1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 205 



<5< 



citizens of the world, they rejoice that since there is not sufficient ^ & 

 P taste and enterprise to attend to these things here, they are attend- 

 ed to elsewhere. 



Our attention was drown a few days ago to a plant exhibited 

 by JR. Kilvington of this city, which we knew we had seen figuredeas 

 something new and rare ; it was Microsperma bartonioides, which 

 seedsmen have had for sale as an annual under the name of Eucnida 

 and this seed was imported from London ; the plant is from Texas 

 and Oregon transported to Europe to be transmitted again to its na- 

 tive country, labelled and priced. It is, however, a pretty plant, al- 

 lied to the Loasabut not quite so pungent, as that well known creeper, 

 Loasa aurnntiac.a. It is figured in the "Flore des Serres" — from 

 which we have translated the following : 



Microsperma bartonioides, better known under the title Eucnida 

 is a Mexican plant, which appears to have flowered first in the Bot. 

 Garden of .Munich, introduced by Karwinski, furnished with large 

 golden yellow petals and heautiful tufts of stemons, with delicate fil- 

 aments, being of annual duration, it flowers in the open air in our 

 climate. (Belgium.) 



Window and Yard Gardening. 



Dahlias. — If you have any of those in your flower border, you will 

 be able to note with accuracy when the first frost occurs, as they are 

 very susceptihle of cold. When their beauty is past, take up the roots 

 and lay them in a dry, airy room for a few days with the stems down, 

 to prevent moisture lodging about them, then store them away in a 

 dry cellar for the winter ; any place that will preserve potatoes will 

 also preserve these roots. 



Fuchsias. — As these go out of flower reduce the quantity of water 

 at their roots; prune in the side shoots, they will keep well any where 

 out of the reach of frost, provided they are at the same time kept dry. 



Scarlet, or Fish Geraniums will keep in a similar manner. 



Verbenas. — A small box filled with rooted runners is perhaps the 

 simplest way of keeping them over winter ; they will stand a good 

 deal of cold and do well, although some distance from light, but in 

 either case must receive little or no water. 



Camellias require a freer circulation of air than they can receive 

 as a window plant, consequently they do not give much satisfaction 

 when kept in close rooms. Do not give them much water at present 

 until the flower buds show symptoms of expanding. Watering is an 

 important item in the management of plants, and its improper appli- 

 cation is the most fertile source of disappointment. At this season 

 when the days are short, sun less powerful and temperature low, plants 

 do not use much water; Camellia buds often drop off from the plants 

 being kept too wet and confined at this time; — of course, there is a 

 medium — they will also suffer if allowed to get as "dry as dust." 



General Remarks. — Always when you water a plant see that the 

 surplus runs freely out at the bottom of the pot; if it does not, you had 

 HU better turn it out and re-arrange the drainage. Even plants that de- 

 Uy light in moisture will not thrive when it stagnates about their roots. Q 



ib9^_ ^od 



