1878.] TRANSACTIONS. 29 



The Tropseolum, or, as we call the species which is grown in the open 

 ground, Nasturtion, is a rapid grower and free bloomer, blooming all the 

 season through, and after hard frost still gives its bright blossoms. Ca- 

 nary-bird flower is another species, and its lovely bird-like blossoms, a 

 bright yellow, I should be sorry to miss from my garden. 



The Morning Glory is perhaps as well known as any climber. Convo- 

 lus Major, its true name, is sometimes classed with Iporaoea, of which 

 there are many beautiful varieties. The Cypress Vine belongs also to 

 the Ipomoea family. Among the first flowers that I cultivated (and I 

 commenced quite early,) was the Morniug-Glory, and well I remember 

 my circle of Morning Glories in the centre of my flower bed. If we have 

 a tree or stump to cover we can readily cover it, with only the trouble of 

 planting a few seeds. Often they come up themselves in the same place, 

 after being once sown. 



The Aster is very easily grown. I have never found a place in mj' 

 garden where it would not grow. I think almost any kind of soil suits it, 

 and it really requires little care after setting the plants. I wonder very 

 much when I see people buying Aster plants, wh}' they do not buy seed 

 and raise plants for themselves. They i:)ay willingl}'^ twenty-five cents 

 per dozen for plants, when in a small box they can easily raise, with an 

 outlay of ten cents for one paper of seed, at least four dozen of plants. 



The Balsam is not so easy of cultivation as some of the annuals. That 

 is, it requires more care than annuals that can be sown, and left by sim- 

 ply thinning, like Mignonnette, Sweet Alyssum and Candituft. The 

 plants must be transplanted, or you are very sure to have single blossoms. 

 I saw very fine plants last season in this city, both in the ground and in 

 pots. Great care must be taken in selecting seed. I think I have had 

 more poor Balsam seed than of any kind. 



Snapdragon is very beautiful and is very easily grown. I grew some 

 last year, and could see no difference between those plants grown in sun 

 or in partial shade. 



And now I have named a few of my favorites I take the liberty to 

 speak on a subject, which is of great importance to people having but a 

 small piece of land to cultivate, namely, what are called bedding plants. 

 Of course they are green-house plants. As this essay is merely to provoke 

 discussion, I expect to get more ideas than I can give. I sincerely hope 

 you will set me right where I am wrong. There are a great many people 

 in a city like this who are changing their location from time to time, and 

 of what use to them is the plant that gives little bloom the year it is set 

 out ? Annuals, except a few that almost grow themselves, they think 

 are difficult to start, and the main resource is bedding plants. The Ger- 

 anium is perhaps the most popular, because it is very easily grown, both 

 in the house and in the garden ; and nothing can be more effective than 

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