872 



often in our report of the Pennsylvania Horticultu- 

 ral Society's Exhibition, yet he was one of the best 

 contributors, gained 12 premiums, of more money 

 value than any other exhibitor obtaihed. 



Bedding Geraniums. — A correspondent, R C, 

 of Sharon, Pa., says ; In the list of good bedding 

 Geraniums, given by J. M., the "King of Scarlets', 

 is not mentioned, but which he thinks one of the 

 very best. 



Insects on Egg Plants. — P. C, Sharon, Pa,, 

 says : In reference to the use of oil by our Cleveland 

 correspondent, he keeps his free from insects by 

 planting in a cold frame about the middle of April. 

 If any insects show signs of appearing, he puts on 

 the lights. He always waters with clean water over- 

 head, believing manure waters do injury to the 

 leaves. He has seen bad results follow such use of 

 waste wash water or soap suds. When he uses 

 such liquids he uses a pot without a rose, pouring 

 it in to the roots under the foliage. He thus gets 

 healthy plants, and the fruit is early. Last year he 

 had them the first week in July. It is a little trou- 

 ble,but where a few first rate early ones are wanted, 

 and free from insects, he thinks it well worth the 

 little labor it costs. 



Gardening in the South.— Our excellent cor- 

 respondent, Mr. Walter Elder, proposes to lay out 

 or improve gardens in the South, from November 

 to the first of April. His address is 1231 Rodman 

 St., where letters from any one desiring his services 

 will find him. 



Lilies and Phloxes.— J/rs. J. L., Ahington, 

 Mass. , writes : I have just read with much pleasure 

 your article on Lilies. Can not the writer give a 

 more minute description, especially of the dwarf vari- 

 eties? The article in the September number on 

 Phloxes, was just what I had been wishing for, as I 

 had a few choice varieties of August cuttings that I 

 was undecided regarding their winter treatment. 



[We have several readers who are paying especial 

 attention to Lilies, and we should be obliged by 

 their notes.] 



Name op Plant. —Mrs. J. L. , Ahington, Mass. 

 — Appears to be Gentiana Ochrolenca, but we be- 

 lieve it has not been found wild North of Pennsyl- 

 vania. 



Rats. — A CMUicothe, 0., correspondent says: 

 A box with a board jetting in from the top about 4 

 inches all round, like a shelf, will prevent rats from 

 getting in. They are thoughtful enough to see that 

 they could not get out. The box must be large, or 

 at least deep. 



Waiting for Frost. — A nursery friend, writing 

 from Georgia, Oct. 28th, says : "We have, at 

 last, a good soaking rain. This is the first wetting 

 for six weeks. I have been compelled to delay 

 sending off any plants on account of this unusual 

 late drought, and have much back work to do. Not 

 having shipped anything as yet, returns are not 

 coming in. To-day, however, we commence opera- 

 tions on such matters as Strawberry plants and 

 Evergreens. It will be a week yet before we can 

 dig fruit trees, as there has been no frost, and I do 

 not expect any till about the 5th to 10th of Nov." 

 In theNorth, we think most nurserymen have learn- 

 ed that it is much better to dig before frost than after. 



Hardiness of Lilium giganteum.— One of our 

 Lily-loving correspondents, Col. J. D. Kurtz, 6 

 Winder s Building, Washington, D. C, confirms 

 our recently expessed opinion, that this Lily, from 

 ihe place where it is found wild, ought to be hardy. 

 He says it has lived out-doors a winter with him. 

 Our Carlsruhe correspondent says it is hardy also at 

 Nice. 



Col. Kurtz is anxious to get a few roots of all 

 our American Lilies, except Snperbum. He would 

 exchange for them 



Thumbergianum aurantiacum, T. puniceum, 

 " atrosanguineum, T. tenuifolium. 

 " carniolicum, 



and perhaps a few others. 



Umberhaur's Patent Plant Case for mailing. 

 A specimen sent us by W. A. Fraker. It is made 

 of tin, very light, and just the thing for plants, 

 grafts, &c. There have been many difficulties in 

 the working of the law for sending these things by 

 mail. They must be so fixed that the "Postmaster 

 can see the contents without destroying the pack- 

 age." This cannot, at times, be done with safety 

 to the contents. This package admits the post- 

 master's eye, and yet properly protects. 



Automaton Gate. — E. C. Bates, Jr., Boston, 

 writes: — I see by your magazine that a gentleman 

 wishes an automaton gate. I think I can furnish 

 him with such if he will give me a chance. The 

 notice of which I speak is on page 339 of your No- 

 vember number. Please address E. C. Bates, Jr. 

 care E. C. Bates, Esq., Boston, Mass. 



Propagating Oriental Poppy. — J. B., Battle 

 Creek, Mich. "We have never yet had the good 

 luck to make the seeds of the Oriental Poppy 

 vegetate ; and as it is a beautiful flower plant, we 

 would like to know hoT to increase it." 



[The beautiful Papaver orientale is easily raised 

 by cuttings of the root. We cannot understand 

 why the seeds should not grow. We have some re- 

 collection of having seen, in years past, an account 

 of some very curious forms of this plant — so differ- 

 ent as to be entitled to rank as distinct species, and 

 that these forms are unfertile. We are not sure of 

 this, and if any one can refer us to any such a case, 

 we shall be glad. If, however, this is true, there 

 may be some peculiarity about the plant itself, 

 which would lead to sterilp seeds.] 



