sever- 
est weather,  the  year  around,  air  should  be  ad- 
mitted at  niglit. 

A  common  and  most  grievous  mistake,  is  to 
have  chilch-en  sleep  with  aged  persons.  A  sti-aw 
pallet  on  the  floor  would  be  fai-  better.  During 
the  nutritive  regeneration  of  the  tissues,  which 
takes  place  during  sleep  in  all  persons,  the 
child  would  be  the  heavy  looser,  if  lying  in 
sleep,  close  to  a  penson  of  declining  years.  In- 
stances are  not  lacking  to  prove  the  truth  of 
this  statement.  No  one  has  a  right  to  rob  a 
child  of  the  birthright  of  sound  health,  to  grati- 
fy the  selBsh  whims  of  aged  persons,  who  are 
often  to  blame  for  urging  children  to  this 
coui"se. 

As  fai-  as  can  be  done,  chilih-en  should  have 
separate  beds,  even  if  two  are  in  the  same  room. 
It  is  both  better  for  health,  and  more  conducive 
to  sound,  refreshing  sleep  which  is  much  the 
same  thing.  Pai-ents,  as  they  regai-d  the  lives  of 
the  young  under  theii-  cai-e,  should  see  to  it 
that  they  do  not  suffer  during  the  important 
period  of  early  life,  that  is  given  to  sleep. 


Air,  hut  don't  sun,  feather  ticks  and  pillows;  the 
siiii  ihaws  the  oil.  making  an  unpleasant  smell. 
Regard  the  feelings  of  naturally  shy  children, 
y  realize  agonies  j-ou  cannot  understand. 


Brieflets. 

Lard  should  go  into  tin. 

Start  the  night  with  warm  feet. 

Unsunned  rooms,  cause  unsound  health. 

Hang  up  the  brooms:  they  will  last  longer. 

Keep  tlie  bedsteads  away  from  the  windows. 

Clogged  wicks  can  he  cleaned,  by  boiling  tlieni 
in  so.iji  suds. 

A  part  of  dish  washing  thoroughly  enjoyed— 
haiiKing  away  the  dish  pan. 

If  you  have  no  dark  place  for  the  f  i-uit  cans,  wrap 
each  one  sepai'ately  i"  heavy  paper. 

Drop  potatoes  or  fruit  as  they  are  pared  into 
water,  and  the  color  will  not  change. 

Good  dishes  and  bright  silver  or  other  tableware, 
make  iileasant  work  of  housekeeping. 


In  serving  lunches  or  tea,  a  well-bred  hostess 
errs  on  the  side  of  plainness,  rather  than  on  that  of 
ovrr-nnuiiticence. 

Much  of  the  ordinary  bother  of  washing  lamp 
chinmeys  on  the  inside,  can  he  saved  hy  using  a  stick 
with  a  sponge  tied  to  the  end. 

Cocoanut  Pudding.  This  is  one  of  the  most  ac- 
ceptable of  easily -made  puddings,  brought  to  our 
table.  One  quart  of  milk  and  tour  eggs  serves  as 
the  foundation.  To  this  is  added  one  eup  of  dessi- 
cated  cocoanut,  one  slice  of  bread  broken  up  finely, 
and  a  small  lump  of  butter.  Sweeten  to  suit  taste. 
For  frosting,  keep  out  the  white  of  one  egg,  beat  to  a 
stiff  troth,  and  add  two  tablespoonfuls  of  sugar, 
spread  tliis  on  top,  return  to  the  oven  to  brown. 

It's  an  honor  to  he  a  good  housekeeper,  but  we 
have  known  instances,  where  that  honor  was  bought 
at  too  dear  a  sacrifice  of  strength  and  health.  We 
know  of  one  sensible  woman  who  saves  much  of  the 
work  of  ironing,  thought  necessary  by  some,  by 
putting  awayjnany  things  of  the  week's  wash,  clean 
and  very  neatly  folded,  but  not  u-oned.  In  this  Ust 
are  found,  woolen  tuiderwear  and  clothes,  sheets, 
towels  and  the  like.  Passing  an  u-on  over  these 
things  after  folding  will  make  them  look  remark- 
ably  well,  iiroviding  the  folding  was  evenly  done. 

,  Dish  'Washing,  and  the  Hands.  A  writer  for 
i  the  Hiiiisihold.  who  ought  to  know,  claims,  that 
with  a  little  care  dish  washing  wiU  aild  to  the 
looks  of  the  hand,  rather  than  detract  from  its 
beauty.  She  says:  "My  hands  were  swollen  and 
red  but  this  lasts  but  a  shoit  time,  with  it  they  are 
also  pliable,  soft  and  warm,  rubbing  them  with 
cream  or  vaseline  at  night  keeps  them  so.  Dora 
Smith  always  wishes  to  practice  on  the  piano  after 
washing  dishes,  because  then  her  hand  is  in  the 
best  order  for  the  keyboard.  The  best  work  for  any- 
one troubled  with  cold  hands  is  dish  washing. 

Have  you  a  Carpet  Sweeper!    Those  housekeep- 
ers who  have  not.  can  hardly  realize  what  they  are  , 
missing.    The  implement  makes  light  of  tlie  daily 
work  of  taking  up  the  dust  and  dirt  from  carpets. 
It  can  be  rolled  back  and  forth  by  a  child  or  weak 
person  wdio  cannot  handle  a  broom.    The  dirt  is 
gathered  up  by  a  rotating  brush,  which  receives  its  \ 
motion  from  the  movement  of  the  sweeper.   Another 
point:  little  or  no  dust  is  stu-red  up  m  the  room  to 
settle  again  requiring  later  brushing  or  wiping  up. 
The  revolving  brush  is  enea.sed,  and  the  gathered 
dust  is  deposited  in  the  case,  in  a  way  that  saves  it  j 
from  being  circulated  and  deposited  agam,  on  car- 
pets and  furniture.     Such  a   sweeper  is    far  less  I 
wearing  to  a  carpet  than  is  a  broom.    An  excellent 
one  can  be  bought  for  about   |3.  and  will  last  for 
years.  j 

Catching  Cold.  Which  travels  the  fastest,  heat 
or  cold'  runs  the  old  conimchnmi.  Answer:  heat.  ; 
for  you  can  catch  a  cold.  It  is  very  easily  done. 
Here  are  some  directions  how.  all  to  be  avoided 
if  yon  would  avoid  colds.  Go  into  cold  rooms 
when  you  are  warm,  without  something  over  the  | 
head  or  additional  wraps.  Keep  on  wet  shoes  and 
clothes  after  coming  in  on  a  rainy  day.  (io  calling 
with  thinner  shoes  on  than  you  wear  at  home,  and 
no  over-shoes.  Let  children  throw  off  their  hats  or 
bonnets  when  heated  from  play  in  chilly  weather. 
Set  in  draft  at  an  open  window  or  door:  a  .street  car 
is  a  good  place.  Change  from  heavy  wraps  to  light 
ones  in  a  hurry  when  you  come  in.  If  a  man  or  boy, 
let  the  hair  lie  cut  and  shampooed  just  when  a 
change  is  takmg  place  ui  the  weather.  If  a  woman 
go  out  on  a  windy  day,  ^^■ith  your  back  hair  done  up 
high,  when  you  liave  been  used  to  wearing  it  low. 

Too  Good.  --^  thing  or  a  person  may  come  recom- 
mended as  having  too  many  good  qualities,  to  be 
desirable.  An  acquaintance  of  the  writer's,  lately 
turned  off  an  agent  who  was  tallving  up  a  stove  im- 
plement, capable  of  doing  a  dozen  things,  with  the 
remark,  that  she  didn't  want  it.  it  could  do  too  many 
things.  The  lady  to  whom  Mrs.  McNamara  applied, 
seeking  a  situation  for  her  daughter,  felt  quite  simi- 
larly, as  stated  in  the  New  Yurk  Tinii-s: 

Lady— Is  your  daughter  Bridget  a  good  girl,  Mrs. 
McNamara? 

Mrs.  McNamara— That  she  is.  mum.  She's  a 
dacint  gtirnil.  She  goes  to  mass  ivery  marnin'  at 
H  o'clock,  and  tnicet  on  a  Smiday,  an'  she  nathur 
ates  mate  on  Fridays,  nor  cooks  it.  mmn.  an'  she  be- 
laves  in  ebsarviu'  the  Sabbath  day  an'  kapiug  it 
howly  an'  niver  cooks  imthin'  on  that  day,  mum, 
an'  confisses  her  sins  i>ncet  a  wake,  an'— 
Lady— I  am  afi-aid  she  is  too  good,  Mrs.  McNam- 
I  ara. 


Notes  on  Dress  and  Home  Art. 

Plainess  for  .lerseys. 
Silks  were  never  cheaper. 
Jackets  vary  without  end. 
Flush  is  more  in  favor  again. 
Braid  or  cord  lacing  is  much  used. 
Dishes  "f  cut  glass  are  fashionable. 
Bright  Colors  w  ere  never  more  popidar. 
Green  for  gowns  of  rich  fabrics,  continues  to  hold 
its  place. 

Eed  cloth  jackets  are  favorites  with  young  ladies 
for  driving. 

Eed  is  nmch  used  as  a  third  color  with  brown  and 
blue  c'.)stmnes. 

Underskirts  of  black  next  to  the  dress,  are  be- 
coming very  popular. 

Fur,  and  especially  sable,  is  used  f or  trinuning  all 
kinds  of  cloth  and  velvet  tlresses. 

Gray  and  pearl-color  gloves,  will  be  more  woni 
than  they  have  been  for  many  seasons. 

Bretelles  the  name  for  the  V-shaped  trimmings, 
are  nuicb  in  favor  on  dress  waists  and  mantles. 

The  colored  glassware  of  the  table  now  so  often 
seen  is  very  pretty,  but  too  gaudy  for  lasting  good 
taste. 

Spirits  of  Ammonia  rnblwd  over  nickel  orna- 
ments, by  applying  with  a  saturated  woolen  cloth, 
will  keep  them  bright. 

For  a  stylish  collar,  the  dog  collar  two  inches  in 
height,  made  of  velvet,  lined  with  silk  and  adiM-iied 
with  beads  or  chenille,  prevails. 
Now  the  old-fashioned  quilted  skirts  of  our  grand 


mothers,  have  been  reached.    For  warmth,  they  de- 
sen-e  renewal  after  their  long  rest. 
The  hang  across  the  nape  of  the  neck  is  out  of 


the  back  hair. 
of  the  head,  for 


style,  but  crinqjing  is  still  applied  to 
before  it  is  carried  up  to  the  crown  • 
coiling  there. 

No  one  can  object  to  the  use  of  some  bright  rib- 
bons about  the  parlor,  on  braided  and  other  chairs, 
baskets,  frames  and  the  like,  but  being  easily  ap- 
plied the  custom  of  using  these  is  often  carried  far- 
ther than  good  taste  sanctions. 

On  wool  and  velvet  costmnes.  a  group  of  three 
large  buttons  on  each  side  of  the  corsage,  anil  of  six 
or  eight  on  the  skirt  in  the  lengthwise  pleats  or 
panels  at  the  sides,  is  very  fashionable.  The  but- 
tons are  metal  and  flat,  with  raised  (lowers  or  other 
figures,  and  of  a  color  suited  to  the  di-ess. 

Table-cloths.  The  latest  departure  in  these,  is 
highly  embroidered  linen,  with  elaborate  floral  pat- 
terns in  crewel,  cotton  or  washable  silk,  extending 
from  the  hem  far  up  into  the  center.  Curious  and 
handsome  doyleys  of  Turkish  embroidery  are  put 
trader  the  glass  finger  bowls.  These  being  interest- 
ing objects,  give  guests  something  to  talk  about. 

The  fire-place  is  receiving  more  and  more  atten- 
tion from  builders  of  new  houses,  as  years  pass  on. 
It  seems  destined  to  again  occupy  much  of  its  old- 
time  prominence  and  glory.  The  time  was.  when  the 
fire-pliice  was  the  center  of  attraction  in  the  home, 
1  and  much  could  be  said  for  promoting  it  to  this 
]50sition  again.  In  the  finer  class  of  houses  now 
built,  nearly  every  room  has  an  open  fh-e-place.  ' 

Some  Christmas  gifts  that  are  elegant,  useful 
and  easily  made,  are  the  following:  .\  visiting-card 
case  of  olive  velvet,  lined  with  red,  size  five  by  seven 
inches:  in  making,  use  some  , stiff  canvass  between 
the  velvet  and  the  lining:  a  silk  pocket  three  inches 
deep  is  set  on  the  inside  of  each  cover:  on  the  up- 
per cover  should  be  embroidered  in  Japanese  gold 
thread,  initials,  a  motto  or  other  device.  A  stand  of 
wickerwork  for  music  or  drawings,  may  be  pur- 
chased, and  if  Uned  with  embroidered  plush  and  set 
oft  with  handsome  fringe  and  ta,ssels,  is  an  elegant 
affau-  for  the  parlor.  Pincushions  for  the  parlor, 
the  library  or  any  other  room,  now  so  much  in  style, 
are  very  appropriate  as  Holiday  gifts.  Some  beau- 
tiful designs  for  these  are  small  bellows  made  in 
cardboard  covered  with  satin,  or  a  doll  dres.sed  as 
an  undergraduate,  in  cap  and  gown,  and  a  w  heel- 
barrow  made  after  the  same  order,  the  cushion  be- 
ing located  inside  the  barrow.  Quite  the  newest 
idea  is  a  tin.v  wooden  sabot  converted  into  a  pin- 
cushion, being  stuffed  inside.  A  perambulator  is 
also  adapted  to  a  work-case,  reels  of  cotton  forming 
the  wheels.  A  large  silk,  satin  or  plush  sack  is  a 
good  notion  for  a  pincushion.  One  of  the  prettiest 
kind,  however,  is  hung  against  the  wall,  covered 
with  velvet,  having  an  appliiine  of  open  brass  work 
on  either  side,  taken  from  horses"  harness,  which 
only  now  have  been  turned  to  this  new  purpose. 
For  bedrooms  there  is  a  new  coronet  pincushion, 
made  of  an  octagonal  box  of  pasteboard  and  the 
sides  covered  alternately  in  plush  and  satin. 


POPULAR  GARDENING 


FOR    TOWN    AND    COUNTRY. 


"ACCOSE  NOT  NATURE,   fiHE  HATH  DONE  HER  PART;    DO  THOU  BUT  THINE.-^iliuros. 


Vol.  1. 


J'-A.2SrjJJ^:Ei,-Z',    188S. 


No.  4. 


A  Fine  Autumn-blooming  Crocus. 

Altogether  the  Crocus  nciuis  is  a  verj-  ex- 
tensive one,  and  is  known  to  embraoc  no  less 
tlian  seventy  species.  So  far  from  all  lieiug 
spring-tlowering  sorts,  like  the  common  ones 
{('roi-iix tvrnii/<  anil  varieties)  of  our  gardens, 
it  may  be  said,  that  the  various  species  to- 
gether afford  a  continuous  succession  of 
tiowers  from  the  beginning  of  August,  until 
April.  But  of  all  these,  with  their  varied 
season  of  bloom,  it  is  only  the  earlier 
autumnal  or  the  distinctlj-  vernal,  .spe- 
cies that  can  be  relied  upon  in  the  north 
for  garden  decoration.  Far  enough 
towards  the  equator,  as  in  the  parts  of 
Asia,  where  many  of  the  species  are  at 
liome,  and  where  frosts,  even  in  winter, 
are  not  severe,  the  winter  sorts  flower 
abundantlj'.  One  single  species  of  the 
fall-flowering  class  is  well  known  in 
cultivation,  as  the  Saffron  plant,  Ci-uciik 
niitirim^of  our  gardens.  This  one  blooms 
handsomely  in  September  and  is  espec- 
ially valued  for  the  medicinal  virtues 
of  its  large  stigma.s. 

Borj''s  Silver  Crocus,  C.  Bari/i.  of 
which  we  give  an  engraving,  is  another 
autumnal  bloomer,  and  one  of  marked 
beauty.  No  Crocus  can  very  well  be 
fairer  than  this  little  species,  which 
blooms  in  October.  Its  flowers  are  of 
the  size  shown  in  the  engraving.  They 
are  beautiful  in  all  stages;  the  purple- 
streaked  buds  and  the  half-opened,  cup- 
shaped  blossoms  being  in  their  way  as 
lovely  as  the  pure  white  orange- throated 
starry  flowers  themselves.  The  leafage 
— as  if  to  suit  the  delicate  flowers — is 
most  slender  and  elegant. 

This  species  while  quite  hardy,  does 
not  bloom  well  without  the  protection 
of  glass,  the  rains  and  frosts  of  October 
lieing  sufficient  to  prevent  the  develop- 
ment of  the  dainty  little  flowers.  In  a 
frame  protected  with  sash  it  ought  to  succeed 
well  eveiTwhere. 

This  Crocus  like  others  of  its  same  season 
of  bloom  should  be  planted  in  midsummer. 
The  plants  delight  in  a  rich,  well-drained 
soil;  the  conns  should  be  liuried  about  three 
inches 'deep,  in  planting.  At  the  approach 
of  winter,  all  those  sorts  which  lack  some- 
what in  robustness,  as  does  the  one  figured, 
should  have  a  coat  of  straw  or  leaves  over 
their  tops,  and  between  them  and  the  glass 
of  the  frame  in  which  they  are  growing. 


dale.  But  these  kinds  show  so  many  variations 
in  appearance,  that  to  one  unacquainted  with 
trees,  there  might  seem  to  be  many  more  kinds. 
*  *  * 
The  fine  winter  effect  produced  by  the  Ever- 
greens here,  is  owing  chiefly  to  three  things: 
first,  the  sorts  planted  are  such  as  are  adapted 
to  the  climate  and  the  place;  second,  the  ar- 
rangement, is  on  a  plan  that  tends  to  enhance 
the  beauty  of  individual  sorts,  and  lastly,  Init  in 


Noteafrom  Lyndale. 

BY  A.  H.  E. 

■Ifiiiuary  3.  Visitors  to  Ljndale  in  the  win- 
ter are  much  attracted  by  the  beauty  of  the 
Evergreens  on  the  place.  It  is  not  so  much 
that  the  number  of  kinds  growing  here  is  very 
extensive,  as  that  what  there  are  are  thrifty 
and  attractive.  Indeed,  when  it  comes  to  the 
matter  of  kinds,  it  may  be  said  that  the  Pines, 
Spruces  (including  Hemlocks  anfl  Fii-sl,Juni- 
jiers.  Arbor  vitfes  and  Retinsporas,  constitute 
fully  nine-tenths  of  all  there  are  grown  at  Lyu- 


A  Fine  Autumn-blooming  Crocus.-  Bora's  Silver  Crocus. 

its  way  perhaps  more  important  than  anything 
else,  is  the  fact  that  every  tree  planted  is  well 
planted  at  the  outset. 

*  *  * 

Let  me  speak  of  the  planting  first.  1  lielieve 
in  giving  every  Conifer  (Cone-beai-er)  that  I 
set,  plenty  of  good  soil  to  grow  in :  no  tree  is 
expected  to  do  well  if  not  thoroughly  well 
planted  at  first,  few  fail  to  do  well  under  this 
provision.  In  planting,  the  process  is  suited  to 
the  nature  of  the  soil  where  the  tree  is  to  go,  as 
nearly  as  possible. 

A  fir-st  step  in  this  operation  is  to  make  a  hole 
three  feet  deep.  The  subsoil  is  kept  separate, 
and  if  pai'ticularly  unfavorable  to  the  growth 
of  roots,  none  of  it  is  returned.  Such  mater- 
ial as  old  sods  from  the  roadside,  or  old  put- 
ting mould,  the  rougher  the  better,  is  the  main 
reliance,  either  used  alone  or  mixed  with  the 
soil  just  thrown  out. 

I  take  special  pains  in  placing  the  roots  when 
the  work  is  being  done.  The  tap-root  is  allowed 
to  descend  perpenrliculajdy  into  the  bed  of  new 
soil;  the  others  are  spreafl  out  in  the  directions 
they  lay  where  they  grew  before.  Then  each 
tree  is  laised  somewhat  above  the  orthnarv  sur- 
face,in  a  way  that  leaves  it  on  a  slight  elevation 


as  the  planting  is  finished.  This  has  the  effect 
of  throwing  the  water  off  from  the  base  of  the 
tnnik,  when  there  are  but  few  roots  to  the 
parts  on  whii-h  the  feechng  roots  exist. 

* 
*        * 

./tiniiurii  10.  Reference  was  made  to  the 
arrangTuent  of  Evergreens  here.  Let  me  en- 
large on  this.  Fir.st  of  all  be  it  understood  that 
I  detest  the  indiscriminate  mixing  up  of  kinds 
in  planting.  As  a  rule,  I  plant  either  as  isolat- 
ed specimens  or  else  in  uatiu-e-gi-oups,  but 
chiefly  the  latter.  The  groups  consist 
either  of  one  species  or  a  mixture  of  the 
different  varieties  and  species  of  the  same 
kind.  To  illustrate,  I  will  say,  that  one 
conspicuous  grou])  of  about  7")  feet  in 
length,  and  from  one-third  to  one-fourth 
of  this  width,  consists  of  Spruces.  At 
one  end  there  are  seven  of  the  free-growing 
Norway  Spruce  in  a  loose  clump.  At  the 
other  end  is  a  mass  of  the  dwarf  and 
compact  Finedon  Hall  Spruce;  there  are 
also  a  few  clumps  of  the  same  here  and 
there  along  the  front  edge  of  the  lai'ge 
group  throughout  its  length. 

Between  the  tall  Norway's  at  one  end 
and  the  dwarfs  at  the  other  end  of  this 
elongated  group  are  planted  several  dozen 
of  the  small  Pyramidal  Spruce,  backed  by 
half  as  mauj'  Glaucous  White  Spruce. 
Throughout  this  group,  as  in  all  my  ai'- 
rangements  of  this  kind,  I  do  not  clearly 
define  the  minor  groui«  but  allow  the 
members  of  different  ones  to  mingle  with 
each  other  at  their  edges.  The  general 
outlines  of  the  compound  groups  is  de- 
cidedl}-  free,  that  is  to  say  it  is  not  regular. 
The  description  of  this  one  group,  will 
give  an  idea  of  the  principle  I  adopt  in  all 
my  plantings  of  this  kind. 

■/iiiiudrii  ICi.     In  holding  up  the  claims 
of  the  Privets  for  ornamental  iilauting, 
not  enough  is  generally  made  I  think  of 
the  fact  that  they  are  half-evergreen  in 
character.     During  November  and  pai-t 
of  December,  when  most  deciduous  trees 
and  shrubs  ai'e  leafless,  these  are  as  green 
and  lively  in  appearance  as  at  any   pi-evious 
time.      A   mass  of    two  kinds,   the  Common 
and    the    Oval-leaved,    near   a    side    path,   is 
quite  certain  to  catch  the  eyes  of  all  going  that 
way,  during  the  fall  months,  by  their  liright 
green  foliage  in  the  midst  of  autmnn  desolation. 
But  it  is  not  the  leaves  alone  of  the  Privets 
that  prove  attractive  to  the  eye.  for  all  during 
fall  and  winter  the  shrubs  carry  a  quantity  of 
handsome  black  berries  about  the  size  of  peas, 
and  ai-ranged  in  clusters.     Then  flowering  late 
in  the  spring  as  these  shrubs  do,  and  when  the 
majority  of  June  bloomere  ai-e  done,  they  also 
prove  decidedly   ornamental  because  of  then- 
free  crop  of  white,  svveet-scentetl  flowers. 
* 
«       « 

JiniKdrii  'J-'.  I  am  much  i)leased  with  the 
Zebra  Eulalia  as  an  ornamental  plant.  In  the 
garden  b«Ls  during  summer  it  is  not  excelleil 
by  any  other  hardy  grass  of  equal  size,  for 
effectiveness ;  its  zebra-like  cross  variegations  of 
.yellow  on  the  green  ground  of  the  leaves,  giv- 
ing to  the  plant  a  very  striking  api>earance. 
But  aside  from  its  value  in  the  garden,  it  is  a 
fine  i)ot  [jlant  for  the  conservatoi-y  the  year 
around.  When  the  plant  was  first  introducerl 
from  Japan,  here  under  glass,  was  suiniosed  to 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


January, 


be  its  place  imtil  its  hardiness  became  known. 
As  a  pot  plant  the  Eulalia  is  delicate  and  gi-ace- 
ful  looking-  in  a  decided  degree,  and  along  with 
its  peeular  markings  is  sure  to  attract  atten- 
tion in  any  rolleci'tion  of  plants. 
* 
*       * 

Janudi'if  28.  In  managing  a  plant  conser- 
vatory, I  have  found  through  yeai's  of  exper- 
ience, that,  to  have  "air  on"  as  the  florists  say, 
for  a  longer  or  shorter  time  by  one  or  two  hours 
daily,  makes  agi'eatdifference  in  the  well  doing  ' 
of  the  plants.  My  rule  in  all  mild  weather  is 
to  go  over  the  house  four  times  daily,  in  open-  ] 
ing  and  closing  the  ventilatoi's. 

As  soon  as  the  outside  temperature  begins  to  i 
rise  a  little,  I  open  the  ventilators,  a  little  only ; 
then  in  perhaps  an  hour  I  go  through  the  house  \ 
again,  and  open  them  as  much  as  they  will  beai' ;  i 
in  the  afternoon  this  plan  is  reversed. 

Those  plant  growers  who  find  too  much 
trouble  in  this  system,  are  sure  also  to  find 
something  else  that  I  don't  often  meet,  namely: 
unhealthy  plants,  and  along  with  these  insects 
without  end,  to  cover  them. 


>>g^:^^^T^. 


THE  HOUSE   PLANTS. 

If  plants  put  forth  flowers  at  all  in  tliis  dark,  cold, 
opening  month  of  the  year,  it  must  be  mainly  on 
the  strength  of  earlier  stored-up  vitality. 

There  are  the  Hyaciuths.  Tulips  and  other  Dutch 
Bulbs,  however,  which  are  exactly  suited  by  natui'e 
for  now  doing  this,  and  doing  it  well,  if  allowed  to. 
The  bulbs  of  these  are  receptacle  of  acquired  plant 
food,  and  in  a  measure  which  permits  of  growth  and 
bloom  imder  conditions  decidedly  adverse  to  most 
plants  doing  much. 

On  these,  therefore,  we  may  depend  for  flowers 
in  January,  when  so  few  other  plants  are  disposed 
to  bloom.  But  this  class  of  bxdbs  are  so  well  adapt- 
ed to  house  ciUture  and  afford  so  much  beauty  and 
varietj'  in  their  flowers,  that  it  is  easy  with  these, 
and  the  few  Callas,  CameUias,  Carnations,  Cycla- 
mens, Heliotrope,  Libonias,  Chorozemas,  Primroses, 
and  so  on  that  are  now  likely  to  come  out  to  have 
quite  a  presence  of  fine  flowei's  even  now. 

Towards  the  end  of  ihe  month,  the  greater  length 
t.'f  the  (.lays  will  tell  favorably  on  the  growth  and 
bloom  of  other  plants,  helping  their  attractiveness. 
The  non-flowering  (under  common  culture)  kinds, 
such  as  Palms,  Aspidistras,  Rubber  Trees,  Ivies, 
Dracaenas  and  so  on,  should  now  be  looking  well. 
These  ought  to  be  rehed  upon,  to  give  a  charming 
tone  in  leaf  beauty,  to  the  winter  collection. 

Air.  On  all  mild  days  treat  the  plants  freely  to 
outside  air;  in  all  but  the  coldest  weather,  at  least 
some  air  shoidd  Ije  admitted  daily,  if  only  after  the 
morning  sweeping.  Much  dryness  in  the  air  is  un- 
favorable; a  vessel  of  water  on  the  back  of  the  stove 
to  evaporate  will  help  this  matter  greatly. 

Begonias  of  either  the  Rex  or  the  flowering  sorts 
are  among  the  best  of  house  ]>lants.  "WTiile  they 
have  no  need  of  bright  sunshine— in  fact  dislike  it, 
yet  a  light  place  in  other  respects  suits  them.  The 
Rex  division  delight  in  a  moist  atmosphere. 

Camellias.  Keep  in  a  temperature  near  50°,  be- 
low rather  than  above;  sponge  off  twice  a  week. 

Cinerarias.  Great  care  needs  to  be  taken  against 
their  becoming  pot-bound;  growth  must  be  constant. 

Cyclamens,  when  done  blooming,  are  usually  dried 
off;  a  better  CO ui"se  is  to  keep  them  growing  until 
spring,  then  turn  them  into  the  border  for  the 
Bummer. 

Daphnes  like  coldness  and  humidity  with  low  heat. 

Dutch  Bulbs.  As  the  earUer  started  ones  pass 
out  of  bloom  they  should  have  their  tlower  stalks 
cut  out.  Those  to  be  save<l  for  future  use  in  the 
garden  should  be  kept  in  a  cool,  light  place  until 
planting  out  time,  in  May. 

Late  started  ones  may  be  brought  into  heat  for  a 
succession  for  a  month  or  two  yet.  These,  as  we 
earlier  directed,  should,  after  potting,  be  kept  in  a 
cellar  or  other  dark,  cool  place,  until  they  are  well 
provided  with  rootn.  Before  showing  a  good  lot 
of  rootH  on  the  outside  of  the  ball  of  earth,  it  is 


really  useless  to  bring  them  in,  expecting  good  re- 
sults. As  for  watering  these  plants  when  growing 
in  heat,  it  can  hardly  be  overdone^Hyacinths  and 
Crocuses,  will  gi-ow  and  flower  with  their  roots  in 
water,  only,— a  wonderful  thing  for  plants  to  do.  and 
indicative  of  the  great  love  of  these  for  wetness. 

Fern  Cases.  Keep  moderately  wet;  too  much 
moisture  in  the  soil  tends  to  soxu-  if.  When  water- 
ing is  necessary,  follow  this  act  by  opening  the 
case  to  allow  surplus  moisture  to  readily  escape. 
Air  should  often  be  admitted  besides,  but  never 
while  any  dust  of  the  room  is  in  motion. 

Frbzen  Plants.  If  any  have  been  caught,  re- 
move at  once,  and  without  handling  the  leaves  if 
you  can,  to  a  temperature  a  little  above  the  freezing 
point,  say  at  So^.  A  careful  douse  of  each  plant 
into  cold  water  at  this  stage  will  also  be  helpful. 
Here  many  will  recover  with  but  shght  damage, 
that  in  a  higher  heat  would  be  much  injured.  If 
the  desired  temperature  is  lacking,  let  the  room  in 
which  they  are  standing  be  heated  gradually.  Sev- 
eral hghted  lamps  placed  on  the  floor  will  help  well 
at  the  start.  Avoid  above  all  else  ninning  up  a 
strong  heat— keep  it  below  4CP  until  the  frost  is  all 
out,  and  even  some  longer. 

Fuchsias  placed  in  a  cellar  in  the  fall  may  be 
brought  into  heat;  when  they  begin  to  show  new 
leaves  shift  into  pots,  a  size  or  two  smaller  than 
those  previously  occupied,  shaking  out  most  of  the 
old  earth.  The  soil  should  be  fresh,  light  and  well 
enriched  with  old  decayed  manure. 

Ivy  and  like  plants  with  heavy  leaves,  should  be 
often  washed,  for  the  sake  of  health  and  looks. 

Lemon  Verbenas.     See  directions  for  Fuchsias. 

Propagation,  Where  slips  of  any  kind  are  large 
enough  they  may  go  into  sand  for  rooting.  Plants 
kept  to  supply  cuttings  do  not  need  free  shifting,  as 
this  tends  to  excite  a  quick  and  succulent  growth 
that  is  not  so  favorable  for  making  young  plants. 
Give  the  cutting  box  a  light  and  even  sunny  place. 

Seed  Sowing.  For  early  plants  of  Mignonette, 
Petunia,  Maurandia,  Dusty  Miller  Centaurea  gym- 
liocarpa,  Golden  Feather,  and  Ten  Week  Stocks, 
the  seeds  should  be  sown  during  this  month. 


LAWN  AND  FLOWER  GARDEN, 

Little  can  be  done  m  this  department  diuiug  Jan- 
uary, save  to  plan  and  to  prepare  for  the  future. 
But  as  om*  success  In  gardening  depends  so  much 
upon  the  intelligence  and  foresight  brought  to  bear 
upon  our  work,  we  should  look  upon  this  first  month 
of  the  year,  wfth  the  large  amount  of  leisure  for 
study  aud  deliberation  that  it  brings,  as  a  most  im- 
portant one  in  the  garden  calendar. 

Catalogues  should  be  ordered  from  the  uui-series, 
seed  liouses  aud  implement  dealers  early,  that  am- 
ple time  may  be  had  in  studying  up  one's  needs. 
First  come  first  served  is  the  rule  in  filling  orders  by 
those  who  furnish  stock,  so  there  is  no  danger  of 
making  out  ordere  too  early.  Better  have  them  reach 
the  nui"sery  a  month  before  spring,  thus  securing 
the  stock  early,  than  to  get  there  so  late  that  plant- 
ing may  be  delayed  dangerously.  Seeds  especially, 
should  be  gotten  around  early  in  anticipation  of  the 
early  sowings. 

Flower  Beds.  As  no  one  ever  thinks  of  planting 
the  same  beds  alike  year  after  year,  so  the  sooner 
the  coming  season's  plans  are  decided  on,  the  better 
for  getting  up  the  needed  stock  bj-  plauting-out  time. 

Hollyhocks.  By  sowing  seed  now  in  the  w'indow 
or  under  glass,  and  planting  out  in  Maj',  these  plants 
will  tlower  as  annuals  in  September. 

Hybrid  Perpetual  Roses  earthed  up  a  foot  deep 
for  the  winter,  are  sure  to  come  thi'ough  safely.  If 
this  was  not  done  in  the  fall,  coal  ashes  from  the 
stove  may  yet  be  apphed  instead.  ^Mien  emptying 
them  out,  sprinkle  them  with  water  to  prevent  their 
blowing  away. 

Mice  are  prone  to  girdle  trees  and  shnibs  when 
supplies  of  food  are  cut  off.  They  work  under  the 
snow  ordinarily,  hence  if  the  snow  be  kept  tramped 
about  the  trunks  of  trees  and  shiiibs,  their  oppor- 
tunity is  taken  from  them.  Their  food  being  scarce 
now,  trapping  with  tempting  bait.works  well. 

Pansies  t'<  'r  spring  bloom  may  be  sown  now. 

Rabbits  often  make  bad  work  gnawing  the  bark 
of  yovmg  trees.  Some  bloody  meat  or  liver  I'ubbed 
i>u  the  trunks  will  prevent  this. 

Bock  work  in  some  shape  is  desirable  in  nearly 
every  place.  This  is  a  good  season  for  gathering 
material  with  which  to  construct,  so  that  when 
spring  comes  formation  may  be  begmi  early.  One 
or  two  kinds  of  stone  look  better  usually  in  construc- 
tions of  this  kind  than  more  would,  the  idea  being 
to  make  it  appear  as  if  the  stone  were  natural  to  the 
place.  In  the  absence  of  stone,  fair  substitutes  may 
be  had  in  the  odd  shaped  chnkei-s  that  come  from 
fiunaces.   and  distorted   burned  bricks  from  kilns. 


Eustic  work  may  now  be  made.  Cedar  is  a  favor- 
ite and  easily  worked  wood  for  this  purpose— now 
that  the  swamps  are  closed  it  is  readily  procured. 
Lam-el  w^ood.  and  especially  its  roots,  is  another  fav- 
orite material;  but  many  other  kinds  that  will  work 
up  well  may  be  used.  AVith  a  little  ingenuity  rustic 
tables,  seats,  arbore,  vases  and  so  on  may  be  maile 
that  will  be  both  beautiful  and  inexpensive. 

Snow  drifts  so  high,  where  young  trees  are  stand- 
ing, as  to  reach  above  the  place  of  branches  leaving 
the  tnmks.  are  liable  to  cause  the  limbs  to  break, 


Heating  with  a  Coal-Oil  Lamp, 
wheu  later  the  snow  settles  away.     A  little  shoveling 
will  prevent  this.    Snow  that  has  accumulated  in 
the  tops  of  evergreens  or  shrubs  should  be  shaken 
out  ivhen  it  is  Hght  and  soft. 

Tree  Pruning,  if  any  part  of  a  tree  lacks  in  free 
growth,  by  pinming  now,  the  shoots  will  push  with 
increased  vigor  next  year.  See  article  in  December 
issue.  All  scars  above  an  inch  across  should  be 
coated  with  paint  or  tar  to  keep  out  moisture. 


PLANT    CULTURE     UNDER    GLASS 

Amaryllis.  Repot  those  showing  signs  of  growth, 
watering  very  little  at  fii"St  but  gradually  increasuig. 

Azaleas  coming  into  bloom  need  plenty  of  water. 
A  collection  may  be  had  in  tlower  over  a  much 
longer  season,  if  different  temperatures  are  at  com- 
mand, by  bringing  some  into  high  heat  by  degrees, 
for  early,  keeping  others  cooler,  some  quite  cool. 

Begonia  Rex  may  be  propagated  now  from 
leaves.  Turn  well  matured  ones  of  these  bottom 
side  up,  and  with  a  sharp  knife  cut  the  main  ribs 
here  and  there,  and  just  below  dividing  points, 
at  about,  say  nine  places.  Then  lay  on  sand,  with 
the  right  side  up,  in  a  heat  of  ()()<^  with  a  httle  sand 
on  top  of  the  leaf  to  weigh  it  down.  The  ah  should 
be  moist.  We  have  Hung  the  leaves  under  bedded 
Rose  bushes,  grown  for  Rose  buds,  and  without  fiu*- 
ther  care  have  found  them  to  root  well. 

Broken  glass  must  have  immediate  attention. 
In  our  greenhouse  we  keep  "  life  preservere,*"  made 
in  several  sizes  on  hand,  to  close  up  any  breaks  until 
they  can  be  repaired.  These  consist  of  pieces  of 
board  a  trifle  larger  than  one,  two  or  more  panes  of 
glass  respectively,  and  which  are  used  to  lay  over 
any  breaks.  A  screw-eye  is  put  into  one  ^ide  near 
the  center  of  each  board,  and  to  this  is  attached  a 
cord,  holding  a  weight,  for  keeping  tlie  board  in  place 
over  the  opening.    These  serve  their  purpose  well. 

Bulbs  like  Gladiolus,  Tuberose  and  the  like  should 
be  looked  after  at  this  season  that  they  are  in  good 
order.  Ciladiolus,  Cannas  and  Dahhas  are  often 
kept  under  the  greenhouse  stages;  see  that  no 
moisture  comes  to  them  to  induce  gi'owth  now. 
Tuberoses  and  others  should  be  cleaned  up,  and 
have  the  offsets  removed  during  the  winter's  leisure. 

Flowering  Begonias  that  have  gone  out  of  bloom 
should  be  pruned  somewhat  and  kept  rather  dry. 
When  signs  of  new  growth  appear,  repot.  Avoid 
over*watering  always. 

Fuchsias  should  now  be  struck  for  nice  spring 
plants.  Once  in  jjots  they  are  impatient  of  cramped 
root  room ;  let  them  not  want  water  or  light.  Plants 
stuck  after  this  should  not  have  their  tops  pinched 
off,  but  should  be  grown  naturally  and  quick. 

Geraniums.  Fall  propagated  ones  wiU  be  putting 
on  new  signs  of  vigor  now^;  see  that  they  are  not 
in  the  way  of  being  crowded  with  the  fii"st  in- 
crease of  growth  l)y  standing  to  close.  Repot  to 
produce  a  good  growth  for  spring.  Geraniums  of 
the  tricolor  section  being  less  robust  than  the  com- 
mon sorts,  need  a  little  extra  attention.  They  de- 
light in  a  warm  place,  say  bo",  and  much  light,— 
shelves  near  the  glass  in  a  Bouvardia  house  suiting. 

Heating.  For  heating  a  small  plant  house  or  to 
provide  extra  heat  in  the  colder  parts  of  one,  a  coal 
oil  heater  may  often  be  used  to  advantage.  The  ac- 
couipanyiug  cut  shows  such  a  stove  with  hot  water 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


attachment,  ami  pipes  to  convey  the  heat  for  some 
distance.  Ttie  upper  part  consists  simply  of  a  cone 
shaped  water  jacket  of  copper  or  galvanized  iron, 
to  wbich  is  connected  a  continuous  pipe  (shown 
broken  in  the  eutt  two  or  more  inches  in  diameter, 
for  circulating  the  hot  wat^^r  to  impart  heat.  Un- 
derneath is  a  movable  base  in  which  I  be  lami>  is 
set.  A  pipe  for  conducting  any  smoke  or  smell 
arismg  from  combustion  to  a  chuuney  or  stove  pipe 
is  provided.  Heaters  of  this  or  a  similar  style  are 
much  used  in  England.  One  advantage  possessed 
is  the  slight  care  needed  to  manage  them. 

Orchids  at  rest  should  have  a  complete  rest,  with 
not  a  drop  more  of  water  than  is  absolutely  needed 
to  prevent  the  bulbs  shriveling.  Better  if  they  nmst 
suffer,  that  it  be  from  too  little  instead  of  too  much 
moisture.  Cattle3"as,  (^ncidiimis,  and  othei-s  with 
large  fleshy  bulbs  need  even  less  water  than  the 
Vandas.  Saccolabiums.  Aerides  and. those  of  a  sim- 
lar  st.vle  of  growth.  AMieu  watering  is  really  nec- 
essary, do  it  eai'ly  in  the  day  and  so  carefully  that 
the  tender  foliage  wUl  not  become  splashed  over. 
The  temperatiu'e  for  Orchids  should  he  very  regular  1 
as  a  general  thing,  but  during  excessively  cold  spells 
it  would  be  better  to  allow  the  thermometer  to  drop 
a  few  degrees  below  the  average,  than  to  employ 
vei'y  strong  firing  in  ordei'  to  reach  its  reg\i!ar  height. 

Pelargoniums.  The  beauty  of  these  attractive 
spring  flowers  later,  will  depenil  upon  free  growth 
now.  The  plants  like  rather  a  warm  dry  place, 
plenty  of  room,  air  and  sun-light. 

Feperomias.  Propagate  by  division  or  else  by  in- 
serting the  leaf  stalks  into  sand,  to  have  the  leaf 
lying  closp  down  to  the  same. 

Petunias.    Du'ections  for  Geraniums  will  apply. 

Roses.  The  chief  requirements  of  the  ever  bloom- 
ing class  nr.w.  is  a  uniform  temperature  of  from  5.5'= 
to  60°  by  night,  with  15°  or  20°  higher  by  day;  syr- 
inging twice  daily;  a  flttle  air  on  all  suitable  days, 
and  if  the  soil  shows  signs  of  exhaustion,  liquid  ma- 
nm'ing  once  a  week.  The  plants  should  be  gone 
over  at  intervals  and  have  all  blind  shoots  as  well 
as  unduly  straggling  ones  removed.  If  in  cutting 
Roses  these  are  taken  off  with  stems  running  back 
to  the  second  eye  from  the  uext  larger  branch,  little 
other  pruning  besides  this  mentioned  will  be  needed. 

Hybrid  Perpetuals  now  under  way,  must  have 
an  abundance  of  water,  and  plenty  of  air.  A  high 
temperature  is  not  needed. 

Seed  sowing.      See  under  The  House  Plants. 

Spring  plants  should  be  propagated  according 
to  their  habits;  those  flowering  only  after  consider- 
able growth  has  been  made  first,  while  quick  bloomers 
may  have  this  deferred.  Favor  kinds  of  which  stock 
is  scarce  for  hurrying  up  the  growth  of  cuttings. 

Ventilate  freely  in  bright  and  mild  weather  to 
keep  the  atmosphere  sweet. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Catalogues-    See  under  Lawu  and  Flower  Garden, 

Currants  niay  be  pruned  by  shortening  the  last 
seasons  growth,  and  trimming  to  fonn  open  head. 

Cuttings.  If  Grape  or  Currant  cuttings  were 
made  in  the  fall,  the^-  should  have  slight  protection 
now;  an  inch  in  thickness  of  straw  will  answer. 

Gooseberries.    Dn-ections  for  Currants  will  apply. 

Grape  Vines  in  localities  where  they  are  not 
covered,  and  are  not  yet  pruned,  should  be  pruned 
in  mild  days  before  spring,  to  prevent  free  lileeding. 
It  is  not  known  that  bleeding  does  any  real  hurt,  it 
certainly  does  no  good,  being  unnatural,  and  it  looks 
unsightlj'  so  had  better  be  prevented. 

Insects.  Very  few  are  visible  at  this  season,  and 
yet  a  sharp  eye  run  over  the  branches,  may  detect 
the  rings  of  tent  caterpillar  eggs  on  them:  and  also 
cocus  insects  when  present.  Wherever  found 
remove  them;  each  one  of  the  former  destroyed 
now.  is  equivalent  to  lessening  the  caterpillars  of 
uext  season  by  three  or  four  hundi'ed. 

Lahels  on  trees,  if  left  as  they  come  from  the 
nvirserj'-  "'i^  *^y  their  wires  as  the  branches  enlarge 
in  time,  cause  strangulation.  Serious  damage  is 
often  done  to  trees  in  this  way.  On  mild  days,  go 
over  the  trees  and  i-emove  any  that  are  liable  to  do 
this.  For  permanent  labels,  use  pine,  making  them 
heavy,  and  painting,  or  else  use  zink  and  in  either 
case,  copper  wire  about  size  Xo.  H5.  for  fastening  to 
the  trees  making  the  loops  so  large  that  in  years  the 
growth  will  not  fill  them. 

Mice  and  Rabbits.   See  under  other  depai-tments. 
Shelter  Belts.    The  winter  season  is  a  good  time 
to  consider  the  etfects  of    these  on  the  orchard. 
Before  spring  we  shall  say  more  on  this  subject. 

Tree  Pruning  may  be  done  in  mild  weather.  More 
harm  comes  from  over-jiruning  than  from  not 
pruning  enough.  Week  and  impeif  ect  shoots  should 
come  out,  as  also  such  as  cross  each  other  in  close 


conjuction.  Weak  or  stunted  trees  may  often  be 
helped  by  a  severe  cutting  back.  Aim  in  piiming 
to  open  the  head,.that  air  and  sun  can  enter. 

Tree  Trunks  may  be  scraped  of  loose  bark,  and  if 
infested  with  moss  orscale.be  painted  with  a  mixture 
of  lime,  soot  and  clay.  Work  the  brush  vigorously 
that  t!ie  lifpiid  may  get  into  every  crevice.  Some 
fruit  growers  find  in  liuseed  oil  one  of  the  best 
washes  againsi  bark  insects,  and  it  adds  to,  rather 
than  detracts  from  the  appearance  of  trees. 

Winter  Covering.  If  this  has  been  displaced, 
re-apply.  Some  dirt  or  moLst  coal  ashes  on  them 
may  serve  to  keep  down  light  covei*s. 


\im\i 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

At  the  South  farly  vegetables  may  be  sinvn  from 
January  to  April.  Vegetables  like  flowers,  may  be 
classed  as  hardy  and  tender,  the  former  ineludiiiK 
Peas.  Parsnips,  Parsley.  <^nion.  Leek,  Lettuce.  Cab- 
bage, ( 'auIiHower,  Cress.  Spinach,  Beets,  etc. ,  may  be 
sown  as  soon  as  the  conditi(>n  of  the  soil  will  allow, 
in  any  section.  Tender  kinds  such  as  Beans,  Toma- 
toes, Cucumbei's  and  Melons,  can  only  be  sown  with 
safety  South,  North,  or  anywhere  at  Corn-planting 
or  Cherry-blossoming  time. 

Cabhage  plants  in  frames  neetl  an  abmidance  of 
air  whenever  the  temperature  is  to  the  thawing  point 
and  abo\e,  below  this  they  need  net  be  urtcovered 
even  for  days  together. 

Hot  Beds.  For  these  horse  manure  should  be  ac- 
cumulated in  a  dry  place,  but  not  piled  so  deep  as 
to  induce  free  heating  before  it  is  needed.  A  few 
boards  or  rails  laid  up  slanting  where  the  manure  is 
deposited  to  prevent  close  settling,  will  aid  in  this. 

Lettuce  in  frames.     See  on  Cabbage  jjlants. 

Manure.  Plent.r  of  manure,  with  tillage  are  al- 
most the  only  secrets  of  raising  large  crops.  In  cold  j 
weather  and  with  frozen  ground  manure  hauling  ' 
may  be  done  with  greater  ease  to  teams,  than  at  any 
other  time.  Manure  should  not  however  be  spreail 
at  this  season  but  so  distributed  in  heaps,  as  to  be 
quickly  available  when  needed.  The  piles  should 
be  in  a  compact  rather  than  a  loose  scattered  form, 
to  prevent  waste  by  the  washing  out  of  the  strength 
before  the  earth  Ls  thawed  to  receive  it. 

nice  are  often  troublesome  in  frames,  cold  pits, 
root  cellars  and  the  like,  now  that  their  food  is 
scarce.  Fix  up  some  "  pills  "  for  them,  by  soaking 
peas  in  water  until  they  sweU,  then  roll  in  arsenic 
and  bury  just  below  the  surface  in  some  light  earth. 
They  will  take  these  in  preference  to  plants  or  veg- 
etables, and  it  will  be  better  that  they  should. 

Straw  mats  will  be  needed  where  there  are  sash 
beds,  A  good  size  is  to  make  them  the  width  of  a 
sash  and  a  halt,  and  of  a  length  to  hang  down  half 
a  foot  at  top  and  bottom  of  sash  over  edges  of  bed. 
Tools.  Put  in  order.  New  ones  that  are  needed 
may  be  made  or  ordered  in  the  winter's  leisure. 


FRUIT  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS. 

Asparagus.    Observe  dh'ections  for  Rhubarb. 

Cucumbers  in  bearing,  will  require  much  light, 
a  moist  but  not  very  hmnid  atmosphere,  and  a  brisk 
temperature.  An  occasional  watering  of  bearuig 
plants  with  weak  hquid  manure  will  be  of  use. 
Fumigate  for  Greenfly  or  Thrip. 

Graperies  that  are  now  being  started  up  should 
have  not  above  .^5''  of  heat  at  the  outset,  and  be  well 
syringed  twice  a  day,  to  assist  the  breaking  of  the 
buds.  As  the  young  gi-owth  appears,  sufticient  air 
must  be  admitted  to  prevent  the  growth  from  being 
weak  and  the  foliage  thin,  .\dvantage  should  be 
taken  of  mild  days  to  air  the  structure  freel.y. 

Mushrooms.  The  nearer  the  temperature  of  bear- 
ing beds  can  be  kept  to  liO°  the  better.  Steady 
temperature  will  greatl.y  prolong  the  bearing  of  the 
beils.    ^laniu-e  should  be  saved  up  for  new  beds. 

Rhubarb  under  glass,  nuist  be  kept  well  watered. 

Snow  on  Glass,  On  warm  forcing  houses  it  usu- 
ally soon  melts,  but  where  the  temperature  inside  is 
kept  rather  low.  it  may  need  removing.  A  snow 
scraper  three  feet  long  is  one  of  the  safe.st  articles 
for  removing  .soft  snow.  If  a  shovel  nuist  be  used, 
let  it  be  of  sufflcient  width  to  reach  over  at  least  two 
bars.  Cold  pits  that  are  frozen  up  should  not  have 
the  snow  removed  from  the  glass,  but  frames  that 
are  unfrozen  inside  nuist  be  kept  clear  of  snow. 

Strawberries  must  not  Vte  allowed  to  overbear, 
or  the  fruit  will  be  small:  a  modei-ate  number 
of  large  berries  are  much  more  satisfactory  than 
many  snmll  ones.  When  enough  have  set.  clip  off 
the  remaining  flowers,  and  then  later  count  some  in 
removing  the  smallest  ber-ries  also.  Appl.v  the 
syringe  to  keep  down  red  spider.  .\voiiI  both 
drouth  and  overwatering  at  the  root. 


This  being  the  PeopWs  Paper  it  ia  opeii  tu  all  their  In- 
quires, bearing  on  Gardening. 

On  the  other  hand,  answerit  to  published  inquires  are 
earnestly  requested  from  readers. 

The  editors  and  special  contributors  arc  ready  to  do  a 
large  share  of  the  an  steering,  but  the  extterience  of  many 
bring  moi'e  vatualile  than  of  the  feir,  however  varied  that  is. 
andconditions  andlocalitieN  heiiig  so  different,  they  prefer 
to  receive  ansteers,  even  several  of  them  to  the  same  ques 
tion,  from  rea<lers  ei^erytcherc.  Don't  hesitate  to  rerite 
because  you  may  feci  you  are  no  fine  writer:  give  facts  and 
ideas  and  the  editors  wilt  see  that  they  appear  in  credi- 
table shape. 

In  writing,  give  the  number  of  the  question  you  are  an. 
steering;  your  locality  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publica- 
tion unless  you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  side  of  tlie  paper 

Flowers  will  be  gladly  named  provided  first,  that  no  more 
than  three  be  sent  at  one  time.  Second,  that  these  be  fully 
prepaid.  Third,  that  several  specimens  of  each  reach  us  in 
good  shape.  We  cannot  undertake  to  name  florists'  varie- 
ties, 

^'.— Can  you  give  the  methods  adopted  bj-  the 
florist,  who  get  up  such  fine  specimens  of  Chry- 
santhemums, reported  in  the  pai)er?  When  are  cut- 
tings i>ut  in  :■    Are  they  pot  grown?— H.  H.  H. 

21.— Will  you  tell  me  what  plant  the  enclosed 
leaves  belong  to?  It  was  sent  me  niinurs  a  name — 
bore  large  ciustei-s  i  whitish  flowers  I  which  remained 
long  on  stem.  Is  it  Hyilrangea  or  Abutilon? — Mrs. 
RoBT.  Earl. 

'2. — Chrysanthemums,  How  do  florists  increase 
their  stock  of  the.se ';  Are  t  he  plants  left  in  the  green- 
hou.se  unpi-uned,  or  are  they  cut  back  or  divided? 
Must  I  water  or  dry  .off.— Mrs.  J.  S.  R.  T. 

3:1—1  have  a  grand  vine  of  Ipomea  Nocturna  or 
Evening  (ilory,  a  pure  white,  star-pointed  flower, 
pale  green  stripes  to  each  point,  deliciously  fragrant, 
which  I  desire  to  increase  but  do  not  know  first  step 
to  such  accomplishment.— Mrs.  J.  S.  R,  T. 

34— Plants  for  Growing  under  Stages.  Could 
you  name  a  hst  of  jjlants  for  this  use?  My  conserva- 
tory runs  east  and  west,  and  I  desire,  especially,  to 
stock  its  space  underneath  the  six  feet  wide  central 
stage.—  Novice. 

2.5.— Tacsonia.  I  have  heard  it  said  that  Tacso- 
nia's  can  be  raised  from  the  seed,  if  so  will  you 
please  direct  here.— J.  G.  H.arts. 

•21! —Palms  for  Greenhouse.  Oblige  'Ignoramus' 

b,y  naming  some  of  the  best  Palms  tor  a  cool  green- 
house. 

2r.— Quick  Growing  Hedge,  AVhat  plants  do 
you  recommend  fur  making  a  liedge.  along  m.v 
fruit  garden,  that  soon  will  be  fid!  and  handsome. — 
Walter  Gaims.  (''iltitftntijus  Co.,  X.Y. 

REPLIES  TO  INQUIRIES. 

4.— Select  Schrubs,  For  twelve  excellent  flower- 
ing Shrubs,  we  would  include  Golden  BeU  or  For- 
sythia,  Japan  Qninee,  Flowering  Plum.  Plum-leaved 
Spirtea,  Lilac  Persian.  Lanced-ieaved  Spira?a,  Large- 
flowered  Jlock  l.)range.  Double  Deutzia,  Weigela, 
Japanese  Spira;a,  Altlia>a,  Lange-panicled  Hydran- 
gea. For  increasing  the  nimiber  to  twent.v,  add  to 
the  above,  Mezeron.  Bush  Honeysuckle,  Dwarf, 
Snowball.  Alder-leaved  Clethra,  Purple  Fringe.— A. 
H.  E. 

12.— Black  Insects.  Dust  the  Chiysanthemums 
with  tobacco  powder,  obtained  by  sifting  the  refuse 
of  cigar  shops,  through  a  fine  seive.— Mrs.  Geo. 

WiLSGER,  Lltkv  i'll..  Ohio. 

l.i.— India  Rubber  Tree.  The  matter  of  propa- 
gating this  tree,  will  receive  full  attention  m  the 
coming  March  issue.— Eds.  Popclar  Gardening. 

Ki.— Tree  Paeony.  It  would  be  impossible  to  point 
the  cause  of  the  flower  buds  blasting,  without  see- 
ing the  plant,  its  l.>catioii,  etc.  I  have  noticed  that 
they  grow  ami  blimin  lietter  in  a  sunny  exposiu-e 
then  where  there  is  shade.  They  delight  in  a  rich 
loamy  soil.— -V.  H.  E. 

31— Names  Wanted.  It  is  not  possible  as  a  rule, 
to  name  plants  from  leaves  alone.  These  enclosed 
are  certainly  not  Abutilon.  they  may  be  some  species 
of  Hydrangea,  jierhaps  H.  Hortensi's.— Eds.  P.  ti. 

22.— Chrysanthemum.  See  answer  to  No.  13,  page 
27,  December  number.  Previous  to  going  to  rest, 
as  there  reterreil  t.i,  the  i>lants  are  cut  down  to  the 
groimd.  Florists  pr.^iiagate  their  stock  in  Febru- 
ary and  March  iisuallv.  in  which  case  the  old  plants 
should  be  started  into  new  growth,  the  latter  part  of 
this  month.  Young  shoots  spring  up  from  the 
roots,  and  these  are  used  for  propagation.— A.  H.  E. 

ir.-Plants  for  Shade,  On  our  place  the  follow- 
ing succeed  well  in  a  sliaily  yard.  Sweet  \  lolets, 
Dicentra  or-  Bleeding  Heart,  Bloodroot,  Tiilhums. 
Hepatica's,  some  Campanula's.  Vinca,  Moueyvine, 
several  of  the  Herbaceous  Spirii's  and  Saxifrages 
among  plants  ;  Tree-Box.  Privet,  Ivy,  Daphne  aiid 
Kalmias,  among  hard  wood  growths.— Mrs.  R.  L. 
Wade,  Biirustnlttc  Co.,  .l/r/.ss. 

18.— Cissus  discolor.  Aside  from  requiring  the 
accominnil,itioiis  of  a  hot -house  temperature,  this 
plant  nerds  huuiiditv  and  shade.  Care  must  be 
taken  not  U'  syringe  the  leaves  of  the  plant,  tor  this 
will  destroy  their  exquisite  luster.— Williams  Bros. 

m— Cactus  not  Blooming.  You  do  not  specify 
the  kind  of  Cactus  you  have.  In  general  it  may  be 
said,  that  Cactuses  are  natives  of  regions  where  there 
is  an  excessively  dry  season,  and  an  excessively  wet 
season  in  each  year.  Such  a  condition  should  be 
imitated  in  our  culture  of  them:  the  winter  season 
should  be  the  ili'v  season  for  most  sorts.— .\.  H.  E. 


40 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


January, 


The  Violets. 

Under  the  heiige,  all  safe  and  vvai-in. 
Sheltered  friini  boisterous  wind  and  storm 

We  Violets  lie 

With  each  small  eye 
( 'kisely  shut  while  the  cold  goes  by. 
You  look  at  the  bank,  mid  the  biting  frost. 
And  you  sigh  and  you  say  that  we're  dead  and  lost; 

But  Lady  stay 

For  a  sunny  day. 
And  you'll  find  us  again,  alive  and  gay. 

— Loui!<a  Ttramley. 


On  a  Greenhouse. 

Here,  front  earth's  dwdal  heights  and  dingles  lowly ; 
The  representatives  of  nature  meet; 
Not  like  a  Congress,  or  Alliance  Holy 
01  kings,  to  rivet  chains,  but  with  their  sweet 
Blossoming  mouths  to  preach  the  love  complete. 
That  with  iiearlcl  mistletoe,  and  beaded  holly. 
Clothed  them  in  green  unchangeable,  to  greet 
Winter  with  smiles,  and  banish  melancholy. 
I  envy  not  the  Emathian  madman's  fame. 
Who  won  the  world,  and  built  immortal  shame 
On  tears  and  blood;  but  if  some  Hower,  new  found. 
In  its  embalming  cup  might  shroud  my  name. 
Mine  were  a  tomb  more  worthily  renowned 
Than  Cheops'  pile,  or  Artemisia's  mound. 

—Horitrc  Smith . 


This  is  Priiiinise  time. 

The  Sunflower  is  American. 

Azalea  blooms  last  for  weeks. 

Now,  we  prize  the  Chorozeraa. 

Heliotrope  is  too  fragile  for  wear. 

Dirt  from  hollow  trees  is  poor  stuff. 

Start  the  year  right  by  subscribing. 

We  enjoy  variety;  in  plants  we  get  it. 

Flowers  are  the  smiles  of  the  Creator. 

The  Gladiolus  came  from  South  Africa. 

A  starved  Rosebush  will  not  blossom  much. 

Plants,  like  people,  grow  puny  for  lack  of  siui. 

The  Mountains  are  in  fashion :  they  are  claJ 
in  Firs. 

See  our  offer  of  papers  at  club  rates  else- 
where. 

A  popular  act:   Subscribing    for    Popular 

r-rARDEXIXi:. 

The  Yucca  is  known  as  the  Dagger  Plant  in 
some  places. 

There  are  more  than  fifty  named  varieties  of 
the  rHeander. 

The  'Wood  of  Privet  is  so  hard  that  it  is  used 
for  shoe  i^egs. 

In  gardening,  every  day  brings  its  portion 
of  new  deliglit. 

The  word  taste,  as  used  Ijy  the  world  at  large, 
is  of  vague  im])ort. 

The  craze  for  carpet  bedding  is  certainly  on 
the  decline  in  Europe. 

In  Winter  water  the  house  plants  in  the  morn- 
ing: in  summer,  at  night. 

Your  Roman  Hyacinths  must  lie  counted  as 
late,  if  tile  first  are  not  in  yet. 

The  Dahlia  was  named  in  honor  of  Andrew 
Dahl.  a  celebrated  Swedish  botanist. 

In  our  garden  perennials  give  more  satisfac- 
tinn  than  annuals,  but  we  grow  both. 

Narcissus  of  the  beautiful  Tazetta  section 
grow  wild  by  the  acre  on  the  Isle  of  Corsica, 

A  Rosebush  in  Charleston,  Ma.ss.,  thirty-five 
years  old  liears  over  one  thousand  flowers  annu- 
ally. 

In  the  worst  of  seasons  at  gardening,  the  re- 
wards more  than  make  u])  for  the  disappoint- 
ments. 


Gardening  for  pleasure  combines  repose  and 

activity.     It  is  rest  in  work  and  work  in  rest. 

Popular  Gardening  welcomes  notes,  articles, 

and  questions  about  gardening  from   all  its 

readers. 

A  gardener  of  our  acquaintance  objects  to 
large  Box  trees  near  the  dwelling,  because  of 
the  odor. 

"  There  are  no  ancient  gentlemen  but  gar- 
deners. They  hold  up  Adam's  profession."— 
Hamlet  V.I. 

To  Advertisers.  Matt«?r  tor  insertion  should 
reach  us  by  the  14th  of  the  month,  for  the 
month  following. 

To  he  one  of  the  first  .")0,(«lOsubscril)ers  of  our 
successful  paiier,  will  be  a  thing  to  feel  proud 
of  in  years  to  come. 

Don't  make  the  common  mistake  of  growing 
more  plants  than  you  have  room  for,  be  it  in 
the  windows  or  in  the  glass  house. 

A  yearly  subscription  to  this  pape)'  makes 
a  splendid  New  Year's  gift,  and  one  to  call  to 
mind  the  donor  all  through  the  year. 

The  Gardeners  Monthly  for  December  con- 
tains an  excellent  likeness  of  F.  J.  Scott,  the 
author  of  ' '  Scott's  Suburban  Homes. " 

An  old  Elm  in  Kingston,  N.  Y".,  is  a  favorite 
nest  building  place  for  birds:  more  than  '200 
nests  have  been  built  in  it  in  a  season. 

Reader,  have  you  yet  subscribed  for  this  pa- 
per ;  If  not,  do  this  creditable  act  at  once,  for 
the  sake  of  yourself,  your  family  and  the  paper. 
Look  out  to  have  the  tobacco  that  is  burned, 
to  kill  fly  in  the  greenhouse,  damp  enough  not 
to  create  a  blaze,  for  this  would  create  a  dan- 
gerous gas. 

An  old  Calla.  Our  correspondent,  Mrs.  E.  'S 
P.,  of  Trout  Rim,  Pa.,  writes  of  having  had 
the  same  Calla  and  its  young,  in  cultivation 
for  twenty  years. 

Cannas  in  Winter.  Mr.  A.  KatoU,  of  this 
city,  tells  us  that  in  a  temperature  upwards  of 
(50°  high,  this  jilaut  may  be  kept  growing  the 
year  aroimd  without  receiving  rest. 

The  Old  White  Lily,  /..  ranclirluiii.  might 
almost  be  called  an  evergreen  bidb.  Blooms 
in  early  summer;  doi'mant  soon  after;  growth 
of  leaves  follow  in  the  fall  and  spring. 

Wax  Plants.  Because  these  seem  to  stand  it 
well  in  the  darker  parts  of  a  room,  do  not  ex- 
pect them  to  do  much  at  flowering  next  sima- 
mer,  if  wintered  here,  away  from  the  light. 

A  stone  fence,  unsightly  though  it  may  be,  is 
susceptible  of  being  turned  into  an  object  of 
the  highest  picturesque  beauty,  by  planting 
Wistaria,  Clematis  and  other  climbers  along 
its  course. 

Be  content,  even  if  you  cannot  grow  flowers 
as  large  as  they  do  in  California  and  other 
countries  so  favorable  to  growth.  Their  large 
flowers  are  neither  as  sweet  nor  as  lasting  as 
those  we  raise. 

John,  the  tree  pruner  of  "  heighteen  years 
hexperience,"  would  have  no  vocation  among 
the  Hindus ;  their  heathenish  religion  prevents 
them  from  treating  even  plants  and  trees  other- 
wise than  tenderly. 

Adam's  Needle,  Ym-ca  Jilaiiicnfosa,  deserves 
more  attention,  as  a  hardy  lawn  plant.  It  is 
an  Evergreen ;  it  is  picturesijue  in  appearance ;  it 
is  a  handsome  bloomer  about  Jidy  1st: and  it  is 
grown  with  the  greatest  ease. 

In  the  South — we  learn  fi-om  a  correspon- 
dent, the  Chrysanthemmn  is  not  considered  a 
reliable  flower,  notwithstanding  the  lon.g  sea- 
son that  ought  to  be  favorable  to  its  bloom. 
The  trouble;  hot,  dry  summers.  Is  this  the 
general  experience  of  our  readers  of  the  South; 
She  would  help:  Husband — Hulda,  dear,  I 
see  the  Asparagus  is  large  enough  to  cook, 
would  you  like  to  gather  the  first  fruit  of  the 
season,  your.self ;  Y'oung  wife  (anxious  to  con- 
ceal her  ignorance) — I  tell  .vou  what  Adolphus, 
we  will  go  together,  then  you  pluck  it  while 
I  hold  the  ladder. 


To  our  friends  !  For  remitting  small  sums,  say 
the  price  of  this  paper,  the  new  postal  notes, 
are  a  great  convenience.  They  cost  but  three 
cent.'>  erirh,  and  are  to  be  had  of  ei-ei-tj  post- 
master in  the  United  States,  Don't  send  checks 
on  your  local  banks,  they  cannot  be  collected 
here  without  discount. 

Oliver  Wendell  Holmes,  in  a  letter  to  the 
American  Forestry  Congress,  held  last  Septem- 
bei"  in  Boston,  in  which  he  referred  to  the 
wanton  destruction  of  forests,  said  pertinently, 
he  hoped  the  people  would  allow  the  country  to 
retain  "  leaves  enough  to  hide  its  nakedness, 
of  which  it  is  already  beginning  to  be  ashamed. " 

The  Hardy  Catalpa,  so  called,  C.  xjjeviosa, 
according  to  the  Bulletin  No.  7  of  the  Agricul- 
tural College  of  Lansing,  Michigan,  proves  to 
be  no  hardier  in  those  parts,  than  the  Common 
Catalpa,  ('.  bignoniaide.'t.  The  latter  species 
is  a  handsome  and  hardy  tree  in  most  sections 
of  the  country  if  not  greatly  exposed  to  high 
winds  in  winter. 

With  50,000  subscribers  on  our  books  within 
one  year,  and  the  price  of  this  pajjer  will  re- 
main permanently  at  00  cents  a  year.  Will 
you  who  read  these  words,  if  you  are  not  a 
subscriber  now,  do  your  share  towards  our 
reaching  this  end  '.  Most  any  one  of  you  could 
easily  get  one  or  more  neighbors  to  subscribe 
also.     This  woidd  help  greatly. 

Those  who  try  their  hand  at  potting  plants 
for  the  first  time,  usually  manage  to  fill  the  pots 
even  full  of  soil  at  this  first  efl'ort,  but  not 
often  afterwards.  They  soon  see,  or  ought  to, 
that  the  water  applied  wiU  not  disobey  the 
laws  of  nature,  even  for  a  novice,  by  staying 
on  the  soil  for  soaking  in,  uidess  the  pot  rim 
or  something  else  is  there  to  hold  it. 


THE  FAN   PALM— ILATANIA  BOURBONICA). 

Plants  receive  not  all  their  food  through 
the  roots,  but  also  a  good  deal  through  their 
leaves  from  the  ail-.  Indeed,  some  kinds  like 
Air  plants  of  the  Orchis  and  other  families 
live  on  air  wholly.  These  facts  point  to  the 
importance  of  pm-e  air  for  plants.  An  atmos- 
phere charged  with  gas  or  other  deleterious 
substances  soon  plays  havoc  with  jilant  life. 

Oh,  now  be  fair!  We  refer  to  those  exchanges 
who  drop  down  on  our  carefully  prepared  col- 
umns, clip  out  matter  wliich  is  solely  our  own. 
and  print  it  in  their  jiages  without  giving  Pop- 
ular (tardexln-g  due  credit.  We  detest  such 
a  practice  as  we  detest  thieving  from  our  or- 
chard or  from  our  purse.  Clip  if  .you  wUl,  but 
give  credit  where  credit  is  due.  That's  aU  we 
ask. 

With  January  1st,  Mr.  E.  H.  Libby's  pajjer, 
The  American  Ganlen,  assumes  the  dignity  of 
an  enlarged  «2.00  monthly.  Popular  Ctar- 
DENING  so  far  from  being  envious  at  this  sign 
of  prosperity,  wishes  this  excellent  paper  great 
success,  in  its  new  departure.  We  go  f iu^;her ; 
we  offer  Popular  Ctardening  and  the  Garden 
together  for  one  year  for  *2.(K),  the  price  of  the 
latter  alone. 

We  like  to  meet  people  who  think  that  their 
own  flower  gai-den  is  the  best  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, just  as  we  like  to  see  parents  having  high 
opinions  of  their  own  children.     If  a  prize  could 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


41 


l)e  offei-ed  for  the  best  flower  garden  in  any  one 
county  that,  might  lie  named,  there  would  no 
doubt  lie  many  entries  for  the  prize.  The  cul- 
ture of  flowers  admits  of  a  large  amount  of 
good  uatUT-i'd  ri\alry. 

The  celebrated  Rosebush  at  Hildasheim.  iu 
Hanover,  l)elieved  to  be  l,tKlli  years  old  (tradi- 
tion says  it  was  planted  by  Charlemagne), 
never  bore  so  many  roses  as  in  the  past  season. 
The  shoots  grafted  on  its  ti-unk  in  recent  years 
are  growing  admirably.  The  bush  stands  at 
the  outer  wall  of  the  catheih-al  crypt.  Its 
branches  extend  about  ;is  feet  high,  and  34  feet 
in  width.     It  is  an  object  of  much  curiosity. 

The  Japanese  have  some  unique  notions  of 
garden  adornment.  One  of  these  is  the  mak- 
ing of  borders  to  walks,  some  two  feet  wide, 
and  filled  in  with  variously  colored  clays,  which 
are  so  abundant  in  Japan.  The  nearest  thing  to 
this  which  we  have  met,  was  the  use  of  snow 
whitt'  gravel  and  small  shells  of  difl'erent  colors, 
used  along  with  plants  in  the  formation  of 
some  elaborate  carpet  beds,  in  past  years  in 
Linct)ln  Park,  Chicago. 

There  is  a  great  need  in  some  parts  of  the 
great  West  for  sound  inf  ( irmation  on  gardening. 
For  example,  ahnost  anything  would  be  better 
than  ridiculous  trash  like  this,  which  lately  ap- 
peared in  a  floral  .iournal  of  that  region: 
"With  Heliotrope,  Fuchsias,  etc. ,  of  a  tender 
woolly  nature,  split  the  ends  of  your  slips  and 
insert  an  oat ;  tie  with  a  .string :  the  oat  swells 
in  a  day  or  so,  and  will  nourish  the  plant  and 
assist  the  cutting  to  root. "      Fudge ! 

"As  juicy,  and  rich  in  good  meat  as  an  apple," 
is  what  Mr.  Or.  L.  Heinhoklof  Wayne  Co.,  Fa.. 
says  of  Popular  Uardenin<;.  If  wewerechs- 
posed  to  follow  the  example  of  some  publish- 
ei-s  we  would  give  column  after  column  of  kind 
words,  which  our  subscribers  have  to  sa3'  for 
this  paper.  The  above  extract  is  .so  full  and 
pointed,  that  it  is  given  as  a  i'e]jresentation  of 
all  these.  Our  rule  is  to  let  the  papei'  speak  its 
own  praises,  by  the  valuable  matter  we  insert. 

A  good  paper.  Our  table  is  every  month 
visited  by  a  neat  6md  excellent  journal  from 
Highland  Park,  Chicago,  called  the  Floriil 
W'oilil.  It  treats  chiefly  of  the  beautiful  and 
cm'ious  things  found  in  the  floral  world ;  surely 
there  ai'e  enough  of  these  to  well  occupy  one 
paper.  It  also  contains  floricultnral  directions 
suited  to  amateui's.  Harleigh  Gillette  is  its 
publisher,  and  M  cents  a  year  its  price.  We  can, 
by  special  arrraugement,  furnish  this  paper  and 
Fopri.AR  (iARDENixii  for  one  year  at  '.10  cents. 

Fainting  Iron  Pipes.  Few  things  add  more 
to  the  good  appearance  of  a  plant  house,  than 
to  have  the  pipes  and  other  iron  work  kept 
painted  a  jet  black.  .1  bad  paint  for  this  pur- 
pose and  one  often  tried  with  disappointment, 
is  lampblack  mixed  with  linseed  oil — it  doesn't 
dry  well.  Instead,  use  1  lb.  of  ordinary  black 
jjaint,  1-1  lb.  patent  dryer,  and  thin  for  use 
with  one-third  vai'nish  and  two-thirds  boiled 
oil.  This  will  dry  anywhere  or  on  any  surface 
that  is  clean.  Two  thin  coats  well  worketl- 
iu  are  bettei-  than  one  thick  one. 

A  great  Pansy  Bed.  It  is  located  at  the 
Assembly  grounds,  Chautauqua  Lake.  It  is 
called  the  '"  Pansy  Plat."  and  has  a  fountain  in 
its  midst,  and  neatly  trimmed  grass  around. 
Seed  for  the  bed  was  received  from  interested 
persons  in  various  states,  and  this  was  sow'n, 
thelxfl  properly  prepared  andplante<l.  and  now 
is  protected  for  the  winter.  Next  year  "  Pansy 
Plat "  will  be  one  of  the  tirst  objects  sought 
out  by  nmltitudes  of  visitors  to  Chautauqua, 
and  the  little  flowers  will  look  up  with  sweet 
glad  faces  to  welcome  all  comei'S. 

Get  up  a  Club.  Many  persons  have  up  to 
this  date  succeeded,  with  a  little  eflfort  when 
out  on  calls  and  visits,  in  getting  up  clulis  for 
this  paper,  thus  securing  in  clubs  of  five,  a 
copy  free,  in  etfect.  They  pronounce  the  work 
remarkably  easy  to  do,  toi'  the  handsome  paper, 
its  instructive  engravings,  its  miuss  of  informa- 
tion, and  then  its  low  jn'ice  make  foi'  it  friends 


at  once.  But  we  net>d  many  more  clubs  liefore 
our  quota  of  ."i(l,(KIII  sidwcribers  is  full.  Will 
not  you,  reader,  help  along  the  goo<l  work  ; 
Single  subscrii)tions  (Id  cents.  In  clubs  of  five 
and  upwards,  .')(>  cents  each. 


COWSLIPS   IN  JANUARY. 

The  Fan  Palm,  Lnlania  Honrlnmivii.  illus- 
ti'ated  opposite,  is  one  of  the  best  known  of 
all  the  Palms.  It  is  suitable  as  a  window  plant, 
or  for  summer  decoration  in  the  open  ground, 
and  no  collection  of  greenhouse  plants  is  con- 
sidered complete  without  one  or  morejjlants  of 
it.  Under  gla.ss  it  sometimes  reaches  the  height 
of  twelve  or  more  feet ;  but  it  cannot  be  said 
that  its  beauty  increases  with  size.  In  fact  as 
it  acquires  age,  it  loses  the  compactness  of 
form,  which  is  one  of  its  greatest  charms  when 
young.  The  Palm-leaf  fans  so  familiar  every- 
where ai-e  made  from  its  leaves. 

It  is  indeed  gratifying  to  the  publishers  and 
editors  who  are  working  hard  to  make  this 
paper  what  it  is,  to  see  the  interest  taken  by 
its  many  friends  in  swelling  the  subscription 
list  of  Popular  Gardenlng.  We  oui-selves 
have  never  set  our  expectations  higher  than 
.iO.Olin  subscribers  at  the  end  of  one  yeai".  But 
many  of  om-  subscribers  are  so  elated  over  the 
worth  and  popularity  of  the  paper,  that  they 
are  anxious  we  shall  have  twice  as  many  sub- 
scribers in  that  time.  And  a  most  hopful  sign 
is.  that  they  ai'e  seconding  their  good  wishes 
by  their  good  work,  iu  securing  for  the  paper 
many  subscribers. 

Chrysanthemums  can  easily  be  grown  from 
seed  by  anyone  whti  cares  for  this  sort  of  thing. 
The  seeds  are  procurable  of  the  seedsman,  and 
may  be  sowni  during  January  or  February. 
They  will  soon  sprout,  and  by  spring  will  make 
plants  of  about  equal  strength  with  good  ones 
struck  from  cuttings  in  March.  Then  treat 
as  you  would  those  from  cuttings,  up  until 
fl(jwering.  But  the  flowers  of  plants  raised 
from  seed  will  prove  to  be  very  inferior  as  a 
rule,  to  the  named  sorts  from  cuttings.  There 
is,  however,  to  many  people,  a  charm  iu  rais- 
ing seedlings  which  no  one  knows  for  the  life 
of  them  how  they  will  come  out,  that  more  than 
ott'sets  the  lack  in  the  quality  of  the  bloom. 

The  Isle  of  Natal,near  the  southern  extremity 
of  Africa,  is  almost  the  perfect  home  of  flowers. 
No  frosts  ever  blast  vegetation  here.  Roses 
of  such  fine  sorts  as  Souvenir  de  la  Malmai- 
sou  grow  to  the  height  of  ten  feet  in  the 
open  air,  and  are  loaded  with  magnificent 
flowers.  Tulips,  Narcissus,  and  hosts  of 
garden  flowers  we  here  prize,  grow  wild  along 
the  roadside.  Oleanders  and  Myrtles  are 
so  common  that  their  wood  is  usetl  for  fuel, 
Dracsena  and  Yucca  reach  the  stature  of  trees. 
The  Passiflora,  Bougainvillea  and  Tacsonia. 
which  are  grown  in  the  north  under  glass, 
climb  the  stat<?ly  Olive  trees  and  crown  the 
highest  roofs  of  the  buildings. 

Japanese  Maples  in  Pots.  In  some  parts  of 
England  these  are  thus  grow  n  with  satisfactory 
results.  It  now  seems  certain  that  they  are 
not  to  l)e  lelied  upon  as  hardy  trees  for  com- 
mon culture  with  us.  But  being  small  of  size, 
and  hence  adajited  to  growth  in  jiots,  there  is 
no  reason  that  we  can  see,  why  they  should  not 
l.M'  much  emjjloyed  in  this  shape.     They  could 


be  wintered  in  the  cellar  or  ou1>house,  some- 
thing like  Oleanilei's.  So  far  as  their  orna- 
mental value  is  concerned,  nothing  can  exceed 
the  showiness  and  divei-sitv  of  their  foliage  in 
its  range  from  bronzy  black  to  the  most  fiery 
crimson.  With  some  size,  these  Maples  afforil 
the  most  striking  forms  of  leaf-coloring  our 
gardens  possess. 

Morning  Glories.  This  subject  may  appear 
unseasonable  nou,  but  we  may  at  least  recall 
the  l>eauty  of  these  flo\\"crs  in  jiast  sea.sons,and 
plan  for  their  use  in  the<'omingone.  Mrs.  Ella 
(i.  Campbell,  owner  and  manager  of  large 
greenhouses  in  Cleveland,  Olno,  and  surrounded 
by  a  large  collection  of  <;hoice  flowers,  fiiuls  en- 
joyment in  turning  to  t  he  simple  lieauty  of  these 
vines.  She  wrote  to  us  of  their  use  in  this 
strain  lately.  "  One  of  the  most  beautiful  fea- 
tures our  place  is  its  vines.  Mother  has  built 
screens  and  aivhes  and  covered  fences,  bams, 
chicken-houses,  as  well  as  the  house  with  vines. 
And  at  the  present  writing  the  Morning  (ilories 
are  indeed  in  their  glory.  An  old  greenhouse 
chinmey  in  ruins,  is  a  living  monument  to  their 
beauty  combined  with  several  screens  and  the 
fences  near  by,  all  covered  with  the  same." 

Cover  the  Lilies.  A  number  of  our  fine  Lil- 
ies, the  little  L.  tennuifolium  for  example,  are 
natives  of  northern  latitudes  like  Siljeria,  yet 
they  as  a  rule  ijrove  tender  with  us.  Why  is 
this;  Simply  be<'ause  in  their  home,  although 
the  winters  are  nmch  colder  than  with  us,  they 
ai'e  well  protected  by  that  best  of  winter  cov- 
ers— snow  from  fall  until  spring.  Once  there 
is  a  coat  of  snow  on  the  ground  in  the  fall,  iu 
those  northern  regions,  it  never  leaves  until 
the  general  break-up  of  the  next  season.  Let 
us  ib'aw  our  lesson,  and  apply  a  cover  over  the 
choice  Lilies  to  imitate  a  heavj'  coat  of  snow. 
Let  it  be  earth,  coal  ashes  or  straw  ;  if  of  the 
two  former,  bank  it  up  somewhat  heaping  to 
shed  excessive  wetness.  It  is  not  so  much  from 
hard  frost,  as  from  alternate  freezing  and 
thawing,  that  Lilies  and  things  of  similar 
nature  suffer. 

Improved  Floriculture.  What  is  the  use  of 
it;  The  naturalists  claim  that  nature  produces 
no  bad  work,  the  roughest  weeds  are  really  the 
equals  in  pure  beaut.y  to  the  finest  florists  flow- 
ers, hence,  to  improve  is  to  waste  time  and 
labor.  To  this  the  favorite  flowers,  the  im- 
proved garden  fruits,  vegetables,  and  many 
things  besides  join  in  giving  answer.  Thej' 
say:  the  use  of  art  is  the  improvement  of 
nature.  That  to  accept  nature  « ithout  the  im- 
provements that  art  has  made,  would  be  to  live 
on  wild  berries  and  crouch  in  nakedness  iu  any 
cave  that  would  ort'er  shelter  from  the  weather. 
It  is  through  the  improvement  of  nature  by 
the  hand  of  man,  that  we  have  obtained  not 
alone  improved  flowei-s,  and  other  jiroducts  of 
the  garden,  but  even  our  bi-ead  and  clothing, 
and  the  very  artificial  thing  called  a  house. 
Will  our  ultia-natnralists  be  consistent  and 
in  all  things  accept  what  nature  offei-s,  nn- 
marred  by  the  arts  of  man's  busy  hands; 

In  cleaning  Ivies,  (Jleanders  and  like  plants 
that  ai-e  subject  to  scale  insects,  peojjle  often 
wonrler  why  a  new  lot  of  these  pests  show  up 
so  soon  after  the  ta.sk,  taking  the  place  of  those 
cleaned  away.  Plain  enough:  the  means  em- 
ployed for  destroying  these  were  not  effective 
ao'ainst  the  young  broods,  so  small  as  to  escape 
detection,  when  the  plants  were  gone  over. 
Now  to  prevent  just  such  vexatious  hap]K'n- 
ings,  we  use  water  in  wa.shing  plants,  that  is 
shari^ened  to  about  120  of  heat,  and  by  the 
addition  of  tobacco  juice  to  give  it  a  color  like 
weak  tea.  or  else  whale  oil  or  common  soap,  to 
create  suds  freely.  Such  a  liquid  starts  up 
young  and  old  alike,  and  the  former  if  they 
should  not  hapiMui  to  lie  brushed  away,  l>ecause 
overlooked,  are  not  likel.\-  to  settle  back  and 
thrive.  Some  advocate  the  use  of  hot  water 
alone,  we  prefer  the  aildition  of  eithei-  toliacco 
or  soap.  The  washing  thoroughly  done,  then 
wait  a  little,  after  whii'h  <lrcni'h  oH'  tl»>  strong 
licpiid  with  clean  water. 


42 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


January, 


A  Universal  Favorite— The 
Carnation. 

Wherever  flowers  are  cultivated,  the  im- 
proved Carnation  is  a  leading  favorite.  It 
possesses  the  beauty  of  form,  color,  and 
the  sweetness,  if  not  the  hardiness  of  the 
much  esteemed  Clove  Pink  (which  is  its  pa- 
rent), and  then  the  great  additional  quality  in 
its  improved  sorts,  of  being  a  perpetual 
liloomer.  To  such  an  extent  is  this  last 
named  quality  appreciated  and  made  use 
of,  that  now  in  every  well-conducted  florist 
establishment,  the  supply  of  Carnation  blooms 
may  be  said  to  be  con- 
stant the  year  through. 

The  Carnation  as  to 
color  is  brought  under 
various  divisions,  the  va- 
riety afforded  here  cover- . 
ing  a  remarkaljle  range. 
Before  this  favorite  loom- 
ed up  so  prominently  as 
a  commercial  flower,  the 
two  main  divisions  were 
consifiered  to  l.)c  the  Bi- 
zarres  and  the  Flakes, 
with  distinct  classes  un- 
der these.  Now,  at  least 
in  ccmimercial  import- 
ance, the  Selfs^tliose  in 
which  one  or  more  colors 
are  distributed  all  o\er 
the  flower,  receive  the 
most  attention.  The  Pi- 
cotees  are  a  leading  class 
also  and  distinct  in  color; 
it  is  a  question  wlietlier 
they  are  a  distinct  species 
of  the  Diiiiithiix  genus  or 
liut  a  variety  of  D.  Cdi-y- 
</ji/ii/lhiK  along  with  the 
Carnation. 

To  the  average  ama- 
teur, the  terms  Bizarre, 
Flakes,  and  other  color 
distinctions  of  this  flow- 
ers, are  perhaps  not  veiy 
clear.  Let  us  so  describe 
these  as  to  render  the 
matter  of  colors  easily 
understood.  Bizarre  is 
from  the  French,  imply- 
ing something  fantastic, 
and  in  flowers  signifies 
variegation  in  irregular 
spots  and  stripes,  traversing  the  same  wa.y 
and  of  at  least  three  colors,  varying  from 
dark  to  light. 

Flakes  have  heavy  stripes  of  two  colors, 
extending  from  center  to  outside  of  the  pe- 
tals. The  prevailing  colors  are  scarlet,  pur- 
ple and  rose,  hence  we  have  Scarlet-flaked 
Carnations,  Purple-flaked  Carnations,  etc. 

"  Fancies"  include  Flakes  or  Bizarres  of 
unusual  colors  or  neutral  tints,  or  such  as 
are  pricked  with  little  flakes  and  spots. 

Sclfs,  also  called  CUoves  or  Self-cloves,  are 
flowers  in  which  one  color  usually  runs 
evenly  throughout  the  flower.  The  old 
crimson  Clove,  referred  to  in  the  begining 
above,  can  be  met  with  in  many  gardens. 

Picotees  have  a  white  or  light  ground, 
sometimes  3'ellow,  with  either  red,  rose  or 
purple  color  evenly  penciled  more  or  less 
heavily  round  the  edge  of  each  petal. 

Witli  the  improvement  in  the  Perpetiial 
Carnation,  there  was  added  not  only  an  in- 
valuable feature  to  winter-blooming  plants 
in  the  greenhouse  or  conservatory,  but  also 
a  plant  well  adapted  to   pot  culture   in  the 


window.  For  this  purpo.se,  only  the  free- 
growing  and  liloomingsorts  should  be  chosen. 
The  limits  of  the  jiresent  article  does  not 
admit  of  entering  upon  the  details  of  cultiva- 
tion here.  It  may,  however,  be  said  that  to 
secure  plants  for  next  winters  liloom,  rooted 
slips  sliould  lie  procured  within  the  next  few 
months,  growing  them  over  summer  either 
in  pots  or  by  bedding  out. 

A  good  deal  of  attention  has  of  late  been 
paid  to  raising  dwarf  forms  of  these  plants; 
the  old  idea  of  a  "tree"  Carnation  not  being 
counted  desiralile.     The  accompanying  en- 


United  States  from  abroad,  would  fill  the 
gardeners  of  past  generations  with  great  won- 
der, could  they  behold  it.  And  this  interna- 
tional trade  is  rapidly  on  the  increase. 

Incidentally  we  call  to  mind  a  statement 
from  the   trade   circular  of  one   American 
firm,  which  shows  a  peculiar  phase  of  this 
trade,  as  well  as  serving  to  illustrate  Ameri- 
can enterprise.    It  is  in  the  matter  of  Asiatic 
Lily  bulbs.     This  firm  offers  certain  of  these 
bulbs  at  two  prices,  for  what  is  really  the  same 
quality, the  difference  in  the  cost  being  due,  to 
one  lot  of  the  same  crop  reaching  America  con- 
siderably earlier  than  the 
other.     The  quicker  and 
also   more   expensive 
route  is  a  western  one, 
the   cargoes   landing   at 
San  Francisco.     The 
other  is  mainly  by 
steamer,    from    the  east 
and   through    the    Suez 
canal.      Together   the 
h  u  1  b  s  shipped  by  the 
Japanese  house,  literally 
girdle  the  globe. 

It  may  be  said  that  all 
foreign  c  o  u  n  t  r  i  e  s  in 
which  gardening  has 
made  any  considerable 
progress,  look  upon  our 
great  n  a  t  i  o  n  as  a  rich 
market  for  the  stock  they 
grow.  And  yet  with  all 
our  importations,  in 
many  departments,  there 
never  was  a  time  when 
such  large  quantities  of 
seeds,  plants  and  nursery 
stock  in  general,  have 
been  raised  at  home,  as 
is  being  done  in  t  h  e 
present  day. 

The  gist  of  the  matter 
is,  that  the  gardening  in- 
terests of  this  country, 
are  progressing  at  an  un- 
paralleled rate.  The  day 
is  not  very  far  off  when 
America  must  loom  up 
as  conspicuously  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth, 
for  her    improved    gar- 

THE  CARNATION-A  DESIRABLE  DWARF  FORM  OF  THE  PLANT.  dening.in  both  U.SefuUnd 

ornamental  branches,  as 
graving  shows  a  type  of  the  Carnation  plant,  1  she  to-day  does  in  so  many  things  Ijesides. 
that  is  much  sought  after.     Several  sorts  re- 


cently sent  out,  it  is  claimed   are   quite   as 
dwarf  as  the  plant  illustrated. 

Progress  in  Gardeningf. 

On  the  same  day  recently,  catalogues  of 
bulbs  and  seeds  reached  our  desk  from 
Japan,  from  Belgium  and  from  Germany, 
respectively.  Could  the  mail  receipts  of 
half  a  week  have  been  brought  into  this 
same  day,  the  day's  mail  would  have  con- 
tained trade  announcements,  from  at  least 
half  a  dozen  other  countries  of  the  globe. 

"We  refer  to  this  matter,  to  show  how  in 
this  age  of  railroads,  rapid  steamers,  tele- 
graphs, cheap  printing,  postage,  and  so  on, 
the  spirit  of  the  gardening  trade  is  moved 
to  take  advantage  of  all  modern  inventions, 
in  furthering  gardening  interests.  The 
quantity  of  seeds,  bulbs  and  stocks  that  are 
in  this  day  sent  to  and  fro,  throughout  the 
earth,  between  countries  near  and  far,  but 
particularly    thai   which  is   received  by  tlie 


A  House  Plant  None  Need  Fail  With. 

Reference  is  had  to  the  Rose-colored  Oxalis, 
a  plant  that  seems  to  occupy  about  the  same 
place  among  flowering  house  plants,  that  the 
Ivy  does  among  those  not  grown  for  the 
bloom.  And  what  a  wonderful  bloomer  it  is, 
under  the  most  common  conditions!  We  re- 
call the  case  of  a  plant  owned  Ti.v  a  friend 
that  l)loomed  constantly  for  sixteen  months. 
Then  it  was  given  a  rest  of  several  months 
when  in  it  started  again.  Wliat  this  lady 
succeeded  in  doing  in  the  (ailture  of  the  Oxa- 
lis in  her  window  anj'  one  else  can  do  also. 
It  may  be  added  that  the  genus  Oralis  em- 
braces many  .species  and  tiieir  varieties,  but 
among  them  all  none  is  better  adapted  to 
house  culture  than  the  one  named. 

Concerning  culture  and  some  other  points 
relating  to  this  favorite,  we  were  pleased 
lately,  to  receive  the  following  letter  from  a 
subscriber, Mrs. A.J. Griswold, Cook  Co. , III. , 
to  be  published  in  Popri.AH  Gahdening: 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


43 


"  III  the  many  years  I  have  grown  phints, 
and  of  a  hirtje  number  of  kinds  tried.  I 
have  found  nolliing  more  easily  l)roiight 
into  bloom  and  which  thrives  so  well  with 
little  attention  as  this.  Even  a  small  bulb 
will  ijive  an  abundance  of  bloom  the  first 
season.  In  my  collection  are  three  colors 
— white,  pink,  and  yellow.     The  two  former 


Figure  I.     A  Simple  Tree-mover. 

I  have  had  for  several  seasons  in  a  hanging 
basket;  there  is  no  prettier  i)lant  for  this  pur- 
pose. Mine  is  now  in  full  Ijloom  the  second 
time  since  February  la.st. 

' '  The  chief  ueed.s  of  the  Oxalis  are  plenty 
of  sun  and  water  and  a  moderately  rich  and 
light  soil.  It  will  bear  a  good  deal  of  heat, 
and  yet  is  in  no  sense  very  tender.  My 
bulbs  bloom  during  February,  March  and 
April,  and  then  show  signs  of  exhaustion. 
After  this,  gradually  dry  off  and  in  Mav  turn 
the  pot  on  its  side  in  some  shad}-  corner  and  let 
it  remain  until  signs  of  sprouting  appears. 
Then  I  break  away  the  earth  from  the 
fibrous  roots,  pot  up  in  fresh  soil,  and  begin 
to  water.  The  new  growth  of  leaves  and 
buds  begin  to  appear  very  .soon  afterwards." 

Bullis  of  the  Oxalis  may  be  procured  of 
most  of  the  florists,  we  think,  and  also  of 
dealers  in  bulbs.  This  is  a  good  time  to 
start  in  on  their  culture. 


Transplanting  Large  Trees. 

There  are  eases  wiiere  a  shorter  cut  can  be 
taken  in  stocking  a  place  with  trees,  or  in 
making  up  deficiencies,  than  to  plant  ordin- 
ary nurserj-  trees.  We  refer  to  where  trees 
of  some  age  and  size  that  are  suitable,  may 
be  had.  These  might  be  such  as  need  to  be 
thinned  out  from  plantations  that  are  too 
close,  or  they  might  come  from  meadows  and 
wild  places, if  the  kinds  were  suitable  and  the 
development  good.  The  nurseries,  too,  some- 
times have  large  trees  to  sell,  a  matter,  it 
may  be  said,  in  which  English  nurseries  are 
ahead  of  our  own. 

In  the  transplanting  of  any  trees,  but  es- 
pecially those  of  large  size,  saj'  five  inches 
in  diameter  and  upwards  at  the  collar,  two 
of  the  most  essential  points  to  observe  is  the 
preservation  of  the  small  fibrous  roots,  and 
keeping  these  from  drying  out  in  the  opera- 
tion. In  the  case  of  large  trees  there  is  of 
course  a  greater  loss  of  these  fine  roots  than  in 
small  ones,  because  of  the  wide  extension  of 
the  roots.  This  renders  it  all  the  more  im- 
portant that  whatever  roots  can  be  saved  to 
the  tree,  be  kept  as  much  as  jiossilile  from 
exposure  to  air  in  handling. 

To  accomplish  this  end  most  effectively,  it 
becomes  desirable  to  take  as  much  earth  with 
the  tree,  and  without  sepaialing  it  from  the 


rootsas  it  is  po.ssible  to  move  well.  Butearth 
is  heavy,  and  a  great  ma.ss  of  it  adhering  to  the 
roots  of  a  tree,  makes  the  handling  of  the 
tree  not  an  ea.sy  job.  unless  one  has  suitable 
appliances  for  doing  so.  Where  the  moving 
of  trees  haxing  some  age  is  nuich  done,  as 
in  the  large  parks  of  our  cities,  large  and  ex- 
pensive tree-moving  trucks  arc  owned  and 
used,  and  the  task  becomes  a  comparatively 
easy  one.  For  the  use  of  those  who  have 
not  so  very  much  of  this  kind  of  work  to  do, 
we  show  plans  of  two  tree-movers;  the  one 
in  figure  1  so  simple  as  to  be  easily  impro- 
vised by  any  person  who  can  command  a 
common  road  wagon,  using  the  hind  axle 
and  wheels;  the  other,  figure  2.  a  frame  work 
and  windlasses  supported  by  wagon  wheels. 

The  operation  of  moving  large  trees  with 
earth  attached  to  the  roots,  can  best  be  done 
in  the  winter  time,  because  of  the  perfect  ad- 
herance  of  earth  when  frozen.  A  favorite 
course  is  to  prepare  for  the  work  in  the  fall 
or  early  winter  by  digging  a  circular  trench 
some  feet  from  the  tree,  and  several  feet 
deep,  in  a  waj'  to  leave  a  ball  of  earth  with 
the  tree  standing  in  the  middle  of  this.  This 
then  is  allowed  to  freeze  solid,  when  it  can 
be  moved  with  safety  by  the  use  of  thclrucks 
illustrated  or  any  others. 

To  lift  a  moderate  sized  tree,  as  shown  in 
figure  1,  the  trunk  near  the  ground  is  pro- 
tected by  coarse  canvass  or  old  carpet.  An 
iron  ring  is  then  fastened  to  the  tree  at  this 
point.  A  strong  pole, 
to  be  used  as  a  lever 
and  supporter,  is  laid 
over  the  axle  and  in- 
serted into  the  ring, 
which  then  allows  by 
bearing  down  at  b  of 
lifting  the  tree  with 
earth  attatched  from 
its  bed.  It  is  then 
moved  to  where  wanted 
by  attaching  chains 
and  w  h  i  f  f  1  e  t re e,  as 
shown  in  the  cut, a  horse 
being  hitched  for  draw- 
ing, while  a  man  keeps 
down  the  pole  at  h. 

For  larger  trees  a 
truck  with  windla.ss 
and  ropes  like  that 
shown  in  figure  2. 
answers  much  better. 
One  like  this  can  be  con- 
structed at  a  small  cost 
In'  anj'  wagon  maker. 
It  might  be  owned  by 
.several  persons. 

In  figure  2  is  shown 
another  feature  of  this 
business,  namely,  thai 
o  f  m  o  V  i  n  g  the  tree 
when  the  ball  of  earth 
is  not  frozen,  and  is 
in  danger  of  .going  to 
pieces,  as  in  the  spring.  '■^^- 
Here  staves  a  r  e  s  e  t 
around  the  earth  and 
drawn  together  against 
it,  by  the  aid  of  ropes 

to  keep  the  soil  together.  Heavy  canvass  or 
matting  could  l)e  used  instead  of  the  staves, 
bj'  liinding  it  on  securely. 

In  moving  a  tree  with  a  frozen  ball  in  the 
winter,  it  should  only  beset  in  its  final  place, 
with  no  attempt  to  fill  in  ground — which  now 
is  frozen.  Earh'  in  the  spring  the  space 
around  the  ball  can  then  be  filled  with  good 


soil.  In  tlie  mean  time  protect  this  trench 
with  straw,  manure  or  sawdust.  Large  trees 
when  moved  must  have  their  branches  freely 
pruned  back,  to  correspond  somewhat  witli 
the  loss  of  roots  which  has  resulted  in  the 
taking  up. 


Peach  Yellows— The  Potash  Remedy. 

The  microscope  reveals  in  all  cases  of  this 
serious  disease,  the  presence  of  different 
forms  of  fungus  growth  on  the  surface  of 
the  bark,  or  penetrating  throughout  the 
woody  tissues.  But  wiiether  these  fungi  are 
the  cause  of  the  disease  or  a  consequence  of 
the  impaired  vitality  of  the  tree  is  not  yet 
fully  known.  It  seems  probable  however, 
that  this  parasitic  growth  is  invited,  just  as 
such  a  growth  is  l)rought  upon  Pear  trees  in 
the  case  of  fire  blight,  and  on  Grapes  and 
Gooseberries,  when  these  are  mildewed,  by 
an  enfeebled  condition  of  the  tree. 

Working  on  this  theory,  experiments  have 
been  for  some  time  under  wa}'  at  the  Massa- 
chusetts Agricultural  College,  for  imparting 
vigor  to  trees  affected  by  "  yellows,"  by  a 
liberal  supply  of  the  deficient  element  of  pot- 
ash. Professor  Goessman  states,  that  chronic 
cases  of  the  disease  have  been  recovered  after 
being  treated  for  three  or  four  j-ears,  by  the 
application  of  muriate  of  potash  to  the  roots. 
He  recommends  the  use  of  three  or  four 
pounds  of  this  article  to  a  tree  six  or  eight 


Figure  2.    Tree-mover  for  Large  Trees. 

years  old,  spreading  it  over  the  roots,  but 
keeping  one  foot  away  from  the  tree.  A 
mulch  spread  on  top  of  the  potash  insures 
its  better  distribution. 

This  disease  proves  to  be  contagious.  Where 
it  has  put  in  an  appearance,  it  would  be  well  to 
prepare  any  unatfected  trees  against  its  at  tacks, 
by  treating  them  to  the  potash  application. 


44 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


January, 


The  Marechal  Niel  Rose  at  the 
South. 

Oue  of  oui-  readers  at  Spartausburgh,  South 
Cai-oliim,  takes  exception— so  far  as  the  South- 
ern States  are  concei-ned, — to  the  statement 
marie  in  an  eai'ly  number  of  Popular  Garden- 
ing regarding  the  unfitness  of  the  Marechal 
Niel  Rose  for  out  door  culture.  We  give  her 
report  of  two  instances  in  that  part  of  the  coun- 
try, where  this  rose  has  succeeded  remai-kably 
well,  as  follows: 

"  Some  1-3  years  ago,  my  father,  an  ardent 
lover  of  roses,  purchased  a  small  plant  in  a  pot, 
of  Marechal  Niel,  which  was  planted  in  the 
open  ground,  in  a  dark,  damp  sticky  loam, 
where  once  was  a  pond.  This  rose  grew, 
tlu-ived  and  bloomed.  It  was  the  admiration 
of  all  beholders.  Each  summer  vases  filled 
with  cut  roses  from  this  plant  almost  became 
monotonous— so  freely  were  they  used  in  every- 
thing that  would  hold  water  and  flowers  about 
our  house.  Sometimes  over  one  hundred  buds 
were  cut  in  a  day.  It  grew  in  the  course  of 
three  yeai's  to  such  a  size,  that  a  lattice  wall, 
four  sided,  was  built  around  it,  fully  5  feet  high 
and  then  its  branches  trailed  over  that  and  fell 
to  the  earth  outside. 

"  In  Charleston,  this  state,  I  saw  in  the  garden 
of  Mr.  Casper  Chisolm,  an  arbor  full  12  feet 
high,  12  feet  wide  and  2.5  feet  long,  built  as  we 
here  in  the  south  put  up  supports  for  grape 
vines,  on  which  was  Marechal  Niel,  Lamarque 
and  Solfaterre,  so  thick  that  the  wood  of  the 
arbor  was  concealed.  I  think  there  were  thou- 
sands of  each  variety  in  full  bloom  at  one  time. 
He  told  me  the  plants  were  grafted  or  budded." 


Save  up  the  Coal  Ashes. 

Years  ago  we  satisfied  ourselves  that  the 
notion,  then  very  prevalent,  that  hard-coal 
ashes  were  injurious  to  crops,  was  all  wrong. 
AVe  found  in  the  case  of  pot  plants  in  a  green- 
house, which  stood  on  a  bed  of  ashes,  that  the 
roots  of  the  former  would  pass  through  the 
holes  in  the  bottoms  of  the  pots  and  run  into  the 
ashes  below,  and  by  theii-  healthy  appearance, 
showed  that  they  derived  benefit  from  the  ashes. 
Frequent  experiments  on  a  small  scale  since 
that  time  have  fully  corroborated  this  view  of 
the  case.  Now  we  not  only  keep  up  for  the 
garden  all  the  ashes  yielded  by  our  own 
heaters,  but  those  of  a  near  neighbor  besides, 
and  the  larger  the  heap  of  this  material  is  by 
each  spring,  the  better  are  we  suited. 

Our  garden  is  not  what  could  be  called  heavy 
-oil,  but  rather  a  black  loam.  On  this  soil  we 
(ind  that  a  coat  of  coal  ashes  turned  in  every 
season  is  of  real  value.  It  renders  the  soil 
more  open  and  easily  worked  than  without, 
and  the  crops  are  the  better  for  the  good  effect 
of  this  material  on  root  growth.  The  effect 
may  come,  more  from  the  mechanical  action  of 
the  ashes  on  the  soil  than  from  any  manurial 
value  possessed,  although  this  is  also  consider- 
ble,  no  doubt.  Oue  thing  is  certain,  plant  life 
is  more  vigorous  where  the  ashes  ai-e  used,  than 
where  they  are  not. 

We  also  use  sifted  coal  ashes  as  one  ingredient 
(say  making  it  oue-fifth  of  the  whole)  of  our 
hot  bed  loam,  or  of  any  soil  used  for  seed  beds, 
potting  and  similar  purposes,  with  good  results. 
But  the  value  of  coal  ashes  in  the  gai'den  is  not 
limited  to  its  good  effects  in  fitting  the  soil  for 
the  growth  of  roots  alone.  It  is  now  recog- 
nized as  of  great  worth  for  meeting  the  attacks 
of  some  of  our  worst  insect  enemies.  Experi- 
meuts  have  shown  that  a  liberal  dressing  of 
coal  ashes,  thoroughly  mixed  with  soil  in  which 
Radish  seed  is  sown,  will  prevent  the  maggot 
from  injuring  this  vegetable.  This  will  be 
good  news  t«  those  pereons  wh<i  have  lieen,  for 
years,  unsuccessful  in  growing  the  Radish,  be- 
cause of  the  attacks  of  the  larva"  of  the  fly.  It 
may  be  added  that  the  effect  of  the  ashes  as  a 
preventive  in  this  case,  does  not  tell  fully  until 
the  second  year  and  later,  after  applying. 

In  combating  the  attacks  of  the  wonn  on 
(_'ni-i'ants  and  Gooseberries,  coal  ashes  also  jios- 


sess  positive  worth,  if  used  freelj'  a.s  a  mulch 
to  plants.  Whether  the  presence  of  the  ashes 
over  the  roots  proves  obnoxious  to  the  worms, 
or  whether  the  increased  vigor  of  the  plants 
by  their  application  have  to  do  with  the  matter 


LONG  BLACK  WINTER   RADISH. 

we  cannot  say,  nor  do  we  much  care,  so  long  as 
the  fact  remains  that  the  worms  are  scarce. 
when  the  ashes  are  plentifully  used,  as  is  the 
case.  By  their  use  as  a  mulch  the  plants  may 
be  brought  thi'ough  the  "worm  season"  with- 
out resource  to  poisoning  the  leaves,  and  with 
it  in  some  degree  the  fruit  |X)ssibly. 

These  various  considerations  should  lead  at 
this  season  to  the  saving  up  of  coal  ashes,  as  a 
valuable  and  cheap  material  for  the  uses 
indicated,  wherever  gardening  is  done. 


The  Long  Black  Winter  Radish. 

This  continues  to  be  a  standard  Radish  for 
winter  use,  and  varies  but  little  except  in  aj)- 
pearance  from  the  Round  Black  Winter  Radish 
and  the  Long  White  Spanish  Radish.  All  the 
Radishes  of  this  class  are  remai-kable  for  their 
keeping  qualities.  If  but  pains  are  taken  at 
the  end  of  the  growing  .season  to  bury  them  in 
an  abundance  of  earth  in  a  cool  cellai',  or  else 
to  put  them  out  of  doors,  they  will  keep  crisp 
aU  winter,  affording  an  agreeable  table  relish. 
When  to  be  used,  the  winter  radish  should  be 
placed  in  colrl  water  for  an  hour  before  coming 
to  the  table.  It  may  not  be  generally  known 
that  the  Radish  possesses  some  gentle  medicinal 
virtue.  The  part  that  is  eaten,  is  both  demul- 
cent and  stimulating  in  character.  The  juice 
mixed  with  sugar  candy,  is  a  popular  and  use- 
ful (iermau  remedy  for  hoarseness  and  cold. 


Effects  of  Freezing  on  the  Soil. 

Spade  or  plow  a  piece  of  land  late  in  the  fall, 
leaving  it  in  rough  clods  through  the  winter, 
and  spring  will  find  the  roughness  largely  re- 
duced to  fineness.  Run  the  rake  or  harrow- 
over  it  now,  and  with  little  labor  it  will  be  in 
fai-  better  shape  for  croi)sthan  it  possibly  could 
be  had  the  fall  spa<ling  or  iJowing  been  left  un- 
done. Just  how  freezing,  thi'ough  exjjosing  the 
soil  in  this  wa^'.  benefits  it,  is  told  as  follows  in 
the  Aitif'rh'dn  Afjrivulfnrist: 

It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  water  in  the  act 
of  freezing,  expands  considerably,  and  with  a 
force  that  is  irresistable.  It  is  the  fi'eezing  of 
water  in  their  crevices  and  pores  that  causes 
the  rocks  to  be  gradually  worn  down,  and 
"  weathei'ed"  as  it  is  called,  into  soil.    It  is  this 


also  which  is  continually  reducing  the  soil  to 
finer  fragments,  and  which  breaks  up  the  hard 
clogs  and  mellows  the  ground.  Fall  plowing 
or  spading  assists  this  effect  by  breaking  up  the 
compact  soil  into  lumps,  which  are  further 
broken  into  small  particles.  As  water  and  air 
can  only  act  upon  the  surface  cif  these  pai'ticles, 
it  is  clear  that  the  smaller  they  are,  the  more 
surface  is  exposed  to  the  weather,  and  the  soil 
is  made  soluble.  If  a  block  of  hard  soil  of  12 
Inches  cube  is  exposed  to  the  weathei-,  there  are 
864  square  inches  only  of  it  affected ;  if  it  is 
broken  up  into  cubes  of  one  inch  lH,:i68  squai'e 
inches  are  exposed  to  these  beneficial  influences ; 
if  the  soil  is  further  broken  up  in  fragments  of 
one-twelfth  of  an  inch,  there  are  more  than 
124,1100  square  inches  thus  affected.  This  fact 
shows  how  gi-eatly  the  effects  of  frost  benflts 
the  soil,  and  therefore  how  necessary  it  is  that 
the  land  should  be  fall  plowed ;  and  opportuni- 
ty given  for  this  beneficial  action  of  the  weather. 
In  the  garden,  even,  all  the  soil  possible  should 
be  spaded  before  it  freezes. 


The  Winter  Meetings  of  the  following  named 
Horticultural  Societies  will  be  held  during  Jan- 
uary onthe  dates  given: 

Western  New  York:  at  Rochester,  Januaiy 
27,  P.  C.  Reynolds,  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  Secretary. 

State  Horticultural  Society  of  Pennsylvinia: 
at  Reading,  Pa.,  January  3(>,  E.  B.  Engle, 
Waynesborough,  Pa.,  Secretary. 

Ontai'io  Fruit  Growers  Association :  at  Strat- 
ford, Ontario,  January  31,  D.  W.  Beadle,  St. 
Catherine,  Out.,  Secretai\v. 

Buffalo  Horticultural  Society,  at  Buffalo, 
January  13. W.  Scott.  Buffalo,  N.Y.,  Secretary. 

The  Keiffer  Pear  has  now  been  weighed,  and 
found  utterly  wanting.  As  a  tree  it  blights 
badly  and  is  tender  in  winter.  The  finiit  if  not 
unattractive  in  appearance,  is  utterly  wanting 
in  flavor,  and  would  not  be  sought  for  a  second 
time  by  the  eater.  More  trees  of  it  are  cut 
down  now  every  year,  perhaps,  than  ai'e  planted. 
So  much  for  another  one  of  the  long  list  of 
worthless  varieties  that  are  introduced  at 
high  prices  with  a  flourishing  of  trumpets,  flnd- 
ing  many  eager  victims.  Stick  to  the  well 
tested  sorts,  kind  readier,  until  new  comers  prove 
their  worth  beyond  a  doubt.    It's  the  safe  rule. 

The  Beet  draws  its  nourishment  from  an 
area  of  twelve  to  twenty  square  feet  for  each 
plant.  This  has  been  proven  by  exploring  to 
the  ends  of  the  roots  carefully,  it  being  found 
that  these  extend  dowuwai-d  and  outward  in 
all  directions  for  several  feet.  It  is  evident 
that  where  size  of  root  is  desired,  the  plants 
must  be  given  plenty  of  room. 

In  Choosing  Market  Fruits,  Mr.  Lyons,  a  vet- 
eran fruit  growei',  would  look  first  to  produc- 
tiveness: next  tokeepingand  shipping  ([uahty: 
then  to  size:  then  to  appearance  and  lastly  to 
eating  quality.  The  points  of  merit  should 
stand  in  a  different  order  where  the  object  is 
fruit  for  the  home  table,  iu  fact  should  be  just 
reversed,  placing  quality  first. 

In  shipping  by  the  Express  Companies,  much 
fruit  is  injuried  by  being  in  cars  that  are  too 
warm.  On  this  account  many  shippers  do  not 
patronize  these  carriei-s  and  by  the  means  save 
largely  on  freight  also.  A  temperature  of 
between  4(i°  and  .W  is  the  most  suitable  for  fruit 
transportation. 

Shape  of  Crates.  Parker  Eaile  offers  the 
good  suggestion,  that  fruit  crates  should  not  be 
made  so  nearly  square  as  at  the  present  time. 
When  of  this  shape,  it  cannot  be  readily  seen 
which  side  belongs  up,  and  the  fruit  suffers 
from  bad  handling  and  bad  ]iositions  iu  ship- 
ping- 

A  good  New  Year's  resolve:  to  make  ycjur 
berry  patch  double  its  present  size. 

Even  the  hardiest  Strawben-ies  do  better  for 
a  winter  covering. 

Plan  to  have  the  best  garden  you  ever  saw, 
this  year. 

Cut  the  small  sappy  shoots  from  A]jple  trees. 


1 886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


45 


kON  C  I 


ES 


The  Rose  Bud's  Tale. 


Thoug^li  the^■  whisper,  he  and  !\Iay. 
I  can  hear  eaeh  word  they  say : 

For  I  rest,— 
Cliagiugto  the  ball-room's  queeu. 
'Mid  the  laee  and  silken  sheen— 

At  her  breast 

*'  Give  me  but  that  rose  of  thine. 
I  will  build  for  it  a  shrine 

Near  my  heart." 
From  my  bed  she  draws  me  out. 
For  a  moment  seems  in  doubt  — 

Then  we  part . 

In  his  waistcoat,  crushed.  I  lie— 
'Mid  cigars  and  purse  I  die : 

Ere  the  daj' 
Am  forgotten,  and,  ere  night. 
Trophy  of  a  conquest  light. 

Ttu-own  away  I 

Roses  are  in  lietter  color. 
Poinsettias  are  firey -looking  now. 
Camellias  with  long  stems  last  well. 
The  Horseshoe  design  is  out  of  style. 
Hot  houses  lonk  bare  after  the  Holiday  plucking. 
Single  Primroses  are  finer  as  vase  flowei-s.  than 
douiile  ones. 

Londoners  use  the  Ivy  leaf  as  green  for  winter 
button  hole  bouquets. 

Chorozema,  the  dainty  la-illiant  tiower.  is  used 
with  etTect  for  hair  sprays. 

Lilies  should  seldom  be  mixed  with  other  tlowers ; 
they  l«iok  better  by  themselves. 

If  you  would  have  your  tioral  arrangements  al- 
wa,^'s  interesting,  keei>  out  of  the  rut  of  sameness  in 
making. 

A  florist  should  have  a  special  taste  for  tlowei-s, 
and  the  essence  of  his  ambition  will  be  to  prefer  na- 
ture's best  work  to  her  more  ordinary. 

Cleaning  Flower  Vases.  When  gla.ss  vases  be- 
come discolored  or  furred,  a  weak  solution  of  hytb-o- 
chloric  acid  will  easily  remove  the  stain,  a  better 
plan  than  undue  rubbing,  which  endangers  the  glass. 


FLORAL  CRESCENT   AND   OWL. 

"Why  are  cut  tlowers  so  dear,"  is  a  question 
often  asked  at  this  season.  The  owner  of  a  range 
of  hot  houses  requiring  400  tons  of  coal  to  keep  them 
warm  through  one  winter,  could  quickly  answer. 

In  keeping  flowers  over  night  it  is  well  to  exclude 
air  as  entirely  as  possible  from  them.  If  you  can- 
not place  them  in  a  refrigerator,  they  may  go  on  the 
cellar  tloor,  sprinkling  lightly  and  inverting  a  tub 
or  tight  vessel  over  them. 

Maiden  Hair  Ferns.  No  green  is  more  charming 
fur  intermixing  with  cut  tlowei'S  or  for  touching  up 
tloral  designs,  than  the  fronds  of  these.  Yet,  as 
with  all  other  fine  things,  their  use  might  be  over- 
done.    We  have  seen  such  cases. 

A  Lily  of  the  Valley  Dress !  Wlmt  ovild  that  be 
like?  One  so  called  was  recentlj'  worn  by  a  bride  in 
New  York.  The  corsage  and  overdress  of  white 
silk  tulle,  over  pearly  satin,  was  strewn  thickly  with 
the  deUcate  sprays  of  this  favorite  bloom  of  young 
brides.      The  eflfect   Ls  said  to  have  been  exquisite. 

Flowers,  the  measure.  ^liss  (jascom  spoke  uf  a 
funeral  she  had  liei-n  tu  as  a  tmiching  atfair  and  the 
most  devotional  occasion  she  ever  witnessed.  >Irs. 
Harland  was  not  so  impressed,  she  saw  no  tears  shed 
and  no  emotion.  "  But  the  flowers,  Mrs.  Harland," 
said  Miss  Gascom.  "'  why  one  of  the  pyramids  was 
five  feet  high." 

The  Crescent  and  Owl.  This  grotesque  rtoral  <ie- 
sign  of  which  we  give  an  engraving,  received  the 


first  premium  as  a  novelty  at  the  last  show  of  the 
Buffalo  Horticultural  Society.  The  Crescent  was 
composed  of  yellow  Chiysjinthemunis.  the  solenm 
bird  of  night,  of  Marie  I^ouise  Violets.  The  jiiece 
was  suspended  from  the  ceiling  and  attracted  much 
attention.  It  was  one  of  the  exhibits  of  Long 
Brothers,  the  well  known  florists  of  this  city. 

Forced  Lilacs.  With  December  came  the  earliest 
of  these  in  the  markets.  The  first  crop  was  held 
at  about  $1  for  each  clu.ster.  nuxking  them  a  costly 
flower.  The  purple  varieties  are  the  ones  chiefly 
gi'own.  and  these  by  being  forced  in  the  dark,  yield 
rt*iwers  of  a  waxy  white.  In  this  color  they  are 
in  demand  for  bridal  bouquets.  When  grown  in 
the  light,  the  color  is  a  shade  lighter  than  garden 
ones,  and  much  moi-e  delicate  looking.  A  cluster 
of  Marechal  Niel  Roses  fringed  with  these  delicate 
pxu"ple  lilac  tassels,  is  incomparable.  The  odor  of 
hlacs  remains  long  after  the  bloom  lias  withered. 

The  Ivy  Leaf  in  Funeral  Designs.  At  the  fun- 
eral of  John  McCullough,  at  Philadelphia  recently, 
there  was  brought  together  a  remarkable  collection 
of  funeral  designs.  Among  these  were  a  number, 
in  which  the  Ivy  leaf  was  a  leading  article  used  in 
construction.  There  was  a  five-foot  column  of  these 
imbedded  in  a  sloping  base  of  flowers,  which  in  turn 
surmounted  a  six -inch  base  of  Ivy  leaves.  On  the 
slope  against  the  column  on  one  side  was  a  sheaf  of 
wheat  and  on  the  opposite  side  some  palm  leaves. 
A  four-foot  column  of  Ivy  with  a  small  sheaf  at- 
tached to  it  was  also  present.  There  was  an  elab- 
orate urn  four  feet  high  of  solid  white  flowers, 
trimmed  with  pale  roses  and  draped  with  festoons 
of  IV3-  leaves,  with  some  of  the  same  also  worked 
into  the  two-foot  square  base.  A  five  pointed  crown 
and  the  points  well  turned  outwards  was  composed 
of  elegant  white  flowers  in  the  inside,  with  Ivy  on 
the  exterior.  There  were  many  besides,  in  which 
flowers  alone  entered,  altogether  some  twenty  fine 
designs  were  pi-esent,  w^orth  from  $25  to  $100  each. 


The  dark  parts  of  roots  do  not  lengthen. 

Seeds  and  spores  differ  widely  in  structure. 

The  study  of  Botany  should  begin  in  childhood. 

The  thorns  of  young  Locust  trees,  disappear  with 
age. 

A  Botanic  G-arden  has  been  started  at  Reikjavik, 
Iceland. 

Dr.  Asa  Gray  completed  his  75th  year  on  Novem- 
ber isth  last. 

"  Gold  "  Ferns  receive  their  color  from  a  farina- 
cious  substance. 

The  wood  of  the  large  Tupelo  i-oots,  is  so  light 
and  springy  as  to  be  useful  for  corks. 

The  Rocky  Mountain  Flora  is  treated  on  exhaust- 
ively by  Professor  J.  M.  Coulter,  of  Crawfordsville, 
Ind..  in  a  volume  soon  to  appear. 

The  plants  <'f  the  earth,  in  the  flowering  divi- 
sions are  I'ut  at  about  it6,000  species,  by  such  recent 
high  authorities  as  Bentham  and  Hooker. 

A  Jack  Fruit.  Artocarftu.'^  itifegny<}liiiff.  weigh- 
ing over  82  lbs.  from  Rio  .lanerio,  was  shown  at  a 
recent  meeting  of  the  Roya!  Botanical  Society  of 
London. 

The  Algae,  t^r  plants  of  the  open  sea,  often  live 
at  coiisitierable  depths.  Udotea  vitifolia  has  been 
brought  up  from  a  depth  of  250  feet  near  the  Cana- 
ries. Peron  and  Mange  have  dredged  up  brilliant 
living  Algae  from  '>C^^  feet. 

The  Microphytes  have  a  wonderful  power  of  re- 
sistance. Professor  MeHendrick.  found  that  after 
subjecting  organisms  like  Bacteria  to  a  temperature 
120'^  below  zero,  and  then  thawing  the  fluids  con- 
taining them.  living  organisms  yet  remained. 

Astonishing !  A  si>ecirnen  of  the  Giant  Puff- 
ball,  Lycoperdon  (jignntruni^  of  the  immense  size  of 
five  feet  four  inches  its  largest  way,  and  four  feet 
six  inches  the  smallest  way  in  diameter,  was  in  1877 
found  by  Pn.f.  R.  E.  Call,  in  Herkimer  Co..  X.  Y. 

Plants  and  Animals.  The  laboi-s  of  Botanists 
and  Zoologists  have  long  been  directed  to  discover 
absolute  differences  Itetween  these  two,  but  in  vain. 
There  are  points  in  the  scale  from  the  higher  to  the 
lower  orders  in  each,  where  no  line  can  positively 
be  di'awn  between  the  two  kingd<)ms. 

Hard  wood,  a  '.rvi-  known  as  the  Desert  Iron 
Wood,  and  gi'owing  in  the  dry  wastes  along  the  line 
of  the  Southern  Pacific  Railroad,  is  reported  as  l>e- 
iugoneof  the  hardest  woods  in  existence.  Its  specific 
gravity  almost  e<iuals  that  of  Lignum-vita?.  The 
heai-l  which  is  black,  when  well  seasoned  will  turn 
the  edge  of  an  axe.  and  can  hardly  he  cut  by  a  well 
tempered  saw. 


Vitality  of  Seeds.  Professor  Real  reports  the  re- 
sults of  experiments  maile  in  the  growth  of  seeds  tliat 
had  been  enclosed  in  sand  in  bottles,  and  buried  for 
five  yeai's  at  a  depth  of  twenty  inches  In-low  the  su>-- 
face  of  the  earth,  as  follows,  the  numbers  indicating 
per  cents:  A  ni<irtin  th  k.s  retro  flex  uk,  forty -two : 
Ambrosia  artcmisia'/itlio,  none:  Brassicn  nigra, 
none;  Bromus  m-ralimts,  none:  CapHcUa  Imrsa-jjaji- 
toris,  one  hundred;  Lepitfiuni  virf/iiiirum,  ninety- 
four  ;^i(7j/)f>/7>/a  ninculdto,  none:  QCnofhfro  biennis. 
eighty-two:  Plantago  major,  none:  i\)lf/gotiiim  Jii/- 
dro-piper^  six;  Portulaca  aleracea,  th irty -eight : 
Quercus  rubra,  none;  TrifoUum  rcpens^  four; 
Verhaatinn  iiuiiiKua^  eighly-four. 

A  Primula  Convention,  international  in  its  na- 
ture, will  be  held  in  London.  England,  commencing 
on  April  23  next.  It  will  be  conducted  somewhat 
after  the  plan  of  the  great  Orchid  Convention  of  last 
year,  which  resulted  so  well  in  advancing  the  general 
knowledge  of  Orchids.  At  the  coming  Convention, 
the  Polyanthus,  .\uriculas,  American  Cowslips. 
Cyclamens,  and  other  favorites  of  the  Primnlarefv. 
will  each  receive  a  share  of  attention.  The  high 
character  of  the  meeting  is  sufficiently  indicated  by 
the  fact  that  the  committee  for  the  United  States 
consists  of  Prof.  Asa  Gray,  of  Harvard,  Prof.  Thur- 
ber  of  Xew  .Jersey,  Prof.  Sleehan  of  Philadelphia 
and  Prof.  Lawson  of  Halifax.  Nova  Scotia. 


ABOUT  THE  PLACE. 

Corn  is  a  warming  food. 

Plan  improvements  by  this  weather. 

Store  pigs  will  consume  a  little  clover  hay  with 
profit,  if  given  the  chance. 

To  scatter  ashes  on  icy  walks  costs  nothing; 
broken  limbs  are  very  costly. 

The  use  of  the  easily  made  A-shaped  snow  scrap- 
ers, may  save  much  tiresome  trudging  through  the 
unbroken  paths. 

Many  a  valuable  horse  has  been  crippled  by  sli[)- 
ping  <in  the  ice.  To  the  shop  at  once  if  the  shoes 
are  smooth,  and  the  roads  shppery. 

Surplus  honey  combs  should  be  exposed  to  hard 
frost  in  order  that  the  eggs  of  the  moth  or  miller 
may  be  frozen.  Rats  and  mice  will  destroy  comb 
when  somewhat  pressed  for  food:  they  must  be 
kept  out  of  their  way. 

In  the  depth  of  winter,  it  is  important,  tliat 
stables,  water  pipes,  cisterns,  root  pits  and  cellars, 
be  very  thoroughly  protected;  now  if  this  kind  of 
work  was  neglected  earher,  don't  rest  easy  for  one 
day  until  it  is  attended. 

Pure  Water.  The  water  for  farmers"  families, 
says  the  American  Cultivator,  is  quite  as  apt  to  be 
bad  as  that  in  cities,  w^here  boards  of  health  step  in 
and  enforce  sanitary  regidations.  The  best  way  to 
insure  pure  water  is  to  use  that  from  the  hou.se  roof. 
passing  it  through  a  filter  to  remove  impurities.  In 
the  West  this  practice  of  storing  rain  water  in  cis- 
tenis  is  quite  common,  and  the  cisterns  are  made 
very  deej)  to  insure  cold  water  in  summer. 

Mulches.  A  (Tcrman  experimenter.  Prof.  K. 
Wollny,  has  fouud  that  soil  covered  with  living  herb- 
age or  dead  vegetable  matter  is  coldei-  in  sunmier 
and  wai-mer  in  winter  than  bare  soil  imdei-  other- 
wise similar  conditions.  The  difference  of  tempera- 
ture is  greatest  in  summer  and  least  in  spring 
and  autumn.  Bare  soil  heats  more  quickly  in  the 
spring  and  cools  more  quickly  in  autuum  than  that 
covered  with  living  i»r  dead  vegetable  mattei". 

We  trust  that  not  a  single  reader  of  Popc[^» 
Gardening,  is  obliged  from  lack  of  feeding  eon- 
veniences,  to  throw  the  corn  or  other  grain,  fed  to 
hogs,  on  the  muddy  or  snowy  floor  of  the  pens. 
We  confess  it  was  only  recentlj'  we  met  a  case  of 
this  kind  of  feeding,  and  the  man  was  one  who  can't 
afford  to  take  a  paper  not  even  Popular  (Jardening, 
at  (U>  cents  a  year.  The  i>ractice  is  as  wasteful 
as  it  is  abomniable,  fully  one-fourth  of  the  food 
being  lost,  we  are  smv. 

Feeding  the  cow,  when  choice  is  to  be  had  be- 
tween good  timothy  and  clover  hay,  feed  the  lattei". 
If  of  good  quality,  not  too  coarse,  ami  not  smoky, 
it  may  be  fed  long.  Unless  it  is  flret-rate,  it  will  go 
further  for  being  cut.  but  otherwise  will  be  no  better 
for  the  ciiw.  Our  choice  in  such  a  case,  if  the  sup- 
ply- is  ample,  would  be  not  to  cut.  and  let  her  reject 
the  pooi'er  parts.  (Jood  bright  corn  fodder,  cut  up 
short,  are  fully  the  equal  of  good  hay  for  feeding.  For 
meal,  gi'ound  oats  is  to  be  preferred  above  any  other 
kind  :  a  mixture  of  half  and  half  oats  and  corn, 
groimd.  is  excellent  for  the  milk  yield.  Half  a  pint 
of  linseed  oil  cake  or  cotton  seed  cake  daily,  will 
keep  the  system  in  fine  tone,  and  increase  the  milk. 
Several  quarts  of  roots  per  day.  isanotiier  addition 
to  the  food  not  to  be  gotten  along  without,  wheit- 
the  Iwist  results  are  aimed  for. 


46 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


January, 


poviltry. 

Raising  Chickens  in  Winter. 

The  desiiability  of  hatching  uhiol^ens  early 
in  the  season,  whether  the  object  ahead,  Is 
early  broilers  for  mai-ket,  or  eggs  in  winter, 
is  not  in  question.  Tlie  matter  of  the  best 
ways  and  means  to  such  ends,  is  the  one  which 
deserves  our  best  attention  at  this  season. 

For  the  earliest  broods,  the  start  at  hatching 
may  be  made  at  any  time  now.  As  to  the  rela- 
tive advantages  of  hatching  by  hens  or  by  in- 
cubators, we  shall  only  say  that  with  judicious 
action  and  close  attention  either  course  may 
be  successful  for  extra  early  hatching.  With 
hens,  it  is  not  necessary  that  tlie  nest  boxes  be 
in  a  warm  place,  neither  should  they  be  where 
it  is  cold.  Not  more  than  nine  eggs  should  be 
given  to  each  hen  at  this  season. 

As  soon  as  the  chicks  are  out,  a  special  house 
or  room  must  be  provided.  This  should  be  ar- 
tificially heated  to  be  comfortably  warm.  A 
coal  stove  is  better  than  a  wood  stove  tor  this 
purpose,  because  of  the  more  uniform  heat 
possible  with  it.  The  floor  of  the  room  should 
be  kept  covered  with  fine  dry  soil  or  coal  ashes, 
and  the  utmost  care  be  paid  to  cleanliness. 

Wheie  incubatoi-s are  used,  some  hens  should 
also  be  set  when  the  eggs  are  started,  with  a 
view  to  acting  as  mothers  to  the  otherwise 
motherless  chicks,  This  they  will  readily  do. 
As  many  as  from  M  to  llJt)  chicks  may  be  had 
to  follow  one  hen:  they  will  be  more  contented 
with  the  clucking  of  a  "mother "  to  lead  them. 

The  best  food  tor  the  young  chicks  at  first  is 
stale  bread  crumbs,  moistened  very  slightly  in 
sweet  milk.  But  little  corn  meal  should  be  fed 
until  they  have  become  fuUy  feathered,  and 
that  should  be  well  cooked.  We  ai-e  great  ad- 
vocates for  making  sweet  milk  a  leading  article 
of  food  for  early  chicks  after  they  are  some 
weeks  along.  It  must  never  be  allowed  to  get 
sour,  as  this  would  disturb  the  digestive  organs, 
a  thing  to  be  avoided,  if  we  would  have  broilers 
by  asparagus  time.  For  variety  some  cracked 
wheat,  rice,  oaten  gi'its  "  Cottage  cheese,"  etc.. 
may  occasionally  be  fed,  all  of  which  are  most 
excellent  and  not  so  heating  as  corn  meal. 

No  trouble  is  ever  found  in  turning  early 
hatched  chickens  to  a  very  profitable  account. 
For  marketing  when  weighing  from  two  to 
four  pounds  per  pair,  they  go  off  readily  at 
high  i-ates,  sometimes  retailing  at  S;1..50  per  pair 
in  good  markets.  If  the  prices  are  not  too 
temi)ting,  by  keeping  the  pullets  through,  they 
will  commence  laying  iu  September,  or  earlier, 
and  continue  to  do  so  right  through  the  winter 
with  the  most  ordinary  fair  treatment. 


How  to  Know  the  Age  of  Fowls. 

Soon  after  pullets  reach  the  age  of  a  year  or 
fifteen  months,  they  take  on  an  adult  look, 
which  renders  it  not  easy  for  a  stranger,  or 
even  their  owner,  sometimes,  to  distinguish 
them  from  hens  at  least  a  year  their  seniors. 
For  a  person  then  to  be  deceived  by  buying  old 
stock  when  young  was  wanted,  or  selling  off 
young  stock  good  for  future  serv-ice  yet,  when 
only  the  number  of  the  older  ones  was  to  be 
reduced,  is,  in  either  case,  most  exasperating. 
These  ideas  suggest  the  importance  of  being 
able  to  keep  track  of  the  age  of  each  member 
of  your  own  flock,  or  to  know  the  age,  very 
nearly,  at  sight  of  those  of  any  other. 

As  for  always  knowing  the  exact  age  of  each 
fowl  in  your  own  charge,  it  is  not  difficult  to 
so  mark  the  broods  of  each  successive  year, 
that  they  may  be  readily  detected  ever  after- 
wards. Let  all  birds  that  were  raised  in  the 
past  year  for  example,  be  caught  at  this  time, 
and  marked  by  twisting  a  small  piece  of,  .say 
brass  wire,  loosely  round  the  left  leg.  Then 
let  the  brood  of  the  present  year  1880,  be  sim- 
ilarly marked  in  the  fall,  but  on  the  right  leg. 
A  year  later  similarly  mark  the  fowls  of  1877 
on  the  left  leg   with  copper  instead  of  brass 


wire,  and  further  on,  those  of  1888  with  the 
same  wire  on  the  right  leg.  In  the  year  after 
that,  you  could  stai't  in  with  the  bra.ss  marks 
again,  and  so  on  by  romids  of  four  years  indefi- 
nitely. In  this  way,  a  mark  on  the  left  leg 
would  always  indicate  the  odd  numbers  of 
years ;  on  the  right  the  even  numbers.  Such 
a  ring  attached  by  a  few  twists  would,  if  loose, 
be  no  annoyance  to  the  fowl,  while  it  would 
serve  as  a  sure  mark  of  the  age. 

With  the  best  judges,  there  are  found  no  true 
signs  of  the  exact  age  in  external  appearances. 
Yet  some  indications  are  comparatively  relia- 
ble.    Rough  legs  for  one  thing  are  a  tolerably 


A  PAIR   OF  ROUEN   DUCKS. 


true  sign  of  age,  the  legs  of  the  young  Ijcing 
generally  very  smooth.  Another  clue,  although 
not  an  infallible  one,  is  the  time  of  year  at 
which  a  fowl  moults.  As  a  rule  bu-ds  moult 
later  every  year,  so  that  if  a  hen  changes  her 
feathers  early  in  the  autumn,  it  may  be  taken 
for  granted  that  she  was  hatched  the  year  pre- 
vious. Again,  fowls  get  lighter  in  color  as 
theii-  years  increase.  And  lastl)',  in  old  birds 
there  is  an  absence  of  that  sprightliness  com- 
mon to  youth,  and,  at  the  same  time,  they  car- 
ry that  appearance  of  age  which  ought  not  to 
deceive  even  a  novice  at  poultry  keeping. 

Rouen  Ducks. 

Of  the  two  principle  varieties  of  the  domestic 
duck,  the  Rouen  and  the  Aylesbury,  the  former 
appears  to  be  the  greater  favorite.  Perhaps  a 
sufficient  reason  for  this  is  found,  iu  the  fact 
that  they  do  better  iu  many  parts  than  the 
Aylesbury.  They  also  have  a  reputation  for 
superiority  of  flesh,  in  the  fall  months  especially. 
As  for  appearances,  the  Rouen  easily  leads  the 
white  in  the  estimation  of  the  masses.  Indeed, 
nothing  can  exceed  the  beauty  of  a  drake  of  the 
former  when  he  is  in  full  plumage. 

The  points  that  should  be  aimed  for  in  ducks 
of  this  variety  for  breeding  purposes,  may  be 
summed  up  about  as  follows :  The  di'ake  should 
have  a  shapely  form  and  a  commanding  ap- 
pearance. The  head  should  be  green  and  pur- 
ple, with  a  long  clean  bill,  having  a  yellow 
ground  with  a  very  pale  wash  of  green  over  it, 
and  the  "bean"  on  the  end  of  it  jet  black. 
There  should  be  a  sharp  closel.y-defined  ring  of 
white  ai'ound  the  neck,  save  that  it  should  not 
quite  meet  at  the  back.  Breast  a  clear  claret- 
brown  to  swell  below  the  water  line,  where  it 
should  pass  into  a  beautiful  French  gray  for 
the  under  body,  shading  into  white  near  the 
tail.  The  back  ought  to  be  a  rich  greenish 
black  with  wings  of  a  grayish  brov^^l,  bearing 
distinct  purple  and  white  ribbon-marks.  The 
flight  feathers  must  be  gi-ay  and  brown,  no 
white.     Legs  a  rich  orange. 

In  the  duck  the  bill  should  be  shorter  than  in 
the  drake;  orange  brown  as  a  gi-ound  color, 
shading  off  at  the  edges  to  yellow,  and  at  the 
top  a  nearly  black  mark.  Any  approach  to 
slate  color  in  birds  of  either  sex,  would  be  a 
fatal  blemish.  The  head  of  the  duck  is  dark 
brown;  the  breast  a  pale  brown,  delicately 
penciled  with  dark  brown,  the  back  with  black 
on  a  dark  brown  ground.  BeUy  a  light  brown 
with  the  feathers  delicately  penciled  to  the  tip. 


CONDENSED  POULTRY  NOTES. 

Soughing  it  won't  do  for  hens. 
Make  low  roosts  for  large-sized  breeds. 
Many  diseases  may  be  laid  to  cold  and  wet. 
Notice  how  fowls  will  fret  if  the  food  comes  lat^?. 
One  thing  is  sure:  china  nest  eggs  never  break 
from  frost. 

Not  much  use  looking  for  winter  layers  in  hens 
over  two  years  old. 

To  neglect  tlie  morning  feetUng,  an  experienced 
poultry  man  tells  us,  will  make  few  eggs  for  that  day. 
If  we  wish  eggs  when  eggs  are  dear,  we  must 
hatch  early  or  push  the  medium  early  pullets  rap- 
idly when  hatched. 

A  warm  hen  house,  not  a  very  close  one,  is  wan- 
ted: there  should  be  ventilation  at  the  top  for  draw- 
ing out  the  foul  air. 

Lime  is  good  for  fowls,  but  it  must  not  be  mixed 
with  food,  or  they  may  get  too  much  of  it.  Keep 
it  in  a  shallow  box.  where  they  can  take  of  it  at  will. 
A  thought  for  the  New  Year:  Don't  spend  all 
the  money  on  ornamenting  the  house  and  barn:  put 
some  touches  also  on  the  poultry  house.  Have  you 
never  noticed  how  much  a  tasty-looking,  well- 
painted  hen  house  adds  to  the  appearance  of  a  place? 
Those  of  our  readers  who  tliink  of  usinp  an  incu- 
liator  this  s]iring  for  hatching  chicks  should  have  it 
on  hand  now  or  shoidd  order  it  right  away.  It  is 
prudent  to  become  acquainted  with  these  machines 
by  running  them  a  few  days,  before  entrusting  to 
their  care  oue  or  two  hundred  high  priced  eggs. 

Salting  the  food,  wliile  it  is  a^oodplan  toa  slight 
extent,  especially  when  there  is  a  disposition  to 
feather  eating,  must  be  guardedly  done.  We  call  to 
mind  the  ease  years  ago  of  a  neighbor  who  was  told 
that  to  feed  salt  woidd  increase  the  laying.  He  fed 
salt,  not  sparing  it,  and  liow  his  hens  did  begin  to 
lay--on  the  dung  pile.  dead. 

Scratching  is  good  afternoon  exercise  for  hens. 
To  get  them  at  it  have  a  drv  place  on  the  floor  in 
some  part  away  from  the  roost,  and  defined  by 
boards  ten  <>r  twelve  inches  high.  Into  this  place 
several  inches  of  dr,y  earth,  sand,  coal  ashes,  chaff,, 
or  anything  the  hens  can  scratch.  Then  every 
noon  scatter  some  buckwheat  or  other  grain  on  the 
surface,  working  it  in  with  the  foot,  and  let  the 
hens  go  to  work.    Its  fvm  to  watch  them. 

If  you  want  a  t'owd  that  looks  good  anywhere, 
writes  a  correspondent  of  the  Journal— in  the  fowd 
yard,  the  field,  the  pot,  that  acts  hke  a  good  fowl 
should  in  the  laying  nest,  the  incubating  nest  or 
brooding  coop — you  mu.st  hunt  long  and  dillip;ently 
to  tind  the  equal  of  the  well-known  but  too  little 
prized  Dominiques.  Its  only  the  careless,  shiftless 
poidtry  keeper,  who  is  heard  to  complain  about 
chicken  ailments  as  a  rule.  Give  your  fowls  good 
care,  and  our  wonl  for  it  you  may  laugh  at  most 
diseases. 

Talk  and  Cleanliness.  There  is  a  good  deal  of 
talk  about  cleanliness  in  the  poultry  house,  but 
what  does  the  word  mean  here?  it  means  remove 
all  the  excrement  every  day,  not  half  of  it;  renew 
the  nests  often,  using  clean  material  at  each  start; 
to  keep  the  walls  nice  and  sweet,  bv  the  application 
of  a  lime-wash  occasionally:  to  aim  at  having  the 
fowls  clean  of  insects,  by  dosing  the  roosts  with 
some  vernun  kiUer,  as  well  as  the  nest  boxes,  cor- 
ners, etc.,  to  provide  a  suitable  bathing  place— even 
if  the  material  of  the  bath  is  nature's  strange 
choice  for  fo%vls.  dry  dust.  All  these  things  are 
wanted  before  we  can  call  the  hen-house  in  a  clean 
and  healthy  state.  Frequently  brushing  up  the 
floor,  of  scattered  dust  and  filth  is  also  necessary. 

Great  Figures  iielong  to  a  great  country  like  our 
own,  of  course.  The  last  U.  S.  census  brought  out 
a  good  many  of  these,  most  of  which  are  altogether 
too  immense  for  our  minds  to  anything  hke  near 
grasp.  For  instance,  here  as  to  domestic  fowls:  In 
the  country  at  the  time  the  census  of  1880  was 
taken,  there  were  of  common  fowls  10a,^'2,]:3.5,  and 
of  other  fowls,  which  we  suppose  includes  turkeys, 
geese  and  ducks  '53,33.5.187,  or  a  total  of  ia.5,507,:K8 
fowls  of  all  sorts.  From  such  a  number  the  product 
is  something  enormous.  It  is  not  imreasonable  to 
suppose  that  the  average  product  from  each  fowl 
would  be  flve  pounds  of  dressed  poultry  for  market, 
worth  yj  cents  per  pound.  The  market  value  of  this 
product  would  be  $7.5,:W4,:3i)3.2(1. 

The  number  of  eggs  reported  was  4.5ti,910,iilG  doz- 
ens. It  is  not  stated  whether  this  is  the  number  laid 
or  the  number  sold.  But  as  it  only  allows  43  eggs 
to  a  fowl  we  suppose  it  is  the  number  sold.  Allow- 
ing 15  cents  per  dozen  as  a  fair  average  price  the 
season  through  and  the  country  over,  we  have  a 
market  value  of  $(i8,.'):3i),l)37.  Adding  the  meat  and 
egg  product  we  have  a  grand  total  of  $143,841,030  as 
the  vahie  of  the  poultry  product  of  the  United  States. 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


47 


owGjfeppue^ 


Treeclimber's  Talks. 

ABOUT  THE    RAUKIST   AMERU'AN    PLANT. 

Some  plants,  like  the  Dandelion  and  Chick- 
weed,  are  so  (.-oiuniou  that  everybody  knows 
them.  This  is  also  true  of  sueh  shrubs  as  the 
Hose  and  the  Lilac,audof  Maple,  Elm  and  Poplar 
trees,  which  shade  our  streets,  and  yrow  in  the 
forests.  Of  course  we  all  know  that  many 
other  kinds  of  plants  are  less  common ;  it 
is  not  a  strange  thing  to  hear  people  say 
when  they  visit  other  peoples'  gardens,  "  I 
never  saw  this  plant  before,"  referring  to 
one  sort  or  another,  that  pei-haps  is  not 
common.     No  one  can  know  evei-y  plant. 

I  desire  now  to  introduce  my  young 
readers  to  one  o(  the  rarest  plants  of 
America,  or  indeed  of  the  world.  It  is  so 
rare,  in  tact,  that  it  has  almost  became 
extinct.  For  a  plant  or  an  animal  to 
become  extinct,  you  know,  means  that  it 
has  died  out  on  the  face  of  the  globe,  a 
thing  which  has  occurred  to  numbere  of 
both  plants  and  animals.  The  plant  I 
here  refer  to  is  the 

PRETTY   LITTLE  SHORTIA  GALACIFOLIA. 

This  plant  has  been  found  growing  only 
in  two  small  spots  on  the  globe,  one  in 
Japan,  the  other  in  McDowell  Co.,  North 
Cai'olina.  So  being  it  is  an  American,  in 
part  at  least,  we  of  this  country  shoiild 
take  the  greater  interest  in  it.  The  ac- 
companying engraving  shows  the  plant 
at  about  one-half  its  natural  size.  As  you 
may  see,  the  flowers  are  primrose-like  in 
form;  the  leaves  ai'e  dai'k  green  and 
glossy,  resembling  somewhat  those  of  the 
Wintergreen  plant  of  om'  woods. 

To  show  how  comparatively  scarce  the  Shortia 
is,  it  may  be  said  that  while  the  common  little 
Dandelion  opens  its  bright  golden  flowers  abun- 
dantly on  this  continent,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 
Pacific,  and  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  northwards 
to  the  Ai'ctic  regions,  wherever  man  lives,  this 
only  known  habitation  of  Shortia  in  America, 
in  the  county  above  named,  is  a  space  of  less 
than  ten  feet  wide  by  forty  feet  long,  and  here 
not  over  one  hundi'ed  plants  have  been  found. 

For  many  years  after  the  existence  of  such  a 
plant  in  Amei-ica  was  first  suspected,  by  the 
presence  of  a  dried  siiecimen  of  it  in  a  Paris  mu- 
seum, labeled  as  from  this  country,  its  localitj- 
was  unknown.  Much  search  was  given  to  finding 
its  whereabouts,  but  for  a  long  time  without  suc- 
cess. At  last,  however,  some  eight  years  ago, 
this  small  patch  of  it  was  discovered  to  the 
great  joy  of  aU  our  botanists.  The  place  has 
of  lat«  years  been  visited  by  many  lovers  of 
rare  plants. 

THE  PERFUME   OF   FLOWERS. 

Whenever  you  are  shown  a  handsome  flower, 
one  of  the  first  things  you  want  to  know,  is, 
whether  it  is  sweet  or  not.  No  matter  how 
gaudy  may  be  its  colors  or  pleasing  its  form, 
if  it  lacks  fragi'ance  you  thiuk  less  of  it. 
About  the  only  charm  possessed  by  the  modest 
Mignonette  is  its  odoi-;  yet  that  is  enough  to 
cause  it  to  be  loved  by  everyone  as  few  other 
flowers  are. 

It  maj"  be  noticed  that  such  sweet  flowers  as 
Mignonette,  Violets,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Car- 
nations anil  Roses,  are  the  greatest  favorites 
with  true  lovers  of  flowers.  They  please  the 
nose  as  well  as  the  eye ;  without  such  as  these  a 
nosegay  cannot  be  made. 

Little  is  known  about  the  perfume  of  flowers 
besides  the  mere  fact  that  it  exists.  No  one 
can  describe  it,  exept  by  saj-ing  it  resembles  the 
odor  of  other  flowers  or  things.  I  have  often 
been  amused  to  hear  how  many  people  will  say> 
when  they  smell  of  the  Heliotrope, 


IT  .SMELLS   LIKE   ICE   CREAM, 

they  could  more  properly  Say  it  resembles  the 
odor  of  vanilla,  an  article  ranch  used  for  flavor" 
ing  ice  cream  and  candies.  We  can  say  of  the 
Gilly  flower,  tliat  it  has  a  fi'uity  fragi'auce,  of 
the  Tubei'ose  that  it  has  a  Jasamine-like  smell, 
and  of  the  leaves  of  the  Rose  Geranium,  that 
their  sweet  odor  closely  resembles  thai  of  Roses, 
and  thus  convey  an  idea  of  these,  but  further 
than  this  no  one  can  describe  a  fragrance  so 
that  another  would  know  it  from  the  descrip- 
tion given. 

The  perfvmie  of  flowers  is  gathered  and  pre- 
served for  later  use  in  [Jerfumery.  All  boys  and 
girls,  I  believe,  like  perfumery  of  one  kind  or 
another.     Perfumery  of  some  kinds  is  derived 


This  is  utit  a  iin-tty  picture,  but  it  is  a  tnie  one. 
Wliere  there's  a  will  t<i  get  money  there's  a  way. 
The  world  is  a  big  place;  tlieie  are  a  tliousaiiil 
olmnces  appearing  every  day  for  those  who  can 
see  them;  thei-e  is  work  for  tliose  who  can  ilo  it; 
there  are  good  ami  equal  laws  to  protect  you  in 
winning  and  keeping  money,  and  there  is  a  free, 
fair  chance  for-  all. 

The  Memory. 

The   power  of   retjiiuing  impressions   made 
through  the  senses  ui>on  the  mind,  is  oni'  of  the 
most  wonderful  gifts  tcj  mall.  "Why  some  tilings 
should  be  readily  retained  in  the  memory,  and 
then  others  of  equal  importance  shoulrl  he  as 
easily  lost  has  puzzled  many  witliout  a  solution 
of  the  matter  being  reached.     It  is  Siiid  that 
memory  depends  upon  attention,  or  that  the 
more  we  attend  to  a  thing  the  better  we 
remember  it.      The   old    remark  that   a 
person  never  forgets  a  debt  owing  to  him, 
perhaps  illusti-ates  this.     Cicero  after  long 
thinking  about  the  memory,  found  in  it  a 
striking  proof  to  his  mind  of  the  immor- 
tality of  the  soul  and  the  existence  of  a 
God.     Samuel  Smiles  recently  remarked 
on  this  subject  as  follows: 

The  most  extraoi'Uinary  instances  of  memory 
are  those  furnished  by  the  ages  which  pre- 
ceeded  the  art  of  printing. 

Plato,  Socrates,  and  the  philosophers  of  their 
time,  depended  entirely  on  their  memories. 
Seneca  could  repeat  two  thousand  proper 
names  in  the  order  in  which  they  had  been 
told  him.  without  a  mistake. 

After  prmting  had  been  invented,  but  while 
books  were  still  rare  and  dear,  memory  con- 
tinued to  perfonn  its  great  teats.  Bot'tigella 
knew  by  heart  wdiole  books  verbatim. 

It  is  recorded  of  Pascal,  that  he  forgot 
nothing  of  what  he  had  done,  read  or  thought, 
in  any  part  of  his  rational  Hfe.  He  knew  the 
whole  Bible  by  heart,  and  could  at  any  moment 
cite  chapter  and  verse  of  any  part  of  it. 


THE  RAREST  AMERICAN  PLANT— SHORTIA  GALACIFOLIA 

from  animals  as  in  the  case  of  musk,  but  plants 
furnish  the  most  of  that  used.  In  these  it  is 
due  to  a  volatile  and  highly  inflammable  oil 
known  as  otto.  The  chief  pai't  of  the  per- 
fumer's ai-t  is  to  separate  this  oU  from  the 
vegetable  matter  in  which  it  exists.  Some  sub- 
stances, like  the  peel  of  oranges  or  lemons  con- 
tain so  much  of  this  oil,  that  it  can  be  squeezed 
out  with  the  hand. 

Timothy  Treeclimber. 


A  Condition  not  to  be  Evaded. 

One  of  the  conditions  of  our  existence  in  this 
world  is,  that  we  must  work.  It  is  n,ot  always 
an  easy  idea  for  the  young,  those  who  have 
plenty  of  the  needful  things  of  life  all  about 
them,  provided  by  the  hands  of  others,  to  come 
to.  But  it  must  be  done  if  we  would  be  truly 
independent  and  happy  throughout  life. 

Let  one  look  about  him,  and  if  he  is  a  close 
student  of  humanity  he  wiU  see  that  those  who 
ai'e  busily  employed,  are  the  most  contented, 
while  the  few  who  try  to  get  tlu'ough  life  with- 
out labor,  however  wealthy  they  may  chance 
to  be,  ai'e  anything  but  happy.  The  ranks  of 
the  "tramps"  aresoouer  or  later  mostly  made 
up  of  those  who  ridiculously  boast  that  the 
world  owes  them  a  living,  without  their  work- 
ing for  it. 

On  the  subject  of  work  and  money  making 
for  the  young,  Mr.  Charles  Barnard  says,  in  the 
Youth^:^  Cniiipttniitn : 

Must  a  fellow  work  to  get  money "/  Thafs  a  sorry 
end  to  the  matter.  Is  there  no  other  way  of  getting 
money  y  No.  The  fact  is  the  world  is  a  hard  place 
to  live  in  for  lazy  folks;  unless  you  can  do  some- 
thing; unless  you  can  pick  money  out  of  the  ground, 
or  the  sea;  unless  yon  are  wilUng  to  work  for  some 
one  wdio  has  money,  you  can  cohie  to  w  ant  with  the 
greatest  ease. 

If  you  cannot  work  by  reason  of  any  defect,  the 
public  will  supply  your  needs— in  a  hospital.  If 
you  will  not  work,  down,  down  yon  go,  deeper  and 
deeper  into  poverty,  poorer  and  poorer,  till  at  last 
there  is  the  poorhouse,  with  its  bare  doors,  its 
coarse  bread  and  miserable  end— a  nameless  grave 
in  the  Potter's  Field. 


PET  BIRDS,  ANIMALS.   ETC. 

The  Goldfish  does  not  bear  cold  well. 
Never  let  the  cage  door  slain,  it  you  want  a 
tame  bu-d. 

Where  Goldfish  are  common  flsh,  they  are 
eaten  as  a  delicacy. 

Name  your  pets  when  you  fu-st  get  them:  use  the 
name  and  it  will  soon  be  learned. 

If  the  door  of  the  dog-house  be  at  the  side  near 
the  end,  instead  of  in  the  end  as  usually  made,  there 
will  be  better  protection  to  the  animal  from  wind 
and  ram.  The  bed  in  winter  should  consist  of 
plenty  of  fine  shavings  or  wheat  straw;  change  at 
least  once  eveiy  fortnight.  The  house  needs  to  be 
raised  from  the  earth,  to  pi'event  dampness. 

Has  the  Bell  Yet.  About  twenty  fouryears  ago. 
just  a  little  before  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  a  turkey 
buzzard  was  caught,  and  a  bell  attached  to  his  neck. 
This  bird  has  occasionally  been  identified,  and  again 
quite  recently  by  the  ringing  of  the  bell.  This  fact 
goes  to  show  what  has  long  been  known,  that  the 
turkey  buzzard  is  long  hved.  In  most  of  the  South- 
ern States,  it  is  unlawful  to  kill  them,  because  of 
their  value  as  consumers  of  carrion.  They  are 
further  presen-ed  by  the  superstition  of  the  negroes, 
that  it  is  liad  luck  to  hurt  them. 

Scattering  the  Seed  is  a  troublesome  and  waste- 
fid  trick  in  a  bii'd.  Mi-s.  Helen  Jliller  writes  that  if 
you  wish  to  avoid  this,  never  p;it  twt>  kinds  of  seed 
together,  and  never  leave  shells  on  lop  of  the  seed. 
^Vllat  leads  to  the  practice  of  this  trick,  is  that  birds 
get  ui  the  way  of  looking  for  a  favorite  kind,  and 
this  they  learn  is  to  be  found  under  other  kinds  some- 
times. Always  put  fresh  seed  in  the  dish  even  if  it 
is  not  half  eaten,  blowing  out  all  shells  first.  lu 
giving  two  kinds  have  two  dishes  or  else — what  is 
better— put  one  kind  on  the  ground. 

Cage  Birds  do  not  require  any  special  attention 
at  this  season  of  the  year.  The  chief  points  are, 
to  supply  them  with  suflicient  food  and  no  more, 
to  avoid  coddling  them,  on  the  one  band,  and  ex- 
posing them  to  cold  draughts  on  the  other.  The 
cages  should  be  suspended  in  a  light  position  and 
near  the  window,  or  other  position  where  they  will 
have  a  fair  amount  of  air.  In  gas-hghted  rooms 
the  tops  of  the  cages  should  be  from  three  to  four 
feet  from  the  ceiling,  because  of  the  impurity  of  the 
atmosphere  of  the  npi>er  part  of  rooms  where 
special  means  are  not  adoiited  for  carrying  off  the 
vitiated  air.  The  food  with  which  the  birds  are 
suppheil  should  be  generous,  but  not  overheating  or 
too  fattening,  and  the  supplj"  of  green  food  nuist 
not  be  neglected.  At  the  present  time  there  is  no 
green  food  to  surpass  \Vatercress,grown  under  glass, 
and  groundsel,  for  Canary  and  other  small  birds. 


48 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


January, 


"^e  Household 

Pancakes. 

A  writer  in  the  Cuiik  comlemus  pancakes  in 
the  most  vigorous  terms,  particularly  buck- 
wheat pancakes,  which  he  considers  chief  of 
all  dietetic  abominations,  because  buckwheat  is 
heating.  We  imagine  that  the  principal  injury 
ai-ising  froni  the  use  of  buckwheat  pancakes  is 
when  the  use  of  these  is  overdone. 

That  the  gi-ain  of  buckwheat  is  nutritious  is 
indisputable,  containing  as  it  does,  about  10 
per  cent,  of  gluten  and  52  per  cent,  of  starch, 
besides  about  (i  per  cent,  of  g-um  and  sugar,  but 
that  it  has  an  injurious  action  on  the  blood, 
causing  skin  eruptions,  and  perhaps  also  a  bad 
effect  on  the  brain,  seems  also  to  be  established. 
As  a  supplementary  ai'ticle  of  food  it  is  entitled 
to  use  in  a  reasonalile  degree,  and  then  no  harm 
would  need  to  be  expected.  To  bring  the  cakes 
hot  from  the  greasy  pan  in  American  style  on 
the  table  once  a  day,  and  then  make  of  them 
almost  the  sole  article  of  food  is  too  overdo  in 
their  use ;  such  a  rule  iu  vogue  should  be  broken. 

That  we  may  di-ive  further  terror  into  the 
heart  of  the  luxurious  buckwheat  cake  eater, 
we  print  the  closing  flourish  of  the  article,  by 
the  writer  referred  to : 

•'Their  one  merit,  that  of  increasing  the  tem- 
perature of  the  consumer,  is  in  nearly  all  ca.ses 
an  evil.  Were  a  man  residing  at  the  North 
Pole,  he  might  warm  himself  by  eating  buck- 
wheat cakes;  but  in  any  decent  latitude,  buck- 
wheat injuriously  c  i verheats  the  blood.  All  the 
benefits  of  buckwheat  cakes  could  be  obtained 
by  swallowing  cotton  while  sitting  on  a  mod- 
erately hot  stove.  At  the  same  time,  one  of 
the  evils  of  buckwheat— the  blood-poisoning 
and  cutaneous  eruptions  which  mark  the  victim 
of  buckwheat— could  be  avoided.  People  with 
their  circulatiou  stimulated  and  their  stomachs 
and  livers  inflamed  by  buckwheat,  are  unfit 
for  pursuing  the  ordinary  affairs  of  life,  let 
alone  anv  others."' 


Shall  the  Girls  be  Taught  to  Work? 

The  popular  verdict  seems  to  lie  that  they 
should  be  taught  everything  except  useful 
work.  Of  a  practical  knowledge  of  housekeep- 
ing, a  young  woman  is  not  unfrequently  al- 
lowed to  remain  in  entire  ig-n(3iance  all  through 
girlhood.  Every  right  thinking  person  must 
see  in  this  a  great  error,  aud  will  agree  with 
the  following  sensible  words,  relating  to  this 
question,  by  Ida  Hinman,  in  the  Chrixfian 
Wmnan: 

What  father  would  think  of  setting  his  son 
up  in  business  without  giving  him  some  prac- 
tical knowledge  of  it  i  But  the  daughter,  in 
many  cases,  is  allowed  to  enter  upon  her  life 
work  without  the  least  prepai-ation. 

It  is  wonderful  that  she  succeeds  as  well  as 
she  does ;  for  housekeeping  is  one  of  the  most 
difficult  of  trades;  it  is  a  combination  of  many 
trades  in  one.  Circimistances  may  not  compel 
her  to  work,  but  then  ignorance  places  her  at 
a  disailvantage  with  her  domestics. 

That  manual  labor  is  not  honorable  is  a  mis- 
taken idea,  yet  this  is  lai-gely  the  feeling  in  re- 
gard to  girls.  For  this  polite  society  is  chiefly 
to  blame.  There  is  no  reason  why  a  girl  who 
can  cook  a  good  dinner,  or  make  a  di'ess  well, 
does  not  deserve  as  nuich  credit  as  one  who  can 
play  the  piano  or  paint  a  picture;  she  is  cer- 
tainly more  useful.  A  good  housekeeper  is  en- 
titled to  dignity  and  respect;  there  is  no  more 
honorable  calling. 

We  would  not  have  a  young  girl  made  a 
drudge  and  kept  in  the  kitchen,  or  spend  any 
gi'eat  part  of  her  time  there,  unless  circum- 
stances demand  it ;  and  we  are  not  saying  a 
word  against  her  liberal  education.  Let  her 
study  all  the  languages,  dead  or  modern,  for, 
which  she  may  have  inclination.  Let  her  take 
a  regidar  college  coiu'se  with  her  brothers,  and 


add  music  and  painting  if  she  has  talent  for 
them.  Let  her  study  what  she  will  and  all  she 
will;  but  let  her  also  have  some  practical 
knowledge  of  household  duties;  for  it  she  has 
not  this,  she  has  not  a  liberal  education. 


Brieflets. 

Cold  air  is  cot  always  pure. 

Have  at  least  three  dish  towels. 

Health  is  easier  retained  than  regained. 

Sixty-eight  to  seventy  degrees  is  the  best  room 
temperatiu-e. 

Lay  aside  the  cai-es  of  housekeeping  too.  when 
the  work  is  done. 

Paper  nibbed  over  tin  will  produce  a  better  sbine 
than  (lannel  will. 

Chloroform  will  take  out  paiut  from  any  material 
if  well  rubbed  in. 

Fresh  fish  soaked  for  half  an  hour  in  salt  water 
before  cooking  will  be  the  nicer  for  it. 

When  your  tooth  lirush  is  badly  woi-n,  get  a  new 
one  for  the  teetli.  usingthe  old  one  for  cleaning  lamp 
burners,  window  sash  and  the  like. 

The  battle  is  not  always  to  the  strong:  else  the 
onion  would  always  be  ahead.  The  most  it  does  is 
to  wring  tears  from  those  whom  it  opposes,  but 
never  as  a  real  victor. 

Earache.  This  distressing  ailment  so  connnon 
to  childhood,  may  be  relieved  almost  immediately 
by  the  use  of  the  following  simple  remedy  which  is 
to  be  found  in  every  family:  Take  a  bit  of  raw 
onion  and  beat  it  to  a  pidp.  Si)rend  this  on  a  piece 
of  thin  mushn.  and  roll  into  a  form  that  may  be 
placed  into  the  opening  of  the  ear.  This  is  all,  and 
a  care  may  l)e  exi>ected  when  other  remedies  fail. 

Washing  stockings  is  a  disagreeable  part  of  the 
wash  day  work.  It  can  l>e  made  easier  and  less  re- 
pulsive by  putting  the  stockings  to  soak  in  luke- 
warm water  to  wdiich  a  little  pearliue  has  been 
added,  at  the  beginning  of  washing.  Then  leave 
them  nntil  the  last  thing,  when  it  will  be  fotnid  that 
the  dirt  and  perspiration  held  will  be  loosened  so  as 
to  come  out  easily  without  hand-rubbing.  Stockings, 
like  any  other  w-ooien  garment,  should  be  washed 
without  rubbing.  This  process  is  very  wearing  and 
shrinks  the  material.  When  clean,  wring  them  from 
the  water  in  which  they  were  soaked:  rinse  in  blue 
water:  stretch  int"  shape  and  dry  at  once. 

Make  your  own  Dessicated  Cocoanut.  Now  that 
tile  cocoanut  season  opens  anew,  let  us  give  some 
simple  directions  for  preparing  this  delicious  article 
of  the  cook  room,  to  be  both  better  and  much 
cheaper  than  that  which  is  sold  at  the  stores.  Buy 
the  nuts,  remove  the  shells  and  reduce  through  a 
coarse  grater.  Before  the  grated  substance  has  a 
chance  to  dry,  stir  in  as  much  pulverized  or  granu- 
lated sugar  as  the  moisture  will  cause  to  adhere  to 
the  particles.  Dry  quickly  but  without  iiigh  heat, 
to  prevent  its  turning  sour:  stir  repeatedly.  After 
it  is  thoroughly  dried,  put  into  paper  bags,  which 
should  then  be  kept  in  a  dry  pantry  or  chest.  Use 
the  same  as  the  article  wliicli  may  be  bought. 

A  Word  to  the  Men  Folks.  Although  your  oc- 
cupation takes  you  out  of  doors  and  away  from 
home,  do  not  at  this  season  which  is  so  trying  to  the 
housekeeper,  neglect  to  give  whatever  aid  yon  can 
in  her  department.  The  fact  that  you  are  much 
away,  and  to  this  extent  relieved  from  the  extra 
cares  of  winter  housekeeping,  makes  it  all  the  more 
desirable  that  you  sometimes  lend  your  help. 

The  writer  who  comes  over  to  these  colmuns  to 
say  so,  happens  to  know  verj-  well  how  a  man's 
judgment,  or  his  strong  arms  occasionally  offered, 
can  lighten  the  additional  labors  that  come  with  the 
winter  here,  and  this  too,  whether  there  is  hired  help 
or  not.  See  to  it  that  the  heating  is  well  furnished 
in  fuel  and  kindling  right  along— let  the  wife  be  re- 
lieved of  any  cares  about  this  matter.  Provide 
utensils,  and  if  needed,  sometimes  muscles,  for  keep- 
ing draughts  clear  of  clinkers  and  pipes  and  chim- 
neys in  order.  Fi'ee  burning  fires  are  wonderfully 
cheering  to  home  life  in  winter,  and  promotive  of 
happiness  all  around. 

Then  the  snow  shovel  is  out  of  place  in  a  woman's 
hands  if  there  be  a  man  about,  who  has  time  to 
handle  it.  By  this  we  mean  reasonable  time,  and 
few  men  are  so  situated  but  that  they  can  keep  the 
walks  and  steps  clean  of  snow  every  day  in  the 
winter.  This  suggestion  might  seem  uncalled  for, 
were  it  not  that  the  writer  knows  of  cases  where 
women  clean  the  walks  and  the  men  are  idle.  One 
man  in  particular  we  have  heard  about,  keeps 
his  lazy  body  to  bed  mornings  now-a-days,  while 
his  wife  rousts  about  tending  the  fires  and  shoveling 
off  walks.  Such  men  are  an  unmitigated  ilisgrace 
to  civilizatittn. 


Notes  on  Dress  and  Home  Art. 

Kid  gloves  are  low  in  price. 

Yellow  is  growing  more  popular. 

A  plain  tailor  suit,  is  a  safe  investment. 

Sonnet  strings  three  inches  wide  are  worn. 

Press  seams  with  a  warm,  but  not  hot  iron. 

Women  are  in  high  feather;  look  at  the  hats. 

Velvet  is  in  full  fashion  for  elegant  winter  wraps. 

The  old-fashioned  pumpkin  hood  is  to  be  re- 
vived. 

For  Childrens'  costumes  very  small  buttons  are 
in  vogue. 

Puffed  draperies  are  considered  in  poor  taste  for 
children. 

Furniture  polish  of  good  quality  may  be  made 
by  combining  sweet  oil  aud  paraftine. 

Braid  should  alwa3-s  be  shrunk  in  warm  water 
and  irtaied  before  putting  on  the  bottom  of  skirts. 

For  economy  in  dress  goods,  black  is  the  color;  it 
does  not  bear  its  date  so  soon  as  do  figured  or  col- 
ored dresses. 

The  shelf-like  bustle  seems  to  have  been 
'■  shelved  ■■  at  last.  We  have  noticed  that  it  has 
long  been  going  Iceland. 

A  room  crowded  to  discomfort  with  furniture  and 
ornaments,  no  matter  how  costly,  has  more  of  the 
aspect  of  a  museum  than  of  a  restful  home. 

For  dressy  evening  bonnets  this  winter,  those  of 
white  or  pale-tinted  satin  are  forsaken  for  black 
velvet,  trimmed  with  soft  shades  of  pigeon  gray 
and  various  shades  of  pink. 

Flacques  of  brass  or  bronze  are  an  elegant  ad- 
dition to  prints  and  paintings  for  the  adornment  of 
walls.  The  prices  this  season  are  so  moderate  that 
all  can  afford  at  least  a  touch  of  their  solid  beauty. 

A  dark  and  gloomy  room  may  be  relieved  by 
placing  ebonized  shelves  over  the  doors  and  win- 
dows, grouping  bright  scarlet,  yellow  or  gilded  fans 
upon  the  walls,  and  placing  pretty  bric-a-brac  and 
vases  where  they  will  have  a  cheerful  background. 

Feather  trimming  may  be  a  becoming,  and  not 
an  expensive  garniture,  but  it  is  not  satisfactory 
in  the  best  sense.  Both  cold  and  dampness  soon 
affects  the  natural  oil  of  the  feathers,  and  they  fall 
and  look  duU  and  soiled.  Holding  before  a  brisk 
fire  may  for  a  time  renew  the  soft,  fluffy  appear- 
ance which  is  their  first  attraction,  but  the  improve- 
ment is  not  lasting.  As  they  last  w-ell  for  one  sea- 
son and  wide  bands  can  now  be  purchased  at  a 
small  cost,  they  are  used  by  many  to  renovate  last 
year's  wraps,  for  which  they  are  admirable. 

The  Bamboo  funiishes  a  natural  basket-making 
mateiial,  and  by  means  of  it  the  ingenious  Orien- 
tals produce  work  of  unrivalled  beauty  and  finish. 
The  bamboo  wicker-work  with  which  the  Japanese 
inclose  their  delicate  egg-shell  porcelain  is  a  mar- 
vellous example  of  manipulation,  and  they  and  the 
Chinese  excel  in  the  application  of  bamboo  wicker- 
work  to  furniture.  Some  extraordinarily  delicate 
baskets  made  by  Siamese  artisans  are  to  be  seen  iu 
the  collections,  those  intended  for  ladies'  use  being 
as  fine  as  lace-work  in  their  decoration. 

Cherry-Stained  Easel.  A  subscriber  of  the.tr( 
Iiiteirliiimji-  gives  these  suggestions  for  staining 
and  adorning  a  plain  pine  easel.  Rub  iodine,  such 
as  is  sold  at  the  di-uggisfs,  on  the  wood  until  it  is 
covered,  with  a  bni.sh.  The  addition  aftenvard  of 
a  strong  solution  of  logwood  would  give  the  cherry 
effect.  Some  mouldings  or  rosettes  of  Lincrusta- 
Walton  fastened  on  the  easel  and  stained  with  this 
will  make  it  look  like  a  carved  easel.  After  stain- 
ing, when  drj-.  go  over  the  easel  with  Saddler's  pol- 
ish, using  clean  cloths  to  apply,  and  afterwards  rub 
dry.  ■garnish  may  be  removed  by  flist  rubbing 
with  fine  sand-paper  until  the  hard  upper  gloss  is 
removed,  then  by  washing  in  a  strong,  hot  solution 
of  wa.shing  soda.  Finish  by  rulibing  off  with  a  wet 
rag  sjiriukied  with  fine  pmnice  powder. 

TJmbrellas,  says  the  Boston  Cult imtor,  very  sen- 
sibly, will  last  far  longer  if  when  wet  they  are 
placed  handle  downward  to  dry.  The  moisture 
falls  from  the  edges  of  the  frame  and  the  'fabric 
dries  uniformly.  It  stood  handle  upward,  which  is 
commonly  the  case,  the  top  of  tlie  umbrella  holds 
the  moisture,  owing  to  the  lining  underneath  the 
ring,  and  therefore  takes  a  long  time  to  dry,  thus 
injuring  the  silk  or  other  fabric  with  which  it  is 
covered.  This  is  the  prime  cause  of  the  top  of  the 
umbrella  wearing  out  sooner  than  the  other  part. 
Umbrella  cases,  too,  are  responsible  tor  the  rapiil 
wear  of  the  silk.  The  constant  friction  causes  the 
tiny  holes  that  appear  so  provokingly  early.  When 
not  in  use  leave  the  umbrella  loose;  when  wet,  never 
leave  it  open  to  dry.  as  the  tense  condition  thus 
produced  makes  the  silk  stiff  and  it  soon  cracks. 


POPULAR  GARDENING 

FOR    TOWN    AND    COUNTRY. 

"ACCUSE  NOT  NATURE.  SHE  HATH  DONE  HER  PART;   DO  THOC  BUT  THINE."— Uiuioi 


Vol.  1. 


IFEBK-TTJ^ia-S-,    188S. 


The  Chinese  Primrose, 

The  Garden  Primroses  have  been  favorite 
flowers,  no  one  can  tell  Jiow  far  liaek  into 
the  ages — prol)a1)ly  from  the  \ery  liei'inuina' 
of  floriculture.  Most  of. the  hardy  species, 
enibrat'in.i;-  tlie  comnwrn  sort,  the  Cowslip  and 
the  Auricula,  are  natives  of  Europe.  Being 
these,  as  a  class,  find  a  climate  better  .suited 
to  their  ■nants  abroad — and  especially  in 
England,  than  with  us,  the^'  have  always 
received  more  attention  from  the  .gardeners 
of  the  Old  World  than  from  our  own.  Still, 
.some  of  the  kinds  are  ami>ng  our  most  val- 
uable garden  flowers. 

But  with  the  introduction  of  the  beautif\il 
lender  Chinese  Primroses,  some  flft_y  years 
ago,  there  came  into  our  hands 
a  class  quite  as  desirable  for 
cultivation  in  America  as  in 
Europe.  This  valuable  section 
needs  the  protection  of  glass 
almost  the  year  around,  hence 
the  conditions  of  growth  are 
about  as  well  met  in  one  place 
a.s  in  another.  What  the  hardy 
Primrose  has  for  ages  been  as 
an  out-door  flower,  this  tender 
Asiaticau  has  proven  to  be  for 
in-door  use,  namely:  Every- 
body's flower.  As  a  plant  for 
window  culture,  no  less  than 
for  the  c  o  n  s  e  r  V  a  t  o  r  j^,  we 
know  no  other  one  that  is  so 
sure  to  bloom  as  this.  From 
the  holiday  season  until  hot 
weather  of  eacli  year,  it  is  one 
of  the  sorts  capable  of  adding 
much  to  the  beauty  and  life 
of  every  plant  collection. 

These  tender  Primrose.s,  so 
far  as  the  handsome  single- 
flowering  sorts,  and  some  of 
the  double  ones,  are  con- 
cerned, are  easily  raised  from 
the  seed.  This  is  sown  in  the 
summer,  and  by  the  following  winter  the 
plants  raised  should  be  of  a  blooming  size. 

Where  the  raising  of  plants  has  been 
neglected  they  can  be  bought  of  almost  ever}- 
florist  for  a  small  price  per  pot,  at  this  season 
of  the  year.  In  purchasing,  select  such  as 
have  not  been  forced,  but  only  exposed  to  the 
heat  of  a  cool  greenhouse.  If  the  forms  of 
the  plants  are  dwarf,  .something  as  .shown  in 
our  engra\'ing,  this  may  be  taken  as  a  sign 
tliat  they  were  well  grown:  choose  such. 

In  culture.  Primroses  need  a  light  place, 
l)ut  do  best  in  a  room  that  is  not  very  warm. 
The  flowers  should  be  picked  off  as  soon  as 
they  are  past  their  prime,  as  seed-bearing 
will  needlessly  exhaust  the  plants. 


young  growths  will  stand  closely  from  the 
start,  to  create  good  effects  very  soon.  Then  I 
count  upon  this  thinning-out  process  year  by 
year,  to  prevent  the  subjects  from  gettint,' 
bfjdly  crowded. 

By  planting-  closely,  in  well-prepared  soil  at 
the  first, 'one  needs  never  to  be  heard  saying: 
"  It  takes  a  lifetime  before  such  things  make 
any  show."  The  fact  is,  that  by  such  a  course 
an  excellent  showing  may  be  made  in  shrub- 
bery and  hardy  plants  the  verj'  year  of  plant- 
ing, to  be  gi-eatly  improved  by  the  second  year 
and  later.  Trees  take  about  twice  the  time  for 
producing  good  effects  that  shrubs  dn. 


