PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS* CLUB. 30T 



exposed to light and the rays of the sun as much as possible. 

 The beauty of flowers depends upon their free exposure to air and 

 light, because it consists in the richness of their colors, and their 

 colors are only formed by the action of these two agents ; flowers 

 produced in a dark or shaded situation are generally imperfect 

 and destitute of their habitual size and beauty. Narcissus and 

 crocus also present a beautiful appearance in the parlor during 

 winter. 



All bulbous roots require a very rich soil, composed of equal 

 parts of sea sand, rotten coav manure, peat soil and good turf 

 mould. The Japan lily m.akes a beautiful display in the house ; 

 the variety called Speciosum, is the most beautiful variety of 

 them all. It has a pink and white frosted ground, beautifully 

 spotted with crimson. Lancifolium album is pure white. They 

 require the same soil as hyacinths in pots. Their propagation is 

 very simple, the bulbs may be separated, each scale making a 

 bulb. The scales should be planted in pots containing silver 

 sand, and placed in a cold frame, when well rooted they may be 

 planted in beds in the garden. 



Mr. Cavanach, in answer to several questions, gave some inte- 

 resting statements about the treatment of plants brought into the 

 house from the garden in winter. All roses and geraniums 

 should be well trimmed of old wood when taken up. In taking 

 plants out of the pot all that is necessary is to put the hand on 

 top of the dirt and then turn the pot bottom up, and hit a gentle 

 rap, and the ball of earth will slip out. Most people water 

 plants too little. Two or three times a week is necessary, or 

 oftener in a dry stove room. As for flower seeds, there is no 

 certain reliance of getting the same sort, but the finer the flower 

 the more likely it will be to produce its like from seed. 



Mr. Pardee. — Great pains are taken by seed-growers in Europe 

 to produce the very best sort of seeds, and these are sold at high 

 prices. Our ordinary cheap flower-seeds are not to be relied 

 upon. Benj. Bliss of Springfield, has obtained a very high name, 

 as a seedsman, because the seeds that he has sent out have given 

 great satisfaction. It is much better for those who wish to grow 

 flowers, to pay the high price asked for seed by such a reliable 

 florist, than to have poor ones for nothing. 



Mr. Cavanach. — To grow flowers in the greatest perfection, 

 gardeners often cover them, and take great pains to preserve 

 them free from contact of insects or the pollen of other flowers. 



