28 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



November, 



To insure a good per cent in coming up sow 

 this as nearly fresh as possible. 



B}' high culture and careful selection the 

 Persian Cyclamen has been brought to a 

 near state of perfection. In size of its florets 

 C. Persicum ffigantsum is a decided im- 

 provement of this class, and it also pos- 

 sesses a robust habit, bearing its flowers upon 

 short stems. Nearly all of the colors and 

 shades known in the different species of this 

 plant are to be found in C. Persicum, with its 

 numerous varieties. 



In Europe the native species are commonly 

 called Sowbread, from the fact that the 

 acrid stems are greedily eaten by swine. 



To be successful in open air culture, good 

 drainage, a rich, friable soil, protection from 

 dry cutting winds and good covering in 

 winter are the necessary points. Because 

 there are hardy species is no reason why 

 such should thrive in exposed places Found 

 in their native haunts they are in luxurious 

 growth among broken rocks, under the 

 friendly shade and protection of low bushes 

 and hill copses. They are fine for plant- 

 ing in rock-work, not too high, in warm, 

 shady borders, and a fine collection of the 

 autumn flowering varieties in full bloom is 

 a sight not easily forgotten. C. Afriainiim, 

 G. hedsrmfoliuin (Ivy-leaved Cyclamen) and 

 C. NeapoUtannm are good representatives 

 of this class, and C. AtlinKti, C. Coum and 

 C. Persicum, tlie tender variety of thesijring 

 flowering section. As to the hardiness of Cy- 

 clamens, all but C. Persicnm are said to with- 

 stand as much frost as the English Prim- 

 roses; hence they require the same amount of 

 winter protection in the United States. All 

 lovers of choice flowers should grow this 

 plant more extensively, and if outdoor cult- 

 ure is not desirable the hardy varieties will 

 bloom quite as well in pots if given the 

 same period of rest as they would get if 

 growing in open ground. In American 

 flower shows the Cyclamen should occupy a 

 more prominent place than it now does, and 

 if its true merits were more widely known, 

 it would be more frequently seen enlivening 

 our windows during the dull late fall, winter 

 and early spring months. W. P. L. 



Shrubs From The Wild. 



In the Northern part of Ohio the swampy 

 and low lands are filled with Red-branched Dog- 

 wood, Conms stolonifera, or C. saiuiiiDicri of 

 some nurserymen's catalogues. Crowded and 

 neglected it may not seem that it would be an 

 attractive shrub for the lawn, but remove a 

 slip of it to this place, give it care and room 

 and it speedily grows into the most beautiful 

 winter oi-nament I know of, its branches being 

 a crimson scarlet, and very pleasing when 

 denuded of leaves. So says L. B. Pierce of 

 Ohio. To which we are glad to add that this 

 shrub is common both west and east of Ohio a 

 great ways, and also in Canada ; further it is a 

 fine shrub during summer, its flowers being 

 white and freely produced. This leads us to 

 state that many of our native shrubs are hand- 

 some for arranging in groups on the lawn, and 

 in many cases costing nothing. In laying out 

 the 000-acre park system of Buffalo thousands 

 of such shrubs were procured at the expense of 

 digging only, and planted along with other 

 sorts from the nurseries. With intelligent 

 pruning and cai'e the former have developed 

 as beautifully as the others, and now no one 

 would by their looks dream of their humble 

 source. There is nothing like making the most 

 of one's opportunities in all these matters. 



tan Hall, New York, Nov. 2-6. It is expected 

 to surpass all previous exhibitions of the kind. 

 The secretary is John Thorpe, Queens, N. Y. 



The Chrysanthemum and Fall Horticultural 

 Show of the Buffalo Horticultiu-al Society 

 will be held on November 4-6, in Liedertafel 

 Hall. Edward L. Mepsted, of this city, is the 

 secretary. 



Some Topics Discussed at the Niag- 

 ara Falls Meeting of Seedsmen. 



Valuable discussion was had in relation to 

 the postage and tariff question. The com- 

 mittee appointed last year to wait upon the 

 Secretary of the Treasury and present the views 

 of the association in regard to the want of uni- 

 formity in the collection of duties made its re- 

 port. The question of valuation was also dis- 

 cussed. It was shown that too much latitude 

 was allowed the collector. The law seems 

 clear enough, but some of the collectors base 

 their assessment upon what theij deem the cor- 

 rect value, in some cases going back to a time 

 six months before the crop was grown. Some 

 seed growers have been compelled to go to 

 other parts, at gi-eat inconvenience and ad- 

 ditional expense, in order to get fair play. The 

 only equitable mode of adjustment was that 

 present market prices only should be considered 

 at the port of entry. A motion prevailed au- 

 thorizing the president of the association to ap- 

 point committees as special cases arise, to 

 whom tariff matters might be referred. 



A very clear and elaborate paper was pre- 

 sented from the seed trade of Boston, showing 

 what this association was doing in the interests 

 of its members, and on motion it was ordered 

 that the substance of the matter presented be 

 embodied in the report of the association. 



The question of responibility of seedsman 

 was also discussed at length. 



Papers which accept the money of seedsmen 

 for advertising, and also devote their space and 

 use their influence to divert business from the 

 seedsmen through tempting offers made by 

 the paper itself, were also discussed. 



The New York Horticultural Society will give 

 its great Chrysanthemum show at Cosmopoli- 



October Show of the Massachusetts 

 Horticultural Society. 



