THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



609 



suitable for planting in the lar<;r greenhouse, as it quickly 

 grows an elegant shrub of gr.ucful habit. The flowers 

 are borne in great quantities nf short racemes, and are 

 of a pale yellow. The leaves are needle-like. 



Acacia riceana should be in every collection. For its 

 graceful habit, needle-like leaves and pale yellow flowers 

 it cannot be surpassed, while for a pillar plant it is ex- 

 cellent, and when grown as a bush it is good, but requires 

 a stalk. 



Another specie worth mentioning is Acacia pulchella, 



■«,." « 



■"^i-^ 



«^.,V .- 



SPECIMEN OF ACACIA B.\ILEYANA. 



var. grandis, for its small pinnate leaves and bright flow- 

 ers. It is verv fine. 



The economic uses of Acacias are chiefly for the pro- 

 duction of "gum," as "gum arabic" is obtained from 

 .Acacia Senegal. The gum exudes from the branches 

 and is collected, while in some districts the issue of gum 

 is facilitated by incisions of the branches. Acacia par- 

 resiana is also of economic value. It is a shoot, growing 

 in Australia and .Africa, but is cultivated in large quan- 

 tities in France for its flower, from which is obtained a 

 perfume known as Cassie. 



The general culture of .Acacias cannot be at all termed 

 as diflicult. The propagation in most cases is by cuttings, 

 sometimes by seeds as in the core of Acacia dealbata. 

 Cuttings should be taken an\- time after August. Sep- 

 tember being the best time, as the wood should then be 

 half ripe. A good rooting mixture to insert the cuttings 

 in is three parts of .sand to one of peat. This should be 

 made firm in well drained pots. These pots should he 

 placed in the propagating frame and kept fairlv close, 

 with the fair bottom heating to encourage root action. 



They should not \.c allowed to get dry at any time, and 

 water shoulil be given with the best judgment. Always 

 use water with the chill off; as soon as rooted remove 

 from frame and place on bench in propagating house 

 so as to allow more rt)ots to be made before potting. 



Acacias like a mi.xture of peat and loam and sand ac- 

 cording to the age of the plants. Firm potting should 

 always be done — soft growth is the result of loose pot- 

 ting, and soft growth means poor quality of flowers. 



Acacias delight to have a cool temperature and should 

 he always grown as cool as possible and plenty of air. 

 After flowering the plants should be cut back hard and 

 ihen placed in a slightly warmer house and sprayed reg- 

 ularly to encourage the hard wood to break. They also 

 like a cool bottom, therefore grow in asolid bench or on 

 the ground, give water only when the plant is dry, but 

 never allow the plant to dry out. 



The worst insect that attacks Acacias is the thrips, but 

 this can be easily removed by spraying with a solution 

 of nicotine. Mealy bug may make an appearance, but by 

 spraying with warm water these will also be removed. 



One word before closing, and that is to gardeners 

 Grow Acacias, as they repay b\- their usefulness during 

 a period when other pot plants are more or less out of 

 bloom, and stock does not have to be furnished each year, 

 as these will increase in size from year to year. 



S. R. Caxdler, Nahaiit, Mass. 



THE DAISY. 



\\ ith little here to do or see 



( )f tilings that in the great world be, 



Dais\l again I talk to thee. 



For thou art worthy, 

 Thou unassuming Commonplace 

 (M Nature, with that homely face. 

 And yet with something of a grace, 



\Miich Love makes for thee ! 



r.right Flower! for by that name at last. 



When all my reveries are past, 



I call thee, and to that cleave fast. 



Sweet silent creature ! 

 That breath'st with me in sun and air, 

 Do thou, as thou art wont, repair 

 !My heart with gladness, and a share 



Of thy meek nature ! 



r.right Fli.iwcr! wliose home is everxwherc. 



Bold in maternal Nature's care. 



And all the long year through the heir 



Of joy or sorrow : 

 Alethinks that there abides in thee 

 Some concord with humanity. 

 Given to no other flower I see ■' 



The forest tiirough I 



Is it that Man is soon deprest? 



.A thoughtless Tiling! who. once unblest. 



Does little on his memory rest. 



Or on his reason. 

 And Thou would'st leach him how to find 

 .A shelter under every wind, 

 .A hope for times that are unkind 



-And every season ? 



Thou wander'st the wide world about, 

 I'nciiecked by pride or scrupulous doubt. 

 With friends to greet thee, or without, 



A'et pleased and willing: 

 Meek, yielding to the occasion's call. 

 And all things sutTering from all 

 Tli\ function apostolical 



In peace fulfilling. — Guide to Xature. 



