STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 1T2 
grow vigorously, soon push out buds and repay for the care given. Without 
such treatment, old stocks having bloomed all summer are worthless, except to 
go in the cellar—to set out in the spring to ‘* contmue the business.”’ 
Fuchsias. These are my “ heart's delight.’’ Winter them*in the cellar ex- 
cept F’. speciosa which is often kept up because it will not go out of bloom. 
They require a very rich soil; from an old pasture is good; a little sand and 
ever so many rusty nails tucked in—the oxide of iron deepens the color of foli- 
age and flower: need manure water twice a week. HadaF. Speciosa in a pow- 
der keg last summer, with twenty branches in bloom at once—some with from 
fifty to sixty bells. Have ten sorts, all choice. Not a red spider shows itself. 
Once on some plants from a green house had a few; soon routed them by 
washing the leaves, both sides, with soap suds, and showermg with clear tepid 
water. Only improperly treated plants are infested with insects. 
A moist atmosphere is imperative for most plants; a pan of water should be 
constantly evaporating on the stove. Never see a stand of poor, struggling 
plants dying by inches for want of food—air, water and cleanliness—but I want 
to take hold and *‘ set them to rights.’’ Fresh air must be givenevery day, by 
opening a window—but the draught ought not to blow over the plants in cold 
weather. I used to take safely through the winter from sixty to seventy plants. 
Failing health admonished, and a dozen is all my strength is equal to. 
These are a few sure to bloom; if not should like to know the reason why: 
Abutilon, Boule de Niege. Best white, flowering profusely. 
Geraniums, pink, white and scarlet. Scented rose, nutmeg or apple for fra- 
grance. 
Linum flavum. Ought to brighten every collection. Blooms only in winter, 
from November to January. Shrubby stock, with smooth, shining leaves; 
from the axil of each is a short stem of from one to three erect, bright, lemon- 
colored flowers, large as a medium-sized morning glory, which they resemble in 
shape. 
Rose, Malmaison. Cuphea, Platycentra or Hyssopifolia. The first has 
small, tubuiar flowers; scarlet, with white tips, always blooming and so bonny 
jt ought to be called ‘‘Little Cheerful.’’ The latter, a beautiful new variety, 
has flowers bright lilac and very profuse. 
Merumbergia gracilus. Does well in either sun or shade; flowering well. 
F.. Speciosa. Flings out its bells at all seasons of the year. 
Mahernia odorata. This is a gem. Shrabby, woody stock; finely cut 
leaves; blooms only in winter, beginning in November when it is full of grace- 
ful lemon-colored bells, size of the lily of the valley, rather larger. It distills a 
sweet delicate fragrance. One plant perfumes a room, hence its common name 
‘*honey dew;"’ is capricious only in watering; must not get dry or have too 
much at once; if the latter, the leaves turn yellow and drop in a shower; needs 
repotting in the spring and constant pinching in through the summer to give 
a trim, compact shape. 
White jasmin, grandiflora. Nothing can be more lovely than the purely 
white, starry blossoms of this choice plant. The exquisite subtle fragrance 
seems not of earth, but a soft breath from the distant hills of Beulah! Blooms 
from August until January. Not exactly a vine but needs a trellis. 
For trailers, oralis rosea, with its profusion of delicate pink flowers, and 
lobelia gracilis with myriads of blue, white and purple flowers in endless 
shadings, ought to be enough to satisfy the most exacting flower lover. If one 
