March, 1890. 
45 
ORCHARD 
AND 
GARDEN 
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Of seeds desirable to be sown now may be 
mentioned Tom Thumb Nasturtiums, China 
Asters for early bloom, Zinnias, Blue Lo- 
belia, Amaranths, annual Chrysanthemums, 
hardy Primroses, Verbenas, Petunias, Sun- 
flowers, Castor Oil Beans, Ageratums, Sweet 
Alyssum, Balsams, Canuas, Pot Marigolds, 
Moon Flowers (Ipomoes.) Single Dahlias, 
Mimulus, Pinks, Salvias, Stocks, Maurand- 
yas, and any other that may be wanted for 
early bloom. 
Such excellent strains of Verbena seed 
can now be bought, that any one who 
loves these fine bedding and border 
plants can be quite sure of raising hand- 
some varieties from seed. Early flow- 
ers will come from early sown seed. 
Raising plants from seed is an import- 
ant matter to those living far away 
from plant centers; besides, seedlings 
grow into stronger plants than cuttings, 
if properly handled. 
The Pot Marigolds ( Calendula officin- 
alis pi.) are very old garden favorites, 
and are still highly prized. “ Meteor ” 
and “ Prince of Orange,” of late intro- 
duction, are very popular, and deserv- 
edly so. C. Pongei fl. pi. is a new 
double white variety. Being constant 
bloomers, Pot Marigolds are much 
grown in the green-house and the sit- 
ting room for winter flowers. Sow the 
seed early for the border and late for 
the green-house. They may also be 
propagated from cuttings. 
There are some who do not seem to 
know that the popular Paris Daisy 
( Crysanthemum frutescens ) can be read- 
ily raised from seed. Plants from seed 
will be a great convenience to many. 
The seeds should oe sown early, and 
the young plants, when well out of the 
seed leaf, put in small pots. From 
these they can be turned into the border 
when warm weather comes, or kept 
in pots during the summer for winter 
use, being repotted from time to time 
as needed ; and this is the better way 
for those who grow plants in rooms. 
Any particularly good form may be 
propagated from cuttings. All the an- 
nual Chrysanthemums are handsome 
plants, particularly those of the carin- 
atum type, the latter being now quite com- 
mon in green-houses as winter-blooming 
plants, for which purpose the seeds are usu- 
ally sown in early autumn. 
The hardy Anemones or Wind Flowers 
are very beautiful spring flowers for the 
border, (except A. Japonica, which blooms 
in the autumn,) and grow best in a deep, 
rich soil. When raised from seeds, they 
should be sown early. The Wind Flowers 
are not grown half as much as they should 
be, the charming flowers being useful in the 
cut si ate. A. Japonica and its white form are 
the most beautiful of the Wind Flowers. 
The flowers of the latter are large, pure 
white, with a centre of i ale yellow stamens. 
ver Queen Sunflower. Those who love Sun- 
flowers will be sure to like this. It ’grows 
into the form of a pyramid, and is covered 
with its golden yellow flowers, which last 
till frost. 
Florida is developing a new industrial 
feature. Messrs. Pike and Ellsworth, Jes- 
samine, Pasco Co., Flor., have been collect- 
ing the seeds and plants of the best indi- 
genous flowers, including bulbs, which they 
have listed in a neat catalogue. It contains 
many fine things seldom or never seen at 
the North, and which are worth getting. — 
P. B. Mead. 
Dahlias. 
Our illustration of the new Dahlia, 
White Dove, is an exact representation 
of a flower and portion of stem, as the 
picture was taken by a photograph and 
accurately reproduced. The great value 
of this variety is its usefulness to the 
florist as well as to the amateur. It is 
an early, profuse and continuous bloom- 
er. The plant is a strong, healthy 
grower, medium to tall, sending up 
countless flowers from early to late in 
the Autumn. Flower stems are from 
12 to 18 inches long, which is itself a 
point of great value. The stem does 
not show to full length in the illustra- 
tion for lack of space. Flowers of 
medium size, not larger than a Pom- 
pon, pure white ; petals half quilled 
and handsomely notched, never mak- 
ing a bad centre, and nearly every 
flower is perfect. Undoubtedly this 
Dahlia will become a leading sort. It 
was introduced by V. H. Hallock & 
Son, of Queens, N. Y., who are also 
introducers of the Dahlia Grocilis 
Dahlias in general are not receiving 
as much attention as they merit, but a 
steady improvement is taking place 
yearly, brought about by the praise 
and love of its ardent ami loyal ad- 
mirers. There are men devoting most 
of their time to this plant even now, 
when reports and shows teem with 
everything else but Dahlias. But yet, 
can we get any better returns for the 
labor bestowed and money spent than 
we can from a few good Dahlias ? 
Not everyone knows the forms and 
classes into which they are divided. 
The tall Large-flowered ; Dwarf Large- 
The i flowered ; Dwarf Pompon ; Tall Pompon ; 
the very dwarf or Bush, which no storm or 
wind can affc ct ; Single Dahlia, mostly tall ; 
Gracilis, with speckled and rayed flowers ; 
the Cactus, which, by the way, are beauti- 
ful. The demand just now seems to be for 
a flower of medium size, with quilled pet- 
als and a full, perfect centre, (this last is very 
essential) of medium dwarf habit, early in 
flowering and profuse through the season. 
A. D. Livoni represents this class to perfec- 
tion. It is of a beautiful sea-shell pink, of 
perfect form, early and a free bloomer. 
Single Dahlias and Gracilis will bloom from 
seed planted outside with great certainty 
and little trouble. We are glad to note a re- 
viving interest in this grand autumn flower. 
The Tom Thumb Nasturtiums ( Tropatolum 
minus) are handsome plants for pots, vases, 
borders and edgings. They bloom best in a 
sandy soil. They produce brilliant red and 
yellow flowers in profusion till killed by 
frost. As cut flowers they are very useful 
and last a long time. The half -grown seeds 
are bottled in vinegar as a substitute for 
capers, and their warm, pungent flavor is 
grateful to most people. The leaves are 
used for garnishing, and either plain or as 
a salad are a favorite relish with many. 
Here would seem to be a happy combina- 
Dahlia White Dove. 
tion of the useful and the beautiful, 
seed should be put in early. 
The reader should try some seeds of 
Chrysanthemum multicaule, a plant quite 
new to cultivation. It is a dwarf annual, 
growing scarcely six inches high, and bear 
ing an abundance of golden yellow, daisy- 
like flowers. Once in bloom, it remains so 
till killed by frost. It promises to be a 
good plant for edgings. It is now cata- 
logued by Thorburn & Co. 
The Sunflowers ( Helianthus ) are in the 
list of seeds to be sown early. Try the 
new Helianthus argophyllus Texanus, or Sil- 
