54 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



always destroyed as soon as possible because the farmer regards them as one of 

 his enemies when growing in the field. But this shrub, when planted in its 

 proper place in some clump of shrubbery of the lawn, is an ornament. This 

 variety is most at home along the borders of streams, but there is another variety, 

 which we find along the rocky sides of the " mountain," almost anywhere from 

 the Niagara Falls to Collingwood, which is still more desirable. It is the red- 

 berried variety (Sambucus Canadensis), and this grouped with the dark-berried 

 one and other shrubs is by no means to be despised. To the same family that 

 includes Elders, belong many other beautiful native shrubs, as, for example, the 

 Snowberry, the Honeysuckles, the Cranberry tree, etc., all of which have special 

 beauty, and would, if imported by some traveller from China or Japan, be 

 highly esteemed. Why then do we not open our eyes to those beauties of 

 nature which are about us, and beautify our house-yards with some of those 

 charming Canadian shrubs which grow within our reach, and which may be 

 had without cost ? 



FAILURE OF BLOOM. 



^NE cause of failure to secure blooms is injudicious watering^ — deluging 

 at one time and withholding at another, and paying no attention to the 

 needs of the different varieties. The appetites and needs of plants are so varied 

 as those of people, and their temperaments differ, too ; there are the sanguine, the 

 sensitive, the plegmatic — each requiring to be dealt with accordingly. While one 

 plant will thrive, notwithstanding the utmost neglect, and subsist on almost noth- 

 ing, another must have nourishing food and warm drink. It is a good plan to 

 adapt the water to the temperature of the room, and always be quite sure that the 

 drainage is good. Often a plant will droop and look sickly, when, if the matter 

 is looked into, it will be found that water stands in the bottom of the jar. A 

 bent wire is always useful in this case, for by penetrating the holes at the 

 base of the pot, and stirring the earth, passages will be made for the escape of 

 stagnant water and gas. Then water freely, being sure that the water runs 

 through quickly ; drain all off, loosen the soil at the top of the jar, and with- 

 hold moisture until the plant is again healthy. 



The calla, as is well known, requires plenty of quite warm water ; if in a 

 double jar, boiling water may be used in the lower jar, and will wonderfully 

 hasten growth and blossoms. Fuchsias are thirsty plants, especially when in 

 flower, and moisture is necessary to the Chinese primrose. The majority of 

 plants require a weekly bath ; in fact, nothing so invigorates them as a shower 

 bath of tepid water. Those which cannot be removed readily for the showering 

 may have their leaves sponged.^ — Vick's Magazine. 



