370 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



care in their cultivation than most others, the most explicit directions from the 

 best authority are given, in order, if possible, to insure success. When out 

 of doors they delight to grow in a rich soil with a dry bottom, in rather an 

 elevated situation, with a southern aspect. After selecting the spot, dig there- 

 from soil to the depth of eighteen inches ; six inches of the bottom may be 

 filled with pieces of brick, stone, or lime-rubbish of any sort ; on this, place a 

 layer of compost at least fifteen inches deep, to allow for its settling. The com- 

 post may be made of half turf or good garden mould and half well-rotted 

 manure, with about an eighth of sand, all completely mixed together. A few 

 weeks after the bed is thus prepared, say about the first of May, the ro^es 

 may be planted about two feet apart. During the severity of winter thfey 

 should be protected by a temporary frame; if covered with glass, so much the 

 better. With this treatment they will bloom in perfection, and will never 

 receive the least injury from the severest seasons. The only pruning they 

 require is merely the removal of any old shoots to give room to tliose of younger 

 growth, or the shortening of those of extra length. Where there are only 

 solitary plants they will do very well covered with a box or ban-el to aliow the 

 moisture to evaporate. Those that are grafted or budded will not generally 

 stand the Avinters of our eastern and middle States, and should be lifted and 

 put in a back shed, except those destined for parlor companionship. 



One of the choicest varieties is the Magnolia rose ; it is of a yellowish 

 white, with pink centre, very large, always perfect, finely cupped, and delight- 

 fully fragrant. " If I were confined to cultivate only twelve roses," said a 

 celebrated florist, " this magnificent variety would be one of the number." 



Elisa Sauvage, canary yellow, fading to creamy white ; very large, very 

 double. 



Yellow Tea, pale straw color, cupped, petals very large, and, though only 

 semi-double, has not a rival of that color. It is a strong grower, but more 

 tender than any tea rose of its habits. A fine plant of this kind on a lady's 

 stand is a rather rare as well as an exquisitely beautiful ornament. 



The white musk-scented cluster rose is one of the oldest inhabitants of the 

 rose garden. It is supposed that this is the famous rose of the Persian poets. 

 Although there are several varieties, very few have the peculiar fragrance of 

 the old sort. 



There is a very beautiful plant, but seldom seen, which should have a place 

 in every collection. It is known as Maranta Zebrina ; is unique in appearance, 

 having large, elongated, ovate leaves, beautifully striped with green and dark 

 purple, and is called by some the Zebra plant. It has light blue flowers in 

 ovate spikes about the size of large pine cones. It is an herbaceous plant, but 

 even in the warmest part of a hot-house retains its splendid foliage. It requires 

 a very liberal supply of water. 



Of course the Calla is never wanting in a collection of house plants. The 

 Ethiopian is the most admired for the cool purity of its large white flowers. 

 When repotting, the roots, which are tubers, should be entirely divested of the 

 soil they have grown in, and have all the small offsets broken off; they should 

 be potted wholly in fresh earth. When growing they cannot get too much 

 water ; they will flourish in a pond and withstand our severest winters provided 

 the roots are kept at the bottom of the water. 



The Cyclamen are all desirable plants. There are eight species and six 

 varieties of this genus, which consists of humble plants with very beautiful 

 flowers. The bulbs are round, flattened, and solid, and are especially adapted 

 for rooms. C jmnctatum, leaves almost round, flowers light red, in bloom from 

 January to April ; Pcrsicum, with its four varieties, flower the same length of 

 time, color white, some mixed with purple; the ivy-leaved, color lilac, flowers 

 from September to December; Neapolitanum, flowers red, in bloom from July 

 t6 September. These are all desirable plants. When the foliage begins to 



