The Moons eed. 2y 



desirable and gorgeous ornament for the centre-table or mantel-piece ; or 

 the flowers, when arranged in flat dishes, with a little water, are much prized, 

 and present a beautiful appearance. 



The soil for the balsam should be deep and rich ; and, if planted eigh- 

 teen inches apart, they will make a solid mass of bloom ; and, when the 

 various brilliant and delicate colors are planted together, the effect is truly 

 grand. 



To have the plants in perfection, and a longer period of bloom, they 

 should be started in a hot-bed or cold grapery in March or April : they 

 will then be strong enough, by the first of June, to be transplanted where 

 they are to remain. Balsams are divided into various classes ; viz., im- 

 proved rose balsams, double camellia-flowered, dwarf rose balsams, and 

 double tall balsams. They are of many colors, as crimson, scarlet, 

 purple, violet, rose, white, flesh-color, which are plain, or what are termed 

 " self," or one color ; then there are those that are blotched and striped, of 

 various colors, and spotted, as purple-spotted, rose-spotted, scarlet-spotted, 

 crimson-spotted. 



The cut on the previous page represents the camellia-spotted balsam in 

 its perfected state, and is not exaggerated in its size or perfection over 

 many that I have raised myself, although such flowers cannot be expected 

 as a general thing. 



The class of dwarf balsams do not grow over a foot high, and do not 

 produce flowers so full and double as the rose and camellia varieties, but 

 full and bushy in habit, of all colors \ some of them beautifully striped or 

 parti-colored, sometimes producing two or more distinct colors on the 

 same plant. They should be planted in a bed by themselves. Single 

 plants grown in strong soil will attain the height of three feet, with numer- 

 ous lateral branches, forming a large bushy head, truly magnificent to 

 behold. 



THE MOONSEED. 



This indigenous climber {Menispennum Canadense) is a very ornamental 

 plant. Of rapid growth, attractive in foliage, flower, or fruit, it is too 

 little known. Its freedom from the attacks of insects is an additional 

 recommendation. 



