118 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



with an equal mixture of loam and well rotted manure, for flower- 

 ing, as well as for foliage plants. By digging over every autumn, 

 beds so made will last many years without showing signs of 

 exhaustion ; the value of such preparation is that watering is 

 I'arely needed, even in our longest droughts. I find also that a 

 mulch of two inches of spent hops, spread over the ground at the 

 time ol planting, is of great benefit ; it keeps the ground moist, 

 prevents hardening from rain and the cracking afterwards in the 

 sun, keeps down weeds, and prevents the spattering of earth on 

 the foliage which so disfigures it, especially that of variegated 

 pelargoniums. If one wishes fine beds of bloom it is necessary 

 to have some way of protecting them from our heavy thunder 

 showers, which, in a few minutes, will ruin pelargoniums for 

 a fortnight. I use light wooden frames, rather larger than the 

 beds, covered on the top only with cotton cloth. 



Among suitable plants the Canna takes the first place for beauty, 

 for diversity of foliage and habit, for rapid growth, and, in some 

 of the newer varieties, for the profusion of flowers almost equal 

 to those of the gladiolus. Add to these qualities its cheapness, 

 and the ease with which its roots can be kept through the winter, 

 and I know of no plant that can compare with it for general 

 usefulness. 



The best kinds tried by me are, — 



Anneii, tall growing, sea-green leaves, salmon flowers. 



Premices de Nice, medium growing, green lance-shaped leaves, 

 yellow flowers. 



Marechal Vaillant, large growing, bronze veined leaves, orange 

 flowers. 



Nigricans, large growing, metallic leaves, flowers of no account. 



Jean Vandael, large growing, green leaves, large red flowers. 



Purpurea spedabilis, large growing, greenish purple leaves, 

 scarlet flowers. 



For foliage onlj'^, Auguste Ferriere, of the largest size, green 

 leaved, with narrow stripes and edging of dark red, and Discolor, 

 of medium size, with beautifully veined leaves of bronze and 

 green ; these two varieties have never flowered with me, but are 

 described in M. Chate's book on " The Canna" as having orange- 

 red flowers. For further information I would refer to the above 

 mentioned book, where a great number of species and varieties are 

 described. 



