file was produced from images produced by ,core ,historical ,literature in ,agriculture 7,,chla71 ,cornell ,university7 ,,your ,,plants4 ,,plain ,,and ,,practical ,,directions ,,for ,,the ,,treatment ,,of ,,tender ,,and ,,hardy ,,plants ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,and ,,in ,,the ,,garden4 ,,by ,,james ,,sheehan4 ,,new ,,york3 ,,orange ,,judd ,,company1 #aiai ,entered1 according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year #ahhd1 by the ,,orange ,,judd ,,company1 ,in the ,office of the ,librarian of ,congress1 at ,washington4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,contents4 ,,page4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,how to ,make a ,lawn #g ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,soil for ,potting--,artificial ,fertilizers #aj ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,selecting and ,sowing ,seeds #ab ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,making and ,planting ,flower ,beds #ad ,,chapter ,v4 ,watering ,plants--,is ,cold ,water ,injurious8 #af ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,atmosphere and ,temperature4--,insects #ai ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,wintering ,plants in ,cellars #ba ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,the ,law of ,color in ,flowers #bb ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,the ,relation of ,plants to ,health #bc ,,chapter ,x4 ,layering #be ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,propagation of ,plants from ,cuttings #bf ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,grafting #bi ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,hanging ,baskets1 ,wardian ,cases and ,jardinieres #ca ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,aquatics--,water ,lilies #ce ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,hardy ,climbing ,vines4--,ivies #cg ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,annual ,flowering ,plants--,pansy ,culture #ci ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,fall or ,holland ,bulbs #db ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,tropical ,bulbs4--,tuberoses #dd ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,roses1 ,cultivation1 and ,propagating #df ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,japan and other ,lilies4--,calla ,lilies #ej ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,geraniums1 the ,best ,twelve ,sorts #ec ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,azaleas2 ,how to ,cultivate ,them #ec ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,camellias4--,orange and ,lemon ,trees #ee ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,fuchsias1 ,training and ,management #eg ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,cactuses--,night ,blooming ,cereus4--,rex ,begonias #ei ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,rockeries--,how to ,make ,them #fb ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,budding #fd ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,pruning #fh ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ,miscellaneous ,notes #gb ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ,sentiment and ,language of ,flowers #gf ,,introduction4 ,in the winter of the year #ahhj1 while the author was in attendance upon a large horticultural meeting in a neighboring city1 which was attended by nearly all the leading florists and nurserymen in ,western ,new ,york1 the idea of writing this work was first suggested to him4 ,an intelligent lady1 present at that meeting1 widely known for her skill and success as an amateur florist1 in conversation with the writer made the following remarks3 ,i have in my library at least a dozen different works on floriculture1 some of them costly1 all of which ,i have read over and over again1 often having to pore over a large volume of almost useless matter1 in order to find information on some points ,i was looking for4 ,it has occurred to me that some one ought to write a work on flowers1 for the use of amateurs1 that would contain in a brief space all the requisite information ordinarily needed by those who cultivate flowers in and about their homes4 ,i predict that such a work could not fail to meet and merit a general demand4 ,in writing this little volume1 ,i have earnestly endeavored to carry out1 as near as ,i could1 the above suggestions4 ,how far ,i have succeeded in accomplishing this end1 my readers must judge4 ,i trust that ,your ,plants will be useful and instructive in the field it was designed to occupy--that of a help to amateurs in the successful cultivation of plants and flowers in the house and garden4 ,,james ,,sheehan4 ,geneva1 ,n4 ,y41 ,october1 #ahhd4 ,,your ,,plants4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,how ,,to ,,make ,a ,,lawn4 ,a smooth lawn is a great attraction of itself1 even if there is not a tree or shrub upon it4 ,when it is once made1 a lawn is easily kept in order1 yet we seldom see a good one4 ,there are three things to be taken into consideration in securing a fine lawn4 ,first1 location2 ,second1 quality of the soil2 ,third1 the kinds of seed to be sown4 ,,location4 ,this is the most important matter relating to a good lawn4 ,in selecting a site upon which to build1 not the least consideration should be the possibility of having a fine lawn1 one that will cost as little as possible to keep in a nice and attractive condition4 ,the nearer level the land is1 the better4 ,if a house is built on an elevation back from the road1 a sloping lawn has a good effect4 ,where the land is rolling and hilly1 it should be graded into successive terraces1 which1 though rather expensive1 will look well4 ,low lands should be avoided as much as possible in selecting a site on which it is intended to make a good lawn4 ,low land can be improved by thorough under-drainage4 ,if the land is wet on which we design making a lawn1 we should first thoroughly underdrain it by laying tiles two rods apart1 and two feet below the surface4 ,large-growing trees should never be planted on the lawn1 grass will not thrive under them4 ,fruit trees1 like the apple1 cherry1 and peach1 are exceedingly out of place on a fine lawn4 ,the finest yard we ever saw had not a tree on it that exceeded ten feet in hight4 ,flowering shrubs1 low-growing evergreens1 a few weeping and deciduous trees of moderate size1 with flower-beds neatly planted1 make an attractive door-yard4 ,,soil4 ,this is the mother of all vegetation4 ,nothing1 not even grass1 will flourish on a poor soil4 ,the quality of the soil varies in different localities4 ,we often find a fine sward on a stiff clay soil1 and also on a light gravelly one4 ,the soil best adapted to the growth of a good sward1 is a sandy loam with a gravelly bottom4 ,in making new lawns1 there is sometimes more or less grading to be done1 and often where a knoll has been cut off the sub-soil is exposed1 and it will not do to sow the seed upon these patches until the spots have been thoroughly covered with manure which is to be worked in4 ,if a new lawn of any extent is to be made1 it should first be plowed deep1 and if uneven and hilly1 grade it to a level surface4 ,the surface should have a heavy dressing of manure1 which should be lightly plowed under1 and then the surface should be dragged several times until fine1 and then rolled with a heavy roller4 ,the seed may now be sown1 after which it should be rolled again4 ,the spring is the best time to do this work1 although if the fall be dry1 it will answer nearly as well to do it at that time4 ,the dryer the ground in preparing it for the seed1 and for the sowing of the same1 the better4 ,in preparing a small plot of ground for a lawn1 the spade1 hand-rake1 and small roller may be used in place of the larger implements4 ,,seed4 ,much difficulty is often experienced in obtaining a good mixture of grass seed for the lawn1 and different mixtures are recommended and sold for sowing lawns1 some of which are entirely worthless4 ,great pains should be taken to have nothing but first-class seeds1 which should be obtained direct of some responsible dealer4 ,the finest sward we ever saw was made from the following mixture3 #aj quarts ,rhode ,island ,bent-grass4 #d ,white ,clover4 #h ,kentucky ,blue-grass4 #f ,red-top ,grass4 ,sow at the rate of six bushels to the acre4 ,grass seed can be sown in the fall any time from the first of ,october to the first of ,december4 ,if the seed be sound1 a good sward may be expected the following summer1 and a good turf may be expected from spring sown seeds if the season is not too dry4 ,the dryer the ground is when the seeds are sown1 the better4 ,to keep the lawn in a flourishing condition1 fresh and green all summer1 it will need a top-dressing of well-rotted manure applied in the fall1 at least once every two years4 ,grass roots derive their nourishment close to the surface1 hence the great advantage of top-dressing4 ,in some localities where the frost heaves the sod to any extent during the winter1 it will be advantageous to roll it down in the spring with a heavy roller1 doing it just after a heavy rain4 ,when the ground is soft and pliable1 this will make the surface smooth1 and in proper condition for the lawn-mower to pass over it4 ,frequent mowing will thicken the sward4 ,it is not necessary to sow oats1 as some do1 to shade the ground until the seeds have started1 that is an old fogy notion1 and is now obsolete4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,soil ,,for ,,potting4--,,artificial ,,fertilizers4 ,good1 fresh1 rich soil1 is an element that is indispensable to the growth of healthy1 vigorous plants4 ,a plant cannot be thrifty if grown in soil that has become musty and stale with long continued use2 it must have fresh soil1 at least once a year4 ,perhaps the best soil for general potting purposes1 and the kind most extensively used by florists1 is a mixture of equal parts of decayed sods1 and well-rotted stable manure1 and occasionally1 especially if the sod is clayey1 a little sand is added4 ,the sods for this purpose may be obtained from along the road-side1 almost anywhere1 while good stable manure is always readily obtainable4 ,select some out-of-the-way place in the lot1 or garden1 and gather the sods in quantity proportioned to the amount of potting to be done4 ,lay down a course of the sods1 and on top of this1 an equal course of well-rotted manure1 and so on1 alternately1 until the heap is finished2 the last layer being sod4 ,this heap should be turned over carefully1 two or three times a year1 breaking up the sods finely with a spade1 or fork4 ,the whole mass will become thoroughly mixed1 rotted1 and fit for use in a year from the time the heap was made4 ,for those who have a large number of plants1 we think it will pay to adopt this method of preparing soil for them1 instead of purchasing it of the florist at twenty-five cents or more per bushel4 ,some florists sport a great variety of different soils1 which are used in the growing of plants of different natures1 requiring1 as they claim1 particular kinds of soil4 ,whatever of truth1 if any1 there is in this view1 it has never been demonstrated to our mind4 ,all kinds of plants have a common requirement in respect to soil1 and the differences in growth of various species is attributable to climate and other causes than that of soil4 ,at least that has been our experience4 ,,artificial ,,fertilizers4 ,this question is frequently asked6 ,do you recommend the use of artificial fertilizers for house plants1 and does it benefit them8 ,i invariably answer yes1 if used judiciously4 ,the use of good special fertilizers will help the growth of some kinds of plants1 which1 without such aid1 would scarcely meet our expectations4 ,the term artificial fertilizers1 applies to all manurial applications1 save those produced by domestic animals4 ,i have always believed1 however1 that when any fertilizer is needed1 good1 well-rotted stable-manure should have the preference over all artificial fertilizers4 ,where this manure cannot be readily obtained1 or used conveniently1 then special fertilizers can be employed as substitutes with good results4 ,in applying manure in the liquid form to plants1 use an ounce of guano to every gallon of water1 and apply it to those plants that are in a healthy growing condition1 about once every two weeks4 ,it is a mistake to try to stimulate into growth1 by the use of fertilizers1 those plants which give every indication of being sickly or stunted2 they will make such a plant sicker1 if they do not kill it outright4 ,if guano is used in potting soil1 it should be in the proportion of one pound to every bushel of soil4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,selecting ,,and ,,sowing ,,seeds4 ,all individuals of the vegetable world are so created as to reproduce themselves from seed or its equivalent4 ,every plant that grows seems to possess the power to perpetuate its kind4 ,all kinds of flowering plants can be grown from the seed1 providing good1 sound seeds are obtained1 and they are placed under the proper influences to make them germinate and grow4 ,the amateur cultivator has many difficulties to contend with in raising plants from seed4 ,some times it is difficult to obtain pure1 sound seeds1 but these should always be secured if possible1 taking great pains in selecting varieties1 and in obtaining them of some reliable dealer4 ,if we sow seeds1 and they fail to germinate1 our first thought is to censure the dealer or raiser of the seed for lack of integrity in his business1 while in reality the fault may be our own1 and due to careless sowing4 ,those who raise seed for the market take great pains to produce none but good1 sound seeds1 and in nine cases out of ten1 where seeds fail to germinate and grow1 the fault is with those who sow them1 and not on account of poor quality of seed4 ,this we know from experience4 ,three things are absolutely essential in the sowing of seeds1 in order to have that success which we all desire to attain3 ,first2 care should be taken to obtain fresh1 pure seeds1 without which all our after work with them will be in vain4 ,second2 the soil in which to sow them should be a fine1 mellow loam1 free from stones and other coarse materials4 ,thirdly2 sowing the seed4 ,the general custom is to sow in drills4 ,the depth at which seeds should be sown must of course be regulated according to their fineness1 or coarseness4 ,seeds that are exceptionally fine1 like those of ,lobelias1 ,petunias1 ,ferns1 and other very tiny seeds1 ought never to be covered deeper than the sixteenth of an inch1 with very fine soil sifted on them through a fine sieve2 the soil should then be lightly patted down with the back of a shovel4 ,this will prevent the seeds from shriveling before they start to germinate4 ,seeds like those of the ,pansy1 ,verbena1 etc41 require a covering of a quarter to a half inch of soil1 while those like the ,nasturtium1 ,ricinus1 etc41 may be covered to the depth of an inch4 ,the regular florist has facilities for raising plants from seed that most amateurs do not possess1 but we will give a few suggestions that will enable those who desire to start their own plants1 to do it successfully by the aid of the directions here given4 ,a cheap and simple method is1 to take four plain boards1 of an equal length1 say three feet long1 and ten inches deep1 and nail together to form a square frame4 ,then place this frame upon a bed of rich soil1 prepared for the purpose in some sheltered1 warm spot4 ,the bed should be just wide enough to be enclosed within the frame4 ,within this enclosure sow your seeds1 and cover with a glass sash4 ,seeds can be started in ,march in this frame1 and afford plants for setting out in ,april and ,may4 ,a bank of earth1 or manure1 may be thrown around the outside of the frame to keep it snug and warm4 ,after sowing the seed in this frame1 shade it for four or five days by placing a cloth over the sash1 this will prevent too much heat and light until the seeds have commenced to germinate1 after which it can be removed without injury4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,making ,,and ,,planting ,,flower-,,beds4 ,people of the present day can scarcely be contented with tall1 waving timothy in the front door-yard1 and the rickety board-fence that enclosed a scene of almost primitive rusticity--the state of things in our forefathers' days4 ,in place of the timothy growing to hay in the front yard1 we now see fine1 smoothly-cut lawns of refreshing greenness2 and fences of pickets1 wire1 and rustic iron1 have supplanted the ancient board fences4 ,in place of the tall-growing ,sunflower and ,hollyhock that sprung up here and there at random1 we now see beds of choice and beautiful flowers artistically arranged and carefully cultivated by loving hands4 ,all is system now about the door-yard and premises1 where once were neglect and confusion4 ,every home should have one or more beds planted with attractive flowers4 ,it would be a difficult matter to give specific instructions as to planting these beds1 as every one has his own peculiar tastes in such matters1 which is sometimes governed by surroundings1 locality1 etc4 ,there are some general rules however1 observed by gardeners in planting flower-beds that it would be well to observe4 ,the following notes on planting flower-beds were handed us some time ago4 ,we do not know the name of the writer1 but have strong reason to believe them to be from the pen of the late ,james ,vick4 ,there are a great variety of opinions as regards the most effective way of planting flower-beds4 ,some prefer to mix plants of different colors and varieties1 others prefer the ribbon-style of planting1 now so generally in use in ,europe4 ,if the promiscuous style is adopted1 care should be taken to dispose the plants in the beds1 so that the tallest will be at the back of the bed2 if the leader is against a wall or background of shrubbery1 the others should graduate to the front1 according to the hight4 ,in open beds1 on the lawn1 the tallest plants should be in the centre1 the others grading down to the front1 on all sides1 interspersing the colors so as to form the most effective contrast in shades4 ,but for grand effect1 nothing1 in our estimation1 can ever be obtained in promiscuous planting1 to equal that resulting from planting in masses1 or ribbon lines4 ,in ,europe lawns are cut so as to resemble rich1 green velvet2 on these the flower-beds are laid out in every style one can conceive of2 some are planted in masses of blue1 yellow1 crimson1 white1 etc41 separate beds of each harmoniously blended on the carpeting of green4 ,then again1 the ribbon-style is used in large beds1 in forms so various that allusion can here be made to only a few of the most conspicuous4 ,in a circular bed1 say twenty feet in diameter1 the bordering can be