254 J^loral JVofcs. 



German Botanist, Weigel, who introduced it into Europe. Of this genus there are 

 several varieties, the most disseminated of which, being first introduced, is the Wei- 

 gela Rosea — in pronouncing the name give the soft sound of g. Many seedlings 

 have been produced from this, some of which show decided improvements over the 

 original Weigela Rosea, and Weigela Amabilis, are the two first introduced. Some 

 of the seedlings are : Isoline, flowers nearly white when they first open, but after- 

 wards turn to a delicate pink; Van Houtteii has the habit of Amabilis, but flowers 

 of the Rosea Deboisiana have buds of a dark crimson and very dark flowers, the 

 lower lobe of which is marked with a yellow band. The foliage is very robust, of a 

 fine dark green ; bush a fine erect habit, and is a profuse bloomer. There are also 

 several variegated leaved varieties ; one with greenish yellow leaves, another the 

 leaves of which are of a clear cream-white. Weigela Rosea is the popular variety, 

 and capable of great improvement over the same as generally cultivated. This 

 shrub is covered with a profusion of blossoms in June, pink changing to white. The 

 bloom is so profuse that the leaves are nearly all hid from view. The shrub is of 

 somewhat dwarf growth, growing about three feet in height, and may be trained to 

 form a very ornamental shrub, and one to give a very much more satisfactory show 

 than is too frequently the case. Procure a plant and train it to the tree form by 

 rubbing out all growth from the bottom, except one main stem, for eight or ten 

 inches ; head it in and allow the top to form bushy and thick, and our word for it, 

 you will be so much better satisfied with it, that you will hardly recognize it as the 

 same thing as when grown as a bush. The head is formed by successive pinching in, 

 after which the culture is no more difiicult than in the other way. 



The Japan Quince {Pyrus Japu7iica) is another shrub, flowering somewhat earlier 

 than the Weigela, well worthy of more general cultivation, as they oft'er us buds and 

 flowers to weave in bouquets when flowers are somewhat scarce. There are white, 

 red, double, and orange varieties, blossoming in early spring. The Japan Quince 

 gives us beauty in the shining gloss green of its foliage after its flowers are gone ; 

 and then for a while its fruit possesses an interest to the studious inclined. This 

 shrub is susceptible to the same improvement as to the Weigela, and by careful 

 training may be made an attractive ornament of the garden. — iV. E. Homesttad. 



Itootitin Citttinys of Carnntions, 



An amateur from Des Moines, Iowa, having complained of ill success in rooting 

 cuttings of carnations or pinks, though successful with fuchsias, geraniums, coleus, 

 and begonias, he is advised as follows by 7he Agriculturist : 



" The varieties he succeeds with we all find to root quicker than the carnation or 

 pink, but not more surely if the proper conditions be observed. These conditions 

 are, that the plant of carnation or pink from which the cuttings are taken must be in 

 a healthy growing condition. The temperature of the sand of the propagating bench 

 in which the cutting is inserted should range from sixty-five to seventy-five degrees, 

 and the atmosphere fifteen degrees less. The sand must always be kept moist, and 

 great care must be taken that neither sun nor draught of air strike the cuttings long 

 enough to wilt or shrivel them, for if once shrivelled nearly all hope of rooting them 

 is gone." 



The Jiest I'lmits for Huiiffiiiff littskets, 



A contributor to the London Garden says that plants with slender branches which 

 naturally hang down, are most suitable for hanging baskets. " Mother of 

 Thousands " — the " Wandering Jew " with its pretty marked leaves — the Lobelias, 

 and some of the trailing Campanulas or Bell flowers — the well-named " Rat-tailed 

 Cactus," and the so-called " Ice plant," are all more at home when suspended than 

 when grown in any other position, unless it may be when placed on brackets at each 

 side of the window, where they have a very charming appearance. The same writer 

 suggests that the suspended basket or flower-pot should be supported by a piece of 

 cord passed through a small pulley, by which means it will be easily lowered down 

 far the purpose of watering. 



