GREETING FLOWERS. 



607 



The best soil for nearly all pot plants is composed of 

 leaf mould, good garden loam and sand mixed in equal 

 parts ; in many cases less of the sand should be used. 



The Myrtles like best a soil composed of peat, with 

 garden loam, and they should be watered regularly and 

 syringed quite often. In order to raise bushy plants, 

 take cuttings, and after they are rooted, plant in very 

 small pots, and as they grow gradually shift them into 

 pots a size larger each time. The young shoots should 

 be nipped off, as it prevents the flowers from coming. 



Among the principal climbers which are easily grown 

 in pots during the winter, the best are the passion 

 flowers, maurandias, thunbergias, cobsea, ipomseas, big- 

 nonia, lophospermums, nasturtiums, manettia vine and 

 Solajmin Jasi)ti)widcs, besides all the ivies, morning 

 glories, etc. 



The Angle-worm, or common earth-worm, which is 

 found in all soils and often in flower pots, is not to be 

 feared because of the direct injury it may do lo the 

 plants themselves, but because it feeds on the nutri- 

 ment contained in the soil, thus robbing the plants of 



their proper nourishment. It also injures the soil- 

 Lime water can be successfully used against it, as the 

 caustic of the lime acts fatally on its cuticle. 



The Vincas, Harrisonii and major variegata, are 

 lovely trailing plants for hanging baskets, bracket pots 

 and vases. They grow nicely in the house, or they 

 may be wintered over in the cellar. 



The Alternanthera likes plenty of heat and thrives 

 well if given a warm, light place ; the temperature must 

 not fall below si.xty-five degrees at night. 



Nitrate of soda is a valuable fertilizer for carna- 

 tions, chrysanthemums, etc., during their growing 

 period, as it is a powerful stimulant to them, and makes 

 their foliage very luxuriant, and the flowers larger and 

 more abundant ; but, like all other manures and stimu- 

 lants, it should not be given to the plants when at rest. 

 When used, it must be applied very sparingly. The 

 proper proportion to mix it for use is to dissolve one- 

 half pound of the nitrate in six gallons of water. Mixed 

 in this proportion it is also a good fertilizer for lawns. 



Greta Beverly. 



GREETING FLOWERS. 



HE PAST summer has de. 

 veloped a charming feature 

 in the retail cut-flower trade 

 that bids fair to maintain 

 a popular hold, recom- 

 mended as it is, by its 

 simple, affectionate, refined 

 eleiTients. This new or en- 

 larged line of trade is ex- 

 pressively termed "greeting flowers." The re- 

 membrance basket for departing friends bound on 

 ocean or trans-continental trips, the elaborate pre- 

 sentation boquet, the cunning boutonniere, a 

 myriad of devices for wedding and other ceremon- 

 ials, have all drawn upon the taste and ingenuity 

 of the decorating florist. 



The donor suggests the special varieties appropriate 

 to the occasion, and herein is a charm connected with 

 the idea. Thus, at the wharf, depot, hotel or tea table, 

 a visiting relative or cherished friend may be greeted 

 with a tuft of heather that will call back the breath of 

 far off hills. In this significance of flowers there can be 

 a graceful posy-blending that will contain the best loved 

 blooms, buds, sprigs or sprays considerately identified 

 with pleasant experiences. The range of resources is 

 ample; "everything goes," princely or plebian, fitting 

 playful or higher moods. 



The field-spangling daisies — now dignified to "Mar- 

 guerites, " dahlias and geraniums in their palette-spattered 

 array, opal-tinted pea-blossoms, dandelions that vie the 

 guinea, swaggering, gaudy tiger lilies, honeysuckles 

 with their coral petals, pompous horse-chestnut blooms, 

 asters of cameo-cut neatness, tress-like chrysanthemums. 



rompish carnations, dainty wood flowers, and the count- 

 less multitudes of wayside, garden and glass grown 

 beauties are all adaptable to some sentimental or remind- 

 ful significance. As a " touch of nature makes the whole 

 world kin," so the humblest individualized floral greet- 

 ing assumes an adorning halo which belongs not to art, 

 but to love. 



It is interesting to observe the quiet enthusiasm and 

 delight the exhibition of simple flowers creates around 

 florists' windows. A spray or two of fox-glove or a 

 bunch of delicate primroses will unfailingly attract a 

 little group as readily as a gorgeous orchid. A bright 

 oleander in full bloom, often to be seen in front of a 

 New'York wine or dining saloon, always proves to be an 

 inducement for the visiting Texan to call for liquids or 

 solids at the home-reminding place. 



We are glad to see a reviving taste for the so called 

 " common " flowers, and the "greeting" idea will do 

 much to further it. Greenhouse producers are already 

 adding to their list varieties that have evidently settled 

 into permanent demand. 



Speaking of common flowers, we recently heard a 

 prominent man of wealth say to his gardener: "Why 

 don't you raise some old-fashioned holly-hocks?" The 

 gardener replied "Well, I haven't thought them 

 stylish enough to bother with." "Stylish enough! 

 why, my good man, don't mind that ; raise me some next 

 season. When I see them growing they always put me 

 in mind of my dear old mother standing where they 

 were waving by the gate side, as she kissed me off to 

 school." 



Only another melodious echo of poor Ophelia's 

 sweet murmer when she culls rosemary from her flowers : 

 — " that's for remembrance. " T. A, G- 



