THE ANNUAL MEETING. 147 



variety. Double varieties of portulaca, and the fringed and beautifully 

 marked new petunias are very attractive when well grown. Of hardy perennial 

 plants, the rose is most prominent. As persistent bloomers in seasons of re- 

 markable drought, I have found none equal to Gen. Washington, hermosa, 

 moss salet. Baron Provost, Madam Charles Wood, and Louise Odier, — all of 

 which are of great beauty and perfectly hardy in this latitude. A single ap- 

 plication of white, powdered hellebore, steeped in water and sprinkled over the 

 leaves, has for several years enabled me to effectually destroy the green slug, or 

 "worm that often defoliates rose bushes in June. Of hardy perennial bulbs, 

 tulips, hyacinths, and lilies are best. Of lilies I have found none more satis- 

 factory than the old white variety, Silium Candidum ; Avhen undisturbed it 

 does best. Last year an old bed of it near my house contained at one time at 

 least 500 open flowers, and at night resembled a snow bank. Its agi'eeable 

 fragrance is hardly excelled by that of any other flower. Bulbs of it should 

 be planted when dormant — about the 1st of August. Tulips and hyacinths 

 should be planted in autumn. Old beds of tulips are generally better than 

 new ones if annually mulched -with well-decayed manure. Hyacinths degen- 

 erate after the first flowering. All bulbs here named should be planted 4 or 

 5 inches deep. Of tuberous I'ooted plants, rose and white peonies are among 

 the best, and are most easily grown. Of hardy, climbing plants, none are 

 better than Hall's honeysuckle. Clematis Jackmannii, and prairie queen. Of 

 autumnal flowering plants, the dahlia is the most stately and showy. I plant 

 them in rows 2 feet apart, with plants 12 inches apart in the row. Such close 

 planting makes them self-supporting, and keeps the ground shaded. An 

 elevated location to protect from early frosts is best for this flower. The 

 tuberose and gladiolus are the best of the tender bulbs. They and dahlias 

 should be dug when frost fairly appears, their roots dried one or two days in 

 the sun, and then placed in boxes in a warm cellar. There are many other 

 beautiful and desirable flowers. I have named those only that I regard as in- 

 dispensable. All possible attention should be given to flowers. They are found 

 on every habitable portion of tiie earth, and after enlivening the landscape 

 ■with their beautiful hues, and filling the air with delicious odors, they leave us 

 a legacy in seeds and grain sufficient to feed all mankind. Their cultivation, 

 indicates a high order of civilization, and the presence of kind and gentle 

 natures, and there is a species of freemasonry connected with them which 

 enables those who love them to become acquainted with but little ceremony. 

 In an unknown town or city you need never fear offending a stranger by stop- 

 ping, without an introduction, to admire a bed of beautiful flowers belonging 

 to him. But his air would probably be much more distant if you should, 

 without acquaintance, pay a compliment to any other portion of his possessions. 

 Flowers create and cement friendships, and are the most universal and gen- 

 erally the most acceptable presents. When the Queen of England recently 

 desired to testify in the strongest possible manner her great sorrow for our 

 national bereavement, she sent a wreath of roses to be laid upon the bier of 

 our dead President. Flowers come to the aged like a gleam and a breath 

 from the lost Eden of youth, bringing memories of deep blue skies, of winding 

 streams, and an atmosphere fragrant with the bloom of the wild grape and 

 crab-apple. 



Wm. N. Rowe, of Grand Eapids, continued this discussion by saying: 

 The elements of success in the management of the home flower garden, as I 

 have found them, may be classified as follows : 