made of blue ,lobelia1 attaining a hight of six inches2 next plant ,mrs4 ,pollock ,geranium1 or ,bijou ,zonal ,geraniums1 growing about nine inches high4 ,if you plant ,mrs4 ,pollock1 on the next row to it plant ,mountain of ,snow 7silvered-leaved geranium71 next a circle of ,red ,achyranthes2 there are several varieties of this plant4 ,next ,centaurea candidissima 7,dusty ,miller72 the centre being a mound of ,scarlet ,salvias4 ,narrow beds along the margins of walks can be formed of low-growing plants1 such as the ,white ,lobelia1 ,gypsophila1 or ,silvered ,alyssum1 for the front line1 followed next by the ,tom ,thumb ,tropolum2 then as a centre1 or third line1 ,fuchsia ,golden ,fleece2 as a second margined-line on the other side1 ,silver-leaved ,geraniums with scarlet flowers1 followed by a line of blue ,lobelia4 ,shaded stars have a fine effect on a lawn2 cut a star and plant it with either ,verbenas1 ,petunias1 ,phlox ,drummondii1 or ,portulaca4 ,the ends of the stars should be white1 and shaded to the centre4 ,a whole volume might be written on the subject of gardening1 without exhausting its variety or interest1 but we take it for granted that our readers will exercise their own tastes1 or call on some competent gardener to give advice in the premises4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,watering ,,plants4--,,is ,,cold ,,water ,,injurious8 ,probably the most important matter to be observed in growing house-plants is that of watering them4 ,the cultivator should know just when to water1 and to give it where it will do the most good4 ,amateur florists often exhibit much poor judgment in watering4 ,it is the habit of some to keep the soil about their plants constantly soaked with water1 and they wonder why they are not thrifty or healthy4 ,these cultivators do not stop to consider that such treatment is unnatural1 and will have an effect contrary to what is desired4 ,there are those who resort to the opposite extreme1 and keep their plants all the time in a perishing condition of dryness1 which is even worse than if they were watered to death4 ,if we will observe how judiciously ,nature distributes the sunshine and shadow1 the periodical rains1 and the refreshing dews1 we will learn an important lesson4 ,a pot1 or other receptacle in which plants are grown1 should be porous2 glazed1 or painted pots1 ought never to be used1 where plain1 unglazed pots can be obtained2 all non-porous pots of tin and similar material1 should be discarded4 ,plants growing in them can never compare in health with those that have the advantage of plain porous pots4 ,there should be a hole of sufficient size in the bottom of each pot1 to allow the water to drain off1 and to pass away as soon as possible4 ,placing a few pieces of broken crocks1 or charcoal1 in the bottom of the pots will facilitate a rapid drainage1 as good drainage is essential to the growth of strong1 and healthy plants4 ,when plants require water1 it will be indicated by a light1 dry appearance of the top of the soil1 and if watered when in this condition1 it will do the most good4 ,give water only when in this condition1 and then copiously1 giving them all they will soak up at the time1 then withhold water until the same indication of their want of it again appears1 then apply it freely4 ,unless plants are in a very dry atmosphere1 as in a warm parlor in winter1 they will seldom require watering4 ,in summer they should be closely watched1 and if exposed to wind and sun1 they will require daily watering1 to keep them in a flourishing state4 ,when plants are suffering from drouth1 it will be indicated by the drooping of the leaves1 and they will frequently turn yellow1 and drop off prematurely2 this can be avoided by timely attention each day4 ,in summer1 watering in the cool of the evening will be followed by the best results1 for it will give the plants time to take up and assimilate the moisture necessary to their life1 and being completely charged with water1 they will be prepared for the hot sun and drying winds of the following day4 ,,is ,,cold ,,water ,,injurious ,,to ,,plants8 ,those who study works on horticulture by different writers1 will discover many opposing views in respect to the modes of caring for1 and the treatment of plants4 ,the proper temperature for water when applied to plants1 has been frequently discussed by different writers2 some contend that cool water1 just drawn from a well or cistern1 should never be showered upon plants1 but that it should first be heated to the temperature of the room in which the plants are standing4 ,others1 with equal zeal1 claim that cold water will not injure the plants in the least1 contending that the water will assume the right temperature before injury is done the plant4 ,now which is right8 ,we have experimented in this matter to a considerable extent1 in order to satisfy ourselves as to which of these two views is correct4 ,in the month of ,december ,i took from my collection twelve large geraniums and placed them by themselves in the conservatory2 six of these ,i watered with cold water1 drawn from a hydrant pipe at the temperature of #de1 and the other six were supplied with water from a barrel standing in the conservatory1 and was of the same temperature of the house1 that is from #fj to #hj4 ,the plants watered with the cold water gave little if any bloom throughout the winter1 while the six watered from the barrel grew finely1 and bloomed profusely4 ,always water your plants in winter time with lukewarm water1 if you would have a profusion of flowers1 and thrifty-growing plants4 ,the water should be of the same temperature as the room or place where the plants are4 ,there is no theory about it1 it is a practical fact1 all talk to the contrary notwithstanding4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,atmosphere ,,and ,,temperature4--,,insects4 ,the proper regulation of the atmosphere as to moisture and temperature1 is one of the most important points to be observed in cultivating plants in the parlor1 or window-garden4 ,plants will not flourish1 bloom1 and be healthy1 in a dry1 dusty atmosphere1 even though the best of care otherwise may be bestowed upon them2 hence it is that those who attempt to raise plants in their dwellings meet with so little success4 ,there is an immense contrast between the atmosphere of a well regulated green-house and that of an ordinary dwelling4 ,in the green-house1 the atmosphere is moist and well-tempered to the healthful growth of plants2 while that of the parlor or sitting-room is invariably dry and dusty1 and plants will not flourish in it as they would in the conservatory4 ,if the dwelling be heated by coal1 there is more or less gas constantly discharged into the air of the room1 which is of itself enough to destroy vegetation1 or make it sickly4 ,houses heated by steam1 are better adapted to the cultivation of plants4 ,all plants will not flourish in the common temperature of a living-room2 some require a low temperature1 and others need a warmer one4 ,the following plants require a temperature of from #gj to #hj in the day-time1 and #ee to #fj at night ,begonias1 ,coleuses1 ,calceolarias1 ,bouvardias1 ,ferns 7tropical71 ,hibiscuses1 ,poinsettias1 ,tuberoses1 ,heliotropes1 ,crotons1 ,hoyas1 ,cactuses1 all kinds1 ,caladiums1 ,cannas1 ,palms1 ,orange and ,lemon ,trees1 ,geraniums1 etc4 ,the following will do well in an atmosphere ranging from #ej to #fj by day1 and #dj to #de by night3 ,camellias1 ,azaleas1 ,oleanders1 ,roses1 ,carnations1 ,callas1 ,ivies1 ,abutilons1 ,jessamines1 ,holland-bulbs1 ,lily-of-the-,valley1 ,primroses1 ,violets1 ,verbenas1 ,chrysanthemums1 etc4 ,plants will flourish better in the kitchen1 where the steam and moisture from cooking are constantly arising1 and tempering the atmosphere1 than in a dry1 dusty sitting-room2 hence it is that we find ,bridget sometimes cultivating a few plants in her kitchen window1 that are envied by the mistress of the house1 because they are so much finer than those in her parlor or sitting-room4 ,if a pan of water is set upon a stove in a room where plants are growing1 it will help to materially relieve the dryness of the atmosphere4 ,but most all kinds of house-plants will do fairly in a uniform temperature1 from #gj by day to #ee by night4 ,careful observation of the habits and requirements of different kinds of plants1 as they come under our care1 will greatly assist the cultivator1 and in a short time he will be so conversant with their various habits as to know just how to properly treat each and every plant in his collection4 ,,insects ,,upon ,,plants4 ,the little green insects so frequently seen on house-plants1 are called aphis 7plural aphides71 plant-lice1 or green-fly4 ,they feed upon the tender growth of plants1 especially the new leaves1 and will rapidly sap and destroy the life of any plant if allowed to remain undisturbed4 ,in the spring these insects abound in great numbers on the plants in green-houses and parlors1 or wherever they may be growing1 and the remedy should be promptly applied4 ,the greatest enemy to the green-fly is tobacco smoke1 made by burning the stems1 the refuse of the cigar-maker's shops2 allowing the smoke to circulate among the leaves to which the insects are attached1 will readily exterminate them4 ,place the infested plant under a barrel1 an ordinary cracker barrel will do1 and put under it a pan of burning tobacco1 slightly moistened with water4 ,leave the plant in the smoke for fifteen or twenty minutes1 after which remove it4 ,if one smoking fails to destroy the insects1 repeat the dose three or four times1 once each day1 until they are completely exterminated4 ,a strong solution1 or tea1 made from soaking tobacco stems in water1 and syringing the same over the plants1 will effectually destroy the little pests1 and not injure the plant in the operation4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,wintering ,,plants ,,in ,,cellars4 ,many plants1 such as ,agaves 7,century ,plants71 ,oleanders1 large ,cactuses1 etc41 that have grown too large to be accommodated in the sitting-room or conservatory2 can be successfully wintered in any moderately dry1 frost-proof cellar4 ,after placing these large plants in the cellar1 it will not be necessary to give them any water1 the object being to keep them dormant all winter1 which can be done by keeping the soil as dry as possible1 but not so dry as to allow the plants to shrivel1 or become withered4 ,large plants of the kinds mentioned1 often form desirable ornaments during the summer time1 but it is impracticable1 in most cases1 to bring them into the house in winter1 but they can be kept for years by cellaring through the winter as stated4 ,large ,geraniums1 ,salvia and ,heliotrope roots1 and even ,tea ,roses1 and ,carnations1 can be kept moderately well in the cellar by trenching them in dry1 or moderately moist sand4 ,thus many choice specimens of these plants that we are loth to pull up and threw away when winter approaches1 can be successfully kept over until the next season4 ,it is a needless expense to purchase a stock of new plants for the garden every year1 when we can winter many of the old ones in this simple and inexpensive manner4 ,the leaves of all deciduous plants should be removed before they are put away in this manner4 ,the foliage should remain on the ,oleanders and ,carnations4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,the ,,law ,,of ,,color ,,in ,,flowers4 ,the public are so often duped by a set of travelling frauds1 who make it their business to represent themselves as being the sole proprietor or agent of some wonderful kinds of plants1 bulbs1 or seeds1 which possess the virtue of being remarkably distinct from anything ever seen or heard of before1 that many over-credulous ladies or gentlemen fall victims to the unprincipled sharks4 ,did you ever see any one who could sell rose bushes that would certainly bear blue roses1 or plants of the ,verbena that produce yellow blossoms1 or ,tuberose bulbs bearing scarlet flowers8 ,if you have not1 you have something to learn1 and many have paid dearly for experiences of this kind4 ,there is a natural law of color in flowers1 that the varieties of a species invariably present a certain range of colors4 ,to attempt to introduce a new and distinct color1 as for example a blue rose1 into a family where the colors are always white1 red1 and yellow1 is an impossibility1 and any one who claims to do this1 may be set down as a swindler4 ,much credit is due ,mr4 ,peter ,henderson1 an eminent florist and seedsman of ,new ,york ,city1 for the vigorous methods employed by him in exposing frauds of this kind1 whenever his attention has been called to them4 ,we quote from an article written by ,mr4 ,henderson on this subject1 some years ago3 ,it has long been known among the best observers of such matters1 that in certain families of plants1 particular colors prevail1 and that in no single instance can we ever expect to see blue1 yellow1 and scarlet colors in varieties of the same species4 ,if any one at all conversant with plants1 will bring any family of them to mind1 it will at once be seen how undeviating is this law4 ,in the ,dahlia we have scarlet and yellow1 but no approach to the blue1 so in the ,rose1 ,hollyhock1 etc4 ,again in the ,verbena and ,salvia1 we have scarlet and blue1 but no yellow4 ,if we reflect1 it will be seen that there is nothing out of the order of nature in this arrangement2 why then should we expect nature to step outside of what seems to be her fixed laws1 and give us a blue rose1 etc4 ,a word to the wise1 we take it1 is sufficient in view of the foregoing facts4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,the ,,relation ,,of ,,plants ,,to ,,health4 ,plants at present are more generally cultivated in-doors than formerly1 and they may be seen in almost every home4 ,the cultivation of plants in dwellings is decidedly a modern custom--at least to the extent to which it is now practised4 ,one who now contemplates building a dwelling house1 plans to have included with the other conveniences of a first-class home1 a suitable window for house plants4 ,as the cultivation of plants in dwelling houses increases1 the question is raised by some3 ,are not plants injurious to health1 if growing in the apartments in which we live and sleep8 ,we know of persons who would not sleep in a room in which a number of plants were growing1 giving as the reason that the amount of carbonic acid gas given off by the plants1 is detrimental to health4 ,now this view is either true or it is not true4 ,we have made a particular study of this matter1 and speak from experience4 ,over ten years of my life had been spent in the green-house1 among all kinds of plants2 ,i have frequently slept all night among them1 and ,i have never observed it to be in any way detrimental to my health1 but1 on the contrary1 ,i have never felt better than when among plants4 ,gardeners1 as a class1 those who have spent their lives among plants1 show1 so far as we have observed1 a longevity equal to1 if not exceeding that of any other class who are engaged in any of the vocations usually regarded as healthy4 ,we must admit1 however1 that we have never known of a case of chronic rheumatism to be benefited in the least by working in hot-houses1 on account of the perpetual dampness of the air4 ,on the other hand1 we know of a number of persons afflicted with various other diseases1 who have been noticeably benefited by working among plants3 perhaps it was owing to the health-giving bodily exercise required by the work1 rather than the supposed health-giving effects of the plants themselves2 we think the result was due to both4 ,an eminent physician cites a case in which his sister1 aged fifty years1 was afflicted with tubercular consumption1 her death1 as the natural result of such a terrible disease being expected at any time1 but being an ardent lover of plants and flowers1 she was daily accustomed to move among her plants1 of which she possessed a large number1 in her sleeping room as well as many others in beds outside4 ,her friends reproved her for sleeping in the same room with her plants2 but the years came and went1 and she was still found moving among her flowers in her eightieth year1 surviving those1 who many years before predicted her immediate demise1 as the result of her imprudence4 ,who will say but what the exhalation from her numerous plants increasing the humidity of the atmosphere in which she lived1 prolonged her life8 ,the above is but one of many cases1 in which tubercular consumption has been arrested and sometimes wholly cured by the sanitary effects produced by working among plants for a considerable time4 ,we know of cases in which druggists1 ministers1 and students from school1 compelled to relinquish their chosen vocations on account of failing health1 have resorted to the nursery or hot-house4 ,in almost every case restoration to vigorous health was the result4 ,we contend1 therefore1 that this old superstition that house plants are injurious to health1 is nothing but a myth4 ,the amount of carbonic acid gas at night discharged from two dozen large plants1 will not equal that exhaled by one infant sleeper1 as has been demonstrated by scientific men4 ,because a few old cronies stick to the absurdity that plants are awful sickenin' things1 it is no reason why sensible people should be at all alarmed by it4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,layering4 ,layering is a simple method by which plants may be multiplied4 ,moss ,roses1 nearly all kinds of hardy vines1 like the ,wistaria1 ,clematis1 ,honeysuckle1 ,ivy1 and many others1 are easily multiplied in this manner1 together with most of our hardy shrubs4 ,many of our tenderer plants like ,chrysanthemums1 ,verbenas1 ,heliotropes1 etc41 layer finely1 by first bending the branches down to the ground1 and partially covering them with sand or soil4 ,pots may be plunged in the ground so that the limbs will not require to be bent much in layering them4 ,in layering hard-wooded plants like the ,rose or ,clematis1 it is customary to cut a slight gash on the underside of each limb to be laid down1 just cutting inside of the bark2 this will arrest the flow of sap1 and new roots will form at this point4 ,where vines are layered1 such as the ,grape1 a simple twisting of the vine until the bark is cracked1 will answer in place of cutting1 and we believe it is just as well4 ,it should be understood1 however1 that in layering1 the entire shoot is not to be covered2 a good portion of the tip of the shoot should be in sight1 and only the middle of the branch be under ground1 and securely fastened down by means of a peg4 ,all layering should be done while the wood is young2 just ripe enough to bend without snapping off1 and all hardy vines and shrubs are in condition to layer from the first to the middle of ,june4 ,for tender plants any month during the summer will answer for the operation4 ,most tender plants will root in a month or six weeks4 ,examine the layers in the fall1 and if rooted1 remove them2 if not1 they should remain undisturbed for another season4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,propagation ,,of ,,plants ,,from ,,cuttings4 ,in the propagation of plants from cuttings or otherwise1 the amateur1 with limited facilities1 of course cannot compete with the trained and experienced propagator1 who makes the rearing of plants his business1 devoting his whole attention to that special branch4 ,many men have devoted the greater part of a lifetime to experiment and study1 as to the best and most practicable methods for the successful propagation of plants4 ,there are1 however1 common and ordinary methods for propagating plants from cuttings1 that the most inexperienced can practice with a measure of success4 ,all florists root their cuttings in sand1 and that obtained from the beach of some fresh water lake is the best for the purpose1 being free from gravel and clay1 and will not hold water long4 ,if lake sand cannot be easily obtained1 common building sand will answer by thoroughly washing it with several waters to free it from clay1 etc4 ,i can recommend to the reader no more simple and practical method of propagating plants on a small scale1 than the following1 from the pen of an experienced florist1 which expresses my own views exactly3 ,take a pan1 or dish1 at least three inches deep--the circumference of which may be as large as you wish1 fill to within one half inch of the top with sand4 ,the cuttings are to be inserted in the sand1 which is made very wet1 of the consistency of mud4 ,the pan should then be placed on the window case1 where it will receive the full light of the sun1 which will not injure the cuttings in the least1 providing the sand is kept constantly wet1 being careful to never allow it to become dry for a moment1 otherwise the plants will be lost4 ',is there no drainage from the pan necessary8' none1 the atmosphere will evaporate the water fast enough to prevent any stagnation during the brief time required for the cuttings to take root4 ,success in propagating in this way1 depends altogether upon keeping the sand wet like mud until the cuttings in it are struck or rooted1 and this may be easily determined--with the hand gently try to lift the cutting1 you will know if it is rooted by the hold maintained on the sand1 if not1 it will come out4 ,a little experience in feeling with the hand in this way1 will enable you to readily determine whether the cutting is rooted or not4 ,i have no doubt that the following table1 which ,i have carefully prepared from my own extensive experience in regard to length of time required by different plants to take root from cuttings1 will be of interest to all who desire to propagate plants in this manner4 ,i am supposing now1 in the following table1 that all the conditions and facilities are such as are generally found in a first-class propagating house1 with bottom heat1 etc43 ,days4 ,ageratums #f to #h ,amaranthus #f #h ,alyssum #aj #ab ,abutilon #ab #ae ,azalea #fj #ij ,begonias #ab #ae ,bouvardias #bj #cj ,clematis #cj #dj ,carnations #bj #cj ,cuphea 7cigar plant7 #f #h ,chrysanthemums #ab #ae ,centaurea #cj #dj ,coleus 7all kinds7 #f #h ,dahlias #ae #bj ,eupatoriums #ae #bj ,echeverias #cj #dj ,geraniums #ab #ae ,hibiscus #bj #cj ,heliotrope #ab #ae ,lobelia #ab #ae ,lantanas #ab #ae ,lavender #bj #cj ,mignonette #ae #bj ,myosotis #ab #bj ,nasturtium #aj #ab ,primroses #cj #dj ,pyrethrums #ae #bj ,poinsettia #cj #dj ,petunias #bj #cj ,roses #cj #dj ,oleander #cj #dj ,verbenas #f #h ,vinca #ab #ae ,all hardy shrubs1 taken when the wood is green and young1 may be propagated in like manner4 ,the summer is the time to take off the wood for such cuttings4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,grafting4 ,grafting is a simple art1 that both old and young should become acquainted with and be able to perform4 ,in my garden there had stood1 for a number of years1 away in a corner by itself1 a wild apple tree1 which had sprung up from the seed2 it always bore fruit1 but of a worthless character1 so sour and insipid that even the swine refused to devour it when it was thrown to them4 ,i became tired of seeing this tree1 and resolved to change its nature4 ,i went to work1 being a nurseryman1 and procured cions of ten or a dozen different sorts of apple trees1 and took the first favorable opportunity in the spring to graft my old and useless apple tree4 ,when ,i had finished grafting1 ,i found that ,i had inserted here and there on the different branches1 fifty cions1 all of which1 with the exception of three1 lived1 grew1 bore fruit1 each after its own kind1 ,baldwins1 ,greenings1 ,gravensteins1 ,spitzenbergs1 etc41 and it is now the most desirable tree in the garden2 ,i completely transformed the nature of the tree4 ,any one who understands grafting can do the same thing4 ,apple1 ,pear1 ,plum1 and ,cherry trees can be successfully top-grafted in the manner spoken of above1 and the month of ,april is the best time to perform the operation4 ,the outfit necessary to perform the operation of grafting is a small hand-saw1 a hatchet1 a wedge1 grafting-knife1 and wax to cover the wound4 ,if the tree be a large one1 and you wish to change the sort entirely1 begin by sawing off all those limbs that1 being removed1 will leave enough to graft upon1 and not spoil the symmetry of the tree4 ,with the hand-saw saw off the limbs to be grafted about midway1 then with the hatchet or wedge1 cleave an opening in the remaining end of the limb1 and entirely across1 and deep enough to receive the cion2 insert an iron in the cut to hold it open until the cion is placed1 then withdraw the iron1 and the graft will be held fast4 ,the cions to be inserted should be cut before ascending the tree to graft1 and1 together with the wax1 can be carried in a small basket for the purpose4 ,if the diameter of the limb to be grafted is more than an inch1 it is best to insert two grafts1 placed so that each cion will stand near the edge of the cut1 in juxtaposition with the bark of the limb4 ,immediately after setting the graft1 plaster the cut over with a heavy coat of wax1 being careful to leave no crack or crevice open through which it would be possible for air or water to enter4 ,each cion1 in wedge-grafting1 is cut in the shape of a wedge2 the whole cion need not be over three to four inches in length4 ,the following is a good receipe for making grafting-wax3 ,one and a half pound of bees-wax1 six pounds of resin1 and one and a half pound rough beef tallow2 put all into a pot1 and boil one half hour1 keeping it stirred2 pour it out into a tub of cold water1 and when it is sufficiently stiff it should be gathered into balls4 ,when wanted for use the balls should be laid in warm water1 which will readily soften the wax2 work the wax with the hands thoroughly before using4 ,wedge-grafting is by no means the only way to graft1 although it is about the only method of grafting large trees4 ,there are from ten to twenty other modes of grafting1 the difference being in the manner of cutting the cion1 and in fitting it to the stock4 ,to go into detail in regard to them would occupy too much space in these limited pages4 ,any one1 with a little practice1 can learn to cut a cion1 and to graft with success4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,hanging ,,baskets4--,,wardian ,,cases ,,and ,,jardinieres4 ,hanging ,baskets for plants are made of different materials1 and in a great variety of forms4 ,some are made of wire1 others of clay1 and ornamented with fancy mouldings1 etc4 ,very pretty baskets in rustic style are made by covering the outside of a wooden bowl with fantastic knots and roots2 this makes a pleasing basket1 but we know of none so desirable as the old style semi-globular wire basket1 when properly filled4 ,,directions ,,for ,,filling ,,hanging ,,baskets4 ,to fill a wire basket1 first obtain some of the green moss to be found on the lower portion of the trunks of trees in almost any shady piece of woods4 ,this is to be used as a lining to the basket1 turning the green side out1 and entirely covering the inside of the wire form with the moss4 ,before filling the basket with soil1 place a handful of charcoal or gravel in the bottom1 which will hold the moisture4 ,fill the basket with rich1 loose loam1 such as will not harden by frequent waterings4 ,plants that are peculiarly suitable for hanging baskets are quite numerous1 and from them a selection may be made that will please the most exacting taste4 ,it is a mistake to crowd too many plants into a basket1 if they grow they will soon become root-bound1 stunted1 and look sickly4 ,if the hanging basket be of the ordinary size1 one large and choice plant placed in the centre with a few graceful vines to droop over the edges1 will have a better effect when established and growing1 than if it were crowded with plants at the time of filling4 ,hanging baskets being constantly suspended1 they are exposed to draughts of air from all sides1 and the soil is soon dried out1 hence careful watching is necessary in order to prevent the contents from becoming too dry4 ,if the moss appears to be dry1 take the basket down and dip it once or twice in a pail of water1 this is better than sprinkling from a watering-pot4 ,in filling hanging baskets1 or vases of any kind1 we invariably cover the surface of the soil with the same green moss used for lining1 which1 while it adds materially to the pleasing appearance of the whole1 at the same time prevents the soil from drying out or becoming baked on the surface4 ,the following is a list of choice plants suitable for hanging-baskets4 ,those marked thus 77 are fine for the centre1 those marked thus 7997 have handsome foliage1 and this mark 799997 indicates that the plants have flowers in addition to handsome foliage3 9999,begonia glaucophylla scandens4 ,oxalis4 9999,begonia ,rex1 very fine4 99,fittonia ,cuphea platycentra 7,cigar ,plant74 ,pandanus 7,screw ,pine74 ,dracna 7,young's74 ,neirembergia4 ,centaurea gymnocarpa4 9999,geraniums1 ,mrs4 ,pollock and ,happy ,thought4 99,tradescantia discolor4 99,peperomias4 9999,gloxinias4 99,fancy ,ferns4 ,ageratum 7,john ,douglass1 blue74 ,achyranthes4 9999,variegated ,hydrangea4 99,ficus ,parcelli4 9999,gesnerias4 99,variegated ,grasses1 etc41 etc4 ,,trailing ,,plants4 9999,fuchsia1 microphylla4 ,sedum 7,stone ,crop74 9999,ivy-leaved ,geraniums4 ,german ,ivy4 ,indian ,strawberry ,vine4 ,kenilworth ,ivy4 ,lycopodium4 ,moneywort4 9999,trailing ,blue ,lobelia4 99,cissus discolor4 9999,lysimachia 7,moneywort74 9999,tropolums4 9999,torrenia ,asiatica4 9999,mesembryanthemums 7,ice ,plant74 9999,coba scandens4 9999,pilogyne suavis4 ,lygodium scandens 7,climbing ,fern74 ,,wardian ,,cases--,,jardinieres1 ,,etc4 ,a ,wardian ,case consists of a base1 which is generally an oblong box1 covered with a square glass frame1 under which certain plants can be successfully grown4 ,this is now considered by many to be a desirable ornament in the window-garden during the winter months4 ,when neatly and artistically filled with suitable plants1 a ,wardian ,case becomes a thing of beauty4 ,these cases can be easily and cheaply made by any one possessed of ordinary mechanical skill4 ,the base or box should be oblong in shape1 at least eight inches deep1 and lined inside with zinc or tin-plate1 securely soldered to prevent the water and soil from staining the wood4 ,a case made in this manner will endure a number of years without decaying4 ,over the case a square glass frame should be made to fit snugly2 it should be from eighteen inches to two feet high1 so as to allow the plants that are to grow under it plenty of room4 ,when the case and frame are finished1 the whole should be mounted upon a stand1 or legs can be made with the case1 under which are casters1 by which to move it about easily4 ,before planting1 make a small funnel hole through the bottom of the box1 to allow the surplus water to escape rapidly1 and before putting in the soil1 cover the bottom of the box two inches deep with broken crocks or charcoal1 or even gravel1 to facilitate a rapid drainage1 a matter absolutely essential to the healthy growth of the plants4 ,fill the box within an inch of the top with fine1 rich1 peaty loam1 and all will be ready to receive the plants4 ,those suitable for growing in a case of this kind1 should be such as will live and thrive in a moist1 still atmosphere1 and are of slow growth2 all rampant1 rank-growers must be discarded as being wholly unsuitable1 as they would soon become of such proportions that they could not be confined in so limited a space4 ,the following plants are eminently suited for ,wardian ,cases1 ,jardinieres1 etc42 ,fittonias 7,gymnostachyum71 ,fancy ,caladiums1 ,tradescantias1 ,cissus discolor1 ,gesnerias1 some varieties of ,crotons1 ,dwarf-growing ,begonias1 ,fancy ,ferns1 ,lycopods1 etc41 etc41 are very suitable for this purpose4 ,in arranging the plants in the case1 particular care should be taken to have them so placed that the tallest-growing ones will be in the centre1 and grading downward1 according to size1 the ,lycopods being on the bottom4 ,the whole surface of the soil may be covered with the trailing ,lycopodium2 by placing small pieces here and there1 it will soon spread over the entire surface1 making a beautiful ground work of purplish-green4 ,small1 highly-colored sea-shells1 and beautifully-colored pebbles1 are scattered about among the plants1 to enhance the beauty of the whole4 ,after the case has been filled the soil should be thoroughly soaked with lukewarm water4 ,remove the case to a shady place for three or four days1 to allow the plants to recuperate1 after which it can be placed in the full light with safety4 ,the lid or top should be lifted whenever there is excessive moisture on the inside1 which will be indicated by the moisture trickling down on the inside of the glass4 ,as a rule the plants should have fresh air1 by lifting the lid for a few minutes each day1 but beware of all cold draughts1 or too much exposure to chilly atmospheres4 ,ordinarily1 once a month is often enough to water1 this must be governed by the circumstances1 but they should never be allowed to become dry1 remembering that as warmth1 moisture1 and a still atmosphere are secured1 success will be certain4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,aquatics--,,water ,,lilies4 ,the native ,water ,lilies that abound in many of our lakes1 ponds1 and rivers1 are more or less familiar to all4 ,they grow up year after year through the placid waters1 unfolding their blossoms of spotless purity to the silent stars1 and after a short while1 disappear1 to return at another favorable season4 ,the ,american ,water ,lily1 ,nympha odorata1 has flowers of a yellowish-white1 and an odor that is peculiar and pleasant4 ,the size of the flowers averages three to four inches across4 ,this is by no means the only aquatic lily1 for we have in cultivation quite a number of other choice and striking species quite different in leaf and flower from ,n4 odorata4 ,among the most noticeable of these is1 ,n4 rubra1 a native of ,india1 which has flowers of a rosy-red1 measuring from eight to ten inches in diameter1 with scarlet stamens2 the large leaves of this ,water ,lily turn to a gorgeous crimson color in the fall4 ,there are also ,n4 ,devonensis1 bearing flowers of a brilliant red1 which often measure from twelve to fourteen inches across1 are star-shaped1 and very beautiful4 ,n4 crulea1 a native of ,egypt1 has light blue flowers1 and light green leaves2 the flowers are very fragrant4 ,n4 flava has yellowish flowers1 sometimes beautifully variegated with brown4 ,there is quite a number of other interesting species1 but those already mentioned are the best4 ,the cultivation of ,water ,lilies is very simple1 they can be grown with success in tubs or tanks1 or in little artificial ponds1 constructed to accommodate them4 ,a hogshead sunk in the ground in the open air1 in some sunny location1 will answer to grow them in4 ,fill a hogshead half full of the compost recommended for aquatics1 then set the plants in the compost1 press down firmly1 and fill the cask with pure water4 ,if possible connect a flow and waste pipe with the barrel1 to keep the water fresh1 as this is highly essential in growing these plants in this manner4 ,a ,mr4 ,sturtevant1 we believe1 now of ,burlington ,co41 ,n4 ,j41 is an enthusiast on the cultivation of ,water ,lilies1 and no doubt an excellent authority1 ,he has written some valuable hints on the culture of aquatics1 from which we are tempted to quote4 ,he says1 ,i will add here a few words on the possibilities of aquatic gardening4 ,one argument in favor of cultivating tropical lilies in the open air is1 that larger leaves and flowers are obtained1 and in case of the colored kinds1 greater depth of color than when under glass4 ,and again1 ,let us suppose that you wish to have an aquatic garden1 fifty1 sixty1 or a hundred feet in diameter4 ,we will not build it in the stiff form of a circle or oval4 ,there is a small bay1 across which we will throw a rustic bridge to a peninsula3 somewhere on the margin we will build a rustic summer-house4 99 99 99 99 99 ,now let us suppose that all has been planted1 and come to mid-summer perfection4 ,some morning1 before the night-blooming lilies 7there are varieties that bloom only in the night71 have taken their mid-day sleep1 let us ascend the tower1 and take a view of the picture4 ,he graphically describes the beauty of this miniature ,eden1 with all its rare and beautiful tropical plants1 which certainly must be enchanting for any who love the beautiful4 ,it is surprising that many people of ample means1 and with good facilities for growing aquatics1 and who have a taste for flowers1 do not take more interest in domesticating these plants4 ,any one who keeps a gardener can have a very fine show of these beautiful flowers1 and a comparatively small outlay will bring good results in a short time4 ,let those who can1 try it4 ,,soil ,,for ,,growing ,,aquatic ,,plants4 ,the best soil for growing aquatics1 is that obtained from the bed of a pond1 or a slow1 swampy stream1 but when this is not readily obtainable1 a mixture of equal parts of good1 rich garden loam and stable manure will be almost as good4 ,some use a mixture of muck and bog peat1 from which they claim very satisfactory results in growing aquatics2 either we think can be used with good success4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,hardy ,,climbing ,,vines4--,,ivies4 ,hardy ,climbing ,vines seem to be in large demand in different sections of the country1 either for training upon trellises as single specimens1 or for training upon the side of the building1 piazza1 