BALSAM, (Impatiens,) Nat. Orel. Balsaminacea. 



ALSAMINA, like the Aster, is one of the most beautiful and popu- 

 lar of our Annuals. Like that flower, too, it is an old favorite, 

 and so much improved during 

 the last quarter of a century, 

 that it scarcely bears a resem- 

 blance to the old flower. We 

 give an engraving of the Bal- 

 sam, which many of our read- 

 ers will recognize as the 

 Lady's Slipper of other days ; 

 and though they formerly 

 thought it handsome, and 

 have a right to think so 

 now, if they wish, yet it 

 must be acknowledged there is a great improvement in this flower, and that the poor, single 

 blossom so prized because associated with years and thoughts and friends of the past, is far 

 inferior to the double, rose-like flower of to-day. Our climate is wonderfully adapted to the 

 growth of the Balsam. In some parts of Europe it requires a great deal of nursing to secure 

 good plants; almost hot-house treatment. No flower pays better for a 

 little extra care, in the way of enriching the soil a little guano water and 

 the like. We have grown side branches of Balsam two inches in diam- 

 eter at the base, two feet in length, and perfect wreaths of flowers. Sow 

 in a frame or in a sheltered bed in the garden in the spring, as soon as the 

 \veather is rather warm. 

 Transplant when the second 

 leaves have made a little 

 growth. Set the plants ten or 

 twelve inches apart, and when 

 the side branches appear, 

 pinch off all but three or four, 

 ^" and pinch out the center shoot. 

 Those left will then grow strong, and the flowers will not be concealed by the foliage, as is the 

 cose when the plant is left unpruned. A very good way is to keep all the side shoots pinched off, 

 leaving only the leading one. This will grow two or three feet in height, and be a perfect wreath 

 of flowers. Treated in this way, they will bear close planting. Some people, however, prefer the 

 Balsam unpruned, and we advise to try several plans. It is quite interesting to watch the results 

 of snch treatment. The engravings show the effect 

 of pruning. Fig. 1, Dwarf Balsam of natural growth ; 

 fig. 5, same pruned to five branches ; fig. 2, common 

 Balsam of natural growth ; fig. 3, plant pruned to one 

 branch ; fig. 4, pruned 

 to three branches ; fig. 

 6, flower of natural 

 size. The Extra 

 Dwarf Balsams grow 

 only about six inches 

 in height, while the 

 tall varieties often 

 reach nearly three 

 feet in a rich soil. 

 With the choicest 

 seed the Balsam oc- 

 casionally insists on giving only semi-double flowers, 



and no one can tell why. Many think that old seed produces flowers more double than new. 

 62 



OLD BALSAM. 



BALSAM IMPROVED. 



