1863.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
clusters or umbels of small flowers, of various colors, 
from pure white to purple. Grows 6 to 12 inches high, 
and blooms most of the season. Sow early in Spring. 
No. 51.— Drummomd's Phlox (Phlox Drummo?idii).—A. 
very beautiful annual, the delicate flowers of which ex- 
hibit a very great variety of marking. Grows 12 to 13 
inches high, requires little care, blooms constantly, and 
is beautiful in masses. Sow early in May. 
No. 89.— Cotton Plant {Gossypium herbaceum and 
Barbadense).—The Upland, with a little Sea Island Cotton 
Seed, both in the same package— the Upland downy, the 
Sea Island naked. The Upland, sown in the Spring, and 
protected from frost, will mature its bolls in the Autumn, 
south of 40° or 41°, but will bloom wherever corn suc- 
ceeds. The plant grows 3 feet to 5 feet high ; the flowers 
are showy— bright yellow, with purple eye. Sow at corn 
planting, in drills, and thin to 18 inches apart. Our par- 
cels are designed for ornamental and small experimental 
plots. 
No. 111.— Castor Oil Bean (Ricinus communis).— A 
stately plant, 5 to 10 feet high, with broad tropical foliage, 
which is showy and beautiful. It is a very rank grower, 
and needs a rich, warm soil. Sow in the open ground, 
and leave 3 to 6 feet apart. 
No. 122.— Canterbury Bell (Campanula media).— 
Showy, flowering the second year from seed, and some- 
times living 3 or 4 years. They bloom along a spike 2 to 
3 feet high ; flowers of perfect bell shape, large, and in 
some varieties double; white, lilac, blue, and intermedi- 
ate shades. Sow anytime in Mayor June, and trans- 
plant in the Fall to 1 foot apart in rows, or set in groups. 
No. 123.— Gilia <G. nivalis).— An annual of 1 foot in 
hight, delicate growth, and finely divided leaves; flow- 
ers usually white, growing in panicles. Good for mas- 
sing. Sow early in Spring. 
No. 124.— Whitlavia (IV. grandifiora).— This Califor- 
nia annual pleases us much, blooming 5 to 6 weeks from 
sowing, and continuing until October. Its blue, bell- 
shaped flowers resemble the Campanulas. Sow early in 
May, and thin to 6 inches apart ; grows 1 foot. 
No. 126.— Long-tubed Centranthus (C. macrosi- 
p hon).—\n annual of rather delicate appearance, but 
hardy and desirable. Flowers fascicled, (in bundles or 
clusters,) tubular, borne on stalks 10 to 12 inches high. 
Bloom until frost. Sow early, and thin to six inches. 
No. 164.— Sweet Scented Ageratum. (Ageratum 
Mexicanum.)—A pale blue or white annual, desirable for 
bedding or massing. The plants may be taken up in the 
Fall and put in the conservatory or hot-house where they 
will flower during the Winter. Sow early in Spring. 
No. 169.— Beautiful Clarkia (Clarkia pulchella.)—k 
hardy Rocky Mountain annual, growing 1 foot high. 
Flowers, light purple, opening from June to Sept. Sow 
about the first of May. A good border flower. 
No. 170.— Evening Primrose. ((Enotkera biennis, ma- 
crocarpa y etc.)— Fine biennials which are not sufficiently 
known. Most of the species are low, with light yellow 
flowers, some of which are 4 or 5 inches in diameter, and 
expand in the evening, whence the name. Sow in May 
and transplant in October, setting 2 feet apart. Some 
species have a white bloom. 
No. 173.— Mixed Larkspurs (Delphinium cons olida.) — 
Annuals of white, rose, pink, blue, and variegated colors, 
growing irom 2 to 3 feet high. Some of the species are 
double and very pretty. Flowers in spikes for a long 
time in succession. Sow very early, as the seeds lie long 
in the ground ; they are very hardy. 
No. 177.— Quaking Grass (Briza gracilis.) — A beauti- 
ful nodding grass, growing 3 feet high. The heads or 
panicles resemble the rattles of the rattlesnake, and dry 
so as to be very ornamental in bouquets of dried flowers. 
Sow in early Spring. 
No. 182. — Sweet Alvssum (Alyssum maritimum.) — An 
annual, nearly 1 foot In hight, flowering in long racemes, 
from June to November, or until killed by frost. Sweet- 
scented ; flowers white. Sow in early Spring, and thin to 
1 foot apart, unless massed, for which it is well suited. 
