THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



berica Alba and Siberica Coerulea are 

 conspicuous, the latter sort is several 

 days later, more dwarf and a particu- 

 larly fine deep purple color. Pumila 

 is a very dwarf species with light 

 purple flowers, in appearance it is a 



dwarf counterpart of the Germanica 

 varieties There is a pure white variety, 

 of this species which we are adding to 

 the collection. 



Webster Bros. 

 Hamilton. 



THE ASPHODEL. 



THERE is no lovelier flower for the 

 cemetery than this overshadowing 

 canopy of twinkling blossoms, fit 

 type of the soul's resurrection ; 

 covered with its dead flowers, its blos- 

 soms and buds, typical of the past, the 

 present and the future. Up the moun- 

 tains where the Greek buried their dead, 

 they desired to think the sleepers would 

 wake in fields Elysian. The fair mea- 

 dows where the ever blooming Aspho- 

 del, or wrongly termed Daffodil, forever 

 bloomed. Let us plant our church- 

 yards with some at least of this hallowed 

 flower, and keep the corruption of the 

 name out of them, it no doubt being 

 derived from Fleur d' Asphodel. 



The world is slowly beginning to com- 

 prehend that the death of this natural 

 body is the quick gate-way into eternal 

 freedom, and cessation from life's hos- 

 tilities and strife. And we look forward 

 to the day when the places we estabhsh 

 to commemorate our affliction will be- 

 come a living picture, known and read 

 by all mankind. When Cremation aids 

 us to thoroughly purify the earth. Ceme- 

 teries will be called Memorial Parks, 

 and be no longer breeding places of 

 disease and melancholy. The flowers 

 ind shrubs we plant now are our salva- 

 tion from pestilence, particularly in 

 cities. 



M. A. HosKiN. 



PREPARING VIOLETS FOR WINTER BLOOMING. 



To grow violets for winter blooming 

 it is by far best to plant them where 

 they are to remain. The frames may be 

 placed about them later. Pick off" every 

 bud that forms, and remove the run- 

 ners, and do not force them by giving 

 fertilizers. The ground in which they 

 are planted should be light and mellow 

 and only ordinarily rich. What is 

 wanted is a sturdy, healthy growth 

 rather than a luxuriant one. Shower 

 the plants frequently to keep down the 

 red spider, unless they are where they 

 will get the benefit of the dews and 

 rains. Put the frames about them in 

 October, but do not cover the plants 



until cold weather comes. At that time 

 it may be well to fertilize the soil some- 

 what. Bank up well about the frames, 

 and provide a sash to cover them that 

 fits snugly. On every pleasant day after 

 the weather becomes cold lift the sash 

 a little to admit air. If it is intended to 

 grow them in the greenhouse, where 

 there are no beds to plant them out in, 

 keep them in seven-inch pots. Clip the 

 runners off" frequently, and do not allow 

 them to bloom until winter comes. 

 Violets are not satisfactory for culture 

 in the window of the living-room. — 

 Ladies' Home Journal. 



278 



