1895. J ESSAYS. 63 



full of tlowers is to have some Begonias. There is such a variety of 

 foliage. I can't imagine a better window than one full of Begonias. 

 If you get Geraniums and Petunias, most of them being summer 

 bloomers, you don't have good success. Now with the Begonia you 

 don't have any trouble with insects. As to getting rid of insects, it 

 is utterly impossible. 



Question. Is the Begonia sensitive to gas? 



Answer. 1 don't think it is. It is the only plant that is satisfac- 

 tory for the house grower. They won't stand a great many degrees 

 below freezing. 



Mr. Hadwen. I want to speak for the Helianthus, which is the 

 sunflower. I have taken quite a little pains the last few years to get 

 a collection. It has quite a large flower, and is very effective out- 

 doors. I believe I have some sixteen varieties, some of which will 

 grow as tall as this room. Some of them have perhaps a thousand 

 blossoms, and as they are so tall they make a beautiful ornament for 

 the garden. I have been very much pleased with my experiment. 



Then there are the peonies in various varieties. There is none that 

 surpasses the old-fashioned red one. I have a little plot at ray home 

 which I have set out solid with one kind (that is the old-fashioned 

 red kind), and there is nothing in my grounds that equals it. The 

 foliage lasts all summer after the bloom is gone, and is really an 

 ornament in itself. They are growing in favor. They need rich 

 land, as all flowers do. 



One of the most exquisite flowers that we have is the Anemone 

 Japonica from Japan. It is very handsome, with white petals and a 

 yellow centre. It is not liable to be injured by insects, gives a fine 

 autumn bloom, and seems to flourish in all soils. 



Then there are the Rhododendrons, which are growing in favor. 

 We used to think they were not hardy, but now we have a great many 

 kinds that will stand the most severe climate. 



Then there is our common Mountain Laurel ; it looks beautiful in 

 the fields, and until lately we have let it stay there. Still, when it is 

 cultivated, it seems to be a favorite. I think that they don't want 

 too much shade. They don't want to be planted under trees that sap 

 up all the moisture. They will repay a little care in their cultivation. 

 Anyone can take them up and plant them, and they will feel that 

 their care and time are amply repaid. 