My  method  of  close  planting  is  to  arrange 
the  shmbs  or  trees  that  are  to  be-  the  i^erma- 


Ft'h 


Notes  from   Lyndale. 
BY  A.    n.   E. 
'iiiirij  3.     The  winter  and  spring  seasons 


never  have  come  ai'ound  since  the  trees  and 
shrubs  at  Lyndale  have  gotten  fairly  started, 
that  some  thinning-out  of  these  has  not  been 
done.     I  believe  in  so  planting  these  that  the 


A  FINE   TYPE  OF  THE   PRIMROSE   PLANT. 

nent  subjects  of  any  group,  first.  These  go  in 
at  what  seems  like  a  good  distance  apart  for 
the  youug  specimens,  say  from  fom-  to  six  feet 
apart,  on  an  average,  for  shnibs,  and  nearly 
thi-ee  times  as  far  for  most  kinds  of  trees. 
Then  between  these  I  place,  for  shrubs,  either 
of  the  same  kinds  or  else  some  free-growing 
sorts,  such  as  Sprisea,  Houe3-suckles,  etf.,  that 
quickly  become  attractive.  In  trees,  free- 
growers,  like  the  Poplars,  Birches  and  Silver 
Maples,are  used  as  the  filling-in  material.  Such 
robu.st  and  strong  growers  serve  also  to  "nurse" 
the  more  delicate  ones  by  breaking  the  winds. 

*  *  * 
Fvbniiiry  7.  Let  me  supplement  a  previous 
note  by  this  cautionary  one ;  I  would  never  ad- 
vise close  planting  excepting  to  those  persons 
who  give  enough  thought  and  care  to  their 
grounds,  to  see  that  the  plantations  are  thor- 
oughlj--well  thinned  out  as  needed  later.  A  lack 
of  trees  and  shrubs  in  a  gm-den  is  bad  enough, 
as  e\eryone  not  devoid  of  taste  knows,  but  to 
have  these  standing  so  thick  from  the  close- 
planting  but  never-thinning  system  as  to  cause 
excessive  shade  and  closeness  is  even  woi-se.  I 
say,  therefore,   to  the  careful   gardener  who 


gives  a  good  deal  of  time  and  labor  to  keeping 
up  his  place,  plant  close  at  the  start  and  rely  on 
thinning  afterwards;  to  those  who  are  disposed 
or  compelled  to  follow  a  hap-hazard  style  of 
gardening,  do  not  plant  too  thickly.  The 
former  will  have  the  most  beauty  from  the 
start,  but  it  will  come,  as  it  naturally  should 
come,  from  some  increase  of  cost  and  care. 

*** 
Febridirji  Vo.  If  there  is  one  thing  more 
than  another,  to  which  may  be  attributed  the 
success  met  at  Lyndale  in  gardening,  it  is  to 
the  matter  of  thoroughly  fitting  up  the  soil  for 
every  operation.  I  have  often  heard  people 
among  my  visitois  attribute  the  ill-looking 
condition  of  their  own  flower  beds  to  the  par- 
ticular kind  of  soil  of  the  beds,  as  being  unfa- 
vorable. I  smile  at  such  apolo- 
gies, for  I  don't  much  believe  in 
the  bad-soil  theories. 

My  experience  in  the  grow- 
ing of  flowers,  vegetables  and 
fruit  here,  has  been  in  all  kinds 
of  soil,  from  clay  to  light  sand 
and  "chawed  rock."  I  have 
met,  if  not  equal  success  in  all, 
at  any  rate  very  good  success 
in  all.  My  pi-eference  is  for  a 
loam,  neither  heavy  nor  very 
li.ght,  failing  in  that  as  I  do  in 
some  parts  of  the  grounds,  I 
take  what  I  find,  knowing  that 
to  render  it  fit  for  supporting 
plant  life  is  chiefly  a  matter  of 
what  1  bring  to  it  as  plant  food 
or  else  take  from  it. 

* 
*       * 

In  the  first  place,  in  fitting  up 

my  grounds  I  have  taken  from 

every  part  of  them  except  the 

bog,  the  excessive  moisture  of 

the  soil,   by   under-draining. 

Then  I  have  in  each  ease  of  a 

bed  or  border  fitted  up,  brought 

on  an  ami)le  stock  of  plant  food 

in   the  shaiie    of    well-decayed 

raanm-e.     To  the  teds  in  heavy 

soil  I  have,  besides  the  manure, 

added  sand,  or  coal  ashes,  for 

reducing  the  tenacious  quality  of  the  eai-th. 

To  some  of  the  beds   in  light  soil,  vegetable 

matter  from  depressions  in  a  half-clearecl  forest 

not  far  away. 

Then,  I  practice  deep  tillage,  incoiiiorating 

these  substances  referred  to,  with  the  soil  to 

the  depth  of  at  least  eighteen  inches.     This  is 

done  by  trenching.     The  roots  of  the  plants  are 

thus  encouraged   to   extend    downwai-ds    and 

outwards  to  a  gieat   length.      They   find  an 

abundance   of  sustenance   wherever  they  go, 

this  being  the  one  thii.g  needed  for  jironioting 

vigor  and   teauty.      1   jilant   to    lm\c   things 

gi'ow,  not  to  lia\e  them  starve. 

* 
*       * 

Fi'linidi-ij  IS.      To-day   I   made  out  my  ne«- 

order  for  fruit  trees  and  ornamental  shrubs  and 

plants,  to  sevei'al  nurseries.     It  may  be  six  or 

eight  weeks  yet  In't'ore  the  orders  can  be  fiUeil, 

but  there  is  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  to 

get  them  in  early  the  orders  will  be  fille<l  early. 

1  want  all  luy  hardy-planting  stock  around  just 

as  early  after  spring  ujiens  as  possible,   and 

planting  to  be  done  at  the  earliest  day  aftei- 

the  soil  is  fit.     Setting  out  these  things  several 

weeks  earlier  oi-  later  makes  a  gi-eat  difference 


5° 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


February, 


in  their  chance  for  doing  well,  according  to  my 
notion  of  things.  I  dislike  above  all  else  to 
plant  after  the  leaf  buds  begin  to  burst. 


K 


TO  THE  12,000 

ftbePloral  World. 


eaders  0 


Right  here,  after  other  parts  of  the  paper 
are  in  print,  the  editorial  stuff  of  Popular 
Gardening,  must  crowd  out  a  bit  of  room, 
to  extend  to  you  their  cordial  greeting.  You 
are  welcome,  heartily  welcome  to  join  our 
large  family  of  reader.?.  So  walk  right  in, 
and  make  yourselves  at  home.  Take  these 
best  seats,  and  enjoy  our  good  cheer.  Here 
is  spread  the  monthly  board — the  best  the 
house  affords,  and  prepared  in  our  usual 
painstaking  manner,  with  spice  and  flavor 
not  overlooked.  Ta.ste  and  see,  that  in  all 
departments  it  is  good.  Be  free  at  all  times 
to  use  these  columns  for  your  letters  and 
queries  on  gardening.  The  paper  is  yours. 
You  are  truly  welcome. 


THE  HOUSE  PLANTS. 

February  sun.  and  the  longer  days,  will  start  all 
healthy  window  plants  into  vigor.  They  will  appear 
as  if  awakening  from  the  half-sleepy  winter  state. 
We  know  of  no  time  in  the  twelve  months,  when 
plants  are  more  enjoyed  than  just  at  this  season  of 
fre.sh  activity,  carrying  with  it  as  this  does,  the 
promise,  of  a  new  term  of  beauty  and  of  bloom. 

From  now  on,  it  is  easy  to  keep  healthy  plants 
looking  well.  But  it  will  not  do  to  grow  careless, 
either  as  regards  general  requirements,  or  earing 
for  them  in  the  cold  nights,  yet  sure  to  come.  These 
fresh  movements  in  growth  must  lie  backed  by 
treatment  that  will  ensure  the  formation  of  healthy 
roots  anil  wood;  such  alone  can  bring  a  large  re- 
ward of  future  plant  attractiveness. 

Begonias  of  the  free-blooming  sorts,  shoidd  now 
lie  in  their  glory.   Water  the  plants  but  moderately. 

Btilbs  should  continue  to  be  brought  in  from  the 
i-ellaror  pit.  At  this  season  they  grow  and  bloom 
remarkably  well.  Such  as  are  in  glasses  must  have 
the  water  kept  properly  replenished. 

Camellias  are  impatient  of  close  confinement  in 
a  dry  atmosphere,  hence  should  have  air  freely  (but 
not  cold  draughts),  in  all  suitable  weather,  and  a 
frequent  spongmg  of  tlie  leaves  on  both  sides. 

Clirysanthenmms.    See  article  on  page  .53. 

Fuchsias  that  have  been  at  rest  should  be  started 
up,  if  this  has  not  yet  been  done.  Those  that  have 
made  some  growth,  may  have  slips,  if  there  be 
.strong  ones,  taken  from  them,  to  root.  As  to  prun- 
ing, the  state  of  the  plants  and  one's  taste  should 
govern.  As  a  rule,  we  think  old  plants  are  more 
satisfactory  for  being  cut  back  at  this  season,  and 
grown  in  a  liushy  form.  Young  plants  usually 
reach  a  better  shape  for  the  first  year,  without 
any  cutting  back,  unless  it  be  side-shoots  occasion- 
ally, for  inducing  symmetry.  Guard  always  against 
their  beconung  pot-hound :  growth  must  be  constant. 

Geraniums,  especially  of  the  Scarlet  or  Zouale 
class,  sliuuUl  be  showing  fine  slips  for  rooting  now. 
All  the  plants,  with  the  exception  of  some  wanted 
for  present  bloom,  nuiy  be  severely  cut  back  for 
propagation :  the  slips  of  such  will  make  fine  plants 
tor  bedding,  while  the  old  ones  will  come  out  well 
for  summer  bloom,  either  in  pots  or  tor  bedding. 

Heliotrope  slips  struck  now.  make  fine  plants  for 
summer.    Shift,  old  plants  as  they  get  pot-bound. 


Oleanders.  It  one  cares  for  flowers  in  May,  start 
up  the  plants  now.  As  growth  begins,  water  well 
and  give  some  stimulant  to  the  roots. 

Plants  in  cellars  and  pits  may  well  be  treated 
to  air  occasionally  for  hardening  them.  It  the 
earth  in  the  pots  or  boxes  is  very  dry,  give  water. 

Pruning.  As  a  rule  amateurs  are  too  much 
afraid  of  the  knife.  In  soft-wooded  growths,  one 
can  hardly  prune  too  freely  for  good  shape;  with  it, 
fine,  bushy  forms,  springing  from  the  ground,  re- 
sult; without  it,  detestable  long-legged  plants. 

Roses,  of  the  monthly  section,  will  begin  to  show 
growth  and  bloom.  Avoid  keeping  them  too  warm; 
give  a  good  sunny  position.  By  all  means  keep 
down  the  green  fly.  Hybrid  Perpetuals,  potted  in 
the  tall  and  wintered  in  pots,  may  come  into  heat, 
and  will  quickly  stait  up.  When  buds  appear,  a 
stimulant  like  liquid  manure  becomes  desirable. 

Seed  Sowing.  Kinds  like  Mimulus,  Maurandia, 
Ice  Plant,  Sensitive  Plant,  Snapdragon,  Chinese 
Pinks  should  now  be  sown  for  good  plants  for  spring 
and  summer  decoration.  All  annuals  may  be  sown 
in  boxes  for  early,  Ipy  the  end  of  the  month. 

Sweet  Alyssum.    Propagate  from  slips  or  seed. 

Watering.  See  under  Plant  Culture  Under  Glass. 


LAWN    AND    FLOWER    GARDEN. 

Bedding  Plants.  Arrange  early  for  whatever 
stock  will  lie  wanted,  whether  you  raise  your  own 
or  buy.  If  to  be  bought,  contracts  may  be  made 
with  florists  thus  early  at  reduced  rates,  usually. 

Hedges  of  deciduous  kinds  should  receive  their 
winter  pruning  in  mild  spells.  Mice  often  do  great 
damage  by  girdling  the  trees  under  the  snow  Une. 
Prevent  by  trampiug  down  the  snow  occasionally. 

Hot  Beds.  One  of  these  is  a  great  help  in  bring- 
ing along  pot  and  bedding  plants  for  summer  use. 
See  directions  for  making  on  the  opposite  page. 

Labels,  stakes  and  like  necessaries  to  the  gai-den, 
should  be  made  or  bought  now,  for  spring  use. 

Pansies.  It  no  stock  has  been  brought  over,  by 
sowing  seeds  now,  in  moderate  heat  under  glass, 
good  spring-blooming  plants  may  be  raised. 

Plans.  Now  should  be  a  good  season  for  reading 
and  planning.  The  main  operations  to  be  carried 
out  the  coming  season  should  be  studied  and  de- 
cided on  before  outdoor  activity  opens.  Well- 
laid  plans  not  only  tend  to  the  making  of  better  gar- 
dens, but  they  are  economical,  in  the  sense  of  allow- 
ing the  work  later  to  be  tm-ned  off  with  advantage. 
Boot  grafting  may  be  applied  to  ornamental 
shrulis,  climbei-s  and  trees.  See  engraving.with  the 
explanation  under  Fruit  Garden  and  Orchard. 

Seed  Sowing.  At  the  South,  hardy  annuals  may 
be  sown  out  of  doors.  In  the  North,  annuals  tor 
specimens  and  summer  bedding,  such  as  Balsams, 
Cockscorabs,01obe  Amaranths,  Portulacas,  Scbizan- 
thus.  Phloxes.  Brachycomes,  Stocks,  Trapasolums, 
Cobaias,  Lophosphermums,  Acrocliniums  and  the 
kinds  named  under  The  House  Plants,  may  be  sown 
in  heat  before  the  mouth  is  out. 

Shrubs.  In  the  South,  pruning  of  these  may  now 
take  place,  but  further  North,  next  mouth  will  be 
about  the  right  time.  In  approaching  these  with 
knife  and  shears  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  not  to 
treat  all  kinds  alike.  For  instance,  the  class  includ- 
ing Roses,  Hardy  Hydrangea,  Burning  Bush,  Coro- 
nilla,  Amorpha,  Hypericmn,  Althaeas,  Late-flower- 
ing Spu-aes.  and  a  few  others  that  bear  their  bloom 
on  the  new  growth  of  the  season,  may  be  cut  back 
very  severely  at  this  season  with  good  results.  But 
about  all  other  shrubs  besides  these  named,  produce 
their  flowers  from  buds  on  the  old  wood,  and  to  prune 
these  now  is  to  prune  away  just  so  many  flowers. 
On  such,  little  more  pruning  should  be  done  at  this 
time,  than  to  cut  to  improve  the  genera!  shape, 
leaving  most  of  the  work  to  he  done  just  after  the 
blooming  season,  some  months  further  along. 


PLANT   CULTURE   UNDER    GLASS. 

Angle- worms  in  the  soil  increase  rapidly  as  sun- 
heat  increases.  The  perfect  remedy  against  them, 
is  to  soak  the  soil  thoroughly  about  once  a  month 
with  lime  water. 

Carnations  for  next  winter's  flowering  should  all 

be  struck  from  cuttings  before  this  month  is  out. 

Later  then,  keep  the  young  plants  robust  by  fi-ee 

I  airing.    Flowering  plants  should  be  gone  over  and 

i  restaked,  tying  them  out  larger  if  needed. 

Cytisus,  when  done  blooming,  should  be  cut  back. 

Insects  come  out  with  great  rapidity  at  this  sea- 
son of  high  sun-heat  and  closeness.  No  pains 
must  be  spared  to  keep  them  down.  Prevention  is 
better  than  cure,  hence  the  usual  remedies  of  fumi- 
gating twice  a  week  with  tobacco  smoke,  for  Green 


Root-grafting.— See  opp.  page. 


fly,  and  others;  syringing  daily  tor  Red  Spider  and 
so  on,  in  houses  of  high  heat,  must  not  be  neglected. 
Scale  and  Mealy  bug  increase  more  slowly  than 
these,  but  do  not  yield  to  treatment  so  well.  Hand- 
picking,  washing  or  brushing,  the  best  remedies. 

Mignonette  is  one  of  the  annuals  that  may  be 
sown  now  to  good  purpose.  Then  the  plants  will,with 
the  sunnier  months  to  come,  make  rapid  growth, 
and  by  the  time  of 
mild  weather  will  be 
much  prized  for  win- 
dow and  consei-vatory 
decoration. 

Orchids  that  begin 
to  grow  during  the 
time  they  are  in 
flower,  should  be 
shifted  immediately 
the  beauty  of  the 
flower  is  past.  The 
best  materials  for  the 
shift  are  good  fibrous 
jieat,  sphagnum 
moss,  broken  crocks 
and  charcoal. 
Ae  rides,  Van  das, 
Saccolabiums,  Den- 
d  r  o  b  e  s,  Cojlogy nes 
and  several  other 
genera  do  best  in 
sphagnum  with  small 
crocks  or  sharp 
sand.  Cattleyas, 
Lselias,  Oncidi- 
ums  and  Odontoglossums  do  equally  well  in  peat 
mixed  with  crocks  and  a  few  nodules  of  charcoal; 
whUst  some  do  best  in  a  mixture  of  peat  and  moss. 
Pelargoniums  are  in  their  making  time  now. 
Water  freely,  especially  in  warm,  bright  days,  to 
set  every  rootlet  in  action.  Over  watering  is  bad, 
however,  causing  as  it  does,  spotted  leaves. 

Potting.  All  yovmg  slips  should  go  into  pots  as 
soon  as  roots  appear.  Use  small  pots  and  light, 
rich  soil,  potting  rather  firmly.  In  potting  or  shift- 
ing plants,  place  broken  pots  or  gravel  into  the 
bottom  of  every  pot  larger  than  three  inches 
across,  for  drainage.  In  pots  six  inches  or  more 
across,  there  should  be  on  top  of  the  hard  drainage 
a  layer  of  sphagnum  or  hay  before  filhng  with  soil, 
to  keep  the  lower  drainage  from  cloggmg  with  soil. 
Eoses.  See  last  month.  From  now  on  is  a  favor- 
ite season  for  propagation.  Select  the  cuttings 
from  the  best  and  the  strongest  wood  of  recent 
growth;  a  bad  cutting  must  make  a  bad  plant. 
From  the  time  the  cuttings  are  put  in  until  the 
young  ])lants  are  fit  to  set  out.  they  must  never  be 
neglected  tor  want  of  water,  as  this  would  stunt 
them,  a  condition  that  is  always  bad. 

Salvia  Splendens  as  to  stock  plants,  nmst  not 
have  the  growth  greatly  checked  at  any  time  in  the 
winter,  for  if  so,  it  will  be  difflcidt  to  get  up  good 
plants  for  next  year.  Ample  root  room,  and  a  cool 
temperature  suit  the  plants  at  this  season. 

Stove  plants  need  a  general  going  over  at  this 
time  or  a  Uttle  later.  Those  that  have  Iwen  bloom- 
ing in  the  winter,  require  to  be  cut  back,  and  en- 
couraged to  break:  then  to  be  shifted  to  larger  pots 
if  needfiU.  or  have  top-dressings.  Any  of  these 
plants-in  flower,  must  be  kept  dry  over-head. 

Verbenas  detest  any  but  fresh,  sweet  soils.  If  the 
plants  are  at  a  stand  still,  by  shaking  out  and  re- 
potting in  rich,  fibrous  new  earth  they  wfll  usually 
improve  quickly.  The  plants  need  to  1»  kept  near 
the  glass  and  have  plenty  of  air. 

■Watering.  Let  no  plant  suffer  from  dryness, 
none  from  over-watering,  to  avoid  both  of  which 
needs  a  watchful  eye.  Notice  which  kinds  dry  out 
soonest— there  is  a  great  difference  as  regards  this, 
also  in  which  parts  of  the  house  dryness  is  fh-st  to  be 
met,  and  act  accordingly.  To  water  all  kinds  alike 
is  to  do  great  injustice  to  some. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Firming  the  soil  over  the  roots  of  StrawbeiTies 
or  any  other  plants  or  shrubs  set  in  the  fall,  by 
ti  amping  it  as  soon  as  it  thaws,  is  a  good  stroke  to 
put  in,  with  the  early  spring. 

Manuring.  Top-dressing  such  orchards  as  are 
not  growing  with  vigor,  may  now  be  done.  Spread 
the  manure,  which  should  be  old  and  fine,  evenly. 

Pruning.  Push  in  comfortable  weather.  See 
last  month's  issue  under  this  head. 

Recording  Maps  of  the  orchard  and  fruit  gar- 
den, should  be  kejit  to  ensiu'e  against  loss  of  names 
and  confusiou,  by  the  accidental  losing  of  labels. 
Such  are  easily  made.  Use  smooth,  strong,  heavy 
paper,  sti-iking  lines  and  cross  lines  as  many  as  there 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


51 


are  rows  of  trees  or  plants,  and  then  write  the 
name  of  every  variety  clearly,  in  its  proper  place. 

Root  grafting  is  work  for  this  niontli.  It  is  much 
practiced  for  increasing  the  apple,  but  answers  as 
well  for  many  other  plants  and  woody  growths. 
Whip  grafting  is  the  method  usually  employed,  and 
this  we  will  illustrate,  as  for  the  apple.  For  a  stock, 
the  root  of  a  seedling  that  was  stored  in  earth  or 
sawdust  in  the  cellar  in  the  fall,  is  used.  This  .should 
be  about  the  diameter  of  an  ordinary  lead  pencil. 
The  graft  to  be  used,  should  come  from  the  sort  of 
tree  that  is  to  be  increased,  and  may  equal  the  stock 
in  diameter,  or  be  a  little  smaller.  In  grafting,  the 
roots  are  washed  perfectly  clean.  Then  a  root  is  tak- 
en in  hand,  and  with  a  sharp  knife,  a  smooth  slop- 
ing cut  is  made  upwards  at  the  collar  A,  tsee  engrav- 
ing), and  in  this,  a  slit  or  tongue  is  made  downward, 
as  at  B.  A  graft  three  or  foiu-  inches  long  is  cut  in 
a  similar  manner,  excepting  with  a  downward  slope 
and  upward  slit  as  shown  at  C.  The  two  are  then 
closely  united,  tongue  within  tongue,  sloi>e  against 
slope,  as  shown  at  D.  The  bark  of  the  two  parts 
should  be  even,  at  least  on  one  side.  Tightly  en- 
closing the  joined  parts  by  a  strip  of  paper  or  cloth 
saturated  with  grafting  wax,  completes  the  opera- 
tion. Put  away  the  grafts  as  the  work  proceeds 
into  boxes  of  earth,  in  the  cellar,  here  to  remain  un- 
til the  planting-out  time  arrives.  The  entire  matter 
is  so  simple  any  one  may  expect  to  succeed  with  it. 

Top  Grafting.  Do  not  be  imi)atient  to  get  at  it. 
If  the  grafts  have  been  cut  and  properly  buried  in 
earth  (this  may  yet  be  done,  if  done  at  once.t  to 
keep  them  naturally  moist,  late  grafting,  ay  just  at 
the  time  the  leaf -buds  burst,  is  better  than  earlier. 
With  such  grafts  on  hand,  it  may  be  done,  even 
in  June,  with  success.  By  that  time  the  sap  is  in 
a  condition  to  support  larger  grafts  than  if  the 
grafting  were  to  be  done  earlier,  and  the  use  of  such 
proves  to  be  a  gain. 


should  be  on  hand  for  covering  the  glass  every  cold 
night.  The  hot-bed  is  a  suitable  place  for  sowing 
all  kinds  of  seeds  for  early  plants,  starting  Sweet- 
Potatoes,  bulbs,  etc..  rooting  cuttings,  growing  early 
vegetables,  pot  and  bedding  plants,  and  the  like. 

Lettuce  sown  in  a  box  in  the  window,  hot-bed  or 
green-house  now,  will  give  nice  jilants  for  frames  w 
a  warm  spot  in  the  garden  in  April,  to  mature  in 
May.     Curled  Silesia  is  one  of  the  best  for  early. 

Bhubarb,  if  covered  in  the  beds  with  boxes  or 
barrels,  and  plenty  of  manure  is  packed  around 
these,  will  come  weeks  earlier  than  without  this. 

Seeds,    Uet  around  a  complete  supply  in  ample 
,  time.    Test  old  ones. 

I  Site.  In  choosing  a  site  for  vegetables,  a  south- 
east aspect  should  be  preferred,  as  aiding  earliness. 
Lay  off  in  squares,  with  plenty  of  narrow  walks  be- 
tween the  divisions,  devoted  to  different  crops. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

At  the  South,  Asparagus,  Rhubarb  and  Horse- 
radish beds  may  be  made.  Potatoes  may  be  planted, 
and  in  the  more  southern  i)arts  the  seeds  of 
Squashes  and  Melons,  provided  some  means  of  pro- 
tection are  at  hand  against  hard  weather.  The 
most  successful  gardeners  are  always  ready  to  take 
some  risks  in  starting  their  crops  early.  See  last 
month,  under  this  heati. 

Cold  Frames.  As  the  weather  grows  warmer, 
Cabbage,  Lettuce,  etc.,  in  these  will  need  more  air. 

Dig  Parsnips,  Horee-radish  and  Salsify  when  the 
groimd  is  open. 


FRUIT   AND    VEGETABLES    UNDER 
GLASS. 

Cucumbers.  Any  fruit  that  shows  before  the 
plants  are  tolerably  strong,  nip  out.  When  fruiting 
may  go  on,  the  hills  will  want  earthing  up  some- 
what with  nice  light  loam.  As  bearing  begins,  stop 
regularly  one  joint  beyond  the  fruit. 

Figs  that  are  being  forced  should  now  be  freely 
syringed.    They  need  more  water  also,  at  this  time, 

Grapery.  Vines  started  early  should  be  kept 
trainetl.  and  have  the  laterals  disbudded.  After 
blooming,  care  should  be  taken  not  to  syringe  the 
biuiches,  but  every  ineh  of  wall  and  path  should  be 
well  moistened  to  keep  down  Red  Spider.  Avoid 
the  extreme,  however,  of  creating  so  much  mois- 
ture as  to  generate  mildew.  On  newly  starting  up 
vines,  see  directions  in  the  January  issue. 

Lettuce  is  a  crop  that  grows  finely  under  glass 
during  this  month  and  later.  Provide  about  45°  of 
heat  at  night,  (iive  an  abumlance  of  air  in  mild 
weather.    Water  liberally,  but  not  to  excess. 

Orchard  House.  Peaches  or  any  other  trees  in 
these,  will  set  their  fruit  better  for  free  airing  while 
blossoming  is  going  on.  Keep  the  atmosphere  as 
dry  as  possible  at  this  important  stage,  but  after 
the  fruit  is  set  syringe  freely,  using  tepid  water. 

Bhubarb  may  be  had  early  by  taking  some  roots 
under  glass  or  to  any  warm  place,  even  if  it  is  not 
well  lighted. 


A  Small  Hot-bed  for  Family  Use 

Hot-beds.  Some  hot-beds  are  made  by  market 
gardeners  for  early  crops  during  this  month,  but  for 
family  use,  next  month  ought  to  be  early  enough  in 
most  parts  of  our  land.  A  small  hot-bed  of  several 
sash  or  upwards  in  size,  is  a  pleasant  addition  to 
any  garden.  It  comes  in  during  the  early  spring 
months  as  a  minature  green-house  at  a  trifling  cost. 
The  heating  agent,  besides  the  sun,  is  horse  and 
other  manure, but  chiefly  that  of  the  former.  A  frame 
is  made  of  plank,  or  better  yet,  double-walled  of 
studs,  covered  inside  and  out  with  matched  boards, 
and  of  a  size  to  suit  the  munber  of  sashes  to  be 
used.  These  are  to  slide  on  the  top,  supported  by 
cross-bars,  and  made  to  fit  tightly. 

What  is  wanted,  as  to  manure,  is  a  body  of  this 
which  is  fresh,  not  spent  by  heating.  It  should  be 
of  a  size  two  feet  longer,  and  wider  than  the  frame 
of  the  bed,  and  about  two  feet  deep,  closely  packed 
by  tramping.  This  may  be  placed  above  ground  or 
it  may  be  lowered  one  or  more  feet  into  the  earth, 
with  some  saving  of  heat.  If  above  earth,  the  ex- 
posed manure  should  be  sheltered  bj-  banking  some 
soil,  tanbark  or  similar  material  against  it. 

After  the  frame  is  in  place,  some  fine,  rich  loam, 
enough  to  cover  the  manure  three  or  four  inches 
deep,  should  be  put  into  it.  A  thermometer  now 
thrust  into  the  manure  ought  to  soon  indicate  as 
high  as  100  degrees  of  heat.  AVheu  such  a  degi-ee 
of  warmth  subsides  to  90  degrees  or  less,  the  bed  is 
ready  for  use.    Straw  mats  or  light  board  shutters 


The  Annual  Spring  Gardening  Cata- 
logues. 
These  are  now  reaching  us,  one  after  another  in 
quick  succession,  from  seedsmen,  florists,  nui-sery- 
men  and  othere,  with  more  yet  to  be 
heard  from.    From  fu-st  to  last  these 
yearly   trade   publications   are    a  re- 
markably handsome  and  useful  class 
of  prints,  and,  with  rare  exceptions, 
show  much  care  in  their  preparation. 
Indeed,  we  question  whether  any  other 
line  of  business  in  existence,  bestows 
an  equal  degree  of  attention  to  retail 
trade  announcements  as  is  here  shown. 
But  the  people  are,  after  all,  the  real 
catalogue  makers.     As  the   fountain 
cannot  rise  above  its  source,  so  the 
catalogues,    as   to   their   beauty    and 
worth,  must  be  taken  as  an  index  of 
the  taste  and  the  expenditures  in  this 
line,  of  the  people,  who  support  them. 
The    American    gardening    catalogues,    indeed, 
speak  well    for  the  growing  taste  for  gardening 
in  all  its  departments  among  our  people.     Hailing, 
as  Popular  Gardening   does,  gladly,    every  sign 
of  advancement  here,  we  take   pleasure  in    call- 
ing the  attention  of  our  readers  to  all  such  cata- 
logues received  at  this  office.     A  number  of  these 
are  also  announced  in  our  advertising  columns. 

DeVeer  &  BooNEKAMP,  ID  Broadway,  N,  Y.    Cat- 
alogue of  Dutch  BuU.is  and  Plants  for  Spring,  IBSG. 
Benjamin    Hammond.    Fishkill-on-Hudson,  N.   Y. 
Circular  of  Hammond's  Slug  Shot  Insect  Killer  and 
Lawn  Fertilizer. 

Peter  Henderson  &  Co.,  35-37  Cortlandt  St.,  New 
York.  Manual  of  '*  Everything  for  the  Garden."  A 
remarkable  catalogue,  of  i:38  pages,  containing  hun- 
dreds of  engravings  and  three  colored  plates  of 
flowers  and  vegetables.  It  contains  descriptions 
and  prices  of  all  desirable  garden  requisites. 

Hill  &  Co.,  Richmond,  Ind.  Catalogue  of  Roses 
and  other  plants.  This  is  a  large,  handsome  pam- 
phlet of  00  pages,  bearing  many  marks  of  taste  and 
originality  in  its  get  up. 

T.  S.  Hubbard,  Fredouia,  N.  Y.  Wholesale  and 
special  price  list  of  grape  vines. 

J.  E.  Jeffords  &  Co.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Illus- 
trated List  of  Flower  Pot*!,  Seed  Pans,  and  other 
Florists'  crockery  supplies. 

W.  H.  Johnson,  Mineral  Ridge.  O.  Circular  and 
Price  List  of  the  Plum  Tree  Poultry  Yards 


C.  A.  Kuehn's,  St.  Louis,  Mo.    Catalogue  of  Pal 
ent  Clamp  Florist's  Designs. 

D.  Landreth  &  Sons,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Kitchen 
Garden  Price  List  of  American  Pedipi'ee  Seeds. 

Chas.  Lorenz,  Erfurt.  Prussia.  A  handsome  UO- 
page  catalogue  of  garden  seeds,  issued  from  this 
German  house  for  amateurs,  and  printed  in  the 
English  language.     Well  illustrated. 

W.  E.  Morton  it  Co..  Portland,  Maine.  Morton's 
Annual,  a  work  of  -IK  pages,  substantially  bovmd  in 
cloth.  Besides  containing  prices  of  plants  and  flow- 
ers, it  gives  the  Language  of  Flowere.  Floral  Knowl- 
edge, etc.,  and  is  altogether  interesting.  No  price 
is  given. 

Stark  Nurseries,  Louisiana,  Mo.  Spring  Price 
List  and  announcement  of  the  Mariana  Plum. 

Herman  Perlich,  18:^  South  Broadway,  Baltimore, 
Md.    Circular  of  Excelsior  Fumigator. 

Pratt  Brothers,  Rochester,  N.  Y.  Announce- 
ment of  the  Empire  Stato  Grape,  with  handsome 
colored  plate. 

Chas.  A.  Reeser,  Springfield,  O.  Winter  offer  of 
Roses  and  Greenhouse  Plants. 

James  Vick,  Rochester,  N.  Y.  Floral  Guide  com- 
bined with  the  January  number  of  Vick's  Magazine, 
and  together  forming  an  elegant  and  useful  work 
of  nearly  2(K)  pages. 


This  being  the  People's  Paper  it  is  open  to  alt  their  In- 
quires, bearing  on  Gardening. 

On  the  other  hand,  ansicern  to  published  inquires  are 
enrneslly  requested  from  readers. 

The  editors  and  special  contributors  are  ready  to  do  a 
large  shure  of  the  unswerving,  but  the  experience  of  many 
being  more  vaiuaiiie  than  of  the  fen',  however  varied  that  is. 
ayidconditiuns  and  localities  being  so  different,  they  prefer 
to  receive  answers,  even  several  of  them  to  the  same  ques 
tion,  from  readers  evet^uhere.  Don't  hesitate  to  write 
because  you  may  feel  you  are  no  fine  writer;  give  facts  and 
ideas  and  the  editors  will  see  that  they  appear  in  credi- 
table shape. 

In  writing,  give  the  number  of  the  question  you  are  an- 
swering: your  locality  and  name,  the  lattei'  nf>t  for  publica- 
tion unless  you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper 

Flowers  will  be  gladly  named  provided  first,  that  no  mart 
than  three  be  sent  at  one  time.  Second^  that  these  be  fully 
prepaid.  Third,4hat  several  specimens  of  each  reach  us  in 
good  shape.  H'e  cannot  undertake  to  name  fiorists'  varie- 
ties, 

28. —Budding  Chrysanthemums.  We  would  like 
information  on   this  subject. —Two  SrsscRiBERS. 

29.— When  to  buy  Orchids,  which  is  the  proper 
time  to  get  Lycaste  Skiuneri:'— Mrs.  H.  W.  S.,  Bel- 
mont Co..  Ohio. 

30.— Passion  Vines  Fruiting.  I>o  either  of  these 
bear  under  cultivation,  and  if  so,  how  should  they 
be  treated  for  this/— W.  Shinton,  Paterson,  A'.  J. 

31. — Bouvardia.  I  would  like  some  one  to  tell  me 
how  to  treat  Bouvardias  twe  never  have  any  frost, 
so  I  have  all  my  i>lants  in  open  ground).  Are  they 
ever-bioomei-s  or  not?  Mine  bloomed  in  the  fall  and 
now  stand  still.— B.  H.  Young,  *'fl;i  Dieyo,  Cal. 

32.— Seedling  Lemons.  I  planted  seeds  two  years 
ago  and  the  plants  fr(tm  them  are  now  only  nine 
inches  high.     What  will  liasten  their  growth? 

3;i.— Puny  Geraniums.  The  leaves  are  very  small 
and  they  sprout  from  the  root.  What  is  the  trouble? 

^34.— Plant  Fertilizer.  Please  tell  me  what  is 
good  to  enrich  the  soil. 

;i5.~Puny  Fuchsia.  How  should  such  an  one  be 
treated.  Would  it  be  well  to  cut  it  back.— Mi.ss 
Fannie  Purple,  AVw  York  City. 

REPLIES  TO   INQUIRIES. 

15.— India  Rubber  or  Ficns  Trees  can  be  raised 
from  seeds.— B.  11.  Yoitjo,  tian  JHegn,  Cnl. 

in.— My  Cactus  was  5  years  old  and  luid  never 
bloometl  in  the  house,  so  I  sunk  the  j^ot  in  the 

f round  in    my    garden    last   spring,  and    then  it 
loomed  well  — B.  H.  Young,  Son  Dieyo,  Cal. 

24 —Plants  for  Growing  under  Stages.  Trades- 
canthia,  zebrina.  Isolepis  gTaeilis.  Selaginella  deu- 
ticulata,  Fittoiiia  ufg.\rea,  and  Ferns  of  the  Pteris 
tribe,  succeed  with  the  greatest  ease  here,  while 
many  others,such  as  Begonia. Rivinias,Gymnostach- 
yms,  and  so  on,  do  nearly  as  well.— A.  H.  E. 

25.— Tacsonia.  I  have  raised  these  by  sowing 
seed  in  Marcli.  in  a  warm  i)lace,  to  be  '^^  feet  in 
length,  ill  l^<  mouths  time.-  A.,  sfaten  Ishiud.  ,V.  V. 

20. —Palms  for  Greenhouse.  In  answer  to  "Ig- 
noramus," 1  would  Siiy.  llie  tollowing  do  well  witli 
me;  Fan  Palm,  clioiiiii^rojis  t'.rccls(t,  African-hair 
Palm,  CUamwrops  hmiiiliu,,  Bourbon  Palm.  Latanitr 
borhonica.  Bungalow  Palm,  St-n/orthia  ei('(j(tns,  and 
Kentia  australis.  I  pot  in  loam  and  sand  and  keep 
nicely  moist.    Cii.\s.  H    \'<\siiM.\.,^teitbin  Co.,  y.  Y. 

27— Quick-Growing  Hedge.  Honey  Locust, 
Privet  and  Norway  Spruce  are  all  rapid  growers  in 
good  soil.  -A.  H.  K.,  En'r  Co.,  A*.  Y. 

:^!t.— When  to  Buy  Orchids.  At  most  any  season 
when  they  are  out  of  blouni.  L.ycaste  Skiuneri, 
being  a  winter  bloomer,  should  be  bought  between 
spring  and  autumn.— Mrs.  P.  L.  Wade.  Barmtultle 
Co.,,  Mass. 


POPULAR     GARDENING. 


February, 


Winter  Aconite  or  Eranthis. 

Flower  that  foreteil'st  a  spring  thou  ne'er  shalt  set' 

Yet  sniiiest  still  upon  thy  wintry  day. 

Content  with  the  joy -giving  destiny. 

Nor  envying  fairer  llowers  thy  festal  May. — 

O  golden-fhalieed  Aconite:    1*11  la.y 

To  heart  the  lesson  that  thou  teaehest  me: 

1.  too,  contented  with  m.y  times  will  be, 

And  still  a  placid  aspect  will  display 

In  tempest-troubled  seasons,— nor  repine 

That  others,  coming  after,  shall  enjo.y 

-\  calmer  day,  a  sunnier  sky  than  mine: 

To  speed  the  present,  be  my  sweet  emplo.y : 

To  cast  into  a  storaiy  world  my  mite 

Of  cheer,  like  thee,  gloom -gilding  Aconite! 

— Thomns  Nofh 


What  They  Say. 

The  Red  Rose  sa.vs,  "  Be  sweet," 
And  the  Lil.y  bids,  "  Be  pure; '' 
The  hardy,  brave  Chrysautheraum. 
"  Be  patient  and  endure." 
The  Violet  whispers  "  Give, 
Nor  gioidge,  nor  count  the  cost;  " 
The  Woodbine,  "  Keep  on  blossoming. 
In  spite  of  chill  or  frost." 


-Phil'a  Call. 


More  sun,  more  flowers. 

There  is  a  double  Oxalis. 

Patronize  our  adyertisers. 

A  beautiful  catalogue  crop. 

Overshaded  houses  are  unhealthy. 

Abutilons  come  readily  from  seed. 

The  Fuchsia  is  a  Tropical-American. 

February  is  a  good  time  to  subscribe. 

The  Medlar  Tree  is  not  a  meddler  iu  fact. 

Subscriptiona  may  begin  with  any  mouth. 

Violet  is  the  name  of  a  Missouri  Post-office. 

Some  one  call.s  the  Snowdrops,  "Fair  maids  of 
February." 

Thank  you !  To  our  many  friends  who  have 
sent  iu  clubs. 

Success  with  Smilax  as  a  house  plant  is  by 
no  means  uniform. 

The  plural  of  Forget-me-not  is  forget-us-uot, 
said  one  little  girl. 

The  catalogues,  on  the  whole,  are  a  very  in- 
structive literature. 

The  Rose  of  Jericho  is  not  a  Rose ;  botanicaUy 
it  is  nearer  a  cabbage. 

Cranberries— 90il,UOO  bushels,  is  the  latest  esti- 
mate for  the  ci-op  of  188.5. 

In  looking  up  a  list  of  late-flowering  annuals 
don"t  forget  the  Godetias. 

Plants  do  Shoot.  A  gardener  advertises  Roses 
"  well  I'ooted,  many  shooted." 

Looks  as  if  Anthuriums  could  never  be 
i^couuted  on  as  window  plants. 

Should  Horticulture  receive  State  recogni- 
tion !  is  a  pi'e.sent  question  iu  England. 

Children  love  the  beautUul ;  let  them  engage 
iu  the  innocent  pastime  of  light  gardening. 

Iron-plate  staging  for  hot-houses  is  in  use  in 
Laing  &  C'o's  nurseries,  London.  Thej-  are  in- 
destructible, of  course. 

The  charming,  but  rare  Maiden  Hair  Fern, 
Adiantuin  Fiirleijensis  is  propagated  by  divi- 
sion and  not  from  spores. 

A  subscriber  truthfully  claims  that  florists, 
as  a  class,  pa5'  too  Uttle  attention  to  the  cor- 
rect laljelliug  of  plants. 

Washing  the  leaves  of  a  plant,  like  washing 
the  face  of  a  child,  helps  wonderfully  for  good 
looks  and  general  sweetness. 


"  Oh  how  hard  is  my  lot  I "  groaned  Tom,  as 
he  laid  aside  pick  and  spade,  after  half  an  hour's 
work  in  fineing  up  the  surface. 

The  secret  at  the  bottom  of  growing  the 
common  Maiden  Hair  Fern,  Adiantum  cunen- 
tnin,  is  high  heat  and  much  moisture. 

Do  you,  kind  reader,  take  a  good  gardening 
I^aper  :  If  not,  why  not,  when  only  6U  cents 
will  bring  this  one  every  month  for  a  year. 

The  young  folks  are  sending  in  manj-  clubs 
to  this  paper.  They  find  the  work  of  securing 
subscribers  easy,  and  of  course  it  is  pleasant. 

Oranges  must  soon  be  scarcer.  Mr.  Ives,  of 
the  Finritla  Fntit  Kvchanyt',  puts  the  loss  by 
frosts  to  this  fruit  in  January  at  one  millon 
dollars. 

Sun  heat  on  plants  and  flowers  seems  to  start 
them  up  like  magic.  Sun  heat  is  life  to  plants. 
A  continuous  high  artificial  heat,  without  siui- 
shine,  is  death  to  them. 

A  Hint  to  Growers.  It  woiUd  be  better  for 
you,  for  dealers  and  for  consumers  alike — if 
one-half  or  more  of  the  present  varieties,  in  all 
departments,  were  weeded  out. 

Look  out  I  One  introducer  of  a  new  potato 
is  Just  that  anxious  to  have  them  look  well  and 
sell  at  a  fancy  price  that  it  is  said,  he  has  col- 
ored those  he  exhibits,  artificially. 

We  enjoy  this  being  hit  with  Clubs,  greatly, 
and,  what's  cm-ious  about  it  is,  that  the  more 
we  are  hit  the  pleasauter  is  the  sensation.  So 
go  in,  and  we'll  stand  the  consequences. 

Among  Palms,  which  a  writer  to  a  gardening 
paper  tinds  the  best  for  window  cultiu-e,are  the 
Fan  Paliu,  Lataniii  boidhoiiira,  (figured  last 
month) ,  and  Kentia  AustraUs  and  Baknoreana. 
Every  issue  of  tliis  jjaper  is  complete  in  itself, 
so  just  arrange  yourself  in  the  ranks  of  the 
50,000  subscribers  to  be  reached  b\-  the  end  of 
the  year,  iu  anj'  mouth.  Only  don't  defer  it 
until  forgotten. 

A  new  insect,  some  relative  of  the  turnip  fly, 
sa3-s  Prof.  Riley,  turns  up  as  a  troubler  of  the 
Smilax.  Tobacco  smoke  seems  not  to  kill  it, 
as  it  does  the  ordinary  Aphis,  but  insect  pow- 
der is  a  good  remedy. 

A  Nation  of  Planters.  It  is  said  that  in  Spain 
an  old  custom  among  the  countrj-  people,  is 
never  to  eat  fruit  out  of  doors  without  plant- 
ing the  seed.  The  roads  are  lined  with  trees 
whose  fruit  is  free  to  all. 

Fumigating  the  apartments  where  plants  are 
grown,  we  suppose,  will  always  be  the  main 
reliance  for  killing  plant  lice.  An  utensil  for 
doing  this  neatl3',  effectually,  safely,  is  described 
in  our  advertising  columns. 

The  best  blue  hardy  annual  we  have  is  un- 
questionably the  Dwarf  Morning  Glory,  Con- 
volvulus mino}-.  It  makes  an  effective  small 
bed  or  an  edging  to  a  large  one.  The  seed  may 
be  sown  where  it  is  to  flower. 

Cyclamens  are  particular  as  to  watering. 
They  suft'er  quickl}'  from  being  too  dry,  and 
just  as  quickly  from  too  much  wetness.  Many 
of  these  plants  die  annually  from  lack  of  free 
drainage,  which  causes  a  water-logged  soil. 

Grass  under  Trees.  The  Gur(:lriu'i\s  Monthly 
advises  a  correspondent  to  sow  the  English 
Sheep  Grass,  Festuca  orina,  and  the  Flat-stem- 
medBlue  Grass, Foil  comp/csso,  here.  We  would 
add  another  to  the  list  as  good — the  Creeping 
Bent  Grass,  Aijrosfis  sfolotiifi'rti. 

Plant  trees  and  shrubs,  for  they  serve  to 
purify  both  the  earth  and  the  air :  the  former 
by  sucking  up  unwholsome  organic  matter,  the 
latter  by  absorbing  carbonic  acid  and  return 
iug  life-giving  ox3'gen.  But  don't  plant,  trees 
especially,  too  thick,  or  too  close  to  the  house. 

When  Europeans  send  out  a  new  plant,  thej' 
are  almost  sure  to  hang  a  long  name  to  it.  We 
often  meet  worse  cases  than  that  found  in  the 
excellent  new  Rose,  William  Francis  Bennett. 
But  even  this  is  too  long  for  American  notions. 
Let  us  all  drop  the  first  two-thirds.  Bennett 
alone  answers  better. 

We  place  our  love  for  the  Hybrid  Perpetual 
Roses  second  to  no  one  else's,  but  \'et  we  do 


think  there  is  too  great  a  tendency  towards 
elbowing  out  the  old-fashioned  Summer  Roses 
and  Prairie  Climbers,  that  this  newer  class  may 
be  given  more  place.  We  say,  give  all  classes 
a  chance,  according  as  the5'  deserve. 

Slow;  that's  all !  Many  a  pot  in  which  Mau- 
randia,  Caima,  ArcUsia  or  other  slow-starting 
seeds  have  been  sown  has  had  the  soil  turned 
out,  in  the  belief  that  the  seeds  were  dead, 
when  a  few  weeks  longer  of  waiting  would 
have  found  the  plants  coming  through  all  right. 
It  may  take  several  months  time  in  all. 

The  bothersome,  white-complexioned.  Meal}- 
bug  belongs  to  the  same  family  as  the  red 
Cochineal  insect,  from  which  the  Cochineal  dye 
is  obtained.  We  draw  the  color  line  here  in 
favor  of  the  red-skin,  every  time.  Brush  the 
pale-face  away  whenever  one  shows  up  on  a 
plant.     Not  safe  company  to  have  around. 

A  New  Insectcide.  In  France,  tons  of  bisul- 
phide of  carbon  are  used  in  the  vineyai-ds  to 
check  the  ravages  of  the  Phylloxera,  with  good 
results.  What  is  good  against  that  louse  ought 
to  answer  for  destroj'ing  many  other  insects. 
The  objection  to  this  di-ug  on  pot  plants  is,  its 
odei'  is  offensive.  Don't  forget  to  trj'  it  in  the 
garden,  though. 

We  have  received  at  this  office  Mr.  J.  H. 
Tryon's  ' '  Practical  Treatise  on  Grape  Culture, 
with  Instructions  How  to  Prune  and  Train  the 
Vine. "  Perhaps  the  greatest  merit  of  this  prac- 
tical essay  is  its  brevity,  and  yet  Mr.  T.  man- 
ages to  put  a  good  deal  of  the  "  How  to  do  it " 
in  the  dozen  well-filleii  pages.  His  address  is 
Willoughby,  Ohio. 

Our  clerks  have  had  an  unusually  busy  time 
during  the  last  month,  entering  the  new  sub- 
scribers received.  But  they  had  been  pretty 
well  drilled  for  it,  and  knew  just  what  to  ex- 
pect. The  .50,0(XI  subscribers  we  are  working 
towards:  readers,  club  agents,  publishers,  all, 
vrill  take  some  work  to  handle,  but  we  are 
ready;  so,  forward,  all  I 


Pots  Arranged  for  Propagating.— See  opposite  page. 

Too  bad:  Our  young  friend  Angelina  has, 
with  sorrow,  thrown  up  learning  to  paint  floral 
subjects.  We  cannot  think  this  was  wise,  and 
j-et,  on  the  face,  the  case  does  look  bad  enough. 
An  acquaintance  of  hers  has  made  the  trouble 
by  mistaking  her  last  group  of  yellow  Pansies 
for  Bluebells.  We  tell  Angelina  that  we  think 
her  friend  is  color  blind. 

To  Subscribers.  We  know  that  some  friends 
of  }-ours  would  like  to  take  Popular  Garden- 
IN(;,  if  they  knew  how  useful,  beautiful  and 
cheap  a  paper  it  is.  So  if  you  wiU  send  in  the 
names  of  any  such,  we  will  gladly  mail  to  each 
a  paper.  We  would  also  appreciate  very 
greatly  any  direct  personal  work  you  might 
do  in  introducing  the  paper  to  others.  A  new- 
paper  needs  a  good  deal  of  this  kind  of  help,  to 
be  sure. 

Josh  Billings  used  to  say ;  ■ '  I  don't  care  how 
much  people  talk  if  the}-  will  only  saj"  it  in  a 
phew  words. "  On  that  point  we  agree  exactly 
with  the  lamented  philosopher.  It  is  the  one 
aim  of  Popular  Gardening  to  not  oidy  give 
sound  instruction  on  many  subjects  connected 
with  the  gardens  of  the  people,  but  to  say  it  iu 
a  few  plain  words.  No  hunting  for  a  needle  in 
a  straw  heap  here.  It  beats  all,  how  some 
writers  for  papers  can  spread  out  ' '  talk "'  over 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


.•^j) 


sheet  after  sheet  of  paper ;  sometimes  the  less 

to  say  the  more  words  used. 

Canna  or  Indian  Shot  from  Seed.  We  hear 
that  some  fail  to  get  tliese  hard  sliot-like  seeds 
to  grow.  Here  we  fire  a  charge  of  directions 
that  we'll  warrant  will  bring  them  along  if  they 
have  life :  Place  in  a  dish ;  pour  on  boiling  wa- 
ter to  cover  them;  keep  in  a  warm,  but  not 
a  hot  place  (for  example,  on  the  givenliouse 
water  pipes  or  a  shelf  near  the  stove,)  for  four 
days:  then  plant  in  a  pot  of  earth,  keeping  the 
pot  in  a  temperature  of  upwards  of  sixty  de- 
grees. With  this  treatment  they  will  come  up 
like  Peas. 

A  sign  of  improved  gardening:  Fifty  thou' 
sand  lawn  mowers  are  now  made  yearlj'  in  the 
United  States.  In  consulting  files  of  old  pa- 
pers, we  cannot  find  one  lawn  mower  adver- 
tised for  sale  in  this  country  previous  to  thirty- 
five  years  ago.  Everj'body  knows  that  each 
law^l  mower  stands  for  one  neat  garden.  How 
many  more  of  these  there  are  to-day  than 
twenty,  thirt}',  or  more  years  ago!  A  next 
step  forward :  Every  one  of  the  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  present  owners  of  this  popular 
implement,  should  be  a  taker  of  the  populai" 
garden  helper— Popclar  Gardening.  They 
are  fast  commg  to  this. 

A  Good  Paper.  The  Voiith^s  (Ainijjaninn, 
iniblished  at  Boston,  is  not  far  from  our  ideal 
of  a  journal  for  the  young.  Indeed,  we  are 
free  to  say  that,  in  some  of  its  main  features, 
we  take  pleasure  in  looking  upon  this  able 
paper  of  ripe  experience  as  a  model  to  pattern 
after  in  our  own  paper.  It  is  a  handsome, 
well-printed  paper;  it  is  thoroughly  edited, 
and  crammed  with  matter  of  the  most  varied 
and  interesting  character ;  it  abounds  in  short, 
pithy  articles  by  the  ablest  American  and  for- 
eign wi'iters ;  its  illustrations  are  of  a  superior 
quality.  That  it  meets  a  popular  want  is  sufK- 
ciently  shown  bj'  its  having  ueai-ly  3.50,000  sub- 
scribers.    It  is  a  weekly,  at  .*1.T.5  a  year. 

An  important  Sea-weed.  According  to  Dar- 
win, it  is  a  fact,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  that 
the  fate  of  one  nation  hangs  on  a  Sea-weed. 
Reference  is  had  to  the  giant  Sea-weed  Mricro- 
cystis  pi/i-ifi'i'ti,  which  abounds  in  the  tropical 
seas  and  near  the  laud  of  the  Fugeans.  Amid 
the  leaves  of  this  plant  niunerous  species  of  fish 
live,  which  nowhere  else  could  find  food  and 
shelter.  Were  the  Sea- weed  absent,  these  fish 
would  be  lacking,  in  which  event  the  many 
cormorants  and  other  birds,  the  otters,  seals  and 
poipoises  would  soon  perish  also.  These  largely 
afford  the  food  supply  of  this  cannibal  people, 
and  was  the  source  cut  off,  cannibalism  woujd 
increase,  their  numbers  be  diminished  and  they 
would  perhaps  cease  to  exist. 

Propagating  Pots.  Double  flower  pots,  made 
expressly  for  propagating  purposes,  have  long 
been  in  use.  But  these  are  not  always  easily 
attainaljle.  In  the  accompanying  engraving 
we  show  how  two  common  flower  pots,  say  a 
0-inch  and  a  4-inch,  may  be  used  together,  in- 
stead of  the  combined  ones  as  made  by  the 
potters.  The  space  between  the  pots  is  filled 
with  sand,  into  which  the  cuttings  are  [ilaced ; 
the  inner  pot  is  packed  with  Moss  or  Spagh- 
num,  which,  during  propagation  should  be 
kept  constantly  saturated  with  water.  A  bell 
glass,  of  a  size  to  fit  the  rim  of  the  outer  pot, 
and  inverted  over  it,  would  aid  to  the  making 
of  almost  a  complete  propagating  apjiaratus 
for  amateurs.  This  would  be  found  particu- 
larlj'  successful  with  hard  wooded  cuttings, 
which  so  often  fail. 

A  Home-made  Fertilizer.  One  of  our  corres- 
pondents, Mrs.  L.  D.  Richardson,  of  Mitchell 
County,  Iowa,  who  has  been  a  cultivator  of 
flowers  for  many  yeai's,  sends  us  her  met  hod  of 
making  a  fertilizer  for  pot  plants,  which  we 
are  glad  to  print:  "  From  a  blackismith  shop 
I  obtain  the  clippings  of  the  horses  hoofs,  and 
as  they  sweep  the  floor,  some  of  the  coal  dust 
and  the  steel  or  iron  cinders  and  filings  also.  I 
fill  a  pail  about  one-fourth  full  of  this  sub- 
stance and  then  add  boiling  soft  water  enough 


to  make  the  pail  full.  Once  a  week,  then,  I 
give  the  plants  a  thorough  bath,  usually  set- 
ting the  pots  for  a  while  in  the  liipiid.  I  have 
found  this  treatment  most  excellent;  it  seems 
to  furnish  a  complete  food,  for  the  jilants  at  all 
seasons  have  the  freslmess  ami  greenness  of 
June,  au(.l  arc  remarkably  prolific  in  flowering.'' 

From  Seed.  Sometimes  we  meet  the  inquiry 
as  to  whether  Fuchsias,  Geraniums,  Heliotrope, 
Lantanas,  and  other  plants  in  the  same  line, 
can  be  I'aised  tVom  seed.  Certainly  they  can, 
and  quite  easily,  too.  But  whether  the  gains 
are  worth  the  pains  is  quite  another  tiling,  for 
seedlings  of  such  plants  ai'c,  with  very  rare  ex- 
ceptions, vastly  inferior  to  the  common  kinds 
of  the  florists.  You  might  raise  ten  thousand 
seedlings  each  of  Fuchsias  and  Geraniums 
without  getting  one  to  equal  the  old  Elm  City 
of  the  former,  or  General  Grant  of  the  latter, 
a  small  slip  of  either  of  which  may  be  pur- 
chased for  a  dime.  Still  there  is  a  fascination 
in  raising  new  sorts  from  seed,  not  knowing 
what  is  to  come  forth,  that  many  will  consider 
a  sufficient  reward  for  the  trouble,  even  though 
the  quality  of  the  flowers  raised  is ,  inferior. 
How  to  proceed  in  this  matter  is  to  procure  the 
seeds  to  be  sown,  now,  sow  in  about  fom'-inch 
pots  that  have  been  filled  to  withiu  half  an  inch 
of  the  rim  with  fine  soil.  Water  before  solving. 
Then  cover  the  seeds  thinly  with  light  earth  or 
sand,  afterwards  putting  a  pane  of  glass  on  the 
pot  until  the  young  plants  appear,  when  this 
can  be  gradually  removed.  The  pots  will  need 
an  occasional  watering. 

Flowers  for  the  Sick.  Those  very  practical- 
minded  people,  who  talk  about  the  uselessness 
of  flowers,  could  never,  we  are  sure,  have  seen 
how  a  sick  person  may  find  pastime  and  recre- 
ation in  a  nosegay  of  bright  blooms.  The 
company  of  fresh  flowers  will  often  cheer  up  a 
despondent  patient  as  nothing  else  possibly 
could  do,  and  no  doubt  may  sometimes  even 
turn  the  tide  towards  recovery.  One  of  our 
readers  from  Erie  County,  New  York,  who 
stands  high  as  a  helper  in  sick  rooms,  sends  us 
the  following,  concerning  flowers  for  the  sick: 
"Send  fresh,  sweet  flowers  to  the  sick,  but  not 
such  as  have  a  <lepressing  odor.  Carnations, 
Roses,  Violets,  Ten-Week-Stocks,  Rose  Gerani- 
ums, and  the  like  in  sweet  flowers  ai'e  always 
acceptable,  while  Jasmine,  Orange,  Tuberose, 
and  sometimes  Heliotrope  and  Mignonette  would 
prove  offensive.  Pansies  are  great  favorites  with 
the  sick,  because  of  their  interesting  faces.  Gera- 
nium flowers  are  bright  and  cheering,  hence, 
always  suitable.  Nasturtions  usually  please 
patients.  If  the  giver  can  remember  some 
favorite  of  the  sick  one,  the  thoughtfulness  will 
be  doubly  appreciated.  The  patient  will  often 
enjoy  looking  at  and  handling  them  before  be- 
ing arranged  in  a  vase.  Set  the  flowers  near 
the  bed  it  convenient,  but  always  where  the 
eyes — often  weary  of  everything  else — can 
rest  upon  them  without  turning  uncomfortably. 
Never  set  the  vase  directly  between  the  patient 
and  the  window." 

Frosts  and  House  Plants.  It  is  often  a  mat- 
ter of  great  concern  to  bring  the  house  plants 
safely  through  a  very  cold  night  untouch  d  by 
frosts.  The  further  North  we  live  the  more 
difficult  do  we  naturally  expect  this  to  be.  A  sub- 
scriberto  Popular  Gardening,  Mrs.  Minnie  R. 
Waggoner,  living  in  the  state  of  Minnesota, 
where  the  thermometer  sometimes  indicates  'id' 
below  zero,  has  sent  us  her  method  of  providing 
extra  protection  to  keep  off  frosts,  when  needed, 
which  ought  to  be  of  use  to  many  of  our  readers. 
"  I  use  a  paper  shutter  of  my  own  make,  which 
I  place  between  the  outside  shutter  and  the 
glass.  This  is  made  of  two  sheets  of  heavy 
manilla  paper  of  the  exact  size  of  the  window. 
Where  there  are  l&rge  windows  two  of  these 
might  be  better.  I  stitch  them  together  on 
the  machine  and  bind  them  with  cotton  flannel, 
working  two  small  eyelets  at  what  is  to  be  the 
top  side.  Two  screws  are  fixed  over  the  top  of 
each  window,  on  the  outside,  and  I  am  ready 
for  the  first  severely-cold  night,  which  can 
come.     On  all  such  occasions  since  they  have 


been  put  up,  the  shutters  have  been  closed 
upon  them,  and  not  a  particle  of  frost  has 
ever  gathered  on  th<'  window  panes.  A  year 
ago  the  slats  of  the  wooden  shutters  were 
S.I  loose  that  the  wind  swayed  them  at  will,  so 
last  fall  I  liad  made  frcjui  matched  flooring 
three  tightly-fitting  bliiuls,  the  east  and  west 
ones  to  fold  back  against  the  house,  and  the 
middle  one  to  lift  away.  I  am  nmch  pleased 
with  these,  but  on  intensely-cold  nights  the 
papers  go  up,  also,  and  then  Jack  Frost  is  com- 
pletely outwitted.  The  pajiers  I  have  described 
wear  well  with  care,  and  I  like  them  much 
better  than  any  arrangement  of  double  sash  I 
have  ever  seen." 


How  to  Grow  Chrysanthemums. 

We  have  been  much  pleased  at  the  num- 
ber of  letters  lately  addressed  to  PopfT.AK 
Gardening,  on  the  subject  of  Clirysanthc- 
mum  culture.  Most  of  these  have  been  in- 
quiries from  subscribers  who  desire  to  know 
more  about  how  this  Queen  of  Autumn 
flowers  should  be  managed.  In  this  may  be 
seen  an  awakening  as  to  the  worth  of  this 
flower,  wliich  promises  well  for  its  future 
in  America.  As  is 
always  the  case  with 
tis  in  dealing  with  our 
readers,  we  are  glad 
to  present  practical 
suggestions  on   plant 

-.._,„.      „  .  .     management  as  want- 
fig,  t.— The  Cutting  Put  In.     ,       '         a-     .,     J.  , 
^  ed, hence  offer  the  fol- 

lowing on  Chrysanthemum  culture. 

Propagation.  We  start  with  this  simple 
process,  by  saying,  that  to  increase  the 
Chi-ysanthemum,  either  by  striking  soft  cut- 
tings two  or  three  inches  long,  as  shown  in 
figure  1.  from  plants  recently  started  up, 
or  by  dividing  the  suckers  of  an  old 
plant,  each  to  have  a  few  roots,  is  a  task 
so  easy  as  to  need  no  further  explanation  re- 
garding details.  As  to  the  time  of  propaga- 
tion any  month  in  the  winter  season  will 
answer,  but  it  is  w-ell  to  bear  in  mind  that 
the  earlier  it  is  done,  the  larger  may  be  the 
plants  grown  by  tlie  flowering  season  next 
fall.  Most  large-sized  exhibition  plants  are 
struck  in  November  or  December,  but  great 
tilings  can  be  accomplished  with  phiiits  prop- 
agated in  this  month,  or  even  in  March. 

Soil.  This  for  the 
young  plants,  or  for 
plants  at  any  time  when 
growing  in  pots,  should 
be  a  rich  and  substantial 
compost.  To  consist  of 
one  part  well-rotted 
manure,  to  two  parts  de- 
composed sods,  is  aliout 
t  li  e  thin  g.  When  the 
plants  are  grown  b_y  bed- 
ding out  during  the  summer,  moderately 
rich  soil  in  the  beds  is  the  best.  In  potting, 
tliere  must  be  free  drainage  by  the  use  of 
some  pot-sherds  in  the  bottom  of  each  jiot, 
for  a  pasty  soil  is,  above  all  things  else,  det- 
rimental to  these  plants. 

Shifting,  Etc.  At  all  times  while  in  the 
greenhouse  or  window,  the  young  plants 
should  have  as  much  air  and  light  as  possi- 
l)le.  With  this  treatment  free  growth  will 
ensue.  The  rule  as  to  shifting  is  to  not 
over-shift  or  under-shift.  When  by  ex- 
amination, the  roots  begin  to  show  some 
dense  mats  on  the  outside  of  the  ball, 
then  shift.  The  middle  of  June  readied,  and 
the  plants  should  be  fit  for  eight-inch  pots,  or 
else  to  be  bedded  out, if  tlwit  is  to  be  the  course. 

Stopping.  As  to  how  this  important  part 
should  be  done,  or  whcllicr  to  be  done  at  :in 


Fig.  2-A  Plant  After 
Second  Stopping. 


54 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


February, 


depends  upon  tlie  kinds  of  Chrysantbemums 
grown,  and  upon  the  stjie  or  shape  of  plants 
wanted.  When  you  find  by  the  label  on 
your  plant.that  it  is  a  fine  Incurved  or  a  Late- 
flowering  variety,  do  not  stop  the  plant  at 
all.  So  too,  wliere  the  object  is  the  growth 
of  large  and  handsome  flowers  for  cutting 


Fig,  3.    Standard  or  Tree  Chrysanthemum. 

or  for  exhibition,  without  special  reference 
to  the  form  of  the  plant,  then  the  plants 
need  no  pinching. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  Reflexed,  Free- 
Howering  and  Early-flowering  kinds  in  all 
classes,  may  be  stopped  twice,  and  all  of  the 
Smaller  flowered  sorts  as  often  as  three 
times.  The  first  pinching  back  of  these 
should  take  place  as  early  as  April,  by  tak- 
ing out  the  point  to  cause  a  break  of  side 
liranches.  Those  to  receive  only  a  second 
pinching  back,  .should  have  this  done  in 
June,  while  the  kinds  suitable  for  a  second 
and  a  third  pinching,  may  receive  these  in 
the  end  of  May  and  the  end  of  June,  respect- 
ively. Fig.  2  shows  a  plant  just  after  being 
stopped  a  second  time.  The  pinching  back, 
should,  as  a  rule,  be  done  about  one  week  in 
advance  of  a  needed  shift. 

Forms  of  Pl.\nts  and  Staking.  No 
matter  what  form  of  plant  is  grown, stakes  are 
necessary  to  properly  support  the  heavy 
growth  and  crop  of  bloom.  The  simplest 
form  of  plants,  and  that  requiring  the  least 
attention,  is  the  biish  form.  By  this  we  re- 
fer to  plants  grown  bj-  bedding-out  in  the 
latter  part  of  May  or  in  June,  stopped  all  over 
about  the  middle  of  the  latter  month,  and 
to  receive  no  other  attention  until  the  fall 
lifting,  theu  an  occasional  watering  if  the 
soil  is  dry,  and  a  stake  to  keep  the  top  from 
being  swayed  by  wind.  By  the  end  of  Sep- 
tember these  ought  to  lie  compact  bushes, 
budded  all  over,  and  which,  with  going  into 
large-sized  pots  now,  will  give  a  great  show 
(if  bloom  such  as  it  is,  in  the  window  or  the 
(■(inservatory,  all  for  a  very  little  trouble. 

The  round-headed  form  shown  by  fig.  4 
is  one  that  calls  for  greater  painstaking  than 
the  last,  as  regards  the  following  points: 
First  it  is  to  be  grown  in  pots  throughout 


the  season,  reaching  a  seven-inch  or  eight- 
inch  size  by  June,  and  a  ten-inch  or  an  eleven- 
inch  size  by  the  end  of  July,  the  last  shift. 
Then  it  is  to  be  kept  carefully  staked  and 
handled, spreading  the  branches  properly  by 
tying  them  outward  to  hidden  stakes,  that 
are  thrust  into  the  soil  near  the  edge  of  the 
pots.  At  all  times  the  plants  must  be  per- 
fectly watered,  and  frequently  syringed, 
with  some  help  occasionally  given  in  liquid 
manure,  after  the  last  shift.  Finally,  the 
buds  must  be  thinned  out  to  some  such  [ 
an  extent  as  is  shown  in  the  engraving,  for 
large  flowering  sorts,  and  some  less  for  small 
bloomers,  all  about  the  end  of  summer. 

The  standard  or  tree  form  shown  in  fig.  3, 
is  an  attractive  one.  To  raise  these,  select 
of  the  strongest  plants  in  March,  and  treat 
specially  as  follows,  giving  the  general  care, 
prescribed  in  the  foregoing:  Shift  into  five- 
inch  pots  in  March  or  April;  favor  the 
growth  of  the  plant  uprightly  all  you  can, by 
keeping  it  tied  to  a  light  stake,  and  by  pinch- 
ing back  all  side  shoots  as  they  appear.  But 
these  must  not  be  stopped  closely  to  the 
main  stem;  sufficient  growth  must  be  allowed 
to  each,  for  carrying  the  one  or  two  leaves 
needed  for  aiding  the  growth  of  the  stem 
itself.  When  this  is  high  enough,  pinch 
out  the  tip;  then  tie  the  upper  side-shoots  as 
they  appear,  carefully,  to  tall,  light  stakes 
set  in  the  pot.  After  four  or  five  inches  of 
growth  shows  on  these,  pinch  to  cause 
branching.  This  should  bring  us  up  to 
June,  after  which,  pinch  once  more,  and  for 
the  last  time  about  July  first,  save  the  side 
spurs  along  the  stem,  which  should  finally 
all  come  away  just  before  flowering  time. 

Flowering.  During  the  interval  between 
the  last  shift,  or  in  case  of  summer  bedding, 
the  lifting  time,  and  the  time  of  bloom, 
the  plants  must  be  kept  freely  watered, 
or  you  may  whistle  foi'  fine  flowers.  An 
occasional  dose  of  liquid  manure,  say  once 
a  week,  is  also  needed,    up   to  the   burst- 


to  succeed  in  raising  some  fine  Chrysanthe- 
mum plants.  Where  there  are  to  be  autumn 
shows,  efforts  should  be  made  by  many 
to  raise  exhibition  plants  that  will  capture 
prizes.  Chiysanthemum  growing  is  an 
employrhent  that,  with  judicious  action  and 
the  use  of  good  sorts,  alwaj's  brings  gratify- 
ing returns  to  the  grower,  whether  prizes 
are  worked  for  and  secured,  or  not. 

The  Window  Box,  Now. 

Where  space  in  which  to  grow  plants  is 
limited,  a  window  box  comes  in  play  as  well 
al  this  season  indoors,  as  the  same  does 
in  the  summer  on  the  outside  window  ledge. 
The  advantage  of  the  window  box  is,  that  a 
number  of  plants  subsists  on  one  and  the 
same  mass  of  earth,  instead  of  each  on  a  sep- 
erate  lot,  as  in  pots. 

Take  a  dozen  plants  for  example,  and  they 
will  thrive  on  less  soil,  if  that  soil  is  in  one 
mass,  than  if  the  same  be  divided  into  twelve 
masses,  for  in  the  former  case  the  roots  of 
different  plants  go  over  the  same  ground, 
each  absorliing  the  food  best  adapted  to  it- 
self, without,  in  any  great  degree,  impover- 
ishing it  for  others.  This  really  is  the  secret 
why  plants  seem  often  to  get  along  so  much 
better  in  window  boxes,  than  in  pots. 


A  Fine  Orchid  for  the  Greenhouse. 

The  recent  sale  of  a  large  private  collec- 
tion of  Orchids  at  auction,  in  New  York 
city,  amounting  to  some  $23,000  for  these 
plants  alone,  has  attracted  wide  attention. 
Some  buyers  from  as  far  away  as  Europe 
came  to  it.  As  high  as  a  thousand  dollars 
apiece  was  realized  for  some  of  the  plants. 
Single  specimens  in  other  collections  have 
been  known  to  bring  as  much  as  $3,300. 

The  space  at  our  command  at  present, 
does  not  permit  of  going  deep  into  a  consid- 
eration of  Orchids  and  their  culture  now. 
This  must  be  deferred  to  some  future  time. 


FIG.  4.     ROUND-HEADE 

ing  of  the  first  flowers,  only.  The  plants 
must,  besides,  be  uncrowded,  and  receive 
both  plenty  of  aid  and  light,  but  not  much 
direct  sunshine,  right  up  to  flowering.  The 
thinning  out  of  the  buds  as  alluded  to,  is 
also  a  very  important  operation  as  effecting 
fine  results. 
Now,  we  think  any  of  our  readers  ought 


D  CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

But  we  are  strong  believers  in  the  principle, 
that  the  way  to  begin  any  branch  of  garden- 
ing is  to  begin,  and  with  none  more  so  than 
that  of  Orchid  culture.  The  kind  of  begin- 
ning, however,  which  we  advise,  is  one  on 
a  very  moderate  scale.  The  acquaintance 
with  one  subject,  or  a  few  subjects  taken  in 
hand,  the  wants  of  such  and  how  to  meet 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


55 


tliem  then  comes  graduall}'  ami  prepares  for 
larger  operations  in  the  same  line. 

So  we  limit  this  article  to  calling  attention 
to  one  of  the  finest  and  most  easily  managed 
of  the  winter  blooming  Orchids,  fivhigyne 
riistiita.  It  is  a  kind  well  suited  for  begin- 
ners to  invest  in  for  a  first  trial.  Ko  special 
apartment  will  need  to  be  fitted  up  for  it.  as 
it  succeeds  well  in  an  ordinary  greenhouse. 
Neither  is  its  price  exorbitant;  Mr.  Bracken- 
bridge,  of  Govanstown,  Md.,  offering  liealthy 
plants  of  it  at 
from  $1  to  .f3 
each.  The  fine 
engraving  of  this 
Orchid  wliich 
we  lay  before 
our  readers,  we 
are  sure  will  lie 
much  admired. 

As  to  manage- 
ment.the  follow- 
ing outline  is 
offered:  It 
should  be  grown 
in  shallow  pans 
suspended  from 
the  roof.  A 
common  green- 
house, where  the 
temperature 
rarely  rises  to  60° 
except  during 
the  months  when 
sun  heat  sends  it 
up,  will  answer 
for  it,  in  the 
main.  During 
the  summer 
m  o  nt  h  s  the 
plants  should  be 
kept  compara- 
tively dry  and 
exposed  to  air 
freely.  In  No- 
\'  e  m  b  e  r  t  h  e  j" 
may  come  to  a 
heat  of  from  .50" 
to  55°,  in  which 
t hey,  at  C'hrist- 
mas,  commence 
to  expand  their 
lovely  dove-like 
blossoms.  After 
flowering  thej' 
are  to  be  re- 
potted, or  the 
roots  to  be  exam- 
ined  and  sup- 
plied with  suit- 
able soil.  This,  we  must  mention,  should 
consist  of  an  admixture  of  fibrous  peat,  leaf 
mould  and  Sphagnum  (packing  moss)  chop- 
ped very  fine,  and  clean  sand. 

Specimens  of  this  Orchid  are  in  cultivation, 
which  annually  bear  from  two  to  three  hun- 
dred robust  spikes  of  flowers.  To  succeed  in 
raising  one  of  such  iDroportions,  is  an  aspira- 
tion worthy  of  the  mind  of  an}'  amateur  florist. 

Is  America  the  Worst  Fruit-grow- 
ing Country  on  Earth  ? 

(.)f  Apples  it  is  enough  to  sa}'  for  the  quality 
and  perfection  of  our  products,  that  so  high 
an  authority  as  Wm.  Robinson,  of  London, 
pronounces  the  American  Apple  the  grandest 
fruit  that  ripens  imder  the  sun.  He,  with 
other  Englishmen,  have  for  many  years  now 
had  ample  opportunity  to  test  the  qualit}'  of 
the  fruit  we  raise,  in  the  large  surpluses  an- 


nually shipped  by  us  to  the  English  markets. 
As  bearing  upon  the  extent  of  our  crop  and 
especiallj'  as  to  our  foreign  shipments,  it 
may  be  said  that  in  one  week  recently,  there 
was  exported  from  four  American  ports  the 
grand  aggregate  of  440,875  liarrels  of  prime 
apples,  and  even  this  quantity  was  less  than 
the  quantity  exported  in  the  corresponding 
week  of  the  year  previous.  And  the.se  heavy 
shipments  have  been  kept  up  for  many  weeks 
in  each  fall  and  winter  of  late  years;  yet  they 


A  FINE  ORCHID   FOR  THE  GREENHOUSE.— CCELOGYNE  CRISTATA. 


have,  in  the  aggregate,  amounted  to  but  a 
fraction  of  all  the  prime  apples  grown  and 
marketed  by  our  orchardists. 

In  Pear  culture,  to  be  sure  we  have  suffered 
some  from  fire  blight — in  some  places  alarm- 
ingly so,  but  what  effect  has  this  had  upon 
the  yield  of  this  fruit  year  by  year.  The 
fact  is  that  our  markets  were  never  so  abun- 
dantly supplied  with  fine  pears  as  in  the 
year  just  past.  So  large  has  been  the  yield, 
that  for  once  itmaj-be.said,  that  nearly  every 
American  has  had  a  chance  of  tasting  a  good 
Pear  at  a  moderate  price.  Along  with  the 
rapid  increa.se  in  our  population,  however,  it 
would  seem  as  if  the  increa.se  in  the  yield  of 
this  fruit,  and  of  others,  has,  on  the  whole, 
no  more  than  kept  pace.  This  certainly  does 
not  look  as  if  those  engaged  in  Pear  culture 
were  abandoning  the  pursuit  very  fa.st, 
either  on  account  of  blight  or  other  cause. 


The  outlook  for  Grape  culture  in  America 
is  a  very  hopeful  one,  at  the  present  time. 
When  fruit  culture  first  received  attention 
from  our  forefathers,  it  was  early  seen  that 
the  delicious  European  Grape,  Viti/!  linifcm, 
was  not  adapted  to  our  climate.     (Later  it 
was  found  to  succeed  on  the  Pacific  slope.) 
Native  grapes  were  met  growing  everywhere 
but  they  were  immeasurably  inferior  to  those 
of  Europe.     They  possessed,  however,  what 
the  others  did  not,  namely:  full  adaptability 
to   our    climate. 
With   this  char- 
acteristic as  a 
foundation,  cul- 
tivators    and 
hybridizers  soon 
went  to  work  to 
evolve  improved 
sorts   from  the 
sour   natives. 
The   results   up 
to  the  present 
day  have  been 
most  remarkable 
and   the  end   in 
improvement    is 
no  doubt  yet  far 
away.     When 
the  year  1858  was 
reached  the  then 
new  Isabella  was 
looked  upon  as  a 
wonderful  at- 
tainment  in  the 
wa}'  of  American 
Grapes.    It  poss- 
essed a  certain 
q  u  a  1  i  t  y     that 
could   be  called 
very  good,  and 
was  found  to  be 
a  reliable  grower 
over    a    large 
range  of  countrj-. 
From  that  time 
pro.gress  h  as 
been  steady  and 
rapid  in  the  rais- 
ing  of  better 
.sorts, until  to-day 
t  h  e    proud   Isa- 
bella  even,    is 
r.arely   kept    iij) 
in  culture, except 
as  a  curiosity, 
The  Concord, 
now  so  justly 
regarded   as  the 
.greatest     of 


American  grapes,  all  things  considered,  too 
seems  in  danger  of  soon  being  consigned  to 
a  back  place  with  the  Isabella.  Among  the 
many  new  claimants  for  a  high  place,  there 
are  some  of  such  undoubtedly  great  merits 
as  to  lead  to  the  belief,  that  we  shall  yet  pro- 
duce a  grape  which  shall  be  pronoimced 
very  excellent  by  o\ir  famous  grape-growing 
cousins  across  the  Atlantic. 

In  the  meantime  let  no  one  who  has  a 
garden,  hesitate  to  plant  an  abvmdance  of 
fruit,  at  least  for  their  own  use,  not  overlook- 
ing the  easily  grown  and  very  productive 
Small  Fruits  besides  Cherries,  Plums,  and 
others,  to  which  no  reference  has  here  been 
made.  If  the  matter  be  taken  a  hold  of  judi- 
ciously all  may  feel  assured  of  fair  rewards 
for  the  outlay  made.  As  for  managing, 
shoidd  you  who  desire  to  plant  be  un.skilled, 
PopuL.^^B  G.\RDENiN(i  offers  vou  aid. 


56 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


February, 


About  Cherries. 

'Cherries  are  ripe"'  is,  in  its  season,  a  wel- 
come sound  to  all  lovers  of  country  life;  to 
none  more  so  than  to  the  cliildren.  The  earli- 
ness,  beauty,  juiciness,  delicacy  and  richness  of 
the  cherry,  together  serves  to  make  this  fruit 
everywhere  highly  esteemed.  But,  naturally, 
we  must  plant  before  we  can  gather  fruit, 
hence  this  part  of  the  case  is  now  in  order  to 
be  considered,  as  the  spring  season  draws  nigh. 

As  to  cultivation,  no  fruit  tree  is  easier  to 
manage  than  the  cherry.  Indeed,  when  grown 
as  a  standard— and  this  is  the  form  chiefly  to 
be  recommended— it  might  almost  be  said  to 
require  no  cultivation.  Of  pruning  it  needs 
very  little  or  none;  manuring,  it  needs  less 
than  most  other  kinds  of  tmit 
trees;  it  will  bear  large  crops 
under  neglect  that  would  hin- 
der fruitage  in  apples  or  pears. 
It  is  a  fruit  to  give  large  re- 
turns for  small  outlay,  and  one 
well  suited  in  every  way  for 
the  novice  at  fruit  growing. 

What  of  soil;  The  cherry  is 
easily  suited,  save  in  one  or  two 
respects.  It  will  not  bear  an 
undrained  soil  that  is  wet, 
neither  does  it  delight  in  heavy 
clay,  so  avoid  these.  Any  light, 
di-y,  loamy  soil,  that  is  moder- 
ately but  not  very  rich,  vrill  do 
exactly.  The  tree  will  grow  in 
thinner  and  drj'er  soils  than 
any  other  fruit  tree  we  know  of. 
But  on  land  that  is  over-rioh  the 
growth  becomes  so  luxuriant, 
and  the  wood  so  gross,  that 
(i-uiting  will  be  retarded  and 
the  trunk  be  liable  to  split  open 
in  an  aggravating  manner,  and 
even  to  cause  early  death. 

The  cherry,  as  to  sorts,  is 
brought  under  several  classes. 
There  are  the  Heai-t  Cherries, 
the  fruit  of  which  is  heai-t- 
shaped,  the  flesh  tender  and 
sweet.  The  trees  of  this  class 
are  of  rapid  growth,  with  large, 
soft,  drooping  leaves;  leading 
varieties  incluile  the  Early  Pur- 
ple, Kniglit's  Early  Black, 
Black  Tartarian,  Black  Eagle,  and  some  others. 

The  Bigan-eaus.  of  which  the  accompanying 
engraving  shows  the  type,  are  chiefly  distin- 
guished from  the  preceding  class  by  their 
firmer  flesh,  (jn  this  account  they  are  favor- 
ites as  dessert  fruit.  From  among  the  sorts 
of  these,  choose  the  Yellow  Spanish  or  Bigar- 
reau.  Napoleon  Bigarreau,  Elkhorn  or  Trades- 
cant's  Black  Heart,  and  the  Rockport  Bigarreau, 
and  you  will  not  miss  it,  in  planting. 

The  Duke  and  Morello  Cherries  are  classes 
very  distinct  from  the  foregoing.  The  trees 
ai-e  of  smaller  size,  and  grow  slowly ;  the  fruit 
is  generally  round,  from  red  to  brown  in  color, 
and  sub-acid  to  acid  as  to  taste.  The  common 
sour  cherry  of  American  gardens  belongs  to  this 
class.  Among  the  best  sorts  are  the  Early 
Richmond,  Belle  Magnifique,  May  and  Late 
Duke,  Donna  Maria,  Montmorency  and  Morello. 

Planters  should  choose  some  trees  from  each 
of  the  classes  named,  for  a  good  assortment. 


was  fifty  cents  for  a  small  plant,  so  small  in 
fact  that  the  enterprising  salesman  could  carry 
his  stock  with  him,  delivering  as  he  went. 

From  all  we  can  learn  of  the  plants  sold,  they 
must  have  been  at  least  two  weeks  from  the 
seed  bed;  had  they  been  good  sorts — which  it 
is  not  likely  they  were — they  might  have  been 
worth  three  cents  apiece.  So  far  were  the 
plants  from  blooming  that  the  peddler  could 
have  traveled  to  the  land  of  Primroses  be- 
fore the  "sell"  as  to  color  could  be  revealed. 
Of  course  no  one  has  ever  seen  a  blue  Primrose. 

After  all,  how  shrewd  some  of  our  slu-ewd 
business  men  are,  when  it  comes  to  matters  of 
flowers  and  gardening.  The  agent  understood 
this  well  enough,  when  he  went  to  the  offices 


A  Bigarreau  cherry,     the  elkhorn. 

and  sold  plants  to  the  husbands  for  their  wives, 
instead  of  going  and  dealing  with  the  wives 
themselves.  A  case  of  the  selection  of  the  fit- 
test. Let  us  prescribe  for  this  kind  of  selling : 
Twelve  doses  of  Popular  Gardening  taken  in 
a  year,  at  intervals  of  one  month.  Keep  it  up 
until  there  are  visible  signs  of  improvement. 


Selling  and  Selling. 

Mr.  Tree-Agent  and  his  near  relative  Mr. 
Plant-Peddler  are  the  men  who  walk  to  and 
fro  in  the  earth  selling  their  stock  and  selling 
the  buyers  at  the  same  time.  At  least  in  some 
cases  they  do  this.  A  new  case  of  such  a  double 
kind  of  selling  has  just  come  to  our  notice  in 
this  city. 

A  man  "from  Boston  "  just  before  the  recent 
holiday  season,  went  about  canvassing  among 
business  men  in  their  offices  for  the  sale  of 
some  fine  "Primrose  plants."  He  could  fur- 
nish yellow,  blue  and  rose-colored  varieties  as 
his  customers  preferred.  The  plants,  it  is  said, 
went   otT    like    a    "blue  streak."      The    price 


Propagating  Vines  from  Single  Eyes. 

With  ordinary  varieties  of  (iraj^es,  the  wood 
is  commonly  so  abundant  that  there  is  little 
need  in  stopping  short  of  the  use  of  long  cuttings 
in  propagation.  Not  so  with  new  sorts  which 
it  may  be  desirable  to  increase  rapidly. 

Where  there  is  a  propagating  house,  to  in- 
crease the  stock  from  single-eye  cuttings,  is 
easily  accomplished.  It  may  not  be  known  that 
the  same  thing  is  readilj'  possible  with  the  use 
for  about  a  month  in  the  spring  of  a  glass-cover- 
ed frame.  But  the  process  is  somewhat  diiler- 
ent.  In  tliis  case  the  wood  should  be  cut  up 
and  mixed  with  sand  or  light  earth,  in  shallow 
boxes.  These  should  go  into  the  frames,  or 
they  may  be  set  in  a  greenhouse  three  or  four 
weeks  before  planting-out  time,  say  at  May 
1st  in  the  north. 

When  the  gnnind  becomes  warm,  later,  plant 
out  in  light,  warm  soil,  covering  about  an  inch 
and  a  half  deep.  In  favorable  seasons  good 
plants  will  result,  and  especially  in  the  case  of 
free-growing  sorts. 


Some  of  ttie  Newer  Vegetables. 

The  Chairman  o(  the  Michigan  Hoi-ticultural 
Society,  Prof.  W.  W.  Tracy,  reports  on  new 
vegetables  of  recent  introduction,  after  actual 
experience  with  every  sort  named,  as  follows: 


Most  of  the  new  beans,  it  is  feared  mark  no 
real  advance  on  old  sorts.  The  Black-eyed  Wax 
Bean,  while  handsomer  than  the  Golden  Wax, 
is  a  little  inferior  in  quality.  It  is  an  abund- 
ant and  early  bearer,  and  on  this  account  may 
prove  valuable.  The  Godard  or  Boston  Favor- 
ite is  lai'ger,  handsomer,  more  hardy  and  pro- 
ductive than  the  Horticultural,  and  promises 
to  take  the  place  of  that  variety.  The  Beans 
of  the  type  of  Canadian  Wonder  are  not  prov- 
ing especially  desirable.  Ivy-pod  and  Crystal- 
pod,  while  possessed  of  some  striking  qualities, 
cannot  crowd  out  the  Valentine  or  Golden  Wax. 
The  Dwarf  Mont  d'Or  proves  to  be  inferior  for 
general  use  to  tlie  Black  Wax,  while  the  Green 
Flageolet  makes  little  headway.  Of  Pole  Beans, 
no  new  sorts  are  unquestion- 
ably superior  to  the  old  sorts. 

In  Celery,  the  White  Plume 
and  other  "self  blanching" 
sorts,  while  proving  successful 
in  some  private  gardens,  have 
not  seemed  to  meet  the  wants 
of  a  single  commercial  grower; 
they  are  not  equal  in  quality 
to  the  Golden  Heart  and  other 
well-known  standai'd  sorts. 

Of  Corn,  the  Marblehead  has, 
with  the  exception  of  its  red 
cob,  seemed  to  be  all  that  could 
be  hoped  for  in  the  way  of  very 
early,  but  Corey,  with  a  white 
cob  proves  a  little  earlier.  This 
new  sort  seems  entitled  to  first 
place  for  extra  early. 

The  Kolb's  Gem  Watermelon 
is  very  promising.  It  seems  to 
do  as  well  at  the  north  as  at  the 
south,  and  succeeils  where  many 
other  varieties  fail. 

In  Peas,  in  spite  of  the  many 
new  sorts  offered  we  think  the 
ordinary  grower  will  be  best 
suited  with  First  and  Best  for 
extra  early.  American  Wonder 
for  dwarf.  Premium  Gem  and 
Yorkshire  Hero  for  general 
crop,  and  Champion  of  Eng- 
land for  late,  but  Evei-bearing, 
Abundance,  Strategem,  Market 
Garden,  are  all  worthj-  of  trial. 
In  Radishes  the  Chartrers 
promises  to  be  a  real  acquisition,  and  to  take 
the  place  of  olil  Long  Scarlet.  It  is  lai-ger,  of  a 
lighter  color,  does  better  out  of  doors  (but  not 
for  forcing),  and  remains  crisp  much  longer 
than  Scarlet. 

The  Pineapple  Squash,  although  popular, 
hahdsome  and  distinct,  is  not  of  so  good  quality 
as  the  Perfect  Sun  and  some  others. 

The  same  writei'  says  that  the  limit  in  the 
improvement  of  Tomatoes  seems  to  have  been 
reached  in  the  Favorite  or  the  Optimus. 

As  for  the  Beet,  Cabbage,  Cauliflower,  Carrot, 
Cuciunber,  Egg  Plant,  Lettuce,  Muskmelon, 
Onion,  Parsnip,  Parslej',  no  improvements  have 
been  made  as  to  varieties  that  aie  worthy  of 
notice.  He  concludes  his  report  with  the  cau- 
tion that  while  it  is  a  good  thing  to  "  prove  all 
things,"  it  is  also  well  to  remember  to  "  hold 
fast  to  that  which  is  good." 

A  Veritable  Bull's  Nose.  A  new  and  giant 
Bull-nose  Pepper  that  has  fruit  7  to  8  inches 
long,  and  4  to  .5  inches  in  diameter  is  announced 
from  Europe.     What  mangoes  they  will  make! 

Those  fond  of  Spinach  should  calculate  to  sow 
some  as  early  as  the  soil  can  be  worked,  to 
follow  the  fall-sown  <'rop.  A  second  spring 
sowing  may  follow  the  first,  by  two  weeks. 

Fresh  manures  excite  trees  into  rapid  growth 
injuriously;  the  wood  becomes  feeble  and 
watery. 

Soil  has  much  to  do  with  the  flavor  ol  Sweet 
Potatoes;  best  on  light,  sand}-  land. 

Test-sowings  of  old  seeds  is  good  pastime  now. 

Plums  do  the  best  on  a  clay  loam. 

Plan  now  for  an  early  garden. 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


57 


City  Flowers. 

Oh  citj-  flowers,  what  kiu  are  you 

To  country  eliildreii  of  sun  and  dew:' 

Hothouse-bred  posies,  glad  to  be  sold, 

To  bloom  and  be  sweet  merely  for  gold  I 

Willing  to  play  your  prettiest  i>art 

For  Jack  and  the  bride  of  his  honest  heait; 

Or  to  fill  the  air  with  perfume  rare 

As  Ethebel  waltzes  with  wild  Dick  Dare. 

And  yet  though  I  know  you  sometimes  go 

With  a  message  of  hght  to  the  home  of  woe  - 

And  weary  and  woeful  things  are  you 

To  the  little  flower  girl,  "  tired  all  through." 

Nature  disowns  you,  O  flowers  of  town. 

And  even  when  Sorrow  shall  laj'  you  down 

On  the  new-made  grave,  you  are  worked   in   a 

wreath. 
As  lifeless  and  cold  as  the  clay  beneath. 

—Puck: 
Roses  come  line  now, 

Lent  begias  on  March  14th. 

The  Violet  signifies  faithfulness. 

One  florist  forces  Sweet  Peas  in  winter. 

Large  flowers  are  the  choice  this  season. 

Croton  leaves  i^re  called  for,  in  bouquets. 

The  graceful  Deutzia  appears  this  month. 

Easter  Sunday  falls  on  Aj^ril  25,  this  year. 

Orchids  are  very  fashionable— but  the  price  1 

Don't  pronounce  Smilax  as  if  it  was  spelled  Smilox. 

Floral  Valentines  are  much  in  vogue  in  eastern 
cities. 

Berthe  capes  of  fine  flowers  are  worn  b}-  misses 
and  debutantes. 

Stylish,  gowns  for  evening  wear,  are  more  em- 
beUished  than  ever  w  ith  flowei"s  and  light  gi'eens. 

Not  a  more  exquisite  novelty  lias  appeared  for 
years  than  the  new  double  Violet.  Swanly  White. 
It  is  a  pin-e  white  and  not  a  tinged  soi-t. 

Sashes  of  Hoses,  thrown  across  the  breast  from 
one  shoulder  to  the  side  of  the  skirt  and  ending  in  a 
tassel  of  Lily  of  the  Valley  or  Lilacs,  are  in  style. 

Bunches  of  fresh  Violets  stowed  away  beneath 
the  garments,  afford  the  only  perfumery  some  of 
our  belles  will  have  about  them.  We  admire  their 
taste. 

The  pressed  fan-like  leaves  of  the  not  very  com- 
mon (iiukgn  or  IMaiden  Hair  Tree,  are  said  to  be 
used  by  New  Yttrk  florists  for  creating  Japanese 
effects. 

We  are  free  to  denominate  the  "  Rock  of  Ages" 
design  when  properly  made,  and  with  the  base  in 
imitation  of  various-sized  rocks,  as  the  niost  sublime 
floral  conception  of  the  day. 


'  Yes,  they're  Lovely,  but  they'll  be  cheaper  In  June." 

Mignonette,  "the  sweetest  flower  of  the  garden 
yet,"  is  much  improved  by  the  increase  of  sunshine 
and  lengthened  days.  It  is  in  large  demand  for 
wear  with  walking  costumes. 

A  large  Floral  Piece,  There  was  recently  made 
in  New  York  city,  aTi  elab':>rate  floral  reproduction 
of  tile  Parisian  Arc  de  Triomphe,  38  feet  high  and 
;i4  feet  in  spun,  and  3  feet  in  thickness. 

Make  a  note  of  this:  The  American  Beauty  Rose 
is  to  take  a  high  place  among  forcing  roses.  It  is 
large,  atti'active,  prolific  and  very  easily  grown. 
Peter  Henderson's  new  catalogue  shows  a  fine  col- 
ored plate  of  one. 

Where  Camellia  plants  are  large  and  some  leaves 
woidd  not  l)e  missed,  a  few  of  these   retained  with 


the  flowers  when  cut  add  much  to  tlieir  beauty,  A 
dab  of  niucilage  aroimd  the  base  of  the  blooms, 
will  often  hold  the  petals  together  much  longer 
than  otherwise  thej'  would  be. 

The  floral  screen  has  this  season  supplanted  the 
bell  and  thearlior  as  a  chief  piece  at  fashionable 
weddings,  the  contracting  parties  standing  before 
it  during  the  ceremony,  or  if  this  was  performed  in 
church,  for  receiving  congratulation.  The  screen 
is  made  chiefly  of  foliage  and  Roses  in  clusters. 

A  handsome  costume  with  its  floral  adornments 
is  thus  decrilietl:  Tin-  material  was  a  peai-h  colored 
silk  with  overdress  ipf  Canton  crepe  of  the  same 
tint.  Pale  pink  Begonia  blossoms,  each  drooping 
petals  of  which  seemed  frosted  with  silver,  were 
profusely  scattered  over  corsage  and  skirt,  each 
bunch  being  held  by  a  coral  branch  of  that  faint 
rose  color,  so  rare  and  costlj-. 

In  disposing  of  flowers  in  designs,  follow  nature's 
suggestions.  For  instance,  if  there  is  an  upright 
design,  use  kinds  about  the  base  of  the  piece  like 
Lily  of  the  Vallej-,  Violets,  Daffodils  and  so  on. 
which  grow  and  bloom  near  the  earth,  and  Roses, 
Azaleas,  Carnations.  Orchids  that  grow  higher  up, 
in  the  top  parts  of  the  design.  Not  that  this  rule 
should  be  obeyed  very  strictly,  but  if  observed  in 
the  main,  there  will  be  no  mistake  made. 

The  Climbing  Asparagus.  Were  florists  to  start 
in  and  grow  this  new  relative  of  the  Smilax  plant 
on  a  large  scale,  we  believe  they  would  miss  it.  Al- 
though possessed  of  a  certain  kind  of  deUcate 
beauty,  there  is  something  common  looking  about 
the  gi'owth— remindful  of  the  garden  asparagus— 
that  does  not  tend,  to  fascinate  buj'ers.  As  a  stand- 
ard garlanding  material,  after  the  craze  for  it  as  a- 
novelty  is  past,  it  cannot  take  the  place  of  Smilax; 
for  use  as  an  edging  gi'een,  or  for  touching  up  floral 
work,  the  feathery  Maiden  Hair  and  other  ferns 
are  yet  far  ahead. 

Dotanic^lOvid^et 

All  flowers  naturally  turn  towards  the  light. 

Leaves  with  parallel  veins  are  rarely  divided, 

America  has  more  of  the  Japanese  flora  than 
Europe  has. 

Dr.  Asa  Gray's  portrait  is  given  in  the  .January 
number  of  the  Botanical  Gazette. 

The  stomata,  or  breathing  pores  of  leaves  that 
float  on  the  water,  all  belong  to  the  upper  side. 

Of  the  Hickory  group  there  are  but  ten  known 
species,  nine  of  which  belong  to  the  United  States. 

A  new  Botanic  Garden  has  been  incorporated 
at  Montreal,  recently,  and  is  in  fidl  working  order 
so  far  as  is  practicable.  With  the  opening  of  spring, 
the  grounds  will  be  laid  out  and  buildings  will  be 
put  up. 

Characteristic  names  of  plants,  while  the  best 
do  not  always  hold  true,  for  example,  the  Chiys- 
anthenuuu  was  so  called  from  its  golden  yellow- 
blossoms.  Now  there  are  many  white  flowered 
species. 

Leaves  vary  in  size  with  the  latitude.  In  the 
warmer  jiortions  of  the  earth,  they  are  the  largest, 
the  sizes  growing  smaller  as  we  move  towards  the 
frigid  regions.  Of  large  leaved  plants  of  the  tropics, 
we  have  striking  examples  in  the  Paln:is,  Tree-ferns, 
Bananas,  Victoria  regia,  etc. 

The  temperature  of  growing  fruit  according  to 
Dr.  Urd,  as  given  in  the  British  Medical  Journal,, 
is  one  or  two  degrees  lower  than  that  of  water  in 
a  bottle  suspended  at  the  side  of  the  fruit.  A  dif- 
ference of  a  degree  was  also  recorded  between  the 
two  extremities  of  the  fi"uit,  which  represents  dif- 
ferent stages  of  growth. 

Fuchsia  Fruit.  All  who  have  grown  the  Fuchsia 
must  have  noticed  the  fleshy  fruit  which  holds  the 
seeds.  This,  as  at  present  known,  is  not  lacking  in 
a  flower  that  is  fair  to  the  taste.  It  was  long  ago 
suggested  that  gardeners  paj*  attention  to  imijrov- 
ing  this  fruit  in  size  and  flavor;  we  have  yet  to  hear 
of  any  jirogress  made.  Who  shall  raise  tlie  first 
edible-fruited  Fuchsia? 

The  Study  of  Plants  in  Winter.  -Ul  our  peren- 
nials have  winter  states  wlticli  are  full  of  interest 
to  the  student.  The  writer  of  this  note  has  taken 
classes  of  young  people,  who  knew  nothing  of  Bot- 
any, and  set  them  at  work  in  mid-winter  studying 
the  out-of-door  vegetation,  with  nothing  but  their 
eyes,  pocket-knives,  pencils  and  note-books  in  the 
way  of  apparatus  and  helps.  The  structure,  posi- 
tion and  functions  of  buds,  the  structure  of  twigs 
antl  branches,  including  wood,  bark  and  pith,  the 
structure  of  the  fruits  and  seeds,  of  various  trees 
and  shiiibs,  were  taken  up  in  succession,  with  con- 
stantly increasing  interest.    No  text-book  was  used, 


the  pupil  depending  upon  his  own  resources  entirely. 
By  the  time  that  spring  came  witli  its  bursting 
buds,  lis  leaves  and  its  flowers,  these  trainee!  young 
eyes  were  eager  for-  their  study.— --l/ncr/cfnf  .V((^»- 
nilist. 

The  Botanical  Gazette.  Populah  GAHUKNiNn 
hails  every  indication  of  an  advancing  taste  in 
Botany,  with  delight.  This  is  especially  true  when 
it  comes  to  the  matter  of  a  demand  for,  and  the 
supply  of  information  iin  botaiucal  suljjt.'cts,  suited 
to  the  wants  of  the  peojile.  We  are  lead  to  these 
remarks  by  seeing  in  the  last  issue  of  the  Botanical 
duzrtti-,  published  by  John  M.  Coulter,  Crawfords- 
ville,  Indiana,  that  this  excellent  journal  is  being 
enlargi'd  to  a  Iwcnty-fuur  page  paper,  With  the 
enlargement  there  are  to  be  various  other  iniprove- 
nienls,  among  which  is  to  be  an  increase  in  the 
number  and  quality  of  tlie  engravings.  A  feature 
of  great  merit  is  to  be  the  one  giving  the  latest  ad- 
vances in  every  dejiartment  of  Botany,  in  popular 
language  for  general  readers.  AVe  bespeak  for  the 
Gazettt,  in  its  new  departure,  a  very  successful  ca- 
reer.    Its  price  is  ^'-IM  a  year, 


ABOUT  THE  PLACE. 

Be  sure  the  stable  lamps  are  safe. 

Put  ladders  and  such  things  in  order. 

Fences  are  often  weed  harbors;  lessen  them. 

Crude  i)etroleum  is  one  of  the  best  preservatives 
of  im painted  woodwork. 

You  don't  need  spring  weather  to  make  plans, 
if  you  do  to  carry  them  out. 

If  gates  or  fences  are  out  of  order,  it  never  will 
pay  to  postpone  repairing  until  the  busy  season. 

It's  not  economy  to  work  along  with  poor  tools. 
Now  there  is  time  for  looking  into  the  merits  of  any 
new  ones. 

The  manure  f  i'»;>m  the  hog-fattening  j^en  is  nearly 
as  rich  as  poultry  dung:  just  the  thing  for  the  gar- 
den.    Save  it  uji  with  scrupulous  care.  * 

Small  Farming.  In  England  the  opinion  is  more 
and  niore  gaining  ground  that  in  this,  together 
with  special  culture,  is  to  Ije  foimd  the  greatest  im- 
provement in  future  agriculture.  That  is  a  lesson 
we,  too,  shall  yet  learn  by  experience. 

The  old  Wasps'  nests  that  hang  about  looking 
whohy  untenanted  are  not  always  so.  They  may 
have  perfect  insects  in  them  in  a  dormant  state,  and 
on  this  account  should  be  deslroj'ed.  You  can  count 
that  every  female  killed  now  will  prevent  a  bother- 
some nest  the  coming  season. 

Are  you  starting  in  bee-keeping,  or  are  you 
about  to  move  your  collection  of  bees  to  a  new  site? 
Then  listen  to  our  advice  as  to  location  of  the 
apiary.  Don't  set  the  hives  in  a  place  too  quiet  and 
secluded.  Bees  that  rarely  see  hiunan  beings,  be- 
come savage  and  troublesome,  whereas  if  tiiey  see 
people  passing,  and  have  the  advantage  of  human 
society,  they  become  very  docile,  as  if  the  going  into 
society  had  a  refining  etTect  on  them  as  it  does  on 
some  i>ei>ple. 

After  coming  up  through  the  yard,  into  the 
house,  during  some  of  these  fierce  and  biting  gales, 
take  enough  of  your  leisure  at  the  warm  fireside 
to  plan  for  setting  out  some  etfective  evergreen 
wind-screens  next  spring.  Don't  know  what  kind 
to  sety  We  tell  you,  freely,  that  the  White  Pine, 
Austrian  Pine  and  the  Norway  Spruce  are  among 
the  quickest  growing  of  these,  and  they  are  not  at 
all  expensive.  Start  with  young  trees,  planting, 
say  five  feet  apart,  and  not  too  regular;  make  the 
soil  rich,  keep  it  cleau  of  weetls  and  the  tree  will  be 
eight  feet  high  in  a  few  years.  Then,  the  addition 
to  the  comfort  and  beauty  of  the  home,  will  be 
worth  a  hundred  times  more  thau  the  cost  amount- 
j  ed  to.     A  word  to  the  wise  is  sufiicient. 

The  man  who  finds  no  interest    iu  a  growing 

compost  or  maniu-e  heap  can  find  little  interest  in 

tilling  the  soil.     Manure  is  food  to  plants,  just  as 

j  hay  and  oats  are  food  to  horses.     If  we  would 

i  have  vigorous,  beautiful  iilauts,  and  the  products 

'  uf  plants,  the  food  must  be  right.    This  month  is  a 

I  very    favorable   one   for   gathering    up    manure. 

Wherever    there  are  teams  owned  about  gardens 

and  farms,  these  are  now  comi)aratively  idle  so  far 

I  as  other  work  goes,  and  can  be  put  into  use  at  ma- 

,  mu'e  hauling.     The  roads  are  favorable,  too,  now, 

being  either  iu  order  for  sledding  or  else  frozen  so 

solid  that  a  pavement  might  be  said  to  extend  from 

every  stalile  to  evei*y  field.    These  hard  roads  will 

not  keep  long;  the  most  should  be  made  of  them. 

Let  the  manure  be  gathered  u])  and  hauled  out  into 

heaps  of  a  load  or  more  each,  near  where  wanted, 

j  and  then  the  distribution  over  the  lantl  will  be  a 

I  short  job  when  spring  opens.    Put  notyoui*  trust  tn 

bone  or  other  commercial  raamu-es,  so  long  as  stable 

manure  can  be  bought  at  $3  or  less  per  ton, 


58 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


February, 


0\1 


Itry. 


Fencesfor  Poultry  Yards. 

No  inateiial  would  seem  to  be  more  suitable 
for  fences  than  woven  galvanized  wire,  were 
it  not  that  this,  of  its  own  accord,  provides  no 
protection  from  winds  in  winter.  Where  the 
yard  is  well  sheltered  by  plantations  of  ever- 
green trees,  not  too  far  away,  this  objection, 
of  course,  loses  its  force.  Then  with  the  gi-een 
verdure  of  the  trees  in  neai"  conjunction  the 
year  round,  a  well-painted  woven-wire  fence 
presents  a  neat  and  pleasing  appearance. 

A  picket  fence  six  or  seven  feet  high  makes 
a  complete  kind  of  a  bai'rier,  but  the  expense  is 
an  objection  to  many.  Where  something 
cheaper  is  wanted  we  would  suggest  a  lath 
fence.  One  of  these,  if  rightly  built,  will 
last  for  three  or  more  years,  and  answers  for 
all  ordinary  pvirposes  well,  indeed. 

In  making  a  lath  fence,  a  height  of  six  feet, 
at  least,  should  be  aimed  for.  If  it  be  seven  it 
would  be  better.  The  addition  of  a  board 
next  to  the  ground  would  of  coui'se  bring  the 
six-foot  length,  which  we  recommend  for  the 
lath  part,  up  to  this. 

Posts  for  the  fence  should  be  set  eight  feet 
apart.  They  should  bear  three  strips  length- 
wise, on  which  to  nail  the  lath ;  or  the  lower 
one  might  be  dispensed  with,  nailing  directly 
on  the  bottom  board.  The  middle  strip  should 
be  raised  two  feet  above  the  lower  strip,  or 
board,  and  the  top  one  three  feet  higher. 

As  to  lath :  Use  four-foot  ones  in  whole  and 
half  lengths.  The  former  are  to  be  nailed  from 
the  middle  strip  npwai'd,  and  will  project  be- 
yond the  upper  rail  one  foot.  The  latter  should 
be  used  on  the  lower  space,  between  the  hori- 
zontals. As  these  are  but  two  feet  long,  if 
placed  close  together,  say  an  inch  apart,  and 
well  nailed,  the  bottom  of  the  fence  wiU  be 
strong  enough  to  resist  considerable  pressure, 
keeping  off  dogs,  and  even  larger  animals. 
The  upper  section  may  have  the  laths  some- 
what further  apart,  say  two  inches. 

The  outlay  needed  for  such  a  fence  is  very 
small.  If  it  be  well  made  and  treated  to  a 
coat  of  crude  petroleum  thickened  somewhat 
with  mineral  paint,  and  applied  with  a  brush, 
it  will  not  only  look  remarkably  neat,  but  will 
last  for  a  number  of  years. 


Keeping  Individual   Records. 

Mr.  E,  L,  Requa,  of  Higland  Mills,  in  this 
state,  is  right  when  he  says  that  if  we  kept  in- 
dividual records  our  poultry  would  soon  be  lay- 
ing more  eggs.  By  this  course  one  can  see  ex- 
actly which  birds  produced  the  largest  number. 
Poor  hens  can  be  weeded  out,  with  no  poor 
progeny  to  follow.  Here  are  his  practical  ob- 
servations on  this  matter,  from  the  Ponltrij 
Bulletin: 

Take,  then,  12  hens  of  any  breed,  as  a  good 
number  to  try  with.  Do  not  let  them  run  at 
large,  or  you  lose  track  of  the  eggs  laid  in 
stolen  nests.  The  true  test  is  one  year's  time, 
with  hens  well  cared  for;  this  will  give  the  ex- 
cellence of  the  flock  as  egg  layers.  Keep  the 
male  bu'd  confined  by  himself,  except  during 
the  breeding  mouths. 

In  keeping  an  egg  record  you  will  learn 
many  things  about  your  birds  that  you  never 
before  noticed.  Thi-ee  hundi-ed  and  sixty-five 
days  is  a  long  time  to  keep  a  daily  record,  but 
it  is  in  setting  down  the  figures  of  mouth  after 
month  that  you  will  find  out  the  valueless  na- 
ture of  any  record  taken  at  some  particular 
season  of  the  year,  when  the  hens  are  either 
laying  very  well  or  very  poorly. 

If  the  record  shows  poorly  for  certain  fowls 
it  will  cause  you  to  look  into  the  reasons  why 
it  is  so.  If  it  shows  well  you  may  then  know- 
just  what  to  do  to  make  hens  lay,  as  you've 
only  to  go  right  on  as  you've  begun.  There- 
fore, I  say,  keep  an    egg    record:      My    egg 


record  is  as  follows  :  13  Leghorns — number  of 
eggs  laid  between  November  1st,  1883,  and  No- 
vember 1st,  1884,  2916;  average  per  hen  for 
year,  243  eggs.    This  I  call  a  big  record. 


About  Roosts. 

Nearly  one-half  of  a  hen's  short  Lifetime  is 
spent  on  the  roosts.  We  should,  therefore,  not 
be  always  planning  for  her  when  off  of  the 
roosts,  and  then  giving  the  matter  of  night 
accommodations  hardly  a  thought. 

As  for  room  on  the  roosts,  each  hen  in  a  house 
should  have  at  least  one  foot  of  space.  One 
hundred  hens  would  then  reqiure  ten  roosts 
ten  feet  long.  Keep  them  as  near  level  as  you 
can,  else  there  will  be  strife  for  the  higher 
places;  with  "upper  ten"  crowds,  consisting 
of  the  pluckiest. 

The  perches  should  be  placed  not  nearer  than 
a  foot  apart — fifteen  inches  would  be  a  better 
distance.  Make  them  part  of  a  frame  that  is 
hinged  against  the  wall,  and  which  can  be 
raised  up  out  of  the  way  for  cleaning  out  the 
droppings.  Another  thing:  We  cannot  ap- 
prove of  placing  the  roosts  as  high  up  as  they 
are  often  put,  but  rather  within  two  feet  of 
the  floor.  Our  reasons:  The  air  is  less  pure 
the  higher  up  we  go — a  most  important  consid- 
eration for  the  health, — and  fowls,  especially 
heavy  ones,  are  often  lamed  by  flying  down 
from  high  roosts. 

For  the  perch,  a  rough  pole  with  the  bark  on 
answers  better  than  any  other.  To  such  an 
one  the  claws  cling  more  readily  than  to  a 
smooth  one ;  besides,  the  bark  is  softer  than 
wood.  By  far  the  greater  number  of  perches 
are  too  light.  In  om-  houses  we  want  them  not 
less  than  three  inches  in  diameter,  and  from 
this  running  up  to  four  inches.  Small  and 
smooth  perches  are  a  prolific  cause  of  deformed 
breast  bones,  for  the  fowls  cannot  cling  to 
them  without  an  undue  strain  as  to  posture 
and  to  certain  important  muscles  of  the  body. 


Incubators  and  Handling  Them. 

Mr.  P.  H.  Jacobs,  a  correspondent  of  the 
Rural  New  Yorker,  writes  on  this  subject  as 
follows:  It  is  impossible  to  state  which  is  the 
best  incubator.  Many  are  offered,  each  with 
some  pai'ticular  merit  of  its  own.  Though 
some  of  them  are  well  equipped  for  regulating 
the  heat,  supplying  moisture,  and  turning  the 
eggs,  yet,  aft^r  all,  almost  everything  depends 
upon  the  operator.  The  novice  may  have  been 
led,  by  the  exaggerated  praises  of  the  makers, 
to  rely  upon  the  machine  too  exclusively,  and 
thus  have  been  induced  to  overlook  many  little 
details  that  require  hiunan  attention.  While 
it  would  require  a  lengthy  article  to  fully  de- 
scribe an  incubator,  it  may  be  said  that  any 
device,  by  which  the  temperature  can  be  kept 
uniformly  at  103°,  with  proper  provision  for 
air  and  moisture,  will  hatch  eggs,  though  suc- 
cess depends  largely  upon  the  vitality  of  the 
pai'ent  stock. 

In  operating  any  incubator,  the  common 
errors  are  the  handUng  of  the  eggs  too  much, 
and  the  meddling  of  curious  people.  Let 
method  and  business-like  conduct  prevail.  The 
first  two  days  the  eggs  should  not  be  disturbed 
at  all,  not  even  to  turn  them,  as  the  heat  should 
be  well  maintained  at  a  temperature  fully 
up  to  103  degi'ess,  and  without  variation,  in  or- 
der to  give  the  germ  an  advantageous  start, 
which  is  very  important.  After  the  second 
day  the  eggs  should  be  turned  twice  a  day 
(morning  and  evening),  and  cooled  well  once 
daily.  A  pan  of  water  under  them,  with  a 
few  moist  sponges  in  the  egg  di-awer,  will  usu- 
ally supply  all  necessary  moistm-e  where  there 
is  not  a  constant  stream  of  warm  air  flowing 
through  the  incubator.  When  the  chicks  have 
nearly  reached  the  time  for  brealiing  the  shells, 
they  wiU  pai-tially  heat  the  egg  drawer  with 
th6ir  bodies,  and  at  the  time  of  coming  out  a 
temperature  of  102  degrees  is  better  than  a 
higher  one.  At  Hammonton,  New  Jersey,  all 
the  incubators  used  are  home-made,  some  being 


heated  with  lamps,  while  others  ai'e  operated 
simply  by  pouring  in  a  supply  of  hot  water 
once  or  twice  daily,  and  the  hatches  vary  from 
40  to  90  per  cent,  according  to  the  quality  of 
the  eggs  and  the  cai'e  bestowed  upon  them 
during  incubation.  Upon  one  farm  two  young 
ladies  managed  thwhatching  of  3,000  chicks  last 
winter  and  propose  to  double  that  number  this 
season.  The  prices  obtained  for  the  chickens 
ranged  from  3.5  to  fi.5  cents  per  pound,  according 
to  earliness. 

CONDENSED  POULTRY   NOTES 

Neatness  is  its  own  reward. 

Brown  eggs  are  favorites  with  bu.rers. 

Hens  are  early  risers;  feed  to  correspond. 

Never  breed  Javas  from  red-feather  fowls, 

A  very  common  tault^allowing  too  mauy  fowls 
to  run  and  to  roost  together, 

£ggs  laid  without  shells  come  from  overfeed- 
ing, and  lack  of  lime  in  the  feed. 

The  best  plan  is  to  change  the  poultry  run 
once  a  year.  With  portable  fencing  it  can  readily 
be  done. 

Time.  It  perhaps  ought  to  be  told  for  the  ben- 
efit of  some,  that  hens'  eggs  hatch  in  20  days;  tur- 
keys' and  clucks"  in  28  days;  geese's  in  30  days. 

For  lining  coops  and  houses  tarred  felt  is  to 
be  preferred  to  an}-  other  material;  insects  have 
decided  objections  to  taking  up  their  residence 
within  the  layer. 

Bats  are  a  pest  about  the  chicken  yard.  Cats, 
sometimes,  are  almost  as  bad.  Do  you  know  how 
the  former  detest  chloride  of  lime?  If  this  is  scat- 
tered about  their  runs  freely  the.v  will  clear  out. 

Meat,  in  some  shape,  is  always  recommended  as 
one  important  element  of  the  l^ood  of  laying  hens. 
But  meat  is  not  alw  ays  to  be  had  for  this  purpose 
on  farms,  A  good  substitute  is  milk,  in  one  form  or 
another,  and  no  farm  is  without  this. 

In  considering  tlie  profit  of  keeping  poultry 
about  the  home,  too  often  we  forget  the  large  item 
of  home  consumption  of  the  products.  Now,  we 
suggest  that  you  keep  a  close  account  of  this,  day 
by  day,  during  the  year.  You'll  be  astonished  at 
the  footing  next  December. 

We  visited  some  poultry  houses  a  short  time 
ago,  tiie  lloors  of  which  were  asphalt,  of  smooth 
surface.  On  this  was  scattered  an  inch  deep  of 
sawdust.  The  appearance  certainly  was  clean  and 
nice.  The  sawdust  was  swept  up  with  a  hand  broom 
and  replaced,  every  Saturday, 

Not  enough  light,  especially  the  sunlight,  is  very 
objectionable  in  a  poultry  house.  Too  much  light 
is  also  not  good,  for  this  means  much  glass  surface, 
and  glass  is  cold.  Put  windows  of  ample  dimen- 
sions, and  make  them  movable  to  admit  of  their  use 
as  ventilators.  Shutters,  to  close  up  against  the 
windows  in  cohl  nights,  are  of  great  value. 

The  poultry  raisers  are  taking  a  lively  inter- 
est in  P,  G.,  and  this  we  expected.  Some  even  de- 
clare that  its  contents  yield  as  much  pith  and  sub- 
stance on  hen  matters  as  the  regular  journals  in 
this  line.  This  we  will  not  contradict.  Now,  what 
we  want,  is,  that  every  poultry  raiser  hatch  out  a 
club  of  ten  subscribers  for  us.  That  50,000  must 
come,  somehow !    The  earlier  at  it  the  better. 

With  laying  begun,  there  will  be  an  appetite 
for  more  food:  with  more  food  there  should  be 
more  exercise,  so  don't  neglect  now  to  get  up  an 
ample  scratching  box.  Most  any  kind  of  light, 
di*y  material  in  it,  into  which  some  gi-ain  has  been 
scattered,  and  worked  in  a  little  with  the  food,  will 
do.  Remember  how  that  hens,  more  than  any  other 
live  stock,  naturall.v  exercise  themselves  in  gather- 
ing food.  Besides  roaming  about  for  it.  they 
scratch,  scratch,  and  peck,  peck,  almost  constantly, 
working  the  muscles  of  the  body  at  a  great  rate. 
It  is  policy  to  meet  this  natural  w-ant.  How  verj- 
easily  done. 

Stoves  in  the  Hen  House.  The  Poultry  Joumul 
is  of  the  opinion  that  the  principal  value  of  ar- 
tificial heat  in  the  poultry  house  is  when  its  sit- 
uation is  against  getting  the  full  benefit  of  the 
winter  sun.  In  such  cases  the  use  of  a  small  heat- 
ing stove  during  the  coldest  w-eather  will  Iw  found 
very  beneficial.  A  little  heat  will  guard  against  anv 
danger  from  frost-bitten  combs  and  wattles,  and 
will  matei'ially  aid  in  producing  a  more  satisfactory 
supply  of  eggs.  However,  where  the  house  is  fitted 
up  wanu  and  comfortable,  and  there  is  plenty  of 
glass  in  the  south  side  of  the  coop,  which  will  give 
the  fowls  the  f  uU  benefit  of  the  winter's  sun,  there 
is  but  httle  need  of  any  artificial  heat,  as  they  will 
get  .ilon^  nearly  as  well  without  it. 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


59 


-^W 


outiGjfepPL4^ 


Treeclimber's  Talks. 

EVERIiREEN  LEAVES. 

My  remarks  ou  leaves  in  the  December  issue, 
have  brought  out  a  request  from  a  young  reaii- 
er  iu  Western  Peuusvlvania,  that  I  say  some- 
thing about  the leavesof  Evergreens.  I  suppose 
the  beauty  of  some  Pines  or  other  Evei'greens, 
neai"  my  correspontlent's  home,  leads  him  to 
think  that  this  class,  which  have  such  attractive 
coats  of  green  in  the  winter,  are  more  entitled 
to  attention  now,  than  such  kinds  as 
ai'e  not.  If  so,  I  think  him  quite  right. 

The  most  striking  difference  between 
the  leaves  of  Evergi'eeus  and  of  decid- 
uous trees  (the  kinds  that  shed  their 
leaves  annually)  is  found  in  their 

TIME  OF  DURATION. 

Those  of  the  latter,  we  know,  fall  at 
some  time  not  long  after  the  end  of 
each  season's  growth,  a  new  crop  ap- 
pearing the  following  season.  The 
leaves  of  evergi'cens,  on  the  other  hand, 
not  only  keep  their  color  and  live 
through  the  winter,  but  in  some  in- 
stances reach  considerable  age.  Those 
of  numerous  sorts  get  to  l)e  three  or 
four  yeai's  old  before  falling;  while 
kinds  like  Spruce  and  Fir  hold  theirs 
six  or  seven  years, and  the  Yew, of  which 
an  engraving  is  shown,  even  longer. 

My  young  friend,  no  doubt,  has 
noticed  the  leaves  of  evergreens  closely 
enough  to  see,  that  in  structure  they 
are  well  fitted  to  endure  for  a  long 
time.  Take  the  leaves  of  other  trees, 
and  it  is  a  common  thing  to  see  them 

MARRED  BT  BREAKS 

and  cracks  before  the  end  of  their 
season,  because  of  being  somewhat 
fragile  in  stiiictui'e.  Not  so  with  the 
needles  of  Pines  and  other  evergreens, 
whioh  usually  possess  a  tough  texture, 
that  prevents  this  very  effectually. 

Then  when  an  early  fall  of  .snow 
arrives,  our  Maples,  Horse-chestnuts, 
and  so  ou,  have  their  leaves  often 
much  broken  by  the  snow,  that  ad- 
heres to  them.  But  evergreens  are 
rarely  s^eu  to  suffer  from  snow-falls, 
however  heavy  they  may  be,  for  their 
leaves,  being  glossy,  tend  to  cast  off  the  snow, 
Indeetl,  young  evergreens  may  be  completely 
drifted  under,  and  yet  owing  to  the  nature  of 
their  leaves,  they  will  suffer  little,  or  none, 
when  the  banks  settle  and  melt  away. 

And  did  you  ever  see 

CATTLE  BROWSE  OFF  THE  LEAVES 

of  evergreens?  I  think  not,  although  they  will 
freely  devoui"  the  young  leaves  of  deciduous 
trees, when  they  can  reach  them.  Here,  nature 
has  again  provided  for  their  protection,  but  in 
different  ways  for  different  kinds.  In  most  of 
the  resinous  evergreens  the  leaves  have  either 
an  astringent  or  aromatic  taste  which  render 
them  dista-steful.  You  can  easily  test  the  dif- 
ference between  evergreen  and  other  leaves,  in 
this  respect,  yourself. 

Then  there  are  a  number  of  otlier  kinds  of 
evergi'eens.  the  leaves  of  which  are 

PROTECTED  BY  THORXS  AND  SPINES. 

SO  that  uo  browsers  care  to  nip  them.  Of  this 
class,  the  Holly,  with  needles  set  firmly  along 
the  edge  of  the  leaves,  is  a  familiar  example. 
The  branches  of  this  bush,  which  are  nmch 
used  for  room  and  chui'ch  decoration  at  the 
holida)'  season,  can  only  be  handled  with  im- 
punity to  delicate  hands,  by  wearing  gloves. 
The  Junipers,  in  numerous  sorts,  afford  another 
example  of  this,  the  sharp  points  to  the  leaves 


pricking  almost  like  thistles.  The  Hemlock, 
and  in  fact,  most  kinds  of  evergreens  possess, 
to  some  extent,  this  armed  feature  for  defense. 
I  am  glad  my  young  correspondent  has  in- 
vited notice  to  this  subject  of  evergreen  leaves, 
for  those  of  no  other  class  are  more  interesting 
or  beautiful.  Indeed,  as  we  consider  that  they 
are  present  both  along  with  the  leaves  of  de- 
ciduous kinds,  and  also  in  their  absence,  lend- 
ing a  peculiar  cliarm  to  the  snowy  scenes  of 
winter,  we  nmst  count  upon  them  as  among 
the  most  desirable  of  all  the  herbaceous  embel- 
lishments of  the  Temperate  Zone. 

Timothy  Treeclimber. 


ping  from  the  Ciiirininili  Eiiijiu'rcr,  sliows  in 
a  striking  light  the  great  rise  of  some  of  our 
leading  men  since  their  youth: 

111  ISS'3,  a  (liniier  party  was  given  in  New  York 
("it.v-  Senator  Henry  (t.  Davis  sat  at  one  end  oi  the 
tahlp.  Kx-Secretary  Simon  Cameron  of  Pennsylva- 
nia sat  at  the  otlier.  and  (ieii.  W.  T.  Sherman  at 
the  head.  The  (ieneral  be^aii  a  rcniiniscenee  of 
his  life  by  saying: 

"  Wheii  I  was  a  Lieuteuant    " 

"Come.  now.  Sherman,"  interrupted  Mr.  Iiavis. 
"  were  yon  ever  a  Lieutenaiity  " 

"  Ves'.  Davis."  he  replied.  "I  was  a  Lieutenant 
about  the  time  you  were  a  brakenian  on  a  freight 
train." 

"  Well,  boys,"  observed  Cameron.  "  I  don't  sup- 
pose either  of  you  ever  cut  eordwood  fur  a  living,  as 
Irtid.  • 


A  Lost  Ring  Found  by  a  Vegetable,      i      "Is  this  my  train?"  asked  a  traveler  of  a 
A  curious  instance   of  this  kind  transpired     dejiot  lounger,    "  I  don't  know,"  was  the  reply ; 
some  time  ago  in  Sweden,     A  lady  at  garden-  '  "I  see  its  got  the  name  of  some  railroad  com- 
pany on  the  side,  and  expect  it  belongs 
•  to  them.     Have  you  lost  a  train  any- 

where?" 


A  child  who  is  taught  to  observe  and 
to  think  is  educated.  The  child  who 
is  taught  to  remembei',  only,  is  merely 
loaded  as  a  pack-horse.  He  carries  a 
great  deal,  but  it  does  little  good. 


EVERGREEN   LEAVES  OF   THE   YEW  TREE. 

making  time,  neglected  to  remove  a  gold  ring 
that  she  had  on  her  finger,  when  she  went  out 
to  sow  some  seeds.  During  the  work,  the  ring- 
unconsciously  sli])ped  from  her  finger,  and 
when  missed,  could  nowhere  be  found.  As 
the  sequel  goes  to  show,  she  must  have  dropjjed 
it  into  one  of  the  holes  made  when  setting  out 
some  ('eleriac.  The  ring  was  given  up  for  lost, 
and  with  the  exception  of  an  occasional  regret 
at  this,  attention  to  the  matter  passed  awaj'. 
But  when  winter  came  around,  some  C'eleriac 
was  being  prepared  one  day  for  soup,  when, 
imagine  the  surprise  of  the  woman,  to  find  her 
lost  ring  on  one  of  the  finger-like  roots  of  the 
vegetable.  This  root  somehow  found  its  way 
through  the  ring,  aud  here  continueil  to  gi-ow 
until  filled  out,  aft«"rwards  holding  it  securely. 


They  Began  at  the  Foot- 

Ixeneral  Garfield  once  said  that  he  always 
felt  like  doffing  his  hat  to  the  ordinary  Amer- 
ican boy,  because  of  the  possibilities  that 
were  wrapped  up  in  him.  He  said  that  he 
might  be  saluting  a  future  president  or  senator 
in  the  hoy.  Boys,  and  especially  those  of  poor 
pai-ents.  are  not  so  apt  to  take  such  a  view  of 
the  case,  and  yet  they  should  remember  that 
a  large  proportion  of  the  great  men  of  our 
country  started  life  as  poor  Ixiys,  in  very 
humble  circumstances.       The   following  olii)- 


PET  BIRDS,  ANIMALS,  ETC- 

Mocking  Birds  must  be  kept  warm. 

Canaries  set  two  weeks,  or  a  day  less. 

Avoid  draughts  on  cages  if  you  would 
avoid  colds. 

Young  Cuban  Parrots,  warranted  to 
make  talkers,  can  be  bought  for  $6  each. 

A  queer,  whisper-like  cough  in  a  bird, 
should  be  looked  upon  as  alarming;  it  may 
lead  to  asthma  and  death.  The  best 
remedy  is  a  little  Cayenne  pepper  sprinkled 
over  the  food. 

The  tenacity  of  pussy's  life  is  prover- 
bial; she  has,  "niue  lives."  as  the  saying 
goes.  A  western  editor  whose  office  cat 
was  accidentally  killed  by  a  pi-inting  press, 
announced  the  circumstance  with  a  strik- 
ing head-Hue,  as  follows:  "  dreadful  acci- 
dent 1     NINE  I.IVES  lost!  '' 

Breeding  Canaries,  Hatching  reciuiies 
care,  for  not  all  birds  will  mate.  An  old 
cock  and  a  .young  hen  or  vice  versa  should 
go  together;  so  too,  those  with  well-con- 
trasted colors, — for  instance,  a  Jonque 
cock  should  have  a  mealy  heu,  and  a  green 
bird  a  yellow  mate,  or  a  clear  yellow  cock 
be  mated  with  a  variegated  greeu  aud 
white  hen;  two  crested  birds  must  never 
be  put  together,  or  the  progeu.y  will  be 
baldheaded.  Keep  the  birds  to  be  mated 
in  separate  cages  until  they  attract  each 
other  and  show  a  loving  mood,  when  they 
should,  after  a  da,v  or  so,  be  put  into  a 
perfectly  clean  breeding-cage.  For  the  nest,  provide 
a  nest-bag  and  sc^me  moss,  cow  hair  and  cotton 
wool— not  too  much  uf  the  latter,  lest  the  birds  get 
their  claws  entangled  in  it.  After  this,  no  more 
needs  to  be  done  besides  the  ordinary  care  in  fee<l- 
ing,  keeping  clean  aud  so  on,  but  to  wait  for  results. 

Monkeys,  It  is  hard  to  account  for  the  pre.iudice 
against  monkeys  as  pets,  fvv  they  are  amusing,  in- 
telligent and  not  hard  t.o  care  for  in  cages.  The,v 
learn  to  eat  and  driuk  almost  everything  that  is 
used  by  man.  aud  show  a  great  fondness  for  sweet 
things,  and,  it  must  be  added,  for  alcoholic  liquors. 
As  to  kiuds,  (rntden  Ihiys  lately  had  the  following 
to  Sii.v:  There  are  about  four  kinds  of  ])et  monkeys 
kept  for  sale.  The  ring-tail,  from  .\frica,  is  so 
called  because  it  s\\iiigs  and  heljts  itself  to  climb 
with  its  tail.  AU  others  i-Iimb  with  their  hands 
only.  The  pig-tail  monkey  comes  from  the  Isthmus 
of  Panama  aud  is  about  the  same  size  as  tlie  ring- 
tail. His  tail  is  stubby  aud  short,  like  that  of  a  pig. 
If  not  considered  a  handsome  monkey,  he  is  ver.v 
popular.  The  .Java  monkey  has  along  tail,  but  it 
seems  to  be  more  for  ornament  than  use.  All  of 
these  monkeys  are  worth  from  twenty  to  thii-Iy  dol- 
lars each,  according  to  size.  The  little  maniioset.  a 
native  of  Brazil,  is  the  most  diminutive  of  known 
monkeys.  In  fact,  he  is  too  small  to  he  very  healthy- 
in  our  harsh  climate.  They  can  he  readily  pnr 
chased  for  ten  dollars  each.  Placed  in  company 
with  a  larger  monkey,  they  seem  to  tlii-ive  better. 
The  bigger  one  takes  gi'eat  care  of  the  smaller 
one.  shielding  him,  as  far  as  practicable,  from  the 
cold,  and  exerting  himself  to  keep  him  clean.  Some 
times,  indeed,  he  kills  him  with  kindness. 


6o 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


February, 


^e  Household 

Home  Upholstery. 

The  covers  of  well-made  chairs,  sofas  and 
other  upholstered  fiirnitirre,  yield  to  wear  and 
tear  long  before  other  parts  do;  the  woodwork, 
ill  fact,  should  outlast  a  number  of  covers.  It 
is  less  of  a  job  to  re-cover  such  furniture  than 
some  would  suppose,  and  many  a  dollar  could 
be  saved  by  frugal  housewives,  with  littledetri- 
ment  to  the  appearance  of  the  work,  if  they 
would  uudertake  the  doing  of  this  themselves. 

The  old  cover,  carefully  removed  by  di'awing 
the  tacks,  and  laid  out  on  new  fabric ,  at  once 
furnishes  a  perfect  pattern  for  the  new  cover. 
So  of  any  linings,  back-covers,  etc.,  that  ought 
to  be  replaced.  Care  should  be  taken  to  maj'k 
the  place  of  the  buttons  on  the  new  cloth 
before  it  is  brought  into  position  for  fastening. 

Fsually,  but  not  in  all  cases,  the  springs  will 
need  to  be  changed  for  new  ones.  You  can 
procure  such  of  any  upholsterer  at  about  the 
price  he  would  charge  if  he  was  to  put  them  in 
himself.  Buttons,  tacks  and  other  trimmings 
can  be  picked  up  at  dry  goods  and  furnitui-e 
stores ;  as  a  general  thing  the  expense  for  these 
is  very  small.  The  cloth  ma3'  be  procured 
from  the  same  source.  In  choosing  a  fabric  do 
not  be  misled  into  taking  one  of  poor  quality 
because  the  price  sounds  low.  The  best  is  the 
cheapest  here  in  the  long  run,  always. 

One  of  the  best  fabrics  for  covering  furni- 
ture is  mohair  plush.  It  is  handsome,  and  in 
point  of  durabilitj'  can  hardly  be  excelled  by 
any  other  material.  Do  not  confound  this  with 
the  more  showy  and  equally  expensive  silk 
plush;  the  latter  will  not  begin  to  give  equal 
satisfaction  to  the  other. 

Ready  for  the  work,  put  the  springs,  linings, 
and  so  on  in  place  precisely  as  thej-  were  be- 
fore. The  outside  cover  should  be  exactly  the 
same  shape  as  the  old  one  was.  This  brought 
in  place,  should  first  be  secured  by  buttoning 
down.  For  this  use  a  long  darning  needle  and 
double  linen  cord.  Push  the  needle  up  from 
the  under  side,  string  on  the  button  and  return 
the  needle  a  little  to  one  side  of  the  stai-tiug 
place.     Then  tie  the  threads  tightly. 

After  the  buttoning  is  eveiilj-  done  all  over, 
tack  down  the  edges.  Do  not  start  at  one 
place  and  finish  completely  as  you  go,  but  fii'st 
stretch  out  the  cover  and  drive  in  a  stay  tack 
here  and  there,  all  around,  first.  After  tack- 
ing, trim  off  the  edges  of  the  cloth  where 
needed,  and  finish  with  upholstering  braid, 
either  fastening  this  with  ornamental  tacks  or 
sewing  it  on  with  a  crescent-shaped  needle.  A 
coat  of  furniture  varnish  or  oil  over  the  wood- 
work, will  complete  the  job. 


Behavior  Towards  the  Sick. 

Sickness  is  one  of  the  conditions  of  our  error- 
committing  humanity:  every  home,  sooner  or 
later,  sees  more  or  less  of  it.  But  with  an  ad- 
vancing civilizati(m  the  knowledge  of  how  to 
treat  the  sick,  and  how  to  render  them  more 
comfortable,  is  on  the  increase,  while  less  of 
drugs  are  in  use  than  ever  before. 

We  have  asked  a  proficieut  nurse,  a  graduate 
from  the  Buffalo  (Teneral  Hospital  Training 
School,  to  prepare  a  few  notes  on  the  subject 
at  the  head  of  this  article,  for  our  columns,  to 
which  she  very  kindly  responded  as  follows: 

"  Convince  any  patient  under  youi'  charge  of 
your  willingness  to  serve,  then  allow  her  to  do 
about  all  the  asking  as  to  whatever  will  add  to 
her  comfort.  When  leaving  the  room  it  is 
jjroiJer  enough  for  the  nurse  to  inquire  whethei' 
'  anything  more '  can  be  done,  thus  making  it 
easier  for  the  patient  to  ask  for  the  little  ser- 
vices which,  while  often  important,  might 
otherwise  be  passed  by. 

"  Never  appear  fussy  in  the  sick  room.  Never 
appear  hurried,  for  no  sick  person  can  feel 
comfortable  in  requiring  aid  from  an  attendant 
who  is  'flying  around"  as  if  she  had  no  time 


to  spai-e  for  her.  Never  hurry  a  patient  in 
making  up  his  or  her  mind;  weak  or  aching 
heads  often  think  slowly. 

"Creueral  visitors,  as  a  rule,  ai'e  the  di-ead  of 
every  good  nurse,  and  sometimes  the  death  of 
the  patient,  I  verily  believe.  Why  persons 
who  are  interested  in  the  recovery  of  a  .sick 
friend  should  persist  in  fatiguing  that  friend 
by  a  visit,  when  every  effort  is  being  made  to 
add  strength  to  strength  for  her  recovery,  is 
one  of  the  mai-vels.  While  injudicious  visiting 
is  to  be  condemned,  let  not  tlie  well  neglect  pay- 
ing attentions  to  the  sick;  it  really  is  a  gi-eat 
comfort  to  those  who  are  afflicted,  to  know  that 
their  friends  in  the  busy  world  remember  them. 
This  can  be  done  by  making  inquiries,  men- 
tioning your  name  and  regards,  or  by  sending 
a  s.vmpathetic  note  or  message,  or  an  occa- 
sional bunch  of  flowers,  books,  fruit  or  little 
deUcacies  which  it  has  been  ascertained  can 
be  eaten.  All  these  attentious  are  in  order  and 
will  afford  helpful  pleasure  without  exhausting 
the  strength  that  is  being  so  carefully  hus- 
banded. A  golden  rule  for  all  friends  of  sick 
persons  should  be  this :  '  Consider  your  own 
satisfaction  secondary  to  the  welfare  of  the 
patient.' 

"Convalescents,  chronic  cases,  and  some  sur- 
gical cases,  usually  enjoj'  visitors.  But  even 
then,  as  a  rule,  visits  should  be  short  and  only 
by  members  of  the  family  or  intimate  friends. 
They  should  not  follow  each  other  so  closely 
as  to  preclude  the  needed  rest  between." 


convulsions  from  having  overloaded  the  stomach, 
an  instantaneous  remedy  is  a  heaping  teaspoonful 
of  common  salt  and  as  much  ground  mustard, 
stirred  rapidly  in  a  teacup  of  water.  It  is  scarcely 
down  before  it  begins  to  come  up,  bringing  with  it 
the  remaining  contents  of  the  stomach.  Lest  there 
be  any  remnant  of  poison,  however  small,  let 
the  white  of  an  egg  and  sweet  oil  or  butter  or 
lard— several  spoonfuls — be  swallowed  immediately 
after  vomiting,  because  these  very  common  articles 
nullify  a  larger  number  of  vu*ulent  poisons  than  any 
medicines  in  the  shops. 


Brieflets, 

Weighed  in  their  own  scales— fish. 

Dry  lli>-  lin  dishes  before  puttiug  away. 

Good  sleep  and  good  health  go  together. 

Blue  for  table-ware  does  not  harmonize  with  white. 

Use  a  «  arm  knife  in  cutting  warm  bread  and  the 
like. 

A  layer  of  leather  in  the  ironing  liulder  makes  it 
cooler  ti)  use. 

In  changing  dinner  com-ses  have  the  plates 
removed  from  the  right  side. 

Celery  has  two  good  qualities  on  the  table;  strictly 
useful,  strictly  ornamental. 

Unaired  and  unclean  cellers  are  very  unhealthy. 
It  the  emanations  from  them  do  not  kill  in  a  night, 
they  frequently  do  undermine  the  health  of  families 
in  the  comse  of  time. 

Prunes.  They  are  not  appreciated  as  the.v  de- 
serve. The}'  are  easily  digested,  and  wholesome 
even  to  stomachs  that  will  not  bear  much  variety. 
They  are  refreshing  and  healthful  to  all;  the}' are 
inexpensive.  They  are  conveniently  prepared. 
Stew  slowly  for  two  hours. 

Soup,  It  is  said  that  "  many  cooks  spoil  the 
broth,'"  but  instances  have  occurred  where  one  cook 
has  not  succeeded  in  making  good  soup.  Here  are 
thi'ee  fundamental  principles  in  the  art:  Start  with 
the  meat  in  cold  water;  don't  salt  it  until  after  the 
skhnmiug:  boil  slowly,  or  better  yet,  keep  it  at  a 
simmer. 

Don't  whine  about  your  real  or  imaginary  com- 
plaints. As  a  common  thing  people  who  always  ap- 
pear well  and  happy  are  the  most  popular.  When 
asked  about  your  health,  make  a  favorable  reply  if 
at  all  possible.  It  doesn't  make  you  feel  any  worse, 
and  your  interlocuter  will  go  away  in  a  better  frame 
of  mind  than  if  you  had  given  him  a  full  and  de- 
tailed account  of  j'our  many  aches  and  pains.  If 
yon  must  tell  your  internal  troubles  go  to  the  doc- 
tor, who  is  paid  for  listening  to  just  such  matters. 

To  Cook  an  Old  Hen.  I  killed  a  hen.  more  than 
six  years  (■Id,  liut  in  good  condition.  Cooked  in 
the  onliuary  way  she  would  have  been  uueatably 
tough.  Instead.  I  gently  stewed  her  about  four 
hours.  I  cannot  guarantee  to  the  maintenance  of 
the  theoretical  temperature,  having  suspicion  of 
some  sunmering.  After  this  she  was  left  in  the 
water  until  it  cooled,  and  on  the  following  day  \\  as 
roasted  in  the  usual  manner.  /.  c,  in  a  roasting  oven. 
The  result  was  excellent;  as  tender  as  a  full  grown 
tender  chicken,  roasted  in  the  ordinary  way.  and  of 
quite  equal  flavor,  in  spite  of  the  very  good  broth 
obtained  by  the  preliminaiy  stewing.  A  writer  in 
Clientistri/  of  Cooking. 

Worth  Knowing.  A  medical  journal,  the  name 
of  which  we  cannot  now  command,  gives  the  fol- 
lowing simple  anti'lote  for  home  use:  If  a  person 
swall<iwsany  poison  whatsoever,  or  has  fallt-n  into 


Notes  on  Dress  and  Home  Art. 

Light  tan-color  for  gloves. 

"  Home  spun  "  fabrics  continue  in  vogue. 

Clocks  mounted  on  helmets  is  a  late  device. 

Odd  and  new  colors  are  sought  for  in  velvets. 

Black  is  the  favorite  color  for  dress  trimmings. 

Marbled  note  paper  is  the  latest  English  novelty. 

"Velvet  with  a'sbort,  thick  pile  is  better  than  that 
having  a  long,  showy  nap. 

Horse-chestnut  foliage  and  buri-s.  appearing  as 
on  a  branch.  aff«jrd  a  favorite  design  for  embroider- 
ing. 

Short  women  should  wear  long  slender  wraps 
covering  the  wearer  from  neck  to  foot,  and  length- 
wise trimmings 

For  spring  dresses  pretty,  soft  shades  will  be 
worn,  not  ci-xide  hai-sh  colors.  Delicate  greens  will 
be  among  these. 

A  new  photograph  album  is  designed,  with  a 
place  in  the  cover  for  the  last  picture  received,  here 
to  remain  on  view  until  another  coiner  arrives. 

Why  are  the  tailor-made  suits  so  satisfactory,  it 
might  be  asked.  Because  they  are  plaiulj-  made, 
and  the  material  is  usually  good  wf)Ol— two  ster- 
ling qualities  combined- 

A  rule  rarely  to  be  departed  from  in  dress-mak- 
ing where  two  fabrics  are  used,  is  to  select  a  plain 
material  for  the  most  important  parts,  and  figured 
stuff  or  stipes  for  the  accessories. 

To  Clean  Engravings.  Pin  the  paper  at  the 
four  corners  on  a  board,  and  tilt  it  an  angle  so  the 
water  ma.v  run  off;  pour  boiling  water  over  the  sur- 
face untilitisclean.  So  directs  the  Art  Interchange. 

Thank  common  sense,  the  attempt  to  introduce 
low-necked  and  short  slee\'ed  frocks  for  babies  is 
not  successful.  They  are  allowed  to  be  attired  in 
tnU  yoke  dresses  gathered  at  the  neck,  with  long 
lace-edged  sleeves. 

If  velveteen  is  to  be  the  material  of  your  cos- 
tume, be  sure  to  choose  the  best.  You  will  be  quite 
in  good  style  and  have  the  satisfaction  of  having  a 
garment  that  will  wear  much  better,  and  keep  its 
original  shape  much  longer. 

Crepe  "Veils  and  Health.  Ur.  Robert  B.  Morison, 
of  Baltimore,  is  >>f  the  opinion  that  the  long  thick 
crepe  veil  is  very  injurious  to  the  complexion  and 
health  of  those  wearing  them.  The  rough  crepe, 
he  sa.vs,  in  rubbing  the  skin  takes  in  the  poisonous 
matter  into  the  circulation  in  that  way,  as  well  as  car- 
ries it  into  the  lungs  in  breathing.  Such  a  veil  worn 
for  two  consecutive  years  seldom  fails  to  produce 
evil  results.  Similar  goods  about  the  neck,  and 
black  silk  and  black  cotton  goods,  also  produce  bad 
effects.  Paris  has  a  feather  dyer's  disease,  produced 
from  the  dye  in  which  the  feathers  are  dipped. 

Portieres  or  hangings  for  doorways  and  walls 
continue  to  be  a  favorite  adornment  for  parlors  and 
other  rooms.  A  set  of  these  of  exquisite  appear- 
ance is  thus  described:  The  ground  was  pale-yel- 
low  silk  canvas  wrought  in  crewels,  with  a  great 
branch  of  bor.se-chestuuts.  This  branch  showing 
the  foliage  of  autumnal  coloring,  and  accompanied 
by  great  bristling  burrs  from  a  border  of  deep  terra- 
cotta plush  on  the  right  hand  side  of  each  section. 
The  plush  was  also  carried  across  the  bottom  in  a 
much  deeper  band  than  the  upright  one.  Rising 
from  this  deep  plush  dado,  were  a  tangle  of  grasses 
and  ferns  embroidered  boldl.v  in  greens,  reddish 
greens,  reddish  bi'owus  and  so  on. 

Bemedying  Shiny  Clothes.  No  one  enjoys 
.seeing  his  or  her  best  clothes  come  to  the  point  of 
wearing  shiny,  and  few  can  indulge  themselves  by 
then  casting  them  aside.  "We  find  in  theSc/cHf //*(-■ 
Atneririin  tlirections  for  remedying  this  trouble, 
which  coming  from  such  a  i  eliable  source, we  gladlj' 
print:  Take  of  blue  galls  bruised  4  ounces,  logwood, 
eopiJeras,  iron  filings  free  from  gi-ease.  each  1  ounce. 
Put  aU  but  the  iron  tilings  and  copperas  into  1 
quart  good  vinegar,  and  set  the  vessel  containing 
them  in  a  warm  water  bath  for  twenty -fom'  hours: 
then  add  the  uon  filings  and  the  copperas,  and 
shake  occasionall.v  for  a  week.  Keep  in  a  well 
corked  bottle,  and  apply  to  glossy  or  faded  spots 
with  a  soft  sitonge. 


POPULAR  GARDENING 

FOR    TOWN    AND    COUNTRY. 

"ACCUSE  NOT  NATURE,   SHE  HATH  DONE  HER  PART;    DO   THOU  BUT   r///A'jB."^MlLTON. 


Vol.  1, 


3Sd:.A.K,CI3:,    1886. 


No.  6. 


About  Mulberries. 
Within  a  few  years,  not  a  little  spare,  in 
some  nursery  catalogues,  has  been  given  to 
illustrations,  descriptions, etc.,  of  the  liussian 
Mulberry.  The  attention  thus  bestowed 
quite  suddenly  on  a  Slulberry,*  reminds  one, 
mildly,  of  the  craze  which  was  incited  some 
thirty  odd  years  ago  over  the  Chinese  Mul- 


NEW  AMERICAN   MULBERRY. 

berry  and  silli  culture  with  us,  and  which 
now,  so  far  as  the  tree  is  concerned,  is  rarely 
heard  of.  We  have  no  fear  whatever,  of  a 
Russian  Midberry  fever  at  the  present  time, 
to  be  followed  by  serious  results,  but  we 
think  it  timely  to  make  some  general  remarks 
on  Mulberries,  for  the  benefit  of  our  readers. 

Of  the  various  species  of  ]\Iull)erries 
known,  the  Black  (Morus  nigra),  the  Wliite 
(M.  alba),  and  the  Red  (M.  rubra),  but  espec- 
ially the  two  former,  have  long  been  promi- 
nently before  the  world.  All  other  culti- 
vated sorts,  of  which  there  are  many,  are 
mostly  descendents  of  these.  Of  the  genus 
Mulberry  or  Mun/x,  it  may  be  said  that  it  is 
clcsely  related  to  the  Fig,  the  Osage  Orange, 
and  more  distantly  to  the  Bread  Fruit  tree 
and  the  Cow  tree  of  the  Tropics. 

Tlie  Black  (also  called  the  English  Mul- 
berry) has  been  grown  from  the  earliest  times. 
The  berry  is  large,  black,  of  a  sugary  and 
rich  flavor,  and  much  esteemed  wherever 
known.  In  this  country  it  is  scarcely  hardy 
enough  to  thrive  north  of  New  York,  except 
in  sheltered  places.  The  tree  has  large, deep- 
green  heart-shaped  leaves,  and  is  valuable 
as  an  ornamental  tree  aside  from  its  fruit. 

The  White  Mulberry,  the  most  famous 
member  of  this  genus,  is  so,  because  of  its 
furnishing  in  its  leaves  the  best  known  food 
of  the  silk  worm.  It  is  grown  on  an  exten- 
sive scale  wherever  silk  culture  is  followed. 
The  fruit  is  yellowish  white,  and  while 
borne  aliundantly,  is  insipid  to  the  taste, 
hence  of  little  value.  The  tree  is  hardier 
than  is  that  of  the  Black  .Mulberry. 

Having  been  much  cultivated  along  with 
silk  raising,  from  time  immemorial,  the 
White  has  become  the  parent  of  countless 
varieties.  Among  these  are  the  Russian 
Mulberries,  referred  to  above.     The  Cliine.se 


Mulberry  also  mentioned,  is  another  variety. 
As  for  the  Russian  sorts,  the  discription  giv- 
en of  the  parent,  will  apply  in  part.  These 
were  introduced  by  the  Ru.ssian  Mennonites 
quite  largely  into  the  West  some  years  since. 

There  is  no  distinct  variety  known  as  the 
Russian  jMulberry,  for  being  raised  as 
these  have  been  from  seed,  thej-  vary  much 
in  minor  respects.  The  trees  are  good 
enough  to  grow  for  silk  or  for  timber,  being 
of  rapid  growth — hence  very  desirable  in 
treeless  regions — but  for  fruit,  they  possess 
no  marked  value,  especially  where  other 
good  fruits  abound.  Let  us  add  that  these 
are  excellent  trees  to  plant  for  shade  in  poul- 
trj'  runs,  as  the  growth  is  quick,  the  shade 
heavy,  the  fruit  is  much  relished  by  the 
fowls,  and  its  time  of  ripening  extends 
through  several  months.  It  has  been  ob- 
served too,  as  an  excellent  point  in  favor  of 
this  class,  that  where  planted,  birds  take  of 
the  fruit  in  preference  to  garden  fruits. 

The  Everbearing  or  Downing  Mulberry, 
I  is  a  vigorous  and  productive  American  seed- 
ling, surpassed  by  none  except  the  Black 
English,  while  it  is  hardier,  and  possesses 
the  same  rich  sub-acid  flavor;  ripens  grad- 
ually, a  long  time  in  succession. 

The  New  American  Mulberry,  of  which 
an  engraving  is  shown,  is  regarded  ver_v 
higlily  by  those  who  have  grown  it  for  fruit. 
It«  bearing  season,  extends  through  about 
six  weeks.  The  fruit  is  said  to  be  jet  black 
when  ripe,  and  of  an  agreeable  flavor. 

The  Red  Mulberry  is  a  native  sjiecies  of 
more  value  as  an  ornamental  tree  than  for 
fruit,  although  this  is  not  unpalatable. 

As  ornamental  trees,  the  JIulberries,  for 
the  most  part,  have  hand.some  shining  leaves, 
that  present  a  singularly  fresh  and  luxuriant 
appearance,  even  in  drj'  seasons.  Were  it 
not  for  a  fault  of  taking  on  with  age  an  open 
style  of  growth  that  is  not  consistent  with 
beauty,  they  might  be  ranked  among  orna- 
mental trees  of  the  first-class.  As  it  is,  they 
must  be  consigned  to  the  back-ground. 

Between  the  fruit  and  their  other  attrac- 
tions, one  or  more  Mulberries  would  be  well 
in  place  in  every  fair-sized  garden.  They  do 
the  best  in  a  deep,  rich,  well-drained  loam. 


Notes  From  Lyndale. 
BY  A.  H.  E. 

What  is  a  tree  worth?  I  think  the  value  of 
established  trees  is  not  sufficiently  ajjpreciated. 
Last  Saturday  I  was  called  upon  by  the  owner 
of  grounds  to  he  taken  in  by,  a  new  street,  to 
testify  as  to  the  value  of  the  trees  on  the  place, 
before  a  commission  of  appraisers. 

On  the  place  I  found  10^  trees,  shmbs,  and 
vines,  including  8(i  Rasplxriy  bushes,  that 
would  be  destroyed.  They  had  mostly  been 
planted  from  three  to  seven  years  ago.  After 
a  careful  examination  of  these,  and  after  i 
mature  and  unbiased  deliberation,  I  plated 
my  estimate  of  their  worth  at  .?82T,  feeling, 
however,  in  my  own  mind,  that  if  there  was  a 
mistake,  it  was  on  the  side  of  this  being  rather 
low.      The  figures,  accompanied   by  explana- 


tions, met  with  no  opposition  from  the  commis- 
'  sion ;  the  owner  was  well  satisfied. 

*** 

Now,  a  point  I  want  to  direct  attention  to  in 
these  Notes,  is,  that  the  owner  of  the  trees  re- 
ferred to  had  at  first  not  thouglit  they  were 
worth  enough  to  say  anything  about.  Then  he 
called  to  mind  how  he  had,  one  sesusim  after 
the  other,  paid  out  a  good  deal  of  money  for 
the  stock,  and  for  careful  jjlanting.  The  care 
given  them,  in  the  meantime,  was  also  worth 
something,  he  well  knew.  Besides,  the  fruit 
trees  were  beginning  to  bear  handsome  crops 
of  fruit,  the  cost  of  which  in  the  markets,  if 
bought,  would  be  considerable.  Some  Pear 
[  trees  last  season  bore  three  pecks  of  fruit  each. 

Being  a  sensible  business  man,  he  concluded 
to  call  in  the  services  of  one  familiar  with  trees, 
to  estimate  on  their  worth,  with  the  result 
noted.  He  will  hereafter  have  greater  respect 
for  the  worth  of  trees. 

The  estimates  made,  and  accepted  were  as 
follows:  13  Apple,  .S  to  11  feet  high,  S12  each; 
IT  Dwarf  Pear,  7  to  13  fc^;t  high  (the  soil 
seemed  remarkably  well  adapted  to  this  tree), 
$30  each;  1  Crab  apple,  10  feet  high,  $30;  7 
Plum,  0  to  9  feet,  $.5  each;  2  Cherry,  10  to  12 
feet,  $10  each;  4  (irape  vines  (last  year  jjlanted), 
$2;  30  Raspberry,  $1  each;  3  Horse-chestnut, 
1.5  feet,  $30  each;  2  Hard  Maple  (3  years  plant- 
ed), $4  each;  4  Silver  Maple,  20  to  2.")  feet,  $1.5 
each;  2  American  Mountain  Ash,  13  feet,  $5 
each;  1  European  Mountain  Ash  (handsome), 
$20;  1  Magnolia,  .5  feet,  $8;  1  Clematis,  $4;  1 
Lilac,  $3;  1  Norway  Spruce  (not  thrifty),  $1;  6 
Ampelopsis,  $1.50  each. 

*  *  * 

While  the  owner  of  these  trees  felt  that  I 
fully  appreciated  their  worth,  more  so,  in  fact, 
than  he  himself  had  done,  yet  I  claim,  as  al- 
ready intimated,  that  the  figures  were,  if  any- 
thing, below  rather  than  above  the  true  worth. 

Take  the  Pears,  for  example,  a  number  ot 
them  bore  three  pecks  of  magnificent  fruit 
each,  last  season.  This  would  have  cost,  to 
have  bought  it,  no  loss  than  $1,.50  per  basket,  or 
say  $2.25  per  tree.  And  $3.25  is  the  interest,  at 
six  per  cent,  ot  about  $37  for  one  year,  which, 
to  make  no  allowance  for  care  and  garden 
room,  might  be  considered  as  representing  the 
worth  of  the  tree.  But  I  estimated  these  trees 
at  only  $20  each,  and  they  will  go  on  continu- 
ing to  improve  in  bearing  right  along  for  years 
to  come.  While  by  this  kind  of  reckoning,  the 
price  seems  even  too  low,  yet  at  this  rate, 
it  made  the  planting  of  the  trees  years  ago  a 
good  investment  indeed,  just  such  in  fact,  as  I 
am  satisfied  usually  attends  judicious  planting. 
*** 

Much  is  from  time  to  time  printed  in  the 
pajjers  concerning  tree  agents  and  their  ras- 
calities. Of  this,  no  doubt  a  great  deal  is  well 
merited,  yet  we  must  remember  that  not  all 
tree  agents  are  rascals.  While  not  a  tree  or  a 
shrub  of  the  hundreds  growing  at  Lyndale,  was 
bought  ot  an  agent,  because  for  myself,  I  never 
deal  with  the  class,  yet  after  all  I  feel  to  i)at 
them  on  the  back — that  is  the  honest  ones,  who 
represent  reputable  nvusei-ies— and  wish  them 
success  in  their  work.  In  a  sense  they  are  mis- 
sionaries of  horticulture.  By  their  enterprise 
and  persistency  in  inducing  planting,  they 
have  in  cases  without  end,  converted  land  own- 
ers, who  were  not  tree  planters,  to  become 
such,  and  in  time  to  further  become  ardent 
lovers  of  trees,  and  prosperous  fruit  gi-owers. 


62 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


March. 


As  I  have  said,  I  do  not  patronize  the  agents. 
This  is  because  I  can  deal  more  cheaply  and 
with  vastly  more  satisfaction,  directly  with 
the  nurseries;  but  I  was  converted  to  horti- 
culture years  ago,  and  by  a  different  process. 

These  buyers  to  whom  I  have  referred,  would 
perhaps  never  have  gone  to  the  nurseries  to 
buy.  They  probably  paid  to  the  agents  much 
higher  than  I  do  by  direct  dealing,  for  the 
same  stock,  but  that  is  far  better  than  for  them 
never  to  have  planted  at  all.  So  I  say  that  the 
honest  horticultural  missionary  is  worthy  of 
the  added  price  above  catalogue  rates  which 
he  gets,  but  I  have  no  use  for  his  services. 

* 
*       * 

A  neighbor  who  built  a  small  greenhouse  in 
connection  with  his  dwelling  last  summer,  came 
to  me  to-day  for  advice  on  stocking  it  with 
some  handsome  climbers.  Being  a  new  be- 
ginner at  running  a  glass  house,  I  directed 
him  to  try  some  of  the  kinds  that  may  easily 
be  raised  from  seed  to  form  beautiful  festoons 
and  masses  with  ordinary  care.  I  refer  to 
such  plants  as  Maurandyas,  Eccremocai-jms, 
the  former  lilac  and  white,  the  latter  rich 
orange;  Thunbergias,  j^ellow  and  white  with 
that  striking  dark  eye;  Trapseolums,  various 
and  many  othei-s,  the  seed  of  which,  if  sown 
now,  will  soon  form  handsome  climbers. 

Of  course  where  one  is  somewhat  skillful  in 
managing  plants,  I  would,  along  with  these, 
recommend  such  kinds  as  the  Habrothaniuus, 
Lapageria,  Clematis,  Fuchsias,  Plmnbago, 
Hoya,  etc.,  by  all  means.  All  of  these  kinds 
which  I  have  named  may  be  successfully  grown 
in  a  cool  greenhouse. 


HOUSE  PLANTS. 

Begonia.  The  Weltoniensis— one  of  the  best, 
should  be  cut  down  about  this  time,  if  unattractive 
looking,  and  given  a  dry -soil  rest  for  six  weeks. 

Carnations,  Young  plants  for  next  winter's 
bloom  should  have  much  Hght.  but  not  much  heat, 
until  planting  out  time,  a  month  or  two  later. 

Chrysanthemums.  As  young  plants  are  obtained, 
they  should  be  given  a  light  place,  to  urge  them  on; 
the  hot-bed  being  a  very  suitable  place. 

Dormant  plants  in  the  cellar  or  pits,  such  as  Ole- 
andei"s.  Hydrangeas,  Cactuses.  Lan  tanas,  Pomegra- 
nates, Laurustinus.  and  so  on,  that  can  be  accommo- 
dated in  the  window,  may  now  be  brought  in. 
Where  room  for  them  is  lacking,  they  can  remain 
at  rest  until  the  season  allows  of  moving  out  doors. 

Gas.  Its  use  for  illuminating  is  a  drawback  to 
plant  culture  in  the  same  rooms.  If  the  plants  can  at 
night  be  cut  off  by  partitions,  or  moved  to  unhghted 
rooms,  it  should  be  done.  If  not,  harm  may  largely 
be  prevented  by  capping  them  with  paper  covers, 
while  the  gas  is  Ughted.  Plants  are  better  off,  for  be- 
ing in  rooms  that  are  never  light-ed  much  artificial]}'. 

Geraniums  propagated  this  mouth  make  the  best 
plants  for  winter  bloom.  Grow  in  pots;  keep  down 
the  flowers  until  fall. 

Half-hardy  plants  kept  in  pits  must  receive 
plenty  of  air  on  tlie  mild  days  now  at  hand. 

Insects.  Be  vigilant  in  meeting  these  now,  for  at 
no  other  season  would  they  increase  more  rapidly, 
if  once  they  get  a  start.  Keep  them  so  scarce,  that 
the  thumb  nail  remedy  is  all  that  is  needed. 

Oxalis  are  now  at  their  best,  provided  they  have 
plenty  of  sun;  in  the  shade  the  flowers  do  not  open. 

Propagation.  This  is  the  most  suitable  season 
for  general  propagation.  Cuttings  of  soft-wooded 
plants  hke  Geraniums,  Coleus.  Petunias,  etc.,  are 
now  very  readily  struck  in  sand,  in  a  light,  warm 
place.  Choose  such  slips  as  are  neither  over-hard 
nor  yet  very  soft. 

Aii'-layering, which  we  illustrate  on  page  63,  as  ap- 
plied to  a  Rubber  Tree,  is  one  of  the  best  means  of 
propagating  ordinary  hard-wooded  plants.  The 
process  is  so  simple,  anyone  may  succeed  with  it. 
Several  leaves  are  first  removed  from  the  shoot  to 


be  used,  nearest  to  where  the  cut  is  to  be  made,  as 
shown  at  A.  Then  a  light  stick  is  attached  by  twine  to 
the  shoot  for  support,  keeping  one  place  near  the 
centre  clear  of  twine,  when  winding,  for  an  inch  or 
more  in  length.  In  this  clear  place  a  sloping  cut 
is  then  made  upwards  fully  three-fourths  way 
through  the  branch,  and  a  small  pebble  or  other 
substance  is  placed  under  the  tongue  to  keep  it 
open,  all  as  shown  at  A.  The  operation  is  finished 
by  clapping  a  double  handful  or  more  of  soft  moss, 
containing  a  slight  admixture  of  soil,  around  the  cut 
portion,  and  binding  it  as  shown  at  B.  This  ball  of 
moss  must  then  be  kept  well  watered,  and  in  the 
course  of  from  three  to  eight  weeks  the  shoot  above 
the  cut  will  have  roots,  and  by  potting  will  at  once 
make  a  handsome  dwarf  plant. 

Bichardia  for  iiots  should  be  started  this  month. 

Shade  for  the  sunniest  windows,  during  midday, 
is  a  good  thing.  Primula  flowers  and  Camellia 
plants  especially  receive  injury  if  not  shaded. 

Soil  for  pot  plants,  should  be  carefully  prepared 
always.  For  this,  there  is  no  better  foundation 
than  well  decayed  turf  that  is  full  of  root  fibres. 
Many  plants  would  need  nothing  more;  strong 
feeders  should  have  manure  added.  Perhaps  the 
soil  that  will  best  suit  the  majority,  is  two  parts  de- 
cayed turf  to  one  part  of  well  rotted  manure. 

Violets  for  winter  bloom:  treat  as  for  Caniatlons. 

Watering  needs  close  attention  at  this  time, 


LAWN  AND  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Annuals  of  all  kinds  may  be  sown,  the  hardy 
ones  out  doors  as  soon  as  the  ground  works  up 
well,  the  others,  half  hardy  and  tender  sorts,  if 
want^:■d  early,  in  the  windows,  hot-bed  or  greenhouse. 

Borders  must  not  be  dug  until  quite  dry;  to  add  a 
a  coat  of  well-decayed  manure  every  season  is  the 
right  course— spading  it  in. 

Box  edgings  if  to  be  set  should  have  this  done 
early,  using  only  well-rooted  plants. 

Bulb  beds  planted  and  covered  in  the  fall  should 
be  uncovered,  but  not  all  at  once.  First  take  away, 
say,  two-thirds  of  the  cover,  then  when  they  begin 
to  push  through,  the  remamder. 

Canna  and  Caladium  tubers  should  be  started. 

Edgings  to  walks  and  drives,  when  kept  properly 
attended,  add  much  to  the  beauty  of  a  place,  hence 
an  edging  hoe  should  be  owned  for  use.  If  one  can 
not  be  bought  in  the  vicinity,  then  have  one  made. 
We  show  by  an  engraving  taken  from  the  ^me?-iCrtrt 
Ag7-iculturist^  how  this  may  be  done  out  of  a  com- 
mon hoe  by  anj'  blacksmith. 

Lawns  should  early  be  rolled  to  take  away  the 
roughness  of  surface,  that  is  brought  on  in  the 
winter;  the  sward  will  be  finer  all  the  season  for 
this.  Now  is  the  time  to  apply  fertilizers  where 
needed,  as  is  the  case  with  all  lawns  everj'  second  or 
third  year.  For  lawns  about  the  home,  our  choice 
is  for  bone  manures,  as  being  less  offensive  both  to 
the  eye  and  the  nose  than  stable  manm'e,  and  quite 
as  effective.  Nitrate  of  soda  at  the  rate  of  2  or  3 
pounds  per  square  rod  is  now  considered  to  be  an 


EDGING  IRON;  AN   EASILY   MADE  ONE. 

excellent  fertihzer  for  lawns.  Take  much  pains  to 
have  whatever  manures  are  used  spread  evenly. 

Pansy  Beds.    See  directions  siven  for  Bulb  beds. 

Paeonies.  If  any  are  to  be  planted  or  reset,  jt 
should  be  done  at  the  earhest  possible  moment. 

Planting,  lu  general  the  earlier  the  planting  of 
hardy  trees,  shrubs,  vines  and  plants  can  be  done, 
after  the  ground  is  dry  enough  to  work  up  well,  the 
better.  From  the  time  the  stock  is  dug  in  the  mu-sery, 
until  it  stands  newly  planted,  great  pains  should  be 
taken  to  keep  the  roots  from  drying  out.  Where 
any  time  intervenes  between  receiving  it  and  setting 
out,  the  roots  should  be  protected  by  heehng  in— that 
is,  covering  closely  with  fine  earth.  As  to  pruning, 
see  article  on  page  ti(i.  In  planting  set  the  trees  as 
deep  as  they  stood  in  the  nursery  only.  Use  plentj- 
of  fine  eai-th,  working  it  weU  between  the  roots,  and 
Jinn  it  thoroughly  (you  can  scarcely  make  it  too 
compact)  as  the  hole  is  beuig  filled. 

Roses,  Uncover  and  prune  as  soon  as  hard 
freezes  are  t^ast,  which  should  now  be  the  case  in  the 
southern  tier  of  states;  next  month  will  be  early 
enough  for  the  north.  Monthlies  of  small  growing 
kinds  that  were  wintered  outdoors,  should  be  cut 
back  severely,  leaving  not  more  than  three  eyes  to 
each  stem.  The  stronger  growers  maj'  have  twiee 
as  many  left.  Hybrid Ferpetuot and  .Sftmmer  sorts 
should  be  cut  back  to  half  a  dozen  eyes  to  the  shoot, 


or  if  any  shoots  happen  to  be  specially  strong,  ten 
may  be  left.  Moss  Roses  of  free  growing  sorts  may 
be  similarly  pruned,  but  the  shy  growers  as  well  as 
all  Yelloir  Rosi's  retjuire  no  pruning  at  all,  save  to 
cut  away  any  dead  wood.  This  should  come  away 
from  all  kinds  at  pruning.  Climbing  Roses  need  but 
little  trimming,  except  to  regulate  general  form. 

Seeds  of  heat-loving  plants  designed  for  sub-tropi- 
cal effects,  such  as  Castor-oil  Bean,  Japanese  Striped 
Maize,  Perilla,  Tobacco  and  so  on  should  be  sown. 

Sodding.  Theearlier  it  is  done  the  better.  Choose 
close  turf  as  free  from  weeds  as  possible— that  from 
a  sheep  pasture  being  the  best.  In  lifting  use  a 
sharp  spade ;  cut  of  an  even  thickness,  not  less  than 
an  inch  nor  over  two  inches  thick.  It  may  either  be 
divided  up  into  slabs  12  to  15  inches  square,  or  else 
be  in  pieces  about  a  foot  wide  each,  and  four  feet 
long,  rolled  up  as  it  is  cut  with  the  spade,  for  con- 
venience in  handling.  In  laying  have  a  well  pre- 
pared sm-f ace  to  receive  it,with  the  soil,  in  the  main, 
well  firmed  by  rolling  or  otherwise.  Bring  the  pieces 
closely  togethcF,  using  a  knife  for  trimming,  to  se- 
cure evenly  fitting  joints.  Should  any  pieces  be 
thinner  than  others,  some  loose  earth  must  be 
worked  underneath  to  properly  bring  up  the  surface 
even  with  the  surroundings.  After  laying,  beat 
with  a  turf  mallet  to  settle  the  root  surf  ace  well  into 
the  bed,  and  unless  quite  wet  finish  by  watering. 

Trellises,  arbors,  and  other  garden  structures, 
should  be  repaired  and  painted  before  pressing 
spring  work  or  the  new  verdure  interferes. 

Walks  and  Drives.  As  soon  as  the  frost  is  out 
of  the  ground,  those  of  gravel  should  be  well  rolled. 
Once  in  every  few  years  the  gravel  should  be  worked 
over  in  the  spring,  following  with  a  good  rolling. 


PLANT  CULTURE  UNDER  GLASS. 

Achimenes.  Some  of  the  tubercles  should  be 
started  each  month  up  to  May,  for  a  succession  of 
bloom.  When  they  show  an  inch  or  two  of  growth, 
transplant  into  the  pots  in  which  they  are  to  grow. 
They  need  heat,  moisture  and  shade;  they  are  a 
class  well  worth  the  attention  of  amateurs. 

Begonias,  belonging  to  the  fine-foliage  class, 
should  now  be  having  plenty  of  root  encourage- 
ment to  i^ush  them  rapidlj^  along  in  growth. 

Camellias  as  they  go  out  to  bloom,  should  receive 
a  higher  temperature,  say  00°  or  70°.  and  a  moist 
atmosphere,  with  shade  from  the  sun's  rays,  for 
this  is  the  season  of  new  growth.  Shifting  into 
pots  one  size  larger  than  before  occupied,  should 
precede  the  growing  season. 

Cineraries  neglected  but  once,  to  suffer  from 
drouth— and  they  now  need  much  water— will  show 
it  very  perceptably  in  foliage  and  bioom.  Guard 
against  it  by  all  means.  Air  freely.  Use  liquid 
manure  often,  nothing  will  help  them  more. 

Double  Primroses  propagate  now  from  slips. 

Crloxinias.  The  directions  forAchiraenes  will  apply 

Insects.    See  hist  mouth,  also  pages  64,  65. 

Orchids  will  require  an  abundance  of  atmospheric 
moisture  now,  and  general  attention  to  plants 
newly-potted,  and  those  coming  into  growth. 

Palms.    To  raise  from  seed,  sow  all  such  now. 

Pelargoniums  need  close  attention.  Air  strong 
plants  freely,  and  give  liquid  manure  once  a  week. 

Propagation  of  Coleus,  Alternatheras. Heliotrope, 
Verbenas,  Chmbers  and  Droopers.  for  summer  use 
may  still  go  on.  Also  of  all  winter  flowering 
plants  for  next  season. 

Roses,  Be  not  deceived  by  the  brightness  out- 
side into  admitting  cold  air  too  freely  upon  these, 
for  this  is  a  common  cause  of  mildew.  Air  must 
be  admitted,  but  when  raw  and  chilly,  only  in  small 
streams,  and  on  the  side  away  from  the  wind. 

Watering.  Now  that  growth  is  rapid,  too  much 
attention  cannot  be  given  to  watering.  The  houses 
must  be  gone  over  on  every  bright  day  with  pot  or 
hose,  and  some  plants  will  even  need  looking  after 
several  times  daily  all  through  the  spring  season. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD, 

Arranging.  As  a  general  rule,  plant  the  Apple 
and  Cherry  trees  on  the  outside  of  the  fruit  garden, 
and  especially  towards  the  prevailing  winds,  to 
provide  protection,  to  the  more  delicate  other  kinds. 

Black  Knot  or  Plum  Wart  must  be  cut  out  at 
first  sight.  It  should  be  looked  for  on  the  Cherry,  too. 

Cuttings  of  CiuTants  and  Grapes  should  be  plant- 
ed very  early,  of  such  kinds  as  it  is  desirable  t-o  in- 
crease. To  take  such  off  close  to  the  old  wood, 
they  will  be  more  certain  to  root  than  if  made  from 
long  pieces  cut  up.  Set  at  a  depth  so  that  but  one 
eye  of  the  Grape  cuttings,  and  two  of  other  kinds, 
show  above  the  sm'face  of  the  ground. 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


63 


Girdled  trees,  froui  mice,  rabbits  ami  tlie  like, 
afford  a  sorry  looking:  sight,  but  if  the  inner  bark 
is  not  entirely  gone,  they  may  be  saved  by  binding 
on  a  plaster  of  fresh  eow  dung  and  soil.  If  the  in- 
jury is  severe,  and  the  tree  valuable,  grafts  are 
sometimes  set  in  around  the  trees,  with  one  end  in- 
serted in  the  bark  below,  and  the  other  in  that 
above  the  wound,  to  save  it.  This  plan,  iu  theory, 
seems  to  be  all  right,  and  may  be  wortli  trying,  but 
permanentl.v  good  results  from  it  are  rather  rare. 

Grafting-  Commence  with  Oheny  very  early  to 
avoid  failure;  Plums  almost  as  early;  Apples  and 
Pears  later  still,  while  the  Grape  is  usually  grafted 
in  June  with  the  best  success. 

Insects.  There  is  no  time  for  fighting  some  of 
our  worst  insect  pests  like  early  spring.  Take  the 
Tent  CattrpiUar  for  one,  you  can  destroy  2<X)  or 
more  eggs,  (equal  to  that  many  worms  later),  as 
easily  now  as  a  single  worm  in  June.  Their  nests 
encircle  small  branches  of  Apple  trees  near  their 
ends  and  are  easily  seen.  Out  out  and  burn.  Early 
in  the  spring  is  the  time  that  the  female  moths  of 
the  Cniiker-irorm  ascend  the  trees.  The  simplest 
preventative  and  destroyer  is  a  tight  band  of  tarred 
paper  a  foot  wide,  around  the  trunk,  and  kept 
painted  with  tar  and  jjrinters  ink.  To  this,  the 
moths  will  stick  and  soon  die.  Renew  this  paint 
every  time  it  becomes  glazed  over.  Troughs  of 
metal,  filletl  with  kerosene,  are  also  used,  and  with 
less  trouble,  but  the  fh-st  cost  is  much  greater.  To 
scrape  the  trees  of  rough  bark,  will  take  away  the 
chance  of  the  beetles  of  the  Flat-hetirlecl  Borer's 
finding  a  secure  place  t4>  lay  eggs  later.  Do  not 
scrape  harshly. 

Pruning.    See  directions  in  previous  months.    If 
any  branches  have  become  broken  during  wiuter, 
cut  them  away.    All  large  wounds  from  whatever  ' 
cause,  .should  have  thv  surface  thickly  painted. 


ach,  Turuips,  as  soon  as  the  soil  is  tillable.  A  good 
distance  for  garden  rows  is  1.5  inches  apart. 

Spinach.  Uncover  the  fall  sown  plants.  .Sow  for 
spring  and  summer  use  in  drills  one  foot  apart. 

Tomatoes.  Directions  under  Peppel-s  will  ai>ply. 
The  gain  in  earliness  of  fruit  that  comes  from  sow- 


) 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Asparagus.  Now  is  the  time  to  make  new  beds 
for  family  use,  do  not  bother  to  raise  from  seed  but 
buy  one  or  two  year  old  roots,  at  from  $l.W  to  83.50 
per  hundred,  jjrepaid :   thus  gaining  a  year  or  more. 

Cabbage.  Sow  out  doors  as  early  as  the  soil  will 
work  up  well.  To  avoid  disaster  from  the  Black 
.Jumping  Beetle,  sow  three  to  five  pounds  of  super- 
phosphate to  the  square  rod,  for  hastening  growth 
beyond  their  reach.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  sow  in 
drills  twenty  inches  apart,  with  a  drill  of  Turnips 
midway  between,  to  attract  the  appetites  of  the 
Beetles.  Dusting  the  young  Cabbage  plants  with 
lime,  ashes  or  soot  will  help  to  save  them  from  these 
pests.  The  seed-bed  should  occupy  new  soil  each 
season.  For  small  quantities,  sowing  in  seed  beds 
elevated  four  feet,  will  place  them  above  their  reach 

Cauliflower.     Treat  as  for  Cabbage  plants. 

