ILLINOIS HOKTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 279 



the weather is warm. I never wait for a rain, but fill the place for 

 each plant with water, drawing the dry earth around the plants. I 

 have mentioned Dahlia seed, because last year I raised some fine 

 ones from seed, both double and single, and they blossomed about as 

 soon as those from bulbs. I enjoy the surprises which each plant 

 brings on opening, having my bulbs, of course, besides. I must have 

 Balsams, and have succeeded in keeping them as double as roses for 

 years by saving the seed from the center stalk of the plant. All 

 small shoots should be pinched off, leaving only the strongest to 

 grow, and one need have no fear of digging in too much hen manure, 

 if well rotted, if the best success is desired. 



Geraniums, I think, give more bloom by being at least a year 

 old, and given good soil and the faded flowers picked off, they are 

 constantly filled with blossoms. 



My experience with Tea Roses is limited to two years. How- 

 ever, I am proud of my success, having roses constantly during all 

 last summer's heat. The first of May I set the plants in well- 

 enriched ground, they being very small, and kept them growing 

 rapidly by working the earth and keeping as cool and moist as pos- 

 sible. During the heated term I mulched with straw from the 

 stable. I love all Roses, but the Etoile de Lyon and Perle de Jardins 

 are especially fine, both for buds and bloom, and one is always sure 

 of Roses. Both of these are yellow, so I will add La France, Bon 

 Silene, Sour dun Ami and Hermosa for pink; Presse Guillot for red; 

 Michael Saunders for crimson, and Mad. Rachel and Cornelia Cook 

 for white; the pretty blue Browallia and Forget-me-not, the Callio- 

 peis and California Poppy. Eschoeholtzia plants spring up without 

 any labor on my part, and in a mixed bouquet are just the flowers 

 needed, the vivid yellow brightening up all the others like a touch of 

 sunshine. 



Among the many hardy plants that are found in every garden 

 are Tulips, Hyacinths, Narcissus, Lilies of the Valley, and the many 

 kinds of lilies; with Gladiolas, Tube Rose, Caladiums and Cannas; 

 nor must I neglect mentioning Chrvsanthemums, the most popular 

 and highly-prized flower of autumn; lighting up even dull Novem- 

 ber with its gorgeous display of crimson, bronze and gold. 



But I ought not to trespass on your time longer to touch upon 

 the various shrubs, hardy roses, or the lovely Clematis and other 

 vines, for, the list might be extended indefinitely, and it would be 

 almost an endless task for me to write all I would say on flowers. 



One thing I will add, we do not gather enough flowers, thereby 

 losing much pleasure in the cultivation, and failing to give enjoy- 

 ment to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. We also are 

 the losers in not having nearly so many blooms as Ave otherwise 

 would, and plants are never so thrifty as when one picks flowers con- 

 stantly. I never let any plant make seed, only as they may be needed 

 for future use, as it exhausts them. 



