1878.] 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



259 



cure these diversified colors in contrast, for to 

 secure symmetry it was necessary to have one 

 sort only. At the expense of this symmetry I 

 made one street a partial arboretum, while on 

 another I planted Pin Oaks, on another European 

 Lindens, on a third the light-foliaged Tulip Tree, 

 and on another crossing it the darker Xorway 

 Maple. 



I look forward to still finer results in the con- 

 trasting of colors, for the past few years have 

 been productive of many new varieties, particu- 

 larly from Japan. The silvery white of Sorbus, 

 Ekeagnus and other plants is contrasted with the 

 gold and purple and scarlet of others, until a 

 newly planted square in the nurser3'«is like a 

 lawn filled with the varied colors of bedding 

 plants. 



Could I put back the hand upon the dial of my 

 life thirty years, I think I could find new mate- 

 rial to make a lawn far surpassing anything I 

 now have, and which would startle many lovers of 

 trees with its beauty. Others, however, will 

 have this enjoyment. The insensibility to the 

 finest products of nature, which has for years 

 existed, is giving way to a better appreciation, 

 and many who have been satisfied with the trees 

 which the traveling dealers brought them, are 

 discovering that finer ones exist. While Edison 

 with his microphone pi'omises to make audible 

 to the dullest ear the sound of growing things, 

 and all the secret harmonies of nature, let us 

 hope that all beautiful things may be made visi- 

 ble to the dullest sight, and a true vision based 

 upon a true artistic sense be the possession of 

 every true man and woman all the world over. 



WATERING OF FLOWER BEDS. 



BY C.G.BJORKLUND, NAT. SOLDIERS' II03IE, 



HAMPTON, VA. 



TO AMATEURS. 



" How often do you water your flowers ?" To 

 ask this question, so puzzling to gardeners, is the 

 general inclination of most non-professionals. 

 I, myself, have little advice to give on the 

 subject, but wish to say that if we were more 

 inclined to reason, calculate, and to consult 

 nature, that question would not be asked so uni- 

 versally. The point is to know when to apply 

 water ; this is something what no man has yet 

 been able to describe. There are so many things 

 to be taken into consideration, the variety and 

 stage of growth of plants, the character of the 

 soil, the season, the temperature, the situation. 



etc., which only tlie experienced can distinguish. 

 But there certainh^ need not be much stress laid 

 on the subject concerning flower beds. It is dif- 

 ferent to plants in pots, where their life depends 

 on proper moisture. But allow me first to say a 

 few words in i-egard to the general belief that 

 " it will not do to water flowers while the sun 

 shines on them," even if it is at five or six p.m. 

 Now, to water or sprinkle on the flowers is 

 in fact, not good, whether in the sun or shade, 

 at any time, and that is a rule wherever the 

 plants are placed. Growers of fruit under glass 

 have to know this. We need only call to our minds 

 that if rains occur while Peach and other fruit 

 trees are in blossom, it will impare the fructifica- 

 tion ; and it is my opinion that if pollen is 

 washed oft'before properly developed, the petals, 

 as being members of the system, might hang on, 

 but a premature fading of the flower will be the 

 consequence. 



But let us return to the flower beds, I fear they 

 are getting dry. The injury meant to occur to 

 plants by watering in the sunshine is, that the 

 water lodging on the flowers and leaves should 

 become so hot from the effect of the sun, before 

 its evaporation as to scald them. How far this 

 is posssible,or in what latitude, I will not venture 

 to state, but doubt that there is any danger of it 

 in the Middle States, if in this country at all. 



At the great Exhibition at Philadelphia, in 

 187G, the men that watered flower beds in the 

 morning and evening, and the grass in the mid- 

 dle of the day, because other times were not 

 sufficient, while the mercury marked 95° and 

 100°, were often told by visitors that the result 

 would be fatal, but no such result could be ob- 

 served. The real objection to it is the wasting 

 of water, because a considerable quantity evapo- 

 rates in the air, especiall}' if done through a 

 hose, and renders the work ineffective. This is 

 plain to everybody, and we will find that if a 

 syringe with a very fine rose is discharged in the 

 air, on a hot day, little or notliing will fall to 

 the ground. 



When plants are watered, they should be 

 given it so freely that the moisture should be 

 calculated to go some five or six inches deep. In 

 this wa}' the roots will work in the right direc- 

 tion and seek the moisture, while sprinkling a 

 little on, now and then,causes them to linger near 

 the surface. Thus the plants become delicate, 

 and will flag after a few hours exposure to the 

 sun. 



Before watering, the ground, while there is 



