328 ANNUAL EEPOET 



yellow, orange, and scarlet. 'No blue has yet been obtained, al- 

 though efforts have been made to produce it. But Nature seems 

 to be invincible to the rule, that there shall be in nature no 

 single family of plants in which blue, yellow and scarlet in va- 

 rieties of the same species shall be produced. In many varie- 

 ties of plants we find two of these different colors, but in none 

 are all these found. Dahlias are easily raised, but they require 

 a deep, rich soil, and theside shoots should be vigorously pruned, 

 so as to throw the strength of the plant into the main stock. 



There are two other flowers of which I wish to say but a brief 

 word; and these are roots and not bulbs, but they are rare gar- 

 den ornaments, and are entirely hardy. I refer to the clematis 

 Jackmanii and the hollyhock. The hollyhock has been mar- 

 velously improved of late. The old single varieties, which many 

 of us associate with our early homes, are striking and attractive, 

 but the new varieties, as double as a dahlia and of a variety of 

 shades, are an ornament to any home. I had a row of the double 

 varieties last year which attracted so much attention as to al- 

 most cultivate vanity. Passers by would stop and gaze at them, 

 and many would ask to come and look at them, and beg a blos- 

 som. They require but little attention, and will send up their 

 tall stalks higher than the tallest man, and for home and church 

 decoration, when brilliancy is wanted, will compare with the 

 gladiolus. The Japanese single varieties, with the odd mark- 

 ings, are also easily raised and are very striking. 



There are other summer flowering bulbs and roots of which 

 I would speak if time permitted, but those which I have men- 

 tioned are all practicable for the amateur to raise, and amply re- 

 pay the little attention which they require. 



K'ow, in closing, let me add one single suggestion. Although 

 there may be some little outlay in the original cost of bulbs, yet, 

 after all, bulbs are in the end among the cheapest of nature's gifts. 

 They will live from year to year, producing their own kind, and 

 one outlay covers the entire cost; while many annuals have to 

 be raised or bought new each year, and the outlay has to be made 

 over again each season. Let me ask each of you, who care for 

 flowers, to plant in the coming season, at least a few gladioli, 

 tuberous rooted begonias and hollyhock, and I believe that none 

 of your plants will give you as much enjoyment as these bulbs 

 and roots. 



The paper of Mr. Carleton was greeted with applause, and on 

 motion of Mr. Terry he was tendered a vote of thanks. 



