BUDS, BLOSSOMS, FRUITS. 



755 



Irish, Italians and Germans, as well as native-born 

 Americans — all wanted their bunch of plants. The 

 plants and loam were handed out by sturdy gardeners 

 who stood in the gate-ways, to the people on the side- 

 walk outside. Each bunch was made up as follows ; 

 geraniums, ageratum, four kinds of alternanthera, vinca, 

 abutilon, feverfew and lobelia. About 380 of these 

 bunches had been given out by eleven o'clock. It is 

 expected that the total number of bunches distributed 

 will fully equal, if not surpass, last year's aggregate of 

 3,000 bunches. Sometimes applicants were dissatisfied 

 with the plants included in the bunches, and expected to 

 be supplied with rubber plants or palms, or some other 

 highly expensive growth. But by far the greater num- 

 ber seemed greatly pleased. Most of them wanted a 



Mme. G. Bruant Rose. 



supply of potting loam, but neglected to bring anything 

 to put the loam in. One buxom German woman, who 

 was thus neglectful, presented her handkerchief with 

 the request that some loam might be tied up in it ; while 

 a stout Irish woman, more provident than her German 

 sister, handed in a bushel-basket to be filled ! A by- 

 stander suggested to an Italian, who had nothing to put 

 the loam in, that he make use of his hat. Quick as a 

 flash he retorted; " Give-a me yours an' I will-a. " 

 About one o'clock the school children began to gather, 

 and then there was a grand scramble. The gardeners 

 had a rather lively time while the children were there. 

 Mme. G. Bruant Rose. — The rugosa roses of Japan 



are comparatively new to cultivation in this country. 

 Wherever tried they have at once attracted favorable at- 

 tention by their peculiar qualities, which may be sum- 

 med up as vigor of growth, hardiness, handsome shin- 

 ing leathery leaves which insects rarely touch, and an 

 extended season of bloom. The class, since its intro- 

 duction, has been one of constant interest to hybri- 

 dizers, and not a few hybrids have been the result. 

 One of the most promising of these to date is the Mme. 

 G. Bruant, which is now being disseminated by our 

 leading nurserymen. A life-size engraving of this variety 

 is here shown. In the bud state the flowers are long and 

 pointed; when open, semi-double, pure white and fra- 

 grant, and produced in clusters. The plant is vigorous 

 and has tough, handsome foliage very similar to the true 

 rugosa type, and enjoys a freedom from insects 

 in large degree. It is classed among hardy 

 roses at Rochester, New York, and seems 

 likely to be very valuable. 



A Bottled Label. — I write the name on a 

 slip of paper, place this inside of a small bot- 

 tle or vial, and fasten the latter to the tree 

 with a copper wire. It lasts. — -C. J. Folk, 

 Ohio. 



Wild Cherry is a most beautiful ornamen- 

 tal fruit tree. There are many varieties. The 

 fruit of some is as large as a gooseberry and 

 very delicious. The berries are the best tonic 

 and expectorant. The trees bear when quite 

 young, and grow to a large size in a short time. 

 Birds are very fond of the fruit and will leave 

 grapes and other fruits for them. The mul- 

 berry is also a good fruit and the timber makes 

 the best of posts and grows rapidly. The fruit 

 is relished by most persons, and chickens are 

 very fond of it. It is sweet and glutinous. 

 Our native sorts are the best, especially the 

 black ones. Theyjare propagated successfully 

 by seed. Start some for your odd corners 

 next season. — C. H. English, Missouri. 



Utilizing the Scrub-Palmetto. — Certain 

 parts of Florida are famous for their scrub- 

 palmettos, and scrub-palmettos are famous 

 for their general worthlessness. Doubtless 

 this pest has been responsible for more groans 

 and bad words on the part of Floridians who 

 come in contact with it, than any other nuisance in the 

 state. But now all is changed. It remained for a couple 

 of bright New-Yorkers in the persons of Messrs. Cook and 

 Libby, now residents of St. Augustine, to utilize this 

 nuisance. They are purchasing scrub-palmetto roots 

 at from $4 to I5 a cord delivered, and after putting 

 it through the several processes of barking, drying and 

 sawing, and the secret one of separating the fiber, they 

 place on the market a palmetto brush. According to 

 the fiber, these brushes are in use as flesh brushes, 

 clothes brushes, scrub brushes, and almost any pur- 

 pose for which a brush is needed. Here we have one 

 good use made of an apparently worthless product. 



