September 14, 1918 



HORTICULTURE 



The genus Aconitum is a larpje one consisting of many 

 species and varieties all of whith are hardy herbaceous 

 perennials with a tuberous or t'brous root system. The 

 large majority are natives of Europe but the genus is 

 represented in North America, the Himalayas, Japan 

 and China, and though the spciles from the last named 

 country are few in number they are of much value hor- 

 ticulturally and more may be expected in the future 

 from this land of plant wonders.. At the present time 

 only a few species and varieties are cultivated and these 

 by no means as largely as they deserve, for, apart from 

 the taller growing Delphiniums, no hardy plants produce 

 such fine masses of rich color or have such stately 

 growth, and from the end of J uly until the fall no phuits 

 are more attractive in the flower border. In many 

 perennial borders, excepting those where annuals are 

 used, there is often a duU season when the majority of 

 summer floral beauties are a memory and it is too early 

 for the late-flowering phloxes and other glories of the 

 autumn. It is during this interval that the aconites are 

 at their best with the exception of A. Wilsonii and A. 

 autumnale (Fischerii) which two flower in October un- 

 der normal conditions but when the season is a late one, 

 such as 1917, A. autumnale is very handsome in Novem- 

 ber. 



Aconitum napellus, which grows from five to six feet 

 in height and has deep blue flowers, opens about July 

 25th in company with its white variety albus and albo- 

 roseus which has white flowers with flesh colored edges. 

 The two latter are effective in groups and so is A. 

 napellus carneum with more decided pink markings but 

 they are not so effective or so strong in growth as those 

 with blue flowers. A. napellus bicolor and the remain- 

 ing varieties of napellus mentioned here commence to 

 flower about the fifth -of August. The variety bicolor, 

 with blue and white flowers, is estremely attractive 

 and would merit u place in a list of the twelve best 

 herbaceous plants. Another variety, variegatus, is also 

 blue and white and though tlie colors are less well de- 

 fined it makes an effective group. Meilichoferi is a 

 noble plant growing seven feet tall with deep blue 

 flowers. Uncinatum, dark blue, is also good. Perhaps 

 the most effective and certainly the most popular of the 

 blue flowered sorts is A. acutum which I believe is the 

 same as Spark's -.ariety. This grows about six feet 

 high and is remarkable for the great number of side 



branches. When planted in a mass it is singularly 

 handsome. Other desirable sorts are, uncinatum, 

 Willdenovii, cammarura, inunctum and Stoerkianum, 

 all of which commence to flower about Aug. 5th. The 

 flowers vary in color from pale to deep blue and the 

 habit of each makes it separate and distinct. An un- 

 common but singularly handsome species is A. volubile 

 wliich, in good soil, grows fully seven feet high. The 

 numerous side branches are produced from the base of 

 the main stem foiming a pyramid of bloom. 



A. Wilsonii, discovered by E. H. Wilson in China, is 

 a noble plant of giant stature. It has produced flower 

 stems here over ten feet in heiglit atid the great num- 

 ber of large blue flowers which open about Sept. 10 

 make it a conspicuous plant through the autumn. A. 

 chinense is useful for its lateness being generally at its 

 best the last of September. A. autumnale, often known 

 as A. Fischerii, is a very striking plant, the last of the 

 aconites to bloom. When grown in a sunny position it 

 is about three feet tall with large, very glossy foliage 

 and broad compact heads of intense blue flowers. For 

 producing a splendid color effect there are few hardy 

 plants of greater beauty, and in every respect this is 

 one of, our best perennials. The only species men- 

 tioned in these notes but not growing in the collection 

 here is A. Vilmorinianum, of Chinese origin. Its 

 climbing character makes it a very interesting plant 

 and the pale blue flowers are very pretty. I have seen 

 it growing and have no doubt it woiild prove quite 

 hardy. 



All the monkshoods succeed in almost any good 

 garden soil but ami)ly repay one if liberal treatment be 

 accorded them. When preparing the ground for plant- 

 ing it is advisable to dig deeply and incorporate plenty 

 of well decayed manure, for by so doing the plants will 

 continue for several years in a vigorous condition with- 

 out the necessity of replanting. While eminently 

 suited for the herbaceous border they are also of much 

 value for half shaded situations such as the woodland 

 or semi-wild garden and if undisturbed are soon able 

 to naturalize them?elves. 



Mt. Desert, Me. 



Important to All Florists Throughout the United States 



of America 



statements have gone abroad that 

 an order was issued from General 

 Crowder's office at Washington, D. C, 

 placing the florist business on the 

 non-essential list, and that florists 

 must seek other occupations. This 

 I have never believed and do not be- 

 lieve it now but the fact that these 

 statements have gone out and suc- 



ceeded in disorganizing help to a very 

 large degree in the florist business. 



In view of the above statements 

 which have come to me from various 

 parts of the United States, I called on 

 General Crowder at three o'clock on 

 Friday afternoon. September the sixth, 

 and he personally assured me that the 

 florists had not been classed as non- 



essential nor was there any idea of 

 doing so. 



This statement coming direct from 

 General Crowder should in a measure 

 alleviate the discontent among the 

 florists, especially the heads of de- 

 partments. 



Wm. F. Gude, 

 Washington Representative S. A. F. 

 & O. H. 



