108 STATE POMOLOGIOAL SOCIETY. 



planted out in boxes. It is a mistake to let the roots get two or 

 three inches long before planting ; a half inch or less is better. 

 This method ma}' be successful!} employed with Abutilons, Coleus, 

 Geraniums, Carnations, Begonias, Petunias and Verbenas, and 

 probably, to a greater or less degree, with some others. 



GARDEN LITERATURE 



I will close b\' referring to the fact that every branch of business 

 or art has its literature which is almost indispensable to its success 

 or proper and highest enjoyment, and floriculture and gardening are 

 not exceptions. I am sorry to say that floral literature like some 

 other is of two classes — good and bad. In general I would char- 

 acterize as worthless those magazines and papers, so called, pub- 

 lished by seedsmen, for they, as a rule, are on)}' catalogues or 

 advertising sheets with just enough reading matter of a cheap grade 

 in them to enable the publisher to evade the postal laws and get 

 them carried over the country lor two cents per pound instead of 

 sixteen cents. They contain too much of what it would be better 

 to remain ignorant. In regard to them Josh Billings' remark is 

 quite applicable, "that it is better not to know quite so much than 

 to know so many things that hain't so." But aside from this class 

 there are enough good floral and garden publications, and I will 

 mention that the best coming to my notice is the American Garden- 

 ing', published by the Rural Publishing Companj', New York. 



And now having occupied much more of your time than I intended 

 when I commenced this paper, I will close with the earnest hope 

 that among the many simple and common-place suggestions made 

 here, some may serve to contribute to the success of those who 

 realize and try to obtain the benefits and pleasures to be deiived 

 from horticultural pursuits. 