Chives,  Trim  off  the  dead  leaves.  For  new 
beds  divide  old  plants,  and  set  in  rows  12  inches 
apart,  t;  inches  in  row. 

Cold  frame  plants  ma.v  now  go  much  uncovered 
—the  .sash  can  be  used,  to  forward  Lettuce,  or  on 
hot-beds.  In  case  of  cold,  board  shutters  will  an- 
swer to  protect  them  for  a  brief  time. 

Culture.  Do  not  be  impatient  to  work  the  soil 
very  early;  a  wet  soil  unduly  worked  will  not  get 
into  its  best  condition  all  season.  In  forking  or 
plowing  it  should  crumble  freely  when  turned.  Use 
plenty  of  manure ;  for  most  vegetables  the  ground 
cannot  very  easily  be  made  too    rich. 

Egg  Plant.    See  directions  below  for  Peppers. 

Hot-beds.  March  will  be  early  enough  to  start 
these  in  most  places  north.    See  last  month's  notes. 

Parsnips.  Dig  those  left  in  the  ground,  and  sow 
for  a  new  crop  in  drills  15  inches  apart. 

Peppers.  Seed  should  be  sown  in  a  wanu  place 
in  the  hot-bed,  window  or  greenhouse,  if  not  yet 
done.  As  soon  as  the  seedlings  can  be  well  handled 
transfer  singly  to  small  pots,  or  plant  in  boxes.  To 
allow  them  to  become  crowded  and  choked  is  very 
in,iurious.     Use  Ught  rich  soil. 

Plant  Potatoes  and  (jnion  sets  among  tu-st  things. 

Radishes  are  a  favorite  crop.  They  need  a  deep, 
rich  soil,  the  growth  must  be  rapid.  Sow  as  early 
as  the  gi'ound  works  up  well;  they  may  be  sown  in 
the  sanie  line  with  Beets  or  Carrots.  The  maggot 
is  the  dread  of  all:  an  abun<lance  of  coal  ashes 
well  mixed  with  the  soil  will  prevent  their  work. 

Rhubarb.  The  earlier  new  plantations  are  made  j 
after  the  soil  is  fit  to  work,  the  better.  Choose  deep  ' 
rich  soil,  plant  stout  pieces  of  several  eyes  each. 

Salsify.    Treat  as  directed  above  for  Parsnips. 

Scorzonera.    Treat  as  directed  for  Parsnips. 

Sowings  in  the  open  ground  may  be  matle  of  such 
hardy  kinds  as  Early  Beets,  Cabbage,  Carrots, 
Leeks,  Cress,  Lettuce,  Radish,  Peas,  Parsley,  Spin- 


Air-Layering  of  an   Indian   Rubber  Tree  (Reus.) 
See  Propagation  on  Opposite  Page. 

ing  in  heat  over  sowing  in  open  ground  about  May  1st, 
is.  however,  not  as  great  as  is  generally  supposed. 


FRUIT  AND    VEGETABLES    UNDER 
GLASS. 

Asparagus,  in  forcing  pits,  must  have  air  and 
light  to  develop  well.    The  growth  should  be  quick. 

Cucumbers.  Stop  regularly  beyond  the  fruit. 
Beds  that  have  lately  been  started  should  be  care- 
fully aired  every  morning  to  let  off  rank  steam, 

Figs  in  forcing,  need  liberal  watering  and  syring- 
ing. Stop  growmg  shoots  at  about  the  sixth  joint. 
Give  steady  heat. 

Grapery.  In  early  houses  pinch  latei-als;  thin  out 
superfluous  bunches  as  soon  as  the  berries  are  fairly 
set,  the  thinning  to  be  done  with  a  bold  hand ;  air 
freely,  but  avoid  chilly  draughts,  water  abundantly. 
In  colder  houses  as  the  leaves  begin  to  expand 
syringe  daily  until  fully  out. 

Pinery.  Plants  that  are  required  to  start  for  fruit- 
ing must  not  have  too  high  a  temperature.  To"  for 
bottom  heat  and  65°  degrees  for  top  heat  will  be 
about  the  thing.  Ventilate  freely,  to  keep  the  young 
growth  stocky  from  the  very  first. 

Strawberries.  Fruit  just  ripening  off  must  be 
freely  exposed  to  the  light  and  air  to  bring  out  the 
full  flavor.  Drop  the  use  of  liquid  manure  as  soon 
as  the  fruit  begins  to  show  the  first  signs  of  color. 


The   Catalogue   Crop;    A  Grand  One, 
and  not  all  in  yet. 

The  mission  of  Popular  Garde.ving  is  to  popular- 
ize improved  gardening.  In  the  many  fine  cata- 
logues put  forth  by  American  Seedsmen,  Florists 
and  Nureerymen,  and  which  now  are  being  sent 
out,  it  recognizes  an  able  class  of  helps  in  the  same 
field.  We  therefore  gladly  bring  all  such  as  reach 
this  otifice,  before  the  attention  of  our  readers,  for 
the  mutual  advantage  both  of  the  publishers  and 
the  people.  These  catalogues  contain  an  immense 
amount  of  practical  information,  as  well  as  tine  en- 
gravings of  flowers,  fruits  and  vegetables.  As  they 
are  mainly  free,  we  hope  our  readers  will  gather 
of  the  crop,  and  make  good  use  of  it.  If  they  will, 
when  ordering,  mention  being  of  the  Popular  Gar- 
dening family,  they  may  be  sure  of  receiving  real 
good,  perhaps  a  little  e-vtra,  treatment.  See  last 
month's  li.st. 

AUyn  Bros,  Pahnyra,  N.  Y.     Nursery  Stock. 

Irving  Allen,  Springfield  Mass.    Small  Fruits. 

S.  L.  Allen  &  Co.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.   Implements. 

J.  Bolgiano  &  Son.  Baltimore,  Md.    .Seeds,  etc. 

W.  Atlee  Burpee  A  Co.,  Phila.,  Pa.    Seeds,  etc. 

Robert  Buist,  Jr.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.    Seeds,  etc. 
*J.  J.  Bell,  Windsor.  N.  Y.    Seeds. 

Bloomington  Nui'series.  Bloomington,  111. 

A.  Brackenbridge,  (iovanstown,  Md.    Orchids. 

Wm.  E.  Bowditeh,  Boston,  Illass.    Plants,  etc. 

Hugo  Beyer,  New  London,  Iowa.    Seeds. 

Geo.  W.  CampbeU,  Delaware,  ( ).  Grape  vines,  etc. 

O.  W.  Clark  &  Son,  ButTalo,  N.  Y.    Seeds,  etc 
*Harry  Chaapel,  Williatusport,  Pa,    Plants,  etc. 

J.  Lewis  Childs,  Floral,  N.  Y'.    Plants,  etc. 

A.  D.  Cowan  &  Co.    New  Y'ork,  N.  Y'.    Seeds, 
♦Henry  A.  Dreer,  Philadelphia,  Pa.    Seeds,  etc. 
*The  Dingee  &  Conard  Co.,  W.  Grove,  Pa.  Roses. 
*Jno.  F.  Da.vton,  Waukon,  Iowa.    Small  Fruits. 

Z.  DeForest  Ely,  Philadelphia,  Pa.    Seeds,  etc. 
♦Ellwanger  &  Barry,  Rochester,  N.  Y'.    Nureery. 
♦Ellis  Bros.,  Keene,  N.  H.    Seeds,  etc. 

Exeter  Machine  Works,  Exeter,  N.  H.     Heaters. 
*J.  A.  Everitt  i:  Co..  Watsontown,  Pa.     Seeds,  etc. 

D.  M.  Ferry,  Detroit,  Mich.     Seeds,  etc. 

Frank  Ford,  &  Son.,  Clyde,  <.>luo.    Seeds,  etc. 
*J.  A.  Foote,  Terra  Haute,  Ind.    Seeds,  etc. 


Jas.  J.  H.  Gregory,  Marblehead,  Mass.  Seeds,  etc. 
*L.  W.  Goodell,  Dwight  Mass.    Seeds,  etc. 

Edward  Gillett.  Southwick,  Mass.    Wild  Plants. 

Cljiis.  A.  (in-en.  Kn.hcster.  N.  Y'.    Nureery  Stock, 

Hale  Hr'>s.  South  Glastonbury,  Conn.    Nursery. 

Hill  ,Si  Co.,  Kichmoiid,  lud.    Roses,  Plants,  etc. 

Jolm.  W.  Hall.  .'Maiioii  Station,  Md.    Small  Fruits. 

J,  Hornerc'i:  Son,  M.-r.liantville,  N.  J.  Small  Fruits. 

.lo.-icph  Harris  Seed  Co,.  Rochester,  N.  Y'.     Seeds. 

R rt  Halli.lay,  Hallimore.  Md.    Plants,  etc. 

C.  -■>l.  Hovey  &  I'll,.  Boston,  Ma.ss.    Seeds,  etc. 
♦HiiiipesBro,  \  Thiinias.  W.Chester.  Pa.  Roses.etc. 

Jno,  G.  Hartel.  Keokuk.  Iowa.    Seeds. 
*M.  C,  Henley.  Ricliiiiuiid,  Ind,     Fences. 

W.  H.  Jones.  Phllaili-lphia,  Pa.     Seeds,  etc. 

Livingston's  Sons,  ( 'olujubus,  O.     Seeds,  etc. 
*J.  T.  Lovett.  Lit  lie  Silxer,  N.  J.    Nursery  Stock 
*S.  F.  Leonard.  Cliicago.  III.    Seeds. 
*F.  N.  Lang,  Baraboo.  Wis.    Seeds. 

Wm.  S.  Little,  Rochester,  N.  Y.     Nursery  Stock 
•Win.  Henry  Maule  Philadelphia,  Pa,     Seeds 

Wm  H.  Moon.  Jlorrisville.  Pa.     Nursery  Stock. 

,lno.  B.  Moore  i  Son,  Concord,  Mass.  Small  Fruits. 

J.  O.  Manson.  Hanford,  Pa.     Seeds. 

Thomas  Meehan,  Philadelphia.  Pa.  Nursery  Stock 
*F.  H.  Mooers,  Pittston.  Me.     Seeds. 

Munroe  County  Nurseries.  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
*JohnR.  &  .4.  Muidiick.  Pittsl)iM-gh,  Pa.  Seeds, etc. 

J.  W.  Manning.  Reading.  Mass,     Nursery  Stock. 

Michel  Plant  i  Seed  Co.,  St  Louis  Mo.  Seeds,  etc 

A.  C.  Nellis  &  Co.,  Canajoharie,  N.  Y'.    Seeds. 

Nanz  &  Neuner,  Louisville,  Ky.    Plants,  etc. 

Paragon  Seed  and  Plant  Co  ,  Newtown,  Pa. 

Paul  Butz  &  Son,  New  Castle,  Pa.    Plants  &  Trees. 

Geo.  Pinney.  Evergreens,  Wis.    Nursery  Stock. 

Herbert  Post.  Selma.  Ala.     Seeds. 

E.  D.  Putney.  Brentwood,  N.  Y.     Small  Fruits. 

Clark  Pettht,  Salem,  N.  J.    Nursery  Stock. 

R.  B.  Parson  &  Co.,  Flu.shing.  N.Y'.    Nursery  Stock. 

Price  &  Knickerbocker,  Albany,  N.  Y'.  Seeds,  etc 

A.  M.  Purdy,  Palmyra,  N.  Y.    Small  Fruits. 
*Chas.  A.  Reeser,  Springfield,  Ohio.    Plants,  etc 

S.  E.  Rogers,  &  Son,  TUt.  Holly,  N.  J.    Nurserj-. 
♦Beach  A'  Co.,  Richmond,  Ind.    Plants,  etc. 

Wm.  Rennie,  Toronto,  Out.    Seeds. 

Arthur  C.  Rendle,  New  Y'ork,  N.  Y.    Glazing 

E.  H.  Ricker  &  Co.,  Elgin.  IU.    Nursery  Stock. 
J.  B.  Root  &  Co.,  Rockford,  111.    Seeds 
Wm.  H.  Smith,  Philadelphia,  Pa.    Seeds. 
Wm.  W.  Sterling,  Cutchogue,  N.  Y.    Seeds. 
Hiram  Sibley,  Rochester,  N.  Y.    Seeds. 
R.  H.  Shumway,  Rockford,  IU.    Seeds. 
♦John  Saul,  Washington,  D.  C.    Plants,  etc. 
♦The  Storrs,  Harrison  Co.,  Painesville,  O.  Nursery. 
Chas.  T.  Starr,  Avondale,  Pa.    Plants. 
I.  N.  Stone,  Fort  Atkinson,  Wis.    Small  Fruits. 
Anton  Schultheis,  College  Point,  N.  Y.  Roses,  etc. 
E.  D.  Sturtevant.  Bordentown,  N.  J.     Plants,  etc. 
A,  E.  Spalding,  .\insworth.  Iowa.    Seeds. 
Sedgwick  Bros..  Richmond,  Ind.    Fences. 
J.  F.  Tillinghast,  La  Plume,  Pa     Seeds. 
J.  M.  Thornburn  i  Co.,  New  Y'ork,  N.  Y.    Seeds. 
E.  Y'.  Teas,  Dunreith,  Ind.    Nursery  Stock 
J.  H.  Tryon,  Willoughby,  O.    Grapes. 
*J.  C.  'Vaughan.  Chicago.  III.    Seeds,  etc. 
West  Jersey  Nurser.y  Co.,  Bridgeton.  N.  .1. 
Samuel  Wilson,  MechanicsvUle,  Pa.    Seeds,  etc 
Wiley  &  Co.,  Cayuga,  N.  Y''.    Nursery  Stock. 
A.  Whitcomb,  Lawrence,  Kan.    Plants. 
♦■WTiitney-Noyes    Seed    Co..  Binghainton,    N    Y' 
♦See  Advertisement  elsewhere  in  this  issue 


An  Alarming  Measure.    It  Should  be 
Opposed  Mightily. 
Lately    a    bill    was    brought    before    Con- 
gress, by  Senator  'VVilsou,  of  Iowa,  to  double 
the  rate  of  postage  on  Fourth-Class  Mail  Mat- 
ter, which   includes   Seeds,  Plants,  Cions  and 
similar  articles.     It  is  believed  to  have  been 
instigated  by  the   Express    companies.       For 
such  a  measure  to  become  a  law,  would  work 
serious  iujiu-y,  especially  to  the  gardening  in- 
terests of  our  country.     Not  onlj-  would  all 
dealers  in  garden  requisites  be  greatl}'  embar- 
rassed, but  the  people  themselves  would  suffer 
through   the    increase   of  price  on   all   seeds, 
plants,   etc.,  and  in  their  inability   iu  many 
cases  to  procure  these  at  all.     This  would  be 
felt  vastly  more  on  the  frontiers  of  our  coun- 
try, where  Express  rates,  from  lack  of  compe- 
tition, are   very   heavy,  than   in  the  interior. 
Instead  of  putting  up  postage,  it  should  be  de- 
creased to  the  lowest  rate  possible.     This  course 
is  the  only  one  consistent  with  American  de- 
velopment and  progress.     AU  citizens  are  sat- 
isfied with  low  postage  rates ;  the  %vealthy  Ex- 
press  companies,  alone,  find  fault  %vith  them. 
They  have  a  rich  income  at  stake,  and  it  would, 
at  the  present  crisis,  be  folly  to  uuder-estimate 
their  influence    and    power  in    pushing  this 
measure.     All  interested  persons  should  at  once 
communicate    with    their  Representatives    in 
Congress,  and  urge  their  influence  against  this 
bill.     Blank  forms  of  petition  have  been  pre- 
pared, and  will  be   furnished  from  this  office, 
to  all  who  apply.     Send  for  them,  obtain  sig- 
natures and  then  forward  to  your  Representa- 
tives promptly.    Let  the  Popular  CiARDENiNG 
family  make  itself  felt,  in  this  matter.     Every 
member  should  act.  Delay,  is  indeed  dangerous. 


64 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


March, 


To  the  March  Flowers. 

Keep  your  muddy  covers  close,  flowers, 

Nor  dare  to  open  your  eyes. 
For  all  this  month  your  lover,  the  sun. 

Will  only  tell  you  lies. 

Trust  not,  ye  modest  Violets 

His  promises  to  you. 
Nor  dare  upon  his  fickle  smile 

To  broaden  your  kerchiefs  blue. 

Oh  Daisies,  stay  in  your  grassy  house. 

Ye  poor  deluded  things; 
And  keep  your  little  white  fingers  shut 

Away  from  his  golden  rings. 

Ye  Meadow  Lilies,  leopard-like. 

Under  the  mould  so  deep, 
Crouch  close,  and  keep  your  spotted  cubs 

For  a  month  yet,  fast  asleep. 

— Alice  C'ary. 

How  sweet  to  come  when  storms  hold  reign. 
And  winds  sweep  the  meadows  wide. 

To  my  little  summer  all  shut  in. 
From  the  frozen  world  outside; 

To  watch  the  beauteous  pot  plants  grow. 
From  the  bud  to  the  open  flower. 

While  the  outer  world  lies  under  the  snow. 
And  bound  by  the  ice  kings'  power. 


Azalea  time. 

The  months  March 

Set  some  trees  every  year. 

The  aim— ,"10,00(1  subscribers. 

Welcome  F.  W.  Stibscribers. 

Don't  spell  Lily  with  doulile  1. 

Plant  nut  some  Gladiolus  early. 

The  pleasures  of  gardening  are  pure. 

Plant  some  fine  climbers  somewhere. 

Careless  sowint;;  imperfect  growing. 

The  Mountain  Ash  is  not  a  true  Ash  at  all. 

Advertisements  should  reach  us  by  the  I.t  inst. 

Just  in ;  a  (Floral)  World  of  new  subscribers. 

Winter  Aconites  venture  to  lift  their  heads. 

A  yearly  subscription  makes  a  splendid  pres- 
ent. 

Pleasure  and  plant  vigor  are  near  of  kin  in 
gardening. 

A  country  seat  that  always  rents — the  barbed 
wire  fence. 

Carnations  were  used  in  the  floral  chaplets  of 
the  Romans. 

With  the  first  open  weather  lift  some  Pansies 
for  window  bloom. 

The  finest  Double  Petunias  come  from  seed, 
not  from  cuttings. 

Why  not  set  out  one  or  more  clumps  of  Ever- 
greens, this.spring  ? 

Even  a  nosegay  bespeaks  the  taste  of  the 
l)erson  arranging  it. 

The  higher  the  civilization,  the  greater  the 
love  for  fine  gardening. 

There  is  a  varigated-Ieaved  Grape  Vine,  suit- 
able for  ornamental  planting. 

Hov7  eager  the  Snowdrops  seem  to  have 
spring  come — they  can't  wait. 

Snowflake  Tree.  This  is  what  our  White  or 
Virginia  Fringe  is  called  in  Germany. 

To  transplant  the  Holly,  cut  back  very  se- 
verely and  remove  every  remaining  leaf. 

There  is  no  better  way  of  helping  on  this 
paper,  than  to  get  up  a  club  of  subscribers. 

Its  wonderful  how  much  outright  abuse  plants 
will  bear.     The}'  complain  only  by  feeble  looks. 

George  Eliot  used  to  say  she  imagined  that 
her  (lowers  saw  her,  and  could  read  her  thoughts. 


A  number  of  seedsmen  ofler  a  semi-double 
Phlox  Dummondi.  True  from  seed,  they  say. 
To  be  well  watered,  plants  should  not  have 
well-water :  cistern  or  liydrant  water  is  better. 
Floral  World  readers !  behold  here  is  a  miua- 
ture  "  Floral  World "  department:  as  witness, 
its  engraved  head. 

Many  are  doing  what  they  can  towards  the 
.50,000  subscribes,  but  some  are  not.  How  is 
this,  kind  reader  ? 

Popular  Gardening  would  like  to  see  more 
money  laid  out  on  embellishing  the  grounds, 
less  on  the  buildings, 

Poplars.  Mr.  G.  H.  Wright,  of 
Sioux  City,  Iowa,  reports  that  the 
Lombardy  Poplar  is  worthless  for 
his  State. 

A  flower  bed  a  mile  long  is  con- 
templated by  the  proprietor  of  the 
Van  Buren  Point  (Lake  Erie),  sum- 
mer resort. 

No  "  continued  stories  "  in  Pop- 
ular Gardening,  therefore  one 
month  is  as  good  a  time  to  subscribe 
as  another. 

Says  a  Massachusetts  subscriber: 
"  I  have  kept  house  plants  for  over 
thiity-flvo  years,  and  love  them 
more  than  ever." 

Mossy  Lawns  are  usually  a  sign  of  poor  land. 
Top  dress  with  manure,  scattering  in  some 
fresh  seed  at  the  same  time. 

Parisians  are  largely  vegetarians,  the  smell 
of  Onions  is  one  of  the  first  things  to  greet  a 
visitor  to  the  French  Capital. 

If  your  forcing  Violets  fail  to  show  good 
color,  look  to  lack  of  proper  light,  and  unsuita- 
ble heat  and  airing  as  the  cause. 

The  Oak-leaved  Lettuce,  one  of  the  recent 
novelties,  is  said  to  be  superior  for  table  use,  at 
the  same  time  that  it  is  decidedly  ornamental. 

We  count  every  Floral  Wnrld  subscriber  just 
a.s  much  oue  of  our  own  subscribers  now,  as  if 
they  had  subscribed  direct.  We  want  you  all 
to  feel  this. 

"  Peanuts,"  says  Mrs.  I.  L.  White,  of  Illinois, 
"may  be  sown  in  the  house,  and  soon  make 
beautiful  plants."  Of  course  the  seed  must  "be 
of  imroasted  ones. 

We  want  all  correspondents  of  the  Floral 
World,  to  be  free  iu  going  right  on  with  their 
communications  the  same  as  formerly,  but  ad- 
dressing this  paper  instead. 

Gardening  in  its  every  branch,  is  for  one,  a 
business  that  is  fair  towards  women  who  en- 
gage in  it.  Equal  pay  for  equal  work  here, 
sometimes  even  superior  pay. 

English  Sparrows  dirty  up  everything  if  al- 
lowed to  take  possession  of  climbers  against  the 
house.  Stone  them  when  about  to  occupy  and 
they'll  clear  out.     They  did  from  ours. 

"He  who  would  ha  ve  Chrysanthemums  in  his 
garden,  must  have  Chrysanthemums  in  his 
heart,"  says  Mr.  Allen,  of  Woodbridge,  iS".  J., 
one  of  our  most  skillful  amateur  florists. 

If  only  the  flowers  of  the  new  Jasminum 
gracillimum  did  not  drop  so  soon,  they  would 
be  the  nc  phis  ultra  of  stove  climbers.  The 
plant  is  a  mass  of  bloom  during  the  winter. 

It  will  not  do  to  become  so  enraptured  over 
the  way  plants  shoot  ahead,  now  under  glass, 
to  forget  that  insects  at  the  same  time  increase 
with  rapidity.  The  insects  must  be  kept  down. 
"  I  would  rather  part  with  my  fruit  treees 
than  with  my  Evergreens.  I  could  buy  fruit 
in  the  markets,  but  the  charm  of  these  Ever- 
greens about  my  house  could  not  be  bought." 
—Parker  Earti: 

Soot  for  Plants.  "N.  M.  P.,"  formerly  a 
Floral  Tl'ii/Vt/ subscriber,  flndsthis  an  excellent 
fertilizer  for  house  plants  used  as  stated:  On 
a  teacupful  of  soot  turn  three  quarts  boiling 
water;  apply,  when  cool,  to  the  soil. 

Subscriptions  that  came  through  the  Floral 
World  transfer,  will  be  dated  one  month  ahead, 


for  we  understand  no  paper  was  issued  from 
the  Floral  World  oflice  for  January.  We  pro- 
pose to  squarely  make  up  for  that  skip. 

The  trees  in  the  parks  in  Boston  are  labeled 
with  the  names  by  which  they  are  known  to 
science,  so  that  the  tramps  cannot  by  any  mis- 
take loll  under  an  Acer  pscudo  platanus  instead 
of  hrterophiiUuiu. — Syramse  Standard. 

Rabbits  and  Trees.  A  subscriber  at  Rock- 
port,  Ind.,  offers  an  improvement  on  our  pub- 
lished remedy  against  rabbits  gu-dling  trees. 
It  is  simply  this :  Grease  the  tree  for  oue  foot 
from   the  ground,  with   hog's  lard.     He  says 


VARIEGATED-LEAVED  COB/EA  SCANDENS.— See  opposite. 


he  will  warrant  no  rabbit  will  touch  the  bark 
after  that. 

To  Our  Readers.  Now  that  the  gardening 
season  is  opening,  couldn't  you  help  along 
towards  that  .50,000  subscribers,  by  introduc- 
ing this  paper  among  your  friends  who  have 
gardens,  and  sending  in  a  club?  We  are  almost 
sure  you  could  do  this. 

Single  Dahlias  from  Seed.  Mrs.  I.  L.  White, 
of  Knox  Co.,  111.,  finds  much  pleasure  and  no 
difficulty  in  raising  these.  She  says  she  starts 
the  seeds,  bought  of  the  seedsman,  iu  boxes  in 
the  house,  keeps  them  here  imtil  wai'm  weather, 
when  she  sets  them  out. 

Many  of  our  readers  now  will  be  getting  up 
clubs  for  seeds,  plants  and  so  on.  But  while 
at  this,  be  sure  also  to  put  in  some  telling 
work  for  Popular  Gardening.  Remember 
that  50,000  subscribers  must  come  somehow. 
We  are  sure  you'll  not  slight  us. 

Over-bearing.  In  gardening  we  naturally 
enjoy  the  prospect  of  a  good  yield ;  this  often 
leads  to  the  fault  of  harmful  over-bearing. 
Try  a  few  flowering  plants  or  a  few  fruit  trees 
and  thin  out  the  new-forming  products,  if 
you  would  learn  how  great  is  the  former  fault. 

Let  TTs  Try  It !  One  of  the  former  Floral 
World  subscribers,  but  whose  name  has  been 
detached  from  the  communication,  else  we 
would  give  it,  says  that  a  weak  solution  of 
camphor  gum  iu  water,  sprinkled  over  house 
plants,  will  aid  in  ridding  them  of  insects,  and 
prove  beneficial  to  the  plants. 

Horticultural  Art  Journal.  A  new  journal 
by  this  name  has  reached  our  table  from  the 
publishers,  Mensing  &  Stecher,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
It  aims  to  disseminate  a  knowledge  of  fruits, 
flowers  and  other  garden  products,  by  means 
of  first-class  lithographic  plates.  We  shall 
watch  for  the  future  issues  with  interest. 

Scarlet  Runners.  A  correspondent  of  the 
Gardrno's  Chronicle  informs  us  that  this  well- 
know  climber  may  be  stored  away  and  pre- 
served over  winter  in  a  similar  manner  to 
Scarlet  Geraniums.  Coming  so  easily  from 
seed  as  it  does,  we  woiUd  see  little  occasion  for 
such  a  course,  excepting  when  seed  is  scarce. 

A  lady  of  Flushing,  N.  Y. ,  in  subscribing  for 
Popular  Gardening,  along  with  saying  some 
very  complimentary  things  for  the  paper,  adds: 
"  I  am  indeed  very  much  obliged  to  whoever 
sent  you  my  name  for  a  specimen  copy,  other- 
wise I  should,  perhaps,  not  have  known  of  it.  ' 
A  hint  to  all  our  readers  who  have  friends  that 
would  like  such  a  paper.  Send  in  their  names 
and  a  specimen  will  go  to  each  one  of  them. 

How  is  this  for  an  European  idea  of  utilizing 
public  squares  as  market  places,  without  inter- 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


65 


fering  with  their  use  as  parks.  The  marketing 
is  done  in  the  momiug  of  certain  days  only. 
Tents  are  used  for  stalls,  and  long  before  noon 
of  each  daj'  everything  is  moved  away  slick 
and  clean.  This  leaves  the  place  free  for  after- 
noon visitors  and  loungers,  with  hardly  a  sus- 
picion of  the  use  it  had  been  put  to  in  the  moi-n- 
ing.     A  Parisian  idea,  and  said  to  work  well. 

The  Variegated  Cobsea.  I^ufortunately  the 
variegated  form  of  C'oba>a  scandens,  of  which 
we  give  a  small  representation,  cannot,  like  the 
parent,  be  grown  from  seed.  The  only  means 
of  propagating  it  is  by  means  of  cuttings,  and 
it  is  not,  at  that,  the  easiest  thing  in  the  world 
to  succeed  with.  They  should  be  taken  in  a 
young  state,  at  about  this  season,  or  a  little 
later.  In.sert  in  pots  of  sandy  soil,  in  gentle 
bottom  heat.  Those  amateurs  who  do  not  suc- 
ceed  iu  raismg  it  can  usually  buy  of  florists. 

"  Feet  of  Glass."  Friend  Meeban,  of  the 
(lonlcnn-s'  Monthh/,  reasonably  enough  thinks, 
that  gardeners  should  adopt  some  general 
standard  of  meaning,  when  speaking  of  "  feet 
of  glass,"'  in  connectiou  with  heating  and  the 
like.  Now  no  one  can  tell  whether  the  actual 
surface  of  the  vitreous  substance  in  sloping 
roofs,  gables,  laj)n,  and  every  part  that  may  be 
figured  in,  or  merely  the  number  of  feet  of  the 
earths  surface  covered  over  is  meant.  As  be- 
ing the  most  convenient,  we  prefer  to  have  the 
phrase  indicate  squai'e  feet  of  earth  surface. 

Learning.  A  Jamestown  florist  has  been 
making  rapid  progress  in  this,  but  on  too  costly 
a  scale.  He  had  worked  hard  and  long  to  be- 
come established  in  business.  Last  fall  his 
houses  were  well  stocked,  everything  thiiving 
aud  prospects  good  for  the  winter  cut  flower 
trade.  Then  he  thought  to  improve  appear- 
ances about  the  greenhouse,  and  so  blacked  the 
st«am  pipes  with  gas  tar.  They  did  look  nice 
and  shiny,  but  the  loss  in  plants  ran  way  up 
in  the  hundreds  of  dollars.  He  has  our  hearty 
sympathy  in  this  matter,  but  we  must  publish 
the  ca.se,  that  our  readers  may  guai'd  against 
similar  harsh  experiments. 

Political  Floriculture.  An  English  editor 
who  deprecates  the  practice  of  making  flowers 
of  any  kind  the  badges  of  party  politics,  or 
religious  sects,  because  of  the  hatred  liable  to 
be  evolved  towai'ds  the  innocent  things  through 
partisan  or  sectarian  feelings,  very  sensibly 
gave  expression  to  his  ideas  in  his  paper.  The 
result  of  this  was  a  general  outbreak  of  explo- 
sions from  Canons,  thunders  from  Exeter  Hall, 
protests  from  Radicals  and  growls  from  Tories, 
putting  the  editor  completely  into  hot  water. 
He  still  stands  up  for  the  innocent  flowers  as 
against  the  party  men  who  woiild  press  them 
into  their  turbulent  circles. 

FloralWorld  subscribers,  who  happened  also  to 
be  direct  subscribers  to  Popular  Gardening 
when  the  purchase  of  the  former  by  the  latter 
was  made,  will  have  their  credit  extended  on 
our  books  for  the  entire  time  the  combined  sub- 
scriptions will  pay  for,  provided  they  vprite  to 
us  stating  the  facts  in  the  case.  This  they 
must  do,  or  they  will  receive  two  copies  of  the 
present  paper,  for  it  is  hardly  likely  that  we 
could,  with  our  thousands  of  names,  detect  the 
repetition,  A  better  plan,  we  think,  would  be 
for  you  to  get  some  friend  to  take  one  copy, 
notifying  us  to  such  effect.  This  then  would 
be  helping  towards  those  ,50,000  names,  you  see. 

Tree  Faeonies.  These  hardy  shrubs,  are  so 
attractive,  that  it  is  not  much  wonder  that  their 
cultivation  amounts  almost  to  a  mania  among 
the  Chinese,  where  they  are  at  home.  But  why 
not  oftener  seen  with  us;  They  are  hai"dy  and 
thrive  in  any  good  garden  soil.  A  well  estab- 
lished plant  will  bear  a  hundred  or  upwards  of 
the  large  showy  flowei'S  in  a  season.  The  plants 
may  be  bought  of  the  nurseries  for  about  one 
dollar  each.  Propagation  may  be  done  by  layer- 
ing or  by  renewing  the  suckers  that  often  spring 
up  around  the  old  plants  It  is  not  advisable  to 
divide  the  plants,  as  they  receive  a  serious 
check  from  this,  which  it  takes  a  long  time  to 
recover  from. 


Leigh  Hunt,  in  speaking  of  gardens  on  the 
streetside  of  town  homes,  says:  Imagine  (what, 
perhaps,  will  one  daj"  be  the  case)  whole  streets 
adorned  in  this  manner,  right  and  left;  and 
multitudes  proceeding  on  their  tasks  through 
avenues  of  Lilies  and  fieraniums.  Why 
should  they  not?  Nature  has  given  us  the 
means,  and  they  are  innocent,  animating,  and 
contribute  to  our  piety  towai'ds  her.  We  do 
not  half  enough  avail  ourselves  of  the  cheap 
riches  wherewith  she  adorns  the  earth.  We 
also  get  the  most  trivial  mistakes  in  our  head, 
and  think  them  refinements,  and  are  afraid  of 
being  "vulgar!"  A  few  seeds,  for  instance, 
and  a  little  trouble  would  clothe  our  houses 
every  summer,  as  high  as  we  chose,  with  dra- 
peries of  green  and  scarlet. 

Shifting  Backwards.  "  Did  you  really  mean," 
writes  Mr.  B.  H.  Young,  of  San  Diego,  Cali- 
fornia, "that  Fuchsias  in  being  started  from 
their  dormant  winter  state  should  be  shifted 
into  pots  a  size  or  two  smaller,  as  you  said  on 
page  38;"  Yes,  that  was  ,iust  what  we  meant 
to  say.  The  remark  was  based  on  a  long  ex- 
perience in  Fuchsia  growing.  The  reason  for 
such  a  course  is,  that  until  the  dormant  plants 
referred  to  get  fairly  underway  in  growing,  the 
soil  in  full  sized  pots — rich  as  it  is  likely  to 
be — might  become  sour  and  lie  uufit  for  the 
roots  before  it  was  occupied  bj-  them.  With 
the  soil  scant  at  the  beginning,  the  roots  can 
soon  spread  throughout  the  mass,  taking  in 
nourishment  and  moisture.  Then  as  the  soil 
proves  inadequate,  shift  up  into  larger  pots 
one  time  after  the  other  as  fast  as  required. 

Not  in  the  Business.  Requests  frequently 
come  to  us  for  catalogues  of  seeds,  plants  and 
so  on,as  if  we  were  dealers  in  this  line  of  things. 
Nothing  is  further  from  the  truth.  We  haven't 
a  thing  in  the  world  to  sell  but  this  paper  and 
a  few  incidental '  books,  we  will  not  even  offer 
seeds  and  plants  as  premiums,  because  we  think 
it  unfair  to  compete  with  those  in  this  trade. 
We  do  aim  to  give  every  subscriber  the  full 
worth  of  his  money  or  more,  in  the  paper  itself. 
When  Popular  Gardening  (unlike  some  other 
so-called  garden  journals)  recommends  a  plant, 
it  is  from  an  unbiased  standpoint,  and  not  be- 
cause it  has  some  of  the  stock  to  dispose  of. 
So  don't  send  to  us  for  catalogues,  it  will  be  a 
waste  of  trouble  and  expense.  Apply  to  those 
who  publish  them  and  who  advertise  in  our 
columns ;  or  if  they  do  not,  who  ought  to.  See 
the  list  of  catalogues  recently  received  at 
this  office,  given  on  page  63. 

A  Fine  Volume.  The  members'of  the  Ameri- 
can Horticultural  Society  must  feel  that  they 
are  well  dealt  with,  in  return  for  what  it  costs 
to  belong  to  this  society,  as  they  read  the  year- 
ly volume  of  transactions,  furnished  to  each 
one  of  them,  not  to  speak  of  other  advantages. 
Here  before  us  lies  the  volume  of  this  kind  for 
188.5.  It  is  a  large,  handsome,  well  printed  and 
illustrated  work  of  257  pages.  It  is  loaded  with 
the  wisdom  of  our'  prominent  horticultural 
writers,  as  put  forth  in  the  essays  and  discus- 
sions delivered  at  the  last  annual  meeting  of  the 
society.  One  such  volume  goes  to  each  mem- 
ber. This  thriving  association  should  have 
many  more  members  than  it  now  has.  Were 
these  had,  horticulture  in  general  would  greatly 
be  the  gainer.  We  would  like  to  see  the 
names  of  many  of  our  readers  enrolled.  Pull 
particulars,  by  addressing  the  secretary,  W. 
H.  Ragan,  Greencastle,  Indiana. 

The  Red  Spider.  Allow  us  to  introduce  this 
insiduous  enemy  of  the  plant-grower  by  giving 
his  portrait.  But  he  is  such  a  very  minute 
fellow  that  we  give  it  on  a  largely  magnified 
scale.  Our  object  in  doing  so  is  to  show  plant- 
growers,  that  this  common  and  troublesome 
pest  is  not  a  spider  at  all,  although  it  spins  a 
sort  of  web.  Many  people  heai"  about  the  Red 
Spider  and  look  for  it  on  their  ailing  plants,  hav- 
ing the  ordinary  spiders  and  their  webs  iu  mind. 
Then  they  wholly  miss  finding  the  troubler. 
What  they  should  look  for,  is  a  grayish  discol- 
oration on  the  under  side  of  the  leaves,  aud  the 
scarcely    noticeable  web.      Along  with   these 


look  for  exceedingly  minute  and  rapidly  mov- 
ing brownish  insects,  perhaps  present  in  great 
numbers.  This  then  is  "  Red  Spider."  It 
is  very  destructive,  and  yet  there  is  one 
simple  remedy  that  is  sure  death  to  it,  namely, 
the  free  use  of  water  iu  washing  the  under  side 
of  the  leaves,  and  more  moisture  in  the  air. 
Double  Poppies  and  the  Railroads,  Perhaps 
these  .■psthetie  and  gorgeous  flowers  will  soon 
be  met  along  all  our  railroads  at  intervals, 
raising  their  heads  and  bowing  to  us  as  we 
speed  by.  At  any  rate,  some  French  railroad 
managers  have  used  of  these  plants  with 
success  for  fixing  the  loose  soil  of  newlj'-made 
embankments  along  their  lines.  They  should 
succeed  as  well  with  us.  Unlike  the  Grasses 
that  are  used  ordinarily,  but  which  need  sev- 
eral months  for  developing  a  considerable  mass 
of  roots,  the  Poppy  germinates  quickly,  and 
by  the  end  of  two  weeks,  it  is  said,  grows  enough 
to  give  some  protection,  with  a  rapid  increase 
later.  Though  the  plant  is  an  annual,  it  sows 
itself  freely  after  the  first  year.  Let  our  own 
railroad  officials  give  the  Poppy  a  trial  for 
such  purposes.  But  Popular  Gardening 
suggests  in  the  interests  of  the  public, 
that  distinct  colors  of  the  fiowers  be  sown  in 
different  plots  ;  this  would  add  greatly  to  the 
effect,  from  an  ornamental  point  of  view. 

Grafting  Clematises.  This  is  the  course  pur- 
sued in  propagating  the  improved  varieties;  it 
accounts,  in  part,  for  the  plants  costing  more 
than  do  those  of  most  other  climbers.  A  cor- 
respondent, who  is  at  work  in  a  nursery,  thus 
tells  in  an  interesting  way  about  the  operation : 
About  the  middle  of  February  a  few  plants 
of  each  kind  are  placed  in  a  slightly-heated 
greenhouse,  and  syringed  once  or  twice  a  day. 
This  ti'eatment  soon  causes  them  to  start,  and 
as  soon  as  the  shoots  are  firm  they  ai"e  taken  off 
and  cut  up  into  lengths  for  grafts,  the  two 
leaves  and  the  piece  of  .stem  forming  the  inter- 
node  being  quite  sufficient  for  each  graft.  The 
stocks  upon  which  the  grafting  is  done  are  the 
string-like  fleshy  roots  of  Clematis  Vitalba  or 
C.  flammula,  every  root  thick  enough  to  take 
the  graft  being  used.  Either  wedge  or  side 
grafting  answers,  and  the  tying  is  done  with 
grafting  cotton.  Each 
grafted  root  is  then 
potted  into  small  2  1-3 
inch  pots,  the  roots  be- 
ing twisted  round  in 
the  pot  so  that  the 
point  of  union  is  just 
buried.  They  are  then 
plunged  into  a  propa- 
gating frame,  and 
very  soon  are  ready  to 
V>e  hardened  off. 
Oleander  Slips.  As 
The  Red  Spider -Greatly  the  experience  of  our 
Magnified.  correspondent,  "Aunt 

Addie,"of  Bergen  Co.,  N,  J.,  shows,  it  is  much 
better  not  to  give  up  in  despair  in  floriculture, 
if  our  first  efforts  seems  not  at  once  to  promise 
success.  She  writes:  "The  slip  was  given  to 
me  last  June  and  I  was  sure  it  would  root 
nicely,  for  there  were  two  branches  on  the 
main  stalk.  Into  a  bottle  it  went,  and  the 
bottle  in  a  sunny  place.  As  late  as  November 
no  roots  were  yet  in  sight,  although  the 
branches  were  fresh.  I  was  disheartened  and 
thought  to  throw  the  whole  thing  out.  Off 
came  a  branch,  then  another;  when  my  com- 
passion arose  iu  behalf  of  the  pet,  and  plead  to 
give  it  one  more  chance.  So  one  branch  was 
again  put  into  water,  and  imagine  my  surprise 
and  delight,  to  behold,  only  five  days  later, 
roots  starting  from  the  torn  end.  Now,  at 
date  of  writing,  the  plant  is  well  established 
in  a  pot  of  soil,  aud  I  see  visions  of  floral 
beauty  ahead,"  To  which  we  add,  that  the 
trouble  was  in  using  too  old  and  hard  a  sec- 
tion of  growth, it  having  been  a  main  stalk,  with 
branches.  The  single  branch  was  of  a  better 
age,  as  the  result  shows.  See  how  patient  the 
slip  was  to  outlive  ignorance,  aud  do  so  well 
when  it  but  had  a  chance, 


66 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


March. 


Prune  When  You  Plant. 
That  a  wide-spread  need  of  common  infor- 
mation on    gardening  matters   prevails,   is 
shown  by  the  fact  that  about  three  out  of 
every  four  persons  who  set  out  shade  and 


winds  and  cold,  the  root  becomes  overtaxed 
and  enfeebled,  and  it  will  be  a  wonder  if  the 
tree  escapes  with  its  life — millions  every 
year  fail  to  do  so.  If  it  does  escape,  the 
chances  are  it  will  be  stunted  in  nature, 
never  to  make  the  tree  that  a  com- 
rade would  in  the  hands  of  a  judicious 
pruner.  Neither  can  free  watering 
or  rich  soil  ever  make  up  for  the 
absence  of  roots  in  a'young  tree. 


that  often  the  sorts  accompanied  by  the 
largest  descriptions  are  not  the  best  for 
your  particular  garden.  Once  a  good  line  of 
sorts  is  struck,  be  slow  to  trifle  with  it  in  the 
way  of  supplanting  good  ones  by  new  comers. 
But  let  some  novelties  be  tried,  of  course. 


FIG.  1. 
THE  TREE  BEFORE  AND  AFTER  PRUNING. 

fruit  trees,  never  prune  wlien  they  plant. 
The  one-fourth  who  do  prune'  embraces,  we 
think,  mainl}'  the  intelligent  fruit-growers 
and  other  planters  of  the  country,  and  they 
usually  cut  severely  at  this  time. 

Suggest  such  treatment  to  the  non-prun- 
ers,  and  )'ou  are  met  with  the  response,  that 
it  spoils  the  tree;  they  don't  want  to  wait 
a  life-time  for  it  to  get  large,  by  cutting  one- 
third  away  at  the  start.  We  have  drawn  up 
an  engraving,  to  throw  light  on  the  fact,  that 
it  is  just  the  other  way.  The  man  who 
prunes  freely  at  planting,  gives  his  trees  the 
best  kind  of  a  start  for  shortly  regaining 
vigor  in  the  new  situation,  and  for  rapid 
future  development. 

Fig.  1  shows  a  young,  thrifty  tree  before 
transplanting,  much  as  it  is  in  reality,  name- 
ly: with  top  and  roots  about  evenly  balanced, 
as  to  length  of  parts.  Because  the  roots  are 
out  of  sight  in  the  earth,  we  fail  often  to 
realize  what  extent  the}'  liave.  But  young 
growths,  that  are  lifted  with  care,  frequently 
show  even  a  greater  relative  proportion  of 
roots  to  the  top,  than  is  seen  in  the  engraving. 

Now,  in  the  ordinary  digging  of  trees,  it 
is  easj'  to  understand  by  Fig.  1 ,  that  a  large 
proportion  of  the  roots  must  staj'  in  the 
ground.  If  as  many  of  these  as  are  shown 
inside  of  the  dotted  line  A.  and  of  the  spade, 
remain  in  digging,  the  planter  maj'  feel 
himself  well  off.  With  this  view  of  the 
case,  common  sense  at  once  would  sug- 
gest that  such  trees  should  lose  about  the 
same  proportion  of  the  top,  saj'  about 
as  much  as  lays  outside  the  dotted  line  B. 
The  head  should  not,  however,  be  cropped 
off  rounding.  The  better  way  is  to  cut  back 
the  last  season's  growth  from  one-half  to 
one-third  in  the  main,  and  remove  some 
other  branches  throughout  the  top  entirely, 
to  reach  the  right  measure.  Fig.  1,  should 
appear  after  pruning,  aliout  like  Fig.  3  now 
does.  Then  the  top  will  suit  the  root,  the 
root  the  top,  and  with  good  planting,  the  tree 
will  be  in  a  promising  shape.  The  same 
rule  applies  to  evergreens  and  shrubs  also. 

To  not  prune  at  planting,  gives  the  ej'e 
more  to  rest  on  at  the  start  to  be  sure,  but 
the  tree  is  left  in  the  sad  plight  of  having 
more  top  than  the  remaining  roots  can  sup- 
port.    Then  come  the  vicissitudes  of  drouth, 


What.Cood  Treatment  Does. 

To  claim  that  there  is  no  difference 
in  the  merits  of  the  different  varieties 
of  flowers,  fruit  or  vegetables  would 
be  absurd.  Yet  we  come  forward 
to  say  that  the  differences  here  have 
less  to  do  with  results,  than  has  the 
difference  in  treatment  usually  given 
by  different  growers.  In  other 
words,  a  good  gardener  will  very 
often  manage  an  inferior  variety,  to 
far  excel  some  superior  sort,  in  the 
hands  of  a  poor  cultivator. 

At  the  annual  fairs  of  the  fall 
sea.sons,  crowds  stand  around  the 
exhibits  of  big  Squashes,  Pears, 
Pansies  and  what  not,  tilled  with 
admiration.  Thej-  wonder  at  such  amaz- 
ing possibilities  in  the  light,  perhaps,  of 
some  scrawny  and  diminutive  products  of 
their  .own  gardens.  They  do  not  see  the 
fertile  garden,  the  manure  water  tanks  and 
the  high  tillage  that  are  really  at  the  back  of 
the  wonderful  display.  It  would  be  well  for 
gardening  if  something  more  tangible  could 
be  done  in  the  way  of  exhibiting  these.  The 
products  are  there,  the  agents  that  produced 
them  are  too  often  lost  sight  of. 

Now  this  is  the  season  when  the  catalogues 
of  seedsmen,  nurserymen  and  florists  arrive 
in  grand  array,  to  interest 
customers.  They  are  a 
class  of  publications  we 
are  proud  of — their  value 
in  promoting,  an  interest 
in  ga  rdening  matters,  is 
beyond  all  measure.  Much 
can  be  learned  by  reading 
these  thoroughly,  not  ex- 
cepting even  the  adjective- 
larded  descriptions  of 
novelties.  But  while  we 
would  not  advocate  poring 
over  and  studying  the 
catalogues  less,  we  would 
say,  study  methods  of 
gardening  even  more.  Let 
your  hopes  of  success  be 
based  rather  on  good 
tillage  and  soil  improve- 
ment, than  on  the  special 
merits  of  the  sorts  and 
kinds  to  be  employed,  im- 
portant as  these  are. 
Manure  is  really  more 
potent  than  are  splendid 
catalogue  descriptions. 

The  true  course  in  gar- 
dening of  any  kind,  is  to 
start  right  as  to  soil,  fertility 
and  good  tillage.  Then, 
with  these,  make  a  trial  of 
the  various  standard  sorts 
offered,  to  learn  which  are 
best  suited  to  the  circum- 
stances of  each  particular 
garden,  and  for  securing  proper  variety.  We 
speak  here,  of  course,  to  the  inexperienced. 
You  will  be  surprised  in  this  way,  to  tind 


Clematises  of  Other  Colors  than 
Purple. 

Perhaps  the  most  popular  hard}'  climber 
of  to-day  is  the  violet  purple  Clematis  Jack- 
manii.  This  is  easily  accounted  for,  on  the 
grounds,  that  the  plant  possesses  numerous 
and  exceptionally  good  qualities.  It  is  an 
immense  bloomer  throughout  the  summer, 
and  until  freezing  weather — in  this  respect 
being  equalled  b}'  no  other  variety.  The 
flowers  are  so  distinct  in  appearance,  with 
their  intense,  velvety  richness,  that  they  at 
once  command  attention.  The  plant  is  per- 
fectly hardy,  commences  to  bloom  freely  in 
its  second  year  after  planting,  and  never  fails 
to  produce  large  sheets  of  bloom  while  in 
health.  It  therefore  advertises  itself,  and 
whenever  once  it  is  planted  in  a  community, 
there  seems  to  be  no  end  to  the  call  for  the 


A  WHITE-FLOWERED  CLEMATIS. 

plants  on  the  nurserymen  who  raise  them. 
But  the  very  fact  that  this  plant  is  so  con- 
spicuous in  beauty  and  so  successfully  grown. 


1 886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


tends  to  make  it  somewhat  (•ommon  in 
localities  where  a  raife  for  it  once  exists. 
The  object  of  this  article,  is  to  impress 
the  fact,  that  there  are  many  other  species 
and  varieties  of  the  Clematis  now  offered  by 
our  nurserymen  and  florists.  While  few,  if 
any  of  these  can  produce  an  cqvially  large 
quantity  of  bloom  with  the  Jackmanii,  they 


67 


and  then  plants  by  tliem.  Then  the  won- 
der very  often  is,  why  we  lind  so  little  real 
attraction  in  our  own  plantings. 

It  is  our  desire,  to  show  by  the  aid  of  the 
accom]ianying  two  drawings,  and^'a  few 
brief  remarks,  that  it  is 


in  one  or  the  other  of  the  lists;  perhaps  .some 
of  our  readers  with  wide  e.xperience  in  plant 
culture,  would  .substitute  others  or  change 
them  about  in  the  classes.  We  invite  them 
to  do  .so,  and  at  some  future  time  will  be 


Fig,  1,    Grounds  Planted  in  a  Stiff  Style,  Everything 
in  Straight  Lines, 

are  all  attractive,  and  some,  we  think,  are 
even  handsomer,  because  flowering  not  in 
such  solid  sheets  of  bloom.  Our  eye  finds 
more  satisfaction,  for  instance,  in  se\-eral 
scores  of  the  large  white  flowers  of  Otto 
Fra'bel,  or  the  pale  la vander  blossoms  of  Mrs. 
James  Bateman,  scattered  over  a  given  sur- 
face, than  in  several  hundred  of  the  smaller 
flowers  of  .Jackmanii,  over  a  similar  area. 
This  is  esjiecially  true,  after  having  become 
somewhat  sated  with  the  —  in  a  degree  — 
monotonous  beauty  of  the  latter. 

Our  growers  are  offering  altogether  some 
dozens  of  different  Clematises  that  are  well 
adapted  to-  this  country.  The  colors  range 
from  white,  through  French  gray,  lavender, 
reddish  purple,  claret,  violet  purple  to 
mulberry  black.  By  employing  other  col- 
ors largely,  and  not  the  violet  purple  of  the 
Jackmanii  almost  alone,  you  will  at 
lea.st  have  the  satisfaction  in  time  to  come,  of 
not  having  it  .said  that  your  Clematises  are 
"like  everybody  else's,"  while  the  greater 
variety  in  color  will  be  sure  to  be  pleasing. 


Straight  Lines  or  Not,  in  Ornamental 
Planting. 

Nature  never  arranges  trees  and  plants  in 
straight  lines,  it  is  man  who  does  this.  Na- 
ture displays  lessons  everywhere  on  how  to 
dispose  of  the  beautiful  material  she  gives 
us  in  trees,  vines  and  flowers,  for  creating 
effects  to  satisfy  the  eye  and  mind.  Man 
takes  of  the  same  material,  and  .seemingly 
with  a  lofty  contempt  of  nature's  suggestions, 
{as  if  that  good  dame  did  not  know  best  how 
to  arrange  the  material  she  offers)  lays  off 
squares  and  rows,  and  circles,  and  sets  slakes 
exactly  in  every  fair-sized  center,  and  at  ex- 
actly the  same  distance  apart  on  the  lines, 


so  utterly  disregard  the  teachings  of  nature 
in  the  matter  of  arran.ging.  We  want  to 
impress  the  idea,  that  the  straight  line  in 
general  planting  should  usually  be  dropped, 
as  being  at  the  bottom  of  most  of  our  un- 
satisfactory planting. 

Figure  1  shows  home  grounds,  as  often 
met,  and  which  are  planted  with  ornamental 
trees,  shrubs  and  flowers,  mostly  arranged  in 
straight  lines.  Figure  3  shows  the  same 
grounds  planted  with  similar  material,  but 
with  nothing  set  in  straight  lines.  This  we 
call  the  natural  style  of  planting.  Even  the 
walk  leading  from  the  street  to  the  house,  is 
made  to  conform  to  the  laws  of  beauty,  as  set 
forth  in  graceful  curves. 

It  does  not  need  more  than  a  careful  glance 
at   these  two   plans,  to   show   how  well  the 
natural  style  of  arrangement  is  adapted  to 
small  grounds,  and  how  vastly  superior  it  is 
to  the  stiff,  straight-line  style  for  affording 
real  satisfaction.     Study  figure  3  and  one 
may  find  even   here  on   a  small  plat,  that 
strength  of  character,    that    freedom,   that 
breadth   and  openness,    which  give  to  the 
natural  landscapes  and  woods  their  greatest 
charms.     In  figure  1  these  are  largely  absent. 
Let  another  important  point  be  noticed  in 
the    two    plans    shown.      While"  there    is 
precisely  the  same  breadth  of  lawn  between 
the  house  and  the  boundarj'  on  each  side,  in 
the  two,  there  seems  to  be  a  much  larger 
area  on   all  sides  (observe  especially  to  the 
front  and  rear  of  the  house)  in  figure  3  than 
in  the  other.  This  is  a  matter  of  great  signfi 
cance,  for  if  one  can  lay  out,  plant  and  keep 
up  a  lawn  of  jvist  one  acre  to  appear  as  large 
as  an  adjoining  plat  that  is  really  one  and 
one- half  acres,  and  requiring  such  a  surface  to 
be  prepared,  mo\\ed  and  otherwise  kept  up, 
that  certainly  is  a  great  gain,  say  nothing  of 
the  beauty.    And  such  a  gain  always  presents 
itself  in  .some  degree  in  natural  plantations 
over  more  formal  styles  of  arrangement. 

Let  us  in  conclu.siou  lay  down  the  three 
fundamental  principles  involved  in  natural 
arrangement,  so  that  all  our  readers  may  be- 
come familiar  with,  and  apply  them  in 
practice.  First,  absence  of  straight  lines. 
so  far  as  all  leading  features  are  concerned 
(in  .some  future  number  we  will  take  up  this 
matter  further,  and  show  where  the  straight 
and  geometric  lines  in  planting  may  be  ap- 
plied). Second,  arrangements  mainly  in  ir- 
regular clumps  or  open  groves  (.see  upper 
right  hand  corner),  with  each  class  of  growths 
such  as  shrubs,  evergreens,  etc.,  mostly  by 
themselves.  Third,  the  presence  of  open 
central  areas  of  lawn  here  and  there  in  con- 
spicuous parts.  This  last  matter  is  one  of 
the  most  important,  that  can  engage  the 
attention  of  planters,  and  yet  it  seems  to  be 
the  one  most  freciueiitly  disregarded. 


great  mistake  to  ,  glad  to  publish  their  suggestions. 


At  any  rate  no  one  can  go  much  amiss,  to 
rely  directly  upon  the  selections  here  ma<!e. 


Fig,  2.    The  same  Grounds  Arranged  More  Naturally, 
with  Nothing  Set  in  Straight  Lines. 

Adaptability,  ease  of  management  and  at- 
tractiveness, were  the  leading  points  kept  in 
mind  in  making  up  these  lists: 

10  HOUSE  PLANTS 


Aspidistras. 

Calla. 

Gt?raniums. 

Ivies. 

Pandanus  or  Screw  Pine. 


WE  CLASS  AS  BEST. 

Begonias,  flowering. 
Fieus  or  Rubber  Tree. 
Hyacinths. 
Oxalis  rosea. 
Tradescantias. 


30   HOUSE    PLANTS 

Abelias. 

Amaryllises. 

Cobsea  .Scaudeus. 

Farfugium  grande. 

Laurustinus. 

Myrtle  ( Myrtus  1. 

Petunia. 

Pttris  Ferns. 

Tulips. 

Narcissus. 

30 


Popular  Gardening's   Select  Lists  of 
House  Plants, 

To  aid  our  readers,  and  especially  the  in- 
experienced, in  the  work  of  making  good  se- 
lections of  house  plants,  lierewith  are  offered 
three  lists  of  what  we  can  recommend   as 


HOUSE   PLANTS 

Abutilons. 

Al,vssuni. 

.\zaleas. 

Carnations. 

Chrysanthemums. 

C.vpe  ruses. 

Cytisus. 

German  Ivy. 

Hydrangea 

Lemon  or  Orange. 

Lycopodium. 

Mignonette. 

Palms. 

Peristrophe. 

Solainnns,  itc. 


WE   CLASS   AS  3nd    BEST. 
Agapanthus. 
Cactuses. 

Dracaenas  (Cordyliue,). 
Fuchsias. 
Maurandya. 
Oleander. 
Primrose. 
Roses. 
Vallota. 
Wa.\-  Plant. 

WK   CLASS  AS   8kD    HEST. 
AraUa. 

.\ucuba~Gold  Dust  Tree 
Balsam. 

Catalonian  Ja.samiue. 
Cuphea-Cigar  Plant. 
C.velamens. 
Eiiouymus. 
HeIiotroi>e. 
Lan  tanas. 
Lobelia. 
Mahernia. 
Neprolepis  Fern. 
Pittosporum. 
Richardia. 
.Stocks. 


Beyond  these  selections,  there  are  many 
other  plants,  which  tho.se  who  are  well 
versed  in  plant  culture  woidd  succeed  with 
about  the   house,  under  fair  circumstances, 


among  the  best,  if  not  the  very  best  plants  and  which  all  plant  growers  might  try  with 
suitable  for  this  jjurpose— sixty  altogether,  some  hope  of  success.  Neither  has  any 
It  may  be  that  we  have  skipped  scmie  very  1  special  reference  been  made,  to  kinds  that 
excellent  ones  which   ought  to  be  included  ;  are  suitable  for  the  fernery  orWardian  ca.se. 


68 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


March, 


Do  You  Crow  Allamandas? 

Whoever  can  gain  access  to  winter  quarters 
under  glass,  having  a  temperature  of  50°  to  60°, 
for  some  good  sized  plants,  ought  to  be  able  to 
grow  Allamandas.  The  genus  gives  us  some  of 
our  most  desirable  stove  and  gi'eeuhouse  plants; 
their  management  is  quite  easy.  They  are 
much  grown  as  climbers,  but  some  of  the  sorts 
are  readily  managed  as  pot  shrubs. 

In  this  place  we  invite  notice  to  several  of  those 
Allamandas  that  are  most  suitable  to  grow  in 
the  bush  form.  To  illustrate  our  article  we  were 
fortunate  in  securing  the  use  of  a  fine  en- 
graving of  one  of  the  sorts,  A.  Hendersonii, 
from  the  catalogue,  and  thi-ough  the  kindness, 
of  Messrs.  Hill  &  Co.,  who  are  growers  of  Roses 
and  other  fine  plants  at  Richmond,  Indiana.  The 
engraving  shows  the  flower  reduced  in  size,  the 
individual  blooms  being  usually  three  inches 
and  upwards  across.  The  color  is  a  soft  golden 
yellow,  tinged  ^ith  brown  on  the  outside,  and 
very  agreeable  to  the  eye.  In  form  and  tex- 
ture the  flowers  are  really  charming.  Add  to 
these  qualities  the  fact  that  they  are  pro- 
duced in  gi-eat  profusion  for  about  nine 
months  in  succession,  and  the  appreciation 
with  which  the  plant  is  held  by  those  who 
grow  it,  is  easily  understood. 

Another  species  quite  as  desirable  as  the 
last,  but  with  smaller  flowers,  is  the 
Oleander-leaved  Allanianda  (A.  nerifolia). 
On  account  of  its  floriferous  habit  through 
many  months  in  succession,  it  is  unequaled 
for  decorative  purposes,  while  as  an  exhi- 
bition plant  this  Allanianda  is  excelled  by 
none.  The  leaves  are  decidedly  handsome. 

Of  late  years  the  shrubby  Allamandas 
have  gained  some  fame  in  eastern  cities  as 
out-door  summer  bloomers.  For  this  pur- 
pose they  are  grown  under  glass  from 
September  until  May  or  June,  when  they 
are  plunged,  pot  and  all,  in  the  flower 
border  for  the  summer.  It  should  be 
added  that  the  time  to  shift  the  plants  is 
just  previous  to  putting  them  out  into  the 
summer  border.  One  thing  that  goes  far 
towards  making  the  culture  of  these  plants 
a  pleasure,  is  their  singular  freedom  from 
insects.     They  are  treasures,  for  this. 

Allamandas  require  but  ordinai'y  good 
soil,  say  such  as  consists  of  two  parts 
rotted  turf  and  one  part  of  thoroughly 
decomposed  manure.  A  little  sand  added 
is  very  useful.  The  plants  enjoy  good 
drainage  in  the  pots,  free  watering  and 
syringing  when  in  a  growing  state,  with  an 
occasional  treat  to  weak  liquid  manure  during 
this  period.  To  grow  lai'ge  specimens  never 
allow  the  subjects  to  become  pot-bound.  lu 
the  winter  months  Allamandas  require  but  little 
wat«r.  The  time  of  pruning  is  in  January  or 
February  of  each  year.  Plants  can  be  bought 
of  the  leading 'florists,  including  the  firm  re- 
ferred to  above,  at  2r>  cents  and  upwards  each. 
Such  are  of  small  size ;  they  grow  quite  rapidly. 


"Well,  sisters  of  the  Flornl  World,  we  find 
ourselves  transferred  to  pastures  new,  but  with 
the  same  common  interests.  Let  us  feel  at 
home,  write  our  letters  as  of  old  and  do  what 
we  can  in  the  good  work." 


Amaryllis  and  Other  Flowers. 

Our  new  correspondent,  Mrs.  S.  A.  B.  Sher- 
win,  of  Minnesota,  may  well  grow  enthusiastic 
over  her  Johnson's  Amaryllis  and  Petunias,  for 
both  are  among  the  best  of  house  plants.  It  is 
no  strange  thing  for  the  former  to  bloom  in  the 
latter  part  of  winter.     Here  is  her  letter : 

"My  Johnsonii  has  surprised  me  this  winter, 
by  throwing  up  two  flower  scapes,  each  develop- 
ing one  lovely  blossom,  another  is  to  follow. 
My  other  varieties  are  growing  thriftily,  Vjut 
show  no  signs  of  bloom  as  yet  (Feb.  10th). 
What  pleasure  flowers  do  afford  at  this  season, 
I  must  tell  of  my  grandiflora  varieties  of 
Petunias  last  season :  The  flowers  were  enor- 
mous and  of  such  dazzling  brilliancy  that  they 
attracted  all  passers.  Many  could  hardly  be- 
lieve they  were  Petunias.  No  ordinary  varie- 
ties for  me  after  this.  I  would  say  that  the 
grandiflora  strain  of  Drummond's  Plilox  is  also 
superior;  the  flowers  are  larger  than  others, 
and  each  %vith  a  large  white  eye. 


Selecting  the  Garden. 

BY    N.  J.  SHEPHERD. 

Where  a  garden  is  to  be  selected  pains  should 
be  taken  to  secure  the  best  site.  It  should  be 
convenient  to  the  home;  it  should  be  accessible 
with  team  and  wagon,  that  manure  di-awiug, 
plowing  and  fitting  up  the  soil  can  be  done 
without  unnecessary  trouble. 

Good  drainage  is  very  important.  Often  a 
piece  of  land  can  be  chosen  that  is  naturally 
under-drained;  if  not,  then  thorough  tile  drain- 
ing should  be  done,  or  a  good  and  early  garden 
is  out  of  the  question. 

A  plot  that  slopes  to  the  south  or  southeast, 
is  better  than  one  that  is  flat  or  sloping  other- 
wise.    Either  an  eastern  or  a  western  slope  is 


ALLAMANDA  HENDERSONII. 

better  than  one  to  the  north,  for  such  an  one 
takes  a  long  time  to   wai'm  up  in  the  spring. 

For  soil,  a  light  loam  should  be  the  first  choice. 
You  can  make  a  garden  on  clay  soil,  by  bring- 
ing some  lightening  material  in  addition  to 
manure  to  it,  but  this  calls  for  a  good  deal  of 
work,  and  when  done  it  will  never  till  as  read- 
ily or  warm  up  as  early  in  the  spring  as  lighter 
loam.  A  cold,  wet  soil  is  always  un.satisfactory. 
Light  sand  or  gravel  do  not  make  the  best  of 
gardens,  but  by  the  use  of  enough  manure, 
either  one  may  be  rendered  passably  good. 

A  good  size  for  a  family  garden,  is  fifty  feet 
wide  by  one  hundred  feet  long.  The  advan- 
tage of  having  it  in  this  shape  is  that  a  large 
share  of  the  work  of  preparing  the  soil,  and 
even  of  tillage,  can  be  done  by  horee  power. 
As  compared  with  man  or  women  power,  horse 
power  is  so  much  cheaper,  that  its  employment 
should  be  much  more  common  about  gardens. 

Shelter  from  cold  winds  is  important.  If  the 
natural  lay  of  the  land  or  the  near  presence  of 
the  farm  buildings  do  not  effect  this,  then  a 
belt  of  Evergreens  on  the  north  and  west  sides 
should  be  provided.  It  is  not  desirable  to  have 
either  buildings  or  large  trees  so  near  to  the 
garden,  that  they  wiU  shade  the  surface. 


For  the  Fun  of  It. 

Mr.  S.  Q.  Lent,  a  correspondent  of  the  Mirh- 
irjan  Horticulturi.tt,  has  some  notions  about 
gardening,  with  which  we  quite  agree.  He 
says,  in  substance,  that  he  wants  to  see  people 


do  more  in  raising  flowers,  flne  trees,  fruit,  etc. , 
for  the  comfort  and  satisfaction  they  bring, 
and  not  forever  singing  "wasted  time"  or 
"  money  out  of  pocket."  Money  is  not  good  for 
anything  unless  it  makes  us  more  comfortable 
and  happy;  and  time  isn't  worth  saving  unless 
we  can  spend  it  in  some  way  to  enjoy  it.  A 
lady  may  spend  her  time  the  whole  summer 
long  in  growing  a  set  of  plants  that  shall  take 
the  flrst  premium  at  the  fair;  the  pi-ize  may  be 
almost  nothing,  but  there  is  no  measure  to  the 
enjoyment  gained  by  the  effort. 

A  little  girl  may  spend  a  large  amount  of 
time  in  growing  a  seedling  (.Teranium  until  its 
flower  is  opened.  The  flower  may  not  be  as  good 
as  thousauds  of  others,  but  she  has  grown  this 
one  as  her  own,  has  enjoyed  its  development, 
and  if  she  has  had  the  sympathy  of  her  parents 
and  the  family,  she  has  secured  "lots  of  fun  " 
out  of  the  experiment. 

We  have  a  great  deal  of  sympathy  with  the 
amateurs  who  are  growing  flowers,  plants, 
vegetables  and  fruits,  not  for  what  they  will 
bring  in  the  market,  but  for  the  enjoy- 
ment of  watching  for  new  forms,  colors 
and  flavors.  No  time  or  money  is  ill  spent 
that  contributes  to  the  true  happiness  of 
the  one  who  spends  it,  and  besides  adds,  as 
everything  about  gardening  does,  joy  and 
comfort  to  the  household. 

The  Rochester  Convention. 

When  the  leading  fruit  growers,  who 
have  made  Rochester  and  Western  New 
York  famous  for  nurseries  and  orchards, 
get  together  on  a  winter's  day  to  talk  over 
horticultural  matters,  the  sparks  of  wis- 
dom must  fly.  Such  a  meeting  was  the 
one  held  by  the  Western  New  York  Horti- 
cultural Society  in  the  last  week  of  Janu- 
ary. There  wei'e  present,  Patrick  Bai-ry 
(who  is  president  of  the  Society),  J.  J. 
Thomas,  George  EUwanger,  Dr.  Hexamer, 
Chas.  A.  Green,  and  more  than  1.50  other 
prominent  nurserymen  and  f niit  growers, 
all  brought  together  to  discuss  an  interest- 
ing line  of  subjects.  The  following  is  the 
substance  of  the  leading  ideas  brought  out ; 
President  Barry :  When  fruit  is  sorted, 
and  only  the  best  sent  to  market,  you  may 
keep  the  other  grades  at  home,  and  the 
gross  receipts  would  be  neaily  or  quite  as 
great.  .  .  .  Fruit  crops  may  soon  be 
doubled  by  enriching  the  soU,  good  culture, 
careful  pruning,  thinning, gatjfiering.pack- 
ing.  .  .  .  With  the  low  prices  of  last 
year,  results  on  the  whole  were  more  satis- 
factoiy  than  farming.  .  .  .  For  winter 
storage  uses,  a  barn  over  a  cellar,  the  walls  of 
which  (the  bam)  are  double  sheated  with  straw 
between  the  layers;  double  doors;  the  cellar 
provides  some  warmth;  during  severe  colil 
straw  mats  are  thrown  over  the  boxes  and 
barrels.  ...  A  new  Weeping  Apple  was 
mentioned,  as  suitable  to  plant,  both  for  fruit 
and  for  ornament. 

J.  J.  Thomas:  Keep  the  young  on  the  farms 
by  making  the  surroundings  attractive.  .  .  . 
Ilire  men  who  board  themselves,  that  the 
women  folks  may  have  time  for  rest  and  cul- 
ture. .  .  .  Reported  proflts  of  some  Black 
Cap  Raspberries,  at  $200  per  acre,  the  fruit 
selling  at  8  to  16  cents  per  quart ;  Strawberries 
$300  per  acre,  fetching  .5  to  8  cents  per  quart; 
one  grower  realized  $80  for  one-fourth  aci"e  of 
Strawberries;  an  Apple  orchai-d  gave  144 
bushels  per  acre,  at  from  $1.2.5  to  $1..50  per 
bushel,  a  part  planted  to  Potatoes  yielded  the 
best  fi-uit.  .  .  .  Three  best  market  Plums, 
Bradshaw  for  early,  Lombard  for  medium, 
Riene  Claude  for  late.  .  .  .  Best  fertilizer 
for  Plums,  he  finds  is  barn-yard  manure.  .  . 
Plum  rot  iu  the  fruit  is  no  doubt  caused  or 
increased  by  over-bearing.  .  .  .  Pears  on 
a  mowed  lawn  yield  flne  fruit. 

Chas.  A.  Green:  Fashion  demands  birds  for 
millinery  purposes,  and  insects  increase.  .  .  . 
Estimated  ten  rnlllinna  ai'e  slaughtered  in 
America  every  year.  .  .  .  One  swallow  will 
kill  more  insects  than  a  farmer  with  his  Paris 
Green  mixture. 

Dr.  Caldwell:  Salt  does  not  add  fertility  to 
land  but  only  makes  fertility  more  available. 
.  .  .  Salt  is  not  so  good  an  absorbent  as 
earth,  plaster  or  gypsum,  does  not  prevent  es- 
cape of  ammonia.  .  .  .  Salt  keeps  ma- 
nure moist  and  prevents  fire-fang. 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


69 


On  Raspberries:  With  Mr.  Van  Dusen  the 
Shaffer  produces  more  than  any  other  red. 
.  .  .  Report«l  to  have  yielded  4,5(1(1  quarts 
per  acre  on  light  sandy  soil.  .  .  .  The 
Marlboro  deserves  more  attention :  is  healthy, 
vigorous,  productive,  of  acceptable  qualit)'. 
Hansel  has  not  done  well  in  Western  New  York. 

Grapes;  For  keeping,  Mr.  Saunders  deems 
the  following  points  important:  uniform  tem- 
perature, darkness,  packing  simply  in  baskets 
as  for  marketing.  Concords  now  as  fresh  as 
when  gathered.  .  .  .  Bagging  before  ripen- 
ing  prevents  damage  by  rot,  birds,  insects, 
fowls,  and  aids  better  perfection.  .  .  .  The 
Worden  has  too  delicate  a  skin  fordistant  shii>- 
ment;  early,  hardy,  productive. 
Average  yield  per  acre  of  Concords  is  from 
three  to  five  tons.      .  .       Protect  young 

vines  for  two  or  three  winters  after  planting. 

Miscellaneous:  Dr.  Hexamer  reports  salt  as 
of  no  benefit  to  Asparagus.  .  .  .  Mr.  Cay- 
wood  gets  no  Quinces  without  applying  salt. 
.  .  .  Others  use  salt  for  Plums  and  Fears 
with  good  results.  .  .  .  Apples  have  a 
choice  of  soils.  .  .  .  Mr.  Woodwai'd  covers 
joints  of  tile  in  the  orchard  with  cement,  to 
keep  roots  from  entering  and  clogging  them. 
.  .  .  Mr.  Caywood  dusts  slackeil  lime  over 
Cherries  and  Plums  in  fruit  after  showers, 
to  ward  off  curculio  and  other  insects. 


mould;  cover  the  seeds  slightly  and  stand  in 
00°  of  heat,  and  they  willstai't  (luickly.  When 
the  plants  can  be  handled,  move  sing]}'  into 
small  pots,  giving  them  soil  similar  to  that  first 


A  Favorite  Vegetable— The  Pea. 

Among  green  vegetables  few,  if  any,  are 
preferred  above  the  Pea.  To  be  most  de- 
licious it  .should  be  in  its  half  grown  state,  and 
properly  served ;  then  it  affords  a  dish  to  suit 
the  most  fastidious  ta.ste.  The  Pea  has  this  ad- 
vantage over  most  other  vegetables ;  it  can  be 
grown  on  land  not  inch  enough  for  most  kinds 
of  garden  crops. 

The  Pea  succeeds  best  on  light  soil.  To  keep 
the  table  well  supplied,  sowingsjshould  be  made 
as  soon  as  the  grouud  can  be  worked,  and  then 
every  fifteen  or  twenty  days  apart  up  to  the 
middle  of  June.  After  that  it  would,  for  some 
time,  be  useless  to  sow,  as  a  rule,  for  the  Pea  is 
not  much  of  a  hot  weather  plant.  Bj-  .sowing 
an  early  sort,  again  about  the  middle  of  Au- 
gust a  fine  fall  crop  may  often  be  raised. 

In  the  kitchen  garden.  Peas  are  usually 
''brushed."  As  this  is  in  itself  something  of  a 
task,  a  saving  may  be  made  in  furnishing  brush 
by  sowing  two  rows  of  Peas  to  one  line  of  brush. 
In  this  case  the  two  rows  are  brought  within 
eight  inches  of  each  other,  with  the  brush  be- 
tween. Then  a  space  of  two  feet  is  left  on  each 
side  of  the  double  line  for  a  passage-way. 
About  one  quart  of  seed  is  needed  for  each 
seventj'-five  feet  in  length  of  single  drill. 

In  field  culture  brush  is  seldom  used  for  sup- 
port. The  seed  is  often  sown  broadcast  here, 
but  a  better  way  is  to  mark  out  with  a  one- 
horse  plow,  rows  thi-ee  feet  apart,  and  sow  in 
these.  Some  well  decayed  manure  or  bone 
fertilizer  may  be  applied  in  the  furrow  at  the 
same  time.  One  bushel  and  a  quarter  of  seed 
will  go  over  an  at're.  A  hundred  or  more 
bushels  may  be  coimted  on  as  the  crop  per 
acre  on  good  soil. 

The  varieties  of  garden  Peas  are  numerous, 
their  names  are  vastly  more  so.  A  good  col- 
lection for  family  use  might  embrace  the  fol- 
lowing: First  of  all,  American  Wonder,  Mc- 
Lean's Little  Gem  for  earliest;  Champion  of 
England,  White  and  Black  Marrowfat,  and 
Stratagem  tor  general  crop.  The  engraving  is 
of  the  Stratagem,  which  is  a  fine  wrinkled  Pea. 


Petunias  and  their  Culture. 

The  progress  alreadj'  made  in  improving  the 
insignificant  looking  species  of  the  Petunias 
that  were  first  brought  from  South  America, 
some  fifty  years  ago,  has  been  most  remarka- 
ble. Our  seedsman  all  now  off>  r  the  fruits  of 
this  improvement,  in  the  shape  of  fine  seeds, 
that  may  be  relied  upon  to  produce  a  large 
percentage  of  very  fine  flowers.  Although 
tender  evergreens,  the  jjlants  of  which  may  be 
kept  up  indefinitely,  it  is  better  to  raise  young 
plants  every  year.  Seed  may  be  sown  this 
month  in  the  window  or  greenhouse  in  pans 
filled  with  sifted  loam,  to  which  has  been  added 
some  sand,  and   if   it   is  had,  one-fifth  of  leaf- 


Faith  in  the  Kieffer  Pear.  John  S.  Collins, 
of  Moorcstown,  N.  J.,  claims  to  have  this,  and 
would  seem  to  strongly  show  it  by  his  works. 
He  states  that  he  has  an  orchard  of  10,U()()  trees 
phmted  to  this  variety  alone. 

Given  a  temperature  of  ;W  with  moderate 
moisture,  and  the  Roxbury  Russet  Apple  wiU 
keep  no  one  knows  how  long. 

Clover,  Thf  Nitshville Anwrirdn  says,  is  "  the 
grand  elixir  of  our  agricultural  life." 

Plant  steep  and  rocky  liill  sides  with  the 
.4pple. 

It's  the  early  gai-dener  that  catches  the  high 
prices. 

A  feeble  young  tree  rarely  amounts  to  much. 

Fruit  gardens  are  often  over-crowded. 


STRATAGEM  ;    A  WRINKLED    PEA. 

used;  keep  close  for  a  few  days,  then  admit 
more  air,  and  plenty  of  light.  Nip  out  the 
points  of  the  shoots  as  soon  as  they  begin  to 
grow  freely,  giving  a  little  shade  from  midday 
sun,  with  air  and  water  as  required.  In  six 
weeks  move  them  into  .5  or  6-inch  pots,  now 
using  the  soil  without  sifting,  and  adding  to  it 
some  rotten  manure ;  again  stop  the  shoots,  and 
after  they  have  grown  so  as  to  need  support 
put  small  sticks  to  each.  By  this  course  you 
may  have  plants  that  will  bloom  all  summer, 
and  if  assisted  with  manure-water  once  or 
twice  a  week,  even  much  longer. 


Fruit  Culture  in  Manitoba.  An  official  report 
of  the  Manitoba  Department  of  Agriculture, 
states  that,  generally  speaking,  for  that  region, 
ordinary  fruits  are  abundant  in  their  season. 
Among  the  fruits  cultivated,  the  principal  are 
currants,  gooseberries,  strawberries,  apples, 
plums,  raspberries  and  crab  apples.  Of  these, 
currants,  gooseberries  and  strawberi'ies  are  the 
most  generally  grown  and  with  the  most  suc- 
cess. Apples  have  not  been  wholly  satisfactory 
thus  far,  lint  experiments  are  being  carried  out 
with  kinds  from  northern  latitudes,  the  results 
of  which  will  be  watched  with  interest. 

When  a  gardener  for  any  reason  gets  so  en- 
thusiastic over  the  use  of  artificial  fertilizers, 
that  he  thinks  they  can  as  well  as  not  wholly 
take  the  place  of  stable  manure,  he  is,  as  a 
tiller  of  the  soil,  on  the  road  to  ruin.  Turn 
right  about  face!  Stable  manure  is  the  stuff. 

Culture  for  Pears.  Mr.  Patrick  Barj-y  tells 
us  that  in  his  wide  experience,  he  has  found 
that  Pears  yield  the  largest  crops  and  the  finest 
quality,  if  the  soil  is  kept  cleanly  tilled,  but  not 
so  deep  as  to  disturb  the  roots.  Mr.  Barry 
knows  about  these  things. 

The  new  Canadian  ( ii-ape,  Jessica,  is  said  to 
have  given  great  satisfaction  in  Canada  la-st 
year.  Such  having  lieen  the  case  thus  far 
north,  and  in  a  season  not  at  all  favorable  to 
the  Grape,  indicates  well  enough  for  the  sort. 


The  Readers,  the  Paper  and  the 
Editors. 

( tur  Popular  Gardening  Family,  with  having  ]-e- 
ceived  last  month  a  new  accession  of  menil)ers  from 
the  Floral  Worlds  is  now  not  only  an  extensive  one, 
but  it  is  growing  more  rapidly  than  ever.  There  are 
members  in  every  State  in  tlie  Union,  in  Canada  and 
other  foreign  lands.  But  however  near  or  far 
apart  we  its  members  may  be.  all  must  be  possessed 
of  the  one  desire  to  find  increased  pleasure  and 
profit  in  gardening. 

Now  the  sum  of  knowledge  concerning  gardening 
matters,  possessed  by  the  members  of  our  family,  is 
in  the  aggregate  ver^  great.  Could  this  be  properly 
set  forth  so  as  to  be  available  to  all  members,  its  in- 
fluence for  improved  gardening  would  be  vast.  If 
kept  hid,  its  power  for  good  will  mostly  be  lost. 

But  PopcLAR  Garde.nixg  designs  that  the  light  of 
our  experience  and  knowledge  shall  not  be  covered 
a.s  with  a  bushel.  Tlie  paper  is  here  as  a  means  of 
family  intercourse.  It  is  the  mouthpiece  of  everj- 
member  to  speak  to  all  other  members.  The  de- 
partments are  all  open  to  their  letters. 

So  we  want  every  one  of  you  to  be  sociable,  speak 
out  and  get  acquainted.  Tell  us  how  you  manage 
your  flowers,  fruits,  etc.  Sister  A.,  of  Elaine, 
Sister  B.,  of  JIaryland,  Brother  t'.,  of  iVlinnesota, 
and  so  on  all  througli  the  family.  There  will  be 
nearly  3t),(KX)  others  who  wfll  be  glad  to  read  what 
you  have  to  say.  Tell  us  what  you  know,  and  what 
you  don"t  know  but  would  like  to.  Occupy  every 
department  of  our  paper,  and  please  oljserve  that 
we  want  to  bear  of  the  useful  little  things  as  well  as 
the  great  things  of  popular  gardening.  ^Vhatever 
you  meet  when  at  yom'  work  that  will  be  of  real 
worth  to  the  family  to  know,  out  with  it. 

The  editors  of  Popular  Gardening,  however,  must 
lay  down  one  or  two  restrictions  in  the  interests  of 
the  common  family  good,  as  regards  correspon- 
dence. First,  we  desire  above  all,  to  print  facts:  our 
columns  are  too  much  crowded  io  admit  of  long- 
spun theories,  fancies  or  rambling  talk.  So  we  say 
give  facts,  and  "  be  brief,  evennore  be  brief." 

Let  each  one  who  writes,  bear  in  mind  the  rule 
which  has  made  this  paper  so  successful:  "  ir/i<  re 
ten  linen  will  answer  any  end,  tn-enti/  vini'f  he 
used;  if  ten  words  trill  do,  tlien  ten  lines  are  not 
adm  itted."  Whatever  is  printed  must  be  worthy  of 
our  near  3(l,(X)0  readers  (that  is  a  large  number).  Pos- 
tal cards,  let  us  say,  are  a  great  convenience  for 
family  intercourse,  for  here  we  don't  stand  so  much 
on  the  form  of  things.  -\s  for  poetry,  little  can  be 
admitted;  it  must  be  of  a  high  order.  Sketches  of 
appliances  and  methods  are  always  acceptable,  in 
many  cases  they  will  be  engraved  for  our  pages. 

With  these  various  remarks  let  no  member  of  the 
family  be  frightened  with  doubts  as  to  their  ability 
to  write  well  enough  for  this  paper.  Our  editors  are 
of  the  "  family,"  and  whenever  necessary,  they  will 
most  gladly  see  to  it  that  your  ideas  are  set  forth 
clearly  and  with  credit  to  yourself.  It  is  due  to  them 
to  say  that  they  are  practical  gardeners,  who  ai'e  as 
apt  with  potting  stick,  pruning  knife  and  plow.  a.s 
with  the  pen.  They  can  follow  and  shape  up  a  line 
of  ideas  in  unskillful  composition  concerning  gar- 
dening matters,  as  easily  as  to  clean  up  a  row  of 
young  Pansies  or  Peas  in  the  midst  of  early  weeds. 
They  can  also  prune  down  "over  grown  "  articles 
to  the  good  of  the  s;iine,  as  readily  as  to  overhaul 
a  greenhouse  full  tif  rampant  growths,  or  dress  up 
an  orchard. 

<  >f  couree  these  remarks  do  not  apply  to  all  om- 
correspondents.  i)ut  they  are  made  to  encourage 
every  member  to  send  in  something.  As  for  the 
drawings  alluded  to.  send  such  along,  however  crude 
they  may  be,  our  artists  can  catch  the  idea,  and 
bring  them  out  in  good  shape. 

Members  of  the  Pt)Pul^R  (Jardening  fauuly.  let 
us  hear  from  each  one  of  you  through  the  jiages  of 
this,  oiu'  medium!    Everybody  send  stimething. 


70 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


March, 


PN^C 


I  KS.d 


^-^  -.  .—  - 


When  all  the  autumn  leaves  were  pressed, 

Sighs  from  the  maitlen's  bosom  came; 
Her  heart  with  sorrow  was  oppressed. 

For  life  was  now  without  an  aim. 
But.  as  one  pleasure  takes  it  flight, 

Another  comes  and  griefs  assuaged; 
The  maiden  has  a  new  delight — 

In  horticulture  she's  engaged. 
The  upright  grand  no  more  she  plays. 

The  banjo's  strings  no  more  she  thrums, 
Enraptured  by  the  latest  craze — 

She  cultivates  Chrysanthemimis. 

—Boston  Courier. 

Oh,  March !  we  know  thou  art 
Kind-hearted,  spite  of  ugly  looks  and  threats, 
And  out  of  sight,  art  nursing  April's  Violets. 
—Helen  Hunt. 

The  plumey  Astilbe  is  in. 

The  Lover's  Knot  is  still  in  vogue. 

One  florist  forces  Clover  blossoms. 

Floral  muffs  is  one  of  the  latest  ideas. 

How  increased  sunshine  does  suit  Violets  1 

"Water  Lilies  are  brought  from  the  South. 

The  Red  Tulip  signifies  declaration  of  love. 

Spring  Howers  have  a  fascination  of  their  own. 

Flowers  nre  as  gaudy  during  Lent  as  at  anj'"  time. 

Marechal  Niel  buds  sometimes  weigh  an  ounce. 

Would  the  Forget-me-not  really  be  as  pretty  by 
any  other  name? 

Orchids  have  taken  the  place  sometime  held  by 
Orange  blossoms  at  weddings. 

The  exquisite  Swanlj'  White  Violet  is  a  favorite 
flower  for  boutonnieres  on  evening  dress  occasions. 

Home  Dinner  Favors.  The  leaves  of  the  India 
Rubber  Tree,  with  the  name  of  the  guest  lettered  on 
them  in  gilt.     They  are  in  use. 

Let  our  fashionable  belles  assert  their  rights,  by 
refusing  to  carry  the  monstrous  stiff  "mushroom 
Vjouquets.'"  Good  taste  surely  repels  the  innovation. 

To  wreath  the  hand-rail  of  the  stairs  with  costly 
Orchids,  as  on  one  late  occasion  was  done,  seems  to 
be  carrying  decoration  too  far.  Suppose  there  be  a 
lame  guest  present,  who  needs  the  rail  to  lean  on. 

Not  an  Elephant  Either.  One  of  the  wed- 
ding presents  received  at  the  recent  marriage  of 
Princess  Marie  d'Orange,  has  a  queer  sound  to 
American  ears.  It  was  from  Baron  Edmond  de 
Rothschild,  and  consisted  of  a  splendid  collection  of 
Orchids,  estimated  to  be  worth  25.0(X1  francs.  ($.5,000). 

Have  flower  lovers  noticed  how  satisfactory  is 
the  loose  arrangement  of  some  simple  kind  of  a 
flower  in  a  receptacle  of  quiet  form  and  color?  It's 
the  way  we  want  cut  blooms  displayed  on  om*  own 
table.  There  should  also  be  foliage  of  the  same 
kind  of  plant  intermixed  when  possible,  Even  a 
few  leaves  are  better  than  none. 

He  Didn't-  Young  Mr.  De  L.,  (in  the  conserva- 
tory!—May  I  i>resent  you  with  a  bud,  Miss  Societie, 
from  this  beautiful  plants  Miss  Societie  (blushing) 
—Oh,  thank  you.  You  are  veiy— Fairy  of  the 
Household  (tripping  in)— I  guess  papa  wouldn't  like 
you  to  pick  any  of  the  flowei-s;  they  are  only  rent- 
ed for  this  evening.— iV.  Y.  Sun. 

Some  of  the  pieces  at  Mrs.  Secretary  Bayard's 
funeral,  are  thus  described:  At  the  head  of  the 
casket  rested  a  pillow  composed  of  large  white 
Camellias,  interwoven  with  Maiden  Hau-  Ferns,  an 
offering  from  President  Cleveland.  There  was  one 
massive  cross  of  purple  Violets,  with  a  bunch  of 
Callas  bursting  from  the  centre.  One  pillow  was 
made  of  Violets,  bordered  with  Lily  of  the  Valley. 

Violets,  with  their  impression  of  modesty  and 
their  sweet  clean  perfume,  are  very  much  sought 
for  the  corsage  bouquet.  These  are  made  up  in 
shaded  effects  like  those  of  Roses  and  Carnations. 
The  top  of  the  bunch  is  composed  of  the  pale  Nea- 
politan Violets,  then  follow  the  deeper  Marie  Louise, 
and  after  these  the  dark  purple  Czar,  and  the  single 
Russian  Violets.  In  making  up  Violets  all  matting 
of  the  flowers  should  be  avoided.  The  more  they 
show  footstalks  and  foliage  the  prettier  the  cluster. 

A  floral-gift  to  new-born  babies  is  quite  in  order. 
The  cradle,  in  a  small  pattern,  fifled  with  bright 
Roses,  and  other  delicate  flowers,  stands  of  course, 
at  the  head  of  appropriate  designs.  Still  there  are 
some  othere,  quite  as  suitable,  and  more  dainty. 
One  of  these  is  a  pair  of  tiny  silk  socks,  filled  with 
delicate  flowers.    They  should  be  fastened  together  i 


with  narrow  ribbon.  If  one  contains  sprays  of  Valley 
Lilies  and  tlie  other  Forget-me-nots,  and  some 
bright  Rose  buds,  they  will  be  exquisite. 

Smilax  in  England.  When  the  writer  was  in 
Europe,  in  1881,  he  neveronce  came  across  this  plant, 
now  so  famous  in  America.  Well-informed  gardeners 
there  knew  of  it,  if  they  did  not  grow  it,  but  again 
and  again  when  florists  were  asked  about  Smilax, or 
more  properly  Myrsiphylluin  asparagoides^  they 
had  never  heard  of  the  plant.  However,  it  seems 
that  our  British  cousins  are  slowly  waking  up  to  its 
worth,  and  some  of  them  now  grow  and  use  it 
judging  by  this  item  in  a  recent  issue  of  the  London 
Garden,  on  table  decorations,  to  wit:  "  We  find  that 
the  Smilax  or  Myrsiphyilnni  aapa  ragoides,  which 
is  largely  employed  in  table  decoration  in  America, 
gives  great  satisfaction  here  also,  and  we  cultivate 
a  number  of  plants  now,  especially  to  afford  a  good 
supply  of  thriving  growths."  Americans  are  entitled 
to  the  credit  of  discovermg  the  great  merits  of  this 
plant  for  decoration  purposes.  First  introduced  by 
the  Engli.sh  from  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  as  far 
back  as  1702,  it  was  soon  discarded.  Again  it  was 
received  at  Kew,  in  1861,  and  from  there  it  was  dis- 
seminated American  florists  being  the  first  to 
rightly  appreciate  it.  Having  been  taking  lessons 
in  gardening  from  the  English  so  long,  it  is  some 
satisfaction  to  be  able,  once  in  a  while,  to  give  them 
points  like  this  one,  concerning  the  use  of  Smilax. 

Dotanic^lO^cI^et 

Scab  on  A]ii>le  is  like  mildew,  a  disease. 

Shelf  Fungi  four  feet  across  have  been  found. 

Root  fibers  are  analogous  to  leaves,  being  renewed 
annually. 

Wheat  natm'ally  an  annual,  becomes  biennial  by 
fall  sowing. 

Roots  absorb,  stems  transmit,  and  leaves  digest 
the  plant's  food. 

In  the  main  the  line  of  plant  migration  has  been 
from  west  to  east. 

Because  of  the  bright  yellow  wood  of  the  Bar- 
berry, doctors  formerlj'  administered  it  for  jaundice. 

One  Sequoia  or  Giant  tree  of  Cahfornia  which 
has  fallen,  measured  31  feet  in  diameter  and  3ti3  feet 
in  length. 

A  study  of  plant  distribution,  shows  a  marked 
tendency  in  the  smaller  order  of  plants,  to  localiza- 
tion in  a  prirtion  of  the  globe. 

It  is  rumored  that  Prof.  J.  M.  Coulter,  of  Craw- 
fordsville,  Indiana,  will  succeed  the  venerable  Asa 
Gray,  at  Harvard  College,  who  desires  to  retire  be- 
cause of  advancing  years. 

It  is  a  singular  fact,  that  of  the  two  known  species 
of  the  Podophyllum  or  May  Apple,  one  grows  here 
and  the  other  in  the  far-off  Himalaya  region. 
How  is  this  for  the  theory  that  different  species 
have  descended  from  the  same  parent  plant,  some- 
thing as  varieties  have  done. 

Mr. Henry  Shaw  whose  well  known  generosity  has 
done  so  umch  for  horticulture  and  botany  about  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  has  founded  a  school  of  Botany,  endow- 
ing it  with  real  estate,  which  even  now  produces  an 
income  of  S5,tKX)  a  year,  and  turned  it  over  to  the 
city  of  St.  Louis  as  a  gift,  it  being  made  a  depart- 
ment of  Washington  University. 

Mr.  Sturtevant,  of  Bordenstown,  N.  J.,  has  met 
with  great  success  in  naturalizing  the  Nelumbium 
speeiosuui  or  Sacred  Bean  of  India  iu  his  vicinity. 
The  plant  covers  about  half  an  acre  in  a  mill  pond 
near  his  home.  Its  growth  is  said  to  have  been 
marvelous  during  the  past  season,  as  many  iis  a 
hundred  of  the  noble  flowers  appearing  daily. 
This  plantation  affords  in  its  season  one  of  the  most 
wonderful  exhibitions  of  plant  life  to  be  found  out- 
side of  the  tropics. 

The  internal  structures  of  leaves  of  the  same 
species  often  varies  according  to  where  the  plant 
grows.  For  example,  if  it  is  exposed  to  the  light 
and  air,  its  palisade  cells  will  be  well  developed,  its 
fibrous  tissues  the  better  marked.  If  growing  m 
water,  the  inter-cellular  and  aerial  passages  will  be 
large  in  proportion,  and  the  frame  work  thin  and 
weak,  inasmuch  as  the  water  supports  the  leaf, 
thus  requiring  no  stiff  frame  work.  Plants  of  differ- 
ent species  vary  a  good  deal  in  relation  to  the  effects 
of  air  and  light  on  plasticity. 

The  Spring-flowering  Oxalises  are  in  l>loom. 
They  are  among  the  prettiest  of  small  flowering 
plants,  showing  much  beauty  when  the  sun  shines 
enough  to  open  then-  blossoms.  In  dull  weather  the 
buds  have  been  known  to  decay,  without  having 
once  been  wooed  by  a  htttle  sunlight  to  unfold. 
The  leaves  too,  fold  at  night— a  very  general  habit 
of  the  whole  family.  Mr.  Darwin  spent  many  hours 
of  patient  watching  of  the  sleep  movements  of  the 


Oxalises,  as  we  may  see  in  what  he  says  of  them  in 
"Movements  of  Plants." 

Ferns.  Abundant  as  these  are  in  the  United  States, 
they  are  vastly  more  so  in  tropical  America.  They 
reach  their  maximum  concentration  amongst  the 
dripping  rocks  of  the  higher  level  of  the  Andes,  the 
forests  of  their  slopes  and  ravines,  and-the  dense 
humid  flats  that  border  the  innumerable  branches  of 
the  Amazon.  They  require  shade  and  a  damp  atmos- 
phere, hence  are  the  most  abundant  in  their  native 
fastnesses,  where  the  sun's  rays  and  the  wind  never 
penetrate.  The  geographical  distribution  of  this 
order  may  be  summarized  something  like  this: 
Tropical  America,  950  species,  (42  per  cent,  of  all 
known  fernsV,  tropical  Asia  and  Polynesia,  863  spe- 
cies, 427  being  peculiar;  tropical  Africa  and  islands 
346  species,  127  peculiar;  temperate  South  America, 
153  species,  21  peculiar;  temperate  North  America, 
114  species,  37  peculiar. 


pQUJC 


wm. 


This  being  the  People's  Paper  it  is  open  to  all  their  In- 
quires^  bearing  on  Gardening. 

On  the  other  hand,  answers  to  published  inquires  are 
earnestly  requested  from  readers. 

The  editors  and  special  contributors  are  ready  to  do  a 
large  share  of  the  answering,  but  the  experience  of  many 
being  more  valuable  than  of  the  f etc,  however  varied  that  is, 
and  conditions  andlocalities  being  so  different,  they  prefer 
to  receive  answers,  even  several  of  them  to  the  same  qites 
tion,  from  readers  everywhere.  Don't  hesitate  to  write 
because  you  may  feel  you  are  no  fine  tcriter;  give  facts  and 
ideas  and  the  editors  will  see  that  they  appear  in  credi- 
table shape. 

In  writing,  give  the  number  of  the  question  you  are  an- 
8W<ering:  your  locality  and  iiame,  the  latter  not  for  publica- 
tion unless  you  desire.     IVrite  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper 

Flowers  will  be  gladly  named  provided  first,  that  no  more 
than  three  be  sent  at  one  tiine.  Second,  that  these  be  fully 
prepaid.  Third,  that  several  specimens  of  each  reach  us  in 
good  shape.  We  cannot  undertake  to  name  fiorista^  varie-^ 
tiest 

36.— Petunias.  What  makes  the  leaves  of  a 
young  growing  Petunia  curl  back,  and  then  the 
plant  itself  collapse  later?  What  is  the  best  soil? 
Mrs.  L.  S.  H.  Graffan. 

37.  —Propagating  Roses.  What  is  the  best  meth- 
od of  Propagation  /  Can  Hybrid  Perpetuals  be 
raised  from  seedy    G.  Q,  S.  Mass. 

38.— Violet  not  Flowering.  Mine  is  seven 
months  old  and  thrifty,  l>ut  does  not  bloom.  Who 
will  tell  me  why?    Flora.  Holliaton,  Mass. 

311  — White  Worms  in  Pots.  How  can  I  prevent 
those  minute  worms  doing  injury  in  the  flower  pots? 
How  can  I  destroy  them?    Maria, 

40.— Camellia.  How  old  must  a  Camellia  Jap- 
onica  be  before  it  blooms  y  What  treatment  ought 
it  to  receive?    Maria. 

41  —Geraniums.  I  would  like  to  know  of  a  sure 
way  of  keeping  through  the  winter,  in  the  cellar?  I 
mean  such  as  have  grown  in  the  garden  all  sum- 
mer, and  are  too  large  for  pots?  Heretofore,  I  have 
lost  every  one  in  the  cellar.    Maria. 

42  —Sword  Fern.  Are  the  plum-like  growths  in 
the  Sword  Fern  poisonous?    E.  G.  O. 

43.— Hardy  Plants  for  Shade.  Please  ask  m  your 
Inquiry  Column  for  a  list.  E.  D.  R.,  Flushing.,  N.  Y. 

44  —Books.  Will  you  give  a  list  especially  adapt- 
ed, with  information,  for  window  gardening  and 
for  tht-  house  conservatory.    Mary  L.  Disbrow. 

45  —Conservatories.  I  would  be  glad  to  see  an 
article  on  these,  their  size,  location,  arrangement 
and  conveniences  as  best  adapted  for  "non-profes- 
sional "■  care  and  for  the  home.     Mary  L.  Disbrow. 

REPLIES  TO  INQUIRIES 

;J8  —Violet  not  Flowering.  The  trouble  is  you 
have  kept  the  plant  too  close  and  warm  The  run- 
nel's must  also  be  kept  down.     A.  H.  E. 

25.— Tacsonia.  -L  G.  H.  will  find  Tacsonia's  grow 
easily  from  seed,  but  they  are  long  coming  up.  Sow 
in  early  spring,  in  a  temperature  of  60°,  here  to  be 
kept  until  the  plants  are  3  feet  in  height. — Mrs.  R. 
W.  B.,  West  Eaton,  Pa. 

■iS.  -Hardy  Plants  for  Shade.  On  our  place  the  fol- 
lowing succeed  well  in  a  shady  yard:  Sweet  Violets, 
Dicentra  or  Bleeding  Heart,  Bloodroot.  Trilliums, 
Hepaticas,  some  Campanulas,  Vinca,  Moneyvine. 
several  of  the  Herbaceous  Spirses  and  Saxifrages, 
among  plants;  Tree-box,  Privet,  Ivy,  Daphne  and 
Kahnias,  among  hard  wood  growths.     A.  H,  E. 

31.— Bouvardia.  This  plant  is  not  strictly  a  per- 
petual bloomer.  By  growing  young  plants  during 
the  summer,  keeping  them  bushy  by  trimming 
back  occasionally,  they  will,  with  careful  lifting 
and  handling,  flower  very  freely  at  intervals  later, 
under  glass.    W.  H  Bauks,  Galesburg,  JU. 

:35  —Puny  Fuchsias.  We  advise  cutting  in  and 
shifting  backwards  (see  note  on  page  05,  this  issue) 
into  light,  rich  soil:  if  of  decayed  turf,  with  fine  old 
manure  and  sand  added,  the  best  results  may  be 
expected.    Eds.  P.  G. 

33.  Puny  Geraniums.  I  would  encourage  the 
sprouts  to  gi'ow,  and  later  cut  away  the  parts  with 
small  leaves.  Root  seems  to  be  in  better  order  than 
is  the  top.  Mrs.  H.  M.  Garton,  Willo^ighby,  Maine. 


1 886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


ouNGjfepPLe 


Treeclimber's  Talks. 

THE    PINEAI'ri.E. 

^  There  are  several  reasons  why  I  open  my 
talks  to  the  yonng  gardeners  of  America  this 
month  by  alluiliug  to  the  Pineapple.  One  of 
these  is  that  the  fruit  is  American,  being  a 
native  of  the  countries  from  Mexico  southward 
to  Brazil,  hence  it  is  well  for  us  to  know 
all  we  can  about  it.  We  may  feel'that  we 
have  little  to  do  with,  and  are  far  from 
Mexico  and  South  America,  and  this  as 
regards  most  readers  of  Popular  Garden- 
ing, is  true.  But  if  3-0U  were  to  travel 
abroad,  and  talk  with  foreigners  about 
Pineapples,  Orchids  and  like  plants  that 
are  peculiar  to  some  parts  of  the  Americas, 
you  would  very  likely  find,  as  I  did,  that 
they  would  quite  naturally 

EXPECT  TOU  TO  KNOW 
all  about  these  things,  precisely  as  if  they 
grew  right  about  your  home.  This  places 
one,  under  such  circumstances,  in  an 
awkward  position,  if  he  knows  little  or 
nothing  about  our  noted  American  plants. 
To  blunder  out,  as  some  most  likely  would 
have  to,  that  you  never  knew  the  Pine- 
apple was  American,  would  at  once  show 
you  to  be  very  ignorant,  in  a  well- 
informed  foreigner's  estimation. 

Another  reason  for  speaking  of  the 
Pineapple  here  is,  that  this  delicious  fruit 
of  the  tropics  quite  readily  submits  to 

OnLTIVATION  UNDER  GLASS 

in  northern  regions.  This  can  not  be  so  well 
said  of  all  tropical  fruits.  Not  only  is  the 
raising  of  the  fruit  under  gla-ss  not  very  diffi- 
cult, but  the  product  here  is  far  superior  in 
size,  quality  and  beauty  to  the  fruit  we  meet 
in  the  markets.  This  is  to  be  accounted  for  in 
two  ways:  first,  the  imported  fruit  is  gathered 
in  an  immature  state,  to  aid  its  keeping.  Sec- 
ond, the  cultivated  varieties  have  been  much 
improved  just  as  most  of  our-  garden  fruits 
have  also  been.  I  trust  that  among  my  young 
readers  there  are  many  who  take  enough  inte- 
rest in  gardening,  that  in  time,  they  will  be  sit- 
uated so  they  can  try  their  hand  at  this  fine 
branch  of  under-glass  gardening.  Not  only 
will  they  find  the  plant  interesting  for  the 
fruit  it  bears,  but  as  may  be  seen  in  the  en- 
graving, it  is  also  decidedly  ornamental.  There 
is  a  variety  which  has  beautifully  striped  leaves 
that  is  solely  grown  for  ornament. 

You  understand,  of  course,  that  if  the  Pine- 
apple is  a  product  of  an  American  plant,  it  is 

A  COMPARATIVELY  NEW  FRUIT 

to  the  world.  Of  the  Banana,  Orange,  Cocoa- 
nut  and  other  well-known  fruits,  it  may  be 
said,  they  have  been  known  and  cultivated 
from  remote  ages.  The  first  Pineapple  was  taken 
to  Europe  only  in  15.5.5.  It  was  received,  among 
other  products  of  this  newly  discovered  country, 
with  great  interest.  Sometimes  its  singular 
appearance  seems  to  have  incited  fear.  It  is 
said,  for  instance,  that  the  suspicious  king, 
Charles  V,  of  Germany,  when  given  a  hand- 
some Pineapple,  mistrusted  it,  and  would  not 
taste  it.  Every  boy  or  girl  who  reads  this 
knows  better  about  the  fruit  than  this  king 
did,  hence  is  just  so  much  better  off. 

While  the  Pineapple  is  a  native  of  America, 
it  has  been  introduced  into  the  tropical  parts 
of  the  Eastern  hemisphere  very  generally,  by 
the  present  time.  I  but  lately  read  an  account 
by  a  traveler  in  the  Congo  Valley  of  Africa,  in 
which  he  speaks  of  this  fruit  growing  wild 

AS   COMMON  THERE   AS   BLACKBERRIES 

do  with  us.  He  tells  how  this  was  brought  about, 
but  before  I  relate  this  I  ought  to  explain  that 
the  plant   propagates    by    suckers    appearing 


below  the  fruit,  and  which  root  readily  when 
the  fruit  is  mature.  The  top  of  the  fruit  will 
also  root  and  make  plants. 

This  traveler  says  that  along  the  trade  routes 
of  the  Congo  regions,  the  way-sides  are  strewn 
with  the  leavings  of  tlie  fruit  as  it  is  eaten,  and 
these  taking  root  in  the  rich,  red  soil,  serve  to 
spread  the  plant  along  the  ]iath  for  very  long 
distances.  The  inhabitants  come  a  great  way 
to  the  valley  for  the  golden  fruit,  vvhirli  forms 
a  large  pai-t  of  their  <liet.  It  is  said  that  the 
very  skin  of  the  people  turns  yellowish  from 
almost  wholly  living  on  the  golden  flesh.  So 
connnon  is  the  fruit  in  fact,  that  even  the  dogs, 


THE   PINEAPPLE   PLANT  IN   FRUIT. 

cats,  pigs  and  goats,  live  on  this  cUet.  They 
would  seem  to  have  a  Pineapple  "picnic"  all 
the  while. 

THE  NAME  PINEAPPLE. 

Just  how  this  pleasing  name  became  attached 
to  this  fruit,  may  not  be  known.  To  the  Span- 
iards, perhaps,  is  owing  its  origin,  for  the)' 
early  called  it  Pinas,  because  the  .shape  resem- 
bles the  fi-uit  of  a  species  of  Pine.  From  this 
name,  one  can  see  that  it  would  be  but  a  short 
route  to  Pineapple,  the  name  by  which  it  is 
everywhere  known  by  English  speaking  peo- 
ple. Its  Brazilian  name  is  Nana,  and  this 
was  turned  to  Ananas  by  the  Portuguese.  An- 
anasa  sativa  is  its  botanical  name, 

THE  EVERGREEN  PINE  TREE  AS  A  FRUIT  TREE. 

I  said  that  the  Pineapple  was  called  Pinas 
by  the  Spaniards  because  it  resembled  the  fruit 
of  a  species  of  Pine  tree.  It  may  not  be  known 
to  many  of  our  young  people,  that  there  are 
species  of  evergreen  Pine  trees  that  bear  deli- 
cious edible  fruit.  One  such  a  species  is  a  na- 
tive of  the  extreme  western  parts  of  our  coun- 
try and  is  called  Nut  Pine  or  Edible-fruited 
Pine.  The  edible  part  is  the  seed ;  it  is  about 
the  size  of  a  Hazel  nut,  and  sweet.  Another 
species  is  the  Stone  Pine  of  Southern  Europe. 
The  seeds  of  this  one  are  about  thi-ee-fourths  of 
an  inch  long,  and  when  fresh,  have  a  sweet  I 
taste,  resembling  that  of  Ahnonds.  Were  it 
not  that  they  soon  become  rancid,  after  gath- 
ering, no  doubt  these  nuts  would  be  met 
in  our  markets.  Occasionally,  they  are  to 
be  had  in  European  cities,  being  brought  in  the 
cone,  in  which  way  they  can  be  kept  longer. 
But  the  bulkness  of  the  cones  is  against  this 
method  of  transporting  the  fruit,  hence  it  can 
never  become  common.  So  we  shall  probably 
have  to  get  along  without  the  fruit  of  the  Pine 
tree  somehow. 

Timothy  Treeclimber. 


ing  that  suits  all  youngsters,  but  of  which  our 
grand  parents  in  their  youth  never  knew. 


Tlif  various  parts  were  cut  the  reiiuireil  shape 
1(1  sewed  together  with  small  wire.    Several  were 


In  Ihe  winter  of  IH-w,  Francis  I'.  Knowlton  i)ur- 

duised  a  sheet  of  wire  iiettiiif;  in  Hopkiiiton,  New 

llmnpshire,  and   constructed  the  lirxt  <;ini  puijiii-r 

ihiit  trits  cvt'V  made. 

Tlie 

and  _  ^.    ..^...„,  „^.,. 

made  and  sent  to  various  parts  of  the  United  States 
as  curiosities. 

Mr.  K..  thinkiiiL'  that  he  eonid  see  a  field  rif  use- 
fulness tor  till-  ni'wlv  invcnli-il  ail icle.  made  n  few 
and  took  tliciii  ti>  a  lumlwaiv  sl<ii'c  in  Conconl,  liiip- 
inK  theivliy  to  inlnuluL-e  and  .sell  tlicni. 

His  pniiiui-lion  was  scorned  and  ridiculeil  l)V  Ihe 
pnipiiKtois.  and  they  at  first  refused  to  have 'any- 
tliiuK  to  do  with  them.  He  was  finnllv  told  that  he 
might  leave  one  or  two.  if  he  would  piiy  storage 

From  necessity  he  took  the  others  liuuk  to 
Hopkinton,  little  dreaining  from  the  rehuffs 
received  that,  in  so  .short  a  time,  they  would 
be  found  in  almost  every  homestead  in  New- 
England.  At  least,  shortly  after  this  Mr 
Kelley  began  pressing  theni  into  the  reiiuired 
shape,  and  soon  after  they  found  favor  in  the 
market. 

No  patent  has,  so  far  as  can  be  learned,  ever 
been  applied  tor.  Within  a  short  time,  the 
identical  corn  popper  has  been  i)iesented  from 
Mr.  Knowlton,  of  Littleton.  Massachusetts,  to 
the  Antiquarian  Society  at  (.'■■utoucook.  New 
Hampshire.  — fr'oMe/i  Days. 


The  First  Corn  Popper. 

Are  the  boys  and  girls,  who  enjoy  the  snowy 
product  of  the  corn  popper,  aware,  that  within 
the  recollection  of  our  middle  aged  people,  the 
corn  popper  was  unknown  ;  Such  is  really  the 
case,  and  in  Pop-corn,  which  many  of  us  never 
think  to  miss  planting,  we  enjoj-  pleasant  eat- 


A  Tree  that  Severed  a  Boulder. 

That  "constant  dropping  wears  away 
rocks,"  is  a  truth  that  has  been  handed 
down  to  us  from  our  forefathers.  It  ap- 
pears, however,  that  other  seemingly  mild 
powers,  can  sever  hard  stones  as  well  as 
water  can. 

While  George  Barkman,  of  Dayton,  Ohio 
was  walking  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Brooks,  near 
that  town,  some  weeks  ago,  he  found  a  stone 
which  had  been  forced  open  by  the  power  of 
vegetation,  for  a  tall  tree  stood  within  a  big 
crack  at  one  edge  of  the  boulder.    The  stone 
measured   eight   feet    in   length  and  five  in 
breadth,  and  the  thickness  was  about  three 
.       feet.    When  looked  into,  it  was  seen  that  the 
tree  had  sprung  from  a  seed  dropped  into  a  hoUow 
place  in  the  stone,  and  that  the  growing  representa- 
tive of  the  vegetable  kingdom  had  made  the  big 
mineral  give  way  before  it. 

PET  BIRDS,  ANIMALS,  ETC 

The  Cinnamon  Canaries  have  pink  eyes. 

If  American-bred  Canary  birds  are  mferior  to 
imported  ones,  it  is  owing  only  to  careless  mating. 

Birds  in  draughts  sometmies  become  asthmatic, 
which  may  be  known  by  short  breathing.  Only 
remedy:  pievent  the  draughts. 

When  Parrots  incline  to  pull  their  own  feathers, 
by  giving  a  piece  of  wood  to  gnaw  at,  they  may  find' 
employment  that  will  lead  to  giving  up  the  fault. 

Before  the  telegraph  was  invented  Carrier-pig- 
eons were  employed  to  cany  messages  between 
Halifax  and  Boston.  Flying,  as  these  can,  nearly 
one  hundred  miles  an  hour,  they  afforded  the  fast- 
est possible  means  of  oarrymg  word  from  one  point 
to  another. 

Beauty  of  appearance  and  quality  of  song  do  not 
always  go  together.  The  Belgian  Canan'.  than 
which  there  is  no  moi-e  attractive  variety,  has  a 
poor  voice  and  short  song.  The  birds  are  very 
tame  and  handsome,  hence  much  esteemed,  but  be- 
ing delicate  require  a  great  deal  of  attention. 

Dog  Ringing  Bell.  A  lady  in  Scotland  tells  how 
she  got  a  doji,  witliin  three  weeks,  to  ring  a  bell. 
She  began  by  letting  "Tiny-  smell  the  bone  of  a 
mutton  chop,  and  then  tied  the  bone  to  the  string 
of  the  bell.  At  first  "Tiny  "  was  in  a  great  tremor, 
but  by  taking  her  kindly  and  stroking  her,  she  found 
that  she  could  iiidtu-e  her  to  inill  at  the  bone  and 
so  ring  the  bell.  After  that  she  tied  a  small  piece 
of  wood  to  the  string,  but  the  dog  would  not  pull 
it.  At  last  she  pulled  her  gently  back  until  the  bell 
rang,  and  in  this  way,  in  the  short  coui-se  of  three 
weeks,  with  not  more  than  one  or  two  lessons  a  day, 
the  dog  would  go  and  ring  the  bell  by  being  told"— 
"  '  Tiny,'  go  and  ring  the  bell." 

Ancient  Cat  Worship.— Wherever  the  cat  is 
found  as  a  domesticated  animal  it  is  held  m  great 
esteem.  This  feeling  was  carried  to  its  greatest  ex- 
tent by  the  ancient  Egyptians.  On  the  death  of  a 
cat.  the  inhabitants  of  the  house  shaved  otf  their 
ej-ebrows,  and  the  deceased  animal  was  endialmed 
and  buried  with  great  solemnity  in  a  sacred  spot. 
Many  cat  mummies  have  been  found  in  the  Egyp- 
tian tombs,  and  some  are  to  be  seen  in  the  British 
Museum.  Some  were  wrapped  separately  in  ample 
bandages  covered  with  inscriptions.  Their  move- 
ments and  their  cries  were  consulted  as  oracles,  and 
the  murder,  or  even  the  accidental  felicide  of  one 
of  them,  was  punished  by  death. 


72 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


March, 


"^e  Household 

About  Washing  Compounds. 

Washday  comes  ai'ouiid  with  gieat  regular- 
ity once  a  week,  iu  all  good  house-keepiug;  a 
day  of  hard  labor.  Much  experimenting  has 
been  done  iu  the  past,  with  a  view  to  the  use 
of  preparations  that  shall  act  upon  the  dirt  in 
clothes,  in  a  way  that  will  separate  this  readily 
from  the  fabrics,  thus  making  less  labor  of  rub- 
bing and  cleansing  them.  The  trouble  with 
many  of  these  is,  that  although  they  may  have 
the  desired  effect  on  the  dirt,  they  also  prove 
injurious  to  the  fibers  of  the  cloth.  The  fear 
of  such  results,  in  the  minds  of  pnident  house- 
keepers, makes  them  often  slow  to  adopt  any 
so-called  washing  preparations ;  they  prefer  to 
apply  more  labor  at  the  task  than  run  the  risk 
of  injury  to  the  clothes. 

We  have  the  pleasure  of  introducing  in  this 
place,  directions  for  making  a  most  reliable, 
simple  and  safe  compound  for  relieving  the 
burdens  of  washing  da3\  It  is  Better,  safer  and 
cheaper  than  pearline,  and  most  other  com- 
pounds offered  at  the  stores.  Years  of  use  has 
shown  that  it  will  not  rot  the  clothes  or  tuni 
them  yellow,  and  it  does  not  harm  the  hands-. 

Into  8  quarts  of  soft  water,  put  one-half 
pound  of  lime  and  1  pound  of  washing  soda, 
from  the  dealers  in  groceries.  Place  on  the 
stove  and  have  come  to  a  boil.  Afterwards 
let  it  settle,  and  pour  off  the  clear  liquid  into 
jugs  or  bottles,  for  future  use.  The  prepara- 
tion is  chiefly  used  when  boiling  the  clothes — 
one  teacupful  in  the  first  boiler,  and  after  that 
half  a  teacupful  to  each  succeeding  boilerful. 
But  iu  soaking  the  clothes  the  night  before 
washing  day,  a  half  teacupful  added  to  a  tub  of 
clothes, will  be  very  helpful.  This  compound  is 
unequaled  for  cleaning  unpainted  floors. 


Brieflets. 

Ammonia  will  soften  hard  water. 

A  chain  dish  cloth  for  cleaning  iron. 

Keep  <-*old  water  from  the  children's  ears. 

Salaratus  is  less  used  than  formerly.     Good. 

In  cooking  vegetables,  start  with  boiling  water. 

Have  some  plants  iu  every  suitable  sunny  window. 

A  bit  of  baking  soda  will  restore  milk  that  has 
sli^'htly  soured. 

Start  early  on  the  spring  sewing.  We'll  warrant 
you'll  not  regret  it  when  June  conies. 

For  Grocers.  Think  twice  before  mixing  chop- 
ped hay  with  the  tea.    Honest  tea  is  the  best  pohcy. 

The  holder  should  have  its  place,  and  be  kept  in 
place.  This  will  save  you  a  burned  cake  or  pie  some- 
time. 

Try  the  meat  saw  for  severing  squashes.  Even 
tile  ordinary  hand  saw  would  not  be  harmed  by 
such  a  use. 

To  the  Housekeeper !  Do  your  part  towards 
planning  a  good  vegetable  and  fruit  garden.  And 
don't  forget  earliness. 

When  "  tired  to  death  "  don't  eat  heartily  ;  start 
in  with  a  cup  of  tea  and  a  cracker,  or  beat  up  an 
egg  in  a  half-pint  of  milk,  sweeten  and  drink  it. 

Coffee  and  tea  both  lose  theii-  flavor  if  not  kept 
in  a  e-lose  can  each  by  itself:  the  former  will  impart 
its  odor  to  other  articles  it  comes  near,  if  exposed. 

SatchetS  of  silk  or  satin,  for  holding  gloves,  hand- 
kerchiefs, letters,  watches,  jewelry  and  endless 
other  things,  were  never  more  popular  than  now, 

A  small  shelf  near  the  stove  kept  for  an  extra 
pepper  and  salt  dish,  will  save  miles  of  weary  walk- 
ing, in  time.  Merely  for  exercise,  far  better  walk 
in  the  open  aii*. 

The  very  fact  that  the  Creator  has  provided  so 
great  a  variety  of  food  in  fruit,  vegetation  and  flesh, 
on  the  face  of  the  earth,  should  lead  us  to  see  the 
need  of  variety  for  our  bodies,  and  to  study  to  make 
the  best  use  of  it. 

It's  not  always  easy  to  start  a  fruit  jar  cover. 
Instead  of  wrenching  your  hands  and  bringing  on 
blistei-s,  simply  invert  the  jar  and  place  the  top  in 
hot  water  for  a  minute.  Then  try  it  and  you  wjU 
fi,nd  it  to  turn  quite  easily.  The  law  that  "  heat  ex- 
pands "  accounts  for  this  great  difference. 


To  those  who  have  not  tried  the  non-greasing, 
perforated  tin  baking  pans,  which  never  "stick."' 
we  would  say  that  they  are  excellent  in  every  way. 
Most  tin-ware  dealers  now  have  them ;  the  cost  is  but 
little,  if  any,  above  that  of  common  ones.  Our 
housekeepers  must  give  them  a  trial. 

There  is  nothing  like  getting  out  sometimes  to  an 
interesting  lecture  or  concert,  and  away  from  the 
home  cares,  for  inducing  sweet  and  wholesome 
sleep.  In  absence  of  these,  drop  a  good  share  of 
the  evening  work,  read,  converse  and  visit.  Work 
will  turn  off  easier  the  next  day  for  this  course. 

A  thoughtful  woman  sends  in  this  item:  "Paste 
on  the  sewing  machine  this  query:  '  Is  it  necessary 
or  really  beautiful  ';  Is  it  worth  my  time,  strength 
and  thought  y '  Measure  the  sewing  by  that  rule, 
and  it  will  beat  all  how  those  torments  of  the 
mother,  who  does  her  own  keeping  of  clothes  iu 
order,  namely:  tucks  and  ruffles,  will  vanish." 

How  to  Cook  Water.  Few  people  know  how  to 
cook  water,  Charles  Delmonico  used  to  afflrra.  The 
secret  is  putting  good  fresh  water  into  a  neat  ket- 
tle already  quite  warm,  and  setting  the  water  to 
boil  quickly,  and  then  taking  it  right  off  to  use  in 
tea,  coffee  or  other  drinks  before  it  is  spoiled.  To 
let  it  steam  and  simmer  and  evaporate  until  the 
good  water  is  all  in  the  atmosphere  and  the  lime 
and  iron  dregs  only  left  in  the  kettle,  bah:  that  is 
what  makes  a  great  many  people  sick,  and  is  worse 
than  no  water  at  all.  He  says  the  Delmonicos  were 
the  first  to  recommend  the  new  hot  water  cure  to 
guests  who  complained  of  having  no  appetite. 
"Take  a  cup  of  hot  water  and  lemon  and  you  will 
feel  better,"  was  the  formula  adopted.  The  lemon 
juice  takes  away  the  insipidity  of  hot  water. 


poMltr/. 

Setting  the  Hens. 

Improve  and  pi'aise  the  patent  incubators  as 
we  may,  still  the  hatching  of  hens  eggs  will 
always  be  left,  by  the  mass  of  the  people,  for 
the  hens  to  do.  We  urge  early  hat^^hing,  say  in 
this  month,  to  deferring  it  much  into  the  future. 
Even  where  eggs  and  not  early  chickens  for 
marketing,  is  the  object,  there  is  a  great  gain  in 
begimiing  the  hatching  season  early.  If  chick- 
ens are  hatched  in  March  they  will  lay  before 
Christmas,  if  not  hatched  until  June,  the 
chances  are  against  perfect  development  by 
winter, and  with  it  poor  wintering  and  poor 
laj'ing  the  first  season. 

In  setting  give  no  hen  moi'e  than  thirteen 
eggs.  If  the  nest  can  be  made  on  the  ground 
hatching  will  be  more  certain.  A  sod  placed 
in  the  bottom  of  an  ordinary  nest  furnishes  a 
fair  substitution.  To  have  the  hatching  done 
in  a  separate  apartment,  where  other  hens  can- 
not disturb  the  sitters,  and  lay  eggs  with  her, 
is  an  advantage.  Otherwise  the  hen  will  try 
to  cover  all  added  eggs,  thus  endangering  those 
first  giveu  by  just  so  much.  Marking  then 
also  becomes  necessary.  Small  hens  should  not 
be  used  for  sitting.  The  Brahmas  are  a  pref- 
erable breed  for  this  business.  As  they  never 
get  too  much  of  sitting,  it  is  well  when  the 
broods  of  the  same  date  are  hatched,  to  give 
them  to  one-half  of  the  mothers  to  care  for,  re- 
turning the  other  half  to  new  nests  of  eggs. 

Never  feed  your  sitting  hens  on  the  nest,  it 
is  better  for  them  as  well  as  for  the  eggs  that 
they  leave  the  nest  occasionally— they  will  not 
stay  too  long.  The  room  where  they  are  kept, 
should  be  furnished  with  dusting  boxes,  drink- 
ing vessels  and  well-supplied  feeding  troughs. 


CONDENSED  POULTRY  NOTES 

Large  fowls:  small  layers. 

Ice  cold  water  is  bad  for  hens. 

Keep  a  record  of  dates,  in  hatching. 

A  lime  plastered  hen-house  has  advantages. 

Clean  the  trough  every  time  before  giving  water. 

Sprinkle  the  hatching  nests  with  a  little  sulphur. 

One  cock  bird  to  twelve  hens,  is  the  safe  rule 
when  hrttehing  is  the  aim. 

Hens  have  been  known  to  lay  2,000  eggs  in  a  life 
time.     Useful  lives  indeed. 


Add  a  panful  of  fresh  ashes  to  the  dust  bath  oc- 
casionally, say  once  a  week. 

Five  million  dozen  eggs  from  Canada  last  year! 
The  American  hen  must  be  put  to  work  in  earnest. 

Let  every  meddlesome  pei-son  tinker  over  your 
incubator,  and  you  may  whistle  for  a  successful 
hatch. 

Chicken  raising  and  gardening  go  well  enough 
together,  provided  only,  that  a  six  foot  picket  fence 
separates  the  two. 

If  possible  set  all  the  eggs  that  are  to  be  set  at 
from  one  to  three  separate  times  only.  Our  reason: 
you  can  attend  to  one  hundred  chickens,  with  hardly 
any  more  trouble  than  half  that  number. 

Carbolic  acid  is  a  most  potent  insectcide.  A 
small  quantity  of  it  in  solution  with  a  canful  of 
water,  and  this  sprinkled  with  a  fine  rose  over  the 
floor,  walls  and  roosts  of  the  hen-house,  will  keep 
down  insects  very  effectually.  The  liquid  imparts 
a  wholesome  smell  at  the  same  time. 

Young  Chicks,  after  twelve  or  fifteen  days  old, 
need  some  grass,  for  best  results  in  their  growth. 
But  if  the  chickens  come  before  the  grass  does,  a 
httle  may  be  raised  artificiallj'  for  them.  If  no 
better  method  presents  itself  for  this,  sow  a  box  of 
oats  in  a  frame,  or  in  the  kitchen  window  or  the 
greenhouse. 

Do  the  thaws  and  spring  rains  make  the  floor 
dampy  Then  you  must  not  wonder  if  colds  and 
roup  set  in,  unless  you  remedy  the  situation.  The 
floor,  of  course,  needs  to  be  raised.  If  this  cannot 
be  done  permanently  so  early  in  the  season,  then 
take  the  next  best  step:  put  down  some  rails,  and 
on  these  some  boards,  and  litter  on  top  to  keep  the 
poor  cheerless  fowls  directly  out  of  the  wet. 

Wemust  not  forget  now  that  the  limy  substance 
from  which  shells  are  formed  must  first  be  con- 
sumed by  the  hens.  Burn  all  the  old  bones  and 
break  them  fine;  getoysteror  other  shells  and  burn 
them;  take  raw  limestone  and  reduce  as  fine  as 
peas  or  finer,  and  have  these  convenient  for  the 
fowls  to  reach  at  pleasure.  It  will  be  observed  that 
these  substances  will  disappear  and  need  replenish- 
ing at  times,  and  the  egg  shells  will  be  strouger. 

How  to  Begin.  Which  is  the  best  way  to  begin 
the  p'.'ultrj'  business,  to  buj'  eggs  or  fowls?  is 
a  frequent  question.  Mr.  \V.  H.  Johnson.  Mineral 
Ridge.  Ohio,  answers  the  question  like  this  :  If  you 
get  the  "hen  fever'"  in  the  fall,  buy  young  stock; 
if  in  the  spring,  buy  eggs,  as  no  breeder  will  then 
part  with  good  stock,  excepting  at  a  high  price. 
Three  or  four  settings  of  eggs  from  the  best  yards 
will  not  cost  more  than  a  good  trio  at  that  time; 
from  them  you  niay  get  a  good  start,  including, 
perchance,  some  prize  birds. 

Eggs  for  feeding  to  newly  hatched  chicks  should 
be  boiled  half  an  hour,  mashed  or  chopped  fine  and 
mixed  with  bread  crumbs.  Sprinkle  clean,  coarse 
sand  on  a  board  and  drop  the  food  on  this,  and  let 
the  little  fellows  help  themselves.  As  soon  as  they 
begin  to  eat  they  need  gravel,  and  this  the  coarse 
sand  supplies.  Cracked  corn,  cracked  wheat  and 
coarse  oat  meal  fed  dry,  may  form  a  part  of  the 
diet  of  young  chicks  from  the  start,  provided  water 
or  milk  be  supplied.  We  think  that  at  least  two- 
thirds  of  the  food  should  be  fed  diy.  and  we  are  in 
doubt  about  the  other  third. — Farm  Joiirmil. 

Improved  Breeds.  A  score  of  years  ago  one 
could  hear  a  good  deal  of  opposition  talk  to 
these.  To-day  they  are  the  rule  rather  than  the  ex- 
ception, where  poultry  interests  receive  anj"  atten- 
tion. Their  coming  in  has  almost  revolutionized  the 
old  system  of  poultry-keeping,  for  with  being  more 
costly  to  get  a  start  with,  and  requiring  better  care 
on  the  whole,  more  thought  and  care  has  been  he- 
stowed  upon  the  entire  matter  of  management.  So 
we  can  see  that  the  improved  breeds,  while  often 
over  praised,  are  entitled  to  a  good  share  of  credit 
for  the  present  state  i>f  improved  poultry  raising. 

Sense  and  Nonsense  about  Laying  Power.  The 
statement  that  a  hen  has  a  certain  number  of  germs 
or  ovules  in  the  ovary  at  birth,  and  that  every  one 
of  these,  no  more  no  less,  must  niatui'e  into  eggs  at 
certain  periods  of  her  life,  is  nonsense.  At  birth  a 
hen  has  no  apparent  ovules,  and  the  ovary  is  not 
fully  formed.  With  age  and  size  this  grows  and 
matures,  by  much  the  same  process  by  which  the 
bone,  muscles  and  other  parts  of  the  system  are 
produced,  that  is,  fi'om  the  blood  which  is  made 
from  the  food  that  is  eaten.  And  all  this  accords 
with  good  sense.  If  there  is  a  lack  of  sufticient  food 
for  all  demands  of  the  system  on  it,  life  is  just  sus- 
tained and  the  reproductive  functions  must  be 
dwarfed.  A  hen  will  therefore  not  lay  eggs  unless 
fairly  fed,  simply  because  the  ovules  that  should 
develop  into  eggs  are  wanting,  because  of  the  lack  of 
forming  substances  that  must  come  from  food. 
The  better  the  feeding,  the  greater  will  be  the  pro- 
duct of  eggs  always,  other  things  being  equal. 


POPULAR  GARDENING 


FOR    TOWN    AND    COUNTRY. 

"ACCUSE  NOT  NATURE,  SHE  HATH  DONE  HER  PART;   DO  THOU  BUT   T/f/iY£."-MiLTON. 


Vol.  1. 


J^F:Ei,XXj,    1886. 


No.  7. 


Waterside  Plants. 

The  opportunities  for  waterside  gardening 
are  not  very  common  perhaps,  but  where 
present,  they  are  worth  making  the  most  of. 
A  rill,  lakelet  or  larger  body  of  water  on 
the  grounds  or  bordering  it,  will  afford  the 
situation;  those  plants  natural  to  wet  places. 


A  BIT  OF  WATERSIDE  GARDENING. 

the  materials,  for  producing  some  of  the 
most  charming  garden  effects  obtainable. 

Once  the  brook  plants  are  set  out  there 
should  be  little  more  trouble  with  them. 
The  kinds  suitable  to  the  place,  are  chiefly 
such  as  take  care  of  themselves  in  grass  or 
in  a  wild  state;  moisture  at  the  roots  being 
one  of  the  great  needs  of  their  natures. 

Among  plants  suitable  for  the  purpose, 
we  would  include  the  Blue  Flag,  and  other 
native  Irises,  the  .Japan  Irises  (I.  Koemp- 
feri  and  seedlings),  and  the  German  Iris,  as 
being  among  the  most  attractive  ones.  Our 
illustration  shows  some  of  thera  employed 
in  this  way.  In  addition  there  might  be 
the  pretty  yellow-flowered  Marsh  Marigold 
(Caltha  palustris),  the  Marsh  Calla  (Calla  pal- 
ustris)  with  white  flowers,  the  brilliant  Car- 
dinal Flower  (Lobelia  cardinalis),  the  Blue 
Cardinal  Flower  (Lobelia  .syphilitica),  the 
Arrow  Head  (Sagittaria  purpurea),  the  Cat- 
tail or  Reed  Mace  (T}-pha  latifolia),  the 
Pitcher  Plants  (Sarracenias),  the  Fringed 
Orchises  (Habenarias),  of  different  colors, 
and  so  on.  Some  of  these  could  be  procured 
in  wild  places  along  streams  or  in  swamps, 
with  no  cost  whatever  but  the  trouble  of 
gathering.  Many  of  the  Sedges  and  Ferns 
which  abound  in  such  places  are  also  decid- 
edly attractive  in  this  style  of  gardening. 


In  fact,  any  wild  plants  of  pleasing  appear- 
ance, but  not  too  weedy  in  character,  that 
could  be  found  in  wet  soil  could  be  utilized. 
Some  of  the  regular  hard}'  plants  of  our 
gardens,  besides  the  few  included  above, 
would  answer  very  well  at  the  water  side, 
provided  they  were  set  a  little  in  from  the 
edge.  We  would 
mention  for  this,  .such 
sorts  as  the  Day  Lilies 
(Hemerocalli.s),  Golden- 
spurred  Honeysuckle 
(Aquilegia  chrys- 
antha),  Canadense  and 
Superbum  Lilies,  Bell- 
flowers  (Campanulas), 
Phloxes,  Forget-me- 
nots,  Loosestrifes 
(Lysimaehia.s),  Spir;T?as 
Anincus,  Palmata,  I'l- 
maria  fl.,  pi,  Vcnusta, 
Lythrums.  Epilobiums, 
AVood  Lilies,  etc.  The 
Great  Reed  (Arundo 
Donax)  and  the  Eula- 
lias,  among  ornamental 
Grasses  are  great  lovers 
of  moisture,  and  when 
planted  where  they  can 
enjoy  unlimited 
draughts  of  it  at  the 
assume  great  proportions  in  stalks  and 
branches,  jielding  a  most  picturesque  effect. 
Where  the  soil,  in  places  to  be  devoted  to 
waterside  gardening,  is  fairly  rich  in  black 
vegetable  matter,  little  preparation  will  be 
needed  to  fit  it  up  for  any  of  these  plants. 
Often  along  streams  it  will  be  quite  other- 
wise, then  we  would  recommend  a  course 
of  preparation  to  suit  any  other  kind  of  plants, 
on  poor  and  shallow  .soil,  namely:  working 
in  manure  or  rich  garden  loam,  or  both,  to 
a  depth  of  a  foot,  in  all  parts. 


A  Selection  of  Good  Shrubs. 

For  years  we  have  been  urging,  as  best  we 
could,  the  free  use  of  flowering  and  other 
hardy  shrubs  in  planting  both  large  and 
small  places.  It  has  afforded  us  great  pleas- 
ure, therefore,  to  receive  the  inquiries  of  sev- 
eral readers  of  Popular  G.^rdexing  for 
lists  of  these,  and  to  answer  all  such,  by 
appending  the  selection  of  good,  easily  grown 
sorts,  which  follows  below. 

The  aim  in  making  up  this  list  was  to 
provide  for  a  continuous  display  of  beauty 
throughout  the  year.  The  months  follow- 
ing each  name  indicate  the  time  of  flowering, 
or  of  the  greatest  attractiveness  otherwise: 

Mezereon  Pink  (Daphne  mezereumi,  April. 
Golden  Bell  (Foi-sytbial.  early  May. 
Japan  Quince  iPyrus  Japonioa),  May. 
Double  Flowering  Plum  iPrunus  triloba  i.  May. 
Flowering  .\lmond  (Piiinusi,  Maj'. 
Thunberg's  Spirtea  (Spirsea  Thunbergii,  May. 
Plum-leaved  Spirsea  i  Spiraea  prunifoliai.  May. 
Lilacs  (.Syringia),  many  sorts,  May. 
Tree  Pa?ouy.  Itay. 

Busb  Honeysuckles  (Lonicera),  May. 
Rough-leaved  Viburnum  iV.  rugosura.i.  May. 


Lantana-leaved  Viburnum  (V.  lantanoides),  Slay. 
Garland  Mock  Orange  (P.  coronariust.  June. 
Double-tlowering  Mock  Orange.  June. 
Large-flowered  Mock  Orange  ( P.  grandiflorus). 
Silver  Bell  Shrub  iHalesia),  June. 
Lance-leaved  Spiraea  (S.  lanceolata),  June. 
Roses,  Summer,  Hybrid  Perpetual,  etc..  June. 
Dwarf  Snowball  (Viburnum  plicatumi,  June. 
Graceful  Deutzia  (Deutzia  gracilis).  .Tune. 
Double  Deutzia.  in  several  varieties.  June. 
Weigela  Rose  and  varieties,  June. 
Red  Branched  Dogwood,  June. 
White  Fringe  (Chionanthusi.  June. 
Alder-leaved  Cletbra  ( C.  alnif olia  i.  July. 
BiUiard's  Spiraea  (S.  Billardii.  .luly. 
Fortune's  White  Spirgea  iS.  callosa  albal,  July. 
Fortune's  Spiraea  iS.  Callosa i,  July. 
Japanese  Spirgea  iS.  species  Japonica).  July. 
Oak-leaved  Hydrangea  (H.  quercifolia),  August, 
.althaeas  Double  and  Single  (Hibiscus*.  September. 
Large-panicled  Hydrangea,  September. 
Purple  Fringe  (Rhus  cotinus).  July  to  October. 
Moneywort -leaved  Coteneaster,  August  and  later. 
Prunus  Pissardi.  dark  red  foliage,  all  season. 
Purple-leaved  Berberry,  dark  foliage  all  season. 
Varieg'td  Cornelian  Cherry, white-blotched  foliage 
Silver-leaved  Corchorus,  white-edged  foliage. 
Holly-leaved  Mahonia.  evergreen. 
Box.  in  different  varieties,  evergreen. 


Making  Lawns  by  Seeding. 

Any  but  lawns  of  the  smallest  area,  and  in 
unfavorable  places,  can  be  made  in  this  way 
for  about  one-third  the  expense  of  turfing. 
To  be  sure,  it  requires  waiting  for  several 
months,  before  anything  like  a  fair-looking 
sward  will  appear  (by  good  turfing  a  pre- 
sentable lawn  appears  almost  at  once).  But 
then  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  a  good  seeded 
lawn,  in  the  long  run,  is  finer  than  one 
made  in  any  other  way. 

The  three  essentials  for  securing  a  fine, 
close  sod,  by  seeding,  are;  Rich  ground  of 
a  suitable  character,  seed  of  good  quality 
thickh'  sown,  and  frequent  mowing. 

In  preparing  the  soil  for  the  sowing  it 
pays  to  be  at  a  good  deal  of  pains  at  the 
start;  results  extending  through  years  of 
time  will  depend  chiefly  on  this  part.  With 
plow  or  spade,  the  surface  should  be  worked 
over  to  the  depth  of  one  foot  at  least;  if  it 
could  be  three  or  six  inches  deeper  yet,  all 
the  better.  Along  with  this  process,  some 
fineh'-divided  manure,  say  at  the  rate  of  a 
good  two-horse  load  to  each  four  square 
rods  of  land,  should  be  worked  into  the  soil. 

As  the  bed  is  finished,  it  ntust  be  seen  to 
that  at  least  .six  inches  of  good  soil  (that  is, 
not  sterile  subsoil,)  is  present  in  all  such  lawns 
as  are  not  to  be  kept  watered  in  dry  weather; 
but  this  is  quite  as  essential  to  those  made 
liy  turfing  as  to  any  others.  Wherever  the 
surface  is  broken  l>y  walks,  drives,  flower- 
beds and  the  like,  the  edges  next  to  these 
should  be  made  of  sod  to  a  width  of  six  or 
more  inches.  This  will  keep  the  sowed  parts 
from  breaking  away,  as  it  would  do  if  not 
thus  protected.  All  stones  and  roots  lying 
at  or  near  the  general  surface  must  be  cleaned 
away,  the  area  be  made  even  and  finn  with 
the  proper  implements,  and  the  surface  be 
worked  up  fine  by  the  use  of  a  rake  or  light 
harrow — the  finer  the  better.  Use  good  seed 
and  plenty  of  it,  applying  at  the  rate  of  one 


74 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


April, 


quart  and  one-fovirth  per  square  rod.  As 
for  seed,  the  following  is  a  superior  and  inex- 
pensive "mixture:"  3  parts  June  or  Blue 
Grass  (Poa  pratensis)  to  1  part  Red  Top  or 
Bent  Grass  (Agrostis).  Sow  evenly,  this  may 
best  be  done  by  double  sowing.     By  this 


JTig.  1.  A  Perfect  Strawbeti'y  Flowct\ 
somewhat  enlarged,  with  both  PL'^tils 
{A^  and  Stametis  (B)  present. 


Fig.  2.     The  Sliarj)less  Strawberry. 

the  seed  needed  for 
sowing 


we  mean,  to  divide 
a  given  area  into  two  equal  lots 
one-half  of  it  over  the  plat  walking  back 
and  forth  across  it  one  way,  and  then  the 
remainder  by  walking  crosswise  of  the  first 
sowing.  After  this  rake  the  entire  surface 
lightly,  then  roll. 

Mowing  must  commence  with  the  first 
sight  of  any  growth  high  enough  to  cut,  be 
it  grass  or  weeds  (these  will  be  present  and 
perhaps  ahead  of  the  grass),  and  this  must 
be  kept  up  regularly  tliro\igh  the  season. 
To  pass  over  the  lawn  with  the  mower  once 
in  each  week,  in  growing  weather,  will  not 
be  too  often;  in  dry  weather  something  less 
than  this  will  answer. 

With  the  work  of  sowing  done  before  the 
middle  of  this  month,  by  the  course  pre- 
scribed above,  there  will  usually  be  a  per- 
fect  mass  of 
grass  by  mid- 
summer. In 
rare  cases  there 
may  come  just 
enough  unfavor- 
able weather, 
after  seeding,  to 
cause  a  mis- 
carriage  of  one's 
plan.  No  one 
should  be  dis- 
couraged hy  this 
from  trj'iug  the 
seeding  over 
again.  One  of  the  best  lawns  the  writer  ever 
made  was  sown  on  the  6th  day  of  June,  but 
as  a  rule  there  is  far  more  risk  in  such  late 
sowings  than  in  earlier  ones. 


Pig.  Z.— Rightly  planted,  wiilt 
all  the  roots  properly  spread, 
out. 


Have  a  Plenty  of  Strawberries. 

Not  every  tiller  of  the  soil  has  Strawber- 
ries in  abundance,  who  might  have. 

It  cannot  be  because  the  plants  are  costly 
to  buy,  or  difficult  to  grow;  good  plants  can 
be  had  for  less  than  a  cent  apiece,  by  the 
hundred,  and  at  much  less  by  the  thousand, 
while  no  useful  plant  is  easier  to  succeed 
with  in  culture. 

It  can  hardly  be  because  the  fruit  is  not 
appreciated  when  it  is  grown.  We  know 
human  nature  too  well  for  that.  We  have 
a  distinct  recollection  that  when  our  own 
ample-sized  bed  has  been  loaded  with  ripe, 
blushing  fruit  in  the  June  time  of  past  years, 
no  visitors  at  our  house  Lave  been  known  in 
a  single  instance,  we  think,  to  need  a  second 


which,  like  the  Wilson, -bear  perfect  flowers. 
See  figure  1.  Some  varieties  that  are  grown 
are  without  stamens  (B.  in  Fig.l), needing  the 
near  presence  of  others  with  perfect  flowers, 
in  order  to  bear.  The  catalogues  usually 
designate  the  former  as  "  Pi.stillate "  or 
by  the  letter  "P."  signifying  that  they  have 
only  the  pistil  organs  of  reproduction.  For 
a  small  additional  list  of  varieties  bearing 
perfect  flowers,  we  would  mention  Sharp- 
less,  shown  in  figure  2,  Charles  Downing, 
and  for  late,  the  Kentucky. 

Two  S3'stems  of  planting  the  Strawberry 
prevail,  the  matted,  or  easj'  system,  allowing 
the  plants  to  throw  out  runners,  and  the 
hill-culture,  or  careful  system,  in  which 
all  runners  are  kept  cut.  It  is  well  to  try 
both.  For  the  former,  set  the  plants  in 
rows,  three  feet  apart,  and  a  foot  apart  in 
the  row.  In  hill-culture,  plant  at  fifteen 
by  fifteen  inches  apart,  the  rows  extending 
across  the  bed,  and  then  skipping  every 
fourth  row  to  provide  pathways. 

The  operation  of  planting  is  a  simple  one, 
and  yet  it  is  often  badl}'  done.  Figures  3  to 
6  inclusive,  impart  a  lesson  as  to  how,  bet- 
ter than  we  can  do  with  the  pen.  A  garden 
trowel  is  a  very  convenient  tool  for  the  pur- 
pose. We  will  only  add  that  the  soil  .should 
be  pressed  very  firmly  about  the  roots.  After 
planting,  practice  scrupulously  clean  culture. 


invitation  to  walk  over  to  it  and  partake. 
Then  when  the  same  persons  have  been  in- 
vited to  sit  up  to  Strawberries  smothered  in 
cream  and  pulverized  sugar  added,  at  tea 
time,  we  cannot  recall  now  that  such  a  thing 
as  a  "regret"  that  they  could   not  po.s.sibly 

accept,   has  ever 

been  offered.     It  is 

a  verj'   old   saying. 

that  the  proof  of  the 

pudding  is  found  in 

the  eating. 
It  cannot  be  that 

people   who  have 

land  to  till,  are  with 

out  plenty  of  Straw- 

berries    for   the 

excuse  so  often 

heard  against  plant- 

ing    fruit    trees, 

namely:    we  must 

wait  a  lifetime  for 

the  fruit.     Plant 

Strawberries  this 
year,  and  next  year  brings  a  full  crop.  No 
other  fruit  will  do  so  well  as  this.  Even  ten- 
ants with  a  two  year's  lease, can,  if  there  is  land 
to  spare,  have  bushels  'of  fruit  before  they 
quit  the  place.  For  such  to  plant  Currants, 
Cherries  or  Apples  would  be  foolishness;  to 
plant  Strawberries  the  part  of  wisdom. 

The  charge,  if  made,  that  the  Strawberry 
comes  at  an  unseasonable  time,  or  when 
other  fruits  are  plentiful,  would  not  stand. 
With  the  Cherry  alone  it  oilers  itself  as  the 
first  fruit  of  the  summer.  It  comes  at  a  time 
(June  and  July)  when  the  .sj-stem  is  much 
benefited  bj'  partaking  freely  of  a  fresh 
fruit  diet.  It  is  also  a  most  wholesome  fruit, 
being  easily  digested.  Unlike  most  other 
fruits,  it  does  not  grow  acid  by  fermentation. 
Let  us,  too,  not  forget,  that  the  great  Lin- 
naeus attributed  the  cure  of  his  gout  to  the 
free  use  of  Strawberries  as  food. 

The  absence  of  anything  short  of  the  uni- 
versal culture  of  the  Strawberry  by  land 
holders,  can  only  be  accounted  for  on  the 
ground  of  neglect  to  plant.  The  common 
time  for  setting  the  plants  is  in  the  busy  spring 
season,  and  in  the  crowd  of  work,  this  job 
is  too  often  shoved  by.  It  shoidd  not  be  so. 
We  should  take  into  account  all  the  advan- 
tages of  having  an  abundance  of  this  fruit 
for  next  year  and  later,  and  then  should  set 
ourselves  rigidly  about  to  planting  a  patch — 
and  a  big  one,  at  that. 

And  this  is  how  to  go  about  it:  Select  a 
spot  of  fertile  soil,  not  less  than  two  square 
rods  in  size,  for  a  small  family,  and  from 
that  up.  It  should  be  in  a  sunny  exposure. 
The  deeper  and  richer  the  soil  is,  (of  course 
there  is  a  reasonable  limit  in  this),  the  larger 
will  be  the  berries. 

Procure  plants 
from  a  reliable 
nursery  or  from 
some  grower  of 
the  fruit.  As  to 
kinds,  let  us  cau- 
tion the  novice 
(others  will  not 
need  such  advice) 
to  procure  only 

well    tried   sorts.  Fig.  4.     A  young  plant  set  «"  \i~'    '  \  Fig.  6.  Planted  with  roots 

The      catalogue  ^ot  deep  enough.  Fig.  .5.     One  set  too  deep.'  all  in  a  mass. 

statements   not-  how  not  to  plant  strav^'berries,. (or  anything  else.) 

withstanding,  we  still  insist  that   take   our  ,  the  true  taste  of  the  Wilde-man,  to  see  the 
country  over,  the  old  Wilson  variety  would     development  of  these  earth-suns.     The  seeds 


Sunflowers  and  Sun-Worshippers. 

The  people  of  civilization  are  not  alone 
in  their  appreciation  of  the  long  unrecog- 
nized charms  of  the  Sunflower,  It  comes 
to  us,  on  good  authority,  that  now  this  same 
blossom  of  conspicuous  brown  centre  and 
halo  of  yellow  raj's,  has  become  a  much 
adored  favorite  with  the  aborigines  of  New 
South  Wales.  The  facts  seem  to  be,  that 
these  people, who  are  worshippers  of  the  sun, 
find  in  our  large  American  Sunflower,  a 
blossom  which  they  accept  as  a  gift  from 
their  god,  to  whose  worship  they  conseci'ate  it. 

We  are  quite  ready  to  believe  the  report 
that  this  is  the  only  flower  ever  introduced 
into  that  land,  from  the  world  outside,  which 
the  natives  have  shown  a  liking  for.  They, 
as  a  people,  are  not  given  to  floriculture,  for 
its  own  sake,  yet  they  worship  this  flower 
more  truly  than  it  would  seem  possible  for 
any  aesthetic  lass  or  swain  of  civilized  lands 
to  do.  The  Virgins  of  the  Sun,  it  is  said, 
when  officiating  in  the  ceremony  of  the  tem- 
ples, are  crowned  with  the  huge  flowers, 
bearing  many  in  their  hands  as  well.  Some 
are  worn  also  at  the  breast — the  corsage- 
bouquet  idea  having  perhaps  reached  them. 

It  is. further  stated  by  travelers,  that  the 
natives  procure  the  seed,  plant  them  in 
IMtches  about  their  huts,  and  delight  with 


give  the  best  satisfaction  to  three  out  of  every 
four  inexperienced  growers.  Another  point 
for  the  inexperienced;     Choose  only  sorts 


are  looked  upon  as  being  almost  sacred. 
They  are  carefully  gathered  and  put  away 
in  bags  each  year — not  for  hen-feed,  as  we 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


75 


do  here  in  the  north ;  not  for  oil  with  which 
to  smear  tlieir  own  dusky  skins,  as  might  l)e 
done,  but  only  as  seetl-stock  with  which  to 
raise  new  crops  of  the  "  Sun  plants  "  later. 
Incidentally,  it  may  be  said  that  the  writer 
of  these  words,  converts  a  wet  patch  of  land 
beyond  his  ice-ho\ise  into  a  thick  grove  of 
Sunflower  plants  every  year,  for  the  sole 
purpose  of  giving  their  thirsty  roots  a 
chance  to  suck  up  the  surrounding  moisture, 
and  the  possible  malarial  influences. 


Hardy  Primroses— The  Auricula. 

Everyone  of  our  readers,  we  are  sure,  has 
heard  of  the  Auricula — that  member  of  the 
Primrose  family  which  is  made  so  much  of 
throughout  Eng- 
land a  n  d  Scot- 
1  a  n  d — but  per- 
haps not  one  in 
a  thousand  has 
au  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with 
it,  derived  from 
cultivating  the 
p  1  a  n  t  s.  This 
last  fact  is,  per- 
haps, sufficiently 
accounted  for. 
on  the  simple 
grounds  that  the 
plant  is  ill3-adapt- 
ed  to  our  hot 
summers  a  n  d 
harsh  winters. 

The  Auricvda, 
Primula  au  ric- 
vla,  is  a  native 
of  the  Switzer- 
land mountains. 
Even  in  Eng- 
land, where  so 
much  has  been 
done  for  improv- 
ing the  species, 
it  re<iuires  pains- 
taking culture. 
But  then  its  great 
beauty  —  in  a 
measure  set  forth 
by  our  engraving 
— is  a  sutficient 
reward  for  all 
this  trouble. 
That  it  can  be 
grown  in  Amer- 
ica under  cer- 
tain favorable 
circumstances, 
is  also  true.  We 
are  informed  by 

a  very  successful  florist  of  this  state,  that 
with  him  it  has  succeeded  for  more  than 
thirty  years,  by  growing  it  in  rich,  heavy 
soil,  on  the  north  side  of  a  house.  The  plants 
are  raised  from  seed  sown  in  spring,  these 
flowering  the  second  season  afterwards.  For 
winter  protection,  a  sod  is  inverted  over  each 
plant  late  in  autumn. 

But  if  we  cannot  easily  have  the  Auricula 
everywhere,  we  can  at  lea.st  have  its  beauti- 
ful relatives  of  the  hardy  Primroses,  which 
do  succeed  readily  in  our  gardens  with  com- 
mon culture.  Take  for  one  class  of  these, 
the  old  fashioned  Polyanthus.  Priinuhi  reris 
{milgaris  of  some).  Our  bcautifid  engrav- 
ing of  the  relative  will  l)ring  these  to  the 
minds  of  many.  They  are  beautiful,  free- 
flowering  plants,  that  in  the  spring  months 
are  the  delight  of  all  beholders.  The  colors 
vary  from  a   delicate   straw  color,    to   dark 


maroon  and  pure  white,  with  an  endless 
variety  of  shades  and  markings.  The  plants 
are  hardy,  thrive  in  any  fair  garden  soil, 
and  are  increased  by  division  or  by  seeds. 

Another  valuable  sort  for  the  American 
climate  is  Siebold's  Primula,  P.  cnrlimoides, 
the  tj'pe  of  which  is  a  iJretty  little  plant  si.\ 
to  nine  inches  high,  and  bright  lilac  flowers. 
Within  the  past  few  years  a  great  many 
beautiful  varieties  of  this  hardy  Primrose 
have  been  obtained,  and  are  now  lieing  of- 
fered for  sale.  We  notice  in  the  catalogue 
of  Woolson  it  f 'o. .  the  extensive  growers  of 
hard}'  plants,  at  Passaic,  N.  J.,  the  men- 
tion of  colors  of  this  one,  ranging  from  pure 
white  to  the  deepest  red.  in  varieties  suitable 


HARDY  PRIMROSES— AN   ENGLISH  AURICULA. 

either  for  out-of-door  or  pot  culture. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that,  with  the  increased 
attention  now  being  given  to  all  classes  of 
hardy  flowering  plants,  we  shall  yet  see 
further  improvements  made  in  this  class. 
Then  we  might  still  more  easily  be  recon- 
ciled to  the  fact,  that  the  true  Auricula 
hardly  meets  the  conditions  of  climate  and 
culture  that  generally  prevail  with  us. 


Notes  from  Lyndale. 

BY  A.  H.  E. 

In  this  season  of  planting,  I  desu-e  to  say  to 
those  persons  who  are  not  yet  acquainted  with 
the  Japan  Creeper  lAmpelopsis  trit-iixjiithifri, 
sjTionym  Veitcliii,)  or,  as  it  is  often 
called,    Veitch's   Ampelopsis,   get   in    line  at 


once  in  cultivating  it,  or  you  will  soon  be 
"  behind  the  times."  Of  course,  everybody 
knows  the  Virginia  deeper,  or  American  Ivy 
{Aiitpi'lripsis  qiiuupiffolid).  This othercreeper 
from  Japan  is  a  sister  species,  and  one  which, 
in  time,  must  largely  crowd  the  American  sister 
out,  I  feel  quite  certain. 

*  *  * 
Besides  the  chai-ms  of  thLs  creeper  of  lieing 
new  (compai-atively)  and  distinct,  it  appears  to 
have  every  good  trait  of  the  older  sort,  with 
some  superior  traits  in  addition.  The  leaves 
are  smaller,  and,  while  varying  some  in  form, 
are  chiefly  of  a  lobed  or  cleft  form,  sometimes 
heai-t-shaped,  and  in  general  ;iook  more  hke 
those  of  the  English  Ivy  than  of  our  common 
Ampelopsis.  As  a  creeper  it  has  the  tenacity 
and  the  beauty  of  the  true  Ivy,  covering  what^ 
ever  it  overruns, 
with  a  smooth, 
dense  sheet  of 
green,  the  leaves 
overlapping  like 
shingles  on  a 
roof.  In  this  re- 
spect it  is  of  sur- 
passing beauty. 
The  plant  is 
hardy,  (still  I 
cover  my  young 
plants  for  one  or 
two  winters), 
vigorous,  al- 
though short- 
jointed,  and  in 
every  way  satis- 
factory. It  should 
be  in  every  col- 
lection. I  see 
that  plants  may 
now  be  bought  of 
all  nursery-men 
at  fift)'  cents,  or 
less,  apiece. 


How  long,  O, 
how  long  will 
people  suffer 
from  dishonest, 
swindling  agents .' 
Until  they  be- 
c  o  m  e  educated 
t  o  discriminate 
between  the 
honest  and  dis- 
honest salesmen, 
and  no  longer. 

It  is  perfectly 
astonishing  what 
an  amount  of 
business  these  wolves  in  sheep's  clothing 
manage  to  devise.  Only  the  other  day,  one  of 
my  neighbors,  as  I  was  visiting  him,  called  my 
attention  to  what  I  at  once  saw  was  a  specimen 
of  these  fellows'  work.  He  pointed  out  some 
"  Dewberry  Stalks"  that  he  bought  and  planted 
last  spring.  He  paid  $3  apiece  for  three  of 
them.  A  glance  showed  that  they  were  nothing 
more  than  some  of  the  cheapest  off  cast  grape 
vines,  such  as  had  perhaps  been  bought  up  af- 
ter sorting  in  the  uui-series,  for  almost  nothing. 
The  agent,  by  making  great  claims  for  the 
•'  Dewterry,"  showing  a  "  specimen  "  of  some- 
thing in  a  glass  bottle,  took  .s9  out  of  my 
neighbor's  pocket,  and  in  return,  gave  plants 
that  had  cost  him,  very  Ukelj",  not  above  half 
a  cent  apiece.  Of  course  he  sees  and  admits  he 
was  humbugged,  and  the  probability  is  that 
the  next  agent  that  comes  along  will  be  harshly 
dealt  with,  perhaps  more  so  than  he  deserves. 

*  *  * 
■WTiat  I  told  my  swindled  neighbor  I  state  as 
good  advice  to  all,  in  the  matter  of  treating 
the  approaches  of  agents,  namely:  First,  re- 
member that  to  buy  of  agents  at  all,  you  must 
pay  considerably  more  than  if  you  bought  di- 
rectly from  the  growers  of  the  stock.  Second, 
if  disposed  to  deal  with  them,  ask  prompt Iv  to 
see  their  letters  of  introduction  from  the  nur- 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


April, 


series  they  represent.  If  some  are  carried  from 
reputable  nurseries,  and  are  of  recent  date, 
then  you  are  measurably  safe  to  order  from 
them,  otherwise  not.  Be  especially  wary  of 
the  men  who  offer  wonderful  new  fruits  and 
flowers,  a  thing  the  regular  agents  seldom  do. 


A  Fine  Flowering  Tree. 

We  think  that  not  enough  attention  is  paid 
by  flower  lovers,  who  have  lawns,  to  those 
hardy  trees  and  shrubs  which  possess  value  for 
their  flowers.  Take,  for  example,  the  large 
Double-flowering  Cherry,  of  which  an  engi-av- 
ing  is  herewith  shown.  It  is  a  tree  which  on 
general  accounts  is  deserving  of  a  place  on  every 
fair-sized  lawn.  But  when, 
in  the  month  of  May,  it  is 
loaded  with  its  large  pure 
white  blossoms  as  double  as 
Roses,  and  so  numerous  that 
they  completely  hide  the 
branches,  it  presents  a  fine 
sight, unequalled  by  but  few 
objects  in  the  whole  realm 
of  flower-bearing  plants. 

"Why  should  not, therefore, 
such  a  tree  be  common  on 
the  grounds  of  flower-grow- 
ers, instead  of  being  but 
rarely  seen,  as  at  the  present 
time  ?  The  tree  is  not  costly, 
for  we  notice  in  the  cata- 
logue of  Ellwanger  &  Barry, 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  it  is  ofifered 
at  fifty  cents  per  tree,  and 
we  presume  in  others  also. 
We  do  not  know  how  else 
one  could  invest  such  a  sum, 
and  the  cost  of  transporta- 
tion added,  to  secure  a 
greater  amount  of  satisfac- 
tion in  the  long  run. 

Just  here  is  a  point  about 
this  and  all  other  flowering 
trees  and  shrubs  which  per- 
haps is  too  much  overlooked. 
It  is  that  an  investment  once 
made  for  stock,  secm-es  de- 
sirable results,  not  for  one 
or  a  few  years  only,  as  in 
the  case  of  many  plants,  but 
for  a  life  time.    Suppose  the  tree  costs  you  one 
dollar,  and  then  say  for  thirty  yeai-s  it  contin- 
ues to  give  you  that  great  measure  of  satisfac- 
tion which  fine  flowering  trees  alone  can  give, 
what  is  the  cost  per  year?    This  is  the  common 
sense  way  of  viewing  things  of  this  kind. 

Our  engi'aving  on  this  page  was  taken  from 
Ellwanger  &  Barry's  catalogue  of  ornamental 
trees,  &c.,  referred  to  above.  We  cannot  close 
this  article  on  flowering  trees  and  shrubs,  with- 
out speaking  a  word  for  this  valuable  work 
issued  by  the  lai-gest  growers  of  hardy  orna- 
mental trees,  shrubs  and  plants  in  our  country. 
It  contains  140  pages,  and  many  original  en- 
gravings, descriptions,  cultural  directions,  se- 
lect lists,  etc.,  and  is  devoted  entin-h/  to  hardy 
ornamental  stock.  Its  price  is  but  twenty 
cents;  it  possesses  an  amount  of  information 
not  to  be  found  in  any  one  dollar  book  on  simi- 
lar subjects, with  which  we  are  acquainted.  It 
should  be  owned  by  every  lover  of  fine  gardens. 


formed  on  the  subject — answers,  that  to  divide 
this  figure  by  Irn  would  be  nearer  the  truth. 

The  paper  again  speaks  of  there  being  in 
Boston  "  Twenty-seven  florists  doing  an  annual 
business  of  something  Like  flve  million  dollars." 
This  is  probably  just  about  four  times  too  high. 
In  speaking  of  flower  growing,  the  same  paper 
remarks,  that  "  a  man  with  a  small  plant  of  a 
covple  of  hundred  feel  can  secure  profitable 
returns."  A  "  couple  of  hundred  feet "  is  equal 
to  a  house  10  x  20  feet  in  size,  a  mere  hencoop 
of  a  greenhouse. 

In  opposition  to  all  this  the  same  writer 
continues  further  on  in  this  sensible  style, 
"  Extravagant  statements  about  the  profits  to 
be  made  from  growing  floweijs  are  especially 


ter  piece  a  large  Gen.  Grant  Geranium,  with 
others  around  it  of  diflJerent  colors.  In  addition 
I  used  two  plants  of  Vinca  Harrisi  and  two  of 
Parlor  Ivy  to  droop  and  twine  around,  edging 
ofif  with  Al)  ssum  and  Lobelia.  In  the  grass  at 
the  base  of  this  vase  I  laid  out  a  bed  of  Maltese 
cross  shape,  and  set  it  with  Achauia,  Abutilon, 
Geraniums,  Coleus,  Heliotropes,  Pinks  and 
Pansies.  It  became  the  wonder  of  our  neigh- 
borhood for  the  season." 


THE   DOUBLE-FLOWERING  CHERRY— FLOWERS  WHITE. 

vicious.  The  sooner  the  public  knows  that  the 
business  of  raising  or  selling  flowers  is  one  of 
incessant  toil,  full  of  disappointments,  and  re- 
quiring great  skill  and  constant  attention  in 
order  even  to  make  both  ends  meet,  the  better 
it  will  be  for  the  public  and  for  the  florist.  Let 
it  be  thoroughly  understood  that  fortune  does 
not  come  any  faster  in  this  business  than 
in  any  other.  Florists  complain  about  the 
competition  coming  from  men  of  wealth  who 
have  made  their  money  in  other  lines  of  trade, 
and  who  have  now  built  vast  establishments 
for  the  production  and  sale  of  cut  flowers.  But, 
pray,  who  is  responsible  for  this,  if  not  too 
often  the  florists  themselves  t  Would  these 
men  have  invested  their  money  in  greenhouses 
if  it  were  not  for  the  extravagant  and  absurd 
stories  about  the  business  and  its  profits  which 
these  same  florists  have  invented  and  circulated, 
and  which  the  daily  newspapers  in  their  turn 
have  spread  before  the  public  ? " 


Big  Stories  About  the  Florist 
Business. 

Some  newspaper  men,  aided  on,  as  it  would 
seem,  by  certain  florists  themselves,  never 
know  where  to  stop  in  getting  up  exaggerated 
accounts  of  the  profits  of  the  florist  business. 

Concerning  this  matter,  "W.  J.  S.,"  a  leading 
florist  of  Boston,  calls  attention  in  the  Ameri- 
can Florist  to  how  a  daily  paper  of  his  city 
sometime  since  committed  some  striking  pranks 
of  this  kind.  Here  is  one  of  the  things  that 
was  said,  "  It  is  estimated  that  more  than  ."iOO,- 
00(1  violets  were  sold  at  Christmas  in  Boston 
alone."    This  cori-espondent — and  he  is  well  in- 


An   Almost    Costless    Rustic   Vase- 
How  It  Was  Used. 

Our  subscriber,  "  T.  R.  T.,"  of  Lee's  Summit, 
Mo., when  he  wanted  a  rustic  lawn  vase,  instead 
of  going  to  a  dealer  in  vases,  for  an  imitation 
affair  at  a  fancy  price,  as  many  people  would 
have  done,  introduced  the  real  article  from  the 
woods.  Here  is  what  he  has  to  say  to  our 
household  of  gardeners  about  it,  and  how  it  was 
used  with  good  efl'ect: 

"  I  got  a  three-foot  section  of  a  hollow  tree, 
2  1-3  feet  in  diameter,  and  set  it  on  my  front 
lawn.  After  flUiug  it  with  good  soil,  and  some 
large  stones  to  retain  moisture,  I  set  for  a  cen- 


Somethingf  About  Plums. 

BY  JOSIAH  HOOPES. 

There  is  little  doubt  that  Plums  may  be 
grown  successfully  in  every  section  of  the 
North.  Perhaps  no  other 
fruit  will  return  more  profit 
to  the  skilled  person,  but 
the  trouble  is,  few  seem  will- 
ing to  give  the  care  needed. 
The  Plum  is  mostly  re- 
stricted to  heavy  soils  well 
underdrained,  growing  with 
more  vigor  here  than  on 
lighter  land.  In  the  case  of 
light  soil,  however,  the  trees 
may  be  budded  on  Peach 
roots  and  with  rarely  an 
exception  will  thrive  quite 
as  well  as  the  Plum  roots  on 
clayey  land.  In  either  case 
this  fruit  needs  constant 
cultivation  and  a  rich  soil; 
experience  shows  that  it  is 
useless  to  undertake  to  raise 
it  unless  properly  cared  for. 
That  arch  enemy,  the 
Curculio,  is  not  so  numerous 
in  some  districts  as  former- 
ly, but  in  others  it  ruins 
the  crop.  The  remedy,  and 
it  is  almost  a  complete  one, 
is  systematic  jarring  of  the 
tree  over  a  sheet  spread  on 
the  ground  beneath. 

For  the  di-eaded  "rot "  no 
cure  is  yet  known,  nor  are 
we  assured  of  its  cause.  The 
most  reasonable  theory  at- 
tributes it  to  a  low  order  of 
Fungi.  I  have  employed 
wood  ashes  as  a  destructive  agent  with  marked 
effect.  At  any  rate,  the  potash  thus  intro- 
duced to  the  tree  through  the  soil  caused  a 
more  vigorous  growth.  Planting  in  the  chicken 
yard  is  in  vogue  with  many  who  feel  sure  the 
fallen  Curculio  are  devoured  by  the  poultry. 
Others  have  stated  that  fowls  never  eat  the 
insects. 

Some  varieties  appear  less  liable  to  rot  than 
others,  but  when  largely  prevalent  none,  not 
even  the  Chickasaw  sports,  are  exempt.  All 
varieties  do  not  succeed  well  on  the  Peach  root, 
so  that  owners  of  light  soils  must  govern  their 
choice  of  kinds  accordingly.  The  following  are 
among  the  best:  Coe's  Golden  Drop,  Yellow 
Gage,  Duane's  Purple,  Schuyler's  Gage,  Gene- 
ral Hand,  Damson  and  its  seedling  Richland, 
Lawrence's  Favorite,  Imperial  Gage,  German 
Prune,  Prince  Engelbert  and  Huling's  Superb. 
Where  the  plum-on-plum  is  grown  exclusively, 
the  following  may  be  substituted  for  some  of 
the  above:  Washington,  Bradshaw,  Green 
Gage  (true) ,  Reine  Claude  de  Bavay ,  Columbia, 
Jefferson,  Smith's  Orleans,  Lombard,  Bleecker's 
Gage,  McLaughlin  and  Red  Diaper.  The  Dam- 
son family  yield  immense  crops,  and  when  free 
from  disease  will  perhaps  pay  as  well  as  any 
other,  but  some  seasons  the  crop  is  entirely 
ruined  by  rot. — In  Xew  York  Weekly  Tribune. 


A    Miniature    Hot-Bed— Capital   Idea. 

"  Sister  Gracious,"  of  the  Michigan  branch  of 
our  famil3%  lives  where,  as  she  cleverly  puts  it, 
"the  springs ai-e  generally,  winter  continued." 
So  she  has  to  wait  until  near  May  for  garden- 
making  time.     This  has  led  her  to  devise  a 


i886. 


POPULAR     GARDENING. 


n 


miniatm-e  hot-bed  for  the  house,  to  get  a  start 
on  the  season  by  bringing  along  young  plants 
eai'ly.     She  writes  about  it  as  follows : 

"  I   took    several    cigar-boxes,    in    which  I 
planted  seeds  of  Chi'ysanthemums,    Petunias, 


this, that  they  require  heat  for  making  progress. 
Both   of  the   last  two  classes  are  frequently 
sown  under  glass  and  grown  to  some  size  hefoi'e 
the  time  for  planting  out  arrives. 
Having  now  defined  classes,  let  us  advance  to 


der  annuals  at  the  time  most  suitable  for  the 
hardy  sorts,  and  rive  rrrxo.  To  be  sure,  hardy 
annuals  may  be  sown  at  intervals  in  succession 
for  several  months  after  the  fii-st  early  sowing 
is  made,  but   from   no  sowing  will  plants  and 


The  California  Pi>pp\j. 


A  Fine  Aster  Plant.  The  Lacinattd  CItinese  Pink. 

USEFUL  FLOWERS  THAT  COME   FROM  SEED.— See  "A  Chapter  on  Annuals." 


Single  and  Double  Calliopsis. 


Oxalis,  Pansy,  Larkspur,  etc. ,  using  sifted  soil 
that  had  been  kept  in  the  cellar  since  fall.  After 
sowing  I  covered  each  box  with  a  woolen 
cloth,  resting  it  on  the  earth,  and  poured  warm 
water  on  the  cloth.  This  filtered  through,  wet- 
ting the  soil,  but  not  disturbing  the  seeds. 
Then  I  kept  the  boxes  on  the  water-tank  of 
the  stove.  Ever}-  morning  I  took  off  the  cloths 
dipped  in  warmish  water  and  returned  them. 
"  I  expected  it  would  take  ten  da}'s  or  more 
for  the  seeds  to  come  up ;  on  the  third  morning 
some  sprouts  were  out ;  then  the  cloth  was  dis- 
continued. Two  months  more  will  see  them  in 
thumb-pots,  and  these  iu  a  discarded  lai'ge  tin 
baking-pan,  with  some  earth  under  and  be- 
tween them  to  prevent  rapidly  drying  out. 
After  that  I  shall  put  them  iu  a  sunny  window, 
and  know  I  shall  take  more  pleasure  in  watch- 
ing them  grow  here  than  later  ou  iu  the  garden. " 

A  Chapter  on  Annuals. 

The  annuals  ai-e  well  entitled  to  be  called 
everybody's  flowers.  They  are  inexpensive, 
they  are  beautiful,  they  jneld  returns  sooner 
after  the  investment  than  do  most  other  kinds ; 
while,  added  to  this,  no  class  is  easier  to  manage. 

So  far  from  annual  flowers  being  cheap  in 
quality  because  cheap  in  price  and  trouble 
to  raise,  we  have  but  to  ask:  What  flower 
is  sweeter  than  the  Mignonette  ;  what  ones 
richer  in  color  and  textm-e  than  the  Chinese 
Pinks,  Zinnias  or  Balsams ;  Where  can  lovelier 
blossoms  be  found  than  the  Sweet  Pea  or  the 
Nasturtium  afford ;  a  grander  flowering  plant 
than  is  found  in  the  improved  Asters?  Yet 
these  and  man}-  others  equally  fine  are  annuals, 
or  may  be  treated  as  such. 

Addressing  itself,  among  othere,  to  many 
new  beginners  in  gardening,  w-ho  are  unac- 
quaiuted  with  plants,  Popular  Gardening 
will  say  that  the  special  characteristics  of  an- 
nuals are  that  they  owe  their  perpetuation, 
iu  our  climate,  to  seeds  which  need  to  be 
started  newly  every  year.  The  plants  from 
these  grow  up,  flower,  produce  a  new  crop 
of  seeds  usually,  and  then  die — aU  in  one 
season.  Annuals  are  brought  under  different 
classes,  according  to  their  hardiness,  namely 
Hardy,  Half-hardy,  and  Tender  Annuals. 

Hardy  annuals  are  such  as  may  be  sown  in 
the  open  ground  at  early  garden-making  time : 
they  are  in  this  respect  analogous  to  peas,  let- 
tuce, oats,  wheat,  etc.,  among  the  garden  and 
farm  crops.  Some  kinds  may  be  sown  even  in 
the  faU  of  the  year  to  advantage.  Half-hardy 
annuals  ai-e  more  like  corn,  beans  and  tomatoes 
in  their  requirements,  and  should  not  be  com- 
mitted to  the  soil  outdoors  before  "corn-plant- 
ing time  '■ — that  is,  when  warm  weather  is  near 
at  hand.  Tender  annuals  are  even  more  deli- 
cate than  the  last  named,  being  much  like 
squashes,   melons,  egg-plant,   pepper,   etc.,  iu 


the  matter  of  kinds.  The  limits  of  our  article 
wiU  not  permit  us  to  go  into  descriptions  at  the 
present  time.  Neither  is  this  necessary,  for 
any  one  of  the  hundreds  of  catalogues  issued 
by  seedsmen  who  sell  flower  seeds,  and  which 
can  easily  be  procured,  lay  sufficient  stress  on 
descriptions  of  kinds  to  answer  all  ordinary 
needs.  What  we  desire  to  do  is  to  help  those 
amateurs  who,  in  consulting  a  catalogue,  are 
confused  by  the  large  number  of  kinds  offered, 
not  knowing  which  to  choose. 

We  therefore  present  some  selections  of 
kinds,  to  guide,  especially  our  inexperienced 
readers,  in  choosing  judiciously,referriug  to  the 
dealers'  catalogues  for  further  particulars.  In 
the  lists  offered,  each  name  is  followed  by  an 
abbreviation,  which  at  once  shows  the  class  to 
which  it  belongs,  as  to  hardiness.  The  abbre- 
viations are  these:  h  for  hardy  annual,  hli  for 
half-hardy  annual,  t  for  tender  annual ;  a  star 
(*)  indicates  a  running  vine. 

A  SELECTION    OF    TEN   "NO   FAIT,"   ANNU.U.S    FOB 
BEGINNEHS. 

Balsam,  hh,  *Nasturtiuni,  hh, 
Chinese  Pinks,  /i,  Phlox  Dnimmondi,  /( , 

Larkspur,  h.  Portulaca,  ii. 

Mignonette,  h,  Poppy,  /(, 

♦Morning  Glory,  h,  *Sweet  Pea,  li. 

A     SELECTION     FOR     THOSE     WHO     WANT     ONLY     THE 
CHOICER  KINDS  OF  ANNUALS. 

Aster,  /t/i.,  Phlox  Dnimmondi,  /j. 

Balsam,  /)/),  Portulaca,  h, 

'Canary  Bird  Flower,  hh,  Snap  Dragon,  A, 
Candytuft,  h.  Stocks,  hh, 

*Cob0ea  Scandens,  t.  Sweet  Alyssum.  k. 

Cockscomb,  t.  Verbena,  hh, 

♦Cypress  Vine,  t.  Zinnia,  h. 

Larkspur,  h,  *Sweet  Pea,  h. 

Marigold,  /(,  *ScarIet  Runner,  t. 

Mignonette,  A,  *Maurandya,  (, 

♦Morning  Glory,  h,  Chinese  Pinks,  h, 

♦Nastm-lium,  hh.  Pansy,  h. 

Petunia,  hh. 

A   SELECTION   OF  GOOD  ANNCALS,  BUT    HARDLY    EIJUAL 
TO  THOSE  OF  THE   LAST  LIST. 

Abronia,  A,  California  Poppy, /t, 

Ageratum,  /(,  Erysimum,  h, 

Calliopsis,  h,  Godetia,  h, 

CaUirhoe,  h,  *Gourds,  t. 

