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Vol. VI. 



82.00 A YEAR. 



24 Numbers. 



CHICAGO, FEBRUARY 15, 1898. 



Single Copy 

 10 Cents. 



No. 131. 



TRILLIUM GRANDIPLORUM. 



The Greenhouse. 



TRILLIUM GRANDIPLORUM. 



Growers of hardy plants are familiar 

 with this denizen of the woods in our 

 northern states. Wild or cultivated the 

 plant in the open does not bloom much 

 before the latter part of April, and in 

 backward seasons the period of flowering 

 is often retarded as late as the middle of 

 the following month. Come when they 

 may, however, the pure white blooms of 

 the large-flowered trillium or trinity 

 flower are always welcome. 



The accompaning picture shows what 

 may be expected of this plant in winter 

 and the early spring months under favor- 

 able conditions. To have plants in this 

 state while the snow still covers outdoor 

 vegetation, it is necessary to take up the 

 roots in autumn and plant them in pans 

 or boxes. Pans are better than boxes, 

 for the reason that the3' last longer, 

 and with propercarethe same plants may 

 be made to bloom ever year in advance of 

 1 heir regular time of flowering. A light 



but moderately rich soil should be used 

 in planting the roots. 



The pans or boxes may be stood out- 

 doors until hard frost sets in, when they 

 should be moved to a cold frame. If this 

 frame has a sunny exposure the plants will 

 bloom there fully a month in advance of 

 similar stock in the open ground, but in 

 order to have them in bloom still earlier 

 they must be placed in a cool greenhouse, 

 or in a frame heated to exclude frost. A 

 greenhouse in which a night temperature 

 of 4-0° is maintained will suit them very 

 well, and although the plants are found 

 wild in the woods, under greenhouse 

 treatment it will be best to expose them 

 fully to light and sunshine. 



With a greater amount of heat the 

 development of the flowers may be 

 hastened still more, but the plants are 

 generally so weakened in the process that 

 they do not bloom so well as those slowly 

 advanced, and the high pressure renders 

 them wholly worthless for any degree of 

 forcing, or even for outdoor culture, the 

 following season. The plants forced 

 moderately will bear the same treatment 

 with good results for several years if they 



are properly taken care of as to watering 

 and the renewal of soil during the inter- 

 vening seasons of rest. 



PLANT NOTES. 



Asclepias curassavica. — Like our 

 native A. tuberosa in the brilliancy of 

 its orange scarlet flowers, this tropical 

 herbaceous species from Central America 

 strongly resembles its relative also in the 

 form of the flower clusters. But it is a 

 somewhat difficult plant to grow satis- 

 factorily. It is best to start with spring 

 struck cuttings, growing the plants to 

 single stems in 6-iueh pots. Older plants 

 are difficult to get into shape, and often 

 lose their leaves. It is seldom they do 

 well planted out. I never could under- 

 stand why they always appear to stand 

 still. I have an idea they like plenty of 

 moisture during the growing season, and 

 intend trying them where they can be 

 well watered. 



Coreopsis. — I have grown C. Drum- 

 mondi many years for winter flowers, 

 starting the seeds in August, C.coronata, 



