Copyright, 1899, by 

 FUORISTS' PUBblSniNG CO., 520-535 Caxton Building, CHIGftGO. 



Vol. m. 



CHICAGO AND NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 2, 1899. 



No. 62. 



DELPHINIUMS. 



This genus comprises annuals, bi- 

 ennials and perennials. Usually the 

 name "Larkspur" is applied to the an- 

 nual form. 



There is no class of plants that yields 

 more readily to generous treatment 

 than the delphinium and few deserve 



more attention. The bed for the per- 

 ennial forms should be deeply dug and 

 heavily manured, and every three 

 years the clumps should be lifted and 

 fresh soil be given before replacing. 



While they will stand some shade, a 

 sunny situation suits them better. 

 They should be planted at least three 

 feet apart as they occupy considerable 



room and grow to a height of from 

 five to six feet. 



There are many named varieties, 

 both single and double, that possess 

 exquisite coloring. These as a rule 

 can be increased only by division in 

 the fall or spring, or by cuttings taken 

 at the same periods, and placed singly 

 in pots in a cold frame. 



D. grandiflorum, a more dwarf va- 

 riety, will bloom the first year from 

 seed if started early and well treated. 

 There is a form of D. grandiflorum 

 catalogued as D. chinensis that con- 

 tains some tints of blue that are 

 charming. With this variety it is well 

 to grow quite a batch and weed out 

 the poor colored ones; those remain- 

 ing will well repay the trouble. 



BELLEROPHON. 



Double Delphiniums. 



CLOTH FOR HOTBEDS. 



Will you please give some informa- 

 tion regarding the use of the so-called 

 patent cloth as a substitute for glass 

 for hotbeds or frames. I wish to start 

 cucumbers inside and transplant out- 

 side soon as possible, and would like 

 to know if this cloth will fill the bill- 

 as well as glass to protect them after 

 transplanting. F. C. C. 



Some years ago we used a cloth on 

 a lot of sash in place of glass, not fov 

 hotbed use, but for cold frames. If I 

 remember aright, when stretched and 

 tacked on the frame, we gave the 

 cloth a good coat of linseed oil, whicb 

 renders it more watertight, as well as 

 resisting the cold slightly better. 



For sashes that have to be kept on 

 all day. I consider it too opaque, not 

 letting in the light as glass does, and 

 which, of course, is everything to plant 

 growth. But for frames that only need 

 night protection, or occasionally on a 

 rough day, this cloth can be used to 

 great advantage. It will keep out a 

 slight frost about as good as glass. 



W. S. 