Campanula,  h,  *Hyaeinth  Beau,  (, 

Batchelors'  Buttons,  li,    Suntiower,  h, 
CoUinsia,  h.  Lychnis,  hh, 

DwartMomingGlorj',/1,  Lupin,  h, 
Centranthus,  h,  Flora's'Paint  Brush.  /(, 

Clarkia,  h,  Gaillardia,  hh, 

Browallia,  hh.  Salvia.  /, 

Four  O'Clocks,  t,  Mourning  Bride,  k, 

Nigella.  h.  Sensitive  Plant,  t. 

Poppy,  /(.  Sweet  Rocket,  h. 

Salpiglossis,  h.  Swan  River  Daisy,  hh, 

Thunbergia,  t. 

As  to  cultui'e  we  advise,  in  the  first  place,  a 
close  observance  of  their  natures  and  needs  as 
to  hardiness.  Do  not,  for  instance,  commit 
the  blunder  of  putting  out  the  seed  of  the  ten- 


flowers  be  so  fine  as  from  the  earliest  one. 

Likewise  with  half-hardy  and  tender  annuals, 
while  nearly  all  gardeners  sow  some  in  heat  to 
get  an  early  start,  there  is  not  near  as  much 
gain  in  earliuess  (while  there  is  with  some 
kinds  positive  loss  in  quality)  by  this  move  over 
that  of  sowing  directly  where  they  are  to  flower, 
when  warm  weather  opens,  as  some  suppose. 

For  directions  on  sowing  see  Work  of  Season. 


American  Horticultural  enterprise  is  being 
recognized  abroad,  as  may  be  seen  by  what 
Messrs.  Dickson  &  Co. ,  the  great  nurserymen  of 
Edinburgh,  recently  said  in  the  Garden:  "It 
certainly  speaks  volumes  for  the  energy,  enter- 
prise and  intelligence  of  American  fruit-grow- 
ers that  they  have,  Iu  a  comparatively  short 
time,  raised  hundreds  of  varieties,  both  of 
apples  and  pears,  which  are  better  suited  to 
their  climate  than  the  best  sorts  brought  from 
countries  where  fruit  culture  has  for  centm-ies 
been  carried  on.  Fruit-growers  of  these  islands, 
should  be  stimulated  by  their  success,  to  devote 
fai-  more  attention  to  the  raising  of  new  and 
better  varieties  of  our  oi\-n." 

Have  You  a  Good  Asparagus  Bed  t  If  not, 
why  not !  In  ordinary  soil,  that  is  properly 
worked  up  and  manured,  no  crop  is  easier  to 
manage,  none  is  more  certain  to  do  well.  Once 
a  bed  is  started,  it  does  not  require  renewing 
every  year  like  a  lettuce  or  onion  bed,  or  every 
two  or  three  years  like  a  strawberry  bed,  but 
goes  on  and  on,  yielding  freely  for  an  indefinite 
length  of  time.  Turn  over  the  soil  to  a  good 
depth  by  trenching,  make  it  rich  as  deep  as  it 
is  worked.  Set  the  plants  20  inches  apart  and 
4  inches  beneath  the  surface.  Should  the  soil 
be  inclined  to  be  wet  or  heavy,  it  is  better  to 
plant  in  raised  beds.     Give  clean  culture. 

Black  Currants.  Many  who  despise  the  com- 
mon sort,  w-ould  think  well  of  the  variety 
known  as  the  Black  Naples.  While  similar  in 
general  appearance,  it  is  larger  and  in  every 
way  finer.  Another  improved  .sort  and  the 
largest  of  all  is  Lee's  Prolific.  The  plants  suc- 
ceed well  where  any  Currant  succeeds.  Neither 
the  Currant  Worm,  nor  any  other  injurious  in- 
sect ever  troubles  them.  The  fruit  is  useful  for 
Jam,  jelly  or  wine. 

The  Michigan  Celery-growers  propose  to  or- 
ganize a  Celery  Exchange.  They  shipped  §25,004) 
worth  of  the  crispy  product  in  1H8,5  Well  done,  as 
to  the  last;  a  genuine  good  move,  as  to  the  first. 

A  Correspondent  from  vVtlanta,  Ga.,  writes:  **We 
Ihuik  the  Wilson  StrawbeiTy  is  the  best  for  this 
climate,  after  growing  it  alongside  of  both  Crescent 
and  Sharple.ss." 

"  Popular  Gardening  "  insists  tliat  you  can  tell 
whether  a  man  is  a  good  gardener  or  not  by  the 
straightness  of  the  rows  he  makes. 

Don't  manure  against  the  roots  in  planting. 

Onions  nuist  he  put  to  bed  early. 

Till  Deep  and  laugh  at  drouths. 


78 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


April, 


L'='^^t«2'! 


t>N  C  1  ES^^cJ 

My  Easter  Lily. 

In  the  black  earth  the  root  I  laid— 

A  dry.  unlovely  thing. 
It  seemed  so  tar  from  what  was  fair. 
'  I  only  waste.''  I  thought.  "  my  care." 
'  Nay,  nay;  it  holds  a  royal  flower: 

It  keeps  a  pledge  of  spring. 
Wait,"  whispered  Faith,  "in  patient  trust; 
Thou  shall  see  beauty  rise  from  dust." 
To-day  thy  shining-silver  robe, 

O  Easter  Lily,  wear. 
Unfold  thy  golden  heart;  make  sweet 

With  incense  all  the  air. 
Sing  with  mute  lips,  thy  Easter  song. 
I  hear  it.  and  my  faith  grows  strong. 
He  sees,  who  waits  in  patient  trast, 
Immortal  beauty  rise  from  dust. 

—Hariier's  Bazar. 


The  Pansy  season  opens. 
Roman  Hyacinths  are  done. 
Cut  flowers  keep  best  m  a  cool,  close  place. 
Red  and  yellow  is  a  fashionable  combination. 
Baskets  of  Pansies  are  favorite  souvenirs  now. 
Jacqueminot  buds  have  declined  to  a  decent  price, 
lily  of  the  Valley  signifies  the  return  of  happi- 
ness. 

Spring  flowers  are  in  good  demand  with  aU 
flower  buyers. 

A  more  elegant  affair  than  a  miniature  ship 
loaded  with  Howers  can  hardly  be  conceived. 

Why  Not.  A  tew  Sundays  ago  the  pulpit  of  one 
of  the  churches  of  Brooklyn  was  embellished  with  a 
bouquet  made  of  the  stems  and  leaves  of  the  White 
Plume  Celery.— ifino;  iWic  Ymker. 

At  a  recent  dinner  at  Delmonico's,  in  New  York, 
the  centre  piece  on  the  table  consisted  of  an  im- 
mense flat  Ijasket,  filled  with  Golden  Dawn  Gera- 
nium flowers,  with  an  edging  of  leaves  of  the  same. 
A  vase-shaped  flower  basket,  filled  completely 
with  English  Violets,  excepting  a  bunch  of  Valley 
Lilies  in  the  center,  was  one  of  the  attractive  pieces 
at  a  recent  wedding.  The  Violets  were  loosely 
arranged,  harmonizing  to  a  charm  with  the  gilded 
holder. 

The  Violet  is  the  emblem  of  the  Bonapartes. 
Whilst  the  first  Napoleon  was  in  exile  this  little 
blossom  was  adopted  by  his  followers  as  an  em- 
blem, and  a  small  bunch  of  the  flowers  hung  up  in 
the  house,  or  worn  l\y  a  Frenchman,  denoted  the  ad- 
herence of  the  wearer  to  his  fallen  chieftain. 

We  have  no  objection  to  the  use  of  flowers  at 
funerals  or  in  cemeteries.  What  we  would  like  to 
see  would  be  more  bouquets  used  as  gifts  to  the 
living— to  wives,  sisters,  mothers,  and  to  the  unfor- 
tunate in  sickness,  where  the  gift  can  cany  the 
idea  of  appreciation  along  with  it.  as  it  cannot  after 
death. 

The  Chrysanthemum— the  national  flower  of 
Japan-is  honored  every  year  by  a  special  Imper- 
ial Chrysanthemum  Garden  Party  in  the  palace 
grounds  at  Akasaka,  one  of  which  was  lately  given 
by  the  Mikado.  The  Chrysanthemums  there  are 
unequaled  throughout  the  world,  and  some  of  the 
plants  display  from  SIB  to  4m  fully-developed  blos- 
soms at  a  time. 

Pansy  Floral  Designs.  For  funerals  no  others 
are  more  appropriate,  or  handsome,  than  those 
covered  with  Pansies  alone.  The  designs  of  wire 
should  be  filled  full  to  firmness  with  soft  moss. 
Light  wire,  cut  in  lengths  of  an  inch  and  a  half, 
with  one  end  then  thrust  through  the  base  of  the 
flower,  and  bent  down,  answers  as  to  stemming. 
These  should  insert  easily  into  the  moss.  In  naking 
up  we  do  not  like  to  see  the  indiscriminate  mixing 
of  colors  Sort  out  the  flowers  according  to  color 
and  shade,  then  begin  at  the  top  of  the  design, 
working  in  the  darkest  ones  first,  in  cross  or  oblique 
lines,  and  so  on  down  through  the  colors,  with  the 
light  yellows  or  whites  at  the  base. 

Bougainvillea  branches  are  an  attractive  mate- 
rial in  floral  decorations,  but  often  poorly  used  for 
best  effects.  For  one  thing,  its  striking  purple  color 
does  not  harmonize  well  with  most  other  kinds  of 
flowers.  Used  alone  in  one  heavy  garland  for 
adorning  chandeliere,  not  by  looping  or  winding  it 
about  much— for  this  cannot  be  done— but  by  bring- 
ing it  around  from  top  to  bottom  in  one  bold  sweep, 
even  if  it  be  rather  stifBy,  the  effect  is  superb.    It  is 


just  the  article  to  use  here  or  about  large  mirrors 
by  those  who  tire  of  the  more  "fussy"  arrange- 
ment of  finer  greens,  as  often  used.  Callas,  how- 
ever, combine  Well  with  this  material  wherever 
their  use  is  appropriate.  Cypripediimis  and  Alla- 
mandas  are  other  kinds  that  harmonize  charmingly 
with  Bo\igaiiivillea. 

Shipping  Cut  Flowers.  The  American  Express 
Co..  recognizing  the  growing  importance  of  the  cut 
flower  trade,  has  determined  to  favor  it  in  a  most 
worthy  manner.  Mr.  Antisdel.  General  Superin- 
tendent of  the  N.  W.  Division,  has  instructed  all 
his  agents  to  give  special  attention  to  packages  of 
flowers  having  a  mark  consisting  of  a  white  label. 
4  by  6  inches,  bearing  the  word  "  perishable,"  in  red 
letters  and  a  large  red  leaf  covering  nearly  its  en- 
tire surface.  They  are  to  be  kept  right  side  up, 
and  as  nearly  as. possible,  at  a  moderate  tempera- 
ture. They  are  also  to  be  delivered  promptly. 
When  refused  by  consignees,  the  shipper  is  to  be 
notified  by  telegraph  and  asked  for  instructions.  So 
says  the  Prairie  Farmer. 

Buds  have  scales  only  in  cold  climates. 
Nature  makes  the  useful,  the  beautiful. 
Plant  leaves  are  arranged  in  a  definite  order. 
Decay  in  the  wood  affects  the  quality  of  the  fruit. 
In  hot  climates  deciduous  trees  lose  their  leaves 
in  the  dry  season. 

Many  evergreens  have  leaves  only  of  annual  dura- 
tion: the  old  ones  <lrop  after  the  new  crop  appears. 
The  marvelous  stories  about  grain  growing,  that 
has  laid  in  the  hands  of  mumnues  for  thousands  of 
years,  are  without  foundation. 

A  Warning.  The  conunon  thistle  plant  is  found 
to  contain  an  average  of  Cri.iKK)  seeds,  and  the  bur- 
dock :jH.(i<X).  Jlany  other  weeils  are  quite  as  prolific. 
Linnseus,  the  greatest  of  naturalists,  whose  life, 
at  an  advanced  age,  closed  nearly  a  century  ago, 
had  several  American  correspondents,  one  of  which 
was  His  Excellency  Cadwaller  Colden,  Governor  of 
New  York. 

Young  botanists  may  find  interest  in  studying 
the  ovary  or  seed  vessel  of  the  Mignonette.  Curi- 
ously enough  this  is  open  from  the  first,  and  as  it 
develops,  the  seeds  become  exposed  to  the  sight 
long  before  they  .are  ripe 

Young  trees  produce  larger  and  more  .iuicy  fniit 
than  old  ones,  because  the  materials  whicli  enter 
into  the  fruit  are  conducted  through  shorter  and 
more  open  courses.  But  the  fruit  of  old  trees  is 
richer  and  higher  flavored. 

Binomial  nomenclature,  that  is,  where  each 
species  is  indicated  by  two  names,  the  one  standing 
forthe  genus,  the  other  for  the  species,  is  a  great  im- 
provement over  the  older  method  of  distinguishing 
each  one  by  explanatory  phrases.  For  example, 
rialamnina  was  a  hundred  years  ago  known  as 
riula  fiiliix  ri,nlati.'<  obliDigis.  pedunenlli  fere 
racliratis. 

Botany  for  Young  People.  Interesting  as  the 
study  of  botany  is  to  all.  it  is  particularly  so  to 
youiig  people,  as  it  appeals  to  their  natural  curiosity 
I  and  their  desire  of  knowing  about  things.  The 
study  of  iilants  and  flowers  first,  by  the  young,  and 
:  then  aftei-wards  of  the  other  natural  sciences,  is 
one  of  the  most  profitable,  as  well  as  interesting, 
trainings  young  minds  can  be  put  to.  It  would  be 
an  advantage  to  have  this  study  begin  even  before 
that  of  language. 

The  Smallest  House  Plant.  Our  studious  friend, 
Mr.  C.  D.  Zinunerman.  of  this  city,  .says  that  the 
Yeast  Plant  is  the  smallest  cultivated  house  plant, 
and  no  doulit  he  is  right  about  it.  To  "  make  Yeast" 
'.  as  the  bakers  say.  is  in  his  estimation  as  absurd  as 
i  to  talk  of  making  Geranium  plants  or  Maple  trees. 
Yeasf  inci-eases  by  growth ;  when  in  bread-baking 
the  "  Sponge  "  is  set  in  properly  sifted  and  warmed 
flour,  aud  kept  at  a  temperature  of  about  «0°,  the 
Yeast  multiplies  very  rapidly  and  in  a  short  time 
is  sufficiently  strong  for  the  dough  if  is  intended  for. 
Horticulture  and  Botany.  Says  the  L-IIIu.'^tra- 
tiun  HurHnilv:  The  progri  ss  of  horticulture,  had  it 
need  of  proof,  would  find  one  in  the  development 
of  the  botanical  gardens  everywhere,  and  in  the 
greenhouses  established  in  these  institutions.  The 
Jardin  dis  Plantes.  at  Paris,  has  a  new  winter  gar- 
den. The  houses  of  the  garden  of  Glasnevin  have 
been  renovated  and  made  larger.  The  botanical 
institution  of  Liege  has  attained  vast  proportiors. 
The  greenhouses  of  the  botanical  garden  of  Gi'efs- 
wald.  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Edm.  Goeze,  have 
been  rebuilt,  and  now  in  turn  those  of  Tubingue: 
the  Legislative  Chamber  of  Wurtemburg  has  voted 


18.3,000  marks  to  this  purpose.  We  also  learn  that 
there  will  be  tour  iron  frame  houses  in  the  botanical 
garden  of  Bnmswig.  The  enlargement  of  the  fern 
house  in  the  gardens  of  Brussels  is  just  completed. 
Plant  Life  in  the  Arctics.-During  this  short  sum- 
mer, the  plant  life  of  the  -\rcfics  grows  very  rapidly 
under  the  constant  stimulus  of  an  ever-shining 
sun;  and  before  the  snow  is  oft  the  ground,  flowers 
will  be  in  bloom  so  near  the  banks  of  snow  that, 
with  the  foot,  they  may  he  bent  over  against  them. 
The  vitality  in  these  hardy  Arctic  plants  appears 
phenomenal,  and  they  almost  seem  endowed  with 
intelligence  in  knowing  what  a  brief  time  they  are 
allowed  to  spring  up.  blossom  and  bear  seed  They 
commence  early,  and  hold  tenaciously  on  to  all 
their  growth  after  plants  which  we  are  used  to 
seeing,  would  be  prone  upon  the  ground.  Midden- 
dort  has  seen  an  Arctic  Rhododendron,  in  Siberia,  m 
fidl  flower  all  over  it.  when  the  roots  and  the  stem 
were  solidly  encased  in  frozen  soil  as  hard  as  ice. 
On  King  Willam's  Land,  we  had  four  nights  in  July 
and  thirteen  in  August,  when  the  thermometer  sank 
to  freezing:  and  yet  I  picked  flowers  in  bloom,  to 
within  the  last  three  days  of  the  latter  month.— 
Lieut.  Schwatka,  in  Independent. 


ABOUT  THE  PLACE. 

Little  wastes  cari*y  away  profits. 
Tile  draining  promotes  eariiness. 
Soapsuds  should  go  to  the  compost  pile. 
A  cheap  implement  is  usually  a  dear  implement. 
Make  up  your  mind  to  have  a  lawn  mower  this 
year,  if  you  never  have  had  one  before. 

Slats  across    the  pig   trough,  will    prevent  the 

stronger  animals  from  plow  ing  away  the  weaker. 

"I  am  satisfied  a  well-fed  cow  will   make  from 

her  droppings  at  night  iilone,  $25  worth  of  manure 

in  a  year."— F.  C.  Furmiin. 

Dr.  Holland  makes  one  of  his  characters  say, 
"  The  peg  (pigi'll  ate  wot  there  won't  nothing  else 
ate.  and  thin  you  can  ate  the  peg." 

A  neighbor  of  ours  keeps  his  milch  cow  as  clean 
and  well-carded  as  he  does  his  carriage  horse.  The 
cow  is  a  picture  fo  look  at.    It's  the  right  way. 

Johnson  Grass.  As  to  its  probable  value  as  a  . 
pasture  grass  in  warm  climates. the  American  Agri- 
cultnrist  says;  We  have  seen  this  grass  growing  in 
Georgia,  and  were  favorably  impressed  with  it.  It 
is  a  very  tall  and  coarse  grass,  and  would  be  better 
for  soiling  the  cows  than  for  pasturage  Where 
manure  costs  nothing  but  the  transportation,  and 
the  land  can  be  irrigated  at  will,  we  should  advise 
a  trial  in  the  South,  not  only  of  Johnson  grass 
iStniiliiim  Halepense).  but  of  the  "  Peiirl  Millet" 
and  of  the  different  kinds  of  Sorghum  advertised 
by  seedsmen. 

If  there  is  a  lack  of  trees,  shrubs  and  vines  about 
the  place,  fake  our  advice,  and  before  this  month  is 
out,  order  and  plant  a  good  assortment  of  these. 
Then  give  the  trees  some  fair  care  and  they  will 
pay  for  themselves  two-fold  with  every  year  that 
comes  around.  This  will  be  in  the  actually  increased 
value  of  your  place,  in  case  you  wanted  fo  sell,  to 
say  nothing  about  the  increased  pleasure  and  com- 
fort fo  be  derived  from  such  a  course.  Without  the 
beauty  and  quiet  influence  which  a  good  showing  of 
trees  and  shi  ubs  will  produce,  your  home  may  be 
so  cheerless  and  unattractive  that  no  one  about  it 
can  work  with  energy,  or  take  pride  in  it. 

Shade  for  the  Well.  More  than  one  advantage 
comes  from  it.  Trees,  or  even  vines,  (the  latter 
supported  by  trellises),  growing  near  enough  to  shade 
the  pump,  render  the  water  cooler  in  summer,  hence 
more  refreshing  fo  man  and  beast,  than  without  it. 
Then,  too.  there  is  more  or  less  waste  of  water  from 
apiunpiuthe  process  of  drawing  it;  if  there  are 
roofs  of  trees  or  vines  fo  absorb  this,  it's  return  to 
the  well,  besides  an  unhealthy  moisture  in  the  soil, 
is  in  a  large  measure  prevented.  Trees  and  the 
like  grow  very  fast  usually  about  wells  on  this  ac- 
coimt.  Another  consideration  is  that  trees  growing 
near  wells,  in  some  degree  proride  winter  shelter 
for  them.  So  we  say  at  this  season,  plant  trees  or 
vines  to  shade  the  wells. 

Early  spring  weather  is  very  trying  to  bees;  the 
sunshine  of  some  days  alluring  them  out  of  the  hives, 
and  cold  winds  chilling  and  often  destroying  them 
in  large  numbers,  before  they  can  get  back.  At 
other  times  the  temperature  may  be  so  mild  that 
their  thght  and  return  may  be  made  without  any 
loss.  This,  then,  is  a  gain  forthe  bee.s.  Rye  meal, 
placed  in  shallow  boxes  in  the  sun  near  the  hive, 
win  .attract  them:  and  large  quantifies  will  he  car- 
ried back  for  food  for  the  young  brood.  Should 
there  be  a  lack  of  pollen  in  the  hives,  as  might  be 
the  case,  such  feeding  becomas  veiy  important. 
They  may  also  be  fed  a  thin  sugar  syrup,  to  stimu- 
late lireeding.  Oflering  these  near  the  hives,  tends 
to  prevent  wide  ranging  and  its  perils  at  this  season. 


1 886. 


POPULAR     GARDENING. 


oiwGjfepPLe 


Fig,  1.     Bricks  as  ar 
ranged  in  buildittg. 


Treeclimber's  Talks. 

NATURE   AS    A   BUILDER. 

As  soon  in  the  spring  as  the  sun  drives  the 
frost  out  of  the  earth,  a  great  stir  begins  to 
take  place  under  ground,  for  the  plants  stai-t  to 
grow.  The  subject  of  what  plant  growth  is, 
its  various  forms,  and  extent,  ought  to  be  a 
very  interesting  one  for  all  of  my  young 
friends,  as  well  as  for  older  people,  to  consider 
at  this,  its  season  of  beginning.  All  about  us, 
now,  there  are  endless  millions  of  tiny  seed- 
lings and  larger  forms  of  plant  life  to  be  found 
in  weeds,  grasses,  useful  plants,  bushes,  and  on 
up  to  the  great  trees  of 
our  meadows  and  forests, 
all  starting  into  activity, 
as  if  there  was  no  time 
to  be  lost  in  getting  at 
the  work  of  making  the 
growth  of  the  year. 

Great,  indeed,  will  be 
the  change  that  a  few 
months  will  bring  about,  as  the  result  of  this 
plant  growth.  At  the  time  of  this  writing  I 
cannot  yet  see  one  new  leaf  on  tree  or  plant : 
in  a  short  time  there  will  be 

MILLIONS  UPON  MILLIONS 
of  them  to  be  seen  in  all  directions.  Each 
small  seedling  that  survives  will  soon  have 
formed  a  plant  of  some  size,  each  healthy 
shrub  and  tree  will  have  enlarged  by  many 
new  shoots.  Besides  this,  every  growing  trunk 
and  branch  will  have  gained  in  size,  by  the 
taking-on  of  a  layer  of  new  wood  over  all  its 
parts,  and  crops  of  flowers  and  fruit  will  appear 
liefore  the  season  is  ended. 

Now,  let  me  aid  my  young  readers  in  taking 
a  peep  at  the  process  by  which  all  these  mar- 
velous changes,  of  the  next  half  year,  are  to  be 
brought  about.  To  go  into  all  the  knowTi  de- 
tails of  this  matter  would  be  impossible  here. 
But  I  can  at  least  introduce  you  to  the  great 
fundamental  factor  in  the  case,  namel}-, 

THE   VEGETABLE   CELL. 

that  minute  part,  from  which  all  plants  are 
built  up  in  the  process  of  gi-owth.  Even  as  to 
the  vegetable  cell,  so  much  has  been  discovered 
and  written,  that  I  cannot  expect  to  treat  of 
more  than  some  of  its  forms  and  its  importance 
here.  To  give  an  idea  of  the  former,  I  show  a 
few,  among  many 
forms,  in  the  ac- 
companying f  i  g- 
ures,  2,  3  and  4. 
But  these  engrav- 
ings show  the  cells 
magnified  several 
hundreds  of  times 
i  n  diameter,  for 
ordinarily  they 
are  much  too  min- 
ute to  be  discerned 
with  the  naked 
unaided  eye. 

To  convey  a  con- 
ception  of  the 
relative  nature  of 
the  vegetable  cell 
in  plant  growth, 
let  me  compare 
plants  to  build- 
ings, and  the  cells 
of  plants  to  the  stone,  brick  or  other  materials, 
that  enter  into  the  construction  of  buildings. 
As  buildings,  by  the  work  of  masons  and  car- 
penters, enlarge  from  small  beginnings  by  the 

ADDITION  OF   BRICKS  UPON   BRICKS, 

stones  upon  stones,  etc.,  (see figure  1),  so  plants 
enlarge  in  all  their  pai'ts — roots,  branches, 
leaves  and  fruit,  by  the  addition  of  cells  upon 


Fig.  2.  \'egt't<ihl<'  L'cHa  in  the 
stent  of  a  Vetcli,  magnified 
about  300  times. 


Fig. 


cells,  until  the  full  development  of  parts  or  of 
the  whole  is  reached. 

Now,  as  the  materials  of  different  buildings 
vary  a  great  deal  in  size,  shape  and  density,  so 
it  may  be  said  that  vegetable  cells  also  are  far 
from  alike.  When  they  begin  to  grow 
they  are  usually  spherical  in  form,  but 
in  time  many  of  them  become  curi- 
ously changed  by  the  pressure  of  one 
upon  another.  Some  become  so  much 
elongat«l,  that  they  may  well  be 
likened  to  lath  and  boards  in  the  walls 
of  buiklings. 

But  there  is  a  great  difference,  after 
all,  between  plant  cells  and  building 
material,  in  one  respect  (not  to  speak 
of  the  va-st  difference  in  size).  It  is 
that  while  the  latter  is  dead  inorganic  matter, 
which  must  be  moved  and  put  into  place  by 
some  outside  power,  as  when  we  build, 

PLANT  CELLS   ARE   LIVING  ORGANISMS, 

which  are  produced  in  the  growing  plant  itself, 
by  a  kind  of  propagation,  either  through  mul- 
tiplication or  division,  and  which  is  perpetually 
going  on  in  growth.  In  figure  3,  showing  the 
cells  of  a  plant,  at  A,  is  seen  one  of  these  in  the 
process  of  increasing  to  two  cells,  by  division, 
the  dark  line  across  it  being  where  a  complete 
cell  wall,  as  at  B,  is  directly  to  appear. 

In  this  figure  2  is  given  a  section  of  the  stem 
of  a  plant  showing  the  cells  magnified  nearly 
300  times.  Figure  3  represents  the  outer  layer 
of  cells  on  a  small  rootlet,  some  of  the  cells 
being  extended  as  root  hairs.  In  figure  4  is 
shovra  what  will  interest  especially  many  of 
my  young  friends  who  have  nice  fiower  beds, 
namely,  the  highly  magnified 

SURFACE  OF  A    PANSY    FLOWER 

showing  the  cells.  Here,  as  may  be  seen,  the 
cells  are  more  or  less  prolonged  outward,  giv- 
ing rise  to  the  rich  velvety  appearance  of  the 
petals  of  this  favorite  blossom.  Were  we  to 
examine  the  beautiful  texture  of  our  other  fine 
flowers  with  a  powerful  microscope,  it  would 
be  found  that  they,  in  many  instances,  would 
present  quite  a  similar  appearance. 

Now,  as  you  see  plants  all  about  you  enlai'g- 
ing  by  growth,  just  remember  that  this  process 
is  the  increasing  of  the  vegetable  cells  in  these, 
in  all  of  their  young  parts.  And  as  our  towns 
grow  by  adding  brick  to  brick  and  timber  to 
timber,  so  all  the  plants  and  trees  of  the  world 
increase  by  the  addition  of  cells  to  cells.  Then 
you  maj'  rightly  comprehend  not  only  how  na- 
ture builds,  but  also  what  a  great  builder  she  is. 
Timothy  Treeolimber. 


their  tastes  so  warped  by  cultivation  as  to  en- 
joy the  din,  clatter  and  gaietj*  of  town  life,  but 
to  the  person  who  is  ojjcu  to  all  the  impres- 
sions of  nature  as  found  in  the  country,  the 
change  from   living  here  to  living  in  the  city 


^fagnified  Celts  at  t/ie  sur- 
face of  a  Mnpte  rootlet,  some  e.r- 
tending  as  mot  hairs,  tafterOray). 


Fig.  i.  Prolonged 
celts  on  the  petal 
of  a  Pa  nfiy  flower. 


The  Hanging  Gardens  of  Babylon. 

No  doubt  the  young  gardeners  who  read 
this  paper,  have  heard  of  those  famous  gardens 
of  ancient  times,  which  were  reckoned  among 
the  wonders  of  the  world.  Perhaps  you  have 
been  troubled  to  know  whether  they  were  really 
gardens  suspended  in  mid-air,  something  after 
the  fashion  of  our  popular  hanging  baskets. 
While  they  did  not  exactly  hang  in  a  similai' 
manner,  as  these  miniature  affairs  of  ours  do, 
yet  they  were  held  far  up  in  space,  by  means  of 
strong  pillars  and  arches,  and  were  literally 
grand  gardens  in  mid-air.  One  of  the  descrip- 
tions of  these  gardens  is  as  follows : 

They  formed  a  square,  with  an  area  of  uearly 
four  acres;  Init  rising  in  terraces  curiously  con- 
structed with  stone  pillars,  across  which  were  i>Iaced 
fiat  stones  of  large  size,  covered  witli  cement,  brick- 
work and  lead,  to  prevent  the  leaking  riown  of 
moisture,  and  finally  with  a  sufficient  layer  of  earth 
to  support  trees,  shrulis  and  plants. 

The  upper  terrace  was  elevated  three  hunilred 
feet  above  the  base,  so  that,  with  the  intervening 
ones,  at  a  distance,  the  whole  presented  the  appear- 
ance of  a  pyramidal  w^joded  hill.  A  lar-ge  reservoir 
for  watei-.  witli  which  to  irrigate  the  gardens, 
and  to  sup|»ly  the  many  foiuUaihs.  was  at  the  top. 

Fountains  and  banqueting  rooms  were  distributed 
throughout  the  immerous  terraces.  Lawns  and 
avenues  of  large  trees,  as  well  as  parterres  of  flow- 
ers, <liversified  the  scene. 

Country  and  Town. 
"  Man  made  the  city  but  ttod  made  the  coun- 
try" goes  the  old  saying,  and  it  is  a  very  prop- 
er way  to  look  at  things.     People  may  have 


is  a  grievous  one  to  be  endured.  Most,  if  not 
all  of  the  great  men  of  the  world,  are  lovers  of 
the  country,  and  have  lived  here.  The  men 
who  are  our  most  successful  merchants, lawyers, 
manufacturers,  and  even  presidents,  were,  in 
nine  cases  out  of  ten  perhaps,  country  urchins 
in  their  da}-.  These  things  indicate  what  whole- 
some surroundings  those  who  live  in  the  country 
have,  as  compared  with  livers  in  towns. 

Take  a  country  boy  for  the  first  time  to  see  the 
wonders  of  the  town :  he  is  bewildered,  then  amused : 
at  last  wearied,  and  then  he  wants  to  go  home.  But 
bring  out  your  city  boy  into  the  green  fields.  Let 
him  romp  upon  the  broad  lawn,  run  up  and  down 
among  the  flower-beds,  or  by  the  stream:  does  he 
want  to  go  home?  Not  a  bit  of  it.  And  what  is 
more— you  can  let  him  take  his  fill  of  such  enjoy- 
ments, for  you  are  certain  it  will  never  vitiate  his 
tastes,  nor  corrupt  his  heart,  nor  injure  his  mental, 
moral  or  physical  health. — Nature. 


PET  BIRDS,  ANIMALS,  ETC 

Metal  perches  produce  cramps. 

Provide  lukewarm  water  for  the  bird  bath. 

Canary  hirds  have  been  taught  to  speak  words. 

To  split  a  parrot's  tongue,  that  it  may  learn  to 
talk,  is  as  foolish  as  it  is  cruel.    Never  do  it. 

You  will  always  find  a  wide  difference  between 
the  condition  of  a  dog  that  gets  much  e-xercise,  and 
one  that  does  not. 

Hatching  hirds  are  liable  to  become  infested 
with  lice:  a  slight  dusting  of  insect  powder  about 
the  nest  will  prevent  this. 

Do  not  leave  matches  within  the  reach  of  mock- 
ing birds  or  parrots— they  may  be  poisoned  by  peck- 
ing the  phosphorous  end. 

Water  for  Gold  Fish.  River  water  is  best,  and 
filtered  water  the  worst,  for  the  fish.  Do  not  use 
rain  water  in  towns,  nor  any  that  is  not  compara- 
tively fresh.  With  river  or  pond  water  no  feeding 
is  necessarj-.  Small  insects  should  be  given  at  times, 
and  hard  biscuit,  when  very  pure  water  is  used. 
The  water  should  be  changed  every  other  day, 
drawing  the  old  by  the  use  of  a  siphon  of  light  rub- 
ber hose,  or  by  baling. 

Raise  Your  Own  Bird  Seeds.  The  heaps  of  paper 
boxes  in  the  stores  show  an  immense  trade  in  bird 
.seeds.  Such  seeds  are  no  better.for  passing  through 
the  hands  of  jobbers,  wholesale  dealers  and  retail- 
ers, each  exacting  a  high  profit.  So  why  not 
grow  them  ourselves:  it  is  nice,  light  work  for  the 
children,  to  raise  crops  of  food  for  their  feathered 
pets.  A  Mr.  E.  S.  Gilbert,  in  the  Xeu-  Yorl;  Trilmne. 
gives  some  good  instructions  in  this  matter,  as  fol- 
lows: Canary  gra.ss.  rape,  and  hemp  seed  make 
sufficient  variety.  A  bed  ten  feet  square  will  pro- 
vide for  at  least  one  bird,  if  soil  and  culture  are 
good.  Canary  grass  is  an  annual  from  Central  Asia, 
as  easily  raised  as  oats.  Sow  in  drills  a  foot  apart 
and  thin  to  three  inches.  Cut  off  the  heads  as  thes' 
ripen— there  will  be  a  succession  until  frost,  if  not 
too  dry— and  hang  them  in  a  dry  place.  Rape, 
which  is  a  turnip,  e.vcept  that  it  has  no  edible  root 
and  nms  up  to  seed  the  first  year,  may  be  drilled, 
and  thinned  to  eight  inches.  Pidl  the  plants  when 
ripe  and  dry  them.  Hemp  ma3-  be  in  hills.  2x2  feet. 
The  male  and  female  rtowers  are  on  sei>arate  plants 
— one  or  two  male  plants  will  be  enough  to  fertilize 
the  females,  which  are  known  by  their  thick  leaf 
spikes:  pull  the  rest  of  the  males  soon  as  they  show 
their  flowers.  Do  not  sow  imtil  danger  from  frost 
is  past,  and  hoe  often.  In  addition,  let  us  tell  of  a 
trick  of  the  bird-seed  men.  Most  bird  mixtures 
contain  millet,  which  is  seldom  eaten;  the  packages 
might  as  well  be  weighted  with  sand  instead,  and  $« 
a  bushel  is  pretty  high  for  seed  that  is  mostly 
wa-sted.  The  scientific  accuracy  of  the  mtxers, 
which  printed  labels  insist  upon,  amounts  to  noth- 
ing, since  each  brand  differs  from  all  others. 


8o 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


April, 


April.  . 

Come  up  April,  through  the  valley. 
In  your  robes  of  beauty  drest, 
Come  and  wake  your  dowery  children 
From  their  wintry  beds  of  rest. 
Come  and  overflow  them  softly 
With  the  sweet  breath  of  the  south ; 
Drop  upon  them,  warm  and  loving, 
Tenderest  kisses  of  your  mouth. 

— Phoebe  C'ary. 

Far  Reaching. 

We  scatter  seeds  with  careless  hand. 
And  of  the  act  think  little  more; 
But  for  a  thousand  years 
Their  fruit  appears. 
In  weeds  that  mar  the  land. 
Or  healtliful  store. 


*'  Ye  have  no  history.    I  ask  in  vain 

Who  planted  on  the  slope  this  lofty  group 

Of  ancient  pear  trees,  that  with  spring-time  burst 

Into  such  breadth  of  bloom.    One  bears  a  scar 

Where  the  quick  lightning  scored  its  trunk,  yet  still 

It  feels  the  breath  of  spring,  and  every  May 

Is  white  with  blossoms.    'VMio  it  was  that  laid  their 

Infant  roots  in  earth,  and  tenderly 

Cherished  the  delicate  sprays.    I  ask  in  vain. 

Yet  bless  the  unknown  band  to  which  I  owe 

This  annual  festival  of  bees,  these  songs 

Of  birds  within  their  leafy  screens,  these  shouts 

Of  joy  from  children  gathering  up  the  fruit 

Shaken  in  August  from  the  willing  boughs.'' 

— Brya  n  t. 


Daisies  like  a  cool  soil. 

As  ye  sow,  so  shall  ye  reap. 

Crocuses  keep  the  bees  busy. 

Going  to  seed :  the  gardener. 

The  'Weigelia  dates  from  184.5. 

Remember  that  ."iO,000  suliscribers. 

We  say  ti'y  some  new  things  everj'  year. 

'Mums  is  the  short  for  Chrysanthemums. 

Never  surrender  in  the  war  against  insects. 

Has  the  lawn  l.>een  rolled  ?    Don't  forget  this. 

The  flowers  appear  glad  for  April's  coming. 

Flowers:  ever  a  rich  theme  for  poet's  songs. 

Look  out  for  putty  adulterated  with  blue 
clay. 

Flowering  Fuchsias  need  free  draughts  of 
water. 

Pussy  Willows  are  an  attraction  to  all  young- 
sters, we  think. 

At  garden-making  time  many  a  person 
would  subscribe  if  asked. 

Drummond's  Phlox  has  got  a  stai't  as  a  wild 
plant  in  some  pai'ts  of  Florida. 

Advertisements  must  reach  us  by  the  1.5th  of 
the  month,  for  the  month  following. 

We  Thank  You.  This  we  say  most  heartily 
to  our  many  friends  who  have  sent  in  clubs. 

A  Butterfly  came  out  to  greet  the  Crocuses 
in  her  garden,  the  other  day,  writes  one  sister. 

Hardy  garden  flowers  show  off  the  best  in 
wide  beds,  having  a  back  ground  of  evergreens. 

A  variegated  Ficus  repens,of  striking  beauty, 
is  reported  from  Cambridge  Botanic  Gardens, 
Boston. 

A  friend,  complaining  to  us  about  her  plants 
not  blooming,  says  they  look  as  if  they  felt 
ashamed  of  it. 

In  tying  up  plants,  see  how  few  strings  you 
can  have  in  sight,  instead  of  how  many,  as 
some  seem  to  do. 

An  idea  for  spring : — Do  a  little  now,  in  en- 
larging our  family  circle,  for  now  if  ever  .people 
will  want  the  paper. 


Let  the  children  have  some  of  the  responsi- 
bility of  the  light  garden  work.  They  nat- 
urally incline  towards  gardening. 

The  Eobin  and  other  spring-songsters  are  on 
hand  again,  to  charm  us  with  their  sweet 
music.     It  seems  sweeter  than  ever  before. 

No  use  to  look  for  flowers  on  newly  planted 
Chinese  Wistarias  under  half-a-dozen  years; 
but  when  they  do  come,they  pay  richly  for  the 
waiting. 

One's  name  may  not  live  far  down  into  the 
ages,  but  he  who  plants  a  tree  does  an  act  that 
is  destined  to  carry  blessings  through  many 
generations. 

Blood-leaved  Trees.  The  three  best  for  the 
I  lawn  are,perhaps,River's  Purple-leaved  Beach, 
Blood-leaved  or  Schwerdler's  Maple,  and  the 
Purple-leaved  Birch. 

To  get  half-a-dozen  persons  to  unite  with  the 
P.  fi.  family  in  your  neighborhood,  would  tend 
to  improve  the  tone  of  the  gardening  about 
you  most  decidedly.     Try  it. 

Pleasure  Gardening  had  made  considerable 
progress  under  the  ancient  Romans ;  it  is  be- 
lieved that  the  Italian  style  of  gardening  is 
very  nearly  a  perfect  continuation  of  it. 

■When  ordering  anything  from  our  adver- 
tisers do  not  fail  to  mention  where  you  belong 
—that  is  in  the  Popular  Gardening  family. 
It  will  bring  special  attention,  mind  you. 

Trees,  whether  planted  for  ornament  or  in  or- 
chards, do  best  for  the  society  of  other  trees 
near  by,  through  affording  mutual  protection 
from  winds,  and  extremes  of  heat  and  cold. 
But  dou't  crowd  them. 

Small,  Sweet,  Numerous.  A  Pennsylvania 
correspondent  writes,  that  although  he  thinned 
out  1,200  pears  from  one  Seckel  tree  in  his  gar- 
den, last  summer,  those  remaining  footed  up 
1,7.50  at  gathering  time,  total  3,950. 

If  you  want  Vii-ginia  Creeper  it's  hardlj' 
worth  while  to  buy  the  plants,  if  some  wood 
can  be  hatl.  Make  into  cuttings  a  foot  long,  set 
these  uprightly  in  the  soil,  with  an  inch  out  of 
the  ground,  and  you'll  soon  have  plants. 

Flowers  for  gifts  are  as  adaptable  as  they  are 
charming;  where,  in  all  creation,  is  there 
anything  like  unto  them.  A  queen  may  give 
them  to  her  subjects;  the  poorest  child  can 
obtain  and  fitly  pi-esent  them  to  a  monarch. 

White  worms  in  flower  pots  are  sometimes  a 
gi'eat  torment.  One  member  of  the  family  who 
modestly  signs  herself  "  N.  M.  P.,"  offers  to  the 
others  this  remedy :  add  one  teaspoonful  of  car- 
bolic acid  to  one  quart  of  rain  water,  and  with 
this  water  the  plants. 

The  Eutoca  is  an  easily  grown  Californian 
annual,  with  bright,  intensely  blue  flowers. 
The  plants  are  rather  coarse-looking,  but  being 
easily  grown,  and  the  flowers  good  tor  cutting, 
it  is  worth  giving  a  place  sometimes.  Branches 
set  in  water  will  continue  to  flower  for  weeks. 

Still  Ahead.  Wife — "There!  the  paper  sa3's 
that  the  Redwood  family,  out  in  the  Yosemite 
valley,  are  often  seen  with  trunks  forty  feet  in 
diameter.  Now,  don't  you  ever  complain  of 
the  size  of  my  trunks  again,  Richard.  These 
Redwoods  aren't  much  of  a  family,  either.  I 
never  heard  of  them." 

The  power  of  example  is  often  well  shown  in 
gardening.  A  single  enthusiastic  amateur  in 
a  neighborhood,  will  plant  trees,  improve  his 
lawn  and  set  out  some  flowers  and  vines  for  a 
year  or  two.  Then  others  will  take  up  the 
same  course  in  a  small  way,  and  very  soon  the 
signs  of  such  improvements  will  appear  through- 
out the  entire  village  or  region. 

It  makes  a  difference  where  the  break  comes 
in.  The  florist's  heart  warms  with  gladness 
when  his  plants  break  forth  in  vigorous  growth. 
But  when  some  panes  of  the  greenhouse  glass 
overhead  crack  and  break  under  the  weight 
of  prowling  cats,  on  some  cold  winter  night, 
it's  perfectly  shocking  how  the  chills  run  down 
his  hack — through  the  house. 

In  grading  your  lawn,  keep  in  mind  that  you 
work  to  please  the  sense  of  sight,  but  that  this 


sense  is  often  deceptive.  To  bring  the  surface 
to  a  true  plane,  for  instance,  there  would  really 
be  the  appearance  of  sagging  through  the 
center,  and  this  is  not  pleasant  to  see.  The 
remedy  is  obvious ;  finish  each  plat  to  be  a  little 
crowning,  at  least,  in  the  middle  parts. 

February  Numbers  Wanted.  The  call  for  our 
February  issue  was  so  heavy,  that  before  we 
were  aware  of  it,  our  stock  was  very  low,  and 
now  we  need  some.  Should  any  of  our  readers 
happen  to  have  copies  on  hand,  in  clean  shape, 
which  they  could  spare,  by  returning  such  to 
this  office,  we  will  be  glad  to  advance  their  sub- 
scriptions by  two  months  on  our  books. 

Of  what  use  are  flowers  and  plants  ?  Let  the 
words  of  one  of  our  readers  answer  :  "Our 
garden  consists  of  two  windows,  and  these  in 
the  room  of  an  invalid  mother  who  is  entirely 
helpless.  We  cannot  afford  many  luxuries,  so 
the  plants  are  almost  our  only  recreation,  and 
how  much  joy  they  do  give.  At  this  date 
(Feb.  9)  they  are  blooming  beautifully." 

A  Fair  Offer.  Mr.  Benj.  Hammond,  the 
maker  of  Hammond's  Slug-Shot  Insecticide, 
takes  a  most  effectual  waj'  of  silencing  those 
who  are  disposed  to  question  his  claims  as  to 
its  great  worth.  He  comes  right  out  and  offers 
every  reader  who  wishes  to  know  the  article,  a 
.5  pound  package  as  a  sample,  if  they  %vill  but 
pay  the  transportation  charges.  There  readers ! 
you  have  what  we  call  a  straight  and  business- 
like offer,  with  no  risk  to  run  on  your  part. 
His  address  is  Fishkill-on-Hudson,  N.  Y. 

Nasturtiums.  What  could  be  more  delight- 
ful than  an  abundance  of  the  sweet,  fragrant 
and  bright-colored  flowers  of  these,  for  the 
table  next  summer  '.  Most  easily  secured.  Sow 
the  seed  any  time  during  the  spring  in  common 
garden  soil ;  they  will  soon  start  up,  and  after 
a  brief  spell  will  begin  to  bloom  abundantly, 
giving  an  endless  number  of  fine  long-stemmed 
flowers  for  months.  A  mixture  of  good  seerl 
can  be  bought  for  about  15  cts.  an  ounce.  Here 
is  something  for  the  children  to  take  a  hold  of. 

Talks  About  Flowers.  Our  readei-s  are  a 
cla.ss  who  enjo.y  "talks,"  of  this  kind,  as  we 
happen  to  know  very  well.  So  we  take  pleasure 
in  introducing  to  their  notice  the  charming 
little  book  by  this  name,  written  by  our  corres- 
pondent, Mrs.  M.  D.  Wellcome,  of  Y'armouth, 
Maine.  It  is  just  what  its  name  indicates,  while 
the  language  is  direct,  comprehensive,  sensible, 
and  deals  practically  with  several  scores  of  sub- 
jects. There  are  101  pages.  Mrs.  Wellcome  is 
her  ovm  publisher,  to  whom  orders  for  the  book 
should  be  addressed. 

Gardening  is  capable  of  affording  pleasures 
which  nothing  else  can  do.  Friends  of  W.  K. 
Vanderbilt  say  that  he  is  arranging  plans 
which  promise  him  a  vast  deal  of  substantial 
pleasure.  He  will  sever  his  connection  with  a 
good  many  business  cares,  will  abandon  specu- 
lation, and  establish  one  of  the  finest  country 
residences  known  to  this  land,  where  he  will 
devote  much  of  his  time  to  leisure.  We  beUeve 
that  in  time,  such  a  course  will  be  followed 
much  more  largely  than  at  present,  by  many  of 
our  men  of  wealth. 

Plant  Culture  at  the  South.  Mrs.  L.  M.  H., 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  has  this  to  say  about  her  plants 
under  date  of  Dec.  25th  last :  ' '  M3-  Wax  plant 
has  done  remarkably  well.  A  year  ago  last 
August  it  was  a  cutting  without  root :  now  it 
has  two  main  runners  several  yards  in  length, 
with  some  side  ones  also.  It  seems  as  though 
it  would  certainly  bloom  by  the  time  it  is  two 
years  old.  Last  summer  my  plants  all  did 
very  well.  Among  these  were  the  Sceirlet 
Tecoma  and  the  Night^blooming  Jasmine,  the 
latter  with  its  sweet  odor  perfuming  the  house 
and  grounds,  from  evening  through  the  night." 

Smilaz.  A  two  line  allusion  to  this  plant  in 
the  house,  in  the  February  issue,  has  aroused 
sevei'al  readers  to  inquire  as  to  the  essentials 
to  its  successful  culture.  A  long  experience  in 
growing  the  plant  leads  us  to  answer  as  follows : 
It  delights  in  a  moderately  damp  atmosphere, 
with  a  uniform  temperature  of  between  50° 
and  60' ;    it    dislikes    a   dry    heat    and    dust. 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


8i 


Wherever  the  former  t'oiiditious  can  be  suppUed 
and  the  latter  obviated,  there  the  plant  will 
grow.  A  soil  consisting  of  two  parts  of  rotted 
sods  and  of  old  cow-manure  will  be  suitable. 
The  plants,  unless  they  be  in  their  first  year, 
should  have  partial  i-est  during  the  summer. 

Peter  Henderson,  the  veteran  florist  of  Jersey 
City,  N.  J. ,  spent  a  good  share  of  last  summer 


growth,  and  when  a  stronger  growth  or  a  more 
prolonged  sea.son  of  growth  is  desired.  This 
month  may  find  numerous  jilants  in  the  green- 
house fit  to  receive  it.  Let  it  be  weak,  but  ap- 
ply often.  How  to  make:  The  neatest  way  is 
to  have  a  tub  for  the  purpose,  over  which,  rest- 
ing on  two  cross  sticks,  is  placed  any  kind  of  a 
barrel  having  holes  bored  in  it.     Fill  the  bai'rel 


mm 


Old  M<nt   Vartus.—Filocertt^  senilia. 


Echinoreru^  Coespitoswi.—Rosy  Purple. 


TWO  FINE  CACTUSES. 


in  Europe.  In  spealcing  of  his  stay  on  the  Isle 
of  Wight,  he  refers  to  some  common  plants  he 
there  saw,  as  follows;  "We  have  seen  some 
wonderful  things  in  Fuchsias  and  Geraniums, 
which  often  attain  twelve  feet  in  height,  in 
this  favored  region,  where  the  thermometer 
ranges  from  about  40°  to  TO  in  the  shade  the 
whole  year.  At  Arreton  Church,  Isle  of  Wight, 
we  saw  a  Scarlet  Geranium  that  is  said  to  be 
fifty  yeai's  old.  It  had  been  so  cut  for  slips 
that  it  is  at  present  but  four  or  five  feet  high; 
but  still  as  vigorous  and  healthy  as  in  its  youth." 

What  Popular  Gardening  now  really  needs 
more  than  anj-thing  else,  is  a  great  increase  of 
subsci'ibers.  We  believe  it  is  within  the  power 
of  its  present  friends  to  easily  help  us  to  these. 
Is  there  one  reader  in  our  family,  who,  with 
such  a  paper  in  hand  at  such  a  price,  could  not 
readily  interest  from  one  to  ten  persons  to  be- 
come subscribers  to  it;  Many  have  done  as 
well.  We  feel  certain  that  every  one  could  do 
this.  Such  a  lift  would  place  the  paper  on  a  fail- 
paying  basis,  and  admit  of  a  number  of  contem- 
plated improvements, which  its  publishers  even 
at  present  have  in  view.  Now  we  feel  disposed 
to  assume  just  so  much  for  the  good  will  which 
every  one  of  our  friends  bears  toward  this  paper, 
as  to  believe  that  they  will  try  (if  they  have 
not  yet  done  so) ,  the  very  thing  we  suggest.  Let 
us  have  a  rousing  inci-ease  of  subscribers,  in 
this  fair  spring  month  of  April. 

If  there  is  to  be  found  as  fine  a  trade  publi- 
cation in  the  gardening  line,  in  the  whole  world 
besides,  as  that  issued  by  the  B.  A.  Elliott  Co., 
of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  then  we  have  not  seen  it, 
and  our  acquaintance  with  such  publications 
is  not  slight  either.  It  is  not  a  catalogue  in 
the  common  sense  of  the  word,  although  in 
part  answering  that  end.  It  is  a  magnificent 
pamphlet  on  ornamental  gardening;  size  of 
page,  7  1-2  inches  by  10  1-2  inches,  with  engrav- 
ings, presswork  and  general  appearance  on  a 
level  with  the  fine  work  peculiar  to  the  Coituni 
and  other  high-priced  magazines.  Need  any- 
thing more  be  said  '  Admiring,  as  we  do,  fine 
engravings,  paper  and  printing,  as  all  readers 
of  Popular  Gardening  must  know  by  this 
time,  we  must  pronounce  this  a  work  after  our 
own  heart.  An  announcement  on  another 
page  gives  some  further  particulars. 

Liquid  Manure.  Ever}'  successful  florist  uses 
it.  But  plants  are  not  at  all  times  in  shape  to 
receive  it  and  here  is  where  the  inexperienced 
often  make  mistakes.  To  suppose  for  instance 
that  when  a  plant  is  in  a  feeble,  stand-still  con- 
dition, that  liquid  manure  will  help  it,  is  a  mis- 
take. At  such  a  time  leave  it  awaj-.  Just 
when  to  apply  it  is  when  plants  are  in  active 


with  manure,  packing  it  somewhat ;  then  pour 
in  water  at  intervals,  and  theleachings  into  the 
tub  are  what  you  want.      Dilute  before  using. 

All  Helping.  When  even  the  good  contem- 
poraries of  Popular  Gardening  are  interested 
in  seeing  us  make  an  excellent  paper  for  our 
readers,  the  outcome  surely  must  be  good.  Our 
friend  of  the  Floral  CabhicI,  who  has  made  the 
geographical  location  of  plants  much  of  a 
study,  calls  our  attention  to  an  error  in  our 
issue  of  four  months  ago,  in  which  we  unwit- 
tingly confused  the  Isle  of  Natal  with  the  Dis- 
trict of  Natal,  places  both  so  obscure  as  rai'ely 
to  be  given  notice  in  the  geogi-aphies.  For 
this  he  has  our  sincere  thanks.  But  why  will 
not  this  esteemed  contempora  ry ,  aside  from  thus 
assisting  us  on  to  perfection  in  our  work,  notice 
the  number  of  fine  and  instructive  engravings 
which  appear  in  each  issue  of  Popular  Gar- 
dening ?  We  are  lead  to  this  question,  through 
perceiving  that  the  journal  referred  to,  persists 
in  a.sserting  that  it  gives  ' '  more  illustrations 
than  any  other  periodical  devoted  to  the  same 
topic."'  Readers  of  both  papers  must '"smile" 
at  such  a  statement,  when  it  is  seen  at  a  glance 
or  by  count,  that  our  paper  averages  more 
than  twice  over  the  number  of  engravings  per 
issue  on  gardening  matters,  to  be  found  in  the 
issues  of  that  paper. 

Kennedyas.  Here  and  there  may  be  met  a 
greenhouse  in  which  some  of  these  handsome 
climbers  are  kept  up  in  good  shape.  Wherever 
such  is  the  case,  from  even  earlier  than  this, 
on,  may  be  seen  a  remarkably  grand  display 
!  of  pea-shaped  blossoms,  scarlet,  blue,  pink, 
etc.,  according  to  the  variety.  The  plants 
have  neat  evergreen  foliage.  They  are  not  too 
difficult  for  the  average  amateur,  who  devotes 
careful  oversight  to  his  plants,  to  undertake. 
The  best  plan  for  getting  up  stock  is  to  raise 
it  from  seed.  The  seed  can  be  obtained 
from  dealere  who  furnish  seeds'of  greenhouse 
plants.  Of  these  K.  Oniiptoniand,  K.  Miirnj- 
altiir,  K.  riibiciiiuin  and  A',  monophylla  are 
among  the  best.  Sow  early  in  the  spring  in 
well  drained  pots  of  light  soil,  soaking  the  seeds 
before  sowing.  During  after  culture,  shift 
promptly  before  the  roots  become  much  matted 
on  the  surface  of  the  balls.  The  soil  should  be 
composed  of  two  parts  turfy  jieat,  one  part  well 
rotted  manure,  with  the  addition  of  some  shai-p 
sand.  Good  drainage,  careful  watei-ing  and 
free  syringing  are  important  at  all  times.  Keep 
perfectly  clean  of  the  small,  white  scale,  which 
is  the  princi])le  enemy  of  these  plants. 

"  Floral  World  "  Premiums.  Occasionally  a 
letter  is  received  at  this  office  making  inquiries 
about  such   premiums,   perhaps  referring    to 


their  non-receipt  or  the  like.  As  our  own 
readers  know,  we  have  never  gone  into  the 
plant  and  seed  premium  business.  This  is  be- 
cause, first,  we  prefer  to  give  for  the  price 
asked  for  our  paper,  the  full  worth  and  more  in 
the  contents  of  the  paper  itself  ;  second,  we 
have  always  had  a  notion,  that  somehow  such 
a  premium  business  is  unfair  to  those  in  the 
seed  and  plant  trade.  Of  course,  on  such 
grounds  we  preferred  not  to  become  interested 
in  an}- OK ^^■|■^/(■  premium  contracts;  hence,  in  the 
recent  transfer  of  the  "  Floral  World  "  to  us,  it 
was  done  with  the  distinct  understanding  that 
the  late  proprietor  of  that  journal ,  fulfil!  all  pre- 
mium obligations  due  formal-  subscribers,  he 
hiirinij  ivlniiiril  nil  flu'  iiiuneij  irhirli  fell  In  the 
pi-i'iniiim  accounts.  Therefore,  while  we  most 
gladly  include  every  one  of  those  readers  as 
members  of  our  family  cii-cle,  (we  expect  to 
keep  them  with  us)  and  shall  supply  them  with 
the  full  quota  of  papers  for  which  they  paid,  we 
must  ask  them  to  address  all  matter  concerning 
"Floral  World"' premiums  to  Mr.  Gillette,  of 
whom  they  were  originallj'  ordered. 

Sweet  Peas.  Who  does  not  love  them  ? 
Who  would  not  have  them,  so  beautiful,  so  fra- 
grant, so  convenient  for  use  with  their  long 
stems,  next  summer,  from  June  until  fi-osts? 
You  easily  can,  either  in  the  garden  or  in 
boxes,  by  following  Popular  Gardening's 
five  rules  for  raising  them.  Here  they  are: 
Fii-st,  choose  for  them,  the  coolest,  dampest 
(not  a  wet,  undrained,)  spot  in  the  gai-den,  if 
you  have  a  garden,  if  not,  make  a  good-sized 
veranda,  window  or  roof  box,  say  T  inches  deep, 
10  inches  wide  and  of  any  length:  the  site  for 
the  Peas  should  be  in  the  sun,  at  least  one-half 
of  the  time.  Second,  plant  with  the  first  things 
planted,  that  is,  as  early  in  the  spring  as  the 
ground  is  found  to  work  up  decently ;  the  seeds 
should  be  covered  at  least  two  inches  deep. 
Third,  at  half  a  foot  high,  give  brush,  trellises  or 
strings,five  feet  high.  Fourth,  with  the  bursting 
of  the  first  flowers,  mulch  liberalh-  over  the  sur- 
face of  the  roots,  say  two  feet  on  each  side  of 
the  row  in  the  garden,  using  hay,  straw  or  lit- 
ter ;  this  is  designed  to  provide  that  most  impor- 
tant need  of  the  plants:  moisture.it  the  roots; 
if  there  is  drouth,  water  in  addition.  Fifth, 
sooner  or  later  cut  everj-  flower  before  it  devel- 
ops into  a  seed-pod.  These  rules  followed,  and 
you  may  have  plenty  of  Sweet  Peas  the  sum- 
mer through. 

Two  Fine  Cactuses.  Mr.  A.  Blanc,  of  Phila- 
delphia, whom  we  must  style  America's  most 
enthusiastic  Cacti  grower,  has  furnished  us 
with  the  fine  engravings  of  those  shown  here- 
with, also  with  some  notes.  The  "  Old  man  "" 
Cactus,  Piloivnis  .sc/i  j/i's,  will  at  once  attract 
notice ;  it  is  one  of  the  curiosities  of  the  plant 
world.  It  derives  its  name  from  the  long  sil- 
very white  hairs  (really  soft  weak  spines), 
which  cover  the  upper  portion  of  its  stem, 
and  impart  a  peculiar  resemblance  to  the  hoary 
head  of  a  man.  The  plant  is  easily  managed  in 
cultivation,  provided  the  simple  precaution  of 
gi-owing  it  under  a  glass  shade,  to  keep  the  dust 
from  it,  is  observed.  Our  other  subject,  we  must 
introduce  by  its  botanical  name,  Ecliinocemt.s 
Ca'spifosu.'<,  foi-  w-e  know  of  no  other  one.  It 
is  neai-ly  related  to  the  Cereus  section  of  the 
Cactuses,  among  which  the  large  Night-bloom- 
ing Cereus  is  so  famous.  This  plant  is  conve- 
niently dwarf  in  habit. making  it  desirable  for 
the  window.  It  is  easily  grown  by  amateurs.  It 
flowers  freely,  bearing  rosy  purple  blooms. 
But  the  feature  which  renders  it  attractive  at 
all  seasons  of  the  year  is  its  fine  and  pretty 
spines  symmetricall)'  arranged.  Popular 
Gardening  is  glad  to  see  that  Mr.  Blanc  is 
disposed  to  give  the  public  the  benefit  of  his 
attainmepts,  in  collecting  and  growing  (out  of 
pure  love)  the  many  subjects  of  this  too  much 
neglected  famil)-,  by  offering  some  of  them  for 
sale  at  reasonable  pric.-es.  We  have  h)ng  known 
the  gentleman  as  a  leading  artist  aiul  engraver, 
and  the  head  of  a  large  fine-art  estaldishment. 
We  hope  to  know  him  long  in  the  future,  as  a 
promoter  of  the  culture  of  fine  Cacti. 


82 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


April, 


THE  HOUSE  PLANTS.       r 

Air.  The  plants  have  for  a  long  time  been  with- 
out an  abundance  of  fresh  air;  admit  it  freely  to 
them;  set  them  out  doors  in  warm  days,  and  espec- 
ially in  warm  showers,  if  such  there  be 

Callas.  See  answer  to  Inquiry  No  53,  on  opposite 
page.  The  treatment  thus  given  is  equivalent  to  a 
rest.  If  kept  growing  steadily  on  all  summer,  their 
power  to  blooni  next, winter  will  be  impaired. 

Camellias  now,  more  than  at  any  other  season, 
need  fret|uent  syringing  or  sponging  off. 

Chrysanthemums.  Care  must  be  taken  that 
they  do  not  get  pot-bound;  their  growth  must  be 
constant:  for  late  plants  cuttings  may  still  be  struck 

Flowers  should  now  be  abundant  in  the  windows, 
If  bedding  plants  are  to  be  bought  from  the  florists, 
it  is  well  to  select  some  of  these  n-iw.  Keep  them 
in  the  window  for  their 
bloom  here  until  the  plant- 
ing out  time  is  at  hand  A 
pretty  plan  for  temporarily 
covering  window  Hower 
pots,  especially  if  they 
should  b»  unsightly,  is  here 
shown.  Sheet  cotton  bat- 
tmg  is  used  for  the  cover, 
and  this  is  kept  in  place  by 
two  or  three  ribbon  ties. 
Colored  paper  is  sometimes 
used  instead  of  the  cotton. 

Tuchsias  in  bloom,  aside 
from  needing  much  water, 
are  benefited  by  an  occa- 
sional dose  of  weak  Hquid 
manure.  On  shifting,  see 
Heliotrope,  as  follows:  ^,    j    ^   ^ 

Simple  method  of  adorn- 

Heliotrope.   The  beauty     ,■„,,;,,„,, p,.  p^,,.   see 
of  this   plant   depends  on      ..;>,„,,.,,,.^.  .^ 
never  allowing  the  roots  to 

become  pot-bound;  before  this  occurs  shift.  Large 
shifts  suit  these  plants  and  some  othei-s  like  Fnch- 
sias.  Cinerarias.  Callas,  and  so  on  admirably. 

Mignonette  should  be  sown  where  the  plants  are 
wanted,  whether  in  pots  or  in  the  garden,  as  few 
kinds  of  flowers  transplant  so  poorly. 

Oleanders  of  small  size  do  better  for  being  bedded 
out  fur  the  summer,  taking  them  from  the  pots. 

Petunias.  If  old  plants  have  grown  unshapely, 
a  thorough  cutting  in  now  will  improve  them  much 
in  the  course  of  six  weeks  or  two  months. 

Propagation  may  now  be  going  on  with  many 
kinds  of  plants  for  stock  to  bloom  next  winter. 

Start  up  the  dormant  Dahlia.  Canna,  Richardia 
and  Caladium  tubers  that  have  been  kept  over. 


LAWN  AND  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Annuals.  This  month  is  the  time  ftn-  early  sow- 
ings, over  a  large  range  of  our  countiy.  We  prefer 
sowing  in  drills,  to  sowing  broadcast.  Drills  about 
an  inch  deep  should  be  opened  in  which  the  seed 
should  be  scattered  quite  thickly.  A  covering  of 
fine  earth  should  follow;  it  is  a  good  plan  to  use 
some  light  mould  that  has  been  sifted  for  this 
purpose.  Spat  down  the  covering  afterwards  with 
the  hoe  or  the  back  of  a  spade. 

Half  hardy  and  tender  annuals  may  be  started 
under  glass,  or  in  a  sunny  spot  that  is  sheltered 
from  the  wind  by  buildings,  and  which  may  be 
sheltered  by  mats  or  shutters  in  cool  or  frosty  nights. 

Bedding  plants  of  all  kinds  are  much  better  off 
to  be  in  hot-beds  for  the  last  six  weeks  before  plant- 
ing. Then  in  warm  days  the  glass  may  be  wholly 
removed,  and  this  will  tend  directly  to  the  making 
of  strong,  robust  plants. 

Cold  frame  and  pot  plants  should  at  this  season 
be  hardened  off  by  full  exposure. 

Evergreens  may  be  planted  some  weeks  later 
than  is  well  for  deciduous  trees.  They  should  be 
pnmed  at  transplanting,  the  same  as  any  other 
kinds.    For  general  pruning,  this  is  the  best  season. 

Hardy  Bulbs  Beds  of  these  should  in  all  cases 
be  lightly  raUcd  over  before  the  plants  appear. 

Hedges  may  now  receive  their  annual  pruning. 


In  staking  trees  bind  them  fast  by  means  of  a 
strip  of  duck  or  leather,  i-ather  than  with  a  cord. 
A  piece  of  such  material  brought  around  the  tree 
and  crossed  on  top  of  the  stake,  di'iving  one  or  two 
nails  through  into  the  stake,  is  all  that  is  needed. 

Lobelia— the  blue  kind— as  a  bedding  plant  af- 
fords a  rare  color,  but  it  does  not  remain  handsome 
very  long.  It  should  be  managed  by  getting  up 
successive  propagations,  replacing  the  plants  in  the 
beds  about  every  two  months.  Propagate  by  divis- 
ion, slips  or  by  sowing  the  seed. 

Lawn.  The  directions  of  last  month  followed 
out  in  the  spring,  and  httle  needs  be  done  to  a  lawn 
all  during  the  season,  except  to  mow  whenever  the 
grass  gets  to  be  one  or  two  inches  high.  Mow 
carefully,  that  no  uncut  strips  will  ever  be  seen, 
and  attend  to  having  the  gauge  wheels  elevated 
alike  on  both  sides.    See  Weeds. 

Lilies,  if  to  be  planted,  should  have  this  done 
early.  Fall  is  a  better  time,  excepting  for  the  old 
Candidum,  which  should  be  transplanted  in  August. 

Roses.  Plant  hardy  ones  as  early  as  they  can  be 
procui-ed,  and  the  soil  is  fit  to  receive  them. 

Street  trees  should  not  be  planted  unless  pro- 
tected against  the  gnawing  of  horses,  (they  some- 
times do  great  damage),  by  some  kind  of  a  guard. 
Those  made  of  slats  are  better  than  such  as  are 
made  of  boards,  for  injurious  insects  find  a  safe  re- 
treat behind  the  latter.  We  notice  by  their  cata- 
logue, that  J.  R.  &  A.  Murdoch  of  Pittsburgh,  Pa., 
make  and  sell  a  circular  tree  guard  of  pickets, 
which  we  think  so  well  of,  that  we  have  taken  the 
Hlierty  ot  reproducing  it  in  an  engraving. 

Tender  Bulbs.  SuchasCannas,Caladiums,  Dahl- 
ias, etc.,  ought  to  be  starting  and  getting  into  shape 
for  planting.  Have  your  supply  of  Gladiolus, 
Tiger  Flower,  Tuberoses,  etc.,  ready  for  putting  out 
as  soon  as  warm.  Some  authorities  recommend 
doing  early  planting  for  Tuberoses,  saying  that 
they  pi-oduce  more  and  larger  flowers  if  started  while 
the  soil  is  cool. 

"Weeds  have  no  place  in  a  well-kept  garden. 
Some  kinds,  like  the  Shepherd's  Purse,  Chickweed, 
and  so  on  start  up,  fiower  and  seed  very  early; 
they  should  be  speedily  destroyed  as  soon  as  seen. 
Dandelions.  Plantains,  etc..  make  themselves  at 
home  in  lawns  if  allowed  to,  giving  them  an  infer- 
ior look.  Remedy:  Cut  them  out  with  a  short, 
strong-bladed  knife,  just  below  the  crown. 


sufficient  or  poor  soil,  their  vigor  and  beauty  will  be 
much  impaired.  Use  clean  pots  always;  the  reason 
why  plants  do  better  in  new  pots,  is  because  the 
pores  are  unclogged,  hence  air  has  ready  access  to 
the  roots,  and  this  is  wanted.  Thoroughly  washed 
old  pots  have  a  nearly  similar  good  effect  on  them. 

Stove  Plants.  Rapid  growers  among  these,  such 
as  Gesnerias,  Gloxinias  and  the  like  should  now  most 
hkely  be  shifted ;  if  given  bottom  heat  directly  after- 
wards it  will  be  a  great  help. 

Verbenas  propagated  the  fore  part  of  April  will 
be  early  enough  for  making  good  bedding  plants. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Berries.  Plant  Raspberries  in  rows  4  feet  apart 
and  3  feet  in  the  row.  Blackberries  in  rows,  8 
feet  apart,  and  3  feet  in  the  row.  Strawberries  may 
be  set  in  rows  3  feet  apart,  and  12  inches  in  the  row. 
The  soil  should  be  fertile,  but  good  cultivation 
counts  better  than  much  manure  for  all  of  them. 

Currants  would  give  better  satisfaction  if  not  so 
generally  slighted.  They  repay  very  Uberally  for 
manuring  and  fair  care. 

Cuttings.  See  last  month's  paper  under  this  head. 

Grapes.  In  planting  young  vines  cutback  to  two 
eyes. 

Insects,    See  last  month's  paper  under  this  head. 

Manures.  Wood  ashes,  where  available,  are  the 
cheapest  fertilizer  for  fiiiit  trees.  In  their  absence, 
bone  manure  three  parts,  and  Muriate  of  Potash 
(German  Salts)  of  high  grade,  one  part,  make  a 
superior  article,  having  the  strong  endorsement  of 
the  Massachusetts  Agricultiu-al  College. 

Old  Orchards  should  be  manured  and  plowed, 
using  lime  and  ashes. 

Strawberries  covered  last  fall  should  have  the 
cover  drawn  apart  where  the  plants  are. 

Trees,  as  soon  as  they  arrive  from  the  nursery, 
should  be  heeled  in  by  the  roots,  until  wanted  one 
by  one  for  planting.  Should,  however,  any  be  re- 
ceived in  a  shriveled  up  condition,  bury  the  whole 
tree  in  the  ground  for  several  days,  until  plumpness 
is  restored.  If  they  become  frozen  e7i  route,  do  not 
unpack  while  in  this  condition,  but  place  the  pack- 
age in  a  cool  cellar  that  they  may  thaw  gradually. 


PLANT  CULTURE  UNDER  GLASS. 

Achyrantlies  for  good  color  need  heat  and  light. 

Alt  em  anther  as  are  a  fine  class  of  bedding  plants, 
well  adapted  to  our  hot  summers.  By  dividing  the 
stock  on  hand  up  in  pieces  so  small  that  but  each 
one  has  a  bit  of  root,  potting  separately  and  set  in 
a  close  frame  rarely  admitting  air  (they  love  high 
heat),  each  one  will  make  a  fine  plant  for  bedding 
out  in  six  or  eight  weeks. 

Annuals  sown  early  must  not  get  crowded ;  trans- 
plant or  thin  out;  straggling  ones  should  be  topped. 

Azaleas  after  flowering  should  be  shifted,  and 
when  the  growth  of  the  season  is  pretty  well  over 
should  receive  an  increase  of  air.  Water  and 
syringe  freely. 

Carnations,  if  given  a  top  dressing  now,  will  re- 
pay the  trouble  by  a  great  increase  of  bloom  later. 

Climbers  for  summer,  like  German  Ivy,  Mauran- 
dya.  etc.,  will  be  the  better  for  cutting  back  now. 

Crowding  at  this  season  is  a  common  foe  to  the 
well-doing  of  plants.  Make  hot-beds  or  frames  to 
accommodate  the  overplus  untU  planting  out  time. 

Cuttings  lately  put  in  sand  should  be  frequently 
examineil,  and  immediately  that  roots,  however 
small,  are  present,  they  shoiUd  go  into  pots. 

Fall  Plants.  Propagate  for  fall  use,  Alyssura, 
Heliotrope  and  any  other  plants  thus  needed. 

Ferns.  Shift  or  renew  the  soil  of  those  in  pots; 
in  doing  so  break  up  the  old  outside  roots  some- 
what . 

Ivy  Geraniums  if  cut  back  at  once  wUl  get  into 
fine  sliape  for  summer  use  by  June  1st. 

Orchids.  At  this  season  keep  up  the  moisture  by 
sprinkling  the  paths  and  shutting  up  early.  Any 
plants  requu'ing  repotting  nnust  be  attended  to  as 
soon  as  in  a  growing  state.  Shade  from  the  sun  as 
directed  under  "  Shade." 

Koses  *"e  liable  to  be  troubled  with  fly  now;  fumi- 
gation is  the  simple  and  safe  remedy. 

Shade  lightly  with  whitewash  or  with  naptha  and 
whitelead  over  Cameflias.  Azaleas,  Fuchsias,  Double 
Primroses,  Caladiums,  Callas,  Fancy  Coleus  and 
Geraniums,  Ferns  and  other  plants  liable  to  spot. 
Sometimes  a  blister  in  the  glass  will  cause  a  streak 
or  spot.    Spy  it  out  and  paint  on  the  under  side. 

Shift  all  subjects  as  they  require  more  root  room, 
for  if  active  plants  have  their  roots  confined  to  in- 


H\ 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Asparagus,  The  time  to  cut  is  when  the  shoots 
are  C  to  8  inches  long  Careless  cutting  spoils  many 
stocks.  Use  a  knife  with 
a  pointed  blade  and  cut 
with  the  point,  so  as  not  to 
injure  any  other  shoots 
that  are  out  of  sight. 

Beets  are  better  sown  in 
well  dug  soil  without  much 
manure.  They  then  make 
small, handsome  well-color- 
ed roots,  such  as  are  most 
desirable. 

Cauliflowers,  A  good 
crop  can  be  looked  for  only 
on  ground  that  is  well  en- 
riched before  planting. 

Celery,  for  main  crop, 
should  be  sown  early  in 
April,  in  a  nicely  prepared 
seed  bed  in  the  open  ground 

Culture.  Keep  the  soil 
between  plants  and  drill 
rows  frequently  stirred  to 
free  them  from  weeds. 

Hot-beds,  Give  plenty 
of  air  in  the  day  time ;  keep 
close  at  night  using  mats, 
also  when  frost  or  wmd 
threatens.  For  watei-ing 
at  this  sea.son  use  water 
with  the  chill  taken  off. 

Onions.  Use  manure 
freely,  or  a  good  crop  need 
not  be  expected.  When 
large  enough  to  weed,  a 
good  top-dressing  of  wood 
ashes  will  help  the  crop. 

Parsley  may  be  sowed 
thinly  in  drills  and  then  if 
covered  with  tiles  or  stones 
for  about  ten  days,  the  seed 
will  begin  to  showitaelf ,  in- 
stead of  its  taking  as  com- 
monly,several  weeks  for  its  A  circiiUir  Guard  for 
germination.  Street  Trees. 

Fleas  on  Plants,  Watch  the  Turnip  and  Cab- 
bage plants  for  these  pests,  and  as  soon  as  they 
show  themselves  dust  with  soot,  wood  ashes  or  air- 
slacked  Imie,  going  over  the  plants  repeatedly. 


S 


11 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


BadisKes.    Sow  two  weeks  apart,  for  succession. 

Seed  Sowing.  Do  not  trust  seeds  of  doubtful 
vitality,  l)Ut  lest  tbem  first.  Count  out  two  dozen 
seeds,  sow  iu  a  tlower  pot  or  other  vessel  of  soil, 
covering  but  lightly,  and  note  what  share  conies 
up.  Sow  the  kinds  mentioned  last  month  under  this 
head,  before  the  middle  of  the  month.  Start  in  a 
well  prepared  seed  bed  such  kinds  as  Brussels 
Sprouts,  Broccoli,  Cauliflower,  Celery.  Endive,  Kale. 
KohlRabi,  Lettuce  and  Parsley.  Where  frosts  are 
over  plant  Bush  Beans,  and  start  Lima  Beans  iusods 
in  (he  hot -bed. 

Sweet  Herbs.  Look  ahead  to  a  supply  for  next 
winter,  by  sowing  now  for  later  transplanting.  Sage, 
Thyme  and  Sweet  Marjoran.  Siunmer  Savory  must 
grow  whei'e  it  is  sown. 

Sweet  Potatoes.  Start  these  toward  the  end  of 
the  month  in  the  hot-beds,  for  plants  to  be  ready 
for  planting  out  by  the  first  of  June. 

Tomato  plants  that  have  been  brought  along  iu 
hot-beds  or  seed  boxes. must  be  transplanted  prompt- 
ly to  frames,  (using  pots,  boxes,  or  not,  as  you 
choos^),  before  they  become  di'awn  in  the  least  by 
crowding. 

Tools.  Put  each  one  in  working  order  before  the 
the  day  it  is  called  into  use. 

Wet  land  ought  to  be  well  drained,  as  such  is 
always  late  in  the  spring,  before  it  is  ready  to  work. 


FRUIT  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS. 

Cucumbers  in  Frames.  Continue  to  use  linings 
to  keep  tliem  growing;  if  stable  manure  is  scarce 
some  other  material  like  grass  may  be  used  now 
instead. 

Grapery.  Where  the  Grapes  of  early  vines  are 
changing  color,  air  freely,  leaving  ventilators  open 
a  little  at  the  top  during  the  night  Keep  the  air 
rather  dry  to  prevent  shanking,  but  it  is  a  mistake 
to  maintain  a  parched  atmosphere  at  this  time; 
sprinkle  the  floor  but  withhold  the  syringe  for  the 
present.  Where  new  vineries  are  started  or  old 
ones  replanted,  this  is  a  good  time  for  planting. 
Attend  to  former  directions  concerning  graperies. 

Peaches  that  are  being  forced  will  now  be  swelling 
fast,  and  the  last  thinning  must  be  done  without 
delay.  Water  thoroughly  at  the  roots  and  use  ma- 
nure water  freely  till  tlie  fruit  shows  color.  Syringe 
twice  each  day.  Good  heat  and  much  air  are 
necessary  at  the  fruiting  stage. 

Pines  that  shuw  fruit  should  be  given  manure 
water,  warm  and  weak.  Before  shutting  up.  syringe. 
Robust  growth  may  be  induced  in  plants  for  suc- 
cession by  free  ventilation. 

Strawberries  in  heat  ought  to  be  hardened  grad- 
ually after  fruiting,  if  the  plants  are  required  for 
new  l)eds,  before  removing  them  outside. 


List  of  Catalogues  Continued. 

Here  is  another  long  list  of  catalogue  publishers, 
who  have  sent  to  us  their  catalogues  since  our  last 
issue.  It  is  a  pleasure  to  bring  all  of  these  to  the 
attention  of  the  lO.(XX)  families  who  now  receive 
Popular  Gardening.  Om-  only  regret  is  that 
space  cannot  be  spared  to  describe  them  to  a  unit, 
as  thej"  deserve.  But  all  are  at  the  command  of  the 
public,  and  our  readers  can  order  such  as  they  may 
desire  to  use  and  judge  of  then-  worth  for 
themselves.  Some  publishers,  reasonably  enough, 
ask  that  the  postage  (but  a  small  fraction  of  the 
cost)  be  advanced,  a  matter  concerning  which,  can 
readily  be  determined  by  postal  card  inquiry.  You 
had,  in  any  case,  better  mention  being  of  the 
Popular  Gardening  family. 

As  more  than  once  intimated  iu  these  columns, 
all  these  fine  American  Gardening  Catalogues,  in- 
dicate a  healthy  and  growing  interest  in  gardening 
matters  with  us.  Popular  Gardening  as  a  journal 
for  the  million,  commits  itself  to  earnestly  and 
faithfully  do  its  full  share  in  promoting  improved 
gardening  iu  all  its  branches,  hence  it  also  takes 
pleasure  in  mentioning  aU  catalogues  in  this  line. 
And  while,  as  it  trusts,  the  people  may  find  increased 
pleasure  and  profit  through  its  humble  work,  it 
should  also  follow  that  the  dealers,  too.  should  be 
benefited  by  any  improvement  here,  through  the 
more  intelligent  and  liberal  patronage  that  natur- 
ally must  attend  this.  Thus  we  hope  to  merit  the 
confidence  and  good  will  of  both  of  these  impcn-tant 
classes,  while  striving  always  to  benefit  both: 

H.  S.  Anderson,  Union  Springs,  N.  Y.     Nursery. 
C.  E.  AUen,  Brattleboro",  Vt.     Plants,  etc. 
Chas.  H.  Anderson,  Baltimore,  Md.     Nurseiy. 
R.  H.  Allen  Co.,  Water  street.  New  \'ork.  Seeds. 
Alneer  Bros.,  Rockford,  IU.     Plants,  etc. 
Albertson  &  Hobbs,  Bridgeport,  Ind.     Nurseiy. 
Beach  &  Co.,  Richmond,  Ind.     Plants,  etc. 
Joseph  Breck  &  Sons,  Boston,  Mass.    Seeds. 
Bassler  Bros.,  Manhattan,  Kan.    Seeds. 


John  G.  Burrow,  Fishkill.  N,  Y.     Grapes. 
Caleb  Boggs,  Morton,  Dei.     Fruit. 
Alfred  Bi'idgeman.  New  York.  N.  Y.    Seeds. 
J.  Butterttin,  Hanimonlon.  N.  .].     Small  Fruits. 
*Bailey  &  Hanfurd.  Makanda.  III.  Tree  Seedlings. 
Brown  Chemical  Co..  l^altiiiMTt*.  Md.  Fertilizers 
B.  L,  Bragg  it  Co.,  Springli.-ld.  Mass.     Seeds. 
L.  G.  Br'agg  &  Co..  Kalaina/Aio.  Mich.     Nursery. 

E.  Bonner  ^t  Co.,  Xeuia,  O.     Plants,  etc. 
Baunockliurn  Greenhouses.  Rochester.  Fruits.etc 
\Vm.  C.  Becker.  Allegheny,  Pa     Seeds. 
James  E.  Bonsjill,  Salem,  O.     Plants,  etc. 
Bowker  Fertilizer  Co.,  Boston.  Mass.   Chemicals. 

F.  Barteldes  &  Cn,.  Lawrence,  Kan.     Seeds. 
Everett  Brown.  Bluff  Point.  N.  Y.     (Jrapes. 

♦Martin  Benson.  Swanwick.  III.     Tropical  Plants. 
Crosman  Bi-os  .  Rochester,  N.  Y.    Seeds. 
John  S.  Collins.  Moorestown.  N.  J.  Small  Fruits. 
H.  G.  Corney,  Cornwall-on-IIudson.  N.  Y.   Fruits. 
R.  G.  Chase  &  Co.,  Geneva,  N.  Y.     Nursery. 
S.  \V.  Call,  Perry,  Lake  Co..  O.     Nursery. 
W.  E.  Chapin,  DesMoines,  Iowa.     NurseVy. 

B.  P.  Critchell  &  Co,,  Cincinnati.  O.     Plants,  etc. 
R.  Douglass  .S:  Sous,  Waukegan,  III.     Nursery. 

♦Peter  Devine.  Chicago.  111.     Heaters. 
Albert  Dickinson.  Chicago,  III.  Agricultu'l  Seeds. 
*B.  A.  EUiolt  Co.,  Pittsburg.  Pa.     Plants,  etc. 

E.  S.  Fitch.  Bay  City.  Mich.     Fertilizers. 

R.  &  J.  Farquhar  &  Co.,  Boston,  Mass.    Seeds. 
S.  Freeman  i!t  Sons.  Racine,  Wis.     Iron  Goods. 
Frank  Finch.  Clyde,  N.  Y.    Seeds. 
Wm.  L.  Ferris,  Jr.,  Poughkeepsie.N.Y.  Seeds,  etc. 
S.  Green  &  Son.  Perry,  O.     Nursery. 
P.  M.  Gideon  &  Son,  Excelsior.  Minn.     Nurserj'. 
Graham.  Emlen&Passmore,  Phila.Lawn  mowers. 
David  Hill.  Dundes,  Kane  Co..  IU.      Evergreens 
Harketfs  Floral  Nui"ser\-,  Dubuque.  Iowa.  Plants. 
Harvey  Bros.,  ButTalo.  N.  Y.     Seeds. 
Hance  S:  Borden,  Red  Bank,  N.  J.     Nursery. 
Geo.  W.  Hawkins,  Newburg,  N.  Y.    Nui*sery. 
W.  W.  HUborn,  Arkona,  Canada.    Small-  Fruits. 
Island  Seed  Co..  Muscatine,  Iowa.    Seeds. 
Iowa  Seed  Co..  Des  Moines,  Iowa.    Seeds. 
Johnson  &  Stokes.  Philadelphia.  Pa.     Seeds. 
Ed.  Jansen.  New  York  City,  N.  Y.  Floral  baskets. 
J.  Jenkins,  Winona,  O.     Grapes,  etc. 
Geo.  S.  Joselyn,  Fredonia,  N.  Y.    Grapes. 
Fred  W.  Kelsey.  New  York.     Trees  &  plants. 
♦Geo.  J.  Kellogg,   .lanesville.  Wis.    Small  Fruits. 
J.  N.  Kramer  &  Co..    Marion,  Iowa.    Florists. 
Samuel  Kiusey,  Kiusey,  O.     Nursery. 

C.  P.  Lines.  New  Haven,  Conn.     Nursery, 

J.  &  J.  L.  Leonard,  lona,  N.  J.     SmaU  Finiits. 
Aaron  Low,  Essex,  Mass.     Seeds. 
Louis  C.  Lischy,  Nashville,  Tenn.    Nursery. 
Chas.  C.  McColgan  &  Co.,  Baltimore,  Md.  Plants. 

F.  E.  McAUister,  New  York.  N.  Y.    Seeds. 
MendenhaU  A  Co.,  Indianapolis,  Ind. Implements. 
J.  M.  McCullough's  Sons,  Cincinnati,  O.      Seeds. 

D.  S.  Marvin.  Watertowu,  N.  Y.     Grapes. 

T.  C.  MaxweU  &  Bro"s,  Geneva,  N.  Y.    Nursery. 
Niagara  Wh.  Grape  Co.,  Lockport,  N.Y.  Grapes. 
Wm.  Parry,  Parry  P.  O.,  N.  J.  Nursery. 
J.  C.  Plumb  &  Sou.  Milton.  Wis.  Fruits  &  Shinibs. 
Plant  Seed  Co.,  St  Louis,  Mo.    Seeds. 
F.  S.  Ptatt,  New  Haven,  Conn.     Seeds. 
Phcenix  Nuisery  Co.,  Delavan.  Wis.     Nm"sery. 
*F.  R.  Pierson,Tarrytown,  N.Y    Garden  Supp'l's 
Rakestraw  &  Pyle^  Willowdale,  Pa.     Nui-sery 
Wm.  B.  Reed.  Chambersburg.  Pa.     Plants,  etc. 
Robert  C.  Reeves,  New  York,  N.  Y.  Garden  Imp. 

E.  C.  Selover,  Geneva,  N.  Y.     Nursery. 
R.  A.  Swain,  Philadelphia,  Pa.    Heaters. 
Thos.  F.  Seal,  Unionville,  Pa.    Carnations. 
Schlegel  &  Fottler,  Boston,  Mass.     Plants,  etc. 
John  A.  Salzer,  La  Cross.  Wis.    Seeds. 

C.  H.  Thompson  &  Co  ,  Boston,  Mass.     Seeds. 

S.  Templin  6:  Sons,  Calla,  O.    Plants,  etc. 

Trumbull,  RejTiolds  *S:  Allen,  Kansas  City.  Seeds. 

Thos.  Tugwell,  Sooke,  British  Columbia.    Seeds. 

Wm.  Toole,  N.  Freedom,  Wis.     Pansies. 

T.  C.  Thurlow,  Newbrnyport,  Mass.     Nursery. 

E.  B.  Underhill.  Poughkeepsie.  N.  Y.  Sm.  Fruits. 

Robert  Veitch  *t  Son,  New  Haven.  Ct.  Seeds,  etc. 

C.  L.  Whitnev,  Warren.  O.     Evergreens. 

J.  C.  Wood  it  Bro..  Fishkill,  N.  Y.     Nursery. 
♦Albert  Williams,  Sharon,  Pa.     Plants,  etc. 
♦Woolson  &  Co.,  Passaic.  N.  J.    Hardy  Plants. 

A.  ^\'hitcomb,  Lawrence,  Kan.    Plants,  etc. 

Wm.  C.  Wilson,  Astoria,  Long  Island.  Roses,  etc. 
*See  advertisement  elsewhere  in  this  issue. 


UIHR 


Well    Done!    Gardeners    of    America. 

Prospects  of  even  Cheaper 

Postage. 

That  the  members  of  our  Populaji  Gardening 
family,  together  with  other  American  gardeners 
(^florists,  etc.,  of  course  includedl  not  yet  with  us, 
are  a  power  in  the  land,  is  forcibly  shown,  by  the 
prompt  revereal  of  the  increased  postage  prospects 
as  to  seeds,  bulbs,  etc.,  referred  to  iu  our  last  issue. 
As  a  result  of  the  influence  brought  to  bear  upon 
the  introducers  of  the  "'increased  postage"  bill,  by 
om-  readers  and  others,  not  only  has  the  bill  been 
promptly  revised  to  exclude  all  gardening  articles, 
but  we  are  also  happy  to  report,  that  iu  view  of  the 
hght  given  on  this  subject  in  general  to  the  Postal 
Committee,  there  are  good  prospects  now  that 
postage  on  this  class  of  matter  will  be  reduced  from 
ime  cent  an  ounce  to  one  cent  for  each  two  inince-s. 
But  as  this  measure  has  not  yet  fully  passed,  we 
advise  any  of  our  readers  who  have  as  yet  not  com- 
municated with  their  Representatives  at  Washing- 
ton regarding  it.  to  do  so  at  once,  and  thus  aid  in 
making  assurance  doubly  sure.  We  desire  here  also 
to  recognize  the  valuable  service  done  in  this  matter, 
by  the  Society  of  American  Florists,  and  their  elh- 
cient  organ,  The  American  Florist,  of  Chicago. 


This  beintj  the  People^ s  fhiycr  it  is  open  tu  all  their  In- 
quires, hearing  (ill  Gardening. 

i)n  thf  other  hand,  ansifcrti  to  published  inquires  are 
earnesllu  requested  from  readers. 

The  editnr:^  and  speciut  contrihutor^  arc  ready  to  do  a 
lar^e  share  of  the  nnntceriug,  but  the  experience  of  many 
heiny  vinre  vainnOle  than  af  the  few,  however  varied  that  is. 
and<-i>nditit/ns  and  luralities  in-iinj  so  different,  they  prefer 
to  receive  ansxvers,  even  several  of  them  to  the  same  auea 
tion,  from  readers  everywhere.  Don't  hesitate  to  write 
because  you  may  feel  you  are  no  fine  toriter;  give  facta  and 
ideas  and  the  editors  tcill  see  that  they  appear  in  credi- 
table shape. 

In  writing,  give  the  number  of  the  question  you  are.  an- 
su\rinij;  ifour  locality  and  name,  the  latter  nut  for  publica- 
tion unless  yon  desire.     Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper 

Flowers  will  be  gladly  named  provided  first,  that  no  more 
than  three  be  sent  at  one  time.  Second,  that  these  be  fully 
prejtaid.  Thivd,  that  several  specimens  of  each  reach  us  In 
good  shape.  We  cannot  undertake  tu  name  fiorists'  varies 
ties, 

4().— Agapauthus.  How  old  must  this  plant  be  to 
bloom*'    Jri.i.\  D  Sh.\nklin. 

4T.— Oxalis.  What  shall  I  do  to  make  Oxalis 
bloom?    Does  it  want  to  be  wet,  and  to  have  sun? 

4H.— What  treatment  do  Anuiryllis  Treatea  need? 
I  have  a  bulb  two  yeare  old :  has  made  another  bulb, 
but  never  blossomed.  Mrs  A.  L.  Van  Scry,  Brew- 
ster. N.  Y. 

m  —Currant  Worms.  What  will  destroy  the 
green  worm  on  Currauts  and  Gooseberiies.  that  are 
.so  destructive  to  them:- and  oblige.  A  New  Sub- 
scriber. Bi'Iford,  hill. 

TjO.— Hyacinths  and  Daphnes.  What  time  must 
Hyacinths  be  planted  to  liave  spring  bloom?  How 
should  Daphne  (Jdorata  be  treated  to  have  bloom 
nest  winter?    A  Reader. 

51.— Curculio  and  Salt.  Will  a  liberal  sprinkling 
of  salt  under  the  Plum  trees  in  the  spring,  destroy 
the  Curculio?    E.  31,  Van  Aken. 

r)2.— Rose  Cuttings.  I  never  had  luck  with  Rose 
sUps,  Can  any  of  the  ''Popular  Gardners'"  en- 
Ugnten  us  on  the  subject?    Sister  Gracious. 

53.— Callas.  Will  you  be  kind  enough  and  tell  me 
how  to  start  Calla  Lilies?  I  have  some  young  ones 
from  last  fall  that  are  long  and  slender  How  shall 
I  treat  an  old  plant,  the  leaves  of  which  curl  down- 
ward?   A  Reader,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

54  — CannaS.  I  would  like  to  know  how  to  raise 
from  seed,  and  how  to  treat  them  during  winter. 

55 —Callas.  Do  Calla  Lily  bulbs  bloom  the  first 
season?    N.  H.  E. 

5ti.— Buds,  hut  No  Flowers.  Will  not  some  one 
of  the  family  tell  ine  how  to  treat  my  [ilants  so 
they  will  flower?  They  biul  profusely,  but  the  buds 
hardly  ever  open.  Those  of  the  Fuchsia  nearly 
open,  then  drop.  Geraniums  blight  in  the  buds. 
Coleus  are  sickly,  with  only  a  few  leaves  at  the  top. 
I  aim  at  a  good  temperature.  I  sprinkle  them  and 
faithfully  care  for  them,  but  they  disappoint  me 
"  Earnestine,"  West  Fc a  body,  Mass. 

REPLIES  TO  INQUIRIES. 

41.— Geraniums— to  Keep  Over.  Procure  small 
boxes,  say  from  grocers,  and  when  j'ou  lift  your 
Geraniums  put  them  in  these,  and  pack  a  spade- 
ful of  earth  firmly  over  the  roots.  For  a 
damp  cellai",  have  the  earth  dry;  if  a  dry  one.  then 
let  it  remain  moist.  I  am  always  sure  of  mine 
coming  out  well  in  the  spring.     F.,  Erie,  Pa. 

51.— Curculio  and  Salt.  We  would  have  no  faith 
in  salt  as  a  remedy,  but  if  applied  very  moderately 
it  would  have  a  good  etTect  as  a  fertilizer,  and  to 
that  extent  help.  See  article  on  Plums,  page  7ti. 
Eds.  p.  G. 

37  and  52.— Propagating  Roses.  Nearly  ripened 
wood,  made  mto  cuttings  of  two  eyes  each,  with 
most  sorts  propagate  quite  easy.  (Juard  against 
excessive  moisture  and  heat,  and  admit  air  to  the 
cuttings  freely.  I  have  had  excellent  success  with 
striking  cuttings  of  about  four  eyes  each  in  October, 
putting  them  in  a  box  of  sand  for  one  half  of  their 
length.  Hybrid  Perpetuals  cannot,  in  the  ordinary 
sense,  be  propagated  from  seed.     A.  H.  E. 

3!'— White  Worms.  I  have  used  a  very  weak 
solution  uf  Carbnlie  Acid  for  white  worms  and  find 
it  a  sure  cure.     N.  H.  E.,  MV/^t';7f»o,  Out. 

30.— Petunias,  it  must  be  a  defect  in  the  root  or 
else  the  soil.  Sometimes  cuttings  stand  a  long  time, 
having  the  appearance  of  rooted  plants,  but  without 
one  root— eventually  these  behave  as  you  speak  of. 
Petunias  like  a  rich'  light  soil.    A.  H.  E. 

40.— Camellia.  In  greenhouse  culture,  young 
Camellias  ofteu  bear  one  flower  at  two  yeai-s  old. 
They  retiuire  a  moderate  to  cool  temperature,  plen- 
ty of  air,  frequent  sponging  of  the  leaves,  and  thor- 
ough draining  in  the  pots.    R.  II.  (i.,  Baltimore,  Md. 

44.  Books.  Henderson's  Hand  Book  of  Plants, 
(Price  #3.1X11.  The  Home  Florist,  (Price  $1.50),  we 
think  would  best  answer  yoiu"  purpose.  Both  can 
be  furnished  fruin  this  othee.     Eds.  P.  G. 

53.— Callas.  Plant  in  a  rich  bed  of  soil  this  spring, 
taking  them  from  the  pots.  Lift  in  August,  potting 
in  good  soil.  They  uui^-  drop  their  leaves  by  this 
course,  but  no  harm,  m  the  end  they  will  be  all 
right.    Practical  Florist. 

54.— Cannas  are  easily  raised  from  seed,  if  first 
soaked  in  lukewami  water  for  four  days.      A.  H.  E. 


84 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


April, 


'^e  Household 

Fussiness  in  Housekeeping. 

We  are  of  the  belief  that  there  is  no  one  com- 
mon foe  to  domestic  peace  and  comfort,  like 
that  of  fussiness— a  making  much  ado  about 
trifles.  It  arises  more  often,  perhaps,  from 
a  lack  Of  system  or  plan  in  managing  the 
affairs  of  the  house  than  otherwise.  The  house- 
cleaning  season,  now  upon  us,  proves  to  be  a 
time  for  aggravating  this  unpleasant  quality 
in  a  more  than  ordinary  measure.  It  is  there- 
fore a  fit  time  to  study  to  avoid  it.  Some 
women  when  cleaning  stir  up  every  room  in 
the  house  at  one  time,  a  step  that  must  add 
directly  to  the  discomfort  of  the  family.  The 
riglit  plan  of  procedure,  is  to  sit  down  at  the 
beginning  of  the  cleaning  campaign  and  quietly 
survey  the  field  of  work,  deciding  promptly 
what  must  be  done  to  begin  with  and  what 
will  bear  deferring.  This  done,  then  begin  at 
the  beginning,  and  1  oUow  out  systematically  the 
course  decided  upon.  The  vrise  housekeeper 
never  gets  into  a  "stew";  she  aims  right  at 
the  maj-k  through  every  movement  of  hand 
and  foot.  She  studies  especially  to  take  no 
useless  steps  in  doing  her  work. 

System  is  as  essential  in  the  government  of 
the  household  a,s  to  that  of  the  State.  Order, 
punctuality,  industry  and  good  judgment  ai-e 
necessary  and  efficient  forces  in  the  home;  by 
adding  cheerfulness,  patience,  and  a  thoughtful 
care  for  the  general  comfort  and  happiness  of 
its  members,you  will  avoid  unpleasant  friction, 
and  make  the  home  what  it  should  be— the 
center  of  all  that  is  best  and  dearest  to  the 
human  heart. 


Brieflets. 

A  wet  knife  cuts  hard  soap,  with  ease. 

Plates  are  more  aiul  more  Japanese  in  tone. 

Narrow  plaiting  on  the  edge  of  skirts  tends  to 
graceful  etTects. 

Half  a  teaspoonful  o£  table  salt  dissolved  in  cold 
water,  will  relieve  heart-burn  or  dyspepsia. 

Salt-cellars  are  looking  up;  a  favorite  device  is  a 
silvei'  vase,  about  two  inches  high,  with  a  shell  to 
hoUl  the  salt. 

Stand  at  your  work  when  you  must,  of  course, 
but  never,  when  the  work  is  of  a  kind  that  can  be 
done  as  well  seated. 

How  much  easier  it  is  to  get  along  with  damp 
wtuxi  for  fuel,  if  you  till  the  oven  with  it  after  each 
meal  to  dry  it  for  getting  the  next  one. 

In  French  Cashmeres  for  early  spring  ilresses, 
the  nutst  prominent  colors  are  the  bronze  and  moss 
green  shades,  and  all  ecru  and  beige  tints. 

Knives  and  forks  are  now  to  be  had  with  crystal 
handles  set  in  silver.  These  come  from  Bohemia, 
and  are  very  ornamental  and  clean-looking. 

"  One  who  knows  "  writes  to  Popular  Garden- 
ing thus;  If  you  want  bal)5-  to  learn  to  go  to  sleep 
without  being  rocked,  choose  a  day  when  he  has 
been  unusually  bright  and  happy;  keep  him  up  and 
awake,  until  a  little  after  his  regular  hour  for  sleep, 
then  give  him  a  cup  of  milk  nicely  sweetened  and 
warm;  have  the  bed  soft  and  cosy,  and  on  this  lay 
him  down  gentlj-  and  soothe  him  with  a  httle  kissing 
and  patting,  and,  if  not  spoilt,  he  will  soon  close  his 
eyes  in  the  sweetest  kind  of  sleep. 

A  cleaning  mixture,  excellent  for  removing 
grease  and  stains  fro[n  carpets  and  clothing,  accor- 
ding to  a  popular  English  journal,  may  be  made  as 
follows:  2  oz.  lump  ammonia,  2  oz.  white  Castile 
soap,  1  oz.  glycerine.  1  oz.  ether.  Cut  the  soap 
fine,  and  dissolve  in  a  pint  of  water  over  the  fire; 
afterwards  adding  2  quarts  of  water.  This  article 
should  then  be  well  mixed  with  water  at  the  rate  of 
one  teacupful  to  a  common  pailful  of  water.  In 
this, wash  any  soiled  and  greasy  articles.  To  remove 
spots,  apply  with  a  sponge  or  clean  flannel,  and  rub 
well  afterwards  with  a  dry  cloth. 

It  is  well  for  every  mother  and  girl  (not  to  say 
every  young  man),  to  face  the  fact,  that  a  yonng 
woman  who  deliberately  marries  without  under- 
standing the  art  of  cooking,  is  taking  upon  herself 
a  serious  burden.  Especially  is  this  true  of  those 
in  modest  circumstances.  Sour  bread,  leathery 
steaks  and  wishy-washy  coffee  are  not  conducive  to 
happiness.    One  may  thoroughly  understand  art. 


music,  science  and  philosophy,  be  familiar  with 
astronomy,  mythology,  politics,  &c.,  yet  if  the  sim- 
ple ai  t  of  maidng  a  loaf  of  good  bread  has  been 
neglected,  the  education  is  sadly  incomplete. 

Here  is  an  idea  from  "  Babyhood,"  that.ought  to 
interest  mothers  who  have  young  children.  It  re- 
lates to  what  the  one  who  gives  it,  calls  a  "  Palace 
Car."  It  is  designed  for  protecting  babies  from 
draughts  while  on  the  Hoor.  To  make  it,  take  a  box 
three  feet  long  by  two  feet  wide,  or  larger,  if  you 
choose,  and  just  high  enough  for  baby  to  look  over 
as  .she  sits  in  the  box.  Fasten  strong  cleats  to  each 
end  underneath,  and  into  these  put  good  casters, 
that  it  may  be  readily  wheeled.  Pad  the  inner  sides 
and  cover  with  pretty  calico;  cut  pictures  from 
linen  picture  books  and  "  button  hole  "  them  on  the 
sides.  Place  several  layers  of  newspapers  in  the 
bottom,  and  over  this,  a  piece  of  carpet.  The  child 
will  soon  get  to  like  its  palace  car  and  with  it  can 
learn  to  creep  as  well  as  to  stand;  the  sides  being 
soft,  a  bump  will  not  hurt  her. 


poviltP/. 

Summing  Up  the  Necessaries  in  Poul- 
try Raising. 

Thore  are  many  thiugs  and  appliances  about 
poultry  keeping  that  are  useful,  convenieut 
and  ornamental,  but  not  strictly  necessary  to 
success  in  the  business,  yome  other  things, 
are  indispensable  to  the  best,  or  even  good 
results,  and  these  should  be  made  much  of, 
by  all  who  keep  poultry.  The  Paulfri/ 
Wnrfti  has  something  to  say  on  indispensables 
lately,  from  which  we  condense  the  following: 

A  good  house  is  one.  It  may  be  a  part  of 
some  other  building,  or  it  may  be  a  separate 
structure.  It  must  be  comfortable,  light  and 
properly  ventilated.  The  style  of  architecture 
may  be  anything  from  a  low  shed  up,  but  it 
must  be  suitable  for  the  fowls,  and  the  sanitary 
conditions  be  complied  with. 

Variety  in  food  is  another  need.  Fowls  can 
live  upon  a  single  article  of  diet,  but  protits 
under  such  circmustances  are  not  to  be  expect- 
ed. Variety  in  diet  promotes  health,  health 
secures  activity  of  the  reproductive  organs 
and  upon  this  profits  largely  depend. 

Fresh  water  is  indispensable.'  Without  it 
there  will  be  disease,  and  sick  hens  are  not  a 
paying  investment.  To  expect  dividends  in 
eggs,  if  fresh  water  is  not  provided,  will  surely 
end  in  disappointment. 

Cleanliness  must  be  provided.  The  drop- 
pings corrupt  the  air,  which  leads  to  disease, 
then  to  vermin,  to  sap  the  life  of  the  fowl.  The 
health  of  hens  demands  its  frequent  removal. 

Good  stock  is  also  indispensable.  Get  the 
best.  Beauty  in  figure,  carriage  and  plumage 
may  not  add  to  usefulness  but  they  do  add 
much  pleasure  to  the  business.  But  what  is 
necessai-y  to  success  is  strong,  vigorous  and 
productive  fowls.  If  eggs  are  an  object,  a  lay- 
ing strain  of  the  chosen  breed  should  be  select- 
ed, for  there  is  a  great  difference  in  strains  of 
fowls  of  given  breeds.  It  is  not  enough  to  pro- 
cure Leghorns,  but  it  is  necessary  to  procure 
a  good  family  of  Leghorns.  It  does  not  suffice 
to  purchase  Plymouth  Rocks,  but  it  is  requisite 
that  a  good  strain  be  obtained. 

Good  care  is  decidedly  indispensable.  This 
means,  that  in  addition  to  providing  proper 
food  and  drink  and  keeping  things  clean,  that 
every  little  detail  should  be  attended  to  when 
it  needs  attention.  Flowers  flourish  best  when 
attended  by  those  who  love  them;  the  same 
is  true  of  poultry.  Loving  care  is  the  best  of 
all  care;  it  sees  little  wants  and  ministers  unto 
them.  It  sees  what  others  would  overlook,  and 
to  see  a  thing  means  with  it  to  do  that  thing. 


CONDENSED  POULTRY    NOTES. 

Clean  cai-e,  clean  profits. 

Don't  give  lip  tlie  incubator  on  one  trial. 

Pale  combs  may  indicate  lice  on  the  fowls. 

Fowl  diseases  often  spring  from  the  use  of  foul 
water. 

Burning  the  old  nests:  A  sure  cure  for  vermin 
in  them. 


Very  small  chicks  need  very  small  seeds.  Millet 
answers  well  here. 

Nearly  all  the  winter  shows  of  poultry  have 
been  successful  financially.    We  like  to  hear  this. 

Enough  of  dust  the  year  around,  to  suit  the  hens' 
desires,  will  play  havoc  with  the  thrift  of  vermin  on 
their  bodies. 

A  Michigan  Plymouth  Rock  hen  leads  in  earli- 
ness  of  bringing  off  a  brood  we  think.  A  full  hatch 
came  off  on  the  27th  of  January. 

Equal  rights  for  the  sexes  prevail  in  poultry 
raising;  in  fact  we  think  the  woman  ahead  in  this, 
because  possessing  some  superior  natural  qualifica- 
tions for  the  work.       _ 

One  of  the  first  jobs  of  spring  should  be  to  scrape 
up  all  manure,  and  decayed  refuse  about  the  yard, 
and  sprinkling  afterwards  with  some  dry  lime  to 
sweeten  up  the  place. 

Few  Against  Many.  One  correspondent  from 
the  Badger  State,  has  found  greater  profit  in  keeping 
tweuty-five  hens  well  fed  and  cared  for,  than  a  hun- 
dred after  a  fashion  that  is  yet  too  common  in  her 
section  and  elsewhere. 

Sand  alone  is  not  the  materia!  that  hens  would 
fii-st  choose  for  a  dust  bath ;  in  fact,  they  can  hardly 
be  said  to  like  it.  Common  soil  is  about  the  best 
material— that  from  the  chip  yard  or  barn  yard, 
and  containing  more  or  less  foreign  matter  being 
much  enjoyed. 

Green  food  is  so  necessary  to  the  well-doing  of 
confined  fowls,  that  the  matter  of  providing  some 
should  always  hold  a  prominent  place  in  the  keep- 
er's miud.  Where  there  is  no  grass  run,  some  grass 
sods  thrown  to  them  are  excellent.  Fresh-cut  grass 
is  good.  At  this  season  some  quick  growing  plants 
like  Lettuce,  Spinach  or  Oats  could  be  sowed  to 
permit  green  food  later.  Onions  chopped  fine  and 
mixed  with  the  soft  food  of  non-layers  and  chickens, 
is  wholesome  and  often  prevents  or  checks  disease; 
if  fed  to  laying  hens  they  will  taint  the  flavor. 

Food  for  Young  Turkeys.  Not  so  many  young 
turkeys  would  die,  if  greater  attention  was  devoted 
to  their  food,  from  the  start.  For  the  first  week 
equal  quantities  of  hard-boiled  eggs  chopped  fine, 
and  good  wheat  bread  will  suit  them.  This  may  be 
followed  by  curd  made  of  sour  milk,  and  bread 
made  of  coarse  flour  or  wheat  shorts.  If  confined, 
some  chopped  roots  or  Dandelions,  as  well  as  some 
clean  sharp  sand  should  be  furnished.  Beyond  six 
weeks  old,  screenings  or  small  wheat  may  consti- 
tute a  large  part  of  the  food.  Young  turkeys  need 
frequent  feeding  and  pure  water. 

He  Don't  Lay  It  to  a  Revolving  Chair.  Mr.  F. 
A.  Mortimer,  a  correspontleut  of  the  Poultry 
Monthly^  writes  as  follows  about  successful  man- 
agement: We  are  frequently  asked  the  secret  of 
our  success.  It  is  this:  We  do  our  own  work,  and 
know  at  all  times  the  condition  of  every  bird  on  the 
place.  We  know  of  no  other  way  to  be  a  successful 
fancier.  We  do  not  run  a  poultry  farm  as  some  do, 
on  a  revolving  chair  in  front  of  an  office  desk.  Now 
that  the  spring  months  are  upon  us,  we  look  out 
for  dampness.  If  the  floor  of  the  poultry  house  is 
not  perfectly  dry,  look  out  for  roup.  Board  it  over 
and  cover  with  dirt  and  ashes.  A  stitch  in  time 
saves  nine.  Also  keep  an  ej'e  on  the  chicks;  keep 
them  perfectly  dry,  and  keep  them  confined  morn- 
ings until  the  dew  is  off  the  grass.  If  you  expect 
success,  breed  only  from  your  best  birds  Pay 
strict  attention  to  health,  vigor,  S5^mmetry  and 
plumage,  and  j'ou  can  mate  to  produce  any  desired 
results.  Cockerels  and  hens,  vica  versa,  make  the 
best  matings.  Remember,  in  mating,  that  the  male 
influences  symmetry  and  style,  the  female  size  of 
the  progeny.    A  word  to  the  wise  is  sufficient. 

Going  for  Them  Sharp.  <^ur  friend  of  the  Ohio 
J^or;(if'r  believes  in  doing  so  when  he  wants  eggs, 
or  else  he  would  not  deal  out  such  sharp  directions 
as  these  which  follow,  but  which  w'e  believe  are 
well  worthy  of  being  observed  by  readers  of  Popi'- 
LAR  Gardening:  To  make  hens  lay,  put  two  or 
more  quarts  of  water  in  a  kettle,  and  one  large  seed 
pepper  or  two  small  ones,  then  put  the  kettle  over 
the  fire,  ^^^len  the  water  boils  stir  in  the  coarse 
Indian  meal  until  you  have  a  thick  mush.  Let  it 
cook  an  hour  or  so:  feed  warm.  Horse-radish  is 
chopped  fine  and  stirred  into  mush  as  prepared  in 
the  above  directions,  and  for  results  we  are  getting 
from  five  to  ten  eggs  per  day;  whereas,  previously 
we  had  not  had  eggs  for  a  long  time.  We  hear  a 
good  deal  of  complaint  from  other  people  .about 
not  getting  eggs.  To  such  we  would  warmly  recom- 
mend cooked  and  spiced  feed  given  warm.  Boiled 
apple  skins  seasoned  with  red  pepper,  or  boiled 
potatoes  seasoned  with  horse-radish,  are  good. 
Corn,  when  fed  alone,  has  a  tendency  to  fatten, 
rather  than  produce  the  more  profitable  egg  laying. 
A  spoonful  of  flowers  of  sulphur  stirred  witii  their 
feed  occasionally,  will  rid  them  of  vermin  and  tone 
up  the  system  with  fine  effect. 


POPULAR  GARDENING 

FOR    TOWN    AND    COUNTRY. 

"ACCUSE  NOT  NATURE,  SHE  HATH  DONE  HER  PART;    DO  THOU  BUT  THINE."— Ujltoh. 


Vol.  1. 


l^J^Sr,    188S. 


No.  8. 


Japanese  Zebra  Crass. 

In  our  garden  the  hardy  ornamental 
grasses  have  alwa3's  been  favorites.  But 
among  our  collection  of  these,  comprising 
many  sorts,  there  is  no  other  one  kind 
which  gives  better — we  were  about  to  say 
gives  equal — satisfaction,  to  the  Japanese 
Zebra  Grass,  EiihiUn  japonicn  zehrina 

The  acconipunying  engraving  af- 
fords a  very  good  representation  of 
the  plant  we  are  speaking  of.  Unlike 
all  other  variegated  grasses,  this  one 
has  its  striping  or  marking  across  the 
leaf,  instead  of  longitudinally.  It 
grows  tjve  or  more  feet  in  height, 
forming  a  most  striking  and  graceful 
plant,  resembling  nothing  else  that 
we  know  of,  in  cultivation.  The  ex- 
panded flower  spikes  resemble  the 
ostrich  plumes,  and  when  dried,  last 
for  j'ears. 

This  variegated  Grass  we  find  use- 
ful in  many  waj's.  In  the  mixed 
border  amongst  herbaceous  plants  it 
is  a  pleasing  and  striking  object,  and 
in  a  cut  state  for  tlic  decoration  of 
large  vases  it  is  most  valuable,  as  its 
graceful  arching  leaves  gives  a  degree 
of  brightness  to  floral  arrangements 
not  otherwise  obtainable.  The  varie- 
gation, too,  is  clear  and  well  defined, 
a  circumstance  which  adds  to  its 
beauty.  It  is  a  great  gain  to  be  able 
to  cut  spikes  of  it  four  feet  high  for 
indoor  decoration. 

When  first  introduced  from  Japan 
it  was  believed  that  this  plant  would 
not  prove  hardy.  Years  of  cultiva- 
tion with  it  as  far  north  as  Buffalo 
proves  it  to  be  entirely  so,  and  we 
are  able  to  cut  from  it  in  the  open 
borders  up  to  the  end  of  November. 

Anj'  soil  not  too  rich  suits  it;  in  rather  drj' 
poor  material  we  find  that  the  variegation  is 
more  clear  and  defined.  We  have  grown  it 
in  pots  the  year  around,  and  find  that  it 
makes  a  capital  plant  for  mixing  with  Ferns 
and  other  fine  foliaged  plants  in  the  con.ser- 
vatory. 

This  very  desirable  plant  may  now  be  had 
of  all  dealers  in  hardy  plants.  It  can  also 
be  raised  from  seed,  packets  of  which  can 
be  bought  for  about  twenty  cents  each. 


inches  of  the  tips,  and  this  leads  quickly  to 
the  putting  forth  of  two  or  three  side 
branches.  After  these  have  grown  suffi- 
ciently, I  cut  these  back  also  and  thus  keep 
on  until  the  plant  has  seven  or  eight  branches. 
Of  course  siich  a  method  retards  the 
blooming  somewhat,  liut  is  it   not  far  better 


The  Abutilon,  or  Flowering  Maple- 

BY   MRS.   M.   D.    WELI.COMK,    YAR-MOI'TII,  >rE. 

This  Is  one  of  the  best  of  plants  for  the 
window,  garden  and  bedding  out.  It  is  a 
strong  grower,  does  not  mind  the  close  heat- 
ed atmosphere  of  our  dwellings,  and  it  is 
not  fastidious  in  regard  to  soil.  It  needs 
some  training,  for  it  seems  in  so  much  of  a 
hurry  to  grow,  and  all,  that  it  rarely  stops  to 
branch,  unless  forced  to  do  so  by  being  de- 
capitated. 

In  viiy  management  of  the  plants,  when 
they  are  about  a  foot  high   I  cut  off  a  few 


THE  JAPANESE  ZEBRA  GRASS. 

to  have  half  a  dozen  branches  full  of  flowers 
a  little  further  on,  than  one  tall  stalk  earlier? 

As  Abutilon  plants  do  not  generally  bloom 
very  much  during  the  earlj-  part  of  winter. 
I  begin  in  December  to  cut  back  the  plants, 
and  by  ilarch  they  are  ready  to  bud.  This 
year  I  counted  22  Inids  on  one  plant  in 
March,  and  they  were  only  the  beginning 
of  an  abundance  to  follow. 

The  double  flowering  Abutilon  is  a  beauty, 
both  in  foliage  and  blossom.  Those  mottled- 
leaved  are  very  attractive,  even  should  they 
never  have  flowers.  Due  de  Malakoft'  is 
specially  beautiful  with  its  large  niajile 
leavesmarbled  witli  green,  yellow  and  white. 

Not  only  do  I  cut  back  Abutilon,  as  indi- 
cated above,  but  all  plants  that  are  disposed 
to  grow  tall  and  branchless.  Fuchsias  I 
train  a  good  deal  In  this  way. 


Shady  Gardens. 

The  grounds  of  many  homes  are  .sliaded 
heavily  by  trees  and  buildings,  a  condition 
of  things  not  at  all  favorable  either  to  the 
growth  of  grass  or  an  abundance  of  flowers. 
When   trees  cause  most   of   the  trouble,  if 


sufficient  courage  could  be  summoned  to 
thin  them  out  freely,  the  results  in  most 
every  way  would  be  more  satisfactory. 

In  our  opinion  it  is  a  wholly  wrong  notion, 

that  heavy,  extended  shade,  is  more  pleasant 

than  shade  that  is  broken  up  by  numerous 

open  spaces.     Such  spaces  admit  sunsliine 

to  give  comfort  in  cool  weather  and 

breezes  in  hot  weather,  and  together 

life  and  health  to  grass  and  plants  as 

well  as  to  the  dwellers  in  the  home. 

But  even  with  thinning  the  trees  a 
good  deal,  some  dark  shaded  spots 
against  buildings  and  elsewhere  will 
still  exist.  These  are  usually  a  source 
of  great  perplexity  to  the  manager, 
regarding  how  to  have  the  surface 
furnished  to  look  well.  Too  often 
such  places  are  perfectly  bare,  even 
of  grass.  Ordinary  grass,  or  such  as 
is  brought  by  the  sodders  from 
meadows,  is  illy  adapted  for  use  here, 
as  countless  experiments  have  shown ; 
but  by  preparing  the  ground  for  seed- 
ing— and  then  .sowing  such  kinds  of 
grass  as  the  Creeping  Bent  (Arjrontiit 
slohiiifini),  or  Green  or  June  Grass 
{Toil  pratenms),  both  of  which  do  well 
in  partly  shaded  places — a  respecta- 
ble looking  cover  might  be  had  in 
many  such  spots  that  now  are  bare. 

Aside  from  this  class  of  grasses, 
there  is  quite  a  long  list  of  pKants 
that  will  thrive  where  it  is  shaded 
from  one-half  to  three-fourths  of  the 
day.  At  the  head  of  the  list  stand 
the  Ferns,  and  such  bulbs  as  the  Tidip, 
Hyacinth  and  Crocus.  Then  there 
are  the  Snow-drops,  Tiger  Lily,  Val- 
ley Lily,  Solomon's  Seal,  Wake- 
Robin,  Spring  Beauty,  Periwinkle, 
Money-vine  and  other  hardy  perennials 
which  seem  to  prefer  partial  shade. 

Among  annual  flowers  that  need  but  little 
sunshine,  are  the  Adonis,  Daisy,  Pansy, 
Whitlavia,  and  JIarigolds. 

Fuchsias,  Lobelias,  silver-leaved  Gerani- 
ums, Achyranlhes,  Begonias.  Callas,  Alter- 
nantheras,  and  Caladiums,  from  the  green- 
house, all  succeed  fairly  well  in  shade. 

With  an  array  of  materials  like  this,  it 
ought  not  to  be  difficult,  in  most  cases,  to 
make  tlie  shady  places  beautiful  witli  foliage 
or  flowers. 


The  Trembling  Aspen. 

This  is  a  favorite  lawn  tree  with  many 
planters.  Henry  Ward  Beecher,  a  gentle- 
man whose  knowledge  of  trees  is  very  wide, 
is  for  one,  enthusiastic  in  recommending  it. 
It  is  a  species  of  Poplar,  and  is  known  liotan- 
ically  as  PopnliiK  tnmti'uides. 

Aside  from  the  characteristic  charms  this 
tree  possesses,  through  its  leaves  being  agi- 
tated in  a  lively  manner  by  even  the  slightest 
breeze,  it  assumes  a  handsome  form  and  ma- 
jestic proportions  under  the  most  ordinary 
circumstances.    Unlike  some  of  the  Poplars, 


86 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


May, 


it  does  not  send  up  shoots  from  the  roots,  ]  their  natural  condition,  and   to  nature,  the 
to  interfere  with  all  attempts  at  neat  gar-     more  freely  may  they  be  emploj-ed  for  orna- 


dcning.     It  is  in  every  way  a  tine  looking 
tree  for  large  sized  groimds  and  streets. 


mentation,  if  generally  appropriate,  without 


CARPET  BEDDING.— PLANS  OF  TWO  CIRCULAR   BEDS. 


Although  the  Aspen  is  a  native  tree,  it  is 
well  known  and  much  employed  in  orna- 
mental planting  throughout  Europe.  Per- 
haps tlie  fact  that  it  was  taken  3.000  miles 
across  the  water  tends  to  make  it  more  popu- 
lar there  than  at  home,  a  state  of  things 
quite  common  as  regards  many  such  matters. 
But  let  us  hear  how  one  English  lover  of  the 
tree  picturesquely  referred  to  it  some  time 
ago,  in  Woodn  and  Forests,  of  London. 

Every  country  place  should  have  that  very 
coquette  among  trees,  the  Aspen.  It  seems 
never  to  sleep.  Its  twinkling  fingers  are 
playing  in  the  air  at  some  arch  fantasy,  al- 
most without  pause.  If  you  sit  at  a  win- 
dow with  a  book,  it  will  wink  and  blink 
and  beckon  and  coax,  till  you  cannot  help 
speaking  to  it.  That  must  be  a  still  daj' 
that  does  not  see  the  Aspen  quiver.  A  sin- 
gle leaf  sometimes  will  begin  to  wag,  and 
not  another  in  the  whole  tree  will  move. 
Sometimes  a  hidden  breath  will  catch  at  a 
lower  branch,  then,  shifting,  will  leave  that 
still,  while  it  shakes  a  topmost  twig.  Though 
the  air  may  move  so  .gently  that  your  cheek 
does  not  feel  it,  this  sensitive  tree 
will  seem  all  a  shiver,  and  turn  its 
leaves  upward  with  a  shuddering 
chill.  It  is  the  daintest  fair}'  of  all 
the  trees.  One  should  have  an  Aspeu 
on  every  side  of  the  house,  that  no 
window  should  be  without  a  diance 
to  look  upon  its  nods  and  becks,  and 
to  rejoice  in  its  innocent  witcheries. 


To  illustrate:  Grass  is  embellishing  mater- 
ial that  is  very  near  its  natural  condition.  With 
plants  and  flowers  and  arrangement  of  the 
average  carpet  bed  •  it  is  different,  they  are 
largely  in  the  line  of  artificial  productions. 
It  certainly  is  true  that  most  of  our  richest 
plants  and  flowers,  thus  used,  are  in  their 
improved  states,  the  result  of  high  artificial 
cultivation.  Now,  one  might  devote  a  small 
town  lot,  or  any  other  area,  up  to  a  plat  of 
manj'  acres,  to  grass  alone,  and  there  would 
be  nothing  distasteful  in  the  effect.  But 
plant  every  foot  of  similar  areas  solidly,  with 
improved  plants,  arranged  in  geometrical 
lines,  and  the  effect  would  be  positivel}' 
shocking.  It  is  eas}-  to  overdo  in  the  use 
of  the  one  class  of  materials  or  styles  of  ar- 
rangements; not  so  with  the  other. 

This  leads  us  to  conclude  that  the  formal 
carpet  style  of  bedding  has  its  place  in 
adornment,  but  it  must  be  as  a  minor  fea- 
ture, in  the  general  embellishment.  Bril- 
liant and  rich  in  its  character,  it  is  to  the 
garden  what  rich  jewels  or  briglit  riblions 
are  in  dress,  and  like  these  must  be  used  in 


gardener  will  not  hesitate  to  emploj'  substi- 
tutes cither  in  kinds  or  in  other  colors,  where 
this  would  be  desirable  in  adapting  his 
available  planting  stock  to  the  plans  given. 

Pot    Hyacinths,   After 
Flowering. 

One  of  the  commonest 
questions  asked  by  flower- 
growers  at  this  season  is, 
What  shall  be  done  with  Hy- 
acinths that  have  bloomed  in 
the  winter  indoors "?  We 
have  received  from  !Mrs.  L. 
D.  Hamlin,  of  Bennington, 
Vermont,  a  contribution  to 
Popular  G.\RDENiK(i,  in 
which  she  tells  of  her  way  of 
managing  such  bulbs  after 
flowering.     She  says: 

"I  cut  the  b!os.som  stalk 
away  and  keep  the  plant  grow- 
ing until  the  leaves  begin  to 
decay.  Then  I  graduall}'  dry 
off  the  bulbs,  and  later  store 
in  paper  bags  till  fall.  In  September  I  take 
these  same  bulbs  that  had  flowered  in- 
doors once,  and  plant  in  a  bed  of  light  rich 
soil  outdoors.  Before  winter  I  give  a  slight 
protection  of  litter  or  leaves  to  the  bed.  The 
bulbs  thus  treated  will  bloom  the  following 
spring,  thus  doing  double  duty,  and  they 
will  continue  to  do  well  with  little  care  for 
a  number  of  years. 

"Let  me  tell  3'our  readers  that  I  have 
grown  a  bed  in  that  way  that  is  80  feet  long 
by  4  feet  in  width.  It  now  has  in  bud  and 
bloom  360  spikes  of  lovel}'  Hyacinths.  Some 
of  these  are  of  immense  size,  and  they  show 
every  variety  of  color. 

"Growing  with  my  Hyacinths  are  Daffo- 
dils, Trimipet  Narcissus,  Crocus,  Grape  Hy- 
acinths, Jonquils,  Star  Pink,  Snow  Drop, 
etc.  As  I  write  all  of  these  are  in  l)loom, 
and  looking  very  ga}'  and  beautiful.  The 
lied  is  close  to  the  walk  on  Main  street,  and 
is  the  admiration  of  every  passer-b}'." 


Experiments  made  in  sowing  a  row  of 
Peas  very  early  in  the  spring,  when  the  soil 


Carpet  Bedding  of  Plants. 

We  do  not  agree  with  those  advo- 
cates of  an  ultra-natural  style  of 
garden-making  who  hold  that  the 
carpet  bed  is  wrong,  both  in  princi- 
ple and  in  taste.  Neither  do  we 
agree  with  those  persons  who  run  into  the 
other  extreme,  and  hold  that  no  st3'le  besides 
the  formal,  geometrical  style  of  embellish- 
ing grounds  is  worthy  the  attention  of  intel- 
ligent gardeners.  We  take  middle  grounds 
and  say  that  all  styles  of  gardening  are  right 
in  their  place. 

In  the  use  of  flowers  and  plants  of  every 
kind  for  embellishing  purposes,  tlie  extent 
to  which,  and  the  style  in  which  any  kinds 
may  be  used,  is  to  be  determined  by  their 
individual  characters.  We  should  observe 
that  the  nearer   materials   and   styles   are  to 


CARPET  BEDDING.— PLAN  OF  AN   ELONGATED  BED. 


a  limited  degree  and  subordinate  to  some- 
thing else  that  possesses  less  capacity  for 
ornamentation.  Such  beds  seated  here  and 
there  on  ample  areas  of  lawn,  and  these 
perhajjs  skirted  by  trees  and  shrubs,  serve 
to  embellish  the  parts  where  tliey  are  intro- 
duced ver3'  richl}',  and  here  nothing  could 
be  more  appropriate  than  their  presence. 

The  accompanying  engravings  show  some 
pleasing  designs  for  carpet  beds.  The  names 
of  some  plants  that  are  suitable  for  the  va- 
rious parts  are  given  on  the  plans  to  aid  in 
the    planting.       Of  course    the    intelligent 


was  in  a  pasty  condition  from  wetness,  re- 
sulted in  failure;  a  few  plants  only  showing 
above  ground  and  these  never  became  robust. 
Seed  of  the  same  lot  was  later  sown  in  dry 
ground,  at  a  seasonable  time,  and  a  strong 
growth,  seeminglj'  a  jilant  from  every  seed, 
and  a  heavy  crop  was  the  result.  In  germi- 
nation, seeds  need  air,  as  well  as  moisture, 
without  the  former  rot  must  ensue.  In  the 
desire  to  have  the  garden  started  early,  no 
doubt  seed  is  sometimes  sjioiled  bj-  injudi 
cious  planting  in  wet.  Then  the  seedmau  is 
perhaps  accused  of  selling  bad  seed. 


i886. 


POPULAR     GARDENING. 


87 


The  Single  Dahlia. 

The  Single  Dahlia  is  not  a  new  flower;  it 
is  older  than  the  well-known  double  ones. 
The  fact  is, the  doubles  sprang  from  the  single 
ones.  The  Single  Dahlia  is  a  Mexican  plant. 
For  a  long  time  previous  to  a  few  years 
ago,  as  everj'  one  knows,  there  was  a  great 
rage  for  double  flowers 
of  all  kinds.  It  .seemed 
as  if  single  flowers 
were  almost  despised 
by  florists.  It  was  a 
great  thing  in  favor  of 
any  flower  during  that 
time,  if  it  tended  to- 
wards doubling. 

The   Dahlia  was  ac- 
commodating.    In  the 
hands    of    ambitious 
florists,  it  doubled  and 
doubled,    until    it  be- 
came as  full,   formal, 
still  and  gigantic  as 
possible.      Then  the 
Dahlia  was  thought 
to  be  a  great  flower. 
For  a  long  time  every- 
body tried  to  believe  it 
was  very  handsome  and 
very  desirable;    how- 
beit  some  persons  with 
notions    of    their  own 
about    such     things 
would  talk  about  stiff- 
ness, and  unloveliness. 
But     later    on,    a 
change  occurred  in  the 
popular   taste.     The 
double    flowers   began 
to    be    pronounced 
against,  and  the  more  simple  forms 
of    these    were   sought   out  again. 
Fashion,  very  sensible,  for  once  at 
least,  declared  in  favor  of  the  Single 
Daisies,    Asters,    Dogwood,    and 
many    like    flowers.      The    reform 
was  taken  up  in  all  directions;  even 
the  long-despised  Single  Dahlia  was 
given  due  notice.      Now  the  atten- 
tion of  florists  was  devoted  to  raising 
beautiful  single  forms  of  these,  and 
with  results  really  astonishing. 

To-day   the   Single   Dahlias,    the 
Mexican  Butterfly   Flowers,  are  in 
their    improved   forms   among    the 
most  popular  of  flowers.     But  they 
are  even  less  so  than  they  would  be, 
were  it  not  for  the  pre,judice  against 
them  because  of  the  present  distaste 
for  "Dahlias."     To  .show  their  ap- 
pearance, as  near  as   it  is  possible 
to  do  in  black  and  white,  we  pre- 
sent herewith  a  very  fine  engraving 
of   these   flowers.      This   it   is   our 
privilege  to  do  through  the  kindness 
of  Mr.  F.    R.  Pierson,   Tarrytown, 
N.  Y.,  who  loaned  us  the  engrav- 
ing for  this  use.      Mr.  Pierson,  we 
may  add,  has  paid  a  great  deal  of 
attenti&n  to  procuring   fine  varieties  of  the 
Single   Dahlias,   and   in   his    beautiful   and 
valuable  catalogue,  "  Garden  Supplies  of  all 
Kinds  for  Country  Homes,"  he  describes  his 
fine  collection.     This  catalogue  should   be 
in  every  gardener's  hands. 

The  advantages  of  tlie  Single  over  the 
Double  Dahlias  are  very  obvious.  They 
are  much  more  suitable  for  cutting.  They 
are  light,  elegant,  brilliant,  entitling  them 
well  to    be    called   Butterflv   Flowers,  and  I 


are  wholl.y  unlike  the  double  sorts  in  ap- 
pearance.  They  flower  earlier,  and  the 
blooms  are  not  .so  readily  injured  liy  dull 
or  wet  weather  as  the  double  sorts.  Lastly, 
they  are  just  as  easily  grown  as  the  old  sorts, 
with  the  one  advantage  that  they  may  readily 
be  raised  from  .seed,  treated  as  annuals.     We 


are  free  to  say  that  no  flower  garden  should 
be  without  some  of  these  very  charming  and 
easily  grown  flowers.  JIany  florists  now 
furnish  the  started  plants  at  a  low  price. 


Tuberous- 


Rooted  Begonias. 

In  England  these  plants  have  reached  a  great 

j  degi-ee  of  popularity,  both  as  bedding  plants 

j  and  in  pot  culture.     From  here  an<I  there,  in 

this    country,    favorable    reports    have    been 

heard  in  late  j'ears,  as  to   their  well-doing. 


WTierever  Tuberous  Begonias  do  suc<ee<J,  there 
are  good  reasons  why  they  are  umch  thought 
of,  l)eing  of  excellent  habit,  profuse  in  flower- 
ing; ranging  as  to  color,  from  delicate  yellow  to 
a  brilliant  scarlet,  and   they   are  of  lonipara- 
tively    easy    culture.     To    be    sure,    dilferent 
varieties   i-equire    different    treatment,    some 
standing  the  sun  almost  a.s  well  as  the  Gerani- 
uin.s,   which    they   rival 
in    brilliancy.     Others 
do  best  in  partial  shade, 
and    many    are   une- 
qualed  for  culture  in  pots. 
For    planting    out    in 
beds,   some   varieties 
prove  very  satisfactory. 
However,  let  me  fore- 
warn  those  who  under- 
take the  culture  of   Be- 
gonias, that  failure  often 
results   friim    neglect  of 
having   free  drainage, 
both   in   beds  and   in 
pots.     Thev  delight  in  a 
light,    rich,  loamy    soil, 
through    which    water 
percolates  freely,   pre- 
\enting    stagnation,    as 
the   plant    detests  this. 
•Shelter   from   strong 
winds   is  also  desirable, 
or  they  may  sutler  from 
being   broken  off  at  the 
^;round. 

As  for  procuring  stock 
of   the   Tuberous    Be,go- 
iiias,  many  of  our  most 
skillful   florists  favor 
raising  from  seed.    Good 
strains  of  seed  can  be 
obtained   from  most  all 
reliable    seedsmen.       As 
the  seed  is  very  small, 
much  care  needs  to   be 
taken  in  sowing.     Place 
in  a  pan  or  box  con- 
taining several  inches 
of  potsherds,  on  top  of 
w  h  i  c  h    place    a    thin 
layer  of  moss.     Then  fill 
with   light,   fine  soil   to 
within   1-4   inch    of   the 
top.      After  sowing, 
scatter  over  enough  fine 
sand  to   keep   the  seeds 
in   place,      (.'over   with 
glass,  and  on  this  papei', 
and   kee))   in  a  tem- 
perature   of    li.">     to   TO 
till   the   plants    are    up. 
Gradually  harden  t« 
the  air,   transplanting 
when    they    have    roots 
1-1   inch   long.      As  the 
plants  are  very  deUcate, 
the.v   nmst   be  handled 
geutlv    at   all    times. 
Keep  shaded  for  several 
days,  after  which   place 
near  the  light,   pro- 
tected   from    the   direct 
rays  of  the  sun.     Keep 
shifted  and  grt)wing  till 
safe  to  jilant  out.   Those 
to   be   grown    in    pots 
should  finally  reach  the 
T  and  8  inch  size.     It  is  dvu'ing  the  growing 
season  that  the  bulbs  are  formed. 

-•is  to  keeijing  over  the  bulbs,  allow  tho.se  in 
pots  to  remain  over  winter  in  a  warm  place 
and  quite  dry.  though  not  dry  enough  to 
wither.  The  soil  should  be  renewed  after  start- 
ing, each  spring. 

Those  bedded  out  shovdd  Ije  lifted  at  the  same 
time  as  Dahlias,  dried  and  then  kept  in  a  tem- 
perature of  .50  to  OU  ,  covered  with  chai-coal 
dust.  Start  up  early  in  the  spring  and  later 
plant  out  into  good  soil.  E   E   S 


88 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


May, 


Remarkable  Canna: 
Ehemanni. 


The  haudsonie  engraving  of  Canna  Ehemanni 
which  we  present  on  this  page,  can  after  all 
give  but  an  impei-fect  idea  of  this  magnificent 
plant  and  its  flower.  The  flowers  are  shown  at 
about  one-half  of  their  natural  size,  being  about 
three  inches  long  and  two  inches  wide.  They 
are  of  a  magnificent  glowing  crimson  color, 
and  may  be  used  to  advantage  in  bouquet  mak- 
ing, being  singularlj-  rich  in  appeaiance. 

We  take  especial  interest  in  calling  the  at- 
tention of  our  readers  to  this  recent  plant ;  first, 
because  of  its  great  superiority,  and  second,  be- 
cause, in  common  with  all  Cannas,  it  is  very 
easilj'  growm.  It  is  (luite  distinct  in  appearance 
from  all  other  Cannas,  its  rich  green  tropical 
foliage  resembling  the  Musaor  Banana. 

Its  greatest  merit,  however,  lies  perhaps  in 
the  flowers,  which  are  nearly  as  large  as,  and 
more  attractive  than,  the  finest  Gladiolus 
blooms.  They  are  produced  in  masses  on  the 
summit  of  whip-like  stalks,  single  plants  hav- 
ing seven  or  eight  stalks,  with  a  score  or  more 
of  flowers  on  each. 

One  remarkable  quality  of  this  plant  is  that, 
after  flowei-ing  in  summer,  the  roots  can  be 
lifted,  and  will  bloom  all  winter  in  the  conser- 
vatory, and  perhaps  in  the 
house.  During  a  recent  visit 
to  the  Government  Botanic 
Gardens,  at  Washington,  we 
met  this  plant  in  bloom  in 
the  midst  of  numerous  flow- 
ering exotics,  in  the  temper- 
ate house,  and  were  pleased 
to  see  that  the  flowers  even 
here,  were  in  general  at- 
tractiveness, equaled  by  few, 
and  excelled  by  no  others  in 
the  collection. 

It  may  be  said  of  the  cid- 
ture  of  Cannas  in  general, 
that  they  grow  with  the 
greatest  vigor,  either  as  pot 
plants  or  bedded  in  the 
garden, and  produce  a  stately 
tropical  efl'ect,  with  their 
broad  massive  foliage  and 
beautiful  flowers,  with  little 
care.  There  is  only  one 
thing  to  be  particular  about 
in  managing  them,  and  that 
is  to  provide  a  rich  soil  and 
plenty  of  water  and  then 
they  will  produce  astonish- 
ing results.  The  Canna  is 
freely  propagated  by  di- 
vision of  the  root  at  plant- 
ing time.  During  the  winter 
the  roots  should  be  kept  in 
dry  sand  in  a  cellar,  frost- 
proof room,  or  under  the 
bench  in  the  conservatory. 
Bulbs  of  the  Ehemanni 
variety  may  now  be 
bought  of  all  the  leading  plantmen  at  half  a 
dollar  or  less  a  piece.  Those  who  give  the 
plant  a  trial  can  hardly  f  aU  to  be  gratified  with 
their  investment  in  it. 


Carpeting   Gladiolus    and   Lily   Beds. 

Our  correspondent  S.  L.  W.,  of  Chicago,  III, 
instead  of  cultivating  the  surface  of  his  Gladi- 
olus and  Lily  beds,  sets  out  some  interesting 
low-growing  plants  to  keep  the  ground  covered. 
We  think  this  is  a  plan  worth  trying  and  gladly 
give  space  to  his  account  of  the  com^e  taken : 
— After  having  properly  set  out  the  Gladiolus 
bulbs,  I  plant  over  them  Otiiuitna  ri-(issifolia, 
close  enough  to  cover  the  ground  by  the  time 
the  Gladiolus  get  half  grown.  Linanit  ci/jji- 
hahiriri  will  answer  the  .same  end  and  spreads 
very  rapidly;  both  these  plants  cover  the 
ground  with  a  nice  gi'een  carpet  figured 
abundantly  with  small  flowers.  Such  a  carpet 
adds  considerably  to  the  beauty  of  the  bed  and 


Canna  ,  at  the  same  time  answers  as  a  mulching  for  the 

Gladiolus,  with  benefit  I  think. 

I  take  the  same  course  with  my  Lily  bed,  but 
here  use  the  hardy  Araliia  iiplina  with  its  fra- 
grant white  flowers.  In  early  spring  this  plant 
covers  the  ground  close  and  I  find  under  such 
a  coat  the  Lilies  grow  and  flower  to  perfection. 


The  Tritelia  and  Lobster  Cactus.     A 
Vermont  Sister's  Experience. 

Mrs.  M.  De  Pouter,  of  New  Haven,  Vt., 
rightly  says  that  the  sisters  of  our  family  are 
to  blame  if  they  do  not  keep  up  an  interesting 
gardening  correspondence  through  this,  their 
medium.  So  she  briefly  gives  her  experience, 
with  two  of  her  favorites,  about  which  we 
were  very  glad  to  leai'n. 


FINE  canna:     CANNA  EHEMANNI. 


"I  had  a  gift  of  a  Trildin  iinijiind  la.st  fall, 
the  name  of  which  implies  solitary  flowers.  It 
was  new  to  me.  I  watched  it  closely,  and  judge 
of  my  surprise  when  the  first  bud  opened,  it 
developed  into  two  sweet  star  like  flowers.  All 
the  others  of  which  there  were  six,  were 
solitary. 

"^Vhat  a  pleasure  it  is  to  watch  a  new  plant 
bud  and  bloom.  I  have  a  Lobster  Cactus  that 
blossomed  as  usual  in  the  fall,  is  in  bloom  again 
now,  and  more  buds  coming,  I  never  have  had 
one  do  so  well  before.  Some  look  upon  the  care 
of  flowers  as  work,  to  me  it  is  a  great  pleasure, 
I  hope  to  hear  from  some  of  the  other  sisters 
soon." 


fusion  that  prevails  in  the  names  and  synonyms 
of  Vegetables  at  the  present  time. 
j  Careful  tests  and  compai'isons  made  last  year 
on  the  State  Farm,  with  seeds  procured  from 
leading  dealers,  go  to  show  that  in  numerous 
instances  the  same  variety  is  sold  under  many 
different  names  by  the  different  seedsmen.  For 
this,  the  seedsmen  themselves  are  largely  to 
blame,  through  the  too  common  practice  of 
associating  names  of  their  own  devising,  along 
with  standard  sorts. 

Just  how  far  this  evil  has  progressed,  may 
be  seen  for  one  thing  in  the  case  of  the  French 
Horn  Carrot.  This  Carrot  is  now  offered  and 
sold  under  no  less  than  a  dozen  different  names, 
in  the  same  number  of  catalogues.  A  planter 
might  make  a  selection  of  French  Horn  CaiTot 
from  one  catalogue,  of  the  Early  French  Scar- 
let Forcing  from  another, 
Eai-ly  Forcing  Horn  from 
another.  Early  Frame  from 
another.  Early  Short  Scarlet 
from  another,  and  so  on 
through  a  dozen  or  more 
catalogues, naturally  enough 
thinking,  he  was  getting  as 
many  different  Carrots  as 
the  number  of  those  names 
would  indicate.  But  when 
further  along  his  crop  would 
show  only  one  and  the  same 
sort  in  all  of  these,  then  it 
would  verj-  likely  dawn  upon 
his  mind  that  he  was  the 
victim  of  a  great  wrong, 
somewhere.  And  this  cer- 
tainly would  be  true.  In 
the  case  of  garden  Peas  this 
multiplicity  of  synonyms,  is 
fuUy  as  bad,  while  no  leading 
vegetable  is  free  from  the 
trouble. 

It  is  evident  that  here  is 
room  for  a  great  reform. 
That  the  work  of  effecting 
this,  as  referred  to,  is  in  good 
hands,  no  one  will  question. 
But  it  can  only  go  on  to  the 
best  results  through  the 
agreement  of  those  who  sell 
seeds,  coupled  with  the  vol- 
untary efforts  of  some  such 
unbiased  growers  as  those 
of  the  Experimental  Sta- 
tions. We  trust  that  by 
this  time  all  dealei-s  and 
growers  begin  to  realize  the 
folly  of  and  the  actual  hin- 
drance there  is  to  gardening 
interests  existing  in  this 
confusion.  We  trust  also 
that  they  will  render  the  aid 
which  easily  lies  in  their 
power  to  assist  the  institu- 
tion referred  to,  in  its 
praiseworthy  efforts  to  go 
on  and  establish  a  true  nomenclatm'e  and 
description  of  vegetables. 


The  Confusion  of  Names. 

The  Directors  of  the  New  York  Experimental 
Station  at  Geneva,  have  taken  upon  themselves 
a  task  for  which  the}'  are  entitled  to  the  thanks 
of  all  gardeners.  We  refer  to  the  large  and 
difficult  work  of  straightening  out  the  con- 


Sweet  Potato  Culture. 

From  the  latter  part  of  May,  to  July  4th,  the 
rooted  Sweet  Potato  sprouts  should  be  trans- 
planted to  the  field  or  garden.  Break  the  land 
thorouglily,  but  not  necessarily  deep;  low, 
level  and  damp  lands  will  not  do;  high,  di-y, 
mellow  or  loamy  soils  are  best,  and  the'fresher 
the  better.  Lay  off  rows  three  and  a  half  to 
four  feet  apart,  and  in  these  furrows,  apply 
two  to  four  hundred  pounds  of  ammoniated 
superphosphate,  containing  potash,  per  acre. 
If  home-made  manure  is  used,  be  sure  that  it 
is  old  and  thoroughly  decomposed,  and  if  possi- 
ble mix  some  ashes  and  acid  phosphate  with  it. 
Cover  this  furrow  by  nmning  on  each  side  of 
it  with  a  one-hoi"se  turn  plow,  thus  making  a 
naiTow  ridge,  on  which  plant  the  slips  eighteen 
inches  apart;  keep  clean  of  weeds  and  gra-ss 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


89 


until  the  vines  begin  to  run  freely,  then  hill  up 
and  lay  by.  It  is  as  well  not  to  permit  the 
vines  to  take  root  lietween  the  rows,  as  this 
will  diminish  the  crop.  Loosen  up  the  vines 
occasionally.  A  fork  hoe  is  good  for  the  pur- 
pose. Just  liefore  or  soon  after  the  frost  in  the 
fall,  dig  the  potatoes  and  store  away  in  a  dry, 
warm  place  for  winter.  In  the  South,  a  good 
way  to  do  this,  is  to  select  a  spot  on  the  ground 
where  water  will  not  stand,  and  throw  up  the 
earth  three  or  four  inches  above  the  natural 
surface,  in  a  circular  shape,  about  four  or  five 
feet  in  diameter:  press  down  firmly,  and  on 
this,  place  twenty-five  or  thii-ty  bushels  of  po- 
tatoes piled  up  in  a  cone-shajje,  shai-p  at  the 
top,  cover  with  corn  stalks  or  gi-ass  two  or 
three  inches  thick,  then  cover  with  eai-th  six  or 
eight  inches  deep.  Place  a  few  boards  over  the 
top  to  keep  rain  out.  Make  as  many  of  these 
banks  as  you  please.  In  the  Northern  States 
it  is  advisable  to  store  in  some  good,  warm, 
dry  cellar.  Leave  the  top  of  the  bank  open 
a  day  or  two,  as  the  potatoes  will  sweat  some- 
what when  first  banked ;  after  this  cover  up 
entirely.  Be  sm-e  to  keep  them  wanu.  The 
vines  make  very  good  cattle  feed.  Most  of  the 
cultivation  may  be  done  with  a  plow. — M.  W. 
./.,  iti  Anwrican  Aifriculturist. 


Sweet,  or  Sugar  Corn. 

No  kitchen  garden  should  be  without  this 
rich  and  delicious  vegetable,  unless  the  product 
in  its  green  state  maj'  be  bought  for  a  reason- 
able price.  By  proper  management  as  regards 
the  time  of  planting  it  may  be  had  on  the  table 
from  July  until  frost.  The  first  planting 
should  be  made  before  the  middle  of  May,  and 
be  followed  by  others  at  intervals  of  three 
weeks,  until  the  latter  part  of  July. 

All  varieties  of  Sweet,  or  Sugar  Corn,  may  be 
either  sown  in  rows  four  and  a  half  feet  apart, 
and  the  seeds  placed  about  eight  inches  apai't 
in  the  rows,  or  planted  in  hills  at  distances  of 
three  or  four  feet  each  way,  according  to  the 
variety  grown  or  the  richness  of  the  soil. 
The  taller  the  variety,  or  the  richer  the  soil, 
the  greater  should  be  the  distance  apart. 

A  well-worked  light  loam  is  the  be.st  for  Com. 
While  it  may  succeed  in  some  that  is  disposed 
to  lie  heavy,  provided  it  is  well  drained,  still 
for  an  early  crop  it  should  go  onlj'  on  that  of  a 
light  nature.  It  is  desirable  to  have  it  at  least 
moderately  rich  by  the  use  of  well-rotted  ma- 
nure appUed  before  planting.  Bone  dust,  used 
at  the  rate  of  'M)  or  4(KJ  pounds  to  the  acre, 
answers  a  good  purpose  as  a  fertilizer. 

Numerous  varieties  of  Sweet,  or  Sugar  Corn, 
are  offered  by  seedsmen.  Among  the  more 
recent  ones  introduced,  the  New  Egypt  (illus- 
trated herewith)  is  highly  spoken  of.  Concern- 
ing this  variety,  Peter  Hendereou  &  Co.  say,  in 
their  last  catalogue  ;  The  ear  is  of  large  size, 
and  the  flavor  peculiarly  rich  and  sweet,  and  so 
superior  that  hotels  and  families  using  it  will 
have  no  other  kind  as  long  as  this  variety  is  to 
be  had.  The  introilucer,  who  is  a  large  grower 
and  canner  of  corn,  states  that  the  superiority 
of  this  vai'iety  is  so  well  understood  in  his 
neighborhood,  that  the  prices  he  receives  for  it, 
both  in  the  canned  and  green  state,  wiU  aver- 
age nearly  one-half  more  than  he  can  obtain  for 
any  other  sort  he  grows.  Like  all  other  large 
sorts,  it  matures  late. 


About    Some   Summer   Flowering 
Bulbs. 

BY  SIRS.  T.  L.  NELSON   OF  WORCESTER,  MASS. 

Some  of  the  summer-blooming  bulbs  are  bet- 
ter kept  in  pots  or  tubs.  There  are  many 
places  in  the  garden  and  about  the  house  where 
a  pot  of  Valliilri  jiurptirra  is  very  ornamental. 
Amiiriillis  luli'n  is  a  hardy  variety,  blooming 
in  early  autumn  when  yellow  flowers  are 
scarce.  A.  Hallli  is  a  lovely  pink  variety, 
blooming  in  August.  The  Zephyranthes  in  all 
its  varieties  of  pink  and  white  is  desirable. 
They    require    no    care    beyond    planting    in 


spring,  digging  up  in  autumn,  and  storing  in 
a  dry  place.  .-1.  Hi'llitdonna^  major,  mhiur, 
and  nllia,  are  all  summer -blooming  bulbs. 
They  flower  in  August  and  September,  and  re- 
quire entire  rest  after  tliey  have  matured  their 
foliage.  Aiiuiryllis  Jnfnisintii  will  bloom  in 
the  ground,  and  is  used  by  some  to  lied  out  in 
the  sununer  bj-  keeping  the  bulb  dormant 
through  the  winter.  Isnirnr  nihifliinii  is  beau- 
tiful in  the  garden,  the  plant  being  fine  with- 
out the  flower,  i  'Imrrtis  aflnis  and  J'lfuciuithnn 
I'dlKfliiiiuiii,  like  all  those  mentioned  in  this 
paragraph,  belong  to  the  Amaryllis  family, 
and  require  the  same  general  treatment. 

The  Tuberose  is  as  ca.sil}-  flowered  in  the 
ground  as  any  other  bulb,  but  as  it  takes  about 
four  months  to  bring  it  into  flowering,  it  must 


NEW  EGYPT  SUGAR  CORN. 

be  started  either  in  a  hot-bed  or  a  greenhouse ; 
but  if  you  have  neither  of  these,  plant  the 
bulbs,  after  the  ground  is  thoroughly  warmed, 
in  a  sunny  place,  and  after  they  have  started 
give  plenty  of  water.  When  they  are  well 
budded,  pot  them  in  rich  soil,  so  that  they  can 
be  removed  to  shelter  when  in  danger  of  frost. 
Tritoina  umrin  (jrandifloni  (Red-hot  Poker) 
and  Hjittritifhus  canfJiransRve  two  conspicuous 
plants  which  form  a  fine  contrast  to  each  other. 
Agnp<fnfhtt:<  iiinhi'Hatusinone  of  the  few  I'eally 
blue  flowers.  It  does  well  taken  from  the  pot 
and  planted  in  the  border.  Calndhiin  t'scitlfn- 
tum,  RiclKirdiii  alba  maculntd  (a  very  orna- 
mental species  of  Birhnrdiii  .I'Jtliinjiicd,  our 
common  callal  and  A}nitrphophidtus  li i re rii are 
desirable  plants.  The  Tit/ridiiis  (Tiger  flowers) 
in  the  different  varieties,  are  all  showy.  T. 
rjrnndifiura  allui  forms  a  beautiful  contrast  to 
T.  cintrhijfnra  and  T.  P(n-oniti.  MiUfi  fn'/fora 
is  quite  new,  and  has  slender,  rush-like  foliage, 
and  white  tulmlar  star-shaped  flowers,  on  long 
slender  stems.  The  Dahlia  is  a  very  imjiortant 
tuberous-rooted  plant;  its  oidy  drawba<"k  is 
that  it  requires  too  much  room  to  grow  it ;  but 
there  are  places  where  such  plants  are  very 
much  needed,  and  the  jiompons  and  single 
varieties  are  esjiecially  desirable.  —  Krinict 
from  an  essay  contribidcd  to  llw  Mas.'tttfhusetts 
Horticultural  Society  on  February  VSfh. 


Deep  Planting.  People  who  set  out  orna- 
mental trees,  or  for  that  matter,  any  kind  of 
trees,  shrubs,  or  flowers,  often  have  a  notion 
that  very  deep  planting  is  beneficial.  Scarcely 
an}' thing  could  bo  fartliei-  from  the  truth.  It  one 
is  setting  out  kiiuls  that  have  heavy  tap  I'oots, 
like  Oaks  or  Standard  Pears,  in  lightish  soils, 
it  does  not  matter  so  much,  but  with  the  ma- 
jority of  kinds,  to  set  them  deejier  than  they 
grew  in  the  nursery  is  decirledly  hurtful. 
Especially  such  fibrous  rooters  as  Maples  and 
Ashes  should  Ix'  kept  quite  near  to  the  surface, 
while  things  whic-h  have  a  mass  of  fine  roots, 
such  as  Rhododendrons  and  Azaleas,  need  to 
be  kept  almost  on  top  of  the  surface,  unless 
growing  in  very  light  soil.  The  clump  of 
roots  in  a  Rhododendron  should  as  a  rule  be 
only  partly  bedded  into  the  eai'th,  and  then, 
bringing  a  low  mound  of  soil  over  the  roots, 
to  beat  it  down  quite  firm. 

Forced  Fruits  and  Vegetables.  On  the  1st  of 
Febniary  a  reporter  of  a  Philadelphia  paper 
found  that  Strawberries,  of  the  Sharpless  va- 
riety, grown  in  a  Wilmington,  Del,  hot-house, 
brought  ?!7  per  quart.  "They  are  also  received 
from  New  York  State.  Ordinary-size<l  Cucum- 
bers, from  the  Continental  Hotel  farm,  raised 
in  hot-beds,  sell  for  7.5  cents  each.  For  New 
Jersey  hot-house  peaches  of  not  unusual  size, 
the  sum  of  SI. 50  each  is  asked.  The  sales  of 
these  are  said  to  be  slow.  Continental  Hotel 
hot-house  Asparagus  is  also  on  sale  at  .lO  cents 
per  bunch.  A  Wilmington,  Del.,  hot-house 
also  furnishes  ripe  Tomatoes,  for  which  iSO 
cents  per  pound  is  asked.  Winter  hot-house 
(xrajjes,  it  is  said,  are  about  gone,  and  the 
spring  production  will  not  be  here  until  May. 
City-grown  Mushrooms  are  also  on  sale  at  7.5 
cents  per  quart." — G'irdriters'  Monthly. 

Label  the  Trees.  There  is  great  satisfaction  in 
having  all  trees  and  shrubs  properly  labeled,  a  mat- 
ter often  neglected.  The  labels  that  come  on  the 
trees  from  the  nursery  should  not  be  reUed  on,  as 
the  names  soon  wash  off.  These  also  are  fastened 
on  with  wire,  and  that,  too,  is  an  objection,  for  in 
time  as  the  branches  enlarge  the  wire  is  liable  to  be- 
come filled  out.  cut  into  the  gi'owiiig  branch,  and 
kill  it  sooner  or  later  if  not  removed.  Sheet  zinc 
cut  in  the  form  of  a  long  tapering  wedge,  makes  the 
best  cheap  label  we  know  of,  being  indestnictible, 
easily  applied,  and  can  never  injure  the  tree  by 
strangulation  if  rightly  put  on.  This  is  done  in  the 
easiest  possible  way  by  merely  coiling  the  tapering 
end  around  a  small  branch  several  times,  and  thus 
it  will  yield  to  the  increase  of  the  size  The  writing 
may  be  done  with  a  common  lead  pencil,  and  will 
increase  in  distinctness  with  time. 

Horse-radish,  The  best  product  comes  from  ver^- 
rich  gr.iund.  The  roots  to  be  set  in  starting  a  plan- 
tation should  be  strong  ones,  but  these  may  be  cut 
into  lengths  of  less  than  an  inch  each.  In  planting, 
a  hole  at  least  a  foot  deep,  should  be  made  with  a 
crowbar  or  stake,  and  one  piece  deposited  at  tlie 
bottom,  filliug  up  the  hole  afterwards.  The  root 
will  easily  find  the  surface  and  make  a  straight, 
clean  root  in  the  future. 

Keep  the  Tools  Clean.  This  is  a  lesson  for  the 
boys  to  learn,  and  also  for  some  men.  Loss  of  time, 
strength,  and  satisfaction  in  doing  the  work  must  be 
endiu-ed.  if  it  is  not  dune.  It  takes  but  little  time; 
its  neglect  is  a  sure  sign  of  a  poor  or  slovenly  gar- 
dener Now  then,  boys,  fix  upon  good  habits  in  this 
matter  as  well  as  in  others. 

Unpleasant  as  is  the  sight  of  fruit-robbing  by 
bu-ds,  it  should  be  remembered,  that  all  in  all,  they 
do  vastly  more  good  in  the  insects  they  kill  than 
harm  by  the  other.  Even  those  kinds  which  Uve 
partly  on  insects  and  partlj-  on  vegetable  substances 
destroy  inuuensc  quantities  of  insects,  particular!}'  ' 
in  the  spring,  fiir  feeding  their  young. 

Some  Strawberries  may  be  ripened  earlier  by 
placing  sash  over  a  part  of  the  bed,  resting  them  on 
a  frame,  or  even  on  bricks  or  stakes. 

Burning  a  light  layer  of  straw  on  Strawberry 
plants,  it  is  said,  wilt  kill  many  injurious  bugs. 

The  toad  is  a  garden  a,ssistant ;  he  dest  roys  t  wenty 
to  thirty  insects  jier  hour.     l)ou"t  kill  the  toad. 

While  the  cuttins;  season  of  Asparagus  lasts,  no 
shoots  shoukl  lie  allowed  to  grow. 
Give  Peas  limsh  before  they  aresi.x  inches  high. 
A  white  Black  Ciu-rant  is  aunounce<I. 
The  Apple  hkes  a  rich  soil. 
Weeds  consume  profits. 


9° 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


May, 


C  I  E 


A  beautiful  hunch  of  Rosehuds 
Some  one  gave  to  my  little  boy; 
Half  open,  and  dewy  and  fragrant— 
His  eyes  just  danced  with  joy. 
And  with  tenderest  care  he  watched  them 
As  they  faded  day  by  day. 
And  when  the  last  had  fallen. 
He  said  in  a  wistful  way: 
"If  I  could  choose  me  a  present, 
Do  you  know,  mamma,  I'd  take 
Some  more  of  those  little  roses 
That  weren't  quite  wide  awake." 

—Bessie  Chandler. 


The  Daisies  peep  from  every  field. 
And  Violets  sweet  their  odor  yield; 
The  purple  blossom  paints  the  thorn. 
The  streams  reflect  the  blush  of  morn. 
Then,  lads  and  lassies,  all,  be  gay 
For  this  is  Nature's  hoMday. 

—Pindar's  May  Day. 


Jamesoni  and  occupies  a  prominent  position.  Man- 
tels are  banked  with  Calendulas  and  fringed  with 
Othonna.  Bushes  of  Genesta  in  full  blossom  are 
placed  on  pedestals  and  are  formed  in  an  arch 
against  pier  glasses  The  golden  harp  is  made  five 
feet  high,  and  with  cords  of  bulHon  for  strings. 
This  piece  is  usually  placed  in  a  corner  where  it  is 
highly  decorative  It  should  have  casters  to  be 
easily  rolled 

"  Green  Dinners  "  are  stiU  much  in  vogue.  Table 
cloths  of  white  satm  show  off  the  lacy  foliage  used, 
more  elegantly  than  others  Chains  of  vines,  such 
as  Asparagus,  Lygodiuin  scandens  or  Ivy  extend 
through  the  table,  garlanding  candelabra.  The  cen- 
ter effect  is  made  of  Maiden  Hair  Ferns,  and  the 
favors  are  fanciful  bunches  of  Ferns  with  a  cluster 
of  Geranium  leaves  or  Lemon  Verbena  to  provide 
odor.  The  Clover  Leaf,  made  on  a  light  wire  frame 
of  delicate  foliage,  is  a  popular  favorite  for  these 
green  decorations 


►lanic^lO^d^et 


Arbutus  flowers  are  in  request. 
White  'Violets  are  in  demand  for  bridal  flowers. 
Bitter  with  the  sweet-the  florist's  all  night  work. 
The  language  of  the  Narcissus  is  egotism,  over- 
confidence. 

Pink-tinted  Lilacs  and  pink  Larkspurs  are  sought 
for  festooning. 

May  weddings  will  display  a  profusion  of  blush- 
colored  blossoms. 

Dark  crimson  flowers  harmonize  well  with  golden 
ones  in  floral  arrangements. 

Outdoor  'Violets  now  crowd  their  cousins  of  the 
flower  stores  against  the  wall. 

This  department  is  enriched  by  numerous  para- 
graphs from  our  regidar  New  York  contributor. 

The  wedding  bunch  is  made  of  medium  size  of 
white  Violets  with  a  cluster  of  Orange  blossoms  at 
one  side.  Violet  leaves  finish  the  edge.  The  breast 
bunch  is  a  small  knot  of  Violets,  and  the  veil  is 
fastened  with  a  trail  of  these  interspersed  with 
Orange  buds. 

The  wedding  branch  is  to  be  formed  of  Apple 
Blossoms  for  a  May  wedding.  This  branch  or 
bough  is  formed  naturally  on  wire  so  that  it  spreads 
and  bends  gracefully.  It  is  thickly  covered  with 
flowers  and  is  one  of  the  most  charming  pieces  for 
a  wedding  canopy,  it  carefuUy  finished. 

Those  who  preferred  not  to  indulge  in  bouquets  of 
Jacqueminot  Roses  during  the  winter,  because  of 
their  high  price,  may  be  gratified  to  know  that  they 
are  now  sold  as  low  as  Tea  buds  were  two  months 
ago.  Being  very  large,  they  are  the  cheapest  Rose 
in  market.  They  smell  just  as  sweet  as  at  any  other 
price. 

'We  saw  a  beautiful  home-made  bouquet  at  a  fun- 
eral lately,  which  showed  what  can  be  done  in  this 
line  without  having  access  to  the  florist's  stand, 
even  in  early  spring  It  was  made  wholly  of  single 
Snowdrops  and  the  handsome  dark -green  foliage  of 
the  Periwinkle,  both  of  which  grew  freely  in  a  home 
garden  near  by. 

The  choicest  luncheon  parties  have  been  deco- 
rated with  Clover  or  Sweet  Pea  blossoms,  both  of 
which  are  to  be  had,  for  their  price.  The  satin 
cloth  is  the  palest  pink;  Sweet  Clover  or  Pea  blos- 
soms are  arranged  in  low  dishes  of  glass.  Corsage 
bunches  of  the  flowers  tied  with  narrow  sashes  of 
blush  colored  ribbon  are  the  favors. 

Young  ladies'  luncheons  are  made  with  English 
Primroses  for  the  center  embeUishment  and  Daffo- 
dils for  the  favors.  The  stems  of  the  latter  are  left 
long  and  are  bound  with  a  piece  of  gi-ass.  Cottage- 
maid  TuUps  are  also  much  in  demand  for  young 
ladies'  luncheons.  Hinsdale  or  Grace  Wilder  Car- 
nations are  used  for  "pink  luncheons."  For  rose- 
bud parties,  Bon  Silene  buds  are  chosen. 

The  "  chime  "  is  the  most  fashionable  piece  de 
resistance  for  weddings;  under  this,  which  is  com- 
posed of  from  three  to  five  bells,  the  nuptial  cere- 
mony is  performed.  The  bells  in  the  chime  are  all 
of  different  sizes,  the  largest  being  swung  over  the 
bride  and  groom.  The  inside  of'  the  bells  are  made 
of  two  different  colored  flowers,  which  contrast 
handsomely.    The  bell  pulls  are  satin   ribbons. 

Golden  wedding  decorations  are  elaborate. 
The  pyramid  is  made  of  Daffodils  or  Streptosolon 


Leaves  absorb  one  part  of  the  plant's  food  from 
the  air. 

The  little  Spring  Beauty  is  a  near  relative  of 
Portulaca . 

The  fragrance  of  flowers  varies  in  strength 
throughout  the  twenty -four  hours, 

■We  clip  the  following  lines  regarding  Dr.  Asa 
Gray  from  a  receut  London  Gardeners'  Chronicle: 
English  botanists  claim  Asa  Gray  as  one  of  them- 
selves, despite  the  accident  of  his  birth  on  the  other 
side  of  the  Atlantic,  and  he  is  held  in  as  great  es- 
teem here  as  in  the  land  of  his  birth. 

A  clump  of  thrifty  Mandrake,  {Podupkijllum pel- 
tatum  1,  plants  graces  a  lawn  near  by.  They  seem  to 
be  almost  as  much  at  home  here  as  in  the  woods, 
and  flower  well.  We  encourage  the  idea  of  seeking 
out  attractive  wild  flowers  and  giving  them  a  place 
in  culture,  for  many  of  them  succeed  admirably. 

Botanical  students  are  sure  to  be  richly  reward- 
ed for  their  weary  tramps  through  the  meadows, 
choppings  and  woods  during  May.  The  Wake-rob- 
ins, Spring  Beauties,  Wood  Anemones,  Blood  Roots, 
Adders'  Tongues,  and  numerous  species  of  Violets 
are  now  to  be  met  with  almost  everywhere  North, 
besides  many  other  less  attractive  wild  flowers. 

The  Horse-chestnut  is  an  interesting  grower 
among  trees  All  the  growth  of  one  season  is  made 
in  the  space  of  a  few  weeks  in  the  spring.  During 
this  time  the  shoots  extend  very  rapidly  on  vigor- 
ous specimens,  in  tact  one  can  almost  "see  them 
grow,"  as  the  saying  is.  As  the  growth  of  this  tree 
proceeds  from  a  comparatively  small  number  of 
buds,  it  is  always  a  misfortune  to  have  any  of  those 
injured  or  broken,  for  thereby  the  symmetry  of  the 
tree  is  sure  to  be  impaired. 

Arctic  Plants.  Sergeant  Elison,  one  of  the  vic- 
tims of  the  Greeley  expedition,  was  an  enthusiastic 
botanist  and  collected  some  very  rare  Arctic  plants, 
two  of  which  had  never  been  classified.  The  plants 
are  from  six  inches  to  two  feet  m  height,  and  under 
a  magnifying  glass  present  a  very  beautiful  appear- 
ance. Of  the  thirty -two  classified  specimens,  all 
but  two  were  flowering  plants.  At  the  latitude  at 
which  they  were  gathered  (81°  44')  the  sun  is  quite 
warm  in  July  and  August,  and  vegetation,  though 
stunted  and  short-hved,  is  not  a  rarity. 

A  Glue  for  the  Herbarium.  Carriage  glue  is  an 
excellent  medium  tor  mounting.  It  is  always  ready, 
and  one  dispenses  with  the  intolerable  nuisance  of 
a  water-bath.  Work  which  accumulated  on  my 
hands  to  a  formidable  amount  I  have  been  able  to 
quickly  and  surely  discharge  by  its  employment. 
The  glue,  which  is  a  semi-fluid,  easily  thinned  by 
water,  comes  in  tin  cans  of  various  sizes  and  prices, 
from  thirty  cents  upwards.  Given  the  glue,  the 
curator  has  then  only  to  provide  the  small  boy  to 
apply  it.— ir.  ir.  Bailey,  in  Botanical  Gazette. 

Botany  for  the  Sick.  Says  Popular  Science 
Monthly:  "InvaUds,  as  a  rule,  have  a  great  deal  of 
leisure  on  their  hands— more  of  it  than  they  Uke— 
and  to  fill  this  time  pleasantly  is  a  question  involv- 
ing a  good  deal  more  than  mere  amusement.  The 
miportanoe  of  mental  distraction  to  invalids  is  a 
fact  too  universally  recognized  to  caU  for  comment 
here,  my  object  in  this  paper  being  merely  to  sug- 
gest a  mode  of  distraction  that,  in  my  own  experi- 
ence, has  not  only  been  attended  with  the  happiest 
results  physicially,  but  has  proved  a  source  of  in- 
tense and  never-failing  pleasure.  I  allude  to  the 
study  of  botany— not  the  tiresome,  profitless  study 
of  text-books,  but  of  the  woods  and  fields  and 
meadows. 

"The  beauty  of  this  pursuit  is  that  it  takes  the 
student  out-of-doors,  and  throat  and  lung  troubles. 


as  has  been  truly  said,  are  house-diseases.  I  am 
speaking,  of  course,  to  those  who  have  begun  to 
fight  the  enemy  before  he  has  captiu-ed  the  inner 
defenses,  and  who  are  supposed  to  be  strong  enough 
to  do  a  reasonable  amount  of  walking,  and  some 
solid  thinking,  for  botany,  though  the  simplest  of 
the  sciences,  cannot  be  mastered  without  some 
effort.  You  are  met  right  at  the  threshold  by  that 
fearful,  technical  vocabulary,  which  must  be  con- 
quered before  advancing  a  single  step— a  labor  so 
formidable  and  repellent,  when  undertaken  accor- 
ding to  the  old  school-book  method,  that  I  do  not 
wonder  so  many  have  shrunk  away  from  it  in  dis- 
gust or  in  despair." 

ABOUT  THE  PLACE. 

Have  dry  walks ;  l>o  not  wade  mud. 
Pine  water  pipes  average  fifteen  years. 
If  not  yet  done,  bee-hives,  and  all  necessary  ap- 
pliances, should  be  gotten  around  in  anticipation 
of  the  swarming  season  near  at  hand. 

An  Iowa  correspondent  says  that  the  benefit  de- 
rived from  having  a  small  fruit  patch  surrounded 
by  evergreens  surprised  him  very  much.  It  doubled 
the  amount  of  fruit,  and  the  plants  were  better 
than  those  not  protected.— Honie  and  Farm. 

Bee  Moth  Worms.  These  show  up  on  the  bot- 
tom boards  of  hives,  on  chilly  mornings,  in  the 
spring.  Destroy  every  one  that  can  be  discovered. 
By  so  doing  much  loss  and  vexation  in  the  future 
may  be  avoided,  as  they  increase  very  rapidly; 
every  one  now  killed  being  equivalent  to  hundreds 
at  the  end  of  the  season. 

Neat  and  attractive  yards  add  very  much  to 
the  appearance  and  value  of  any  home,  and  there 
is  a  direct  money  return  for  the  labor  and  trouble 
expended  in  the  additional  value  which  .such  at- 
tractiveness imparts  to  the  property.  Besides  this 
additional  value  which  a  weU-kept  lawn  always  im- 
parts to  the  property,  everything  which  will  add 
to  the  attractiveness  of  a  home  brings  its  own  re- 
ward in  making  what  is  all  essential  in  a  happy 
home— beautiful  and  attractive  surroundings. 

Riches  Flying  Away.  The  an-  of  every  stable 
reeks  with  the  fumes  of  ammonia,  unless  it  is  ab- 
sorbed as  it  should  be.  Ammonia,  slippery  article 
that  it  is  to  hold,  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  ele- 
ments of  plant  food.  Allowed  to  escape  through 
the  stable,  besides  being  lost,  it  unfits  the  air  for 
breathing,  and  takes  the  lite  out  of  the  well-oiled 
harness,  which  it  can  reach.  Dry  muck  and  earth 
makes  most  excellent  absorbents.  They  will  draw 
ammonia  into  their  keeping  as  a  sponge  draws  up 
water.  Dry  muck  will  hold  more  moisture  than 
any  other  available  substance.  Dry,  loamy  earth 
ranks  next  in  this  quality,  and  in  the  absence  of 
muck  will  do  very  well  for  a  stable  absorbent.  A  few 
shovelfuls  of  either  muck  or  earth  sprinkled  over 
the  stable  floor  after  cleaning  out  will  make  the 
air  sweet  and  pm-e  by  absorljing  into  itself  the  im- 
pure substances 

House  Drains.  Disease  and  death  often  lurk  in 
the  house  drain.  It  is  a  treacherous  thing,  Itisput 
in,  covered  up,  and  finished  with  a  receiver  and  the 
house-lord  congratulates  himself  on  having  made  a 
genuine,  good  improvement.  Some  weeks  or 
months  later,  the  hopper  is  found  stopped  and  run- 
ning over.  If  in  the  winter,  it  may  be  from  freez- 
ing; but  if  summer,  it  is  choked  and  may  be  opened; 
that  done,  a  nauseating  sight  is  disclosed  and  a 
stench  given  off  enough  to  poison  the  lungs  and 
blood  of  a  whole  neighborhood.  'Where  there  is 
considerable  fall,  and  free  outlet  for  the  slops,  and 
free  inlet  for  purifying  air  to  circulate,  a  drain  may 
serve  well  excepting  the  loss  of  the  manurial  mat- 
ter. It  is  much  safer  and  also  more  economical  to 
carry  all  slop  to  the  compost  heap.  This  is  a  mat- 
ter of  so  great  sanitary  and  economic  importance 
that  it  can  scarcely  be  too  much  impressed. 

Have  a  Stencil  Plate.  The  cost  of  a  good  plate 
with  its  accompaniments,  but  little  to  begin  with, 
would  pay  it  back  many  times  on  every  farm, 
through  preventing  the  loss  of  bags,  horse  blankets, 
Buffalo  robes,  umbrellas  and  similar  articles,  by 
having  all  such  plainly  marked.  One  can  be  gotten 
up  at  home  if  not  convenient  to  patronize  a  regular 
maker  of  plates,  by  marking  the  letters  out  plainly 
on  a  piece  of  sheet  lead,  copper,  tin,  or  even  a  heavy 
grade  of  manilla  paper,  and  cutting  them  out  with 
chisels  and  knife.  In  letters  that  have  loop  parts, 
such  as  O,  R  and  A,  the  centers  must  be  con- 
nected with  the  outside  by  some  uncut  parts,  to 
give  them  a  complete  shape.  In  using  the  plate, 
thin  paint  should  be  applied  with  a  short  brush, 
using  but  a  small  quantity  at  one  time.  Thick  paint, 
and  much  of  it.  is  what  causes  blurred  letters.  Let 
the  plate  lay  close  to  the  article  to  be  marked,  first 
laying  this  out  on  a  flat,  even  surface. 


1 886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


91 


Treeclimber's  Talks 


A     CUEIOUS 


PLANT— THE 
PLANT. 


ASIATIC      PITCHER 


Plants  ai'e  often  classed  as  useful  plants  and 
ornamental  plants.  While  this  is  for  many 
purposes  quite  necessary,  still  I  think  that  the 
true  lover  of  nature  finds  beauty 
in  all  useful  plants,  and  use  and 
value  in  all  plants,  even  such  as 
are  merely  ornamental. 

But  there  is  another  class,  that 
may  well  be  called  curious  plants, 
and  among  these  none  are  perhaps 
more  so  than  the  Pitcher  Plants. 

Of  what  are  termed  Pitcher 
Plants,  there  are  a  number  of 
different  kinds,  belonging  to  dif- 
erent  botanical  orders.  One  of 
these  is  an  American  kind,  also 
known  as 

THE   huntsman's  CUP, 

and  the  Side-saddle  flower.  0£ 
this  one,  no  doubt  many  of  my 
young  readers  have  met  specimens 
growing  wild,  for  it  is  found  in 
many  parts  of  America  thriving 
in  peat-bogs.  The  leaves,  very 
curiously,  have  the  form  of  an 
open  cup,  and  are  usually  half 
filled  with  water,  much  of  which 
may  be  rain.  In  this  water  many 
insects  find  their  way  during  the 
season,  only  to  di'own. 

But  even  more  curious  than  the 
common  American  Pitcher  Plant, 
is  the  Asiatic  Pitcher  Plant,  of 
which  an  engraving  is  herewith 
given.     It  is  over  sixty  years  ago 
since  the  first  species  of  this  was 
met  by  Europeans,  in  China,  and 
introduced  into  their  hot-houses. 
Since  that  tune  vai'ious  other  species  have  been 
found,  but  none  is  more  interesting  than  the 
one  here  illustrated.    This  one  is  known  botan- 
ically  as  \epenflics  Hookeriand. 

In  the  engraving  the  peculiar  appendages  to 
the  apex  of  the  leaves,  which  give  it  its  very 
appropriate  name,  are  conspicuous.  This  for- 
mation is  a  veritable  Pitcher, 

EVEN  to  the  lid, 
which  is  hinged  to  one  side.  When  the  Pitcher 
is  in  a  young,  forming  state,  the  lid  in  some 
species  is  closed.  As  it  develops,  it  opens,  and 
even  then,  water  is  found  in  the  receptacle, 
which  proves  that  this  fluid  is  a  secretion  of 
the  plant.  After  the  lid  is  fully  open,  no  doubt 
additions  are  made  to  the  water  by  rain  and 
heavy  dews.  In  this  water,  insects  and  even 
small  animals  are  often  di-owned.  A  very  re- 
markable quality  of  the  fluid  is  that  it 

HAS  A  CERTAIN  DIGESTIVE  POWER, 

and  it  is  believed  that  the  plant  derives  some 
direct  benefit  to  its  growth  bj'  the  consump- 
tion of  insects.  Plants  of  this  class  have  there- 
fore been  called  Carnivorous  or  Insect-eating 
plants.  The  Pitchere  vary  in  size  to  hold  from 
half  a  pint  to  near  a  quart  of  water  each. 

The  Asiatic  Pitcher  Plants  are  no  strangers  to 
American  hothouses.  The  plants  require  in 
cultivation,  conditions  of  treatment  not  very 
unlike  those  suited  to  the  Orchids.  When  any 
of  my  young  readers  have  an  opportunity  to 
visit  a  good  collection  of  hot-house  plants,  no 
doubt  their  eyes  may  meet  some  specimens  of 
these  interesting  exotics. 

THE    DANDELION. 

From  rare  plants  let  us  turn  to  this  common 
flower,  which  all  youngsters  of  all  lands  hail 
with  gladness  at  its  first  appearing.  I  really 
wonder  if  there  is  in   creation   another  flower 


that  turns  up  so  many  pretty  posy-faces  to  the 
sun  as  does  this  one. 

If  each  rod  of  lawn  in  our  laud  does  not  show 
from  a  dozen  to  a  thousand  of  the  brilliant 
double  blossoms,  it  is,  I  presume,  only  because 
a  very  close-cutting  lawn  mower  has  prevented, 
or  else  that  a  systematic  t-oursu  of  weeding  has 
expelled  the  plants,  or  by  barest  luck  that  none 
ever  got  a  footing. 

AT  HOME   IN  ALL  LANDS. 

The  Dandelion  is  at  home  in  many  lands  be- 
sides our  own.  Indeed,  wherever  civilization 
has   extended,    and    even    far   beyond   this, 


A  CURIOUS  PLANT.— THE  ASIATIC  PITCHER   PLANT. 

throughout  the  globe,  it  has  become  natu- 
ralized and  comes  forth  to  greet  the  sight  of 
man  in  the  spring.  It  is  supposed  to  be  a  na- 
tive of  Europe,  but  makes  itself  at  home 
wherever  it  has  a  chance,  from  equator  to  pole. 

Perhaps  you  have  noticed  that  its  bright 
flowers  open  and  close  at  about  the  same  hour 
each  day.  It  was  for  this  that  Liuna?us  selected 
it  as  one  of  the  flowers  of  his  floral  clock. 

Every  flower  now  stands  for  some  sentiment, 
and  so  the  DaudeUon  has  its  own.  In  floral 
language,  one  might  easily  guess  that  it  should 
signify  coquetry. 

LIKE  A  TRUE  COQUETTE, 

it  smiles  on  all,  and  winning  the  admiration, 
if  it  be  but  momentary,  of  every  one  b.y  its 
undeniable  beauty.  It  maj'  hardly  be  neces- 
sary to  say  further  that  the  globes  formed  by 
its  seed  have  in  all  lands  and  ages  been  looked 
upon  by  3-oung  people  as  oracles,  in  matters  of 
the  affections.  I  think  all  of  my  I'eaders  un- 
derstand about  this.  Still  as  I  am  on  the  sub- 
ject, I  may  as  well  repeat 

THE  LEGEND, 

as  follows;  If  you  are  separateil  from  the  ob- 
ject of  your  love,  pluck  one  of  the  feathery 
heads,  charge  the  little  feathers  with  tender 
thoughts,  turn  towai-ds  the  spot  where  the 
loved  one  dwells,  and  blow,  and  the  oerial  trav- 
elers, it  is  said,  will  faithfully  convey  your  se- 
cret to  his  or  her  feet.  To  ascertain  if  that 
dear  one  is  thinking  of  you,  blow  again,  and  if 
a  single  tuft  is  left  standing  it  is  proof  that  you 
are  not  forgotten. 

Timothy  Treeclimber. 


true  enough  as  regards  the  incident  related. 
But  we  desire  here  to  say  to  the  young  read- 
ers of  Popular  Gardening  tliat  there  is  more 
fable  than  truth  in  the  cui-rent  notion  tliat  the 
plant  referred  to  flowers  butoni'e  in  a  century. 
In  Central  and  South  America  this  plant 
(properly  .4 (/rnr  Antrricand)  in  its  wil<l  state 
has  been  known  to  flower  in  its  eighth  year.  In 
our  hot-houses  they  perhaps  rarely  flower 
under  thirty  or  forty  years  of  age,  one  rea.son 
being,  that  they  are  pui-jio.sely  grown  slowly  to 
keep  them  as  long  as  possible  from  getting  un- 
wieldly  as  to  size.    But  here  is  the  story: 

There  was  a  man  at  the  Central 
vegetable  market  yHstiM'cla.v  with  a 
small  and  sickly-looking  Centuiy 
Plant  in  a  cheap  pot,  and  lie  was 
mad. 

"  Look-a-here  : "  he  said  to  the 
owner  of  each  flower  stand  in  suc- 
cession, "did'tyou  sell  me  this  'ere 
plant  five  years  ago?" 

Each  one  answered  in  the  nega- 
tive. Then  he  made  sucli  a  row  that 
a  policeman  canii'  up  and  told  him 
to  hush, 

■'Haven't  I  got  a  riKlit  to  talk :  " 
demanded  the  man  in  high  dudgeon, 
"■\Vhenf  have  been  swindled,  clieated, 
iciliheil  and  made  a  fool  of  must  I 
ki'e|)  si], -nee  in  this  free  land?" 

"  NN'liat  is  the  cause  of  ,vour  woe?" 

■■  i  tiuii;^tit  tliis  plant  of  soinebodv 
lieri'  [ilniut  the  years  ago.  They  told 
me  it  wjis  !!,■)  years  old,  and  that  it 
would  bloom  this  spring,  I've  fooled 
away  enough  time  on  the  thing  to 
build  a  house  I've  set  up  nights  to 
nurse  it,  and  I've  gone  home  by  day 
to  keep  it  from  freezing," 

"  Well,  what's  the  mattery" 

"They  lied  to  me  I  I've  had  two 
ttotanists  examine  it.  an<l  they  tell 
me  the  plant  isn't  ten  years  old'r 
Think  of  my  fooling  around  for 
ninety  .years  to  see  the  infernal  thing 
flower  out  I" 

"  But  what  can  you  do'^" 

"  I  want  to  find  the  hyena  who  put 
up  the  job  on  me,  I'll  make  him  eat 
the  whole  outfit  or  break  his  neck?" 

"  Don't  get  excited.  Take  your 
plant  and  go  home." 

"  Never  I" 

He  lifted  the  pot  high  in  the  air 
and  dashed  tlie  life  out  of  the  poor 
plant,  and  then  sat  stiffly  down  on  a 
bench,  folded  Iiis  arms,  and  said: 

'■  I'm  going  to  sit  right  here  till  I 
get  eyes  on  the  man  who  put  up  a 
nmety-five-year  job  on  a  confiding 
citizen!" 


The  Century  Plant:  Too  Long  to  Walt. 

The  humorous    story   which  follows  below, 

clipped  from  the  Detroit  Free  Press,  might  be 


PET  BIRDS,  ANIMALS,   ETC. 

Do  not  keep  Parrots  always  caged. 

Without  fresh,  clean  water,  no  bird  can  be 
healthy. 

The  Carrier  Pigeons  are  easily  recognized  by  the 
curious  ring  of  llesb  about  the  eye.  and  they  usually 
have  a  tlesliy  wattle  beneath  the  head. 

The  dog  i^  placed  at  the  feet  of  woman  on  monu- 
ments, in  token  of  affection  and  fidelity,  just  as  the 
lion  is  placed  at  the  feet  of  men  to  signify  courage. 

Canaries  in  a  wild  state  even  surpass  in  loudness 
and  clearness  the  song  of  domesticated  birds,  but 
lack  the  numerous  acquired  strains  of  the  latter. 

Can  Shepherds'  Dogs  Counts  It  would  almost 
seem  si;i,  the  way  the.v  will  gather  every  individual 
of  a  large  tlock  of  sheep  from  an  area  of  several 
square  miles. 

Lady:  "Have  you  given  the  gold-fish  fresh  wa- 
ter, as  I  told  you.  Maria?"  Maria:  "No.  ma'am: 
and  why  should  I?  Sure,  they  haven't  drunk  what 
they  have  yet!" 

"Who  has  not  seen  a  dirty  cat,  that  would  have 
been  handsome  btit  for  the  discoloration.  Such  a 
onemaj'  be  thoroughly  cleaned  by  washing  in  warm 
water  and  di',ving  before  the  lire,  eomliing  and 
brushing  at  the  same  tinu-. 

The  Birds  and  the  Bath.  M  T  n  writes  to 
the  Neir  York  Tribune:  ^Ve  ]iut  two  large  sau- 
cers belonging  to  plant  jars,  about  two  inches 
deep,  in  a  shad,v  place  not  far  from  the  back  porch. 
These  we  fill  with  fresh  water  daily,  and  the  birds 
come  regularly  to  perform  their  ablutions  The 
robins  are  espeeiall.v  fond  of  it.  One  day  wc  saw 
within  ten  minutes  three  robins,  a  blackbird  and  a 
sparrow  bathe.  But  woe  to  a  plebeian  sparrow  if 
he  ventures  to  make  his  toilet  at  the  same  time  that 
an  aristocratic  robin  is  making  his  in  the  ad.itnning 
saucer.  He  is  at_  once  taught  to  know  his  place  by 
iK'ing  driven  off.  These  bathing  places  were  the 
means  of  our  catching  a  stray  canary.  Seeing  him 
bathing,  we  put  a  cage  on  the  grass  which  he  soon 
entered." 


92 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


May, 


Firstlings  of  Spring. 

Pretty  golden  Dandelions. 

With  your  seeds  of  feather. 
Starring  ail  the  country  side 

In  the  sunny  weather. 
Violets  filled  with  dewdrops. 

Delicate  and  sweet, 
Giving  out  .your  fragrance 

Underneath  our  feet. 
Daisies  in  the  meadow 

With  your  silver  frills, 
Roses  by  the  wa.yside. 

Kingcups  on  the  hills: 
When  I  see  you  Ijlooming, 

All  a  honeyed  crew. 
Into  songs  of  gladness 

My  heart  blossoms,  too. 


-a.  Hall. 


A  Spring  Song. 

Scatter  in  spring-time  a  handful  of  seeds. 
And  gather  in  summer  a  lapful  of  flowers: 
This  is  the  song  of  the  birds  in  the  i:)Owers, 

This  is  the  song  of  the  wind  in  the  reeds. 

Down  by  the  roadside  and  over  the  meads, 
Under  the  sunshine  and  under  the  showers. 

Scatter  in  spring-time  a  handful  of  seeds. 
And  gather  in  summer  a  lapful  of  flowers. 

— Harper'n  Young  People. 


Magnolias  are  opening. 

Tulips  ilose  in  the  dark. 

Cuttings  root  easily  now. 

Protect  the  roadside  trees. 

Spring  clubs  continue  in  oi'der. 

Stick  mainly  to  the  old,  tried  sorts. 

Everybody's  flower  :  the  Dandelion. 

Pretty-faced  Pansies  are  companionable. 

Have  you  sown  the  Morning  Glory  seed  >. 

The  Tuberose  appeared  in  Europe  in  1(532. 

Heliotrope  comes  richly  colored  now,  if  ever. 

Pelargoniums  are  less  popular  than  formerly. 

The  May  crop  of  subscribers  shoidd  be  a  large 
one. 

The  variegated  Cobita  does  not  come  from 
seed. 

Various  gains  rome  from  staking  newly  set 
trees. 

The  Berberry  shrub  niiikes  a  fine  ornamental 
hedge. 

Thunbergias  flower  all  winter  out  of  doors, 
in  Florida. 

A  big  increase  of  subscribers  last  month. 
Keep  it  up. 

Away  with  too  much  formality  in  the  garden 
arrangement. 

Be  cautious  about  trusting  tender  plants 
outdoors  too  early. 

Mulberry  leaves  are  used  to  fatten  sheep  in 
some  parts  of  Syria. 

The  old-fashioned  Sweet-brier  Rose  is  being 
planted  considerably. 

A  thin  scattering  of  straw  makes  a  good 
shading  for  seed  beds. 

Wanted  !  At  this  Office.  More  Postal  Card 
correspondence,  giving  news  and  other  items 
about  gardening. 

Pot  Mignonettes  that  are  looking  unattract- 
ive, it  planted  out,  will  flower  freely  again 
later  in  the  season. 

We  maintain  that  good  care  has  more  to  do 
with  having  fine  house  plants  than  good  posi- 
tion has:  though  they  go  well  together. 

Begonia  for  Name,  To  "Sister  Beatrice,"  of 
Nebra.ska,  the  editors  would  say  that  the  plant 
of  which  she  sends  a  leaf  and  flower,  is  the 
Coral  Begonia,  Betjonia  Savndersoni. 


One  thing  is  sure,  no  Dock  or  other  weed,  how- 
ever vile,  can  live  long  in  your  lawn  if  you 
will  only  persist  in  cutting  it  off,  .I'ust  below 
the  surface,  every  time  a  shoot  appears. 

Talk  in  the  Garden.  "  Wifey  dear,  why  is  a 
good  gardener  like  your  cheeks?"  "Now,  John, 
you  know  I  never  can  guess  conundrums. 
Why  is  he?"  "Because  he  is  the  culler  of 
roses,  love." 

Poor  Plants.  If  the  room  at  your  disposal 
is  limited,  weed  out  the  poor  plants  rather 
than  crowd  the  good  ones  to  their  detriment. 
It  is  easily  seen  that  poor  plants  detract  from 
the  beauty  of  the  good  ones. 

The  large-leaved  Catalpas  are  often  not 
handsome  trees  until  they  are  quite  old,  but  b5' 
cutting  them  down  to  the  ground  every  year, 
they  will  send  up  a  multitude  of  stems,  bearing 
immense  bright  green  leaves,  which  give  a 
very  striking  effect. 

A  Sportive  Geranium.  Mr.  George  Urban, 
Jr. ,  of  this  city  has  handed  us  the  truss  of  a 
Geranium,  one  half  of  which  is  a  distinct 
brilliant  scarlet,  the  other  half  a  clear  salmon. 
Similar  freaks  are  not  uncommon,  liut  rarely 
is  one  of  quite  such  a  striking  appearance  met, 

The  white-flowering  Roman  Hyacinth,  so 
much  prized  in  winter  for  cutting,  is  perfectly 
hardy.  Being  of  comparatively  recent  intro- 
duction it  is  seldom  seen  in  gardens,  but  where- 
ever  found,  true  to  its  nature,  it  is  fully  two 
weeks  ahead  of  all  other  Hyacinths  to  flower. 

New  York  City  can  boast  of  having  had  two 
very  successful  Flower  Shows  within  one 
month,  recently.  Our  old  friend,  Mr.  C.  F. 
Klunder,  was  the  projector  and  main  exhibitor 
of  one  of  these,  and  fairly  outdid  his  former 
liberal  efforts  in  this  line  of  Spring  E.xhibitions. 

No  Doubt  of  It.  John  Thorpe  is  of  the  opin- 
ion that  the  1S8(J  Cln-ysantheraum  shows  will 
excel  those  of  last  year.  Why  not  ?  There  are 
hundreds  of  towns  that  might  get  up  such 
shows  easily  and  with  great  credit  to  them- 
selves. This  is  something  for  the  Popular 
Gardfning  family  to  be  leaders  in. 

Spare  the  Birds.  Says  a  government  report: 
In  the  United  States  the  loss  of  agricultural 
products  through  the  ravages  of  insects  amounts 
to  probably  more  than  :300,000,000  of 
dollars  each  year,  and  that,  with  a  lit- 
tle care,  from  one-quarter  to  one-half 
of  this  vast  sum  might  be  saved  by 
preventive  meastires. 

It  is  an  excellent  jilan  to  have  vases 
and  hanging  baskets  planted  early 
enough  so  they  can  remain  under  glass 
until  the  plants  become  well  estab- 
lished. But  if  this  is  done  two  weeks 
before  the  time  for  putting  them  out, 
they  will  do  better  than  if  it  should 
go  longer.  If  confined  under  glass,  in 
the  baskets,  too  long  beforehand,  there 
is  danger  of  the  closely  crowded  plants 
becoming  drawn  and  delicate. 

Fresh  All  Around.  "  I  like  the  mild 
spring  air,"  said  Deacon  Gillipin,  as 
he  sat  down  on  'Squire  McGill's  porch 
floor  the  other  morning,  for  a  friendly 
chat.  "  How  fresh  everyt-hing  seems. 
Do  you  know  of  anything  fresher  than 
the  gentle  fresh  spring  zephyr;"  "No, 
I  don't  know  as  I  does,"  replied  the 
'Squire,  "  unless  it  is  that  'ere  paint 
you're  setting  in.  'Tain't  been  on  the 
floor  over  two  hours. " 

Who  Owns  the  NewsT  We  are  sorry  to  see 
the  Aiiirriciin  /-Voi'/.s-/  of  Chicago,  the  new 
trade  paper  which  has  more  than  once  been 
favorably  referred  to  in  these  columns,  acting 
for  all  the  world  as  if  it  held  a  copyright  claim 
on  every  floral  news  item  of  the  continent.  Of 
course,  an  attitude  like  this,  for  any  paper,  is 
simply  ridiculous  in  the  eyes  of  all  periodical 
news-gatherers  outside  of  the  staff  of  the 
Florisi. 

Nip  the  First  Flowers.  We  mean  on  newly 
propagated  Heliotrope,   Geraniums,  Fuchsias, 


etc.  It  is  usually  the  ca.se  that  the  slips  of 
these  are  taken  from  end  shoots,  having  flower 
buds  coming  on,  and  these  develop  and  would 
flower  perhaps  within  a  few  weeks  after  the 
cutting  is  rooted.  To  allow  them  do  so  is 
doing  the  young  plant  an  injury,  as  it  is  not  at 
this  time  sufficiently  well  established  to  bloom. 

The  Scarlet  Sage  or  Salvia.  Dm-ing  the  lat- 
ter jiart  of  summer  no  object  of  the  flower  gar- 
den can  be  more  attractive  than  a  plant  of 
this.  Set  out  a  plant  after  frosts  are  past,  be 
it  ever  so  small,  in  rich  earth,  in  a  sunny  ex- 
posure, and  by  fall  it  may  be  five  feet  high  and 
the  same  distance  through,  and  completely 
covered  with  spikes  of  dazzling  scarlet  flowers. 
Those  of  our  readers  who  have  never  tried  the 
IDlant  should  do  so  by  all  means. 

Sometimes  the  leader  of  an  Evergreen,  or 
Birch,  or  some  other  ornamental  tree  of  taper- 
ing form  is  broken  out  by  storm  or  accident. 
To  preserve  the  natural  form  of  the  tree  a  new 
leader  should  be  provided.  This  may  be  done 
by  tying  a  stout  stick  on  the  trunk  to  project 
a  foot  or  two  above  the  break,  and  then,  bring- 
ing the  uppermost  remaining  strong  branch 
against  this,  secure  it  by  binding,  for  a  new 
leader.  After  one  season's  growth  this  will 
retain  its  new  position  unsupported. 

The  Bleeding  Heart.  This  conspicuous  May 
flowering  plant,  botanieally  known  as  Dicentra 
spcctiibilis,  has  long  been  prized  as  one  of  the 
best  ornaments  for  lawn  and  border.  As  re- 
gards its  adaptability  to  different  climates  it  is 
interesting.  A  native  of  Siberia,  where  the 
ground  remains  frozen  until  June,  and  where 
plants  barel.v  come  in  flower  until  mid-sum- 
mer, yet  it  is  hardlj-  counted  as  reliable  in  the 
open  groimd  of  England,  while  thriving 
grandly  with  us.  The  plant  is  a  great  favorite 
with  the  Chinese. 

Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  To  the 
Secretary  of  this  society,  Mr.  Robert  W.  Man- 
ning, Boston,  Mass.,  we  are  indebted  for  a  Re- 
port of  its  Transactions,  for  last  year,  and  for 
other  courtisies  extended.  Some  of  the  papers 
read  before  the  Society  and  here  given,  together 
with  the  discussions  they  called  forth,  are  of 
unusual  excellence.     We  refer  to  such  as  "  Old 


THE  SCARLET  SAGE  OR  SALVIA. 

and  New  Roses,"  by  Joseph  H.  Bourn,  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.  "  Propagation  of  Trees  and  Shrubs 
from  Seed,"  by  Jackson  Dawson,  Jamaica  Plain. 
"Herbaceous  Plants  rx.  Bedding  Plants,"  by  E. 
L.  Beard,  Cambridge,  and  there  are  others. 
The  Society  has  our  thanks  for  placing  its  val- 
uable reports  in  our  possession. 

Hydrangea.  Brother  G.  B.  L.,  of  the  N.  Y. 
branch,  very  truthfully  writes  of  these  plants, 
that  they  are  heavily  taxed  in  bearing  their 
many  monstrous  clusters  of  flowers.  On  this 
account,  he  says,  they  need  a  rich  soil.   A  good 


1 886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


93 


way  to  treat  them  in  the  spring  is  to  remove 
an  inch   in  depth  of    the  top  soil   from    the 
pot  or  box,  and  put  some  strong,  thoroughly 
decayed  manure  in  its  place.     If  old  enough  it 
will  be  no  more  offensive  than  earth.     Every 
time    the    plant    is    watered    some    of    the 
strength  of  the  manure  will  be  carried  rlown 
to  the  roots,  greatly  to  the  help  of  the  flowers. 
There  must  be  no  stint  in  the  watering  of 
these  plants  if  the  liest  of  results  is  desired. 

Keep  Down  the  Sprouts.  Many  kinds  of 
flowering  trees  and  shrubs,  as  well  as  othei's, 
are  propagated  by  budding  or  grafting  upon 
free-growing  stocks  of  an  allied  sort.  Among 
these  are  Flowering  Plums,  about  all  weep- 
ing trees,  as  Willows,Mountain  Ash,  Poplars, 
etc,,  the  finer  Maples,  "budded"  Roses, and 
others.  The  mere  fact  that  such  stocks  are  free 
gi'owing  naturally  leads  buds  to  start,  and 
growth  to  proceed  from  these  often  earlier 
than  from  the  improved  portion  of  the  tree. 
A  .sharp  lookout  must  be  kept,  to  prevent  all 
growth  below  the  point  of  union,  or  else  in 
time  the  tree  or  shrub  will  be  worthless. 

Where  room  is  abundant  a  bed  of  hardy 
Roses,  if  kept  in   good   shape,   proves  very 
attractive.  Roses  do  not  stand  being  crowded 
in  with  other  shrubs,  or  being  planted  against 
fences  or  buildings  very  well.     The  best  ac- 
commodation for  them  undoubtedly  is  a  some- 
what centrally  located  bed  cut  in  the  lawn, 
with  a  good  stret<:h  of  grass  on  all  sides,  allow- 
ing of  plenty  of  air  and  sunshine.     Circular  or 
oval  forms  of  beds  are  pleasing  ones.      The 
plants  may  be  set  two  or  three  feet  apart  each 
way,  starting  near  the  edge,  and  they  should 
receive  clean  culture  the  season  through.     Set- 
ting plants  of  other  kinds  in  the  bed  or  between 
the  Roses  is  not  advisable. 

Clematis  Crispa.  "Blue  Bell,"  of  Wilmington, 
N.  C,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  town  this  in- 
teresting vine  grows  wild,  sends  to  us  the  fol- 
lowing about  it:  "I  had  long  wished  to  possess 
this  dainty  vine,  but  was  never  so  fortunate 
until  recently,  for  although  native  here,  it 
grows  in  almost  inaccessible  swampy  places. 
I  will  try  to  describe  it,  but  my  knowledge  of 
botany  is  somewhat  limited.  It  has  gracefully 
drooping  flowers,  of  a  pale  lavender-blue  shade 
on  the  outside,  with  the  same  on  the  margin  of 
each  of  the  four  petals,  and  ivory-white  (like 
the  inside  of  a  white  kid  glove)  on  the  inside. 
It  is  delightfully  fragrant,  and  a  profuse 
bloomer.  It  has  compound  leaves,  and  is  very 
easily  cultivated." 

Geraniums  in  the  Cellar.  Our  subscriber,  M. 
Dippul,  ^Vaterloo,  Out.,  in  answer  to  our  in- 
quiry concerning  the  successful  keeping  of 
Geraniums  over  rt-inter,  by  hanging  them  by 
their  roots  in  the  cellar,  writes  as  follows : 

' '  The  cellar  in  which  the  Cxeraniums  were 
thus  safely  kept,  was  not  very  damp,  but  one 
in  which  ordinary  vegetables  wintered  well. 
Light  was  atlmitted  through  one  window,  on 
the  south  side.  For  this  purpose  a  cellar  must 
be  cool  else  the  plants  will  dry  too  much.  Care 
must  also  be  taken  in  planting  them  out  not  to 
Waterloo  freely.  Young  plants  rarely  succeed 
as  well  as  older  ones,  and  these  are  quite  safe. 
Some  people  leave  as  much  soil  on  the  roots  as 
they  can,  but  I  have  not  tried  that  plan. 

Strawberries.  The  illustrated  article  in  our 
last  month's  issue,  entitled  "  Have  a  Plenty  of 
Strawberries,"  has  attracted  wide  attention  to 
this  subject.  After  writing  the  article  referred 
to,  there  came  to  our  desk  a  handy  little  treat- 
ise of  fifty  or  more  pages,  entitled  "  How  to 
Grow  Strawberries,"  which  we  think  well  of. 
Mr.  Geo.  B.  Knapp  is  its  author,  and  the  H. 
D.  Watson  Co.  its  publishers,  all  of  Greenfield, 
Mass.  The  work  covers  the  whole  gi-ound  of 
structure,  sexuality,  propagation,  soil,  cultiva- 
tion, marketing,  manures,  insects,  varieties, 
etc.,  giving  much  information  in  a  small  com- 
pass. There  are  numerous  illustrations.  For 
the  convenience  of  our  readers,  the  book  will 
be  furnished  from  this  office.  As  its  price  by 
mail  postpaid,  is  but  35c.  per  cojiy,  there  should 


be  a  good  call  for  it  from  amateur  fruit  grow- 
ers and  from  others. 

Treatment  of  Shipped  Plants.  The  plants,  if 
in  the  least  %vilted,  should  be  placed  with  the 
paper  about  them  in  shallow  pans  with  water 


The  Globe  Mirror.  As  a  lawn  ornament  it  is 
rinMhj  culled  "A  Garden  Horror,"  by  friend 
Robinson,  of  the  London  Garden. 

comfortably  warm  to  the  hand,  where  they 
should  remain  twenty  minutes  to  half  an  hour: 
this  restores  their  vigor,  revives  their  leaves 
and  increases  their  vitality.  If  it  is  the  season 
when  they  can  be  planted  out  doors,  the  ground 
should  be  first  well  dug  up  and  pulverized;  the 
plants  when  set  out  should  be  first  well  firmed 
about  the  root,  copiously  watered  once  only 
when  planted,  and  shaded  for  two  or  three  days 
when  the  sun  is  out.  No  further  watering 
should  be  done,  but  a  mulch  of  moss,  manure, 
or  leaves  around  the  roots  would  be  beneficial. 
When  received  at  a  season  when  they  cannot 
be  put  out,  they  should  be  placed  in  a  size  larger 
pot  than  they  have  been  growing  in. — Harry 
ChdiijiePs  h'oah-  of  Floin'rs. 

Early  Outdoor  Flowers.  No  class  of  flowers 
aflfords  greater  pleasure  than  the  hardy  ones 
that  come  forth  of  their  own  accord  in  the  first 
warm  days  of  spring.  The  Crocus  and  Snow- 
drop are  conspicuous  among  these,  but  there 
are  a  number  of  others  no  less  charming.  Of 
these  the  Winter  Aconite,  with  beautiful  star- 
shaped  yellow  flowers,  coming  even  earlier 
than  the  Crocus;  the  blue-floweriug  Pulmona- 
rias,with  handsome  spotted  foliage;  the  Spring 
Adonis,  with  bright,  yellow  flowers  and  finely 
fringed  leaves,  and  the  fragrant  English  Vio- 
let, may  be  named  as  being  among  the  very 
earliest  outdoor  bloomers,  and  first-class  in 
every  respect.  Among  pretty  native  flowers 
that  early  appear,  the  Sanguinai-ia  and  the 
Anemone  nemorosa,  both  of  which  may  be 
found  in  the  woods  and  meadows  of  many 
parts  of  our  country,  are  very  attractive. 

Rose  Slugs— Wisconsin  Heard  From.  "What 
matters  it,"  says  Sister  O.  A.  Sheldon,  of 
Racine,  who  was  a  former  subscriber  of  the 
Floral  World,  "if  we  were  transferred  to 
'pastures  new,"  does  not  that  suggest  better 
herbage  possibly,  and  with  it  stronger  develop- 
ment in  the  fields  of  gardening  knowledge  T' 
And  then  she  further  contributes  this  share  to 
the  general  Knowledge  Box,  to  which  all  our 
readers  may  give,  and  from  which  all  may 
take.  "Are  the  ladies  troubled  with  slugs  on 
their  Roses  in  summer  >.  Just  use  flour  three 
parts,  hellebore  one  part,  and  apply  with  a 
whisk  broom  in  the  early  morning,  a-s  soon  as 
the  foliage  is  developed.  Don't  wait  for  the 
slugs  to  appear,  but  it  they  do,  repeat  if 
necessary.  One  apiilication  may  be  sufficient. 
This  remedy  is  also  good  for  currant  worms, 
but  expensive,  if  you  have  a  large  plantation." 

Mow  the  Lawn  Frequently.  During  grow- 
ing weather  once  a  week  is  none  to  often. 
Then  the  mower  will  run  very  lightly,  not  ap- 
pearing to  take  one-half  the  work  to  propel  it 


as  when  twice  as  much  time  elaiiscs  between 

the  cuttings.     Besides  this,   tlie   clippings  will 

be  short  enough  to  readily  dry,  sink   into  the 

turf  and  in  time  decay,  serving  thus  as  a  por- 

l)etual   fertilizer  to   the  roots.     While  if  they 

arc  long,  as  a  result  of  lengthy  intervals  in 

mowing,  raking  is    necessary,  or  el.se  they 

will  remain  on  the  surface,  to  turn  an  ugly 

color  and   clog   the  sward.     Another   jioint 

that  bears  .strongly  on  the  case  is  Ihat  a  good 

lawn  should  consist  of  grass  plants  (hat  are 

very  thick  together,  and  while  the  individual 

plants  may  thus  be  kejit  in  good  condition,  if 

cut  back  frequently,  some  will  surely  receive 

ii\jury   from   their  closeness,  whenever  the 

general  growth  is  allowed  to  shoot  up  high. 

In  this  respect  a  lawn  is  not  unlike  a  hedge, 

thriving  best  with   close   clipping  but  soon 

showing  bare  spots  if  poorly  attended. 

Kock-work.     A  bit  of  rock  gardening    is 
always  interesting,  if  judiciously  made  and 
stocked,  and  affords  the  means  for  growing 
certain  kinds  of  plants,  that  would  not  do  as 
well  in  any   other  place.      If  thei-e  are  no 
natural  rocks  to  work  with  in  getting  up  the 
mound,  certain  kinds  of  artificial   material 
may  be  used  with  good  effect.    Some  clinkers 
from  furnaces  dipped  in  hot  lime  water  are 
useful,   as  ai-e  also  the  fused  and  distorted 
masses  of  bricks  that  are  part  of  the  rubbish 
about  a    brick-yard.      With    either  these,  or 
rocks,  and  an  abiuidauce  of  good  loamy  soil, 
the  "rock  work"  is  formed,  placing  the  for- 
mer in  such  a  position  over  the  mound   that 
spaces  or  cavities  from  two  to  ten  inches  wide 
are  left  all  over  the  mound  in  which  to  set  the 
plants.     In  these,  all  kind  of  hardy  and  creep- 
ing plants  may  be  planted,  besides  the  hardy 
Sedums,   Campanulas,     Lychnis,    Cerastiums, 
Lysimachias,  Phloxes,  Saxifragas,  and  the  en- 
tire list  of  plants  classed  as  Alpines  in  the  cat- 
alogues.     Some  bright-flowering   greenhouse 
plants  are  also  in  place,  to  add  richness  to  the 
effect.     A  well-made  rockery  is  sure  to  prove 
an  attractive  object  on  well-kept  lawns. 

Not  Readers  of  Popular  Gardening  we  are 
Sure.  Some  time  since  the  ladies  of  Spring- 
ville,  N.  Y.,  were  invited  by  two  traveling 
agents  to  pay  $i>  a  dozen  for  "  Roman  Lily" 
bulbs,  which  were  offered  as  being  something 
very  rare  and  beautiful.  Quite  a  number  of 
them  invested  in  the  bulbs  only  to  find,  when 
they  came  in  flower,  that  they  had  been  badly 
swindled.  The  strangers  represented  them- 
selves as  agents  of  a  foreign  house  engaged  in 
the  importation  of  the  rare  bulb— a  variegated 
lily  of  remarkable  beauty.  The3'  canvassed  the 
village  and  sold  many  of  the  bulbs  from  house 
to  house.  The  gentlemen  who  introduced  the 
goods  seemed  anxious  that  the  plants  should 
thrive.  They  insisted  on  setting  the  bulbs  out 
with  their  own  hands  in  pots  prepareil  for  the 
purpose.  The  Roman  Lily  was  too  tender  a 
treasure,  they  maintained,  to  be  handled  save 
by  the  deft  hand  of  a  skillful  florist!  But  the 
bulb  business  waned,  and  the  two  strangers 
departed.  Tenderly  did  the  buyei's  care  for 
their  Roman  Lilies,  and  vie  with  each  other  to 
possess  the  first  blossoming  plant.  The  open- 
ing of  the  first  flower  was  heralded  through 
the  oolumns  of  the  local  papers,  and  the  home 
of  its  owner  was  thronged  with  visitors  all  the 
next  day.  But  what  did  they  behold f  Simply 
a  common  yellow  Daffodil!  Since  that  day  all 
interest  in  Roman  Lilies  has  departed  forever. 
It  now  transpires  that  these  men  were  seen 
digging  up  Daffodil  roots  in  a  vacant  lot  on 
one  of  the  back  streets  of  the  town  referred  to ; 
and  it  is  rumoied  that  one  good  lady  at  the 
West  End  is  minus  a  certain  board  bill. 

"Lilies,"  said  Mrs.  T.  L.  Nelson  ui  a  recent 
admirable  aildress,  "are  among  the  most  reli- 
able bulbs  after  the  bloom  of  spring  flowere  is 
past.  L.  randidi'in  (the  common  white  lily)  is 
one  of  the  hardiest,  but  one  of  the  most  parti- 
cular about  the  time  of  planting.  This  nuist  be 
done  w^hen  the  bulbs  ai'e  in  a  dormant  state, 
about  the  last  of  August  or  fii-st  of  Si'jrtember. 
After  that  time  they  start  again,  the  leaves 


94 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


May, 


remain  greeu  throughout  the  winter,  and  the 
bulbs  will  not  bloom  if  disturbed  after  they 
commence  growing.  L.  lonnifloniin  is  not  as 
hardy  as  many  of  the  species,  because  the  bulbs 
are  Uable  to  start  in  the  fall  it  the  weather  is 
warm.  It  is  best  to  cover  early  with  leaves  or 
light  compost,  as  a  hardy  frost  after  the  bulbs 
have  started  almost  invariably  kills  them. 
They  are  easily  transplanted.  L.  aumtum  is 
quite  uncertain,  even  with  the  best  protection. 
A  few  bulbs  may  be  planted  every  yeai",  and 
the  cost  counted  as  of  bedding  plants,  for  they 
are  worth  growing  if  they  afford  one  season's 
bloom.  Some  of  them  will  survive  the  winter 
and  bloom  again,  but  they  cannot  be  depended 
upon.  All  the  varieties  of  L.  six-ciosuin  are 
hardy.  Alhum  prrero.r  is  a  much  finer  variety 
than  nibum  Buhnnit  :  roscuin,  piincfnfinii, 
Meljmmem;  andpin-pui-aiuiii  are  all  desirable. 
L.pardalinnm  (sometimes  called  Leopard  Lily) 
is  fine  and  hai-dy.  L.  i-.vcchiini  is  of  bright 
buff  color  and  one  of  the  most  beautiful.     L. 


A  Gardening  Apron. 

Bniivnii  is  rare  and  costly,  and  from  its  pecu- 
liar purple  outside  and  the  pure  white  waxen 
inside  presents  a  striking  contrast  to  /o»(/i- 
/lornm  and  others  of  that  class.  L.  Lrk-htlinii, 
L.  inonailetpihum  and  L.  Pdrri/i  ai-e  fine  yel- 
low varieties.  All  the  varieties  of  L.  Mctrta- 
(jiin  (the  Turk's  Cap  Lily)  are  good.  L.  Chahw- 
iloniriiiii  (Scarlet  Turk's  Cap)  is  one  of  the  best. 
L.  tnivifi)livin,  one  of  the  learliest,  if  not  the 
earliest,  has  slender  stems  and  foliage  and  a 
lovely  scarlet  flower  with  reflexed  jietals.  L. 
Ponipditiatniiii  reniiii  is  much  like /...  IcniiifuU- 
um,  but  alittle  more  robust  and  blooms  a  little 
later.  There  are  many  inexpensive  varieties, 
like  Thunhcrijianiiiii,  iiinhrlhihiiii,  and  the 
varieties  of  tiiiriniim,  which  are  showy  and 
perfectly  hardy.  Lilies  are  easily  cultivated, 
but  they  will  not  thrive  on  low  land,  unless  it 
is  thoroughly  drained;  water  at  the  roots  or 
wet,  heavy  soil  is  fatal.  The  soil  should  be 
light  and  rich;  it  must  be  remembered  that  it 
is  not  the  bulb  that  neeils  feeding,  but  the  roots 
beneath.  It  annuals  or  some  light  bedding 
plants  are  planted  ■  between  the  bulbs  it  will 
serve  to  keep  the  surface  cool  and  moist. 

A  Gardening  Apron.  "  My  sisters  of  the  Pop- 
ular (tardeninu  family,"  asks  Sister  Grasious, 
of  Detroit,  "Have  you  a  gai-dening  apron? 
If  not,  get  two  yards  of  common  ticking; 
cut  off  about  a  foot  of  the  cloth  and  sew  it 
across  the  bottom,  and  make  four  deep  pockets 
out  of  this,  as  I  show  in  the  sketch  presented 
herewith.  If  you  want  it  to  be  very  fancy,  work 
down  the  seams  between  the  pockets  with 
crazy  stitch  in  red  yarn  or  worsted.  Put  two 
more  smaller  pockets  higher  up.  Now  you 
have  places  for  seeds,  trowel,  strings,  tacks, 
sticks,  hammer,  weeder,  and  I  am  not  sure  but 
you  could  tuck  in  the  shovel  and  the  hoe.  I 
have  used  mine  all  winter  while  working  in 
my  window  garden.  The  cloth  is  so  thick  it 
keeps  my  dress  dry,  and  my  knife  or  scissors 
are  always  at  hand.  And  my  temper  has  im- 
proved amazingly  since  I  have  worn  the  gar- 
dening apron.'' 


HOUSE   PLANTS. 

Cactus.  Such  as  require  a  shift  should  receive 
it  now  at  the  beginning  of  the  season's  growth 
Many  of  these  interesting  plants  bed  out  well. 

Camellias  may  be  moved  out  into  some  shady 
place,  sheltered  from  winds.  Water  and  sprinkle 
freely. 

Chrysanthemums  will  now  be  growing  rapidly. 
Shift  whenever  dense  masses  of  roots  appear  on  the 
ball  of  earth.  See  February  issue  tor  extended 
directions  on  culture. 

Cyclamens.    Some    of   our   best   gardeners  now 

recommend  managing  them  through  summer,  tiy 

planting  them  out  tliis  month,  in  the  flower  border. 

Hydrangeas  should  now  go  out.    Treated  to  an 

occasional  dose  of  liquid  manure,  and  the  growth 

will  be  stronger,  the  flowers  very  much  finer. 

Izias.    See  the  directions  given  below  for  Oxalis. 

Oleander.    See  directions  for  Hydrangeas  above. 

Oxalis  that  are  done  flowering,  should  have  the 

pots  turned  on  the  side  to  ripen  the  roots;  later, 

shake  out,  wrap  in  paper,  keeping  them  dry. 

Palms.  Shift,  if  needing  it,  when  moving  the 
plants  out  Unless  growing  very  fast  they  do  not 
require  this  oftener  than  once  every  other  year. 

Shifting  of  all  large  subjects  is  best  done  just  as 
the  season's  growth  begins.  Where  one  has  fine 
plants,  neat  and  well  made  boxes  add  much  to  their 
beauty :  it  made  so  that  the  shifting  of  large  speci- 
mens can  be  done  conveniently,  and  without  injury 
to  the  boxes,  so  much  the  better.  A  drawing  is 
herewith  given  of  a  fine  plant  box  with  two  fixed 
sides  (o)  and  two  movable  ones  (/)),  wdnch  allows  of 
shifting  with  the  greatest  ease  Such  boxes  may 
cost  a  trifle  more  at  the  start  than  ordinary  ones, 
but  the  increase  here  will  be  money  well  spent 

Summering.  I'uring  the  month,  all  plants  may 
be  moved  to  their  summer  quarters;  the  hardier 
one  like  Agaves,  Azaleas,  Oleanders,  Hydrangeas, 
Laurestinns,  Daphnes,  etc.,  first,  followed  by  the 
more  tender  ones  at  the  end  of  the  mouth.  Most 
kinds  do  best  in  partial  shade.  To  plunge  such  as 
are  in  pots,  in  soil,  sand  or  coal  ashes  will  save 
nmch  labor  in  their  care.  Arrange  the  plants  with 
taste  according  to  their  size  and  appearance. 

LAWN  AND    FLOWER   GARDEN. 

Annuals  of  all  kinds  may  now  be  sown  otU- 
doors.     See  directions  given  last  month. 

Caladiums  rejoice  in  nothing  more  than  in  a  very 
rich  s»-iil— it  may  be  one-half  manure— and  in  plenty 
of  water.    Then  their  growth  will  be  a  marvel. 

Cannas.  See  note  on  Caladiums,which  will  apply. 

Climbers.  Tender  ones,  such  as  t'obiea,  Pilogyne, 
Madeira  or  Mignonette  vine,  potted  Clematis,  etc., 
may  go  out  when  hard  frosts  are  past 

Culture.  For  the  care  of  flower  beds,  we  want 
nothing  better  than  a  narrow  rake  and  hoe  com- 
bined, the  rake  part  of  w  hicb  is  used  by  far  the 
most.  The  surface  of  the  bed  .should  freipiently  be 
gone  over,  say  whenever  small  weeds  appear,  and 
after  each  rain,  to  break  the  crust  of  earth 

Dutch  Bulbs.  After  blooming,  and  when  ready 
to  set  other  plants  in  the  beds,  dig  the  bidbs,  care- 
fully preserving  the  tops  and  whatever  soil  adheres 
to  the  roots,  and  heel-in,  in  some  out-of-the-way 
place,  so  that  the  bulbs  may  mature  properly.  When 
ripened  store  away,  until plautingtime  in  the  fall. 

Edgings.  Keep  tidy  by  using  an  edging  knife 
on  them  several  times  during  the  sea.son. 

Evergreens  may  still  be  moved.  Be  sure  to  keep 
the  roots  from  drying. 

Gladiolus  do  well  in  almost  any  kind  of  soil. 
Plant  at  least  three  inches  deep 

Lilies.  Greenfly  sometimes  trouble  these  in  beds, 
to  prevent  which,  mulch  with  wet  tobacco  stems 
two  or  three  inches  thick. 

Morning  Glories  are  very  attractive,  and  useful 
for  hiding  unsightly  objects.    Sow  of  the  best  seed. 
Perennials.    Even  if  well  started,  most  of  them 
can  be  transplanted. 

Phloxes  of  the  hardy  section  are.  in  the  improved 
sorts,  among  the  veiy  best  border  plants.  For  doing 


their  best,  strong  stools  should  be  reduced  to  a  few 
leaders,  and  these  be  supported  by  stakes. 

Plans  for  the  summer  flower  beds  should  be  all 
in  readiness  before  the  day  of  xtlanting. 

Planting  Out.  This  work  is  in  order  for  the 
hardier  kinds,  such  as  Verbenas,  Carnations,Stflcks. 
etc  ,  which  may,  excepting  in  the  North,  go  out  at 
anytime  now— the  earlier  the  better.  Do  not  hurry 
out  the  tender  plants,  like  Coleus.  Alternant.heras, 
Tuberoses,  etc.,  before  warm  weather  is  surely  here. 
We  have  seen,  more  than  once,  June-planted  tender 
sorts  get  way  ahead  of  the  same  kinds  set  out  in 
May. 

Weeds.  No  good  gardener  will  allow  them  to  get 
ahead 


PLANT    CULTURE    UNDER    CLASS. 

Acbimenes.  Shade  the  plants  lightly,  keep  in  good 
temperature,  moist  atmosphere  and  plenty  of  air. 

Asters  are  very  suitable  as  pot  plants.  Do  not 
allfpw  to  become  pot-bound  Air  and  water  gener- 
<.iusly.    The.v  need  a  rich,  light,  sand.v  soil. 

Balsams.    See  note  on  Asters. 

Camellias  tliat  are  through  growing  should  have 
plenty  »;if  air  and  moisture,  but  less  water,  than 
earlier,  winch  does  not  mean,  however,  that  they 
should  be  stinted. 

Cinerarias.  Any  plants  that  are  specially  desira- 
ble may  be  propagated  by  filling  the  pot  almost 
fidl  with  sandy  compost,  in  which  the  suckers  will 
form  roots.    Afterwards  divide  and  pot  separately. 

FucMas  that  have  flowered  during  the  past  win- 
ter should  now  be  brought  to  a  state  of  partial  rest 
by  reducing  the  supply  of  water. 

Gloxinias.    See  directions  for  Acbimenes. 

Orchids.  The  Indian  species  must  now  be  in  their 
glory,  as  to  thriftness,  or  never.  They  must  be 
freely  supplied  with  water  and  moisture  in  the 
atmosphere  at  this  time.  Such  kinds  especially  as 
the  Dendrobiums,  Stanhopeas,  Aerides,  Saccola- 
biums,  and  Vandas.  easily  receive  injury  if  this  is 
neglected. 

Pelargoniums.  Provide  shade,  plenty  of  air, 
and  coolness,  as  they  show  flowers,  if  you  would 
maintain  their  beauty  for  a  good  period. 

Plants  of  many  kinds  that  are  kept  in  pots 
through  the  suumier  may  go  outside  about  the  end 
of  the  month.  Plunge  the  pots  of  free  growers  in 
soil  spent  hops,  or  other  material,  to  prevent  rapid 
drying  out.    To  set  all  such  on  a  deep  layer  ot 


A  Plant  Box  tvith  Mnrable  .Sides.     Sec 
•'.'Shifting,"  under  House  Plants. 

coal  ashes  or  on  flagging,  to  keep  angle  worms 
out  of  the  pots,  is  a  good  precaution. 

Propagation.  This  is  a  good  time  to  get  up 
stock  of  Begonias,  Euphorbias,  .Tusticias,  Helio- 
tropes, Geraniums  and  all  other  quick-growing,  soft- 
wood plants  for  display  next  winter. 

Specimen  Plants.  It  is  well  to  assist  these  with 
liquid  manure  sometimes.  Attention  to  good 
forms  by  stopping  the  shoots  of  shruljby  and 
branching  sorts  is  in  order  now,  the  season  of  free 
growth.    Kinds  that  are  in  flower  must  have  shade. 

'Watering  needs  close  attention  now,  at  this 
season  of  rapid  growth:  plants  cannot  suffer  once, 
from  drying  out,  without  great  injury.  Wetting 
down  the  walks,  under  the  stages  and  the  sides  ot 
the  houses  will  provide  favorable  moisture,  and  will 
discourage  that  pest,  the  Red  Spider. 

FRUIT  CARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Blackberries.  Jlore  suckers  will  .appear  than 
are  iicciled  for  the  next  year's  plant;  all  unneeded 
ones  should  be  cleaned  away.  Tie  up  the  new  shoots 
when  large  enough 

Insects.  The  Tent  C({terpillars,  a  common  pest, 
hatch  out  early  and  should  be  destroyed  as  soon  as 
ever  the  nests  show.  These  are  readily  seen  ndien 
livened  up  early  in  the  day  by  the  glistening  dew  in 


r886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


95 


the  sunshine.  With  gloved  hands  gather  and  de- 
stroy every  brood. 

Hon'f.s  should  be  eut  or  probed  out  wherever  they 
are  present.  This  may  be  known  by  the  sawdust 
like  eastings  of  the  insects,  or  by  depressions  in  the 
bark.    Look  very  sharp  for  these. 

Curciilio,  that  dread  of  all  Plum  growers,  espec- 
ially, ut  attacks  Cherries,  Peaches  and  some  other 
fruits  also)  will  commence  operations  before  this 
mouth  is  out.  By  one  course  at  least  can  they  be 
destroyed  and  the  crop  beseciu'ed.andthat  is  a  safe 
and  siuv  one.  namely:  to  jar  the  insects  from  the 
trees  early  each  morning  into  sheets  spread  under 
the  l)ranehes.  afterwards  burning  them  System- 
atieall}'  followed,  the  task  is  not  so  great  as  might 
seem;  the  gains  are  worth  far  more  than  the  pahis. 

Afthidt's,  or  Phnit  L/ce,  sometimes  appear  early 
on  the  young  leaves:  destroj'  with  a  solution  of 
wbale  oil  soap,  or  with  tobacco  water  that  looks 
like  tea. 

Tlw  Cunrntt  Caterpillar,  or  Worm,  starts  in  early 
on  its  attacks  on  Currants  and  Gooseberries. 
Powdered  white  Hellebore  is  the  specific.  It  may 
be  applied  either  by  dusting  the  foliage  when  moist 
with  dew,  or  in  a  liquid  form,  using  a  lieaping 
tablespoonful  to  a  pail  of  water,  and  sprinkling  or 
syringing  the  plants  with  this.  Apply  at  intervals 
of  half  a  week,  until  no  more  appear. 

Mulch  all  newly-set  trees  before  drouths  set  in. 

Raspberries.    See  directions  for  Blackberries. 

Strawberries.  A  dressing  of  fine  bone  dust  or 
of  guano  preceding  the  fruiting  is  very  helpful  to 
the  erop. 

Thinning  fruit  is  one  of  the  things  that  ama- 
teurs should  accustom  themselves  more  in  doing. 
Experience  is  the  best  instructor.  Try  a  small 
number  of  plants  or  trees  at  least,  thinning  the 
fnut  of  different  ones  iu*different  degrees,  aud  not<^ 
the  effects. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Beets,  for  the  main  crop,  should  be  sown  about 
corn  jjlaiiting  time.  We  drill  ours  in  Hues  fifteen 
inches  apart.  The  eaiiy  sowings  should  be  thinned 
as  needed. 

Carrots.    See  notes  on  Beets. 

Celery  seed  beds  should  be  kept  weeded,  and  the 
lilauts  tliinnt-il  where  standing  too  thickly. 

Dandelion  is  a  favorite  early  "greens"  with 
many.  Impruved  soi'ts  may  easily  be  raised  in  the 
garden  fioni  seeds  sown  now. 

Egg  Plant.  Guard  from  the  potato  bug.  They 
seecn  tu  liave  a  great  relish  for  this  plant. 

Herbs.  Sow  Sweet  Marjoram,  Sage.  Thyme,  etc., 
this  month,  in  light  soil  in  rows  one  foot  apart. 

Hot-beds  niay  be  turned  to  good  account  later  by 
clearing  several  spots  in  «ach  one  now,  and  sowing 
Cucumber  or  Melon  seeds  in  them,  to  take  possess- 
ion later. 

Insects.  Let  Fleas  on  Turnips.  Cabbage,  Radish, 
etc  ,  be  met  Itj-  dustings  of  lime  The  Radish  Mag- 
got does  n(  it  trouble  much  in  soil  which  has  been 
freely  treated  to  coal  ashes  for  one  or  two  j'ears. 
A  bed  for  Ratiishes  should  be  fitted  up  in  this  way. 

Lettuce,  The  early  sowings  ma}'  be  dibbled  out 
into  rich  soil  at  12  to  15  inches  apart  for  heads. 

Melons,  Squashes  and  the  like,  being  rank  feed- 
ei's,  should  be  planted  in  manured  hills;  six  feet 
ajiart  is  a  good  distance. 

Rhubarb  should  have  the  tlower  stem  broken 
out     i'n  not  take  stems  from  newly-set  plants. 

Savoy  Cabbage  is  by  many  thought  to  be  supe- 
rior to  tlie  urdinary  sorts.  Treat  like  any  other  Cab- 
bage. The  Drumhead  we  think  is  the  best  variety, 
the  head  being  large  and  solid. 

Sow  the  more  tender  things,  hke  Beans,  Corn, 
Cucund)ers,  Melons,  Squashes.  Tomatoes,  Martynia, 
as  soon  as  the  ground  is  warm.  Also  for  succession 
crops.  Lettuce.  Radish,  Spinach,  etc. 

Squashes.    See  directions  headed  "  Melons." 

Sweet  Potatoes.  Do  not  hurry  the  planting.  See 
article  on  page  8JS 

Weeds.  Keep  them  completely  down  from  the 
first.  When  small  they  are  easily  eradicated;  not 
so  after  they  are  strong. 


FRUIT    AND  VEGETABLES    UNDER 
GLASS. 

Cucumbers  in  fiames  cannot  liave  too  much  sun 
aud  liglit.  Ventilate  with  caution,  and  be  prepared 
against  e<ild  nights  by  plenty  of  covering. 

Grapery.  Vines  in  cool  houses  shovdd  again  be 
thinned,  being  cai'eful  not  to  handle  the  berries. 
Early  crops  that  are  hastening  on  towards  ripening 
should  be  kept  i-ather  dry,  and  witli  a  temperature 
of  70'^  with  sun  heat,  and  (j."j"  by  night. 


Peaches.  When  the  fruit  begins  to  soften  for 
ripening,  syringing  may  be  almost  wholly  stopped 
and  water  at  the  n:)0ts  considerably  reduced  As 
for  gathering,  every  peach  should  be  removed  be- 
fore ripe  enough  to  fall  from  the  tree,  placing  in 
shallow  boxes,  in  a  dry,  aii-y  room,  until  fit  for  iise. 

Pines  will  now  be  in  their  season  of  strong 
growth.  I'se  water  freely  al)out  the  walks,  and  in 
wetting  down  the  plunging  material  Although  the 
svm  now  supplies  nu>st  of  the  heat,  the  ih-es  can- 
not be  got  along  without ;  they  may  be  kept  banked 
mu(.-h  nf  till*  linu- 

Strawberry  Plants  that  have  been  forced  may 
be  planlftl  nut  Snak  the  balls,  ram  the  soil  very 
hard,  umleh  with  rotten  manure,  and  water  if  dry 

weather  pievails 


^ 


This  heing  the  People^s  Paper  it  is  open  to  all  their  In- 
quires,  lieartn\)  on  Gardening. 

On  the  other  hand,  annjvers  to  published  inquires  are 
earnestly  requested  from  readers. 

The  editors  and  .s)nciat  rontributors  are  ready  to  do  a 
hirifc  share  oftheaiisireriinj.bitt  the  experience  of  many 
being  ynorc  valuable  than  nf  the  few,  however  varied  that  is, 
and  conditions  andhicalities  being  so  different,  they  prefer 
to  receive  answers,  even  several  of  them  to  the  same  ques 
tion,  from  readers  everywhere.  Don't  hesitate  to  write 
because  you  may  feel  you  are  no  fine  ivriter;  give  facts  and 
ideas  and  the  editors  will  see  that  they  appear  in  credi- 
table shape. 

In  loriting,  give  the  nninhcr  of  the  question  yon  are  an- 
sirering:  your  locality  a7id  uamcy  the  latter  not  for  publica- 
tion unless  you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper 

Flowers  will  be  gladly  named  provided  first,  that  nomorf 
than  three  be  sent  at  onetime.  Second, that  these  befuliy 
prepaid.  Third,  that  sevej-al  specimens  of  each  reach  us  in 
good  shape.  We  cannot  undertake  to  name  florists'  varie- 
tieSt 

57.— Quince  Grafts.  Where  can  good  ones  be 
obtained? 

.■)K,— Blueberries.  Will  this  fruit  grow  in  this 
clinuite,  tliirty  miles  south  of  Chicago? 

■'»•'■-  Pond— How  to  Treat.  Are  there  any  plants 
that  I  ean  sow  or  .set  out  in  what  is  a  shallow  pond 
the  tirst  half  of  the  sununer.  aud  an  unsightly  dry 
bed  the  latter  half,  to  make  it  look  well  at  the  latter 
time?    Mrs.  F-  E  Ward,  Oswego,  III. 

00  —Sweet  Violets.  I  am  anxious  to  know  how 
to  cultivalti  (lii-m,     ]M.  L.  L)isbrow,  Lyons,  Iowa. 

01.-  Wintering'  Tubers.  W^ill  some  one  give  a 
good  plan  to  keep  Caladium  and  Canna  over  winter. 
Mine  always  rot.     Cora  Jewell,  Shannonclale.,  Ind. 

03.  Fernery,  Will  you  give  me  particulars  for 
starting  one  of  these?  Is  a  glass  case  necessary? 
How  must  I  start  the  seed  and  care  for  them? 

U3.  Calceolarias.  What  season  of  the  year  do 
these  Itlooin,  and  wliat  care  should  thej'  have? 

(14.  Cannas.  l>o  Cannas  bloom  the  first  year 
from  seed  ?  wiiat  must  I  do  with  the  bidbs  in  winter? 

05  Richardia.  Is  the  Spotted  CaUa  a  summer 
or  winter  bloomer? 

00.  Angle  Worms.  Do  angle  worms  in  the  earth 
injure  tlic  I'lants;  also,  do  small  white  ones  injure? 
Minnie  E.  Stowe,  Sun  Praii  ie.  Wis. 

07.  English  Ivy.  When  the  leaves  have  fallen 
from  this  plant  can  anything  be  done  to  restore 
them?    Mae  Ckone.  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 

OS.  Ants.  Will  small  ants  injure  plants?  If  so, 
what  will  dri\e  them  away— something  not  poison- 
ous t'»  people?    Mrs.  M.  Carruth,  San  Gabriel, Te.r. 

0*.i.  Fairy  Lily,  Will  some  one  please  tell  me 
how  to  treat  these?  Do  they  require  a  season  of 
rest?    Fluralis. 

70.  Bouvardia  Humboldtii.  Mme  does  not 
bloom.  It  gi'ows  finely  during  the  summer,  but 
loses  its  leaves  in  winter.  Can  you  inform  me  how 
it  should  lie  treated?    Anxious. 

71.  From  Seed.  Will  Abutilons,  Begonias,  Co- 
leus  and  Fuchsias  blossom  the  first  year  from  the 
seed?    Miss.  E.  u.  Locke,  Clipper,  Iowa. 

7'2.  Dahlias.  The  first  year  they  had  very  fine 
blooms.  Since  that  time  they  have  been  deterior- 
ating.   Why  is  it?    How  niay  it  be  prevented?    M. 

7:1  Bulbs.  Please  tell  me  in  your  paper  how  to 
raise  Tulips,  Narcissus  and  Hyacinths  iu  this  trop- 
ical climate.     1*  I\I.  CoLU.  A'< //  Wt'st.  Fhi. 

REPLIES  TO   INQUIRIES. 

47.  — Oxalis  needs  to  be  freely  watered  if  in  a 
warm  exposure  and  dry  atmosphere,  and  needs 
sun  This  is  all  the  attention  mine  has  had.  and 
has  blossomed  all  winter.  Minnie  E  Stowe,  Dane 
Co.,  Wis. 

4!t.  Currant  Worms.  A  mixture  of  e<jual  parts 
of  wotid  iisln's,  aii-slaki'd  iinn.-  and  land  plaster, 
sprinkled  uti  i-urrant  liushes  after  a  dew  or  rain,  is 
an  effectual  remedy  for  currant  worms,  not  injur- 
ing the  fruit,  but  rather  imjiroving  it  by  fertiHzing 
the  soil.  I  have  tried  it  for  five  or  six  years,  always 
saving  our  fruit  If  the  worms  make  a  second  ap- 
pearance, use  again.      M.  E,  Stuwe,  Dane  Co  ,  Witt. 

50  Buds,  but  no  Flowers.  Prubably  yovir  Fu- 
.schias  need  largi-f  puis  and  more  water.  It  is  wtm- 
derfui  how  much  water  tln-^-  will  take,  and  roomy 
pots  arc  a  necessity.  (Jeraniums  need  compara- 
tively smtill  pots  and  little  water:  otherwise  the 
buds  are  sure  to  blast.  Minnie  E.  Stowe.  Dane 
Co.,   Wis. 


51.  Curculio.  Burning  coal-tar  under  plum 
trees  just  as  the  blossoms  begin  to  fail  for.  say 
every  nu)rning  for  a  week,  willprevent  the  ravages 
of  the  curculio,  as  1  have  proven.  Minnie  E.  Stowe, 
Dane  Co..  Wis. 

50.  Hyacinths.  I'lant  Hvacinth.s  early  in  the 
autumn.     Miss  K  n.  i,, 

50.  Buds,  but  no  Flowers.  I  thiidi  the  trouble 
witli  ■■  Karnestihe's"  plants  is  too  rlrv  an  atmos- 
phere; to  avoid  which,  keej.  water  continnally  on 
the  stiive  in  the  room  where  the  plants  are.     E.  S. 

50.  Daphnes.  Procure  strong  young  plants. 
Keep  shifted  aud  growing  duruig  the  summer 
pUingeii  outside.  As  cohi  weather  comes  on,  take 
in  aeool  house  for  winter  fiowering.     E  E.  S. 

55.  Callas  «io  n..t  bloom  the  first  year:  I  hey  need 
to  be  several  \e;trsn|.l.     S.  E.  K. 

4H.  Amaryllis  Tritea.  The  bulbs  should  be  al- 
lowed lo  rest  foi-  several  months  after  this  season's 
growth:  then  start  in  very  rich  .sandy  soil,  well 
drained,  and  plenty  of  water.     K.  E.  S. 

01.  Cannas.  If  sown  early,  Fcbi-uary  or  March, 
and  carefully  and  quickly  grown,  they  will  bloom 
tile  first  season.  Keep  same  as  Dahlia  tubers  over 
winter.     E    K.  S. 

71.  From  Seed.  Yes,  if  sown  early;  but  it  is 
l)etter  to  not  grow  too  rapidly. 

7'2.  Dahlias.  We  would  attril>ut<ithisto  the  fact 
that  tlie  tubers  are  not  as  strong  as  formerly.  CJive 
higher  fertility  and  culture.     A.  H.  E. 


List    of    Gardening    Catalogues    Con- 
tinued. 

F.  H.  Bruning,  Kent,  Union  Co.,  O.     Red  Cedars. 

Albert  Benz,  Oonglaston,  N.  Y.    Seeds. 

Bristol  Sisters.  Topi-ka,  Kan.     Florists. 

FVaneis  IJrill.  Horse  Head,  N.  Y.     Seeds. 

Bush,  Son  iV  ;\leissuer,  Bushburg,  Mo.     Grapes. 

Carpenter  &  Gage,  Fairbury,  Neb.    Nursery. 

Cole  &  Bro.,  Pella,  Iowa.     Seeds. 

J.  Curwen,  Jr.,  Villa  Nova,  Pa.    Plants. 

Cincinnati  Corrugating  Co.,  Cincinnati,  O.    Iron. 

F.(_).  Cole,  Jersey  City.  N.  J.  Insect  Exterminatoi-s. 

H.  Canned  &  Sons,  London,  Eng.    Plants. 

L.  C.  Denman.  Coshocton,  O.    Poultry. 

John  Dick.  Jr.,  Phila.,  Pa.    Plants  and  Heaters. 
*J.  L.  Dillon  &  Co.,  Bloomsburg,  Pa.     Plants,  etc. 

Win.  Desmond,  Kewanee,  111.    Plants. 

S.  C.  DeCou,  Moorestown.  N.  J.    Small  Fniits. 

J.  Evans,  Omaha,  Neb.    Seeds. 

James  D.  Ferris  &  Co.,  New  York  City.     Bulbs. 

Jos  D.  Fitts,  Providence,  K.  I.    Small  Fruits. 

S  E.  Hall,  Cherry  Hill,  111.     Small  Fruits. 

Thos.  G.  Harold,  Kingston,  Ind.    Plants,  etc. 

W.  F.  Heikes,  St.  Louis,  Mo.     Nurseiy. 

C.  Hennecke  &  Co.,  Milwaukee,  Wis.    Vases. 

E.  Hipjiard,  Youngstowu,  O.    Plants,  etc. 

Stephen  lluyt's  Sons,  N.  Canaan.  Conn.  Nunsery. 

Hitcliings  A:  (.'o.,  Mercer  St.,  N.  Y.  City.    Heaters. 

Hallock,  Sou  \'  Thorpe.  K.  Hinsdale,  N.Y.  Florists. 

A  H.  HewsX-  Co.,  .V.  Cambridge,  Mass.   Pottery. 
*A.  E.  Higgins.  <  >utlet.  Pa,     Nursery. 

H   G.  Higley,  ('e<Iar  Rapids.  Iowa.     Florist. 
*Z.  K.  Jewett,  Sparta.  Wis.     Sphagnum. 

Thomas  .laeksun,  Portland,  Me.    Plants. 

James  King,  Chicago,  III.    Seeds. 

Josepli  Kift.  We.st  Chester,  Pa.    Roses. 

Henry  Lee,  Denver,  Col.     Seeds,  etc 

Ludwig  X'  Kichter.  Alleglieny.  Pa.     Veg.  Seeds. 

Meutleidiali  Gh's,  :\Iinneapolis,  Minn.    Plants,  etc 

Miller  \-  Hunt,  Wrights  Grove,  III.     Florists. 
*Geo.  Mullen,  Boston,  Mass.     Wholesale  Florists. 

Oelseliig  ^^  ^Meyer,  Savannah,  Ga.    Roses. 

John  Puste.  t'olumbus,  O      Nursei-y. 

John  Perkins,  Moorestown.  N.  J.     Small  I  nuts. 

Parsons  &  Sons  Co  .  Flushing,  N  Y.     Nursery. 

Pringle  &  Horsford,  Charlotte.  Vt.     Plants. 

Phi  en  ix  it  Emerson,  Bloomint^ion,  III.     Nursery. 

Parker  it  W'ood.  Boston,  I\hiss.     Implements,  etc. 

J.  F.  Pea.se  Furnace  Co.,  Syracuse,  N.Y.  Furnaces. 

Jos  Plenty.  U  Pearlst.,  N.  Y.  City.  Hort  Builder. 

J.  T.  Phillips.  W,  (.;rove.  Pa.     Plants,  etc. 

A.  D.  Perry  it  Co.,  Syracuse,  N  Y.  Ag'llmprmt. 

J.  A.  Roberts.  Mahern,  Pa.     Nursery. 

W.  W.  Rawsoii  \-  Co.,  Boston.  Mass.    Seeds 

Aug.  Rolkerit  Suns.  Dey  Street,  NewYork.  Seeds. 

Shaker  Seed  Co  .  I\U,  Lel)anon.  N.  Y.     Seeds. 

W.  r.  Simmons  it  Co  ,  Ceneva.  N.  Y.     Florists. 

\Vm.  it  J.  Snutli,  lieneva.  N.  Y      Nm"sery. 

W.  S.  Smitli.  Aurora.  111.     Plants,  etc. 

Wm.  H.  Spooner,  Boston.  Mass.     Florist 
♦Delos  Staples.  W.  Sebewa,  Mich.     Blueberries. 
*A,  K  Si.alding.  .\iiisworlh,  Iowa.     Plants,  etc. 

Spriui^'tield  Seed  Co.,  Springfield,  O.     Seeds. 

Richard  Smith  it  Co.,  Worcester,  Eng.     Plants. 

H.  H.  Tainmen  tt  Co.,  Denver,  Col.    Minerals. 

A.  R.  Whitney,  I'Yauklin  Grove,  III.    Nureery. 

H.J.  Weber,  (Jardenville.  Mo.     Nursery. 

Thos.  W.  W^eathered,  Marion  St ,  N.  Y.    Heatere. 

Wagner  &  Co  ,  Shawniut  Ave.,  Boston.    Nursery. 

*See  Ailvertisements  elsewhere  in  this  issue. 


Annual    Meeting  of  the    Association 
of  Nurserymen,  Seedsmen,  etc. 

The  next  meeting  of  this  association  will  be  held 
in  W^aslungtA^)n,  I).  C.  for  three  days,  commencing 
with  Wednesday,  June  lOth  next.  The  place  of 
holding  the  meetings  is  to  be  in  the  I)ei>artment  of 
AgriciUture  buildings.  Full  particulars  of  what 
promises  to  be  one  of  the  most  interesting  gather- 
ings of  this  a.ssoeiation,  together  with  iirograiume, 
information  about  hotel  and  railroad  arrangements, 
etc.,  may  be  ohtjiined  by  addressing  the  Secretary, 
D.  Wihnot  Scott.  Galena.  111. 


96 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


May, 


"^e  Household 

Clean  Cellars  Necessary  for  Healthy 
Homes. 

In  the  city  and  c-ountry  alike,  it  is  the  dark 
corners,  the  neglected  and  little  used  places  in 
a  house,  that  most  frequently  contribute  to 
its  uuhealthfulness.  In  this  respect  the  cellars 
of  many  houses  have  much  to  answer  for,  be- 
ing dark  and  damp,  with  no  direct  rays  of  the 
sun  to  kUl  the  mephitic  gases  which  always 
seek  those  Ij-.'  levels,  and  no  ventilation  to 
disperse  them,  even  where  the  cellars  them- 
selves are  not  depositories  of  rubbish  and  vege- 
table refuse. 

Therefore  the  warning  cannot  be  too  often 
given,  especially  in  the  spring,  to  look  to  it  that 
the  cellar  is  not  neglected.  Their  ceilings  and 
walls  should  be  plastered  and  whitewashed  to 
keep  them  dry  and  clean.  They  must  not  be 
allowed  to  become  " poke  holes "  for  rubbish; 
the  floors  should  be  well  paved  or  cemented, 
to  keep  out  emanations  from  the  soil ;  and  they 
should  be  ventilated  by  keeping  open  outside 
windows  or  doors,  in  dry  weather. 

Kmanations  from  damp  and  mouldy  cellars 
do  not  kill  in  a  night.  The  cellar  air  is  taken 
up  thi-ough  the  rooms  of  a  house  gi-adually, 
and  in  small  doses  at  a  time,  but  the  warmer 
air  of  the  upper  rooms  produces  an  upward 
current  every  time  the  cellar  door  is  opened, 
and  neglect  in  regard  to  this  matter  is  sure  to 
entail  serious  consequences,  because  the  real 
reason  is  sooften overlooked.— ^'cioi^iyicJ/fic)-- 
ican . 


Home  Bleaching.  Perhaps  all  our  readers  do 
not  know  that  unbleached  cotton,  rightly  bleached 
at  home,  gives  far  better  service  than  that  which  is 
lileachert  when  bought.  We  here  give  some  simple 
and  well  tested  directions  for  this  process,  that  any- 
one can  practice,  and  which  will  not  injure  the  tex- 
ture of  the  cloth  Weigh  your  goods  and  to  each 
five  pounds  use  twelve  ounces  chloride  ot  lime  dis- 
solved in  a  couple  ot  quarts  of  boiUng  water,  and  al- 
low to  stand  until  well  settled.  Boil  the  goods 
first  in  strong  suds,  wring  out  and  rinse  in  clear 
water;  then  take  sufficient  water  to  cover  the  cloth 
and  add  the  chloride  solution,  pouring  off  with  as 
little  Ume  as  possible.  Keep  in  from  ten  to  thirty 
minutes,  with  treiiuent  airing;  rinse  thoroughly. 
This  is  also  excellent  to  remove  any  kinds  ot  stains 
from  cloth,  including  mildew. 

The  Reticule.  This  useful  feature  ot  the  outfits  of 
our  grandmothers  seems  to  be  on  the  eve  of  a  revival. 
The  most  convenient  shape  for  these,  sa.ys  the 
American  Cultivator,  is  simply  a  square  bag  of  vel- 
vet, from  ten  to  twelve  inches  square,  lined  with 
colored  silk.  A  running,  to  hold  a  ribbon  or  cord 
and  tassels  to  draw  it  together  with,  must  be  made 
about  three  inches  from  the  top  of  the  bag.  This 
is  the  simplest  form  and  the  easiest  to  make.  For 
more  elaborate  ones  the  bottom  corners  may  be 
rounded  or  the  bag  made  envelope  shape,  with  a 
handle  at  the  top.  One  ot  the  prettiest  is  that  made 
by  taking  a  piece  ot  velvet  the  size  the  bag  is  to 
be.  and  by  cutting  the  lower  ends  into  large  van- 
dykes,  which  must  be  sewn  together  so  that  the  bag 
ends  in  a  point  finished  off  with  a  tassel.  We  have 
seen  some  more  useful,  but  not  such  ornamental  re- 
ceptacles.in  the  shape  ( >f  Brobdingnagian  long  purses 
with  large  rings  and  tassels.  These  cases,  made  of 
brown  holland,  trimmed  with  braid  and  closed  with 
ivory  rings,  will  prove  very  acceptable  to  travelers 
for  holding  boots  and  shoes  and  many  other  et  cet- 
eras.  Night-dress  cases  and  comb-bags  look  very 
well,  made  in  cretonne  orsateen  with  the  outline  of 
the  pattern  worked  around  in  outhne  stitch,  or  if  a 
large  design,  in  chain  stitch. 


Brieflets. 

An  oil  stove  for  comfort  in  hot  weather. 

Furs  and  woolens  should  go  into  tarred-paper 
lined  chests. 

Flour  the  beetstake;  it  wiU  fry  up  more  tender 
and  delicious. 

A  little  sulphvir,  carefully  burned  in  the  cellar, 
will  destroy  disease  germs. 

Efface  scratches  on  furniture  by  rubbing  on  some 
linseed  oil,  following  with  a  little  shellac  dissolved 
in  alculiol. 

When  washing  the  woolens,  just  try  a  small 
quantity  of  borax  in  the  water  and  see  how  it  will 
help  the  work. 

Dampen  the  dusting  cloth  the  night  before  sweep- 
ing day,  and  you  will  find  it  will  help  greatly  to  do 
a  neat  job  of  dusting. 

The  hands— very  clean— cannot  be  improved 
uijoii  (or  mixing  up  cake  batter.  They  are  a  great 
impnivenient  over  the  doughstick  or  spoon. 

Try  it  by  all  Means.  Miss.  E.,  of  Erie  Co.,  N.  Y., 
writes  to  this  paper,  that  if  a  little  parsley  dipped 
in  vinegar  is  eaten  after  onions,  the  breath  will 
scarcely  disclose  the  odor. 

To  Clean  Bottles.  <ild  bottles  are  often  cast 
aside  as  useless,  when  a  little  pains  would  restore 
them  for  use  or  for  sale.  Put  into  each  bottle  some 
coal  ashes  or  shot,  fill  half  full  ndth  warm  washing- 
soda  lye,  give  a  good  shaking  and  rinsing  and  you 
have  a  clean  sweet  bottle. 

Washing  a  Feather  Tick.  Many  are  puzzled  to 
know  bow  to  care  for  the  feathers.  The  best  plan, 
if  you  have  no  old  tick  to  empty  the  feathers  into, 
is  to  sew  together  two  sheets,  leaving  half  of  one 
end  open  and  ripping  the  half  of  the  tick  to  match 
it.  Sew  both  holes  together,  thus  emptying  out  the 
tick  without  spreading  the  feathers. 

There  now.  Girls.  The  Empress  Augusta  pre- 
sents every  woman-servant  in  Pmssia,  who  com- 
pletes her  fortieth  year  of  unbroken  service  in  one 
family,  a  gold  cross,  and  diploma  bearing  the  im- 
perial autograph  signature.  During  the  past  eight 
years  she  has  thus  honored  1,150  servants.  This  is 
quite  a  favorable  contrast  to  servants  in  America, 
who  are  ever  on  the  wing. 

Seasoning.  By  discriminating  in  the  use  of 
seasoning  tue  most  appetizing  novelty  can  be  at- 
tached to  rather  unpromising  materials.  Fat  meat 
and  poultry  are  most  palatable  with  sharp  and 
acid  condiments.  Combination  dishes,  as  soups,  ra- 
gouts or  "  stews.""  and  minced  meats  require  several 
seasonings.  Plain  roasts  and  broiled  meats  are 
best  wdth  salt  and  pepper,  or  a  single  acid  or  relish. 


poviltpy. 

About  Guinea-fowls- 
It  is  generally  supposed  that  the  Guinea- 
fowl  is  a  delicate  bird  and  difficult  to  rear,  and 
througli  fear  of  creating  too  much  care  and 
trouble,  people  deprive  themselves  of  the  nicest 
dish  it  is  possible  to  put  on  the  table.  When 
the  shooting  season  is  closed,  this  bird  takes, 
with  advantage,  the  place  of  the  pheasant. 
We  prefer  at  any  time  a  nice  Guinea-fowl  to  a 
prairie  chicken  killed  in  the  wood. 

The  reai"ing  of  Guinea-fowls  does  not  (says 
V  Ariciiltiir)  offer  more  difficulty  than  that  of 
the  most  hardy  chickens.  They  do  not  require 
that  particular  care  so  necessarj'  for  the  suc- 
cess of  partridges  and  pheasants.  In  a  state  of 
liberty,  free  to  i  oam  about  in  a  large  park,  or 
over  the  farm,  and  from  which  they  will  not 
attempt  to  escape,"they  hatch  out  their  young 
and  provide  for  them  without  the  help  of  man. 
If  confined  in  a  run  or  poultry-yard  with  other 
fowls,  they  never  sit,  but,  on  the  other  hand, 
they  lay  an  abundance  of  eggs,  which  can  be 
given  to  a  broody  hen,  or  put  into  an  artificial 
incubator.  For  the  first  days  the  young  ai-e 
fed  exactly  like  young  chickens,  viz. :  hard- 
boiled  egg,  with  bread-crumbs,  chopped  salad, 
with  a  little  bruised  hemp  seed,  mixed  up 
together  in  a  paste;  millet,  boiled  rice,  and  lots 
of  green  food.  As  with  the  rearing  of  all  the 
inhabitants  of  the  poultry-yard,  they  require 
from  time  to  time  a  small  quantity  of  fluely- 
minced  meat,  which  gives  vigor  to  the  young, 
and  a  most  robust  constitution. 

Young  Guinea-fowls  reach  the  adult  period 
earlier  than  chickens,  and  consequently  give 
less  trouble  in  rearing.  At  a  month  old  they 
can  do  without  the  natural  or  artificial  mother, 
and  can  manage  for  themselves.  We  should 
advise  our  amateurs  to  try  some  this  year  and 
hatch  out  a  few  Guinea-fowls.  They  will  thank 
us  for  our  advice  when  in  the  autumn  these 
young  subjects  are  tit  for  the  'spit. — Pdiiltry 
Keeper. 


CONDENSED  POULTRY   NOTES. 

Ground  oyster  sheUs  suit  poultry. 
Shelter  young  chicks  from  sun  and  rain. 
Hens  do  not  pay,  as  layers,  beyond  three  years. 
Eats  in  the  Poultry  Yard.    A  single  rat  will  de- 
stroy hundreds  of  young  ducks  and  chicks.    Put 
chloride  of  liine  in  their  holes. 

One  mast  not  forget,  for  one  time  even,  that 
hens  are  great  seed  raisers;  if  given  the  chance, 
they  show  decided  enterprise  at  the  business. 

While  fresh  sweet  meat  is  to  be  prefered  for 
fowls,  some  that  is  tainted,  if  it  is  weU  cooked,  will 
do  no  harm  in  supplying  this  important  kind  of  food. 
We  do  not  expect  every  egg  to  produce  a  chick; 
this  rarely  happens  except  when  a  hen  "  steals  her 
nest,'"  and  has  her  own  way  about  things,  and  it 
don't  ahva.vs  happen  then 

Eggs  With  Pale  Yolks.  It  is  beheved  that  re- 
stricting fowls"  to  grain  and  vegetables  alone  for 
food,  and  in  confined  places,  is  the  cause  of  pale 
yolks.  Allowing  them  the  range  of  the  place  and 
farm  yard  feeding  is  the  remedy  suggested. 

Linseed  Meal,  An  occasional  feed  (about  once  a 
week )  of  linseed  meal,  or  oil  cake,  will  prove  a  great 
benefit  to  laying  hens,  reddening  the  combs  and  in- 
creasing the  appetite;  but  it  should  not  be  fed  daily, 
as  it  is  too  rich  in  oil,  and  sometimes  proves  injiu"i- 
ous.^PouHnj  Nation. 

Some  of  the  most  successful  poultry  growers 
have  the  food  so  placed  that  chickens  can  have  ac- 
cess to  it  at  pleasure  A  good  contrivance  is  to 
have  a  high,  narrow  box  placed  inside,  flat-side 
against  a  wall,  with  a  narrow  opening  at  the  front 
side  of  the  bottom,  into  a  low,  horizontal  box  that 
answers  for  feeding  from. 

Don't  expect  every  chick  to  grow  up  into  a  first- 
class  $2.o-a-trio-exhibition  l)ird:  you"ll  be  most  aw- 
fully disappointed  if  you  do.  And  if  you  should 
even  happen  to  have  one  disqualified  bird  out  of  the 
lot,  don't  make  any  great  amount  of  fuss  about  it. 
Our  best  breeders  raise  a  good  many  disqualified 
birds  each  year.— T/k'  Farming  World. 

A  Cure  for  Chicken  Cholera.  I  have  had  this 
disease  twice  introduced  into  my  flock  by  the  pur- 
chase of  diseased  chickens,  and  each  time  I  lost 
from  eighty  to  one  hundred  fowls.  On  each  occa- 
sion, however,  its  ravages  were  entirely  stopped  in 
the  course  of  tour  or  five  days,  by  feeding  mixed 
food  seasoned  with  fresh  lime  and  salt,  as  strongly 
as  the  birds  could  be  induced  to  eat  it,  the  mixture 
being  thoroughly  wet.  Salt  and  lime  I  find  benefic- 
ial to  chickens  at  all  times.— i?»ro7  New  Yorker 

Profitable  Poultry  Raising.  Mr.  Harrison,  at 
the  Western  New-  Y'ork  Farmers'  Club,  said  he  is 
satisfied  that  poultry  can  be  kept  by  farmers  profit- 
ably. To  keep  large  numbers  they  must  be  sepa- 
rated into  small  flocks,  twenty  or  thirty  in  a  flock, 
I  especially  at  night.  He  has  kept  fowls  many  years, 
in  a  yard  in  the  city:  gets  eggs  enough  to  more 
than  pay  cost,  besides  chickens  to  eat,  and  a  large 
amount  of  mantu-e.  Keeps  White  Dorkings  and  has 
kept  them  from  his  boyhood.  Changes  cocks  every 
two  or  three  years.  Farmers  too  often  leave  fowls 
to  shirk  for  themselves  and  roost  on  trees ;  but  it 
wiU  paj'  to  take  good  care  of  them  and  have  good, 
warm  houses  for  them. 

The  Wyandottes  are  now  recognized  as  one  of 
the  most  useful  breeds  of  fowls,  and  when  weU  bred, 
will  certainly  give  poultry  raisers  great  satisfaction, 
When  we  first  saw  them,  a  good  many  years  ago, 
they  had  the  good  points  of  cross-bred  fowds.  A 
few  w-ere  well  marked  and  handsome,  but  it  would 
have  been  impossible  in  a  rtock  of  twenty,  to  have 
picked  out  a  trio  fit  to  put  in  a  show  coop.  Their 
breeders  said  they  were  so  good,  grew  so  well,  were 
so  prolific;  made  such  good  broilers  and  grand 
roasters,  that  they  ought  to  be  admitted  to  "  the 
standard  "  StiU,  year  after  year,  the  assembled 
poultry  wisdom  of  the  country  kept  them  out,  until 
188;5,  when  such  uniform  and  handsomely  marked 
fowls  were  shown,  that  they  were  admitted.  They 
have  won  their  way  to  their  present  popularity 
by  combining  real  merit  with  beauty  Tn  this 
latter  quality  they  are  superior  to  the  Plymouth 
Rocks-,  but  in  other  respects  they  strongly  resemble 
this  favorite  breed  of  American  fowls.  They  have 
beautifully  laced  hackle  and  saddle;  solid  black 
tail ;  breast  wdute,  heavily  laced  with  black.  The 
wings,  when  folded,  show  the  much  coveted  duck- 
wing  mark,  or  bar  of  black.  They  have  a  low, 
medium-sized,  rich  red  comb,  with  well-defined  spike 
of  moderate  size,  and  ,sniooth,  yellow  legs.  They 
are  an  exceptionaUy  hardy  fond,  standing  out  severe 
winters  fully  as  well,  if  not  better,  than  any  other 
breed  They  mature  very  early ;  puUets  often  com- 
mence laying  at  five  months  of  age;  and  although 
not  persistant  sitters,  they  make  excellent  mothers 
when  allowed  to  brmg  off  their  chicks,  and  they 
are  very  domestic  in  their  habit. — Am.  Agriculturist. 


POPULAR  GARDENING 

FOR    TOWN    AND    COUNTRY. 

"ACCUSE  NOT  NATURE,   SHE  HATH  DONE  HER  PART;    DO  THOU  BUT  THINE."— J^UvToa. 


Vol.  1. 


JTJIsrE,    188S. 


No.  9. 


June. 

When  the  pathway  that  winds  to  the  woods 

Is  hidden  in  Flag  flowers  bhie. 
And  the  airy  Bircli  has  never  a  smirch 

On  her  silver^*  gown,  but  dew : 
When  in  Roses  sweet  and  Honeysuckles, 

The  breezes  perfume  their  wings, 
■V\Tien  Strawberries  hide  in  the  meadows  wide. 

And  Laxu'els  wake  by  the  springs; 
When  the  blue  skj-  laughs  the  whole  day  long. 
And  the  heart  is  light  as  the  thi-ush's  song, 

Oh,  then  it  is  merry  Jime. 

— Susan  Hurt  ley. 


Plants    for    Winter    Flowers. 

It  is  none  loo  early  to  lliink  about  getting 
up  the  flowering  plants  that  are  to  embellish 
Ihc  window  or  conservatory  next  winter.  In 
fact  the  difference  between  having  plants  at 
that  season  that  will  be  full  of  flowers  or 
else  flowerless,  will  be  owing  largely  to 
whether  or  not  some  foresight  is  used  in 
preparing  such  during  the  present  summer. 

Amateurs  often  wonder  how  the  florists 
get  such  large  crops  of  flowers  through  the 
winter  while  they  succeed  so  poorly  in  rais- 
ing the  same  kinds.  It  is  not  owing  wholly 
to  the  superior  conveniences  of  the  former, 
but  very  largely  to  their  knowing  better  how 
to  prepare  plants  for  winter  bloom. 

In  the  first  place  let  us  lay  down  .as  a  main 
principle,  the  fact,  that  no  plant  can  flower 
profusely  all  through  the  summer  and 
amount  to  much  for  winter  blooming. 

Walk  through  a  florist's  grounds  in  mid- 
summer and  many  Carnation  plants,  for  ex- 
ample, m.ay  be  seen,  but  without  a  flower. 
These  are  designed  for  winter  use,  and  the 
reason  they  have  no  flowers  is  only  that  all 
flower  buds  have  been  kept  down  Ijy  pinch- 
ing. This  is  done  to  the  plants  until  towards 
fall,  with  the  result  of  producing  vigorous, 
bushy  stocks,  which  after  that  will  throw 
off,  and  are  capable  of  maturing  heav}-  crops 
of  flowers,  right  through  the  winter. 

That  which  is  true  of  managing  Carnations 
is  also  true  of  Geraniums,  Bouvardias,  Be- 
gonias, Violets,  Fuchsias,  Heliotropes,  and 
some  others.  Every  one  of  these  kinds,  to 
be  in  the  best  shape  for  winter  flowering, 
must  be  deprived  of  their  summer  flower 
buds,  and  the  sooner  after  this  date  the  pinch- 
ing-back  proce.ss  is  begun  the  better  for  the 
winter's  crop. 

Geraniums  are  justly  great  favorites  as 
window  plants  in  the  winter.  None  others 
are  easier  to  manage  for  having  a  tine  show 
of  flowers  from  November  on,  than  these. 
Plants  for  this  purpose  may  be  grown  dur- 
ing the  summer,  either  in  pots  or  bedded  out. 
The  former  course  calls  for  greater  care  in 
the  matter  of  watering  and  .shifting  into 
larger  pots  during  the  season,  l>ut  there  is  no 
chance  of  the  plants  receiving  a  check  from 
being  lifted  from  the  ground  and  potted 
later  on,  as  is  the  case,  in  some  degree, 
through  the  other  means. 

Such  as  are  bedded  for  the  purpose  should 
have  ample  space  in  the  beds  for  develop- 
ment, and   should   then   be   taken   up   and 


potted  with  great  care  during  the  first  half 
of  the  month  of  August. 

Of  the  plants  named  above,  it  may  be  said 
that  the  Heliotrope  does  not  lift  as  well  as 
most  others,  on  which  account,  it  is  usual)}- 
considered  preferable,  to  bring  the  plants 
through  the  summer  in  pots. 

While  the  growing  of  winter  flowering 
plants  during  the  summer  in  pots  is  consid- 
ered the  most  gardener-like  way  of  manag- 
ing them,  still  it  may  be  said  of  the  other 
course,  that  there  is  a  saving  of  perhaps  one- 
half  the  labor,  while  the  results  may  be 
nearlj'  as  satisfactory. 


Watch   the  Camellias   Now. 

A  Camellia  plant,  growing  in  a  pol,  Avill 
suffer  unto  death  from  dryness,  without  .so 
much  as  showing  it  by  the  leaves   flagging. 

On  this  account  we  caution  growers  to 
take  particular  pains,  during  the  summer 
especially,  to  see  that  the  plants  have  all  the 
water  they  need,  but  not  judging  as  to  this 
by  the  appearance  of  the  leaves.  One  may 
remove  a  branch  of  this  plant,  throwing  it 
into  hot  sunshine,  and  the  leaves  will  retain 
their  color  for  da3's,  whollj'  tmlike  those  of 
other  plants  under  similar  circumstances. 

A  peculiarity  of  the  Camellia,  now  also 
to  be  considered,  is  that  its  flower  buds  ap- 
pear six  or  more  months  before  they  open. 
They  may  usually  l)e  seen  as  early  as  this 
month,  and  continue  to  enlarge  during  the 
summer  and  fall,  flowering  later  on. 

Now  it  should  be  understood,  that  l)ad 
summer  watering  of  the  Camellia  has  much 
to  do  with  the  verj'  common  trouble,  of  the 
flower  buds  dropping  from  the  plant  before 
opening  in  the  winter.  Growing,  as  the  buds 
do,  all  through  the  warm  season,  should  the 
the  plants  become  injuriously  dr}'  a  few 
times  during  this  period,  the  former  will  re- 
ceive injury  in  a  way  that  will  be  almost 
certain  to  cause  them  to  drop  before  devel- 
oping into  flowers,  and  yet  they  will  grow 
on  all  the  while. 

In  the  summer  care  of  these  plants,  there- 
fore, it  must  be  made  a  rule  to  water  them 
enough  each  time  they  need  it,  so  as  to  leave 
no  doubt  but  that  the  ball  of  earth  in  the  pot 
is  soaked  to  its  very  center.  This  attended 
to  rightly  and  almost  the  only  critical  point 
in  their  care  at  this  season  is  overcome. 


A   Rose-leaf  Pillow. 

We  do  not  refer  to  one  which  derives  its 
name  from  having  Rose  leaves  embroidered 
or  otherwise  worked  upon  the  surface,  but 
to  an  easj'  and  sweet  cushion  for  the  sofa  or 
lounge,  filled  with  dried  Hose  leaves,  instead 
of  with  hair  or  feathers. 

Such  an  one  is  easily  made,  and  in  .June, 
the  month  of  Roses,  is  the  time  to  make  it. 
As  to  how  this  should  be  done  we  are  briefly 
told  in  a  contribution  from  an  esteemed 
reader  from  the  western  part  of  this  State, 
who  modestly  signs  herself  "  Sue."  She  says: 


"Gather  all  the  Rose  leaves  yoti  can — 
those  from  fading  Roses  being  just  right. 
Spread  these  lightly  over  paper  to  dry,  after 
which  the}'  may  be  stored  in  a  paper  bag  as 
they  accumulate,  until  enough  are  saved. 
One  thing  you  will  notice,  and  that  is,  that 
a  considerable  quantity  will  be  needed. 
You  will  no  doubt  feel  well  repaid  for  all 
the  work,  even  should  two  or  more  years  be 
required  to  gather  enough.  Perhaps  the 
help  of  some  of  your  friends,  or  better  still, 
of  a  neighboring  florist,  might  be  secured  for 
furnishing  the  delightful  material. 

"Whether  such  a  pillow  contains  any  sooth- 
ing or  medicinal  properties  I  am  unprepared 
to  say,  but  the  fragrance  is,  at  the  least,  very 
agreeable  and  strong  enough  to  perfume  an 
entire  room,  if  it  be  kept  somewhat  close. " 


Rose  Culture  in  America.     Why  Not 
More  Successful. 

That  the  Rose,  so  far  as  beauty  and  fra- 
grance are  concerned,  excels  all  other  flow- 
ers is  universally  acknowledged.  Were 
any  proof  as  to  this  desired,  none  other 
woidd  be  needed,  than  the  fact  that  where 
a  business  is  made  of  the  sale  of  cut 
flowers,  nearly  as  much  money  is  realized 
from  the  sale  of  Roses,  as  from  all  other 
kinds  of  flowers  taken  together.  Such  is 
especially  the  case  in  our  large  cities,  where 
the  increased  taste  in  the  use  of  flowers  lias 
so  greatl}'  developed  in  recent  years. 

But  while  this  is  true  of  Roses  in  the  di- 
rection referred  to,  we  wish  it  could  also  be 
said,  that  the  extent  of  and  success  at  their 
culture  by  the  people  in  general,  was  nearer 
in  proportion  to  the  merits  of  this  grandest 
of  all  flowers.  Such  a  statement  could  not, 
in  truth,  well  be  made  at  the  present  time. 
All  amateurs  who  grow  flowers  may  admit 
the  supreme  worth  of  the  Rose,  but  perhaps 
not  more  than  one  in  five  of  the  number, 
really  pretend  to  grow  Roses  well  and  in  fair 
abundance  in  their  collections  of  flowers. 
Too  often  they  have  no  faith  whatever  in 
their  ability  to  grow  Roses. 

Is  this  because  the  Rose  is  not  adapted  to 
our  climate  and  soils,  as  our  other  garden 
plants  are  ?  In  answer  it  is  enough  to  say 
that  this  flower,  in  some  of  its  species,  is 
native  to  every  section  of  our  country.  Go 
where  we  will  and  thou,  O  Rose  !  in  some 
of  thy  beautiful  forms,  art  there  before  us. 
Even  so  far  north  as  Hudson  Ba}'  certain 
species  of  Roses  are  at  home.  The  fault  is 
not  to  be  found  in  this. 

We  believe  that  a  fundamental  cause  of 
failure  in  amateur  Hose-culture,  lies  in  the 
matter  of  our  cultivators  ignoring  too  much 
the  many  flue  and  thoroughly  rclialde  sorts, 
and  attempting,  instead,  to  grow  such  deli- 
cate ones  as  will  (mly  succeed  by  a  course 
of  very  delicate  treatment.  This  no  doubt 
is  often  done  through  ignorance  ;  if  so,  we 
.should  learn  wi.sdom. 

Let  us  Ijcar  in  mind  that  most  of  the  mul- 
titude  of    improved    Ko.scs   olfered    in    this 


98 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


June, 


a  certain  staud- 
praise  bestowed 


day  are  the  products  of  European  nurseries, 
where  the  highest  degree  of  skill  has  for  a 
long  time  been  brought  to  bear  upon  Rose 
culture  and  improvement.  They  are  largely 
the  children  of  luxury.  Many  sorts  of 
many  classes,  and  even  such  as  are  reputed 
hardy,  may  possess  enough  of  the  blood  of 
the  tender  Asiatic  species  to  render  them 
tender  and  of  delicate  constitution. 

With  all  this,   the  flowers  may  be  of  su 
perior  quality,   and,  from 
point,    entitled    to   all  the 
\ipon  them.   But 
that  standpoint 
in  a  large  num- 
ber of  cases  is  the 
most    skillful 
cultivation,    un- 
der the   most 
favorable  cir- 
cumstances only, 
and  not  the  kind 
of   treatment 
which  the  aver- 
age American 
amateur  in  town 
and  country  can 
give.     For  these 
worthy    persons 
to  be  led  by  fine 
descriptions  and 
gaudy-  colored 
plates,   often    to 
Invest  in   such 
"improved 
roses  "  without 
great  discrimi- 
nation,  submit- 
ting them  then  to 
the  most  com- 
mon   care,    is 
almost   sure  to 
invite  failure. 

Now,  while 
this  thing  hap- 
pens very  com- 
monly, and  Rose 
culture  suffers 
accordingly, 
there  is  at  least 

one  remedy  against  it.  Among  all  classes 
of  Roses,  from  the  real  tender  Asiatic 
section  to  the  hardiest  ones,  there  are 
not  lacking  various  excellent  sorts,  that 
have  proved  their  reliability  and  worth,  for 
common  culture.  They  are  the  few  among 
the  many  offered,  perhaps,  but  they  arc 
the  ones  that  are  needed  in  successful 
culture,  and  the  ones  which  growers  should 
look  out  to  secure. 

Every  Rose  propagator  keeps  in  stock 
those  sorts  that  are  both  very  good  and 
very  reliable,  and  should  know  which 
they  are.  To  obtain  these  the  buyer  of 
plants  should, when  dealing  with  the  grower, 
take  the  safe  course  of  insisting  on  having 
only  such  kinds  included  in  his  order.  To 
do  this  he  must  leave  the  selection  of  sorts 
mainly  if  not  wholly  with  the  nurseryman, 
charging  him  with  responsibility  in  making 
a  good  one.  If  he  is  a  reliable  dealer,  he  will 
not  be  likely  to  disappoint  his  customer  in 
the  selection  of  kinds  made. 

Of  course  in  ordering  in  this  way  it  must 
be  stated  which  classes  are  wanted,  whether 
hardy  or  tender  ones,  bush  or  climbers,  moss 
or  remontants,  etc.  Limitations  as  to  color 
may  be  mentioned.  It  might  be  well  also  to 
state  in  what  soil  the  stock  is  to  be  planted. 
The  main  point  we  are  aiming  to  make  clear 


is,  that  the  amateur  should  take  advantage  of 
the  grower's  acquaintance  with  kinds  in 
making  selections,  letting  him  feel  a  share 
of  the  responsibility  in  the  matter. 


Moss  Roses. 

Among  the  hardy  Roses  which  bloom  in 
summer  the  Moss  Rose  deservedly  holds  a 
high  place.  Few  products  in  the  entire 
floral  realm  are  more  delightful  to  behold 
than  the   opening  buds   of  these    in    their 


well  pegged  down,  is  a  pleasing  way  of  man- 
aging the  free-growing  sorts. 

These  Roses  are  somewhat  niore  liable  to 
injury  from  mildew  in  damp,  cloudy 
weather  than  other  Roses  are.  If  any  ap- 
pears, it  may  be  dispelled  by  applying  sul- 
phur freely  over  the  leaves  when  they  are 
wet,  at  the  first  signs  of  the  ailment. 

The  so-called  Perpetual  Moss  Roses  are  in 
most  cases  destined  to  disappoint  growers,  if 
the  perpetual  flowering  feature  is  much  re- 
lied upon.  A  great  many  sorts  have  been 
sent  out  under 
this  head,  not 
worth  a  place  In 
the  garden.  The 
best  of  them  will 
not  produce 
more  than  a  few 
flowers  out  of 
the  regular  sea- 
son, and  none  of 
these  give  buds 
equal  in  quality 
to  the  regular 
summer  varie- 
ties of  such. 

Such  Moss 
Roses  as  the 
Common  Moss 
and  the  Crested 
Moss,  are  still 
among  the  best 
sorts  to  be 
grown.  For  a 
white  variety  the 
White  Bath  is 
perhaps  the  best, 
being  attractive 
both  in  bud  and 
when  open. 
Princess  Ade- 
laide is  a  good  variety,  of  a 
pale- rose  color. 

While  Roses  of  this  class  as 
a  rule  bear  rather  close  prun- 
ing annually,  the  last  named 
one  is  an  exception;  it  should 
hardly  be  pruned  at  all. 


A   FINE   MOSS  ROSE. 

modest  beauty,  covered  as  they  are  with  a 
delicate  mossy  growth.  The  hushes  may 
not  be  as  handsome  as  those  of  some  other 
classes,  growing  as  they  do  somewhat  irreg- 
ularly—perhaps we  might  say  picturesquely 
— but  they  are  on  the  whole  very  hardy,  and 
no  garden  should  be  without  some. 

As  a  class,  the  Moss  Roses  should  be 
treated  to  rich  ground  and  good  culture,  for 
the  best  results,  not  but  what  if  they  must 
suffer  hardship  they  will  bear  up  under  it  as 
well  as  any  Rose.  A  good  coat  of  stable 
manure  applied  over  the  roots  in  early  fall, 
for  having  the  substance  wash  into  the  soil 
through  the  winter,  is  a  good  course.  To  set 
the  plants  in  beds  of  rich  soil,  and  keep  them 


Screen   of    Hardy 
Roses. 

This  may  1  le  made  to  divide 
different  parts  of  the  grounds, 
as  for  instance  the  ornamental 
lawn  from  the  kitchen  or  fruit 
garden.  It  should  be  planted 
only  with  the  hardiest  kinds 
of  Roses,  as  a  safeguard  against 
breaks  occurring  through 
some  plants  d3'ing  out.  Such 
varieties  as  the  Madam  Plan- 
tier,  the  Hundred-leafed  Rose, 
the  Sweet-briar,  and  with  sup- 
ports the  Prairie  Roses,  would  be  excellent 
for  the  purpose.  Among  hybrid  perpetuals 
we  would  recommend  such  strong  growers 
as  La  Reine,  John  Hopper.  Antoine  Monten, 
and  so  on.  In  the  South  the  well-known 
Cherokee  Rose  should  of  course  be  one  of 
the  first  to  be  choosen;  it  is  a  species  that 
is  not  enough  appreciated. 

Aside  from  the  peculiar  beauty  of  a  fine 
and  thrifty  line  of  Roses,  planted  as  a  screen 
or  hedge,  there  would  be  some  advantage  in 
this  arrangement,  through  giving  ready  ac- 
cess to  the  plants  in  caring  for  them.  For 
example,  when  insects  would  appear,  they 
could  much  more  easily  be  dealt  with  than 
if  the  plants  were  arranged  in  large  masses. 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


99 


In  such  a  case  one  could  readily  pass  along 
each  side  of  the  row,  applying  needed  rem- 
edies with  good  effects 

While  the  plants  of  such  a  screen  are 
young  it  would  at  least  be  well  to  keep  the 
soil  ou  each  side  of  the  line  thoroughly  cul- 
tivated. Later  on,  the  grass  might  be  allowed 
to  extend  up  to  and  under  the  bushes,  as 
shown  in  our  engraving. 


insects  which  Trouble  Roses. 

These,  as  Mr.  EUwanger  has  said,  are  the 

bugbears  which  prevent  many  from  culti- 
vating the  Queen  of  Flowers,  but  tlie}'  offer 
little  discouragement  to  loyal  subjects  ;  gen- 
erally it  is  only  the  careless  and  indolent 
who  greatly  suffer  from  the  pests.  If  proper 
attention  is  paid  to  soil,  planting,  watering, 
etc.,  and  a  few  simple  directions  heeded, 
you  will  not  often  be  much  troubled.  To 
be  forewarned  is  to  before  armed;  hence,  we 
will  here  treat  briefly  upon  the  various  kinds. 

One  of  the  earliest  enemies  to  be  met  will 
have  put  in  its  appearance  before  tliis  time 
in  most  places.  We  refer  to  the  Rose  Cater- 
pillar, which  appears  with  the  coming  of 
the  leaves,  and  makes  its  shelter  by  bringing 
together  several  leaves,  attaching  them  with 
glue.  Its  house  easily  leads  to  its  discovery, 
and  at  the  first  sight  of  the  former,  the 
worm  should  be  crushed  in  it.  A  daily 
lookout  must  for  a  while  be  kept  against 
their  appearance  and  increase. 

Late  in  Maj',  and  up  until  some  time  in 
June,  Rose  Saw-tiies  present  themselves,  if 
at  all.  They  are  small,  shining,  black  insects, 
hardly  over  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  length, 
and  may  be  met  on  the  under  side  of  the 
leaves,  or  flying  aroimd  the  plants.  These 
cause  a  great  deal  of  the  Rose-grower's 
trouble,  not  so  much  directly  (although  they 
disfigure  and  feed  on  the  leaves)  as  by  their 
laying  the  eggs  which  develope  into  Rose 
Slugs.     The  latter  are  pale-green  jelly-like 


A  SCREEN  OF   HARDY  FREE-GROWING   ROSES. 

tormenters,  that  throughout  June  may  cause 
great  havoc  with  the  leaves,  turning  them 
brown,  as  if  the}'  had  been  .scorched. 

Immediatel}'  this  slug  makes  an  appear- 
ance, meet  it  by  .sprinkling  the  leaves  when 
they  are  in  a  moist  state  from  dew  or  the 
water-can,  with  powdered  White  Hellebore. 
This  will  poison  and  destroy  them.  Repeat 
the  application  if  necessary. 

The  Rose  Bug,  or  Rose  Chafer,  is  another 
frequent  aunoyer.  It  is  a  small  grayisli  in- 
sect about  half  an  inch  long,  and  having  a 
slender  body.  It  appears  usually  about  the 
middle  of  this  month,  and  feeds  mainly  on 
the  opening  buds  and  flowers  We  know  of 
no  remedy  but  hand  picking,  or  brushing 
them  into  vessels  of  water  and  then  destroy- 
ing. The  best  time  for  this  is  early  in  the 
morning,  the  insects  then  being  less  active. 

In  hot  and  dry  seasons  the  minute  Red 
Spider  often  troubles  Roses.  Moisture  it 
cannot  tolerate  ;  hence  to  sprinkle  the  af- 
fected plants  frequent!}',  and  particularly  to 
syringe  the  under  side  of  the  leaves,  can 
be  relied  upon  to  destroy  it. 

That  common  insect  the  Green  Fly  or 
Aphis,  does  not  often  trouble  outdoor  Roses 
seriously,  and  yet  it  may  sometimes  be  found 
abundent  enough  to  need  attention.  As  it 
usually  attacks  the  end  growth  of  shoots, 
these  may  be  bent  over  into  a  pail  of 
Tobacco  or  Quassia  water,  which  will  kill 
them  with  but  little  labor. 

From  the  West  it  is  reported  that  the 
Thrip  is  quite  destructive  to  Roses  in  some 
places.  This  is  a  small  black  or  brown  hop- 
ping insect  that  is  active  on  the  leaves.  A 
solution  of  whale-oil  soap,  made  at  the  rate 
of  one  pound  of  soap  to  eight  gallons  of 
water,  is  sijoken  of  as  a  sullicient  rented}'. 

At  the  sight  of  any  insects,  in  alarming 
numbers,  on  Ro.ses,  let  vigorous  steps  at  once 
be  taken  to  overcome  them.  A  little  per- 
severance at  the  start  will  work  wonders, 
and  leave  you,  often  easily  enougli,  master 


of  the  situation  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  the 
flowers  you  liave  cherished 

Notes  on  the  May  Number. 

BY   WM.    FALCONER,    GLEN    COVE,  N.  Y. 

Single  Dahlias  grow  from  seed  as  freely 
as  do  Zinnias.  Sown  in  April  they  begin  to 
blossom  in  June  or  July. 

The  Japanese  Zebra  Grass  is  %vith  me  the 
best  and  strongest  growing  of  its  race,  even 
more  vigorous  than  the  plain  gj-een-leaved 
typical  form. 

Canna  Ehemanni  is  the  grandest  of  all 
Cannas  so  far  as  I  know  them.  Noble  in  foli- 
age, robust  in  growth,  and  free  and  beautiful 
in  bloom.  But  its  roots  are  more  apt  to  rot  in 
winter  than  are  those  of  the  commoner  kinds. 

Rhododendrons.  I  don't  protect  ours  over- 
heafl,  but  I  mulch  among  them  so  heavily  with 
dry  oak  leaves  in  fall  as  to  exclude  frost  from 
the  ground  and  their  roots.  Their  heads  shiver 
in  the  breath  of  zero,  but  their  roots  know  no 
frost,  and  not  a  limb  is  dead! 

Horse-radish.  I  don't  like  the  httle  sets 
put  in  a  foot  deep,  p.  99.  I  use  stout,  clean 
roots  ten  inches  long  and  dibbled  deep  enough 
to  be  three  or  four  inches  below  the  surface  of 
the  gi'ound.  These  yield  me  large,  solid,  clean 
sticks  next  fall.     I  never  keep  it  two  years. 

Gold-fish.  The  Gold-fish  story,  p.  91,  re- 
minds me  of  my  first  attempt  at  pis<-iculture. 
I  got  a  roomy  gla.ss  aquarium  and  several  Gold- 
fish. I  used  well  water  and  changed  it  daily  but 
my  fishes  didn't  thrive,  and  one  after  the  other, 
several  of  them  died.  Upon  advice  I  stopped 
using  the  well  water  and  used  rain  or  pond 
water  instead.  From  that  time  on  I  had  no 
further  trouble,  the  fishes  thrived  splendidly. 

Catalpas.  Some  think  old  trees  are  hand- 
some. In  summer  when  in  bloom  they  may  be, 
but  as  a  gaixlen  tree,  apart  from  its  flowers,  I 
don't  know  of  a  dirtier  tree  under  the  sun  than 
the  Catalpa.  From  fall  till  next  summei-  its 
pods  keep  dropping  and  littering  up  the  place 
in  the  most  aggravating  way. 

Scarlet  SA<iK.  Sow  some  seed  alx)ut  the 
first  of  June,  set  out  the  plants  in  i-ich,  good 
ground,  and  next  October  these  late  seedlings 


lOO 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


June, 


will  probably  eclipse  in  healthy  appearance  and 
brilUancy  any  spring-raised  .Salvia, 

SOME  INQUIRIES  ANSWERED. 

63.  Calceolarias.  Sow  in  June  or  July. 
Prick  off,  pot  and  repot  as  required.  Use  rich 
open  soil.  Do  not  stint  water.  Keep  as  cool 
as  possible  in  summer  and  in  an  air}'  place,  but 
shade  from  sunshine.  Mulcli  about  the  plants 
with  tobacco  stems  to  repel  aphides  which  are 
extremely  pai-tial  to  Calceolarias.  They  bloom 
from.Febmary  to  May,  but  are  in  their  heyday 
in  April.    I  gi'o w  some  2.50  plants  of  them. 

59.  Pond.  Plant,  do  not  sow.  Yellow  to 
purple  Flags,  Bull-rashes 
and  the  like,  although 
pretty  enough  in  spring 
and  early  summer  get 
unsightly  before  fall. 
Why  not  plant  it  with 
Winterberry  (Pr  i  n  o s), 
Swamp  Azaleas,  Button 
Bush,  Clethras,  Willows 
and  the  many  other  be- 
coming trees  and  shrubs 
that  might  thrive  in 
such  a  place?  You  could 
then  introduce  among 
them  Sarracenias,  Lilies, 
Ferns,  "Cowslips,"  and  a 
host  of  such  like  flowers. 

00.  Violets.  In  sum- 
mer plant  them  in  a  cool, 
somewhat  moist  or  par- 
tially  shaded  spot; 
against  the  north  side  of 
a  close  fence  or  building 
is  a  good  place.  In  fall 
protect  them  with  a 
frame  where  they  are,or 
lift  and  transfer  them  to 
a  frame  or  elsewhere,  in 
a  warm  sunny  aspect 
where  they  may  be  pro- 
tected. They  will  beai-  a 
deal  of  frost  with  im- 
punity, but  frost  doesn't 
do  them  any  good. 

63.  Fernery.  Better 
begin  with  plants  and  let 
' '  seeds  "  alone.  Glass 
cases  are  often  more  or- 
namental than  useful. 
During  the  winter  a 
moister,  and  for  Ferns, 
a  more  genial  atmos- 
phere can  be  maintained 
in  a  glass  ease  than  in 
the  open  room.  Have 
nice,  well-rooted,  small 
plants,  drain  the  case 
well,  use  open  soil  and 
not  much  of  it,  i^lant  in 
August,  don't  shut  the 
case  till  November  or  December,  and  don't 
drown  the  plants  or  render  the  earth  pasty ; 
shade  from  sunshine. 

06.  Angle  Worms.  As  for  the  open  garden 
opinions  differ,  but  in  pots  worms  are  injurious. 

67.  English  Ivy.  Gas,  dried  to  death,  or 
injury  to  the  roots  might  defoliate  your  Ivy. 
.Not  knowing  what  caused  the  leaves  to  fall  off, 
I  cannot  suggest  how  to  restore  them. 

68.  Ants.  That  depends  upon  what  species 
of  ant  it  is.  The  most  destructive  ant  in  Texas 
is,  I  believe,  the  cut-leaf  ant,  and  it  is  extremely 
destructive.  Sulphur  fumes  injected  into  the 
holes  in  their  ' '  towns  "  destroys  them.  I  have 
also  used  cyanide  of  potassium  dissolved  in 
water,  I  would  pour  a  little  of  it  into  the  ant 
holes  morning  and  evening.  The  fumes  killed 
all  the  ants  that  passed  for  a  little  while. 

73.  Bulbs.  I  don't  think  you  can  grow 
them  along  as  perennials  in  Key  West,  but 
you  can  get  fresh  bulbs  from  Holland  and 
bloom  them  the  first  season  all  right.  But  ob- 
serve to  plant  them  in  the  coolest  and  shadiest 
part  of  the  garden,  and,  say  not  before  October. 


Mulch  the  ground  over  them  as  soon  as  planted. 
Where  are  your  Amaryllises,  Pancratiums, 
Tuberoses,  Crinums  and  the  like  so  peculiarly 
fitted  for  favored  noolcs  in  your  garden. 


About  Montbretias. 

Within  a  few  years  these  flowers,  which  for 
a  long  time  occupied  an  unimportant  place  on 
the  lists,  have  advanced  to  a  more  conspic- 
uous position.  Now  they  seem  destined  to 
become  very  popular,  possessing  as  they  do  the 
good  traits  of  being  handsome  and  as  easily 
grown  as  Gladiolus  or  Tigridia. 


MONTBRETIA  FLOWERS 


It  was  near  the  beginning  of  the  present 
century  when  the  fu-st  Montbretia  was  intro- 
duced into  European  gai-dens  from  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope.  For  a  long  time  the  flowers  at- 
tracted but  little  attention,  although  the  first 
sort  introduced  was  soon  followed  by  others, 
differing  but  little  from  their  predecessor.  The 
reason  for  this  was,  that  the  fiowers  of  the  early 
kinds  were  not  of  a  character  to  fascinate 
flower  lovers  greatly.  The  colors  were  yellow, 
in  different  shades. 

But  within  the  last  ten  years  a  new  species  of 
these  plants  was  discovered  in  Southern  Africa, 
which  was  so  great  an  improvement  on  its 
forerunners  as  to  at  once  draw  fresh  attention 
to  the  class.  This  species  was  given  the  name 
of  Pott's  Montbretia  (M.  Pottsii).  Instead  of 
having  yellow  flowers  like  the  former  sorts, 
it  produced  flowers  of  a  bright  orange  red,  and 
on  free-growing  Gladiolus-like  plants,  qualities 
which  at  once  promised  well  for  giving  the 
plant  a  position  among  populai'  flowers.  This 
one,  like  all  the  Montbretias,  is  bulbous,  and  in 
culture  is  found  to  be  vigorous,  healthy  and 


very  productive  of  bloom,  both  when  gi'owu  as 
a  bedding  plant  and  in  pot  culture. 

Soon  after  the  introduction  of  this  last  named 
Montbretia,  steps  were  taken  to  develop  im- 
provements in  these  flowers,  and  not  without 
good  results.  One  advance  made  was  the  pro- 
duction of  a  beautiful  hybrid,  between  Munt- 
hrctia  Piitfsii  and  the  nearly  allied  Crocosmia 
auiva.  This  is  known  as  Montbretia  crocos- 
miieflora  and  is  now,  along  with  other  Montbre- 
tias, being  offered  in  a  number  of  catalogues. 

One  good  thing  to  be  said  in  favor  of  these 
recent  sorts,  is  that  they  not  only  grow  and 
flower  with  ease,  but  they  increase  rapidly  un- 
der ordinary  culture, 
hence  the  bulbs  are  al- 
leady  nuinerous  enough 
in  the  hands  of  growers 
to  permit  of  their  being 
sold  cheaply.  We  see 
them  offered  as  low  as  35 
cents  each  in  some  lists. 
Among  American 
florists  who  have  given 
considerable  attention  to 
the  Montbretias,  are 
Messrs.  Hill  &  Co.,  of 
Richmond,  Indiana.  In 
their  catalogue  of  Roses 
and  other  plants  re- 
cently published,  they 
describe  and  offer  a 
number  of  different  sorts 
of  these.  It  is  to  these 
geutlemen  that  we 
are  indebted  for  the 
splendid  engraving  of 
Montbretias  which  ap- 
jjears herewith,  it  having 
first  appeai'ed  in  their 
catalogue  refen'ed  to. 

We  think  we  camiot 
do  better  in  this  connec- 
tion than  to  make  an 
extract  from  the  cata- 
logue of  Messrs.  Hill  & 
Co, ,  bearing  upon  these 
plants  and  their  cultiu'e, 
which  we  do  as  follows: 

A  most  beautiful  new 
class  of  bulbous  plants, 
resembling  mi  nature 
Gladiolus  in  foliage  and 
form  of  flower.  They 
tlu'ow  up  numerous 
flower  spikes  from  a 
single  bulb.  The  spikes 
often  attain  a  height  of 
13  to  34  inches,  with 
numerous  lateral  stems 
completely  covered  with 
flowers.  Whilst  they 
somewhat  resemble 
Gladiolus,  they  are  not 
unlike  some  Orchids  in  their  formation  and  in 
the  manner  of  their  flowering. 

The  Montbretias  are  destined  to  become  pop- 
ular, from  the  ease  with  which  they  are  culti- 
vated. They  succeed  admirably  planted  in  the 
open  ground,  like  other  bulbs,  and  can  be  win- 
tered in  any  place  free  from  frost  and  excessive 
damp.  One  of  the  finest  plants  we  ever  grew 
in  a  pot  was  M.  cruco.si}tia'Jfura:  it  furnished 
hundreds  of  flowers  on  its  numerous  spikes,  and 
the  whole  plant,  both  foliage  and  flower  stems, 
ratliated  like  an  immense  fan. 


Dish  Water  and  Plants. 

Washing  dishes  is  very  wearing  to  the  soul, 
coming  three  times  a  day,  three  hundred  and 
sixty-five  days  in  the  year,  but  it  lightens  the 
burden,  at  least  to  plant  lovers,  to  see  the  good 
the  dish  water  may  do  in  the  gai'den. 

I  do  not  mean  an  indiscriminate  pouring  out 
of  slops  close  to  the  house,  health  and  neatness 
forbid,  but  a  systematic  applying  of  these  day 
by  day  so  that  the  plants  or  trees  are  treated 
to  a  dose  about  once  a  week,  through  the  season. 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


lOI 


Put  in  the  coffee  and  tea  grounds  and  even 
the  scrapings  from  the  sink.  Begin  with  the 
Rose  bushes,  you  will  be  astonished  at  the  new 
growth,  and  on  these  come  the  flowers  next 
year.  My  Scarlet  Geramiums  were  admired 
for  their  rich  colors  and  abundant  bloom,  the 
more  we  picked,  the  more  they  blossomed,  and 
this  bed  receiveii  a  liberal  portion  of  the  dish 
water  once  a  week.  A  poor  miserable  apple 
tree  that  had  never  had  a  blossom,  after  one 
summer's  treatment,  bore  a  considerable  nuin- 
lier,  and  bids  fair  next  j-ear  to  have  a  large 
crop.  But  my  Scarlet  Runners  surprised  me, 
planteil  near  an  ugly  looking  old  shed,  they 
covered  it  with  such  a  mass  of  rich  red  coloring 
that  the  old  shed,  always  an  eye  sore,  became  a 
thing  of  beauty.  To  be  sure  they  were 
"nothing  but  beans,"  but  the  flowers  were  so 
perfect  in  form  and  coloring  that  they  were 
well  worth  cultivating,  especially  as  this  result 
was  brought  about  by  applying  the  simple  and 
ready  stimulant,  dish  water. 

"  Sister  Gracious." 


Rural   Adornment. 

The  adornment  of  rural  homes  should  be 
considered  a  necessity  rather  than  a  luxury. 
As  the  country  becomes  older  and  natural 
wind-breaks  are  destroyed,  it  is  imperative  that 
we  plant  for  protection. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  the  lieauty  of 
a  home  does  not  dejiend  so  much  upon  the 
number  and  variety  of  species  of  plants  as  upon 
the  taste  of  the  planter.  The  elements  of  at- 
traction in  landscape  gardening  are  compara- 
tively few  and  simple.  A  tasty  and  thoughtful 
disposition  of  a  half  dozen  kinds  of  ordinary 
trees  and  shrubs  is  far  preferable  to  a  thought- 
less mixing  of  twenty  rare  and  more  beautiful 
kinds. 

So  far  as  practicable  trees,  and  shrubs  should 
be  planted  in  groups,  especially  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  house.  In  this  way  a  greater 
variety  is  secured.  These  groups  should  be  so 
disposed  as  to  hide  from  the  common  points  of 
view,  especiall}'  from  the  windows  of  the  resi- 
dence, all  undesiiable  objects  and  to  afford 
glimpses  of  all  attractive  objects  and  landscapes. 
It  is  a  serious  mistake  to  pack  the  front  yard 
full  of  bushes  and  flowers. 

As  over  half  oui'  year  is  practically  winter,  it 
is  important  that  we  should  plant  for  winter 
efifect  as  much  as  for  summer  effect.  It  is  sur- 
prising that  so  few  people  see  any  attraction  in 
leafless  trees.  The  aspects  of  deciduous  trees 
in  winter  are  singular  and  characteristic  for 
each  species.  When  one  begins  to  study  them 
he  soon  comes  to  appreciate  their  importance 
in  winter  landscapes. 

Among  deciduous  trees  I  like  best  the  winter 
aspect  of  the  Pepperidge  or  Sour  Gum,  Nyssa 
mnltiflora.  The  peculiar  tortuous  short  hori- 
zontal branches  designate  the  tree  from  its 
companions.  The  Beach,  when  grown  singly, 
approaches  the  Pepperidge  in  character,  but 
never  equals  it. 

The  second  best  tree  for  winter  effect  is  prob- 
ably the  swamp  White  Oak,  Quercus  bieolov. 
Then  foUow  the  Burr  Oak,  White  Oak,  especi- 
ally slow-growing  specimens.  Beach,  the  exotic 
Weeping  White  Birch,  Buttouwood,  and  finally 
the  more  symmetrical  and  straighter  limbed 
trees,  as  Maples  and  Elms.  I  think  it  is  desir- 
able to  plant  with  reference  to  the  winter  as- 
pects of  deciduous  trees  and  shrubs. 

The  evergreens  must  comprise  the  chief 
attractions  of  winter  landscapes,  however. — 
Professor  Bailey, in  Mich.  Ayr. College  Bulletin. 

A    Hundred   White   Grubs   Killed  at  a 
Blow. 

A  single  female  May-beetle  lays  from  one  to 
two  hundred  eggs  in  the  soil  during  May  or 
June.  In  two  weeks  these  hatch  into  little 
white  grubs,  which  continue  to  increase  in  size 
and  live  for  three,  if  not  more,  seasons,  prov- 
ing very  destructive  to  the  roots  of  plants. 

It  is  impossible  to  compute  the  damage  done 
by  the  progeny  of  one  beetle  during  the  years 


they  exist  in  the  giub  state.  Anj-one  who 
is  acquainted  with  its  general  destructive- 
ness,  however,  should  see  the  importance  of 
spai'iug  no  pains  to  kill  as  many  beetles  during 
the  season  as  is  possible.  It  would  pay  to  en- 
courage the  childern  to  destroy  them  by  laying 


Pruning  the  canes  either  in  the  fall,  after  the 
leaves  have  drop])ed,  or  early  spiing  is  impor- 
tant; very  few  cut  with  sufticieut  freedom. 
Not  oidy  should  the  canes  Ik-  cut  back  to  one- 
half  their  length  on  an  average,  but  one-half 
or  more  of  the  laterals  should  also  come  away. 


a  premium  on  ever}'  dead  body  they 
could  produce,  sa}-  half  a  cent  for  each. 
For  killing  this  pe.st,  both  in  its 
beetle  and  larva  states,  the  crow's  and 
robin's  help  should  be  counted  valua- 
ble. Skunks  also  destroy  great  num- 
bers of  them,  and  on  this  account 
might  be  better  thought  of.  Hens  and 
turkeys  will  do  good  work  on  the  grubs 
if  given  a  chance  when  the  land  is  tilled. 


The  Red  Raspberry. 

This  fruit  is  held  in  high  esteem 
everywhere.  Not  only  is  it  one  of  the 
most  refreshing  and  agreeable  subacid 
fruits  to  be  eaten  in  a  fresh  state,  but 
its  use  in  making  jams,  jellies,  etc. ,  in 
the  family;  and  on  a  larger  scale  by  confec- 
tioners in  making  syrups,  as  well  as  in  numer- 
ous other  ways,  is  very  wide. 

The  Raspberrv,  like  the  Strawberry,  which 
it  follows  quickly  in  early  summer,  commands 
the  attention  of  those  who  scarcely  have  room 
for  fruit  trees.  Another  advantage  it  possesses, 
is  that  of  coming  early  into  fruit.  A  planta- 
tion of  Raspberries  will  be  in  perfection  at  the 
third  year  from  planting.  Allowed  then  to 
bear  for  about  six  yeais,  it  must  be  broken  up 
and  a  new  one  formed  on  another  plat  of  land. 

Not  all  soils  are  alike  suited  to  the  Red  Rasp- 
berry, a  rich,  moist,  light  loam  being  the 
best.  Where  but  a  small  plantation  is  grown, 
as  for  familj'  use,  if  it  is  made  in  partial  shade, 
the  results  will  be  more  satisfactory.  This  is  a 
strong  point  in  favor  of  the  Raspberrj-  for  the 
many  small  places,  where  shade  is  so  abundant 
as  to  prevent  the  culture  of  Strawberries. 

In  planting  this  fruit,  a  good  distance  ajmrt 
is  four  feet  by  three  feet,  jjutting  two  plants 
in  each  hill.  Loving  moisture  as  it  does,  to 
mulch  the  ground  heavil}'  w*ith  lawn  rakings, 
salt  haj'  or  other  material  around  each  hill 
is  a  good  course  for  summer  treatment.  This 
should  be  heavy  enough  to  keep  down  the 
weeds  underneath.  Scrupuously  clean  culture 
should  be  observed  between  the  patches  of 
mulching.  All  suckers,  excepting  about  four 
close  to  each  hill, should  also  be  treated  as  weeds. 

The  bearing  canes  of  the  Raspberry  should 
early  in  the  season  be  secm-ed  to  stakes  by  tie- 
ing.  The  canes  it  may  lie  said  are  biennial; 
those  formed  in  one  sea.son  beai'ing  the  next, 
after  which  they  die.  Aftei'  the  fruiting  sea- 
son, therefore,  the  old  wood  shouhl  be  cleaned 
out  to  give  the  new  gi'owth  a  full  chance. 
Still  some  gi-owers  defer  this  until  spring,  claim- 
ing that  the  old  wood  serves  to  protect  the  new 
canes  during  winter. 

At  the  approach  of  winter,  the  t«'nder  varie- 
ties should  be  laid  down  and  covered  with 
earth;  a  few  inches  of  covering  being  enough, 
and  this  must  come  away  in  the  spring. 


THE  HANSELL  RASPBERRY. 

Then  the  fruit  will  be  both  larger  and  better. 
The  accompanying  engraving  is  of  the  Han- 
sell  variety,  which  is  one  of  theliest  for  general 
planting,  succeeding,  as  it  does,  over  a  wide 
range  of  countrj'.  It  is  especially  valuable  for 
its  earliness,  fine  color,  and  the  haj-diness  of 
the  plants,  together  with  their  marked  ability 
to  endure  the  hot  sun  of  our  summers  well. 


To  Prevent  'Whiffletrees  Barking  Young  Trees. 
A  protector  may  be  made  uf  a  strip  of  heavy  harness 
leather  eight  inches  at  one  end,  tapering  to  four 
inches  wide  at  the  other,  and  about  a  foot  and  a 
half  long.  This  should  be  folded  once  lengthwise, 
with  the  crease  in  the  center,  and  a  line  of  strong 
stitches  run  across  the  widest  end  near  the  edge, 
uniting  the  halves,  to  make  a  kind  of  open  boot. 
This  stitched  end  is  to  be  placed  over  the  end  of  the 
whitHetree,  and  the  tapering  end  carried  forward 
and  fa,stened  to  the  tug  by  tyuig.  We  get  this  idea 
from  the  .-iuriculturist. 

■White  Strawberry  Rust.  So  tar  as  known  the 
only  remedy  for  this,  likely  to  result  in  good,  is 
lightly  dusting  the  plants  with  lime,  once  soon  after 
the  plants  start,  and  continue,  with  intervals  of 
two  or  three  weeks,  until  the  fruit  is  nearly  ma- 
tured. The  presence  of  this  fungus  is  readily  per- 
ceived by  the  rusty  ai)pearance  of  the  leaves. 
When  the  berry  is  alfected  it  is  shown  l>y  its  lacing 
dry,  seedy  and  poorly  developed.  For  the  black 
rust  there  seems  to  be  no  remedy,  though  it  is  not 
very  common,  except  in  certain  localities. 

Killing  Insects.  A  bright  light  at  night  is  at- 
tractive to  moths  and  many  other  insects.  By  build- 
ing a  fire  in  the  orchard  great  nmubers  will  lie  con- 
sumed. A  good  device  is  to  set  a  lantern  in  a  basin 
of  water  with  a  little  kerosene  added;  the  insects. 
Hying  against  the  glass,  will  fall  into  the  liquid  and 
drown. 

A  Hulch  several  inches  in  thickness  of  short 
manure  or  similar  material,  on  the  surface  around 
spring-planted  trees  will  help  them  more  than  any- 
thing else  against  drouth. 

The  doctor  will  not  call  so  often  it  he  sees  that 
you  grow  plenty  of  good  fruit  and  vegetables. 

Small  fruits  can  be  raised  while  one  is  waiting 
for  trees  to  come  into  bearing. 

Bobins  never  eat  gi'ain. 


102 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


June, 


^^f^fS:^^-'^^^ 


^^Bl    o 


P  N^C  I 


ES 


Ode  to  the  Rose. 

Rose  1  thou  art  the  sweetest  flower 
That  ever  drank  the  amber  shower; 
Kose !  thou  art  the  fondest  child 
Of  dimpled  Spring,  the  wood-nj-mph  wild ! 
Then  bring  me  showers  of  Roses,  bring, 
And  shed  them  round  me  while  1  sing. 

— i^-ojH  Anacreon. 


A  Dispute  In  the  Garden. 

The  Pansy  and  Wild  Violet  here, 

As  seeming  to  ascend 
Both  from  one  root^a  very  pair— 

For  sweetness  do  contend: 
And  pointing  to  a  Pink  to  tell 

Which  bears  it,  it  is  loth 
To  judge  between;  but  says  for  smell 

It  does  excel  them  both. 
Wherewith  displeased  they  hang  their  heads. 

So  angry  soon  they  grow. 
And  from  their  odoriferous  buds 

Their  sweets  at  it  they  throw. 

— Drayton. 


Who  says  Roses  are  dear? 
Wild  flowers  are  popular  tor  wearing. 
Greenhouse  Rose  buds  are  getting  flabby. 
The  monthly  Rose  signifies  beauty,  ever  new. 
Lettering   on   floral    designs   should    never   be 
crowded. 

The  florists  "comer"  on  Lily  of  the  Valley  has 
of  late  been  completely  broken. 

It  seems  paradoxical  that  florists  have  more 
trouble  to  get  the  choicer  kinds  of  flowers  during 
the  summer  season  than  in  the  winter,  but  such  is 
the  fact. 

A  loose  vase  bouquet  composed  of  two  common 
June  flowers,  the  Day-lily  of  the  gardens  and  clus- 
tered Solomon's  Seal  of  the  Wood,  is  matchless  for 
simple  beauty. 

Enjoy  the  gorgeous  Jacqueminot  ("  Jack")  buds 
while  you  may.  The  florists  will  sell  you  a  dozen 
plump  fellows  now,  for  the  price  they  asked  tor  a 
single  one  in  January. 

A  golden  floral  ring  was  made  last  week  for  a 
golden  wedding  The  flowers  were  Marechal  Niel 
buds,  and  these  were  bound  into  a  ring  with  gilt 
wire,  using  a  metallic  circle  enwrapt  in  gold-colored 
satin  ribbon  for  giving  it  a  perfect  shape. 

A  Floral  Cent.  A  floral  design  recently  prepared 
in  New  York  as  a  memorial,  represented  a  Wash- 
ington cent  of  1783  and  was  placed  on  an  easel.  It 
was  a  charming  bit  of  work  and  excited  the  great- 
est applause.  Attached  to  it  was  a  silk -plush  book, 
inside  of  which  were  the  face  of  a  typical  American 
girl  and  a  fac-simile  of  the  Wa.shington  cent  of  1783. 
Do  those  who  use  the  elegant  crescent  as  a 
funeral  design  always  bear  in  mind  the  significance 
of  the  way  it  is  laid  down?  Fu-st  of  all,  it  should 
only  be  considered  suitable  for  young  persons  and 
old  persons,  not  the  middle  aged.  In  case  of  the 
former,  the  points  should  turn  to  the  left,  like  those 
of  the  new  moon ;  in  the  latter,  to  the  right,  as  in 
the  old  moon. 

The  eating  of  flowers  is  a  nineteenth  century 
reality.  CrystaUized  Violets  at  $tj  a  pound  are  the 
very  latest  things  in  confectionery.  Candied  Rose- 
leaves  are  also  very  popular.  Girls  like  to  eat  flowers 
and  will  pay  as  high  as  $10  a  pound  for  some  of 
the  more  expensive  kinds.  They  are  all  brought 
from  France;  but,  with  the  growth  of  favor  tor 
things  American,  we  shall  doubtless  soon  see  a 
beginning  of  the  flower-candying  industry  in  this 
country  and  the  girls  will  begin  to  munch  crys- 
tallized Pumpkin  Blossoms  and  Johnny -jump-ups. 
— Boston  Record. 

A  Bridal  Dinner  was  recently  given  in  this  city 
which  presented  some  unique  features.  The  table 
was  a  harmony  in  white  and  was,  perhaps,  the  most 
poetic  and  complete  in  its  appointments  of  any  ever 
known  in  our  dinner-giving  society.  The  center- 
piece, crowning  the  snowy  damask,  which  was 
sprinkled  with  diamond  dust,  was  a  mass  of  the 
bride's  favorite  flowers— Lihes  of  the  Vall»y.  Over 
this  parterre^  pendant  from  the  smilax-wreathed 
chandeliers,  was  a  marriage  bell  of  Maiden  Hah- 
Ferns,  with  a  white  clapper  of  Marguerites.  A  bell- 
rope  of  blood  satin  ribbon  was  swung  from  it  across 
to  the  bride's  place.    Soft  white  tapers  burned  in 


the  silver  candelabras,  which  flanked  the  center- 
piece and  rested  on  mats  of  white  satin,  fringed 
with  Smilax.  Each  guest's  place  was  indicated  by 
a  white  satin  ribbon  bearing  the  initials  of  the  bride 
and  bridegroom  and  a  card  on  which  was  inscribed 
an  appropriate  motto.  Corsage  bouquets  and 
boutonnieres  of  Lilies  of  the  Valley  were  also  at 
each  place.  Everyone  read  aloud  the  motto  on  his 
card  at  the  beginning  of  the  dinner.  Over  the  mirror 
behind  the  hostess  was  the  legend: 

Let  those  love  now 

Who  never  loved  before : 
Let  those  who  always  loved 

Now  love  the  more. 

The  guests  were  the  bridal  party,  maids,  ushers 
and  best  man ;  the  women,  including  the  hostess, 
were  attired  in  white,the  bride  in  her  wedding  robes, 
and  the  young  girls  in  their  bridesmaids'  gowns. 

Botanical  0)\id^et 

The  Sweet-briar  Rose  is  an  European. 
The  Meadows  are  gilt-edged  with  Buttercups. 
Mushrooms  have  been  known  to  raise  a  paving- 
stone  from  the  pavement,  weighing  eight  pounds. 

Compensation.  The  Roses  of  the  North  are 
sweeter  than  the  same  kinds  in  warmer  climates. 

Of  the  various  Roses  which  grow  wUd  through- 
out the  United  States,  perhaps  not  more  than  six 
are  natives. 

Flowers  Exported  for  Their  Sugar.  The  Ma- 
luva  tree  of  Central  India  (Bassia  latifolia)  bears 
flowers  which  are  now  being  exported  to  Europe 
for  their  sugar,  of  which,  it  is  said,  they  contain 
more  than  half  their  weight.  The  tree  resembles 
the  Oak,  and  a  single  specimen  sometimes  bears  a 
ton  of  flowers.— Boston  Budget. 

According  to  a  report  of  the  Montreal  Botanic 
Garden,  there  are  197  known  botanic  gardens. 
Germany  has  34,  Italy  23,  France  20,  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland  12,  West  Indies  6,  United  States  ,5.  For 
our  country  to  possess  but  five  out  of  the  entire  197 
is  not  at  all  flattering  to  the  American  interest  in 
such  matters.  We  hope  to  see  a  great  improve- 
ment in  this  some  day. 

Orchids.  Not  all  of  these  belong  to  tropical 
countries.  Throughout  the  woods  and  meadows  of 
the  Noi-thern  States  we  have  numerous  species,  a 
few  of  which  rival  for  beauty,  if  not  for  freakish- 
ness,  many  of  those  sent  to  us  from  the  Tropics. 
When  once  a  young  botanist  discovere  and  care- 
fully examines  an  Orchid  he  wUl  be  able  ever  after- 
wards to  readily  class  in  their  right  order  any 
others  found.  A  leading  peculiarity  of  the  flower 
is  the  oonsohdation  of  the  stamens,  with  the  style. 
A  Minature  Wild  Garden.  There  is  a  grave  in 
Kensal  Green  Cemetery,  London,  the  little  garden 
belonging  to  which  is  planted  entirely  with  wild 
flowers,  so-called  weeds.  It  is  carefully  planted 
and  tended,  but  there  is  not  a  single  flower  in  it 
which  could  not  be  got  by  anyone  from  the  fields 
and  lanes  in  the  country.  It  is  the  grave  of  Cap- 
tain Mayne  Reid,  and  on  the  stone  are  these  words, 
from  one  of  his  own  books :  "  This  is  the  weed 
prairie.  It  is  misnamed  ;  it  is  the  garden  of  God." 
Winter  storms,  says  the  Botanical  Oazette,  often 
residt  in  an  enormous  destruction  of  buds.  Last 
winter,  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  during  a  wind  storm 
of  almost  unprecedented  severity  and  of  five  days 
duration,  the  snow  was  thickly  covered  with  buds 
switched  off  the  elm  trees  by  the  threshing 
branches.  These  fallen  buds  collected  under  the 
lee  of  walls  and  walks  in  piles.  The  number  lost 
from  each  good-sized  tree  must  have  been  in  the 
thousands,  yet  the  trees  seem  in  nowise  the  worse 
as  they  unfold  their  leaves  this  spring. 

Valuable  to  Botanists.  The  June  number  of 
that  valuable  journal,  the  Botanical  Gazette,  pub- 
lished at  Crawfordsville,  Ind.,  promises  to  be  of 
unusual  excellence,  according  to  an  announcement 
recently  made.  It  wiU  be  entirely  devoted  to  the 
subject  of  botanical  collecting  and  collections.  It 
will  contain  contributions  from  a  large  number  of 
the  best  known  specialists  of  the  country.  There 
will  also  be  a  description  of  the  Gray  herbarium,  of 
Harvard  University,  of  the  National  herbarium  at 
Washington,  and  of  the  present  condition  of  the 
herbaria  of  the  early  botanists  of  this  country. 

A  Good  Move.  Three  clever  young  women  in 
Detroit,  the  Misses  Farrand,  Harris  and  Lyon, 
school  teachers,  have  conceived  the  novel  idea  of 
accompanying  a  class  of  young  ladies  to  the  sea- 
side at  Annisquam  for  the  months  of  July  and 
August.  An  opportunity  for  studying  plants  and 
animals  will  be  offered  with  no  text-books,  the  in- 
tention being  to  foUow  Prof.  Agassiz's  methods  of 
out-door  study.  Mr.  Harlan  H.  Ballard,  President 
of  the  St.  Nicholas  Agassiz  Association,WLll  also  be  a 


member  of  the  party.  This  seems  to  us  an  ideal 
way  for  young  girls  to  pass  a  summer  vacation, 
and  far  more  beneficial  to  mind  and  body  than 
dancing  at  hotel  hops  The  importance  of  study- 
ing botany  and  other  natural  sciences,  is  being  re- 
cognized more  and  more  widely  in  educational  sys- 
tems and  is  gradually  taking  the  place  of  some  of 
the  dead  subjects. 

Growing  the  Cabbage  from  Slips.  "Were  it 
possible,"  says  Emmett  S.  Goff,  in  the  last  report 
of  the  New  York  Experimental  Station,  "  to  readUy 
propagate  the  Cabbage  from  sections  of  the  leaf  as 
florists  propagate  Begonia,  many  advantages 
would  appear.  During  the  past  two  seasons  we 
have  been  experimenting  in  this  direction.  We  have 
succeeded  in  growing  several  plants,  and  in  one 
instance  a  fine  head  of  Cabbage,  by  slipping  a  sec- 
tion of  a  leaf  from  a  Cabbage  head,  in  the  propa- 
gating bed  We  have  thus  demonstrated  the  possi- 
bility of  this  method  of  propagation.  Thus  far, 
however,  so  great  a  length  of  time  has  intervened 
between  the  rooting  of  the  slip  and  the  formation 
of  the  bud  as  to  render  the  method  impracticable 
for  economic  purposes  Whether  we  shall  be  able 
to  shorten  this  time  by  selecting  the  plants  that 
start  soonest,  through  a  numbers  of  generations,  is 
the  important  question. 


ABOUT  THE  PLACE. 

Bee-hives  require  summer  shade. 
Keep  the  cellar  clean  by  all  means . 
Whatever  you  build,  build  substantially. 
A  sagging  gate  tells  something  about  character. 
Thirty  dollars  spent  on  underdraining  an  acre, 
has  w-rought  an  increase  of  fourfold  in  the  crop. 

A  well  for  household  use  nearer  than  100  feet 
from  the  stable  or  stable  yard  is  really  dangerous. 
Mark  this  fact,  it  is  an  important  one  I 

No  crop  pays  better  for  thorough  weeding  than 
the  potato  crop,  yet  there  is  none  that  is  oftener 
slighted .     Be  thorough  from  the  start. 

Now,  at  the  beginning  of  the  season  when  seeds 
of  all  kinds  of  crops  mature,  decide  upon  one 
thing,  and  that  is,  to  select  of  the  very  best  for 
seed.  The  principle  of  the  survival  of  the  fittest, 
should  find  a  very  practical  application  wherever 
vegetables  and  grains  are  grown,  and  it  will  pay. 

Manure  From  a  Cow.  Every  cow  well  fed  and 
fairly  bedded  will  make  a  load  of  manure  every  two 
weeks,  worth  at  least  on  the  farm  $1  per  load.  But 
this  manure  will  not  be  worth  this  unless  the  cow 
has  abundance  of  nourishing  food.  On  the  farm  at 
least  half  the  exi^ense  of  keeping  a  cow  may  be 
charged  to  the  manure  heap,  and  with  this  help  it 
must  be  a  poor  cow  that  does  not  give  a  profit  to 
her  owner. — Ajn.  Cultivator. 

Durable 'Whitewash.  To  keep  the  fences  and 
out  buildings  painted  is  quite  exjiensive,  although 
no  one  questions  the  desirability  of  its  being  done, 
both  for  looks  and  the  preservation  of  the  wood. 
A  good  whitewash  is  a  cheap  and  effective  sub- 
stitute for  paint,  lasting  a  long  time,  if  rightly 
made.  Our  simple  recipe  for  making  a  wash  that 
will  not  rub  off,  and  which  is  alike  suitable  for  in- 
side or  outside  work,  is  to  slake  the  lime  in  salt 
water,  and  then  thin  with  skim  milk  until  fit  to  ap- 
ply. The  addition  of  some  cheap  mineral  paint 
may  be  employed  to  produce  pleasing  variations. 

Swarming.  For  those  who  keep  bees  for  honey, 
it  is  best  to  let  them  swarm  natm'ally,  leaving  arti- 
ficial swarming  to  experts.  A  watch  must  be 
kept  on  bright  days  for  swarming,  and  hives  be  in 
readiness.  A  cloth,  hke  a  sheet  or  table-spread, 
should  be  at  hand,  on  which  to  set  the  hive  to  be 
used  for  any  new  swarm.  Most  likely  the  swarm 
will  cluster  on  a  bush  or  the  limb  of  a  tree  near  by. 
If  this  should  be  of  a  size  that  can  be  sawed  off 
readily  without  damage,  it  should  be  done,  with 
great  care,  and  the  load  be  shaken  off  the  limb 
gently,  in  front  of  the  hive  entrance,  on  the  cloth. 
They  will  soon  find  the  way  into  the  hive,  running 
in  as  fast  as  they  can  go.  Never  shake  them  into 
the  top  of  the  hive,  as  this  is  unnatural  and  con- 
fusing to  the  bees.  Should  the  bees  light  on  a  large 
branch,  fence  post,  or  the  like,  that  cannot  be 
moved,  then  b]-ing  the  hive  near;  jar  or  brush  the 
bees  into  a  basket  and  quickly  empty  in  front  of 
the  hive,  on  the  cloth.  Some  will  get  back  to  the 
place  of  alighting,  and  these  must  be  returned  as 
described ;  should  any  further  persist  in  doing  so, 
by  smoking  them  they  will  soon  leave  and  find  the 
swarm.  It  is  well  always  to  smoke  the  s*arm 
somewhat  before  hiving.  Convey  the  new  swarm 
to  its  permanent  place  at  once  when  all  the  bees 
have  entered  the  hive.  Be  sure  to  shade  the  hive; 
if  not  done  the  sun  heat  may  drive  them  out.  To 
give  the  new  swarm  some  found.ation  or  comb,  is  to 
make  them  better  satisfied  and  leads  to  early  work. 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


103 


Treeclimber's  Talks. 

A  VEGETABLE  FLY-TRAP. 

Last  month  I  spoke  of  the  curious  Asiatic 
Pitcher  Plant,  alhiding  among  other  things  to 
the  fact  that  many  insects  lose  their  lives  by 
these,  through  drowning  in  the  half-tilled 
pitchers  of  water.  I  was  pleased  a  week  or 
more  ago,  to  receive  a  letter  from  Miss  Eleanor 
Griffin,  of  Knox  county,  Ohio,  referring  to 
my  talk  on  that  plant,  and  asking  whether  the 
Pitcher  Plant  is  not  also  known  as  Venus's  Fly- 
trap, of  which  she  has  heard. 
Instead  of  answering  her 
inquiry  by  letter  I  will  do 
so  here,  to  the  extent  of  de- 
scribing the  iJlant  she  refers 
to,  and  which  is  entirely 
distinct,  though  no  less  cu- 
rious than  the  Pitcher  Plant 
descrilied  last  month. 

The  jilant  alluded  to  by 
my  j'oung  correspondent, 
and  known  as 

VEN'US'S    FLY-TRAP, 


that  they  did  not.  His  belief  as  regards  this 
point  is  corroborated  by  that  of  many  other 
careful  students  of  Nature. 

DOES   THE  WEEPING   WILLOW   WEEP  ? 

I  am  certain  that  it  requires  no  great  strain 
of  the  imagination  to  fancy  that  this  tree 
really  acts  the  part  of  a  mourner  over  some 
loss.  Perhaps  as  the  following  little  story, 
handed  to  me  by  a  friend,  might  indicate,  some 
person  who  had  never  been  impressed  by  the 
striking  and  solemn-looking  chai'acteristics  of 
the  tree,  was  lead  to  believe  that  it  only  took 
on  a  mourning  attitude  when  they  themselves 
became  mourners  over  the  loss  of  some  dear 
one,  Ijecause  they  then  first  noticed  it  from 
such  a  standpoint:  "Many  years  ago  a  little 
girl  who  lived  in  the  state  of  New  Hampshire 
planted  a  small  willow  tree,  and  under  her  pro- 


is  another  of  the  very  re- 
mar  k  able  plants  of  the 
world,  for  it  is  by  nature  a 
real  fly  or  insect  trap.  It  is 
a  native  of  the  United 
States,  being  found  in  the 
Southern  States,  and  as  far 
north  as  North  Carolina.  It 
is  also  called  in  some  sec- 
tions, the  Carolina  Catch- 
fly  Plant.  Its  botanical 
name  is  Dioncva  i»iH.scipii/«. 
In  this  curious  plant  it 
is  the  leaves  which  serve 
so  effectively  as  traps  for  insects.  As  may 
be  seen  by  the  engi*aving  here  given,  of  parts  of 
two  plants,  the  rounded  leaves  which  appear  at 
the  end  of  the  blade-hke  leaf  stalks  bear  upon 
their  margins  a  line  of  long,  stiff  bristly  hairs. 
These  serve  to  imprison  any  insect  that  ma)' 
alight  on  the  leaves,  by  immediately  closing  to- 
gether, through  the  leaves  folding  at  the  middle, 
the  hairs  uniting  somewhat  as  the  fingers  of  the 
hands  do  when  they  are  clasped  together. 
When  this  occurs,  the  insect  is  entrapped  be- 
yond the  possibility  of  escape  and  dies  in  the 
trap.  To  induce  insects  to  alight  upon  the 
leaves  there  appears  to  be  a  juice  on  certain 
glands  which  proves  attractive  to  them.  Over 
the  upper  surface  of  the  leaves  are  set  some 
delicate,  irritable  hairs,  as  shown  in  the  en- 
graving, and  it  is  these  when  touched  by  an 
insect,  that  serve  to 

"  SPRING  THE  TRAP," 

as  we  might  say  in  speaMng  of  an  ordinary 
trap. 

I  have  said  that  the  insect  once  entrapped  is 
held  securely  until  it  is  dead.  A  peculiarity  of 
the  trap  in  holding  its  victim  is,  that  as  long 
as  any  motion  is  exerted  by  the  struggling  in- 
sect so  long  is  it  held  with  a  close  grip.  But  its 
struggles  once  over,  after  a  little  whOe,  as  if  to 
be  certain  there  was  no  ' '  playing  'possum  "  on 
the  part  of  the  fly,  the  leaf  again  opens. 

Why  Nature  should  thus  provide  a  real  in- 
sect trap  in  a  plant  is  not  understood.  As 
beautiful  flowers  are  created  to  please  the 
sense  of  sight,  and  sweet  odors  the  sense  of 
smell,  so  perhaps,  such  cm'ious  plant  forms  are 
designed  to  gi'atify  our  love  for  the  curious. 

For  a  long  time  it  has  been  a  question,  as  to 
whether  the  Fly-trap  Plant  receives  any  nour- 
ishment from  the  insects  it  destroys.  Some 
yeare  ago  Mr.  Peter  Henderson,  the  veteran 
plant-grower,  of  New  York,  made  a  cai'eful 
and  apparently  thorough  experiment  in  the 
matter,   from  which  he  drew  the  conclusion 


A  VEGETABLE  FLY  TRAP.—/'' 


tection  it  soon  grew  into  quite  a  tree.  One 
bright  summer  day  the  girl  was  suddenly  taken 
sick  and  died.  The  tree,  missing  her  daily 
visits,  moaned  and  sighed,  and  gradually  took 
on  the  form  of  the  Weeping  Willow,  which  it 
has  since  retained." 

Timothy  Treeclimber. 


A  Scarecrow  That  Didn't  Scare. 

W^e  incline  to  think  that  the  putting  up  of  a 
scarecrow,  to  imitate  the  appearance  of  a  di- 
lapidated tramp,  is  as  often  done  for  the  sport 
it  affords  to  the  boys,  as  for  any  faith  in  the 
efficacy  of  the  man  of  straw  and  rags.  Of 
course  the  horrid  looking  object  can  do  no 
harm,  if  it  does  no  good  by  frightening  off 
the  birds.  Here  is  an  account  of  one  man's 
remai-kable  experience  in  this  line : 

A  tailor  named  White,  living  near  Nuneaton,  in 
England,  recently  placed  a  scarecrow  in  his  garden 
to  trighten  birds.  The  result  was  amusing.  A  robin 
built  her  nest  in  one  of  the  pockets,  and  there 
reared  her  pretty  brood.  Perched  upon  the  brim 
of  the  scarecrow's  hat.  Sir  Redbreast  sang  to  his 
mate,  and  the  fledgelings  afterward  twittered  from 
the  tattered  crown.  While  the  robin's  eggs  were 
yet  blue,  a  pair  of  tomtits  built  their  nest  m  one  oi' 
the  sleeves  of  the  scarecrow's  coat;  so  that  alto- 
gether, to  put  it  mildly,  Mr.  White  was  somewhat 
taken  aback. 


Bees  In  a  Bad  Plight. 

Bee-swarming  will  make  exciting  times  dur- 
ing this  month  in  man)- homes  where  Popular 
Gardening  is  taken.  But  it  is  no  less  a  time 
of  excitement  to  the  bees  themselves,  for 
swarming  is  really  the  act  on  their  part  of 
leaving  the  old  home  to  seek  and  take  a  new 
one.  The  time  of  the  first  alighting  is  always 
a  momentous  one,  but  it  is  not  often  that  it 
results  .so  unfavorably  and  tragically  to  the 
bees,  as  the  following  account,  taken  from  Gul- 
dni  Ddi/x,  would  indicate  that  it  once  did; 

Not  long  ago  some  bees  in  a  hive  on  a  farm  near 
Baltimore  swarmed  and  followed  their  queen  to  a 


peach  orchard  near  by.  The  farmer  and  his  sons, 
armed  with  tin  pans,  with  which  they  made  a  dread- 
ful din,  followed  tlie  swarm  to  the  orchard.  In  the 
midst  of  the  racket  tbe  bees  saw  a  lioruets'  nest  in 
a  piece  of  un(lerl>rusb.  and  they  began  to  aUght 
upon  the  nest.  In  a  jitfy  tbe  colony  of  liornets, 
about  two  huntlred  strong,  came  out  of  the  den  and 
attacked  the  invaders.  The  battle  was  hot  and 
furious.  The  air  was  filled  with  the  "  buzz,"  "  buzz," 
"  buzz"  of  both  bees  and  hornets.  Now  they  seemed 
as  thick  in  the  air  as  a  cloud,  and  anon  the  mass 
would  give  way  before  t!ie  fierce  assatiits  of  t!ie  larg- 
er insects.  The  weajjons  used  were  stings,  but  the 
honey  l>ees  were  not  a  match  for  the  hornets.  Sev- 
eral of  the  latter  were  slain,  but  hundreds  of  the 
bees  were  stung  to  death  and  fell  to  the  ground 
all  around  the  orchard.  By-and-bv  tbe  hornets 
found  the  queen  bee,  and  as  soon  as  they  killed  her 
the  other  bees  Hew  back  to  the  hive  whence  they 
had  come.  

PET  BIRDS,  ANIMALS,  ETC. 

Lettuce  is  the  best  ot  all  greens  for  birds. 

The  best  perch  is  a  branch  covered  with  bark. 

Parrots  will  imitate  the  voi<*e 
of  a  child,  where  they  would 
be  slow  to  follow  that  of  an 
adult. 

Insects.  Sulphur  in  a 
little  bag  tied  to  the  inside 
of  the  cage,  will  tend  to  keep 
away  these. 

To  gather  Ants  eggs  for 
birds,  remove  part  of  a  nest  on 
(o  a  cloth,  lay  a  branch  near 
liy  for  shade,  and  under  this 
you  will  probably  soon  find 
many  eggs  deposited. 

England  and  America,  An 
English  sparrow  built  her  nest 
and  reared  her  young,  this  sea- 
son, in  the  mouth  of  the  large 
eagle  on  the  roof  of  the  court- 
house at  Charlotte,  Jlichigan. 

Where  the  Joke  Came  In. 
51  a  j  or  Ben:  Perley  Poore's 
latest  joke  was  to  send  a  num- 
ber of  senators  to  a  certain 
cigar  store,  at  Washington,  to 
see  a  "  cherry -colored  cat." 
The  animal  proved  to  be  the 
color  of  a  black  cherry. 

Fuss,  the  terror  of  bird 
keepers,  may  be  trained  to 
have  due  respect  for  the  cage  and  its  occupant. 
If  caught  slyly  watching  the  bird,  give  her  a 
disgust  for  this  occupation  by  catching  her  and 
with  the  help  of  another  person  to  steady  the 
cage,  rub  her  nose,  not  too  tenderly,  over  the  bars  of 
the  cage  a  few  times.    Repeat  if  necessary. 

Monks  as  Dog  Trainers.  A  traveler  who  visited 
some  of  the  Monasteries  of  St,  Bernard  a  few  years 
ago  found  the  monks  teaching  their  dogs  from  the 
earliest  stages  of  puppyhood  to  be  religious,  in  act 
at  least.  At  meal-time  the  dogs  sit  in  a  row,  each 
with  a  tin  dish  before  him  containing  his  repast. 
Grace  is  said  by  one  of  the  monks,  the  dogs  sit- 
ting motionless  with  bowed  heads.  Not  one  of 
them  stirs  till  the  "  Amen  "  is  spoken.  If  a  frisky 
puppy  attempts  to  sample  his  meal  before  grace  is 
over  one  of  the  older  dogs  growds  and  gently  tugs 
his  ear. 

Nests  for  Canary  Birds.  These  birds  by  long 
confinement  seem  largely  to  have  lost  the  instinct 
of  nest  building,  although  quite  ready  to  breed. 
They  must,  therefore,  have  help,  if  not  to  have  the 
nest  made  entirely  for  them.  A  small,  round  nest 
basket,  or  even  a  small  bos,  several  inches  deep, 
should  be  used  for  the  receptacle.  In  this  place 
some  curled  hair,  and  then  a  layer  of  cotton  batting, 
or  use  the  latter  only,  shaping  it  as  near  hke  a 
bird's  nest  as  you  can.  For  an  inner  lining,  use  can- 
ton tlaunel,  plush  side  out,  fitting  it  neatly  to  the 
form  of  the  uest,  and  overcasting  the  upper  edge 
tightly  around  the  top  of  the  basket  or  box,  for  it 
you  do  not  tbe  birtl  will  pull  out  the  stitches. 

Effects  of  Education.  Every  creature,  whether 
an  animal,  bird  or  insect,  seems  capable  of  being 
developed  to  a  remarkable  degree  by  education. 
We  all  know  how  teachable  cats,  dogs  and  horses 
are  in  these  days  of  improved  instruction.  Birds 
are  taugbtsomesurprisingthings.  There  is  a  canary 
in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  that  will  sing  "  Yankee  Doodle'' 
and  "  IJixie  "  with  the  greatest  precision,  having 
been  instructed  by  a  patient  unstress.  By  j^atience 
fleas  have  been  taught  to  go  through  a  regimental 
drill  with  accuracy,  and  perform  various  tricks 
showing  intelligence;  pigs  to  read  and  spell  by 
means  of  ali>habetical  blocks,  and  monkeys  to  play 
tunes  on  the  violin,  that  could  be  recognized.  What 
is  needed  to  meet  with  success  in  these  matters,  is  a 
good  stock  of  judgment,  kindness  and  patience. 


I04 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


June, 


Roses, 

Roses  in  the  land  again ! 
Roses  brigliten  all  the  lane! 
As  we  wander  to  and  fro, 
Other  roses  sweeter  grow. 
Roses  in  the  hedge,  the  ground, 
Roses  in  your  cheeks  are  found, 
Roses  were  in  bloom  last  year 
When  I  plucked  a  rosebud  here, 
For  to  tell  my  love  I  chose 
Thine  own  flower— a  blushing  rose. 
Roses  whispered,  she  is  true, 
When  I  plighted  troth  to  you. 

— London  Society. 


Buttercups. 

Have  the  sunbeams,  all  unknowing. 
Taken  root  on  earth,  and  growing. 
Flowered  in  yellow  Buttercups  ? 

Bonny  Buttercups,  beguiling 
Human  sorrow  with  the  smiling; 
OflFering  to  each  new  comer 
Golden  salvers  full  of  summer. 
All  the  sunny  Maytime  I 

How  they  nod.  and  smile,  and  glisten. 

As  they  turn  their  heads  to  listen 

To  the  whispering  of  the  breezes  lingering 

above  them ; 
Giving  their  long-hoarded  treasure 
In  such  free,  unstinted  measure. 

Who  could  choose  but  love  them  y 

— Mai'y  Bowles,  in  Golden  Days. 


The  Queen  Is  enthroned. 

Prune  to  induce  stockiness. 

Ever  see  so  early  a  season  ? 

Asiatic  Lilacs  are  the  finest. 

Fuchsias  do  best  in  partial  shade. 

Saving  Pansy  seed  may  commence. 

Crowding  jilants  is  a  common  fault. 

Decoration  Day  is  May-day  in  America. 

The  Century  Plant  does  well  planted  out. 

Flora  bestows  abundant  favors  this  month. 

Everybody  loves  the  Pansy — yes,  everybody. 

The  Mock  Orange  has  been  cultivated  300 
years. 

The  Sunflower  is  grown  for  fuel  in  some 
places. 

Box  Edging  should  not  be  allowed  over  three 
inches  high. 

The  long  rosy  plumes  of  Tamarisk  are  now 
conspicuous. 

Dangers  of  Spring:  The  leaves  shoot  forth 
everywhere. 

What  a  void  in  our  flowers  if  no  Rose  had 
been  created. 

"  Eose !  what  dost  thou  here,  bridal  royal 
Rose?" — Mrs.  Hciii/inii. 

Water  the  plants  at  the  end  of  the  day, 
rather  than  under  a  hot  sun. 

For  a  somewhat  shady  place  the  Musk  plant 
is  an  e.xcelleut  basket  drooper. 

Supports  should  be  given  to  the  young 
climbers  early.     Don't  forget  this. 

The  Night-blooming  Cereus  sometimes  has 
over  one  hundred  of  its  large  flowers  in  one 
season. 

"  As  for  me,"  whispered  the  hungry  cater- 
pillar to  the  tree,  "I'm  going  to  turn  over  a 
new  leaf." 

"  It  has  already  been  worth  several  times  its 
price  to  us,"  writes  Mrs.  Charles  Green,  from 
Madison  Co.,  Alabama,  concerning  Popular 
Gardening. 

This  is  a  good  time  to  start  in  on  weeding 
the  lawn  of  Plantains,  Dandelions  and  other 


perennials.  They  will  dig  easier  now  than 
later,  when  stronger. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  insect  ravages 
are  largelj'  due  to  the  unhealthy,  unthrifty 
condition  of  the  great  portion  of  our  cultivated 
plants. — Prof.  W.  R.  Lazenby 

In  this  season  of  rapid  growth  our  list  of 
subscribers  should  grow  immensely.  There  is 
no  better  way  for  our  readers  to  help  this 
paper  than  by  raising  clubs  now. 

Early  Potatoes.  According  to  the  London 
Practical  Confectioner,  the  potato  introduced 
in  England  in  1000  was  first  eaten  as  a  sweet- 
meat, stewed  in  sack  wine  and  sugar. 

The  Wild  Plum  {Pninus  Americana),  is 
almost  unequaled  as  a  flowering  tree.  The 
blossoms  are  pure  white,  large,  of  good  tex- 
ture, and  load  the  air  with  their  fragrance  for 
some  distance. 

The  spring  months,  so  far,  have  been  very 
productive  in  subscribers  to  this  paper.  Let 
there  be  a  constant  increase  all  during  the  sea- 
son of  active  gardening.  Now  is  a  capital 
time  for  getting  up  clubs. 

Moss  on  the  Surface.  Sometimes  moss  and  a 
kind  of  green  lichen  grow  on  the  surface  of  the 
soil  of  the  Camellias  or  other  pots.  This  is  harm- 
ful rather  than  otherwise  and  should  be  dug 
out,  afterwards  facing  the  top  with  fresh  soil. 

Moving  trees  or  shrubs  in  leaf  can  be  done,  if 
must  be,  as  late  as  this,  by  stripping  off  all 
the  leaves  before  the  operation;  a  new  crop 
appearing  later.  Trees  have  been  moved  a 
few  rods  in  mid-summer  with  perfect  success. 

To  plant  the  new  Clematis  Coccinea  in  beds, 
with  roses,  shrubs,  etc.,  is  recommended  by 
Mr.  E.  L.  Beard,  of  Cambridge,  Mass.  He 
says  that  when  it  is  allowed  to  climb  over 
them  as  it  pleases,  it  forms  a  very  attractive 
feature  on  a  lawn. 

The  Red  Bose.  According  to  ancient  fable, 
the  red  color  of  the  Rose  may  be  traced  to 
Venus,  whose  delicate  foot,  when  she  hastened 
to  the  relief  of  her  husband,  Adonis,  was 
pierced  by  a  thorn  that  drew  blood,  which,  on 
the  White  Rose  being  shed,  made  it  forever 
after  red. 

Personal.  At  the  date  of  issuing  this  month's 
paper,  we  can  happily  say  that  Mr.  Long  is  on 
the  road  to  recovery  from  his  protracted  ill- 
ness. But  his  many  correspondents  may  have 
to  exercise  patience  for  some  time  yet,  before 
he  can  bestow  due  attention  to  all  their  com- 
munications. 

Vases,  hanging  baskets  and  window  boxes 
may  have  the  plants  set  closely  together  with- 
out harm,  because  air  and  light  have  free 
access  to  them.  But  when  many  plants  are 
thus  brought  into  a  small  space  the  soil  needs 
to  be  decidedly  rich,  or  soon  it  will  become 
exhausted  detrimentally. 

The  Red  Horse-chestnut.  Everybody  knows 
the  common  but  attractive  flowers  of  the 
White  Horse-chestnut,  but  everybody  may  not 
know  that  there  is  a  variety  which  bears  large 
spikes  of  rich  crimson  flowers  instead  of  white, 
and  also  one  with  double  blossoms.  The  crim- 
son flowering  one  is  the  handsomest. 

An  Art  Treasure.  We  are  indebted  to  Mr, 
James  Vick,  Rochester,  N,  Y.,  for  a  Portfolio 
of  Rare  and  Beautiful  Flowers,  consisting  of 
six  original  water-color  sketches  painted  from 
nature.  The  subjects  are  chiefly  Orchids.  The 
work  is  offered  at  $2  per  copy,  which  is  low 
enough  considering  its  high  merit. 

Allamandas.  If  these  have  long  straggling 
shoots,  which  show  no  flower  buds,  they  should 
have  their  points  nipped  out,  which  will  cause 
a  quantity  of  black  eyes  to  break  that  in  due 
time  will  show  bloom.  When  flowering  begins, 
like  the  Hydrangea  they  are  benefitted  by 
weekly  supplies  of  diluted  manure  water. 

Soil  for  Evergreens.  While  the  White  Pine 
and  Red  Cedai'  thrive  in  poor,  sandy  land,  and 
the  Black  Spruce  and  Hemlocks  in  wettish 
places,  and  Nordman's  Fir  in  heavy  clay,  these 


in  common  with  most  all  Evergreens,  thrive 
better  in  fairly  good,  free  loam;  in  fact  com- 
mon garden  soil  is  well  suited  for  most  Ever- 
greens.— Cor.  American  Garden. 

Michigan  Agricultural  College.  The  bulletins 
which  we  have  great  satisfaction  in  receiving 
from  this  college  from  time  to  time,  show  that 
much  careful  experimental  work  is  being  done 
on  the  college  farm,  located  at  Lansing,  Michi- 
gan. Those  which  bear  upon  horticultural  ex- 
periments, as  conducted  by  Professor  L.  H. 
Bailey,  seem  to  us  to  possess  merit  in  a  marked 
degree,  relating  as  they  do  to  matters  of  prac- 
tical value  to  all  gardeners.  An  extract  from 
Bulletin  No  13  is  given  on  another  page. 

Kotes,  suggestions,  inquiries  and  answers  to 
inquiries,  from  our  readers  are  always  welcome 
at  this  office.  So,  will  not  everybody  send  in 
some  contribution,  however  brief,  to  help  make 
this  paper  even  more  lively  and  newsy  than  it  is 
now.  Postal  card  contributions  are  always 
acceptable.  Please  don't  hesitate  to  write 
because  you  may  feel  you  are  not  a  fine  writer. 
Fine  writing  we  don't  lay  much  stress  upon, 
as  all  our  readers  know  by  this  time.  Plain 
every  day  English  suits  our  family  well. 

Shape  Up  the  Evergreens.  The  Norway  and 
other  Spruces,  Firs,  Hemlocks  and  Arbor 
Vitaes  thrive  under  the  free  use  of  the  prun- 
ing knife  and  shears,  and  their  shapes  may 
often  be  improved  by  this  means.  Now  is  a 
good  time  to  prime,  while  the  young  growth 
may  be  clipped  back  without  fear  at  any  time 
during  the  summer.  To  get  a  dense,  pyra- 
midal form,  starting  at  the  ground,  the  lower 
branches  should  be  kept  the  longest.  An  Ever- 
green pruned  to  have  a  bare  trunk  is  a  poor 
looking  object. 

Narcissus.  To  J.  D.  E.  we  would  say  that 
as  j'our  Narcissus  did  not  bloom  well,  it  would 
be  better  to  lift  them  and  replant  in  deep  soil. 
If  it  is  light  and  sandy  all  the  better,  if  not, 
some  sand  may  be  mixed  with  it.  They  will 
flower  better  the  second  and  third  year  than 
the  first,  and  may  remain  in  the  same  place 
four  or  five  years.  The  best  time  to  lift  them 
is  in  July,  when  the  leaves  are  quite  dead. 
They  may  be  transplanted  at  once,  for  unlike 
some  other  bulbs,  they  are  not  improved  for  be- 
ing left  out  of  the  ground. 

Many  persons  who  have  gardens  are  just  now 
waking  up  to  their  real  needs  in  the  line  of 
gardening  information.  Such  persons,  if  ap- 
proached by  some  member  of  the  Popular 
Gardening  family  and  asked  to  subscribe  for 
this  paper,  would  respond  at  once.  Will  not 
every  one  of  our  readers  see  what  they  can  do 
at  this  time  in  extending  our  circle.  We  are 
sure  that  each  member  of  the  family  could 
easily  add  one  new  name  to  our  list,  in  this 
way.  It  would  be  an  act  very  helpful  indeed, 
to  our  own  endeavors  in  establishing  this  new 
periodical  on  a  paying  basis. 

Achimenes.  Our  correspondent, W.  F.  Lake, 
of  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y.,  writes  thus:  These 
bulbous  plants  created  quite  a  sensation  here 
when  I  first  began  growing  them.  I  like  them 
for  baskets,  planting  the  small,  drooping, 
scarlet  variety  around  the  edge,  finishing  with 
the  more  erect  varieties  in  the  center.  The 
bulbs  multiply  very  rapidly,  and  any  one 
starting  with  a  dozen  bulbs  will  have  an  over- 
abundance in  a  few  3-ears.  The  Achimene  re- 
quires a  season  of  rest  after  blooming,  as  it 
does,  very  profusely  for  a  dozen  or  more  weeks. 
There  are  but  few  varieties  generally  grown.' 

Lasiandra  macrantha  floribunda.  This  plant 
is  not  as  widely  known  and  cultivated  as  it 
deserves.  The  name  is  derived  from  lasios, 
wooly,  and  aner,  an  anther.  It  was  introduced 
from  Rio  Janeiro,  in  18:30.  The  leaves  are  of 
singular  beauty,  being  covered  with  short 
plush-like  hairs.  It  bears  large,  deep  purple 
flowers.  I  have  for  several  years  cidtivated 
this  plant,  and  found  it  equally  adapted  for  the 
winter  window  garden,  or  bedding  out  during 
the  summer.      Inclined  to   grow  tall,    I  have 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


105 


had  to  frequently  cut  it  back  to  make  it  bushy. 
Easily  grown  from  cuttings,  M.  D.  Welcome. 
Grass  in  Walks.  A  sprinkling  of  weak  brine 
every  time  auj'  grass  appears  will  easily  keep 
it  down.  This  may  be  applied  with  a  common 
watering-pot.  When  grass  comes  up  in  the 
crevices  of  flag  walks,  salt  in  the  grain,  may  be 
applied  to  kill  it.  If  quack  grass  or  thistle 
roots  have  protruded  under  walks  or  pave- 
ments, one  may  as  well  treat  vei'y  thoroughly 
with  stroug  brine  or  grain  salt  on  the  surface 
to  eradicate  them.  But,  in  all  such  cases,  care 
must  be  taken  not  to  have  these  remedies  come 
within  a  foot  of  the  grass  verges,  or  these  will 
be  hurt  and  turn  to  an  ugly  brown,  thus 
making  bad  matters  decidedly  worse  so  far 
as  looks  are  concerned. 

Clematises  in  Beds.  To  give  an  idea  of 
the  way  the  Clematis  is  appreciated  as  a 
beddmg  plant,  we  give  an  extract  from  a 
letter  written  by  one  of  the  lady  patrons  of 
Mr.  Joseph  Kreft,  the  Clematis  grower  of 
West  Chester,  Pa.  She  writes:  "  I  just 
wish  j'ou  could  see  my  Clematis  bed ;  it  is 
something  worth  seeing,  and  is  just  setting 
the  people  around  here  wild.  You  could 
scarcely  imagine  anything  so  gorgeous, 
scai-cely  a  leaf  showing  on  the  globe  frame 
of  wire,  and  is  one  perfect  ball  of  purple. 
In  fact,  almost  all  who  have  seen  it  have 
agreed  that  it  stands  first  among  fine  em- 
bellishments, and  without  exception,  gives 
the  most  satisfaction  for  the  least  trouble." 
Tritoma.  This  fine  old  plant  should  be 
seen  in  every  garden.  The  Tritoma,  with 
good  protection  of  straw  and  leaves,  is  able 
to  withstand  the  rigors  of  a  New  York 
wintei',  if  not  given  too  damp  a  situation. 
It  begins  to  flower  in  late  summer  or  early 
autumn,  and  continues  until  heavy  frosts. 
The  Tritoma  is  especially  adapted  for  large 
groups  on  the  lawn,  the  bright  shades  of 
orange  and  scarlet  racemes  forming  stately 
objects.  The  flower  stems  grow  to  a  height 
of  four  or  five  feet,  terminating  in  curious 
flame-colored  spikes  a  foot  long.  If  not 
convenient  to  give  out-door  protection  iu 
winter,  store  the  plants  in  a  cellar  or  pit.  So 
writes  Wilbur  F.  Lake,  of  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y. 

Bouvardia.  In  answer  to  several  inquiries 
we  ofi'er  the  following:  The  cause  of  the  foli- 
age turning  brown  is  in  aU  probability  due  to 
deficient  action  and  want  of  sustenance.  Bou- 
varcUas  require  plentj-  of  light  and  air  all 
thi'ough  the  summer  and  autumn,  and  they 
never  at  any  time  like  a  very  confined,  moist- 
ure-laden atmosphere.  When  they  are  done 
blooming  they  should  be  pruned  back  rather 
hard  and  be  kept  dry  at  the  roots  until  new 
shoots  form.  For  winter  blooming  the  plants 
should,  from  October,  be  kept  where  the  tem- 
peratm-e  ranges  about  fifty-five  degrees,  and 
where  air  is  admitted  on  fine  days,  or  they  may 
be  kept  in  an  ordinary  greenhouse,  with  the 
result  of  giving  less  but  very  fine  flowers. 

Michigan  Horticultural  Society.  To  its  sec- 
retary, Mr.  Charles  W.  tiarfleld,  Grand 
Rapids,  Mich.,  we  are  indebted  for  the  Fif- 
teenth Annual  Report  of  the  society.  It  is  a 
large  volume  of  more  than  .501)  pages,  printed 
on  good  paper,  illustrated  to  some  extent,  and 
finely  bound  in  cloth.  Besides  the  reports  of 
the  regular  meetings  of  the  society  for  1NS.5,  it 
contains  the  reports  of  au.xilliary  meetings 
thi'oughout  the  State,  the  society's  fimit  cata- 
logue, and  devotes  nearly  one  hundred  pages 
to  the  most  valuable  facts  and  experiences 
brought  out  at  the  meeting  of  the  American 
Fomological  Society,  held  at  Grand  liapicLs,  | 
Mich.,  last  September.  Altogether  the  work 
is  one  of  great  value,  and  one  in  every  way 
ci-editable  to  the  society  it  reports,  and  to  its 
efficient  secretary. 

Boses  for  Amateurs.  A  successful  amateur 
residing  at  Huron,  N.  Y.,  otters  the  following 
good  advice  to  beginners  in  Rose  growing 
among  our  readers :  ' '  Select  such  varieties  as 
have  the  reputation  of  being  free  bloomers, 


fine  growers,  etc.  Gen.  Jacqueminot,  Mad. 
Chas.  Wood,  Paul  Neyron,  Anna  de  Diesbach, 
Coquette  de  Blanches,  and  Baroness  Rothchild 
are  good  representations  of  the  Hybrid  Per- 
petual class ;  Glory  of  the  Mosses,  Countess  of 
Murinais  and  Perpetual  White  of  the  Mosses; 
and  Baltimore  Belle,  Prairie  Queen,  and  Seven 
Sisters  are  the  best  known  of  Hardy  Climb- 
ers. While  those  of  laj-ge  means,  who  employ 
their  skilled  gardeners,  find  great  pleasure 
iu  watching  their  magnificent,  high-priced 
novelties,  others  with  less  riches  can  enjoy  the 
less  costly  varieties  with  quite  as  much  satis- 
faction.    Let  all  plant  roses  more  or  less,  ac- 


SOME  FINE  CINERARIAS. 

cording  as  they  can  afford  and  have  the  room. " 
Cinerarias.  Few,  if  any  pot  plants,  present 
a  more  attractive  appearance  in  late  winter 
and  eai'ly  spring  than  do  the  Cinerarias  when 
at  the  height  of  their  beauty,  bearing  as  they  do 
immense  clusters  of  bright,  handsome  flowers, 
boldly  above  the  bright  leaves.  They  are  capi- 
tal plants  for  a  cool  green- house,  or  with  care,  in 
a  window,  and  are  rai.sed  fi-om  seeds  sown  an- 
nually at  any  time  from  July  to  September. 
The  seeds  are  fine  and  require  careful  treat- 
ment in  sowing  to  begin  with.  As  soon  as  the 
young  seedlings  can  be  handled  they  should  be 
potted  into  small  pots  and  given  a  place  near 
the  glass.  In  a  low  sash  frame  that  is  covered 
with  shaded  glass  is  a  good  place  for  them  un- 
til October  first.  Always  shift  the  plants  into 
larger  pots  before  the  roots  mat  around  the  ball 
of  earth,  as  their  growth  is  liable  to  be  checked 
most  unfavorably  if  they  become  pot  bound. 
The  plants  like  a  rich  soil  abounding  in  sand 
and  vegetable  fibre. 

Ants,  To  several  inquirers  we  would  say, 
that  Ants  are  very  hard  to  efl^ectually  cleai-  out 
of  a  place,  and  therefore  it  is  desirable  in  all 
attempts  to  persist  in  the  remedies  applied. 
When  found  away  from  the  roots  and  stems  of 
the  plants  the  best  remedy  is  to  flood  them  out, 
or  scald  them,  with  the  free  use  of  boiling 
water.  Under  less  favorable  circumstances  for 
killing  them,  perhaps  the  best  remedy  that  can 
be  applied  is  to  lay  a  quantity  of  fresh  meat 
bones,  that  are  almost  clean,  about  where  they 
are,  and  they  will  quickly  be  covered  with 
them.  As  soon  as  this  occurs  throw  the  bones 
into  hot  water,  which  will  put  an  end  to  one 
batch.  Take  out  the  bones  immecUately,  drain 
them  ofT  and  lay  down  to  trap  another  lot.  ■ 
This  is  a  cheap  remedy,  and  if  pereisted  in  is 
elTectual.  It  is  said  that  if  one  part  of  calo- 
mel be  carefully  incorporated  with  ten  of  pul- 


verized sugar  and   placed  in  little  heaps  near 
their  runs  the  Ants  will  eat  it  and  die. 

From  five  to  ten  million  catalogues  of  seeds 
and  plants  are  published  in  this  comitry  every 
year.  It  is  a  stupendous  number,  and  the  fact 
indicates  how  prevalent  has  the  interest  in 
gai-dening  matters  in  America  become  to  date. 
It  does  seem  from  this  that  the  .lO.lXlO  subscribers 
Popular  Gardening  needs  sliould  easily  come 
along  by  the  end  of  the  present  year.  We 
know  that  they  will,  if  l)ut  those  who  have 
gardens,  fine  lawns,  greenhouses  and  so  on,  can 
learn  how  much  of  a  paper  it  is  and  its  pres- 
ent low  price.  This  leads  us  to  again  suggest 
to  our  readers  that  they  can  do  a  work  for 
the  paper  which  no  one  else  can  do  as  well. 
They  can  bring  it  to  the  attention  of  those 
who  are  strangers  to  it,  but  who  ought  to 
find  great  satisfaction  in  taking  the  paper. 
The  price  of  Popular  Gardening  is  kept 
purposely  low  to  aid  its  rapid  introduction . 
May  we  not  expect  our  readers,  one  and  all, 
to  take  an  active  interest  in  this  matter ! 
Is  not  the  paper  deserving  of  .some  such 
good  treatment  at  their  hands  ! 

Periwinkle  for  Graves.  Our  correspondent 
who,  frequently,  furnishes  us  notes  from 
L3'ndale,  in  a  late  issue  spoke  of  a  mound 
on  his  grounds  covered  with  Periwinkle  or 
Vinca  (wrongly  called  Myrtle  sometimes). 
His  statement  reminds  us  that  this  plant 
is  admirably  adapted  for  use  iu  burying 
grounds,  as  a  covering  for  graves.  We 
have  noticed  it  thus  employed  in  the  Spring 
Grove  Cemetery,  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  also 
in  the  Boston,  Mass.,  cemeteries.  Thedai'k- 
green,  glossj'  leaves  in  a  mass,  have  a  singu- 
larly rich  appearance,  as  contrasted  with  the 
lawn.  Then  when  the  bloom  comes,  be  it 
either  blue  or  white  or  both,  there  is  a  new 
charm  added.  As  to  color  of  flowers  for 
the  purpose,  our  choice  would  be  to  plant 
the  white-flowering  sort  mainly,  with  an 
ample  touch  of  blue,  say  at  one  end.  The 
grave  to  be  planted  may  be  either  rounded 
in  the  more  ordinary  form  or  be  perfectlj' 
flat,  the  Periwinkle  to  be  limiteil  by  well 
defined  lines  at  the  sides  and  ends.  In  plant- 
ing, the  surface  must  first  be  cleared  of  grass 
and  fitted  with  good  earth,  into  which  the 
roots  should  be  set  at  a  distance  of  a  few  inches 
apait  each  way. 

Koses.    Following  is  a   select   list  of  hai'dy 
Roses,  recommended  sometime  ago  by  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  So- 
ciety as  the  best  for  general  cultivation. 
Alfred  C'olomb.*  Marie  Baumaiin,* 

Anna  de  Diesbach,  Marquise  de  Castellane, 

Annie  Wood,*  Maurice  Beruardin. 

Baron  de  Bonstetten,  Mme.  Gabriel  Luizet. 

Baroness  Rothschild,  Mme.  Hippolyte  Jamain. 

Charles  Lefebvre,  Mme.  Victor  Verdier, 

Duke  of  Edinburgh,  Mons  Boncenne, 

Etienne  Levet,  Mons.  E.  Y.  Teas,* 

Fisher  Holmes,*  Paul  Neyron, 

Francois  Michelon,*  Rev.  J.  B.  II.  Camm.* 

Gen  Jacqueminot,*  Thomas  Mills, 

John  Hopper,  I^ouis  Van  Houtte,  t 

Jules  Margottiu,  Mile.  Marie  Rady,t 

La  Rosiere,  *PieiTe  Notting,t 

Those  marked  *  are  also  recommended  as 
continuous  bloomers.  The  last  three  marked  + 
are  somewhat  tender  or  uncertain,  but  the 
committee  added  them  on  account  of  their  ex- 
cellence in  other  respects. 

Chrysanthemums  South.  Our  esteemed  cor- 
respondent at  the  South,  Mrs.  J.  S.  R.  Thom- 
som,  Spartansburg,  S.  C,  has  this  in  answer  to 
one  of  our  previous  coriespondents,  who  fails 
in  growing  the  Chrysanthemums  in  ;he  South. 
"It  must  be  that  she  as  a  cultivator,  and  not 
the  plant,  is  at  fault,  for  with  us,  this  is  our 
most  reliable  plant.  All  my  life,  I  have  seen 
them  in  abundance.  Four  years  ago,  one  of 
the  severest  ch-oughts  we  ever  had  (not  a  drop 
of  rain  from  May  'J:iil  until  Septemtjer  luth), 
was  a  test  of  their  reliability  if  any  could  be. 
I  purchased  one  dozen  fine  varieties  from  the 
North.  They  were  planted  in  drouth;  they 
suffered  and   weie  parched  from  the  drouth. 


io6 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


June, 


At  last  the  rain  came,  they  revived  quickly, 
and  later  on  gave  great  satisfaction  by  free  and 
long-continued  bloom.  The  past  season,  -ndth 
a  large  collection  o£  over  100  named  varieties, 
I  have  had  the  most  intense  delight,  notwith- 
standing they  never  arrived  from  the  North  to 
admit  of  planting  out  before  June  :28th.  By 
September  they  were  grand  plants,  which  soon 
began  to  flower,  and  not  all  the  bloom  was  yet 
gone  on  Christmas  day.  Let  me  suggest  that 
the  planting  be  done  in  open  air,  any  time  after 
April  1st,  in  deep,  rich  earth ;  pinch  in  regularly 
to  make  bushy;  stake  up  in  August,  and  my 
word  for  it,  no  one  South  will  fail  to  reap  a 
rich  hai-vest  of  enjoyment.  "We  do  not  have 
to  protect  from  frost  as  a  general  rule,  but  if 
you  wish  to  have  flowers  in  profusion  for 
Christmas,  take  up  as  they  begin  to  bud,to  retard 
them,  thereby  bringing  flowering  later. 


THE    HOUSE    PLANTS. 

Azaleas  should  go  intu  the  opeu  air  for  the  sum- 
mer, keeping  them  in  a  sheltered  shady  position, 
as  under  lath  shutters,  the  lath  nailed  an  inch 
apart.  The  pots  should  stand  on  brick  or  slate,  to 
prevent  worms  getting  in. 

Begonias.  Tuberous  varieties  that  have  sprouted 
can  safely  he  moved  into  the  summer  borders,  it 
done  with  care.  Plant  in  warm,  moist,  half-  shaded 
situations.  Plants  ot  the  other  section,  for  next 
winter's  flowering,  may  he  propagated  now,  it  not 
yet  done.  An  inverted  glass  tumbler  placed  over 
the  cuttings  aids  in  rooting,  as  it  gives  a  desirable 
greenhouse-like  moisture. 

Cacti,  after  blooming,  summer  well  if  plunged  in 
a  warm  sunny  border,  here  to  complete  their  growth. 
Calceolarias,  and  plants  of  similar  requirements, 
do  better  tor  winter  flowering  if  sown  now  than  if 
this  is  piit  o£E  until  the  hotter  months  o£  July  and 
August.  The  seeds  germinate  more  freely  now,  and 
the  plants  will,  besides,  have  a  longer  period  for 
growth  before  flowering  begins.  It  is  not  the  easiest 
feat  in  floriculture  to  raise  Calceolarias  and  the  hke 
from  seed,  for  these  are  so  fine  as  to  bear  neither 
covering  or  watering  from  overhead,  weU.  The 
plan  we  employ  requires  neither  of  these.  We 
prepare  pots  of  earth,  underdraining  well  vrifb 
potsherds,  and  finishing  with  finely  sifted  earth 
that  is  quite  sandy,  up  to  within  an  inch  of  the  top 
of  the  pots.  Then  we  soak  the  earth  completely 
by  setting  the  pots  into  water,  after  which  we  sow 
the  seeds  over  the  surface.  The  next  move  is  to 
cover  the  pot  with  strong  white  paper,  such  as 
linen  writing  paper,  tying  the 
edges  down  over  the  sides  On 
this  paper  we  pour  a  little  water, 
the  weight  of  which  causes  a  de- 
pression in  the  paper,  lowest  at 
the  center,  and  then  we  keep 
water  constantly  in  the  depres- 
sion until  the  plants  in  the  soil 
beneath  are  up  and  have  their 
second  leaves.  The  water  at  the 
top  supplies  aU  the  needed  moist- 
ure for  growth  and  it  does  not 
obstruct  the  light.  After  remov- 
„,  T,  J  J     ing  the  paper,  water  can  be  ap- 

PhimjingaPotto  directly  to  the  soU,  but  it 

keep  out  worms   ^^^^^^^  ^^  ^^^^  ^^.jj,,  ^,^^6. 
aiul  keep  in  the 

rootsMtheuxe       CaUas.    During  the   summer 

ofa.mallempty   bed  them  out  in  good  sod.  They 

^      J         ■^1.     will  receive  a  check,  losmg  most 

pot  underneath.    ^^  ^^^^.^  ^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^^  ^^i^^ 

out.  but  new  and  stocky  ones  wifl  appear  later. 
Early  in  September  the  plants  should  be  lifted  and 
potted,  preparatory  to  their  season  of  bloom. 

Chrysanthemums.  These,  whether  in  pots  or 
bedded  out,  should  now  be  making  good  growth. 
The  final  general  pinching  back  should  be  done 
before  this  month  is  out.  They  like  plenty  of  food 
and  moisture,  and  should  have  sunshine  at  least 
four  or  five  hours  a  day. 

Cinerarias,  See  directions  given  for  Calceolarias. 

Fuchsias  succeed  well  as  bedding  plants  in  situa- 
tions sheltered  from  heavy  wmds  and  bright  sun- 


shine. Those  that  have  lately  bloomed  in  the  house 
are  good  for  this  purpose.  They  require  a  light, 
rich  soil.  The  red  spider,  its  chief  enemy,  should 
be  kept  down  by  frequent  syringing  or  sprinkling  ot 
the  foliage.  To  plant  out  by  June  1st  is  early  enough. 

Hibiscus.  Plants  that  Howered  in  the  house  last 
winter  may  be  set  out  in  the  garden  for  the  sum- 
mer.   Strike  cuttings  now  tor  next  year's  bloom. 

Oranges  and  Lemons.    Treat  as  for  Azaleas. 

Plunging.  It  will  save  much  labor  in  watering 
the  house  plants  during  summer  to  plunge  the  pots 
up  to  their  rims  in  earth,  sand  or  coal  ashes.  Two 
things  must  be  guarded  against  in  doing  so,  viz.: 
preventing  the  roots  from  growing  out  the  drain- 
age holes,  and  angle  worms  from  entering  the  pots 
through  these.  This  is  not  as  easily  done  as  it  might 
seem,  but  there  is  one  sure  way  for  doing  it,  as 
shown  by  our  engraving  It  consists  of  first  plac- 
ing an  eiiipfi/  pot,  some  smaller  than  the  one  con- 
taining the  plant,  into  the  plunging  material  down 
so  far  that  the  latter  will  be  at  the  right  depth, 
when  standing  on  the  former  smaller  one.  Of 
course  with  a  vacancy  beneath  the  larger  pot  ( the 
interior  of  the  smaller  one),  neither  roots  or  worms 
can  pass  through  it,  while  drainage  will  not  be 
interfered  with,  but  will  be  improved. 

Pomegranate.  As  this  plant's  season  ot  bloom 
is  near  at.  hand,  better  encourage  strong  growth  by 
weak  applications  of  manure  and  water. 

Primroses.  See  directions  given  for  Calceolarias. 

Stake  Fuchsias,  Cobseas  and  all  other  plants  now 
making  a  rapid  growth  promptly  as  needed. 

Window  and  'Veranda  Boxes.  These  now  re- 
quire nuich  water.  Knough  must  be  given  each 
time  it  is  needed  to  soak  the  mass  of  earth  to  its 
very  center  Many  suffer  extremely  because  this  is 
not  done,  the  attendant  judging  that  there  is 
enough  water  merely  because  the  surface  is  wet 


LAWN  AND   FLOWER   GARDEN. 

Adlumia  should  be  making  good  growth  on  sup- 
ports that  have  been  provided ;  not  on  the  ground. 
Antirrhinums.  If  no  seeds  are  allowed  to  form 
during  the  summer  the  plants  will  bloom  the  finer, 
and  besides  will  throw  up  young  vigorous  shoots, 
making  thrifty  plants  by  autumn,  which  wiU  safely 
endure  the  winter.  We  must  not  forget  that  pro- 
fuse flowering  exhausts  the  plants. 

Annuals.    Most  kinds  may  yet  be  sown.    Trans- 
plant and  thin  out  the  early  sown  ones. 

Bignonia  Badicans,  or  Trumpet  Vine,  may  be 
trained  to  a  weeping  shrub  form,  by  stopping  first 
the  stem  at  a  proper  height,  and  then  the  laterals. 
Bulbs  that  are  done  flowering  may  be  lifted  as 
soon  as  the  leaves  begin  to  wither,  laying  them  in 
clumps  in  a  shady  place,  with  some  soil  over  their 
lower  parts,  to  ensure  perfect  ripening. 
Calceolarias  and  like  plants.  See  "  House  Plants." 
Dahlias  and  similar  plants  having  hea\y  tops, 
need  to  be  tied  up  betimes,  or  sudden  storms  of 
wind  and  rain  wUl  break  the  branches,  or  worse. 
Gladiolus.    See  directions  above  for  Dahlias 
Hedges.    Shearing  these,  whether  they   be    of 
deciduous  or  evergreen  kinds,  just  as  the  present 
season's  growth  begins  to  turn  hard,  has  the  effect 
of  cheeking  the  growth  without  impairing  health- 
fulness,  a  thing  always  desirable. 
Hollyhocks  require  thinning  when  standing  close. 
Lilies  when  in  bloom  can  scarcely  receive  too 
much  water.    Make  a  basin  around  fine  specimens 
and  apply    liberally    for  a  few  times  during  the 
flowering  time.    The  same  is  true  of  Tritomas. 

Mulching  over  the  roots  of  Dahlias,  Chrysanthe- 
mums,   Carnations,    Lilies,    Fuchsias,    Rhododen- 
drons, etc.,  early  this  month  to  remain  for  the  sum- 
mer, is  a  good  course.    Stir  the  surface  a  Uttle  be- 
fore applying  the  coat. 
Pansies.  For  faU  flowers  seed  may  now  be  sown. 
Pegging  down  plants  is  not  enough  done.    By 
this  we  refer  to  bringing  some   of   the  vigorous 
young  branches  down  to  the  earth,  fixing  them 
there  by  wooden  or  metal  hooks,  or  by  crossing 
pegs  over  them.     Many  kinds  will  then  take  root 
where  pegged,  and  altogether  give  a  great  increase 
of  growth  and  bloom.    We  recommend  this  course 
tor  Verbenas,  Petunias,  Roses,  Achyranthes,  Alter- 
nantheras,  Lantanas.  Clematis,  and  in  fact  almost 
any  kind  of  perennials,  tender  or  hardy. 
Pinks.    Tie  to  stakes,  for  the  good  of  the  bloom. 
Boses.    For  treating  insects  see  article  elsewhere. 
Shrubs.    The  best  time  to  prune   those  shrubs 
which  flower  in  the  spring  and  early  summer  is  as 
soon  as  the  bloom  is  past.    The  flowers  from  such 
annually  proceed  from  the  wood  of  the  previous 
year's  growth— to   prune  in  the  spring  is  to  cut 


away  just  so  many  flowers  prospectively.  But  by 
pruning  after  the  bloom  there  is  a  season  of  growth 
ahead,  in  which  to  provide  flowering  branches  for 
another  year,  and  the  form  may  be  as  well  im- 
proved by  pruning  at  this  time  as  if  the  cutting 
were  done  at  any  other  time. 

"Walks  should,  above  all  else,  be  kept  clear  of 
weeds  and  litter.  Keep  the  edges  tidy.  Roll  after 
heavy  rains.  Sprinkling  them  in  hot  weather  tends 
to  the  making  of  a  cool  garden. 

Watering  flower  beds  may  do  when,  owing  to 
drouth,  it  is  really  necessary,  but  not  otherwise.  If 
the  plants  stand  closely  it  may  be  necessary,  when 
with  more  space  it  would  not  be.  If  watering  is  to 
be  done,  do  so  very  freely  at  the  time,  not  calcu- 
lating soon  to  repeat  the  job.  It  is  a  fact  that  many 
summer  flower  beds  suffer  from  over-watering. 

Weeds  and  Weeding.  A  good  gardener  suffers 
httle  from  weeds;  he  tUls  the  soil  of  the  borders  and 
beds  so  often  and  so  well,  that  the  weeds  hardly 
exist  at  all.  In  caring  for  our  borders,  aside  from 
using  the  narrow  rake  and  hoe  combined,  referred 
to  last  month,  we  find  no  other  tool  so  useful  for 
stirring  the  soil  around  and  under  plants  as  the 
Excelsior  Weeding  Hook,  fiprured  below.  By  stirring 
the  surface  of  the  beds  after  each  showier,  taking 
out  the  few  small  weeds  that  may  show  up,  it 
can  hardly  be  called  work  —  we  look  upon  it  as  a 
pleasure — to  care  for  the  beds  completely. 

PLANT  CULTURE   UNDER    GLASS 

Achimenes.  The  beauty  of  these  may  be  much 
prolouged  by  the  help  ot  liquid  manure  at  times. 

Camellias.    See  article  on  page  97,  this  issue. 

Climbers  that  are  permanent  in  the  houses  re- 
quire special  attention  now.  Let  the  growth  be 
moderately  free,  with  thinning,  training  and  stop- 
ping as  needful. 

Moving  Out.  Azaleas,  Oranges,  and  most  ten- 
der shrubs  are  benefitted  by  being  moved  out-doors 
for  the  summer  into  partially  shaded  places,  as 
under  light  foliaged  trees  or  temporary  arbors 
made  of  lath  or  slats. 

Palms,  Ficus  and  other  plants  suitable  for  the 
sub-tropical  garden  may  now  be  put  out,  plunging 
them  in  earth  to  the  rim.  See  "  Plunging,"  under 
*'  House  Plants." 

Where  there  are  areas  about  the  garden  that 
could  be  well  adorned  by  pot  plants,  by  taking 
pains  to  arrange  these  tastefully  in  regular  lines, 
circles  or  other  ways,  grading  the  plants  according 
to  size,  the  effect  will  be  improved. 

Orchids.  See  last  month's  notes.  Before  the 
month  is  out  many  kinds  will  have  finished  their 
growth  and  will  need  a  lighter  position  than  during 
the  season  ot  growth,  in  which  to  mature.  Such 
kinds  as  are  still  in  vigorous  growth  must  have  the 
necessary  encouragement,  in  the  way  of  heat  and 
moisture.  Odontoglossums  and  others  requiring 
cool  treatment  must  not  be  kept  too  hot,  never 
above  T0°  as  the  highest  figure. 

Primroses  of  all  kinds,  but  very  particularly  the 
Double  White,  must  be  provided  with  heavy  shade 
overhead  from  now  imtil  next  October. 

Propagation  is  still  in  order  tor  Fuchsias,  Gera- 
niums, Cupheas.  Petunias,  Heliotrope,  Sweet  Alys- 
sum,  etc.,  for  winter  flowering  stock. 

Bepairing  and  Building.  Whatever  in  this  Une 
needs  doing  should  be  attended  to  early,  that  all 
may  be  in  shape  by  time  of  occupancy  next  fall. 
Seed  sowing  may  be  begun  now  for  stock  ot 
Cineraria,  Calceolaria,  Cyclamen,  Gloxinia,  Brow- 
alia.    Mignonette.    Sweet    Alyssum,    Pansy,  etc.. 


,4  favorite  tool  for  use  in  the  garden.  See 
"Weeds  and  Weeding,"  above. 

with  which  to  adorn  the  houses  next  fall,  winter  and 
spring.   See  "  Calceolaria,"  under  "House  Plants." 

Stove  Plants.  Summer  bloomers  should  be  re- 
moved to  e<xiler  quarters  while  in  flower. 

Summer  Management.  By  shading  the  glass 
aU  over  with  a  wash  made  of  naphtha  mixed  with 
white  lead,  to  resemble  thin  milk,  or  even  with 
Ume  water,  keeping  windows  and  ventilators  open, 
dashing  water  about  freely  in  walks  and  under 
the  stages,  the  greenhouse  may  be  an  attractive 
and  not  uncomfortable  place  all  through  the  sum- 
mer. Pains  shoidd  be  taken  to  use  specimen  plants, 
hanging  baskets,  orchids  and  climbers  to  the  best 
advantage  for  tasteful  decoration. 


i8S6. 


POPULAR     GARDENING. 


107 


Winter  blooming  plants  in  pots  or  that  are 
liedded  out,  such  as  Carnations,  Bouvardias.  Helio- 
trope. Poinsettia,  Stevias,  Chrysanthemums,  etc  , 


Early  CluMer  Cucumber.      Lonq  Greru  Cucumber. 

should  now,  in  their  early  ^owth,  be  pinched  freely, 
to  induce  shapely,  well-branched  forms. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Blackberries,  stop  the  young  canes  at  four  or 
five  feet  high-     Keep  them  tied  to  stakes. 

Currants.  Directions  for  keeping  down  the  Worm 
were  given  on  page  95.  As  the  new  growth  appeai-s 
it  is  well  to  remove  a  portion  of  the  shoots.  If 
there  is  fruit  to  be  marketed,  try  the  sale  of  some 
in  a  green  state,  instead  of  waiting  for  all  to  ripen. 

Grafts  of  recent  setting  will  need  looking  after, 
that  no  supertluous  young  shoots  be  drawing  nour- 
ishment that  should  go  to  the  former. 

Grape  Vines.  Newly-set  ones  should  be  allowed 
to  grow  but  one  shoot,  for  the  future  value  of  the 
plant  will  depend  much  on  this.  Over-bearing  is  a 
great  injury  to  young  plants  first  coming  in;  two 
bimches  to  each  cane  should  be  enough.  Remove 
all  shoots  of  older  vines  that  do  not  show  at  least 
two  good  Vmnehes.  Keep  carefully  tied  to  the  trel- 
lis.    For  mildew  apply  flowers  of  sulphur. 

Insects.    See  under  this  head  in  May. 

Feach  Grubs  should  be  sought  out  at  this  season. 
Gum  exuding  at  the  root,  and  excrement,  is  a  sign 
of  their  presence.  They  may  easily  be  dug  out  with 
the  use  of  a  knife.  Heaping  coal  or  other  ashes, 
or  even  earth,  around  the  trees  a  foot  high  will  pre- 
vent further  attacks. 

Raspberries.    Treat  as  directed  for  Blackberries. 

Slug's  on  Cherries  and  Pears  are  liable  to  appear 
this  month.  They  are  slimy,  dark-colored  insects, 
and  work  on  the  upper  surface  of  the  leaves.  Air- 
slaked  lime,  wood  ashes,  or  even  dust,  strewn  over 
the  leaves  will  kill  them       Watch  for  later  inroads. 

Strawberries.  The  satisfaction  from  the  crop 
will  be  greater  for  having  the  plants  mulched  be- 
fore they  fruit.  Straw  or  hay  answers  about  the 
best.  Cut  the  runners  as  they  start  if  the  hill  sys- 
tem is  i)racticed.     Keep  absolutely  clear  of  weeds. 

Thinning  Fruit.  We  believe  the  average  tree 
will  yield  more  and  better  fruit  if  relieved  of  half 
the  crop,  now  in  its  young  state.  Thinning  not  only 
helps  for  the  present,  but  for    the  future  as  well. 

VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Asparagus  cutting  should  cease  with  this 
month,  allowing  the  tops  to  grow,  to  aid  the  proper 
development  of  the  plants. 

Beans.  June  is  a  good  planting  month;  on  the 
farms  the  rule  is  to  get  the  field  crop  of  bush  Borts 
in  before  the  20th.  Limas  and  all  others  will  now 
start  quickly,  and  twiners  should  have  their  poles 
promptly.  Some  kinds  may  need  a  Uttle  help  to 
take  the  pole.  Do  not  work  them  when  the  dew  is  on. 

Cucumbers.  Plants  that  were  started  under 
glass  should  now  go  out,  and  seeds  for  the  main 
crop  be  planted-  Prepare  the  hills  by  mixing  a 
forkful  of  old  rotten  manure  in  each.  They  may 
be  about  four  feet  apart  each  way.  The  Long 
Green  and  P^arl}'  Cluster  varieties  shown  in  the  en- 
graving are  favorite  ones.  The  finer  the  soil  the 
better  will  be  the  crop.  As  fast  as  the  young  \ines 
grow,  earth  should  be  drawn  up  to  the  stem,  to 
prevent  bugs  perforating  them.    When  the  vines 


begin  to  spread,  by  nipping  out  the  ends  at  the 
third  joint  they  will  branch  further  back,  and  by 
the  means  give  an  early  and  larger  crop. 

Celery  planting  may  now  begin,  re- 
peating it  for  succession  two  or  three 
times,  until  .July     In  preparing  for  the 
crop  bear  in  mind  several  things:    Slow 
gi-iiwtli  is  ruin   to  it:    moisture  and  an 
alnunlancc  of  rotten  dung  are  its  great 
helps     The  advantage  of  trench  culture 
is  that  moisture  at  the  roots  in  early 
growth  is  better  secured :  hence  it  is  to  be 
recommended  for  garden  culture.    The 
trench  need  not  be  more  than  four  inches 
deep  at   the  start.     Work  in  plentj'  of 
manure,  and  set   the  plants  about  six 
inches  apart;  the  rows  may  be  three  or 
four  feet  apart.      Apply   water  to  the 
trencht  s  at  times,  if  the  season  is  dry. 
Corn      Plant  for  late  all  through  this  month. 
Egg  Flants    will  now  have  the  weather   they 
need,     (iivea  rich  spot,  setting  the  plants  in  rows 
two  feet  apart  and  fifteen  inches  in  the  row,  and 
follow  up  with  clean  culture 

Insects,  striped  Burjs  on  Cucumbers  and 
Squashes  early  begin  their  work;  meet  on  the 
j-oung  plants  by  dusting  with  wood  ashes,  or  with 
fine  fiour  of  bone,  every  third  day.  In  bad  cases 
sprinkle  the  plants  first  with  tobacco  water  of  a 
color  like  tea.  The  Common  SquasJt  Buff.  known 
at  once  by  its  offensive  odor  when  crushed,  wUl  ap- 
pear near  the  end  of  this  month,  and  needs  looking 
after.  By  carefully  examining  the  plants  while 
small,  the  bugs  and  their  eggs  may  be  found  and 
destroyed,  thus  saving  much  annoyance  later  on,  if 
not  the  crop  itself.  The  Potato  Bug,  or  Colorado 
Beetle,  the  great  enemj'  of  the  Potato,  Egg  Plant, 
etc.,  must  now  be  dealt  with  by  dusting  with  Paris 
Green  or  London  Purple,  or  else  sprinkling  with 
solutions  of  these.  If  the  Cabbage  Worin  appears, 
remove  promptly  by  picking. 

Lettuce  f  oi*  succession  or  for  late  crops  should  be 
sown  where   it  is  to  grow;  transplanting  does  not 
work  well  for  this  vegetable  in  hot  weather. 
Melons.    Treat  as  dh-ected  for  Cucumbers. 
Feas.    Late  sown  ones,  to  succeed  at  all,  should 
go  into  trenches  as  directed  for  Celery,  but  water- 
ing will  not  be  needed  unless  drouth  prevails. 
Feppers.    Treat  as  directed  for  Egg  Plants. 
Provide    brush  for  Peas,  poles  for  Beans  and 
trellises  foi"  Tomatoes,  where  these  yet  are  lacking. 
Sow  such  things  as  Lettuce,  TiUTiips,  Parsley. 
Broad  Beans,  Radishes.  Spinach  and  Endive. 

Squashes.  The  bush  sorts  may  be  treated  as  di- 
rected for  Cucumbers,  while  others  will  need  more 
space,  say  eight  feet  apart  each  way.  Give  plenty 
of  manure  and  fine  culture;  these  are  great  helps 
against  insects.  The  space  between  the  plants  can 
be  devoted  to  Lettuce  or  other  early  crops. 

Thinning  of  such  sowed  crops  as  Beets,  Carrots. 
Lettuce, Onions.  Parsnips,  etc.  should  be  attended  to. 
Tomatoes  should  now  be  well  under  way.  In 
garden  culture  some  kind  of  a  trellis,  if  it  be  not 
more  than  a  few  sticks  laid  uji,  or  a  rack  made  by 
driving  in  some  stakes  slantingly,  will  give  more 
satisfactory  results  The  fruit  ripens  better  if 
exposed  on  all  sides  to  sunshine  and  light. 


S? 


FRUIT    AND    VEGETABLES    UNDER 
GLASS. 

Cucumbers  in  frames  require  an  abundance  of 
water,  both  over  the  foliage  and  at  the  roots. 

Grapery.  Early  vines  that  have  ripened  their 
fruit  must  be  carefully  brought  to  a  resting  condi- 
tion by  gradually  witliholding  water,  and  exposing 
the  wood  to  the  sun,  and  to  the  air  by  day  and 
night.  Crops  ripening  need  an  abundance  of  heat. 
In  the  cold  grapery  while  the  vines  are  in  fiower, 
the  temperature  may  be  up  to  8.5°  or  iiO°  at  midday. 
Water  should  just  now  be  largely  withheld.  When 
the  blossoms  are  fully  out,  to  give  the  bunches 
each  a  gentle  shake  will  aid  the  distribution  of  pol- 
len. When  the  berries  reach  the  size  of  peas  a 
liberal  thinning  out  of  them  will  be  helpful.  One 
bunch  of  fruit  is  enough  to  leave  to  each  cane, 
stojjping  this  at  the  third  leaf  beyond  the  bunch. 
Tie  up  the  shouts  as  the  weight  of  fruit  increases. 

Orchard  House  Trees  now  need  but  little  atten- 
tion, beyond  the  giving  of  an  ample  supply  of 
water,  and  some  liquid  manure  of  moderate 
strength  at  limes. 

Pineapples  require  an  abundance  of  moisture  in 
the  atnios|>here.  to  prevent  exhaustion  during  the 
hot  bright  weather  that  now  prevails.  Close  the 
house  early,  syringe  and  water  the  Hoor  freely  sev- 
eral times  each  day. 


This  bfina  Ihf  People^s  I\ipcr  it  is  open  to  ail  tluiir  In- 
quirea,  beartiiy  on  Gartlenint/. 

On  tlie  other  hand,  answerit  to  pubtished  inquires  are 
eiirnfHtty  requented  from  readfrn. 

The  editors  and  sp-'ciat  contributors  are  ready  to  do  a 
larue  nhare  0/ the  anmccring,  but  the  experience  of  many 
being  more  tfalualtle  than  of  thc/ew,  however  varied  that  i», 
andconditionft  and  localities  being  Hodiffertmt.  they  prefer 
to  receive  answers,  even  several  of  them  to  the  same  oues 
tion,  from  readers  everywhere.  Don't  hesitate  to  uvite 
because  you  may  feel  you  are  no  fine  writer;  give  facts  ami 
ideas  and  the  editors  will  see  that  they  appear  in  credi- 
table shape. 

In  writing,  give  the  number  of  the  question  you  are  an. 
stcvrtng;  your  locality  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publica- 
tion unless  you  desire.     M'rite  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper 

Flowers  will  be  gladly  named  provided  first,  that  no  more 
than  three  besent  at  one  time.  Second,  that  tficse  befully 
prepaid.  Third,  that  sej-eral  specimens  of  each  reach  us  in 
good  shape.  We  cannot  undertake  to  name  florists'  varie- 
ties, 

74.— Geranium.  Where  can  I  get  a  J.  G.  Blaine 
(ieraniuni?  Will  exchange  or  pay  money.  Mr.s 
S.  J.  ConiuNs,  mt.  Morri.i,  Oyle  Co.,  III. 

To.— Cactus.  Will  some  one  please  tell  me  how 
often  a  (..'actus  must  Ije  watered  to  do  well? 

T6.-Foliage  Plants.  Do  Foliage  Plants  require 
much  water?    Rose. 

"T.— Carica.  Where  can  I  buy  the  seed  or  plants 
of  the  Melon  Tree  (Carica  papnya)?    A.  B. 

i8.— Clematis.  Please  give  the  mode  of  propa- 
gating the  hybrid  Clematis,  whether  by  grafting 
layering  or  from  seed ;  also,  the  proper  time. 

7"  —Dracaena.  We  have  a  Dracsena  Terminalis 
that  does  not  seem  to  thrive,  'niiat  shall  we  do 
with  it  to  make  it  growy    M  C.  G. 

SI.— Bermuda  Lily.  .Should  the  Bermuda  Lily 
(  Htirrisiit  be  put  in  the  ground  in  the  spring,  after 
blooming  in  the  house,  or  dried  off  and  be  planted 
in  the  fall:-  I  want  it  to  grow  in  the  ground  next 
yeary    E.  M.  M. 

82.— Hydrangea.  Is  Hydrangea  Hortense  grown 
from  seedy    F   French,  Syracu.'ie,  N.  Y. 

83.— Hyacinth.  Will  a  Hyacinth  which  has  just 
gone  out  of  Ijloom  blossom  again  this  yeary  How 
shall  I  care  for  it  until  its  next  blooming  timey 

84.— Forcing  Plants.  Will  someone  please  ex- 
plain about  foicing  plantsy    JIillie  Pi'kple. 

85.— Wind-break.  What  kind  of  tree  would  be 
the  best  for  a  wind-break,  one  that  grows  fast  and 
thick,  and  will  stand  the  severest  weather?  Is  the 
.\ustrian  Pine  the  best  y 

81).— Hedges.  Is  Arbor  Vitaj  the  best  for  a  hedge, 
and  which  variety*  I  want  something  that  grows 
quickly,  is  easily  kept,  and  that  nothmg  can  get 
through.  How  are  Blueberries  cultivatedy  What 
kind  of  soil  and  manure  is  besty  How  deep  are 
they  plantedy    E.  Shelley,  Quincy,  III. 

REPLIES  TO  INQUIRIES. 

i».-Sweet  Violets.  Plant  out  young  plants  last 
of  May,  on  north  side  of  a  building,  in  a  rich  bed, 
using  some  leaf  mold  or  muck  Grow  until  Au- 
gust :  then  take  off  the  runners,  lift  and  pot  before 
frost  and  keep  in  a  cool  place,  40°  to  5(1°. 

0.).-  -Richardia  is  a  summer  bloomer 
or  — English  Ivy.    Cut  back  and  repot,  or  plant 
out  of  doors  until  fail.    James  Frost. 

08— Ants  are  injurious  to  plants.  To  get  i-id  of 
them  take  fresh  lime,  slack  it  in  water  enougli  to 
make  a  got>d  whitewash,  and  let  it  stand  until  set- 
tled, so  tbat  the  water  is  clejir.  Water  the  plants 
with  the  clear  liquid  and  the  ants  will  leave. 

Hi.- Foliage  Plants.  Some,  such  as  Caladiums, 
Canuas,  and  the  like,  require  a  great  deal  of  water. 
Otheis,  like  Coleus  and  Amaranthus,  etc  ,  onl\-  an 
ordinary  amount. 

"— Carica.  Martin  Benson,  Swamvick,  III,  can 
perhaps  supply  the  seed,  or  else  tell  who  can 

78.- Clematis.  Layering  is  the  method  usually 
employed  in  propagating,  though  grafting  may  also 
be  used.  In  this  section  ,Iuly  is  the  proper  tune 
for  layering. 

S-' —Hydrangea.  Propagate  by  cuttings.  E  E.  S. 


The  Convention. 
.\s  announced  in  our  last  month's  issue  the 
Eleventh  Annual  Convention  of  the  American  As- 
sociation of  Xm-serymcn.  Florists.  Seedsmen  and 
kindred  interests,  will  be  held  in  Washington,  D  C, 
June  lti-2()  next.  It  promises  to  be  a  meeting  of 
more  than  usual  interest— held  a,s  it  will  be  at  the 
National  Capitiil.  where  so  much  is  to  be  seen  and 
learned  of  practical  horticulture.  Fares  reduced 
to  a  rate  of  one  and  one-third,  for  the  round  trip, 
are  being  offered  by  all  leading  railroads.  A 
refhiction  is  also  being  secured  in  hotel  rates  There 
should  be  a  large  attendance.  For  full  particulars, 
address  D.  Wilmot  Scott,  Galena,  111. 


io8 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


June, 


"^e  Household 

Canning  Fruit. 

In  canning  fruit,  that-  should  be  chosen  which 
is  fresh  and  well  ripened.  This  is  of  special 
importance  with  Strawberries,  which  at  best, 
are  more  difticult  to  keep  than  most  others ; 
they  should  also  always  have  the  best  cans.  It 
should  be  added,  that  the  color  of  this  fruit 
may  be  retained  by  using  plenty  of  boiling 
syrup  to  begin  the  stewing. 

Acid  fi-uits  of  all  kinds,  aside  from  considera- 
tions of  taste,  should  be  well  sweetened  to  im- 
prove the  keeping.  With  others  this  is  also 
desirable,  but  of  less  importance.  Sweet  Cher- 
ries keep  well  with  but  little  sugar.  Sour 
Cherries  are  improved  in  canning  by  heating 
slowly,  and  then  draining  the  first  strong  juice 
from  them  and  adding  water  and  sugar  instead, 
in  which  to  can  the  fruit. 

In  the  operation  of  filling,  set  the  cans  on  a 
folded  towel,  wet  with  cold  water,  and  none 
will  ever  break  as  the  hot  fruit  is  poured  in. 

An  abundance  of  .iuice  is  always  important, 
even  if  increased  by  the  addition  of  sugar  and 
water  syrup.  There  must  be  enough  in  every  can 
to  cover  the  fruit,  and  allow  besides  for  the  set- 
tling. As  every  can  is  filled,  work  a  spoon- 
handle  several  times  through  the  fniit  to  cause 
the  air  bubbles  to  rise,  after  which  more  fruit 
may  usually  be  added.  Fasten  the  cover  tight, 
testing  the  work  by  inverting  the  can.  Then, 
after  standing  an  hour  they  will  bear  tightening 
once  more.  After  the  work  is  done,  store  the 
cans  in  a  dark  place. 

Some  kinds  of  fruit  are,  for  variety,  very  fine 
for  being  mixed,  as  sweet  with  sour  Chen-ies; 
Red  Raspberries  with  Red  Currants ;  Quinces 
with  Pears  or  sweet  Apples.  The  flavor  of 
Peaches  and  most  stone  fruits  is  improved  by 
adding  the  meats  of  a  few  stones,  or  even  by 
leaving  them  wholly  or  in  part  unstoned. 

Grapes  are  about  the  easiest  of  all  fruits  to 
can,  and  may  sometimes  be  put  in  cans  not 
trusted  for  other  kinds. 

As  regards  the  utensils  for  canning,  a  granite- 
ware  or  porcelain  lined  kettle  should  be  chosen 
as  being  the  best;  those  of  tin  or  brass  answer 
well,  but  with  this  caution:  that  the  fruit 
never  be  allowed  to  cool  in  them. 

Glass  jars  seem  preferable  to  all  others;  but 
let  it  be  seen  to,  that  the  glass  tops  are  free 
from  anything  like  nicks  or  cracks. 

Many  fail  in  canning,  through  so  small  a 
matter  as  the  rubber  rings,  which  are  used  on 
all  cans  in  these  days.  Let  us  say  that  all  such 
are  useless  after  losing  their  clasticit}'.  Should 
any  that  are  otherwise  good  prove  to  be  too 
thin,  use  more  than  one.  These  rings  are  in- 
expensive, so  no  risks  should  be  taken  in  this. 


Brieflets. 

How  to  live  cheap:  Visit. 

Have  the  screens  iu  place  before  fly  time. 

Chlorine  Water,  it  is  said,  will  remove  scorching 
marks. 

Flannel  or  bunting,  but  not  black,  for  camping- 
out  suits. 

Warranted  to  remove  grease  spots  from  clothes 
—cut  them  out. 

Oranges  may  be  served  nicely  at  table,  by  cutting 
into  eighths,  and  not  peeling 

Instead  of  blacking  the  cook  stove  so  often,  try 
rubbing  with  paper;  it  will  save  your  hands  as  well. 

Poached  or  Dropped  Eggs.  Salt  the  water  in 
which  they  are  cooked  It  must  not  boil  after  the 
eggs  are  in 

Flat  Irons  that  have  been  over-heated  sometimes 
stick ;  to  prevent  which  iron  over  a  slightly  waxed 
paper  a  few  tiuses. 

Does  a  glass  stopper  fail  to  loosen?  Then  expand 
the  bottle's  neck  by  burning  a  match  under  it,  when 
it  will  soon  start  with  ease. 

Stove  Pipes.  Rust  in  sunmier  is  the  great  enemy 
of  these.  Now,  before  taking  down  your  coal  stove 
make  a  wood  fire  in  it,  to  fill  all  the  pipes  with 
wood  smoke.  You  will  find  that  this  will  aid  in 
their  preservation  by  preventing  rust. 


Pineapples.  No  fruit  is  more  delicious  when 
canned.  In  getting  aroimd  a  supply  don't  wait  un- 
til they  are  scarce  and  dear.  Sometimes  one  can 
buy  a  lot  cheap,  which  a  dealer  finds  will  not  keep 
tor  the  next  day's  sales.  Should  such  contain  a 
few  specks,  indicating  decay,  by  carefully  cutting 
them  out  to  the  core,  the  rest  will  not  be  affected. 
The  hard,  tough  core  is  useless. 

Fcru  colored  curtains  can  be  washed  without 
fading  by  doing  so  in  bran  water.  For  each  large 
curtain  use  two  quarts  of  bran,  boiUng  it  half 
an  hour  in  water  to  cover,  afterwards  straining 
through  a  coai-se  towel.  To  use.  enough  water  can 
be  added  to  give  it  a  slightly  starchy  feeling.  By 
washing  in  this  about  three  times,  they  will  also  be 
properly  stiffened.  It  always  surprises  us  to  see 
how  readily  the  dirt  comes  out  without  the  aid  of 
soap.  To  dri",  stretch  and  pin  carefully  upon  sheets 
that  have  been  fastened  to  the  carpet. 

Carpets.  Who  of  our  readers,  but  have  to  move 
sometimes,  calling  for  the  refitting  of  carpets.  If 
the  carpets  are  made  rug-fashioned  to  fit  almost 
any  room  by  the  addition  of  a  material  called  fill- 
ing, a  gain  will  be  made  at  moving  time.  Filling 
may  also  extend  f.ar  enough  from  the  edge  of  the 
room  to  be  fitted  around  mantles,  registers,  etc., 
which,  in  the  old  style  of  fitting,  spoil  cancels  so 
badly.  Regular  border  material  may  of  course  be 
u  ed  in  the  same  way;  we  would  advise  buying  an 
extra  yard  or  two  for  piecing  out  with. 


poMltry. 

The  Future  of  the  Poultry  Business. 

BY  H.  S.  BABCOCK,  PROVIDENCE,  R.  I. 

The  interest  in  poultry  has  been  years  grow- 
ing to  its  present  dimensions.  Its  growth  has 
been  a  healthy  one,  resting  upon  a  solid  basis. 
Eggs  and  flesh  are  demanded  and  will  continue 
to  be  in  demand  so  long  as  human  appetites 
need  to  be  satisfied. 

As  great  as  is  our  present  production,  it  is 
less  than  the  present  demand.  For  years  we 
have  been  importing  eggs  in  ever  increasing 
(juantities,  and  while  we  have  been  increasing 
our  production  the  demand  has  constantly  out- 
run the  supply. 

We  imported  in 
1876,      4,903,771    dozens,  valued  at    $  f)ao,393 
1880,       7,773,492  "  "  "         901,933 

1885,     16,098,450  "  "  "      3,476,072 

And  this  is  the  way  that  the  poor,  over- 
worked American  hen  has  to  compete  with  the 
pauper  hens  of  other  lands  where  the  glorious 
doctrine  of  protection  has  never  been  preached ! 

It  is  to  be  noticed  that  in  the  last  ten  j'ears 
our  importations  of  eggs  have  increased  from 
4.903,771  dozens  to  16,098,450  dozens,  and  their 
value  from  $630,393  to  A3,476,('73,  or  in  round 
numbers,  our  egg  imports  have  nearly  quad- 
rupled. Our  population  has  increased  in  five 
years,  in  round  numbers,  from  49,000,000  to 
55,000,000,  or  about  12  1-4  per  cent.  The  in- 
crease for  ten  years  at  the  same  rate  would  be 
about  24  1-2  per  cent. 

While  our  population  has  increased  about 
34  1-3  per  cent,  our  importation  of  eggs  have 
increased  nearly  400  per  cent.  But,  as  we  have 
already  said,  our  production  has  greatly  in- 
creased within  the  same  period,  so  that  the 
consumption  must  have  increased  more  than 
twenty-five  times  as  fast  as  the  population. 
Should  this  state  of  things  continue,  we  should 
never  be  able  to  supply  our  own  markets,  and 
high  prices    would  continue  indefinitely. 

We  scarcely  expect  this  to  be  the  result.  A 
steady'  and  growing  demand  will  tend  to  largely 
increase  the  supply.  At  last,  as  has  been  the 
case  in  all  other  branches  of  business,  the  cost 
of  production  will  regulate  the  price  of  the 
products. 

CONDENSED  POULTRY  NOTES. 
Oats  aif  excelleDt  for  egg  production. 
For  rapid  growth  feed  the  chicks  often . 
Fowls  are  better  off  if  kept  in  on  rainy  days. 
Late  hatching  for  ducks  will  hardly  answer. 
Throw  fresh  sods  to  confined  hens  sometimes. 


If  ©g'&S  seem  to  nm  scarce,  perhaps  a  thief  is  the 
cause. 

Have  you  whitewashed  the  poultry  house?  It's 
getting  late,  hut  not  too  late. 

If  hens  in  confined  places  cannot  have  the  best 
of  care,  then  better  not  keep  any. 

Above  all  else,  see  that  chickens  have  a  good 
place  to  roost  and  in  which  to  lay,  the  year  around. 
Such  a  place  needs  to  be  wind-proof,  water-proof 
and  well  ventilated. 

One  of  our  poultry -growing  friends  is  enthusias- 
tic over  his  cross  between  Black  Spanish  and  Brah- 
mas  for  lajing  purposes.  He  brags  on  them,  and 
perhaps  justly  enough. 

The  color  of  eggs  for  sale  iu  the  markets  of  the 
coiuitrj-,  being  darker  now  than  twenty  years  ago, 
simply  proves  that  the  Asiatic  blood  has  been 
largely  introduced  throughout  the  countr>',  leaving 
its  mark  on  the  color  of  the  eggs. 

Chicken-coops  frequently  prove  to  be  a  nuisance. 
A  yard  of  some  size,  which  confines  the  hen  and 
lets  the  chickens  run.  is  much  better — enough  so.  in 
fact,  as  to  make  it  an  object  to  substitute  for  coops. 
Coops  are  too  often  filthy  and  unhealthy. 

Profitable  Poultry.  If  your  desire  to  know 
whether  jour  poultry  is  profitable,  keep  an  account 
of  the  expense  and  income,  the  latter  of  course  to 
include  all  the  products  consumed  at  home,  a  big 
item  usually.  By  such  a  course  a  good  many  peo- 
ple would  be  surprised  at  the  results— some  pleas- 
antly, some  otherwise  :  but  a  good  deal  would  be 
learned  by  this  means. 

Aim  to  Prevent  Disease.  Fowls  may  be  kept 
free  from  all  diseases  bj'  attending  well  to  their 
common  needs.  They  should  above  all  things  have 
clean  aparrments,  and  such  as  will  thoroughly 
shelter  them  from  wet  and  wind.  The  food  should 
embrace  grain,  green  stuff,  and  meat  or  scraps 
from  the  table,  and  be  fed  in  only  such  quantity 
as  will  be  eaten  up  clean  each  time.  Clean  water, 
and  no  other,  should  always  be  within  their  reach. 

Movable  Poultry  Quarters,  ^'ith  the  use  of 
such  some  poultry  can  be  kept  in  confinement  in 
small  groimds  to  as  good  ailvantage  almost  as 
when  they  have  a  free  run  on  a  farm.  For  a  dozen 
hens,  make  a  structure  ten  feet  long  and  sbc  feet 
wide.  Four  feet  of  one  end  should  be  boarded  up, 
roofed  and  fitted  with  floor,  feeding  and  other 
conveniences  ;  the  remainder  should  be  onlj' 
two  feet  high,  and  made  of  lath  or  nai-row  boards, 
for  a  yard,  but  without  a  floor  This  structure  may 
be  easily  carried  by  two  men,  or  it  might  be  fitted 
to  move  on  rollers.  It  should  be  located  on  a  grassy 
patch,  and  moved  its  length  every  day  or  two. 

Fowls  Eating  Their  Feathers.  These  fowls  are 
suffering  from  a  tlepraved  appetite,  which  is  usu- 
ally brought  on  by  the  bird's  digestive  organs  being 
upset.  A  general  change  of  food,  with  such  vege- 
tables as  can  be  found— swedes  or  mangels,  for 
instance— would  be  beneficial.  I  should  imagine 
the  grit  is  not  of  the  right  kind.  Give  some  broken 
oyster  shells,  old  crocks  and  broken  bones, 
while  if  the  birds  could  have  a  fresh  run  it 
woidd  be  a  very  good  thing.  Such  fowls  as  eat 
feathers  should  be  separated  from  the  rest,  or  what 
is  better,  killed  off.  for  they  are  not  often  cured. 
The  water  should  be  wholesome,  and  a  rusty  nail 
might  occasionally  be  kept  in  it  I  liave  never  had 
a  feather  eater  in  my  farm  yards,  but  they  are  not 
uncommon  when  enclosed  within  limited  space. 
No  man  knows  the  variety  of  food  a  fowl  takes 
when  at  liberty.  They  love  to  frequent  a  newly- 
mown  field,  as  they  find  an  old  pasture  does  not 
supply  all  their  wants.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  kill  or 
sell  all  birds  after  their  second  season.      J.  W.  R. 

Keeping  Eggs  from  "  Cheap  to  Dear."     The 

writer  has  practiced  it  successfully  for  years.  I 
use  the  racks  of  the  Batcheldor  egg  cases,  each 
rack  holding  six  dozen;  these  I  fill  in  summer  or 
early  faU,  placing  them  iu  a  cellar,  cool  and  quite 
dark.  A  spare  rack  is  kept  and  once  each  week 
all  eggs  are  turned  by  placing  the  spare  rack  over 
a  full  one,  and  carefully  turning  the  lower  rack  on 
top,  as  one  does  with  incubator  trays.  All  are  soon 
turned  over.  The  one  strong  jioint  is  to  take  abso- 
lute new  fresh  eggs;  then  they  will  keep  for  four, 
six  or  eight  months  <>ne  of  the  heaviest  egg  deal- 
ers in  our  state,  when  told  of  the  above  method, 
said:  '"  You  have  my  method  almost:  for  years  my 
"wife  has  sewed  a  strong  lr)op  on  each  end  of  fifteen 
or  twenty  of  my  small  salt  sacks,  and  we  put  a 
couple  dozen  fresh  eggs  in  each  oue  early  in  the 
fall,  close  up  the  opening,  hang  the  bag  on  hooks  in 
my  cellar  at  home,  and  by  turning  the  sacks  once  a 
week,  hanging  them  up  bj-  loop  on  tlie  other  end, 
we  have  all  the  fresh  eggs  needed  for  use  till  spring." 
—Cor.  Farm,  Field  and  stocktnan. 


POPULAR  GARDENING 


FOR    TOWN    AND    COUNTRY. 


"ACCUSE  NOT  NATURE,  SHE  HATH  DONE  HER  PART;   DO  THOU  BUT  THINE."— JiivroK. 


Vol.  1. 


JTJI.-Y-,    1886. 


No.  lO. 


A  Summer  Picture. 

A  cloudless  sky,  and  a  stretch  of  meadow 

Dotted  with  dais}-  aud  clover  blooms; 
A  farm-house  old,  in  the  white  trees  nestled. 

And  hum  of  bees  in  the  lilac  plumes: 
Tassels  of  alder  so  slenderly  swaying, 

And  flower-bells  swinging  in  every  breeze: 
A  song  of  bird  from  the  woodland  shadow, 

And  carol  of  joy  in  the  budding  trees: 
A  lake's  dark  calm  in  the  distance  Ij'ing, 

With  cliff's  gray  turrets  reflected  deep, 
And  flag-fringed  shores  where  the  trees  are 
bending 

O'er  stilly  shades  where  the  lilies  sleep. 

—  Youths  Companion. 


Lifting  Plants  in  July. 

For  varioii.s  purposes  there  is  a  gain  to  be 
found  in  lifting  pot  plants  in  Jul}'  instead  of 
September.  Take  for  e.Kample  such  free 
growing  kinds  as  Geraniums,  Coleus,  Helio- 
trope, Abutilons,  Salvias  and  the  like,  that 
may  be  wanted  for  fall  decoration  or  for  fall 
flower  shows,  and  they  can  be  gotten  up  in 
much  better  shape  for  the  purpose  if  potted 
now  than  if  done  two  or  three  mouths  later. 
Indeed,  we  are  disposed  to  think  that  if  all 
plants  designed  for  fall  and  winter  use  in  the 
house, were  lifted  earlier  tliau  the  customary 
time  of  September,  gains  would  be  made. 

The  reason  for  these  advantages  in  earl}' 
lifting  are  obvious.  Plants  set  into  the  flower 
beds  in  May  will  have  become  well  estab- 
lished and  be  pushing  vigorously  root  and 
top  by  July.  But  at  this  date  the  roots,  ac- 
tive as  thej'  are,  will  not  have  spread  so  far 
but  that  by  lifting  the  plants  carefull}-, 
nearly  every  one  of  the  former  may  be  re- 
tained. As  root  growth,  especially  in  early 
stages  is  generally  in  advance  of  top  growth, 
we  may  therefore  have,  by  lifting  now,  the 
favorable  condition  of  roots  in  (juantity  to 
correspond  fully  with  the  top. 

With  later  liftings  it  is  different.  From 
now  on,  the  roots  of  most  plants  extend  to 
such  lengths,  that  it  is  impossible  to  retain 
them  all  if  lifting  be  deferred  several  months. 
But  the  top  will  all  be  there,  giving  us  the 
condition  in  September  lifted  plants  of  more 
top  than  roots.  Plants  under  such  circum- 
stances, even  with  pruning,  cannot  possibly 
recuperate  to  as  good  advantage,  as  where 
root  and  top  are  in  good  balance. 

To  those,  especially  of  our  readers,  who 
may  have  the  opportunity  of  hel|iing  to  get 
up  autumn  flower  shows,  we  would  say,  be- 
gin the  lifting  soon.  Bj'  putting  the  plants 
now  into  six  or  seven  inch  pots,  using  rich 
soil  and  giving  them  all  the  water  needed,  you 
may  easily  outdistance,  in  beauty  of  exhibits, 
those  growers  who  for  the  same  purpose 
defer  the  lifting  of  stock  until  September. 


be  grown,  the  distribution  becomes  ■wider. 
The  Gloxinias  can  be  flowered  as  easily  as 
a  Geranium,  only  requiring  a  little  knowl- 
edge of  its  likes  and  dislikes.  A  good  col- 
lection may  be  secured  from  one  package  of 
seeds;  in  purchasing,  get  the  finest  strain. 

By  starting  Gloxinias  tubers  at  intervals, 
a  succession  of  these  splendid  flowers  may 
be  had  nearly  the  whole  year.  In  potting, 
do  not  entirely  cover  the  bulb,  as  its  shoots 
are  unable  to  push  up  through  the  soil  like 
a  Calla,  and  the  soil  should  be  put  in  loosely, 
settling  after  the  bulb  is  planted,  by  giving 
the  pot  a  sudden  jar.  After  potting,  water 
thorough!}',  place  in  a  warm,  rather  shaded 
.situation,  and  they  will  need  no  more  atten- 
tion, excepting  a  moderate  supply  of  water, 
till  new  growth  is  noticed,  when  the  sup- 
pi}'  of  water  should  be  gradually  increased. 
In  mixing  up  some  soil,  add  a  small  quan- 
tity of  decomposed  cow  manure  from  the 
"  sod  heap  "  when  potting  or  re-potting.  By 
the  way,  if  that  "  sod  heap  "  has  not  b^en 
made,  let  it  be  attended  to  right  away,  and 
this  is  as  good  a  mixture  as  can  lie  had  for 
a  general  collection  of  plants:  Two  parts 
sandy  sods,  laid  grassy  sides  together,  and 
one  part  cow  or  horse  manure,  or  better  still, 
rotted  refuse  hops  from  the  breweries.  This 
should  lie  repeatedly  turned,  until  it  be- 
comes friable. 

When  Gloxinias  are  through  blooming, 
many  recommend  drying  them  off.  I  do 
not  favor  this.  Of  course  the  supply  of 
water  must  be  diminished,  or  the  tubers 
will  decay,  but  it  is  not  necessary  to  stop 
watering  altogether — indeed,  I  think  the 
plants  are  improved  by  keeping  the  soil 
moist  enough  for  them  to  start  again,  which 
they  will  do  .soon. 

But  few  named  varieties  of  Gloxinias  are 
offered  in  this  country,  and  I  find  some  of 
the  imported  named  kinds  I  have  grown 
quite  inferior  to  my  tmnamed  seedlings.  I 
have  one  extra  strong  plant  (in  bud  now) 
given  me  by  a  friend,  which  showed  twenty- 
four  flowers  in  perfection  at  one  time  last 
season,  which,  alone,  rivalled  all  of  my  im- 
ported named  varieties  in  both  foliage  and 
richness  of  Iiloom. 

Gloxinias  require  a  larger  pot  than  most 
plants  as  dwarf  as  they. 

Wilbur  F.  Lake. 


About  Gloxinias. 

Early  started  bulljs  of  this  elegant  plant 
shoidd  be  in  bloom  during  the  present  month. 
Formerly  it  was  quite  rare  to  flnd  the 
Gloxinia  outside  of  a  green-hou,se,  but  as 
people  begin  to  learn  how  easily  a  plant  can 


Who  Will  Join  the  Audubon  Society? 

The  bir(is  of  America  should  find  their 
warmest  friends  among  the  gardeners  of 
America.  The  killing  of  birds  means  the 
increase  of  insects  that  spoil  aud  consume 
our  crops.  The  small  toll  they  take  from 
the  crops  is  a  very  light  compensation,  on 
the  whole,  for  the  good  done. 

Con.siderjng  the  heartless  slaughter  of 
millions  of  useful  birds  in  the  past,  at  the 
demand  of  dame  fashion  and  by  sportsmen, 
and  even  by  the  boys,  it  is  time  that  those 
who  are  their  friends  should  stand  by  them. 


It  is  said  on  good  authority,  that  in  one 
month  last  year,  one  million  Rails  and  Boli- 
olinks  were  destroyed  about  Philadelphia 
for  the  millinery  market.  We  are  indeed 
glad  to  see  that  an  awakening  is  taking  place 
as  to  the  worth  and  rights  of  birds,  both  in 
this  country  and  in  England,  and  which 
promi.ses  to  breakup  the  ruthless  killing  of 
them  that  has  so  long  gone  on  unchecked. 

The  Audubon  Society,  referred  to  in  our 
heading,  is  an  association  recently  founded 
in  New  York  City,  for  the  protection  of 
birds.  It  desires  the  co-operation  of  all  lov- 
ers of  the  feathered  songsters,  and  asks  such 
to  become  members  of  the  association.  This 
may  be  done  by  any  person  without  cost, 
who  will  write  out  and  sign  the  following 
pledges,  mailing  them  to  The  Audubon  So- 
ciety, No.  40  Park  Row,  New  York.  When 
the  pledges  are  received,  a  certificate  of 
membership  in  it  is  returned  to  the  sender. 

Plt'dije  1.  I  pledge  myself  not  to  kill,  wound 
or  capture  any  wild  bird  not  used  for  food,  as 
long  as  I  remain  a  member  of  the  Audubon 
Society;  and  I  promise  to  discom'age  and  pre- 
vent the  killing,  wounding  or  capture  of  birds 
by  others. 

Plcdye  2.  I  pledge  myself  not  to  rob,  destroy 
or  in  any  way  disturb  or  injure  the  nest  or 
eggs  of  any  wild  bird  so  long  as  I  remain  a 
member  of  the  Audubon  Society;  and  I  prom- 
ise to  discourage  and  prevent,  so  far  as  I  can, 
such  injury  by  others. 

Ph'dgi'  3.  I  pledge  myself  not  to  make  use 
of  the  feathers  of  an}'  wild  bird  as  ornaments 
of  dress  or  household  furniture,  and  by  every 
means  in  my  power  to  discourage  the  use  of 
feathers  for  decorative  purposes. 

Is  there  in  our  family  of  readers  one  per- 
son who  will  not  gladly  sign  these  pledges, 
and  be  enrolled  among  the  members  of  the 
Audubon  Society  ?  We  are  free  to  say  that 
inasmuch  as  the  women  of  our  land — too 
often  in  thoughtlessness — have  been  ar- 
raigned among  the  bird  destroyers,  so  now 
the  women  of  our  land  should  be  among 
the  first  to  work  out  an  effective,  time-en- 
during remedy  for  an  obvious  evil.  We  are 
sure  that  they  will  quickly  respond.  Every 
mother  should  take  it  ujion  her  to  inspire 
her  children  with  due  regard  for  the  rights 
of  these  feathered  friends  of  num.  When 
a  proper  public  seutiment  is  created  with  re- 
gard to  the  value  of  these  for  their  living 
beauty,  utility  and  song,  then  may  they  re- 
joice that  they  had  a  hand  in  the  gracious 
work.  In  that  day  every  true  woman  would 
be  ashamed  to  wear  feathered  adornments 
purchased  at  the  cost  of  blood.  And  in  that 
day  the  lament  that  destructive  insects  are 
"  worse  than  in  former  years,"  will  less 
rarely  be  heard  by  cultivators  of  flowers, 
fruit  and  vegetables. 

Summer  Pruning  of  Grape  Vines. 
BY  E.  WII.LIA.MS. 

Do  I  believe  in  it?  I  do  most  assuredly, 
and  practice  it,  too.     Its  object  and  advant- 


1  lO 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


July, 


ages  are  in  directing  the  growth  of  the  wood 
where  it  will  serve  the  very  best  purpose 
for  the  production  of  fruit. 

As  the   vines  awaken  from   their  winter 
sleep   in   the  spring,  and  the  buds  begin  to 


Fig.  1. 


A  Ni])ple  Cactus — Mamillaria 
meiacantha. 


swell,  it  will  be  observed  that  two  buds  often 
appear  from  what  seemed  but  one  in  dormant 
state.  The  first,  simplest  and  most  impor- 
tant operation  in  summer  pruning  is  to  rub 
off  one  of  these  and  all  superfluous  ones 
wherever  and  whenever  they  appear.  A  sim- 
lile  touch  of  the  finger  will  do  it.  The  weak- 
est and  generally  the  lowest  one  has  to  go. 

If  the  buds  from  any  cause  start  feebly, 
the  sooner  this  is  done  the  better  for  those 
that  remain.  In  cases  where  they  start  strong 
and  vigorously,  however,  it  is  well  to  defer 
their  removal  until  the  embryo  clusters  have 
appeared.  If  these  shoots  have  grown  a 
foot  or  a  foot  and  a  half,  no  matter.  The 
check  to  the  vine  willbe  the  greater  and  their 
removal  none  the  less  demanded.  The  re- 
maining shoots  are  pinched  off  at  one  or  two 
leaves  beyond  the  last  cluster  of  fruit,  and 
the  laterals  are  stopped,  in  the  same  waj'  as 
recommended  for  the  .young  vine,  to  one  leaf. 

Those  bearing  canes  and  laterals,  after  re- 
covering from  the  check  thus  given,  will 
soon  make  a  fresh  start  in  wood-making, 
and  the  pinching  process  is  to  be  repeated  as 


Fig.  4.    A  Torch  Cactus— Eehinocereiis 
viridifiorus. 

before,  leaving  an  additional  leaf  each  time. 
The  effect  of  this  treatment  is  to  retard  the 
sap  and  retain  it  where  it  is  needed  for  the 
full  development  of  buds,  leaves  and  fruit. 
The  leaves  remaining  increase  in  size  much 
beyond   their    normal    proportions,    and    a 


strong,  vigorous  leaf  of  this  kind  is  most 
capable  of  resisting  the  attack  of  mildew. 
The  larger  the  leaf  area  next  to  the  fruit 
the  larger  and  finer  the  fruit  will  be. 

This  pinching  process  also  results  in  full. 


The  Brush  Cactiis- 


Mamillaria 


plump  and  well-developed  buds  on  the  canes 
to  be  left  for  the  ne.\t  year's  fruiting.  Vines 
which  are  allowed  to  grow  at  random  and 
take  care  of  themselves  seldom  fruit,  purely 
from  lack  of  development.  The  sap,  being 
allowed  to  pursue  its  natural  course  unmo- 
lested, has  no  time  to  stop  and  pay  proper 
attention  to  these  buds.  The  short-spur  sys- 
tem depends  absolutely  for  success  on  this 
summer  pruning. 

I  know  of  a  very  successful  amateur  who 
has  vines  ten  years  old  treated  on  this  system 
some  of  the  spurs  on  which  are  not  over  li 
inches  long,  so  short  in  some  cases  that  the 
base  bud  seems  to  start  almost  out  of  the  old 
wood,  and  yet  this  bud  will  give  as  good 
fruit  and  as  large  clusters  as  any,  and  does 
so  year  after  year.  It  is  simply  due  to  this 
full  development  resulting  from  summer 
pruning. — Extract  from  a  paper  read  before 
the  American  Horticultural  Society. 


Something  about  Cactuses. 

The  Cactuses  at  last  seem  to  be  in  the  way 
of  receiving  the  attention  due  them  from 
Americans.  We  say  Americans,  because  it 
is  a  fact,  and  not  greatly  to  our  credit,  that 
these  plants,  which  are  strictly  American  as 
to  nativity,  have  all  along  been  more  prized 
by  Europeans  than  by  ourselves.  The  pres- 
ent growing  interest  in  them  here  at  home 
is  therefore  altogether  timely.  It  must  be 
added  that  to  Mr.  A.  Blanc,  of  Philadeliihia, 
largely  belongs  the  credit  for  the  recent  im- 
petus given  to  Cactus  culture  in  this  country. 

One  of  the  chief  reasons  why  the  culture 
of  Cactuses  should  be  much  made  of  is  be- 
cause of  their  intrinsic  merits.  Thej'  are  the 
ideal  plant  for  that  large  class  of  amateurs 
who  desire  some  attractive  house  plants, 
but  who  do  not  feel  well  versed  in  plant 
culture.  A  person  decidedly  ignorant  as  to 
the  care  of  plants  might  start  in  with  fifty 
different  sorts,  including  a  Cactus,  and  the 
chances  would  be  that  if,  after  one  or  two 
years  of  poor  treatment,  three  plants  of  the 
collection  remained,  one  of  these,  and  that 
the  thriftiest,  would  be  the  Cactus. 

But  while  it  is  certainly  a  good  point 
in  favor  of  any  plant,  that  it  can  stand 
much  ill-usage,  the  Cacti  can  lay  claim 
to  a  number  of  other  excellent  qualities 
besides.  They  respond  quickly  to  good 
culture, — and  good  culture  in  their  case  is 
of  a  very  simple  kind.    For  grotesque  beauty 


and  charming  flowers  the  famil}'  is  a  nota- 
ble one,  and  the  best  types  among  them  may 
be  easily  grown  under  the  most  ordinary  cir- 
cumstances of  window  gardening.  No  plants 
are  more  free  from  insects  of  all  kinds  than 


Fig.  3. 


The  Whip-cord  Cactus — Cereus 
Jiayellifonnis. 


the  members  of  this  family,  a  point  that  can- 
not fail  of  being  well  appreciated. 

In  the  limits  of  a  single  article  it  would 
be  impossible  to  go  deeply  into  the  matter  of 
kinds  and  varieties  of  these  plants.  As  to 
their  extent,  it  is  only  necessary  to  state  that 
in  a  catalogue  of  Cacti  recently  published 
by  Mr.  Blanc,  of  Philadelphia,  400  distinct 
sorts  are  offered  for  sale.  We  do  not  know 
of  a  more  extensive  catalogue  of  the.se  plants 
issued  by  any  grower  in  the  world  than  this 
one.  To  this  same  gentleman  we  are  in- 
debted for  the  use  of  the  handsome  cuts  of 
different  Cactuses  given  herewith. 

Of  the  near  upon  a  dozen  genera  of 
Cacti  in  cultivation,  those  of  the  Mamillarias 
(see  fig.  1  and  2)  are  among  the  most  desira- 
ble. Search  the  vegetable  kingdom  through 
and  it  would  be  hard  to  find  more  beautiful 
examples  of  symmetry  than  is  shown  in  the 
arrangements  of  the  protuberances  or  "  nip- 
ples," as  well  as  spines  of  many  of  these.  But 
aside  from  this  the  flowers,  produced  in  neat 
rosettes,  are  very  handsome,  and  being  freely 
brought  forth  add  another  marked  charm. 

The  Cereus,  represented  in  the  engravings 
by  figures  3  and  5,  and  a  sub-genus  called 
Echino-cereus,  by  figure  4,  is  perhaps  the 
most  important  of  all  the  genera,  to  cultiva- 
tors. Certain  it  is  that  its  pleasing  generic 
name,  Cereus,  is  more  widely  familiar  to  the 
ears  of  people  than  that  of  any  other  botani- 
cal name  among  Cactuses,  owing  to  the 
fame  of  that  noble  representative,  the  Grand 
Flowered  Night-blooming  Cereus. 

This  remarkable  plant,  it  is  a  pleasure  to 
say,  is  now  getting  comparatively  common, 
but  not  yet  as  much  so  as  it  should  be.  It  is 
one  of  the  easiest  of  ('actuses  to  grow.  We 
have  known  them  to  produce  from  three  to 
forty  of  their  magnificent  flowers  per  plant, 
one  year  after  the  other  in  succession,  for 
many  years.  The  appearance  of  the  flower 
could  not  be  better  shown  in  the  black  and 
white  of  an  engraving  than  has  been  done 
in  the  figure  on  next  page.  As  to  color 
the  interior  is  of  the  most  delicate  creamy 
white,  and  this  is  beautifully  offset  bj'  a  red- 
dish brown  on  the  outside.  Flowers  from 
nine  to  twelve  inches  across  are  not  rare. 
They  emit  a  sweet  delicate  odor  when  open. 

If  there  is  one  objection  to  be  found  to 
this  plant  for  window  culture  it  is  its  free 
growth,  although  large  size  can  be  prevented 
by  making  new  propagations  every  few  years. 
The   same   objection   could  not  be  raised  to 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


1 1 1 


the  other  pretty  Ccreus  in  Fig.  3,  nnniely: 
the  Whip-cord  or  Rat's-tail  Cactus.  This 
is  an  exquisite  {grower,  its  .slender  branches 
often  extending  downward  from  four  to  six 
feet,  if  allowed  to  drop,  as  it  always  shotdd 
be.  We  have  .seen  it  trained  to  trcllise,  but 
it  deserves  better  treatment.  The  flowers  are 
bright  rosy-colored  and  open  in  the  daytime. 
Figure  4  is  a  fine  engraving  of  Echino- 
cereus  viridiflorus.  Yet  it  can  after  all  but 
give  an  idea  of  the  shape  of  the  plant,  leav- 
ing out  the  beautiful  appearance  of  the 
spines.  These  when  they  first  come  out  are 
purple  and  white  of  remarkable  brightness 
and  beaiity,  looking  very  much  indeed  like 
flowers.  The  real  flowers. 
which  are  also  shown  in 
the  engraving,  come  out 
during  the  months  of 
May  and  Jime. 


Mr.S.H.French,of  Mont- 
gomery Co.,  N.  Y. ,  sends 
some  notes  to  this  paper 
concerning  the  article  on 
"Rose  Culture  in  America" 
that  appeai-ed  last  month. 
He  is  of  the  opinion,  and 
with  which  we  quite 
agree,  that  the  best  service 
that  Rose  groweis  could 
give  to  Rose  culture  would 
be  to  publish  Usts  of  the 
hardiest  varieties  in  each 
class.  By  doing  this  they 
would  "fill  a  long-felt 
want."  We  are  aware 
that  a  few  nurserymen  are 
now  doing  this  very  thing ; 
there  is  room  for  an  ex- 
tension of  the  plan. 
That  such  aid  could 
well  be  supplemented 
by  amateurs  giving  the 
names  of  the  sorts  they 
have  been  most  successful 
with,  he  also  calls  atten- 
tion to,  in  these  words, 
and  adding  a  list  of  kinds: 
"  But  the  combined  ex- 
perience of  many  individ- 
uals will  fxirnish  the  same 
information,  and  to  that 
end  I  append  the  names  of 
a  few  kinds  of  monthly- 
blooming  Roses  that  have 
with  me  siu-vived  at  least 
two  winters  and  are  now 
in  good  condition.  I  hope 
some  of  your  other  sub- 
scribers will  add  to  the  Ust : 
Duchess  de  Brabant,  Mal- 
maison,  Reine  Mai"ia  Henrietta,  Washington, 
Hermosa,  Queen  of  Bedders,  Madam  Joseph 
Schwart." 


success  seemingly,  in  a  yard  partly  shtided  with 
buildings  on  the  south  side  and  with  trees. 

*  *  * 
The  longer  I  cultivate  the  soil,  the  more  am 
I  convinced  that  much  labor  is  often  needlessly 
spent  in  summer  watering.     The  use  of  the  hoe 
should  oftener  take  the  place  of  the  hose  and 
watering-pot,  and  when  done  it  will  save  work. 
There  is  this  to  be  said  against  the  free  water- 
ing of  bedded  plants ;  they  make  roots  near  the 
surface,  and  suffer  sooner  from  dryness.     The 
hoe  well  used,  serves  to  drive  roots  to  a  depth 
where  they  will  rarely  suffer. 
* 
»       « 

Is  there   another    flower   either    cultivated 
or   wild  that  just  now  can  excel  in  loveliness 


FIG.  6. 


A  TWO  YEAR   OLD  PLANT  OF  THE  GRAND  FLOV^ERED  NIGHT-BLOOMING  CEREUS- 
Ct'reufi  grantlifionia. 


Notes  from  Lyndale. 

BY   A.   H.  E. 

It  is  frequently  stated  that  the  Tree,  or 
Standard  Roses  as  they  are  called  in  Europe, 
do  not  succeed  in  our  country.  That  they  do 
not  do  as  well  here  ordinarily  as  in  the  Old 
World  is  true,  owing  to  the  greater  heat  and 
dryness  of  our  summers,  but  that  they  cannot 
be  made  to  thrive  is  an  error.  A  group  here, 
standing  in  a  place  well  sheltered  from  the 
wind,  is  now  showy  with  buds  and  flowers. 
The  trees  were  set  out  a  year  ago  last  April. 
All  the  time  since  their  trunks  have  been  kept 
protected  from  sun  and  wind  by  a  single  thick- 
ness of  coarse  canvas,  wound  around  them. 
They  will  be  kept  thus  protected  until  a  good 
top  of  foliage  has  developed  when  the  cover 
can  be  dispensed  with.  I  recall  another  in- 
stance elsewhere  of  these  Roses  gi'owing  with 


the  White  Water  Lily,  Nympha'a  oiforato  (■' 
Patches  of  these  near  the  east  shore  of  the  lake 
show  many  charming  floral  cups  daily,  and 
afford  great  delight  to  the  children  who  ven- 
ture out  for  them.  On  our  table,  too,  no  flower 
of  the  year  is  more  admired.  If  only  this  com- 
mon native  was  not  so  common;  if  the  tubers 
had  to  be  brought  from  India  or  Africa  and 
woidd  cost  five  dollars  apiece,  how  we  would 
prize  them  and  rejoice  if  we  would  succeed  in 
raising  some  of  the  flowers. 


That  the  Water  Nymphe  may  lie  grown,  and 
quite  easily  too,  by  those  who  have  no  water 
naturally  suited  to  them,  was  shown  to  me 
again  the  other  day.  A  neighbor  whose  suc- 
cess at  gardening  in  a  small  front  and  side  lot 
I  often  stop  to  admire  from  the  street,  asked 
me  in  to  see  her  "Water  Lily  lake."  Sure 
enough  some  tubers  that  I  had  given  toWilliam, 
the  husband  of  the  gardener,  more  than  a  year 
ago,  and  which  had  been  planted  in  some  creek 
mud  in  a  sunken  half-cask,  were  showing  one 


beautiful  full-blown  flower,  and  a  bud  above 
the  water.  The  flower  was  perhaps  not  quite 
as  large  as  are  many  of  ours  from  the  lake, 
but  it  was  no  less  delicately  moulded  or  finely 
colored.  But  their  proiluition  was  a  triumph 
which  the  owners  enjoyed  as  much  as  they 
could  have  enjoyed  a  hundred  flowers  grown 
in  a  natural  lake  or  creek. 


The  flowering  of  the  Lindens,  of  which  Lyn- 
dale boasts  of  some  grand  specimens,  is  an  event 
I  always  look  ahead  for,  and  when  it  comes  I 
never  tire  of  drinking  in  the  delicate  beauty 
and  sweetness  of  the  flowers.  What  a  paradise 
the  trees  now  afford  to  the  bees!  Theii-  i-apid- 
ly  increasing  stores  of  the  most  beautiful 
honey  at  this  season  also 
contributes  one  reason 
why  I  welcome  the  Lin- 
den blooms  evei'y  yeai*. 
To  me  the  fragrance  of 
the  blooms,  so  pure  and 
delicate,  is  without  equal 
among  flowers,  while 
their  quiet  beauty  is 
very  pleasing  to  turn  to 
from  the  many  flashing 
colors  that  now  abound  in 
our  gardens  and  lawns. 
^  *  ^ 

A  lull  appears  in  the 
floral  brilliancy  of  the 
shrubljery  border  dur- 
ing July.  For  weeks 
there  have  been  clouds 
of  bright  Deutzias, 
Mock  Oranges,  Bush 
Honeysuckles,  Weigelias, 
Rhododendrons,  and 
further  back,  Japan 
Quince,  early  Spireas, 
C4olden  Bell,  and  others; 
but  now  the  lieauty  has 
changed  to  quiet  forms. 
The  double  Deutzias, 
still  show  some  flowers, 
while  the  summer  Spireas, 
such  as  Callosa,  Billard's 
and  Exima  also  show 
free  bloom. 


Four  years'  experience 
with  a  border  set  out 
chiefly  to  trees,  shrubs 
and  plants  with  showy 
and  striking  foliage  con- 
vinces me  that  there  is 
no  need  of  relying  sole- 
ly, or  even  to  any  con- 
siderable extent,  on  the 
tender  Palms  and  other 
tropical  plants  for  pro- 
ducing picturesque  effects 
In   the  attempt  here  made  in 


in  our  gardens, 
this  direction   the  results  have  been  even  bet- 
ter than  was  anticipated. 

A  rich  border  was  given  up  to  the  free-grow- 
ing and  feathery-leaved  Ailanthus  glaudulosa, 
the  large-leaved  Japanese  Aralia,  the  cut- 
leaved  Sumach,  the  handsome  Besson's  Locust, 
all  of  which  have  finely-divided  foliage.  Then, 
by  way  of  affording  a  wide  contrsist  in  the 
leaves,  there  were  introduced  two  large-leaved 
Umbrella  Trees,  Maiinnlia  frijx'icin,  one  Pa.n- 
lownia  Imperialis,  several  lai-ge-leaved  Hydran- 
geas and  the  Golden  Catalpa.  All  of  these 
have  large,  entire  leaves. 

One  end  of  the  arrangement  tapers  down  to 
clumps  of  grasses  and  herbaceous  plants  of 
striking  appearance,  inclutUng  .such  things  as 
Reeds,  both  of  the  variegated  and  the  green- 
leaved  sorts ;  Riblxjn  Grass,  Heart-leaved  Boc- 
conia.  Plantain  Lilies,  Zebra  Eulalia,  Iris, 
Spireea  Aruncus,  L3Tne  Grass,  Delphiniums, 
Yuccas,  and  some  others. 

Then  there  are  added  some  Ricinus,  Prince's 
Flume  and  other  Amaranthuses,    from  seed, 


[  I  2 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


July, 


Cannas,  Caladiums,  Richardias  and  Gladiolus 
from  among  smnmer  bulbs,  all  of  which  to- 
gether make  such  a  lot  of  plant  and  leaf  forms 
as  serves  to  create  a  very  striking  display  all 
through  the  growing  season. 

*  * 
The  fa<-t  that  the  plants  and  shrubs  referred 
to  are  all  hardy  and  easily  raised,  renders  it 
an  easy  matter  for  any  one  who  has  a  garden, 
to  get  up  beds  of  these  picturesque  plants.  I 
speak  of  the  Ailanthus,  Paulownia  and  other 
trees  as  shrubs,  for  they  must  be  treated  as  such, 
to  be  of  use  in  an  ai-raugement  like  this.  Each 
spring  they  need  to  be  cut  way  back,  nearly  to 
the  ground.  There  will  then  come  forth,  if  the 
growth  be  free,numerous  strong  shoots  bearing 
massive  leaves,  perfect  in  beauty  and  grandeur. 


An  Orchid  for  Window   Culture— Cat- 
tleya  Mossiae. 

BY  WILBUR  F,  LAKE,  WAYNE  COUNTY,  N.  Y. 

This  is  the  very  best  Orchid  I  have  ever  grown 
outside  of  a  gi-een-house.  Very  often  you  heal- 
ladies  wishing  they  could  have  Orchids  that 
would  flourish  in  their  bay-windows,  and  to  all 
such' I  recommend  Cattleya  Mossiae.  Placed 
in  a  basket  made  of  Locust  or  Red  Cedar,  and 
hung  from  the  ceiling,  it  may  be  gi-own  finely. 

In  stai-ting  Epiphytal  Orchids  —  Cattleya 
Mossiie  is  one — it  should  be  observed  to  raise 
them  well  above  the  level  of  the  basket,  so  no 
water  can  settle  around  the  neck.  Peaty  tm-f , 
Sphagnum,  broken  pots  and  kmips  of  charcoal 
is  a  good  mixture  for  filling  the  baskets.  Fresh, 
green  Sphagnum  placed  over  the  whole  after 
potting,  adds  a  fresh  appearance   to  the  plant. 

As  to  temperature,  if  it  be  60°  to  80°  in  sum- 
mer, and  55°  to  65°  or  70°  in  winter,  it  will  be 
about  right  for  South  American  species.  A 
variation  of  a  few  degrees  either  way  will  do 
no  injury  if  the  right  moisture  is  maintained. 

Cattleya  Mossise  is  a  fall  bloomer,  and  should 
be  rested  soon  after  blooming,  by  gradually 
decreasing  the  supply  of  water  and  lowering 
the  temperature  where  they  are  grown. 


Insect  Enemies. 

Much  attention  is  paid  in  some  European 
countries,  to  educating  the  masses  to  an  ac- 
quaintance with  insects  both  injurious  and 
useful,  with  a  view  to  the  extermination  of  the 
former.  As  one  means  to  this  end,  exhibitions 
of  insects  are  made  at  the  agricultural  fairs 
and  similar  shows,  being  stimulated  by  pre- 
miimis.  Here  is  a  pi-acticable  and  valuable  hint 
for  adoption  in  this  country.  Many  a  moth 
or  butterfly  that  is  now  admired  and  allowed 
to  escape,would  be  destroyed, if  its  true  nature, 
as  the  parent  of  numerous  destructive  worms 
or  catei-pillars,  were  known.  Such  shows  would 
excite  interest,  and  be  the  means  of  dissemi- 
nating a  great  amount  of  needed  information. 


Look  Out  for  the  Wild  Sprouts. 

In  cases  without  end,  people  set  out  trees  or 
shi-ubs  of  real  excellence,  and  in  a  few  years 
have  for  the  things  planted  only  some  wild, 
weedy  growths  instead.  Among  our  readers, 
no  doubt,  there  are  many  who  on  reading  this 
statement  will  say :  "That  corresponds  precisely 
with  some  of  my  past  experience."  The  thing 
we  refer  to  is  found  in  those  common  cases  of 
trees  or  shrubs,  which  as  they  come  from  the 
nursery  consist  of  a  root  of  some  free-growing 
sort,  and  bearing  a  choice  gi-afted  part  that  is 
to  make  the  future  tree  or  shrub.  The  kinds 
that  come  to  the  planter  in  this  shape  include 
about  all  improved  fruit  trees,  many,  but  not 
all,  ornamental  trees,  some  shrubs,  roses,  etc. 

In  many  cases  the  only  way  of  perpetuating 
improved  sorts,  is  by  this  course  of  gi-afting 
such  on  some  wild  or  free-growing  stock,  so 
nothing  is  to  be  said  against  the  principle  of  the 
thing.  It  is  the  ignorance  that  would  allow  the 
wild  stock  to  start  up  a  separate  strong  growth, 


at  once  impairing  and  in  time  crowding  out  the 
gTafted  part,  against,  which  we  are  aiming. 

A  common  example  of  this  kind  is  to  be  met 
in  the  beautiful  Kilmarnock  Weeping  AViUow. 


A  Kitmttrnovl-   WiUow  nuffering  from  the  (jrowth 

of  Wild  ^Sprout. -i. 
It  may  be  said  that  but  for  this  process  of  gi-aft- 
ing  on  a  stronger  upright  growing  stock,  the 
raising  of  this  fine  ornamental  tree  would  be 
an  impossibility.  The  same  thing  is  also  true 
of  other  weeping  trees.  Usually  the  improved 
weeping  parts  of  such  are  by  nature  prostrate 
growers,  never  getting  above  the  gi-ound.  To 
make  weeping  trees  of  them  the  prosti'ate 
species  is  grafted  four  or  more  feet  high  on  an 
erect  gi-owing  trunk,  and  when  the  graft  is  es- 
tablished, no  growth  is  to  be  allowed  to  start 
from  any  part  but  the  graft.  But  here  is  where 
the  trouble  comes  in.  A  Kilmarnock  for  ex- 
ample is  planted.  For  a  while  the  desirable 
growth,  all  of  which  should  be  in  a  downward 
direction,  as  shown  in  the  upper  pai't  of  the  ac- 
companying engraving,  is  not  very  strong. 
By  and  by  [lerhaps  one  or  more  shoots  start 
vigorously, some  way  down  the  trunk,  growing 
uprightly  (also  shown  in  the  engraving). 

The  latter  are  enemies.  Being  of  a  wild, 
free  growth  they  soon  make  quite  a  show, 
much  to  the  delight  of  the  owner,  if  he  be 
ignorant  of  theii-  true  nature.  In  time,  if  not 
destroyed,  these  upright  shoots  increase  rapidly 
in  number  and  size.  Allowed  to  grow  on,  as 
they  often  are,  they  soon  crowd  out  the  grafted 
trailing  part,  and  a  coarse,  upright  growing 
Willow  results  in  time. 

Of  course  the  right  thing  to  do  In  this  and 
all  similai-  cases,  is  to  nip  every  wild  sprout  in 
the  bud.  In  the  Willow  referred  to  this  is 
easily  done,  for  the  direction  of  growth  reveals 
its  true  character.  If  it  be  upright,  it  is  wild ; 
remove  it  at  once.    If  downward,  it  is  all  right. 

As  for  other  trees  and  shi-ubs,  such  as 
fruit  trees.  Flowering  Plums,  Thorns,  Roses, 
etc.,  we  can  only  lay  down  the  general  caution 
here,  that  our  readers  beware  of  all  strong 
growing  shoots  that  start  from  the  root  or  neai- 
to  it.  If  any  such  appear  examine  the  tree 
or  bush  closely  to  find  the  point  of  union  be- 
tween the  graft  and  the  stock  (usually  easily 
detected).  If  the  shoots  start  from  below  this 
point,  as  they  most  likely  have  done  if  they 
show  gi-eat  thrift,  remove;  if  above,  allow  them 
to  remain. 

It  should,  during  the  growing  season,  be  the 
tree  owner's  business  to  keep  a  constant  lookout 


for  such  wild  shoots  on  all  kinds  of  trees.  Some 
wOl  be  certain  to  appear ;  the  earlier  they  are 
removed  the  bettor  for  the  tree. 


In  Union  There  is    Strength— Village 
Improvement  Associations. 

In  the  course  of  recent  j-ears  many  of  the 
old  New  England  hamlets  have  been  regener- 
ated by  the  aid  of  association  work  in  town 
gardening.  The  system  by  which  this  has  been 
done  has  had  for  its  basis  what  is  known  as  the 
Village  Improvement  Association.  It  is  a  sys- 
tem so  practical  and  so  efl'ective  for  increased 
beauty  and  healthfulness  of  the  places  where 
apphed  that  it  should  be  very  widely  adopted 
throughout  our  land. 

The  plan  upon  which  these  associations  are 
established  is  a  simple  one.  To  begin  with, 
there  is  a  meeting  called  of  persons  who  are 
interested  in  public  as  well  as  private  improve- 
ments in  the  line  of  gardening.  A  simple  con- 
stitution is  adopted  to  aid  in  more  perfectly  es- 
tablishing and  conducting  the  work  of  the  as- 
sociation. That  our  readers  may  see  the  form 
of  one  of  these,  we  are  able,  through  the  kind- 
ness of  the  Hon.  B.  F.  Northrop,  of  Clinton, 
Conn.,  who  has  been  prominent  in  establishing 
these  associations,  to  present  the  one  that  was 
adopted  by  the  village  in  which  he  lives: 

CLINTON  RURAL  IMPROVEMENT  ASSOCIATION. 

1.  This  Association  shall  be  called  "  The  Bural 
Improvement  Association  of  Clinton.-- 

2.  The  object  of  this  Association  shall  be  to  culti- 
vate public  spirit,  quicken  the  social  and  intellect- 
ual life  of  the  people,  promote  good  fellowship, 
and  secure  public  health  by  better  hygienic  condi- 
tions in  our  homes  and  surroundings,  improve  our 
streets,  roads,  public  grounds,  sidewalks,  and  in 
general  to  build  up  and  beautify  the  whole  town, 
and  thus  enhance  the  value  of  its  real  estate  and 
render  Clinton  a  still  more  inviting  place  of  resi. 
dence. 

3.  The  officers  of  this  Association  shall  consist 
of  a  President,  a  Vice-President,  a  Treasurer,  a 
Secretary,  and  an  Executive  Committee  of  fifteen, 
six  of  whom  shall  be  ladies. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Executive  Commit- 
tee to  make  all  contracts,  employ  all  laborers,  ex- 
pend all  moneys,  and  superintend  all  improvements 
made  by  the  .\.ssociation.  They  shall  hold  meetings 
montlily  from  April  to  October  in  each  year,  and  as 
much  oftener  as  thej-  may  deem  expedient. 

5.  Every  person,  who  sliall  plant  three  trees  by 
the  roatl  side,  under  the  direction  of  the  Executive 
Committee,  or  pay  three  dollars  in  one  year,  or  one 
dollar  annually,  and  obligate  himself  or  herself  to 
pay  the  same  annually  for  three  years,  shall  be  a 
member  of  this  Association. 

6.  The  payment  of  ten  dollars  annually  for  three 
years,  or  of  twenty-five  dollars  in  one  sum,  shall 
constitute  one  a  life  memlier  of  this  Association 

7  Five  members  of  the  Executive  Committee 
present  at  anj-  meeting  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

8.  No  debt  shall  be  contracted  by  the  Executive 
Committee  beyond  the  amount  of  available  means 
within  their  control,  and  no  member  of  the  Asso- 
ciation shall  be  liable  for  any  debt  of  the  Associa- 
tion, beyond  the  amount  of  his  or  her  subscription. 

9.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  call  an  annual 
meeting  giving  due  notice  of  the  same,  for  the 
election  of  officers  of  this  Association,  and  at  said 
meeting,  shall  make  a  detailed  report  of  all  moneys 
received  and  expended  during  the  year,  the  numl>er 
of  trees  planted  under  their  direction,  and  the  num- 
ber i^lanted  by  individuals,  length  of  sidewalks 
made  or  repaired,  and  the  doings  of  the  Committee 
in  general . 

10.  This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any 
I  annual  meeting  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  mem- 
bers present  and  voting. 

There  are  hundreds  of  villages  and  towns 
throughout  the  Union  that  would  be  immeas- 
urably benefited  by  adopting  this  method  of 
improvement.  The  end  in  view  being  plain 
and  simple,  there  is  little  difficulty  in  reaching 
it  by  the  exercise  of  a  determined,  progress!-,  e 
spirit.  The  main  point  is  to  make  a  beginning, 
and  the  pleasing  result  of  the  first  efforts  is 
usually  such  as  to  insure  a  continuance. 


Raising  Improved  Petunias. 

The  flowers  of  Double  Petunias,  as  it  may 
be  well  known,    beai-  no  seed.      This   is  be- 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


1 1 


cause  they  are  iinpert'ect  as  to  their  reproduc- 
tive organs,  stamens  and  pistils.  Of  these  only 
the  former  which  bear  pollen  are  present. 

Now,  to  raise  seeds  that  will  yield  double 
flowers,  one  must  call  in  the  help  of  the  single 
varieties,  which  have  perfect  flowers,  to  bear 
the  seed.  To  do  this,  as  the  flowers  of  the  lat- 
ter come  into  bloom,  their  stamens  should  be 
removed  by  the  help  of  scissors  before  they 
have  become  charged  with  pollen  from  single 
flowers.  It  may  be  necessai-y  to  reai'h  the  sta- 
mens by  making  a  small  opening  through  the 
tube  of  the  flower,  a  thing  easily  done  with 
the  assistance  of  a  sharp  knife. 

Then  some  of  the  finest  double  flowers 
should  be  chosen,  and  from  their  stamens,  with 
the  aid  of  a  rather  stubby  camel's  hair  paiut 
brush,  pollen  should  be  gathered  and  be  con- 
vej'ed  to  the  pistils  of  the  single 
flowers  referred  to.  This  pro- 
cess should  be  repeated  day  after 
day  on  the  same  or  new  flowei's. 
To  insure  the  best  results  the 
flowers  operated  upon  should 
be  protected  from  the  interfer- 
ence of  insects  by  a  cover  of  fly- 
screening.  The  seed  being  borne 
by  the  single  flowers  explains 
why  "Double  Petunia"  seed 
always  produces  a  certain  per- 
centage of  single  flowers;  it 
could  not  be  otherwise. 

This  process  of  artificial  fer- 
tilization is  not  only  a  very 
interesting  one  to  follow,  but  it 
is  not  at  all  diflicult.  Even  a 
child  of  suitable  inclination 
may  succeed  at  it.  By  this  same 
process  of  artificial  fertilizing, 
single  Petunias  of  superior 
ipiality  can  be  raised,  employ- 
ing select  varieties  to  work 
with.  To  our  readers  we  say 
try  it  this  summer;  you  may  be 
astouishefl  at  the  results  spring- 
ing from  seed  thus  raised. 


six  letters,  of  which  the  accompanying  {name 
and  address  omitted)  is  a  fair  specimen: 

"Dear  Sik:— I  am  a  readei-  of  Popular 
CxARnENiNG  and  And  many  valuable  sugges- 
tions in  it.  I  notice  what  you  say  in  the  last 
number  of  Monthretia  Flowers.  Will  you  please 
send  me  one  bulb  of  the  kmd  {,U.  t'utlsii).  I 
will  remit  the  jirice  first,  if  you  will  let  me 
know  what  it  is." 

These  have  been  written  and  received,  al- 
though in  every  paper,  opposite  the  first  page 
of  reading  matter,  it  has  been  stated  clearly 
that  Popular  Gardening  is  run  independ- 
ently of  any  niu-sery  or  seed  establishment. 
The  same  thing  has  been  repeatedly  declared 
in  the  reading  columns.  Perhaps  the  fact  that 
there  are  .several  papers  in  this  line  published, 
which  are  advertising  auxiliaries  to  some 
other  business,  has  to  do  with  the  matter.  Then 


and  as  deep  as  the  plants  were  high.  The  soil  was 
filled  iu  close  to  the  plants  at  the  sides,  and  the 
plants  covererl  with  leaves  six  inches  deep.  In  De- 
cember as  many  inore  leaves  were  put  over.  With 
this  i)roteetic)u  the  Celery  kept  well. 

Drying  Fruits.  Fruit  that  is  of  second  quality 
for  marketing,  or  such  as  happens  to  get  too  ripe, 
should  he  dried.  In  this  shape  it  can  always  meet 
a  market  at  fair  paying  prici-s,  adding  with  good 
management  materially  to  the  incom<-  from  fruit 
sales.  Fruit  driers  or  evapoi'ators  by  the  score  are 
in  market  at  prices  ranging  from  ten  dollars  each 
upwards.  Most  of  these  are  good  implements  and 
will  soon  pay  for  their  cost  where  there  is  fruit.  As 
some  prejudice,  if  wrougly,  is  known  to  exist  against 
evaporated  fruits,  that  which  is  sun  dried  and  of 
good  (iiiality,  finds  ready  sale.  Wherever  there  are 
hotbed  sa.sh,  a  sun  drier  may  he  made  almost  with- 
out cost  that  will  answer  for  preparing  a  large 
quantity  of  first-class  dried  fruit.  The  sash  should 
he  elevated  on  a  frame  4  feet  from 
the  ground  at  the  front  and  a  foot 
higher  behind.  A  rack  with  sup- 
ports for  drying  trays  at  4  or  5 
inches  apart  should  be  constructed 
under  the  sash,  to  he  reached  from 
behind.  The  place  of  approach 
for  sliding  in  or  taking  out  the 
trays  may  be  covered  with  Hy 
screening,  the  other  sides  with 
boards.  The  sash  will  both  increase 
the  heat  and  keep  off  the  dews  and 
rains,  thus  allowing  the  drying  to 
proceed  from  beginning  to  end 
spei'dily  and  with  the  smallest 
possible  anH)unt  of  bottier. 


THE   DUCHESS  OF  OLDENBURGH  APPLE. 


The  Duchess  of  Oldenburgh  Apple. 

Were  we  writing  for  the  orchardist,  as  dis- 
tinct from  the  people,  there  would  be  little  need 
of  refeiTing  to  this  excellent  Apple  here,  as  its 
merits  are  widely  known  to  the  regular  fruit 
growers.  But  a  kind  that  is  so  universally 
esteemed  by  orchardists  everywhere,  and  es- 
pecially in  the  North  and  West,  should  be  better 
known  liy  the  average  amateur. 

A  leadiug  merit  of  this  fine  Apple  is  its  gi-eat 
hardiness— sutticiently  accounted  for  by  the 
fact  that  it  is  a  Russian  variety.  Added  to  this, 
the  tree  is  a  strong  grower,  forming  a  roundish 
spreading  head,  and  it  is  an  excellent  bearer. 
What  would  strike  most  peojde  as  a  gocnl  char- 
acteristic of  the  tree,  is, that  it  requires  but  little 
pruning  at  any  time — much  less  than  the 
average  of  orchard  trees. 

The  fruit  is  from  medium  to  large  size,  of  a 
handsome,  regular  form,  and,  as  shown  by  our 
engraving,  is  .streaked,  the  ground  color  being 
yellow,  with  retl  streaks.  The  flesh,  while  not 
of  the  highest  quality,  is  sufficiently  pleasing 
to  the  taste  to  insure  a  ready  sale  for  the  fruit 
in  market.  It  is  a  fine  cooking  apple.  The 
flesh  is  a  "handsome  yellowish  white,  juicy, 
slightly  sub-acid.  There  is  a  faint  blue  bloom 
diffused  over  the  fruit. 

The  subject  of  our  article  is  an  early  autumn 
fruit,  being  at  its  best  in  September.  Possess- 
ing, as  it  does,  such  a  number  of  good  points, 
it  should  find  a  place  iu  the  lists  of  all  who  set 
out  Apples  in  the  northern  belts  of  this  fruit. 
In  moderate  proportion,  it  would  rarely  if  ever 
disappoint  the  grower. 

Nothing  to  Sell  Here. 

Following  on  every  issue  of  Popular  Gar- 
dening, from  the  very  first  number,  there 
have  been  received  at  this  oftice  from  one  to 


maybe  these  writers  are  our  newer  subscribers, 
who  have  not  yet  learned  to  discriminate  be- 
tween this  independent  paper  and  others.  Let 
it  suffice, for  us  to  repeat  that  we  have  not  a  thing 
iu  the  seed,  plant,  bulb  or  tree  line  for  sale,  nor 
do  we  expect  to  have,  so  long  as  we  succeed  in 
serving  our  readers  as  publishers.  We  are  con- 
stant buyers  of  stock  for  our  own  private  gar- 
den, the  same  as  our  readers  are.  When  we 
speak  of  a  plant  in  these  colums  it  is  for  the 
sake  of  imparting  unbiased  information  to  the 
public,  and  not  because  we  have  some  stock  of 
the  same  to  * '  talk  off "  upon  unwary'  readers. 
Om-  readers,  as  subscribers,  pay  us  for  this  in- 
formation, and  we  mean  that  it  shall  be  im- 
partial. If  then  they  desire  some  of  the  plants, 
etc.,  treated  upon,  let  them  apply,  as  we  our- 
selves must  do  when  we  want  some,  to  the  par- 
ties who  have  them  for  sale.  In  most  cases 
they  are  found  among  the  enterprising  adver- 
tisers whose  announcements  appear  in  our 
columns. 

Celery  for  Seven  Months.  C.  H.  Dann,  a  corres-  i 
pondent  of  the  Xew  Yink-  Tribune,  relates  how  he  j 
managed  this  crop  to  give  a  con.stant  supply  for 
seven  months:  The  ground  was  ploughed  the  lat- 
ter part  of  April,  and  planted  to  Peas,  in  rows  four 
feet  apart.  When  fairly  up  they  were  cultivated, 
and  early  Potatoes  planted  in  rows  between  the 
the  Peas,  except  that  two  si)aces  were  set  with  Cel- 
ery for  summer  use,  ItHl  plants.  The  last  week  in 
-July  alternate  rows  of  Potatoes  were  dug,  and  rows 
of  Celeiy  set  eight  feet  apart,  :3(10  plants,  for  fall  use. 
About  August  10th  ;)(J0  plants  for  winter  use  were 
put  out.  The  plants  were  set  eight  inches  apart  in  the 
row,  the  ground  being  rich.  As  to  banking,  the 
ground  was  first  loosened  with  a  hoe,  then  each  plant 
taken  separately  in  left  hand  and  dirt  enough  drawn 
close  aroimd  it  with  right  hand  to  hold  the  leaves 
together  and  upright,  .\fterward,  more  earth  was 
brought  up  to  the  plants,  from  time  t<.i  time,  with 
hoe  or  spade.  The  plants  for  winter  were  dug  in 
November,  packed  close  in  a  trench  one  foot  wide 


Our  Friend,  Robin  Red-breast. 

It  may  not  be  pleasant  to  see  hun 
take  some  clioice  fruit,  but  before 
hurling  destruction  at  him  let  us 
reflect  on  his  usefulness  The  quan- 
tity of  insect  food  devoured  by 
this  bird  is  enormous.  W  h  i  t  e 
grubs,  spring  beetles,  wire  worms, 
cut  worms,  angle  worms,  slugs, 
caterpillars,  cabbage  and  other 
butterflies,  moths,  maggots  of 
house  flies,  statile  flies  and  plant 
flies,  and  many  other  insects  that 
cause  heavy  damages  every  year, 
are  sought  for  and  consumed  in 
countless  numbei's.  The  young  are 
voracious  eaters  of  this  kind  of  food,  and  perhaps 
no  other.  A  single  robin  five  weeks  old  in  confine- 
ment has.  by  actual  test,  been  known  to  devour  an 
average  of  fiXl  earth  worms,  averaging  two  inches 
in  length,  per  day  Think  of  the  worth  of  such 
services  and  cherish  the  bird  as  a  valuable  friend, 
to  whom  a  very  little  fruit  which  you  prize  is  all 
the  recompense  you  can  bestow. 

Quack  Grass.  It  is  singular  that  the  nearest  re- 
lative to  our  most  useful  grain,  wheat,  is  the  Quack 
or  Couch  Grass,  one  of  our  very  worst  weeds.  Many 
a  gardener  sees  this  pest  gaining  on  him.  with  sor- 
row, for  if  acquainted  with  its  habits  rightly,  he  well 
knows  that  no  weed  entails  harder  work  without 
reward  than  this  How  to  get  rid  of  it  when  once 
it  has  a  hold  is  a  standing  question.  The  true  fight- 
ing line  is,  not  to  let  a  green  blade  show  its  tip  above 
ground.  In  small  patches  it  has  sometimes  been 
wholly  smothered  out,  by  covering  the  soil  with 
straw  for  one  season,  to  the  loss  of  one  useful  crop. 
Standard  Currants.  I  have  succeeded  in  grow- 
ing some  standai'i!  (.'urrants,  red  and  white,  and 
find  that  they  fnut  well.  My  plan  is  to  put  clean 
cuttings  in,  and  encourage  the  leader  up  to  6  feet 
from  the  groxmd.  Then  I  let  the  spurs  grow  all 
<lown  the  stem  to  within  3  feet  of  it,  aiming  at  get- 
ting a  kind  of  pyramidal  bush  on  a  low  standard. 
The  (luantity  of  fruit  seems  to  be  much  greater  in 
proportion  to  the  size  of  the  tree  than  on  the  bushes; 
the  space  occupied  issm&l\.—(i<tnlciihui  Illustrated, 
Cabbage  worms  are  a  dread,  but  they  may  be 
effect  uall3'  disposed  of.  An  early  matter  is  to 
hand  pick  the  first  tirood  before  they  pass  into  their 
perfect  state.  Later  on  dust  the  center  of  the  leaves 
thoroughlj'  with  a  ndxture  made  of  one  part  of 
pyrethrum  powder  to  five  parts  of  plaster  of  dry 
earth.     This  will  kill  every  worm. 

For  Mulching  (ioosberries  and  Currants,  no 
material  is  better  than  the  short  clippings  from  the 
lawn.  It  lays  closely,  keei>s  down  weeds,  and  pro- 
motes needed  coolness  to  the  soil. 

As  for   Cucumbers   and   Squashes,  they   make 
less  wood  and  more  fruit  from  seed  several  j'ears 
old  than  from  last  year's  seed. 
Wood  Ashes  are  an  excellent  manure  for  berries. 
Wheel  hoes  are  labor  savers. 


114 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


July, 


c^ 


Daisy  Nurses. 

The  daisies  white  are  nursery  maids. 

With  frills  upon  their  caps; 
And  daisy  buds  are  little  babes 

They  tend  upon  their  laps. 
Sing  "  Heigh-ho!  "  while  the  wind  sweeps  low, 

Both  nurses  and  babies  are  nodding— just  so. 

The  daisies  love  the  golden  sun 

Up  in  the  clear  blue  sky ; 
He  gazes  kindly  down  at  them. 

And  winks  his  jolly  eye. 
While  sett  and  slow,  all  in  a  row, 

Both  nurses  and  babies  are  nodding— just  so. 

—Treasure  Trove. 


The  sentiment  of  the  Poppy  is  consolation. 
A  corsage  bunch,  half  and  half  of  Marechal  Niel 
Roses  and  Double  White  Water  Lilies,  is  charming 
for  this  season. 

For  a  pretty  effect  combine  the  Candidum  Lilies 
with  the  rose-colored  Spireas,  and  some  Funkia 
leaves  in  a  loose  arrangement. 

Branchlets  of  Mock  Orange,  intermixed  with 
Penstemons  or  Hardy  Gladiolus  of  pink  to  soft  Ver- 
million colors,  produce  a  tasteful  effect. 

In  fine  Hot-house  Eoses  the  Marechal  Niel  is 
about  the  only  one  to  be  relied  upon  at  this  season. 
It  is  at  its  best  in  June,  July  and  August. 

Let  the  city  damsel,  on  her  first  summer  visit  to 
the  country,  get  sight  of  Ox-eye  Daisy  or  early  Gol- 
den Rod  patches  and  a  desire  to  glean  the  crop  at 
once  fires  her  soul.  The  farmer  wishes  she  would 
take  back  a  cart  load  of  the  pesky  things,  instead  of 
a  double  armful. 

A  most  pleasing  ornament  for  the  table  or  win- 
dow at  this  season  is  a  well  developed  plant  of  the 
wild  Maiden  Hair  Fern,  lifted  with  its  roots  and  set 
into  a  wide-mouthed  ornamental  jar.  The  soil  in 
the  jar  should  be  kept  moist  constantly.  By  plac- 
ing the  plants  where  the  sun  cannot  strike  the  leaves 
to  burn  them,  it  will  keep  very  nice  for  weeks. 

Bose-colored  Water  Lilies,  of  the  same  form  and 
size  as  the  white  kind,  are  a  fashionable  mid-sum- 
mer flower.  These  are  grown  in  Mas.sachusetts  by 
specialists  and  are  shipped  to  florists  in  all  but  the 
more  distant  parts  of  the  country  in  the  bud  state. 
A  bouquet,  made  one  part  of  the  rose-colored  species 
and  two  parts  of  the  common  double  white,  is  very 
handsome. 

rield  Daisies.  A  very  effective  arrangement  of 
these  simple  little  flowers.  Field  Daisies,was  recently 
made  at  a  dinner-party.  A  long  garland  was  placed 
on  a  bed  of  ferns  down  the  center  of  the  table  and 
about  each  plate  was  a  horse-shoe  of  them,  with  a 
few  scarlet  Roses  at  the  corner.  Bridesmaids'  bou- 
quets, halt  Daisies  and  half  crimson  or  pink  Roses, 
are  in  favor  and  look  tasteful  with  white  gowns. 

Sweet  Peas  are  as  durable  for  wear  and  bouquets 
as  they  are  lovely  and  sweet.  The  favorite  colors 
are  white,  delicate  pink  and  pale  blue.  Simply  ar- 
ranged in  almost  any  shape  they  are  effective.  On 
an  outgoing  steamer  for  Europe  last  week  a  young 
lady  traveler  received  a  little  barrel  of  wicker  work 
filled  in  the  top  with  Sweet  Peas  in  three  colors, 
and  a  band  of  deep  pink  ribbon  about  it.  The  bot- 
tom of  the  barrel  was  filled  with  bon-bons. 

If  a  table  is  to  be  decorated,  vi-here  Sweet  Williams 
of  good  quality  are  plentiful,  the  task  is  an  easy 
one.  Take  half  a  dozen  or  more  small  flsh  globes  or 
other  glass  vessels  of  a  uniform  size,  into  which 
place  masses  of  the  scarlet  and  crimson  sorts, 
using  the  same  number  of  each  color.  These  should 
be  set  in  a  ring  around  the  lamp,  one  of  a 
glowing  mass  of  color  being  the  best.  H  in  the 
daytime,  instead  of  a  lamp  in  the  center,  use  a  tall 
vase  containing  flowers  of  different  colors  from 
those  below. 

Those  persons  who  have  for  the  first  time  tried 
to  make  tasteful-looking  bouquets  or  designs  know 
that  this  is  not  so  easily  done  as  might  seem.  Now 
that  flowers  are  plentiful,  and  cheap  if  they  must 
be  bought,  it  is  a  good  time  to  acquire  skill  at  this 
delightfid  business.  One  great  trouble  with  begin- 
ners is,  they  usually  lose  sight  of  the  principle  of 
simplicity  in  their  compositions.  They  jumble  to- 
gether many  colors  in  little  bits  of  each,  where  if 
less  colors,  and  these  arranged  more  in  masses, 
were  used,  the  improvement  would  be  great.    The 


have  the  flowers  so  crowded  that  anything  like  in- 
dividuality of  kinds  is  lost.  Both-of  these  faults  new 
beginners  usually  fall  into.  It  should  be  the  constant 
aim  to  avoid  all  such  errors  from  the  start. 

Although  flowers  of  all  kinds  are  plentiful, 
there  is  in  house  decoration  a  rage  for  artistic 
effects  in  foliage.  Panels,  arches,  canopies,  cor- 
nices, and  screens  are  made  in  wire  and  mossed 
frames  for  the  ornamentation  of  walls,  doors,  mir- 
rors, and  windows  In  these  designs  the  most  de- 
lightful shadings  in  green  are  brought  out  and  the 
charming  tracery  to  be  made  with  foliage  are 
shown.  A  canopy  made  of  ivy  leaves,  for  instance, 
has  a  cluster  of  Cibodium  fronds  in  relief.  Cor- 
nices of  dark  foliage  are  embroidered  with  the  new 
asparagus.  A  tenuissiimus.  At  the  base  of  mirrors 
is  made  a  banking  of  Lycopodium,  upon  which  the 
gorgeous  Begonia,  Louise  Chreitern,  is  planted 
here  and  there.  Mantels  are  also  arranged  in  this 
way.  Small  fronds  of  Cocus  Weddelianea,  called 
here  the  "  Japanese  Palm,"  are  very  fashionable 
for  table  and  dress  garniture. 

Botanical  B)\id^et 


bouquets,  too,  as  they  leave  their  hands  are  apt  to  I  held  in  this  city  August  18  to  24 


Do  not  collect  specimens  in  the  rain  or  dew. 

Several  correspondents  of  the  Botanical  Gazette 
state  that  fleshy  plants,  such  as  Sedum,  dry  readily 
after  being  dipped  in  boiling  water. 

In  a  recent  Journal  of  the  Linnaean  Society  there 
were  flgure<i  the  pollen  gi-ains  and  an  anther  of 
Papaver  Rhceas  taken  from  funeral  garlands  found 
in  Egypt,  and  which  were  nearly  3,(X10  years  old 

The  beautiful  Purple  Flowering  Raspberry  is 
to  be  met  in  flower  in  all  parts  of  the  Northern 
United  States  about  this  time.  It  is  a  fine  shrub, 
growing  four  or  more  feet  high,  and  is  worthy  of  a 
place  in  every  wild  garden. 

Cultivation  has  so  affected  the  evolution  of  the 
Tomato  thattheseeds  are  fast  disappearing  and  bid 
fair  to  pass  out  of  existence  entirely,  as  in  the  case 
of  the  Banana,  leaving  their  propagation  dependent 
on  cuttings.    This  from  the  Am.  Cultivator. 

The  Grape  wiis  found  very  abundant  on  the  coast 
of  what  is  now  Massachusetts  in  the  year  10111,  when 
the  coast  was  discovered  by  Erickson  and  his  thirty- 
six  companions  from  Norway ;  and  it  was  on  ac- 
count of  the  abundance  of  grapes  there  that  what 
is  now  America  was  named  by  them  Vineland. 
They  also  noted  the  existence  there  of  the  Reed  or 
Wild  Rk'e.Zizaniaaquatica.—Gardetier'sMouihl!/. 

The  Mulleins (rerboscitm)  lift  up  their  spikes  of 
flowei-s  prominently  during  this  month.  Weeds  that 
they  are  in  our  pastures  and  neglected  grounds, 
every  lover  of  the  beautiful  must  stand  before  them 
in  admiration  of  the  delicate  beauty  of  the  flowers 
and  the  stateliness  of  the  habit.which  in  the  common 
one,  Verhascum  Wop.si(.s,  may  be  said  to  approach 
grandeur.  This  last  named  species  is  indeed  grown 
tor  ornament  in  some  places,  and  all  the  members 
of  the  family  are  desirable  in  the  wild  garden 

The  Butterfly  'WeeA.,Asclrpias  h(hpi-.«o, formerly 
known  as  the  Pleurisy  Root  is  one  of  our  fine  native 
plants,  that  is  more  esteemed  abroad  than  at  home. 
An  English  authority  speaks  of  it  as  "  the  flnest  of 
all  American  herbaceous  perennials."  This  month 
finds  it  very  commonly  in  bloom,  about  dry  hills 
and  fields  in  many  parts  of  our  country.  The 
flowers  appear  in  terminal  corymbs  and  are  of  a 
bright  orange-red  color.  It  receives  its  name  from 
the  fact  that  its  sweetness  is  attractive  to  butterflies 
and  other  insects.  The  plant  is  mostly  obtained  by 
division  of  the  roots.  It  is  a  shy  seeder,  but  when 
seeds  are  to  be  had,  good  plants  can  be  grown  from 
these  in  about  two  years.  Clumps  of  this  plant 
should  oftener  be  found  in  our  gardens. 

The  Natural  order  of  Labiatae,  to  which  such 
common  plants  as  Salvia,  Rosemary,  Jlonarda, 
Coleus,  Sage,  Thyme,  and  so  on,  belong,  enjoys  the 
distinction  of  being  one  of  the  most  natural  groups 
of  plants.  By  this  is  meant,  that  the  character  of 
its  several  thousand  members,  is  more  distinct  and 
uniform  than  is  generally  the  case  in  a  natural  order. 
In  fact  the  variation  from  one  type  throughout 
the  family  is  no  greater  than  that  often  found  in  a 
single  genus  in  other  orders.  The  chief  character- 
istics of  the  order  are,  stem  herbaceous,  or  sub- 
woody,  usually  square;  leaves  opposite  or  whorled, 
exstipulate  and  usually  aromatic;  flowers  labiate, 
mostly  irregular.  While  it  requires  but  a  slight 
familiarity  with  botany  to  determine  the  order  of 
any  new  labiates  met,  the  discrimination  of  the 
genera  is  often  difficult. 

The  Buffalo  Meeting.  The  next  meeting  of  the 
American  Association  of  Natural  Sciences  will  be 

Botanists  who 


have  once  attended  the  meetings  of  this  society 
since  the  Botanical  Club  was  organized  need  no 
urging  to  come  again.  The  coming  meeting  in  this 
city  bids  fair  to  be  one  of  the  best  yet  held  A  local 
club  has  been  formed,  to  more  effectually  devise 
and  carry  out  plans  for  the  entertainment  of  the 
visitors  They  propose  to  do  all  that  time  and  op- 
portunity will  permit.  Among  the  most  prominent 
means  of  entertainment  will  be  a  special  excursion, 
during  some  afternoon  not  yet  decided  upon,  to  as 
good  collecting  ground  as  can  be  found  within  con- 
venient distance  of  the  city  This  will  doubtless  be 
to  Niagara  Falls  to  one  of  the  several  swamps,  which 
afford  a  rich  flora,  or  to  the  lake  shore. 

ABOUT  THE  PLACE. 

Destroy  the  road  weeds. 
Bad  fences  cause  jumping  animals. 
Summer  is  the  time  to  replace  old  wooden  cellar 
floors  with  the  better  and  healthier  ones  of  cement. 
Asparagus.    It  is  an  injury  to  the  bed  to  cut  out 
many  stalks  at  this  season,  for  fly  roosts  or  merely 
for  adorning  the  rooms,  as  one  often  sees  done. 

Milk-weeds  or  A.iclepins  yield  much  honey,  but 
bees  are  often  injured  or  killed  through  coming  in 
contact  with  the  cohering  masses  of  pollen  pecu- 
liar to  their  flowers. 

While  we  endorse  the  great  service  of  toads  as 
garden  helpers  every  time,  yet  we  don't  want  them 
near  the  bee  hives  They  will  as  readily  snap  up 
heavily  laden  bees  as  they  do  the  most  offensive 
bugs  and  worms. 

'Watering  Troughs.  As  you  yourself  like  clean 
water  to  drink,  so  keep  the  animal  troughs  clean. 
The  difference  between  these  being  kept  scoured 
out  of  all  filth  and  rot  makes  all  the  difference  be- 
tween having  the  water  clean  and  wholesome  or 
otherwise  for  the  live  stock. 

Starting  Wild  Flowers.  To  Miss  H.  D.:  The 
simplest  way  is  to  notice  at  w'hat  time  the  seeds  of 
wild  flowers  are  ripe.  Collect  them,  and  sow  where 
wanted.  You  can  procure  some  sorts  from  seeds- 
men. Remove  patches  of  grass,  so  as  to  sow  the 
seeds.  You  can  also  collect  plants  with  a  ball  of 
earth,  but  this  would  entail  heavy  labor. 

Earth  in  the  Stable.  Nothing  will  purify  and 
keep  a  stable  so  free  from  odors  as  the  free  use  of 
dry  earth,  and  every  one  keeping  horses  or  cattle 
will  find  it  pays  to  keep  a  heap  of  it  at  hand,  to  be 
used  daily.  A  few  shovelfuls  of  earth  scattered 
over  the  floor  after  cleaning  will  render  the  aii-  of 
the  apartments  pure  and  wholesome.  The  value  of 
the  season's  manure  pile  nuist  be  largely  increased 
by  the  free  use  of  such  absorbents.  The  strength 
of  the  gases  and  liquids  is  retained,  and  is  the  very 
essence  of  good  manure.— .Scientific  American. 

Bees  Clustering.  The  cause  of  clustering  is  an 
overfull  hive.  While  bees  are  clustered,  work  is  in 
a  measure  suspended.  As  this  is  very  liable  to  take 
place  in  the  midst  of  a  valuable  gathering  spell,  and 
may  last  a  number  of  days  oreven  weeks, —the  only- 
natural  remedy  being  swarming,— a  large  loss  may 
be  entailed  imless  steps  are  taken  to  prevent  it.  Ar- 
tificial swarming  is  much  thought  of  by  some  as  a 
remedy,  and  in  the  hands  of  a  skillful  aparian  is  a 
good  one  Those  who  are  not  capable  of  going 
through  with  this  operation  may  reach  the  same 
end  by  merely  managing  to  add  more  honey  boxes 
to  the  hive.  This  may  be  done  by  boring  holes  in 
the  tops  of  the  present  ones  to  agree  with  those  of 
the  new  boxes,  and  then  place  them  on  top  of  the 
present  ones,  hole  to  hole.  Such  a  course  will  dissi- 
pate the  clusters  by  leading  the  bees  to  go  to  work. 
This  will  Apply  some  Places.  Mr.  Topnoody  de- 
livers himself  with  enthusiasm  to  Mrs.  Topnoody 
concerning  the  appropriation  of  a  large  sum  of 
money  for  the  cleaning  up  of  the  streets  of  their 
town,  closing  with  the  remark  that '  Tm  glad  to  see 
the  prospect  of  an  era  of  reform  and  cleanliness, 
because  we  need  it,  not  only  in  the  streets,  but  every- 
where else." 

"And  are  you  ready  to  do  your  share  in  cleaning 
the  city,  Topnoody?" 

"Aye,  that  I  am,  ready  and  willing;  more,  I  am 
eager  to  do  my  humble  portion,"  and  he  swelled  all 
up  with  municipal  patriotism. 

"  Very  well,  then,  Topnoody,"  returned  his  wife 
who  could  not  let  the  opportunity  pass,  "  go  out  there 
in  the  back-yard  and  begin .  It's  too  dirty  to  think  of, 
and  I  want  you  to  help  make  your  own  surroundings 
respectable  I  like  to  see  you  men  blow  about  clean- 
ing the  streets,  when  you  leave  your  wives  to  paddle 
around  in  ferry-boats  in  their  own  back-yards.  Bah  I 
at  your  street  cleaning  and  your  million-dollar  ap- 
propriations. I  don't  want  to  hear  from  you,  Top- 
noody, until  you've  disinfected  that  back-yard!" 

Topnoody  is  at  the  present  time  a  silent  partner 
in  the  yard  cleaning  enterprise.— CTucoso  Drummer. 


1 886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


115 


The  Plants  Have  A  Party. 

BY  ANNA  C.  STARBUCK. 

Little  Dandelion 
awoke  one  fine 
morning  and  said 
to  herself: 

"It's  my  birthday 
to-day.  How  pleas- 
ant it  is!  I  think 
I'll  have  a  party." 

So  she  wrote  her 
notes  of  invitation 
on  the  neatest  and 
greenest  clover 
leaves  she  could  find, 
and  sent  them  to  all 
the  other  Dandelions 
and  to  the  little 
white-haired  Chick- 
weeds,  and  to  the 
little  birds  of  the 
garden  called  Gold-finches. 
=  She  didn't  have  to  wait  many 

minutes  before  her  guests  were  all  before  her. 
They  were  dressed  in  their  very  best  and 
laughing  and  chatting.  More  members  of  the 
Dandelion  family  were  present  than  she  could 
count.  They  were  all  dressed  in  yellow,  and  with 
very  round  faces.  The  little  Chick-weed  sisters 
wore  white  dresses,  but  they  were  so  small  and 
said  so  little  that  hardly  any  but  the  brightest 
ej'es  would  have  seen  them  at  all. 

But  the  happiest,  and  prettiest,  and  best  of 
all  the  company  at  the  party  were  the  five  birds 
that  belonged  to  the  Gold-finch  family.  They 
wore  long  yellow  vests  of  exactly  the  same 
color  as  the  Dandelions,  and  on  their  heads  lit- 
tle black  caps  to  match  their  wings.  They  did 
look  lovely,  and  their  little  black  ejes  snapped 
with  joy  to  think  they  were  invited  to  the  party. 
While  they  were  getting  acquainted,  they 
suddenly  looked  up  and  saw  two  little  friends, 
hand  in  hand,  coming  to  the  party,  that  Dan- 
delion hadn't  invited  to  come.  They  generally 
stayed  in  another  part  of  the  garden  by  them- 
selves, and  so  Dandelic^n  hadn't  thought  to  in- 
vite them.  But  here  they  were,  asking  mod- 
estly if  they  might  come  to  the  party.  The 
Yellow  Birds  whispered  to  Dandelion  and  asked 
who  the  two  were.  Dandelion  said  that  they 
were  two  little  people  from  the  city,  and  their 
names  were  "  Heart's-ease  "  and  little  cousin, 
"  Johnny  Jump-up."  They  ha<l  on  little  purple 
hoods,  and  looked  very  modest  and  sweet. 

"  But,"  said  the  Yellow  Birds,  "do  the}'  know 
how  to  sing?" 

The  Finches  were  very  fond  of  music,  and 
did't  want  anj-body  at  the  party  that  couldn't 
sing. 

"No,"  replied  Dandelion,  "they  can't  sing; 
but  neither  can  any  of  the  Dandelions,  nor  the 
Chick-weeds:  so  you  needn't  be  so  awfully  par- 
ticular." 

"Well,"  said  the  birds,  "if  they'll  promise 
not  to  make  fun  of  us  when  we  sing,  let  them 
come  into  the  party." 

80  "  Heart's-ea-se  "  and  "  Johnny  Jump-up," 
still  taking  hold  of  hands  in  timid  fashion, 
joined  the  party.  They  behave<l  so  well  that  the 
birds  .'iaid  they  were  "agreeably  surprised." 

After  this  Dandelion  said:  "  We'U  now 
take  some  refreshments. " 

They  all  looked  pleased,  and  said:  "Thank 
you;  we  do  feel  a  bit  huugi'y." 

Dandelion  asked  the  brightest  and  liveliest 
Yellow  Bird  to  pa.ss  around  the  refreshments ; 
and  what  do  you  think  they  were?  They  were 
large,  white  flutfy  balls,  full  of  little  black 
seeds,  that  Dandelion  had  made  herself,  on  pur- 
pose to  please  the  delicate  appetites  of  the  birds. 
To  quench  the  thirst  of  both  the  birds  and  the 


flowers.  Dandelion  obtained  some  sparkling 
dew  drops,  that  were  as  clear  and  sweet  as 
honey. 

Once  a  noisy  boy  came  along  throwing  stones, 
and  the  birds  were,  of  course,  frightened,  and 
had  to  get  "  excused."  Then  a  dog  came  along 
and  barked;  and  this  time  they  had  the  "fid- 
gets "  drea<lfully,  and  went  without  even  ask- 
ing to  be  "e.xcused." 

Soon  they  all  came  back.  They  thought  it 
was  time  to  have  a  little  singing.  But  one 
bird  said  he  had  such  a  bad  cold  he  would  have 
to  be  excused. 

"  Oh,  what  a  poor  excuse,"  said  all.  "  You 
must  get  a  better  one  than  that." 

Then  he  said  he  hadn't  recovered  from  his 
last  fright,  when  the  dog  barked.  Really  he 
did  seem  rather  pale,  poor  fellow,  and  so  they 
excused  him.  But  the  other  Finches  ranged 
themselves  in  a  quartette,  and,  without  any 
book,  they  sang  a  beautiful  hymn,  called  "  The 
Good  God  Made  Us  All.  " 

There  were  no  words  to  the  hymn,  but  you 
could  tell  by  the  tune  that  they  were  happy  be- 
cause God  had  made  such  a  beautiful  world 
and  such  beautiful  things  to  be  in  His  world. 
Then  they  began  to  discuss  the  hj-mns  that 
they  liked  the  best.  Then  little  "Johnny 
Jump-up  "  spoke  for  the  first  time  and  said  he 
liked  best  to  hear  "  Old  Oaken  Bucket,"  with 
variations. 

And  then  they  aU  laughed  and  said  that 
wasn't  a  hymn;  it  was  a  song.  He  felt  a  little 
spunky  because  they  laughed  at  the  only  thing 
he  had  dared  to  say  at  the  party,  and  so  he 
spoke  up  quickly  : 

"  I  didn't  say  it  was  a  hymn,  did  I  * " 
Then  they  laughed  at  him  more  for  showing 
his  temper.  Finally,  when  the  party  had  lasted 
a  long  time,  the  Yellow  Birds  noticed  that  the 
Dandelions  were  all  beginning  to  get  nervous 
and  shrug  their  shoulders,  and  pull  their  yellow 
capes  up  closer  and  closer  about  them.  One 
little  Dandelion,  especially,  was  ver}'  anxious. 
The  birds  asked  them  what  the  matter  was, 
and  the  Dandelions  said  they  felt  as  though 
they  ought  to  be  going  home,  for  they  thought 
it  was  going  to  rain.  All  at  once,  plump  came 
down  a  large  rain  drop,  soon  another  and  an- 
other, and  the  flowers  all  covered  their  heads 
with  tiny  green  hoods,  and  said  good-by  to  the 
birds,  and  disappeared. 

After  the  flowers  had  gone,  it  was  raining  so 
hard  that  the  birds  thought  they  might  as  well 
go,  too :  for,  if  they  couldn't  have  any  more  fun 
at  the  party,  they  surely  didn't  want  to  get 
wet.  So  they  flew  away  to  the  thick  branches 
of  the  trees,  where  the  rain  couldn't  reach  them, 
and  there  they  talked  over,  in  their  bird  lan- 
guage,what  a  fine  time  they  had  had,  and  won- 
dered when  they  would  be  invited  to  another 
party. — The  Cosmopolitan. 


Birds  Robbed  of  House  and  Home  by 
Mice. 

M.  E,  Thomson,  in  Science  Gosxip,  reports  a 
case  of  this  kind  which  has  recently  fallen  un- 
der his  observation,  as  follows: 

I  have  to-day  found  two  nests  deserted  and  mice 
in  possession.  The  one  was  that  of  a  long-tailed 
tit,  who  had  been  sitting  for  some  time,  and  whose 
nest  was  in  a  hedge  in  a  field;  the  other,  that  of  a 
robin  on  a  bank  in  a  wood. 

On  going  to  visit  my  little  friend,  the  tit,  I  ex- 
pected to  find  her  a  very  busy,  happy,  little  mother 
with  a  large  family  to  provide  for,  instead  of  which 
I  found  a  very  different  state  of  affairs.  No  little 
"  mother  bird  "  was  to  be  seen.  There  was  a  look 
of  desertion  about  the  home,  as  of  burglars  having 
been  at  work. 

I  carefully  put  in  two  lingers  to  feel  if  the  eggs 
were  there  all  right.  Out  ran  a  small  mouse,  through 
a  hole  which  he  had  made  in  the  nest.  My  fingers 
came  out  somewhat  hastily,  not  having  expected  to 
find  the  thief  at  work  !  All  the  eggs  were  gone,  not 
even  the  remains  of  the  shells  being  left : 

When  I  first  saw  the  robin's  nest,  I  took  out  one 
egg— leaving  two  or  three  The  one  which  I  took 
had  been  pushed  nlinost  into  the  side  of  the  nest, 
and  I  had  a  little  difficulty  in  getting  it  out. 

The  bird  returned  to  the  nest,  for  on  going  to-day 
to  see  how  the  little  birds  were  getting  on,  I  found 
two  more  eggs  in  the  nest,  but  all  quite  cold  and 
deserted.  I  noticed  that  another  e^g  was  in  the 
same   curious    position,   so   I  exammed    it  more 


carefully  and  found  that  it  had  been  drawn  half- 
way through  a  small  round  hole. 

Suspecting,  from  the  neat  way  in  which  the  hole 
was  made,  that  a  mouse  had  done  it,  I  removed  the 
nest  and  found  that  it  was  a  mouse's  hole,  into 
which  he  had  evidently  been  removing  the  eggs. 
The  robin,  no  douljt.  too  indignant  at  such  treat- 
ment to  remain  at  his  post,  liud  ile.serted  it.  To 
show  my  deep  sympathy  for  Poor  Hobin,  I  deprived 
Mr.  Mouse  of  his  expected  feast: 


A    Plant    at    Sleep    Out     of      Natural 
Hours. 

That  plants  pass  through  a  state  which  may 
be  called  sleep  is  well  known.  Thus  the 
Sensitive  Plant,  so  remarkable  Iiecause  the 
leaves  close  and  hang  down  when  touched, 
goes  through  the  same  movements  at  the  ap- 
proach of  darkness.  The  return  of  light  re- 
vives them  again. 

A  French  chemist  subjected  a  Sensitive  Plant  to 
an  exceedingly  trying  course  of  dtscipline,  by  coin- 
iilctcly  c-liaiiging  Its  hours— exposing  it  toa'bright 
light  at  night,  so  as  tit  prevent  sleep,  and  putting  it 
in  a  dark  room  diiriug  the  day.  The  plant  ap- 
peared to  be  much  puzzled  at  first.  It  oipcnt-d  and 
closed  its  leaves  irregularly,  sometimes  nodding  in 
spite  of  the  artificial  sun  that  shed  its  beams  at 
midnight,  and  sometimes  waking  up,  from  the  force 
of  habit,  to  find  the  cham))er  dark  in  spite  of  the 
time  of  day.  Such  are  the  trammels  of  use  and 
wont.  But,  after  a  useless  struggle,  the  plant  sub- 
mitted to  the  change,  and  turned  day  into  night 
without  any  apparent  ill  effects. 


PET  BIRDS,  ANIMALS,  ETC. 

Ants'  eggs  are  a  treat  for  all  birds. 
Feed  the  birds  plenty  of  green  food. 
Care  will  kill  a  cat,  says  an  old  proverb. 
Humming  Birds,  says  a  scientific  journal,  are 
birds  when  at  rest,  insects  when  in  motion. 

Elsie.— No,  dear,  you  cannot  raise  a  crop  of  cana- 
ries by  planting  bird  seed.—New  Haven  \ews. 

New  York  has  boarding  houses  for  birds  whose 
owners  have  left  the  city  during  the  summer  months. 
Cats  for  Service.  We  have  learned  that  the  U.  S. 
Post  Office  Department  has  on  its  rolls  nearly  1000 
cats,  who  are  on  the  lookout  for  rats  and  mice  in 
the  mail  matter,  and  who  are  most  faithfully  cared 
for  in  the  way  of  "  board  and  lodging."  Nothing 
like  a  cat  for  some  purposes. 

Putting  the  Cat  to  Use  in  Fruit  Time.  Our 
feathered  pets  of  the  tree  tops,  much  as  we  value 
them  for  the  grubs  and  bugs  they  kill,  do  sometimes 
annoy  us  when  they  take  of  the  nicest  berries  and 
other  fruits.  But  there  is  Tabby.well  cared  for,  and 
fed  with  milk,  the  J'earthrough,  she  can  do  some- 
thing for  us  In  return,  in  keeping  off  the  birds,  even 
if  it  be  not  so  pleasant  for  her.  Do  you  ask  how  y 
Stretch  a  wu-e  upon  which  a  loose  ring  has  been 
slid  across  the  strawberry  or  other  fruit  patch.  Put 
a  collar  on  the  cat,  and  from  the  collar  run  a  short 
cord  or  wire  to  the  ring  on  the  stretched  wire. 
Tabby  may  not  fancy  this  restraint  during  the  herr)- 
season,  but  her  movements  back  and  forth  along 
the  wire  will  prove  a  terror  to  over-bold  birds  and 
save  our  fruit. 

About  Pigeons.  Common  pigeons  are  not  of  any 
distinct  breed.  Tliere  are  very  few  common  pig- 
eons now  in  which  .some  traces  of  the  higher  classes 
cannot  be  detected.  They  originally  came  from 
the  Blue  Rocks.  Next  to  a  common  pigeon,  per- 
haps, the  best  known,  at  least  by  name,  is  the  carrier 
pigeon,  known  to  make  long  flights.  The  fan-tails 
are  special  favorites.  The  white  ones  are  the  most 
common  and  easiest  to  breed,  but  some  are  also  to 
be  had  in  black,  brown,  blue,  red  and  yellow.  The 
two  latter  are  rare,  and  easily  bring  from  $10  to  J30 
a  pair.  No  breed  of  pigeons  has  so  many  varieties 
and  sub-varieties  as  the  tumbler  pigeons.  Many  who 
own  them  expect  them  to  perform,  whether  the 
birds  are  given  a  chance  or  not.  I'sually  they  are 
kept  with  a  lot  of  other  birds  and  are  Mown  with 
them.  There  are  also  many  tumblers  who  do  not 
tumble  at  all.  All  of  the  short-faced  varieties  are 
not  supposed  to  be  performers.  Pouters  are  the  first 
selection  of  many  prominent  pigeon-fanciers,  and 
rarely  is  this  bird  entirely  abandoned  for  other  va- 
rieties. They  are  somewhat  difticult  to  breed,  and 
good  ones  always  command  high  prices.  Kiftj- 
dollars  for  a  pair  of  first-class  birds  would  not  be 
extravagant.  Mr.  Schell,  of  Brooklyn,  had  one  he 
refused  $Sn  for.  They  can  he  had  in  pure  while, 
black,  red,  yellow  and  Isabella.  .V.  )'■  York  Mail 
and  Express. 


ii6 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


July, 


wild  Roses. 

Sweet  wayside  Roses  I    Inns  of  journeying  bees 
That  grew  aweary  in  their  journeyings, 
Or  butterflies  with  gold-dust  on  their  wings, 

That  rest  from  voyaging  on  the  idle  breeze ; 

For  where  his  nest  is  hidden  in  the  trees. 

Thy  praise  all  day  the  laureate  robin  sings. 
More  sweet  than  ever  in  the  ears  of  kings 

Piped  royal  minstrels  emulous  to  please; 

And  whether  Gypsey  June  tents  in  her  fields. 

Or  with  abashed  mien  comes  down  these  streets. 
Still  as  I  see  how  fair  in  sun  or  rain 

Your  bloom  in  well  known  spots  its  treasure  yields, 

Day  after  day,  a  voice  in  me  entreats 

That  through  green  fields  I  come  to  you  again. 
—G.  M.  Strent. 


In  the  May  the  pink  peach-blos.soms,^ 

Seen  against  a  pale  blue  sky. 
FormM  a  picturesque  complet-eness 

On  the  branches  bare  and  dry. 

But  the  warm  breath  of  the  summer 
Thrilled  with  life  the  leafless  tree. 

Till,  'neath  leaves  in  July  weather. 
Blushing  rosy  fruit  we  see. 

—L.  E.  Williams. 


Lantanas  like  poor  soil. 

Double  Callas  are  not  rare. 

Sweet  Williams  date  from  1.573. 

Now,  if  ever,  the  Smoke  Tree  smokes. 

The  Tomato  is  a  native  of  South  America. 

Gardeners !  Write  something  for  your  paper. 

German  seed  catalogues  are  the  most  exten- 
sive. 

The  Lantaua  came  from  the  West  Indies  in 
1I1!I3. 

One  bird  in  the  bush  is  worth  a  dozen  on  the 
head. 

Napoleon  had  a  passion  for  landscape  gar- 
dening. 

Wanted,  at  this  office,  many  July  sub- 
scribers. 

The  Golden-leaved  Elders  look  brilliant  in 
simny  July. 

Many  trees  in  cities  are  killed  by  leaking  gas 
pipes  in  the  streets. 

Buttercups  are  common  from  the  Arctic 
Ocean  to  the  Tropics. 

Squirrels  have  been  known  to  devour  young 
Horse  Chestnut  shoots. 

Be  free  to  send  in  your  queries  about  flowers, 
shrubs  and  trees  to  the  editors. 

The  Sweet  Pea,  we  find,  succeeds  not  at  all 
badly,  as  a  window-box  climber. 

Single  Hollyhocks,  like  Single  Tuberoses, 
come  in  ahead  of  the  double  ones. 

Where  flies  trouble,  hang  up  some  bunches  of 
the  fragi'ant  Melilot  and  they  will  trouble  less. 

"  I  have  written  many  verses,  but  my  best 
poems  are  the  trees  I  have  planted." — O.  W. 
Holmes. 

Farmers  will  never  strike  for  eight  hours. 
How  the  weeds  would  laugh  if  they  did! — 
Hartfiiril  Tiinr.'i. 

An  attractive  flower,  growing  equally  well 
in  a  wet  or  a  dry  place,  is  the  large-flowered 
Prunella  or  Self-heal. 

Gardening  was  the  one  occupation  fit  for 
Paradise.  To  the  extent  that  we  garden  suc- 
cessfully we  may  have  Paradise  restored. 

Fancy  vs.  Plain  Pots.  Sister  Gracious  is  just 
right  when  she  says  that  "these  very  fancy 
flower  pots,  painted  and  gilded,  are  an  abomi- 
nation." 


"  Oh,  mamma !  "  see  the  popcorns  for  the 
birdies,"  exclaimed  a  two-year-old  Waterbury 
miss,  who  this  year  saw  cherry  blossoms  for 
the  first  time,  since  she  could  speak. 

Strelitzia  Begina  is  a  valuable  conservatory 
plant  for  amateurs.  It  is  a  subject  of  easy  cul- 
ture, while  the  handsome  bird-like  flowers  of 
gorgeous  color  give  the  plant  distinction. 

A  rocky  mound  on  a  neighbor's  lawn  covered 
with  nothing  but  Moneyvine  {Lyaimachin 
mimiinil(irio)  is  attractive  at  all  times,  but  es- 
pecially so  when  the  crop  of  bloom  is  out. 

Sweet  Alyssum.  "Lida"asks  the  practical 
question  whether  the  sisters  know  how  easily 
this  plant  is  raised  from  slips.  She  finds  it 
much  easier  to  so  raise  them  than  from  seed. 
It  is  the  only  way  with  the  double  sort. 

If  you  now  do  no  gardening,  either  useful  or 
ornamental,  don't  hesitate  to  engage  in  the 
work  on  the  score  of  inexperience,  when  you 
can  procure  such  a  plain  and  reliable  guide  as 
Popular  Gardening  for  60  cents  a  year. 

No  need  to  growl  about  the  weather ;  if  the 
season  is  cool,  Pansies  and  Roses  are  the  finer; 
if  very  hot  and  dry,  Portulacas,  Tuberoses  and 
flowers  of  a  similar  heat-loving  class  will  be 
the  better  for  it.     Look  on  the  bright  side. 

It  is  to  be  Bound.  Mrs.  F.  E.  W.  closes  a 
business  letter  by  saying;  "I  am  delighted 
with  Popular  Gardening,  and  shall  recom- 
mend it  to  all  my  friends  who  have  flowers,  and 
shall  have  mine  bound  at  the  end  of  the  year." 

A  correspondent  states  that  her  Dafliodils 
flowered  twice,  first  producing  double  yellow 
flowei's,  and  some  weeks  later  white  ones.  That 
sounds  sti-ange,  but  we  can  solve  the  mystery 
on  the  ground  that  jthe  clump  contained  from 
the  first  bulbs  of  both  the  early  and  later 
flowering  sorts. 

Progress  in  Reform.  We  are  glad  to  see  the 
Massachusetts  Society  for  Prevention  of  Cru- 
elty to  Animals  step  forward  and  promptly 
ofl'er  two  SIO  prizes  and  twenty  of  $5  each 
for  convincing  evidence  of  the  killing  of  any 
insectiverous  birds  in  that  State,  or  taking  an 
egg  from  the  nest. 

Popular  Gardening  wants  to  know,  why  more 
people  do  not  plant  ornamental  trees  on  the 
strength  of  the  increased  value  they  give  to  a 
place,  through  increased  attractiveness,  when 
one  comes  to  sell.  From  this  standpoint,  let 
alone  all  others,  such  planting  without  fail 
proves  very  profitable. 

"  If  these  workers,"  says  the  Boston  Tran- 
script, referring  to  Chinch  Bugs,  Grasshoppers, 
etc.,  in  the  West,  "could  only  be  induced  to 
join  the  Knights  of  Labor,  and  agree  to  con- 
fine their  operations  to  eight  hours  a  day,  the 
cause  of  labor  would  get  the  biggest  boom  it 
has  ever  yet  received,  even  in  this  year  of  labor 
booms." 

Hard  to  Comply  With.  "  I  find,"  writes  M,"in 
the  various  seed  catalogues  the  '  Normandie,' 
'  Trimardeau,'  '  German  Imperial '  and  '  Eng- 
lish Pansy.'  Are  they  distinct  varieties  ?  If 
so,  please  define  the  difference."  As  for  this 
matter,  we  are  unprepared  to  give  an  answer 
— not  having  tested  the  sorts  named — beyond 
saying,  that  they  are  probably  distinct. 

Phlox  Drummondi  Wild.  An  item  in  a  re- 
cent number  of  Popular  Gardening  on  the 
Phlox  Drummondi  in  Florida,  brought  out  the 
f oUowing  from  a  correspondent  in  that  State ; 
"  Phlox  Drummondi  of  exquisite  beauty  grows 
wild  here  in  many  places,  increasing  by  self- 
sowing.  I  call  to  mind  one  ten-acre  orange 
grove  where  this  plant  literally  covers  the 
ground. " 

A  Century  Plant  (Agave  Americana)  is  in 
bloom  in  the  garden  of  Mr.  George  Casey, 
Auburn,  N.  Y.  It  is  believed  to  be  about  60 
years  old.  The  flower  stalk,  when  at  its  most 
rapid  stage  of  growth,  grew  at  the  rate  of 
three  inches  a  day,  and  has  pushed  way  beyond 
the  roof  of  the  green-house.  The  flowers  are 
of  greenish  yellow,  produced  at  the  points  of 
branches,  and  arranged  in  a  perfect  pyramid. 


Black  Ants.  It  is  easy  to  get  rid  of  them. 
Open  the  hills  with  a  hoe,  scatter  on  a  handful 
of  salt  and  sprinkle  on  a  quart  of  water  and 
the  ants  will  leave  immediately.  Yesterday 
my  house  was  overrun  with  these  insects.  I 
found  eleven  anthills  within  two  rods  of  the 
building  and  to-day  there  is  not  an  ant  to  be 
found  anywhere  on  or  about  the  premises. — 
G.  Tn'/.s-oii,  in  New  York  Tribune. 

Twelve  Amaryllises  to  one  Pot.  "  I  wish 
every  member  could  have  seen  my  blooming 
Amaryllis  Johnsonii  some  time  ago,"  writes 
"Lida,"but  neglecting  to  give  her  postoffice 
and  State.  "Two  bulbs  were  set  into  a  six- 
inch  pot ;  the  one  sent  up  one,  the  other  two 
blooming  stalks,  and  together  they  bore  twelve 
magnificent  blooms.  The  flowers  were  out  for 
two  months.  I  manage  the  bulbs  by  planting 
in  the  ground  in  partial  shade,  when  frosts 
are  over,  potting  again  in  September. 

Yellow  Boses  are  reported  deficient  of  color 
this  year,  and  correspondents  ask  the  reason 
why.  We  confess  to  feeling  nonplussed  at  the 
question,  and  inclined  to  imitate  the  philoso- 
pher who  replied  to  gay  Charles's  proposition  on 
the  globe  of  gold  fishes.  "How  is  it,"  asked 
the  King,  "that  a  globe  filled  with  water  does 
not  increase  in  weight  when  a  number  of  fishes 
are  added.'"  And  the  philosopher  replied,  "I 
doubt  the  fact,"  to  which  the  merry  monarch 
responded,    "So  do  I." — Garrleners'  Magazine. 

A  new  Balsam,  by  name  Impatiens  Marianne, 
is  announced  from  Chicago.  Unlike  the  old 
annual  favorites,  the  recent  /.  sultana  and  nu- 
merous other  members  of  this  interesting 
genus,  this  new  one's  chief  claim  to  attractive- 
ness is  found  in  its  clear,  silver-marked  foliage. 
It  is  said  to  be  a  good  gi'ower,  and  increases 
easily  by  slip  propagation.  It  is  now  being 
tested  as  a  summer  bedding  plant,  and  it  is 
hoped  that  it  may  prove  of  value  as  a  plant  for 
lines  and  masses.  Mr.  George  Wittbold,  of 
Chicago,  is  its  introducer,  having  received  it 
from  Germany  last  fall. 

Thanks  to  American  enterprise  for  giving 
the  cheap  lawn  mower,  where  formerly  the 
lawn  scythe  was  in  use,  or  oftener  still,  lawns 
were  totally  neglected.  Now  everybody  may 
have  a  neatly  kept  grass  plat.  By  its  use  the 
work  of  mowing  the  average  yard  is  really  lit- 
tle more  than  recreation ;  the  trouble  of  keep- 
ing the  machine  in  order,  is  as  nothing  com- 
pared with  that  of  keeping  a  scythe  in  shape 
for  good  work.  Popular  Gardening  gladly 
recognizes  the  great  help  of  the  American 
lawn  mower,  in  giving  our  people  an  increased 
appreciation  of  lawn  and  garden  beauty. 

Brill's  Treatise  on  Cauliflower.  In  the 
writer's  gardening  experience  he  has  realized 
larger  profits  per  acre  for  the  outlay,  in  grow- 
ing Cauliflower  for  market,  than  from  that  of 
any  other  crop.  A  reason  for  this  was  found  in 
the  fact,  that  but  few  gardeners  seemed  to  be 
successful  with  this  crop,  and  he  happened 
among  such  lucky  ones.  It  is  a  crop  that  re- 
quires some  particular  conditions  in  cultiva- 
tion, and  in  the  new  work  referred  to  in  the 
head-line  called  ' '  Cauliflowers,  and  How  to 
Grow  Them,"  Mr.  Francis  Brill,  a  Long  Island 
gardener,  has  succeeded  in  setting  these  forth 
very  clearly.  The  pamphlet  sells  for  only  20 
cents  and  may  be  ordered  through  this  office. 

New  Jersey  Heard  From.  From  Sussex 
county,  of  that  State,  Mrs.  S.  E.  Cole  ofl'ers 
the  following  about  some  favorites:  "The 
Tritclia  nniflvra,  spoken  of  in  the  May  num- 
ber, is  pretty,  with  its  star-like  flowers,  but  not 
as  handsome  as  Allivnt  neapolifanum,  bearing 
as  it  does  lai-ge  clusters  of  pure  white  flowers, 
lasting  two  and  three  weeks.  Neither  is  it  so 
fine  as  the  Freesia,  another  excellent  winter- 
bloomer  of  delightful  fragi-ance.  Of  the  latter, 
some  are  white  and  some  are  pale  yellow.  I 
had  these  all  last  winter  for  the  first  time,  and 
vpas  much  pleased  with  them.  Another  nice 
winter  plant  is  Yellow  Oxalis,  as  it  blooms  all 
winter  with  me.  Thanks  for  the  aid  I  derived 
some  time  ago  from  the  "  Exchange  Column  " 
of  your  exceedingly  valuable  paper. 


1 886. 


POPULAR     GARDENING. 


I  I 


The  presence  of  plants  in  rooms,  as  ought  to 
be  well  known,  serves  to  render  the  atmos- 
phere beneficially  humid  to  human  lungs,  thus 
answering  a  valuable  end  aside  fi-om  the  beauty 
and  cheerfulness  imparted.  How  this  peculiar 
effect  of  the  presence  of  plants  on  the  atmos- 
jihere,  comes  in  to  a  good  purpose,  in  a  large 
manufactory,  is  told  as  follows:  The  Williman- 
tic  (Conn.)  Thread  Company  formerly  em- 
ployed a  spr.aying  machine  and  two  men  to  se- 
cure the  needful  humidity  of  the  atmosphere 
of  their  shops.  For  the  purpose  of  increasing 
the  comfort  aud  pleasure  of  the  operatives,  the 


THE  LA  FRANCE  ROSE. 
proprietor  commenced  the  cultivation  of  plants 
ai'ound  the  factory  and  placed  many  beautiful 
flowers  in  the  rooms.  This  so  changed  the  at- 
mosphere that  the  spraying  machine  was  no 
longer  needed. 

The  LaFrance  Kose,  of  which  an  engi-aving 
is  herewith  given,  enjoys  the  distinction  of 
being  very  valuable,  both  to  those  who  ai'e  in 
the  trade  as  florists  and  to  amateui-s.  As  a 
forcing  Rose  for  cut  flowers,  it  occupies  a  place 
second  to  no  other  one  of  its  color,  being  always 
in  large  demand  at  a  high  price.  It  can  never 
be  classed  among  common  kinds.  Its  sweetness 
is  unequaled,  while  no  Rose  can  sui'pass  the 
exquisitness  of  its  coloring,  which  is  that  of  a 
peach  blossom,  shaded  pink  and  silvery  rose. 
The  flowers  are  large  and  full,  and  appear  with 
great  freedom  on  the  plants.  As  a  garden  Rose 
it  is  hardier  than  the  average  monthl}',  living 
over  in  mild  winters  with  slight  protection. 
It  is  a  free  grower  and  constant  bloomer.  This 
Rose  is  of  French  origin,  dating  from  LSO". 

A  Large  Rhubarb  Bed.  Such  a  oue,  contain- 
ing about  20  acres,  is  reported  by  the  Prairie 
Fannrr  as  being  at  "  Rhubarbville,"  out  from 
Chicago.  The  bed  was  planted  three  .years ago; 
the  soil,  which  is  a  rich  sandy  loam,  being  first 
put  in  good  working  condition  by  the  plow  and 
harrow.  It  was  then  marked  off  each  way  in 
rows  four  and  one-half  feet  apart,  and  a  man 
went  along  with  a  spade  and  made  a  hole  at 
each  of  the  intersecting  points  by  thrusting  it 
down  and  pressing  each  way  a  moment.  A  boy 
followed  with  the  plants,  dropijiug  them  in  the 
holes  and  pressing  the  earth  over  them  with 
his  feet.  This  completed  the  simple  operation 
of  planting.  The  field  was  frequently  culti- 
vated through  the  season  and  kept  free  from 
wee<ls,  The  next  spring  after  planting,  the  first 
crop  was  gathered. 

About  Pansies.  Mrs.  J.  L.  AVhite,  of  Knox 
county  Illinois,  %vrites  that  formerly  she  had 
no  success  in  raising  Pansies,  although  trying 
hard  for  years  to  raise  fine  ones.  She  offers  to 
the  family  the  information  as  to  what  lead  her 
from  failure  to  success  with  these  plants,  as 
follows:  "I  use  all  the  completely  rotteu 
wood  that  I  can  get,  working  it  into  the  soil 
and  around  the  plants.  Since  I  have  com- 
menced this  my  Pansies  are  very   fine,  indeed 


I  think  nothing  can  be  more  beautiful  than 
these,  with  their  varied  and  fanciful  mai'kiugs. 
On  a  bed  only  two  feet  s(iuare  I  recently 
counted  loO  perfect  flowers.'"  We  would  like 
to  add  to  this  note,  that  in  a  long  experience  in 
raising  Pansies,  we  have  relied  mainly  upon  a 
very  liberal  allowance  of  old  rotten  manure, 
in  the  soil,  together  with  an  occasional  dose  of 
liquid  manure  over  the  bed  before  flowering 
time.  By  this  course  we  have  raised  some 
Pansies  marvelous  for  size  and  beauty. 

A  New  way  of  His  Own.    If  Mr.   Samuel 
Streepey,  of  Slatef  ord.  Pa. ,  had  been  a  reader  of 
Popular  (Gardening,  and  had 
used  the  effective  remedies  late- 
ly printed  in  its  columns  to  kill 
Currant  worms, 
instead   of   his 
own  rash  exper- 
iment, he  might 
still  be  the  pos- 
sessor of  the  eye 
and  part   of    a 
hand  which   he 
lost  in  the  flght. 
The    account 
puts  it  that   he 
had  once  treated  his  bushes 
to  some  kind  of  worthless 
insect  poison,  under  which 
the  worms  seemed  to  thrive. 
Then  he  made  up  his  mind 
for  a  new  experiment  that 
should  not  fail.     This  consisted  of  sprink- 
ling the  bush  with  sulphur,  over  which 
he  poured  some  powder  from  a  flask.     A 
touch  of  a  match  enveloped  the  bush  with 
sulphurous  flame  in  an  instant.     At  the 
same  time  the  flask  which  Streepey  held  in 
his  hand  went  off  like  a  cannon.     With  it  went 
the  most  of  Streepey's  hand.     The  sight  of  one 
eye  was  also  destroyed.    The  bush  was  shriveled 
up  as  if   blighted.      But   the  worms  on  that 
particular  bush  were  exterminated. 

Buifalo  Parks.  So  well  satisfled  is  our  city 
with  her  expenditure  of  upwards  of  a  million 
dollai-s,  on  securing  and  maintaining  a  park 
system,  embracing  some  000  acres  of  land,  that 
an  enlargement  of  the  system  is  again  being 
considered.  This  time  it  is  in  the  direction  of 
acquiring  lands  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  to 
the  southeast  of  the  city,  and  converting  them 
into  recreation  grounds.  The  step  is  a  very 
popular  oue.  If  carried  out,  the  new  park  will 
be  connected  with  the  present  ones  by  an  ex- 
tension of  the  boulevard  system.  Recently 
legal  enactments  were  secured  for  placing  all 
of  the  small  parks  of  the  city  under  the  man- 
agement of  the  Park  Board,  of  which  Mr. 
William  McMillen  is  the  very  efficient  superin- 
tendent of  works.  Included  among  contem- 
plated improvements,  is  the  converting  of  the 
so-called  Terrace  "  parks  "  into  beauty  spots  by 
the  help  of  gi'ass,  trees  and  flowers.  Next  we 
hope  to  announce  the  pro.iect  under  way  for 
connecting  our  beautiful  Buffalo  Parks  by  a 
broad  boulevard  with  the  new  State  Park  at 
Niagara  Falls,  twenty-two  miles  away.  It  will 
come  in  time. 

The  Oleander.  In  its  native  state  this  is  a 
riverside  plant,  and  as  such  likes  good  living, 
being  born  to  mud,  water  and  warmth.  As  the 
shoots  made  in  one  .season  flower  the  next,  it 
well  ripened,  it  is  always  desirable  to  get  a 
strong  growth  on  the  plants  as  earl}'  in  the 
season  as  is  practicable.  Therefore,  they  should 
from  the  early  spring  be  given  a  warm,  light 
place  in  which  to  grow,  and  receive  liberal 
supplies  of  weak  liquid  manure.  An  excellent 
way  to  summer  small-sized  plants,  is  to  set 
them  in  a  rich  flower-bed  or  border  until 
about  October  1st,  when  they  must  be  potted 
again.  After  the  blooming  season  of  plants  in 
pots  or  boxes  is  over,  some  of  the  old  soil 
should  be  removed  from  the  roots  and  the.v  be 
reset  into  a  receptacle  a  little  larger  than  the 
old  one,  using  a  rich  loam  to  fill  in  around  the 
roots.  It  should  be  well  known  that  this  hand- 
some shrub  possesses  some  poisonous  principles, 


for  if  the  hand  is  cut  while  pruning  it,  a  dan- 
gerous wound  may  result.  Pruning  as  a  nile 
is  not  necessary  to  the  plant,  but  it  may  be  well 
once  in  some  years  apart  to  luit  it  back  with  a 
view  to  improving  its  general  shape. 


The  Nurserymen's  Convention  af 
Washington. 

The  meeting  took  ])lace,  according  to  pro- 
gramme, on  June  liith  and  t«'o  ilays  following. 
It  was  well  attended,  members  to  the  mmiber 
of  nearly  400  being  present  from  all  parts  of 
the  Union.  The  Province  of  Canada  was  also 
represented.  We  never  saw  so  large  an  at- 
tendance of  ladies  at  any  of  our  conventions  as 
was  here  present.  The  nurserymen,  appreciat- 
ing the  valuable  service  done  to  the  cause  of 
tree  planting  by  the  women  of  our  land,  gladly 
encourage  their  presence  at  these  meetings. 
All  such  are  by  the  by-laws  of  the  association 
honorary  members. 

That  less  actual  business  was  done  at  this 
convention  than  some  of  its  predecessoi"s,  will 
not  be  laid  up  against  it  seriously.  Washing- 
ton is  not  a  place  conducive  to  much  solid  work 
of  deliberate  bodies,  in  a  few  days'  time.  How 
little  Congress,  even  in  its  longest  sessions,  often 
manages  to  do.  With  the  most  delightful  of 
weather,  and  with  the  sights  and  interests  of 
the  beautiful  capitol  city  before  them,  the  hard- 
worked  nurserymen  could  for  once  well  afford 
to  dip  deep  into  recreation.  The  social  feat- 
ures of  these  conventions,  arising  from  pereonal 
intercourse  between  members  is  of  the  greatest 
value ;  no  one  can  complain  that  this  had  not  its 
full  sway  at  the  Washington  meeting. 

Of  work  done  and  papers  read,  the  (|uality 
generally  was  that  of  marked  excellence.  Take 
for  instance  the  opening  address,  on  Wednes- 
day, of  the  president  of  the  association.  Com- 
missioner of  Agriculture  Coleman.  It  was  an 
able  paper,  received  with  gi'eat  enthusiasm  by 
its  hearers.  We  here  give  some  of  the  leading 
thoughts  it  contained: 

The  last  ceusus  places  gardeners,  nurserymen  and 
vinedressers  together,  as  of  the  same  class,  and 
gives  their  number  as  ,51,4H2. 

The  uurser.vman  is  engaged  in  the  primitive  call- 
ing of  man  In  the  account  of  creation  given  us  in 
the  Bible  trees  are  the  first  thing  spoken  of  after 
the  eartli  took  its  present  shape.  They  preceded 
man.  as  the  necessary  means  of  preparing  tiie  earth 
to  be  inhabited  by  him.  Tliey  were  necessary  in 
onler  to  make  its  atmosphere  respirable  by  absorb- 
ing its  superabundance  of  carbonic  acid.  Destroy 
tlie  trees  and  you  make  the  world  desolate. 

The  work  of  the  development  of  trees,  is  still  to  go 
on  No  one  is  competent  to  set  a  linut  to  it  No  one 
is  competent  to  say  what  finiits  may  be  gathered 
fl-om  our  trees  in  years  and  centiu'ies  to  come.  We 
may  go  as  far  beyond  the  present  as  the  present  is 
in  advance  of  Kden.  There,  is  every  encourage- 
ment to  the  nurseryman  in  this  direction. 

When  we  look  at  it  ariglit,  tlie  calling  of  the  nurs- 
eryman should  be  regarded  as  that  <ir  a  high  aud 
licjnorable  trusteeship.  He  stands  between  his  fello\\- 
inen  and  the  great  tree-world,  of  which  they  are  ig- 
norant aud  of  which  he  iias  a  knowledge,  by  show- 
ing them  how  to  attain  the  utmost  comfort  and 
pleasure  from  the  growths  of  field  aud  forest. 

The  rapid  extension  of  this  nursery  production  in 
the  United  States  indicates  a  development  of  taste, 
increase  of  wealth  and  a  t>etter  knowdedge  of  .sani- 
tary laws  It  attests  the  demand  for  landscape 
adornment,  for  woodcraft  supplies,  for  local  cli- 
matic moditications  in  aid  of  fruit  culture  and  for 
enlargement  of  fruit  production  generall.v.  It  illus- 
trates the  growth  of  esthetic  cultui'e  among  the 
people,  tlie  tiisposition  toexi>ei)d  money  in  the  grati- 
fication of  tastes  so  pure  and  wholesome. 

Regarding  ornamental  planting,  no  country  in  the 
world  is  better  sui)plied  in  this  respect  than  ours. 
We  have  sno  species  at  least  of  woody  plants.  Three 
hundred  of  these  attain  a  height  of  thirt.v  feet.  Two 
hundred  and  fifty  of  these  are  tolerably  abundant 
in  one  portion  of  the  country  or  another 

We  have  this  large  number  from  which  to  make 
our  selection,  while  Germany  has  but  about  si.xty 
native  species  of  trees,  and  France  and  England 
only  about  half  that  number.  That  eminent  author- 
I  ity,  I^indley,  declares  that  "  by  far  the  finest  orna- 
mental trees  and  shrubs  (of  Kngland)  are  those 
1  wdnch  have  come  from  North  America." 


ii8 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


July, 


We  may  make  our  country,  from  its  native  re- 
sources, the  glory  of  ail  lands  for  the  beauty  aud 
vaUie  of  its  trees.  It  is  your  privilege,  while  engaged 
in  a  business  which  will  give  you  reasonable  pecu- 
niarj-  returns,  to  be  also  public  benefactors.  It  is 
your  privilege  to  do  as  much  as  any  other  class  of 
men  in  determining  what  shall  lie  the  future  condi- 
tion of  the  country  as  to  its  industries  and  the  com- 
fort and  happiness  of  its  people. 

On  Thursday  the  following  officers  for  the 
coming  j'ear  were  elected : 

President,  C.  L.  Watrous,  Iowa;  first  vice- 
president,  M.  A.  Hunt,  Illinois;  secretary,  D.W. 
Scott,  Illinois;  treasurer,  A.  R.  Whitney.  Ex- 
ecutive coramitte,  S.  D.  Willard,  New  York, 
N.  B.  Pearsall,  Kansas,  aud  Cleorge  Weltz, 
Oliio.  The  report  was  adopted  and  the  officers 
nominated  were  elected. 

The  vice-presidents  also  reported  in  favor  of 
Chicago  as  the  place  for  the  next  meeting,  and 
the  report  was  adopted 

A  resolution  was  adopted  by  a  large  vote 
asking  Congi'css  to  pass  a  law  taxing  oleomar- 
garine. Much  time  was  also  consumed  in  hear- 
ing reports  concerning  trade  matters. 

One  of  the  ablest  papers  of  the  meeting  was 
that  by  Dr.  Fenio,  on  the  Influences  Affecting 
the  Quality  of  Tree  Seed,  and  in  which  he 
urged  the  merits  of  seed  testing  establishments. 

The  chief  feature  of  Friday's  meeting  was  an 
excursion  to  Mount  Vernon,  by  steamer  down 
the  Potomac  river.  It  was  participated  in  by 
nearly  the  entire  convention. 

Convention  Notes. 

An  ideal  city,  so  far  as  shade  trees  go. 

The  Botanical  Garden  had  many  visitors. 

The  nurserymen  feel  good  over  spring  sales. 

Presidents  come  and  go,  but  Secretary  Scott 
remains. 

The  Lucretia  Dewberry  was  on  exhibition  by  Mr. 
Albaugh. 

Most  of  the  members  found  the  weather  cooler 
than  they  had  left  behind  them. 

Friend  Augur  gave  everybody  alasteof  the  Jewell 
Strawbeny.    They  were  Jewels. 

President  Coleman  reports  Hi>,()(X>  shade  trees  in 
Washington.    They  were  a  delight  to  the  visitors. 

The  convention  was  photographed  in  a  body  on 
Thursday,  iu  front  of  the  Agricultural  Building. 
Nice  picture. 

The  hearty  invitation  to  have  the  next  meeting  at 
Dallas,  Texas,  seemed  at  one  time  as  likely  to  be 
accepted.  The  Texas  members  gave  some  interest- 
ing talk  about  their  great  State. 

We  found  our  old  neighbor.  President  Cleveland. 
looking  well,  although  less  ruddj'  of  cheek  than 
when  be  lived  in  BulTalo.  He  showed  his  apprecia- 
tion of  horticulture  by  granting  a  special  reception 
on  Thursday  afternoon  to  the  nureerymen.  ladies 
included.  Shaking  some  3(Xl  hands  didn't  seem  to 
tire  him  much. 

At  an  adjunct  meeting  of  the  Nursery-men's  Pro- 
tective Association  the  following  ofiieere  were 
elected:  C.  L.  Watrous,  president:  G.  C  Atwood, 
New  York,  vice-president ;  D.  Willmot  Scott,  secre- 
tary; A.  R.  Whitney,  treasurer,  and  Messrs.  Abner 
Hoopes,  Pennsylvania;  S.  D.  Bear,  Ohio;  C.  L. 
Watrous,  Iowa,  the  executive  board 

The  Convention  enjoyed  a  good  laugh  at  the  close 
of  Congressman  Wellborn's  eloquent  speech  on  the 
present  and  future  of  Texas  as  a  fruit  growing 
country.  He  had  finished  his  warm  peroration  of 
brillant  hues,  and  was  walking  down  the  aisle  with 
Mr.  Dewey's  hat  in  his  hand,  when  Commissioner 
Coleman  called  out  "  please  don't  carry  away  our 
members"  hats."  This  brought  down  the  house. 
And  when  Mr.  Wellborn  explained  that  such  a  little 
thing  as  appropriating  another  man's  property 
were  peculiarities  of  his  own,  not  belonging  to  Texas 
people  at  large,  the  house  came  down  again. 


The    Fruit    and    Vegetable   Growers' 
Association  of  the  United  States. 

The  June  meeting  of  this  society  was  held  on 
the  17th  of  last  month,  at  Columbus,  Ohio. 
It  was  an  interesting  meeting  and  succeeded  in 
accomplishing  much  good.  The  leading  dis- 
cussions centered  on  the  best  methods  of  pre- 
paring fruit  for  market,  and  preserving  it  for 
family  use.  The  evaporation  of  fruit  received 
its  full  share  of  attention. 


A  happy  sequel  to  this  diseussson  was  the 
generous  offer  of  Mr.  Ezra  Arnold,  an  Illinois 
fruit  grower,  to  give  to  the  society  the  plans 
and  details  of  his  improved  yet  inexpensive 
home  made  fruit  evaporator.  He  does  not 
make  these  for  sale,  but  freely  consigns  to  the 
association  and  to  all  interested  persons  the 
full  right  to  make  and  use  them,  on  the  one  con- 
dition, that  the  association  will  give  his  offer 
publicity.  This  it  resolvefl  to  do,  and  to  pre- 
pare the  necessary  engravings  and  descriptions 
to  enable  any  person  to  make  and  set  up  the 
device.  Full  particulars  with  plans  may  be 
had  of  the  secretary,  W.  Orlandc  Smith,  Alli- 
ance, O.  ,by  enclosing  stamps  for  return  postage. 

The  next  meeting  of  the  association  will  take 
place  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Dec.  9th  next. 


Second    Annual    Meeting  of  the   So- 
ciety of  American  Florists. 

This  meeting  will  be  held  in  Philadelphia 
Aug.  ISth  to  *20tli  next.  It  promises  to  be  a 
gi'eat  success,  in  that  respect  even  an  improve- 
ment on  the  excellent  first  meeting  of  lastyeai-. 
It  will  be  a  gathering  of  the  live  florists  of  our 
land ;  all  such  are  expect-ed  to  be  there.  Re- 
duced rates  on  all  the  leading  railroads  may  be 
secured.  Secretai'yE.  G.  Hill,  Richmond,  Ind., 
will  take  pleasure  in  furnishing  full  particulars 
to  mail  api>li  cants. 


tropes,  RosesandMyosotis.  ought  now  to  be  growing 
rapidly,  and  will  require  pinching  back  every  few 
weeks  to  promote  stocky  forms  Such  as  are  in 
pots  should  be  shifted  into  pots  one  size  larger  as 
soon  as  the  roots  mat  about  the  ball  of  earth. 


THE    HOUSE    PLANTS. 

Abutilons  or  Flowering  Maples  should  now  be  en- 
couraged by  repotting  as  they  will  bear,  to  make  a 
strong  growth  for  sustaining  winter  flowering. 
Pnnie  freely  to  promote  shapeliness. 

Agapanthua  Plants  need  plenty  of  water  while 
flowering,  being  by  nature  sub-aquatic. 

Bouvardias.     Cut  back  closely  for  the  present. 

Cactuses  during  their  flowering  and  growing 
period  are  not  apt  to  be  given  too  much  water. 

Cyclamens  for  flowering  next  year  and  later 
should  be  sown  during  the  present  month. 

Geraniums.  Where  plenty  of  winter  flowers  are 
wanted,  the  plants  should  be  grown  in  pots  during 
the  summer;  also,  keep  all  flower  buds  nipped  out 
as  they  appear.  The  Rose  and  most  other  kinds 
can  be  brought  along  finely  fur  house  decoration 
later,  by  lifting  some  from  the  border  some  time 
this  month  and  potting  them.  Pinch  back  the  main 
shoots  a  little  at  the  same  time. 

Hydrangeas  in  bloom  are  benefited  by  an  occas- 
ional dose  of  manure  water.  Young  plants  in  their 
first  year  like  partial  shade  in  the  summer. 

Insects.  As  to  these,  one  should  put  prevention 
before  cure.  Aid  plant  health  by  proper  water- 
ing, cleansing  the  foliage,  removing  dead  leaves 
and  matured  flowers,  and  repotting  as  geeded.  and 
insects  will  not  trouble  much.  If  any  stragglers 
appear,  apply  the  thumb  nail. 

Lantanas  embody  a  number  of  good  qualities  as 
pot-plants.  They  may  easily  be  grown  as  standards, 
with  a  trunk  three  or  more  feet  high,  by  keeping 
all  side  shoots  down  during  the  season  of  growth, 
and  until  a  desirable  height  is  reached 

Mignonette  Seed,  if  not  yet  started  for  winter 
plants,  must  now  go  in.   See  under  "Conservatory." 

Oxalis  Kosea  and  other  varieties  should  receive 
less  watei-  than  when  they  were  flowering  freely. 

Primroses,  Double  Chinese.  Tlie  treatment  now 
needed  is  merely  that  they  be  kept  in  a  cool  shady 
place,  and  water  as  required,  that  is.  sparingly. 

Vallotas  now  begin  to  bloom.  While  this  is  going 
on  they  should  be  kept  constantly  well  watered. 

"Watering  cannot  now  be  neglected  once  without 
serious  results.  The  best  time  of  the  day  to  water 
in  the  summer  is  towards  night.  Then  the  plants 
have  moisture  and  coolness  until  morning.  But  if 
plants  happen  to  be  drj-  in  the  morning,  don't  wait 
for  evening  but  water  immediately. 

Winter -flowering  plants,  such  as  Begonias, 
Chrysanthemums,  Carnations,    Pomsettias,  Helio- 


LAWN  AND    FLOWER    GARDEN. 

Annual  Flowers  now  come  in.  It  is  a  mistake 
to  allow  the  plants  to  become  crowded.  Thinned 
out  properly,  and  many  kinds  that  often  appear  no 
better  than  weeds  develop  into  handsome  plants. 

Asters  are  gross  feeders.  If  this  fact  was  not 
duly  appreciated  when  the  beds  were  prepared, 
matters  may  still  be  helped  by  liquid  manuring  or 
a  manure  mulch. 

Balsams  should  be  pruned  of  many  of  the  young 
shoots  that  now  appear;  train  to  one,  three  or  more 
main  shoots  and  their  appearance  will  be  improved. 

Candytuft,  if  sown  during  this  month  in  frames, 
will  produce  heavy  crops  of  blooms  just  after  the 
open  air  yield  is  cut  off  by  frosts. 

Carpet  Beds  are  now  in  full  dress,  and  to  keep 
them  so  through  the  hot  weather  they  need  a 
thorough  watering  once  a  week,  and  all  useless 
flowers,  as  well  as  unhealthy  leaves  and  weeds, 
should  be  removed  as  often  Some  of  the  plants 
will  need  trimming  also,  to  regulate  shape. 

Caterpillars  may  be  kept  from  ascending  trees 
by  encircling  these  with  bands  of  cotton. 

Climbers  now  push  ahead  rapidly,  and  should 
be  anijily  furnished  with  supports  for  the  young 
shoots,  and  have  the  growth  regulated. 

Dahlias  that  produce  many  side  shoots  are  bene- 
fited by  liavmg  some  of  these  cut  out. 

Layering  is  a  means  of  propagation  that  every 
amateur  ought  to  be  familiar  with.  By  it  about  all 
fine  shrubs  and  plants  can  easily  be  increased, 
while  many  cannot  be  propagated  in  any  other 
way.  As  shown  by  the  cut,  a  depression  is  made 
in  the  earth  at  one  side  of  the  plant  in  which  to 
bend  a  vigorous  shoot.  This  shoot  should  have  a 
notch  cut  in  from  the  top.  one-third  of  the  way 
through  at  the  lowest  point  of  the  bend.  Bend  it 
down  and  cover  firmly  with  mellow  earth.  In 
about  two  months  there  ought  to  be  good  roots. 

Pansies      Sow  now  for  earlj-  spring  or  forcing. 

Perennials,  Hardy.  If  it  is  desirable  to  in- 
crease such  kinds  as  ripen  their  seeds  this  month 
the  seed  may  be  sown  as  soon  as  ripe.  Those  that 
are  through  flowering  should  have  their  flower 
stalks  ciU  away  soon  after  for  the  sake  of  neatness. 

Rhododendrons.  Remove  seed  pods  and  sprouts. 

Staking  and  Tying  up  are  important  operations 
to  keeping  a  handsome  garden.  Strong- growing, 
top-heavy  plants  like  Dahlias.  Gladiolus  and  Salvias 
absolutely  demand  it  for  the  best  results.  Large 
single  specimen  plants,  such  as  Hydrangeas, 
Geraniums,  etc.,  ma}'  be  staked  so  neatly  by  lower- 
ing the  top  of  the  stake  down  into  the  plant,  that 
these  will  not  show  and  yet  obviate  all  danger  from 
breaking  off  or  bending  over  by  storms. 

Sweet  Williams  and  other  biennials  should  be 
sown  for  next  year's  blooming. 

Trees  that  were  planted  in  the  spring  often  suffer 
from  drouth  in  the  summer.  A  mulch  of  hay.  litter 
or  stones  over  the  roots  is  good  treatment  to  pre- 
vent this,  and  better  than  excessive  watering. 

Variegated  Trees  or 
Shrubs,  or  those  with 
cut  or  other  "fancy" 
forms  of  leaves  which 
may  show  signs  of  a 
common  type  of  foliage 
should  have  the  shoots 
on  which  these  appear 
cut  out,  or  the  future 
value  will  be  iu  danger. 

Watering.  Apply- 
ing a  little  water  and 
often  to  anything  grow- 
ing in  the  soil  is  a  bad  Propagation  by  Layering. 
principle,  and  should  ^i'^" Layering:' above. 
be  set  aside  for  the  correct  one  of  watering  seldom 
but  then  very  thoroughly.  Vases  and  hanging 
baskets  have  many  plants  growing  in  a  small 
bulk  of  earth;  water  thoroughly  everj'  day.  The 
best  time  for  watering  trees  is  during  a  showeiy 
spell.  Remember  here  that  ordinarj-  showers  do 
trees  but  little  good. 


PLANT  CULTURE   UNDER  GLASS. 

Camellias.  Now  the  buds  of  next  winter's 
flowers  are  formed,  and  any  bad  treatment  to  the 
plants  may  cause  these  to  drop  before  opening,  as 
explained  last  month. 

Keep  the  Camellia  apartment  cool  by  shading, 
sprinkling  and  free-airing.     Water  regularly  and 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


19 


syringe  the  plants  at  least  three  times  a  week. 
Some  growers  put  the  red-Howering  kind  out  doors 
in  a  shady  place,  and  then  spread  the  whites  over 
all  the  space  under  glass. 

