280 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



season. There are few plants producing flowers suitable for bouquets 

 or table decorations that are not equally desirable for lawn effect. 

 Therefore, other things being equal, I have chosen those that would 

 also be acceptable as cut flowers. 



In regard to the periods of blossoming, no exact date can be given, 

 as there is more or less variation, according to the season. Relatively 

 it is possible to speak more definite as a cause that will produce a var- 

 iation in one is very likely to produce a similar change in another. 



With very few exceptions, the plants may be fouad growing at the 

 Missouri Botanical Garden, where I have watched their habits to a 

 considerable extent during the past summer, and a result of these ob- 

 servations is here given. 



One of the first shrubs to put forth its beautiful array in early 

 spring is the Golden Bell (Forsythia verdissimaj, which, in early April, 

 long before the appearance of leaves, produces myriads of deep yel- 

 low bell-like flowers along the whole length of the stem. It is a very 

 bushy shrub and a rapid grower, frequently making shoots three to 

 four feet long in a single season, and when full grown is five or six feet 

 high. The flowers are not valuable for cutting, but as they are the 

 best at this season of the year, the plant merits a place. 



From our common lilac (Springa vulgaris) many valuable varieties 

 have been produced, a few of them, however, are so near alike that it 

 is quite difficult to distinguish one from the other. At least two should 

 have a place in every collection. The one catalogued as flore plena is 

 a typical representative of the double purple sorts and the White 

 Persian cannot be too highly commended for one of its color. The 

 flowers appear the last of April or about the time the Golden Bell 

 ceases blooming. The varieties are much more beautiful than the com- 

 mon species and are very fragrant and valuable for cut flowers. 



The Corchorus (Kerria JaponicaJ is not, I believe, universally 

 planted throughout the State, and yet it is one worthy of a high recom- 

 mendation. At the Missouri Botan'cal Garden this year it began to 

 bloom April 23 and lasted until May 25. Again, about July 20, it be- 

 gan a second period, but with fewer blossoms, which lasted until after 

 the first few frosts. There are three varieties, the single-flowered, 

 double-flowered, and a single-flowered one with variegated foliage. 

 For our purpose the double one is preferable, as it is the best for 

 cutting. The flowers are yellow globular and from one to two inches 

 in diameter. The plant has many slender, graceful branches, and at- 

 tains a height of about five feet. 



The Snowball fuihurnum opulis sterilisj is too well and favorably 

 known to need any description. 



