SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 391 



color, with a yellow spot on the under lip, are produced in such numbers as to 

 form a perfect bouquet of two colors, which form the greatest contrast of any 

 there is to be seen in flowers bine and yellow. The leaves are of a dark green 

 color about an inch long, but few of them being seen for flowers. 



Some people may object to this plant, owing to its being annual, for growing 

 in the window, but as it is easily raised from seed, can therefore be purchased 

 at low rates, and will produce its beautiful flowers in abundance for at least a 

 year if the same attention be given it as required for the welfare of a geranium. 

 I had only a limited number of plants for sale last spring, but to show the 

 demand for them they were all sold within a few days after the first plant 

 came in flower, with the exception of what I kept to produce seed and try how 

 they would succeed as window plants and for bedding purposes. 



Grown in light soil, it makes a beautiful plant for the flower garden, grow- 

 ing more luxuriantly than in pots, but producing flowers as abundantly. The 

 seeds are small and require to be carefully treated to get them to vegetate with- 

 out damping off, which they are liable to do if kept too wet. As soon as large 

 enough to handle, the plants should be transplanted around the edge of 4-inch 

 pots, where they can grow until large enough to put into small pots. Leaf 

 mould, with considerable sand well mixed through it, is the best soil for growing 

 it in. 



Of the hardiness of the plant I cannot definitely say, but a plant which had 

 been growing in a cool window was left out of doors two nights in succession 

 when the thermometer registered 30°, and received no injury, demonstrating 

 that it will endure with impunity as much cold as a geranium. — M. Milton in 

 Practical Farmer. 



TREATMENT OF CALLAS. 



A writer in Vick's Magazine gives sensible advice on the above topic: When 

 done flowering, callas should be turned from the pots and planted out in the 

 garden rows of vegetables, and cultivated the same as potatoes, being sure to 

 choose a sunny situation and to keep them free from weeds. In the fall, about 

 Sept. 15, take up and pot in rich soil containing one-fifth sand. The pots 

 should not be too large — simply large enough to conveniently contain the roots. 

 Many persons will place their Callas in wooden pails, and wonder why they will 

 not bloom. The fact is, to produce bloom the plants must be pot-bound. 

 Plenty of sand is to secure drainage — for this plant requires a great amount of 

 water, and it should percolate the entire mass readily. After taking up and 

 potting, place in the shade for eight or ten days and water sparingly. About 

 middle of November begin watering with warm water, increasing the temper- 

 ature each day until the water is hot but not scalding. Pour the water on the 

 earth, but not on the stalk. Don't be sparing of the water at any time save 

 just after potting. This will make it bloom about holidays. A south exposure 

 is best, as it delights in warm sunshine. Sprinkling with warm water often in 

 winter destroys red spiders, and sponging removes dust. We saw a Calla 

 treated as above last winter that had seven blossoms on at one time, and twenty 

 during winter. 



