4 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
[January, 
when not too thickly planted; easily grown on every 
variety of soil; usually sow themselves, but seed of double 
flowers should be cultivated for propagation. 
No. 30 —Tassel Flower ( Cacalia coccinea ). This is 
most appropriately named, as the flower is a perfect 
“tassel” with scarlet fringe. We have admired it as much 
as any flower grown in our garden. It has been called 
“Venus’ Paint Brush”. Sow in the Spring; it usually 
blooms from July until killed by frost j hight, 1 to 1| feet. 
No. 31 -Chinese Pink ( Dianthus Chinensis). Dianthus 
signifies “Flower of God”, and embraces the Sweet Wil¬ 
liam, Carnation and garden or common Pink. They are 
mostly perennial, or biennial like the Chinese variety. 
This is a pretty flower, though without the fragrance of 
several of the species. Though biennial it blooms some¬ 
what the first year. The flowers range from the richly 
colored crimson, with edgings of pink, lilac, and other 
shades, to pure white with a center of dark red, nearly 
approaching a black color ; even in the largest collections 
it is almost impossible to find two flowers alike. They 
continue to bloom for several months in succession. 
Sow in Spring. 
No. 32— Splendid Portulaca, Mixed ( Portulaca splen- 
dens, hitea, alba , elegans, etc,) A bed of either of the 
above, or of the whole combined makes a fine show. We 
send out mixed seeds. The portulaca is a trailing plant 
of only a few inches in hight. On rich soil a single plant 
will cover a circle of one foot in diameter. They are 
usually grown too thickly. Colors white, red, yellow, 
scarlet and crimson, sometimes blended in the same 
flower. They are very hardy annuals blooming the entire 
season and leaving ample seed in the ground for a crop 
the next year. Sow in Spring, or even in Autumn. 
No. 33— Cypress Vine (Quamoclit vulgaris). This is the 
finest hardy annual climber of the flower garden. There are 
two colors, white and scarlet, the latter being much tho 
prettier. Sow when the ground is warm and dry, pre¬ 
viously soaking the Seed for twenty-four hours, or it 
will vegetate shyly. See description and illustration of 
a cheep, pretty Cypress Vine trellis on page 339, Vol. 
XVII. 
Nos. 34 and 35 —Chinese and German Asters (Aster 
Chinensis ), are so near alike that one description will 
suffice for both. Skillful German florists have simply 
improved the Chinese varieties. Some of them are very 
double or fully quilled, and rank among the prettiest 
flowers of the garden. Sown in the early Spring, they 
come into bloom in August and September, and continue 
until severe frost. They are among the latest flowers of 
the garden. Color w hite, red, yellow, and intervening 
shades. 
No. 38— Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus). belongs 
to the same family as Chinese Pink. It is one of the 
choicest perennials blooming the second year from seed, 
and so on through a long series of years. The great 
variety of colors, often combined in the same cluster, the 
delightful fragrance and richness of its bloom render 
the Sweet William a universal favorite which no garden 
should fail to have. 
No. 40—Esciioltzia (Califoniica) or California Poppy. 
A hardy and very showy annual from California and 
Oregon. It is trailing in habit, seldom growing more 
than a fool in hight. The flowers are bright yellow, and 
continue in bloom fur a long time. A bed of them in 
full bloom almost dazzles the eye with their brillancy. 
(See illustration and description in Vol XVII., p. 339.) 
No. 42 — Foxglove, ( Digitalis alba, purpurea, lanata, 
etc). A perennial of marked beauty. Some of the species 
are little more than biennials, dying out every few years. 
It grows from two to four feet in high!, and produces 
tubular flowers along its spire-like spike. Many of the 
flowers are flinely mottled in appearance, and vary in 
color from pure white to lilac, pink, red and yellow. It 
is in bloom most of the season, and may be propagated 
from seed or divisions of the root. It yields the medicine 
digitalis. The seed wo send out will be a mixture, of 
the finest varieties. 
No. 47— Mornino Glory ( Convolvulus major and minor). 
An annual climber too well known to require much de¬ 
scription. They florish in almost any position, and when 
allowed full freedom, extend along a fence or up a trellis 
eight to ten or more feet. They open very early in the 
morning—whence the name—and close when the hot 
sun comes out. They are w hite, blue, purple, and various 
intermediate tints. Sow at any time in Spring and Fall. 
Where once raised ihere is little danger of losing the 
seed. We send out two varieties of seed mixed, the C. 
major and the C. minor. The minor grows more dwarf¬ 
ish and branching, spreading out over a bed. It beats 
blue and yellow flowers, which continue in Vloom later 
in the day than the major. 
No. 49.- Candi-Tuft (Iberis umbillata, amara, etc.) A 
good plant for sowing in masses. It is dwarfish, with 
§pwp-s of various shades from pure w(nte to purple. It 
may be sown in Spring or Autumn. It seeds ilself in 
Autumn, and blooms the next season, six inches to one 
foot from the ground, in small clusters 
No. 50.—Schizanthus ( humilis , pinnatus, etc.). A 
pretty class of plants, blooming from August to October. 
The colors vary through several shades in which yellow 
and purple predominate. They' grow about two feet 
high, and are annuals well suited to garden or pot cul¬ 
ture. Sow in Spring. 
No. 51— Drummond’s Phlox (Phlox Drummondii). This 
is one Of the Phlox family, worthy a place in every col¬ 
lection of flowers. It is very hardy and finely adapted 
for massing. Flowers of white, pink, scarlet, crimson, 
and purple with the intermediate tints. A showy spread¬ 
ing plant of near one foot high. Sow in Spring. 