No. 183.— Improved French and German Asters.— 
A beautiful hardy annual. The common ' 'China Asters" 
give no idea of the beauty of these improved varieties, 
some of which are nearly as large as Dahlias, and very 
double. We have grown nearly half an acre for seed for 
distribution, though from the little seed in perfect flowers, 
the parcels are necessarily small. Sow in open ground 
in May. They bear transplanting to any desired position. 
No. 200.— Fancy Gourds (Lagenaria vulgaris, in var.) 
—Cultivated for the singularity or beauty of the fruit ; 
vines climbing. Plant like cucumbers, near a trellis, or 
provide poles ; protect against insects. Our seed consists 
of all the seeds from the prize collection of 75 varieties ex- 
hibited at the recent show at the A gricultnrist office. 
They were necessarily mixed for general distribution. 
No. 203 and 204.— German and French Poppies (Pa- 
paver somniferum and Rhazas Jl. pi.] — Of these common 
yet very showy species there is an infinite variety in form 
and color. The culture is simple. Sow in beginning of 
Spring, thin out to several inches apart ; bloom in July. 
No. 205. — Double French Marigold (Tagetcs patula.) 
A very showy annual of 2 or 3 feet high ; flowers bright 
yellow to dark brown, and often beautifully striped and 
margined. Sow first of May ; blooms from July to frost. 
No. 206. — Golden Straw-flower (Helickrysum brac- 
teatum, etc.) — One of the most common of the immortelle 
or everlasting flowers : blooms yellow, white, pink, and 
scarlet. Grows 2 or 3 feet high. Sow in borders in May. 
Pick flowers before expanded, for Winter bouquets. 
No. 209.— Dwarf Blue Larkspur (Delphinium farmo- 
sum). — A fine herbaceous perennial, blooming first season, 
18 inches high ; flowers ultramarine blue, very rich ; 
blooms July to September. Sow early in May. 
No. 210.— Dwarf Morning Glory (Convolvulus mi- 
nor). — A very showy annual, growing 14 to 20 inches high ; 
the funnel shaped flowers, blue, white and yellow. Sow 
early In May. Blooms from June to October. 
No. 212. — Sweet Peas { Lathy rus odoratus). — A famil- 
iar annual, valued for the remarkable sweetness and 
beauty of its flowers. Its habit, mode of flowering, etc., 
is much like the garden pea, but it is much more delicate. 
The flowers are of many bright colors, (red, white and 
blue,) beautiful in bouquets. — A great favorite. Sow 
early, in good soil, seeds 2 inches apart ; requires brush- 
ing ; grows 2 to 6 feet high. 
No. 216.— Accroclinium (A. roscum).— An everlasting 
flower. Grows 1 to 2 feet high ; flowers rose-color, very 
pretty. Sow middle of May, in sandy loam, or grow in 
pots and turn out Into the open border first of June. In 
stiff soil, make drills, and cover lightly with sandy soil. 
No. 219.— Martynia. (iVf. proboscidea, etc.)— This, some- 
times called " Buffalo Horn," from the form of the pod 
is a vigorous annual about 2 feet high, of a spreading 
habit and rather coarse foliage. The flowers are shaped 
somewhat like those of the foxglove, of various colors 
and very showy. The curiously shaped fruit makes very 
good pickles if taken while tender. Sow in good soil 
after all danger of frost is over and leave the plants about 
3 feet apart. 
No. 220.— Nankin Perilla. {Per ilia Nanlcinensis.) — 
A hardy annual cultivated for its singular foliage which 
Is of very beautiful dark purple color, and makes a fine 
contrast with other flowers in the border. • 
No. 221.— Striped Mirabilis. (Mirabihs Jalapa, in 
var.)— The new varieties are a great improvement on the 
old Four o'clock. The plants grow 2 to 2^" feet high. 
The long fleshy roots may be taken up after the frost has 
cut down the plant, and preserved like Dahlias to be 
planted the following Spring. 
No. 222.— Convolvulus Variegata.— A low twining 
variety remarkable for its beautifully variegated foliage. 
Flowers purple. Should be started in pots and put out 
in the ground in settled warm weather. 
No. 223. — Mourning Bride. (Scabiosa atropurpurea.) 
— A hardy perennial which blooms the first year, if plant- 
ed early. Leaves divided ; flowers dark crimson purple, 
rose-colored and white. 
DeatH ofa Prominent Agriculturist. 
Our foreign exchanges bring the mournful news of the 
death of Mr. Jonas Webb, of Babraham, England, whose 
name has so often appeared in these columns as one of 
the most noted and successful breeders of stock, particu- 
larly of South-Down sheep. For forty years Mr. Webb 
made the improvement of these animals a constant sub- 
ject of study and experiment, ami by his skill raised his 
flock to a grade that gave them a world-wide reputation. 
