478 



PA CK/A'G CUT FL O WERS. 



have large flowers like poppies and are of easy culture. 

 They want a good deal of room in which to spread. 



Gathering seeds from choice plants is always inter- 

 esting, as it makes one look forward hopefully to an- 

 other year, and the wonders which these tiny seeds will 

 bring forth ; oftimes to an abundance of some favorite 

 which perhaps could not be afforded this year. Seeds 

 should not be gathered until the seed-pods are full-grown, 

 which may be ascertained by their appearing as if they 

 would soon burst ; but at this time close watching is 

 required, in order to prevent the seed-pods sudden- 

 ly bursting and scattering their seed on the ground. Do 

 not gather them when the pods are at all wet. Lay the 

 seed pods on plates or in papers, and place where they 

 will be exposed to fresh air, but in the shade, and where 

 perfectly dry. When the pods are thoroughly dry the 

 seeds may be taken out and tied up in papers, or better 

 in small envelopes, each carefully labelled. 



The Cosmos are Me.xican plants, usually treated as 

 annuals; Ihey have tuberous roots like thedahliaand 

 may have about the same culture. They have showy 

 flowers, and the plants thrive in any common soil, grow- 

 ing four and five feet high. 



Crassula is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. It is 

 succulent and bears heads of red or white flowers. 

 Like all the Cape plants, it should have a season of rest, 

 alternating with a season of growth. The pots should 

 be well drained ; ttie soil a sandy loam with some lime 

 or brick rubbish. When bedded they should have plen- 

 ty of water, but do not let any water stand around the 

 pots, and the supply of water should be gradually 

 lessened as the flowers commence to fade, until only a 

 little is given about once a week. 



Iberis sempei-virens plena is an introduction from Eu- 

 rope, and is like ordinary hardy candytuft, except that 

 it ranks ahead of that in having larger and perfectly 

 double white flowers, and is fine for cuttings. Planted 

 this fall it will bloom profusely next spring. Among the 

 fine hardy plants for fall planting, we must certainly 

 have the Wahlenbergias ; there are two varieties, 

 Walilenhergia alba bearing lovely white flowers, and 

 XVahlenbergia C(C7-nlca which has blue flowers. These 

 plants grow from two to three feet high, and bloom 

 abundantly. The flowers are very good for cutting. 



Onondaga Co., N. V. G. B. 



PACKING CUT FLOWERS. 



I 'lONG the quantities of cut-flow- 

 ("^Milw^^^^ ers sent through the mails 

 ^W^nffK every day, but few, compara- 



AvCf^^~^^ tively speaking, are received in 



/Ml^^^N. fair condition. Nearly every 

 jJL^ ^ one thinks it an easy matter to 



I send a box of flowers to some 



distant friend by post, and so 

 the flowers are filled into a small paper box, a wet 

 newspaper laid over or around them and this is sup- 

 posed to finish the process, all except tying the 

 strings and addressing. 



Is it any wonder that they reach their destination in a 

 generally collapsed condition and really bring disappoint- 

 ment where only pleasure is intended ? Cardboard boxes 

 are apt to be broken badly in the mails, through rough 

 handling, and perhaps a very moistened condition. In- 

 stead, procure light wooden boxes from two to five inches 

 deep. Line the box with a sheet of wadding or cotton 

 batting, fitting it well into the corners ; then over this 

 place a sheet of tissue paper. Lay the flowers in care- 

 fully, not on top of each other, but in rows side by side 

 as closely as they will fit until the bottom of the box is 

 well covered, the blossoms of each row lying on the stems 

 of those adjoining them ; for if the flowers are laid one 

 on top of the other they will not endure the transit well. 

 Pack closely, for if this is not done the flowers will be- 



come displaced, perhaps badly shaken up and injured. 

 The flowers, before being packed, should be previously 

 prepared by standing in water for several hours, so that 

 the stems may absorb enough moisture to last them for 

 some time and prevent their withering. In sending flow- 

 ers away during the summer I cut the blossoms late the 

 night before and place in dishes of water in the ice box 

 or in the cellar until wanted next morning. After the 

 flowers have been carefully packed give them a very 

 slight sprinkling with water, if they are to travel far ; 

 lay over them a sheet of tissue paper and some more 

 cotton batting before fastening on the cover. Always 

 have the box of a size regulated to the quantity of flow- 

 ers so that it may be well filled and no space left. When 

 sending roses, it does not pay to take any full-blown ones, 

 as the petals drop so quickly. Flowers should not be 

 heavily sprinkled, as too much moisture where there is 

 no circulation of air is apt to cause mildew. Where 

 ferns, foliage leaves and smilax are added, they should 

 be placed in the bottom of the box and a sheet of tissue 

 paper laid between them and the blooms. 



Of course, these hints apply to flowers in general ; 

 there are many varieties which require special care pe- 

 culiar to themselves, in order to carry well. These 

 directions, as given, will perhaps make a little extra trou- 

 ble, the wooden boxes may cost a little more in postage, 

 but it will be time and money well invested in the surety 

 of having a success. Greta Beverly. 



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