THE HOME FLORIST. 43 



CALENDULA CAPE MARIGOLD (Hardy Annual). 



A desirable class of free growing annuals which flower almost continually throughout the 

 summer and until after frosts, although some might consider them coarse, and with too few 

 flowers. 



C. La Prousti is a new double variety, of nankeen color, edged with brown. C. Pluvialis, 

 single, white, of a remarkably pure color. 



CALL A ETHIOPIAN LILY (Greenhouse Perennial, 33, 45, 80). 



Of all plants which are suitable for cultivating in pots in the window none are superior to 

 the highly esteemed and easily managed Calla, while very few equal it. The same is true of its 

 general value as a conservatory plant, excepting that it meets some rivals here which do not 

 prove so formidable in the window garden, because few can be grown in the window to the 

 magnificent perfection which this plant and its flowers reach. The flowers are large, pure 

 white, and possess a delicate fragrance, which render them the very embodiment of purity 

 and elegance. They are produced singly on long stems, and remain beautiful for several 

 weeks. The plants bloom most freely in early spring, and are grown largely by florists for 

 adorning churches at Easter, the flowers being exceedingly appropriate for this purpose. The 

 best course of treatment for the Calla is, after they have flowered during fall, winter and spring, 

 to give them a state of rest until August, by keeping the entire ball of soil next thing to dust-dry. 

 At this time they should have the ball of earth thoroughly soaked, to facilitate washing the 

 soil from the roots, which should be done, and small offsets be removed, after which the 

 tuberous root should be potted in a rich soil, and given an abundance of water daily, until and 

 all during their flowering season, up to their next annual rest. It is impossible to overdo the 

 watering, to the injury of the plant, as its nature admits of its growing in \vater constantly, 

 which renders it valuable for planting in aquariums. If the soil is of a clayey loam nature, 

 all the better. The small offsets from the root may be potted for new stock. There are two 

 varieties, the tall and the dwarf (Calla Ethiopica Nana), both of which have white flowers. 

 The tall kind grows to the height of from two to three feet, and the dwarf from twelve to twenty 

 inches, with a proportionate difference in the size of the flowers. 



CALLIOPSIS, OR COREOPSIS (Hardy Annual). 



Annuals that produce an abundance of convenient long-stemmed flowers, throughout the 

 season, of unusually rich bright colors, such as yellow and crimson, yellow and brown, velvety 

 crimson, blood-red, yellow with crimson spots, etc. There are dwarf and tall varieties, the 

 former growing from one to two feet, the latter, two feet and upwards. Of easy culture in any 

 garden soil. 



CAMELLIA (Greenhouse Perennial, 32, jo, 75). 



In the conservatory the Camellia is queen of winter flowers, and to the commercial florist 

 during winter is valuable above all others for making bouquets, baskets of flowers, etc. 

 It is well adapted to cultivation in the window, as regards the suitability of the 

 situation, as the plant naturally grows in shady places in the woods, but to be successful in 

 having it flower it requires strict attention to its peculiar wants in other respects. The plant 

 produces its large flowers during the winter. They are from three to six inches in diameter, 

 very pleasing and perfect in form, the petals being thick and of the most extraordinary satiny 

 texture. The principal colors are pure (purest) white the favorite color bright rose, cherry 

 color, scarlet rose, bright red variegated, salmon rose and others. After flowering, the 

 Camellia makes its plant growth, preceding which time it should be re-potted, if at all. 

 They require shifting but once every two years, except with very thrifty young plants, which 

 may receive it each spring. Any soil is suited to its growth, provided it is well enriched with 

 one-third part of leaf mould and thoroughly rotten manure. With its growth in spring, we 

 meet with the distinct peculiarity of this plant, in forming its flower buds, more than half a 

 year previous to their opening into flowers, and it is during the long time between which it forms 

 its flower buds, and the season of their opening, that the treatment either good or bad which 

 the plant receives, decides whether it will develop the buds, usually formed in abundance, into 

 flowers, or whether they will drop from the plant some weeks before their time of opening, a 

 condition of affairs, perhaps, most commonly met by inexperienced cultivators. Were the 

 treatment it requires during this time difficult, there would be a good excuse for an unfortu- 

 nate termination of the flower-buds, but this is by no means the case. The plant simply 

 requires a light, shady place in summer, such as may be found in a shaded greenhouse that is 

 well ventilated (see "Summer Management of the Amateur's Conservatory"), or in the shade of 

 a building or verandah, and be given an abundance of water, also paying attention to cleanliness, 

 of the thick leathery foliage. The plant will become dry enough to injure the flower-buds, 

 without showing it, by the leaves drooping as in other plants. Its habit is deceitful in this 

 respect, the leaves looking green and bright, although the soil is quite too dry for its general 

 good, and especially for the flower-buds. The soil must, however, not be kept in a soaked 

 condition, as this would prove as great an injury as the other. Water should be applied only 

 when the surface becomes dry, and then a sufficient quantity should be poured on, to entirely 

 soak the ball of earth, letting this suffice until the plant requires and is given another 

 thorough watering, which may be the next day or later. During its flowering season 