America and Europe acknowledge him as a public bene- 
factor. His success in improving sheep has given ad- 
ditional value to whole provinces. It was our good for- 
tune to enjoy several pleasant chats with him at the Roy- 
al Agricultural Show in London last Summer. We found 
him daily at his post, describing the merits of his four 
magnificent Short-Horn cows, on the good points of which 
he was all enthusiasm. His tent was the center of attrac- 
tion to multitudes of stock breeders from all parts of Eu- 
rope. Mr. Webb was 66 years old on the day of his de- 
cease. The circumstances attending it were particularly 
painful. The death of his wife was an overwhelming 
blow, under which he sank on the evening of her funeral, 
and on the day set apart for the marriage of his son. 
Containing a great variety of Items, including many 
good Hints and Suggestions which we give in small type 
and condensed form for want of space elsewhere. 
I\o More Premium Maps.— Letters con- 
tinue to come in daily, asking for premium Maps. Our 
offer was distinctly limited to the end of November. We 
stated in the December Agriculturist, that owing to the 
increased cost of our own paper, and the higher price of 
the Maps, we could no longer afford this premium, 
though we have continued to send them when asked for 
by those living too remote to apply before the close of 
November. We repeat, that except in special cases, and 
for strong special reasons, no more Maps can be given. 
The price is 25 cents each for the large map of Virginia 
and that of the Southern States, and 50 cents for the map 
of the United States, including the Canadas and New 
Brunswick. When desired at these rates, we will pro- 
cure and send them post paid by mail. 
Premiums-Last Call (?) We publish 
our premium list in full this month, probably for the last 
time, though all the offers will be continued until further 
notice — how long we can not exactly tell, as it will de- 
pend upon the future price of printing paper. Those 
who wish to get any of our valuable premiums will do 
well to set about it at once. There is yet time to fill up the 
lists already commenced and to start new ones. A good 
article can he easily 'obtained now, without outlay of 
money. — N.B. It will be seen, that the terms of two or 
three articles are slightly changed, owing to the advance 
in their market price. 
Fruit CJrower's Meeting-— Change 
of Hour.— The time of meeting on Thursday of each 
week will hereafter be at one o'clock P. M. These meet- 
ings will he found the source of much valuable informa- 
tion. Leading practical growers are always present to 
describe the best kinds of fruits, the modes of planting, 
culture, etc., with other topics of interest relating to the 
orchard, garden, etc. All interested are invited to attend. 
Buy your Books now, — Like everything 
else depending upon the price of paper (except the Agri- 
culturist) the prices of books have advanced from 25 to 
50 per cent. Anticipating this rise, we laid in a partial 
stock of those most called for from our office, and these 
stand at the old price in our list on page 30. Persons 
wishing any of these books will do well to apply for 
them at once, as our price list must be advanced to that 
of the publishers, as soon as the present supply runs out. 
It will be seen, that a few books in our list are already 
advanced a little. Persons calling for premium books 
will please note the changes from time to time, as we 
must be governed by the rates announced each month. 
Honest Postmasters,— Almost every day 
we get letters containing subscription money, but unsealed, 
some of them from California even. We are happy to 
announce the safe arrival of so many such letters, but 
would advise, for the sake of keeping Postmasters honest, 
and especially when gold dollars are enclosed which 
might drop out in the mail bags, that all money letters be 
securely sealed. 
Town Hedges.— J. W. Buclier, Northum- 
berland Co., Pa. If to turn cattle, use heavy Locust or 
Buckthorn. For a screen simply, we prefer the Arbor 
ViUe. In both cases It is advisable to buy plants from 
nurserymen or hedge-plant growers, who sell them 
cheaply by the 100 or 1,000. The American Arbor Vitse 
Is best for quick growth and cutting to any desired form. 
The Siberian variety grows slowly in neat, cone-like form, 
and is beautiful when planted singly or in close rows :o 
form a compact screen or hedge. 
** Agriculturist " Wanted.- Willinm 
Beal, Lenawee Co., Mich., writes that one of his neigh- 
bors who takes no agricultural paper, recently sold « 
flock of sheep enough below their value to have paid for 
the Agriculturist the remainder of his life. He was not 
"posted" as to the market. The reading of a single ar- 
ticle in our number for November, would have saved 
him all his loss. This is a sample of many similar tes- 
timonials recently received. 
To Advertisers.— One who has advertised 
his business very extensively in most parts of the 
country, writes that, "the American Agriculturist did 
me as much good as all the other papers together.*' 
