144 



CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



Nigella. 



The double blossoms are surrounded by a 

 mist-like veiling of a finely cut foliage, and is 

 often called " Love-in-a-Mist," or " The Lady 

 in Green." A writer in the Maiiflowcr thus 

 beautifully speaks of it. 



I'm in love, said Sweet William, 



I cannot deny it ; 

 It disturbs all my rest 



And destroys all my quiet ; 

 She's the fairest and dearest that ever was seen, 

 The sweet little lady who lives in the green. 



Her eye is so mild, 



So tender and blue ; 

 Her dress is so dainty 

 And modest in hue ; 

 Her smile is the sweetest I ever have seen. 

 My dear little lady who lives in the green. 



Her name is Nigella. 



Don't tell it, I pray, 

 Lest the bee and the humming biid 

 Hear what I say ; 

 For their gossip might frighten my fair little 



queen 

 The sweet little lady who lives in the green. 



Landscape Gardening-. 



The so-called landscape-gardener is 

 in many cases not as intelligent as an 

 ordinary every-day laborer ; his object 

 seems to be to have as many narrow 

 and contorted walls as possible where 

 they are not needed, to plant many 

 trees and shrubs in the most inappro- 

 priate places, to make ridiculously- 

 shaped beds, and to plant them with 

 but one object — to use as many plants 

 as possible without regard to suita- 

 bility. It is surely worth the attention 

 not only of those engaged in the 

 business, but of gentlemen who have 

 country houses, to consider at least the 

 fundamental features of landscape-work 

 and landscape-art. There can be no 

 stereotyped plans for the embellishment 

 of grounds ; each domain calls for 

 different treatment and different 

 grouping. — Century. 



Among- the Blossoms. 



May's softest perfumes scent the balmy air, 

 Around, beneath, above, and everywhere ; 

 But one fresh bud in spring's young beauty 



dressed, 

 Excelling and outvaluing all the rest. 

 Leans with soft blush-rose cheek on a young 



mother's breast. 



Far from the pomp of cities and the gleam. 

 Radiant yet false, of Fortune's fickle beam. 

 Amid the shade of overhanging hills, 

 "Neath whose grey cliffs the softly chiming rills 

 Creep forth with music murmurous and low. 

 Each tender petal with unfolding grace 

 Shall shed increasing sweetness round the 

 place. 



"Will the full blossom as the bud be fair. 

 Of hope fulfilling all the promise rare ? 

 Ob, guard it well, you, to whose care is given 

 Life that may bloom amid the bowers of 



Heaven, 

 Vieing with angelhood in all the bright 

 Effulgent glories of that world of light ! 

 Rear for the Master's use this flower (jf love 

 To bloom at length in fairest bowers above. 

 On Heaven's own air its perfumes soft to pour. 

 Nor dread the frosts of earthly winters more. 

 Beautiful Valley, (rrimshi/, Mail 27th. 



How to Dry Flowers. 



To preserve the color when drying 

 flowers it is necessary to dry them as 

 quickly as possible. Almost all, except 

 fleshy flowers, will keep their color well 

 if placed between two sheets of blot- 

 ting paper and ironed. The iron must 

 not be too hot. To retain the color of 

 red orchids, dip the flower while fresh 

 in a mixture of four parts spirits and 

 one part spirits of salt. (Take care not 

 to let this mixture fall on clothes, as it 

 will burn them.) Let the fluid dry ofi" 

 the flowers by exposure to the air, and 

 press them in the usual way. To glaze 

 flowers, use any transparent varnish. 

 The secret of pressing flowers and leaves 

 is to frequently change the paper in 

 which the}' are placed and to avoid too 

 sudden pressure at first. — American 

 Horticulturist. 



