36 



EVERY WOMAN HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER, 



planted in boxes in a warm kitchen, tliev will put forth leaves and vege- 

 tate rapidly^ and can then be transplanted into the borders. The tender 

 branches and buds should be cut off, else they will continue for awhile 

 to grow in the cellar^ and thus lose their lives. 



Cuttings can be started in the open borders, bilt they are not as sure 

 to live. It is no more trouble to grow a Geranium than a cabbage, 

 yet one is far more desirable than the other, unless hunger is at the 

 door. 



Geraniums are never attacked by the aphis, or red spder, and this is 

 a greaf attribute ; one is not forced to fight for their lives. 



Tlie Pelargonium. 



The flowers of this plant are much sought after on account of their 

 perfect coloring and blotches. There are all shades of scarlet, crimson, 

 pink, purple and white ; the lower leaves, and frequently the upper, are 

 veined and blotched with the darkest crimson, purple and red, beautifully 

 veined with the lighter shades. The leaves of the plant are more 

 pleasantly perfumed than those of the Geranium, and have no zonale, 

 or horse-shoe markings, but are of a rich, vi^id green. Xo description 

 can convey any idea of the beauty of the flowers. They bloom in border 

 or bed all the summer, and are to be had in hundreds of varieties. They 

 are propagated both from cuttings and seeds, and the novelties'' are 

 produced by careful hybridization. They require a light, sandy loam, 

 well enriched with cow manure, and if they are not plentifully supplied 

 with water, their buds will wither away. They need more sunlight 

 than the Geranium to bloom in perfection. Some of them are tall in 

 growth, and produce a good effect planted singly on the lawn. They 

 are the most showy-flowered of all the bedding-out plants, excepting the 

 Scarlet Salvia, and their varied tints and exquisite colors make them 

 very desirable in the smallest garden. 



Their habit is not always compact, but they can be cut and trimmed 

 to a fine shape, and the older plants require such treatment to bloom 

 well, the second year. 



Among the many varieties offered for our selection, the most desirable 

 ones are : — 



Gen. Taylor, of a rich crimson, blotched with the darkest tint of red. 

 Niagara, white, striped and blotched with crimson. 

 Competitor, black, edged with rose. 