portico1 or to screen unsightly places1 etc4 ,we select from a large number of hardy climbing vines the following sorts1 which we think are the most desirable3 ,wistaria1 ,chinese 7blue and white74 ,honeysuckles1 ,belgian4 ,clematis ,jackman's 7purple74 ,clematis ,henry's 7pure white74 ,clematis1 viticella rubra grandiflora 7red74 ,virginia ,creeper1 ,ampelopsis quinquefolia 7strong grower74 ,japan ,creeper1 ,ampelopsis tricuspidata1 or ,veitchii1 of most catalogues4 ,bignonia1 ,trumpet-,flower4 ,rose1 ,baltimore ,belle 7white74 ,rose1 ,queen of the ,prairies 7pink74 ,all of the above named vines are strong1 vigorous growers1 perfectly hardy1 and with the exception of the two ,creepers1 are handsome bloomers4 ,,ivies--,,growing ,,and ,,training4 ,a dainty plant is the ,ivy green1 ,that creepeth o'er ruins old4--,boz4 ,the ,ivy is one of the oldest and most venerable of all climbing shrubs1 and is preminently the poet's vine4 ,in some of the older countries1 especially in ,england1 where the climate is particularly favorable to its growth1 the ,ivy is very attractive1 and is said to reach the greatest perfection there4 ,travellers who have journeyed through that country1 describe the old ,ivy as clinging closely to1 and completely covering the walls of ancient castles1 and churches1 and often it runs rampant over the fields1 mounting stone walls1 clinging to trees1 etc4 ,the ,ivy in our climate is entirely hardy1 enduring the severest winters without any protection4 ,if the vine is allowed to grow over the walls of a dwelling1 either on the inside1 in a living-room1 or on the outer walls of the building1 is not only beautiful as an ornament of the home1 but beneficial2 in a sanitary point of view it is regarded as useful4 ,some plants of ,ivy growing in the living and sleeping rooms1 will do more to keep the atmosphere of the apartments pure and wholesome1 than anything we can possibly imagine1 and ,i recommend their more extensive cultivation in malarial localities4 ,the ,ivy may be easily cultivated from slips or layers4 ,in soil1 sand1 or even in pure water1 cuttings will root1 and they will take up with almost any kind of soil1 but that which can be easily kept loose1 is preferable4 ,the ,ivy is partial to shade1 and if it never saw the sun it would make no difference1 as it would grow and flourish just the same4 ,there is no sight more attractive in a window-garden than a fine ,ivy vine trained up the casement1 over the wall and ceiling2 its dark1 rich1 glossy leaves1 and thrifty look1 make it an object to be admired4 ,if grown in pots in the house1 the soil will soon become exhausted1 if the plant is growing rapidly1 and it should be changed or enriched with decayed manure at least once each year1 care being taken not to disturb the roots to a great extent4 ,it is a mistake to allow ,ivies too much pot-room1 they will do better if the roots are considerably confined4 ,soap-suds or liquid manure if applied once a mouth when the plants are growing1 will promote a luxuriant growth4 ,when dust accumulates on the leaves1 as it will1 if grown in-doors1 wash it off with a damp cloth or sponge2 if this is long neglected1 you need not be surprised if you soon discover the leaves to be covered with red-spider or scale-lice4 ,cold water is the best wash1 when washing be sure and treat the underside of the leaves as well as the upper surface4 ,i would recommend the ,english ,ivy as being the best sort for general cultivation4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,annual ,,flowering ,,plants4--,,pansy ,,culture4 ,annuals flower the same season the seeds are sown1 perfect their seeds1 and then die4 ,there is1 says ,james ,vick1 ,no forgotten spot in the garden1 none which early flowering bulbs or other spring flowers have left unoccupied1 that need remain bare during the summer4 ,no bed but what can be made brilliant with these favorites1 for there is no situation or soil in which some of these favorites will not flourish4 ,some delight in shade1 others in sunshine2 some are pleased with a cool1 clay bed1 while others are never so comfortable as in a sandy soil1 or burning sun4 ,the seed1 too1 is so cheap as to be within the reach of all1 while a good collection of bedding plants would not come within the resources of many1 and yet very few beds filled with expensive bedding plants look as well as a good bed of our best annuals1 like ,phlox1 ,petunia1 or ,portulaca1 and for a vase or basket many of our annuals are unsurpassed4 ,to annuals1 also1 we are indebted mainly for our brightest and best flowers in the late summer and autumn months4 ,without the ,phlox and ,petunia1 and ,portulaca and ,aster1 and ,stock1 our autumn gardens would be poor indeed1 and how we would miss the sweet fragrance of the ,alyssum1 ,mignonette1 and ,sweet ,pea1 if any ill-luck should befall them1 or deprive us of these sweet favorites6 ,annuals are divided into three classes1 hardy1 half-hardy1 and tender4 ,the hardy annuals are those that1 like the ,larkspur1 ,candytuft1 etc41 may be sown in the autumn1 or very early in the spring in the open ground4 ,the half-hardy annuals should not be sown in the open ground until all danger of frost is over4 ,the ,balsams and ,marigolds belong to this class4 ,the tender annuals generally require starting in a green-house1 or hot-bed1 to bring them to perfection1 and should not be set in the open ground until the weather is fine and warm1 some time in ,june4 ,from a perplexing number to be found in plant catalogues1 we select the following twelve sorts of annuals as being the most desirable for the garden2 they are a galaxy of gems1 indeed3 ,asters1 ,balsams1 ,phlox ,drummondii1 ,double ,petunias1 ,pansies1 ,double ,sweet ,alyssum1 ,double ,white ,pyrethrum1 ,dwarf ,ageratum1 ,verbenas1 ,salvias1 ,double ,stocks1 ,celosias 7,coxcomb74 ,sow the seed in the open ground the latter part of ,may1 and the first of ,july most of the sorts will be in bloom1 and they will continue to bloom until arrested by frosts4 ,,pansy ,,culture4 ,pansies are old and popular favorites1 they embrace varieties with variously-colored flowers1 from almost jet black1 to pure white and yellow4 ,they are easily grown from seed4 ,the general custom is to sow ,pansy seed in the fall1 but we are in favor of spring sowing4 ,we have tried sowing seed at both seasons1 and find that plants grown from spring-sown seed bloom more freely throughout the hot months of summer1 while plants raised by fall sowing become exhausted1 and cease flowering much sooner4 ,seed sown in ,march1 in light1 rich soil1 will make fine blooming plants the same season4 ,pansies are hardy1 if they have good protection with a litter of leaves or straw1 or any light covering1 which should be removed very early in the spring1 or as soon as danger of heavy frosts is over4 ,plants remaining in ground through the winter1 if proper care is given them1 will bloom very early in the spring1 as soon as the frost is out of the ground4 ,we have even seen the frail blossoms peeping up through the snow1 but the plants become exhausted and cease flowering before mid-summer4 ,it is possible to have them bloom throughout the entire winter by taking up old plants from the open ground in ,october1 and carefully planting them in a tight1 cold frame in a sheltered location1 covering the frame with glazed sash4 ,this is often done by florists whose trade demands the flowers at that season of the year1 and especially early in spring4 ,treated thus1 they flower abundantly4 ,the same can be done with ,violets4 ,pansies require a partial shade and a good1 rich1 loamy soil1 and an occasional watering through the dry season will help them4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,fall ,,or ,,holland ,,bulbs4 ,that class of bulbs known as ,fall1 or ,holland ,bulbs1 includes ,hyacinths1 ,crocuses1 ,jonquils1 ,tulips1 ,narcissuses1 ,snow-drops1 and several less known kinds4 ,these bulbs are grown in ,holland in immense quantities1 the soil and climate of that country being peculiarly favorable to them1 and they are annually imported into this country in great numbers4 ,the fall is the time to set them out2 any time from the first of ,october1 to the middle of ,december4 ,tulips1 ,jonquils1 ,narcissuses1 and ,hyacinths1 should be planted four inches deep1 and eight inches apart each way2 the ,snow-drops and ,crocuses two inches deep1 and six inches apart4 ,all of the above named bulbs are entirely hardy1 and will stand in the ground without any surface protection through the severest winters4 ,some go to the trouble of covering the surface with leaves or other litter for protection1 but this is entirely unnecessary4 ,a very pretty effect may be had1 where one has a large number of bulbs1 by selecting the different colors and planting each color in a row by itself1 so that when they blossom1 it will be in ribbon-lines of red1 white1 blue1 or yellow1 as the case may be4 ,or1 if one has a large number of beds of different shapes1 cut so as to form a design of some kind1 each section may be planted with a different color 7,hyacinths are the best for this work71 and when all come into bloom in ,april1 the effect will be most charming4 ,we tried this massing of the differently colored bulbs one year1 in a design of one hundred different sections of all conceivable shapes4 ,planting the bulbs so that1 when in blossom1 the whole would present a harmonious effect4 ,it would be hard to conceive of a more attractive sight than that presented by all those bulbs in full bloom in early ,april1 when every thing else looked barren and cheerless4 ,they were admired by every one who saw them4 ,bulbs of this character bloom and pass away in season to allow room for other plants to be set out4 ,these may be set between the rows of bulbs1 and not disturb them in the least4 ,any of the above named bulbs are especially desirable for house culture in winter4 ,make an oblong box1 say four feet in length1 fifteen inches wide1 and twelve deep1 fill this with fine1 rich loam1 then plant a row of ,hyacinths in the centre1 and on each side of this plant a row of either ,snow-drops or ,crocuses1 water thoroughly1 and set away in a dark1 cool place4 ,in three weeks remove the box into the full light1 and water freely1 they will grow and bloom throughout the winter4 ,if the box can be set near a front window1 it will make a pretty display while the bulbs are in bloom4 ,these bulbs can be started in pots1 or glasses filled with water1 and treated in the same manner as stated above4 ,place a single bulb of ,hyacinth in each pot or glass4 ,four-inch pots filled nearly to the top with soil1 and the bulbs set in and pressed down1 so that nothing but the crown is above ground1 are all that is necessary4 ,the same bulbs can be used a number of years1 but they are not so good as fresh ones1 which should be obtained each year if possible4 ,after the bulbs are through blooming1 they may be left in the soil in which they grew through the winter1 and removed to a dry place to rest1 in preparation for starting them another fall4 ,if fresh bulbs are desired for this purpose1 the old ones may be planted out in the open ground1 where they will again renew their strength1 and bloom annually for a number of years4 ,they are multiplied from the seed and from offshoots4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,tropical ,,bulbs4--,,tuberoses4 ,gladioluses1 ,tuberoses1 ,cannas1 and ,caladiums1 come under this head1 and are the best known of this class of bulbs4 ,they are not hardy1 and the slightest frost will injure them more or less4 ,it is customary to allow tender bulbs of this kind to rest during the winter1 the same as one would an onion4 ,they can be safely kept through the winter under the staging of the green-house1 in a dry1 frost-proof cellar1 where there is plenty of light1 or in any other place where potatoes can be safely stored4 ,tropical bulbs of all kinds are much benefited by planting them in good1 light1 loamy soil1 well enriched with well-rotted stable manure4 ,they may be planted out in the open ground as soon as it can be worked in the spring1 and all danger from heavy frosts is over4 ,any of the above named bulbs of ordinary size1 should be planted at least from three to four inches deep1 and from six to eight inches deep when the bulbs are of extra size4 ,i am in favor of planting these bulbs in the open ground much earlier than most gardeners are in the habit of doing4 ,experience has shown me that the earlier in spring those summer bulbs are set out in the open ground1 the better4 ,just as soon as the ground is in good condition to work1 spade it up deeply1 and plant the bulbs2 the roots will soon begin to develop in the cool ground1 before the tops start to grow1 which is the true principle in growing all plants4 ,they will thus receive a fine start before hot weather sets in4 ,we have had ,tuberoses and ,gladioluses to bloom much earlier than usual1 and much more continuously throughout the summer and fall1 as the result of planting them as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring4 ,if a continuation of bloom is desired1 the bulbs should be planted at successive intervals of not less then three weeks2 this will give a sucession of bloom throughout the entire season4 ,in the fall remove the bulbs from the ground as soon as the tops have been touched by frost1 cutting the stalk off to within a couple of inches of the base1 and setting the bulbs away to rest for the winter4 ,,tuberoses4 ,no collection of garden flowers is complete without the ,tuberose4 ,for the spotless purity of its flowers1 and for incomparable fragrance1 it has no superior4 ,it is very easy to grow them successfully4 ,bulbs intended for fall blooming1 should be planted in the open ground from the first to the middle of ,may2 plant them about two inches deep4 ,they will do well in any good1 rich garden soil1 if the soil is occasionally moved around them with the rake or hoe1 after they are up and growing4 ,such treatment will cause the bulbs to grow rapidly1 and the flower trusses1 when they come into bloom1 will consequently be much larger and finer4 ,as the ,tuberose is not hardy in our ,northern climates1 the bulbs should be dug up in the fall1 the tops or stalks removed to within two or three inches of the bulbs1 which should then be laid away in some dry1 warm place1 a dry and frost-proof cellar will do1 or better yet1 store them if possible1 under the staging of a green-house4 ,in the spring1 before planting1 remove all the young offsets from around the parent bulb2 there are usually a number of young shoots clinging to it1 and as the old bulb blooms but once1 and only once1 it is henceforth good for nothing1 save for the production of more bulbs1 if desired4 ,the young offshoots of the first season's growth will not become blooming bulbs until the third year1 but if you have quite a number of young bulbs1 say twenty-five or fifty1 there will naturally be a number that will bloom in rotation1 from year to year1 and give some bloom each season4 ,some enterprising florists have ,tuberoses nearly the whole year round4 ,in order to do this1 the bulbs must be started in pots2 the bulbs are potted in the usual manner1 so that the top1 or crown of the bulb1 when potted1 will just show above the soil1 and they should be kept rather dry until they show signs of growing1 when they can be watered freely and set in a warm place4 ,of course bulbs intended for winter blooming must rest1 or be kept from growing during the summer1 and bulbs to be in bloom in ,april or ,may1 must be started in ,january or ,february in pots4 ,tuberoses are rapidly productive2 ten old bulbs having been known to produce one hundred young offshoots in one season4 ,there are many fine points in growing ,tuberoses1 but the instruction here given will enable any one to grow them successfully4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,roses--,,cultivation ,,and ,,propagating4 ,the ,rose is preminently the ,queen of ,flowers4 ,it has no rival in the floral kingdom1 and will always stand at the head in the catalogue of ,flora's choicest gems4 ,to it alone belongs that subtle perfume that captivates the sense of smell1 and that beauty of form and color so pleasing to the eye4 ,add to all this1 it is one of the easiest plants to cultivate1 as it will grow and flower in almost any soil or climate1 requiring but little care and attention as compared with many other favorites of the garden4 ,there has been great improvement made in ,roses in the last twenty years by skillful cultivators in this country and in ,europe1 and from a few common sorts formerly grown1 many hundred choice and desirable varieties have been produced1 and to-day the choice cultivated varieties are very numerous4 ,these differ in respect to hardiness1 habit of growth1 and peculiar characteristics of blooming1 and for these reasons cultivators have grouped them into several distinct classes1 each class differing in certain characteristics from the others4 ,,tea ,,roses4 ,the ,roses best adapted for in-door culture belong to the class known as ,tea ,roses2 these are tender1 of a bushy growth1 and if properly treated1 will bloom the year round2 the flowers have a strong tea-scent4 ,tea ,roses can be cultivated out-of-doors with success1 but they must be taken up in the fall and removed in-doors4 ,we know it is the custom of some gardeners to lay the bushes down in the fall1 and cover them with earth and leaves2 while in some cases this may preserve them1 it cannot be depended on as a rule4 ,to keep up a steady bloom1 pinch off all flowers as soon as they begin to fade4 ,it is best to not let the buds open fully while on the bush1 but they should be cut in the bud1 and placed in a vase of water1 where they will expand and keep for a long while4 ,all dead leaves and flower stems should be carefully removed1 and the surface of the soil in the pots should be stirred up occasionally with a stick1 this will keep the plants in a growing condition1 and if they can be kept growing1 they will bloom continuously4 ,the following varieties of ,tea ,roses are in every respect among the best for house culture3 ,bon ,silene4--,flowers purplish-carmine2 highly scented4 ,niphetos4--,pure white1 magnificent long buds2 an incessant bloomer4 ,perle de ,jardins4--,sulphur-yellow1 full and double2 a splendid rose4 ,la ,france 7,bourbon74--,bright lilac-rose1 fine form2 perpetual bloomer1 half hardy4 ,hermosa 7,bourbon74--,light rose-color1 cupped-shaped2 a most perpetual bloomer4 ,,hybrid ,,perpetual1 ,,and ,,moss ,,roses4 ,both of the above classes are entirely distinct from either the ,tea1 ,noisette1 or ,bourbon ,roses2 they are entirely hardy1 exceedingly free-bloomers in their season--from ,june to ,july2 their flowers have a delightful perfume1 and are noted for the richness and variety of their colors4 ,they require to be