580 



GARDENERS- CHRONICLE 



A Sf^cciiiifii Plant of Herbaceous Calceolaria 



HERBACEOUS CALCEOLARIA 

 WILLIAM REOCH 



THIS Calceolaria deserves iiKjre attention than it re- 

 ceives, and as a pot plant, either for exhibition or 

 conservatory purposes, no other Spring flcnvering 

 plant is nicjre admired. 



Ma\ 



For large specimens, sow the seed in 

 May ; transplant the seedlings carefully 

 into flats and keep them in a shady corner 

 of the greenhouse. Use a very open 

 compost when potting. Leaf mold, turfy 

 sod well broken up. old cow manure, 

 sharp sand, and some fern root which 

 the calceolarias like, make a good com- 

 port. 



The plants will wilt a little during the 

 hot months even though shaded. This 

 wilting hardens the plants and side 

 growths soon appear, and then, the bushy 

 habit is accomjilished. In the final shift, 

 pot firmly, keeping the plants as near the 

 glass as possible and in a position where 

 they can get air, but are away from cold 

 draughts. The final shift could be made 

 before Xovember 15. Winter the plants 

 in a cool house, though I have found 

 the carnation temperature quite suitable. 

 ( )lder growers recommend a more cool 

 treatment, but if the greenliouse is kept 

 moist, a higher temperature does no 

 harm. As flower stems appear, en- 

 courage them with liquid manure. 

 The flowering season is usually the 

 but this year our plants were in flower 



n:cinth of 

 in .April. 



Tile specimen illustrated is three and. a half feet 

 thrcjugh. and 1 ha\e no doubt that much larger plants 

 than this could be grown within the time specified 

 above. 



May Birds 



PAUL B. RIIS 



WH.\T splendid opportunities are given us this 

 month to judge comparative values in bird song. 

 The mating instinct is giving fullest expression 

 in varied song and chorus to those which remain with 

 us to build. Yet in the fulness of melody one regrets 

 missing the elusive strains of many incomparable song- 

 sters, attaining their highest perfection of song in the 

 solitude of the northwood, the lakes and barren regions 

 beyond. Their wild lyric music is rendered to the 

 rhythm of lapping waters and the swaying of fragrant 

 balsams, giving voice to the spirit of the wilderness. To 

 hear them for a fleeting moment appears like trespass 

 into a sanctuary. Priceless are the memories of the wild 

 grandeur of frowning motmtain range, solemn and in- 

 accessible with the dense growth of balsam and spruce, 

 the countless lakes and woodland streams articulated by 

 precious notes of hermit thrush, winter wren or ruby- 

 crowned kinglet. The kinglet, friendly to the point of 

 recklessness, its postnnjjtial song a rollicking roundelay, 

 in its transient stay here is potn-ing out its joy of life 

 w'ith an assurance and fineness commanding instant at- 

 tention. The jubilant notes are sweet with refreshing- 

 fragrance of balsam and spruce fully attuned for the 

 silence of vast forests. The white-throated sparrow, 

 attaining the sweet fulness of its refrain in the meadow 

 lands of its northern breeding grounds, is a more lavish 

 performer than other transients. The white-crowned 

 and Lincoln sparrows both possess fine voices, but are 

 seldom heard here. Once only were we permitted to 

 listen to the exquisite strain of the hermit thrush in this 

 latitude and yet the sweet modulation lacked the mellow- 

 ing woodland canopy of towering hemlock and maple. 



There are still others worthy of more than passing 

 interest, arrivals of early May, the scarlet tanager with 

 his cheery carol, the rose-breasted grosbeak — the clear- 

 voiced songster of woodland and door-3'ard. The cat- 

 bird, the charming entertainer, also an early arrival of 

 the month, is closely followed by the aristocratic wood- 

 thru.sh. a performer of the highest order. Its clear, 

 flute-like notes lend an indescribable charm to the billowy 

 depth of any woodland. The warbler's too, passing 

 through in great numbers, are indulging in fitful snatches 

 of merry song, but attract our attention far more on 

 account of their exquisite coloring. The orioles also 

 hel]) to swell the chorus, but the migration reaches its 

 zenith when the note of the bobolink gladdens the vernal 

 meadows. Its irrepressible, jubilant song, borne across 

 the radiant grass lands, mock the toil of long journeys 

 from distant lands. 



The appended list is taken from the author's observa- 

 tions during May. In making due allowance for differ- 

 ence in latitude and season, it will be found a compara- 

 tively safe guide to the movements of the birds. 

 May'l 



Ma 



Chimney Swift 



Palm \Vart)ler 



Black and White Warbler 



Louisiana Water Thrush 



Lincoln Sparrow 



Lecomte Sparrow 



Whip-poor-will. 



Haltiniorc Oriole 

 0.<;prcy 

 Ruddy Duck 



(Continued on pat^c 588) 



Le.sser Scaup Duck 

 B!ue-win.a:ed Teal 

 Yellow-leg 



May 3 



Oven Bird 

 May 4 



Wilson Warbler 



Yellow-throated Vireo 



liluehcadcd Vireo 



Pine Warbler 



Orange-crowned Warbler 



