230 



ers are grown at the least possible cost. At a recent 

 visit, 1 judged that each of them must cut, during 

 this winter, at least 100,000 Carnations, and though 

 their variety was not extensive, yet of Bouvardia, 

 Tuberose, Violets and other free-flowering plants, 

 the crop was proportionately large. These gentle- 

 men regard $2 per hundred a remunerative price 

 for Carnations at wholesale. Indeed they were sold 

 at $1 per hundred, when the crop was at its height, 

 and still the crop pays. Now, with these figures as 

 an illustration, the question arises, can flowers be 

 furnished at such cheap rate that the masses will 

 buy them ? Certainly the Messrs. Henderson and 

 others laboring in the same direction seem to be in 

 a fair way to test this question and they deserve 

 credit and encouragement. 



But there are two difficulties to be met. The 

 dealers are not inclined to enter into this small trade, 

 not merely because of its smallness, but more espe- 

 cially because the common use of flowers would in 

 their opinion make them unfashionable. It is with 

 a feeling of indignation that we must admit that 

 there is some force in this view. Yet the products 

 of our Greenhouses are of such rare and exquisite 

 beauty and grace that they may well be described as 

 "indispensable." The rulers of fashion cannot 

 afford to place them under ban. Moreover there 

 are many kinds of flowers so rare and costly that 

 the foolishly extravagant may find ample latitude 

 for lavishing their wealth without coming in con- 

 tact or competition with the more humble lover of 

 Nature. Are diamonds out of vogue, because the 

 servant girl is profuse in the use of glass brilliants ? 

 But a more serious difficulty lies in the fact that 

 there is so little real appreciation and fondness for 

 flowers. Here is where the educating process must 

 be begun and carried on. Many influences may be 

 brought to bear and very positive results may be 

 expected to flow from this practical philanthropy. 



It must be a work of time to introduce flowers to 

 general and familiar winter use. Yet this can be 

 done. Let our florists aim for cheap production, 

 let them attempt to cultivate a more correct taste, 

 let them endeavor to gain more direct access to the 

 public and in time they will find that these now de- 

 spised drops will out measure the costly orders of 

 the wealthy. Let them learn a lesson from their 

 own art, seeking to extend the refining influences 

 of flowers, not content with profit in business mere- 

 ly, but aiming also to be real benefactors of man- 

 kind. To develop or extend the influences of Na- 

 ture is, in a sense, to enter into work of the 

 Creator. 



BECmUOUS ^HHUBBERY, TRUES, AND 

 HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 

 BY WALTER ELDER, PHILAD'A. 



Evergreen Trees, by their shelter in winter, are 

 like guards of a castle in times of cruel war : they 

 break the force of cold blasts as the guards repel all 

 assaults. Shrubbery are like ladies, who flit 

 out in new dresses in colors so various and pretty, to 

 adorn the wsys of mankind. 



Forsythia is first dressed in a bright yellow gown, 

 with joyful tidings that winter is gone. 



Daphne mezereon is a miniature tree 2 feet high, 

 with dark pink blooms, of sweetest perfume. 



Cydonia jajooni'ca, one shines in bright scarlet, 

 another in white. 



Deutzixi gracilis, four feet broad, two feet tall, 

 with silvery-white blooms. 



Amygdalis nana, a pink and a white, with double 

 Daisy-like flowers. 



Spiraea, prunifolia and Reevesii, double, white 

 blooms, like shirt buttons. 



Syringa, (Lilacs,) both purple and white; all 

 fragrant and beautiful. 



Lonicera tartarica, Honeysuckle blooms; pink, 

 lilac and white in profusion. 



Lahurnum^ rich yellow bloom.s; like racemes of 

 gold. 



Magnolia purpurea, large, purple flowers, like 

 cups at a festival of Flora. 



Ph-iladelphus, white, odoriferous blooms, in thou- 

 sands they show. 



Weigelia rosea, bright, rosy bells, of exquisite 

 splendor. 



Calycanthus, brown, sweet-scented blooms; a 

 favorite with ladies, 



Berberis, (Berbery,) gold bead looking florets, of 

 Hyacinth perfume. 



Deufzia scahra, tasseled all over with scooped 

 bloom bells ; pure, paper white. 



Viburnum opulus, large masses of flowers, the color 

 and form of "snowballs." 



Robinia Mspida, large racemes^ like rosy pink 

 satin, most gorgeous and grand. 

 • Ligustrum, fragrant, white spikelets, of small, 

 waxy blooms. 



Chionanthus, finely fringed around with pendu- 

 lous, white flowers. 



Rhus cotinus, looks like alight cloud on the Moon 

 when in bloom. 



Hibiscus, (Althea,) large, double roses, red, pur- 

 ple and white. 



Euonymus Europeus, blooms of maroon, and ber- 

 ries of Hcarlet. 



Sorbus, (Rowan tree,) white florets in clusters, 

 followed by red "Rowans." 



