240 Tiees. 



English. Window G-ardens. 



4 CAPITAL idea is prevalent in England, manifested by the encouragement of 

 •^ growing flowers for window gardens, and the award of prizes at annual exhibi- 

 tions. We have nothing of this character yet among the American flower lovers, 

 although the taste for window gardening has grown so fast here as already to amount 

 to an enthusiasm. An English paper gives a happy account of an annual exhibition 

 of flowers and plants grown by the working classes of Edinburgh, in windows, back 

 greens, areas, and city garden plots, held in the Grrassmarket Corn Exchange, Edin- 

 burgh. The products sent in for competition presented such a marked improvement 

 and increase in numbers over those of the two preceding years as should induce not 

 only the promoters of this philanthropic movement to go on perseveringly in extend- 

 ing a taste for flowers and flower culture among the artisans of the Scottish capital 

 and their children, but to show an example well worthy of imitation in other towns 

 by those who have the means of fostering a love for the instructive, humanizing and 

 elevating pastime of flower growing among their less opulent neighbors. 



Before distributing the numerous awards, the chairman. Dr. Balfour, professor of 

 botany, said he had to congratulate the meeting on this most successful show. The 

 committee had examined the articles sent in for competition, and they had unani- 

 mously declared it to be one of the best shows they had seen. This year they had 

 about one hundred more competitors than last. The improvements in the keeping of 

 window gardens and areas was quite remarkable. He was delighted to see the work- 

 ing classes taking so much interest in plants. It was natural to man to do so. His 

 existence as a worker began in the garden ; whether in health or in sickness, flowers 

 and plants afforded him a solace and delight. He believed the culture of flowers had 

 a most humanizing influence, and even in the most crowded parts of the city they 

 would spring up; and where they were carefully tended, they could not fail to have 

 an excellent effect on the temper, conduct and life of those who bestowed on them 

 their care. He hailed this as a most auspicious occasion, and he was delighted to 

 see that the whole collection was remarJiably good. Some of the plants here, even 

 those cultivated by juveniles, were equal to what they would find in the Botanic 

 Garden. The collection of John Heseltine, embracing 200 plants, well grown, deli- 

 cate in form, and rich in color, was really wonderful. The window frames were 

 admirable, great taste being shown in the contrast of color and in the training of the 

 plants. The committee appointed to visit the areas reported that they were this 

 year greatly improved, all owing to this movement. 



Bees. 



WE ask those who keep bees to report the extent of the Kentucky Desertion 

 Disease. Bees died last winter largely of dysenteria, leaving the putrid smell 

 and marks of the disease. But hives dead of Desertion Disease smell sweetly with 

 the finest perfume, have large quantities of honey and clean combs. I am almost 

 prepared to show that this is a decay of the internal muscles of the bee, but not yet. 



S. J. Parker, M. D. 