Among the Apples shown at the exhibition 

 at Boston on October 2d the Gravensteins 

 and the Hubbardsons were particularly hand- 

 some. Of Pears, many fine dishes of Bosc and 

 Augouleme were shown, also some excellent 

 Cornice. Some of the dishes of Seckels con- 

 tained some very large specimens, but they 

 were not uniform in size. There was also a 

 good exhibit of Superfins and Sheldons. The 

 display of Quinces was believed to have been 

 larger and better than any seen before; one 

 from W. S. Janvrin weighed 21 1-2 ounces. 

 There were good dishes of Peaches and Plums. 



The show of the native Grapes was very 

 fine. The Brightens, from Benjamin G. Smith, 

 were much the best we have ever seen of that 

 variety, and the same may be said of the Lind- 

 leys, from J. P. Hayward, who also exhibited 

 very fine Niagaras. A. J. Bigelow exhibited 

 very large bunches of Concord, and John B. 

 Moor & Son handsome Batons. Horace Eaton 

 showed good specimens of Eaton and lona. 

 J. Q. Adams, some English Morello Cherries. 



An excellent display of vegetables was made ; 

 the Cabbages, Cauhflowers, Tomatoes and 

 Hubbard Squashes were particularly fine. 



Although no prizes were offered for flowers, 

 a very interesting display was made. W. H. 

 Spooner again exhibited the perpetual Moss 

 Rose, Salet, showing the long time that it con- 

 tinues in fiower. M. B. Faxan exhibited sev- 

 eral dishes of very handsome Pansies, the 

 largest measuring 2 1-4 inches in diameter. 

 Edwin Sheppard and John Parker had some 

 fine Dahlias, and Mrs. E. M. Gill Nasturtiums 

 and other fiowers. L. H. Farlow showed a 

 plant of Odotoglossutn gntnth' Orchid, Walter 

 E. Cobum and Mrs. P. D. Richards showed 



collections of native plants, the latter including 

 two very fine specimens of Genetiana crinita, 

 and one of Bear Berry, Arcfostaphylos Uva- 

 ur.'n. Others notable for more or less of 

 rarity were Creeping SnowbeiTy, Chiozenes 

 his]Ticiul<i: Rattlebox, Crotalaria scigitalix; 

 Labrador Tea, Ledum latifolium, and Lycopo- 

 diuni annotinum. 



THE HOUSE PLANTS. 



Ardisia. Tlie red-fruited is one of the best of 

 house jtlants. The only thing it will not stand is 

 freezing. In heat it will hold its fruit a year. 



Cactuses for the house to rest through the fall 

 and up to February or March, keeping the soil all 

 but dust dry. They need not go to the cellar, but 

 may be kept on shelves or tables in the living room. 

 A glass case over the more deUcate ones will keep 

 them bright and fine— a thing very desirable 



Callas should now be approaching bloom ; at this 

 stage they need a good deal of light, space and 

 water for inducing a stocky growth and better 

 flowers. If the soil lacks in richness a frequent 

 dash of soot or other manure water will help them. 



Carnations succeed in the window if kept near 

 the glass and the place be cool and airy. Dryness 

 rather suits them, but the soil must be kept moist. 



Cleanliness. Ail subjects to be frequently 

 cleansed of dust and impurities on the surface. If 

 the plants are sponged off or are sprinkled lightly 

 every day they will do the better for it. 



Ferneries. The soil in these should be light and 

 well drained. While Ferns and Selaginellas (Ly- 

 copodiums) are the plants most used, all moisture 

 loving plants of a suitable size succeed well in them 

 Bulbs flower admirably in the case. Do not crowd 

 the plants; one that has good space and is well de- 

 veloped is finer than a close crowd of many. A 

 little sunshine on the Fern case at times is no detri- 

 ment. Air should be admitted occasionally by tilting 

 up the glass a little at one side. 



Freesias. Start at intervals for succession. 



Forget-me-nots. Lift good clumps, set into 

 6-inch pots, store in a cold pit until the Holidays, 

 when they may be brought in for blooming. 



Habrothamnus elegans. If this plant is kept 

 within control by free pinching, it forms a fine win- 

 dow plant, making a great show of bloom. 



Heat. Avoid extremes; from 4.5" fo 60° at night 

 is the safest temperature for most kinds. At the 

 former there will be a handsomer plant growth; by 

 the laffer more flowers, but they not so fine as by 

 the cooler treatment. 



Hydrangeas. To be wintered in the cellar, keep- 

 ing the earth rather dry about the roots. 



Oleanders. Treat 

 the plants the same 

 as for Hydrangeas. 



Ozalis. As the bulbs 



show signs of sprout- 

 ing pot freshly and 

 begin to water regu- 

 larly right along. 



Potting of young 

 cuttings to be done 

 as soon as they show 

 small roofs; to wait 

 until these are large 

 is to spoil many, and 

 the plant will not do as well for this treatment. 



Slipping of plants is always in order when ma- 

 terial appears for it. We* show in the engraving how 

 the work may be made more certain in the case of 

 some choice or hard-wooded slips by inverting an 

 ordinary drinking glass over the cutting, in sand. 



Trimming, Do not fear a too free use of the 

 knife on all soft-wooded plants that were lifted. All 

 yellow leaves and flower stems to come away. 



Watering. In the anxiety to water enough it is 

 often overdone; the surface of the soil should get 

 quite dry, but before flagging of the leaves takes 

 place in the least apply wafer and then enough to 

 soak the ball of earth through aud through. Some 

 need more water than others; discriminate. 



Starting a Cutting Under 

 Glass, — See Slipping. 



