VENTURA-BY-THK-SEA, CALIFORNIA. 05 



Remarks and Scjqqestions. 



Solatium Betaceum on page 24 is the picture of a branch cut from a tree 

 growing near the greenhouse; as it was late in the season many of the clusters of 

 fruit were broken at the ends of the branches, where are frequently five to ten in a 

 cluster; the picture was taken in January; the foliage at this time of the year becomes 

 ragged and brown at the edges and drops off, but the new foliage soon comes out; 

 the fruit varies in size from that of a small hen's egg to a goose egg. 



House Plants. 



There is nothing more satisfactory for a house plant than Aspidistra Lurida; 

 it is very showy and will stand for months in any part of the house, requiring only 

 an occasional watering and sponging of the foliage; the two varieties of New Zealand 

 Flax make very stately plants for the house. Palms and Dracsenas are also invaluable 

 for this purpose. Begonias are also very satisfactory; a fine specimen of my new tree 

 Begonias, when grown in a bay window, where the light can shine through the beauti- 

 ful leaves and exquisite flowers, is lovely beyond description. 



P^anefin<g Basket^, kSirydouj Boxes and I^ugtie pot§. 



The window boxes and pots are made of the bark of the Fan Palm, and are 

 very pretty and effective. I furnish these filled with plants, at reasonable prices. 

 Hanging baskets with plants from 75 cts. to $3.00 each. 



WINDOW BOXES'^^ Very P rett y ones can be made ? f boxes covered 



. ^ with rice matting, or art matting banded with 



bamboo, or with bark of the California Fan Palm, banded with stems of the palm 

 leaves. I furnish bamboo, and palm bark for the purpose, or boxes made up on ap- 

 plication. 



GREAT care should be exercised in setting out plants. Many choice things are lost 

 by not being planted firmly in the ground. Never set out a plant when the soil is 

 too wet, or it will pack; it should be mellow and crumbly. The roots of plants should 

 be spread carefully if without soil; if balled, they should be loosened a little around 

 the ball to induce them to grow outward. After pulverizing the soil around the plant, 

 press it firmly with the foot, after which water thoroughly and deep. When the water 

 has settled around the plant cover with dry soil. Watch the plant carefully until well 

 established and see that the soil does not become porous through evaporation and the 

 air dry up the roots. Small plants should be carefully shaded till established. 



When plants from pots are set in the ground, the outer roots should be loosened 

 to grow into the new soil, which, if packed against a ball of matted roots, will prevent 

 growth and cause the plant to die slowly. 



Everyone who cultivates a garden should have some favorite flower, and bring 

 it to its highest state of perfection; learn how to hybridize, and bring into existence 

 new varieties of the old favorite. 



It is a very pretty idea to have a little white garden off by itself, where white 

 flowers are cultivated only, and if there is room and time, a pink, red, or blue bed in 

 proximity will add greatly to the effect. 



CACTI from SEED.— It is a delight to watch their growth from the time that 

 the seed sprouts, until it develops into a spiney ball or calumn, and sends out its 

 satiny blossoms. Cactus seeds are all sizes; from the size of a small pea to a grain of 

 mustard seed. They should be planted in pots, half filled with pot-sherds or gravel, 

 with a couple of inches of sand. The seeds should be planted on top of the sand, 

 and well watered and kept covered with glass. They generally sprout within ten days 

 or a month. It is surprising to see the size of a plant that has come from a very small 

 seed. They are beautiful little things; the most delicate colors, pale green, soft pink 

 or pale yellow, and pure white; round or oval, dotted over the surface of the ground, 

 resembling gems. 