closely pruned annually4 ,the spring is the most desirable time to prune4 ,they should have a top-dressing of manure every fall4 ,the ground should be kept well shaded around their roots in summer4 ,they require a strong1 rich soil to make them flower well4 ,these roses are not desirable for house culture4 ,the following are among the best varieties of the ,hybrid ,perpetual1 or ,remontant ,roses3 ,gen4 ,jacqueminot4--,brilliant crimson-scarlet2 magnificent buds4 ,la ,reine4--,deep rosy-pink2 an ideal rose4 ,coquette des ,alps4--,white2 blooms in clusters4 ,black ,prince4--,blackish-crimson2 large1 full1 and globular4 ,victor ,verdier4--,rich deep-rose2 elegant buds4 ,,moss ,,roses4 ,of this class we need not speak in detail to any who have ever seen its delicate moss-covered buds1 and inhaled their delightful odor4 ,they are perfectly hardy1 and can be wintered without any protection4 ,they are called perpetual1 but this is a misnomer1 for we know but one variety of ,moss ,rose that approaches it1 that is the ,salet ,moss4 ,the rest are no more so than are the so-called ,hybrid ,perpetuals4 ,moss ,roses should be severely pruned in spring1 removing all the old wood4 ,salet1 deep pink2 ,white ,perpetual1 pure white2 and ,crested1 rose-color1 are the most desirable sorts4 ,,propagating ,,the ,,rose4 ,the ,rose is somewhat difficult to propagate from cuttings1 and it takes from three to four weeks for them to root under the best conditions4 ,moss ,roses are generally multiplied by layering 7see ,layering71 and by budding on the common ,manetti or ,multiflora stocks4 ,the following will be found to be a very practicable and simple method of propagating roses on a small scale1 and is attended with very little trouble or expense3 ,in the fall place sand in a box1 or cold frame1 to the depth of eight inches4 ,take from the bushes the number of cuttings it is desired to propagate1 making them with two or three points or eyes2 insert them in the sand 7which should be previously packed as solid as can be71 then water thoroughly4 ,as the cuttings are to remain in this frame all winter1 it should be provided with a glass sash1 and the whole covered with leaves and manure4 ,it need not be banked up until freezing weather4 ,if rightly done1 we may expect at the least fifty per cent of the cuttings to come from their winter bed finely rooted4 ,they should then be potted1 and after growing awhile1 planted out1 and some of them will bloom the first season4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,japan ,,and ,,other ,,lilies4--,,calla ,,lilies4 ,if we call the rose the ,queen of ,flowers1 what royal title shall we bestow upon the beautiful ,japan ,lilies8 ,we sometimes think it would be proper to name the ,rose the ,king1 for its commanding aspect1 and the grandly beautiful ,lily1 the ,queen of the floral kingdom4 ,but1 be this as it may1 we have only to gaze upon a collection of ,japan ,lilies when in full bloom1 and inhale their delicious odor1 that perfumes the whole atmosphere1 to be convinced of their superiority over all other flowers4 ,surely ,solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these4 ,there are many different species and varieties of ,lilies1 but none approach those known as ,japan ,lilies in the beauty and variety of their flowers1 and their exquisite fragrance4 ,they are perfectly hardy1 and the fall is the proper time to plant them4 ,if good strong bulbs are set out in the ground in ,october or ,november1 planted about eight inches deep1 they will throw up strong shoots the following summer1 and bloom freely4 ,the flowers increase in size and beauty with the age of the bulb1 and this should be left to grow undisturbed in the same spot for five or six years2 afterwards1 if desired1 the bulbs can be dug up1 the offshoots removed1 and the old bulbs reset1 and they will do better than ever4 ,any of the young bulbs that have been removed can be planted out in the ground1 and in a few years will form good blooming bulbs4 ,the time to perform this work is in the fall4 ,although entirely hardy without protection1 it will benefit these lilies very much1 if during the winter1 they are covered with a coarse litter1 leaves or any other good covering4 ,this should be raked off early in the spring1 as manure of any kind seems to injure them when they come in contact with it4 ,the soil in which they do best is a light1 sandy loam1 well drained4 ,the lily flourishes best in sunny locations4 ,the following is a description of the leading varieties3 ,,lilium ,,auratum4--,this is the well-known ,gold-banded ,lily1 and most decidedly the finest of all the ,japan ,lilies4 ,l4 ,,candidum4--,the old ,white ,lily 7not ,japan7 of the gardens2 a splendid sort2 elegant1 large1 pure white flowers1 in clusters2 blooms earlier than the others1 but not the first year2 it is one of the most beautiful ,lilies4 ,l4 ,,citrinum4--,very rare and beautiful2 large1 elegantly formed flowers2 color1 pale yellow1 exquisitely tinged with blush4 ,l4 ,,longiflorum4--,exceedingly beautiful2 very long trumpet-shaped flowers1 pure snow white4 ,l4 ,,speciosum ,,rubrum4--,one of the finest of ,japan ,lilies2 bright crimson and white spotted2 splendid large flower1 borne in clusters1 stem two to three feet4 ,l4 ,,tigrinum--,,single ,,tiger ,,lily4--,this splendid ,lily is one of the best in the list2 the stem is tall2 the flowers large and elegantly formed2 blooms in large clusters2 color1 brilliant orange scarlet with intense black spots2 remains in bloom a long time4 ,l4 ,,umbelatum4--,very showy1 brilliant red1 variegated flowers in clusters4 ,,the ,,calla ,,lily4 ,the ,calla ,lily1 or ,the ,lily of the ,nile1 is an old and popular favorite1 and is found in window-garden collections everywhere4 ,it is a native of the tropics1 where it is said it grows to an enormous size2 a single flower often measuring one to two feet in diameter4 ,the ,calla will attain its highest perfection if planted in a rich1 mucky soil1 obtained from a swamp or bog4 ,it also requires an abundance of water during the growing season4 ,callas1 like all other bulbous plants1 must have a season of rest4 ,if required to bloom during the winter or spring months1 they must be rested in the summer season1 if this is not done we must not expect to have any success in flowering them4 ,the blooming season can be reversed if desired1 by resting in winter4 ,without allowing them at least three months of rest1 it is useless to expect to flower them successfully4 ,by resting1 we mean to withhold water1 and allow the leaves and stalks to die down completely to the bulb4 ,then turn the pot on its side under a tree or grape-arbor1 and let the soil dry up completely2 this will kill the stalk but not injure the bulb4 ,,how ,,to ,,prepare ,,callas ,,for ,,winter ,,blooming4 ,after three months of this rest2 or about the first of ,october1 we dump out the plant1 shake off all the old soil from the bulb or bulbs1 and re-pot in fine1 rich soil1 using pots one size larger than those used the previous year2 place the plants in a cool1 shady spot1 and water freely4 ,let them remain for two or three weeks1 until new roots have formed1 after which all danger is passed1 and they can be removed into full light and heat4 ,when growing1 water freely4 ,an application of strong liquid-manure once a week will add greatly to the growth of the plants1 and to the number of blossoms produced4 ,a very pretty effect can be obtained by arranging the plants about a fountain or pond where they will bloom freely throughout the summer season1 presenting a tropical appearance4 ,they will also grow well by standing the pots completely in the water4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,geraniums--,,the ,,best ,,twelve ,,sorts4 ,there is no flower that can surpass the ,geranium for profusion of bloom1 brilliancy and variety of color1 and general adaptability for house culture4 ,the following are the best twelve sorts3 ,,double ,,varieties4 ,madam ,ballet1 pure white2 ,jewel1 dark crimson2 ,asa ,gray1 salmon1 very free bloomer2 ,madam ,lemoine1 light pink1 large trusses2 ,bishop ,wood1 rich scarlet1 approaching to carmine2 ,charmieux1 scarlet2 ,casimer ,perrier1 a very near approach to yellow ,,single ,,varieties4 ,new ,life1 variegated1 crimson1 and white2 ,gen4 ,grant1 dazzling scarlet2 ,pauline ,lucca1 pure white1 with pink-eye2 ,chief ,justice1 the darkest of all ,geraniums1 immense trusses2 ,pinafore1 salmon1 with white eye2 ,la ,vienne1 pure white1 pale stamens1 splendid2 ,master ,christine1 light pink1 elegant for bedding4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,azaleas2 ,,how ,,to ,,cultivate ,,them4 ,comparatively few of these charming plants are to be seen outside of green-houses and private conservatories1 we know not for what reasons1 unless it be the erroneous idea that they cannot be successfully grown unless one has the facilities of the florist4 ,i think there is no class of plants more easy of culture1 when the manner of treating them is once understood1 than ,azaleas4 ,as they are decidedly winter-flowering plants1 generally coming into bloom from ,december to ,march and ,april1 they must be treated as such4 ,they should have the same kind of treatment during the summer as recommended for ,camellias1 allowing them to rest in some cool1 shady spot out-of-doors1 during which period the flowering shoots will grow that are to give the bloom through the winter months4 ,they can be taken into the house any time in the fall before freezing weather1 and they will thrive well in an atmosphere suited to the generality of plants1 although to bring the bloom out to the best1 an atmosphere of #ee is needed4 ,there are over one hundred distinct varieties1 ranging from pure white to lilac-purple1 scarlet and pink1 and when in full bloom the entire plant might be easily mistaken for a large bouquet1 so literally covered is it with dazzling blossoms4 ,one or two varieties of ,azaleas should grace every collection2 almost every florist keeps them in stock1 and the price asked is but a small consideration compared with the amount of pleasure one will derive by having them in full bloom himself4 ,florists hardly ever attempt to multiply the ,azaleas from cuttings1 on account of the hardness of the wood1 but the common mode of multiplying them is by grafting on the stock of the ,wild ,azalea1 plants being easily and quickly obtained through this method4 ,the ,azalea will flourish best with a rich1 mucky loam1 a rather shady locality1 and an abundance of water4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,,camellias4--,,orange ,,and ,,lemon ,,trees4 ,dear reader1 did you ever see a large ,camellia plant in full blossom8 ,if you have not1 ,i will risk my reputation by saying that all other flowers within my knowledge1 barring the rose1 dwindle into insignificance when compared with it4 ,it excels the finest rose in doubleness and form of its flowers1 and puts the virgin lily to shame for spotless purity and whiteness2 if it only possessed fragrance1 it would be unquestionably the ,queen of the floral world4 ,what ,i shall have to say in regard to this plant1 ,i hope will have the effect of introducing it into many homes where it has hitherto been little known4 ,few outside of professional florists have undertaken to cultivate the ,camellia1 for the reason1 we suppose1 that it is thought to be quite an impossibility to raise and bloom it successfully outside of a green-house2 this is a mistake1 although many believe it otherwise4 ,i contend that ,camellias can be as easily and as successfully grown in the window-garden as the ,rose or ,geranium4 ,camellias bloom in the winter1 and at no other season of the year4 ,plants should be purchased of the florist in the fall or early in winter1 and such plants as have flower-buds already formed2 those plants1 if kept in the right atmosphere1 will bloom profusely1 but they must have an atmosphere of #ej until the buds are all expanded1 after which there will be no danger of the flowers blasting4 ,as soon as the bloom has all passed off1 the plants should be taken from their cool quarters1 and placed with the other plants in a warm temperature1 and watered freely1 to encourage a vigorous growth previous to removing them out-of-doors in the spring4 ,as soon as all danger of heavy frosts is over in the spring1 the plants should be taken from the house and removed to some shady location1 under a grape-arbor1 in a pit or frame covered with shades2 here leave them standing in the pots plunging the pots in earth or sand to prevent too rapid drying out4 ,the summer is the period in which the flower-buds are formed that bloom in winter2 the plants should be kept growing1 and watered freely throughout the summer4 ,they must be left out-of-doors as long as the weather will permit1 but1 on the approach of frost1 take the plants into the house1 and let them stand in a cool room1 where the temperature is not over #ej4 ,this is the critical time1 for if they are removed into a warm temperature of #gj or #hj1 the buds will all blast and drop off1 and no flowers will be produced4 ,if the plants are large and well-budded1 a succession of bloom will be yielded throughout the entire winter4 ,there are a number of varieties1 embracing colors from red1 pink1 variegated1 etc41 to the purest waxy-white4 ,the ,double ,white ,camellia ,japonica1 the white sort1 is the most valuable for its bloom1 the flowers being sometimes four to five inches in diameter1 exceedingly double1 with the petals imbricated1 and of a waxy texture1 and are highly prized by florists1 who often charge as high as one dollar per flower for them4 ,they are invaluable for funeral occasions1 when pure white flowers are required4 ,plants are multiplied by either grafting or budding them on the common stock2 it is almost impossible to raise plants from cuttings2 they are slower than the ,azalea to take root4 ,,orange ,,and ,,lemon ,,trees4 ,both ,orange and ,lemon trees can be easily raised by sowing the seeds in good1 rich soil1 and after the seedlings become of sufficient size1 a foot to fifteen inches high1 they should be budded or grafted1 otherwise blossoms and fruit cannot be expected4 ,in the tropical climes1 where these fruits are grown1 there are varieties that spring up from the seeds of sweet oranges1 called naturals2 these yield a fruit that is edible1 but is of an insipid taste4 ,in no case can we obtain edible fruit of either ,oranges or ,lemons1 budded or unbudded1 in northern climates4 ,the best time to bud these trees is when the seedlings are about a year old4 ,they can be budded in the same manner as other trees1 and as a rule1 the buds take readily if the stock is in the right condition4 ,some graft them1 but buds take better than grafts1 and grow more rapidly4 ,if the budding is successful1 and the bud looks fresh and green in two weeks after it has been inserted1 the union has taken place4 ,the stock may then be cut off within two inches of the bud1 and after the bud has started to grow1 cut the stub still lower down1 close to the bud4 ,one bud in each stock is better than three or four4 ,the soil best adapted to these trees is a rich1 mucky loam4 ,they should have plenty of pot room when growing1 and1 if possible1 a warm1 moist atmosphere4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,,fuchsias--,,training ,,and ,,management ,we confess to have a special liking for the ,fuchsias1 and think no assortment of house plants is complete without one or two varieties of these beautiful flowers4 ,they are easily propagated1 either from cuttings or by layers1 and the amount of bloom one strong1 healthy plant is capable of producing under favorable circumstances1 is truly wonderful4 ,upon one plant of ,fuchsia speciosa1 started from a cutting of a single eye in ,march1 we counted at one time1 in the ,december following1 one hundred and fifty perfect blossoms4 ,the plant stood in an eight-inch pot1 and measured four feet in hight4 ,some kinds do better as house plants than others1 among the best are ,f4 speciosa1 ,f4 fulgens1 and the ,rose of ,castile1 and ,i would particularly recommend these sorts as superior to all others for the window-garden4 ,the right kind of soil has everything to do with success in growing fine ,fuchsias2 it should be of a light peaty quality1 with one-third cow manure1 and thoroughly mixed together until well decayed4 ,they also relish an abundance of water2 and if they have1 while growing1 an application of liquid manure once or twice a week1 it will be beneficial2 never allow the roots to become potbound1 but when the roots begin to form a mat on the outside of the ball of earth1 it is time to shift the plant into a pot of the next larger size1 and so on as the plant requires it4 ,this is a very important point1 and should not be overlooked if strong1 healthy plants are expected4 ,fuchsias are especially desirable for training on trellises4 ,they can be trained over an upright trellis1 and have a very pretty effect1 but the best form is that of an umbrella4 ,secure a strong1 vigorous plant1 and allow one shoot to grow upright until about two feet high1 then pinch off the top of the shoot4 ,it will branch out and form a head1 each shoot of which1 when sufficiently long1 may have a fine thread or hair-wire attached to the tip1 by which to draw it downward2 fasten the other end of the wire or thread to the stem of the plant1 and all the shoots will then be pendent4 ,when each of these branches has attained a length of eight inches1 pinch off the tip1 and the whole will form a dense head1 resembling an umbrella in shape1 and the graceful flowers pendent from each shoot will be handsome indeed4 ,remember to keep the stock clear of side-shoots1 in order to throw the growth into the head4 ,if properly taken care of1 most ,fuchsias will bloom the year round1 but some kinds can be especially recommended for winter blooming1 among them are ,f4 speciosa1 flesh-colored1 with scarlet corolla2 ,f4 serratifolia1 orange-scarlet corolla1 greenish sepals2 ,meteor1 deep-red corolla1 light-pink sepals4 ,the following are the finest in every respect that the market affords3 ,mrs4 ,bennett1 pink2 ,sir ,cohn ,campbell1 double blue2 ,rose of ,castile1 single violet2 ,elm ,city1 double scarlet2 ,carl ,holt1 crimson2 ,tower of ,london1 double blue2 ,wave of ,life1 foliage yellow1 corolla violet2 ,f4 speciosa1 single1 flesh-colored1 and ,f4 fulgens1 long red corolla4 ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,,cactuses4--,,night-,,blooming ,,cereus4--,,rex ,,begonias4 ,for singularity and grotesqueness of form1 as well as for the exceptional conditions under which they grow to the best advantage1 no class of plants is more remarkable than the ,cactace4 ,of these1 about a thousand species have been described by botanists2 nearly all are indigenous to the ,new ,world1 though but a small proportion are in