DEPARTMEN'J' KEPORTS. 10'? 



Oil the College grounds, and on most farms of Michigan, and we hope it always 

 may be. 



Pinks are ea-^ily raised, they are fragrant, good for cutting, but not nice for 

 beds to view at a little distance on accouiit of their straggling habit. 



This season tea ro-es have done very well with our lieavy mulching. I often 

 coademn tea roses as costing more than they come to, as hardly worth raising 

 in pots or in l)eds in open air, but I take it all back when I see them opening 

 their buds, which are perfection among flowers. 



A few plants of the common feverfew should have been recommended in the: 

 list of bedding plants. The little white heads of double flowers are always wel- 

 come in summer for bouquets. 



Of course we cannot help liking, for every body likes the large deep blue flow- 

 ers of Clematis Jackinanii. It is a hardy shrubby vine, with slight protection,, 

 and easily managed. Every garden should contain them. 



We have raised some new pelargoniums, one of which proves to be a good one^ 

 also a few dwarf fancy pelargoniums. 



PLANTS THAT SELL BEST. 



First, verbenas, especially the deep bright colors. Every one who has ever 

 tried a bed of good verbenas always wants anotlier. 



Heliotropes are in good demand, especially the lighter colored varieties. 

 Pelargoniums (geraniums) especially the brightest colors and the most hardy 

 sorts. Those known as Lady Washington geraniums, have had a great run.. 

 Tlie more delicate tri-colors are not in much demand here. The better double- 

 flowered are increasing in popularity. 



Koses are in good demand. People are often imposed upon in spring by? 

 buying roses which have been forced into bloom all winter. Of course they will 

 do but little in the succeeding summer when they ought to be resting. Our 

 plants are kept in a cool room, and are in good condition in spring for producing, 

 flowers the next summer. 



Many people have trouble with roses in pots, tea roses, buy them when and 

 wliere they will. The plants are often chilled by placing in cold air too early in 

 spring, or often by too much exposure to the hot suns or in dry living rooms. 

 Eoses like a cool even temperature. 



Fuchsias sell well, especially the winter flowering sorts such as speciosa. 

 Large numbers are sold to take the place of those carelessly left in a sunny; 

 window of a warm day. 



Monthly carnations are salable and very satisfactory for winter use. Somo? 

 of our best are President, Edwardsii, La purite, variegata. Chinese primroses 

 are also sold in considerable quantity. No plants give better satisfaction for the^ 

 money. They flower all winter constantly, and bear hard usage well. 



Oxalis grandiflora (pink flowered sorrel), is much sold. Bouvardias are nice,. 

 but require considerable heat. They are liable to di-y up in a living room^ 

 Small plants worth about 20 cents each are most souglit after. 



Plants of Begonia rex in variety arc sold as foliage plants, and give very goods 

 satisfaction. Some flowering species are in good demand, also coleus in springy- 

 Among the best are chameleon and verschaffeltii. The latter is chocolate color 

 and stands the heat well in open air. Sambo is a good dark one, golden bcaut3'\ 

 and beauty of St. Johnswood are favorites. The Shah is new and peculiar but* 

 does not stand sun well. 



