VENTURA-BY-THE-SKA, CALIFORNIA. 51 
Alphonse Bouvier. <A remarkably luxuriant grower, in rich ground 
attaining a height of 6 to 7 feet. Color is of a rich, brilliant crimson, almost 
approaching scarlet when the flower opens, changing to a deep, dazzling 
crimson as the flowers fully develop. 
Maranta. Very handsome dark foliage, streaked with dark red and 
yellowish-green. Very dwart habit. The leaves are so handsome as to re- 
semble a Maranta; and the beautiful crimson, iris-like flowers are dotted 
with a darker red. Very dwarf habit; a fine pot plant. A mate to Rain- 
bow 15c each. 
Dwarf Canna Rainbow. A_ beautiful new canna that rivals the 
bright colored dracenas in the gay colors of its foliage. It makes a very 
handsome pot plant and is also a fine bedder. The leaves are dark maroon 
red, marked with green, white, pink and red. It grows 18 inches high, and 
is a littfe beauty. 10c each. 
$1.00 per doz. postpaid. Clumps 35e to 50c. $3.75 to $4.00 per doz. 
| CHOICE CHRVYSANTHEMUMS. 
“The Queen of Autumn,” 
We are apt to loose our interest in Chrysanthemums in the spring, be- 
eause the blooming season seems so far away, but if we leave them out of our 
ealculations till autumn and we see in other gardens stately specimens 
crowned with splendid flowers, or blooming in riotous profusion, we wish 
that we too, had paid our allegiance to the Queen of Autumn, for on her loyal 
subjects she bestows royal favors, and prepares her grand autumnal pageant ; 
well worth months of devoted service, The best time for planting chrysan- 
themums is April, not later than May or the first of June. The ground 
should be perfectly enltivated and enriched, giving first a very thin sprink- 
ling of wood ashes, and a bountiful supply of rotted manure. If large flowers 
are desired plants should be grown from cuttings, to prevent shoots from the 
roots; if masses of flowers are desired they can be grown from root divisions. 
They should never be allowed to suffer for water; to prevent baking of the 
soil it is well to have the ground mulched. About August Ist it is well to cut 
back the plants about half way, to prevent too early blooms and to make 
bushy plants. When the flower buds appear, if large flowers are desired, 
leave only the central bud to each shoot; if a mass of flowers, the small side 
buds should be pinched off leaving only the center ones on eachbranch. If 
the plants need support neat stakes can be supplied. With these require- 
ments attended to, any one can grow a fine bed of chrysanthemums. 
Mrs. Shepherd’s Artistic Chrysanthemums. 
Dreams of Beauty. 
Curly Locks. This is a curly darling, a perfect beauty. Semi- 
double, petals long, quilled, opening about an inch from the tip; inner 
petals incurving, and curling gracefully over the center; outer petals long 
