Editor's Lctter-Box. 187 



S. H., Boston. — The earliest polyanthus-narcissus is Gloriosa, if you except 

 the double- Roman, which blooms about Christmas. Gloriosa is white with 

 yellow cups, very fragrant, and continues long in bloom. It generally, with ordi- 

 nary culture of the parlor, blooms about the middle of January ; while other 

 varieties, such as Grand Monarque, Grand Primo, Gloria Mundi, and Soleil 

 d'Or, seldom flower before the last of February. 



W. D., Andover. — The Lawrence pear is an American seedling, and one of 

 the best table-pears, ripening from the last of October to Christmas. It never 

 shrivels; but all, large and small, ripen well. The flesh is white, dehciously per- 

 fumed, juicy ; the skin smooth ; color, when ripe, light clear yellow. It does best 

 on its own root or pear-stock. 



A Subscriber. — Sow Chinese primroses {Privncla svieitsis) in April in pans 

 in the greenhouse, or even in the parlor. As soon as the plants are large enough 

 to handle, pot them in small pots ; or, what is better, prick them out in rows in a 

 box or pan. Keep them in a shady place during the summer, but not under the 

 drip of trees, — a plant-house, or piazza, where they receive some sun is best, — 

 and repot as the plants grow. Pick oflf all flower-buds until November, when 

 they may be allowed to bloom. There is no better window-plant. The double 

 varieties are very fine, but do not succeed as well in the parlor as the single. 

 They are propagated by division. Old plants are increased by dividing in spring, 

 and treatins: durins: the summer as above. 



A Subscriber, Auburn, N.Y. — The best plant for a yellow bed is Tagetes 

 signata piimila, plants of which may be obtained from nurserymen, and seeds 

 of any seedsman. Sow in a hot-bed in April, and transplant to position like 

 any marigold. 



Constant Reader, Roxbury. — The plant you describe as seen by you at 

 the Horticultural Rooms last autumn was probably Dahlia imperialis, a recent 

 introduction. It grows twelve feet high, producing an abundance of large single 

 drooping white flowers. It is doubtful whether our season will prove long 

 enough for it ; but, planted out in a conservatory border, it would be very effec- 

 tive. We shall try a plant this next summer, and report its value in our latitude. 

 South of New York, it would probably do well. 



A Well-Wisher, Cleveland, O. — You can probably procure seeds of 

 Tritoma iivaria, which, if sown this spring, would flower in about two years 

 and a half; but the best way is to buy plants, which any nurseryman will furnish 

 for three dollars a dozen. If well protected with leaves, the plant will stand the 

 winter. For a mass in a lawn, there is no more showy plant. 



Annual, Albany, N.Y. — A very good dark-foliaged plant, and one that would 

 suit your purpose, is Perilla iXankinensis. It is an annual, and may be had 

 very early by sowing in a hot-bed, and transplanting : it will usually come up 

 the second season where it has once been planted. The flower is whitish and 

 inconspicuous. Other dark-foliaged plants are AmarantJius inelancholicus, 

 Iresine Hebestii, and Colcus Verschaffelti ; but the Perilla will best suit you. 



Camellia, N.Y. — Six good camellias for bloom and hardness Tivt Alba plena j 



