1883.] 



THE AMERICAN GARDEN. 



87 



JUNCUS ZEBRINUS. 



This beautifully variegated plant, of which 

 the accompanying illustration gives an accu- 

 rate representation, enjoys, not inappropri- 

 ately, the popular name Porcupine plant. 

 It is a native of Japan, and was originally 

 brought here by Mr. Thomas Hogg. The 

 entire stock passed into the hands of a nur- 

 seryman in England, where it has been prop- 

 agated and made famous, and whence it is 

 now re-introduced to America. 



The plant is semi-aquatic, and belongs to 

 the family of Bushes. Its 

 round, glossy leaves are 

 transversely variegated 

 with green and ivory- 

 white bands, of varying 

 widths, making in some 

 the white, and in others 

 the green predominating. 

 The species is almost 

 deciduous ; that is, the 

 larger portion of the 

 leaves die off during win- 

 ter. When the leaves first 

 appear in spring, they 

 do not show their pecul- 

 iar variegation very de- 

 cidedly ; but as they 

 grow to maturity, — at 

 which time they attain 

 a height of three feet in 

 strong plants, — they be- 

 come more distinctly 



SPRING TREATMENT OF ROSES. 



One of the principal causes of failure with 

 Roses is uncovering them too early. It is 

 seldom advisable to remove the covering be- 

 fore the first of April, and then only a part 

 should be taken off, leaving the remainder 

 about two weeks more, or longer if the 

 season is very backward. The plants should 

 then be pruned, and the beds receive a good 

 dressing of well rotted manure, slightly 

 forked under, and the beds leveled, so as 

 to present a neat and tidy appearance. 



From present appear- 

 ances the plant seems to 

 be perfectly hardy in our 

 climate, and will prove a 

 most valuable addition 

 for various purposes: in 

 the mixed border, as sin- 

 gle specimens on lawns, 

 and especially for the 

 margins of ponds, and in 

 bog-gardens. 



When used as speci- 

 men plants on lawns, 

 where the soil is sandy 

 or not naturally moist 

 enough, it will be found 

 a good plan to use a 

 large flower-pot, stop up 

 with a cork the hole in 

 the bottom, and fill with 

 rich soil about two-thirds 

 full ; then place the plant 

 in it, press the soil firmly 

 about the roots, and fill 

 with water. The pot 

 should then be plunged 

 up to the rim in the 

 ground in the place de- 

 sired. The soil should 

 never be allowed to be- 

 come dry, and whenever 

 necessary, the pot should 

 be filled with water. Such a condition is 

 more in conformity with the natural require- 

 ments of the plant, which will thrive much 

 better in this way than planted out in a soil 

 subject to the fluctuations of drought and 

 moisture common in our climate. In winter 

 the pot should be lifted and placed in a cellar. 



For indoor ciilture the plants are equally 

 desirable, and may be effectively used as sin- 

 gle specimens in windows, in vases and 

 baskets, or in Wardian cases and aquariums. 



John Thorpe. 



JUNCUS ZEBRINUS. 



Hybrid, Perpetual, and Moss Roses bloom 

 best on the strong, new wood ; they require, 

 therefore, to be cut back pretty severely 

 before the shoots start into growth. This 

 pruning should be carefully performed, so as 

 to give the plants a symmetrical form ; and, 

 as the plants will attain considerable size in 

 a few years, it is quite essential that a per- 

 fect shape should be preserved. 



The Everblooming Roses, Teas, Bourbons, 

 etc., require to be cut back about one-half, 

 and all weak and dead shoots should also be 



removed. It often happens that some are 

 killed to the ground ; but if the roots are not 

 injured, they will soon put forth new shoots, 

 and flower as well as ever. Climbing Roses 

 should also be pruned in the spring, re- 

 moving all dead and weak wood, and as 

 much more as is necessary to keep the plants 

 in their proper limits. Baltimore Belle is 

 one of the very best sorts ; when in flower, 

 the whole plant appears a perfect mass of 

 bloom. The flowers are very double, and 

 are produced in immense clusters. 



In this vicinity spring 

 is the best season for 

 planting Roses, and if 

 the plants have been 

 grown in the open 

 ground, the earlier they 

 are planted after the 

 ground has settled the 

 more likely are they to 

 live and flourish. When 

 grown in pots, it is best 

 not to plant them out 

 before the first of May, 

 which allows them suf- 

 ficient time to take hold 

 of the soil before the 

 hot, dry summer weather 

 sets in. 



In preparing beds, it is 

 well to remember that 

 the Roses do not thrive 

 in a very moist or heavy 

 soil ; so, if the ground is 

 wet, it must be well 

 drained or, if heavy or 

 clayey, all the soil in the 

 bed will have to be 

 changed before Roses 

 will thrive in it. 



Roses luxuriate in a 

 deep, rich soil, and pro- 

 duce flowers in the great- 

 est profusion and per- 

 fection, both as regards 

 size and color, if this 

 essential requisite be 

 given them. To attain 

 the best success, the en- 

 tire bed should be dug 

 over to the depth of two 

 feet at least, and a good 

 quantity of well rotted 

 manure and bone-dust 

 should be thoroughly in- 

 corporated with the soil. 

 All this preparatory work 

 should be done as early 

 in the season as possible, 

 so that the soil may be- 

 come well settled before 

 the time for planting- 

 arrives. 



In planting, it is im- 

 portant to firm the earth 

 tightly around the roots ; 

 and in selecting a situation for the bed, 

 choose a sunny place, fully exposed to light 

 and air. Keep the ground light and mellow, 

 free from weeds, the plants free from insects, 

 and an abundance of beautiful buds and 

 flowers will be the reward. 



When making a selection of varieties, 

 hardiness, vigor of growth, beauty of form 

 and color, fragrance and constancy of bloom 

 have to be considered, bearing in mind that 

 all the best qualities are not to be found in 

 one Rose. Charles E. Parnell. 



