1 8 The Canadian Horticui-turisi. 



starting with a few hundred plants, thousands can be had in a year's time, thus 

 putting a beginning within the reach of anyone. 



At the Station grounds, Ohio — owing to the two severe frosts of the 5th and 

 17 th of May, no satisfactory report can be given on the strawl)erry. 'i'he varie- 

 ties with perfect flowers suffered more than the pistillate, Parker Earle and 

 Enhance being apparent exceptions. 



It seems to be the rule, that the blossoms of some varieties are easily killed 

 before the buds open : varieties, that give large crops in seasons of no frost, 

 give comparatively good crops in frosty seasons. Pistillate varieties are more 

 ])rolific than staminate, and are more hardy as well. They recommend, as 

 formerly, Haverland, Crescent, Bubach, with Gandy, Pearl and Enhance as 

 pollenizers. 



Gratiiotu Joth Dec, i8gi. John Litti.e. 



Ornamentinc. the Home Grounds. — Shrubs are valued for their bloom 

 as well as for form and foliage. Each variety will serve some special end. As 

 a rule, plant in irregular groups, as directed for trees. At projecting points in 

 shrub masses, plant some hardy herbaceous perennials. Use vines for porches 

 or for covering a half dead tree top or rubbish pile. Plant flowers mostly at the 

 side of the house in irregular but gracefully-shaped beds, and about the trunks 

 of trees when they are young, perhaps. No special paths are needed about 

 flower or shrub groups. Rock work is seldom satisfactory, and is only appropri- 

 ate in a retired portion of the grounds. A pile of shells, rocks and scori;^? in 

 the front yard is sadly out of place. Heap them in some back and shady cor- 

 ner, and you will find great delight in transplanting from the woods and 

 meadows an assortment of hepaticas, spring beauties, bloodroot, trilliums, bell- 

 worts, phloxes, and ferns. If you have a pond near by. introduce some water- 

 lilies, cat-tail flags, pickerel weed, arrow-head, and near by set some weeping 

 willows and birches and ashes. Do not despise flower, shrub or tree because 

 it is native, or " common.'' As a rule, the best known is better than the im- 

 ported variety. Give thought and attention to all the details of making a [pleasant 

 home. It is a worthy work. \'ou will be surprised to find how much beautv 

 can be attained at little cost, and how rapidly everything hastens forward to the 

 completed ])lan in your own mind. You will have a constant comfort and a 

 fresh hope realized every year as the trees grow, and transformation follows 

 transformation toward the fulfilment of your original design. — Proi-. W. J. 

 Beai., Michigau Agricultural College. 



Seeds which had been kept in the seed-vessels of plants belonging to ihr 

 herbarium of Tonnefort, a French botanist, were found to have retained their 

 fertility after the lapse of nearly a century. — /V/. Weekly Press. 