cultivation4 ,cactuses delight in a dry1 barren1 sandy soil4 ,they are naturally children of the desert4 ,it is said by travellers that many of the species bear edible fruit1 resembling somewhat in taste the gooseberry4 ,so much for the peculiarities of the ,cactus family in its native localities1 but how can we succeed in cultivating the plants with satisfactory results in the window-garden8 ,there are two simple methods of treatment that ,cactuses should receive1 namely3 ,first1 keep the soil about them constantly dry1 and keep them in a warm place4 ,secondly1 the soil should be of a poor quality1 mixed with a little brick dust1 and they should never be allowed too much pot room4 ,if either of these two points are observed in the treatment of ,cactuses1 there will be no difficulty in keeping them in a flourishing condition all the time4 ,,the ,,night-,,blooming ,,cereus4 ,the ,night-blooming ,cereus is an interesting plant1 and excites much admiration when in flower1 as it blooms at night-time only1 the flowers closing up when exposed to the day-light4 ,they are magnificent flowers when in full blow1 but1 unhappily1 are short-lived1 a flower never opening a second time4 ,the plant belongs to the ,cactus ,family1 and requires the same general treatment4 ,there are a number of night-flowering species and varieties1 but the one especially known as the ,night-blooming ,cereus is ,cereus grandiflorus1 which1 when in full bloom1 presents a rare sight4 ,some of the flowers of the night-blooming kinds are exceedingly fragrant1 notably ,cereus triangularis1 a single flower of which1 when in fall bloom1 will fill the air of a room with its pleasant odor4 ,these plants can be made to bloom freely by keeping the soil quite dry1 and allowing them very little pot-room1 as they depend more upon the atmosphere than the soil for their growth4 ,we have known large plants of ,cereus grandiflorus1 to produce as many as twenty-five fine blossoms each in the course of a season4 ,we have found that liquid manure1 if applied to these plants about once a month1 and when the soil about them is very dry1 will work wonders in their growth1 and when a rapid growth can be obtained1 there will be no trouble in having an abundance of flowers at regular intervals4 ,care must be taken not to have the liquid too strong4 ,a small quantity of brick dust1 mixed with the soil in which they are growing1 will be beneficial4 ,these species of ,cereus are easily propagated by cuttings1 which will root readily in sand of any kind4 ,being of a slender habit of growth1 and rather rampant1 they should have some sort of support1 and it is advisable to either train them to a trellis1 or upon wires1 or a string stretched over and along the window sash4 ,we have had a number of flowers of a pure feathery white1 ,c4 grandiflorus1 that were over fifteen inches in diameter2 this is the best of the night-flowering species4 ,,propagating ,,rex ,,begonias4 ,those ,begonias1 known as belonging to the ,rex division1 are very beautiful1 and also very distinct in both leaf and flower from all other species and varieties4 ,the leaves are noted for their peculiar shape and markings1 making them very valuable as ornamental house plants4 ,they are easily multiplied from the leaf with its stalk4 ,to propagate these1 the leaf1 or leaves1 including the stalk1 should be taken off close to the plant4 ,insert the stem of the leaf in sand1 and deep enough to allow the leaf to lie flat upon the surface of the sand4 ,it will take them about from two to three weeks to root1 after which they should be potted in good1 rich soil4 ,it will take sometime to start them into a growth1 but they grow very rapidly when they begin1 and in two years will make large plants4 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,,rockeries--,,how ,,to ,,make ,,them4 ,many have a taste for forming grotesque pieces of rock work1 selecting therefor such oddly-shaped and variously-colored rocks as may be gathered near the locality2 these are generally piled in the form of a pyramid in a conspicuous place on the lawn1 and if nicely arranged1 cannot be surpassed in attractiveness1 and are in pleasing contrast with the flower-beds and shrubbery4 ,some prefer to have merely the bare rocks heaped into a pile1 which will appear grotesque and rugged2 others set out suitable plants1 and train vines to creep over them4 ,we think the latter the best method1 where common rocks are used1 but if one is fortunate enough to live in a locality where a large number of variously-colored rocks can be obtained1 their natural colors when arranged will make them highly attractive4 ,one of the finest pieces of work of this kind we ever saw1 was formed of a number of rocks gathered from almost every country on the globe1 each stone having a peculiar tint of its own4 ,on the top of this valuable pile was a rare specimen of ,red ,rock obtained from ,siberia1 in the region of eternal frost4 ,,how ,,to ,,make ,a ,,rockery4 ,having selected a site in a partly shaded spot1 we will then proceed to form a mound of earth which may be drawn to the spot for the purpose if necessary4 ,upon and around this mound the rocks are to be placed1 one layer thick1 leaving here and there between them a small crevice in which to plant vines1 or to drop a few seeds4 ,the top of the heap may be left open1 to allow of setting out1 either in a pot or planted out in the earth1 a choice specimen plant4 ,among the plants the most appropriate for the centre are3 ,eulalia ,japonica variegata1 and ,zebrina4 ,a variegated ,agave may appropriately occupy the place1 or some of the tall native wild ferns4 ,a narrow circle may be cut around the base of the rockery1 six or eight inches wide2 after this is spaded up a row of blue ,lobelia may be planted around the whole circle4 ,instead of the ,lobelia1 a row of ,echeveria secunda glauca1 or of the ,mountain-of-,snow ,geranium would look very finely4 ,it may be well to mention here a number of the plants most appropriate for rockeries4 ,who is not familiar with the ,moneywort1 with its low-trailing habit and small yellow flowers8 ,it is peculiarly adapted for rockeries4 ,portulaca1 ,paris ,daisy 7,chrysanthemum frutescens71 ,myosotis 7,forget-me-not71 are among the most popular plants for rockeries4 ,the small ,sedum or ,stone ,crop 7,sedum acre71 is an interesting and useful little plant1 growing freely on rock or rustic work4 ,as vines are much used for such places1 we will mention as the best hardy vines for this purpose ,veitch's ,ampelopsis 7,a4 tricuspidata71 ,english or ,irish ,ivy1 and the so-called running ,myrtle4 ,the above are entirely hardy and will stand any amount of freezing without injury4 ,the following vines1 although not hardy1 are much used for rockeries3 ,thunbergias1 ,tropolums1 ,kenilworth ,ivy1 and the ,german ,ivy 7,senecio scandens74 ,where a rockery is formed in the midst of a pond of water1 as is often done1 plants of the kind mentioned will not flourish so well as those of a semi-aquatic nature1 such as ,caladiums1 ,callas1 some ,ferns1 ,cannas1 and ,lycopodiums1 all of which will flourish in moist places4 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,,budding4 ,budding as an art is simple1 useful1 and easily acquired by any one with a little practice4 ,more can be learned practically about budding in a few hours spent with a skillful nurseryman while he is performing the operation1 than could be derived from anything we might write on the subject4 ,we are aware that we shall not be able to state in this brief chapter what will be new or instructive to experienced gardeners or nurserymen4 ,this is not our aim1 what may be old to them is likely to be new to thousands of amateur gardeners4 ,in another part of this book will be found a chapter on grafting2 this1 though differently performed1 is analogous in its results to budding1 and many amateurs not infrequently speak of them in the same terms4 ,to graft a cion1 one end is carefully cut in the shape of a wedge1 and inserted in a cleft where it is to grow2 on the other hand1 in budding1 we use but a single eye1 taken from a small branch1 and insert it inside of the bark of the stock or tree we wish to bud4 ,from this one eye1 we may in time look for a tree laden with precious fruit4 ,to be more explicit1 and by way of illustration1 we will imagine a seedling apple tree1 a natural1 to have grown up in our garden4 ,if left alone1 the fruit of that seedling tree would probably be worthless1 but we don't propose to risk that1 and will proceed to bud it with some kind more worthy of room in a garden4 ,when the proper season for budding fruit arrives1 generally from the first to the latter part of ,july1 will be the time to bud1 if the stock is growing thriftily4 ,a keen-bladed budding knife made for the purpose1 a cion or stick of the variety to be budded1 some twine 7basswood bark is the best71 make up the needed outfit for this operation4 ,if the seedling is large1 say five or six feet high1 it should be top-budded1 putting in a bud or two in each of the thriftiest branches4 ,if the stock is not over one to two feet high1 a single bud a few inches from the ground will be the best way to make a good tree of it4 ,at the spot where we have decided to insert the bud1 we will make a short1 horizontal cut1 then downwards a short1 perpendicular slit1 not over an inch long1 and just penetrating through the bark2 open the slit1 care being taken not to scratch the wood within1 then insert the bud at the top of the cut1 and slide it down to its proper place inside of the bark1 the top of the bud being in juxtaposition with the horizontal cut above4 ,considerable skill is required to cut a bud properly1 and two methods are practised1 known as budding with the wood in1 and budding with the wood out4 ,the former consists in cutting a very little wood with the bud1 a little deeper than the bark itself1 and in the latter the wood is removed from the bud1 leaving nothing but the bare bark4 ,unquestionably the surest way for a young budder is to remove the wood1 cutting a pretty deep bud1 and then in making the cross cut let it be only as deep as the bark1 and by giving it a twitch the bud will readily leave the wood4 ,i will say1 however1 that most nurserymen insist on budding with the wood1 which it is claimed is the surest and best way to bud4 ,we have tried both ways for years1 and have been able to discover no difference1 excepting where the buds are quite green at the time of budding1 when it is best to have a little wood with the bud to sustain it4 ,plums should invariably be budded with the wood out4 ,after the bud has been properly set1 it should be firmly tied with a broad string1 making the laps close enough to entirely cover the slip1 leaving the eye of the bud uncovered4 ,various kinds of strings for tying buds are used by nurserymen1 but the basswood bark1 which is made into broad1 ribbon-like strips1 seems peculiarly adapted for the purpose1 and we advise its use where one has any considerable amount of budding to do4 ,it usually takes from three to four weeks for a bud to callous and form a union with the stock2 at the expiration of this time the strings should be taken off2 we would except only those cases where the stock is growing1 when if the strings pinch the stock too closely1 they can be removed some time sooner4 ,the stock or stocks can now be left until the following spring1 when the top should be cut away to within an inch or less of the bud2 this will assist the roots to throw all their energy into the bud4 ,,top-,,budding ,,trees4 ,the top-budding of fruit and ornamental trees is much practised now-a-days by orchardists and fruit-growers generally1 and sometimes with marked success4 ,a famous horticulturist of ,geneva1 ,n4 ,y41 some years ago planted a large number of ,lombard plum trees1 which he fondly expected to see come into bearing while quite young1 and be early compensated for his labor and expense in planting them4 ,he waited a number of years without seeing his hopes realized2 his patience at last became exhausted1 and starting1 lie top-budded them all with the ,bradshaw plum1 which grew rapidly1 and bore abundantly in a couple of years1 and last season he received eight dollars per bushel for the fruit in the ,philadelphia market4 ,it is a well known fact among fruit-growers that some rank-growing varieties of fruit trees1 as for instance the ,keiffer ,hybrid ,pear1 do not produce fruit so early1 or in such abundance as some less thrifty-growing varieties1 such as the ,beurre ,clairgeau1 but by top-budding the latter-named sort on to a thrifty specimen of the former1 we have a tree that will bear fruit almost every year4 ,nothing will take better from the bud than the rose2 some elegant tree roses can be grown by simply training up a shoot of any common or wild rose to a sufficient hight1 about five feet1 and then top-budding it with three or four choice hybrids1 as the ,gen4 ,jacqueminot1 ,la ,reine1 ,coquette des ,alps1 and ,black ,prince1 and those gems of the floral kingdom1 when in blossom1 will form a variety of dazzling beauties1 the effect of which will not only be charming to the eye1 but novel as well4 ,i once removed from the door-yard a large rose bush of the ,crimson ,boursault variety1 which had a number of large limbs on1 into a corner of the conservatory1 and there budded into it fifty different choice varieties of ,roses of all classes3 ,hybrids1 ,teas1 ,noisettes1 ,bourbons1 ,china1 and ,bengal varieties4 ,the effect of all these different ,roses1 when in full blow the following summer was amazing2 a perfect galaxy of the ,queen of ,flowers4 ,a similar operation is possible for any skillful amateur florist to perform who has the facilities of a hot-house4 ,budding can only be done when1 ripe buds can be obtained1 and when the stock to be budded is in a growing and thrifty condition1 so that when opening the bark of the stock1 the same peels freely1 and opens readily at the touch of the knife4 ,we will append here a brief table showing at what months of the summer different trees may be budded3 ,apples ,july #ajth to #abth4 ,pears ,july #ajth to #abth4 ,plums ,july #ajth to #abth4 ,cherries ,july #bjth to ,aug4 #ast4 ,quinces ,july #bjth to ,aug4 #ast4 ,peaches ,july #bjth to ,aug4 #ast4 ,nectarines ,aug4 #ajth to #bjth4 ,apricots ,aug4 #ajth to #bjth4 ,most all sorts of ornamental trees1 including ,roses1 in the ordinary season2 namely1 from ,july to ,august #ast4 ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,,pruning4 ,if we plant trees or shrubs upon our grounds with the hope of making them more attractive1 and at the same time indulge in the common and mistaken idea that1 if we only plant them that nature will take care of their future1 and grow them into handsome and shapely trees and shrubs--we labor in vain4 ,it is not uncommon to see in the centre of refinement and culture every where1 sadly neglected door-yards2 these are filled with rampant bushes1 and wide-spreading evergreens2 such yards have more of a cemetery look than should belong to the surroundings of a cheerful home4 ,with a little pruning in the proper season1 these unshapely bushes might become things of beauty1 and not only look better1 but will do better1 if given a severe trimming in the spring4 ,hedges of ,privet1 ,purple ,barberry1 and ,japan ,quince1 look much prettier along the walk than the old-fashioned fences1 which are now being rapidly done away with4 ,they should be kept pruned low as to not allow them to grow over two feet high4 ,the proper time for trimming hedges of all kinds is in mid-summer1 after the shrubs have made a thrifty growth2 we would advise an annual pruning in order to have the hedge looking finely4 ,it is a bad plan to allow a hedge of any kind1 especially an evergreen one1 to run a number of years without trimming4 ,if a hedge is neglected so long1 and then severely pruned1 it will look stubby and shabby for a year or two after4 ,with a pair of sharp hedge-shears1 a person having a straight eye will make a good job of the trimming every time4 ,the spring is the time of the year in which to do the pruning of all kinds of plants1 vines1 and shrubs1 that are out of doors1 as they are then dormant4 ,some prefer to prune grape vines in the fall1 just after they have ripened and shed their leaves4 ,we think it unsafe to prune anything too severely in the fall1 especially the grape vine4 ,much experience has taught us to select the month of ,march as the time of the year most suitable for performing the operation4 ,every one who has a garden should possess a pruning knife with a long blade1 curved at the end1 for the operation4 ,armed with this implement1 let us take a walk upon the lawn1 and down into the garden1 while the snow is still white upon the ground4 ,the first thing that we meet as we enter the garden1 is the large grape trellis1 with its mass of tangled brown canes1 a perfect mat of long vines and curling tendrils4 ,how are we to attack this formidable network of vines in order to do anything with them8 ,the first thing to be done is to sever all the cords and ties that fasten the vines to the trellis1 and allow them to fall to the ground for convenience in trimming them4 ,spread the vines out full length upon the ground1 and beginning at one of its arms1 cut each shoot of the previous season's growth back to two eyes2 if the canes are too numerous some may be cut out entirely4 ,after all the arms of each vine have been pruned in this manner1 the vine can be returned to the arbor and tied up as before4 ,if there is a prospect of cold weather let the vines lie upon the ground1 as they will be less liable to bleed1 or to suffer from the cold4 ,this is the simplest way we know of to trim grape vines1 and any amateur gardener can do it if he tries this manner4 ,walking a little further1 we come upon some rose bushes3 there are too many branches among them1 and too much old wood1 and some that is entirely dead4 ,with our knife we will remove at least one half of this excess of wood1 leaving as much young wood of the previous season's growth as possible by thinning out the old limbs and dead wood severely4 ,here is one ,moss ,rose bush1 the stems appear as brown and looking as seared as a berry2 it is apparently winter killed1 and by cutting into it we find that to be the case2 the roots are in all probability sound1 and we will cut the stems down to the ground and cover the place with a forkful of stable manure2 if the roots are alive it will grow and bloom the coming summer4 ,here is a large standard ,rose with a fine top1 we will head this back short1 cutting each stem to an eye or two of the bottom4 ,proceeding to the lawn we run across some weeping deciduous trees1 among them is a large ,kilmarnock ,weeping ,willow1 its beautiful pendant branches fairly reach the ground1 and switch the snow as they sway to and fro4 ,nothing more beautiful could be imagined4 ,we would head this back close1 and it should be done every spring and most of the old wood thinned out4 ,this large climbing ,rose that clings so close to the piazza1 should be trimmed about in the same way as we did the grape vine1 and also this large ,clematis ,jackmanii should be cut to the ground and allowed to start up anew in the spring4 ,here is a clump of shrubbery among which we see the ,weigela1 ,spiras1 ,purple ,fringe1 ,deutzia crenata1 ,hydrangea paniculata grandiflora1 the ,syringa1 and a number of other favorite shrubs4 ,these will all need more or less cutting back and trimming1 and now is a good time to do it4 ,we know one gentleman who boasted the finest display of ,roses in his county1 who was in the habit of cutting his ,rose bushes down to the ground every spring1 and when they began to grow he had dug in around each one an abundance of well rotted compost1 and1 said he1 ,i have never seen the day1 from ,june to ,october1 that ,i could not pluck a large bouquet of the choicest ,hybrid ,perpetual roses1 while my next door neighbor1 who also had rose bushes1 could find no flower after ,june4 ,i will say that this gentleman was in the habit of cutting his roses once a day1 and never allowing the flowers to fade on the bush1 which is an excellent plan to keep up a perpetuity of bloom4 ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ,,miscellaneous ,,notes4 ,,tree ,,roses4 ,in planting tree roses received from the nursery or elsewhere1 be sure and set them deep2 the stem1 for six or eight inches above the collar1 should be under ground4 ,if wet moss be tied about the stem and head of the tree after it has been planted1 and the moss kept wet for a week or two after planting1 or until the buds begin to start1 it will1 in nine cases out of ten1 save the tree4 ,the moss maybe removed after the growth begins4 ,if planted in the fall1 the body and top should be well wrapped up in straw4 ,,the ,,lawn4 ,if one has a fine lawn and desires to keep it so1 he should never work upon or mow it when the turf is wet or soggy4 ,the impression made by the feet in walking over the sod while in this state1 will leave the surface rough and uneven afterwards4 ,do not water the grass or plants while the sun is shining hot1 as it will scorch the leaves and make them turn yellow4 ,all weeds1 such as dandelions1 plantain1 etc41 growing up through the grass1 should be carefully and thoroughly dug out by the roots with a knife or pointed spade2 if allowed to remain1 they will soon become so numerous as eventually to kill out the grass and give to the lawn an appearance of neglect4 ,,lawn ,,vases4 ,the earth in vases of plants that stand out in exposed places1 will rapidly dry out2 if shells or fine gravel is laid over the surface of the soil1 they will prevent it from baking after watering1 and hold the moisture much longer than without4 ,try it4 ,,planting ,,trees4 ,the spring is preferable to the fall for setting out trees and shrubs of all kinds4 ,in the ,northern ,states they should be set out about the first of ,april1 to give the roots time enough to become established before warm weather starts the leaves4 ,of thousands of trees and shrubs that we have planted at this season1 comparatively few failed to live and grow1 providing they were in good condition at the time of planting4 ,young trees should not be headed back the year they are set out1 but the roots may be trimmed a little1 cutting off all that are bruised and broken4 ,the hole in which a tree or shrub is to be set1 should be ample enough to receive all the roots without cramping them into a ball1 as is the habit of some who plant trees1 the soil filled in about the roots should be fine1 but not the sub-soil1 which should be replaced by richer earth4 ,never allow manure to come in direct contact with the roots at the time of planting4 ,it is very injurious1 but it may be applied on the surface as a mulch1 with safety4 ,,botanical ,,names4 ,all species of plants belong to some particular genus1 and bear a botanical1 as well as a common name1 by which they are distinguished4 ,those who have studied botany will know the exact botanical name of the plants in most collections4 ,we sometimes see persons making themselves ridiculous by a pretended display of knowledge on matters of horticulture and botany1 giving or pretending to give the botanical name of every plant one may happen to mention4 ,the following anecdote will apply to such3 ,mr4 ,sidney ,smith1 the famous ,english writer1 was once visiting the conservatory of a young lady who was proud of her plants and flowers1 and used 7not very accurately7 a profusion of botanical names4 ,madam1 he said1 have you the ,psoriasis septennis8 ,no1 she said1 very innocently1 ,i had it last winter1 and ,i gave it to the ,archbishop of ,canterbury1 and it came out beautifully in the spring4 ,psoriasis septennis1 is the medical name for the ,seven year ,itch6 ,,frozen ,,plants4 ,tender plants that have become frozen1 or but slightly touched by frost1 can be saved1 if taken before they commence to thaw out2 sprinkle or dip the affected part in cold water1 and then remove the plant or plants into a dark place to remain for a day1 then bring them to the light4 ,we have saved whole beds of tender plants from death by early frosts in the autumn1 by getting up long before sunrise1 drenching the leaves with water1 and then covering the plants with a sheet or blanket4 ,,cutting ,,grass4 ,it is so easy to mow the lawn with the light-running modern lawn-mower1 that many fine lawns are injured by too frequent mowings4 ,we should not follow any set time for mowing1 but be governed by the growth of the grass and the weather4 ,when hot weather approaches1 the grass should be cut less often1 for too close cutting will expose the roots1 and if the weather be dry and hot for a considerable period1 the grass as a consequence will wither prematurely4 ,,an ,,arch4 ,a very simple thing sometimes will look the most attractive4 ,by driving two limber poles into the ground by the side of each of two gate posts1 and bringing the two ends of the poles together1 and fasten them securely1 a respectable arch can be made4 ,at the foot of each pole plant a ,clematis ,jackmanii1 and train them to run up their poles2 they will grow rapidly1 and in a short time the arch will be covered with beautiful purple stars4 ,this ,clematis is entirely hardy1 and can be used for the same purpose every year by cutting it close to the ground in the fall when done growing4 ,,bloom4 ,when watering plants avoid wetting the foliage as much as possible1 as they will not bloom as freely as if the leaves were dry4 ,geraniums are known to bloom a great deal more freely where the roots are confined to a small space1 and the soil about them kept rather dry2 especially is this so with the double sorts4 ,geraniums may be grafted successfully2 the short growers1 like ,mrs4 ,pollock1 ,mountain of ,snow1 and ,happy ,thought1 can be top-grafted on to the strong-growing kinds1 like ,gen4 ,grant1 ,madam ,lemoine1 and other strong-growers4 ,if half a dozen sorts are grafted on a single stock1 they will1 when in bloom1 appear as a curiosity4 ,,mildew4 ,mildew is a microscopic fungus1 that is parasitic upon cultivated plants4 ,roses1 ,bouvardias1 and especially grape vines1 are subject to its attacks4 ,if not arrested1 mildew will soon strip a plant of its foliage4 ,whenever a whitish dust1 as if flour had been sprinkled upon them1 appears upon the leaves1 particularly those of the ,rose1 and its leaves curl up1 it is evident that the plant is attacked by mildew1 and some remedy must be at once applied to prevent the spread of the trouble4 ,several excellent remedies are used by florists and gardeners for the prevention and cure of mildew4 ,none of these are more effective than the following1 which1 if applied in time1 before the disease has become so bad as to be beyond help1 will very surely arrest it4 ,take three pounds each1 of ,flowers of ,sulphur and ,quick-lime1 put these together and add sufficient hot water to slake the lime4 ,when the lime is slaked1 add six gallons of water1 and boil down to two gallons4 ,allow the lime to settle1 and pour off the clear liquid and bottle it for use4 ,to treat plants affected by mildew1 add one gill of the liquid1 prepared as above1 to six gallons of water1 and mix well together4 ,this is to be freely syringed upon the plants every other day4 ,it will not only arrest mildew1 but prevent it4 ,sudden changes of temperature1 as cool nights following warm days1 tend to the production of mildew1 and with house plants1 these sudden changes should be carefully guarded against4 ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ,,sentiment ,,and ,,language ,,of ,,flowers4 ,amaranth ,immortality4 ,amaryllis ,beautiful1 but timid4 ,aster1 double ,variety4 ,aster1 ,german ,afterthought4 ,arbutus ,thee only do ,i love4 ,acacia ,friendship4 ,apple ,blossom ,preference4 ,asphodel ,remembered after death4 ,arbor ,vit ,unchanging friendship4 ,alyssum ,worth beyond beauty4 ,anemone ,your love changes4 ,azalea ,pleasant recollections4 ,argeratum ,worth beyond beauty4 ,balsam ,impatience4 ,blue ,bell ,constancy4 ,balm ,pleasantry4 ,bay-leaf ,i change but in death4 ,bachelor's ,button ,hope4 ,begonia ,deformed4 ,bitter ,sweet ,truth4 ,buttercup ,memories of childhood4 ,brier1 ,sweet ,envy4 ,calla ,feminine ,modesty4 ,carnation ,pride4 ,clematis ,mental ,excellence4 ,cypress ,disappointment1 ,despair ,crocus ,happiness4 ,columbine ,i cannot give thee up4 ,cresses ,always cheerful4 ,canterbury ,bell ,constancy4 ,cereus1 ,night-blooming ,transient beauty4 ,candytuft ,indifference4 ,chrysanthemum ,heart left desolate4 ,clover1 ,white ,i promise4 ,clover1 ,four-leaved ,be mine4 ,crown ,imperial ,authority4 ,camellia ,spotless purity4 ,cissus ,changeable4 ,centaurea ,your looks deceive me4 ,cineraria ,singleness of heart4 ,daisy1 ,field ,i will think of it4 ,dahlia ,dignity4 ,daffodil ,unrequited love4 ,dandelion ,coquetry4 ,everlasting ,always remembered4 ,everlasting ,pea ,wilt thou go with me4 ,ebony ,blackness4 ,fuchsia ,humble love4 ,foxglove ,insincerity4 ,fern ,sincerity4 ,fennel ,strength4 ,forget-me-not ,for ever remembered4 ,fraxinella ,fire4 ,geranium1 ,ivy ,fond of dancing4 ,geranium1 ,oak ,a melancholy mind4 ,geranium1 ,rose ,i prefer you4 ,geranium1 ,scarlet ,stillness4 ,gladiolus ,ready armed4 ,golden ,rod ,encouragement4 ,gillyflower ,promptness4 ,hyacinth ,benevolence4 ,honeysuckle ,devoted love4 ,house ,leek ,domestic economy4 ,heliotrope ,i adore you4 ,hibiscus ,delicate beauty4 ,hollyhock ,ambition4 ,hydrangea ,vain glory4 ,ice ,plant ,your looks freeze me4 ,ivy ,friendship4 ,iris1 ,german ,flame4 ,iris1 ,common ,garden ,a message for thee4 ,jonquil ,affection returned4 ,jessamine1 ,white ,amiability4 ,jessamine1 ,yellow ,gracefulness4 ,larkspur ,fickleness4 ,lantana ,rigor4 ,laurel ,words though sweet may deceive4 ,lavender ,mistrust4 ,lemon ,blossom ,discretion4 ,lady ,slipper ,capricious beauty4 ,lily of the ,valley ,return of happiness4 ,lilac1 ,white ,youth4 ,blue ,first emotions of love4 ,lily1 ,water ,eloquence4 ,may ,flower ,welcome4 ,marigold ,sacred affection4 ,marigold and ,cypress ,despair4 ,mandrake ,rarity4 ,mignonette ,your qualities surpass your charms4 ,morning ,glory ,coquetry1 ,affectation4 ,mock ,orange ,counterfeit4 ,myrtle ,love in absence4 ,mistletoe ,insurmountable4 ,narcissus ,egotism4 ,nasturtium ,patriotism4 ,oxalis ,reverie4 ,orange ,blossom ,purity4 ,olive ,peace4 ,oleander ,beware4 ,primrose ,modest worth4 ,pink1 ,white ,pure love4 ,red ,devoted love4 ,phlox ,our hearts are united4 ,periwinkle ,sweet memories4 ,pony ,ostentation4 ,pansy ,you occupy my thoughts4 ,poppy ,oblivion4 ,rhododendron ,agitation4 ,rose1 ,bud ,confession of love4 ,white ,too young to love4 ,austrian ,thou art all that is lovely4 ,leaf ,i never trouble4 ,monthly ,beauty ever new4 ,moss ,superior merit4 ,red ,i love you4 ,yellow ,infidelity4 ,rosemary ,remembrance4 ,sensitive ,plant ,modesty4 ,snow-,ball ,thoughts in heaven4 ,snow-,drop ,consolation4 ,sumach ,pride and poverty4 ,sweet ,william ,gallantry4 ,syringa ,memory4 ,sunflower ,lofty thought4 ,tuberose ,purity of mind4 ,thyme ,activity4 ,tulip1 var ,beautiful eyes4 ,tulip1 ,red ,declaration of love4 ,tritoma ,fiery temper4 ,verbena ,sensibility4 ,purple ,i weep for you4 ,white ,pray for me4 ,violet1 ,blue ,faithfulness4 ,white ,purity1 candor4 ,woodbine ,fraternal love4 ,wall ,flower ,fidelity in misfortune4 ,wistaria ,close friendship4 ,wax ,plant ,artificial beauty4 ,yucca ,your looks pierce me4 ,yew ,sadness4 ,zinnia ,i mourn your absence4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,sent ,,free ,,on ,,application ,descriptive ,catalog of ,rural ,books ,,containing #abh #hvo ,,pages1 ,,profusely ,,illustrated1 ,,and ,,giving ,,full ,,descriptions ,,of ,,the ,,best ,,works ,,on ,,the ,,following ,,subjects ,farm and ,garden ,fruits1 ,flowers1 etc4 ,cattle1 ,sheep and ,swine ,dogs1 ,horses1 ,riding1 etc4 ,poultry1 ,pigeons and ,bees ,angling and ,fishing ,boating1 ,canoeing and ,sailing ,field ,sports and ,natural ,history ,hunting1 ,shooting1 etc4 ,architecture and ,building ,landscape ,gardening ,household and ,miscellaneous ,,publishers ,,and ,,importers ,orange ,judd ,company #cae-cba ,fourth ,avenue ,,new ,,york ,books will be ,forwarded1 ,postpaid1 on ,receipt of ,price 99 99 99 99 99 ,farm ,grasses of the ,united ,states of ,america ,by ,,william ,,jasper ,,spillman4 ,a practical treatise on the grass crop1 seeding and management of meadows and pastures1 description of the best varieties1 the seed and its impurities1 grasses for special conditions1 lawns and lawn grasses1 etc41 etc4 ,in preparing this volume the author's object has been to present1 in connected form1 the main facts concerning the grasses grown on ,american farms4 ,every phase of the subject is viewed from the farmer's standpoint4 ,illustrated4 #bdh pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4j ,the ,book of ,corn ,by ,,herbert ,,myrick1 assisted by ,a4 ,d4 ,,shambia1 ,e4 ,a4 ,,burnett1 ,,albert ,w4 ,,fulton1 ,b4 ,w4 ,,snow1 and other most capable specialists4 ,a complete treatise on the culture1 marketing and uses of maize in ,america and elsewhere for farmers1 dealers and others4 ,illustrated4 #cgb pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,the ,hop--,its ,culture and ,care1 ,marketing and ,manufacture ,by ,,herbert ,,myrick4 ,a practical handbook on the most approved methods in growing1 harvesting1 curing and selling hops1 and on the use and manufacture of hops4 ,the result of years of research and observation1 it is a volume destined to be an authority on this crop for many years to come4 ,it takes up every detail from preparing the soil and laying out the yard1 to curing and selling the crop4 ,every line represents the ripest judgment and experience of experts4 ,size1 #e x #h2 pages1 #cjj2 illustrations1 nearly #aej2 bound in cloth and gold2 price1 postpaid1 #a4ej ,tobacco ,leaf ,by ,j4 ,b4 ,,killebrew and ,,herbert ,,myrick4 ,its ,culture and ,cure1 ,marketing and ,manufacture4 ,a practical handbook on the most approved methods in growing1 harvesting1 curing1 packing and selling tobacco1 with an account of the operations in every department of tobacco manufacture4 ,the contents of this book are based on actual experiments in field1 curing barn1 packing house1 factory and laboratory4 ,it is the only work of the kind in existence1 and is destined to be the standard practical and scientific authority on the whole subject of tobacco for many years4 #ejf pages and #aej original engravings4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #b4jj ,bulbs and ,tuberous-,rooted ,plants ,by ,c4 ,l4 ,,allen4 ,a complete treatise on the history description1 methods of propagation and full directions for the successful culture of bulbs in the garden1 dwelling and green-house4 ,the author of this book has for many years made bulb growing a specialty1 and is a recognized authority on their cultivation and management4 ,the cultural directions are plainly stated1 practical and to the point4 ,the illustrations which embellish this work have been drawn from nature and have been engraved especially for this book4 #cab pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,fumigation ,methods ,by ,,willis ,g4 ,,johnson4 ,a timely up-to-date book on the practical application of the new methods for destroying insects with hydrocyanic acid gas and carbon bisulphid1 the most powerful insecticides ever discovered4 ,it is an indispensable book for farmers1 fruit growers1 nurserymen1 gardeners1 florists1 millers1 grain dealers1 transportation companies1 college and experiment station workers1 etc4 ,illustrated4 #cac pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,diseases of ,swine ,by ,dr4 ,r4 ,a4 ,,craig1 ,professor of ,veterinary ,medicine at the ,purdue ,university4 ,a concise1 practical and popular guide to the prevention and treatment of the diseases of swine4 ,with the discussions on each disease are given its causes1 symptoms1 treatment and means of prevention4 ,every part of the book impresses the reader with the fact that its writer is thoroughly and practically familiar with all the details upon which he treats4 ,all technical and strictly scientific terms are avoided1 so far as feasible1 thus making the work at once available to the practical stock raiser as well as to the teacher and student4 ,illustrated4 #e x #g inches4 #aij pages4 ,cloth4 #j4ge ,spraying ,crops--,why1 ,when and ,how ,by ,,clarence ,m4 ,,weed1 ,d4,sc4 ,the present fourth edition has been rewritten and set throughout to bring it thoroughly up to date1 so that it embodies the latest practical information gleaned by fruit growers and experiment station workers4 ,so much new information has come to light since the third edition was published that this is practically a new book1 needed by those who have utilized the earlier editions1 as well as by fruit growers and farmers generally4 ,illustrated4 #acf pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #j4ej ,successful ,fruit ,culture ,by ,,samuel ,t4 ,,maynard4 ,a practical guide to the cultivation and propagation of ,fruits1 written from the standpoint of the practical fruit grower who is striving to make his business profitable by growing the best fruit possible and at the least cost4 ,it is up-to-date in every particular1 and covers the entire practice of fruit culture1 harvesting1 storing1 marketing1 forcing1 best varieties1 etc41 etc4 ,it deals with principles first and with the practice afterwards1 as the foundation1 principles of plant growth and nourishment must always remain the same1 while practice will vary according to the fruit grower's immediate conditions and environments4 ,illustrated4 #bfe pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,plums