996 TiTJi aonsEiroLD. 



phere warmer than 50 degrees or 55 degrees, and must have plenty of BiilV 

 light, two requisites which but few persous can command. In the conserva- 

 tory they should be given a top shelf, kept moderately dry and never 

 ■watered in the morning, or when the sun would be likely to shine upon 

 them before the foliage is dry, as it causes mildew; give fresh an- whenever 

 it is practicable to do so, and keep the plants stout and bushy by pinching 

 back sti'ay branches. A soil composed of two parts loam, two parts well- 

 rotted manure and one part sand suits them best. Keep the surface soil 

 loose and porous, to allow air to reach the roots, and provide good drainage. 

 If green fly appears fumigate with tobacco. To perpetuate the verbena use 

 small ciittings taken from fresh growth instead of layers or old roots. Tlic 

 best way is to start the plants from seeds in the spring. By this means the 

 plants do not bloom quite so early, but they are more hardy and vigorous, 

 and flower more profusely than those grown from cuttings. Seedling plants 

 are always the most satisfactory for bedding, and the only fault that can bo 

 found with them is, that the colors do not always come true from seeds. 



Presei-viiig Autumn Leaves.— Autumn leaves are used in various 

 methods, the most popular being, perhaps, to dry them flatly and carefully, 

 and take great care to preserve their stalks. When thoroughly dry they are 

 varnished, which gives them a pretty gloss and also acts as a preservative to 

 them from all insects and moths. After this they are carefully laid aside 

 for the decoration of the winter dinner table, and may be most safely pre- 

 served in a tin box with a well fitting cover. Grasses added to them are 

 very effective, and when dry they may be dyed. They may bo also frosted 

 when dry, by dii^ping each stalk into a solution of alum and leaving them to 

 dry upright. .With the grasses and leaves may be used the dried everlast- 

 ing flowers and the prepared moss, but I must Avarn my readers that no little 

 taste is needed in their arrangement to avoid the least heaviness of effect. I 

 have found that glass vases and stands are the most effective for their ar- 

 rangement, as the transparency of these increases the wished-for likeness 

 and grace. Another way of using the dried leaves is for the ornamentation 

 of tables, blotting books, or boxes. Old cigar boxes, when painted black, 

 are very favorite articles for decoration, but now we know the value of var- 

 nished unpainted wood, I fancy that many people will prefer the eflect of tlio 

 cigar boxes unpainted, with the unvarnished leaves gummed on, and the box 

 and leaves varnished afterward. If, however, a black ground be especially 

 desired, use " Brunswick black" to stain the wood, or "Brunswick black" 

 and turpentine mixed to make a rich looking brown grounding. Then gum 

 on the leaves in a central group, being careful to cut away all the under 

 parts of the loaves, which -will be hidden by others above, as too many 

 thicknesses of leaf will make an uneven surface, and give an ugly ajjpear- 

 ance to the work when finished. 



Tlie Tuberose. — Because many farmers' wives cherish the belief that 

 some wonderful skill attends the cultivation of this plant, they deny them- 

 selves the pleasure of its possession. The bulbs must be lifted before there 

 is any danger from frost, and spread in a warm, sunny place to thoroughly 

 dry. If they become chilled in any way, either before being lifted or duiing 

 the winter, their value is destroyed. But if kept in a warm closet, they will 

 repay for all the trouble by their spikes of beautifully pure and fragrant 

 blossoms. 



Tuljoroaoa are reproduced very rapidly. Therefore, after a start hM 



