1896.] ESSAYS. 101 



the blooms after we have been to so mucli trouble to produce them. 

 If mildew does occur use grape-dust or some other preparation with a 

 sulphur basis, but grape-dust is very easily disseminated in the at- 

 mosphere owing to its relatively light consistency, and is sure to kill 

 all germs of fungus present in the house. 



I have tried in this paper to cover in a general way as many of the 

 points in connection with the culture of our favorite flower as possi- 

 ble, minute detail is not desirable, as it is well understood by all pres- 

 ent, but if there is anything neglected that you wish to be made clearer 

 it is my province to do so to the best of my ability. I have only the 

 welfare of this Queen of Autumn at heart ever since I grew the first 

 plants in my own little garden nearly thirty years ago, and well do I 

 remember the way the plants were lifted almost daily to see how 

 much progress was made at the roots as well as at the tops. Even 

 the names of some of the varieties come back to me- now. 



