46 



THE AQUARIUM, APRIL, 1893. 



TROPvEOLUMS OR NASTUR- 

 TIUMS. 



Having sent a large order to a well 

 known florist, I received a few extra 

 packets of seed, among them one 

 labeled Tropseolum, Mixed. 



It was a new name to me, and as 

 there were no directions for culture, I 

 planted the seeds in the open border, 

 and awaited developments. I was sur- 

 prised and rather disappointed, when I 

 discovered from the leaves of the little 

 seedlings, that they were Nasturtiums. 

 But disappointment soon changed to 

 admiration, when I realized the won- 

 ders contained in that one package of 

 seeds. 



It certainly was " mixed," for there 

 seemed to be no two alike, and I 

 thought I could discover a plant to rep- 

 resent all the numerous varieties, de- 

 scribed in the many catalogues consult- 

 ed. After learning their possibilities 

 then, several years ago, I have never 

 wanted to be without them since. 



A pot of Nasturtiums for the window 

 garden is a joy all through the winter; 

 but why be without them at any time ? 

 There are very few plants so easily 

 grown and satisfactory, and one pack- 

 age of seed, judiciously planted, will 

 give quantities of blossoms throughout 

 the year. 



This is my plan— a large packet of 

 mixed varieties is purchased in the 

 spring, and half of the seed planted 

 outside. They will soon begin to bloom, 

 and will produce quantities of blossoms 

 all summer, until killed by the frosts. 

 Do I eat these blossoms as salad ? No! 

 I do not! I think, like another con- 

 tributor, "I should feel like a cannibal;" 

 although many recommend them for 

 use in this way; and a writer, in a well- 

 known Floral magazine, says: " They 



make the handsomest and most delicate 

 salad in the world." Don't send us 

 the recipe, we don't want it. All the 

 beautiful blossoms which can be spared 

 will be sent to brighten some home 

 where flowers are scarce. 



But late in the fall you will find 

 many green seed pods, even if the blos- 

 soms have been picked before fading, 

 many down back of the leaves, will 

 form seeds before you notice them and 

 just before the, frost, the last blossoms 

 may be allowed "to go to seed;" and 

 you will be surprised to find what a 

 quantity of these pods may be gathered 

 from a few feet of trellis, which has 

 been covered with the vines all summer. 

 These are excellent when pickled; and 

 it does not seem so barbarous to eat the 

 commonplace pickles as the beautiful 

 flowers. 



About the middle of summer a few 

 seeds, from the half packet, are planted 

 in a pot and sunk in the open border, 

 and the vines trained on a fancy trellis 

 fastened securely in the pot. This will 

 be entirely covered with the beautiful 

 foliage, and many blossoms will begin 

 to appear, when it is time to take it 

 in the house. 



Another pot full is started at this 

 time, and trained up the sides of the 

 window or conservatory. 



A few seeds may be started in a pot 

 of good garden soil at any time, and as 

 they will begin to bloom about nine or 

 ten weeks from the time of planting, 

 you may plan to have a large pot of the 

 blooming beauties, ready to present to 

 an invalid, or friend, whenever you 

 wish, during the winter. 



A gallon paint can, set out of sight 

 in an ornamental vase, in a corner of 

 the conservatory, contained several 

 varieties last winter; among them. Em- 

 press of India, with its beautiful, dark, 



