January 19, 1906 



HORTICULTURE 



59 



Parcels Post 



Horticulture has from time to time called atten- 

 tion to the abuses practiced by express companies. It 

 is apparent that no improvement can be looked for in 

 the present service unless heavy pressure is brought to 

 bear upon the companies, and one of the most formida- 

 ble weapons is the parcels post. Flourish this over an 

 express official's head and see how quickly he'll begin 

 to argue about the detrimental influences this would 

 have upon the country. 



A parcels post means the authorizing of the post 

 office department to carry packages up to a certain 

 weight — eleven pounds, for instance. So afraid are 

 the express companies that such a thing will come to 

 pass that they are doing all in their power to prevent 

 the passage of such an act. John Wanamaker was 

 asked when he was postmaster general why . we didn't 

 have a parcels post, and he answered, "There are four 

 inseparable reasons, the American Express Company, 

 the Adams Express Company, the National Express 

 Company, and the Wells Eargo Express Company." 



Nearly every other civilized country has a parcels 

 post and the successful operation of these is one reason 

 why we should have such a system. What the Swiss, 

 the Germans, the English, and even the Mexicans, can 

 do, we Americans can accomplish. The advantages of 

 a postal system are to be found in the saving in charges 

 and the greater convenience. 



From England an eleven pound package can be sent 

 to India for 73c. In Germany the same sized parcel 

 can be sent forty-six miles for 6c., or fifteen hundred 

 miles for 12c. These two illustrations are typical. And 

 when we learn that England's gross post office profits 

 was $25,000,000, after handling 120,000,000 parcels, 

 and that Germany benefitted to the extent of $13,000,- 

 000 after carrying 150.000,000 packages, we need not 

 worry about our government going into bankruptcy. 



In support of the statement that it would be more 

 convenient, I need only say that there are about 74,000 

 post offices against 30,000 express offices. In country 

 districts the benefit cannot be lightly estimated. 



To further the idea of a parcels post California has 

 formed a Postal Progress League which is doing a 

 great work in the disseminating of information and in 

 awakening the people to a realization of the benefits to 

 be derived from it. Great credit is especially due Mr. 

 Edward Berwick of Monterey. 



We cannot get a parcels post in a minute, but every- 

 one should make it a point to get his neighbor inter- 

 ested. By informing the representatives to Congress 

 and by a universal stirring up. something must eventu- 

 ally be gained. Either the express companies will be 

 brought to time or we shall gain a much needed de- 

 partment. 



The express companies don't want it of course. But 

 the question is who should profit — the vast majority of 

 the people or a handful of men who make a monopoly 

 out of a ncepsity? Let us unite on this question and 

 Democrats, Eepublicans, Socialists and all strive to 

 bring about this much needed reform. 



Dwarf-Growing Perennial Phlox 



The majority of the dwarf perennial phloxes are na- 

 tives of the mountains of our country. They are beau- 

 tiful in color and are easily cultivated, being especially 

 adapted to grow in rock-gardens and as edging plants. 

 Their multitude of flowers add a fresh glory to the 

 spring. The native phloxes are very nearly allied, so 

 that the same general cultural directions may suffice 

 for all. Well-drained soil and sunny exposure are es- 

 sential. Although hardy, the alternate freezing and 

 thawing in mild winters is harmful to them, and young 

 plants should be propagated yearly to fill up gaps in 

 the patches. As the plants do not seed abundantly they 

 have to be increased by cuttings. These may be taken 

 in summer when branches begin to harden and set in 

 sandy soil in frames, where they can be shaded from 

 strong sunshine. They root soon and will become good 

 jjlants the following season. With large patches, soil 

 of sandy nature may be worked in amongst the branches 

 and if this operation is done in the summer the creep- 

 ing branches form roots and may be planted where 

 needed. The plants can also be multiplied by division. 

 The following are the best for cultivation : 



Phlox amama, Sims. Will thrive in poor clayey soil 

 and is a pretty little phlox of spreading habit and rose- 

 colored flowers in late spring or early summer. 



P. bifida Beck. An elegant plant with pale purple 

 corolla. 



P. divaricata L. (Syn. P. canadensis). Its native 

 home is in moist copses and woods. It grows about 

 (.ne foot high, and is adorned with lilac-purple flowers 

 in summer. 



P. ovata L. (Syn. P. Carolina). With its dark green 

 foliage and nice showy flowers of a rosy shade, it is 

 espeeially adapted for moist borders. 



P. pilosa L. This species is 10-13 inches high. It 

 is a lovely plant, seldom seen in gardens, with umbel- 

 like clusters of'flesh or rose-colored flowers more than 

 1-2 inch in diameter, appearing from June to August. 



P. reptans Michx. In gardens best known under the 

 names of P. stolonifera and P. verna. This species ha& 

 deep pink-purple flowers and round obovate, often 

 smoothish leaves, and running habit. Very useful for 

 the rock garden. 



P. stellaria A. Gray. A nice rock-plant of graceful 

 appearance and white flowers in spring. 



P. subulata L. Variable in form and color. There 

 are not many more valuable plants for the flower gar- 

 den in spring than tliis rich flowering, evergreen and 

 mosslike species. It is dwarf and neat, forming ele- 

 u-ant cushions in borders or brilliant mats over rocks. 



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