JUNE MEETING, 1877. 119 



robin. I account him a cowardly thief, and would banish hira from my prem- 

 ises. Tiie American shrike, or batcher bird, is another enemy to small Ijirds. 

 The cedar bird cats more than he is worth, while the small hawk ranks among 

 the class tliat "devours widows' houses." Tlie robin seems to rank about 

 half way between the friends and foes, and I acknowledge myself to be open to 

 conviction, but in the vote I had to give him the benefit of a doul)t and stand in 

 his favor. 



The next topic for discussion was 



THE BEST ANNUALS AND PEEENNIALS FOR HOME CULTURE. 



The President called upon Mr. Knapp to open the discussion, who arose and 

 excused himself from taking the initiatory on the ground that a better man Avas 

 ■with him, who could do the subject that Justice which was due to it, and intro- 

 duced Mr. Gibson, of Jackson. 



Mr. Gibson. — I have been given a pretty good send off by Mr. Knapp, and 

 scarcely think I can come up to his recommendation save in one particular. 

 He said I could tell all I know about llowers, which is probably true, and it will 

 not take long either. I am very much interested in the cultivation of plants 

 and flowers, and find in caring for them, watching their habits, and noting their 

 development, the best kind of amusement and relief from my regular work. 

 And in the beautiful atmosphere that tliey bring about a home I take the most 

 emphatic delight. By bringing the beauties of the floral kingdom into and 

 about our homes, we are taking the most effectual method to drive away all 

 somberness, all tendency to moroseness, not so much from the simple fact of 

 their presence as from the interest engendered in their growth and habits. One 

 becomes so easily enamored by their fresh beautiful forms that there is nothing 

 that acts as so effectual an antidote to "the blues." We have a cold climate, 

 and plants and flowers do not grow with such spontaneity as at tlie south ; but 

 with care their forms and colors are full as delicate. Perennials are generally 

 the best for us to cultivate, and as a sample of one of the newer beautiful plants 

 I mention two species of columbine. One known as the Rocky Mountain variety 

 has a very large blue blossom, and the other is the large yellow variety, both so 

 far in advance of the other sorts, and just as hardy and easy of cultivation. 

 Some varieties of perennial phlox are exceedingly beautiful. The colors are 

 strong, and with other flowers, form striking contrasts that are exceedingly at- 

 tractive. I have grown phlox with trusses six inches in diameter. Another 

 beautiful plant that is comparatively new to me is the large double campanula, 

 with the calyx turning back away from the corolla. Among annuals I think a 

 great deal of the balsams, that blossom so long and continuously. Tliey grow 

 well anywhere and under all sorts of culture. Their beauty may be greatly 

 enhanced by carefully pinching back the lateral branches, giving more oppor- 

 tunity for the display of the flowers, and on this manner of treatment grow to be 

 taller, finer plants in every way. 



I wish to say a word regarding greenhouse plants. A good many may be 

 grown in our houses during the colder season and then planted out in summer 

 with the best effect. Of course we need to study their habits and recpiiroments 

 as to light, and heat, and protection. I have in mind now a plant that has 

 done wonderfully under sucli treatment on Mr. Knapp' s premises. I know of 

 no common name for it — the Arundo donax. I find plants under tliis sort of 



