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IN D FA LLS. 



vain, different times for planting, different soil and treat- 

 ment to secure a better result, but with no effect ; not one- 

 tenth of the seed would germinate. Long ago one of 

 my neighbors told me that they were directed "to cut 

 the seed before planting. " I tried this and got no plants, 

 Last March I planted one-half pound of seed, and so far 

 but one plant has made its appeararce. 



Finally I ordered some plants from an extensive 

 grower. Through some mistake he sent me two vari- 

 eties of seeds instead of the plants. With these seeds 

 came a printed slip advising the " cutting off of the end 

 of each seed and then soaking over night in hot water 

 followed by planting in rich loamy soil next day there- 

 after." Despairingof getting plants, unless by purchase, 

 I concluded as a last resort to try the cutting process 

 again. Mr. Smith, the florist, had kindly and thought- 

 fully cut a few to show me how much to cut off. Only 

 very little is taken from the seed. I began and cut over 

 one hundred seeds, leaving about twenty uncut to test 

 the method. I carefully followed the directions, but 

 planted the cut and uncut seeds in different places. 



It was not three days before the cut seed showed vig- 

 orous germination, and ere two weeks elapsed I think 

 the whole number planted were in vigorous growth. Of 

 the uncut seeds not one has sprouted and they show no 

 sign whatever of doing so. To me this cutting of the 

 seed is a new idea, but not the soaking in hot water. — 

 Mrs. J. S. R. Thompson, S. C. 



The Storm ftueen. 



The fairy of the storms one day 

 Put on her robes to have some play ; 

 A sportive elf, on mischief bent. 

 For fun her very soul intent. 



A wreath of hailstones was her crown, 



A snow-drift pure her royal gown. 



All icicle her scepter nice, ' 



And slippers wore she, formed of ice. 



She paused on window-panes to trace 

 Rare ferns and flowers of wondrous grace; 

 The water-fall she made a home, 

 Palatial for the wandering gnome. 



The spruce trees somber, decked by her, 

 Wore garments of the costliest fur ; 

 Incased in pearls the clothes-line hung : 

 Above the electric wires sung. 



But, wearying of this active play, 

 She rested near the close of day, 

 And laid her on the moss to sleep 

 Where soon arbutus buds will peep. 



Amidst the slumbering flowers she lies. 

 To take her nap till summer dies, 

 And winter calls her once again 

 To riot in the snow and rain. 



— IV. IV. Bailey, in N. Y. Independent. 



Hardy Gaiilardias. — I have a passion for hardy 

 plants. I think there are many readers of the maga- 

 zines, who, like myself, place confidence in the rec- 

 comendation of a plant from one of ourselves who has 

 really grown and tried it when we would not trust the 

 nurseryman. True, we may not all possess the same 



tastes, but one can easily determine, if a good descrip- 

 tion is given, whether a certain plant will be liked or 

 not. I like these hardy gaiilardias very much. I have 

 three varieties: Superba, crimson bordered with yel- 

 low ; Perfection, a dwarf variety, bright scarlet with a 

 margin of yellow ; Templei, orange, crimson and red, 

 intermingling, but still having rings, and a brown cen- 

 ter. The flowers are large, perhaps two and a half to 

 three inches across and the stems are at least eighteen 

 inches high. They are all perfectly hardy, but of course 

 everything with us at the north should have some 

 slight protection. — Hyacinth, Iowa. 



Is Charcoal Good for Orchids? — I do not hesitate 

 to say that charcoal is not beneficial to orchids. I 

 have always noticed that the roots prefer other drain- 

 age and avoid the charcoal, which causes them to turn 

 black and rot. — J. Van lansberger . 



Many times I have observed that orchids which had 

 drainage of potsherds and moss were healthier than 

 those with which charcoal had been used either in the 

 compost or as drainage. I have also noticed that the 

 sphagnum in pots is much sooner killed if charcoal is 

 present. — Otio Ballif. 



I have entirely stopped using charcoal in growing or- 

 chids. A free circulation of air about the roots of the 

 plants is essential, and this can be obtained much bet- 

 ter with other drainage than charcoal, which becomes 

 sodden with water and then does not permit the passage 

 of air. — G. Miteati. 



A serious objection to the use of charcoal in growing 

 orchids is the manner in which it retains water, causing 

 the roots to rot. That phalaenopsis does well on a 

 charred block of wood, I think is due to the thinness of 

 the layer of charcoal. Water is not retained in quan- 

 tities sufficient to injure the plant. — P. Silner. 



The growth of my orchids is equally vigorous if char- 

 coal is used or not. — A. Blew. 



If charcoal is not better than potsherds, at least it is 

 no worse if properly employed. It is lighter and the 

 plants can fasten their roots to it more easily than to 

 other materials. — Mas de Villia. 



The conclusion to be drawn from these and many 

 other letters which we have received, is decidedly un- 

 favorable to the use of charcoal in growing orchids. — 

 Adapted from the Journal des Orcliidees. 



Treatment for Amaryllis. — Two months ago I ob- 

 tained six dry bulbs of amaryllis. I potted at once in 

 leaf mold and loam and a little rotted cow dung, placed 

 the pots in a temperature of about 60° and kept the 

 earth a little moist, not wet. The bulbs, though round 

 and healthy, have not made a sign of growth, not even 

 a speck of green at the top. Can you tell wherein the 

 treatment was wrong ? — H, M. T. 



Ans-vered by B. M. Watson, Jr. — Your correspondent 

 need not worry about his amaryllis bulbs, so long as 

 they are free from decay, and firm to the touch ; good 

 growth is bound to come in due time, with the treat- 

 ment described. The soil required for the plants should 



