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is arranged and shaped so that the (lower forms a perfect rosette. It 

 can be grown from seed and from roots ; if raised from seed they 

 should be started early in the house in boxes and planted out as soon 

 as danger from frost is past ; if grown in this way they will produce 

 flowers as soon as from roots. The show of Gladiolus (fift}^ varie- 

 ties) was full}' equal to that of previous years. The finest specimens 

 were shown by Mr. J. K. Nevins of Montague, but were not entered 

 for competition. This gentleman also exhibited some line Hybrid 

 Perpetual Rosebuds of the new and choice varieties ; these did not 

 compete for premiums. The collection of Verbenas was larger, 

 including two hundred distinct kinds, some of which were of consid- 

 erable merit. The wild flowers exhibited by Mrs. Boutwell deserve 

 special mention on account of their variety and the taste shown in 

 their arrangement. The cultivation of flowers is increasing, and a 

 few suggestions in regard to their cultivation, arrangement and kinds 

 may not be out of place here. In cultivating the varieties grown 

 annually from seed, the seed should be planted as soon as the 

 weather will permit ; or they can be sown in boxes and started in the 

 house and transplanted to the open air as soon as it is safe to do so. 

 Flowers to perfect themselves should be given plent}^ of room for 

 each individual plant to attain its full size. The soil in which they 

 are to be planted should be made ver}- rich and fine ; this will give 

 much larger and more distinct flowers. Many plants for bedding out. 

 are also raised from cv;ttiugs. The chief end sought in growing bed- 

 ding plants is to grow them in a sufficient size to flower or to produce 

 the desired effect as soon as possible, for, if this is not done, our 

 seasons are so short that frost often kills them before they reach the 

 point of their greatest beauty. Bedding plants are divided into two 

 classes, flowering and foliage plants. Flowering plants are often 

 planted singly, but foliage plants to produce the best effect should be 

 planted in groups or masses ; this requires a considerable outlay of 

 time and money, and more than the majority of people can afford. 

 This expense is an annual one, for nearly all of our bedding plants 

 are killed by frost. Our seasons are so short that to me it has often 

 seemed as if the money and care spent on this class of plants is next 

 to throwing it away, for just as we commence to enjoy their beauty 

 the frost of fall in a single night destroys them forever. If in place 

 of these tender plants people would plant those that last for several 

 years, or such as re-seed themselves, such as petunias, phlox, verbe- 

 nas etc., or, better than this, if they will plant our hardy shrubs, 

 they will have something requiring very little care and attention 



