FLORICULTURE. 343 
FLORICULTURE. 
REPORT ON GREENHOUSE FLOWERING PLANTS. 
AUG. S. SWANSON, ST. PAUL. 
In the first place, I cannot but dwell somewhat upon the great improve- 
ment made every year in such flowering plants as roses, carnations, 
chrysanthemums and begonias; and their mode of growing, in which there 
are annually improvements being made, as we learn more and moreabout 
them. In roses we have among the ever-blooming class several new 
varieties designated as teas and tea hybrids, the last two or three years re- 
ceived, and the last season they have been quite extensively grown, so we 
can now with some knowledge claim they are an improvement upon 
older existing varieties. First among these of recent introduction 
is Duchess of Albany, a sport of La France, but with much deeper 
color and more substantial flower, and hardier and more vigorous 
constitution, which makes it give us better results, in the short wintry 
days, with so little sun. It is, according to reports, even more florifer- 
ous and a better paying rose than La France. The Waban isa sport from 
Mermet, which it resembles in everything, the same as Duchess of Albany 
resembles La France. It has a deeper, better color in dark weather ; 
also is claimed to be a more vigorous grower. There is no doubt 
but in somerespects it is a good improvement over the parent plant, 
the Mermet. Mme. Hoste isa comparatively new rose, not grown to any 
great extent till the last season. Its most remarkable characteristics are 
enormously prolific blooming even as young plants,very pretty shaped buds, 
and blossoms of great substance. It is the best keeping rose I am ac- 
quainted with, whether left on the plants or cut. It is of a very light 
creamy yellow color. The flowers when well grown will compare favor- 
ably with any tea rose; and for a fact, will produce flowers the size of large 
Marechal! Neils. Clotilde Soupert is anew introduction of the small rosa 
multiflora. It is a great improvement over older existing varieties in 
size of flowers as well as general character. Jt is larger and more robust 
growing than most of its progenitors, and a rose in every way well worthy 
of a place among the roses in greenhouses for winter flowering, and I have 
no doubt brut it will make a capital bedder out of doors. 
Among carnations.the improvement goes steadily forward, many new 
varieties having been introduced the last year, ail claimed to be great 
improvements over existing older varieties, and in a few years we hope to 
see the ideal carnation brought forward, with its flowers four inches across 
and on long, stiff stems with elegant foliage, well up in the flower’s sweet 
perfume, and a free and continuous bloomer, never bursting the calyx. 
There are so many new ones, that I will not attempt to enumerate any of 
