SOCIETY OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS. 281 



have to be handled for the same amount of peas, but, then, all 

 things that are worth anything cost some trouble. 



In planting lima beans, watermelons and nutmegs, take the 

 seed between the first finger and thumb and push it into the soil, 

 with the germ down, about an inch and a half, then smooth the 

 earth over them with the hand, not pressing it down over the 

 seed; if the seed is of any account you will have no trouble 

 about getting a stand ; and another thing — it will come up very 

 much sooner planted this way than when thrown in and covered 

 with a hoe. 



All small seeds that are slow in germinating, such as celery, 

 carrots and parsnips should be sprouted before being planted. 

 A good way, I have found, is to soak the seed for twenty-four 

 hours in tepid water, then mix with some moist, finely sifted 

 dirt, put in a closely covered vessel and leave in a moderately 

 warm place until the sprouts begin to show when it should be 



{)lanted; though I have planted seed with sprouts half an inch 

 ong and had good success. By following this system the seed 

 comes up before the weeds and it is no trouble to keep clean, 

 while, if planted without preparation, the weeds come with or 

 before the seed, and make it cost more to clean than the crop is 

 worth. 



ROSE CULTURE. 



BY G. W. E. COOK, LACON. 



We are told in the long ago, the Goddess Flora, while walking 

 one day by herself in a forest, came upon the dead body of a fav- 

 orite nymph; one whose personal beauty, chastity of mind, with 

 perfection of heart, had never been surpassed, making her a favor- 

 ite daughter of the Dryads. Flora felt the only balm for her 

 grief at the loss of so dear a friend would be the ability to raise 

 from the precious dust a flower which should surpass all others in 

 loveliness; assured of the assistance of Venus, with that of the 

 graces added to the promised influence of all the gods, to assist 

 in the transformation of the lifeless form to that of a plant whose 

 bloom should exceed in every characteristic all other known flow- 

 ers. The zephyrs came with that perfect condition of atmos- 

 phere whereby the blessings of Apollo might fall in rays of peace 

 and harmony. Bacchus with streams of nectar, for its nourish- 

 ment, Vertumnus enveloping the new creation, with mantle of 

 rarest perfumes, while Pomona as her offering spread the virtue 

 of propagation among its branches. The grand finale being a 

 diadem from Flora's own hand, designed and prepared by a band 

 of celestials which should forever signify to the world, "The 

 Rose as the Queen of flowers." So beautiful was it, the angel 

 of flowers sought its shade for rest, and slumber. One day 

 awakening from a refreshing sleep, and proceeding in the dis- 

 charge of his duty of bathing its opening buds with dews from 



