FLORICULTURE. 405 



Mermet, Bride, Papa Gontier, Madam Cuzin, American Beaut}^, 

 La France, Meteor, Bridesmaid and many more of merit. 



Carnations. — Next to the rose, the carnation is the most esteemed 

 by the flower-loving- public. There is no disputing the demand of 

 the people for this beautiful flower. It is easilj' forced to perfect its 

 flowers out of its natural season, and does best in a low tempera- 

 ture. The greatest difficulty in house culture is that the atmos- 

 phere is too dry and warm for it, and the result is that the little 

 joker, the red spider, gets in his work to perfection. 



According to our best known writers, the carnation has been cul- 

 tivated more than two thousand years, but it has been improved by 

 hybridization within the last fiftj' years, so that now our specialists 

 in carnation growing claim that the ideal is almost reached — 

 large flowers, that do not burst the calyx; long stem, with but one 

 flower; luxurious foliage, unrivalled in the wide variety of its rich 

 tints; exquisite fragrance; and. lastly, durability. So that in the 

 esteem of lovers of flowers, it is close beside the rose. 



Violets. — The demand for violet flowers during the winter season 

 in Minnesota is very small when compared with that of the Eastern 

 states; some growers there make it their exclusive business. It is 

 not always a success with ever3^ one attempting it. ' 



Some varieties are hardy in Minnesota, blooming in the spring, 

 requiring partial shade in the summer and a slight covering of 

 leaves in the fall. 



i-*r2/22roses.— These rank high as house or greenhouse plants. 

 They are of easj' culture, and are alwaj's grown in pots of a size to 

 correspond with the degree»of vigor of the plant. 



The double white is the most prolific of all, and the single flowers 

 run through all shades from deep carmine to w^hite. 



Bouvardias. — These are also grown in immense quantities, but 

 not so much as in days gone b}". Thej' are of easj' culture, and do 

 well in warm dwelling-houses, if the temperature at night is kept at 

 from 55 to 60 degrees. The flowers are borne in great profusion; the 

 foliage is a bright glossy green. Colors range from beautiful car- 

 mine to white, and flowers both double and single. 



Heliotrope. — Indispensible for bouquets and vases of flowers. 

 Their rich purple and lavender tints and exquisite perfume are 

 familiar to all. They bloom during the entire season, if not allowed 

 to become pot bound; the}^ require plentj' of water and a rich por- 

 ous soil. 



Begonias. — All the species are interesting, either as pot plants 

 or for bedding out. Begonias are of the simplest culture in any 

 rich soil, if given an abundant supply- of water. 



Some of them have large showy flowers, white; others of the rex 

 type are much admired for their beautiful foliage. 



Fuchsias. — There are but few varieties which bloom freely, and 

 two year old plants flower the best. They can be trained to any 

 desired form to make ornamental specimens, and can be procured 

 with single or double flowers, of which the double whites and deep 

 purples are very fine. 



The Calla Lily, so well known, is a native of the Cape of Good 

 Hope and easily culivated. 



