150 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



1 pass by the native Perennials which are commonly catalogued — such as the 

 different varieties ot Asclepias, Liatris, Ferns, Baptisia, Dodecatheon, Iris, Spireas 

 etc., merely mentioning that Asclepia incarnata (flesh color), Baptisia australia 

 ( deep blue), Adiantnm pedatum ( maiden-hair fern ), Spirea aruncus ( goat's-beard ) 

 and Coreopsis lanceolaia, are exceptionally flue varieties. 



First of all I name Talinu7n teretifolium. 1 have a few yearling tubers with me 

 to distribute to flower-lovers from different sections of the State, and intend send- 

 ing out some to florists. 1 shall expect, in a couple of years, to see a full-page 

 ad. in more colors than Iris herself ever dreamed of, something like this : "The 

 new hardy perennial, Tuberous-rooted Portulaca ! The grandest novelty intro- 

 duced since the Russian Sunflower! A thing of beauty and a joy forever! This 

 new candidate for, popular favor is a cross between the famous Victoria Water-lily 

 and the Canada Thistle ; combining the gorgeous beauty and fragrance of the one 

 with the speed, bottom, hardiness and staying qualities of the other. We have 

 at vast expense secured the entire stock of this new wonder, and, while the very 



limited supply lasts, will supply it at the exceedingly low rate of etc." Then 



I'll think of the time I sent good money for Liatris graminifolia, Asclepias cornuti, 

 Ipomea pandurata, and Coreopsis lanceolata, and found I had acres already on my 

 farm, and I won't send, but will smile a deep wide smile all to myself. 



Talinum teretifolium will prove a valuable acquisition. I have never seen it 

 catalogued or in cultivation by any florist. It grows on limestone ledges where it 

 has but an inch or two of soil, and is subject to the greatest vicissitudes of wet 

 and dry, heat and cold. It has a small, yellow, conical, tuberous root, about 

 three-fourths of an inch in length and one-fourth in diameter. The leaves are cyl- 

 indrical, about as large in diameter as a straw, and the plant covers a space of 

 three or four inches in diameter. Flower stems about 8 inches, upright, naked 

 and branched; flowers about two-thirds of an inch in diameter, saucer-shaped, 

 rose-pink in color, opening in the afternoon. 1 have had it in cultivation only one 

 year, but yearling tubers, in good soil, made plants over a foot in diameter and 

 height, with leaves thick as a lead-pencil and 5 or 6 inches long ; flower-stems 12 

 to 16 inches high, and almost innumerable flowers between the size of a quarter 

 and a half-dollar. It seeds very freely, and the plants from self-sown seeds bloom 

 the first year. It is perfectly hardy. Gray says, as far north as Minnesota, and 

 blooms from May to Augnst. 



I have already described Oenothera Missouriensis. There is one other prim- 

 rose that is seldom cultivated, Oenothera albicaulis grows erect, branching about 1 

 to 2 feet high ; flowers diurnal, about 2 Inches in diameter, opening pure white and 

 afterward changing to rose-color. I have cultivated this only one year, but am 

 confident it will prove a valuable acquisition. It will grow in any ordinary soil 

 not too wet. 



Uvularia perfoliata ( Bellwort ) grows from 1 to 2 feet high, and the stalk grows 

 through each leaf, except the upper ones ( whence its name of perfoliata). It has 

 pendant, bell- shaped yellow flowers, about U inches long, resembling the Cana- 

 dense lily. In fact, this plant and the next three belong to the lily family, though 

 not true liiiums. Blooms in April and May. 



Amianthium Muscatoxicum ( Fly-poison ), has long, narrow, grass-like leaves 

 about a foot long, spreading from the root ; it throws up a naked flower- stalk about 

 18 inches high, with a close spike 6 to 8 inches long, of small, cream white flowers, 

 which, after a few days, change to dull green, and continue thus for weeks ; May 

 and June. 



