'897- 



GARDENING. 



203 



delineated that the merest novice can 

 understand them. 



The Wm. H. Moon Co., Morrisville, 

 Pa., as well as Samuel C. Moon, of the 

 same place, and others follow the same 

 rule. 



When we come to consider perennials, 

 the catalogue of Mr. Jacob W. Manning, 

 Reading, Mass., is an encyclopedia of all 

 that succeed in our climate. Not only are 

 full instructions given regarding the prep- 

 aration of the beds, either on the level or 

 rockery, but with each species is given 

 the height, time of flowering, and any 

 peculiarities of culture, if necessary. The 

 common and botanical name are also 

 given. The introduction of half-tone re- 

 productions of actual specimens is a wel- 

 come innovation, and a valuable addition 

 to all up to date catalogues. 



In France experiments have been made 

 in planting cannas in baskets filled with 

 soil, and the basket then placed in vessels 

 of much larger size to a depth that the 

 rim and the soil is barely submerged. 

 The roots pass through the basket. This 

 method is said to produce very luxuriant 

 foliage and an abundance of flowers. 



The Greenhouse. 



ft SMALL GREENHOUSE. 



A rough sketch for a small greenhouse 

 is referred to me for opinion and com- 

 ment. It is designed for summer use. 

 Without discussing at any length the 

 plan proposed by "Subscriber," from 

 Lindsay, Ontario, would say that I do 

 not approve of the plan. It is too com- 

 plicated, and on another plan can be 

 built to cost less and be more serviceable. 

 Our friend at Lindsay will say: "If you 

 condemn my plan you must suggest 

 something better." I am willing to do 

 that and trust it will meet with approval. 



First, lor summer use a house whose 

 ridge runs north and south is much better 

 than one running east and west. If the 

 house were used in winter for forcing 

 flowers I would say different, but for 

 summer use by all means let the house 

 face east and west and its length run 

 north and south. 



Seven feet is a most awkward size and 

 expensive to build for the bench room you 

 get. If it must be small let the width be 

 10 feet from outside to outside of posts. 

 This will give you a path of 2 feet 6 inches 

 and two benches of 3 ft. 3 inches on each 

 side, or you can make the path only 2 ft. 

 wide, which will add to the benches. 

 Four feet six inches is a good height for 

 post above ground and let the roof be 

 equal span. There is nothing like plenty 

 of ventilation, and 2 feet deep from the 

 ridge and at least one-half of the length 

 of house, should be ventilation. If the 

 prevailing winds are from the west then 

 put your ventilation all on the east side 

 and you will find that is sufficient. 

 Shelves can be placed on brackets on the 

 posts near where the roof springs. Any 

 further points will be cheerfully supplied. 

 Wm. Scott. 



GREENHOUSE NOTES. 



The busy season of the year is with us 

 again and there is much to do. If the 

 annuals for the decoration of the flower- 

 garden have not been sown they should 

 be seen to at once. We put our first sow- 

 ing in on the 1st of March, and another 

 will be put in about the 1st of May for a 



succession. They take up a lot of room 

 in the greenhouse but if plenty of cold- 

 frames are handy a great many plants 

 such as violets, geraniums, carnations, 

 ageratums, etc. can now be put in them; 

 but it is well to have plenty of covering 

 handy so as to take no risks on cold 

 nights. After the annuals are once trans- 

 planted and get a little start, they also 

 can be put out in the frames and the 

 plants will be hardier for the change. 



Cannas can now be started in pots or, 

 boxes. Some prefer to plant out the dry 

 roots, but our summers are so short that 

 it pays to give them a start, as in this 

 way you can have the effect at once. 



Gloxinias, tuberous begonias and achim- 

 enes can now be potted up. We like to 

 start them early so as to have flowers 

 from May on. The seedlings of this 

 spring will flower in late summer and in 

 this way a show of flowers is to be had 

 in the greenhouse as well as in the garden. 



English melons can now be sown, to be 

 grown for an early crop in the green- 

 house They are very easily grown and 

 quite interesting. The same may be said 

 of the English cucumbers. 



Mahwah, N.J. David Fraser. 



VIOLflODORATfl. 



"How shall I treat seeds of Viola odor- 

 ata to get them to grow?" There is no 

 particular difficulty in raising plants of 

 the above if you have good seed. The 

 pansy ( V. tricolor) is one of the easiest of 

 seeds to raise. I would not advise trying 

 to save seed of the violet before end of 

 March or early April, for in a low tem- 

 perature they may not be fertilized, but 

 when plenty of ventilation is on thev 

 would be sure to be. 



Sow thinly in a flat and cover the seed 

 only enough to hide it from sight. When 

 two leaves are formed transplant into a 

 frame or box, four inches between plants, 

 where you can cover with shading during 

 the hottest hours of the day. By Sep- 

 tember you will have seen most of them 

 flower and know whether yon have pro- 

 duced an advance on existing kinds or by 

 the ever recurring law of reversion thev 

 have gone back to their first ancestors. 

 Wm. Scott. 



FILOGEREUS SENILIS. 



From "C. F." comes the inquiry: "I 

 have an ill-shaped Pilocereus senilis. 

 Please tell me if I can propagate it to 

 secure better shaped plants and how?" 

 The Pilocereus senilis is a long growing 

 cactus, and although grotesque in ap- 

 pearance is hardh r worth growing except 

 as a curiosity. A good authority says, 

 "It seldom or never flowers in cultiva- 

 tion." To produce a better shaped plant 

 cut it off within a foot of the pot or tub 

 it is growing in and it will most likely 

 send out lateral shoots. Keep dry till it 

 shows signs of breaking. Wm. Scott. 



GREENHOUSES IN TEXAS. 



In the March 1st issue of Gardening J. 

 N. S. asks for advice in carrying plants 

 through the summerinourtryingclimate. 

 This is one of our most serious obstacles 

 in the way of successful floriculture. With 

 the thermometer ranging from 95° to 105° 

 in the shade and a hot dry wind withering 

 all tender vegetation, one must have lots 

 of patience, vigilance and a thorough love 

 for flowers to keep them in a growing 

 healthy condition. 



If in a conservatory potted plants 

 should be plunged, nearly to the top, in 

 sand, soil or Spanish moss or something 

 [CONTINUED page 204.] 



//Fine 

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THE JEWELL NURSERY CO., 

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Blooms fromjuly till frost. 4 



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(olor Snowy White, tinted with Rot 



Price 25 cts. Per Packet. ^ 



and to each purchaser will be sent 



A hansom* b«l< of l& !>a9<s,wjtl> \ 

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HENRYA.DREER.^ 



714 CHESTNUT ST. 



PWILADELfrHA. 



PLEASE 



MENTION 



GARDENING 



WHEN 



WRITING 



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ADVERTISERS. 



