THE SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 239 



find enough of sharp sand to make it light and porous, the whole to be 

 thoroughly intermixed. A five or six inch pot may be nearly filled, with coarse 

 drainage at the bottom, and a layer ol fine sand at the top. After a fine 

 watering and draining, the seed is sown and covered very thinly with sand. A 

 pane of glass laid on the top will hold the moisture, and the pot should then, 

 have light, but not sunshine, and a temperature of about G5°. If needed, water 

 from below. The plants will appear in two weeks, and at the third leaf remove 

 them to other similar pots, covered as before. Avoid wetting the leaves. In 

 a few weeks transplant again, and give air under the pane. The single vari- 

 eties do best in rooms. 



FORCING THE WHITE LILY. 



Last January, for the purpose of testing its capacity for flowering in the 

 house, I took from the open ground a few bulbs of Lilmm Candidum, potted 

 them near a window, where they soon started into vigorous growth. Early in 

 April they unfolded their beautiful flowers, Avhich for many days filled the 

 room witli their exquisite fragrance. They appear to be as easily managed in 

 an ordinary room as hyacinths. Koots of lily of the valley, taken last winter 

 from the open ground to the house, also flowered freely. 



Bulbs of the white lily may be taken from the open ground in autumn, 

 potted and placed where they are to flower, watered moderately until the flower 

 buds begin to form, when a more liberal supply should be given until they 

 expand. In my estimation, the odor of neither roses, violets, mignonette, nor 

 the wild crab apple can equal the fragrance of the white lily. A favorite odor 

 is often associated with some pleasant memory. — Granville Coioing. 



THE OLEAXDER POISONOUS. 



Prof. James Law says the oleander is a dangerous plant to have about the 

 house or yard, and gives the following incident that came under his own 

 observations as a warning to admirers of this plant: 



A fine healthy mare ate a single tuft of leaves from a branch of oleander 

 temporarily set by the door, then went on a journey of six miles, appearing 

 playful and well, but on returning refused her feed. Next morning she still 

 refused to eat, and looked dull and haggard, and had partially lost control of 

 her hind limbs. The mare died before assistance could be olDtained, and on 

 opening the body the dark, red, congested stomach showed the action of an 

 acrid poison, and inquiry brought out the account of the cropping of the 

 oleander, of the injurious qualities of which the owner was entirely ignorant. 



He further remarks that all parts of the plant are poisonous. The flowers 

 have produced death in those who carelessly picked and ate them. The 

 branches divested of their bark and used as skewers have poisoned the meat 

 roasted on them, and killed seven of the twelve people who partook of it. As 

 in the case of other poisonous plants, tlie danger to animals is greatest when, 

 as at present, vegetation is only just starting, and when the stock are tempted to 

 bite anything green that comes within their reach. Again, there is danger at 

 any season when tiie live-stock have just come off a weary, dusty journey, 

 hungry, and with the sense of smell largely blunted or temporarily abolished. 



