Editors Letter- Box. 251 



C. flammeaj Flameola incarnata ; Adelaide, auratitiaca cuprea; Coburghii 

 gloria triumphans ; Marie Verschafifelt, prcenitans, pontica imperialis j ditto 

 sulphurea grandijiora. 



Are narcissus suitable for forcing in the house ? — There are no better bulbs 

 for house-culture. They are not particular as to soil, and do well with very little 

 care. Give them sun and water, do not let them freeze, and they are sure to 

 bloom. We have been charmed this winter by the beauty of the Silver Jonquil 

 {Narcissus tcmcifolius) : a prettier or more fragrant bulb for house-culture cannot 

 be found. A'arcissus dubius is another charming species with deliciously fra- 

 grant, pure white flowers. 



Eugene, Dixon, Lee County, 111. — Any glass will do for the sides of an 

 aquarium : of course, plate-glass is the handsomest, as it is also the most expen- 

 sive. The thicker the glass, the better, as it is less liable to be broken ; but the 

 color should be white and clear, A frame made of wood is not suitable, though 

 it might answer in want of a better : a light iron or slate frame is the best. Any 

 of our native water-plants will flourish. 



Apogytieion distachoti and Litmtocharis Humboldtii, the former with fra- 

 grant white, and the latter with showy yellow flowers with black centre, are two 

 very neat and pretty water-plants of easiest culture. 



A. Beekmax, Jersey City. — Tlie present winter has, thus far, been unprece- 

 dentedly mild. In the neighborhood of Boston, the mercury has not fallen to 

 zero ; and we now (Feb. 13) have a clump of snowdrops fully in bloom in a shel- 

 tered sunny situation in the open air. 



Boston. — Your plant is Thyrsacanthus ruiilans, than which nothing can 

 be prettier when well grown. It is properly a stove-plant; native of Central 

 America ; does well in rich, light soil with good drainage ; and is easily increased 

 by cuttings which strike freely in bottom-heat. 



H. C. B. writes, " I have five varieties of plum, — Orleans, Jefferson, Prince's 

 Imperial Gage, Duane's Purple, and Coe's Golden Drop. Last spring, I pre- 

 pared a wash by placing two gallons of coal-tar from the gas-works in a cask 

 containing forty (40) gallons, and filling with water ; and with this I sprinkled 

 my plum-trees with a ' hydropult' at short intervals, until the pit became hard. 

 I had a good crop of plums. A black Tartarean cherry-tree, which stood near 

 at hand, was also sprinkled ; and I had a fine crop of fruit on it. Will you call 

 attention to this mode of repelling the curculio, and ask those who try it to 

 report ? " 



Semper, Cumberland, Ind. — The drawing and letter are received : but your 

 figure and description combine characteristics of entirely different orders of 

 plants ; and we know of no one plant which agrees with both. Send us a flower 

 if possible, and we can easily name the plant. 



