MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES. 431 



FLOATERS FOR BUSY PEOPLE. 



For a number of flowers, obtained with little trouble, nothing sur- 

 passes a bed of herbaceous perennials and hardy bulbs. A good long 

 bed should be marked out, filled with rich mellow soil, and planted in 

 spring or fall, placing the tallest growing plants at the back or in the 

 center. Most perennials can be grown from seed, but busy people had 



better buy plants instead, which are much less trouble, and will bloom 



• 



first season. Among the best sorts to plant are the Perennial Phloxes, 

 which bloom a long time in immense panicles of white, rose and pur- 

 ple; the Delphiniums, in long spikes of blue; the Hollyhocks, double 

 as Roses, and the new Helianthus, large as Dahlias, and yellow as gold. 

 The more modest Achillea and Feverfew, which are a mass of white 

 blooms all summer, should not be forgotten, nor the Bleeding Heart ; 

 coming at a time when flowers are scarce. 



If to these are added Crocus, Tulips and Daffodils, which will 

 bloom as soon as frost is out of the ground, and Chrysanthemums for 

 late blooming, a succession of flowers will be had from early spring to 

 late fall. Only early varieties of Chrysanthemum should be chosen for 

 out-door display. In addition, every perennial bed should have at least 

 the Candidum and Auratum Lilies, and a white, pink and red P;eonia. 

 Though their season of bloom is not long, their large, handsome flow- 

 ers attract much attention, and please the " men-folks " better than any- 

 thing else. 



If care can not be given to shrubbery, restrict yourself to Snow- 

 balls and Lilacs, which do not mind neglect. For Roses, take time to 

 care for Mad. Charles Wood (crimson), La France (pale pink), Gen. Jac- 

 queminot (dark red), and Washington (climbing white). These are con- 

 stant bloomers, hardy, and only need pruning and enriching in the 

 spring. Nothing is easier to care for in the way of climbers than the 

 Honeysuckle and Passion-vine. With these you will have all the flow- 

 ers needed at little expense and trouble. The Perennial needs no care 

 but an occasional hoeing, and a dividing of clumps of roots once in a 

 while. — Mrs. Lora S. La Mance in Popular Gardening. 



EXPENSIVE DECORATIONS. 



The banquet to the Pan-American congress on October 23, at the 

 Grand Pacific in this city, was a grand affair. The floral decorations 

 were all that money could furnish, including several pieces very unique 

 as well as beautiful. The largest was a map of the Americas, fourteen 



