64 
April, 1891. 
£ 
ORCHARD J*hS% GARDEN 
Jvl- 
^flower; 
GARDEN 
Floral Notes. 
April multiplies and intensifies the gar- 
dener's labors and cares, and, it may be, his 
pleasures too. The sun will by degrees lead 
his thoughts to the garden and the field, and 
an occasional hour spent outside will be a 
pleasant change from long confiment under 
glass, where, however, there is still much 
work to be done. Propagation by cuttings 
is still in order, and the sowing of many 
kinds of seeds may be continued, as indica- 
ted last month. In some sections outdoor 
pruning may be done. In many cases pru- 
ning is greatly overdone. Sometimes it is 
done when not needed; at other times it is 
not done at the right time, and at still other 
times it is badly done or overdone, and 
many pretty things are robbed of more than 
half their beauty. Avoid that mop-headed 
system all too prevalent. If you do not 
know how to prune, the proper thing to do 
is not to do it: but you might learn. Nature, 
on the whole, will take pretty good care of 
her children if you can not help her in a 
helpful way. You can make things look 
clean, neat, and tidy, if nothing else. It is 
a wise plan to make a note of good plants 
as they are mentioned from time to time. 
Many kinds of seeds may still be sown 
under glass at the north, particularly those 
of tender and half hardy annuals. Many or 
most of such seeds can also be sown in a 
cold frame, when one has such a coveni- 
ence. There are some pretty annuals 
which, when they once come into bloom, 
continue to produce their flowers till stopped 
by frost; and there are others which do not 
bloom till very late, and an early frost 
makes their season, consequently, a short 
one. It will be readily understood, there- 
fore. that much is gained by giving such 
plants an early start under glass; and there 
are other advantages which should readily 
suggest themselves. The seeds of hardy 
annuals may now, in some places, be sown 
outside, or as soon as the frost leaves the 
ground. 
In selecting Poppies it should be borne in 
mind that the semi-double and double vari- 
eties are more' enduring than the single 
ones, and are the only ones that can be used 
in a cut state. The single flowers last but 
a few hours, but then they come as fast as 
they go, and keep up a constant blaze of 
color. The Mikado is one of the most en- 
during of the double flowers, and it is as 
singular as it is beautiful. 
Delphinium cardinale is a new scarlet 
Larkspur which trial has proved to be a 
very good thing. It grows about three feet 
high, and its bright scarlet flowers make a 
pleasing contrast with the blues. It is a 
hardy perennial, and may be readily raised 
from seed, as heretofore directed. 
The new double “Margaret” Carnation is 
a very promising stranger, and will do 
doubt remain. Its claims to notice are, 
that, growing only about a foot high, it 
produces numerous stout stalks that need 
no sticks, and will flower profusely in a 
few months from seed. The flowers are 
very double, and the colors about as various 
as in the common Carnation. It may be 
grown from seed and propagated also from 
cuttings. Growing it in the usual way of 
growing Carnations, and pinching out the 
buds, it will, if lifted and potted in the 
autumn, make a fine plant for winter 
blooming in the house. 
The Nemophilas are very pretty Califor- 
nia annuals, growing from a foot to a foot 
and a half high, and somewhat bushy in 
habit. The blue in some of these flowers is 
exquisitly beautiful. It is better to sow the 
seeds early. The plants will transplant 
easily. They should preferably have a spot 
in the border just a little shady, and should 
not be crowded. These points are mention- 
ed here because their non-observance has 
caused not a few to fail in having these 
Nemophilas. Fig. 882. 
pretty plants at their best. The Nemopliila 
makes a good winter-blooming plant for the 
green-house. In this case the seed should 
be sown in August or September, trans- 
planted to small pots, (one plant in a pot,) 
and re potted as needed. The accompany- 
ing illustration (Fig. 882) gives a good idea 
of the habit and general appearance of the 
plant. The flowers are from an inch to an 
inch and a half in diameter, and are of 
several colors, blue, white, and purple pre- 
dominating. N. insignis, N. oculata, and N. 
maculata are among the best. 
Berteroa mutahilis may for practical pur- 
poses be called a new plant for us, as it is 
not in cultivation here except in two or 
three amateur collections, and the Messrs. 
Thorburn are to be thanked for introducing 
the seeds. It will be a welcome addition to 
hardy herbaceous perennials. It is a cruci- 
ferous plant somewhat in the style of the 
Sweet Alyssum, but is larger and more 
bushy. It blooms early and late, and is an 
exclient plant for cut flowers. The flowers 
are white, sometimes suffused with a little 
pink in hot weather. The plant is also 
known as Farsetia mutahilis. 
The Gaillardias are natives, and some of 
the best have been introduced into cultiva- 
tion; but they are not yet as well known as 
they should be. They are handsome, free- 
blooming plants, and the flowers are useful 
in a cut stale. Even the perennials will 
bloom the first year when the seed is sown 
early, and the young plants put outside as 
Gaillardia Grandiflora. Fig. 952. 
soon as the ground gets warm. They need 
no special culture. Mr. Meyer, of Passaic, 
N. J., has quite a number of hardy peren- 
nial varieties of much beauty, the result of 
years of careful crossing and selection, and 
which are sold under name. The flowers 
are red and yellow. The few kinds named 
in seed catalogues are all good, especially 
G. picta Lorenzianu. 
Chrysanthemum multicaule, sent out last 
season by Messrs. Thorburn & Co., is cer- 
tainly a pretty, low-growing plant, and will 
be useful in many ways. It grows only a 
few inches high, but bears an abundance of 
bright golden yellow flowers, on long stalks, 
making them useful in a cut state. It is a 
pretty thing for growing in masses. It is a 
hardy annual, soon blooms from seed sown 
in the open air, and continues till frost. 
Those who grow the Cosmos Flower will 
get more and brighter colors by saving seed 
from the hybrids. Seed of a handsome 
pure white can now be had. 
The new dark rose and light blue Comet 
Asters are very beautiful, and so are the 
Jewel and the Snowball. Where there are 
so many beautiful Asters of different types 
and heights, one not familiar with them 
should buy a package of each, which will 
enable him to select a type to his taste, or, 
which is better, grow them all. 
The Sweet Pea must not be forgotten. 
The love for these delightful old plants will 
never die out. It might be said to be grow- 
ing stronger if that were possible. Sowing 
early, or as soon as the ground can be work- 
ed, is one of the secrets of success. The seed 
should not be sown thick, but deep. You 
can grow them in rows or in clumps, as may 
be most convenient. They are very pretty 
grown on the side of a fence. Nice clean 
brush makes a good support, and so does 
wire. We now have several hardy peren- 
nial species and varieties, and these also 
should be grqwn. Of the annuals, Eckford’s 
Hybrids are very beautiful and among the 
best. Of the perennials, buy the plants or 
sow the seed of such as you can get. 
