Preserving Grasses, I^erns and JP'loiP'ei's. 333 



Dahliait. 



The dahlia is a somewhat bushy and free growing plant, and will not bear crowd- 

 ing to such an extent as the gladiolus. There are two acres of this plant now under 

 cultivation. The plot contains fifteen hundred plants, and when in bloom, forms a 

 beautiful sight. This dahlia plantation contains a great variety of flowers, some of 

 which are very rare. 



The Va'onfi. 



One acre is devoted exclusively to the cultivation of this showy plant. The 

 pseony, although old-fashioned, is yet a favorite garden and lawn flower, and it is 

 considered a staple nursery plant. 



Jtosi's. 



It is the popular belief that there are several hundred varieties of the rose family, 

 and this is in a measure true ; but of this large number there are not over ten or 

 twelve sorts prized in the greenhouses. In private gardens it is the ambition of 

 some owners to cultivate all the varieties, and to produce as many new sorts as 

 possible ; but for market and decoration purposes the number given above embraces 

 all that are really valuable. Of the white or straw colored roses there are only two 

 kinds which are really valuable — they are the " Safrano " and " Marschal Niel," we 

 believe. The first named is the favorite. Five thousand plants comprise the stock 

 of roses in this nursery, but the number for winter flowering will be propagated 

 almost indefinitely. 



JMiscellaiieoiis IHunts, 



Among other herbaceous plants in flower at present there are twelve thousand carna- 

 tions ; thousands of the tigridia, a gorgeous member of the lily family ; a half acre 

 of white double balsams ; and geraniums, verbenas, callas, violets, pansies and other 

 varieties too numerous to mention. 



Suinmer Jf'loivers. 



During the season of outdoor flowering the demand from the city is unceasing, 

 and the small dealers, as well as the large, visit or send to the out-of-town gardens 

 daily for their supplies. Just now, probably, the largest trade in cheap flowers is 

 done at the ferries, at the hotels, and even in the streets. At the Astor House steps 

 the flower stand at early evening is thronged with customers, and although the stock 

 of cut flowers appears to be small, it yet holds out until a late hour. At the ferries 

 the sales are very large, and there are few people crossing who are too poor to pur- 

 chase a bouquet for the adornment of their homes." 



[TO BE CONTINUED.] 



Preserving G-rasses, Ferns and Flowers. 



17VEN The Horticulturist has its artistic fancies, and it is a pleasure to turn 

 ^ away from the consideration of such practical things as the garden, vineyard, 

 and orchard, and bestow a little time and taste upon the window ornamentation. 

 Our native ferns, grasses, nuts, etc., always aff'ord scope for an infinite variety of 

 arrangements in preparation for artistic home ornaments. The E?iglisk Farmer, in 

 speaking of grasses, says : " They should be gathered in July if we desire them to 

 retain their bright hues without the aid of art. Gathered, then tied up in large 

 bunches, and hung away in a dark closet, they come forth at our bidding fresh and 

 green as when picked." 



