WARSAW HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 311 



REPORT ON FLORICULTURE. 



BY MRS. K, S. aARRETSON, WARSAW. 



When requested to prepare this report, could I have declined 

 honorably, or found some one williuf< to take my place, you would 

 not be imposed upon by myself today, and yet if being a dear lover 

 of flowers is deemed a sufficient excuse I suppose that I should be 

 willing to perform my allotted duty, being content with a mere out- 

 line, leaving the tilling in to those of more practical experience. It 

 is indeed very gratifying to see how interested we all are in the 

 slipping, potting, lifting or repotting of these beautiful offerings of 

 nature, our window and house plants, being particularly anxious to 

 screen them from the first cold, wave of autumn, lest our precious 

 pets should receive damage. 



For winter blooming, the chrysanthemum is one of the first to 

 bloom in profusion, and I can not think of any plant that requires 

 so little care, yet gladdens our eyes with such a beautiful and last- 

 ing variety of flowers. As their name implies they are the " Christ- 

 mas Flower. " They are easily propagated from cuttings taken in 

 August, or from shoots sent up from the roots after blooming, they 

 are hardy, except in the extreme north, and grow vigorously in any 

 light, rich soil. When their last blossom is gone, stow them away 

 down the cellar to rest until they tell us themselves they want light 

 and sunshine. Many other plants may be wintered in this way, but 

 we do not feel quite so sure of their awakening when the spring- 

 time comes. 



Thegeraniums, gladiolus, dahlias, verbenas, lemon, oleander, e 

 may survive the winter in the cellar and come out green and beauti- 

 ful, even exceeding our expectations, while another time we bring 

 them up stairs only to throw them away. Generally speaking our 

 plants and flowers have done satisfactory during the past year. We 

 have been able at all seasons to gather flowers to crown the happy 

 bride, or to make a floral offering of love and sympathy to leave at 

 the house of mourning. 



The season has favored the planting of seeds, slips or bedding 

 plants. Roses started well but slugs are numerous, and slacked-lime 

 is in demand to destroy them; the bushes do not look so well as their 

 sweet flowers. 



The coleus are doing well, and will give us an endless variety 

 of colors, taking their proper rank among the variegated plants. 



Begonias are justly remarkable for the diversity of their mark- 

 ings, their rich crimson edgings and stems, their thrifty growth and 

 easy culture. The most fastidious floriculturist can here find a plant 

 to please and satisfy. 



Carnations are a lovely plant, and, in beauty and fragrance, 