Chrysanthemums  in  pots  may  have  their  final 
shift.     Sprinkle  often  from  overhead. 

Cinerarias  and  Calceolarias.  Prick  out  the 
seedlings,  as  soon  as  they  can  be  handled,  into 
pots  or  pans,  placing  these  in  frames,  under  shaded 
sash,  .\dniit  air  and  water  as  required. 
Cyclamens.  See  brief  note  under  House  Plants. 
Euphorbias,  should  be  shifted  into  larger  pots 
whenever  the  roots  in  the  present  ones  begin  to 
mat  around  the  ball  of  earth. 

Ferns.  It  must  be  seen  to 'that  large  growing 
kinds  in  the  Fern-house  do  not  too  much  crowd  or 
overshadow  the  smaller  kinds. 

Tree  Ferns,  if  much  encouraged  through  giving 
them  ample  root-space,  oft«n  soon  get  so  large  as 
to  be  useless.  It  is  better  to  keep  the  pots  or  boxes 
of  these  rather  small,  and  give  some  liquid  manure. 
If ignonette  for  winter  blooming  is  usually  not 
sown  early  enough.  The  seeds  should  go  in  during 
June  or  early  July,  sowing  directly  into  small  pots, 
three  or  four  seeds  in  each,  the  seedlings  then  later 
to  be  thinned  down  to  one.  The  young  plants 
should  from  the  fu^t  be  protected  from  the  cab- 
bage worm  buttertly,  with  mosquito  netting. 

Orchids  should  now  he  provided  with  a  free  cir- 
culation of  air  to  ripen  the  spring  growth.  Use  as 
little  shading  as  possible,  and  keep  the  air  moist  by 
watering  the  paths  and  stages  in  the  afternoon, 
after  which  shut  up  for  the  night. 

Potted  plants  of  Poinsettia,  Heliotrope  and  like 
kinds,  designed  for  winter  flowers,  should  be  shitted 
promptly  on,  as  required. 

Eoses  tor  wmter  flowers,  that  are  bedded  out 
under  glass  should  now  be  at  rest,  receivmg  only 
enough  water  to  not  allow  entire  dryness  of  the  .soil. 


of  such  compact-growing  kinds  as  the  Delawa 
and  Diana,  is  a  good  plan,  removing  about  01 
fourth  the  berries. 

Wasps  often  injure  line  specimens  of  fruit.   Tl 
may  be  prevented  by  inclosing  in  gauze  bags. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Aphis  or  Lice  yield  to  soapsuds,  if  applied  with 
force,  repeating  the  operation  as  needed. 

Currants.  Where  there  are  but  few  bushes  the 
birds  are  sometimes  troublesome.  Mischief  by 
them  is  easily  prevented  by  thi-owing  netting  over 
the  plants.  An  old  article  past  use  at  the  windows 
will  answer  here. 

Layering  of  Currants,  Gooseberries,  Grapes,  etc., 
may  now  be  done.  See  article  on  layering  under 
"Lawn  and  Flower  Garden." 

Liquid  Manuring.  If  the  soil  about  them  is 
somewhat  poor,  applications  of  liquid  manure  to 
trees  and  plants    will    help    the    crop  greatly. 

Mildew  on  Grapes  is  easily  eradicated  by  the 
use  of  powdered  sulphm-,  applied  with  a  bellows, 
or  even  thrown  in  fine  clouds  with  the  hand,  when 
the  leaves  are  wet.  This  needs  prompt  attention; 
mildewed  vines  do  not  ripen  their  fruit  well. 

Mulching.  Many  have  yet  to  learn  the  great  val- 
ue of  summer  mulchmg  in  certain  cases.  There  are 
instances  where  it  will  induce  a  stronger  growth 
than  a  coat  of  manure  would.  It  is  especially  ben- 
eficial to  newly -set  trees,  the  stone  fruits,  and  to 
Currants  and  Gooseberries. 

Poisoning  Caterpillars  is  practicable  in  the  or- 
chard if  done  while  the  fruit  is  small.  One  pound 
of  Paris  Green  to  forty  gallons  of  water,  applied 
over  the  foliage  with  a  force  pinup  and  broadcast 
spray,  will  do  the  work. 

Pruning.  The  best  pruning  is  that  which 
rarely,  if  ever,  calls  for  the  removal  of  a  large 
branch.  As  shoots  start  up,  pinch  them  awa,v 
where  no  branches  are  wanted,  and  leave  others 
where  some  would  be  desirable.  The  latter  will 
grow  the  faster  tor  the  absence  of  the  former. 

Slugs  on  Cherry  and  Pear  trees  may  be  easily 
destroyed  by  dusting  with  dry  ashes,  lime,  or  earth. 

Strawberries.  Where  new  plantations  are  to  be 
made  a  great  gain  comes  from  layering  the  young 
plants,  which  form  at  this  season,  into  pots,  or  on 
pieces  of  inverted  turf  four  inches  square,  set  into 
the  ground.  The  plants,  by  either  com-se,  may 
then  be  set  out  in  August,  and  will  be  in  shape  for  a 
heavy  crop  next  year. 

Thinning.  It  does  pay  to  thin  fruit.  The  work 
is  something,  but  that  is  about  saved  in  the  later 
operations  of  picking  and  sorting,  while  thinned 
fruit  always  commands  high  prices.  In  Peaches 
the  rule  is  to  leave  one  Peach  on  a  shoot  six  inches 
long,  and  two  on  a  limb  a  foot  long.  Pears  and  Ap- 
ples usually  are  allowed  one  apiece  to  nine  spurs.  In 
no  tree  should  fruit  clusters  be  allowed  to  remain 
unthinned.  Leave  the  spaces  throughout  the 
tree  as  evenly  divided  as  possible.  Grapes  are  also 
benefited  by  thinning.     Even  thinning  on  the  bunch. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Bush  Beans  for  a  late  crop  may  be  sown,  as  they 
grow  quickly,  now;  a  rich,  deep  soil  for  tender  pod.s. 
Celery.  Crispness  is  promoted  by  the  use  of  good 
manure.  The  soil  can  hardly  be  too  rich,  and  free 
watering  is  also  very  beneficial.  Planting  for  the 
main  cro]i  should  now  be  done 

Cucumbers  for  pickles  planted  early  this  month 
usuaUy  do  well,  but  it  nuist  be  early  or  not  at  all. 

Herbs.  .\  little  before  these  come  into  full 
bloom  cut,  tie  into  small  bunches  and  dry  in  shade. 
Lima  Beans  now  push  ahcail  rapidly  ;  let  them 
be  tied  to  the  poles  as  they  need.  Bearing  com- 
mences in  good  earnest  only  when  the  tops  of  the 
poles  are  reached,  hence  these  must  not  be  too 
high  ;  eight  feet  is  enough. 

Melons  making  a  strong  growth  should  be  stop- 
ped atone  joint  past  the  last  tniit  about  the  end  of 
the  month,  to  favor  maturing  of  all  the  fi-uit  set. 
Radishes  for  use  during  winter  ma,y  be  sown. 
Rhubarb  should  rest  during  fruit  time. 
Seed  saving  is  an  important  matter.    Let   the 
earliest  and  best  specunens  be  spared  for  this  pur- 
pose, marking  them  to  insure  their  preservation. 

Seed  sowing  of  such  things  as  Sweet  Corn, 
Kohlrabi,  Lettuce  and  Tiu'nips,  besides  the  kinds 
named  under  the  special  heads,  is  yet  in  order. 

Slugs  sometimes  prove  quite  injurious  to  late 
planted  cabbage  ;  they  can  be  kept  off  by  putting 
a  handful  or  two  of  coal  ashes  around  the  stem. 

Tomatoes  do  better  staked  or  trained  to  a  trellise 
than  when  spreading  over  the  earth,  the  fruit  being 
more  abundant,  finer  looking  and  of  better  flavor. 
A  single  stake  will  answer,  but  any  simple  treUise 
that  will  admit  of  spreading  the  vines  is  better. 
Turnips  should  be  sown  during  the  month. 
Weeds.  There  is  no  time  like  a  dry  spell  for 
killing  weeds.  Brought  up  now  and  they  will  dry 
and  die,  which  cannot  be  said  of  most  of  them 
when  wetness  prevails 


FRUIT    AND 


VEGETABLES 
GLASS. 


UNDER 


Grapery.  Give  an  abundance  of  air  to  all  vines 
upon  which  the  grapes  begin  to  color.  The  vines 
should  be  looked  over  and  have  all  laterals  stopped ; 
late  ones  may  be  fertilized  with  manure  water. 
Those  late  kinds,  that  it  is  intended  shall  hang  on 
the  vines  until  Christmas,  will  be  improved  for  hav- 
ing the  scissors  passed  over  them  to  remove  all  im- 
perfectly fertilized  berries. 

Vines  in  earl}^  and  mid-season  houses  need  thor- 
ough cleansing  as  they  are  cleared  ot  fruit,  as  the 
perfect  development  ot  next  year's  fruiting  buds 
depends  upon   having  clean,  healthy  foliage. 

Peaches,  after  fruiting,  the  trees  being  in  pots, 
should  be  moved  into  the  open  air  and  in  some 
sunny  position,  plunging  the  pots  to  their  rims.  In 
young  plants  started  one  year  from  the  bud,  the 
tree  should  have  been  headed  back  two  feet  in  the 
spring.  As  the  new  shoots  reach  one  foot  in  length 
pinch  out  the  points,  and  after  this  any  laterals  at 
the  fourth  leaf,  up  to  autumn. 

Strawberries.  Young  plants  must  now  be 
started  in  pots  for  next  winter's  crop.  Fill  as  many 
three-inch  pots  as  it  is  desired  to  have  plants  for 
forcing  and  sink  them  to  the  rim  along  the  rows  ot 
stock  plants.  The  earlier  this  is  done  after  the  lay- 
ers start  the  better,  for  the  stronger  the  forcing 
plants  are  by  winter  the  better. 

The  layers  will  need  directing  to  the  pots,  and 
can  be  kept  in  place  by  a  layer  hook,  stone  or  clod 
of  earth.  By  keeping  the  pots  well  watered  they 
will  be  rooted  in  about  three  weeks. 

.\fter  this  place  in  the  shade  until  the  pots  are 
full  of  roots,  when  they  should  be  shifted  into  six- 
inch  pots.  Pot  rather  firmly  into  good  fibrous 
earth  afterwards,  standing  the  pots  in  an  open 
airy  place  and  giving  them  all  the  water  they  need. 

Tomatoes  are  not  difficult  to  force  for  winter 
fruit  in  a  temperature  ot  110°  Seed  sown  early  in 
this  month  can  be  had  to  fruit  in  November. 

The  plants  should  be  brought  along  in  pots,  start- 
ing the  seeds  in  the  three-inch  size  and  bringing 
them  up  to  the   10-inch  or  l:i-iucb  size  for  fruiting. 

A  light,  fibrous  soil  should  be  used,  and  if  a  six- 
inch  potful  of  bone-meal  be  mixed  into  eveiy 
bushel  of  soil  the  plants  will  be  delighted.  They 
cannot  bear  a  sour,  stilT  soil. 


TMa  bring  the  People's  Fatxr  it  is  open  lo  all  their  In. 
quires,  henriinj  on  Oardening. 

i>n  the.  other  htin:l,  anamra  to  published  Inquires  are 
iitrnrstty  requesteil  from  readers. 

The  editors  and  nfiecial  rontributors  are  ready  to  do  a 
lorye  share  of  the  anniveriiig.  but  the  experienee  of  many 
being  more  valualde  than  of  tlie  few,  howerrr  varied  thai  is, 
nndfunditiuiis  and  localities  being  so  different,  they  jtrefer 
to  receive  answers,  even  several  of  them  to  the  same  ques 
tion,  from  readers  evejywhere.  Don't  hesitate  to  lerite 
because  you  may  feel  you  are  no  fine  writer:  give  facts  and 
Ideas  and  the  editors  will  see  that  they  ajivear  in  credi- 
table shape. 

7h  writing,  give  the  number  of  the  question  you  are  an- 
smring:  your  locality  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publica- 
tion unless  you  desire,  ifrite  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper 
Flowers  will  be  gladly  named  provided  Jlrst,  that  no  more 
than  three  be  sent  at  one  time.  Second,  that  these  he  fully 
prepaid.  Third,  that  several  specimens  of  each  reach  us  in 
good  shape.  We  cannot  undertake  to  name  florists'  varie< 
ties, 

87.    Plant  for  Name.    Would  you  kindly  name 
the  enclosed  flower,  the  plant  of  which  I  bought  at 
the  market  but  could  not   learn  its  name      s   B 
Philadrliihia,  Pa. 

88  Dahlias,  etc.,  Devoured.  Some  of  my  Dah- 
lias and  Balsam  Pears  grow  a  few  inches  above 
ground,  and  then  some  insect  or  bird  eats  off  the 
hearts  or  leafbuds,  as  well  as  any  new  ones  that 
start  later.  Some  of  the  leaves  are  eaten  off  par- 
tially also.   Can  you  tell  me  the  cause  and  a  remedy? 

89.  Lemon  from  Seed.  I  have  also  a  very  hand- 
some Lemon  Plant  from  seed.  It  is  almost  two  feet 
high,  and  being  about  two  years  old.  Query  May  I 
expect  such  a  one  to  bear  truit  in  time?  What  treat- 
ment should  it  receive?  C.  W.  Mebgler,  Jeiseu 
l-'itij,  N.  J.  ^ 

90.  Ornamental  Grasses.  Some  mention  was 
made  of  these  recently  in  Popular  Gardenino 
Lan  you  inform  us  where  a  good  selection  ot  such 
may  be  bought ,     Rose  Mary. 

91.  Daffodils.  Will  the  better  kmds  of  Daffodils 
do  in  an  ordinary  grass  plat,  where  the  old  yellow 
doubles  flourish?  My  only  fear  is  that  the  cultivated 
bulbs  should  not  have  strength  to  push  through  the 
matted  roots  of  the  old  turf;-  I  thought  of  planting 
Barrii,  Obvallaris,  Juncitolius,   Bulbocodium    etc- 

S\1.VANUS. 

REPLIES  TO  INQUIRIES. 

:a  — Callas.  I  grow  my  young  plants  in  light 
soil  that  is  made  very  rich  with  fine  rotten  manure 
in  some  shady  spot,  until  September,  when  I  ijot 
them.  The  fact  that  your  plants  are  drawn  while 
this  IS  not  to  their  advantage,  vet  they  may  make 
good  plants  by  this  treatment  The  old  plant  I 
would  also  plant  out;  the  chances  are  that  the  soil  is 
sour,  causing  the  leaves  to  curl  downwards.  A.H.E. 

TO.— Bouvardia  Humboldtii.  Cut  back  in  the 
spring  nearly  to  the  root  and  plant  out  Keep 
pinched  until  the  last  of  August;  lift  and  pot  in 
September.  Shade  for  about  a  week,  and  by  keep- 
ing the  atmosphere  quite  moist  you  will  get  flowere 
Perhaps  "  Anxious "  got  his  or  her  stock  from 
Philadelphia,  or  if  it  even  came  from  there  it  had 
better  be  thrown  away,  as  there  was  a  lot  sold  as 
strong,  growing  plauts  that  would  never  bloom 
though  I  think  it  is  all  gone  now.    James  Frost] 

68.  Ants.  Mix  arsenic  and  sugar,  and  sprinkle 
around  the  ant  holes.  Cover  with  a  box  or  pail  and 
put  a  stone  on  top  to  keep  in  place.    N.  M.  p. 

Slugs  on  Roses.  .\n  even  teaspoonful  of  Paris 
green  in  twelve  quarts  of  water,  and  keep  stirred 
up.  Sprinkle  the  bushes  just  enough  to  wet  them 
after  the  slugs  come.  Needs  to  be  done  but  once  in 
a  season  One  tea-spoonful  of  Paris  Green  is  enough 
for  sixty  rose  bushes.    N.  M.  P. 

Shading  Plants.  The  best  way  to  shade  trans- 
planted plants  is  to  stick  leafy  branches  on  the 
south  and  west.     N.  M.  P. 

87.    Plant  for  Name. 
Eds.  p.  G. 

90. 


It  is  Veronica  ameth^-stina. 


Ornamental  Grasses.  The  regular  nursery- 
men who  grow  ornamental  stock  and  hardy  plants 
should  keep  these.     Ens.  P.  G. 

T.5.  Cactus,  How  Often  to  Water.  Under  ordi- 
nary culture  the  plants  should  have  a  rest  durmg 
November.  December  and  January,  When  very  lit- 
tle if  any  w-ater  will  be  needed .  At  other  times 
they  may  be  watered  twice  a  week,  giving  more 
water  when  growth  is  rapid  than  at  other  times 
Two  rules  should  be  laid  down  to  guide  in  this  mat- 
ter, namely:  The  soil  must /k-icc  be  allowed  to  get 
stagnant  from  over  watering,  and  plants  should 
never  become  so  dry  that  the  Hesh  becomes  shriv- 
eled and  the  skin  dull  and  lax  from  lack  of  n-ater. 
-A.  H.  E. 

79.  Dracaena.  These  plants  often  suffer  from 
lack  ot  drainage,  causing  the  soil  to  become  sour 
Repot  into  fresh  soil,  providing  ample  drainage. 
.\.  H.  E. 

80.  Bermuda  Lily.  Plant  out  after  flowering  in 
pots.  It  is  no  help  to  Lilies  to  dry  them  off.  Mrs 
G.  C.  Laikd,  UiiniH  Co..  Mich. 

81  Wind-break.  We  would  class  White  Pine, 
.\ustrian  Pine  and  Norway  Spruce  among  the  best 
ot  trees  for  this  purpose.     Eds.  P.  G. 

80.  Hedges.  For  makmg  a  quick  growth  and 
as  beuig  easily  cared  for,  we  think  no  evergreen 
hedge  plant  superior  to  the  Noi-wav  Spruce.    Eos 


I20 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


July, 


^e  Household 

Visitors  and  Visiting. 

It  is  one  of  the  real  accomplisbments  to 
know  how  to  visit,  and  how  to  entertain 
visitors  with  genuine  delight  all  around. 
During  the  summer,  man_y  cit_y  people  are 
so  glad  to  get  away  from  the  dust  and  heat 
of  their  surroundings,  that  their  friends  in 
the  country  are  sure  to  not  want  for  a  chance 
to  entertain  them.  A  few  words  on  both 
sides  of  these  subjects  may  be  in  order  here. 

Sensible  visitors  will  endeavor,  above  all 
else,  to  adapt  themselves  harmoniously  to 
the  customs  of  their  entertainers;  to  make 
their  kind  friends  feel  uncomfortable  by 
seeming  to  e.xpect  that  of  which  their  cir- 
cumstances do  not  readily  allow,  is  a  poor 
way  of  making  a  visit  generally  jileasant. 
A  striving  to  have  the  household  machinery 
of  the  home  visited  go  on  as  usual,  and  no 
one  specially  inconvenienced  by  the  presence 
of  the  visitor,  is  one  of  the  first  secrets  of 
agreeable  visiting. 

Considerate  visitors  will  also  be  careful 
how  they  impose  any  extra  work  that  they 
could  do  themselves  upon  the  hostess,  per- 
haps already  overworked. 

This  would  especially  apply  to  things  in 
the  line  of  adding  to  the  laundry  work; 
rather  than  do  this,  in  case  there  is  much 
fine  washing  and  ironing,  the  visitor  had 
better  hire  a  laundress. 

Likewise,  it  must  be  remembered  that  the 
children  of  visitors,  even  if  well-bred,  re- 
(piire  more  watchful,  anxious  care  when  in 
the  country,  than  when  at  home. 

The  sensible  hostess  will  be  conscious  of 
the  fact  that  the  pleasure  of  a  visit  to  others 
depends  more  upon  the  spirit  which  is  per- 
vading in  the  home,  than  upon  its  location 
and  surroundings.  Instead  of  making  a 
forced  effort  to  elaborate  entertainment, 
the  country  housewife  should  bear  in  mind 
that  her  friends  are  with  her  largely  to  se- 
cure rest,  Cjuiet,  and  pure  air.  The  table 
can  hardly  fail  to  please,  if  plenty  of  fresh 
vegetables,  ripe  fruit,  milk,  cream,  fresh 
eggs,  and  good  bread  and  butter  are  upon 
it.  These  articles  in  their  excellence  are 
none  too  well  known  in  city  homes,  and  of- 
ten make  up  for  many  other  short-comings. 

The  English  mode  of  entertaining  visitors 
might  oftener  be  advantageously  adopted  by 
us.  Their  guests  are  usually  invited  for 
a  specified  time,  and  rarely  for  more  than 
a  week.  They  are  welcomed  to  all  the  facil- 
ities for  comfort  and  diversion  the  house  af- 
fords, but  the  hostess  is  not  expected  to  de- 
vote anj'  of  the  morning,  and  only  what  .she 
can  spare  of  the  afternoon  to  their  entertain- 
ment. This  course  provides  for  both  parties 
a  kind  of  freedom  that  is  very  acceptable; 
while  the  private  apartments  of  the  hostess 
are  considered  sacred  to  her  use,  and  affords 
a  retreat  safe  from  all  intrusion,  at  any  time. 

We  are  pleased  to  note  that  in  many  places 
Americans  are  profiting  by  England's  ex- 
ample in  these  matters. 


Brieflets. 

Never  slam  the  doors. 

Roll-call— the  baker's  cry. 

Slightly  rancid  lard  may  be  freshened  by  boiling 
a  raw  apple  or  potato  in  it. 

Flavoring  extracts  are  volatile;  the  bottles 
should  lie  kept  well  corked. 

Oh,  yea !  thirteen  persons  is  really  an  unlucky 
number  at  the  table— when  the  dinner  is  short. 


The  girls  can  now  add  a  vase  of  flowei's  to  the 
ilinner  table  to  make  the  meal  more  delightful. 

How  a  few  drops  of  oil  sometimes  applied  does 
help  in  running  the  carpet  sweeper  and  clothes 
wringer. 

Have  you  tried  the  agreeable  change  to  lemon- 
ade as  a  dinner  or  supper  drink  ■?  It  is  wholesome 
and  not  costly. 

The  brass  and  copper  kettles  need  to  be  bright 
before  using  for  fruit  They  are  easily  cleaned 
with  salt  and  vinegar. 

By  setting  layer  cakes  in  their  pans  on  a  wet 
cloth  for  a  few  minutes,  when  taken  from  the  oven, 
they  will  readily  turn  out  of  the  tins. 

Who  has  not  been  annoyed  by  an  ironing  blanket 
shoving  al)0uf?  It  can  be  prevented  by  sprinkling 
the  table  with  water  before  spreading  it  on. 

White  Willow  furniture,  so  cool  and  comfort- 
able, is  nfit  pleasant  to  see  when  once  soiled.  Paint 
is  the  best  remedy,  but  a  wash  of  salt  and  water 
may  help  some. 

A  correspondent  furnishes  her  mother's  well- 
tried  receipt  for  a  baked  custard,  as  follows:  To 
each  pint  of  milk,  take  3  eggs  and  2  tablespoonfuls 
of  sugar;  bake  slowly;  it  will  be  improved  by  first 
boiling  the  milk. 

Colanders  fiud  a  wider  use  in  some  households 
than  in  others.  They  are  convenient  for  draining 
the  dishes,  as  hot  rinsing  water  can  be  poured  over 
them  without  being  handled;  while  those  who  try 
them  for  washing  dried  or  fresh  fi-uit,  are  apt  to 
like  them  as  well  as  we  do.    So  writes  "  Reader  " 

Napkins.  We  agree  with  Household  Worda, 
that  the  proper  way  for  a  guest  to  dispose  of  the 
napkin  after  dinner,  is  to  fold  it,  not  too  carefully, 
and  lay  it  at  the  side  of  the  plate  without  conmient. 
At  public  houses  we,  ourselves,  feel  disposed  to 
rumple  them  up  just  enough  to  unfit  them  for 
being  used  again. 

Care  in  washing  promotes  the  wear  of  garments. 
Dark  or  bright  colors  can  often  be  set  by  using  salt 
or  alum  in  the  water;  put  plenty  of  bluing  in  the 
starch  and  have  it  well  strained  for  the  former, 
drying  in  the  shade;  avoid  changing  flannels  from 
cold  to  hot  water,  and  add  borax  for  white  fiannels 
or  blankets,  also  in  washing  red  bordered  linen. 
Boiling  water  will  remove  fresh  fruit  stains.  Oxalic 
acid  should  be  rubbed  on  rust  spots  while  washing, 
then  thoroughly  rinsed  out.  Ammonia  or  salsoda 
is  useful  to  remove  blood  stains. 


povjitry. 

Eggs  by  Weight— A  Much  Needed 
Reform, 

It  is  not  credital)]e  to  the  vast  egg  produc- 
ing and  cousuuiing  interests  of  our  country, 
that  eggs  are  still  sold  by  co\uit.  Why  a 
dozen  eggs  that  turn  the  balance  at  two 
pounds  and  over,  as  those  of  Brahanis  usually 
do,  should  command  no  higher  price  than 
others  (they  are  plenty  enough  in  the  mark- 
ets) which  weigh  no  more  than  a  pound  and 
a  half  per  dozen  is  not  easily  seen.  To  sell 
the  former  amounts  to  giving  customers  one- 
half  pound  or  more  of  rich  food  outrightly; 
to  raise  the  latter  is  to  take  advantage  of  a 
premium  offered  for  inferior  products. 

The  selling  of  eggs  by  weight,  is  as  prac- 
ticable as  the  selling  of  any  other  commodity 
in  the  same  way.  It  is  done  at  the  present 
time  in  manj^  parts  of  Europe  and  in  Cali- 
fornia in  this  country.  It  would  only  re- 
quire that  producers  would  insist  upon  the 
sj'stem  being  adopted.  It  is  a  matter  for 
our  poultry  associations  to  take  a  hold  of  in 
seeing  introduced.  Once  the  plan  of  weighing 
of  eggs  inaugurated  and  it  would  rapidly  be 
adopted.  Soon  we  would  no  more  think  of 
returning  to  the  count  plan  of  making  sales 
than  we  now  would  think  of  buying  nails 
by  covuit,  as  was  formerly  done.  The  system 
belongs  to  a  barbaric  age,  and  must  go. 

A  writer  in  Our  Country  Home  calls  atten- 
tion to  the  fact  that  Bantam  eggs  weigh  fif- 
teen to  the  pound.    They  are  over  one  hun- 


dred per  cent  larger,  according  to  the  weight 
of  the  producer,  than  the  average. 

Brahmas  of  7A  pounds  (average  weight) 
produce  two  pounds  two  ounces  per  dozen; 
common  fowlsof  44  pounds  (average  weight) 
produce  one  pound  two  ounces  per  dozen; 
Bantams  of  33  ounces  (average  weight)  pro- 
duce twelve  ounces  per  dozen. 

Were  eggs  sold  by  the  pound,  it  would  be 
an  easy  question  to  settle  that  Brahmas  and 
Bantams  would  become  the  most  profitable 
of  all  fowls  as  ^gg  producers.  Brahmas  pro 
dnce  their  eggs  in  winter  in  greater  propor- 
tion, which  would  more  than  balance  the  great- 
er number  from  Leghorns  in  the  summer. 


CONDENSED    POULTRY  NOTES. 

Place  Hie  poles  all  on  the  same  level. 
Milk  belongs  to  the  class  of  best  feeds 
Egg  flavor  depends  much  on  the  food. 
Nests  should  be  in  a  darkened  part  of  the  house. 
Because  meat  fed  moderately  is  good  for  layei-s, 
do  not  nixike  the  mistake  that  a  good  deal  is  better. 

To  invest  in  fine  breeds  is  a  course  to  be  com- 
mended, but  t^  dabble  in  too  many  varieties,  is 
quite  another  thing.     Don't  do  the  latter. 

Kerosene  is  a  useful  insectcide,  but  it  must  be 
rightly  used  If  applied  to  the  roosts,  the  parasites 
will  die,  but  if  to  the  head  or  body  of  the  bird,  the 
latter  will  be  killed. 

Always  feed  growing  fowls  on  good  grain  and 
meal;  it  is  the  cheapest  in  the  end,  and  the  low- 
priced  grains  and  poultr}-^  mixtures  advertised,  often 
are  dear  at  any  price,  where  plump,  well-grown 
birds  are  desired  at  an  early  age. 

If  fowls  must  be  prevented  from  flying,  instead 
of  shortening  the  feathers  close  to  the  wing,  open 
one  of  the  latter  and  pull  out  the  fii'st  or  flight 
feathers,  usuallj'  ten  in  number,  and  the  matter  is 
accomplished  with  no  detriment  to  appearances. 

If  you  want  to  stop  your  light  Brahmas  from 
laying,  feed  them  all  they  want.  We  have  found 
that  the  egg  production  of  this  breed,  more  than 
of  any  other,  is  lessened  by  over-feeding.  Feed  twice 
a  day,  giving  no  more  than  they  will  eat  up  clean 
before  resting. 

Check  the  Guineas.  A  Virginia  correspondent 
who  always  raises  some  Ouineas,  says  they  must  be 
eaten  as  soon  as  grown  to  be  at  their  best.  Besides, 
when  they  are  older  they  chase  and  pick  any  timid 
hens  tliey  may  be  confined  with,  and  at  a  year  old 
will  kill  little  chickens. 

Gardening  Illustrated  talks  sensibly  when  it  says 
that  nmch  may  be  done  by  gradually  building  up  a 
laying  strain  in  any  breed  of  fowls  This,  by  breed- 
ing only  from  hens  which  have  proved  themselves 
to  be  capital  layers  It  is  astonishing  what  can  be 
done  by   following  this  plan  for  some  seasons. 

What  causes  eggs  to  have  blood  spots  sometimes, 
may  be  difficult  to  answer,  Init  we  are  of  the  opin- 
ion that  it  comes  from  being  fed  on  too  stimulating 
food,  as  an  abundance  of  animal  food.  Of  course 
in  some  cases  it  would  have  to  be  laid  to  some 
disorder  of  the  egg  organ,  but  we  think  not  always. 

Young  Turkeys  are  very  destructive  to  insects  if 
allowed  to  run  iu  the  garden.  They  w-ill  run  among 
the  plants  and  snap  up  every  bug  or  worm  with 
great  rapidity.  Even  insects  that  are  on  the  under 
side  of  the  leaves,  will  not  escape  them,  for  they 
turn  their  heads  to  inspect  the  lower  sides  of  leaves. 
Young  chicks  will  not  begin  to  compare  with  young 
turkeys  for  this  business 

Don't  try  to  break  up  an  untimely  setting  hen 
by  the  cruel,  yet  ineffectual,  plan  of  half  drowning 
her.  Take,  instead,  a  headless  cask,  invert  it  over 
her,  allowing  it  to  rest  on  three  bricks,  and  bore  a 
hole  in  the  top  for  ventilation.  Water  and  scanty 
food  should  be  provided  just  outside  the  rim.  A 
week  or  two  of  such  treatment  will  usually  convert 
biddy  into  a  more  sensible  hen. 

Some  fowls  that  will  resort  to  eating  the  feathers 
of  otliers  are  found  in  all  collections,  at  some  time 
or  other.  The  cause  of  this  habit  is  not  satisfac- 
torily understood,  and  the  safest  way  to  deal  with 
it  is  to  kill  the  offenders.  The  habit  is  catching, 
and  one  feather-eater  tolerated  may  make  many 
others.  If  the  addicted  fowl  is  too  valuable  to  kill 
for  any  cause,  we  would  attempt  a  cure  by  com- 
plete isolation,  change  of  food,  and  induce  em- 
ployment by  providing  a  rubbish  heap  or  newly 
turned  up  soil  for  scratching. 


POPULAR  GARDENING 


FOR    TOWN    AND    COUNTRY 


"ACCUSE  NOT  NATURE,   SHE  HATH  DONE  HER  PART;    DO  THOU  RUT   r///A'K"— Mii.ton. 


Vol.  1. 


-A.TJO-TJSa?,    1886. 


No.  II. 


Summer  Hymn. 

O  Spring,  Spi-iiiK.  Spring,  limv  fair  art  thou— 

An  April  time  of  siiiilt'S  ami  ti-afs— 
Till  suimiuT  with  tlit-  sunny  lirnw. 

ThriL-e-welcunH'  Kui'st.  at  length  apjiears. 
When  wood  ami  field  are  orowned  by  June, 

Rich  garlamled  with  leaf  and  tiower, 
Then  hearts  of  men  are  all  in  tune 

With  suniniel'B  )ilenitnde  of  power 
The  fairest  scenes  en^wd  into  view— 

The  deep-blue  sljy,  tlie  purple  lulls. 
The  me.idow  Jlowers  of  varied  hue. 

The  placid  lakes,  the  sunlit  rills. 
Then  joyfully,  in  gj-atefnl  mood, 

Our  hearts  and  voices  join  to  praise 
The  great  Creator  of  all  k'O'kI, 

The  giver  of  glad  siuumer  days. 

—  The  Quhvi: 


given  Piins}'  nilture  so  miicli  attciifion  tliat 
nowwc  iK'cil  not  depend  on  foreign  .snpiilie.s. 


The  Pansy— Now  is  the  Time  to  Sow. 

During  t  h  i  .s 
montli  and  next 
tlie  well-informed 
plant  grower  who 
d  e  .sire  .s  to  have 
Pan.sies  in  flower 
next  spring  sows 
the  .seed.  ItLssuch 
an  ea.sy  feat  to 
raise  these  lovely 
favorites  that  no 
amateur  should 
feel  eontented  with 
his  or  her  garden- 
ing accomplishments  who  does  not  feel 
well  ahle  to  grow  them.  Elsewhere  in  this 
issue  are  given  full  directions  as  to  the  mat- 
ter of  raising  fine  Pansies. 

The  universal  esteem  in  wliieli  the  Pansy 
is  helil  has  more  than  once  been  referred  to 
in  these  columns.  Were  some  tangible 
proofs  desired  as  to  this  we  think  none 
better  could  be  offered  than  the  fact  of  its 
beiiring  so  many  common  names,  a  most 
obvious  sign  of  popularity.  It  may  be  in- 
teresting to  here  enumerate  those  which  have 
come  under  our  observation: 

P'insy,  Pansy  Violet, 

Hearts-ease,  Johnnie  Jump-up, 

Pink  of  My  John,  Love  in  Idleness, 

Call  Me  to  You,  Three  Faces  under  a  Hood 

Jump  up  and  Kiss  Me,  Kiss  me  at  the  (iate. 

Flower  of  Jove,  Herb  Trinity. 

The  kinds  of  Pansies  are  now  so  numer- 
ous and  varied,  and  withal  so  distinct  from 
the  really  wild  species  of  violets  in  cultiva- 
tion, that  it  is  ditHcult  if  not  impossible  to 
tnice  their  precise  origin.  It  would  seem 
from  the  brilliancy  of  the  color  and  the 
amplitude  of  the  l)lossom  that  the  parents 
of  the  race  must  have  been  mountaineers, 
for  this  much  is  certain,  that  in  other  fami- 
lies we  find  similar  strong  ciualilies  only  in 
species  that  are  pecidiar  to  higli  elevations. 

The  cidtivation  of  the  improved  Pansies 
dates  only  from  the  etirly  i)art  of  the  pres- 
ent century,  but  even  then  it  was  many 
years  before  anything  like  the  present  at- 
tainments in  size  and  beauty  were  reached. 
Formerly  the  Eluglish,  French  and  German 
gardeners  were  looked  to  for  supplies  of  the 
finest  seeds.but  of  late  years  Americans  have 


Keep  a  Lookout  for  the  Pear  Blight. 

This  appalling  disease,  the  sign  of  which 
is  the  blackening  of  the  branches  and  foliage 
.and  the  emitting  of  a  peculiar  putrefactive 
odor,  is  now  so  widely  spread  that  every- 
one having  Pear  or  other  trees  in  charge, 
should  be  on  their  gutird  against  its  presence 
and  increase  It  is  also  popularly  known 
as  Fire  Blight  and  Twig  Blight. 

Of  the  many  theories  that  have  been  ad- 
vanced to  accotuit  for  Pear  Blight  we  shall 
have  nothing  to  say  here,  beyond  this,  that 
the  very  careful  e.\periments  conducted 
in  recent  years  at  the  New  York  Agri- 
cultural E.\perimental  Station  at  Geneva 
would  strongly  indicate  that  it  owes 
its  existence  and  spread  to  the  influ- 
ence of  those  minute  organisms  known 
as  bacteria.  One  lliing  has  been  clearly 
shown,  and  that  is  that  it  may  be  transmitted 
from  tree  to  tree  by  inoculation.  It  is  con- 
jectured that  its  ordinary  means  of  trans- 
mission is  through  the  b.acteria  e.scaping 
from  the  tissues  of  the  diseased  parts  in 
slimy  drops,  during  damp  weather  espe- 
ciall3%  and  after  being  freed  by  rjiins,  and 
upon  becoming  dry,  are  taken  up  and  carried 
by  the  wind  to  new  trees. 

What  our  readers  will  be  most  interested 
in  is  to  know  the  best  means  of  controlling 
the  disease.  There  can  be  nothing  .stiggested 
that  promises  so  well  as  the  prompt  removal 
with  the  knife  of  every  trace  of  the  ailment. 
As  the  blackened  leaves  (usually  the  first 
sign  of  its  presence  to  ordinary  observation) 
do  not  develop  until  the  disea.se  has  been  in 
progress  for  two,  three  or  more  weeks,  one 
should  observe  the  caution  not  to  cut  to 
scantily.  Any  part  that  is  alTected  shoidd 
be  removed  some  inches  below  the  lowest 
part  of  leaf  or  bark  discoloration,  and  it 
may  be  unnecessary  to  add,  such  parts 
should  be  promiitly  burned. 

In  cutting  out  Pear  Blight  care  should  be 
taken  never  to  allow  the  knife  to  enter  any 
diseased  part,  as  this  woidd  open  the  way 
to  spreading  the  disea.se  to  any  new  place 
where  the  knife  was  later  used.  An  orchard 
where  the  di.SM.se  has  appeared  should  be 
rcgidarly  gone  over  about  once  every  two 
weeks,  removing  every  disea.sed  porlion. 
In  this  way  it  may,  under  ordinary  condi- 
tions, be  kept  in  check  .so  well  that  no  seri- 
ous loss  shotdd  ever  follow,  unless,  as  it 
might  happen,  that  the  di.sea.se  had  found 
access  to  the  trunk  of  the  tree. 


favorable  weather,  the  attention  it  may  re- 
ceive: not  that  it  is  to  be  classed  among 
shrubs  that  are  dillieult  to  grow,  for  none  is 
easier,  but  we  desire  to  say  to  the  many 
who  may  lie  growing  it  as  a  new  shrub,  that 
a  little  treatment  may  often  help  it  very 
much  during  the  blooming  period. 

To  have  the  flowers  at  their  best  there 
should  be  plenty  of  moisture  at  the  root 
during  bloom,  and  the  soil  in  which  it  is 
growing  must  not  be  poor.  If  the  florifer- 
ous  habit  of  this  i)lant  be  projierly  sustained 
in  these  simple  respects  the  blooms  will  be 
very  large  and  handsome,  l)ut  otherwise 
they  will  look  flabby. 

In  case  the  soil  is  lacking  in  fertility  this 
may  now  be  supplied  by  free  applications 
of  weak  manure  water,  or  a  midch  of  well 
decayed  manure  over  the  roots,  with  liberal 
watering  at  intervals  to  carry  down  its 
strength,  would  help  to  the  same  end. 

As  to  the  supply  of  moisture,  ordinarily  it 
will  not  lie  enough  to  depend  on  an  occa- 
sional shower— the  lio.se  nozzle  should  be 
sometimes  turned  upon  it,  unless  the  sca.son 
happens  to  be  positively  wet 

When  well  grown  it  is  no  strange  thing 
to  .see  on  the  shrubs  of  the  Panicle- 
flowered  Hydrangea,  which  have  reached  a 
height  of  six  or  eight  feet,  several  hundred 
of  the  immense  rose  .and  white  panicles  at 
one  time.  These  properly  sustained,  and 
for  a  long  time  they  present  n  fine  appear- 
ance, bard  to  be  ei|ualed  among  shrubs. 

The  fact  that  this  Il3(lraiigea  is  in  bloom 
at  a  time  when  nearly  all  other  shrubs  have 
passed  out  of  bloom  renders  it  all  the  more 
important  to  now  bestow  upon  it  a  little  atten- 
tion, with  a  view  to  increasing  its  attractive- 
ness when  the  blooming  time  arrives. 


The     Panicle-Flowered    Hydrangea. 

ThrouglioMt  .Septeml)er  and  even  later 
this  fine  shrub  of  comparatively  recent  intro- 
duction will  be  in  its  attractive  season. 

Still  the  beauty  of  the  shrub  will  depend 
much   upon   the   weather,  or  in   absence  of 


A  Garden  of  Hardy  Plants  and  Bulbs. 

Mrs.  M.  A.  Bucknell,  of  Madison  Co., 
Illinois,  can  well  afford  to  talk  with  enthu- 
siasm of  her  garden,  for  no  doubt  it  is  a  fine 
one.  One  peculiarity  about  it,  which  we 
heartily  commend,  is  that  it  is  largely  made 
up  of  handsome  plants  which  are  gathered 
in  wild  places  and  elsewhere,  many  of  which 
take  care  of  themsel  ves  year  after  year.  Here 
is  her  interesting  letter  about  them  ; 

I  am  much  surprised  to  see  s<i  many  home 
grounds  in  summer  and  fall  a  blaze  of  glory 
with  annuals,  but  which  in  the  spring  are 
nearly  or  quite  bare  of  bloom,  Uightly 
managed  and  one  should  be  able  to  gather 
from  the  garden  a  bouquet,  small  it  may  be 
at  first,  all  through  the  season  from  April 
until  November. 

In  some  years  the  first  day  of  March  has 
found  Snowdrops  out  in  ni^-  garden.  In  a 
few  days  later  the  Crocus  came  along,  lift- 
ing up  their  happy  faces— yellow,  purjile, 
white  and  striped.  Then  soon  after  appear  the 
Violets  of  diflfercnt  colors— blue,  white  and 
yellow,  the  latter  brought  from  the  woods, 
the   "Dutchman's    Breeches,"   a  miniature 


t  22 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


August, 


Bleeding  Heart,  with  finely  cut  leaves  aud 
small,  pale  pink  flowers.  Blue  Bells,  Adder's 
Tongue,  tlie  bright  blue  Spiderwort,  the 
white  flowers  of  the  Blood  Root  or  Sanguln- 
aria,  Wild  Phlox  and  Candytuft — the  lat- 
ter being  the  perennial  sort. 

As  for  bcautifid  wild  plants,  I  cannot 
now  recall  all  of  my  wood  beauties.  I  gen- 
erally go  fishing  every  spring,  but  really 
fish  for  flowers  more  than  for  fish,  aud 
usually  have  a  good  showing  for  my  day's 
work.  There  are  so  many  wild  flowers 
everywhere  that  if  one  only  keeps  his  e3'es 
open  for  them  they  may  find  many  hand- 
some kinds  to  beautify  the  garden. 

To  return  to 
the  blooming 
plants.  There  is 
the  bed  of  the 
Ever  -blooming 
Roses,  which,  in 
good  soil  come 
through  the  win- 
ter all  right  if 
protected  in  the 
fall,  and  before 
we  think  of  it  al- 
most, yield  many 
lovely  buds  and 
roses, — and  all 
summer  long. 

Pansies:  who 
cannot  find  a 
corner  where  the 
sun  will  rest 
lightly  for  a  spell 
in  the  morning? 
In  such  a  one 
[ilant  these  love- 
ly flowers.and  you  will  have  pleasant  returns, 
if  they  will  equal  some  I  have  had. 

Then  there  is  a  long  list  of  bulbs,  roots, 
and  plants  which  increase  of  their  own  accord 
to  make  the  garden  beautiful  without  having 
to  Ijuy  new  stock  every  year.  Fearing  to  be 
tedious,  I  will  close  by  giving  my  favorite 
lisl  of  kinds,  and  which  yield  an  abundant 
supply  of  flowers  the  whole  season  through; 
Snowdrops,  Crocus,  Anemones,  Hyacinths, 
Tulips,  Iris,  Narcissus,  Jonquils,  Dicentra, 
Pa'onys,  Perennial  Phlox,  Columbines, Lark- 
spur, Feverfew,  Dianthus,  Snapdragon,  Fox- 
glove, Petunias,  Poppies,  Roses,  Phlox 
Drummondi,  and  there  are  even  others. 


Fancy  Marbled  and  Striped  Pansies,  with 
distinct  colors  under  each  of  these  classes. 
Kinds  that  it  may  be  said  have  given  special 
satisfaction  to  us  are  the  Emperor  William 
among  Three-spotted  ones,  the  Bordered, 
Striped  and  Mahogany  colored  varieties,  and 
some  of  the  Self-colors,  although  there  are 
many  other  quite  as  fine  ones  besides. 

Time  to  Sow.  Spring  and  earlj'  Summer 
being  considered  the  most  desirable  season  in 
which  to  have  the  plants  in  liloora,  for  mak- 
ing that  time  the  seeds  should  be  sown  during 
this  month  or  next.  A  favorite  date  of  ours 
for  sowing  has  been  about  August  30th,  al- 
though we   have   often   started   them   both 


Pansy.    Emperor  William.    Dark  blue. 


Bordered  Prni.s//. 


How  to  Raise  Fine  Pansies. 

The  requirements  in  Pansy  culture  are 
few,  simple  and  easily  bestowed.  Indeed  so 
true  is  this  that  we  are  led  to  look  upon 
the  favorite  Hearts-ease  as  almost  an  ideal 
flower  for  the  amateur,  so  far  as  ease  of  cult- 
ure, beauty  aud  productiveness  are  con- 
cerned. While  it  is  possible  to  propagate  the 
plants  from  cuttings,  this  is  not  a  light  task, 
neither  is  it  often  a  desirable  one,  in  view  of 
the  readiness  with  which  they  may  Ije  raised 
from  seed. 

Kinds  to  Guow.  By  ordering  a  choice 
strain  of  mixed  Pansy  seed  from  any  relial)le 
dealer  or  grower  there  would  no  doubt  be  re- 
alized the  greatest  degree  of  satisfaction  in  the 
culture  for  the  least  outlay.  But  for  our  own 
l)art.  we  take  so  much  satisfaction  in  grow- 
ing the  finer  varieties  separately,  even  at  an 
added  cost,  that  we  freely  recommend  such 
a  course.  The  distinct  varieties  are  now  very 
numerous,includingniany  Self-color  Pansies 
from  snow  white  to  jet  black.  Shaded  Pau- 
seis,  Oilier  or  Five-spotted  Pansies,  Face  or 
Three-spotted   Pansies,     Bordered   Pansies, 


earlier  and  later  (especially  later)  by  some 
weeks,  with  complete  success. 

The  Seed  Bed.  The  .seeds  should  not  be 
sown  where  they  are  wanted  to  flower,  but  in 
a  prepared  bed.  This  may  be  in  the  shape 
of  a  low  frame,  or  merely  a  box  or  pot.  Use 
light  sandy  soil  that  is  moderately  rich  and 
fine  in  which  to  sow.  Cover  the  seeds  one- 
eight  of  an  inch  deep,  afterwards  pressing 
the  soil  over  them  gently.  Keep  the  bed 
moderately  wet  and  shaded  with  whitened 
glass  or  cloth  until  the  plants  are  well  up, 
when  the  shading  should  be  removed. 

The  Pl.\nting  Bed.  This  should  be 
made  up  to  be  pretty  rich,  and  if  possible  of 
soil  that  is  light  enough  not  to  bake.  The 
Pansy  is  not  very  particular  as  to  place,  or 
even  as  to  soil,  provided  it  is  not  low,  wet  or 
heavy.  For  spring  flowering  we  prefer  a 
sunny  exposure  to  a  shady  one,  although 
they  will  succeed  in  tlie  latter  also.  As  to 
richness,  if  the  soil  consists  of  two  parts  loam 
to  one  part  of  old  finely  divided  manure  it 
will  be  about  right.  The  addition  of  some 
wood's  earth,  and  if  not  naturally  lightsome 
sand,  will  also  improve  it.  To  provide  dry- 
ness we  have  the  plant  bed  raised  somewhat, 
say  four  inches  above  the  common  surface 
after  settling  has  taken  place.  If  the  bed  be 
surrounded  by  a  six-inch  board  frame,  it  will 
aid  in  protecting  it  until  flowering  time, 
when  this  can  come  away. 

Tr.\nsi>l.\ntin<;  the  seedlings  into  the 
plant  bed  from  where  they  were  sown 
should  be  done  as  soon  as  they  can  easily  be 
handled,  setting  them  firmly  into  the  soil 
and  al)Out  four  inches  apart.  This  done, 
the  soil  should  be  kept  stirred  slightly 
between  tlie  plants,  keeping  down  all  weeds, 
and  if  it  becomes  dry,  water.  Here  they 
should  grow  rai)idly  enough  to  make  plants 
several  inches  across  in  size  before  winter. 


Care  for  the  Winter.  Young  Pansy 
plants  winter  about  as  readily  as  young  Win- 
ter Wheat  plants  do,  both  being  sown  about 
the  same  time.  We  do  not  care  to  cover 
them,  except  lightly.  This  is  done  late  in 
!  autumn,  after  the  ground  is  frozen,  by  scat- 
I  tering  an  inch  of  Timothy  or  other  springy 
haj'  over  the  surface  of  the  bed.  A  few 
brush  or  sticks  to  keep  down  the  cover  are 
also  good  things  to  apply.  On  the  whole  we 
think  the  use  of  glass  is  to  be  avoided,  as 
being  liable  to  make  drawn  plants. 

The  Flowering  Time.  As  soon  in  the 
spring  as  the  frost  has  left  the  ground  the 
beds  should  have  their  winter  cover  re- 
moved; now  the 
season  of  bloom 
is  near  at  hand. 
The  plants  may 
be  allowed  to 
flower  in  the  bed 
in  which  they 
have  been  grown 
or  as  the  first 
flowers  appear 
they  may  be 
transferred  to 
other  beds  or  the 
border,  or  be 
planted  into  pots 
or  vases  for 
flowering.  In 
anycase.asmuch 
earth  as  will  ad- 
here to  the  roots 
should  be  moved 
with  the  plants. 
Purple  u-ith  u-hite  edge.  The  Pansy  being 

a  plant  that  de- 
lights in  moisture  and  good  living,  it  is  well 
to  water  the  plants  occasionally  if  the  season 
is  inclined  to  dryne-ss,  and  also  to  give  them  a 
supply  of  liquid  manure  twice  a  week  dur- 
ing flowering.  This  last  act  will  tell  won- 
derfullj'  on  the  size  of  the  fiowers.  Pansies 
may  usually  be  counted  upon  to  flower  to 
perfection  until  some  time  in  June,  when 
free  seeding  takes  place.  Should  the  plants 
be  kept  cultivated  and  the  seed  pods  be  re- 
moved early  they  will,  especially  if  the  sea- 
son is  damp,  give  a  good  deal  of  bloom  yet 
during  the  summer  months,  and  with  an 
increase  towards  fall.  Still  the  height  of 
the  season  is  fitly  enough  in  the  spring- 
time; many  growers  prefer  replacing  the 
Pansies  with  summer  flowers  towards  July. 


On   Sowing  Perennials— A   Timely 
Task  for  August. 

BY  W.  F.  LAKE,  WAYNE  CO.,  N.  Y. 

Those  who  desire  to  establish  a  border  of 
hard}'  plants,  or  to  improve  one  now  pos- 
sessed, should  at  this  season  give  attention 
to  sowing  .seed  for  the  purpose.  In  this 
class  of  plants  are  included  those  known  in 
the  catalogues  as  biennials  and  perennials. 
The  seed  can  hardly  be  ordered  to  soon  after 
August  1st  to  get  a  timely  start  in  the  mat- 
ter For  a  seed  bed  for  this  class,  instead  of 
selecting  the  warmest  and  sunniest  place,  as 
was  done  in  sowing  the  annuals,  a  cool, 
partly  shaded,  moist  situation  is  better.  The 
surface  should  not  be  raised  above  the  level 
of  the  ground  more  than  an  inch,  as  the  hot 
and  dry  weather  of  August  would  be  apt 
soon  to  dry  them  up  and  destroy  the  smaller 
sorts  if  the  beds  were  raised. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  soil  of  this  bed 
care  should  be  taken  to  pulverize  it,  especi- 
ally at  the  surface,  very  finely.     Should  the 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


123 


soil  show  an  inclination  to  bake  or  crvist 
over  it  may,  in  a  measure,  be  prevented  by 
a  covering  of  old  tine  top  or  leaf  mould 
which  also  contains  llie  moisture.  In  any 
case  this  covering  is  valuable  provided  it  is 
not  too  coarse,  a  matter  wliich  may  be  con- 
trolled b}'  the  help  of  a  garden  sieve.  At- 
tention in  regard  to  supplying  sufficient 
water  to  the  bed  is  necessary  until  tlie  seed- 
lings are  well  through,  as  the  top  soil  is 
liable  soon  to  dry  out. 

Many  kinds  of  perennial  seeds  are  slow 
to  germinate,  and  the  plan  of  soaking  them 
in  lukewarm  water  for  24  hours  may  be 
adopted  with  advantage  in  most  cases. 

This  class  of  plants  is  not  as  a  rule  suited 
for  lawn  decoration  in  the  tidy  bedding 
system,  as  tliej'  do  not  keep  in  bloom  suffi- 
ciently long,  yet  to  many  they  are  the  most 
interesting  class  of  Howers  grown.  Many 
of  our  native  plants  may  occupy  a  prominent 
position  witli  this  class,  besides  everj'  desira- 
ble variety  the  seedsman  has  to  offer. 

In  planning  the  hardy  border  .some  taste 
in  arranging  should  lie  exercised.  A  nice 
arrangement  is  to  plant  each  kind  in  agroup, 
mixing  the  colors  and  placing  some  small 
growing  ones  between  groups  of  taller  plants. 
Hollyhocks  and  other  similar  tall  plants 
should  be  used  as  screens,  or  else  planted  at 
the  back  of  the  bed,  gradually  coming  down 
to  the  small  edging  plants  in  front.  Some 
prefer  mixing  them  up,  all  sizes  and  kinds  to- 
gether, giving  them  more  of  a  natural  style. 


Those  Designing  (?)  Florists. 

Our  Sunflower  Reporter  on  his  vacation 
gets  alarmed  and  writes  an  earnest  letter  on 
his  own  account. which  we  print  as  received: 

Home  OJfire  "  Popithtr  Gardcninfj :  " 

Informatiou  reaches  me  that  a  lai-ge  body  of 
Professional  Florists  will  soon  move  towards 
Philadelphia  ostensibly  to  hold  a  convention. 
It  is  said  that  they  will  number  into  the  hun- 
di'eds,  and  many  will  reach  the  city  under 
cover  of  night.  I  do  not  like  the  looks  of 
things  and  desire  that  the  people  of  the  land 
he  informed  about  these  men,  their  ways  and 
intentions. 

First  it  should  be  known  that  a  more  design- 
ing class  of  men  than  these  florists  nowhere 
exists.  I  doubt  if  even  the  planners  of  Chicago 
dynamite  bombs  can  compare  with  them.  They 
plan,  they  scheme,  they  work,  and  tai'  into  the 
night  often,  that  they  may  relieve  the  purses  of 
the  people  in  the  day.  They  love  darkness 
rather  than  the  light  for  carrj'ing  out  their 
deepest  laid,  as  well  as  their  worst  designs  (bad 
Carnations  run  in),  that  such  work  shall  not  be 
so  manifest. 

But  a  chief  trait  is  that  to  a  man  they  seek  to 
impose  their  night^wrought  floriferous  designs, 
upon  the  estimable  ladies  of  the  land.  The 
wives  and  daughters  of  America  are  their 
most-prized  victims ;  they  even  delight  to  entice 
innocent  children,  by  ofiFering  "Jack"'  buds 
"  at  half-price — seventy-five  cents  each.'" 

What  I  think  is  most  to  be  feared  from  their 
visit  to  the  city  of  Independence  Hall,  is  some 
special  designs  on  that  lady  dear  to  every 
patroitic  heart.  Miss  ii.  O.  Libert}'.  To  the  un- 
suspecting perhaps  this  will  seem  a  far-fetched 
fear,  but  I  know  whereof  I  write  in  saying  that 
they  would  enjoy  nothing  better  than  this. 
Let  one  but  learn  how  these  same  men  have 
imposed  to  distraction  upon  our  good  old 
Mother  Nature,  to  show  whether  or  not  such 
fears  are  ungrounded. 

By  their  arts  and  devices  they  have  so  worked 
upon  this  estimable  dame  that  she  now  is  in 
the  wretched  condition  of  believing  that  black 
is  white,  winter  is  summer  and  summer  is 
winter.  The  good  lady  started  out  managing 
her  affaii's,  as  the  writer  grows  his  favorite  1 


Sunflower,  namely,  that  in  winter  plants 
!  should  rest  and  in  summer  thej'  should  flower 
and  seed.  But  these  designers  met  her  in  her 
gai-den  and  asked  to  manage  things  for  a  while 
in  their  way.  When  she,  not  thinking  of  their 
designs,  consented,  they  t<_)ok  of  her  plants, 
and  actually  fm-rrd  them  before  her  eyes  to 
reverse  their  habits,  causing  them  to  rest  all 
through  the  growing  summer  and  then  to  bear 
their  lai'gest  crops  in  the  cold,  cold  midwinter. 
Why  the  precious  dame  became  just  that 
muddled  as  to  yield  to  then-  ever}-  beck,  and 
now  a  long-suffering  public  must  take  of  their 
forced  products,  at  a  hundred  times  the  price  of 
fine  Sunflowers,  or  else  have  none. 

All  this  being  history,  is  not  the  alarm  of 
knowing  ones  warranted  !  To  be  suie,  we 
know  not  the  fullness  of  their  designs  (probably 
containing  more  paper  than  Sphagnum)  at  the 
coming  meeting,  but  it  bodes  no  good  to  our 
American  goddess.  Think  of  the  consequences 
should  they  succeed  in  imposing  on  this  worthy 
lady,  as  they  before  this  have  done  on  Dame 
Nature  and  others. 

What  shall  be  done?  Let  all  patriotic  citizens 
at  once  arise  in  their  might,  and  in  the  inter- 
vening short  time  before  the  meeting,  let  them 
raze  from  the  earth  (about  two  feet  high  I 
would  suggest,  so  that  the  free  air  can  circulate 
beneath)  evei-y  glittering  hot-house  of  this 
crowd.  Thus  may  they  become,  in  a  measure 
rescuers  to  dear  Mother  Natiu-e,  and  at  the 
same  time  inflict  such  a  severe  reproof  against 
further  similar  machinations  as  to  avert  dis- 
aster at  Philadelphia.  But  no  time  must  be 
lost,  for  even  now  these  fellows  are  plotting  to 
insure  their  glass  houses  against  all  damages 
from  (hail)  stones  and  the  like.  This  brought 
about  and  Mr.  Professional  Florist  would  for- 
ever be  secure  against  the  attack  suggested. 
For,  dwelling  as  he  does  in  a  glass  house,  he 
could  then  boldly  enlarge  on  his  high  insolence, 
and  even  enlarge  on  some  of  his  present  big 
flat  designs,  and  in  defence  throw  stones  as  he 
chose,  for  outsiders  could  not  with  any  decent 
effect  throw  them  back — his  houses  being  safely 
insured  against  such  loss. 

My  humble  suggestion  is  that  in  the  next 
issue  of  P.  Ct.  our  free  citizens  should  be  urged 
to  quickly  come  to  the  rescue,  as  suggested. 
I  mention  in  passing  that  I  saw  on  the  way  here 
two  fine  specimens,  one  eleven  feet  two  inches 
to  the  top  flower,  and  the  other  lacking  an 
inch  of  eleven  feet.  I  engaged  some  of  the  seed. 
Sunflower  Reporter. 

Gravel  Plain,  Mans.,  July  '20,  188<i. 


Notes  from  Lyndale. 

BY   A.  H.  E. 

Much  as  I  admire  the  beauty  and  sparkle  of 
the  carpet  flower  beds  and  the  massed  beds  here, 
still  when  I  seek  the  highest  enjoyment  for  the 
longest  period  in  my  garden  I  am  dj-awn  to 
the  more  naturally  arranged  mixed  borders. 
The  fonner  are  bright  and  rich  in  appearance 
— both  desirable  qualities,— but  there  is  in  them 
from  day  to  day  but  little  changing  interest. 
Once  seen  they  ai-e,  for  me,  about  as  well  as 
seen  for  always.  These  beds,  however,  excite 
the  greatest  enthusiasm  in  the  minds  of  my 
visitors. 

*  *  * 

Still  I  never  can  go  as  f ai-  as  some  strong  ad- 
vocates of  hardy  plant  culture  do,  and  say  that 
the  masses  of  Geraniums,  Coleus  and  tlie  like, 
or  the  skillfully  wrought  cai-j^et  l>eds,  have  no 
place  in  the  ti'ue  garden.  All  of  the  floial  cre- 
ation is  man's  and  the  fullness  thereof,  and  I 
have  little  patience  with  any  system  of  gainlen- 
ing  that  would  crowd  out  one  class  of  plants  to 
the  advantage  of  others.  The  trouble  is  that  in 
some  places  there  has  been  a  tendency  to  overdo 
the  fancy  bedtUng,  and  in  coming  to  a  halt  in 
one  extreme  course  there  has  been,  human  na- 
ture like,  quite  as  strong  an  mclination  to  gooff 
into  another  extreme.  Let  us  keep  to  the  mid- 
dle of  the  garden  walk,  taking  in  the  beauties 
and  the  gains  of  both  lines  of  adornment  at  the 


sides,  instead  of  taking  to  the  one  side  or  the 
other  and  making  faces  across  the  way. 

*** 
With  my  borders  of  hardy  and  other  plants, 
shrubs,  etc.,  the  first  sight  may  be  compara- 
tively disappointing,  but  there   is  something 
varied  and  always  changing  abf)Ut  them  to  fas- 
cinate the  lover  of  plant  life.     From  March  un- 
til   November    every  day  reveals  some  new 
I  flowei-s  or  other  forms  of  beauty.     Drawn  to 
I  these  beds  daily  by  the  expectation  of  meeting 
;  something  not  .seen  liefore  I  am  never  disap- 
pointed.    Growing  flowers  as  I  do  for  the  pleas- 
ure the}- afford,  my  mixed  borders,  even  though 
in  a  measure  they  may  be  untidy,  as  compai-ed 
with  the  formal  geometric  heils,  give  me  the 
largest  measui-e  of  .satisfaction.     In  them  Na- 
ture has  her  own  way  largely,  and  Nature  sel- 
dom fails  to  satisfy  the  mind. 

* 

*  * 

One  thing  that,  to  my  mind,  has  had  its 
weight  in  giving  a  distaste  foi-  carpet  bedding 
and  massing  has  been  the  bad  woik  that  has 
been  too  much  done  in  this  line.  Seemingly  a 
great  deal  of  that  kind  of  reasoning  on  the  part 
of  planters  has  prevailed  that  would  say,  "a 
Geranium  of  good  leaf  and  rich  flowers  is  a 
thing  of  perfect  beauty,  therefore  a  thousand 
Geraniums  should  be  just  a  thousand  times 
more  beautiful,"  and  out  into  the  beds  have 
gone  the  Geraniums  by  the  hundred  and  the 
thousand.  And  these  great  masses  of  a  single 
kind,  while  imparting  a  certain  measure  of  a 
certain  color,  really  prove  to  be  little  more 
than  a  great  senseless,  garish  mass  of  color, 
affording  very  poor  service  in  the  line  of  true 
adornment.  This  is  a  mistake,  and  one  bad 
enough  that  if  adhered  to  would  kill  any  sys- 
tem of  adoinment  in  time. 

*  *  * 

In  this  kind  of  work  to  have  it  in  good  taste 
I  endeavor  in  my  gardening,  fii-st  of  all,  to  ob- 
serve this  rule  governing  the  bringing  in  of 
color :  All  high  colors,  such  as  scarlet,  crimson 
and  yellow,  are  to  be  used  much  more  sparingly 
than  colors  of  a  quiet  or  neutral  character. 
The  reason  for  this  is  that  the  former  over- 
weigh  the  others  as  it  were,  thus  destroying 
what  may  be  termed  a  good  balance,  a  thing  I 
always  aim  to  secure  in  my  garden. 

I  incline  strongly  to  the  idea  that  in  geomet- 
rical beds  there  should  be  such  a  distribution 
of  kinds  and  colors  as  wiU  not  give  one  a 
marked  predominance  over  othei-s.  This  prin- 
ciple then  calls  for  a  larger  surface  of  the  duller 
tints  than  of  the  bright  colors.  One  of  my 
latest  conclusions  in  this  matter  is  that  if  any 
tint  is  too  predominate  those  of  a  light  gi'ay, 
whitish  green  or  dull  chocolate  are  the  ones. 
These  are  colors  of  which,  like  that  of  grass, 
one  never  tires ;  the  same  cannot  be  said  of 
strong  crimson,  scarlet  or  maroon. 

**  * 

But  shall  there  be  no  solid  masses  of  Gerani- 
ums and  the  like  !  some  one  may  ask  me.  My 
answer  is  my  own  practice — I  always  have  of 
such.  But  my  beds  of  the.se  are  so  moderate 
in  size  and  so  seated,  eithei-  on  ample  lawns  oi' 
in  the  vicinity  of  striking  objects,  as  trees  or 
buildings,  that  they  amount  to  but  a  little  more 
than  mere  touches  of  theii'  color  on  the  scene, 
being  subordinate  to  some  other  features  of 
adornment  of  tamer  eflTect. 

From  my  window  where  I  write  I  see  across 
the  lawn  an  oval  eight  feet  in  length,  the  out- 
side a  double  row  of  Alternanthera,  next  to 
this  one  line  of  dwarf  Ageratuui,  and  the  re- 
mainder Scarlet  Geraniums,  with  a  backing 
somewhat  beyond  of  shrubs  and  In-hind  these 
trees.  The  effect  is  very  fine,  and  to  my  notion 
much  tetter  than  if  twice  or  ten  times  the 
mimber  of  Geraniums  were  usefl.  My  rule  in 
such  work  is  moderation,  and  then  the  results 
are  seldom  in  danger  of  offending  the  eye. 

* 
*       » 

Refeience  was  made  in  a  recent  numljer  of 
your  paper  to  the  Red-flowering  Horse-chest- 
nut.     Tlie  remarks  were  altogether  too   mild 


124 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


August, 


iu  my  estimation,  for  I  prize  this  tree  greatly. 
The  lai-gest  specimen  of  its  liind  with  which  I 
am  acquainted  is  here.  It  is  nearly  thirty-five 
feet  high,  being  as  tall  but  less  dense  of  head 
than  some  other  kinds  of  Horse-chestnuts  plant- 
ed at  the  same  time.  While  the  Double-flower- 
ing one,  also  referred  to,  makes  a  fine  tree,  the 
color  of  the  bloom  is  similar  to  that  of  the  white, 
hence  barely  more  ornamental.  But  the  rich 
crimson  spikes  of  the  red  are  most  striking  in 
any  collection  of  trees,  and  so  handsome  that 
on  this  account  the  tree  should  be  much  planted. 
It  may  be  added  that  being  difficult  to  propa- 
gate it  is  always  disposed  to  be  scarce,  even  at 
the  nurseries,  but  it  can  be  procured. 


Small  Greenhouses  for  Amateurs. 

It  is  just  one  hundred  years  ago  almost  to  a 
day  since  Cowper  wrote  the  familiar  line: 

"  Who  loves  a  garden,  loves  a  greenhouse  too." 

That  which  was  time 
in  his  day  is  quite  as 
true  now.  Still  we 
may  meet  a  hundred 
gardens  whose  every 
plant,  shrub  and  tree 
tells  of  the  owner's  in- 
tense love  of  these 
things  before  we  meet 
one  amateur's  green- 
house. 

Now  the  state  of 
things  last  referred  to 
is  not  without  cause. 
In  the  first  place, 
everyone  knows  that 
the  erecting  of  a  com- 
plete g!"eenhouse,  how- 
ever small,  calls  for 
something  of  an  out- 
lay. There  nmst  be  a 
substantial  structure, 
equipped  with  heating 
apparatus  that  is  safe 
and  efficient  for  with- 
standing the  severest 
cold  and  storms,  and 

ventilating  apparatus  to  supply  fresh  air  when 
needed,  the  latter  snugly  enough  fitting  to  keep 
out  cold  air  when  not  needed.  These  things 
reijuire  good  calculation  and  careful  workman- 
ship from  the  outset,  both  of  which  are  not 
the  easiest  or  cheapest  things  to  be  secured 
in  this  world. 

Then,  while  many  who  love  a  greenhouse 
might  not  mind  the  expense  of  erecting  a  suit- 
able structure  for  growing  plants,  they  would 
perhaps  lack  confidence  in  their  ability  to  man- 
age one,  even  if  small.  To  employ  a  skillful 
florist  and  gardener,  would  be  to  go  to  a  con- 
siderable and  continued  expense.  Without  a 
florist,  to  fail  in  one's  own  management  from 
inexperience,  would  l>e  a  sore  aggravation  after 
the  outlay  for  building  had  been  incurred. 

But  while  it  is  proper  to  keep  in  view  the 
darkei'  side  even  this  may  be  made  to  assume 
ciuite  a  bright  appearance.  In  the  first  place, 
it  is  a  plea.sure  to  note  .the  fact  that,  through 
recognizing  this  wide  love  of  gi'eenhouses,  a 
good  deal  of  attention  is  in  this  day  being  given 
by  horticultural  builders,  to  the  matter  of  con- 
servatories for  amateurs  that  shall  embody  a 
maximum  of  advantages  at  mininmm  cost. 
We  are  enabled  herewith  to  present,  by  the 
courtesy  of  Mr.  Josephus  Plenty,  the  green- 
house builder  of  New  York,  several  figures  of 
one  such  a  conservatory  that  he  is  now  manu- 
facturing and  selling,  all  equipped  for  plant 
growing,  at  the  very  moderate  figure  of  ll.")!). 
This  is  for  a  house  eight  by  twelve  feet  in  size, 
heated  by  a  kerosene  oil  furnace  and  hot  water 
pipes,  and  complete  in  every  detail  except  the 
brick  work. 

This  house  is  designed  to  lie  attached  to  the 
dwelling,  just  as  everyone  would  want  such  a 
.structure  situated.  It  has  a  capacity  of  over 
TOO  4-inch  pots,  a  sufficient  quantity  to  suit  the 
average  amateur.     The  buildings  are  first  put 


up  with  screws  and  bolts  at  the  factory,  and 
then  when  ordered  are  taken  down,  the  parts 
numl)ered  and  securely  packed,  and  forwarded 
with  directions  foi'  setting  uj)  again.  A  cata- 
logue giving  further  particulars  may,  on  ap- 
plication, be  obtained  from  Mr.  Plenty. 

Mr.  Plenty's  cheap  conservatory  may  not 
be  the  only  one  of  a  similar  kind  made.  We 
know  that  small  conservatories  are  often 
built  by  others  than  regular  greenhouse  build- 
ers. Still  it  seems  to  us  there  must  be  real 
advantages  both  to  Mr.  Plenty  Snd  to  the  pub- 
lic by  their  dealing  together.  For  one  thing  is 
certain,  a  builder  can  construct  fifty  such 
houses  all  alike  at  a  much  lower  price  for  each 
than  he  could  if  building  only  one.  On  the 
other  hand,  one  of  the  fifty  no  doubt  would  bet- 
ter answer  the  purposes  of  the  plant  grower 
than  the  one  of  special  make,  costing  a  great 
deal  more  money  very  likely. 

As   for    managing    a    small   well-equipped 


white,  yellow,  rose,  vermillion  and  maroon. 
Even  purple  and  blue  tints  are  to  be  had  at  last, 
in  the  exquisite  new  introductions.  The  genus 
is  truly  wonderful  in  its  large  blooms,  richness 
of  coloring  and  fine  habit. 

To  produce  the  best  results  in  Amaryllis  cul- 
ture the  bulbs  should  be  grown  in  rich  fibrous 
loam,  with  one-fourth  leaf  mould,  and  plenty 
of  well  decomposed  cow  manure.  The  bulbs 
should  be  started  in  heat,  and  be  given  careful 
attention  as  to  their  ripening.  W^hen  through 
flowering,  diminish  the  supply  of  water  grad- 
ually and  avoid  shrivelling  the  leaves.  A  mod- 
erate collection  of  the  bulbs  will  give  a  succes- 
sion of  flowers  the  whole  year  round.  TVhen 
resting  they  require  but  little  space,  and  should 
be  kept  in  a  dry,  cool  place.  Amaryllis  flourish 
in  a  fernery  and  here  give  splendid  effect. 

Some  Dutch  nurserymen  ofl'er  a  liundred  or 
more  varieties  and  species  of  Amaryllis,  some 
of  which  are  very  costly.  The  amateur  will 
derive  a  lai*ge  amount 
of  pleasure  in  growing 
Amaryllis  from  seed. 
A  cross,  using  A .  John- 
soiiii  f/randi/tora  or 
Prince  of  Orange  for 
the  seed  plant,  with 
some  white  vai'iety, 
will  give  splendid  seed- 
lings as  good  as  can  be 
bought  at  prices  any- 
where from  $.')  to  $.50 
per  bulb. 

W.  F.  L. 


FIG.   1.— A  $150  GREENHOUSE   FOR   AMATEURS,  AS  SEEN   FROM  THE  GARDEN. 


greenhouse,  this  is  not  so  hard  a  matter  as 
many  suppose.  There  are  no  mysteries  con- 
nected with  the  task.  Any  ardent  lover  who 
can  manage  a  collection  of  house  plants  well 
should  succeed  betti^r  still  with  a  small  conser- 
vatory, for  in  the  latter  case  the  difficulties  are 
decidedly  less  and  the  advantages  many  moie. 
The  selection  of  plants  would  be  enlarged  upon, 
but  reading  and  practice  will  teach  foi'  this.  The 
fact  that  Popular  Gardening  gives  some 
practical  notes  each  month  on  "  Plant  Culture 
Under  Glass"  may  also  be  considered. 

And  then  think  of  the  charm  of  many  healthy 
plants,  beautiful  in  leaf  and  flower,  that  the  at- 
tached conservatory  may  place  within  eye- 
reach  of  the  sitting  room  or  parlor  the  year 
round.  The  wind  may  blow  cold  and  bleak 
outside — a  step  from  your  room  brings  the  de- 
light of  fresh, clean,  vigorous  plants  and  flowers, 
restful  to  the  eye,  refreshing  to  the  nose, 
and  in  such  condition  as  never  can  be  fully 
found  outside  of  the  greenhouse. 

We  look  upon  the  builders  of  cheap  and  effi- 
cient conservatories  for  amateurs  as  real  public 
benefactors,  We  hope  thej'  will  not  lack  of 
the  good  patronage  which  they  deserve. 


The  Amaryllis. 

To  name  a  finer  genus  of  bulbous  flowering 
plants  than  the  Amaryllis  is  not  easy.  They 
throw  up  spikes  from  one  to  four  feet  high,  sur- 
mounted mostly  by  trumpet-shaped  blooms  of 
largely  varying  sizes,  some  being  nearly  a  foot 
wide  when  fully  expanded. 

The  Amaryllis  are  very  desirable  plants  for 
pot  culture.  The  colors  of  the  flowers  are  di- 
verse and  striking — rich  yellows,  flaked  and 
spotted,  pure  whites  lined  and  flushed  with 
yellow,  light  rose,  dark  red  and  purple.  Be- 
side there  are  the  fine  Selfs,  nearly  pure,  of 


About  Ripening 
Pears. 

There  is  this  peculi- 
arity about  pears,  that 
if  picked  liefore  full 
niatuiity  and  ripened 
in  the  lioiise  the  flavor 
will  lie  much  finer  and 
the  ;q)pearance  better. 
Gathering  the  fruit,  of 
summer  kinds  especi- 
ally, when  it  is  hai-d,  and  ripening  it  away 
from  the  tree,  tends  also  to  prevent  rotting 
at  the  core,  a  trouble  that  is  not  uiu'ommon. 
On  this  subiect  we  find  the  following  good 
hints  in  the  A'.  /?.  Fariiirr: 

To  have  pears  in  perfection  they  should  be 
picked  when  the  early  specimens  begin  to  drop 
from  the  tree  rather  freely,  or  some  ten  days 
before  the  main  crop  would  fall.  They  should 
be  free  from  rain  or  dew,  and  be  handled  very 
carefully.  A  bruised  spot  soon  rots.  Place  in 
shallow  boxes  ;  bureau  drawers  are  excellent, 
with  woolen  cloth  on  the  bottom  and  more 
cloth  on  top.  Large  quantities  maj'  be  ripened 
between  woolen  blankets  .spread  upon  the  floor 
of  closed  rooms  and  the  Pears  spiead  thinly  out. 
If  it  is  desirable  to  have  the  ripening  process 
retarded  the  coldest  room  should  be  selected, 
if  wanted  tor  early  the  room  should  be  warmer. 
Pears  treated  in  this  way  will  ripen  up  in 
perfection.  The  .juices  will  be  retained  and  a 
rich,  buttery,  melting  morsel  be  the  result. 
Some  kinds  that  aie  coarse,  puckering  or  mealy, 
when  left  to  ripen  ou  the  trees,  are  quite  eat- 
able if  allowed  to  ripen  in  a  closed  box  or 
drawer.  The  Bartlett  will  ripen  if  picked  be- 
fore it  is  fully  grown. 

A  villager  having  Pear  trees  with  fruit  upon 
them  fully  grown,  has  pooi-  ground  for  com- 
plaint if  he  leaves  it  hanging  upon  the  boughs 
a  constant  source  of  temptation  to  street  lioys, 
for  it  will  be  all  the  better  if  gathered  early. 


Bees  Injuring  Fruit. 

A  writer  to  the  Hrc-Kct'in't-s'  Mtu/tt.^inc  re- 
ports on  a  test  he  made  as  to  this  matt«r  last 
year.  He  built  an  enclosure  of  wire  cloth  and 
screen  doors,  into  which  he  removed  three 
colonies  of  bees,  first  transfering  them  into 
empty  hives.     Then  he    placed  all    ordinary 


1 886, 


POPULAR     GARDENING. 


125 


kinds  of  fruit,  and  from  green  to  ripe,  sound  to 
unsound,  on  shelves  in  the   house,  giving  the 


Fifj.  2.— -Secfiun  vf  tht'  same  shotring  heatiny 
apparatus  a}i(l  the  ventilators  open. 

hungry  bees  every  opportunity  to  attaclc  the 
fruit.     His  report  as  to  results  is  as  follows: 

"They  took  advantage  of  every  opening  at 
the  stem  or  crack  in  the  epidermis  or  puncture 
made  by  insects  whicli  dej)Osittlieireggs  in  the 
skin  of  grapes.  They  regarded  the  skin  of 
other  fruits  as  subjects  for  incpiiry  and  inves- 
tigation, and  not  objects  for  attack.  If  broken 
or  removed  they  will,  in  case  of  need,  lap  and 
svick  the  juices  exposed.  The  same  was  also 
true  of  grapes  that  had  bursted  on  account  of 
over-ripene,ss ;  the  bees  lajiped  the  juices  from 
the  exposed  parts  and  stored  it  in  the  cells. 
They  made  no  attempt  to  grasp  the  cuticle  of 
sound  grajjes.  I  removed  the  outer  skin  from 
many,  taking  care  not  to  rupture  the  Him  sur- 
rounding the  puli^.  AVhen  these  were  exposed 
to  the  bees,  the}'  continued  to  lap  and  suck  the 
juices  from  the  outer  tilm  until  it  was  as  diy  and 
smooth  as  was  the  fihn  between  broken  and  un- 
bi'oken  segments.  They  showed  no  disposition 
to  use  theii'  jaws  or  claws,  and  the  outer  film, 
as  well  as  that  between  broken  parts  remained 
whole  until   the  pulp  decayed  and  dried  up." 


Lawns  Running  to  Ruin. 

Many  persons  ilo  not  seem  to  know  that  to 
allow  a  well  established  lawn  to  be  neglected 
in  the  matter  of  proper  mowing  is  a  ruinous 
practice.  Not  only  is  theappeai'ance  spoiled  by 
allowing  the  grass  for  once  or  oftener  to  grow 
large,  but  vital  injury  is  inflicted  to  the  very 
foundation  of  a  good  lawn. 

Let  us  look  at  this  matter  closely.  A  piece 
of  sward,  to  answer  the  best  purposes  of  a 
smooth  velvety  grass  plat,  should  be  made  up 
of  many  grass  plants  crowded  closely  together. 
In  this  respect  a  lawn  is  very  mui'h  like  a 
closely  planted  hedge  of  woody  growth.  Stand- 
ing closely,  the  plants  in  either  case,  must  be 
managed  on  the  principle  of  being  kept  to  a 
minature  size  in  all  respects  to  match,  a  thing 
I)erfectly  done, in  the  case  of  a  lawn  by  frequent 
mowing,  of   a  hedge  by  systematic  clipping. 

Now  to  allow  the  crowd  of  plants  to  depart 
from  the  reduced  scale,  by  growing  michecked 
as  test  they  can,  the  growth  of  the  individual 
plants  will  i)roceed  somewhat  on  the  principle 
of  the  survival — not  of  the  fittest  plants 
always — but  rather  of  the  strongest.  The  effect 
of  this  will  Ije  the  enfeebling  or  crowding  out 
of  existence  of  some  of  the  finer  grasses,  while 
coarseness  will  characterize  such  as  get  a  start 
of  their  neighbors. 

In  the  future  such  a  lawn,  if  brought  down 
to  the  close-mowing  plan  again,  can  never  be  had 
to  look  as  well  as  it  did  before  allowed  to  go  on 
a  rampage.  It  will  be  coarser  and  lack  that 
fineness  of  textural  appearance    which  is  the 


greatest  charm  of  any  grass  plat.     The  weeds, 
too,  would  gain  by  the  sea.son  of  freedom. 

We  woulil  not  wonder  either  if  in  some  such 
cases  the  owneis  might  latei'  turn  upon  their 
seedsman  with  the  charge  of  selling  only  coarse 
grasses  in  their  "  fine  mixtures,"  and  with  some 
show  of  wistlom,  too,  as  they  would  point  to 
the  lawn  befoi'e  them  as  proof. 


Too  Many  Varieties.  The  cipcrienced  urclmid- 
ist  seldom  urdtM-s  iiKti-c  than  two  or  Ihrei*  sorts  The 
novice  I'cels  as  tliouyli  lu-  iiiiisl  plant  almost  eveiy- 
thing  be  ever  heanl  of.  This  course  Is  disastr4ms  to 
the  best  Hnancial  results.  Take,  for  instance,  a  list 
of  twenty  or  thirty  Ideal's  and  you  will  tinil  few  i>f 
them  tlesirable  for  market.  Many  at-e  loo  small. 
thong:h  of  fine  ciuality.  <  tthers  are  large  and 
desirable  for  family  but  not  for  market.  (_)thers  are 
feeble  growers,  requiring  the  highest  cultivation 
and  soil  pecidiarly  adapted  to  them.  It  is  usually 
the  same  with  apples,  grapes  and  other  fruits.  My 
advice  is  for  the  uninformed  not  to  plant  until  he 
can  find  some  person  in  whom  he  has  contidence 
and  who  can  advise  wisely.  Experiment  al  orchards 
and  vineyards  are  often  condiicted  at  considerable 
expense  instead  of  profit,  and  yet  the  novice  would 
make  his  commercial  orchard  an  experimental  or- 
chard, embracing  many  varieties  that  tin-  experi- 
enced woidd  not  think  of  planting  — C'ltarles  A. 
Green,  in  New  York  Tribune. 

An  Eye  to  Weeds  Yet.  Where  the  weeds  have 
been  closely  kept  down  throughout  the  season  imtil 
now,  little  trouble  will  come  from  them  after  this. 
But  a  few  weeds  no  doubt  were  missed,  and  these, 
receiving  the  fjenefit  of  clean  cldtnre,  arc  soon  of 
large  size  and  ready  to  perfect  a  vast  (piaritity  of 
plump  seeds.  Just  to  prevent  this  we  must  not  give 
np  the  battle  yet,  for  a  few  such  plants  would  make 
endless  work  next  year,  while  now  it  is  a  small  task 
to  level  them. 

Shading  Melons.  There  may  be  something  in 
the  stfttemeiU  that  in  some  parts  of  Asia  where 
this  fruit  is  mucli  grown,  they  1  esort  to  ripening  it 
in  the  dark,  by  drawing  soil  over  the  melons  as  they 
approach  maturity.  It  is  well  known  that  some 
fruits  grown  in  hot-houses  are  much  improved  in 
quality  hy  shading  the  glass  during  ripening.  The 
idea  from  Asia  is  so  easily  tried  that  we  should  not 
remain  long  in  the  dark  conceriung  it. 

Clear  Up  as  You  Go.  Whenever  any  garden  crop 
is  past  use  for  the  kitchen  it  should  be  cleared  from 
the  ground.  Such  a  course  will  keep  the  garden 
looking  well  and  prevent  the  needless  going  to  seed 
of  plants  It  shoidd  be  rememljered  that  the  seed- 
ing of  vegetables  exhausts  the  soil  more  than  two 
crops  taken  off  in  a  succulent  condition. 

That  Strawberry  Bed,  talked  about  so  nuich 
before  now,  did  you  get  it  planted  last  spring?  If 
not,  just  hold  up  talking  of  it  for  the  future,  and 
during  this  nu)nth  (with  pot-layered  plants)  or  next 
get  around  the  plants  aud  set  out  over  a 

good-sized  [tatcli.     This  talking  about  a      T 

thing  and  not  doing  tlie  thing  is  delusive.       ) 

Peach  Trees  between  Apple.  It  is  a 
good  economical  rvile  to  plant  the  former 
between  those  of  the  latter  in  the  orchard 
or  garden.  The  Peach  grows  and  bears 
quickly,  and  will  yield  largely  before  the 
apple  trees  need  the  space. 

A  reliable  writer  speaks  of  an  Apple 
tree  he  met  with  having  200  varieties 
grafted  on  it,  foiu'-fifths  of  which  were 
in  fruit. 

The  refuse  vegetables  of  the  garden 
are  not  tit  to  save  another  years'  seed 
from ;  save  from  the  very  best  or  from 
none. 

Life  is  too  short  for  us  to  depend  wholly 
on  our  own  experiments,  therefore  we 
umst  learn  of  and  act  upon  those  of  others. 

Before  condemning  new  varieties,  re- 
member that  faihu-c  in  one  place  is  not 
a  sign  uf  failure  everywhere. 

The  more  trees  to  the  acre  the  more  fruit  some 
would  say.  It's  a  mistake;  nncrowiied  trees  are 
much  moie  pr<Kluctive  than  crowded  ones. 

A  foot-deep  mulch  of  wheat  straw  is  recom- 
mended by  A.  M.  Purdy,  in  his  Reeurder,  for  Black- 
berries. 

Cover  the  young  Cauliflower  heads  with  tissue 
paper  to  keep  off  the  worms,  the  rain  and  t  he  sun. 

We  would  like  to  see  ten  times  more  frint  con- 
smned  generally  than  now  is  done. 

Keep  the  poor  crops  oiU  of  the  market.  Grow 
none. 

Unthrifty  plants  suffer  first  from  insects. 


CONDENSED    GLEANINGS. 

Ctoosehkrhiks  Witikm't  Mtlokw. —  Robert 
Hunter,  of  Mahoning  County,  <).,  says  the 
t'ttttntry  d'enHetnini,  has  succeedc<l  in  growing 
excellent  crops  of  the  English  varieties.  He 
]ilants  (jn  a  clayey,  cool  soil,  and  keeps  them 
o|HUi  in  the  center  by  pruning.  In  the  spring 
he  disltuds  the  branches  somewhat,  to  kecjj  the 
growth  from  becoming  too  dense.  He  midches 
heavily  in  .sumiuer.  The  varieties  lu"  has 
fouinl  most  successful  are  AVbifesmith,  Red 
Warrington,  Karly  Sulphur  and  Iron-monger. 

Fr.AT  Stones  as  a  Mulch.— I  fiiul  them 
sui»rior  to  any  other  nuilching  for  newly 
planted  trees  and  shridis.  Three  years'  use  of 
them  has  proved  to  me  their  superiority.  I 
use  .small  pieces  for  small  frees,  larger  ones  for 
larger  trees.  I  do  not  put  tliem  so  close  to- 
getTier  as  to  excluile  air.  Stones  also  steady 
the  young  tree  while  forming  new  roots,— 
('(tnttiUiln  ll(trtie}iHnrist. 

Raspberry  Canes.— After  the  fniit  these 
canes  are  of  no  furthi^r  use,  and  in  due  time 
will  die.  Cultivators  differ  as  to  the  time  for 
removing  these  old  canes.  Some  I'ut  them 
away  as  soon  as  the  fruit  is  off,  while  others 
leave  them  until  late  in  the  fall,  thinking 
that  the  old  canes  may  contribute  something 
to  the  growth  of  the  new  ones  that  are  to  Ijear 
fruit  next  year.  The  best  cultivators  cut  away 
the  canes  soon  after  fruiting,  as  they  are  out 
of  the  way,  an<l  do  not  interfere  with  the  new 
canes. — Anierienn  Ai/rienffttriKf. 

About  PLANTiNti  Strawberries.- We  do 
not  advise  anyone  tosetstrawlierries — ordered 
from  a  distance,  before  August;  nor  toset  large 
plantations,  at  the  North,  in  the  sunnner  or 
fall — but  at  the  South  we  advise  setting  in  the 
fall.  For  setting  a  small  family  bed  in  August 
or  Septendier  it  is  well  to  shade  plants  with 
pieces  of  paper  or  large  green  leaves  for  three 
or  four  days  after  setting.  Again  we  say  don't 
be  fooled  into  buying  "  potted  ])laiits"  from  a 
distance  at  any  price ;  the  cxprcssage  will  cost 
you  more  than  the  berries  will  come  to  next 
year  at  I.'")  or  20  cents  per  quart —  Frn  it  Reearder. 

Clubfoot  and  Cabbage  Flies.  So  far  as 
I  can  determine  clubfoot  is  the  result  of  a  de- 
fective growth  in  the  seed-beil.  I  )n  the  thir- 
teen kinds  of  cabbage  aud  cauliflower  on  trial 
this  j'ear  I  have  not  found  a  single  clubfoot ; 
this  is  quite  unusual,  but  the  weattier  has  been 
unusually  favorable.  It  may  appeal'  in  the 
late  kinds,  the  seeds  of  which  are  yet  to  be 
planted  in  open  ground.  Some  years  I  plant 
in  drills  and  some  in  beds;  this  year  in  (trills. 
The  cabbage  fly  can  be  kept  oft'  by  working, 
hoeing,  weeding,  watering  dusting — anything 
that  will  disturb  the  flies  and  keep  them  in  mo- 
tion. I  have  a  notion  they  could  be  driven  from 
the  bed  by  walking  through  it  in  the  same  direc- 
tion  many   times. — Xen-  York  Trifnine. 

PKoTEt'TK.iN  Against  the  Borer.  The 
borer  is  fatal  to  all  Peach  trees  not  fully  pro- 
tected against  its  ravages.  This  can  be  suc- 
cessfully done  by  the  application  of  the  follow- 


VVALt.      or       HOUSE. 


15 


J 


Fiij.  3.- 


-Ground  Pl( Hi  of  the  $150  GrvcnhtmHv,  shovn  on 
opposite  page;  Scale,  '1-Ui  inch  to/tutt. 

ing  wash:  4  gallons  u-liitewash.  L' quarts  <-lay, 
2  quarts  fi-esb  <*(»\v  dtopiuu^s,  1  quart  Ivc  that 
l>ears  an  egg.  Mix  tlu'se  iniiiXMiicnts  to  a  iirojier 
(.'onsistency  with  wat^:*!'.  Remove  the  ground 
from  the  top  of  the  rot>ti>!  dose  to  the  tree,  and 
apply  the  wash  to  the  exposed  roots  and  U)  tlie 
whole  trunk  of  the  tree,  ineluding  the  hollow 
between  the  lowest  liranehes.  I'over  the  roots 
again  with  earth.  The  wash  ran  lieaj)j>lied  very 
expeditiously  by  means  of  a  eoru  broitui.  The 
wash  should  be  ai)plied  tvviee  every  season, 
namely,  about  the  end  of  I^Iay  and  the  end  of 
August.  I  have  found  tliis  an  infallible  protec- 
tion against  the  Iwrer.  For  a|)ple  trees  one 
applieation  <)f  the  wash  every  season  is  suffi- 
cient.—  From  <  '/tfis.  Sfit'ftrrrs  rssdi/  itrfore 
Petuisi/lntiiio  Stutc  flnrfi<-ii!tiirtif  Sficicfif. 


126 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


August, 


i-s^ 


^0r^' 


^AP  N  C  I  E  S 

Dead  Roses. 

He  placed  a  Rose  in  my  nut-brown  hair— 
A  deep-red  Rose  with  a  fragrant  hearts 
And  said :     "  We'll  set  this  day  apart, 
So  sunny,  so  wondrous  fair.'' 
His  face  was  full  of  a  happy  light, 
His  voice  was  tender  and  low  and  sweet, 
The  Daisies  and  Violets  grew  at  our  feet- 
Alas,  for  the  coming  of  night  ! 
The  Rose  is  black  and  withered  and  dead  '. 
'Tis  hid  in  a  tiny  box  away: 
The  nut-brown  hair  is  turning  to  gray. 
And  the  light  of  the  day  is  tied. 
The  light  of  the  beautiful  day  is  fled, 
Hush'd  is  the  voice  so  sweet  and  low— 
And  I— ah,  me!  I  loved  him  so — 
And  the  daisies  grow  over  his  head  ! 

—Rebecca  Ruler  Springer. 


Roses  wear  diamond  dew-drops. 
Calla,  not  "  Calla  Lily,"  is  correct, 
Nettles  are  the  appropriate  emblem  of  cruelty. 
Stiff,    compact   floral   arrangements  can  never 
satisfy  good  taste. 

At  a  recent  wedding  the  floral  decorations  con- 
sisted entirely  of  great  masses  of  double  Poppies, 
scarlet,  white  and  crimson 

■Violets  to  a  New  Use.  The  late  King  of  Ba 
varia's  favorite  beverage  was  wine,  with  a  layer  of 
fresh,  strong  scented  violets  on  top, 

A  pretty  cornucopia  filled  with  Olea  fragrans 
—the  dainty  flowering  01ive~is  a  quaint  gift  of 
congratidation  to  a  happy  mother 

Efforts  are  being  made  to  restore  the  handsome 
but  soulless  Camellia  to  its  former  favor .  It  has 
never  gone  entirely  out  of  style  abroad 

Bridesmaids'  satchels  filled  with  white  and  faint 
pink  Sweet  Peas  have  a  quaint,  old-world  aspect  in 
harmony  with  picturesque  bridal  gowns 

Sweet  Peas  form  fashionable  decorations  for 
ladies'  luncheons.  The  table  is  adorned  with  them, 
massed  in  varying  tints;  the  favors  consist  of  bou- 
quets of  a  single  hue. 

A  "  Honey -suckle  ball"  is.  or  wa.s,  to  be  given 
by  London  lielles,  after  the  fashion  of  the  great 
"  Rose  ball  "  given  last  year,  the  very  elaborate  de- 
corations consisting  entirely  of  these  flowers. 

The  Glowing  Poppies  are  so  handsome  and 
effective,  yet  they  are  not  advisable  as  a  table  de- 
coration. Their  strong  characteristic  odor  is  quite 
offensive  to  some,  producing  it  may  be  disagree- 
able nausea  and  oppression,  especially  in  the  case  of 
a  person  of  delicate  organization. 

Autumn  Leaves,  Why  should  we  not  employ 
tor  autumn  weddings  some  charming  effects  in 
autumn  leaves.  A  wedding  bower  or  canopy  of 
Liquidambar  and  Maple,  draped  with  Virginia 
Creeper,  for  example,  wotdd  be  most  effective. 
Some  attempt  at  this  was  made  last  fall,  but  it 
will  bear  enlarging  upon. 

Fashion  decrees  that  any  departure  on  a  voyage 
should  now  be  the  signal  for  floral  gifts,  and  the 
florists  display  much  ingenuity  in  supplying  the 
demand  for  novelties.  Sometimes  such  are  shipped 
from  long  distances  inland.  Baskets  are  in  some 
instances  filled  with  fruit  and  flowers  together,  thus 
giving  the  recipient  a  double  feast. 

Effective  decorations  for  a  midsummer  gather- 
ing are  Poppies,  Wheat  and  Corn  flowers.  Minia- 
ture sheaves  in  the  center,  draped  with  Poppies, 
stand  on  a  mat  of  Corn  flowers  fringed  with  wheat; 
the  favors  show  a  similar  combination  Notwith- 
standing their  beauty  the  Poppies  should  be  spar- 
ingly used  in  this  case,  on  account  of  the  odor 
before  mentioned. 

By  Degrees.  George- ChoUy,  me  boy,  what  are 
you  wearing  that  deuced  little  flower  in  your  but- 
tonhole for  •;  Charles— Why,  dontcherknow,  the 
doctor  said  I  was  exerting  myself  too  much,  and 
ordered  me  to  stop  wearing  a  boutonniere.  or  he 
wouldn't  answer  for  the  conseiiuences.  The  change 
would  be  too  sudden,  dontcherknow,  to  leave  it  off 
all  at  once,  so  I'm  leaving  it  off  by  degrees  If  it's 
a  warm  day  to-morrow,  and  I  feel  strong  enough, 
I  may  be  able  to  discard  it  altogether.  — So,sf on 
Transcript. 

For  a  ladies'  luncheon  an  undine-like  sugges- 
tion may  be  given  by  the  use  of  Pond  Lilies  and 


aquatic  plants.  The  center  piece  is  a  series  of  low, 
pale-greeu  glass  dishes  resting  on  a  mat  of  Rushes 
and  Ferns.  The  dishes  are  filled  with  Pond  Lilies, 
Arrow  Head  and  Aponogeton,  mingled  with  Marsh 
Grasses  The  effect  is  dainty  in  the  extreme,  with 
a  fairy-like  grace  all  its  own.  The  favors  are  pock- 
ets of  Rushes  filled  with  Lilies.  The  florists  are  tax- 
ing their  ingenuity  tor  new  effects  suitable  to  the 
outdoor  fetes  and  bazaars  now  in  vogue.  For  a 
Dutch  booth  gilt  sabots  are  filled  with  flowers  and 
also  with  growing  plants,  making  a  pretty  thing  to 
hang  on  a  piazza,  especially  when  flUed  with  Ferns. 

|otanical©\id^et 

Elms  have  reached  the  age  of  over  300  years. 
Empress  Josephine  found  great  delight  in  bot- 
any. 

The  root  but  not  the  fruit  of  the  Wild  Mandrake 
is  poisonous. 

The  bark  of  the  Tulip  tree  is  regarded  as  an  ex- 
cellent substitute  tor  quinine. 

The  National  Herbarium  at  Washington  has 
over  l">0,onn  mounted  specimens. 

Outdoor-grown  Roses  cannot  compare  in  sweet 
ness  and  durability  with  those  raised  under  glass. 

Goldenrod.  More  thau  forty  species  of  Goldenrod 
or  .Solidago  are  indigenous  to  the  Northern  States. 
■Wouldst  comprehend  the  whole?  Then  learn 
the  parts:  each  part  is  parcel  of  the  j>la.n.— Goethe. 
The  tops  and  roots  of  trees  grow  nmch  alike  in 
some  respects ;  if  the  former  are  long  and  slender, 
then  the  latter  are  also;  if  short  and  spreading  so 
too  are  the  roots. 

The  singular  fact  is  pointed  out  by  a  member  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  of  London  that 
Dahlias  collect  nmch  dew  on  their  leaves,  the  Peach, 
Rose  and  Evening  Primrose  very  little,  while  the 
Quince  and  Mulberry  are  only  very  slightly  wet. 

The  Shine  of  the  Buttercup.  The  peculiar  var- 
nish-like histre  of  the  petals  is  attributed  by  Dr.  Mo- 
bius,  who  has  recently  been  investigating  it,  to  a 
highly  refractive  yellow  oil  existing  in  the  epider- 
mal, cells  increased  by  the  fact  that  the  layer  of  cells 
of  the  mesophyl  is  densely  filled  with  starch  grains. 
Flora  of  Niagara.  It  will  be  of  special  interest 
to  botanists  who  attend  the  next  meeting  of  the 
American  Association  of  Natural  Sciences,  to  be 
held  in  this  city  August  I H  to  34,  to  know  that  so 
eminent  an  authority  as  Dr  .loseph  Hooker  of  Lon- 
don stales  that  the  flora  of  (ioat  Island  at  Niagara 
Falls  is  more  extensive  than  that  of  any  other  spot 
of  equal  size  in  the  same  latitude  on  the  globe.  He 
says  that  even  in  the  regions  of  the  most  abundant 
tropical  vegetation  it  is  not  easy  to  find  similar 
sized  areas  that  excel  the  island  referred  to  in  this 
respect. 

Those  who  are  engaged  in  sedentary  pursuits, 
such  as  teaching,  clerking,  book-keeping,  etc., 
should  not  overlook  the  great  value  to  their  health, 
as  well  as  of  entertainment  that  may  be  found,  in 
the  study  of  liotany  This  is  the  simplest  and  easiest 
of  the  natural  sciences.  Its  materials  are  costless  and 
are  scattered  everywhere,  as  if  for  the  student's  ac- 
commodation. Even  in  cities  it  is  remarkable  how 
the  numbers  of  weeds  an<l  cultivated  plants,  all  of 
botanical  interest,  will  run  up.  To  seek  these  out  in 
one's  daily  walks,  and  then  to  devote  each  half- 
holiday  to  botanizing  will  impart  health  and  vigor, 
a  good  appetite  and  stronger  lungs,  as  well  as  bet- 
ter sleep  for  the  exercise . 

The  "  Poison  Ivy,"  a  name  very  commonly  ap- 
plied to  several  species  of  Rhus,  is  a  great  dread  to 
many  botanists  and  others,  while  singularly  enough 
some  persons— the  writer  for  one— are  never  af- 
fected by  coming  in  contact  with  it.  Dr.  S.  A. 
Brown,  United  States  Navy,  states  in  the  Medical 
Record  that  he  has  found  a  specific  to  the  trouble- 
some eruption  produced  by  these  growths  so  com- 
mon in  our  woods  and  along  old  fences.  This  spe- 
cific he  finds  in  bromine,  which  he  has  used  with 
unvarying  success  in  at  least  forty  cases.  He  uses  the 
drug  dissolved  in  olive  oil,  cosmoline  or  glycerine, 
in  the  streugth  of  from  ten  to  twenty  drops  of  bro- 
mine to  the  ounce  of  oil,  and  rubs  the  mixture  gently 
on  the  affected  parts  three  or  four  times  a  day.  The 
bromine  is  so  volatile  that  the  solution  should  be  re- 
newed every  twenty-four  houi-s.  The  eruption  never 
extends  after  the  first  thorough  application,  and  it 
promptly  disappears  within  twenty-four  hours  if  the 
application  is  persisted  in. 

Orchids  of  the  North.  A  few  in  our  own  woods 
rival  for  beauty  most  of  those  that  the  tropics  can 
send  us,  although  the  Pogonias  know  how  to  be 
grotesque  and  freakish  after  their  own  fashion. 
But  for  fragrance  and  charm  combined  there  is  the 


purple  Arethusa,  lovely  as  the  nymph  tor  whom  it 
is  named,  and  there  is  the  white-fringed  Orchids— 
both  of  which  if  to  be  found  only  in  Australasian 
jungles  would  be  worth  fortunes  to  the  finder — and, 
crowning  all,  there  is  the  Moccasin  flower,  growing 
out  of  its  cluster  of  great  lily -like  leaves  in  humid 
shady  woods,  and  making  him  who  excitedly  plucks 
it  feel  rich,  as  if  he  had  orchid-houses  at  command. 
Botanically  the  Orchid  may  be  known  by  the  fact 
that  the  pistil  and  stamen,  or  perhaps  rather  the 
stamen  and  style,  are  united  in  a  column ;  and  in 
this  column  and  in  its  protean  shapes  much  of  the 
curiosity  of  the  plant  lies.  The  sepals  of  the  flower 
are  often  like  a  flower  themselves,  and  the  petals 
again  assume  every  conceivable  shape,  while  the 
base  of  the  lip  is  frequently  prolonged  into  a  deep 
tube  holding  the  honey.  The  object  of  this  tube 
appears  to  be  to  force  the  insects  searching  tor 
honey  to  carry  away  with  them  the  pollen,  as 
Orchids  can  only  be  reproduced  through  the  agency 
of  insects  It  is  perhaps  owing  to  this  necessity  of 
their  continued  existence  that  many  of  the  flowers 
are  made  so  strongly  to  resemble  insects,  in  order 
that  the  real  insect  may  be  attracted  to  them.— 
Writer  in  Harper^s  Bazaar. 

ABOUT  THE  PLACE. 

Much  corn  makes  a  bad  feed  for  young  pigs. 

Surplus.green  fodder  should  be  cut  and  cured. 

Injudicious  watering  in  hot  weather  kills  more 
horses  than  work  does. 

A  person  is  judged  by  how  things  are  kept  up 
about  the  place  he  calls  home.  Aim  to  be  well 
thought  of  for  this. 

One  cannot  be  too  careful  with  the  dumb  animals 
about  the  bee  stand.  Every  year  reports  abound  of 
animals  stung  to  death. 

Is  there  a  good  rising  grade  up  to  the  well  for 
keeping  all  surface  water  out  of  it?  There  must  be 
if  you  value  your  health. 

The  kind  of  bee-hive  used  is  important,  no  doubt, 
but  less  so  than  is  generally  supposed.  The  veteran 
Root  of  Ohio  puts  it  that  bees  store  honey  in  any- 
thing given  them,  very  much  as  a  cow  gives  milk 
into  any  kind  of  pail  the  milkman  sees  fit  to  use. 

The  Catnip  plant  is  one  of  the  most  valuable 
plants  for  bees.  The  flowers  are  rich  in  sweetness, 
and,  commencing  with  ,Iune,  are  available  to  the 
bees  for  from  one  to  three  months  at  all  hoiu^  and 
in  every  kmd  of  weather.  A  patch  may  easfly  be 
started  by  sowing  the  seed. 

0,  ho  !  Mr.  Balky  Horse.  The  Fitchhnry  Senti- 
nel tells  how  a  farmer  near  by  cured  his  horse  of  a 
balky  freak,  and  by  gentle  means,  too.  We  heartily 
commend  the  course.  He  drove  him,  attached  to  a 
rack  wagon,  to  the  wood  lot  for  a  small  load  of 
wood.  The  animal  wotdd  not  pull  a  pound.  He 
did  not  beat  him,  but  tied  him  to  a  tree  and  "let 
him  stand."  He  went  to  the  lot  at  sunset  and  asked 
him  to  draw,  but  he  would  not  straighten  a  tug.  "I 
made  up  my  mind,"  said  the  farmer,  "when  that 
horse  went  to  the  barn  he  would  take  that  load  of 
wood.  I  went  to  the  barn,  got  blankets  and  covered 
the  horse  warm,  and  he  stood  until  morning.  Then 
he  refused  to  di  aw.  At  noon  I  went  down,  and  he 
was  probably  hungry  and  lonesome.  He  drew  that 
load  of  wood  the  first  time  I  asked  him.  I  returned 
got  another  load  before  I  fed  him.  I  then  rewarded 
him  with  a  good  dinner,  which  he  eagerly  devoured. 
I  have  drawn  several  loads  since.  Once  he  refused 
to  draw ;  but  as  soon  as  he  saw  me  start  for  the 
house,  he  started  after  me  with  the  load." 

Lightning  Rods.  In  a  recent  number  of  the 
Praire  Farmer  we  find  pointed  out  some  ot  the 
essential  needs  concerning  safe  rods  by  the  learned 
editor.  Orange  Judd:  The  "grounding"  is  very  im- 
portant. Let  every  one  understand  that  the  chief 
purpose  of  a  lightning  rod  is  to  form  a  good  metal- 
lic conducting  roadway  between  the  cloud  charged 
with  electricity  and  the  moist  earth.  Have  the 
base  of  the  rod  sunk  deep  enough  to  always  be  in 
wet  earth  or  in  water .  Expand  the  metal  surface 
in  this  by  welding  on  a  plate  too  thick  to  rust  out. 
As  to  sky  points  one  point  or  better  two  or  three 
are  important.  They  must  be  kept  sharp  to  draw 
off  electricity  from  the  clouds  in  a  minute,  invis- 
able  and  harmless  current.  Iron  points  ch-awu  out 
sharp  will  answer,  but  if  not  gilded  or  silvered  to 
prevent  rust  and  dnlluess  they  must  be  filed  sharp 
once  or  twice  a  year.  For  fasteners  to  the  building 
glass  insidators  do  no  harm,  but  are  ot  no  special 
use.  Metal,  brass  or  even  wood  holders  are  as  good 
as  any.  for  the  current  will  not  lead  into  the  non- 
conducting material  of  the  building,  while  there  is 
a  good  rod  to  follow.  Sharp  angels  or  bends  are 
not  desirable.  Usually  the  shortest  course  to  the 
ground,  whether  over  the  end  or  the  side  of  the 
building  is  the  best.  Put  not  your  trust  in  traveling 
lightning-rod  men  of  great  pretensions. 


1 886. 


POPULAR     GARDENING, 


127 


Treeclimber's  Talks. 

THE    LADY-BIRD    (OR   BUGj    AS    A  GARDEN 
HELPER. 

I  can  hardly  think  that  among  all  my  young 
readers — certain]}'  not  of  these  who  live  in  the 
country— there  should  be  one  who  is  not  familiar 
with  the  jjretty  little  beetle  called  the  Lady-bird 
or  Lady-bug.  It  is  very  common  in  gardens  and 
about  plants  everywhere,  and  that  it  usually 
finds  friends  in  children  because  of 
its  neat  innocent  appearance  I  know. 
I  very  well  recall  the  little  verse  that 
in  my  childhood  was  associated  with 
this  insect  and  which  no  doubt  is 
familiar  to  childien  everywhere.  It 
nuis  with  a  pretty  jingle  as  follows: 

Lady-bird,  Lady-bird,  fly  away  home. 
Your  house  is  on  fire,  your  children  will 

burn. 

Quite  likely,  however,  some  of  my 
many  young  friends  who  have  ad- 
mired the  little  bug  may  not  happen 
to  know  it  by  this  name,  so  I  have 
made  a  drawing  of  one  of  the  species, 
to  introduce  it  in  this  wa}',  and  this 
the  publishers  have  had  engraved,  as 
seen  herewith.  In  the  engraving  the 
Lafly-bird  is  seen  on  the  upper  leaf 
of  the  twig. 

My  pai'ticular  object  in  treating 
on  this  little  beetle   here  is  that   I 
want  all  gardeners,  and  the  children 
especially,  to   know  that  besides  being  quite 
pretty    it  is  also  a  very  useful  insect,  and  on 
this  account  is  entitled  to  the   respect  and  pro- 
tection of  all  plant  lovers.     It  is  what  is  called 
an  insectiverous  beetle,  that  is 

IT   FEEDS   UPON  INSECTS, 

and  hence  is  the  natural  destroyer  of  at  least 
one  of  the  most  common  enemies  that  consumes 
our  plants.  This  is  the  Aphis  or  Plant  Louse, 
which  in  one  form  or  another  may  be  met  on 
almost  every  plant  and  tree  in  cultivation.  All 
you  who  have  pot  plants  are  familiar  enough 
with  the.se  plant  lice,  I  have  no  doubt. 

But  while  our  engraving  will  at  once  call  to 
mind  the  Lady-bird  as  found  in  one  of  its  most 
common  forms,  my  readers  should  know  that 
there  are  many  different  kinds  of  these  bugs, 
as  shown  mostly  by  a  difiference  in  their  colors. 
Those  of  a  red  color  with  black  spots  are  met 
perhaps  as  often  as  any,  but  there  are  others 
that  are  yellow  with  black  spots,  and 

STILL  OTHERS   THAT   ARE  BLACK 

with  white,  red  or  yellow  spots.     These  differ- 
ent kinds  together  are  very  plentiful  ai'ound  [ 
plants,  and  are  all  great  consimiers  of  plant 
lice,  hence  I  speak  of  them  here  so  that  you  1 
may  keep  a  lookout  for  and  cherish  them,  in 
whatever  colored  coat  they  may  be  met. 

Now  while  it  may  be  easy  enough  to  excite  a 
favorable  interest  in  the  Lady-bird,  being  it  is 
such  a  pretty  looking  insect,  I  must  go  further 
and  introduce  it  in  one  of  its  other  forms, 
namely, 

IN   ITS   GRUB   OR   LARV'A   STATE, 


plant  lice,  as  a  grub  it  is  even  more  so.  The 
appeiirance  of  the  latter  is  well  shown  by  the 
long  dark  object  on  the  lower  leaf  to  the  left  in 
the  engraving.  As  to  color  it  is  bluish  or  blue- 
black  and  usually  bears  some  red  or  yellow 
spots.  The  form  is  nearly  hemispherical,  that 
is,  half  round,  the  under  surface  being  very 
flat,  a  fact  that  may  help  my  readers  to  better 
distinguish  these  useful  gnibs  at  sight. 

These  grubs  are  hatched  from  little  yellow 
eggs  laid  by  the  Lady-birds.  As  a  goose  or 
duck  lays  and  hatches  her  eggs  near  the  water, 
to  accommodate  the  young  when  they  appear, 
so  the  Lady-bird  by  instinct  lays  her  eggs  in 
clustei-s  in  places  where  plant  lice  are  present, 
so  that  the  grubs  find  themselves  at  once  with- 


"(ih.but  Iwouldcomniiine  with  myself!  I  should 
always  have  great  thoughts  amW  such  grandeur." 

"You  would y  What  do  vou  reckon  you"d  eat- 
Tlioughts,  now,  aint  very  fllliii',  an'  the  land  'round 
here  won't  even  raise  tunu'ps,  an'  I  reckon  you'd  git 
sick  enough  of  it  if  you  had  to  cook  three  meals  a 
day  on  little  or  notliin'." 

"Oh,  see  that  beautiful  little  stream!  How  it 
breaks  around  and  over  that  gray  rock,  and  then 
rambles  on.  singing  as  it  goes!" 

"  Yes.  an'  there  aint  even  a  catfish  in  it.  an'  I  never 
know  what  minnitacloud-burstorsoniethin'  isgoin' 
to  send  it  out  of  its  banks  clean  into  my  kitchen 
I've  mopped  up  after  that  treach'rous  tittle  crick 
half-a-dozen  times  now," 

"  I  fear  you  don't  quite  appreciate  the  beautiful 
in  nature's  works." 

"  Slebbe  not.  But  I  know  that  them  that  want  to 
live  here  an'  raise  a  family  on  moonshine  an'  lights 
an'  shadders  an'  foamy  waves  kin  do  it.  We're  goin' 
back  to  ole  Missoury  this  fall,  if  we  have  to  walk 
ev'ry  step  of  the  way!  " 


I  riscfnl  Garden  Imturt.     The  Ladij-hird:  its  different 
stages  illustrated. 

in  reach  of  their  prey.  As  there  are  usually 
many  of  these  grubs  for  each  bug  that  exists, 
and  they  voracious  consumers  of  lice,  it  is 
easily  un<ierstood  how  very  useful  they  may 
be  to  plant  growers.  Indeed  one  thing  must 
be  said  of  this  insect's  habits  that 

DOES   NOT  .SOUND  VERT  WELL, 
namely,  that  whenever  other  food  fails,  they 
are  sometimes  driven  to  consume  the  helpless 
pupa  of  their  own  kind. 

I  think  I  have  now  treated  on  the  Lady-bird, 
or  the  C'tici-inclla,  as  scientists  would  say,  at 
sufficient  length  to  draw  the  attention  of  those 
who  should  be  its  friends  to  it  in  its  different 
forms.  Some  of  my  readers  will  no  doubt 
wonder  what  the  suspended  object  to  the  right 
in  the  engraving  is.  This  is  our  insect  in  its 
pupa  or  chrysalis  state,  that  which  precedes  the 
perfect  insect. 

Timothy  Treeclimber. 


and  then  see  how  well  its  friends  will  lie  ready 
to  stand  liy  it.  To  dwell  upon  that  wonderfid 
change  which  takes  place  at  different  stages  in 
an  insect's  life  is  not  mj'  object  now,  further 
than  to  say  that  Ijeginning  first  with  the  egg 
state  there  is  next  the  gi'ub  or  larva  state,  then 
the  chrysalis  or  pupa  state  and  at  last  the 
perfect  or  beetle  state.  Of  the  Lady-bird  as  a 
beetle  I  have  already  spoken  and  now  for  the 
grub  or  larva  state.  And  here  I  must  say  at 
the  start  that  it  is  not  a  very  pleasing  object  to 
look  at,  but  let  us  remember  that 

HANDSOME    IS  THAT    HANDSOME   DOES. 

For  if  as  a  bug  our  subject  is  destructive  to 


The  Poetical  and  the  Practical. 

It  often  is  the  case  that  poetical  people  are 
not  disposed  to  be  really  practical  in  their  ideas, 
and  rice  rer.ia.  If  this  were  not  so  generally 
true  there  would  be  many  more  successful 
amateur  gardeners  than  are  now  to  be  found, 
for  we  frequently  meet  persons  who  manifest 
the  most  intense  passion  for  flowers  and  fine 
plants,  who  know  nothing  about  how  to  raise 
them.  Happy  are  the  persons  who  combine 
both  the  poetical  and  the  practical  in  their  tem- 
peraments, for  the  latter  may  very  advantage- 
ously offset  and  aid  the  other. 


"Oh.  those  motintains!"  cried  a  sentimental,  gush- 
ing traveler  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  as  she  clasped 
her  hands  and  rolled  up  her  eyes  in  ecstacy.  "Beau- 
tiful, grand,  majestic!'" 

"  Y'es,  they're  right  purty,"  said  the  matter-of- 
fact  mistress  of  the  house  ;  "an'  there's  real  good 
ros'berries  grows  on  'em,  too." 

"How  illimitable,  how  va.st!" 

"  Yes'ni :  they're  big  as  all  out-doors,  that's  so." 

"What  hghts  and  shadows!  what  lofty  sum- 
mits!" 

"  Y'es,  they're  lofty  enough;  that's  a  fact." 

"  They  seem  to  lift  me  up  to  their  own  heavenly 
heights." 

"  Well,  I  guess  if  they'd  let  you  drap,  like  they 
did  an  old  cow  of  our'n.  you  wouldn't  want  to  be 
lifted  up  agin."' 

"  It  seems  to  me  I'd  like  to  dwell  always  in  the 
shadow  of  those  mighty  walls." 

"Well,  you'd  find  it  mighty  poky,  now  I  tell  you. 
Lights  an'  shadders  is  mighty  pore  comp'ny." 


PET  BIRDS.  ANIMALS,  ETC. 

Keep  the  cages  very  clean. 
Parrots  are  naturally  greedy  eaters. 
Celery  is  a  treat  for  birds  now  and 
then. 

Hempseed  freely  fed  tends  to  ini|)air 
digestion. 

Ring  doves  are  quarrelsome  only 
when  more  than  one  single  pair  are  kept 
together. 

As  for  feathered  pets,  scarcely  any- 
thing could  please  the  youngsters  more 
than  some  Golden  Seabright  Bantams. 

A  cat  at  New  Berlin,  Conn.,  weighs 
thirty-two  pounds,  and  ls  believed  to  be 
the  biggest  tame  cat  in  the  country. 
Who  says  "  No  "  to  this? 

It  is  a  mistake  to  suppose  that  be- 
cause certain  grains  are  natural  to  par- 
rots or  other  birds  in  a  wild  state  that 
these  are  also  the  best  in  captivity. 
Caging  alters  the  constitution  and  di- 
gestive organs  of  birds.  Just  as  long 
confmement  at  an  ofHce  desk  would 
work  a  change  in  the  eating  powers  of 
some  sturdy  wood-chopper. 

The  mastiff  is  essentially   a  watch- 
dog,   and    needs    weight  and  .strength 
rather  than    speed;    light  bones  and  a 
j^  small  head  are  therefore  fatal  objections. 

While  easily  made  fierce  bv  chaining, 
they  are  famous  for  their  good  nature  w'ith  children 
and  unswerving  fidelity.  Their  unfailing  dignity  and 
aversion  to  the  human  species  of  tramps  ha\e  made 
them  favorites  in  all  country  houses. 

In  confinement  the  wings  of  birds  are  used  less, 
the  feet  more  than  in  nature.  This  is  why  the  feet 
of  cage  birds  are  liable  to  ailments.  If  they  are 
warty  and  seem  to  be  sore,  bathe  them  by  holding 
in  luke-warm  water  for  three  or  four  minutes,  and 
then  grease  them  with  vaseline  or  with  sweet  cream. 
Sometimes  dirt  accumulates  on  the  feet  or  legs,  to 
get  rid  of  which,  unmerse  these  members  in  luke- 
warm water  for  five  minutes  daily,  until  the  dirt 
loosens  and  parts  from  the  feet. 

An  Oversight.  "  Wiien  I  bought  this  parrot  you 
told  me  that  he  would  repeatevery  word  he  heard," 
said  a  bird  dealer's  customer  indignantly.  "  Well, 
I  say  so  yet.  He  will  repeat  every  word  he  hears," 
replied  the  dealer  calmly,  "  But  he  does  not  repeiit 
a  single  word,"  returned  the  customer.  "That's 
because  he  can't  hear  a  single  word.  He  is  as  deaf 
as  a  post.  You  forgot  to  ask  if  he  could  hear,  and 
I  forgot  to  mention  it.  My  motto  is  '  Honesty  is 
the  best  policy. '  Morn  ing,  ma'am. "—  Te.ras  Ni/tinys. 
A  Simple  Aquarium.  Speaking  on  this  subject 
the  Xeir  York  Triliune  says  that  anybody  can  have 
one.  A  two-quart  glass  jar  will  answer  for  a  begin- 
ning. Go  to  the  nearest  pond  that  has  fish  in  it, 
and  with  a  .scoop-net  get  fishes,  newts  and  insects. 
Also  get  some  aquatic  plant.  Put  into  the  gla.ss  jar 
a  small  plant,  two  or  three  small  fishes  and  half  a 
dozen  insects.  Fill  with  rain-water.  Put  the  rest 
into  some  larger  reservoir.  Should  there  be  too 
much  animal  life  in  your  jar  enough  of  it  will  die 
to  make  the  balance  of  vegetable  and  animal  life 
even.  .Set  the  jar  in  the  light,  but  not  in  the  hot 
sun.  You  will  see  bubbles  of  oxygen  all  over  the 
plant,  cau.sed  by  the  action  of  the  sunlight  on  it. 
This  the  fishes  breathe.  Their  e.\-cretious  feed  the 
plant.  With  this  little  aquarium  you  can  make  a 
beginning  and  learn  to  manage  a  larger  one.  Every 
day  feed  the  fishes  with  fresh  meat.  Take  a  tiny 
bit  of  the  tenderest  part  of  the  meat  for  breakfast 
and  cut  it  into  the  finest  of  fine  bits  with  small  scis- 
sors, and  give  it  an  atom  at  a  time  to  the  fish.  They 
will  soon  come  and  eat  it  from  your  finger.  Or 
hang  a  bit  of  meat  tightly  tied  to  a  stick  in  the  jar 
and  they  will  bite  little  pieces  from  it. 


128 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


August, 


Cat-tails. 

Clear,  dark  and  cool  a  shallow  pool 

Lies  underneath  the  summer  sky. 
Low  rippling  in  the  sedgy  grass 

As  wayward  winds  go  tripping  by. 
While  liladed  Flags  bend  low  to  greet 

The  blue-veined  Lilies  resting  there. 
And  high  above  their  drooping  heads 

The  Cat-tails  drink  the  summer  air. 
Across  the  pool,  with  filmy  wings. 

The  "  devil's  darning  needles  "  fly  ; 
And  deep  among  the  shady  Flags 

The  croaking  frogs  securely  lie; 
A  red-winged  black-bird's  li(iuid  notes 

Soimd  clear  and  sweet,  "co-cheel  co-cheel' 
And  in  the  breezes  cradling  arms 

The  Cat-tails  rock  in  airy  glee. 

—  Hostoil  Cultivator. 


How  the  First  Pansy  was  Made. 

An  angel's  thought  flew  down  to  earth. 

Borne  on  a  golden  beam  of  light ; 
And  pausing  rested  in  the  heart 

Of  a  sweet,  blue-eyed  Violet  liright. 
And  finding  there  a  flower-sonl 

Free  from  all  taint  of  earthly  pride. 
The  angel's  thought  would  fain  remain. 

And  in  the  Pansy  still  doth  hide. 
And  so  these  gold  and  purple  flowers. 

The  soft-eyed  Pansies  which  we  love, 
Sprang  from  the  Violet  which  received 

An  angel's  thought  from  Heaven  above. 
— Lydia  Hni/t  Fanner. 


Kepair  thp  glass  houses. 

The  Tiger  Lily  is  Chinese. 

Keep  the  (Jlailiohis  tied  up. 

Seedling  Verlieiias  are  the  sweetest. 

Ladyslippers  ."ire  too  fragile  for  wear. 

Swan-river  Daisies  resemlile  Cinerarias. 

The  hride'a  favorite  flower— Marrygold. 

This  is  the  time  to  divide  and  reset  Daisies. 

Date  the  packets  into  which  the  seeds  are  put. 

Cutting  the  flowers  as  they  mature  strength- 
ens the  jilant. 

Thunbergias  bloom  in  the  oiien  air  the  year 
round  in  Florida. 

There  is  a  knack  in  using  garden  tools  skill- 
fully.    Get  the  knack. 

What  can  be  finer  than  an  arbor  consisting 
of  a  Weepins  Ash  or  Elm. 

August  planting  of  evergreens  is  recom- 
mended by  Josiah  Hoopes. 

The  man  who  sells  "  blue  "  Roses  at  ■?:>  a  root 
is  now  taking  his  vacation. 

The  Mistletoe  is  patterned  aft<'r  by  enough 
people— it  lives  upon  others. 

■We  have  a  few  special  words,  "  To  you, 
Reader,"  a  little  further  on.     Do  not  skip  them. 

Pillows  made  from  the  branches  of  Fir  are 
lieing  offered  in  Michigan  for  their  curative 
proiierties. 

Gardening  is  the  purest  of  human  plea.sures 
and  the  gi-eatest  refreshment  to  the  spirit  of 
man.  —  Haron. 

An  Oleander  with  a  trunk  is  inches  in  cir- 
cumference is  reported  by  one  of  our  Southern 
correspondents. 

A  Monstrous  Cactus  over  twelve  feet  high 
and  a  foot  and  a  half  through  is  being  exhibited 
in  the  leading  towns. 

For  a  magnificent  display  of  bloom  over  a 
long  time  those  Clematises,  of  which  Jackmani 
is  the  type,  are  really  wonderful. 

Ten-week  Stocks  ai-e  among  the  flowers  that 
succeed  well  in  the  window.  For  bloom  during 
the  winter  the  seed  should  now  be  sown. 


Starting  Tuberose  bulbs  as  late  as  August  is 
sometimes  done  for  raising  winter  flowers,  but 
at  best  such  late  management  is  up-hill  work. 
"  Give  me  a  Garden  "  is  the  universal  aspira- 
tion of  the  English  people.  The  same  desire, 
it  is  a  pleasure  to  record,  is  a  rapidly  growing 
one  throughout  America. 

A  young  tree  set  out  on  the  site  of  an  old 
one  that  has  died  seldom  thrives.  Soil  exhaus- 
tion as  to  tree  food  is  the  cause.  A  remedy :  re- 
place the  old  soil  with  new. 

Extend  the  Example.  Boston  gives  an  object 
lesson  in  tree  knowledge  to  inquiring  minds,  by 
affixing  to  every  tree  in  the  public  parks  its 
name  on  a  label  in  plain  letters. 

Rotation  of  crops  is  as  essential  in  gardening 
as  on  the  farm.  In  resetting  hai'dy  or  any 
other  kinils  of  plants  always  move  them  to  a 
new  stand,  even  if  it  be  but  a  few  feet  away. 

It  is  a  fact  not  to  be  denied  that  many  persons 
of  both  sexes  find  the  greatest  pleasures  of 
their  lives  coming  from  the  raising  of  flowers 
and  other  gai'dening.  Let  an  occupation  like 
this  be  widely  advanced. 

"One  single  item  of  W  lines  in  the  March 
numlier,"  writes  W.  A.  T.  Stratton,  concerning 
Popular  Gardeninu,  "aroused  a  train  of 
thought  that  promises  hundreds  of  dollars  in 
value  to  me  in  a  short  time." 

The  quantity  of  small  fruits  taken  from  the 
country  to  the  cities  a.s  everybody  knows  is  im- 
mense. The  quantity  each  season  bought  in 
the  cities  and  carried  to  the  country  for  con- 
sumption is  larger  than  might  be  supposed. 

Seeding  versus  Sodding.  We  can  point  to  a 
score  of  lawns  that  were  started  by  sowing  the 
seed  during  the  past  spring  that  are  now  com- 
plete and  more  promising  than  the  average 
of  sodded  lawns  of  the  same  age  that  we  recall. 
Great  Brains.  A  Chicago  editor  is  struggling 
with  the  question;  "What  ai'e  insects  made 
for?"  They  are  made  for  insects,  to  be  sure. 
Does  the  man  think  nature  may  possibly  have 
intended  them  for  hirAa'.— Hi lujhaintnn  Rcpub- 
licrtn. 

A  Year's  subscription  to  Popular  Garden- 
ing makes  the  nicest  kind  of  a  present  to  a 
friend,  coming  as  it  does  by  monthly  visits.  If 
you  choose  to  try  this  matter  we  will  be  glad 
to  notify  the  recipient  as  to  who  is  the  sender, 
should  you  so  desire. 

Large  Latanias  or  Fan  Palms.  Speaking  of 
these,  Mr.  Daviil  Scott,  of  this  city,  informs  us 
by  a  note,  that  some  in  the  Kew  Gardens,  Lon- 
don, are  considerably  more  than  12  feet  high, 
but  adds  that  they  are  not  handsome  specimens, 
for,  like  many  other  Palms,  extra  size  detracts 
from  rather  than  adds  to  their  beauty. 

A  subscriber  gained  for  Popular  G  ardening 
in  hot  weather  is  just  as  much  appreciated  at 
this  office  as  one  secured  at  any  other  time. 
We  received  a  good  many  during  the  last 
month.  W^e  wish  our  friends  would  help  us  to 
many  more  during  August.  Keep  the  ball 
rolling  the  year  round.  Subscriptions  may 
begin  with  any  mouth. 

Goats  and  Gardens.  So  destructive  have 
goats  become  to  the  gardens  in  some  parts  of 
Europe,  by  browsing  shrubs  and  trees,  that  the 
authorities  are  takmg  steps  to  reduce  their 
numliers.  We  can  easily  imagine  that  a  super- 
fluity of  goats  would  be  vastly  more  intolerable 
to  a  community  than  even  the  pestiferous 
European  sparrows,  bad  as  they  are. 

A  Queer  Freak  of  nature  is  reported  by  one 
of  our  .<ubscril)ers,  "  Evangeline."  of  Harrison 
Co.,  Texas.  Two  lai-ge  trees,  White  Oaks,  the 
correspondent  thinks  they  are,  and  standing 
about  twenty-five  feet  ajiart,  approach  and 
overlap  each  other  some  distance  up.  At  this 
point  they  have  united  and  with  all  the  parts 
healed  over  so  thoroughly  that  no  scar  is  visible. 
The  trembling  of  the  loaves  of  the  Aspen  is 
thus  referred  to  in  a  welcome  little  note  to 
Popular  Gardening  from  Mrs.  H.  E.  Briggs 
of  Clark  Co.,  Washington  Territory;  "Those 
who  admire  the  Trembling  Aspen  will  be  inter- 


ested in  examining  the  leaves  for  the  cause  of 
their  tremulous  motion.  Close  to  the  leaf  the 
stem  is  flattened  to  be  no  thicker  than  the  leaf 
itself,  and  responds  to  the  lightest  zephyr." 

On  a  street  which  the  writer  passes  along 
often,  there  is  one  flower-gi-ower  who  has  more 
than  ordinai-y  success  with  bedding  plants.  In 
passing  his  grounds  at  planting  time  we  saw 
he  was  laying  rich  old  manure  two  inches  deep 
over  the  entire  surface  before  digging.  He  in- 
formed us  that  this  was  his  practice  every  year. 
It  is  a  chief  secret  of  his  success.  To  which 
we  add  that  now  is  a  good  time  to  start  a  ma- 
nure heap  for  next  year's  use. 

Mulch  for  Roses.  I  find  in  this  country  where 
droughts  are  common  a  mulch  is  very  helpful. 
I  use  for  this,  scrapings  from  the  cow-yard, 
mulching  the  bed  thoroughly  and  afterwards 
watering  frequently.  The  ground  should  be 
in  such  order  from  culture  that  it  will  readily 
absorb  water.  After  the  first  blooming  I  cut 
back  my  Roses  well,  using  the  scissors,  and  new 
growth  soon  starts,  bearing  a  multitude  of  blos- 
soms later.  Don't  neglect  the  mulching. — M.  R. 
AV.,  Scott  Co.,  loini. 

Good  Books.  A  library  of  standard  woi'ks  on 
gardening  should  be  owned  by  every  gardener. 
From  it  he  will  glean  an  amount  of  pleasure  in 
the  nature  of  extended  information  only  sec- 
ond to  that  found  in  the  garden  itself.  It  will 
introiluce  the  owner  to  new  plants  and  new 
methods,  as  well  as  to  a  better  acquaintance 
with  older  desirable  ones.  On  another  page 
we  present  a  select  list  of  such  books,  which  at 
the  prices  quoted,  will  be  furnished  to  our 
readers,  post-paid,  from  this  office. 

All  lovers  of  good  gardening  must  be  glad  to 
see  that  the  old  practice  of  laying  out  numerous 
gravel  or  other  walks  through  private  grounds 
is  being  discontinued  largely.  A  most  sensible 
innovation.  No  walk  can  be  more  comfortable 
to  the  feet  when  one  is  taking  in  the  delights 
of  a  garden  than  a  smooth  well-trimmed  lawn. 
No  garden  scene  but  it  is  more  chai-ming  by 
having  the  most  extended  stretehes  of  grass 
attainalile  in  the  space,  than  if  it  be  frittered 
up  with  a  lot  of  really  needless  paths. 

Mr.  A.  Blanc,  the  Cactus  specialist  of  Phila- 
delphia, has  sent  us  an  engraving  of  the  remark- 
ably   attractive   Cactus  printed  hei-ewith  and 


THE  SPIN-WHEEL  CACTUS.— Echinucactus 
furbinifonni.'i. 
called  Echinocactiis  turbinifurmis,  together 
with  this  note  concerning  it;  "  A'c/ii'iiococdis 
turliinifuriiiis  is  a  queer  little  flat  plant,  sel- 
dom growing  larger  thau  four  inches  across 
and  one  inch  high,  with  flesh  colored  flowers. 
It  looks  exactlj'  like  a  spin-wheel  set  in  motion. 
The  cut  is  a  faithful  representation."  This 
Cactus  should  be  known  as  the  Spin-wheel  Cac- 
tus, so  far  as  a  common  name  is  concerned. 

What  are  the  Circumstances  1  Popular 
Gardening  maintains  that  White  Clover 
should  not  be  mixed  with  lawn  grasses  where 
summer  watering  is  practised.  Here  it  soon 
crowds  out  the  delicate  grasses  and  gives  a 
weedy  look  to  the  lawn.  But  where  watering 
the  lawn  freely  is  not  practical  there  one  may 
always  use,  at  the  rate  of  five  pounds  of  seed  to 
the  acre.      In  such  places  the  growth   is  less 


1 886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


129 


rank  and  of  a  good  color  in  dry  times.  To 
garden  well  one  must  discriminate  in  tliese 
little  matters. 

Transplant  the  White  Lilies  Now.  We  refer 
here  to  the  common  Madonna  Lil.v,  L.  nindi- 
('»«!,  which  is  seen  in  so  many  gardens.  This 
species  is  peculiar,  in  the  res])ect  that  it  is  at 
rest  during  this  montli,  calling  to  be  handled 
now  if  at  all.  We  may  as  well  add  that  it  is 
one  of  the  kinds  that  dislikes  being  often  med- 
dled with ;  it  thrives  best  when  left  undisturbed 
for  years.  It  is  so  fair  a  flower  when  once  es- 
tablished in  good  soil  that  there  is  scarcely  a 
place  which  a  well  grown  group  would  not 
adorn.  Placed  in  bold  masses  and  then  left  to 
take  care  of  itself,  and  few  plants  can  compare 
with  this  one  when  in  bloom.    See  engi-aving. 

Street  trees  often  receive  shocking  injury 
from  horses  tied  to  them  by  a  set  of  vandals. 
The  law  in  such  ca-ses  is  practically  of  little 
help,  for  once  let  a  good  sized  tree  be  dam- 
aged and  no  law  or  money  can  restore  it.  At 
any  rate,  no  better  thing  can  be  done  than  to 
assist  the  tree  as  early  as  possiVile  to  recover 
itself.  A  good  coat  of  paint  applied  to  the 
wound  will  keep  the  wood  from  decaying  until 
the  new  wcjod  and  bark  at  the  sides  grow  over 
the  place.  Sometimes  a  plaster  of  earth  and 
cow  dung  is  applied  to  such  wounds.  This 
would  be  well  enough  wei'e  it  not  that  the 
rains  and  wind  are  apt  to  wear  it  out  before  the 
spot  can  get  along  without  a  cover-. 

To  you,  Reader  !  We  are  trying  very  hard  to 
give  our  readers  an  excellent  paper,  and  letters 
received  every  day  at  this  office  go  to  show  that 
in  a  measure,  at  least,  we  arc  succeeding.  Now, 
admitting  that  our  laboi-s  tell  for  the  gofxl  of 
the  paper,  may  we  uot  suggest  to  you,  reader, 
how  you  can  in  these  fair  summer  days  help 
push  oiu-  paper  on  to  the  circulation  it  nee<ls 
to  make  it  a  complete  success?  This  may  be 
done  by  working  to  extend  our  circulation 
among  3'our  friends  near  and  far  away.  ShouM 
each  one  of  our  present  subscribers  send  in,  on 
an  average,  but  one  subscription  within  the 
next  two  weeks  it  would  be  a  great  encourage- 
ment to  us  in  our  work.  We  ai'e  not  sure  but 
it  would  help  us  to  make  even  a  much  better 
paper  yet.  At  any  rate,  why  not  try  this,  and 
with  the  determination  to  succeed?  Let  us  all 
work  together  for  making  this  the  greatest 
paper  of  its  kind  a  going.     Work  will  do  it. 

California  Fruits.  Are  not  California  fruits 
much  inferior  in  flavor  to  Eastern  fruits?  asks 
an  Ohio  friend,  (lenerally,  yes.  But  that  is 
not  a  univ^ersal  rule.  AVe  have  occasionally 
seen  and  tasted  California  fniits  which  were 
simply  ])erfection.  But  usually  the  fruits  of 
the  Pacific  Coast  are  insipid  ami  comparatively 
tasteless.  What  they  lack  in  flavor,  however, 
they  make  up  in  a]>pearance,  ancl  in  sujiplying 
the  market  we  should  never  forget  that  the  eye 
as  well  as  the  palate  nmst  lie  pleased.  Now 
California  fruitsells  well  because  it  is  beautiful.  | 
Against  our  better  judgment  weourselves  pur- 
chased a  liasket  of  California  peaches  la.st  fall 
foi'  seventy-flve  cents  when  we  could  have  got 
a  bi'tt«'r  peach,  but  one  that  did  not  look  as 
well,  for  less  than  half  the  money.  Our  eye 
was  captured  by  the  beautiful  apjjeai'ance.  But 
Oh!  what  a  jwach  we  got.  It  had  no  more  of  a 
peach  taste  than  a  walnut  and  was  as  tough  as 
a  piece  of  shoe  leather.  —  M'rsft'rn  Jiitirtf. 

The  Birds  have  Friends.  We  have  received 
at  this  offii'e  "Bulletin  No.  I  of  the  Committee 
on  Protection  of  Birds,"  issued  by  the  Ameri- 
can I  irnithologists'  Union  of  New  Y(jrk  City. 
It  is  a  pamphlet  of  1(1  pages  filled  with  most 
valuable  articles  bearing  on  the  subject  of  bii'd 
preservation.  Indeed  it  has  never  before  been 
our  pleasure  to  meet  with  such  an  array  of 
stated  facts  and  figiu'es  issued  in  the  interests 
of  our  feathered  friends.  Here  are  the  sub- 
jects of  the  papers  given:  "The  Present 
Wholesale  Destruction  of  Bird  Life  in  the 
United  States,"  "Destruction  of  Birds  for 
Millinery  Purposes,"  "  Destruction  of  Bird 
Life  About  New  York,"  "  Destruction  of  the 
Eggs  of  Birds  for  Food,"     "The  Relation  of 


Birds  to  Agriculture,"  "Bird-laws,"  "An 
Appeal  to  Women"  and  "  Birds  and  Bonnets." 
The  entire  report  formeiiy  appeared  as  a  sup- 
plement to  Scioici:  AVe  find  no  printed  price 
given  for  the  pamphlet,  but  should  think  that 
a   remittance   of   10  cents  to  the  above  Union 

would  secure 
a  copy.  Who- 
ever orders  it 
will  find  some 
very  interest- 
ing rea<l  i  ng 
on  an  imjxir- 
tant  subject, 
enough  to  last 
(<<!■  one  day 
at  least. 

Flower  Mis- 
si  ons.  The 
goocl  work 
done  by  these 
Missions  in 
most  of  our 
towns  in  send- 
i  n  g  fresh 
flowers  to  the 
sick  in  hospitals  and 
elsew'here  is  most  com- 
mendable a  n  d  should 
be  widely  adopted.  The 
\ew  York  Triliiini'  in 
speaking  of  this  work  in 
New  York  says:  So 
m  a  n  3'  sad  hearts  are 
cheered,  so  many  i>oor 
and  sick  are  made  glad 
b}'  it.  The  offerings  are 
carried  by  the  expi'ess 
companies  free  of 
charge.  If  it  is  desired 
that  the  package  be  re- 
turned paint  the  name 
and  address  of  sender  on 
the  side  of  the  basket, 
with  the  words  "Return 
to."  In  sending  flowers 
it  is  best  to  pack  them 
ina  [jasteboard  box.  Put 
a  layer  of  moist  paper  in 
the  bottom,  then  a  laj-er 
of  green  leaves,  then  a 
layer  of  flowers;  lay  over  these  a  thin  jjaper 
and  put  on  more  flowers  and  so  on  till  the  box 
is  full.  Sprinkle  the  top  layer,  cover  tightly. 
Thus  put  up  flowers  will  keep  twelve  hours 
<iuite  fresh.  Clover  Blossoms,  Daisies,  Wild 
Flowers,  Roses — all  are  welcomed  by  the  pale 
faces  that  are  shut  within  narrow  city  walls. 
Fruits  and  jellies  may  be  sent  and  they  also 
will  be  distributed  by  this  beneficent  "mission" 
to  the  needy. 

"What  Chrysanthemums  like  and  what  they 
dislike  under  cultivation  is  jiointedly  set  forth 
as  follows  by  Mr.  John  Thorpe,  a  man  who 
knows  all  about  the  matter: 

THEV  LIKE 

To  be  planted  firmly,  in  rich  soil; 
Plenty  to  eat  and  plenty  to  drink ; 
To  have  fovir  or  five  hours'  of  sunshine  a  day; 
A  maniu-e  or  grass  mulch  after  July  1st ; 
To  be  well  soaked  with  water  or  weak  ma- 
nure water  often  from  August  to  October ; 
To  be  divided  every  year; 
To  be  tied  up  so  as  not  to  be  hurt  by  wind; 
To  be  protected  from  freezing  when  in  flower. 

THEY  don't  I.IKE 

To  be  planted  loo.sely,  in  poor  soil; 

To  be  planted  beneath  the  shatle  of  trees, 
where  there  is  no  nourishment; 

To  be  starved ; 

To  be  dry; 

To  be  smothered  all  summer  by  vines,  etc. ; 

To  be  left  for  years  without  dividing; 

To  be  placed  where  the  sun  never  shines; 

To  be  severely  frozen  when  coming  in  flower; 

To  be  in  hot,  (by  and  gasy  rooms. 

Now  let  it  be  carried  out.  The  last  Legisla- 
luie  of  New  Yoi-k  passed  a  very  important 
amendment  to  the  Highway    Act,      The   law 


r/i. 


M'hitr  Of  Madonna 
Lilij. 


now  requires  the  overseer  of  every  road  district 
and  of  every  sti'eet  commissioner  of  every  city 
or  village  to  give  written  notice  to  any  occu- 
pant of  premises  to  cut  all  wee<ls,  briars  and 
brush  growing  within  the  bounds  of  the  high- 
way. If  they  shall  ni'glect  so  to  do,  and  if, 
after  receiving  su<-h  notice,  the  occupant  of  the 
premises  shall  fail  to  do  so  within  ten  days,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  overseer  or  street  com- 
missioner to  em])lo}'  some  one  to  do  so,  and 
when  he  returns  his  warrant  he  shall  make 
return,  under  oath,  of  the  amount  so  expended 
by  him  and  the  ownershi])  oroccupancy  of  the 
several  [larccls  of  land  against  which  such  labor 
was  performed.  The  commissioner  orcommis- 
sionei-s  of  highways  shall  certify  these  state- 
ments to  the  supervisor  of  the  town,  and  the 
supervisor  shall  lay  the  same  before  the  Ixjard 
at  their  next  meeting,  and  they  shall  include 
the  amounts  in  the  taxes  a.sses.sed  upon  the 
lands  where  the  lalior  was  performed,  the  same 
to  be  collected  and  paid  over,  upon  the  order 
of  the  supervisor,  to  the  parties  entitled  thereto. 

Those  Agents.  Last  season  neighbor  A  and 
neighbor  B  both  concluded  to  plant  some  of 
the  new  Japanese  Creeper,  .1  iiijirlojiais  I  'eitch  ii. 
Neighbor  A  gave  her  order  to  a  traveling  agent, 
paying  .?1  each  for  the  plants,  and  at  that  they 
were  of  feeble  character.  Neighbor  B,  who 
left  off  dealing  with  strange  agents  years  ago, 
ordered  her  jilants  from  a  florist  near  her  home. 
The  cost  in  this  case  was  at  the  rate  of  four 
fine  plants  for  -^l.  In  one  shape  or  another 
such  incidents,  with  just  such  contrasts,  are 
repeated  ten  thousand  times  over,  perhaps,  in 
our  land  every  yeai-.  It  leads  us  to  say  em- 
phaticallj',  no  matter  how  far  you  may  be  from 
good  nurseries  or  seedsmen,  buy  nothing  from 
unknown  agents,  neither  put  your  trust  in  the 
seeds  of  the  commission  boxes  left  at  corner 
grocery  stores.  Responsible  dealers  by  the 
hundred  issue  catalogues  expressly  to  aid  those 
who  may  be  distant  from  them  in  buying. 
Many  of  these  have  lately  advertised  in  our 
columns.  Dealing  with  such  parties  you  will 
not  only  save  money,  but  you  may  have  the 
satisfaction  of  knowing  that  the  seller  will 
treat  jou  in  a  manner  to  secure  yoiu-  con- 
tinued good  will.  Trust  not  the  smooth- 
tongued agents  who  are  strangers  to  you. 

What  One  Girl  Did.  Mrs.  Ella  flrant  Camp- 
bell, of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  a  subscriber  to  Popu- 
lar OakdeniiNo,  has  shown  what  a  capable, 
energetic  young  woman  can  accomplish  in 
building  up  a  thriving  business  from  a  small 
beginning.  More  than  a  dozen  yeare  ago  she 
was  a  quiet  young  giil  with  a  busj-  brain,  re- 
volving in  her  mind  the  problem  of  self-sup- 
port. She  loved  flowers,  ami  like  all  flower 
lovers  was  easily  successful  in  raising  them. 
So  she  turned  t«  these  sweet  little  frienils  and 
said,  "Come  help  me."  They  resjjondeil,  and 
although  her  first  serious  efforts  at  selling 
flowers  lead  through  the  humble  jiat  h  of  offering 
some  pretty  bouquets  in  a  pul)lic  pUuv  she  at 
once  found  customers,  and  from  this  stiirt  soon 
realized  quite  a  substantial  patrimage.  Her 
best  stroke  of  eut<?rprise  in  her  early  experi- 
ence was  the  .securing  of  the  award  from  the 
city  of  Cleveland  for  the  floi'al  decorations 
used  at  the  burial  of  President  (iarfield.  Her 
artistic  productions  on  that  occasion  were 
brought  into  national  prominence.  To-tlay  she 
is  well  up  among  the  successful  florists  of  the 
country,  being  the  proprietorof  the  Jennings- 
avenue  Greenhouses  at  t'leveland.  Her  busi- 
ness cai-eer,  cngagcil  in  undei-  many  disadvan- 
tages, isaliving  sermon  tootheryoung  women. 

Annual  Flowers  are  not  appreciated  as  they 
deserve  by  the  great  ma.ss  of  flower  lovers. 
There  are  scores  of  In-autiful  and  easily  grown 
things  in  thischuss  In'sides  the  Asteis,  Balsams, 
Candytuft,  Marigolds  and  others  that  are  much 
grown.  From  our  window  we  can  see  a  patch 
of  the  richly  colored  blue  Eutoca  that  has  been 
full  of  beauty  for  a  month  jiast  and  shows  no 
signs  of  falling  ort'  in  the  flowers  as  yet.  Near 
by  stands  a  clump  of  the  bell-shaped  Whitlavia 
crowded  with  spikes  of  deep  violet  flowers  that 


1  w 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


August, 


are  fine  enough  to  work  handsomely  into  any 
bouquet.  Tlie  scarlet  large-flowered  Flax  is  just 
coming  in  flower  from  seeds  sown  the  middle 
of  May,  but  there  will  be  no  absence  of  the 
richly  colored  flowers  for  a  long  time  yet  to 
come.  The  yellow  Bartonia  has  long  been  in 
flower  from  seeds  sown  two  months  ago,  and  a 
biishy  dum])  of  the  plants  attracts  many  eyes 
by  its  large,  bright-yellow  single  flowers.  The 
mellow  yellow  and  white  Escholtzia,  or  Califor- 
nian  Poppy,  is  now  gay  with  bloom,  aft'ording 
a  most  delightful  bit  of  coloring  in  our  medley 
of  flowers.  In  the  same  garden  may  be  found 
flowers  of  the  Mallows,  which  many  look  upon 
as  being  more  attractive  than  their  near  rela- 
tives, the  Hollyhocks,  of  Calliopsis,  Calendulas, 
Lupines,  CoUinsias,  Crodetias,  Centaureas,  Cre- 
pis,  and  other  annuals,  all  of  which  have  sprung 
from  seed  sown  since  May  1st.  Every  one  of 
these  is  attractive  here  and  would  prove  to  be 
so  in  any  garden.  One  peculiarity  of  the  class 
is  their  cheapness  ;  two  or  three  dollars'  worth 
would  stock  a  large  garden. 


The  American  Seed  Trade   Associa- 
tion's Convention. 

The  Fourth  Annual  Convention  of  this  Asso- 
ciation will  be  held  at  Niagara  Falls,  N.  Y., 
beginning  with  Tuesday,  August  3,  at  1(1  A.M. 
and  continuing  for  three  das's.  The  place  of 
meeting  will  be  at  the  Cataract  House.  It  is 
to  be  hoped  that  every  member  of  the  Associa- 
tion realizes  the  importance  of  being  present  at 
this  convention ;  indeed,  it  should  be  considered 
the  duty  of  every  seedsman  to  be  there.  Aside 
from  business  consiilerations,  all  members 
should  feel  an  interest  in  visiting  and  enjoying 
the  scenery  of  the  Falls  vicinty,  now  that  it 
has  so  largely  passed  under  Stat«  control  and  is 
already  showing  many  marked  improvements. 
James  Y.  Murklaud,  54  and  .5(i  Dey  street.  New 
York,  is  the  present  Secretary  and  Treasurer 
of  the  Association. 


The   Florists'   Coming;   Meeting  at 
Philadelphia. 

The  progranmie  and  prospectus  of  this  meet^ 
ing,  which  is  to  occur  at  Philadelphia  on  the 
isth,  I'.ith  and  30th  of  the  present  month, 
has  l^een  oiit  now  for  some  weeks.  A  copy 
should  at  once  be  called  for  by  every  florist  in 
the  United  States  and  Canada.  Address  Secre- 
tary E,  G.  Hill,  Richmond,  Indiana. 

In  this  progrannne  will  be  found  not  only  a 
schedule  of  the  numerous  valuable  essays  by 
competent  men,  to  be  read  and  discussed  at  the 
meeting,  but  it  also  sets  forth  about  all  the  in- 
formation any  one  might  wish  for,  concerning 
how  to  get  to  Philadelphia,  where  to  stop  while 
there,  and  so  on.  For  instance,  the  names  of 
fifty  railroads  are  given  that  will  carrj'  for  one 
fare  and  one-third  the  round  trip  all  persons 
attending  who  have  properly  signed  certificates 
of  attendance.  These  are  procurable  from  the 
Secretary  free  of  charge.  A  list  of  hotels  that 
offer  to  accommodate  the  florists  in  attendance 
at  reduced  rates  is  also  given. 

It  is  especially  desirable  that  the  attendance 
at  this  the  second  meeting  of  the  Society  be 
a  very  large  one.  The  management  hope  to 
see  there  a  good  attendance  of  the  women,  who 
now  are  so  generally  engaged  in  the  trade.  All 
such  will  be  very  welcome.  The  wives  and 
sisters  of  members  ai"e  also  cordially  invited  to 
be  present  at  this  meeting. 

So  excellent  are  all  the  arrangements  of  the 
1S8B  meeting  that  whoever  will  miss  the  good 
things  it  will  have  in  store  can  have  only 
themselves  to  blame.  One  thing  is  certain  and 
that  is  that  the  large  brotherhood  of  Philadel- 
phia florists  will  extend  an  open  and  most 
hearty  welcome  to  all  who  may  come.  Be 
prompt  in  addressing  Secretary  Hill  at  Rich- 
mond, Ind. ,  for  full  particulars,  including  the 
certificate  of  attendance,  which  must  be  signed 
by  the  ticket  agent  at  the  office  where  the  ticket 
is  bought.     AU  aboard  for  Philadelphia ! 


THE    HOUSE    PLANTS. 

Ageratums  should  be  held  in  cheek  as  to  flower- 
inj;:  if  desired  for  winter  blooming. 

Antbericum.  The  variegated  one  is  an  excellent 
house  plant.  It  requires  a  good  deal  of  root  room, 
but  in  potting  or  stiifting  it  may  have  the  soil  all 
washed  from  the  roots  and,  using  some  fresh  soil, 
be  replaced  in  smaller  sized  pots  tfian  without  this. 

Aspidistras,  the  beauty  of  which  is  in  the  leaves, 
are  benefited  by  applications  of  a  liquid  or  other 
fertilizer  whUe  their  leaves  are  in  their  best  growth. 

Balsams  lift  easily  from  the  beds  now  to  set  into 
large  pots  for  adorning  the  window  after  frosts. 

Begonias  of  winter  blooming  varieties  showing 
buds  on  leading  branches  should  be  well  pinched 
back,  to  induce  stockiness  and  more  bloom  later. 

Browallias  give  fair  satisfaction  as  pot  plants. 
The  seed  should  be  sown  now  if  not  yet  in. 

Callas.  For  early  flowers  start  into  free  growth 
by  giving  rich  soil  and  plenty  of  water  at  this  time. 

Chrysanthemums.  See  what  Mr.  Thorpe  says 
about  these  elsewhere.  If  the  black  aphis  or  thrip 
appear  sprinkle  the  affected  parts  with  tobacco 
dust  when  the  plants  are  wet. 

Coleus  cuttings  for  winter  plants  may  be  struck. 

Eche  verias  when  grown  in  pots  should  be  watered 
moderately  and  have  soil  not  rich  but  sandy. 

Evergreen  plants  and  shrubs.  like  Daphne,  Olea 
fragrans,  etc.,  if  they  need  shifting  at  all  before 
winter  should  receive  it  before  this  month  is  out. 

Freesias.  These  deUghtful  new  bulbs  it  planted 
a  dozen  or  more  in  a  large  pot  or  box  make  choice 
ornaments  for  the  window  garden,  and  the  fragrance 
is  delightfiU.  They  may  be  started  earlier  than  the 
mixed  collection  of  winter  flowering  bulbs. 

Fuchsias.  Old  plants  of  winter  blooming  sorts, 
now  at  rest,  may  he  taken  from  the  pots,  cut  back 
within  three  or  four  inches  of  the  roots,  and  if 
troubled  with  red  spider  remove  every  leaf  as  well ; 
wash  off  the  soil  and  repot  in  fresh,  rich  loam,  using 
water  sparingly  till  new  growth  is  well  started. 

Petunias.  To  cut  in  the  straggling  branches  that 
come  from  rapid  growth  now  will  lead  to  nice 
plants  for  the  window  garden  by  October. 

Propagation  of  such  tropical  plants  as  Cleroden- 
drou.  Ficus.  Cissus,  Rex  Begonias,  etc.,  can  be  done 
by  the  amateur  without  the  aid  of  a  propagating 
house,  more  successfully  now  than  at  any  other 
time.  Place  the  green  cuttings  in  sand  and  cover 
with  any  glass  vessel,  watering  lightly  as  needed. 

Roses  suitably  prepared  for  winter  blooming  are 
at  the  present  anxious  to  grow  and  show  their  early 
bloom.  They  must  not  be  over-potted,  a  great  faidt 
with  amateurs.  Angle  worms  often  trouble;  de- 
stroy by  watering  with  lime  water. 

Tuberose  bulbs  showing  buds  at  the  end  of  the 
month  may  be  Utted  carefully  and  made  to  flower 
in  the  house  later  on. 

Veronica.  As  this  plant's  blooming  season  is 
near,  encourage  the  setting  flower  spikes  with  weak 
applications  of  liquid  manure. 

Vinca.  Divide  the  roots  of  this  vine,  potting 
what  is  needed  for  the  house.  Doing  this  thus  early 
the  part  remaining  in  the  ground  has  time  to  recover 
and  become  established  for  the  winter. 


LAWN   AND   FLOWER   GARDEN. 

Borers  are  liable  to  appear  in  .\cacias.  Mountain 
Ash  and  the  ornamental  flowering  fruit  trees. 
They  make  their  attacks  in  the  trunk  near  the 
ground  chiefly;  if  the  presence  of  their  borings  is 
met  dig  them  out  with  a  knife  or  stiff  pointed  wire. 

Cyclamens  in  beds  should  now  be  lifted. 

Edges  next  to  flower  beds  and  walks  should  be 
neatly  trimmed,  once  a  month  at  least,  by  cutting 
with  a  sharp  spade  or  better  still  an  edging  iron 

Gladiolus.  If  the  spikes  from  strong  bulbs  are 
cut  early  (they  will  flower  completely  out  if  set  in 
water)  it  usually  follows  that  some  new  spikes 
will  later  come  out. 

Hollyhocks  and  similar  taU  plants  should  be  kept 
tied  to  stakes  to  prevent  the  risk  of  their  being 
snapped  off  by  violent  siunmer  gales. 


Layering  of  Roses,  shrubs,  etc.,  may  still  go  on. 

Lifting.  As  stated  last  month  we  favor  the  early 
lifting  of  most  plants  that  are  wanted  for  faU  deco- 
ration. Aim  to  secure  all  the  roots  possible,  pot 
firmly,  shade  closely  for  a  week  and  sprinkle  the 
tops  several  times  daily  for  a  spell. 

Plants  in  tubs  or  pots  set  on  the  lawn,  as  well  as 
those  in  vases,  need  to  be  watered  often  and  thor- 
oughly. Do  not  imagine  because  the  top  of  the 
soil  of  these  may  be  wet  that  aU  is  soaked  through. 

Boots  absorb  moisture  only  when  it  is  in  the  form 
of  vapor,  hence  the  importance  to  roots,  of  a  well 
drained  soil  penetrable  by  the  air. 

Bock  gardens  often  suffer  in  summer  from 
drougth,  and  this  should  be  prevented.  Remove  the 
tops  of  plants  that  have  passed  into  a  ripened  state. 

Seed  sowing  of  Perennials  and  Biennials  is 
timely  now.  .See  longer  articles  on  pages  182 and  12:3. 

Transplanting  of  White  and  the  few  other  LUies 
that  are  now  at  rest  should  be  done  at  this  time. 

Hardy  bulbs  may  be  moved,  but  next  month  will 
answer  quite  as  well  for  this. 

Such  a  high  authority  as  Josiah  Hoopes  strongly 
advocates  August  over  spring  planting  of  Ever- 
greens. Done  at  this  season  and  new  roots  soon 
form,  to  the  advantage  of  the  wintering.  The  only 
drawback  now  is  a  high  temperature,  tending  to 
free  evaporation,  to  overcome  which  transplant  on 
a  damp,  cloudy  day,  and  afterward  the  trees  should 
be  sprinkled  over  their  tops  every  evening  (or  sev- 
eral weeks. 

Trimming  up  the  flower  beds  at  this  season  by 
chpping  the  plants  of  formal  beds,  removmg  faded 
flowers,  and  stalks  of  border  perennials,  and  throw- 
ing out  early  annuals  that  are  past,  will  all  help 
much  for  the  good  appearance  of  the  garden. 

Verbenas  usually  show  exhaustion  now.  Cut 
back  the  extremities,  giving  repeated  doses  of  liquid 
manure,  or  else  strew  some  f  ertUizer  over  the  plants, 
and  they  will  come  around  with  a  fine  crop  of  bloom, 
and  of  cuttings  for  propagation  later  on. 

Watering  lawns  is  much  practised  wherever 
there  are  good  systems  of  water  works.  In  most 
cases  far  more  water  is  applied  than  is  necessary, 
causing  a  soaked  and  unhealthy  condition  of  soU. 
Mounds   and  slopes  require  some  extra  attention. 

To  water  trees  in  lawns  freely,  is  one  great  secret 
of  having  them  make  a  rapid  growth.  Here  there 
is  little  danger  of  watering  too  much.  Water  thor- 
oughly while  at  it,  making  apertures  with  the 
spading  fork  over  the  area  of  the  roots,  to  readily 
take  in  the  water. 

Why  should  people  of  inteUigence  in  other  mat- 
ters be  so  generally  ignorant  of  the  names  of  trees, 
shrubs  and  plants,  wild  and  cultivated,  in  their  vi- 
cinity? It  would  be  a  good  thing  to  improve  in  such 
respects;  the  field  for  improvement  is  ample. 


PLANT  CULTURE   UNDER  GLASS. 

Bedding  Plants  of  such  kinds  as  are  scarce,  or 
that  it  may  he  desirable  to  get  up  a  large  stock  of  for 
next  year,  may  have  the  first  cuttings  for  fall  prop- 
agation put  in  during  this  month. 

Camellias  will  continue  to  need  looking  after 
against  dryness  at  the  root.  When  a  plant  is  found 
badly  wanting  water,  plunge  the  pot  in  a  tub  for  half 
an  hour.  While  we  urge  full  necessary  watering,  still 
the    mistake  of   over-watering  must  be  prevented. 

Carnations  to  begin  bloom  about  the  holidays 
should  be  cut  back  for  last  time. 

Chrysanthemums  in  pots  now  need  some  special 
attention.  Pompones  to  be  stopped  for  the  last 
time ;  large  flowering  kinds  not  to  be  stopped  again. 
Stake  and  tie  as  needed.  Plants  intended  for  show 
should  have  some  of  the  surface  soil  removed,  to 
be  replaced  by  some  rich  half -rotten  dung. 

Geraniums  for  winter  bloom  should  be  stopped 
all  over  now.  Propagation  may  be  begun  for  plants 
with  which  to  decorate  the  house  early  next  spring. 

Greenhouses  will  never  be  nearer  empty  than 
now.  So  now  let  them  be  put  into  thorough 
shape  for  re-stocking  with  plants  later.  Clear  out, 
cleanse,  repair,  paint  and  fix  up  generally.  AU 
wood  and  brick  work  should  be  cleanly  scrubbed. 

Hard-wooded  plants,  such  as  Aucuba.  Laures- 
tinus.  Laurels,  ^Vrbor-vittes,  etc..  that  have  made 
their  growth  for  the  season  in  the  ground  can  be 
lifted  now  to  better  advantage  than  later. 

Orchids  now  require  to  be  gone  over  with  a  view  to 
separating  plants  that  are  going  to  rest  from  those 
that  are  still  activel.v  growing.  As  the  growth  of 
any  Orchid  appeai-s  to  be  completed  graduaUy 
withold  water  and  remove  to  a  cooler  part.  Young 
plants  lately  potted  to  have  their  growth  encoiu-aged 


i886. 


POPUL'AR    GARDENING. 


Ti' 


Some  Handy  Fruit  Pickers. 


Pelargoniums  should  be  cut  back  at  once  if  not 
yet  iliinf ,  using  the  ends  of  slioots  for  propagation. 

Pots.  New  ones  needed,  to  be  buuglit  before  the 
season  of  lifting  and  propagating,  now  near,  opens; 
all  old  ones  to  be  soaked  and  waslied  veiy  elean. 

Roses  for  winter  Howers  to  be  stringed  daily, 
closing  the  house  after  the  last  syringing.  If  bedded 
give  the  border  a  liberal  manure  mulch  now.  Do 
not  eiit  back  the  old  wood  of  Tea  Roses,  for  it  will 
not  break  strong  below  the  cut.  A  better  way  to 
get  rid  of  old  canes  is  to  curve  them  to  the  ground 
pegging  them  down,  when  new  and  strong  shoots 
will  break  from  near  the  base  of  the  old  canes. 

Smilax  seed  should  be  sown  for  next  year's  plants 
and  old  roots  that  liave  been  at  rest  be  started  up. 

Stocks  of  the  Ten-week  and  Intermediate  tribes 
fur  winter  bloom  may  now  be  sown.  Of  tlie  former 
the  Wall  tlower-Ieaved  ones,  are  favorites  with  us 
for  this  purpose.  To  provide  a  succession  they 
should  be  sown  at  intervals  of  six  weeks. 

FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Blackberries.  Nip  the  new  canes  at  four  feet 
high  Cut  out  all  unnecessary  shoots,  that  the 
strength  may  go  to  the  main  plant.  Keep  the  ground 
well  cultivated  and  hoed  for  best  results. 

Budding  of  most  kinds  of  fruit  trees  may  go  on. 
Cherry,  Pear  and  Plum  should  be  about  done  with; 
Apple  to  come  after  these,  and  Peaches  and  Quinces 
to  follow  about  the  end  of  the  month  The  ties 
to  be  watched,cutting  them  before  they  cut  the  bark. 

Currants.  After  the  leaves  have  dropped  trim 
the  plants,  thinning  fidly  half  of  the  new  growth 
If  one  cares  to  propagate,  cuttings  can  be  made  of 
these  trimmings.  Cut  to  about  6  inches  long,  bed 
them  firmly  in  good  mellow  soil  to  within  one  eye 
of  the  top  and  in 
an  upright  posi- 
tion. 

Early  fruit 
should  be  used 
promptly  when 
ripe:  kept  be- 
yond a  fair  eat- 
in  g  state  and 
the  quality  very 
soon  fails. 

Enemies.  Plant  Lice  are  bad  this  year.  Destroy 
by  dipping  the  affected  parts  (usually  the  ends) into 
a  bucket  of  strong  tobacco  water  prepared  from 
cigar-makers"  waste,  or  else  syringe  with  this. 

Cut  out  Black-knot  from  Plums  and  Fire-blight 
from  Peai's  as  soon  as  they  are  seen. 

Large  and  voracious  Green  Worm^  often  trouble 
Grape-vines  at  this  season,  and  should  be  destroyed. 

Borers  deposit  their  eggs  in  the  lower  part  of  the 
trunks  of  Apples,  Peaches,  etc.,  during  summer. 
A  band  of  tan-ed  paper  around  the  tree  at  the  base, 
the  lower  edge  covered  with  soil,  will  prevent  much 
mischief.  Probe  for  old-timers.  The  nests  of  late 
UVt  Worms,  should  be  destroyed  promptly. 

Gathering  Fruit.  We  show  engravings  of  sev- 
eral effective  and  not  costly  fruit  gatherers  that 
would  prove  a  great  convenience  on  any  place  where 
fruit  is  grown.  The  one  to  the  right  might  be  home- 
made. By  the  help  of  such  early  maturing,  or  any 
specimen,  can  easily  be  brought  to  the  gi-ound.  See 
article  on  ripening  Pears  elsewhere. 

Gooseberries.  See  for  Currants.  They  can  be 
easily  propagated  by  "stooling."  that  is,  banking  the 
earth  around  them  and  into  the  plants 

Grapes  iu  strong  growth  may  have  a  fourth  or  a 
third  of  the  leaves  nipped  out,  with  gains  to  the  fruit 
and  less  damage  of  mildew.  Layer  as  shown  on 
page  118  of  the  issue  for  July. 

Marketing.  Sort  carefully,  pack  with  pains- 
taking, and  in  general  strive  to  have  a  good  reputa- 
tion as  a  grower,  with  buyers.  Then  you  can  sell 
in  seasons  of  great  plenty  when  others  can  not. 

Hulch  any  trees  that  may  be  suffering  from 
drouth 

Raspberries.  Clear  out  the  old  canes  after  fruit- 
ing and  treat  each  plant  to  a  shovel  fidl  of  rich 
compost.  When  the  tips  of  the  Black»cap  class  take 
on  a  purplish-white  color  propagate?,  if  this  is  de- 
sirable, by  bending  these  to  the  earth  and  covering 
each  tip  lightly;  a  stone  may  keep  it  in  place.  It 
will  soon  root.  Observe  directions  for  Blackberries. 
Strawberry  beds  that  have  fruited  should  now 
be  kept  well  tilled  A  stimulant  should  also  be  ap- 
plied to  the  plants:  nothing  is  better  than  hen  ma- 
nure and  ashes  niLxed  with  wood's  earth.  Some  of 
the  same  spaded  into  the  soil  will  prove  a  treat. 

Watering  fruit  trees  in  dry  seasons  is  of  much 
help  to  the  crop.  This  done  after  the  development 
is  so  far  along  that  seeds  and  stones  begin  to  harden 
is  especially  useful.    To  water  ti*ees  draw  enough 


soil  from  the  stt-ni  to  form  a  saucer-like  edge;  into 
this  depression  place  a  mulch  over  which  tn  run 
the  wat+'r.  The  nndcb  will  extend  the  benefits  a  long 
time.    Some  liquid  manure  is  also  a  great  help. 

VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Asparagus  beds  kept  cleau  of  weeds  and  grass 
always  prove  much  more  proiluctive  for  this. 

Celery.  Set  out  the  late  crop.  The  successive 
plantings  are  to  be  earthed  up  gradually,  as  sutti- 
cient  growth  of  stem  to  handle  appears.  This  is 
best  done  after  a  heavy  rain  or  watering.  Take 
care  that  no  soil  finds  its  way  into  the  hearts 

Cleanliness  ai)out  the  premises  is  always  of  mo- 
ment, but  ditubly  so  in  hot  weather,  for  then  im- 
purities in  the  air  arising  from  filth  and  decaying 
matter  readily  become  poison. 

Cucumbers.  Gather  daily  for  pickles.  By  tiiking 
them  at  two  inches  long  (the  favorite  size)  the  total 
number  produced  will  be  nmch  increased. 

Egg  Plants  to  be  encouraged  with  liquid  manure; 
mulch  to  keep  the  fruit  clear  from  the  ground. 

Liquid  Manure  applied  once  or  twice  a  week 
now  to  growing  crops  of  Lettuce,  Cabbage,  Cauli- 
flower, etc.,  will  help  them  much. 

Onions.  Gather  when  most  of  the  tops  have 
fallen.  Pull  and  drj-  for  several  days  before  storing. 
Seed  may  be  sown  for  early  Spring  pulling.  .Just 
before  winter  cover  the  seedlings  ligbflj". 

Potatoes  will  be  dug  from  day  to  day:  those  for 
seed  to  be  left  until  the  tops  are  well  ripened.  If 
there  be  any  rot,  burn  the  tops  instead  of  leaving 
them  on  the  ground  or  coUe-^cing  for  the  manure 
pile,  thus  preventing  the  spread  of  the  genns. 

Seed  saving  is  one  of  the  important  garden  jobs. 
Only  the  best,  and  as  a  i-ule  the  earlist  stocks,  should 
be  used  for  seed.  In  gathering  seeds  let  them  be 
well  dried  and  put  up  carefully,  marking  the  pack- 
ages with  name  and  date. 

Sow  early  Turnips,  Lettuce,  Endive,  Spinach, 
early  and  winter  Radishes  and  Cucmnbers  and  hush 
Beans  for  pickling  These  may  occupy  the  space 
where  early  crops  were  taken  off. 

Spinach-  Kound-seeded  sown  at  once  will  yield  a 
supply  to  varj'  the  produce  of  the  season  later. 

Squasbes.  Keep  the  cultivator  going  until  the 
tops  prevent.    The  same  advice  applies  to  Melons. 

Sweet  Potatoes  should  now  be  growing  rapidly, 
the  branches  to  be  rai.sed  occasionally  to  prevent 
their  rooting.    Keep  perfectly  clean  of  weeds. 

Tillage,  A  lively  hoe  is  a  good  substitute  for 
rain  in  supplying  moisture  to  growing  crops.  Con- 
tinue to  work  between  the  rows  of  all  growing  crops 
until  the  tops  interfere. 

Tomatoes.  If  any  fruits  are  shaded  by  an  exces- 
sive growth  of  leaves,  as  a  result  of  the  wet  weather 
in  some  places,  remove  enough  leaves  to  admit  the 
sun  to  them.  Gather  and  destroy  the  large  Green 
Worms  If  you  do  not  trellise  your  plants  then 
mulch,  to  keep  the  fruit  from  the  ground. 


FRUIT    AND    VEGETABLES    UNDER 
GLASS. 

Grapery.  Fruit  in  a  ripening  state  should  have  a 
free  supplj-  of  air.  but  chilly  winds,  if  thei*e  be 
such,  should  be  guarded  against.  Free  ventilation 
will  help  both  the  flavor  and  the  color  of  the  fruit. 
If  the  shoots  are  crowded  remove  a  portion  of  them 
with  a  view  to  securing  a  perfect  ripening  of  the 
wood  for  next  year.  In  cold-houses  the  forming 
bunches  should  be  thinned  of  all  defective  berries. 

Mushrooms  can  easily  be  raised  by  anyone,  in  old 
frames,  under  greenhouse  stages  or  even  in  a  cellar 
or  shed.  Collect  a  good  heap  of  hoi-se  manure ,- 
shaking  out  the  straw.  Spread  it  out  as  it  accunui- 
lates,  to  prevent  heating,  and  turn  at  intervals  of  a 
week  for  several  weeks.  Then  add  loam— if  it  be 
turfy  all  the  better— in  the  proportion  of  one-third 
or  one-fourth  of  the  whole,  and  make  up  a  bed  18 
inches  deep,  beating  it  down  well  as  the  work  pro- 
ceeds. Let  it  remain  until  a  brisk  heat  arises,  when 
spawn  (to  l>e  had  at  the  seed  stores j  should  be  in- 
serted in  pieces  the  size  of  an  egg  about  four  inches 
apart.  Cover  the  bed  with  two  inches  of  flne  loam 
and  then  wait  for  residts 

Pine  Apples  swelling  their  fruit  to  have  frequent 
supplies  of  li(|uitl  mamire  and  an  abvuidance  of  at- 
mttspheric  moisture.  Young  plants  to  stand  the 
winter  for  fniiting  early  next  year,  had  best  l»e 
moved  from  those  that  ai*e  swelling  fruits,  so  as 
to  keep  them  <lrj'er  and  more  freely  ventilated. 

Strawberries.  See  under  this  head  last  month. 
It  may  be  added  that  the  compost  useii  for  pot 
plants  ought  to  be  sti-ong  loam  and  rotted  manure, 
and  the  plants  be  potted  quite  firndy. 


w 


nQuin 


This  being  the  PeapWB  Paper  a  ia  opi'ii  tu  all  tfu-ir  In- 
quires, hearing  on  Gardening. 

On  the  otht-r  hand,  anamerK  to  published  inquirea  are 
fiirnestly  requested  from  readers. 

The  editors  and  sppcinl  rtnitributors  are  ready  to  do  a 
Inrge  share  nf  the  nnsu'erin{/,  hut  the  exfu'riemv  it/  many 
being  mure  valuable  than  ••/  thr  f'le,  hninnr  varied  that  is, 
andconditiuns  anil  local  i  ties  bem^j  su  different,  they  pre/ei 
to  receive  answers,  even  neveral  of  them  to  the  same  ques 
(('on,  from  reatlers  everywhere.  Don^t  hesitate  to  write 
because  yon  may  feel  yon  are  no  fine  tpriter:  gii-e  facts  and 
ideas  and  the  editors  will  see  that  they  aitpear  in  credi- 
table shape. 

In  writing,  give  the  number  of  the  question  yon  are  an- 
silvering:  your  locality  ami  name,  thf  latter  not  for  publica- 
tion unless  youdesire.     Write  only  on  one  sidi'  of  the  paper 

Floivers  will  be  gladly  named  provided  fir>it,  that  nomore 
than  three  be  sent  at  one  time.  Second,  that  (A«?8e  be  fully 
prepaid.  Third,  that  several  specimens  of  each  reach  us  in 
good  shape.  We  cannot  undertake  to  Jiame  JUjrists'  iitri'e. 
<tea. 

9'^.  Cut  Worms.  I  would  be  very  grateful  for  a 
remedy  for  cut  worms.  They  commence  their 
work  about  last  of  April,  and  feed  on  our  plants 
until  I  have  almost  lost  courage  in  attempting  to 
cultivate  flowers,  strawberries  or  vegetables.  Would 
"Hammond's  Slug  Shot"  do  any  good?  Mrs.  W. 
R.  Cole. 

{ri  Tulip  Seed'  When  should  it  be  sown?  F. 
O.  H 

04.  Hydrangea  Hortensis.  How  shall  I  treat  a 
plant  of  this  kintl  wliicli  dropped  its  leaves  after 
being  planted  in  a  Ipox  s  by  lii  inches  and  (>  inches 
deep,  set  in  w<50{rs  eartli  mixed  with  sand  y  The 
stem  is  green  except  the  tip.  which  has  turned  dark. 
After  planting  I  kept  in  liouse  in  the  shade  a  few 
days,  then  let  it  have  the  morning  sun.  Would  it 
be  best  to  reset  it  in  (i  in.  pot  *r 

9.">.  Wax  Plant  Jline  seems  almost  to  stand 
still.  Is  this  to  be  taken  as  a  bad  sign  or  should  it 
not  grow  fast  y    Miss  Carrie  Lyle. 

9*>-  Ivy  Geraniums.  Will  you  please  tell  me  the 
best  treatment  for  this  plant.      Miss  E    A.  Porter. 

97.  Nigbt-blooming  Cereus.  I  have  had  a  plant 
nearly  H  years  tliat  has  never  blossomed  It  has 
had  several  buds  of  late,  but  they  remain  about  the 
same  size  for  8  or  4  weeks,  then  blast.  Can  you  tell 
the  cause  or  how  it  should  be  treated  :-  It  stands  in 
a  south  window  and  has  a  strong  hot  sun  upon  it. 
Should  it  be  placed  upon  the  piazza  or  out  of  doore, 
where  it  will  have  night  dew  /    E.  B.  Kinney. 

98.  Palms  for  House.  I  am  desirous  of  trying 
these  plants,  of  which  I  have  heard  so  nmch,  pro- 
vided 3"ou  will  name  some  of  the  best  ones  for  the 
purpose.     Mn.s.  L,  W.  Granton 

99.  Tiles  for  Celery.  Some  persons  have  strongly 
advocated  the  use  of  tiles  for  blanching  Celery. 
We  have  never  tried  them  and  desire  to  know  your 
opinion  as  to  their  value.     Two  Sibscribers. 

100.  Tea  Leaves  in  the  Soil.  A  friend  says  she 
has  heard  that  to  mix  tea  leaves  with  the  soil  is  a 
great  help  to  plants  Is  anything  known  on  this 
subject  by  large  plant  growere'.' 

