THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 
121 
Taylor, Barbara, Scarlet Emperor, Xew Marquis, Marks 
Tey, Thos. Stevenson, Rosina, Charles Foster, Agricola, 
Mrs. Routzahn. 
Promising varieties being distributed this year are : 
President, Cherub, Jean Ireland, Fiery Cross, Dobbies 
Old Rose, Miss Burnie, Floradale Fairy. 
DISPLAYS OF SWEET PEAS. 
npllF adaptability of Sweet Teas for effective grouping 
at our exhibitions is now being realized. It is difficult 
to understand why we have put up for such a long time 
with straight stages, in many cases the vases packed 
closely side by side with little variation of level, with 
nothing to set off, vary, harmonize, or contrast, with the 
masses of color. Sweet 1 'eas cannot bear such a test ! 
At one time it was 
remarked that the ar- 
rangement of Sweet 
Pea displays seemed 
intended to show how- 
even such beautiful 
flowers might be ren- 
dered ugly and unat- 
tractive. 
It must be con- 
ceded, when the mat- 
ter is duly thought 
out, that Sweet Peas 
are as well suited for 
effective grouping as 
roses ; indeed, they 
have rather the ad- 
vantage over the lat- 
ter in habit and pro- 
fusion of flowering, 
besides which there is the additional 
advantage which Sweet Peas possess in 
the more numerous and varied shades of 
color than can be found in the favorite 
mentioned, or any other florists' (lower. 
It really seems as though many ex- 
hibitors have been blind to the best means 
of rendering their displays attractive, but 
many have shown us how elegant dis- 
plays can be made, and the advantages 
are so self-evident that others will surely 
follow in their footsteps. The accom- 
panying illustrations show some varied 
methods of elegant arrangement, and are 
far better than long descriptions. They 
should make it manifest that it is quite- 
possible to secure a beautiful and effective arrangement 
with comparatively little trouble. 
The idea should be to stage the flowers with due at- 
tention to harmony of colors. In some displays strong- 
contrasts are secured ; in others, blending of coloring, 
shade softening into shade. These exhibits invariably 
excite attention and interest, when prim rows of vases 
will often fail to awaken appreciative response. 
The grouping of Sweet Peas for effect calls for talent 
of a fairly high order. Arrangements that will appeal 
to the artistic eye as effective studies in form and color 
are rarely seen. Two almost universal faults are exces- 
sive formality in the contour of the group, and the over- 
crowding of material. The former, at times, cannot be 
overcome when the ordinary flat stagings are used, but, 
even then, as the illustrations show, the exhibit need not 
lose its attractiveness. The quality and the freshness of 
the flowers are items of the utmost importance. — The 
Gardeners' Magazine (English). 
NOTES ON BALSAM CULTURE. 
DALSAMS, commonly known as Impatiens Balsami- 
na, were but rarely well grown until the past few 
years, for the popular works on floriculture pre- 
scribed a false system, comprising disbudding, strip- 
ping, and other interferences with the natural growth 
of the plant. After several experiments on these 
flowers in various ways, a writer made a declaration 
that there was only one way worth attention, that be- 
ing the natural way. 
We are quite accustomed to see in our gardens 
abundance of beautiful balsams. The old rule of pinch- 
ing back the leader to promote growth of side shoots, 
and removing the flower buds to increase the size of 
the plants, was altogether vicious, because the natural 
growth is more 
elegant and ef- 
fective, and the 
finest flowers 
are produced 
on the main 
stem, and these 
are completely 
sacrificed b y 
disbudding. Al- 
though the bal- 
Courtesy Lraraeners' lilagaanc tfc-nglish) 
Vases and Baskets of Sweet Peas Staged at the Westminster (England) 
Shots.'. Note the Arrangement. 
sam comes from a tropical climate, it is not very tender. 
It is desirable to make two or three sowings of bal- 
sams, say from the middle of March to the middle of 
May. The May sowings may be made in the open 
ground on a prepared bed. The soil at every stage 
should be light and rich, but not rank in any degree. 
The plants should be pricked out from the seed pans 
when they show their first rough leaves, and soon 
after they should be shifted to encourage a stout 
dwarf habit. 
A sunny position should be chosen for the bed, in 
which they may be planted during June. The balsam 
is a very gross feeder, and a liberal dressing of manure 
should be given to the beds. Cow manure, in a well- 
decomposed state, will give the balsam its full value 
not only in the growing of the plant, but in the form- 
ing of the roots, so that it can revel and enjoy the hot 
sun without the aid of much water. Heat, moisture, 
and a strong- light favor a fine bloom. — Exchange. 
