The Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners. 
Lily of the Valley. 
Fob early forcing single crowns of these should bo planted about twelve 
in a five-inch pot, with the buds well above the surface. Cover the 
crowns with a little moss or an inverted flower pot for about ten days, 
and place them in a good heat of say 85 or 90 degrees ; water fre- 
quently with tepid water, and if judiciously looked after they will 
bloom in four or five weeks from the time of potting. Good single 
crowns are much the best for the purpose. Clumps or single shoots 
can be supplied up to the end of April. 
Selected Single Shoots, German. Produoo splendid heads of 
bloom, much superior to the Dutch ... per 100, 6s. ; per doz. Is. 
Spiraea Japonica. 
Perhaps tho most elegant and useful of all plants for early forcing. Lovely 
and chaste spikes of elegant white inflorescence, and is singularly 
adapted for pot display, table or hand bouquets, &c., and by judicious 
forcing may be had in abundance at Easter. It will last well in almost 
any situation when in bloom. It is besides perfectly hardy, and can be 
grown on the open border. 
Strong clumps for forcing ... ... per doz. 5s.; each 6d. 
Japonica multiflora eompacta. A fine free-flowering dwarf- 
growing variety ; splendid as a pot plant or for cutting 
per doz. 6s. ; each 9d. 
Spiraea astilboides. 
This fine new variety (is one of the most handsome of hardy herbaceous 
perennials, and has been certificated both by tho Royal Horticultural 
and the Royal Botanio Societies on account of its great merit. 
The stems grow from two to three feet high, and are terminated by 
compound feathery branches of elegant white flowers, which are 
produced in the greatest profusion. A charming and effective plant 
for pot culture. 
Strong plants ... ... ... ... ... each Is. 
Violets — Sweet-scented. 
Thesb deliciously-scented and ever welcome favourites, so extremely useful as cut flowers for bouquets, button-holes, &c., may, with 
a little management, be had in abundant bloom throughout the Winter and Spring months — a time when they are especially valuable. 
The stock Plants should be divided in April or early in May and planted out in rich soil in a partially shaded position, the doubles in 
rows one foot apart, and nine inches apart in the rows, the singles one foot apart each way. As growth commences, the young shoots 
or runners should be removed and the plants should be watered in the evening in dry weather, whilst if extra fine plants are required, 
they should have a mulching of well-decayed manure from an old mushroom bed or cucumber frame. Towards tho end of September 
the plants may be lifted and planted into specially prepared frames placed in a south aspect, and partially filled with stable litter, 
leaves, &c., with about six or eight inches of soil on the top. The plants should be placed sufficiently close together to fairly fill the 
space without crowding, and should bo as near the glass as the foliage will admit. When planted, give a thorough watering and keep 
close for a few days, after which admit air freely at every opportunity through the Winter. The glass may bo entirely removed in 
sunny weather when there is no frost, and in all mild weather plenty of ventilation should be given. Marie Louise, Count Brazza’s, 
and Neapolitan are the best of the doubles to be grown in this way, and when treated as recommended above will produce some grand 
flowers. 
DOUBLE-FLOWERED VARIETIES. 
each — s. d. 
Belle de Chatenay White. New double ; pure white, 
tipped with bluish purple ; very double per doz. 6s. 0 9 
Count Brazza’s Neapolitan White (syn. Swanley 
White). Magnificent variety; large, double, pure white 
flowers, deliciously scented; the finest of all double 
white Violets; splendid for bouquets per doz. 5s. 0 6 
De Parme. Deliciously fragrant flowers of a delicate 
pale lavender purple, in great profusion per doz. 6s. 0 9 
Mademoiselle Bertha Barron (new). Flowers 
beautiful indigo blue, deliciously scented 
per doz. Vs. 6d. 0 9 
Marie Louise. A fine variety, large double flowers, rich 
lavender blue, with white centres .. . per doz. 5s. 0 6 
Neapolitan. Lavender blue, flowers very large and 
double, profuse bloomer ... ... per doz. 4s. 0 6 
From the Rev. Mr. REES, Ruthin. 
June 1st. 
“I was much pleased with the Geraniums sent me last year.” 
SINGLE-FLOWERED VARIETIES. 
each — s. d. 
California. A fine new vigorous-growing, free-blooming 
variety from the United States. The flowers are very 
large, of a deep, clear violet purple colour, deliciously 
fragrant, and are borne on stems ttn to twelve inches 
in length, making it especially valuable for florists’ 
work, bouquets, &e. Highly recommended 3 for 5s. 2 0 
Odoratissima. Similar to Victoria Regina per doz. 6s. 0 8 
Princess of Wales (new). Large, beautifully-formed 
flowers of a deep violet blue colour and deliciously 
scented, borne on long stems. A most vigorous 
grower, and a splendid variety ... per doz. 15s. 1 6 
Rawson’s White. A very free-flowering and beautiful 
variety, producing immense quantities of deliciously 
fragrant pure white flowers ... per doz. 7s. 6d. 0 9 
The Czar. An almost constant bloomer per doz. 3s. 0 4 
Victoria Regina. Large, fragrant, fine shaped flowers, 
on strong flower-stems ... ... per doz. 3s. 6d. 0 4 
Wellsiana. Very large, deep rich purple, superior to 
Victoria Regina ... ... per doz. 7s. 6d. 0 9 
From Mr. J. BULLOCK, Nantwich. 
Oct. (Jth. 
“The Double and. Single Geraniums I had from you sometime 
ago have given great satisfaction, some of tho plants measuring four feet 
across them ; I have shown for five seasons, and they have never been 
excelled.” 
From Mr. JOHN JUDGE, Biddenden. 
Jan. 5th, 
“ I am so pleased to tell that I have had some of the finest bloom 
I ever saw, both in shape and colour, from tbe Dahlias I had from you 
last Spring. They have been greatly admired.” 