101.  Mossy  Lawns.  My  lawn  is  mossy  and  seems 
to  grow  worse     How  must  I  treat  it?  Mrs.  G.  R.  G. 


REPLIES  TO  INQUIRIES. 

91.  Daffodils.  All  the  Daffodils  will  do.  except 
.Tuucifolius  and  Bulbocodium.  Plan!  them  care- 
fully: do  not  merely  dibble  them  in,  but  prepare  the 


place  for  them  by  tm-ning  over  the  sod  and  break- 
ing up  the  soil      The}' will  t   ' 
afterwards.     Eos.  P.  G. 


1  take  care  of  themselves 


98.  Palms  for  House.  The  best  and  prettiest 
Palms  for  indoor  or  window  decoration  are  Latania 
l)orbonica,  Seaforthia  elegans,  Phienix  reclinata, 
Arecas  and  Kentias  They  require  to  be  kei>t  in  as 
regular  a  heat  as  possible  during  the  winter  months, 
and  to  be  syringed  freciuently  during  the  summer. 
Soil  :  Peat  or  leaf  mouKi,  loam  and  silver  sand — 
most  part  loam.     W.  Martin. 

99.  Tiles  for  Celery-  We  have  found  that  there 
is  not  enough  gained  in  using  tiles  for  blanching 
Celery  to  warrant  any  investment  in  them  wlialever. 
Unless  they  hapi»en"to  be  just  the  right  length  and 
tit  the  lilanching  will  not  prove  satisfactory.  We 
prefer  the  go<'d  Vtld  way     Ens.  P  G. 

89.  Lemon  from  Seed.  I  have  uever  seen  a 
Ijenion  plant  bowi-vei'  lai'ge  from  seed  bear  fruit  in 
cullivatiou.     It  sliould  lie  budded.     A.  H   E, 

97.    Night-blooming  Cereus.    We  incline  to  the 

opuiion  that  your  plant  has  defective  ^Irainage,  pos- 
sflily  a  water-logged  soil  If  so  it  should  be  shifted 
into  a  pot  having  ample  drainage,  say  several  in<'hes 
of  broken  pots  in  the  bottom,  and  this  covered  with 
moss  to  i)reven(  the  soil  fi-om  clogging  up  the  crocks 
below.  Let  the  soil  used  be  light  and  oi)en  and  Imt 
moderately  rich      Eds.  P.  G. 

^^-  Hyacinths  never  bloom  a  secoml  linn-  in  the 
same  year.     Wm  .  Ri^ke. 

'J2.  Cut  Worms.  One  of  the  latest  methods 
rcconied  fi>r  killing  them  is  to  make  holes  with  a 
sharp  smoothly  wliitlled  stick  si.\  or  eight  inches 
deep  near  the  plants.  The  worms  will  fall  into 
these  holes  and  cannot  but  get  out,  die.     Ens.  P.  G. 


'3: 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


August, 


^e  Household 

Living  to  get  the  Most  Good. 

No  one  can  enjoy  a  happy,  cheerful  life  who 
habitually  overworks;  sooner  or  later  such  a 
course  must  lead  to  a  broken-ilown  conrtition 
and  to  distress.  And  yet  we  believe  that  as  a 
rule  Amei'ican  women  in  moderate  eirium- 
stances  try  to  do  too  much.  The  worst  feature 
of  the  case  is  that  much  of  overwork  comes 
from  a  disregard  of  good  judgment  in  laying 
out  and  performing  the  work  of  housekeeping. 

If  to  live  well  signifies  neither  luxuriant  nor 
expensive  living,  in  what  then  lies  the  secret, 
and  how  may  it  be  taken  advantage  of  ?  We 
believe  the  answer  to  this  question  may  in  good 
part  be  put  in  the  shape  of  a  few  short  rules:— 

1.  Buy  with  judgment,  selei-ting  those 
things  which  will  be  available  for  use  with  the 
least  work,  other  things  being  about  equal. 

2.  Use  common  sense.  If  you  do  your  own 
work  do  not  think  there  must  be  as  many 
rutttes  and  pleats  in  your  chlldrens'  or  your 
own  clothing  as  there  are  in  those  of  your 
wealthy  nei:ihbor  who  puts  out  her  sewing. 
Flain  ckjfhes  lead  to  even  a  greater  saving  of 
work  in  the  washing  and  ironing  than  in  the 
making. 

3.  Ask  yourself  often,  "  Will  it  pay  to  do 
it; "  In  making  fancy  work  aim  rather  to  the 
adorning  of  the  useful  than  to  the  making  of 
the  useless.  We  have  been  in  houses  where 
the  rooms  were  filled  with  many  strange  speci- 
mens of  fancy  work  that  were  without  real 
utility  or  beauty,  while  they  caused  much  labor 
to  keep  them  clean  of  du.st  and  otherwise. 

t.  In  the  cooking  department  buy  the  best, 
for  the  best  is  always  the  cheapest.  Let  your 
economy  regulate  the  quantity  not  the  quality. 

5.  Study  simplicity  in  the  number  of  the 
dishes  served  at  each  meal  and  then  variety  in 
character  of  the  meals.  Even  when  visitors 
are  present  avoid  a  nudtitude  of  dishes.  Save 
u.s,  too,  from  the  woman  who  puts  labor  on  mak- 
ing a  dozen  pies  once  and  sometimes  twice  a 
week  for  a  moderate  sized  family. 

li.  Let  the  woman  of  the  house  he  indeed 
the  head  of  her  own  household  and  of  her 
kitchen.  Let  her  by  teaching  and  practice  see 
that  no  waste  be  allowed  in  any  department  of 
the  housekeeping. 

Uy  observing  these  and  other  rules  and  follow- 
ing them  out  to  their  details  there  may  be  such 
a  saving  of  time  and  strength  as  should  yield  to 
tho.se  who  otherwise  are  unduly  busy  and  over- 
worked more  leisure  for  the  good  things  of 
recreation,  health  or  social  life. 


Brieflets. 

Essence  of  Quassia  will  drive  awa.v  Hies. 

Cucumber  peel  is  iletested  by  cockroaches. 

In  cleaning  brass  use  some  vinegar  anil  salt. 

Close  stove  cracks  with  a  cement  of  wood  ashes 
ami  salt. 

Exposure  to  the  sun,  it  is  saiil,  will  remove  light 
scurcli  marks. 

A  bit  of  charcoal  in  the  vegetalile  kettle  will  di- 
minish the  odor. 

Fruit  or  rust  stains  yield  quickly  to  a  weak  soln- 
tltin  ot  oxalic  acid. 

In  boiling  eggs  the  larger  ones  should  go  in 
first  and  come  out  last. 

For  burns  no  remedy  is  more  potent  or  easily 
aiiphcd  than  tlour  wet  with  cold  water. 

Better  save  your  hands  from  odor  when  peel- 
ing onions  Uy  liolding  the  latter  with  a  fork. 

There  is  no  use  l>eing  tronbled  with  i"eil  ants  in  a 
closet  or  drawer  when  a  little  bag  of  snlphnr  kept 
in  it  will  disperse  them. 

A  grease  spot  on  wall-paper  looks  very  had;  it 
Tnaj  lie  absorlied  by  a  hot  iron  with  several  thick- 
nesses of  hint  ting  paper  between  paper  and  iron. 

The  person  who  cannot  afford  to  cross  the  ocean 
thissuinmer  can  always  get  up  a  kind  of  sea-sick 
feeling  b^^■  having  the  painters  in  his  house.  — -l/oni- 
ing  Journal. 


Soft-boiled  Eggs.  "I  place  them  in  boiling 
water,  enough  in  cpiantity  to  amply  cover,  standing 
the  vessel  on  the  liack  of  the  stove  for  five  minutes 
or  a  trifle  more,  and  the  eggs  turn  out  in  a  well-done 
jelly-like  consistency."— Sue. 

Potato  balls  made  from  remnants  as  follows  are 
relished  at  onr  table:  Chop  some  cold  meat,  pota- 
toes and  a  little  bread,  then  warm  and  thoroughly 
mix,  adding  an  egg  for  six  jiersous  and  seasoning; 
mould  into  balls  and  fry  lightly  in  a  warm  pan. 

Berry  Custard.  From  Harrison  Co.,  Texas,  an 
esteemed  contributor,  who  signs  herself  "Evange- 
line," sends  the  following  to  onr  columns:  To  one 
quart  of  canned  Black  or  Dewberries  add  the  well 
beaten  yolks  of  three  eggs,  three  taVilespoonfuls  of 
sugar  and  half  a  pint  of  sweet  milk.  Stir  these  in- 
gredients well  and  pour  on  pastry  the  same  as  for 
other  custard.  Put  in  a  hot  oven  until  well  set,  and 
take  the  whites  of  the  eggs,  to  which  add  three 
tablespoonfuls  of  sugar  and  heat  to  a  stiff  froth, 
which  spread  on  top  of  the  custard  and  bake  until 
brown.  Or,  if  preferable,  put  the  whites  and  sugar 
in  the  custard. 

Care  of  the  Teeth.  Brush  twice  a  day.  The 
proper  time  is  on  rising  in  the  morning  and  on  re- 
tiring at  night.  In  the  morning  a  wash  may  be 
used.  Brush  gently  over  the  crowns  of  the  teeth. 
This  removes  any  mucus  that  has  collected  during 
the  night,  and  leaves  the  mouth  in  a  refreshed  con- 
dition. Just  before  retiring  a  tooth  powder  should 
be  employed,  and  particles  of  food  that  have  lodged 
between  the  teeth  removed,  which,  when  left  for 
several  hours,  result  in  the  fermentation  of  an  acid, 
which  causes  softening  of  the  tooth-structure,  and 
thus  promotes  decay.  After  eating  a  quill  tooth- 
pick and  rtoss-silk  should  be  used  for  removing  the 
debris.— /*r.  GiUiert. 

Boys  Doing  Housework.  A  writer  in  the  Fann 
foil/ WoiHc  has  well  said  that  there  is  nothing  de- 
grading for  a  man  or  boy  to  don  a  big  apron  and 
assist  the  tired  wife  or  mother  in  the  heavier  work 
of  the  household.  "My  mother's  girls  'were  all 
Ijoys,'  and  I,  the  youngest,  was  often  called  to  help 
her  with  the  housework.  I  have  lived  to  bless  her 
for  the  instruction  she  gave  me  in  tli.at  line,  and  I 
know  my  wife  is  of  the  same  mind.  I  remember 
one  day  when  I  was  helping  at  the  washtub  our 
pastor  called  and  took  occasion  to  ridicule  me  for 
the  work  I  was  doing.  I  was  a  boy,  but  my  estima- 
tion of  him  fell  several  degrees  at  that  time.  I 
know  a  man  who,  when  his  wife  was  sick,  and  no 
help  could  lie  had  for  love  or  money,  took  the  whole 
care  of  the  household  as  nurse,  cook,  washerwoman 
and  maid  of  all  work  for  several  weeks,  unaided, 
except  for  the  daily  visits  of  the  physician,  caring 
tor  his  wife  as  she  went  almost  to  the  gates  of  death, 
until  at  last  a  good  nurse  was  obtained  and  the  tired 
husband  was  permitted  to  rest.  So.  boys,  don't  be 
ashamed  to  help  your  mother  and  sisters  in  the 
house  if  your  help  is  needed.  The  knowledge  you 
will  get  may  serve  you  a  good  turn  some  day,  and 
you  can  feel  that  you  have  done  what  you  could  to 
lighten  the  cares  of  a  self-denying  mother. 


in  their  iuclosures  if  it  has  not  been  done. 
Fit  up  the  houses  before  the  winter  to  be  proof 
against  drafts,  wetness  and  bad  ventilation. 


Poviltr/ 


The  Chicken  'Yard  Now. 

The  spring  broods  should  be  so  far  ailvanced 
by  this  month  as  to  allow  the  good  to  be  dis- 
tinguished from  the  bad,  and  all  that  have  not 
the  appearance  of  turning  out  well  should  be 
weeded  out. 

There  is  always  danger  to  be  feared  from 
that  bane  to  successful  chicken  rearing,  over- 
crowding. By  closely  culling  out  the  inferior 
birds  the  good  effect  to  the  remaining  ones  in 
better  size  and  stamina  is  oft<"n  sofin  api)arent. 

A  connuon  error  is  the  allowing  of  too  many 
cockerels  to  remain  in  the  run.  They  are  un- 
easy tormentors,  depriving  the  promising  pul- 
lets of  their  proper  rest,  as  well  as  of  food  and 
accommodation.  Kill  or  sell  these  off  as 
quickly  as  possible.  Old  hens  also  want  look- 
ing over.  It  should  be  remembered  that  after 
two  years  of  age  they  will  not  pay  as  layers. 

Where  it  is  possible  at  this  season  to  give 
them  the  range  of  stubble  fields  do  so  by  all 
means.  By  seeing  that  fowls  have  plenty  of 
food,  green  and  other,  and  exercise,  the  molt- 
ing sea.son  may  be  shortetied,  to  their  advan- 
tage.    Make  liberal  provisions  for  a  dust-bath 


Poultry  in  Large  Flocks. 

A  correspondent  who  characterizes  the  poul- 
try department  of  Popui>ar  (tAHDENING  as 
"a  store  of  condensed  wisdom  "  wants  to  know 
whether  we  could  advise  the  keeping  of  a  flock 
of  five  hundred  or  more  fowls  on  a  six-acre  lot 
of  dry  stony  groimd  not  worth  ])lanting.  We 
find  in  a  recent  issue  of  the  I'dullri/  17/rrf  an 
article  on  this  subject  that  in  a  few  words  so 
well  covers  the  matter  that  we  iirint  it: 

A  large  number,  say  up  in  the  hundreds,  of 
domestic  fowls  in  one  flock  cannot  be  kept  to 
advantage  at  all  upon  any  one  place,  be  it  large 
or  small.     And  this  is  why  : 

It  is  unnatural  and  uncongenial  to  the  race 
thus  to  be  herded  in  hundreds.  They  poison 
each  other  by  contact;  they  will  give  you  no 
eggs;  they  are  liable  to  sickness  continually 
from  this  over-crowding. 

Five  hundi'ed  or  five  thousand  fowls  can  be 
kept  upon  one  estate  or  farm  if  it  be  large 
enough  to  accommodate  them.  But  they  must 
invariably  be  colonized  in  small  groups  of  not 
overforty  or  fifty  under  one  roof  or  in  onespot. 
Each  colony  is  then  to  be  kept  separate  from 
the  other,  to  be  teniled  and  cared  for  precisely 
as  so  many  fifties  may  be  in  .a  village  with 
different  owners  loi-atwl  in  diffei'ent  domiciles. 
Thus  one  may  succeed;  but  in  the  other  way 
only  failures  will  result,  a-s  scoies  of  liien  have 
found  to  their  loss,  and  as  other  scores  will 
doubtless  yet  learn  from  hard  experience. 

CONDENSED  POULTRY  NOTES. 

Confined  geese  do  not  jiay. 

Fowls  are  the  best  gleaners. 

Meal  should  be  mixed  dry  and  crumbly. 

Poultry  now  without  shade  cannot  do  its  best. 

Eggs,  like  meat,  from  a  grain  diet  are  better 
flavored 

Confined  fowls  can  hai'dlj"  get  along  well  during 
hot  weather,  unless  given  fresh  watei'  three  or  four 
times  daiiy. 

"  Are  your  hens  good  hens,  Mrs,  Featherly?"  in- 
quired neighbor  Fowlspnr  of  that  lady.  "  Oh 
yes,"  she  answered  with  delight,  "  Ihey  have  never 
laid  a  bad  egg  y et. " 

■When  applying  insect  powder  to  fowls  do  so 
over  a  spread  newspaper,  as  then  much  of  the 
powder  may  be  used  over  again  The  eJTect  of  the 
]>owder  will  also  be  shown  by  the  vermin  gathered. 

Sulphur  is  a  chief  constituent  of  feather-making 
food.  It  also  acts  when  taken  into  the  system, 
against  insects  on  fowls.  So  don't  hesitate  to  dust 
a  little  of  it  over  the  food  twice  a  week.  It  will  tell 
favorably  on  the  fowls  in  their  molting  season. 

Barley  is  perhaps  the  best  staple  grain  for  hens, 
especially  if  mixed  alternately  with  wheat,  buck- 
wheat or  corn.  Corn,  while  it  is  excellent  as  a 
change,  is  not  a  good  regular  diet.  Rice,  well  boiled 
and  mixed  with  barley  or  corn-meal,  will  be  useful 
as  a  change  once  in  a  while.  Brewers'  grains,  if 
fresh,  are  greatly  relished,  and  the  same  is  true  of 
malt  sprouts  or  dust,  if  there  is  a  malting  estab- 
lishment near  from  which  these  can  be  obtained. 

To  convert  your  early  pullets  into  early  layers 
feed  them  liberally  and  with  a  variety  of  nourish- 
ing feed.  Sometimes  it  is  forgotten  that  young 
growing  creatures  need  food  both  for  sustenance 
and  for  growth,  where  old  ones  need  it  mainly  for 
the  former.  To  give  old  and  young  but  an  equal 
chance  to  the  feed  is  to  do  the  pullets  an  injustice. 
They  should  have  one  good  extra  feeding  daily, 
even  if  they  have  a  fine  run  in  grain  stubble  besides. 

A  foolish  prejudice  is  what  the  Afin-Di-  tiiitl 
Fui-Ditr  calls  the  claim  that  incubator-hatched 
chicks  are  inferior  to  those  hatched  and  raised  in 
the  natural  manner,  and  that  they  are  not  suitable 
for  breeding  purposes.  Such  supposition  arises 
from  ignorance.  There  cannot  jiossibly  be  any  dif- 
ference. If  a  chick  is  hatched  it  comes  into  the 
world  fully  endowed  by  nature  to  maintain  its  exist- 
ence, no  matter  what  the  method  of  hatching  may 
Iw.  But  after  it  is  hatched  everything  depends 
upon  the  care.  VVe  have  seen  incubator  chicks 
superior  to  those  hatched  under  hens,  as  also  the 
reverse.  They  are.  when  matured,  equal  as  breed- 
ers in  every  important  respect. 


POPULAR  GARDENING 


FOR    TOWN    AND    COUNTRY. 


"ACCUSE  NOT  NATURE,  SHE  HATH  DONE  HER  PART;    DO  THOU  BUT  TniNEr—nu.ToK. 


Vol.  1. 


SIEJIPTIEnsaiBEia,    188S. 


No.  12. 


September. 

September  waves  his  GoltJen-roil 

Along  the  lanes  and  hollows. 
And  sanntel-s  round  the  sunny  fields, 

A-playing  with  the  swallows. 
The  Corn  has  listened  for  his  step; 

The  Maples  blush  to  meet  him. 
And  gay,  coquetting  Sumach  dons 

Her  velvet  cloak  to  meet  him. 
Come  to  the  hearth,  O  merry  pi-ince! 

With  (laming  knot  and  ember; 
For  all  your  tricks  of  frosty  ej'es. 

We  love  your  w,ays,  September. 

—Ellen  M.  Hutchinson. 


Making  Garden  in  the  Fall. 

It  seems  to  be  a  hard  matter  for  the  aver- 
age amateur  to  .set  himself  ahout  gartlen 
maliiug  at  any  other  time  than  in  tlie  spring. 
As  a  result  many  flowers,  antl  some  vegeta- 
l>les  and  fruits,  that  succeed  best  for  autumn 
phinting  are  either  not  raised  at  all  or  else 
it  is  done  to  poor  advantage. 

The  hardy  Dutch  bulbs.  Hyacinths, Tulips, 
etc,,  are  one  class  that  are  much  slighted  in 
this  respect.  To  us  it  is  clear  that  fine  collec- 
tions of  these  flowers  would  be  much  more 
common  could  they  be  planted  in  the  spring 
along  with  most  everything  else  instead  of 
in  the  fall.  From  September  until  cold 
weather  is  the  time  to  plant  these. 

Certiiin  kinds  of  annuals  are  better  for 
fall  than  for  spring  sowing.  In  nature  we 
ni;iy  observe  that  suiuiner  and  autumn  sow- 
ing is  the  invariable  rule;  .seeds  drop  to 
earth  as  they  ripen,  and  spring  forth  in  the 
same  fall  or  early  the  ne.xt  spring.  All 
florists,  we  believe,  now  sow  Candytuft  and 
some  other  kinds  in  the  fall  for  their  first 
crop  of  outdoor  spring  bloom  from  these. 

For  a  list  of  annuals  suitable  for  fall  .sow- 
ing we  would  name  the  following: 

Alyssum  m.aritimum,  Bartonia  aurca,  Cal- 
andrinas.  Candytufts,  Clarkias,  Collinsias, 
ErLsymum,  Forget-me-nots,  Gilias,  Godetias, 
Ncmophilas,  Saponarias,  Silenes,  Virginia 
Slocks,  Pansies  and  Sweet  Peas. 

Of  these  all  but  the  Sweet  Peas  should  be 
sown  between  the  middle  of  August  and  the 
middle  of  September.  The  Peas  ought  not 
to  go  in  before  November,  the  idea  being  to 
not  have  them  germinate  until  early  the  ne.xt 
spring.  Still  we  cannot  recommend  the  sow- 
ing of  annuals  in  every  kind  of  soil  in  the 
fall;  the  soil  for  them  must  be  light  and 
well  drained.  The  chief  advantage  of  fall 
sowing  is  that  the  plants  grow  stronger, 
root  deeper  and  flower  earlier  and  longer 
than  those  from  spring-sown  seed. 

In  the  line  of  vegetables.  Spinach  and 
Borecole  or  Kale  for  an  early  spring  crop 
are  the  better  for  being  .sown  early  in  this 
month.  To  sow  these  now  in  good  soil  is 
to  secure  fine  early  spring  greens  that  should 
prove  most  acceptable  on  any  table.  Cab- 
bage, Cauliflower  and  Lettuce  may  also  be 
sown  for  plants  to  be  kept  through  the  winter 
in  cold  frames  for  au  early  crop  next  year. 

Take  one  season  with  another  and  there 
is  no  better  time  for  starting  a  Strawlierry 


bed  than  now.  By  setting  out  good  young 
plants  this  month,  strong,  bearing  stools 
will  already  be  present  for  next  season's 
fruitage,  a  thing  impossil>le  to  be  secured  if 
the   planting  be  deferred  until  spring. 


Dr.  Nichols's  Fruit  Cellar. 

Dr.  Nichols  of  the  Jnurnul  of  ('/ii'inisfn/ 
has  been  conducting  some  careful  experi- 
ments in  preserving  fresh  fruits  over  winter 
in  cellars  of  different  construction. 
It  is  so  clear  to  anyone  that  fruit 
stored  through  the  winter,  to  come 
out  fresh  and  sound  in  the  spring, 
will  command  a  price  several  fold 
greater  than  the  ,same  would  bring 
in  the  fall  that  the  matter  becomes 
a  very  important  one  to  the  fruit 
grower.  Following  is  a  condensed 
statement  for  making  the  cellar 
which  has  given  the  doctor  the  most 
perfect  results.  An  engraving  of 
the  same  is  also  shown  It  should 
be  added  that  the  objects  had  in  view 
were  to  keep  the  fruit  dry  and  cool,  yet  free 
from  frost. 

Two  rooms,  each  large  enough  to  contain 
all  the  fruits  of  the  farm,  are  needed — an 
outer  and  an  inner.  A  cellar  should  be  dug 
in  the  south  side  of  a  hill  large  enough  for 
the  inner  room.  The  outer  room  should  be 
exposed  to  the  air  wholly  in  front,  and  on 
the  sides  far  .enough  to  accommodate  two 
windows,  as  shown  in  the  engraving. 

Build  of  brick  or  stone,  carrying  the  walls 
to  the  height  of  eight  feet.  If  stone  is  used, — 
it  may  be  rough  and  be  put  up  by  any  farmer, 
— it  must  be  pointed  with  mortar.  A  thick 
wall,  with  a  door,  should  .separate  the  two 
rooms.  In  the  en^-aving  the  walls  are 
shown  by  dotted  lines. 

The  roof  should  come  near  the  ground  in 
the  rear;  be  carefully  constructed  and  sup- 
ported by  timbers;  be  lined  with  tarred 
paper,  strongly  secured  and  painted  with  tar 
or  pitch.  There  should  be  a  ceiling — rough 
boards  will  do — and  a  space  one  and  a  half 
or  two  feet  deep  between  it  and  the  roof, 
to  be  filled  with  dry  straw,  hay  or  sawd\ist. 

The  fruit  .should  be  kept  in  the  outer  room 
until  freezing  weather,  and  then  Ik;  removed 
to  the  well  protected  inner  one.  The  barrels 
should  be  piled  up  horizontally. 

The  outer  room  should  be  ventilated 
through  its  windows;  the  inner,  by  opening 
both  doors — but  >m/i/  in  dry,  nild  muther,  as 
warm  air  introduced  would  condense  and  give 
out  moisture.  There  must  be  special  care 
about  admitting  warm  air  in  the  spring. 


The  refreshment  enjoyed  from  the  shade  of 
trees  in  summer  is  greater  than  that  from 
the  shade  of  buildings  on  this  account,  for 
in  addition  to  the  siui's  rays  being  intercepted 
there  is  also  a  modifying  of  the  heal  by  the 
exhalation  of  cool,  refreshing  moisture. 

But  such  effects  extend  nuicli  further  than 
merely  close  to  the  trees.  The  increased 
balniiness  of  the  breezes  that  pass  over  partly 
wooch'd   sections    of  country,   as  compared 


Healthfulness  of  Trees. 

Aside  from  fruitfulncss  .and  lieauty  every 
vigorous  tree  may  be  looked  upon  as  a  foun- 
tain of  health  and  comfort.  And  this  not 
in  a  fig\irative  sense  either,  for  it  is  a  fact 
that  growing  trees  act  as  pumps,  in  raising 
water  from  the  earth  and  dispensing  it  from 
the  leaves,  chiefly   in   the   form   of   vapor. 


DR.  NICHOLS'S  HILL-SIDE  FRUIT  CELLAR. 

with  the  winds  of  a  treeless  region,  are 
familiar  to  every  one.  In  cities,  too,  the 
salubrious  eff'ects  of  many  trees  in  the  streets, 
public  parks  and  on  lawns  is  now  bping 
widely  recognized. 

It  has  been  noticed  that  in  treeless  streets 
and  avenues  in  midsummer  the  temperature 
often  runs  from  110°  to  120°  Fahrenheit, 
when  \mder  the  branches  of  a  tree-shaded 
avenue  it  would  not  exceed  70°  or  80°.  It 
is  a  fact  that  there  is  less  suffering  from 
intense  heat  and  death  from  sunstroke  in 
the  tree-planted  Southern  cities  than  in  those 
of  the  North  that  are  treeless.  Dr.  Kichard 
Smith,  of  New  York,  is  of  the  opinion  th.at 
to  plant  the  verdure-bare  streets  of  the  me- 
tropolis with  trees  the  appalling  number  of 
3,000  to  ."),000  victims  to  sunstroke  annually 
would  l)e  largel}'  reduced. 

But  there  is  still  another  important  con- 
sideration in  this  matter.  All  plants,  but 
trees  more  than  the  smaller  growths,  imbibe 
from  the  air  carbonic  acid  and  other  poison- 
ous gaseous  and  volatile  products  exhaled 
by  animal  beings  or  developed  by  the  nat- 
ural phenomenon  of  decomposition.  These 
are  absorbed  by  the  leaves  and  in  their  stead 
pure  oxygen,  essential  to  the  life  of  animals, 
in  almost  equal  quantity,  is  poured  into  the 
atmosphere.  Thus  by  planting  trees,  not 
only  is  the  air  rendered  cooler  and  in  cities 
the  pavements  and  surrounding  walls  pre- 
vented from  absorbing  the  heat  of  the  sun, 
to  yield  it  up  again  at  night,  l)ut  deleterious 
gases  are  taken  up  and  this  pure  element 
restored  to  the  air  again. 

Nor  must  we  forget  the  healthful  protec- 
tion afforded  by  trees  in  the  cohler  |)ortions 
of  the  year.  Whatever  tends  to  luomole 
the  comfort  and  warmth  of  man  an<l  beast 
in  cold  and  chilly  weather,  by  reilucing  the 
sweeping  blasts  without  cutting  otT  I  he  sup- 
ply of  pure  air,  has  a  most  salutary  effect  on 
health.  Trees — and  especiallj'  Evergreens 
— better  than  anything  else  effect  such  ends. 


'34 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


September, 


The  Christmas  Rose  or  Hellebore. 

To  rely  on  the  common  names  of  plants 
exclusive  of  the  botanical  ones  is  to  invite 
confused  ideas  of  kinds,  as  is  often  seen. 
Take  the  interesting,  if  in  America  not  well 
known,  old  winter  blooming  plant  named  at 
the  head  of  the  present  article  as  an  illustra- 
tion. The  common  name  would  place  the 
plant  among  the  Roses,  when  in  fact  it  is 
not  even  a  near  relative,  but  belongs  with 
the  distant  Crowfoots,  and  tirst  cousin  to  the 
Clematis,  Pteony  and  Larkspur.  Pleasant 
as  is  the  term  Christmas  Rose,  it  leads  to  a 
wrong  idea  as  to  identity. 

But  if  burdened  by  a  misleading  common 
name, our  fine  genus 
suffers  vastly  more 
from  the  common- 
name  business  in  ^~ 
another  direction. 
We  refer  to  its 
strictly  correct 
name,  Hellebore, 
being  dragged 
down,  as  it  were,  by 
ill-application  as  the 
common  n  a  m  e  o  f 
a  well  known 
vegetable  poison 
that  has  to  do  with 
killing  plant  lice 
and  caterpillars,  and 
as  a  specific  for  un- 
pleasant human  ail- 
ments  like  itch, 
ringworm,  etc. 
This  is  the  White 
Hellebore, which,  as 
to  the  plant  yielding 
it,  is 'as  far  from  the 
true  Hellebores  as 
the  Christmas  Rose 
is  from  the  true 
Roses.  The  acrid 
and  virulent  poison 
referred  to  is  a  Ver- 
atrum  ( Veratrum 
album);  much  better  would  it  be  for  the 
ornamental  Hellebores  had  the  latter  name 
prevailed  as  the  common  one  of  this  poison. 

The  unfortunate  name  feature  aside,  and 
the  Hellebores  are  in  their  finer  varieties  a 
really  valuable  class  of  hardy  perennials. 
They  are  literally  winter  bloomers,  flowering 
in  their  different  varieties  from  November 
until  April.  The  fact  of  their  coming  at  such 
a  lime  gives  them  special  worth. 

But  the  question  will  arise,  can  any  plant 
bloom  out-of-doors  at  this  inclement  time  of 
the  year?  True  enough,  the  weather  is  then 
often  unfavorable  to  the  perfection  of  bloom. 
But  so  far  north  as  Buffalo  these  plants 
bloom  out-of-doors  in  the  shelter  of  build- 
ings or  fences  year  after  year  in  the  milder 
weather  of  November  and  December,  and 
again  in  early  spring,  in  a  manner  quite 
satisfactory.  Let  us  add,  however,  that  it  is 
better  to  protect  them  from  rain,  snow  and 
wind  by  the  simple  cover  of  a  sash. 

The  culture  is  simple — a  light  soil  well 
drained  and  a  place  shaded*  from  the  sun 
most  of  the  day,  and  sheltered  from  winds, 
suit  them  well.  In  the  flowering  season  a 
mulch  over  the  roots  should  be  jn-ovided. 

As  to  varieties  of  the  Christmas  Rose,  the 
one  sold  in  the  hardy  plant  nurseries  as 
Hdlehunis  niyer,  with  white  or  rosy-blush 
flowers,  would  be  one  of  the  best  for  the 
amateur  to  begin  with.  There  are  other 
good  ones, with  red  and  purplish  (lowers.    A 


great  advance  has  recently  been  made  in 
Europe  in  the  raising  of  fine  hybrids.  The 
beautiful  one  herewith  illustrated  is  of  these, 
it  being  a  perfectly  white  variety,  spotted 
with  purple.  It  is  known  as  a  Spotted 
Christmas  Rose,  Helkborus  Covniierzienrath, 
and  has  not  yet  been  offered  in  this  country. 
Our  engraving  gives  a  fair  idea  of  the  form 
and  size  of  the  flowers  throughout  this  in- 
teresting class  of  ornamental  garden  plants. 

Garden  Notes  from  Lyndale. 

BY  A.  H.  E. 

In  a  visit  to  town  I  noticed  many  shade  and 
fruit  trees  with  ugly-looking  bands  of  cotton 


A   SPOTTED   CHRISTMAS    ROSE   OR    HELLEBORE.— (Pure  white,  with  purjlle  spots.) 


aiound  the  trunk  .5  to  6  feet  up,  put  there 
for  keeping  off  the  Caterpillers.  I  question 
the  wisdom  of  such  a  couise.  Admitting  that 
some  Caterpillers  are  turned  back  (all  certainly 
are  not),  it  does  not  kiTl  them;  they  travel 
to  trees  that  have  no  protectors.  These  bands 
remind  me  of  the  man  who,  starting  with  axe 
in  hand  to  cut  down  some  superfluous  Wild 
Cherry-trees,  he  was  met  by  a  neighbor  who 
remonstrated  with  him,  asking  him  to  let  them 
live  as  "  pasture"  for  the  Web  Caterpillers  in- 
stead of  tlieir  living  on  common  CheiTies. 
Insects,  like  weeds,  should  be  dealt  with  for 
wiping  them  completely  out;  poison  I  have 
found  will  in  one  way  or  another  do  it  well 
and  with  proper  care  safely  enough. 
*  *  * 

Certain  kinds  of  seed  I  save  from  my  own 
garden,  and  on  such  I  can  depend  with  great 
confidence.     Onion  is  one  of  the  kinds.     As 
the  bulbs  mature  I  choose  some  of  the  earliest  j 
and  best  formed  ones  and  keep  them  over  for  i 
spring  planting,   in   the  carriage   house  loft,  j 
Early  in  the  spring  I  plant  out  in  one  of  the 
best  spots  I  can  find,  setting  at  5  inches  each 
way,  with   the  result  almost  invariabl  of  se- 
curing a  good  crop  of  seed. 

Of  Beet,  Carrot  and  Turnip  seeds,  I  prefer 
raising  what  I  need.  I  make  my  selection  of 
stock  in  the  fall,  taking  the  tiuest  specimens  at 
the  time  of  harvesting..  These  are  not  topped 
as  closely  as  the  main  lotj  tor  the  crown  must 
remain.  I  store  over  winter  in  barrels  or  bins 
of  sand  in  the  cellar.  In  the  spring  I  plant  in 
good  soil,  keeping  the  diiferent  varieties  as  far 
sepai-ate  in  my  garden  as  possible. 


Seeds  of  Parsnip  and  Salsify  are  raised  the 
easiest  of  all  kinds,  for  they  may  be  left  either 
where  they  grow,  or  else  be  removed  to  a  more 
convenient  spot  at  once  in  the  fall.  In  saving 
Parsnip  seed  I  usually  allow  only  the  earliest 
formed  to  mature,  cutting  the  later  bunches  of 
bloom  away.  Salsify  I  take  as  soon  as  the 
seeds  ai-e  plump  and  full,  though  green,  drying 
the  stem  and«ll  by  hanging  up  in  the  airy  car- 
riage house  loft.  Birds  are  too  fond  of  the  crop 
to  trust  it  on  the  plants  until  dead  ripe. 

*  *  * 
Speaking  of  home-saved  seed,  when  I  sowed 
my  Pansies  the  other  week  I  was  struck  with 
the  difference  in    the  appearance  of  my  own 
seed  and  some  imported  from  Germany.     The 
former  was  uniformly  dark-looking  and  fully 
twice  as  heavy  as  the 
other,  bulk  for  bulk. 
Wo uld    you  know 
why?    I  went  over 
my  seed-bed  every 
other  day,   taking 
only  the  ripest  ves- 
sels.   These  imported 
ones    were   gathered 
less    often ,    perhaps 
once  a    week    and 
there  was  little  pains 
taken  to  leave  back 
the    green    seeds,  — 
they  weigh,  too. 

The  difference  is 
now  easily  seen  in 
the  coming  up  of  the 
plants.  While  every 
seed  of  our  own  seems 
to  make  a  plant,  I 
think  not  more 
than  one-third  of  the 
imported  ones  are 
doing  as  well. 


I  have  a  Morning 
Glory  tree,  a  thing  of 
rare  beauty.  It  is 
nothing  more  nor 
less  than  a  Plum  tree 
which  met  with  an 
accident  that  killed 
it,  and  over  which 
have  run  a  great 
profusion  of  these  charming  morning  blossoms. 
In  the  spring  I  saw  that  life  was  almost  extinct 
in  the  tree,  so  the  soil  near  its  base  was  worked 
over,  bi'inging  some  old  hot-bed  earth  to  it,  and 
in  this  I  planted  several  packets  of  Henderson's 
best  Morning  Glories.  The  rest  is  easily  im- 
agined. This  Morning  Glory  tree  is  my  most 
attractive  novelty  of  the  year. 

#       * 

A  florist  from  a  neighboring  town,  whom  I 
invited  to  visit  Lyndale  recently,  was  so 
pleased  with  the  Hollyhocks  here  that  he  said 
he  wished  he  could  buy  of  the  flowers  for  a 
large  order  he  had  the  next  day.  He  knows 
that  I  grow  no  flowers  for  sale,  but  still  I  half 
suspected  from  the  way  he  spoke  of  scarcity  of 
flowers  that  his  large  order  had  something  to 
do  with  his  coming  at  this  time.  At  any  rate 
I  spared  some  flowers  from  my  abundance, 
without  price,  for  the  poor  fellow  no  doubt  was 
in  a  straight  and  he  had  done  me  many  a  favor 
in  the  past,  which  I  was  glad  to  repay  in  this 
or  any  other  way. 

But  I  was  unaccustomed  to  look  upon  my  state- 
ly, handsome  Hollyhocks  as  bouquet  flowers. 
The  improved  varieties  are  certainly  very 
double,  of  good  form  and  texture  and  not  lack- 
ing in  sweetness,  so  why  should  they  not  be 
much  used  thus.  Individuallj'  they  have  no 
stems  to  speak  of,  but  my  friend  explained  how 
he  supplies  this  deficiency  with  light  wire  and 
a  bit  of  match  stick.  This  flower,  always  a 
favorite  with  me,  I  shall  now  look  upon  as  be- 
ing even  more  useful  than  I  had  ever  before 
thought  of.  It  seems  that  it  is  thus  employed 
extensively  by  the  city  florists. 


1 886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


'35 


AS    TO    THE    FUTURE. 


"Popular  Gardening"  to  be  Increased 

in  size  and  to  be  a  Dollar 

Paper  Hereafter. 

To  those  who  have  watched  this  paper  from 
its  beginning,  eleven  months  ago,  it  must  be 
apparent  that  it  is  a  very  lively  and  promising 
youth,  allowing  such  an  expression.  In  that 
time  it  has  not  only  absorbed  two  sterling 
contemporaries,  but  by  its  general  excellence 
it  has  easily  reached  the  very  front  rank  of  in- 
dependent American  horticultural  journals. 

That  Popular  Gardening  is  supplying  an 
obvious  want  in  American  horticultural  litera- 
ture is  at  this  date  a  matter  of  no  doubt.  It 
started  out  to  disseminate  current  gardening 
intelligence  of  public  interest,  and  to  do  so  in  a 
sparkling,  concise  and  sensible  style  that  should 
find  many  readers.  In  this  it  has  not  been 
disappointed.  From  the  very  first  issue  its 
subscription  list  has  grown  constantly  and 
rapidly,  while  the  expressions  of  hearty  appre- 
ciation from  subscribers  have  reached  us 
without  number  from  the  beginning. 

But  while  in  general  the  cai-eer  of  Popular 
Gardening  has  been  singularly  bright,  there 
have  been  thus  far  two  apparent  lacks  in  its 
being,  and  they  not  distantly  related.  We  re- 
fer to  its  low  price  considering  the  costly  char- 
acter of  its  make-up,  and  its  present  size,  as 
shown  by  a  very  marked  demand  for  an  en- 
larged paper  from  our  subscribers. 

So  far  as  the  last  matter  is  concerned,  while 
an  enlargement  has  often  been  urged  bj'  sub- 
scribers, we  were  not  fully  satisfied  how  wide- 
spread this  feeling  was  until — as  many  readers 
found  out — a  direct  inquiry  was  made  into  the 
matter  some  time  ago.  This  we  did  by  com- 
municating direct  with  each  one  of  a  large 
share  of  our  older  subscribers,  scattered 
throughout  the  entire  country,  putting  to  them 
the  following  inquiry: 

■'  Would  an  enlargement  at  end  of  year,  with 
price  $1.()0  instead  of  tJOc.,  strike  you  favorably?'' 

The  answeres  were  very  numerous,  and  to 
our  sui-prise  (and  joy — for  it  amounted  to  a 
hearty  endoreement  of  our  work)  fully  SO  per 

CENT  asked  for  AN  INCREASED  PRICE  AND 

SIZE :  To  show  how  heart}'  and  emphatic  was 
the  sentiment  in  favor  of  enlargement,  we 
print  a  few  extracts  from  the  many  answers 
received,  as  follows: 

"  Yes,  indeed ;  give  us  a  larger  paper  and  charge 
the  $1.00." 

"  I  vote  enlargement  emphatically." 

"  It  is  worth  $1.00  now,  and  we  would  give  it,  so 
of  course  yes." 

''Emphatically  yes." 

"  Enlarge  by  all  means."    [The  answer  of  many.] 

"Yes  sir."    [A  common  answer.] 

"The  paper  is  worth  $1.00  as  it  is.  The  low  price 
caused  me  to  hesitate  at  first  to  subscribe." 

"It  would  most  a.ssuredly." 

With  an  actual  majority  of  four  to  one  on 
the  part  of  subscribers  in  favor  of  an  increase, 
it  was  decided  to  comply  with  this  general  de- 
sire, beginning  with  the  second  volume  (Octo- 
Ijer),  and  so  it  shall  be. 

But  this  was  not  all.  In  justice  to  ourselves 
as  publishers  we  have  to  say  that  it  never  has 
been  clear  to  us  that  lid  cents  a  year  was  a  con- 
sistent figure  for  covering  the  quality  of  con- 
tents, careful  editorial  work,  costlj'  engi-av- 
ings,  paper  and  printing  employed  in  Popular 
Gardening  :  hence,  we  have  in  the  past  been 
pleased  to  speak  of  that  figure  as  the  "  INTRO- 
DUCTORY PRICE"  of  this  paper.  Now 
after  nearly  oue  year's  experience  we  know 
that  it  is  an  inconsistent  figtu'e.  But  on  the 
other  hand  we  have  learned  also  that  while  60 
cents  a  year  and  the  present  paper  are  not  in 
true  accord,  the  price  of  *1.00  a  j'ear  and  nn 


erikirgeil  paper,  even  of  the  present  high  qual- 
ity ma.y  be  so.  [If  such  a  statement  may  puzzle 
average  readers,  it  is  only  because  the}'  are 
not  publishers,  tor  then  they  woidd  know  that 
some  of  the  heaviest  items  of  publishing,  such 
as  management,  rents,  clerk  hii-e,  Imok-keep- 
ing,  editing  and  nuiuy  others,  are  not  oue  cent 
less  on  a  (iO-ccnt  jiaper  t,han  on  oue  high  priced.] 
Such  being  the  case,  as  every  expert  in  these 
mattei's  knows,  we  have  now  arranged  to  meet 
the  ilesire  of  our  subscribers  and  do  justice 
to  ourselves,  by  placing  our  price  on  a  better 
basis  and  with  it  to  enlarge  the  size.  With  the 
broader  ■* 1. 00  basis  we  shall  give  a  paper  so 
nuu'h  improved  that  it  will  still  be  the  very 
cheapest  paper  of  its  class,  quality  considered, 
in  the  land. 

MR.  A.  M.  PURDY'S   TESTIMONY. 

Some  time  before  buying  the  Fniit  Iieconler 
Mr.  Purdy  in  our  hearing  stated  that  he  had 
made  a  mistake  in  dropping  the  price  of 
that  paper  to  50  cents  from  the  former  (and 
for  111  years)  [H-ice  of  *1.00  a  year.  Nothing 
further  was  then  said  of  the  matter,  but  desir- 
ing since  to  learn  his  views  more  carefully,  we 
have  written  for  such,  which  he  gave  to  us 
as  follows: 

High  Point,  N.  C.  Aug.  n,  1886. 
Gentlemen: 

Yours  at  hand.  I  was  glad  to  see  that  the  price 
of  Popular  Gardening  and  Fruit  Reronhr  was  to 
be  increased,  for  I  am  satisfied  from  a  long  experi- 
ence in  publishing  that  no  person  can  print  a  reallj' 
live,  practical  horticultural  paper  in  first-class  style 
for  less  than  $1.00  a  year. 

Had  we  kept  on  with  the  Recorder  we  should 
have  returned  to  the  old  form  and  price,  knowing 
that  we  could  have  done  better  justice  all  around. 

Papers  that  print  all  kinds  of  advertisements, 
and  are  half  filled  with  such,  may  answer  at  the 
half-price  rate,  but  a  good  dollar  paper  largely 
filled  with  clean,  sound  reading  matter  is  worth 
half  a  dozen  such.  You  cannot  put  it  too  strong 
showing  the  necessity  of  changing  the  price  and  size. 
Truly  yours,       A.  M.  PURDY. 

Beginning  with  the  October  issue,  therefore, 
the  price  of  Popular  Gardening  will  be  $1.00 
a  year,  but  as  in  the  past  so  in  the  future 
we  mean  that,  to  the  extent  that  money  ami 
labor  can  make  it  so,  it  shall  be  the  brightest, 
handsomest  and  best  paper  of  its  class  pub- 
lished, and  in  every  way  worthy,  and  very 
cheap  for  the  price. 


How  to  Pot  a  Plant. 

Who  does  not  know  how?  may  be  asked.  We 
venture  to  say  that  a  matter  weighing  as  lightly 


coarse  soil 

moss 
potsherds 


POTTING.— THE    PLACING    OF   THE    MATERIALS. 

as  this  often  does  with  growers  is  very  often 
the  one  fine  point  between  future  success  and 
failure  in  plant  culture.  The  assertion,  of 
course,  apidies  with  moi-e  force  to  plants  of 
conqiaratively  delicate  natures  than  to  the 
easiest  growers,but  Popular  Gardening  aims 
to  lead  its  readers  to  success  in  managing  all 
classes  of  subjects  in  gardening. 

The  engraving  almost  shows  how   without 
further  explanation.     A  chief  point   is  drain- 


age. This  so  far  as  underdrainage  is  concerned 
is  clearly  set  forth  in  the  cut.  Thei-e  is  first 
something  like  an  inch  of  broken  pot-sherds, 
carefully  laid,  for  shedding  water.  Then— and 
a  very  inijiortant  part— comes  a  strata  of  Moss 
or  Sphagnum  to  keep  the  earth  above  from 
settling  into  the  drainage  below.  A  clogged 
drain  is  of  no  use.  Above  this  comes  the  .soil, 
seeing  that  coarse  parts,  such  as  roll 
down  the  sides  of  the  heap,  go  to 
the  bottom  as  shown  in  the  cut. 

Besides  such  underdrainage,  there 
is  a  clear  gain  in  a  similar  direction, 
by  having  the  sides  of  the  pots  clean 
and  |)orous,  the  dealers  in  painted 
pots  to  the  contrary  notwithstand- 
ing. For  plants  to  do  their  best  there 
needs  to  be  not  only  porou.sness,  for 
the  escajje  of  water,  but  for  the  ad- 
mission of  air  to  the  roots.  A 
painted  or  dirty  pot  or  a  wooden 
siirk.  i,ox  or  cask  in  a  large  measure  ob- 
structs the  admission  of  air  from  the  sides. 

The  larger  the  pot  the  more  needful  is  under- 
drainage, and  the  less  needful  is  side  porous- 
ness. Hence  pots  smaller  than  '-'i  inches  across 
scarcely  need  the  former,  while  recejitacles 
larger  than  1  foot  across  can  pretty  well  dis- 
pense with  side  porousness.  Tight  boxes, 
therefore,  answer  better  for  large  plants  than 
for  small  ones. 

The  Potting  Stick,  illustrated,  is  of  use  in 
doing  a  good  job  of  potting,  for  firming  the  soil 
about  the  roots.  It  may  be  whittled  from  a 
lath,  and  should  be  about  B  inches  long. 


Fall  Sowing:  of  Lawns. 

We  believe  in  it.  An  extended  experience  in 
lawn  making  con-vinces  us  that  there  is  no 
better  time  than  this.  The  Grasses  that  ai-e 
suitable  for  lawns  are  not  unlike  Wheat  and 
Rye  that  are  sown  in  the  fall,  in  the  respect 
that  they  are  perfectly  hardy  and  thrive  under 
the  coolness  and  moisture  of  autumn  and  spring 
weather  in  a  young  state  better  than  they  do 
in  hot  weather.  With  sowing  lawns  in  Sep- 
tember the  young  grass  has  the  benefit  of  twice 
the  length  of  cool,  moist  weather  that  spring 
sowings  can  receive.  Under  ordinary  success 
there  may  be  a  well  established  lawn  by  next 
July  from  seed  now  put  in.  To  prepare  for 
seeding  is  no  difticult  matter,  provided  the 
general  grade  and  the  nature  of  the  soil  are 
about  right.  Spade  up  deeply,  going  down  two 
lengths  with  the  spade,  mix  fine  manure  with 
the  overturned  soil  somewhat  freely;  see  that 
all  sods  are  well  inverted,  finish  the  surface 
evenly  and  finely  with  a  rake;  a  rain,  to  settle 
it  before  sowing;  is  of  advantage.  Sow  evenly, 
in  calm  weather  if  possible,  just  before  a  rain, 
raking  lightly  after  the  sowing.  For  seed  trust 
to  a  reliable  dealer  who  handles  the  best  Grasses, 
either  separate  or  in  mixture,  for  the  purpose. 
Even  to  procure  from  a  distance  is  no  great 
disadvantage,  for  grass-seed  is  light,  with  trans- 
portation charges  to  correspond. 


Remedy  for  Crape-vine  Mildew. 
The  usual  sulphur  dusting  remedy  sometimes 
fails,  and  Prof.  C.  V.  Riley,  Entomologist  of 
the  Department  of  Agriculture,  who  has  inves- 
tigated this  disease  cai'efuUy,  recommends  the 
following:  Dissolve  eighteen  pounds  of  ordi- 
nary sulphate  of  copper  in  about  twenty-two 
gallons  of  water;  in  a  separate  vessel  mix  0  1-:^ 
gallons  of  water  and  thirty-four  pounds  of 
coarse  lime,  so  as  to  make  a  milk  of  lime.  Then 
mix  with  this  the  solution  of  sulphate  of  copper, 
to  form  a  bluish  [laste.  Pour  a  portion  of  the 
mixture  in  a  bucket  or  other  vessel,  thoroughly 
shaking  it,  and  brush  the  leaves  with  a  small 
broom,  taking  care  not  to  touch  the  grapes. 
This  remedy  is  successfully  employed  by  the 
French,  and  a  single  application  is  said  to  be  as 
effective  as  lepeated  ones.  The  time  of  apply, 
ing  the  remedy  in  the  French  vineyards  is 
about  the  middle  of  July.  Care  should  be  used 
to  touch  all  the  leaves  if  possible. 


136 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


September, 


About  the  Bell-flowers  or  Cam- 
panulas. 

Scattered  over  a  large  area  of  the  earth's 
surface,  but  chiefly  throughout  Europe  and 
Asia,  are  to  be  found  the  great  number  of  some 
'JHO  distinct  species  of  the  Bell-flowers.  These 
vary  in  size  from  the  small  and  delicate  Amer- 
ican and  Alpine  kinds  not  over  five  inches  high 
to  the  tall-growing  three  to  six-footers,  that  in- 
clude at  least  one  of  our  own  species  and  a  num- 
l)er  of  foreigners.  Among  the  latter  is  the  fine 
subject  of  our  engraving,  known  as  the  Climb- 
ing Bell-flower,  ('tiinpanvhi  niiitHK-tiliiidcs. 

Included  hi  the  many  luiown  Bell-worts 
are  enough  species  possessing  real  merit  as 
ornamental  flowering  plants  to  render  the 
family  a  very  important  one  to  the  gar- 
dener. For  variety  of  forms  and  fine  shades 
of  color,  especially  blues,  it  woidd  be  hard 
to  find  their  e(]ual  in  any  other  genus.  As 
a  class  they  are  in  the  main  so  hardy  and 
easily  grown  as  to  permit  of  their  culture 
by  almost  every  one,  even  by  those  ama- 
teurs who  claim  to  have  "  ncjt  much  luck 
at  fine  gardening."  Take  the  well-known 
Cant<>rbury-l)ell,  ''.  iiinli((,  and  the  Peach- 
leaved  Harebell,  ('.  persicifuliii,  they  are  so 
easily  raised,  hence  so  common  that  the 
person  must  be  ignorant  indeed  of  garden 
plants  who  is  not  familiar  with  them. 

The  Canterbury-bell  referred  to  is  one  of 
the  few  species  to  be  met  that  is  biennial 
in  nature— not  enduring  beyond  the  second 
year.  The  plants  when  in  bloom  ai-e  very 
ornamental.  They  are  raised  by  sowing  the 
seed  in  the  spring  or  in  midsunnner.  Plants 
from  the  early  sowings  usually  bloom  'the 
same  year ;  the  others  not  until  the  second 
year.  Sometimes  these  plants  increase  by 
.self-sowing,  being  quite  free-seeders. 

There  are  also  some  annual  Campanulas, 
described  in  the  seed  catalogues,  but  the  great 
bulk  as  to  numlwrs  of  this  family  have  the  good 
quality  of  being  hardy  perennials.  It  is  on 
this  account  in  part  that  we  take  particular 
pleasure  in  referring  to  the  family  here,  for 
we  know  that  with  being  permanent  and  beauti- 
ful plants,  when  once  set  out,  they  are  in  every 
case  and  under  merely  coiumon  culture  quite 
certain  of  giving  satisfaction. 

Some  of  the  best  Campanulas  of  the  perennial 
class,  and  of  which  plants  can  be  obtained  from 
American  nurserymen,  are  the  following: 
Peach-leaved  Campanula,  C.  pemicifdliii,  in 
several  varieties,  including  blue  and  whit« 
flowers,  both  single  and  double;  Nettle-leaved 
Campanula,  C.  urlicifolid,  a  handsome  mid- 
sunnner bloomer  in  two  colors  of  flowers,  blue 
and  white;  Carpathian  Harebell,  C.  Carpaticn, 
of  dwarf  growth,  in  several  colors;  Common 
Harebell,  C.  nitutiilifiili(i,a  native  species  with 
deep  blue  flowers  iu  summer  [The  botanical 
name  would  indicate  that  the  leaves  are  round- 
such  is  rarely  if  ever  the  case];  Bearded  Hare- 
Ijell,  C.  hiii-hnUi,  lovely  sky-blue  flowers,  fine  for 
rock-work;  C.  (jninilis,  a  distinct  and  beauti- 
ful sort  with  blue  salver-shaped  flowers ;  Broad- 
leaved  Bell-flower,  r.latifnUit,  purplish  blue, 
large  leaves;  Large  Bell-flower,  C.  marranthii. 
Noble  Bell-flower,  C.  nuhilix,  with  very  large 
flowers  in  two  colors,  creamy- white  and  punJe ; 
Steeple  Bell-flower,  C.  pijramMitlis;  Climbing 
Bell-flower  (See  engi-aving),  C.  rapunculoides; 
Turban  Bell-flower,  C.  Inrhiiidtn,  and  yet  quite 
a  mmiber  of  others. 

Of  the  last  uamed,  the  Turl>an  Bell-flower, 
one  of  the  latest  with  which  we  have  gained 
an  acquaintance,  is  a  compact  growing  sjjecies, 
having  most  lovely  flowers  fully  1  1-2  inches 
across,  of  a  magnificent  shade  of  blue.  This 
siJecies  propagates  quite  readily  from  seed,  and 
the  same  may  also  be  said  of  many  other  kinds. 

To  those  of  our  readers  who  may  desire  to 
buy  established  plants  the  catalogues  of  the 
B.  A.  Eliott  Co.,  of  Pittsburgh, Pa. ;  Woolson  & 
Co. ,  Passaic,  N.  J. ;  EUwanger  &  Barry,  of 
Rochester,  N.  Y. ,  and  some  others,  would  afford 
good  selections.  The  prices  are  moderate. 
Plants  might  be  set  out  early  in  October. 


A  Pacific  Coast  Letter- 

Fi'om  way-off  Washington  Territory  (Clarke 
Co.)  our  subsci-iber,  Mrs.  Fannie  E.  Briggs, 
sends  to  this  paper  the  following  welcome  note : 

Our  climate,  much  like  that  of  England,  is 
moist,  and  temperate  both  in  heat  and  cold. 
Some  winters  the  mercury  falls  to  zero,  but 
last  winter  the  coldest'  was  10°  above.  The 
highest  1  have  noted  in  summer  is  10.5°,  and 
that  very  rare. 

Daisies  bloom  here  nearly  all  the  year.  Plants 
set  three  inches  apart  in  spring  by  fall  form  a 
solid   mat.     Lilies  do  exceptionably  well.     A 


specimen  o  f 
mine  set 
three  years 
ago  has  11 
strong  bloom 
stems.  An 
Umbellife- 
um  now  has 
7.5  buds.  Our 
native  Lily, 
L.  Colunihi- 
(t  n  n  tn  has 
smal  1  but 
very  showy 
flowers.  I  n 
cultivation  it 
grows  5  or  0 
feet  high, and 
has  20  o  !■ 
more  flowers. 

As  flower- 
lovers  are 
opening  their 
eyes  to  the 
beauty  of 
native  plants 
I  want  to 
urge  the 
claims  of  the 
Clustered 
Solomon's 
Seal,  Conrul- 
laria  nu-onnsn.  Of  fine  habit,and  with  feathery 
racemes  of  creamy  white,  it  unites  beauty, 
delicacy  and  fragrance. 

By  the  way,  is  it  generally  known  that  the 
name  "  Solomon's  Seal"  refers  to  the  scars  or 
seals  left  upon  the  creeping  roots  of  that  plant 
by  successive  years'  growth.  One  of  these  plants 
which  I  have  protected  from  passing  feet  had 
ten  strong  stems  of  bloom. 


CLIMBING  BELL-FLOWER— CamjM- 
nula  rapunculoides. 


mainly,  although  it  also  comes  from  seed; 
the  latter  from  seed,  and  in  rare  cases  by  divis- 
ion. The  shrubby  class  are  the  most  robust, 
hence  the  most  useful  for  those  persons  who  do 
not  have  a  greenhouse ;  but  where  one  of  these 
is  possessed,  the  herbaceous  class  would  be 
found  the  most  desirable. 

It  is  about  a  shrubby  Calceolaria  that  Mi's 
W.  Tuttle,  of  CaiToU  Co.,  N.  H.,  a  subscriber 
to  the  Frvil  Iiivi>nh'r,  wrote  to  Mr.    Purdy. 
Her  letter  having  been  tui'ned  over  to  us,  we 
print  it  with  the  greatest  of  pleasure,  as  we 
always  shall  be  glad  to  do  all  such  commu- 
nications from  our  newly  acquired  readers: 
"  I  have  had  good  success  with  this  flower. 
The  blooms  are  maroon  and  yellow  in  color 
and  as  large  as  a  nickel.     My  plant  is  33 
inches  high,  it  being  from  a  sUp  taken  last 
September.      It  had  eleven  large  bunches 
of  bloom  on  It  at  one  time,  and  altogether 
a  season  of  ten  weeks  up  to  time  of  writing, 
and  has  two  pretty  bunches  now. 

"  The  dirt  used  was  garden  loam  and  fine 
bai'u-yard  manure,  sifted  through  a  coal 
sieve,  with  a  little  leaf  mold  and  sand 
mixed  with  it.  The  plant  does  not  require 
much  sun,  and  wants  to  be  kept  cool.  Good 
drainage  is  essential  to  beautiful  plants. 

"  As  I  have  saved  some  seeds,  will  some 
one  that  has  raised  them  let  me  know  if 
they  wiU  come  true  ? "  [Raised  from  a 
single  plant  with  no  chance  for  cross  fertili- 
zation they  should  come  true.  We  would 
not  sow  before  about  February  next. — 
Eds,  Popular  Gardening.] 


The  Moccasin  or  Carpet-bag 
Flowers. 

These  are  also  widely  known  by  the  botanical 
name  Calceolaria.  There  are  two  species  in 
ordinary  cultivation,  the  shrubby  and  the 
herbaceous.    The  former  is  propagated  by  slips 


High  Quality  Costs  Something. 

If  people  who  raise  fruits,  vegetables,  or 
even  flowers,  could  onlj'  secure  good  ci'ops 
of  the  finest  and  comparatively  delicate 
kinds  under  the  neglect  that  poor  weedy 
sorts  can  stand,  and  even  bear  crops  of 
their  kind  under,  matters  might  be  differ- 
ent. But  such  things  do  not  happen  as 
.  a  rule.  To  have  of  the  best  kinds  and 
qualities  implies  the  bestowing  of  the  best 
culture  and  the  best  methods  of  treatment 
to  the  choice  trees  or  plants  that  beai-  such. 
Mr.  Josiah  Hoopes,  a  very  careful  culti- 
vator and  observer,  makes  in  the  New  York 
Tribune  some  practical  points  in  this  re- 
spect concerning  certain  favorite  Pears, 
which  we  ai'e  glad  to  present  here : 

The  finest  Pear  known,  whether  for  ex- 
treme richness,  delicious  flavor,  buttery 
texture,  or  an  abundance  of  .iuice,  is  un- 
doubtedly the  old  White  Doj'eune,  or  Butter 
Peai'.  But  we  too  rarely  find  a  good  speci- 
men of  this  grand  old  fruit  in  the  present 
day.  We  can  hazai'd  a  pretty  sure  guess  as 
to  the  cause,  namely,  Fungi,  and  although 
few  cultivators  have  overcome  the  malady, 
one  enthusiastic  Pear-grower,  by  digging  in 
a  heavy  coat  of  unleached  wood  ashes,  coin- 
l)letely  renovated  an  old  tree  of  this  variety, 
and  swept  the  prizes  wherever  he  exhibited 
his  fruit  taken  from  the  subject. 

Specimens  of  the  old  White  Doyenne  yet 

grown  in  such  localities  e.xhibit  the  same 

wax-like  skin  of  a  bright  golden  hue,  with 

the  brilliant  carmine  cheek,  so  famihar  of 

old.      This  fine  Pear  has  not;  "run  out;  "   no 

variety  of  fi-uit  will. 

The  Peai'  disease  known  as  "cracking  "  in  the 
fruit,  although  beyond  a  doubt  attributable  to 
the  same  common  enemy  as  the  "spot''  on  the 
skin  of  certain  pears,  is  of  a  more  serious  char- 
acter. In  regard  to  this  spotting  it  is  on  the 
increase  in  some  sections,  destroyingthe  useful- 
ness of  many  of  our  best  varieties.  For  in- 
stance, Beurre  Clairgeau  is  now  discai'ded  in 
some  places  on  this  account  alone. 

It  is  unquestionable,  however,  that  unleached 
wood  ashes  have  a  remarkably  beneficial  effect 
on  the  complaint  referred  to.  The  health  and 
consequent  gi'owth  of  the  tree  is  greatly  bene- 
fited by  the  application,  and  it  must  exert  a 
partial  influence  on  the  fruit. 


1 886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


m 


Those  careful  growers  who  systematically 
scrub  the  bodies  and  larj^er  limbs  of  pear  trees 
with  thick  soap-suds  and  sulphur  speak  highly 
of  the  results  to  the  ensuing  crop  of  fruit,  as 
well  as  to  the  health  and  vigor  of  the  tree. 
Syringing  with  alkalies  in  solution  has  been  of 
good  service  in  exterminating  insects,  promcit- 
ing  growth,  and  checking  the  progi-ess  of  such 
diseases  of  a  fungal  character. 

This  is  the  direction  that  careful  experiments 
should  take  if  we  desire  to  improve  the  standard 
of  qualities  and  to  eradicate  from  orchards  the 
worst  pests  we  now  have  to  contend  with. 


Summer  Waste  of  Manure.    For   a  property- 
holder  to  touch  a  match  to  fence. out-huildhigorlum- 
her  iiile  aud  then  stand  and  watch  it  go  up  in  smoke, 
the  act  would  be  taken  as  proof  of    a  madman. 
\\niat  of  the  tiller  of  the   earth  who  deliberately 
lets  the  precious  value  of  his  manure  pile  go  off 
into  the  air  in  the  shape  of  pungent  ammonia  of 
high  fertilizing  (ivuility.     This  happens  very  com- 
monly,   about    as    often    we   think  as  the  talk  of 
"no  profit  in  gardening,"    At  this  season  the  sun 
hastens  fermentation;    so  now  look  out  to  prevent 
this  escape  of  vohitile matter  and  "fire  fang.    The 
simplest  way  to  avoid  this  waste  is  to  pump  liquid 
manure  or  even  to  run  w^ater  over  the  heap— not  too 
much  to  wash  it.  but  just  sufficiently  to  arrest  active 
fermentation.     Consolidation  of  the  manure  heap 
is  a  good  thing.    To  mix  different  kinds  of  manure 
together  is  another  help— cow  dung,  for  example. 
requires  something  to    help    it    to    ferment.     Dry 
eai'th,  muck  or  gypsum  may  also  be  suggested  for 
preventing  the  escape  of  ammonia,  by  mixing  it 
freely  with  the  manure.     By  one  means  or  another 
let  every  sul-Ii  wliolee^ale  waste  be  promjitly  stopped. 
The  Days  of  the  Cabbage  Worm  are  numbered 
it  would  seem.    They  have,    according    to    Prof. 
Forbes  of  the  Illinois  Department  of    Agricidture. 
been  clearly  less  abundant  in  many  sections  during 
the  piist  season  than  previouslj'.    This  ditference  is 
due  apparently  to  a  destructive  disease  of  the  worm, 
which  was  first  reported  on  in  188'-i.     Hopes  are  en- 
tertained by  some  of  our  wide-awake  entomologists 
that  the  disease  may  be  propagated  and  extended 
artifieially,  and  efforts  are  being  directed  towards 
sucli  a  desirable  end.    It  is.  to  say  the  least,  encour- 
aging to  the  gardener   sometimes  to  find  disease 
and  blight  that  work  in  his  favor. 

Is  the  Watermelon  King  ?  Comes  not  far  from 
it  in  certain  places,  it  would  seem.  For  instance, 
steamers  from  some  of  the  Southern  ports  have 
been  bringing  00.00(1  to  70.000  big  Watermelons  to 
New  York  per  trip.  The  freightage  is  5  cents  a 
melon.  Last  season  one  company  received  S^.OOO 
for  Watermelon  freight,  and  alone  carried  nearly 
(iiX'.l^Ki  of  these  juicy  and  "  luscious  univalves." 

The  Jamestown  Weed,  Datura  stramDuium,  is 
a  near  relative  of  the  Tobacco.  Thomas  Meehan 
says  it  is  as  good  an  insecticide  as  the  latter.  At 
least  lovers  of  the  weed  lose  one  good  excuse  for 
their  vile  habits— smoking  bugs  off  the  plants— if 
this  lie  so. 

Fruit  Bores,  such  as  "  visit  "  your  home  only  in 
fruit  time,  bestowing  attentions,  more  marked  than 
market,  need  trealnient.  Be  courteous  of  course, 
but  don't  forget  to  charge  fidl  retail  price  for  the 
fine  fruit  consumed,  wasted  and  carried  away. 

Planting  After  Fifty.  Henry  Ward  Beecher 
says  that  he  never  planted  at  Peekskill  any  Pears 
till  after  he  was  fifty,  and  he  has  picked  good  crops 
of  Pears  for  the  la.st  twelve  years,  Such  experi- 
ences are  not  rare. 

The  Cherry-tree  stands  being  planted  along 
lanes  and  roadsi<les,  where  there  is  a  passing  of 
vehicles  and  tramping  of  stock,  better  than  most 
othei*  kinds  of  fruit  trees. 

The  Smoke  theory— keeping  away  frosts  by 
nuakinp:  smudges  in  the  field— seems  hke  many 
another  theory  to  have  gone  up  in  smoke. 

Whoever  plants  the  .James  Vick  Strawberry 
must  understand  that,  like  all  similarly  prolific  sorts, 
it  must  have  high  feeding. 

Even  Potatoes  have  rights.   It  is  injustice  to  their 
quality  to  leave  them  king  undug  after  they  are  ripe. 
Fruit  for  jelly  is  better  for  being  picked  before 
it  is  dead  ripe. 

Let  Us  Add  This :  Have  regard  to  the  morals  of 
tile  liiTed  help. 
Radishes  for  winter  may  yet  be  sown. 
In  Gathering  (irapes  try  scissors. 
Reset  Rhubarb  in  early  autumn. 
A  Good  time  for  draining. 
Hand-pick  Pears  always. 
Dry  the  surplus  Linias. 


Thistle    Down, 

Now  lightly  Hoats  yon  Thistle  Itown, 

By  wand'ring  breezes  blown; 
Gay,  careless  rovers  of  the  air, 

With  source  and  goal  unknown. 
But  in  their  silvery  filaments 

Deep  moral  we  may  read; 
Upon  eacli  airy,  reckless  fiight. 

Is  borne  a  living  seed. 

—  Kiiniiii  Curli'ton. 


Tea  Roses  are  improving. 

A  fancy  affair— the  rtoral  fan. 

There  is  a  cream-colored  Golden-rod. 

China  Pinks  make  bright  table  bouquets. 

Now  the  outdoor  tlower  supply  begins  to  shorten. 

As  a  funeral  design,  the  wreath  plain  and  simple, 
but  made  up  )o<isely,  is  gaining  favor. 

Half  the  charm  of  cut  flowers  is  lost  if  these  be 
crowded  into  bouquets.  To  prevent  crowding  we 
know  of  nothing  better  than  the  free  use  of  long- 
stem  mignonette  for  the  foundation,  between  and 
back  of  the  other  flowers. 

Ivy  has  been  very  much  used  in  decoration  dur- 
ing the  past  season.  The  variegated  forms  are  espe- 
cially lovely,  either  for  draping  tables  and  mirrore. 
or  as  a  background.  Smilax  has  been  so  lavishly 
used  in  the  past  that  now  it  is  rather  out  of  date  in 
the  larger  cities. 

Rush  ornaments  for  holding  Howers  ai-e  being 
made  in  tlie  form  uf  hats  inverted,  and  fixed  on  a 
tripod;  they  are  filled  with  a  mass  of  Poppies  or 
Sweet  Peas,  and  have  a  large  bow  of  harmonizing 
ribbon  tied  on  the  tripod.  Rush  wheel-barrows  are 
filled  with  similar  flowers. 

The  boutonniere  for  the  coat  lappel  has  always 
been  much  worn  iu  England.  This  may  account  for 
their  increased  wear  here— it's  English,  you  know. 
However  that  may  be,  it  is  no  strange  sight  to  see 
all  the  way  from  two  to  half  a  dozen  flaming  Carna- 
tions now  projecting  from  the  button-hole  of 
a  fashionable  man's  coat. 

The  wearing  of  flowers  in  the  hair  is  coming 
much  in  vogue.  Flower  aigrettes  are  the  prevail- 
ing mode  A  tuft  of  Osprey  is  introduced  among 
the  natural  blooms,  and  diamonds  are  displayed  as 
dewdrops  sparkling  on  freshly  gatliered  Roses.  On 
the  corsage  large  sprays  of  flowers  and  foliage  are 
dis}>layed,  and  long  trails  decorate  the  skirt. 

The  Floral  Muffs  carried  by  English  bridesmaids 
iu  the  late  spring  do  not  seem  to  have  come  very 
much  in  vogue  here  yet,  A  New  York  wedding 
guest,  wearing  a  golden-brown  gown  slightly  relieved 
with  mauve,  carried  a  muff  of  Catlleya  Mossife, 
tied  with  a  bow  matching  the  dress  exactly. 
Another  gown  of  moss-green  was  worn  with  a  muff 
of  bright  pink  Geraniums  tied  with  green  ribbon. 

Flowers  for  the  Sick.  In  our  quiet  little  town  a 
"  fiouer  nnssion  "  has  been  started  to  send  flowers 
to  our  own  weary  sick  ones,  and  once  a  month 
to  send  flowers  to  the  hospitals  in  Boston.  I  know 
how  these  beauties  cheer  when  the  body  is  full  of 
pain,  and  I  hope  1  shall  be  successful  in  having  a 
garden  prolific  in  blooms,  that  I  may  help  gladden 
other  hearts  as  mine  has  so  often  been  by  floral 
gifts.— "Troorf^nf/'."  in.  Parks'  Magazine. 

Instead  of  bouquets,  brides  now  carry  loose 
posies,  exquisitt-ly  informal  in  arrangement  One 
beautiful  '"  posy  "  was  of  JIarechal  Neil  Roses,  tied 
with  loops  of  salmon-pink  ribbon;  another  of  Blnsh 
Roses,  tied  with  crimson  velvet.  These  bunches 
share  with  floral  fans  the  public  favor.  Of  the 
latter,  a  pretty  specimen  had  a  foundation  of  Bram- 
ble, partially  covered  with  pale  Blush  Roses;  a  white 
satin  bow  nestled  among  the  blossoms  and  a  tiny 
Brazilian  be«,le  rested  on  one  petal,  as  if  it  had  just 
alighted  there. 

Table  Spreads  and  Flowers.  Table  i-ioths  which 
were  most  dist^ouraging  to  the  florist,  are  now  stig- 
matized as  bad  taste:  junv  white  linen  isoncemore 
visible,  but  as  society  must  have  novelty,  table 
decorations  are  very  elaborate.  ( >ne  table  described, 
is  covered  with  finest  damask.  Half  a  yard  around 
the  edge  is  left  clear:  then  comes  a  boi'derof  russet 
brown  leaves  enclosing  a  plane  of  glowing  crimson 
foliage.  On  this  flame-colored  ground,  with  the 
stands  hiddeti,  are  small  vases  of  while  china,  filled 
with  light  sprays  of  yellow  flowers,  any  fine  kinds 
that  are  seasonable,  with  their  own  leaves. 


Dofe^nic^lOvid^et 

Cultivate  the  habit  of  seeing  correctly. 

As  roots  l>c'i-nnie  li.nrd  tlie  root-hairs  die. 

Color  and  fragrance  are  the  tlDwers'  advertis- 
llli'lits  tci  ilisi'cls.     /,'.(/7i;/. 

The  American  White  Pine  is  sai<l  to  have  the 
liglitest  Kinvity  of  all  lonifi-rmis  woods. 

The  revolving  of  the  shoots  of  twiners  is  caused 
l>y  tile  plain,  cells  on  one  side  assumini;  a  greater 
lenj^tli  tlian  on  the  other. 

Flora  of  Greenland.  A  French  botanist.  M.  Ruys- 
man,  has  enuinerate<l  :178  species  of  |ilants  growing 
in  Greenland,  and  he  finds  that  they  resemble  those 
of  Lapland  more  than  lliose  of  Northern  .\niericau. 

Once  a  familiarity  with  tlie  common  parts  of 
plants  anil  llu-jr  botanical  names,  such  as  petal, 
sepal,  stamen,  calyx  and  so  on  is  accinired,  and  it 
is  not  difflcult  for  intelligent  beginners,  or  even 
children,  to  begin  to  analyze  and  classify  the  more 
simple  plants. 

The  botanists  in  attendance  at  the  meeting  of 
the  American  .Association  of  Natural  Sciences,  in 
this  city  recently,  numbered  considerably  upwards 
of  one  hundred,  which  fact  leslilies  to  liie  growing 
interest  in  this  branch  of  biology.  Daily  meetings 
of  the  .section  were  held,  all  of  which  were  largely 
attended,  and  much  enthusiasm  prevailed.  At  these 
meetings  essays  on  botanical  matters  were  read  and 
discussed.  The  club  enjoyed  excursions  to  the 
shore  of  Lake  Erie,  Canada  side,  Niagara  Falls  and 
to  Chautauqua  Lake.  Mention  must  also  be  made 
of  the  botanical  reception  at  the  house  of  our  able 
local  botanist,  the  Hon.  David  F.  Day,  of  this  city. 

The  weeds  we  have  with  us  always.  This  state- 
ment is  indeed  near  the  truth,  there  being  some 
marked  exceptions  in  the  eases  of  a  very  few  very- 
clean  cultivators  of  the  land.  Professor  Lazenby, 
of  the  Ohio  Experiment  Stat.ion,Columbus,Ohio,  has 
gone  to  great  pains  to  show  why  weeds  are  so  per- 
sistent in  their  presence;  this  by  counting  and 
closely  estimating  on  the  seeds  of  some  of  the  more 
common  ones.  As  to  results  he  found  on  one  plant 
of  the  everj-where  abundant  .Shepherd's  Purse 
(Capsella  Bnrsii-j>ast(iris\  ",.'500  seeds :  on  a  rank 
Burdock  (Lajjpii  inajiir)  40CI,3aS  seeds:  on  a  large 
Wild  Parsnip  W.OOI.),  and  many  other  kinds  were 
nearly  as  numerous  as  those  of  the  ones  named. 

Educational  Collections.  No  one  can  take  ex- 
ception to  that  kind  of  inoffensive  advertising  en- 
terprise which  in  itself  proves  a  direct  public  bene- 
fit. t)f  this  character  is  a  step  lately  taken  by  the 
seed  house  of  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Co.,  Reading,  En- 
gland. They  have  fitted  up  many  handsome  cases 
containing  samples  of  the  dried  plants  and  seeds 
of  the  grasses  of  England.  These  cases  have  been 
presented  by  Messrs.  Sutton  to  a  large  number  of 
nurseries  and  agricultural  institutes  at  home  and 
abroad.  The  especial  convenience  of  students  in 
botany  has  been  aimed  at  by  enclosing  the  dried 
specimens  in  cylinders  of  clear  glass,  each  one  of 
which  is  accurately  labeled.  The  seeds  are  some- 
what similarlj'  placed  iu  smaller  cylinders  or  bot- 
tles. Here  is  an  idea  for  some  of  our  American 
seed  houses  to  adopt,  whereby  tliey  could  do  them- 
selves much  good  at  the  same  time  that  they  would 
become  public  teachers.  Some  such  a  collection 
would  be  of  vast  benefit  in  every  public  school.  A 
demand  once  started  for  cases  of  specimens  like 
these,  and  it  would  be  strange  if  many  could  not 
also  be  sold  outrightly. 

The  Tendrils  of  Cucurbitaceous  Plants.  Mr. 
Duchartre  has  made  the  following  curious  observa- 
tions on  the  tendrils  of  cucurbitaceous  plants.  Out 
of  2a  species  examineil  by  him  it  was  found  that  U 
had  tendrils  that  were  quite  straiglit  in  the  very 
young  state,  and  remained  so  during  their  develop- 
ment; and  in  eight  species  only  were  the  tendrils 
spirally  rolled  from  their  first  appearance  and  be- 
fore they  had  come  into  contact  with  any  foreign 
body,  -\niong  these  latter  are  included  the  Pump- 
kin {Cucurhita  pepo\  and  the  Bryony  \Bryiniiii 
dioica).  It  is  remarkable  that,  while  the  ordinary 
forms  of  the  Melon  [Cticuints  Meto)  have  their  ten- 
drils spirally  developed  from  their  very  first  appear- 
ance, this  is  not  the  case  with  the  variety  Ert/thrtrns 
of  the  same  species,  in  wliich  the  tendrils  are  straight 
fi-oui  their  earliest  stage.  Mr.  Duchartre  remarks 
that  the  side  of  the  tendril  that  grows  most  rapidly, 
and  thus  causes  it  to  assume  the  spiral  form,  con- 
sists of  much  larger  parenchymatous  cells  than 
does  the  opjiosite  side  of  the  tendril.  Among  the 
sjiecies  that  have  straight  tendrils  from  the  first  are 
the  Dishcloth  (lourd  I  Lult'ii  iiriitiiiuiuhitii),  the  Bal- 
sam .\ppU'  iMitnun-iih-a  Biilfitimina}  and  Cyrtan- 
theria  exfiltxh'us. 


138 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


September, 


A.  M.  PURDY'S  DEPARTMENT. 

Postoffice  address,  ■  ■  Palmyra,  N.  Y. 

WELCOME, 

Subscribers  of  the  "  Fruit 
Recorder." 

To  the  many  subscnhers  of  the  "  Fruit  He- 
corder  and  Cottage  Gardener^^  our  ntarmest 
greeting.  We  bid  you  welcome  into  the  ranks 
of  the  Popular  Gardening  family.  You 
shall  not  be  made  to  feel  as  strangers  with  us, 
for  your  good  and  trusty  friend,  Purdy,  is  on 
hand  before  you  and  joins  us  in  extending  to 
you  a  gla<l  welcome  here.  He  advanced  early 
and  with  great  caution  to  spy  out  the  land,  and 
finding  it  fruitful  and  promising  now  bids  all 
of  his  old  readers  "Come  with  us  here."  His 
editorial  work  in  your  behalf,  as  well  as  of  all 
the  family,  will  be  kept  up  much  as  it  has  been 
in  the  past,  but  with  this  advantage :  He  will 
be  spared  the  multitudinous  cares  of  a  pub- 
lishing business,  and  on  that  account  will  be 
able  to  do  even  better  work  in  writing  about 
fruit  and  fruit  cultm-e.  And  if  with  such 
relief  the  too  visible  signs  of  past  overwork 
upon  his  brow  may  lie  smoothed  away,  no  one 
can,  along  with  us,  he  tetter  gratified  than 
jou,  his  old  subscribers. 

A  word  about  Popular  Gardening:  The 
paper  speaks  for  itself.  But  we  desire  to  say 
that  with  making  room  for  Mr.  Purdy's  de- 
partment in  the  present  issue  (old  size)  some  of 
the  regular  departments  have  been  badly  cur- 
tailed or  else  crowded  out.  Next  month  with 
the  enlarged  paper  all  will  appear  again,  some 
to  be  larger  than  ever  before.  Popular  Gar- 
dening will  be  sent  to  each  Keeorder  subscriber 
for  his  or  her  full  unexpired  time. 

Popular  Gardening  Pub.  Co. 


Mr.  Purdy  in  His  New,  Yet  Old  Role. 

We  did  think  when  the  sale  of  the  liemrder 
was  contemplated  to  perhaps  throw  aside  the 
editorial  harness  entirely.  But  really  our  love 
for  writing  and  our  desire  to  impart  to  others 
the  results  of  an  extensive  practice  in  fruit 
growing  compels  us  to  keep  on  in  the  new  and 
enlarged  enterprise  which  presented  itself  in 
Popular  Gardening.  Unembarrassedaslnow 
am  with  the  many  small  perplexities  of  publish- 
ing I  shall,  in  connection  with  caring  for  over 
two  hundred  acres,  mostly  devoted  to  fruit 
growing,  here  and  at  the  South,  do  my  full  part 
towards  making  the  joint  paper  such  a  complete 
success  that  not  only  will  all  of  the  old  Recorder 
subscribers  renew  to  this  paper  at  the  expira- 
tion of  their  time,  but  also  a  large  number  of 
new  ones  be  added  to  the  list.  Success  to  the 
new  enterprise.  A.  M.  Purdy. 


Hold  on  to  the  Evaporated  Fruit 
This  Year. 

Be  in  no  hurry  to  sell.  The  Apple  crop  is  ex- 
ceedingly light  in  most  sections,  and  especially 
so  in  the  great  fruit  region  of  Western  New 
York.  As  to  Peaches,  the  crop  is  a  very  short 
one  north  of  Delaware,  and  evaporators  are 
scarce  south  of  that  point,  so  it  may  be  put 
down  as  a  certainty  that  but  few  evaporated 
Peaches  will  find  their  way  to  market. 

It  is  really  amusing  to  see  how  the  circulars 
of  certain  commission  men  report  '  'an  excess- 
ive large  harvest  of  Raspberries  in  Western 
New  York,"  when  the  truth  is  over  one-half 
the  crop  has  not  been  gathered  because  of  con- 


tinual midsummer  rains,  forcing  rapid  ripen- 
ing; and  then  a  scarcity  of  pickers  and  lack  of 
facilities  for  handling.  Whole  plantations  in 
Wayne  County— the  largest  producing  county 
in  New  York — have  gone  without  picking  for 
the  above  reasons. 

Some  of  these  men,  with  their  sharp  pencils, 
will  work  hard  to  get  a  "  corner"  on  the  evap- 
orated Raspberry  stock  by  buying  the^i  up  for 
13  to  15  cents  a  pound.  Let  growers  hold  on 
to  their  stock ;  they  will  see  a  big  bound  up- 
wards in  price  within  the  next  three  months. 
We  ourselves  have  10,000  to  13,000  pounds  and 
we  expect  to  obtain  not  a  cent  less  than  2.5  to 
88  cents  per  pound  for  them  before  next  spring. 

No  person,  either,  can  afford  to  grow  and 
evaporate  the  Black  Raspberry  for  less  than  18 
to  30  cents  and  the  Reds  for  35  cents,  for  look 
at  the  matter :  It  takes  3  to  3  1-4  quarts  of  the 
first  and  four  quarts  of  the  last  to  make  res- 
pectively a  pound  of  the  dried  article. 


Shall  we  Plant  Small  Fruits  for 
Market. 

The  question  whether  or  not  it  will  pay  to 
grow  small  fruits  for  market  is  a  frequent  one. 
In  a  general  way  we  can  sum  up  our  answer, 
based  on  a  long  experience  at  a  point  some 
distance  from  the  large  markets,  as  follows : 

1st.  If  you  can  be  sure  of  getting  at  least  5 
to  6  cts  per  quart  for  Strawberries,  5  cts  for 
Black  and  C>  cts  for  Red  Raspberries,  and  the 
last  figure  for  Blackberries,  you  can  make  it 
pay,  providing  you  are  in  sections  where  these 
stand  the  winter.  All  that  can  be  realized  over 
these  prices  you  can  count-on  as  clear  profit. 

Black  Raspberries  will  succeed  on  any  soil 
suited  to  Corn  and  Potatoes;  over-richness  is 
not  desirable.  The  same  may  be  said  of  such 
Red  Raspberries  as  Turner,  HanseU,  Crimson 
Beauty,  Herstine,  Brandywine  and  Cuthbert. 
The  Crimson  Beauty  and  HanseU  are  the 
earlist  of  all,  and  the  Cuthbert  the  latest.  The 
last  is  a  marvel  for  large  crops  and  hardiness. 

In  sections  where  the  Peach  will  not  staml  it 
is  not  safe  to  plant  Blackberries  like  the  Kitta- 
tiny,  Lawton,  Early  Wilson  and  Dorchester, 
but  only  such  sorts  as  Snyder,  Taylor's  Prolific, 
Stone's  Hardy,  Wachusett,  Western  Triomphe 
and  Wallace.  The  Gregg  Raspberry  is  a  little 
tender  in  such  localities,  while  the  Tyler  and 
Ohio  are  perfectly  hardy. 

3d.  One  important  item  towards  success  is  to 
he  .sii  re  you  can  get  plenty  of  pickers.  Another : 
Plant  hardy,  well  tried  sorts,  like  those  named. 

3d.     Don't  go  in  too  heavy  at  first. 

As  to  time  of  setting,  if  the  ground  is  high 
and  dry  we  prefer  fall,  as  we  then  have  more 
time  to  do  it  well — covering  each  hill  with  a 
forkful  of  coarse  litter,  to  remain  on  through 
the  winter.  That  to  fall  setting  for  all  kinds 
of  small  fruit  but  Strawl>erries,  which  we 
always  advise  to  set  in  the  spring,  unless  a  few 
for  family  use.  Of  course,  if  they  cannot  be  set 
in  the  fall,  then  set  in  the  spring— as  soon  as 
frost  is  out  and  the  ground  well  settled. 

4th.  Our  plan  of  setting  Raspberries  and 
Blackberries  is  to  prepare  ground  well,  then 
take  a  corn-marker  and  mark  out  one  way  3  or 
3  1-2  feet  apart,  and  with  a  one-horse  plow 
make  furrows  6  or  7  feet  apart  the  other  way 
and  set  plants  in  these  furrows  wherever  they 
cross  the  corn-marker's  marks.  By  this  plan 
we  can  cultivate  them  both  wa3-s  the  first  year 
and  thus  save  a  gi'eat  amount  of  hard  back- 
aching  work  in  hoeing. 

We  propose  in  future  numbers  to  give  in- 
structions needed  for  their  care  and  trimming. 


Questions  Asked  and  Answered. 

What  shall  I  do  with  my  Raspberries  and 
Blackberries?  Why,  the  new  growth  is  grow- 
ing out  of  all  bounds ! 

My  friend,  you  made  a  mistake  in  not  nipping 
that  new  growth  off  at  tip  ends  weeks  ago, 
when  not  over  3  to  3  feet  high,  owing  to  age 
and  stockiness  of  bush,  but  as  that  has  not  been 
done  go  through  them   at  once,  or  cut  them 


back  one-third  to  one-half,  and  as  side  branches 
grow  long  and  spindling  cut  these  off  also. 

We  here  wish  to  say  that  if  you  are  growing 
for  fruit  the  more  branches  and  tips  you  can 
make,  the  larger  your  crop  of  fruit. 

Another  asks.  Will  I  get  as  much  fruit  next 
year  if  I  layer  my  plants  now  for  new  plants  ? 

No ;  for  the  reason  that  you  should  stop  nip- 
ping by  August  1st,  to  allow  tips  to  get  long 
enough  to  reach  the  gi'ound.  While  if  not  to 
be  layered,  the  tip  ends  of  branches  can  be 
repeatedly  nipped  till  in  October,  thus  adding 
to  the  number  of  tips  and  wood  to  produce 
fruit  next  year. 

Another  says:  My  Raspberries  are  growing 
every  way ;  what  shall  I  do  !  We  answer,  cut 
back  and  nip  off  as  we  direct  and  soon  go 
through  with  stout  string  and  tie  around  the 
three  or  four  stalks  part  way  up,  thus  making 
them  support  each  other. 

Another  says.  My  Red  Raspberries  are  grown 
to  eight  feet  high;  what  course  shall  I  take 
with  them  I 

Take  a  com  knife  and  go  through  the 
rows  now  and  cut  them  back  to  the  height 
of  your  head  if  you  are,  say,  about  5  to  0  feet 
high,  and  next  winter  or  now,  as  you  may  have 
the  time,  clean  out  the  old  wood  and  with  stout 
string  tie  the  tops  of  three  to  four  stalks  to- 
gether.    Then  they  are  made  self  supporting. 

Another  asks.  Is  it  well  to  take  old  wood 
out  now  or  leave  it  in? 

We  have  generally  advocated  taking  it  out 
as  soon  as  through  bearing,  but  we  find  when 
that  is  done  the  new  growth,  which  is  very 
tender  at  this  season  of  the  year,  is  twisted  and 
broken  off ;  but  by  leaving  old  wood  in  a  few 
weeks,  or  even  till  winter  sets  in,  and  then  <'lean- 
ing  it  out,  the  new  growth  having  ripened  and 
become  hardened,  stands  better  and  besides  all 
have  more  time  to  do  it  then. 

Would  you  advise  manuring  Raspberries  ? 

Yes ;  we  have  done  so  for  years,  throwing  a 
small  forkful  aroimd  in  each  bush  after  fruit. 


The  sooner  Red  and  Black  Raspberries,  Black- 
berries, Currants  and  Gooseberries  are  set 
the  better.  Early  planting  induces  strong  root- 
ing before  the  winter  sets  in,  with  large  gi-owth 
next  season. 

When  Cultivating  Strawberries, where  strong 
new  fruiting  plants  are  wanted  along  the  row, 
run  the  same  way  every  time,  otherwise  you 
are  likely  to  tear  out  young  plants  that  are 
rooting.  The  same  may  be  said  of  Black  Rasp- 
berries where  you  are  layering  the  tip.  To  run 
both  ways  is  to  twist  off  the  young  plants. 

Strawberries  should  be  well  worked  and 
manured  now,  for  the  larger  the  fall  growth 
the  more  fruit  next  year.  Night  slops  and 
wash  water  are  excellent  for  this  fruit;  the 
former  especially  must  be  well  reduced,  as  too 
strong  does  harm.  If  an  old  bed  of  plants  are 
matted  over  the  ground  spade  or  plow  under 
the  older  plants,  leaving  rows  of  new  plants 
half-way  between. 

Fruit  in  Western  New  York.  The  Apple  and 
Peach  crop  is  very  light,  not  enough  for  home 
consumption  in  the  fresh  state.  We  passed 
through  one  large  Apple  orchard  the  past  week 
of  over  300  trees  that  will  not  give  to  exceed  35 
bushels  of  Apples.  The  same  may  be  said  all 
through  this  great  Apple  section,  and  as  for 
Peaches,  there  are  none.  In  our  young  orchard 
of  4,000  trees  we  will  not  get  one-half  bushel. 
Pears  and  Plums  are  a  good  crop  with  us. 

It  Worked  Well.  We  refer  to  the  plan  of 
ours  in  transforming  an  old  Black  Rasjiberry 
plantation  into  a  new  Blackberry  field.  It  was 
a  year  ago  la.st  spring  that  we  had  a  plantation 
of  Kentucky  Raspberries  ( black )  that  was 
running  out.  Knowing  we  could  expect  a  fair 
crop  or  two  yet,  but  not  more  than  that,  we 
entered  upon  the  plan  of  setting  the  Snyder 
Blackberry  half  way  between  the  former  in 
each  row,  and  when  they  got  to  bearing  well 
to  cut  out  the  Raspberries.  So  far  th  e  outcome 
has  been  good,  thus  getting  a   good   crop  of 


1 886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


'39 


both  from  the  same  land.  In  the  fall  the  Rasp- 
bei'ries  must  come  out,  leaving  the  ground  to 
be  occupied  by  the  Blackberries. 


Walks  and  Jottings. 

Layering  Raspberri/  tips  pretty  early  this  year, 
art'ii'^t  you? 

Well,  that  depends.  We  usually  nip  them  about 
this  time  in  August  to  cause  a  break-out  of  new  and 
more  tips.  But  then  these  are  Davison's  Thorn- 
less,  being  very  slender  growers,  and  we  have  found 
that  if  nipped  late  such  sorts  make  weakly  plants. 
Stronger  growing  kinds  may  be  nipped  and  layered 
later  than  this. 

How  (Id  yon  keep  the  bark  so  well  from  "  setting^^ 
on  your  budding  Pear  seedlings,  to  ivoi-k  in  dry 
iceather? 

By  running  through  the  rows  often  with  the  cul- 
tivator, eXc,  to  help  the 
roots  to  grow  thrifty 
and  long,  I  have  little 
trouble  in  this  respect. 
Yb itr  P I n m n  and 
Pears  are  hardly  af- 
fected at  all  by  wormn, 
I  .see;  hoii^  can  it  be 
accounted  for? 

We  sprinkled  the 
trees  last  spring  twice 
after  the  blossoms  had 
fallen  with  poisoned 
water  made  by  putting 
a  teaspoonful  of  Lon- 
don Purple  into  a  quart 
of  milk,  and  this  then 
into  a  pail  of  water. 
With  Page's  force 
1) u  ni  p  we  d  id  the 
spraying  of  the  trees. 
On  that  one  Cherry-tree 
there,  with  part  of  its 
leaves  dead,  we  over- 
did the  matter.  It  was 
found  that  a  slight 
spraying  is  all  that  is 
needed.  We  had  a 
spendid  Cherry  crop 
this  year,  the  fruit  be- 
ing free  from  worms, 
by  using  as  stated. 

IVliaf  do  you  advise 
d  o  i  n  g  ir  i  t  h  an  old- 
weedy  Straicberry  bed 
that  Imust  rely  on  next 
sea^'ion  for  fruit? 

Scatter  sufficient 
straw  over  the  bed  to 
just  hide  the  ground 

and  burn  it.  Such  a  course  will  destroy  weeds, w<>rms, 
seed  and  most  every  other  obnoxious  thing  without 
doing  harm  to  Strawberries,  but  be  of  great  benefit. 

/  see  those  heaps  of  siramp  muck.  Do  you  find 
this  artich'  of  any  value  on  your  place? 

Yes;  when  it  is  properly  composted, drawn  out  and 
mixed  in  layers  with  one-fourth  part  of  barn-yard 
manure  I  consider  it  makes  a  most  valuable  fer- 
tilizer for  all  fruit  crops. 

What  is  the  man  at  among  the  Peach  trees? 

Around  every  tree  he  is  applying  a  spoonful  of 
salt  close  to  the  head.  This  is  done  both  to  keep 
the  grubs  away  and  also  as  a  fertilizer.  We  find 
the  best  plan  is  to  mix  salt  and  unleached  wood 
ashes  together,  say  a  quart  of  salt  to  a  peck  of 
ashes,  and  put  a  pint  of  the  mixture  around  each 
tree.  We  also  whitewash  the  tree  as  you  see  with 
lime  whitewash  made  thin,  putting  a  spoonful  of 
carbolic  acid  and  a  handful  of  salt  into  each  pailful. 
This  keeps  grubs  and  vermin  away  and  gives  us 
healthy  trunks  and  trees. 

Hoic  about  Evergreens,  is  it  safe  to  transplant 
and  trim  them  at  this  season? 

Yes;  August  to  September  are  good  months  for 
botli,  only  be  careful  to  umlch  heavily  with  coarse 
litter  and  water  well  in  dry  weather.  In  trimming 
we  cut  back  the  top  and  never  the  bottom,  and 
when  we  get  a  go<td  bottom  for  the  tree  we  then  let 
it  grow,  occasionally  cutting  back  the  top  or  side 
branches  if  growing  too  spindling. 


give  Americans  a  chance  to  grow  this  fruit 
well  and  in  abundance. 

In  a  good  sized  patch  of  the  Industry  in  this 
nursery  we  saw  only  vigorous,  clean  handsome 
plants,  heavily  loaded  with  fruit.  The  accom- 
panying cut  is  a  good  representation  of  the 
fruit,  save  in  color,  which  is  tliat  of  a  dark 
cherry -color.  The  crop  was  very  fine  for  young 
plaiits  and  the  fruit  uniformly  large.  It  is  a 
vai'iety  that  we  shall  watch  with  much  inter- 
est. We  expect  to  be  able  to  report  from  a 
trial  plantation  of  our  own  by  next  year. 


Good  Things  Gathered  Up. 

I  have  learned  that  it  is  not  safe  to  reconnnend 
any  fruit  on  short  trial.— £".  Satterwait. 


temperature  that  will  not  vary  nuich  from  'A)", 
they  will  keep  i)erfectly  sound.  In  the  (Julf  Stat<?s 
they  are  ke]>t  hy  placing  them  in  oblong  or 
small  conical  piles,  on  a  bottom  of  corn-stalks  cov- 
ered with  long  str-aw.  iiiling  thereon  sunieient  earth 
to  keep  out  water,  giving  ventilation  by  means  of  a 
straw  chimney.  In  a  small  way  they  must  be  kejtt 
in  barrels,  with  dry  leaves  between  the  layers  of 
potatoes  in  a  room  where  the  temperature  will  be 
as  stated.  If  large  quantities  are  to  be  kept,  a  frost- 
proof building  should  be  erected,  with  projjcr  ven- 
tilation. Bins  are  built  regularly  in  the  building, 
and  the  Potatoes  placed  therein  mixed  with  air- 
dried  sand,  tlie  temperature  and  ventilation  regu- 
lated by  fire  or  steam  heat.  The  Potatoes  should 
not  be  placed  in  the  bins  until  first  seasoned,  V>y 
which  the  superabundant  moisture  of  the  Potatoes 
is  carried  off,  but  this  nuist  not  take  place  in  the 
sun.  At  60^  the  Potatoes  will  sprout,  while  40°  will 
certainly  chill  and  rot 


them.— Far  »t, 
and  StocJanan. 


Field 


A  Promising  Gooseberry— The  In- 
dustry. 

We  met  this  Goosebei'rv  for  the  first  time  in 
fruit  on  a  recent  visit  to  the  grounds  of  Ell- 
waiiger &  Barry, Rochester, N.Y.  Fora  foreij^n 
variety  it  certainly  was  a  revelation  to  our 
eyes,  and  at  once  lead  to  the  question,  whether 
we  have  not  at  last  found  the  sort  that  would 


A    PROMISING    GOOSEBERRY.— THE    INDUSTRY. 

Wise  Generation !  To  buy  foreign  manures  by 
thousands  of  tons,  and  permit  your  home  resources 
to  go  to  waste  in  river  and  sea. — Our  Country  Home. 

To  prevent  the  splitting  or  bursting  of  Cabbages, 
go  frequently  over  the  ground  and  start  every  Cab- 
bage that  appears  to  be  about  to  mature,  by  push- 
ing them  over  sideways.  Heads  thus  started  are 
said  to  grow  to  double  the  size  they  had  attained 
when  about  to  burst.—./.  ./.  H.  Gregory. 

Sulphide  of  Potassium.  This  remedy  for  mildew 
luKs  now  lieen  extensively  used  by  our  leading  gar- 
deners. As  it  is  a  remedy  at  once  cheap  and  eflfect- 
ual,  I  am  anxious  to  make  its  merits  as  widely 
known  as  possible  among  mj"^  fellow  amateurs  and 
gardeners  generally.  As  mildew  is  common  this  year 
[in  England  I.  I  hope  every  one  who  is  troubled  with 
this  pest  will  test  the  sulphide  and  report  whether 
it  proves  successful  or  not.— Gardening  World. 

Raspberry  Clearing.  I  have  discovered  an  easy 
way  of  clearing  a  field  of  old  Raspberry  bushes. 
Fii-st  i-eap  them  with  self-raking  reaper,  one  row  at 
a  time,  depositing  the  cut  bushes  in  piles  with  the 
self -rake.  After  a  few  days  pitch  three  rows  of 
gavels  into  one  and  burn  the  brush.  Then  spread 
the  ashes  and  plough  deeply  under  the  soil  the  stubs 
and  all  with  three  horses,  making  very  narrow 
lands.  Then  harrow  and  cross-harrow  several  times 
until  the  roots  and  stubs  of  the  Riispberiies  are 
mostly  drawn  and  deposited  by  the  harrows  in  the 
dead-furrows  between  the  lands.  Then  hitch  four 
horses  to  the  forty-tooth  harrow  and  run  it  length- 
wise of  the  furrows,  one  man  riding  the  harrow. 
This  drags  the  stubs  and  roots  into  piles  Two  men 
lift  the  drag  over  these  and  .so  on  until  all  the  roots 
and  stubs  ai'e  thus  piled.  When  they  have  become 
well  di'ied  these  are  burned  in  the  field  and  the  land 
is  ready  for  another  crop.  — Nfuj  York  Tribune. 

Keeping  Sweet  Potatoes.  If  dug,  dried  and 
haiidle<l  without  braising,  and  kept  dry,  with  some 
ventilation,  so  that  they   will  not  sweat,  and  at  a 


Poultry  Manure.  If 

the  droppings  of  (he 
fowls  were  saved  thou- 
sands of  dollars"  worth 
of  the  very  richest 
manure  might  be  re- 
turned to  the  soil.  It 
is  essential  in  saving 
them  up  that  they  be 
kept  dry.  To  stand  ex- 
posed to  rains  and  the 
sun  they  lose  their 
valuable  elements. 
Whether  one  cleans  the 
dropping  board  once 
each  day  or  once  each 
week,  it  is  much  better 
and  pleasant^r  to  have 
it  sprinkled  every 
morning  with  a  few 
handfuls  of  dry  earth 
—a  loam  of  sand  and 
clay  mixed  is  best. 
This  absorbs  the  vola- 
tile qualities  of  the 
manure  and  holds  them 
until  ready  to  be  ap- 
plied to  the  soil.  We 
have  found  poultry 
manure,  if  properly 
cared  for  under  cover, 
worth  as  much  as  Pa- 
cific guano,  which  is 
usuallj-  worth  $35  to 
$45  per  ton;  mix  it 
with  about  the  same 
quantity  of  soil  in  boxes,  barrels  or  bins;  keep 
it  dry  till  you  need.  For  vegetables  it  is  especially 
good,  except  Sweet  or  Irish  Potatoes.  It  grows 
them  too  much  to  vine.  For  Melons  it  has  no  su- 
I>erior;  for  fruit  trees  it  is  invaluable.  Poultry  ma- 
nure is  far  more  valuable  than  stable  manure,  and 
it  is  less  trouble  to  save;  if  kept  dry  one  hundred 
fowls  will  give  you  from  twelve  to  fifteen  pounds 
daily. — Nattiynal  Stockman. 

Planting  New  Orchards.  Of  late  years  in  the 
older  States  the  tendency  has  been  to  decrease  the 
amount  of  orcharding  rather  than  to  increase  it. 
That  this  policy  is  generally  unwise  is  tolerably 
certain.  To  those  well  located  and  on  not  too  ex- 
jiensive  land  the  result  of  such  planting  will  prove 
profitable.  It  needs  good  land  for  orchards.  While 
the  trees  are  growing  rich  soil  insures  thrift  and 
rapid  growth.  While  trees  that  are  stinted  by  pov- 
erty will  hear  earlier,  it  is  at  the  cost  of  vigor  and 
usefulness  later  on.  Those  planting  now  will  not 
make  the  mistake  so  common  formerly  of  planting 
a  great  variety  only  moderately  productive  and 
therefore  not  profitable.  The  mistake  now  will  be 
the  other  way,  in  restricting  varieties  to  one  or  two. 
It  is  often  said  that  there  is  no  Apple  so  pn  ifitable  as 
the  Baldwin.  This  is  true  of  many  but  not  all 
localities,  but  it  will  soon  cease  to  be  true  anywhere 
if  all  new  plantings  are  of  the  Baldwin  variety. 
It  is  not  likely  that  ihe  world  will  be  always  or  long 
satisfied  with  only  one  kind  of  ai>ples,  and  that  not 
the  best.  As  far  as  possible  the  same  varieties  of 
apples  should  be  planted  in  solid  blocks  It  often 
happens  that  apjtle  ti-ees  have  less  than  a  full  barrel 
in  a  season,  and  in  full  crops  there  are  parts  of  bar- 
I'els  left  over  fmrii  single  trees.  Having  varieties 
by  themselves  enables  the  Api>le  pickers  to  finish 
one  variety  before  beginning  another.  The  summer 
and  early  fall  Apples,  as  well  as  varieties  kept 
nuiinly  for  home  use.  should  be  near  the  house  and 
like  the  winter  varieties  in  all  cases  as  nuich  in  a 
bvmch  as  possible.— .-ImcricrtH  Cultivator. 


140 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


September, 


Marigolds. 

When  the  Poppies  Ijlaze  with  scarlet 

In  the  fields  of  tasseled  Maize. 
And  the  Cornflower  shows  its  turquoise 

All  along  the  woodland  ways— 
When  the  Clematis  its  tangle 

Weaves  above  the  filmy  Ferns, 
And  the  Cardinal's  bright  namesake 

In  the  rich  green  meadow  burns — 
Then  you  come,  O,  radiant  flower. 

Then  your  glowing  heart  unfolds ; 
Summer  dons  your  rich  tiara, 

Gorgeous,  yellow  Marigolds. 

— Helen  Chase. 

The  Reason. 

You  darling,  dear  little  Four  O'clock, 
All  the  summer  I've  guessed  and  guessed 

And  wondered  why  j'ou  never  awake 
With  the  Lilies  and  Roses  and  all  the  rest. 

You  never  open  your  pretty  eyes. 
Wet  with  the  drops  of  shining  dew, 

Nor  mind  at  all  when  the  warm  bright  sun 
Keeps  whispering  soft  and  coaxing  you. 

But  I  have  watched  you.  dear  little  flowers. 
Till  now  I  know  why  you  never  i)ut  on 

Your  beautiful  gold  and  crimson  crowns 
Till  the  summer  sunshine  is  almost  gone. 

The  cJiildi-en  are  gone  till  four  o'clock! 

You  listen  and  listen  to  hear  them  come 
Laughing  and  glad.    Then  you  peep  out 

To  give  them  a  smile  when  they  get  home. 

— Sidney  Day  re,  in  Youth's  Compa  it  ion. 


Leaf-raking  begins. 

Plan  well  in  gardening. 

Weed  the  garden  paths. 

The  last  issue  of  Volume  1. 

A  great  jump  in  oircnlation. 

Coboeas  are  now  in  their  prime. 

'What  business  has  the  Coleus  to  flower? 

What  a  large  f.araily  we  ai'e  getting  to  be. 

Is  it  cruel  to  raise  plants  and  then  pinch 
tliem? 

Help  make  horticultural  luiU  at  the  fair  a 
success. 

The  leaves  begin  to  turn,  but  they  will  return 
in  the  spring. 

Welcome !  friend  Purdy,  to  the  ranks  of  our 
editorial  stalT. 

In  lifting  plants  we  begin  on  Bou  vardia  eai'Iy 
in  this  month. 

A  Thought  for  Now.  One  year's  seeding 
makes  seven  years'  weeding. 

A  good  tree  or  plant  needs  no  more  room  tlian 
a  poor  one.     Have  the  good  one. 

Would'st  thou  bestow  blessings  on  genera- 
tions to  come  i  Then  plant  trees. 

A  Concord  Grape-vine  two  years  old  can  be 
bought  for  ten  cents,  and  yet  how  many  homes 
there  are  without  a  vine. 

The  Onion  crop  in  New  Jersey  is  being  eaten 
by  insects.  Their  offense,  like  that  of  Hamlet's 
stepfather,  "  is  rank ;  it  smells  to  heaven. " 

Are  Your   Plants   Yellowl     Here  is  an   idea 

then:  Excess,  as  well  as  a  deficiency  of  water, 
causes  GeraniuTns  and  the  like  to  turn  yellow. 

Previous  to  the  latter  end  of  the  fifteenth 
century  the  English — now  the  foremost  gar- 
deners of  the  world — were  ignorant  of  the  art 
of  cultivated  gardens. 

A  Large  Pansy  Bed.  Miss  Johnston,  a  grower 
of  Pansies  in  this  city,  sowed  two  pounds  of  the 
seed  last  month,  expecting  to  raise  300,(10fl 
jiiants  for  sale  next  spring. 


The  Hairy  Caterpillars  are  voracious  con- 
sumers of  foliage.  But  this  in  oui'  favor :  They 
are  ramblers  and  easily  seen,  hence  easy  to 
kill.     Kill  every  one  that  is  met. 

Not  in  Bloom.  He  (at  the  horticultural 
show). — "  This  is  a  Tobacco  plant,  my  dear." 
She. — "Indeed!  how  very  interesting !  But  I 
don't  see  any  cigars  on  it." — Har2)er\<:  Biiziiur. 
How  would  a  fine  ma-ss  of  the  Parrot  Tuhps 
on  your  lawn  next  spring  strike  you  ?  It  is 
not  too  early  to  plan  for  snch  things  during 
this  month,  for  next  month  is  the  best  time  to 
plant  these  and  all  hardy  bulbs. 

Castor  Oil  Plants  are  now  in  their  glory. 
But  all  of  their  beauty  may  be  laid  low  by  a 
heavy  gust  of  wind  snapping  them  off  at  the 
root.  A  stake  two  feet  long  to  support  each 
one  may  prevent  this.     This  need  not  show. 

The  Japan  or  Plicate  Viburnum.  This  Japa- 
nese Snowball,  with  its  very  handsome  and 
showy  globular  heads  of  flowers,  is  in  every 
way  so  worthy  of  more  extended  culture,  that 
we  advise  our  readers  to  plant  it.  There  is  a 
refined  beauty  about  the  plant  that  is  both  un- 
common and  captivating. 

Too  Mean.  It  is  reported  on  good  authority 
that  some  vandal  has  already  stolen  the  Ivy 
planted  by  the  Yale  class  of  '8(i.  It  was  the 
gift  of  Mrs.  Gushing,  who  got  it  herself  from 
Mt.  Helicon,  in  Greece,  from  the  face  of  a  cliff 
where  the  marble  was  quarried  for  the  build- 
ings on  the  Acropolis  at  Athens. 

Oberlin  College,  in  Ohio,  has  always  done 
what  it  could  to  instil  a  love  for  tree  plant- 
ing in  the  minds  of  the  young.  The  good  pa.s- 
tor,  Oljerlin,  after  whom  the  college  was  named, 
required  each  boy  and  gii'l,  before  he  would 
administer  the  ordinance  of  confirmation,  to 
bring  proof  that  he  or  she  hail  planted  two  trees. 
A  Fine  Wax  Plant.  It  is  only  four  years  old, 
but  has  a  number  of  branches,  the  largest  of 
which  have  nearly  reached  around  a  small  south 
room.  It  flowered  well  this  season.  The  plant 
referred  to  is  owned  by  E.  B.  Kinney,  a  sub- 
scriber, of  Windham  Co.,  Vermont,  who  has 
kindly  furnished  the  above  report  to  our  paper. 
Asiatic  Pitcher  Plants.  To  Mrs.  E.  P.  R.,  St. 
Joe,  Missouri,  we  would  say,  in  answer  to  her 
request,  that  these  plants  (Nepenthes)  can  be 
had  of  the  larger  growers,  of  exotics  and 
stove  plants.  We  happen  as  we  are  writing 
to  pick  up  the  catalogue  of  R.  J.  Halliday,  of 
Baltimore, Md.,  in  which  for  one  they  are  offered. 
Learn  Where  You  Can.  It  may  beqioticed  that 
those  amateurs  whose  attention  largely  centers 
on  growing  one  plant,  be  it  an  Ivy,  Geraniinn, 
Rose,  Cactus  or  even  a  Cigar  Plant,  usually 
have  remarkable  success,  even  when  the  situa- 
tion seems  to  be  against  plant  culture.  After 
all  it  is  care  more  than  completeneiis  of  facili- 
ties that  is  at  the  bottom  of  success  in  gardening. 
A  Tea  Remedy.  L.  J.  Hiatt,  a  subscriber 
living  in  Montgomery  Co. ,  Ind. ,  reports  em- 
ploying such  a  one  with  success  in  destroying 
the  Black  Flea  on  Chrysanthemums.  The  direc- 
tions are  to  sprinkle  the  plants  and  rub  the 
stems  where  the  insects  are  bad  with  cold  Tea. 
Three  or  fom-  applications  to  plants  that  were 
badly  infested  cleaned  them  so  they  have  been 
perfectly  free  from  the  insect  ever  since. 

"  Popular  Gardening  "  with  the  next  volume 
takes  front  rank  with  papers  of  its  class. 
Indeed  we  are  willing  to  leave  it  to  our  readers 
to  say  whether  for  practical  worth,  beauty  and 
circulation  it  is  not  now,  let  alone  coming 
improvements,  at  the  very  head  of  American 
gardening  papers.  But  the  matter  of  circula- 
tion rests  largely  with  them.  If  each  reader  now 
could  send  in  one  new  subscriber  to  begin  with 
October,  what  a  bound  that  would  be  for  us. 

Begun  at  Home.  No  one  can  possibly  guess 
how  many  new  plants  and  flowers  will  be 
named  after  the  j'oung  mistress  of  the  White 
House  at  Washington  within  the  next  few 
years,  but  it  will  no  doubt  be  very  large.  The 
wheel  was  set  a-rolling  right  at  home  by  Mr. 
Pfitzer,  the  gardener  at  the  White  House,  in 


calling  his  new  Gloxinia  "The  Mrs.  Cleveland." 
It  is  a  pleasant  way  of  recognizing  the  esteem 
in   which   the   wife  of  the  President   is  held. 

Poets  and  Gardening.  The  poets  have  never 
been  able  to  reconcile  themselves  to  the  stiff 
and  unnatural  style  of  gardening  which  so 
much  prevailed  in  Europe  a  century  or  more 
ago.  It  is  said,  for  instance,  that  the  ridicule  of 
Addison,  the  imaginings  of  Milton,  the  natural 
description  of  scenery  by  Thompson  and  Shen- 
stone,  and  the  refined  criticisms  of  Pope,  Gray, 
Whatley  and  Walpole,  practically  applied,  had 
a  wonderful  effect  on  improving  English  gar- 
dens and  parks. 

Vegetable  Pillows,  A  new  and  harmless 
mania  is  the  Pine-needle  craze.  Ladies  who 
take  vacations  among  the  pine  woods  in  the 
Eastern  States  make  a  point  of  bringing  home 
enough  Pine  Needles  for  a  pillow,  having  faith 
in  the  healthful  and  healing  properties  of  the 
balsam  which  they  contain.  One  pillow  will 
last  from  vacation  to  vacation.  There  are 
many  sweet  herbs  that  would  make  more 
wholesome  pillows  than  musty  feathers.— Caii'- 
fornid   Patron. 

This  is  the  last  issue  of  Popular  Garden- 
ing paid  for  by  many  subscribei-s.  But  judg- 
ing by  the  way  renewals  for  Volume  2  are  com- 
ing in  thus  early,  a  hearty  and  prompt  response 
in  this  direction  may  be  expected  from  every 
one  of  such  subscribers.  This  is  desirable. 
Done  at  once  and  your  name  need  not  be  dis- 
turbed on  our  books,  a  gain  both  to  yourself 
and  to  us.  Popular  GARDENiN(i  needs  you 
as  a  patron;  you  need  Popular  Gardening, 
hence  our  relations  should  continue  without 
break.     Let  the  dollars  come. 

Well  Begun  is  Half  Done.  Years  of  experi- 
ence leads  us  to  begin  the  battle  against  insects 
on  house  and  conservatory  plants  eai-ly  in  the 
fall.  Green  Flies,or  Aphis,  are  sure  to  be  lurking 
about  the  garden  plants  at  this  season, and  every 
one  killed  now  is  eijuivalent  to  a  large  number 
to  be  killed  later,  as  they  increase  with  exceed- 
ing rapidity.  Where  there  ai'e  but  few  the 
thumb-nail  will  answer  to  destroy  them;  if 


THE  JEWELL  STRAWBERRY.— See  ojip.  page. 

many,  a  wash  of  tobacco  water,  colored  to  look 
like  strong  tea,  and  heated  to  about  180°,  or 
else  a  dusting  with  tobacco  powder,  will  serve 
well  as  a  remedy. 

Stones  for  Layering,  Etc.  A  writer  in  the 
CUirden  finds  that  layered  shoots  and  branches 
of  all  shrubs,  vines  and  trees  root  much  more 
quickly  if  placed  in  the  soil  and  covered  with 
a  good-sized  stone  than  if  pegged  down  in  the 
usual  way.  Even  for  many  hardy  plants  we 
find  this  ]Jan  of  stone  layering  very  successful. 
A  few  good  boulders,  half  sunk  in  the  turf, 
make  fine  positions  for  clump.s  of  Yucca, 
or  of  Acanthus.  If  carefully  grouped  and 
fringed  with  anj-  small-leaved  creeping  forms 
of  Ivy  stones  make  very  lieautiful  groups 
and  add  variety  to  flat  surfaces. 

Hollyhocks.  "Sister  Gracious"  writes,  under 
date  of  July  31,  that  people  do  not  enough  ap- 


1 886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


'4' 


preoiate  Hollvliocks.  A  lady  speaking  to  her 
tleelares  she  will  uot  have  such  common  look- 
ing things  in  her  garden.  Now  what  is  the 
trouble  in  the  case  ?  It  is  that  thoy  are  too  ottf  n 
planted  singly,  or  in  a  stiff  row  by  the  fence. 
Try  grouping  them  instead.  With  taste  in  the 
selection  of  colors,  one  may  have  a  very  satis- 
factory return  for  very  small  labor,  Bj'  ox- 
changing  seed  every  conceivable  shade,  from 
almost  black  to  white,  may  be  secured.  Could 
not  one  have  a  rainbow  bed  of  Hollyhocks? 

It  has  come  to  our  knowledge  that  in  some 
instances  both  subscribers  and  advertisers  have 
been  frightened  away  from  PuruLAR  Garden- 
ing b}'  its  low  price  of  (io  cents  a  year.  They 
reasoned  that  such  a  price  had  a  suspicious 
look — either  the  paper  was  run  to  advertise 
some  one's  business,  in  which  case  they  didn't 
want  it,  or  else  it  couldn't  last  long,  in  which 
case  they  wouldn't  get  it.  Well  then  to  all  sucii : 
Here  it  is  at  a  dollar  a  year,  to  be  l>oth  enlarge  1 
and  improved.  We  think  such  a  figure  docs 
have  a  more  stable  appearance  to  say  the  least. 
Now  for  the  subscribers  and  other  patronage. 

Not  quantity  but  quality  should  lie  the  first 
aim  in  wimlow  gardening.  There  will  now  be 
the  temptation  to  lift  moi'e  plants  than  can  be 
well  cared  for,  because  we  love  them  so.  But 
it  is  better  to  bring  one's  mind,  to  control  as  to 
immbei's  just  so  closely,  that  all  plants  retained 
can  be  well  accommodated,  than  to  practice 
undue  crowding.  It  certainly  is  more  satisfac- 
tory to  grow  thi-ee  or  six  plants  to  become  the 
finest  possible  specimens  than  to  have  three 
times  this  number  huddled  together  in  a  man- 
ner that  forbids  both  healthfulness  and  beauty. 
Now  is  the  time  to  choose  between  the  better 
and  the  worse  plan  so  far  as  affects  the  window 
display  of  the  next  eight  months. 

To  drown  out  a  fruit  thief  in  a  tree  by  turning 
the  garden  hose  on  him  would  seem  not  so 
bad  a  plan,  but  we  should  be  sure  the  thief 
does  not  clear  out  while  the  preparation  for  the 
work  is  going  on.  The  Bostini  Tniiiscrijit  re- 
lates that  this  very  thing  happened  in  one  case 
in  the  suburbs  of  that  city  a  short  time  ago. 
A  woman  returning  home  after  dark  heard  a 
rustle  in  her  Chei'ry  tree  and  realized  that 
somebody  was  stealing  fruit.  As  she  entered 
the  house  a  man  dropped  from  the  tree  and 
disappeared.  A  moment  later  the  woman  ap- 
peared with  a  line  of  garden  hose  and  pro- 
ceeded to  drench  the  tree.  For  ten  minutes 
she  directed  a  shower  upon  it,  probably  con- 
gratulating herself  all  the  while  on  her  shrewd- 
ness in  punishing  the  intruder.  It  was  too  dark 
to  see  that  he  had  gone. 

Something  new  in  the  line  of  vegetables  is 
being  brought  forward  by  the  well-known 
French  seedsmen,  Vilmorin,  Antb-ieux  &  Co., 
of  Paris,  which  is  exciting  some  interest.  It  is 
called  Cht)ro-gi  and  is  a  native  of  Northern 
Africa.  It  belongs  to  the  Mint  family  (botan- 
ical name  Stiivhi/s  affinis).  Its  fleshy  roots  or 
tubei's  only  are  eaten,  dressed  like  string  beans 
or  fried  like  fritters,  and  ai'e  said  also  to  make 
an  excellent  pickle.  Whether  it  will  ever  ad- 
vance to  a  place  among  really  useful  vegetables 
remains  to  be  determined  by  trial.  Speaking 
of  new  vegetables  coming  into  use,  it  is  a 
singular  fact  that  the  Tomato,  such  a  great 
favorite  in  our  day,  was  gi-own  only  as  an  orna- 
mental fruit  for  ages,  before  its  real  value 
seems  to  have  been  discovered. 

From  Iowa's  Buffalo.  It  is  not  claimed  that 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  is  the  only  place  of  the  name, 
from  which  emanates  horticultural  wisdom. 
F'or  instance,  here  is  a  welcome  little  note 
signed  "  Mrs.  M.  R.  W."  that  contains  some 
excellent  information,  not  to  say  pleasant 
words:  "I  find  mulching  Gladiolus  heavily 
with  old  leaves  a  most  excellent  plan.  It  the 
weather  is  dry,  water  copiously  in  addition. 
But  the  mulching  must  be  preceded  by  a  thor- 
ough cultivation  with  the  hoe.  The  most  in- 
teresting work  I've  been  at  lately  is  the  culti- 
vation of  seedling  Gladiolus  and  the  tiny  bulb- 
lets.     Let  us  heai-  from  some  of  the  Gladiolus 


cultivators.  Many  beautiful  spikes  of  flowers 
are  now  out  from  bulbs  set  in  April.  Long 
live  Popular  GARnENiN(!:  It  is  splendid." 
The  Title  Page  and  Index  to  the  Annual 
\'ohune,  wliich  we  furnish  as  a  gi'atuity  with 
each  copy  of  this  months'  paper,  should  serve 
a  good  purpose:  To  those  who  have  \'oIumc 
1   in   full,  for  completing  the  volume  for  bind- 


Gluri/  of  the 


(Ski/  Blue  and  WhiU-.) 


ing;  to  the  former  subscribers  of  the  Fruit 
h'cniiilcr,  in  giving  them  an  idea  of  what  a 
st<jrling  paper  this  Popular  Gardening  to 
which  they  come  as  readers,  is  and  has  been. 
We  trust  thjit  the  careful  work  and  no  small 
expense  incurred  in  getting  out  this  extra  may 
therefore  be  appreciated.  But  this  we  will  say 
additional :  Whoever  lives  to  see  the  index  of  the 
coming  year's  enlai'ged  volume  will  see  a  gi'eat 
increase  in  contents  and  size  over  the  present 
one.  The  annual  index  would  be  an  excellent 
aid  to  our  friends  in  their  work  of  securing 
subscribei's  for  oui"  next  volume. 

Glory  of  the  Snow.  This  flower,  known  bo- 
tanically  as  Cliiumjiloxa  Liirilio',  and  shown 
in  the  engraving  is  one  of  the  lovliest  of  hardy 
flowers.  But  it  is  not  yet  well  known,  having 
only  been  introduced  to  cultivation  in  1877,  less 
than  ten  years  ago.  It  deserves  to  be  rapidly 
disseminated.  Its  time  of  bloom  is  among  the 
very  earliest — keeping  company  with  the  first 
Crocuses.  The  color  is  a  beautiful  clear  blue 
tint  on  the  outside,  gradually  merging  into 
pure  white  in  the  center  much  as  in  Npnntphila 
iiisiijnis^  but  even  brighter.  The  blossoms, 
from  five  to  ten  in  number  on  each  stem,  are 
poised  on  gracefuUj'  arching  stalks  (not  sufli- 
<'iently  shown  in  the  engraving)  from  four  to 
eight  inches  high.  The  blooms  ai'e  star-shaped 
and  nearly  an  inch  across.  The  plants  succeed 
well  in  any  ordinary  boixler  that  is  under- 
drained,  and  of  which  the  soil  is  not  too  heavy. 
On  the  rockery  or  any  kind  of  elevation  it  is 
perfectly  at  home,  being  a  mountain  plant.  It 
is  sold  at  the  hardy  plant  nurseries. 

Honeysuckles.  Why  will  people,  in  the 
country  especiallj',  tolerate  bare  walls  when 
there  are  so  many  beautiful  plants  that  may 
be  grown  with  little  trouble  to  clothe  them 
with  a  wealth  of  foliage  and  blossom  .'  One  of 
the  most  beautiful  sights  we  have  seen  for  some 
time  was  the  south  side  of  a  cottage  covered 
with  a  profusion  of  bloom  of  the  Yellow  Halls' 
Japan  Honeysuckle.  Planted  in  ordinary  gai'den 
soil,  which  was  slightly  enriched  each  year 
with  stable  manure,  it  grew  luxuriantly,  and 
for  some  tin^e  now  it  has  been  ^jne  mass  of 
bright  Howei's.  The  growth  had  not  been  tied 
in  cai'efuUy ;  and  though  this — the  want  of  trim- 
ness — ma)',  in  the  opinion  of  some,  l)e  a  fault, 
it  was  impossible  not  to  admire  the  brilliant 
festoons  of  bloom  which  drooped  over  the  dooi-- 
way  and  windows.  We  noticed  while  in  at  tend- 
ance on  the  Nurserymen's  Convention  at  Wash- 


ingt()n,  in  June,  a  simple  but  fine  way  of  using 
the  Honeysuckles  in  the  grounds  of  the  Agri- 
cultural Department.  This  consisted  of  plant- 
ing a  nui.ssof  difl'erent  varieties  in  a  clump,  the 
plants  at  say  three  feet  apart,  and  then  allow- 
ing them  (o  grow  in  a  tangle  as  they  would. 

The  Jewell  Strawberry.  This  new  variety  is 
one  of  so  much  promise  that  the  eyes  of  all 
progi-essive  cultivators  are  turned  towards  it. 
The  size  of  the  fruit  is  very  large  (see  opposite 
page),  its  color  a  bright  red,  inclining  towards 
crimson  when  fully  ripe,  and  the  (juality  ex- 
cellent. The  plants  possess  great  vigor  and  are 
enormous  bearers,  provided  the  one  great  es- 
sential always  to  large  crops,  generous  feeding, 
is  duly  furnished.  As  to  productiveness  the 
originators  of  this  berry,  Messrs.  P.  M.  Augiu- 
&  Sons,  Middlefleld,  Conn,  (and  to  whose 
kindness  we  are  indebted  for  the  use  of  the  en- 
graving opposite),  make  the  following  compar- 
ative report  on  pickings  at  two  different  dates 
the  past  season,  of  the  varieties  named  below, 
the  i-ows  in  the  testing  grounds  being  in  each 
instance  14  rods  long: 

June  MOth,  picking       July  Itth,  picking 
Jewell,  43  to  50  quarts.  27  quarts. 

Sharpless,         12  to  lo      "  a  to  4        " 

Jersey  Queen,  11  to  12      "  

But  it  nmst  be  added  that  in  this,  like  in 
many  others  of  our  greatest  bearers,  the  flowei-s 
are  imperfect,  being  devoid  of  stamens;  hence 
it  becomes  necessary  to  plant  some  other  vari- 
ety (the  Wilson  for  example)  having  perfect 
Howeis  near  by,  say  in  the  proportion  of  1  to  .5, 
that  the  flowers  may  lie  properly  fertilizeil.  To 
the  I'areful  and  enthusiastic  cultivator  there  is 
little  objection  to  this,  in  view  of  the  .superior 
product.  It  implies  the  mere  aijplication  of 
intelligence  and  art  in  the  wa)'  of  improved 
culture,  to  which  no  amateur  should  feel  averse. 


The  Philadelphia  Meeting  of  Florists, 
August  1  Sth  to  21st. 

It  was  a  lai'ge  ami  enthusiastic  meeting,  with 
fully  700  participants.  Florists  from  all  sec- 
tions of  the  country  were  there,  the  younger 
men  of  the  craft  having  been  in  marked  proni- 
ineni'e,  while  the  women  florists,  as  we  note 
with  real  pleasure,  turned  out  in  remarkably 
good  numbers.  From  first  to  last  everything 
connected  with  the  convention  moved  off  with 
vigor  and  harmony,  showing  that  the  manage- 
ment was  in  the  best  of  hands.  <  )ne  has  but  to 
recall  that  this  important  convention  was  but 
the  secoiul  one  in  the  life  of  the  Society  of 
American  Florists  ever  held,  for  arriving  at  a 
fair  estimate  of  what  a  live,  influential  and 
progressive  class  of  people  the  florists  of 
America  are.  In  very  many  ways  it  was  an 
occasion  of  which  to  be  very  proud. 

President  John  Thorpe,  than  whom  no  nuin 
has  contributed  more  to  the  success  of  the 
young  society,  opened  the  meeting  proper'  on 
Wednesday  the  IJSth  with  the  annual  address. 
It  was  an  able  ett'ort,  kindling  a  flame  of  en- 
thusiasm, which  grew  and  extended  all  through 
the  meeting.     We  offer  a  few  salient  parts 

FROM   president  THORPE'S  ADDRESS; 

The  two-.vear-old  seedling  is  developing  finely 
and  ivlread}-  is  bearing  good  fruit.  I  can  see  in  tlie 
near  future  the  Society  of  American  Florists  taking 
a  position  equal  to  any  organization  in  the  country. 

When  the  society  gets  more  deeply  rooted  I  hope 
to  see  one  of  its  branches  sliaped  into  an  experi- 
mental gnrden;  there  should  be  also  a  good  library. 

Another  branch  should  be  the  establishment  of 
local  exliiltitions  controlled  by  oomnuttees  ajjpuiiited 
by  the  society,  thus  giving  encouragement  to  mem- 
bers debarred  from  taking  part  in  comi>ctitions 
where  distance  is  too  far  from  the  large  cities. 

I  hope  to  see  established  a  nnitunl  lH'ne\-olent 
association,  which  shall  t»e  so  trainetl  astontTnrd 
shelter  for  any  memljers  overtaken  by  misfortune. 

Mr.  Thorjie  called  attention  to  the  fact  that 
exhibitions  of  flowers  are  a  chief  cause  of  de- 
veloping the  florist  busincs.s. 

Don't  lie  afraid  to  exhiljit.  Make  exhibitions, 
join  yoiu*  local  societies  and  bring  something.  Never 
mind  if  you  do  not  happen  to  secm-e  the  first  prize. 


14: 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


September, 


While  you  are  aiming  to  get  first  prizes  you  are  do- 
ing good  to  your  business  and  floriculture  generally. 

Exhibitions  made  our  great  Roses  realize  the 
prices  that  they  have.  Exhibitions  made  the  sale 
of  Chrysanthemums  for  the  past  two  years  foot  up 
to  a  million  of  plants.  So  don't  go  away  with  the 
impression  that  if  you  do  not  happen  to  have  a  roil 
of  bills  to  take  home  with  you  from  each  one  that 
you  are  the  loser.  You  are  sowing  the  seed,  the 
crop  from  which  will  be  harvested  as  it  ripens. 

The  raising  of  new  varieties  from  seed  is  receiv- 
ing more  attention  than  formerly ;  but  yet  this  is 
not  carried  out  to  the  extent  that  it  ought  to  be.  I 
know  it  is  frequently  remarked  that  we  have  already 
too  many  varieties  of  plants  and  liowere,  and  that 
the  old  varieties  are  good  enough.  If  this  doctrine 
had  always  been  believed,  none  of  the  fine  varieties 
of  flowers  grown  to-day  would  have  ever  been 
known.    The  very  best  old  varieties  were  once  new. 

In  connection  with  this  I  wish  to  say  to  the  ,voung 
members  of  our  society,  select  some  popular  plant 
for  improvement.  Begin  raising  seedlings  by  ju- 
dicious cross  fertilization  and  careful  selection: 
then,  by  patience  and  perseverance,  the  results  will 
be  more  than  satisfactory ;  furthermore,  I  can,  after 
long  years  of  experience,  promise  you  one  of  the 
most  delightful  pursuits  there  is  in  the  world. 

The  veteran  Peter  Henderson  read  an  inter- 
esting paper  on  "The  Progi-ess  of  Floriculture," 
which  we  regret  not  having  the  space  in  this 
issue  to  print. 

Among  other  vahiable  essays  read  and  dis- 
cussed during  the  three  days  meeting  were  the 
following:  Autoine  Wintzer,  on  "Treatment 
of  Tea  Roses  <luring  the  Simimer,''  with  a  list  of 
best  varieties;  John  Henderson,  of  Flushing, 
Long  Island,  on  "  Hybrid  Perpetual  Roses  for 
Outdoor  Summer  Bloom,"  with  list  of  varieties ; 
Robert  Craig,  on  "  Pot-grown  Roses  for 
Market  Purjioses:  their  Care  and  Treatment;" 
John  N.  May,  on  "  Model  Greenhouses  and  How 
to  Build  Them;"  James  Taplin,  "Pot-grown 
Decorative  Foliage  Plants  for  General  Pur- 
poses," Joseph  Tailby,  on  "  Carnations  and 
their  Treatment;"  J.  D.  Carmody,  on  "  The  Ad- 
vantages of  Hot  Water  over  Steam  for  Heating 
Purposes;"  J.  D.  Taylor,  "  The  Advantages  of 
Steam  over  Hot  Water  for  Heating  Purposes ;" 
A.  Le  Moult,  on  "The  Making  ITp  of  Floral  De- 
signs," illustrating  his  methods  with  actual 
work  on  the  stage.  In  future  issuesof  Popular 
Gardening  some  of  these  papers  will  be  printed. 
The  election  of  officers  for  the  ensuing  year 
on  Friday  resulted  as  follows:  President, 
Robert  Craig,  Philadelphia ;  vice-president,  J. 
C.  Vaughn,  Chicago;  secretary,  Edward  Lons- 
dale, Philadelphia;  treasurer,  Myron  A.  Hunt, 
Chicago.     Chicago  is  to  have  the  next  meeting. 


Some  Notes  In   Brief. 

Thorpe  was  bu.sy  as  ever. 

The  florists  were  caned,  as  they  deserve. 

Philadelpliia  weather  is  a  fine  article  it  the  sam- 
jilc  was  a  fair  one. 

In  Hot-water  Yet:  The  (Question  of  Steam  vs. 
Hoi  Water  for  heating. 

The  greatest  horticultural  convention  ever  held 
in  America,  says  Popular  Gardening. 

Gloxinia  culture  should  receive  an  impetus  from 
so  many  florists  seeing  Dreer's  fine  exhibit  of  these. 

Sturtevant's  Victoria  Eegias,  with  floating 
leaves  over  five  feet  across,  were  eye-openers  to  most 
of  the  visitore. 

"Popular  Gardening"  came  in  for  a  bountiful 
share  of  subscriptions,  renewals  and  hearty,  good 
words.     Thank  you  all. 

It  is  generally  said  that  Pansies  are  not  mid- 
summer flowers.  What  can  be  offered  against  such 
a  display  as  Kreinberg  made. 

One  result  of  these  hve  conventions  is  seen  in  the 
increased  number  of  new  florists'  appliances  that 
are  exhibited.    The  florists  are  awake. 

To  hear  Le  Moult  of  New  York  with  the  practical 
illustrations  offered,  and  to  see  his  unique  exhibits, 
was  alone  worth  a  trip  as  far  as  from  the  Rockies. 

The  hospitality  of   Mr.  George    W.   Childs   at 
•  "  Wootton  ■'  uuist  ever  linger  as  a  sweet  memory 
with    the    fortunate  visitors.     Then  there   is  the 
handsome  photograph  in  Rile  &  Kern's  best  Phila- 
delphia style  also. 

It  was  Right  Royal,  The  complete  manner  in 
which  the  Philadelphia  florists  entertained  their 
visitors  was  a  theme  of  constant  comment.  We  have 


no  difficulty  in  naming  one  of  the  places  where  the 
society  will  meet  within  the  next  six  years.  Such 
treatment  maketh  its  deep  impressions. 

Hail  Insurance  don't  drop  out  so  easily,  for  the 
florists  perceive  just  where  the  shoe  pinches.  Be- 
cause everj'thing  did  not  point  to  a  clear  solution  of 
the  problem  it  would  have  been  anything  but  cred- 
itable to  the  intelhgence  of  the  florists  to  have 
passed  the  matter  by  unfavorably.  Now  let  the 
committee  appointed  show  that  the  project  is  an  en- 
tirely fe.asable  one.    We  believe  it  to  be  such. 

■Women  Florists  of  America,  that  is  right,  come 
up  to  the  front  whenever  the  matters  of  flowers, 
flower  growing  or  flower  selling  is  up.  Your  rights 
in  this  domain  are  both  recognized  and  gracefully 
respected,  as  was  here  perceived.  If  any  one  could 
have  for  a  moment  harbored  the  thought  that 
"  somebody's  out  of  place,"  it  must  have  received 
for  one  thing  a  practical  reproof  in  the  dexterity 
shown  by  Le  Moult's  female  helpers  on  the  stage  in 
making  up.  Those  skillful  movements  showed  who 
it  is  that  is  in  place  when  floral  matters  are  involved. 


The  Niagara  Falls  Meeting  of 
Seedsmen. 

The  Fourth  Annual  Meeting  of  the  American 
Seed  Trade  Association  was  held  at  Niagara 
Falls,  August  4th-7th,  as  per  announcement. 
There  was  a  satisfactory  if  not  large  gathering 
of  members.  The  annual  election  of  officers 
resulted  as  follows:  John  Fottler,  Jr.,  presi- 
dent; F.  E.  McAllister,  first  vice-president;  W. 
Atlee  Burpee,  second  vice-president;  Albert 
McCullough,  secretary  and  treasurer;  C.  L. 
Allen,  assistant  secretary  and  treasurer;  Execu- 
tive Committee,  Wni.  Meggatt,  Jno.  H. 
Allan,  Jas.  Vick,  Ja-s.  Reid,  J.  C.  Vaughan; 
Committee  on  Membership,  E.  B.  Clark,  B. 
M.  Knickerbocker,  R.  A.  Bobbins. 

The  next  meeting  is  to  be  held  in  Philadel- 
phia, beginning  the  'id  Tuesday  in  June,  188T. 

More  than  the  above  meagre  report  we  cannot 
give  This  is  not  because  Popular  Gardening 
was  imrepresented,  but  liecause  of  our  respect- 
ing the  rules  of  the  society,  against  admitting 
the  press  to  the  meetings.  The  meetings  of 
the  association  always  have  been  very  exclu- 
sive— too  much  so  perhaps — in  character.  Then 
unlike  some  publishers  of  gardening  papers,  we 
do  not  happen  to  be  in  the  seed  trade.  A  syn- 
opsis of  matters  of  public  interest  promised 
Popular  Gardening  by  the  Secretary,  had 
not  reached  us  at  time  of  going  to  press.  This 
statement  seems  due  to  the  many  seedsmen  who 
are  among  our  regular  readers. 


The  Coming  Meeting  of  the  American 
Horticultural  Society. 

On  September  7th  the  annual  meeting  of 
this  society  will  convene  in  the  city  of  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  to  be  in  session  for  three  or  four 
days.  The  programme  embraces  some  of  the 
leading  names  known  to  American  Horticul- 
tm'e,  and  also  some  from  abroad.  The  meet- 
ing promises  to  be  one  of  the  most  important, 
not  to  say  interesting,  ones  eyer  held  by  this 
enterprising  and  growing  association.  We 
trust  there  may  be  a  large  attendance,  indeed 
we  feel  to  urge  all  lovers  of  the  "art  which 
does  mend  nature "  to  be  present.  For  pio- 
gramme  and  full  particulars,  address.  Secre- 
tary W.  H.  Ragan,  Greenland,  Indiana,  up  to 
the  opening  of  the  convention. 


Some  Coming  State  Fairs. 

Connecticut  State,  Meriden,  Sept.  14-17. 

Delaware,  Dover,  Sept.  28-Oot.  1. 

Georgia,  Macon,  (^ct    2.5-Nov.  9. 

Indiana,  Indianapolis.  Sept.  37-Oct.  2, 

Iowa,  Des  Moines,  Sept.  3-10. 

Kansas.  Topeka.  Sept.  20-25. 

Maine  State  and  Pomoiogical,Lewiston,Sep.  14-17 

Maryland,  Baltimore,  Sept.  13-18. 

Massachusetts.  Boston,  <_»ct.  5-8. 

Michigan.  Jackson,  Sept.  13-17. 

Missouri,  St.  Louis,  Oct.  4-9. 

Nebraska,  Lincoln,  Sept.  10-17. 

New  Hampshire,  Manchester,  Sept.  14-16. 

New  .lersey,  Waverly,  Sept.  13^17. 

New  York,"  Utica,  Sept.  2»<-29. 

North  Carolina,  Raleigh,  Oct.  2,5-30. 

Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia,  Sept.  6-18. 

Rhode  Island,  Providence,  Sept.  20-24. 

A'ermont,  Burlington,  Sept.  13-17. 

Virginia,  Richmond,  Oct.  20-22. 

West  Virginia,  Wheeling,  Sept.  6-11. 

Wisconsin,  Madison,  Sept.  20-24. 


THE    HOUSE    PLANTS. 

Agapanthus.  The  flowers  over,  cut  down  the 
stem  half  way,  to  prevent  seeding.  Keep  growing 
for  a  month  longer,  then  dry  partly  off,  keeping 
in  any  place  free  of  frost  and  not  dark,  until  spring. 

Annuals,  like  Asters,  Balsams,  Chinese  Pinks, 
etc.,  in  a  good  state,  may  be  lifted  (as  directed  under 
"  Lifting  " )  for  enlivening  the  window  diu-ing  the  sea- 
son of  floral  dearth,  near  at  hand. 

Azaleas  and  other  hardwooded  plants  to  be  shel- 
tered in  an  out-house  or  veranda  from  chills  for  a 
month  longer  before  bringing  into  the  house. 

Begonias.  Dig  tuberous  ones  at  time  of  frosts, 
dry  the  bulbs  thoroughly  and  winter  in  dry  sand. 

Cactuses  summered  in  the  border  to  be  lifted  be- 
fore fall  rains  set  in  and  moved  into  the  dry. 

Carnations  to  be  taken  up  towards  the  end  of  the 
month,  treating  as  directed  under  "  Lifting." 

Chrysanthemums.    See    "Plants  Under  Glass." 

Cytisus.  Lift  liedded  plants;  bring  on  carefully 
in  pots,  for  promoting  heavy  spring  bloom. 

Jerusalem  Cherry,  of  which  a  cut  is  shown,  to  be 
taken  up  and  potted  as  directed  under  "  Lifting." 
The  plants  make  a  good  show  for  a  long  period. 

Lifting  from  the  beds  for  fall  and  winter  use  or 
stock  plants  calls  for  activity:  kinds  in  bloom  all 
summer  to  be  severely  cut  back,  othei-s  not.  Work 
with  nmch  care  to  retain  all  the  roots,  lifting  a 
large  ball  of  earth  with  the  spade,  and  reducing  it 
for  the  pot  by  the  use  of  a  pointed  stick.  Have 
pots  from  4  to  8  inches  across  on  hand,  using  them 
as  small  as  can  be  fairly  employed.  Work  good 
soil  firmly  between  the  ball  of  earth  and  the  pots. 
After  potting,  water  well,  set  closely  together  in  the 
shade  for  a  week,  sprinkling  the  foliage  lightly  half 
a  dozen  times  daily ;  af tenvards  increase  on  space 
and  light,  but  not  full  sunlight  yet  for  two  weeks. 


POTTED  PLANT  OF  JERUSALEM  CHERRY. 

Primroses.    See  under  "  Plants  under  Glass." 
Roses  for  winter,  to  be  repotted,  if  this  has  not 
already  been  done  and  border  plants  be  lifted.    The 
best  soil:  Old  fibrous  sods,  finely  divided  but  not 
sifted,  with  a  third  part  well-decayed  manure. 

Verbenas.    If  to  be  kept  over,  use  young  plants 
propagated  from  tender  shoots  after  the  15th. 


LAWN   AND    FLOWER   GARDEN. 

Everlastings,  fiather  before  open ;  dry  in  shade. 
Pick  Ornamental  Gra.sses  when  coming  into  bloom. 

Forget-me-nots.  By  dividing  early  in  the  month 
they  become  so  well  established  before  winter  as  to 
stand  a  good  deal  of  freezing  and  thawing. 

Frosts  now  threaten.  Anticipate  on  cool  nights 
by  covering  tender  things  to  preserve  their  beauty 
for  the  days  of  fine  weather  to  follow. 

Gladiolus.  To  reniove  the  flowering  stalks  before 
seed  ripening  is  of  advantage  to  development. 

Hardy  Bulbs.  Plantmg  of  Hyacinths,  Tulips, 
Crocuses  and  the  Uke  may  begin.    Tulips  for  fine 


i886. 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


143 


effect  to  be  set  at  5  inches  apart,  Hyacinths?,  and 
smaller  sized  bulbs,  like  the  Crocus  and  Snowdrop 
at  2  or  3  inches  each  way.  A  depth  of  4  inches  will 
suit  the  smaller  bulbs,  of  6  inches  for  larger  ones. 
Narcissus,  Crocus  and  Snowdrop  are  well  suited  for 
close  clumps  by  themselves.  Beds  ought  to  be  pre- 
pared and  lay  some  days  before  planting.  Rotten 
cow  dung  is  one  of  the  best  fertilizers  for  bulbs. 
Lawns.  Mow  regularly  to  end  of  the  season. 
Trim  verges  of  walks,  bcils,  etc.    Spud  up  weeds. 

Lobelia  Cardinalis.  This  eiisily  grown  native 
plant  is  very  attractive  in  a  clump.  The  seeds  are 
now  I'ipe.  Sow  pi-umptly.  Old  plants  may  be  di- 
vided next  month  or  in  the  spring. 

Order  trees,  shrubs,  hardy  plants  and  bulbs  to  be 
set  this  fall.  After  the  leaves  are  matured,  say  in 
October,  the  earlier  the  planting  is  done  the  better. 
Early  orders  ensiu-e  early  delivery   from  nursery. 

Perennials.  ' 'id  chuups  of  such  kindsas  are  out 
of  growth  for  the  season  to  be  divided  and  re-set. 

Tritomas.  Watering  with  liquid  manure  helps 
the  spikes  of  bloom  a  great  deal. 

Violets.  Set  in  frames  for  fall 
or  spi"ing  bloom. 

Weeds.  Some  kinds  (Cbickweed 
for  one)  grow  rapidly  in  the  fall; 
continue  to  work  against  them. 


PLANT    CULTURE     UN- 
DER  GLASS. 

Chrysanthemums.  Bedded 
plants  should  be  lifted,  those  in 
pots  to  receive  a  final  shift  prompt- 
ly. All  need  plenty  of  water,  and 
twice  a  week  liquid  manure,  but 
not  a  drop  of  the  latter  to  touch 
the  leaves.  Keep  show  plants  stak- 
ed and  tied  up  for  inducing  shap- 
liness.  "Watch  for  and  kill  the 
hairy  or  any  other  caterpillars. 

Cinerarias.  See  what  is  said 
about  these  in  the  Julj*  issue. 

General  Care.  Heat-loving 
plants  will  call  for  some  fu"e  this 
month.  As  to  greenhouse  plants 
avoid,  fires  as  long  as  can  be; 
wheu  necessary  start  up  briskly.  i^uauer. 

Air  freely.  Oreen-liy,  Thrips,  etc.,  will  appear;  dis- 
pel by  Tobacco  smoke,  by  strewing  Tobacco  stems 
among  the  pots,  or  other  effectual  means. 

Lifting.  Read  directions  under  "House  Plants." 
Bouvardia,  Carnations,  Stevia,  Violets,  etc.,  are 
often  lifted  and  bedded  out  in  the  plant  houses. 
After  planting  keep  the  apartments  close,  shaded  and 
frequently  sprinkled  for  a  week  or  more,  afterwards 
increasing  on  light  and  air. 

Orchids  generally  should  have  the  moisture  short- 
ened as  the  days  shorten.  Too  many  growers  keep 
them  too  damp  and  warm  all  winter.  Begin  a 
course  of  treatment  preparing  for  a  low  winter 
temperature  and  a  near  approach  to  dormancy. 

Pot  Plants  moved  out  last  spring  to  be  returned 
before  frosts  injure  them.  Small-sized  ones  may 
go  in  frames  for  a  spell,  protecting  in  bad  weather. 

Primulas.  Remarks  under  Calceolarias  apply, 
save  that  special  care  not  to  over-water  must  be 
heeded.     Keep   Double  Whites  shaded  a  month  yet. 

Propagation,  looking  to  next  season'sstock,tobe 
pushed  now,  it  being  better  to  depend  largely  on 
newly  struck  plants  than  on  old  ones  for  this. 
Commence  with  tender  kinds,  like  Coleus,  ending 
with  the  hardier  greenhouse  plants,  Geraniums, 
Verbenas,  and  the  like.  Whenever  pot  plants  show 
yuung  growth  fit  for  cuttings  put  such  in.  Fot  cut- 
tings at  the  first  sight  of  roots. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Blackberries  of  tender  proclivities  not  to  have 
late  growth  encouraged  by  cultivating  after  this. 

Borers  to  be  dug  out  to  the  very  end  of  their  holes. 

Budding  of  Peaches  and  Quinces  to  be  finished. 
Look  over  early  buds;  if  any  did  not  take  re-bud, 
provided  the  bark  will  still  raise. 

Fall  Planting  of  all  but  stone  fruit  is  advisable. 
This  should  be  done  next  month.  Prepar-e  the 
land  now;  if  not  practicable  t<>  plow  and  subsoil, 
trench  with  the  spade.  There  should  be  good 
drainage,  or  else  high-ridge  plowing  for  the  rows. 
(.)rder  the  trees  at  once  to  ensure  early  delivery. 

General.  Thin  late  fruit.  Clip  away  leaves  or 
superfluous  shoots  that  shade  the  fruit;  sun  is 
needed  for  best  colors.  Frop  up  heavily  laden  trees; 
stay  spreading  branches  of  such  with  rope  or  wire. 
Don't  sow  grain  among  your  frnit  trees. 


Grapes  to  be  gathered  and  packed  by  a  careful 
hand,  with  a  view  to  selecting  only  ripe  clusters, 
pivserviug  the  bloom  (the  most,  attractive  quality), 
and  removing  all  imperfect  berries. 

Raspberries.  To  plow  earth  against  the  rows 
adds  new  vigor  to  the  plants,  ensuring  better  crops 
next  year.  A.  M.  P. 

Snails  often  ascend  trees  after  rains.  A  circle  of 
tine  dry  lime  or  ashes  about  the  stem   will  prevent. 

Strawberry  and  other  fruit  beds  of  present  set- 
ting must  be  kept  scrupulously  clear  of  weeds;  so 
must  spring  settings.  See  directions  for  planting, 
etc..  elsewhere  in  this  paper. 

Picking  and  Packing.  When  these  things  are 
carelessly  done  the  returns  from  market  must  be 
poor,  after  all  the  trouble  of  raising  fruit.  To  pick 
properly  good  ladders  of  different  lengtlis  are 
needed  We  show  a  pattern  of  one  easily  made 
from  a  single  pole.  Fruittobemature  when  picked, 
but  not  approaching  softness.  Let  it  reach  the  re- 
tailer before  its  best  eating  condition.  Use  new 
barrels  for  Apples,  half-barrels  or  crates  for  Pears, 
crates,  baskets  and  boxes  for  Plums,  Peaches  and 
Grapes.  In  packages  that  are  closed  there  must  be 
gentle  pressure  to  prevent  the  shaking  of  the  fruit 
in  transit.  How  the  fruit  opens  at  market  is  the 
crowning  test  of  a  successful  grower. 

Pruning  of  fruit  trees  can  now  lie  done  and  no 
'*  bleeding  "  or  water  sprouts  starting  from  near  the 
cut  will  folluw.  as  often  happens  after  Spring  prun- 
ing. A.M.  P. 

VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Asparagus.  Remove  the  seed-bearing  tops  to 
prevent  added  plants  from  seed.  For  new  beds 
fall  planting  answers,  on  sandy  or  well-drained  soil. 

Beans.  All  garden  varieties  in  a  ripe  state  are 
much  superior  to  White  Field  Beans  for  the  table. 
Gather  and  dry  immediately  they  are  ripe.  Secure 
late  green  Beans,  before  frosts,  saltmg  down  the 
surplus  for  winter  use. 

Cabbage  s*>t^d  for  the  earliest  crop  uext  year  may 
be  sown  about  the  loth,  the  plants  to  be  wintered  in 
cold  frames.  Transplant  the  seedlings  into  these, 
at  2x3  inches.  November  1st.  Clear  off  the  early 
patches  as  the  crops  are  gathered. 

Cauliflower.    The  directions  for  Cabbage  apply. 

Celery.  July-set  plants  to  receive  their  first 
"  handling  "—that  is,  compacting  some  soil  against 
the  base  of  the  plants,  to  direct  the  growth  upwards. 
Earth  up  earlier  crops  as  directed  last  month. 
Pick  the  striped  worms  with  lath  tweezers  and  kill. 

Corn.  Drying  for  winter  use  is  in  order.  Boil 
until  the  milk  is  set;  cut  from  the  cob;  dry  quickly. 
Save  seed  from  the  best  hills  in  the  patch. 

Cress  or  Pepper-grass.  A  Httle  patch  may  yet 
be  sown.  It  matures  rapidly;  use  while  young. 

Egg  Plants,    shelter  from  frost.    See  last  month. 

Lettuce.     For  late  fall  crop  treat  as  ftjr  Cabbage. 

Melons  will  ripen  better  and  more  evenly  for  a 
wisp  of  straw  under  each  one.  Remove  all  late 
fruit  that  stands  no  chance  of  ripening. 

Peppers  are  injured  by  slight  frost;  secure  in  time. 

Spinach,  The  Pi'ickiy  or  Fall  variety  sown  in 
drills,  1  foot  or  15  inches  apart,  in  rich  soil,  during 
the  fii"st  half  of  the  month,  will  yield  early  spring 
"greens  "  rivaUng  the  Asparagus  in  deliciousness. 
Thin  to  3  inches  apart  before  November.  These 
thinnings  may  be  gathered  and  used. 

Squashes.  The  winter  crops  will  be  advancing 
rapidly  now,  and  until  cool  weather.  Encourage 
rooting  at  the  joints  by  not  disturbing  the  vines. 

Tomatoes.  Protect  a  goodly  number  of  the 
plants  from  early  frosts,  on  which  to  have  the  good 
of  the  warm  weather  afterwards,  for  a  later  crop. 

Turnips,  it  pays  to  weed  these.  Thin  out  the 
young  plants  where  they  stand  too  close. 


f 


FRUIT    AND    VEGETABLES    UNDER 
GLASS. 

Cucumbers.  Seeds  started  now  will  in  high  heat 
bear  by  January,  and  later.  Do  not  encourage  much 
with  stimulants  at  the  start;  air  daily. 

Grapery.  In  houses  where  the  wood  has  ripened 
and  the  leaves  begin  to  fall  piime  the  vines  and 
cleanse  the  canes.  A  better  time  for  washing  or 
painting  the  inside  wood-work  could  not  be  had. 
Where  fruit  is  not  yet  riije,  the  night  temperulure 
should  be  about  55"^  to  60"^,  and  10°  or  15''  higher  by 
day.     Keep  the  atmosphere  rather  dry. 

Lettuce  sou  n  this  month  may  be  had  to  form 
heads  in  a  cotil  greenhouse  before  the  holidays. 

Mushroom  beds  for  furnishing  the  winter  supply 
may  yet  be  prepared  if  not  already  done. 


This  being  thf  People's  Paper,  it  is  open  to  nil  their  In- 
quiries heariuif  un  gttrileninu.  On  the  other  hnnd,  Anmrers 
tv  Iinjuiriea  are  eanuntly  renuentetlfnnn  readers. 

The  editors  nnU  spevial  cuntrihutnrs  are  reiidy  to  do  a 
lari/e  share  0/ the  ausieerinn,  but  the  eTju-rience  of  many 
being  more  viituahle  than  of  *he  fe\c,  however  varied  that  is, 
and  conditiojis  and  h/ealities  being  so  different,  they  prefer 
to  receive  answers,  even  sei-eral  of  them  to  the  same  ijues- 
tion,  from  rentiers  everytrhere.  Don't  hesitate  to  senil 
answers  because  you  may  feel  you  are  no  fine  writer;  we 
will  see  that  they  appear  in  good  shape. 

In  writing,  give  the  number  of  the  question  you  are  qh- 
swering,  your  lueality  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publica- 
ti'oi,  unless  yon  desire.     Write  only  on  one  sideof  the  paper. 

Flowers  gladly  named,  providetl.  first,  that  no  more  than 
three  be  sent  at  one  time;  second,  that  these  he  fully  pn-jiaid; 
third,  that  several  specimens  of  C'lCh  reach  us  ingood  shape. 
We  cannot  undertake  to  iiamejl'jrists'  varieties. 

102.  Heliotrope  from  Seed.  Can  this  plant  be 
raised  from  seed?  If  so,  wlien  should  I  start  it? 
Novice. 

103.  Fuchsias  Ailing.  The  lnids<lrop  when  fresh 
and  sound.  Do  I  keep  too  uet  or  the  soil  too  poor?  I 
liquid  dress  them  once  a  week  What  shall  I  do  for 
the  tiny  insects  that  have  very  fine  webs  on  the  ends 
of  shoots?    Mrs.  S.  K.  Kneeland. 

104.  Plant  for  Name,  what  is  the  enclosed 
specimen,  and  how  cultivated?    Vine. 

105.  Cannas  and  Caladiums.  1  have  bulbs  grow- 
ing in  my  garden,  mostly  in  tubs.  How  shall  I  save 
them  through  the  coming  winter?    M.  T.  A.  Kkane, 

lOfj.  Artificial  Fountain.  Will  some  one  inform 
me  how  one  can  be  constructed?  Si'BSCRIber,  Ber- 
lin^ Wis. 

107.  Balsams  from  Seed.  How  must  I  treat 
Balsams  (Double  Latlys  slipper)  to  raise  seeds  that 
come  true?    (^^cestionkr,  F^itfsinin/h.  Fn. 

108.  Rose  Caterpillars.  How  can  I  get  rid  of 
small  green  caterpillars,  about  3-4  of  an  inch  long, 
that  eat  the  leaves  from  my  Rose-bushes?  Ques- 
tioner. Piftsbuiyh,  P(i. 

W.K  Books  on  Flowers.  W^hat  ones  can  you 
recommend  on  fioriculture,  also  containing  instruc- 
tions for  erecting  greenhouses,  etc..  for  persons 
contemplating  entering  the  business?  W.  W.  Ells- 
worth. Ohio. 

110.  Year-old  Primroses.  Mine  raised  a  year 
ago  and  now  in  tJ  and  7-iuch  pots  are  very  fine  plants. 
How  shall  they  be  treated  fi'om  now  on?  Mrs.  J.  C. 
HuBBELL,  Illinois. 

111.  Clematis  Protection.  How  must  I  protect 
at  the  end  of  the  season,  oi-  must  it  be  cut  dow^n? 

112.  Well-water  for  Plants.  Is  this,  being  hard, 
as  good  for  wateiing  plants  as  rain-water? 

iiy.  Cinerarias.  Will  plants  from  seed  that  was 
sown  some  time  ago  bloom  the  coming  winter? 

114.  Roses  for  Bloom.  I  have  two  rooms  for 
plants,  the  one  considerable  warmer  than  the  other, 
(sajM^tP  and  45'').  In  which  one  should  my  Roses  go 
for  winter  tlowei-s.  Mrs.  F.  C.  Lavton.  Atujlaize 
Co.,  Ohio. 

REPLIES  TO  INQUIRIES. 

10^  Heliotrope  from  Seed.  The  common  fra- 
grant Heliotrope  produce  seeds  in  smallquantities, 
and  this  maj-  be  purchased  from  tlie  leadmg  seeds- 
men. By  securing  a  tempeiviture  of  about  sixty 
degrees  rising,  and  light  rich  soil,  jilants  may  readily 
be  grown.     Sow  about  next  February  or  March 

IIM.  Plant  for  Name.  H  is  the  Double  Bind- 
weed, Cdly.sfe'jid  jiiihvsrens  Jfortpltiii>,  a  near 
relative  of  the  Morning  (Jloiy.  It  is  a  beautiful  hardy 
climber  and  of  the  easiest  culture,  in  fact  becoming 
a  troublesome  weed  in  warm,  light  soils  unless  the 
roots  are  confined  in  a  box.  Eos.Popri^^R  Garden- 
ing. 

100.  Tea  Leaves  in  the  Soil.  For  one  we  have 
no  more  faith  in  Tea  leaves  in  the  soil  than  in  the 
same  weight  of  any  other  kind  of  leaves.  Large 
Plant  Grower,  /)^7/«.s■^  Maine. 

94.  Hydrangea  Hortensis.  It  is  natural  for  it  to 
drop  its  leaves  annually.  If  this  is  all.  the  plant 
evidently  is  at  rest.  I  would  advise  resetting  it  just 
as  new  growth  starts  up.  Mrs.  Cuas.  Porter, 
Afhtns  Co.,  Ohio. 

1011.  Books  on  Flowers.  Henderson's  "  Piactioal 
Floriculture  "  and  Long's  "  Home  Florist "  are  good 
books  for  persons  entering  the  fiorists'  business. 
W.  F.  L. 

105.  Cannas  and  Caladiums.  After  the  tops  are 
Injured  by  frosts  take  up  anil  iliy  tlie  bulbs,  after- 
wards storing  them  in  diy  sand  till  spring.   W.  F.  L. 

107.  Balsam  from  Seeds.  To  raise  seeds  that 
will  give  double  Mowers  keep  the  pollen  of  single 
plants  from  them  ))y  pulling  up  all  such  as  soou  as 
they  show  their  (rue  cliarader. 

108.  Rose  Caterpillais.  Vou  no  doubt  refer  to 
Rose-slugs.  I'ick  off  by  li;uid  or  scdter  White  Helle- 
boreover  the  leaves  wbilc  wet,orsyriu;.;c  with  strong 
whale  oil  soap-suds. 

103.  Fuchsias  Ailing,  Cive  a  light  rich  soil; 
they  should  not  l)ecome  pol -bound;  liquid  manure 
them  only  when  in  budorbh)oni.  (ireen  lici' will 
yield  to  tobacco-dust  or  smoke;  the  tiny  iiiseets  with 
webs  iRed  Spider),  to  a  persistent  application  of 
water.    Eds.  Popvlar  Gardenino. 


r44 


POPULAR    GARDENING. 


September, 


^e  Household 

About  Patching  and  Darning. 

The  people  in  this  world  who  get  beyond  the 
use  of  patt'heson  garments  are  few  and  exceed- 
ingly foolish.  We  formerly  knew  the  wife, 
now  deceased,  of  a  millionaire  who  to  her 
dj'ing  day  took  gi'eat  pride  in  herability  to  patch 
clothes  neatly,  not  from  parsimonious  motives, 
hut  because  she  was  a  very  sensible  woman. 
Our  esteem  for  the  lady  was  all  the  greater  on 
this  account. 

But  not  everj'  one  is  able  to  neatly  lay  a 
patch  or  dai"n  a  rent  who  might  desire  to  do  so, 
hence  we  advance  a  few  helpful  suggestions: 
In  patching,  start  by  cutting  a  piece  of  material 
of  a  size  slightly  larger  than  to  completely 
cover  the  worn  i)lace.  Cut  it  accui-ately  by 
the  thread;  nothing  looks  more  untidy  than  a 
crooked  patch  with  unshapely  coi'uers. 

Nest  turn  in  a  narrow  fold  on  the  four  sides 
of  the  patch,  lay  it  in  place  outside  the  worn 
pai't  and  tack  fast.  Sew  it  on  all  around,  either 
like  a  seam,  or  else  fell  it.  If  it  lies  close  and 
flat  the  tacking  threads  may  then  come  away. 

Now  the  work  must  go  on  from  the  wrong 
side,  by  first  cutting  away  the  worn  piece, 
leaving  enough  margin  to  turn  in  as  for  a  hem. 
Cut  little  nicks  at  the  corners,  to  allow  it  to  lie 
flat,  and  fell  it  all  round.  The  corners  should 
be  as  well  shaped  as  are  those  of  the  patch. 
To  have  the  piece  stjuare  on  the  right  side,  and 
then  an  illshaped  circle  of  much  smaller 
dimensions  on  the  wrong  side,  as  one  sometimes 
sees,  is  to  spoil  the  work  so  far  as  looks  go. 

To  neatly  match  the  stripes  or  figure  of  the 
garment  by  the  new  material  is  one-half  in 
doing  fine  patching.  When  a  patch  is  com- 
pleted lay  an  old  handkerchief  or  other  thin 
cloth  over  it  and  press  out  with  a  hot  iron. 

Flannel  may  be  mended  in  the  same  way  as 
described,  only  that  instead  of  the  edges  being 
folded  in,  leave  fiat,  and  instead  of  being  felled 
they  should  be  herring-boned  all  round. 

Sheets  and  similar  articles  that  are  worn 
thin  by  long  use,  and  are  too  weak  to  patch 
must  be  darned.  For  this,  real  darning  cot- 
ton— not  that  used  for  stockings — but  a  soft, 
fine  article  made  for  the  purpose  should  be  used. 

When  darning  take  quite  half  an  inch  extra 
on  either  side,  and  not  just  the  very  thin  place 
itself  and  that  only.  If  so  done  there  is  danger 
of  the  mended  part  not  getting  through  the 
first  wash  without  breaking  out.  By  running 
several  lines  of  strong  sewing  cotton  round 
the  thin  part,  before  doing  the  darning  it  will 
strengthen  the  foundation  greatly,  and  will 
not  show  afterwards. 

Use  a  long  fine  darner  for  fine  fabrics;  a 
thicker  one  for  coarser  cloth.  Take  a  thread 
and  miss  two  threads  uniformly,  going  straight 
across.  Leave  a  moderate  loop  at  the  end  to 
allow  for  shrinking,  turn  and  go  back  again, 
getting  your  stitches  on  a  line  with  each  other. 


Brieflets. 

Gelatine  is  not  nutritious. 

Oyster  juice  aids  digestion. 

Soups  must  not  stand  long  in  iron. 

What  patients  crave  for  let  theni  have. 

Vinegar-saturated  sugar  will  cure  hiccough. 

Blow  some  Cayenne  Pepper  in  the  mice  holes. 

To  beat  eggs  quickly  add  a  little  salt  or  fine  sugar. 

Iron  can  be  kept  fnun  rustiufc  by  touching  up 
with  mutton  suet  and  dusting  with  powdered  lime. 

Strong  odors  on  the  hands  need  not  annoy  one 
long,  as  a  bit  of  ground  mustard  mixed  with  water 
and  rubbed  over  them  will  make  them  sweet. 

Do  the  slats  of  your  beil  creak  ?  This  is  not  pleas- 
ant and  may  be  prevented  by  yrapping  the  part  of 
each  slat  where  it  rests  on  the  wire  with  paper. 

To  Clean  Mirrors.  Wash  well  with  a  damp  leather 
or  sponge;  then  dip  a  soft  cloth  in  powder-bhie 
and  rub  the  glass  well.    Result,  a  beautiful  ijolish. 

Refreshing  as  Well  as  Healthy.  At  this  season 
of  the  year,  wheu  the  feet  are  likely  tn  get  over- 
heated   and  to  be   jjainfu!,   they   may  be  greatly 


relieveil  by  soaking  tliem  at  night  in  .very  hot 
water  from  ten  to  twenty  minutes.  Pour  cold  water 
over  them  just  before  drying  them. 

To  Cement  China.  Use  shellac  dissolved  in  alco- 
hol Heat  the  pieces  hot,  and  put  the  varnish  on 
the  broken  edges,  press  tightly  together  and  set 
away  for  a  few  days,  when  it  will  be  very  solid,  and 
if  carefully  done,  will  break  in  another  place  before 
it  will  come  apart.-  I'hihutrlphia  Record. 

''Popular  Gardening's"  prescription  for  im- 
proving the  happiness  of  American  wives  generally 
is  this:  Less  drudging  for  themselves,  and  more  for 
hired  help:  less  fear  of  sunlight  and  air,  and  more 
light  work  among  flowers  and  gardening  out-of- 
dooi-s :  less  meat  and  pastr-y,  more  fruit,  vegetables, 
milk  and  grain  on  the  table.     No  charge  for  this. 

Now  for  a  little  simple  household  science  and 
cool  firm  butter  in  the  hottest  weather,  all  without 
expense  or  ice.  Cover  the  butter  in  lump  or  dish 
closely  with  a  clean  cloth— there  may  be  some  wax 
paper  on  the  top— and  over  this  place  a  handful 
of  woi*sted.  with  a  lot  of  ends  hanging  over  the  but- 
ter and  touching  the  cloth.  Above  all  suspend  a 
bucket  of  water  with  a  small  hole  in  it  to  allow  of 
a  steady,  slow  dropjiing  of  water  on  the  worsted. 
This  arrangement  should  he  placed  in  a  draught, 
and  here,  by  the  process  of  evaporating  the  slowly 
conducted  water  on  the  outside  of  the  butter,  there 
will  be  drawn  so  nmch  heat  from  the  lump  that  it 
will  remain  solid  although  the  temperature  of  the 
air  be  at  lUO^.     It  will  work. 

Sugar  is  high-priced  in  fruit-canning  time,  as 
every  one  knows,  i  tui-  correspondent,  H.  A.  Green^ 
of  Chester  Co.,  S.  ('..  in  a  recent  lettervery  sensibly 
brings  this  forward  as  a  strong  point  in  favor  of 
canning  without  sugar,  as  she  now  does  almostalto- 
gether.  Then  out  of  the  fruit  season,  at  the  time 
of  using,  sugar  is  materially  cheaper.  This  is 
what  she  saj-s  of  her  method  :  Couk  the  fruit  till 
done— not  using  any  sugar.  Place  glass  cans  on  a 
folded  cloth,  kept  wet  with  cold  water  (to  prevent 
breaking),  for  filling.  A  short-necked,  wide-mouthed 
fumiel  is  handy  for  use.  Put  on  the  cover  while 
hot,  using  rubber  that  is  soft  and  with  the  cover  on 
it  all  around.  Sweeten  when  used.  Some  sour 
fruits  are  better  for  scalding  with  the  sugar.  I 
rarely  lose  a  can;  have  never  had  one  broken  from 
hot  fruit  by  my  method. 


Povjltry 


Fattening  Poultry. 

After  the  laj'ing  season  comes  the  time  for 
I'educing  on  numbers  by  working  off  the  old 
hens.  The  sooner  all  surplus  can  be  converted 
into  money  the  better,  for  no  board  bills  will 
be  jjaid  by*  many  fowls  now  for  a  long  time. 
Sometimes,  too,  early-fattened  fowls  bring  as 
good  a  price  as  those  marketed  at  the  holidays, 
with  the  gain  of  the  cost  of  keeping  for  some 
months  in  the  bargain. 

To  fatten  fowls  I'apidly  is  the  great  secret  of 
doing  so  profitably.  This  necessitates  that  they 
be  kept  closely  confined  during  the  pi'ocess. 
Even  the  matter  of  profit  aside,  and  the  in- 
creased excellence  of  the  flesh  of  closely  kept 
fattening  stock  over  that  which  is  alloweil  to 
roam  is  remarkably  great. 

For  hens  the  coops  should  be  airy,  liut  if  so 
small  as  to  allow  but  one  hen  in  each  all  the 
bett*;r.  Where  individual  coops  are  not  had, 
then  several  and  up  to  halt  a  dozen  fowls  may 
be  confined  together  in  a  coop,  but  of  such  a 
size  as  will  leave  them  fairly  uncrowded, 
and  with  not  much  space  to  spai'e.  If  the  bot- 
tom is  made  of  slats  three  inches  wide,  with  an 
inch  space  between,  and  then  the  coop  is  raised 
from  the  ground  somewhat,  it  will  add  to  the 
airing  and  cleanliness  of  the  affair.  Turkeys, 
ducks  aufl  geese  do  better  for  being  in  coops 
ojjeu  to  the  ground.  The  two  last  named 
should  be  allowed  to  run  to  the  water  once 
daily  for  a  wash.  Fattening  coops  should  be 
located  in  a  partly  darkened  place. 

At  the  start  give  no  food  for  six  or  eight 
horn's,  anil  then  begin  a  course  of  regular  feed- 
ing three  times  a  day.  Do  not  imagine  that 
because  fowls  show  a  jireference  for  eating 
whole  grain,  that  this  is  the  best,  for  it  is  not. 
Let  the  ground-work  be  Corn  meal  well  boiled 
and  crumbly.     With  this  may  be  mixed  a  vari- 


ety of  ai-ticles,  such  as  boiled  Potatoes,  Oat- 
meal or  Barley  porridge,  and  one  should  not 
forget  the  helpful  nature  of  stale  bread  crusts 
and  so  on  from  the  table.  A  little  beef  suet 
added  occasionally  will  be  relished,  and  this 
possesses  high  fattening  properties. 

There  nmst  be  pure  anil  fi-esh  water  in  the 
coop  also.  As  soon  as  the  birds  are  satisfied  at 
each  eating  all  remaining  food  should  be  re- 
moved. In  two  or  three  weeks  they  should  be 
very  fat  and  salable.  It  now  the  high  feeding 
and  close  confinement  was  to  be  kept  steadily 
up  they  would  be  disposed  to  sicken. 


CONDENSED    POULTRY    NOTES. 

Lice  signify  neglect. 

Disease  seeks  out  the  crowded  pens. 

For  egg-eating  apply  the  axe  cure 

Weeds  have  i-eal  value  if  carried  fresh  and  young 
to  tile  licn-coup. 

Queen  Victoria's  chicken  house  is  a  palatial  .semi- 
gotliic  l]nil(lMiK,  s.ays  the  Court  Circular. 

When  fowls  are  kept  let  it  be  done  in  a  place  not 
too  near  the  stable.  Horses  and  cows  may  become 
lousy  from  hens,  causing  great  vexation. 

Birds  are  scarcer  than  they  once  were,  to  tlie 
great  loss  of  our  fruit.  But  hens  and  turkeys  aie 
birds  also;  let  them  be  kept  in  the  orchard  more. 

Dry  Earth.  The  Farm  .liiarnal  would  not  under- 
take to  raise  chickens,  or  to  keep  poultry  through 
tile  winter  and  spring,  without  a  free  supply  of  dry 
earth.    The  best  time  to  store  it  is  whenever  it  is  dry. 

The  exercise  of  summer  ranging  for  fowls  is  of 
great  value,  hut  the  damage  done  is  often  appalling. 
To  gain  the  former  benefits  and  avoid  the  latter 
disadvantages  feed  liberally  at  the  beginning  of  the 
day  before  roving  is  begun. 

The  Guinea-fowl,  remarks  the  National  Stock- 
ma  ti  As  n  ^ruat  toraf^t^r  and  destroys  many  insects 
that  the  hens  will  not  touch.  They  do  not  scratch 
in  the  garden,  and,  though  not  easily  Kept  near  the 
house,  they  make  known  the  places  where  they  lay 
by  a  peculiar  noise,  which  enables  one  accustomed 
to  them  to  find  all  the  eggs  they  lay.  They  really 
cost  almost  nothing  to  raise,  and  when  roosting 
near  the  house  create  an  alarm  should  intruders 
make  their  appearance 

Scratching  for  their  food  is  a  natural  instinct  of 
fowls.  Proof:  They  will  scratch  if  feeding  on  a 
heap  of  grain.  Now  one  benefit  that  comes  from 
this  instinct  is  that  rapid  swallowing  is  prevented, 
for  while  they  scratch  they  do  not  peck.  But  the 
instinct  may  be  overcome  by  feeding.  We  are  dis- 
posed to  feed  too  much  at  a  time,  and  especially  of 
soft  food,  with  injury  to  fowls.  If  grain  that  is  being 
fed  was  always  scattered  among  straw  or  chaff  it 
would  make  them  scratch  for  a  living. 

It  is  a  good  plan  to  treat  the  nests  in  the  hen- 
house about  this  time  the  same,  and  for  the  same 
obvious  reasons,  as  the  berths  and  fi.xtures  for 
emigrants  in  ocean  steamers  are  treated  after  each 
voyage,  namely,  to  burn  them.  But  let  this  be  done 
outside  of  the  house  and  not  inside,  as  one  man  we 
know  of  once  did,  burning  the  house  down  at  the 
same  time.  To  make  such  an  annual  sacrifice  of 
nests  without  much  cost  the  new  nests  should  be 
cheaply  built  as  being  done  for  temporary  use. 

No  Discounting  of  Nature.  Mr.  A.  I.  Root,  of 
Medina.  <  >hio,  comes  to  the  conclusion  that  in  poul- 
try raising,  if  we  try  hard  enough,  we  can  assist 
Nature ;  but  if  we  don't  look  out  we  shall  be  only 
stumbling  blocks  in  her  waj'  The  experience  he 
relates  is  not  at  all  new,  but  it  is  interesting  and  to 
the  point.  He  says:  Just  now  I  am  a  good  deal 
puzzled.  A  hen  that  has  the  range  of  our  whole  18 
acres  made  a  nest  on  the  ground,  under  a  lumber- 
pile,  and  she  hatched  every  egg  but  one ;  and  more 
than  that,  she  went  off  with  her  eight  chickens, 
without  a  bit  of  care  from  anybody.  When  they 
were  four  or  five  days  old  she  was  discovered  off  by 
herself,  with  every  chick  as  bright  and  brisk  as  a 
cricket.  They  didn't  have  any  corn  meal  nor  cracked 
wheat,  nor  bread  and  milk,  and  yet  they  seemed  to 
be  good  for  a  half-mile  tramp,  chasing  their  mother. 
Well,  in  my  nice  poultry  yard,  with  all  its  modern 
appliances,  I  get  only  two  or  three  chickens  from  a 
setting— sometimes  not  a  chick.  Last  season  I 
feared  my  Brahma  rooster  was  bad,  and  so  I  bought 
a  higher-priced  one:  but  it  does  not  make  any  dif- 
ference OKI  Dame  Nature  beats  me  all  to  pieces. 
The  fowls  that  have  the  run  of  our  whole  18  acres 
board  themselves,  lay  eggs  and  raise  chickens:  ex- 
pense, 0;  income,  a  good  lot  of  eggs  every  day. 
j  Your  expression,  "depth  of  ignorance  and  had 
management,"  some  way  seems  to  fit  me  tiptop. 


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