and ,plum ,culture ,by ,f4 ,a4 ,,waugh4 ,a complete manual for fruit growers1 nurserymen1 farmers and gardeners1 on all known varieties of plums and their successful management4 ,this book marks an epoch in the horticultural literature of ,america4 ,it is a complete monograph of the plums cultivated in and indigenous to ,north ,america4 ,it will be found indispensable to the scientist seeking the most recent and authoritative information concerning this group1 to the nurseryman who wishes to handle his varieties accurately and intelligently1 and to the cultivator who would like to grow plums successfully4 ,illustrated4 #cia pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,fruit ,harvesting1 ,storing1 ,marketing ,by ,f4 ,a4 ,,waugh4 ,a practical guide to the picking1 storing1 shipping and marketing of fruit4 ,the principal subjects covered are the fruit market1 fruit picking1 sorting and packing1 the fruit storage1 evaporation1 canning1 statistics of the fruit trade1 fruit package laws1 commission dealers and dealing1 cold storage1 etc41 etc4 ,no progressive fruit grower can afford to be without this most valuable book4 ,illustrated4 #bcb pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,systematic ,pomology ,by ,f4 ,a4 ,,waugh1 professor of horticulture and landscape gardening in the ,massachusetts agricultural college1 formerly of the university of ,vermont4 ,this is the first book in the ,english language which has ever made the attempt at a complete and comprehensive treatment of systematic pomology4 ,it presents clearly and in detail the whole method by which fruits are studied4 ,the book is suitably illustrated4 #bhh pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,feeding ,farm ,animals ,by ,professor ,,thomas ,,shaw4 ,this book is intended alike for the student and the farmer4 ,the author has succeeded in giving in regular and orderly sequence1 and in language so simple that a child can understand it1 the principles that govern the science and practice of feeding farm animals4 ,professor ,shaw is certainly to be congratulated on the successful manner in which he has accomplished a most difficult task4 ,his book is unquestionably the most practical work which has appeared on the subject of feeding farm animals4 ,illustrated4 #e-a_/b x #h inches4 ,upward of #ejj pages4 ,cloth4 #b4jj ,profitable ,dairying ,by ,c4 ,l4 ,,peck4 ,a practical guide to successful dairy management4 ,the treatment of the entire subject is thoroughly practical1 being principally a description of the methods practiced by the author4 ,a specially valuable part of this book consists of a minute description of the far-famed model dairy farm of ,rev4 ,j4 ,d4 ,detrich1 near ,philadelphia1 ,pa4 ,on the farm of fifteen acres1 which twenty years ago could not maintain one horse and two cows1 there are now kept twenty-seven dairy cattle1 in addition to two horses4 ,all the roughage1 litter1 bedding1 etc41 necessary for these animals are grown on these fifteen acres1 more than most farmers could accomplish on one hundred acres4 ,illustrated4 #e x #g inches4 #bjj pages4 ,cloth4 #j4ge ,practical ,dairy ,bacteriology ,by ,dr4 ,h4 ,w4 ,,conn1 of ,wesleyan ,university4 ,a complete exposition of important facts concerning the relation of bacteria to various problems related to milk4 ,a book for the classroom1 laboratory1 factory and farm4 ,equally useful to the teacher1 student1 factory man and practical dairyman4 ,fully illustrated with #hc original pictures4 #cdj pages4 ,cloth4 #e-a_/b x #h inches4 #a4be ,modern ,methods of ,testing ,milk and ,milk ,products ,by ,l4 ,l4 ,,vanslyke4 ,this is a clear and concise discussion of the approved methods of testing milk and milk products4 ,all the questions involved in the various methods of testing milk and cream are handled with rare skill and yet in so plain a manner that they can be fully understood by all4 ,the book should be in the hands of every dairyman1 teacher or student4 ,illustrated4 #bad pages4 #e x #g inches4 #j4ge ,animal ,breeding ,by ,,thomas ,,shaw4 ,this book is the most complete and comprehensive work ever published on the subject of which it treats4 ,it is the first book which has systematized the subject of animal breeding4 ,the leading laws which govern this most intricate question the author has boldly defined and authoritatively arranged4 ,the chapters which he has written on the more involved features of the subject1 as sex and the relative influence of parents1 should go far toward setting at rest the wildly speculative views cherished with reference to these questions4 ,the striking originality in the treatment of the subject is no less conspicuous than the superb order and regular sequence of thought from the beginning to the end of the book4 ,the book is intended to meet the needs of all persons interested in the breeding and rearing of live stock4 ,illustrated4 #dje pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,forage ,crops ,other ,than ,grasses ,by ,,thomas ,,shaw4 ,how to cultivate1 harvest and use them4 ,indian corn1 sorghum1 clover1 leguminous plants1 crops of the brassica genus1 the cereals1 millet1 field roots1 etc4 ,intensely practical and reliable4 ,illustrated4 #bhg pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,soiling ,crops and the ,silo ,by ,,thomas ,,shaw4 ,the growing and feeding of all kinds of soiling crops1 conditions to which they are adapted1 their plan in the rotation1 etc4 ,not a line is repeated from the ,forage ,crops book4 ,best methods of building the silo1 filling it and feeding ensilage4 ,illustrated4 #cfd pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,the ,study of ,breeds ,by ,,thomas ,,shaw4 ,origin1 history1 distribution1 characteristics1 adaptability1 uses1 and standards of excellence of all pedigreed breeds of cattle1 sheep and swine in ,america4 ,the accepted text book in colleges1 and the authority for farmers and breeders4 ,illustrated4 #cga pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,clovers and ,how to ,grow ,them ,by ,,thomas ,,shaw4 ,this is the first book published which treats on the growth1 cultivation and treatment of clovers as applicable to all parts of the ,united ,states and ,canada1 and which takes up the entire subject in a systematic way and consecutive sequence4 ,the importance of clover in the economy of the farm is so great that an exhaustive work on this subject will no doubt be welcomed by students in agriculture1 as well as by all who are interested in the tilling of the soil4 ,illustrated4 #e x #g inches4 #ccg pages4 ,cloth4 ,net4 #a4jj ,land ,draining ,a handbook for farmers on the principles and practice of draining1 by ,,manly ,,miles1 giving the results of his extended experience in laying tile drains4 ,the directions for the laying out and the construction of tile drains will enable the farmer to avoid the errors of imperfect construction1 and the disappointment that must necessarily follow4 ,this manual for practical farmers will also be found convenient for reference in regard to many questions that may arise in crop growing1 aside from the special subjects of drainage of which it treats4 ,illustrated4 #bjj pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,barn ,plans and ,outbuildings ,two hundred and fifty-seven illustrations4 ,a most valuable work1 full of ideas1 hints1 suggestions1 plans1 etc41 for the construction of barns and outbuildings1 by practical writers4 ,chapters are devoted to the economic erection and use of barns1 grain barns1 horse barns1 cattle barns1 sheep barns1 cornhouses1 smokehouses1 icehouses1 pig pens1 granaries1 etc4 ,there are likewise chapters on birdhouses1 doghouses1 tool sheds1 ventilators1 roofs and roofing1 doors and fastenings1 workshops1 poultry houses1 manure sheds1 barnyards1 root pits1 etc4 #bce pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,irrigation ,farming ,by ,,lute ,,wilcox4 ,a handbook for the practical application of water in the production of crops4 ,a complete treatise on water supply1 canal construction1 reservoirs and ponds1 pipes for irrigation purposes1 flumes and their structure1 methods of applying water1 irrigation of field crops1 the garden1 the orchard and vineyard1 windmills and pumps1 appliances and contrivances4 ,new edition1 revised1 enlarged and rewritten4 ,profusely illustrated4 ,over #ejj pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #b4jj ,forest ,planting ,by ,h4 ,,nicholas ,,jarchow1 ,,ll4 ,d4 ,a treatise on the care of woodlands and the restoration of the denuded timberlands on plains and mountains4 ,the author has fully described those ,european methods1 which have proved to be most useful in maintaining the superb forests of the old world4 ,this experience has been adapted to the different climates and trees of ,america1 full instructions being given for forest planting of our various kinds of soil and sub-soil1 whether on mountain or valley4 ,illustrated4 #bej pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,the ,nut ,culturist ,by ,,andrew ,s4 ,,fuller4 ,a treatise on the propagation1 planting and cultivation of nut-bearing trees and shrubs adapted to the climate of the ,united ,states1 with the scientific and common names of the fruits known in commerce as edible or otherwise useful nuts4 ,intended to aid the farmer to increase his income without adding to his expenses or labor4 ,cloth1 #abmo4 #a4ej ,cranberry ,culture ,by ,,joseph ,j4 ,,white4 ,contents3 ,natural history1 history of cultivation1 choice of location1 preparing the ground1 planting the vines1 management of meadows1 flooding1 enemies and difficulties overcome1 picking1 keeping1 profit and loss4 ,illustrated4 #acb pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,ornamental ,gardening for ,americans ,by ,,elias ,a4 ,,long1 landscape architect4 ,a treatise on beautifying homes1 rural districts and cemeteries4 ,a plain and practical work with numerous illustrations and instructions so plain that they may be readily followed4 ,illustrated4 #cij pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,grape ,culturist ,by ,a4 ,s4 ,,fuller4 ,this is one of the very best of works on the culture of the hardy grapes1 with full directions for all departments of propagation1 culture1 etc41 with #aej excellent engravings1 illustrating planting1 training1 grafting1 etc4 #bhb pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,gardening for ,young and ,old ,by ,,joseph ,,harris4 ,a work intended to interest farmers' boys in farm gardening1 which means a better and more profitable form of agriculture4 ,the teachings are given in the familiar manner so well known in the author's ,walks and ,talks on the ,farm4 ,illustrated4 #aia pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,money in the ,garden ,by ,p4 ,t4 ,,quinn4 ,the author gives in a plain1 practical style instructions on three distinct1 although closely connected1 branches of gardening--the kitchen garden1 market garden and field culture1 from successful practical experience for a term of years4 ,illustrated4 #bfh pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,greenhouse ,construction ,by ,,prof4 ,l4 ,r4 ,,taft4 ,a complete treatise on green-house structures and arrangements of the various forms and styles of plant houses for professional florists as well as amateurs4 ,all the best and most approved structures are so fully and clearly described that any one who desires to build a green-house will have no difficulty in determining the kind best suited to his purpose4 ,the modern and most successful methods of heating and ventilating are fully treated upon4 ,special chapters are devoted to houses used for the growing of one kind of plants exclusively4 ,the construction of hotbeds and frames receives appropriate attention4 ,over #ajj excellent illustrations1 especially engraved for this work1 make every point clear to the reader and add considerably to the artistic appearance of the book4 #baj pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,greenhouse ,management ,by ,l4 ,r4 ,,taft4 ,this book forms an almost indispensable companion volume to ,greenhouse ,construction4 ,in it the author gives the results of his many years' experience1 together with that of the most successful florists and gardeners1 in the management of growing plants under glass4 ,so minute and practical are the various systems and methods of growing and forcing roses1 violets1 carnations1 and all the most important florists' plants1 as well as fruits and vegetables described1 that by a careful study of this work and the following of its teachings1 failure is almost impossible4 ,illustrated4 #chb pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,fungi and ,fungicides ,by ,,prof4 ,,clarence ,m4 ,,weed ,a practical manual concerning the fungous diseases of cultivated plants and the means of preventing their ravages4 ,the author has endeavored to give such a concise account of the most important facts relating to these as will enable the cultivator to combat them intelligently4 #ij illustrations4 #bbb pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,paper1 #ej cents2 cloth1 #a4jj ,mushrooms4 ,how to ,grow ,them ,by ,,william ,,falconer4 ,this is the most practical work on the subject ever written1 and the only book on growing mushrooms published in ,america4 ,the author describes how he grows mushrooms1 and how they are grown for profit by the leading market gardeners1 and for home use by the most successful private growers4 ,engravings drawn from nature expressly for this work4 #agj pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,rural ,school ,agriculture ,by ,,charles ,w4 ,,davis4 ,a book intended for the use of both teachers and pupils4 ,its aim is to enlist the interest of the boys of the farm and awaken in their minds the fact that the problems of the farm are great enough to command all the brain power they can summon4 ,the book is a manual of exercises covering many phases of agriculture1 and it may be used with any text-book of agriculture1 or without a text-book4 ,the exercises will enable the student to think1 and to work out the scientific principles underlying some of the most important agricultural operations4 ,the author feels that in the teaching of agriculture in the rural schools1 the laboratory phase is almost entirely neglected4 ,if an experiment helps the pupil to think1 or makes his conceptions clearer1 it fills a useful purpose1 and eventually prepares for successful work upon the farm4 ,the successful farmer of the future must be an experimenter in a small way4 ,following many of the exercises are a number of questions which prepare the way for further research work4 ,the material needed for performing the experiments is simple1 and can be devised by the teacher and pupils1 or brought from the homes4 ,illustrated4 #cjj pages4 ,cloth4 #e x #g inches4 #a4jj ,agriculture ,through the ,laboratory and ,school ,garden ,by ,c4 ,r4 ,,jackson and ,mrs4 ,l4 ,s4 ,,daugherty4 ,as its name implies1 this book gives explicit directions for actual work in the laboratory and the school garden1 through which agricultural principles may be taught4 ,the author's aim has been to present actual experimental work in every phase of the subject possible1 and to state the directions for such work so that the student can perform it independently of the teacher1 and to state them in such a way that the results will not be suggested by these directions4 ,one must perform the experiment to ascertain the result4 ,it embodies in the text a comprehensive1 practical1 scientific1 yet simple discussion of such facts as are necessary to the understanding of many of the agricultural principles involved in every-day life4 ,the book1 although primarily intended for use in schools1 is equally valuable to any one desiring to obtain in an easy and pleasing manner a general knowledge of elementary agriculture4 ,fully illustrated4 #e-a_/b x #h inches4 #dfb pages4 ,cloth4 ,net #a4ej ,soil ,physics ,laboratory ,guide ,by ,w4 ,g4 ,,stevenson and ,i4 ,o4 ,,schaub4 ,a carefully outlined series of experiments in soil physics4 ,a portion of the experiments outlined in this guide have been used quite generally in recent years4 ,the exercises 7of which there are #dj7 are listed in a logical order with reference to their relation to each other and the skill required on the part of the student4 ,illustrated4 ,about #ajj pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #j4ej ,the ,new ,egg ,farm ,by ,h4 ,h4 ,,stoddard4 ,a practical1 reliable manual on producing eggs and poultry for market as a profitable business enterprise1 either by itself or connected with other branches of agriculture4 ,it tells all about how to feed and manager1 how to breed and select1 incubators and brooders1 its labor-saving devices1 etc41 etc4 ,illustrated4 #cca pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,poultry ,feeding and ,fattening ,compiled by ,g4 ,b4 ,,fiske4 ,a handbook for poultry keepers on the standard and improved methods of feeding and marketing all kinds of poultry4 ,the subject of feeding and fattening poultry is prepared largely from the side of the best practice and experience here and abroad1 although the underlying science of feeding is explained as fully as needful4 ,the subject covers all branches1 including chickens1 broilers1 capons1 turkeys and waterfowl2 how to feed under various conditions and for different purposes4 ,the whole subject of capons and caponizing is treated in detail4 ,a great mass of practical information and experience not readily obtainable elsewhere is given with full and explicit directions for fattening and preparing for market4 ,this book will meet the needs of amateurs as well as commercial poultry raisers4 ,profusely illustrated4 #afj pages4 #e x #g-a_/b inches4 ,cloth4 #j4ej ,poultry ,architecture ,compiled by ,g4 ,b4 ,,fiske4 ,a treatise on poultry buildings of all grades1 styles and classes1 and their proper location1 coops1 additions and special construction2 all practical in design1 and reasonable in cost4 ,over #ajj illustrations4 #abe pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #j4ej ,poultry ,appliances and ,handicraft ,compiled by ,g4 ,b4 ,,fiske4 ,illustrated description of a great variety and styles of the best homemade nests1 roosts1 windows1 ventilators1 incubators and brooders1 feeding and watering appliances1 etc41 etc4 ,over #ajj illustrations4 ,over #abe pages4 #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #j4ej ,turkeys and ,how to ,grow ,them ,edited by ,,herbert ,,myrick4 ,a treatise on the natural history and origin of the name of turkeys2 the various breeds1 the best methods to insure success in the business of turkey growing4 ,with essays from practical turkey growers in different parts of the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,copiously illustrated #aed pages #e x #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj