Editors Letter- Box. 319 



L. T., Baltimore, IMd. — The best geraniums for winter blooming in the house 

 are the different varieties of the Zonale or Horse-shoe family. These are free 

 growers, adapt themselves well to the atmosphere of the parlor, and are seldom 

 out of bloom. To flower well, they should be potted on through the summer, artd 

 well pinched to make them of good shape. The colors are white, pink, orange, 

 red, scarlet, and crimson, in many different shades. If bedded out in the summer, 

 they will grow very strong ; and may be potted before tlie frost, and will soon 

 bloom. The varieties with golden and silver foliage are not as well adapted for 

 parlor culture as the plain-leafed kinds, but do well in a green-house. All the 

 varieties are good ; but, for the parlor, those of dwarf habit are preferable. The 

 rose, nutmeg, ivy, apple, and oak geraniums also do well in the parlor, but are 

 desirable rather for foliage than flower. 



G. E. B., Auburn, N. Y. — Your communication has been privately answered. 

 The Editors cannot undertake to recommend the works of one publisher above 

 another. In all works on a given subject, much of interest and valuable informa- 

 tion may be found. Our advertising columns may always be depended upon, as 

 we only insert advertisements of parties we believe to be fully responsible. 



A New Subscriber. — New-England May-flower, trailing arbutus, and ground- 

 laurel, are all popular names of the same plant, — Epigea rcpens. It is ex- 

 tensively distributed and very abundant in some localities. In cultivation it 

 seldom succeeds, but will thrive in a rhododendron-bed. We have but one spe- 

 cies, of which, however, the flowers vary much in color, from deep rose to white ; 

 and the foliage in size, according to situation. In England, seedling varieties 

 have been produced, and may be found in catalogues ; but we doubt much whether 

 they vary more than the wild plants of different localities. In England, the plant 

 receives the usual treatment given to "Alpine plants." Plants maybe removed 

 to the garden in early spring before growth begins, or in August after the sea- 

 son's orrowth is finished. 



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I. C. — A decided case of red spider. Syringe well, sprinkle on the flue flour 

 of sulphur (but not so it will burn), and, during summer, thoroughly paint the 

 staging of your green-house. Any plant as badly affected as the leaves sent had 

 better be thrown away at once : one such plant would stock a green-house in six 

 weeks. — See article on the subject in the April number, concluded this month. 



S. P. S., Brookline. — Lilacs, .syringa {PhiladelpJius)^ deutzias, and Pyrus 

 {Cydonid) Japonica, or Japan quince, are hardy ornamental shrubs, which will 

 take care of themselves, and bear any amount of ill treatment. The Persian 

 lilacs are very free flowering, and much more delicate than the more common 

 varieties. Of syringa, the large flowered are most showy, but are not fra- 

 grant. Dcutzia scabra is very handsome, and the hardiest ; D. crenata, fl. pi., 

 is a new variety which may prove valuable. Of Cydonia Japonica, the red is the 

 more showy ; but the pink is far more beautiful. The double and many new 

 seedling varieties lately introduced are valuable only as varieties. 



