458 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



where they are crowded together promiscuously, exhibiting a mass of petals, 

 the form and color of eech separate flower being indistinct, with little of its 

 own foliage to render the proper effect. The more nearly roses are shown 

 ay they naturally grow the handsomer they are. The stiff artificial stem, 

 without the leaf of the flower, propped up by smiiax, ferns, and other green 

 things than its own, is not like Nature. Hand bouquets of roses and buds 

 are more beautiful when made out of one variety, with its own foliage, stems 

 long and loosely bunched, having a small number, well chosen, of sweet 

 odor. A collection in basket form or for parlor decoration had better lack 

 a flower than have one too many, the object being to form a graceful, re- 

 freshing, and suggestive picture, preserving an "easy negligence mixed with 

 art." Show each bloom separately, reposing in its own green, and a few 

 colors have a better effect than many. If a combination is thought to be 

 desirable, red, white, and buff form a pleasing one. The beauty of roses is 

 much enhanced when displayed in masses. As a rule, if there are to be 

 many flowers, use the delicate shades; if few, the deeper tones. Large and 

 choice roses are always more effective when displayed in proper standards 

 for their reception as single specimens. 



Large Plants in Small Pots. — " Shelah " says in the Tribune that it is 

 well known that geraniums will bloom earlier and better in small pots than 

 large ones, and the small pots are much the more convenient for them and 

 other plants in windows where large ones are unsightly and take up much 

 room. It is a most interesting experiment to keep a plant in continual and 

 perfect bloom all summer in a pot which compared with its own bulk is so 

 diminutive that it is a wonder to the uninitiated how such a grand dome of 

 leaves and flowers could possibly have developed from such a thimbleful of 

 soil. The secret is in using once or twice a week after the roots have filled 

 the soil dilute liquid manure which is immediately appropriated if the roots 

 have not been left so long without food or drink as to be starved and 

 shrunken. Soot is an excellent article for use in this way. A sprinkling of 

 ground bone to supply phosphate, and a little liquid ammonia now and, then 

 in the water used is neat to use and perfect. Potash is seldom lacking, but 

 should be applied by a sprinkling of wood-ashes if the soil used prove, in 

 outdoor practice, to be the better for the application. Watering must be 

 regular and frequent for pots so filled with roots. 



Preserving Flower Buds. — The following is a method said by a corre- 

 spondent of London Gardening to answer well for two or three months, and 

 there can be no harm in trying it: Gather the buds when nearly ready to open, 

 and seal up the end of the stalk with sealing-wax, wrap the bud in tissue paper, 

 and put in a tin box perfectly air-tight. When the bud is wanted to open, cut 

 off the sealing-wax and immerse the stalk in water, in which a little saltpetre 

 has been added. I was very skeptical as to the success of this plan when told 

 of it. I have tried it with rosebuds, however, and succeeded perfectly. 



Winter Home Decorations. — Ahuie L. Jack, the well-known writer on 



home topics, presents the following useful hints: 



After the flowers have faded and the last bunch of pansies and crysanthe- 

 mums have withered and died, the best thing is to go to the nearest woods and 

 gather mosses and berries to brighten the wintry months. There are the seal- 



