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USES FOR THE COLE US. 



Trees of the large-flowered rose acacia may be had of 

 the leading nurserymen who advertise ornamental trees 

 and shrubs. The price is but a trifle above that of the 

 parent species. 



Mention may here be made of another well-known 

 ornamental robinia, namely, the species known as gum 



or clammy acacia or locust, R. viscosa. This is a tree 

 resembling the common yellow locust, but not so large 

 a grower, and has flowers of a pale pink color, without 

 fragrance. Its compact habit, beautiful foliage and 

 pretty blooms make it a very desirable tree for grounds 

 of moderate extent. * * *, N. Y. 



USES FOR THE COLEUS 



BOTH OUT-DOORS AND IN. 



jOLEUS is not only useful for rib- 

 bon borders and for filling tropical 

 beds that are to contain plants of 

 large size, but small thrifty spec- 

 mens also make fine ornaments for 

 the drawing-room and the window 

 garden. For standing in halls on 

 each side of the doorway, large speci- 

 mens in twelve and fourteen-inch 

 pots should be selected, and the 

 plants kept upon a suitable stand. 



The plants thrive well in a mixture of good loamy 

 soil, leaf-mold, and a liberal amount of sand. Some 

 good rotten manure can be added with advantage. 

 They can also be grown successfully if treated in the 

 same manner as pelargoniums. Cuttings of about 

 three inches in length root readily if inserted in small 

 pots filled with sandy loam, and submitted to a tem- 

 perature of 70°. The cuttings, as soon as rooted, 

 should be shifted into four or five-inch pots. The lead- 

 ing shoots must be pinched several times to cause the 

 plants to become bushy. 



If very large specimens are required, the cuttings 

 must be struck late in the fall, or as early as possible 

 in the new year, and the plants given liberal treatment 

 and grown in a temperature not lower than 70° until 

 they have attained the size required. These plants are 

 very sensitive to cold, and choice varieties that may be 

 outside in late summer must be housed before the 



nights become cold ; otherwise, they lose their lower 

 leaves and become sickly. 



It is an excellent plan for the ordinary grower to 

 raise plants from seed rather than keep the plants over 

 winter. The seed is very small, but if good, it will 

 speedily germinate, and plants can be obtained by this 

 means with foliage as beautiful as many of the best 

 named varieties. The seed should be sown early in 

 February, in shallow boxes filled with light soil. But 

 good serviceable plants can be obtained if the sowing 

 is delayed till March. When the young plants become 

 large enough to handle, they should be potted into 

 small pots, and grown in a temperature of not less tharf 

 60° at night. The bright colors of the foliage will be 

 found to be much intensified if the plants are allowed 

 the full benefit of the sun's rays. 



Those who have window gardens, and are unable to 

 raise the plants either from cuttings or seed, should 

 purchase a few plants at the florist's, and treat them in 

 the same manner as geraniums during the summer. 

 Plants thus managed will be found to do well, and to 

 put up with a considerable amount of rough treatment. 



The coleus when growing rapidly requires plentiful 

 supplies of water, and it is wonderful how quickly the 

 plant will revive after watering has been long delayed, 

 and the plant is in a very drooping condition. Care 

 must be used also to keep off the "mealy bug." The 

 coleus is known to many persons only as ' 'Joseph's Coat. '' 



Baton Rouge, La. H. W. Smith. 



