GARDEN FLOWERS. 119 



Discussion. 



Rev. A. B. Muzze}' expressed the pleasure he felt in hearing an 

 essa}' from a lady, and especially so good a paper, giving not only 

 the result of experience in the culture of flowers but evidence of 

 a love of nature. Ladies are peculiarl}- successful in cultivating 

 flowers, and their experience is verj' valuable. 



Mrs. Nelson said, in answer to an inquiry whether tuberous 

 rooted begonias would stand the sun, that they will bear it better 

 than fuchsias, but not as well as geraniums. Hers get the morning 

 sun and a part of the mid-day sun. It is better to shade them in 

 the afternoon. 



Edward L. Beard agreed with Mr. Muzzey in his tribute to the 

 lady members of the Society. He looked to them not only for 

 papers at these discussions but for cooperation in all the work of 

 the Societ3-. He had been struck in years past with their en- 

 thusiasm and earnestness, and hoped, in coming time, for acces- 

 sions to their numbers. 



The extremes of our climate are such that many beautiful flowers 

 which are grown out-doors in England cannot be grown here, but 

 with intelligent management we can grow many that we do not 

 now. Besides many hard\' Pentstemons, natives of our own 

 countrj', there are forty or fifty varieties of florists' hybrids, 

 which, though only half-hardy, are among the most beautiful 

 flowers in the garden. They can be grown without difficult}' if 

 lifted, and wintered in a cold frame. They are easily propagated 

 by cuttings or by division, and he has lost very few. The Double 

 Geum, which is one of the most beautiful perennials, but not hardy 

 here, should have the same shelter. Mr. Beard thought he had 

 had as much experience as an}- one with tuberous rooted begonias. 

 There is no more beautiful flower for bedding, but there is a great 

 difi'erence in the hardiness of the varieties. The double kinds will 

 not stand the hot summer sun. He has raised two or three hun- 

 dred double seedlings. The single kinds vary in hardiness, but 

 there are some that will stand the sun ; among them are Vesuvius 

 and P^niperor. In the greenhouse tuberous rooted begonias are 

 subject to rust, and require a great deal of air. He put them in a 

 cold frame facing south, and most of them burned up. He con- 

 cluded that it was impossible to grovv them in open beds without 

 partial shade ; evergreen boughs stuck around and among them 

 will answer this purpose. It is difficult to keep the tubers over 