No. 78— Ageratdm Mexicanubs, or blue-flowered Ag- 
eratum. A rather tender annual of Mexican origin, but 
flourishes well on a warm border, when sown about the 
middle of May. Some varieties are of a very pale blue, 
nearly approaching to white. They may be taken up 
before frosts, and transferred to the house in pots, where 
they form fine Winter blooming plants. 
No. 80— Yellow Hawkweed ( HUracium mutabilis). 
This was introduced into our garden last season for the 
first time, and gave much satisfaction. A description 
hereafter. 
No. 81—Canary Bird Flower ( Tropaolum peregri- 
num.) This is an annual of the same family ns the Nas¬ 
turtium : a fine climber, with pretty little canary colored 
blossoms, which, when opening, have a fancied resem¬ 
blance to a bird. Sow on light soil about the middle of 
May. It requires a trellis-to run upon. (Seed scarce 
and very costly—may soon run out. Those sending for 
this should name a substitute to be seiit in case we have 
no more seed.) 
No. 82—Thunbesqia ,alata, alba, aurantiaca, etc.) 
This fine climber was illustrated on Page 339 of Volume 
XVII. 
No. 83 —Snap Dragon ( Antirrhinum majus). — A curi¬ 
ous flower, which when pressed, somewhat resembles an 
animals mouth. Sow in Spring. 
No. 84 — African Marigold ( Tagetes erecta). A showy 
annual, with flowers of large size, and rich colors of 
orange, yellow, and purple. Sow any time in May, arid 
they will (lower in profusion from July until frost 
No. 85— Gaillardia (picla and bicolor). Often called 
“Painted Gaillardia.” It is usually classed as a perennial, 
but, w hen sown early, say May first, on a warm soil, (low¬ 
ers the first season. It will not bear the Winter without 
some protection. Flowers large, crimson and yellow, 
borne on stalks one to two feet in hight, and of a showy 
appearance. 
No 66.-Mixed Euphorbia (Euphorbia varicgala) An 
elegant flower from Missouri, blooming late in the season. 
Sow the latter part of April or early in May, on a warm 
soil. It is an annual. Some of the species are tender 
Green-house plants. 
No. 87,— Golden Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria, atrn- 
purpurea, etc ) A well known hardy annual with genuine 
claims to beauty. The tinctoria is the most common, 
with its bright ye’low flowers having a dark center. It 
blooms profusely in June and July, and stands one and 
a half to three feet in hight. 
No. 89—Cottok PikKT(Gossypium herbaccum, arboreum, 
barbadensr, etc.) The common varieties of the South are 
arboreum or Sea Island, known as “ Long staple ; ” h/r- 
baceum or “ Short staple,” called in commerce Upland 
cotton ; and barbadense, or Mexican. The seeds we send 
out are Sea Island (arboreum), and Upland (herbaceum), 
mixed. The Seed of the Upland variety is covered with 
down ; the Sea Island is smooth and glossy. They are 
easely separated and we therefore mix the two. This 
plant flowers in warm locations at the north, and is quite 
ornamental. Sow as soon as frosts are over and ground 
warm. 
No. 90— Norway Spruce ( Abies excelsa). Seeds of this 
and the following variety are only kept by a few extensive 
seedsmen; consequently i hey are difficult for people in 
the country to obtain. Every one admires tills stately and 
very pretty evergreen tree growing from one hundred 
to one hundred and fifty feet in hight. Sow the first of 
May,on moist but well drained sandy loam, or still better 
in boxes, covering slightly and partially shading. Water 
occasionally, but if too wet they will damp ofl. There 
is little danger after two years old, when they may he 
transplanted to the garden or nursery. It is much bettor 
to get the young trees w herever they arc accessible at the 
nurseries, as they usually are, and quite cheaply. 
No. 91.—Arbor Vita; American (Thuja or.cidcntalis). 
This is too well known to need much description ; forms 
a beautiful evergreen shrub or small tree,whether planted 
singly or in rows for a hedge. It is sometimes found 
50 feet in hight. Treat as the Norway Spruce, save that 
it may be sown in the Fall as well as Spring. Boxes o! 
light loam w ith an admixture of sand and muck furnish 
the best soil. It it belter, to get this at the nurseries, as 
noted under No. 90. 
No. 110. New Rochelle Blackberry.— Full directions 
for cultivation were given in last Volume (Pages 147, 
276, 339). They will grow true to kind with few exep- 
tions, and superior varieties may, perhaps, chance lobe 
produced from seed. Sow early in Spring, keep free from 
weeds, and transplant io rows 8 feet apart the following 
year. 
No. Ill Castor Oil Plant.— Seepage 19. 
No. 112. Broad Leaved Laurel —A low growing 
Evergreen, somewhat resembling the Rhododendron. It 
has beautiful showy blossoms, and bright, broad leaves. 
Should be sown in rather light soil, mixed with leaf mold. 
Will be more fully described hereafter. 
No, 113. Double Sunflower (Helianthus ananas ).— 
This variety has its entire disk covered with theligulate 
petals like those in the ray of the common sort. Grows 
much like the ordinary sunflower, say seven to ten 
feet in hight, with large spreading leaves. Is an annual, 
to be planted in early Spring, or it is sure to come up 
voluntarily where any seed dropped the previous season. 
Succeeds on any fair soil, and needs thinning to single 
stalks 2 feet apart to develop fully. 
No. 114 Mixed Petunias (Petunia in var,). —These are 
showy annuals, or even perennials in warm climates and 
are made partially so in northern green-houses. Plants 
of semi-creeping habits, flowering profusely from early 
Summer, until cut down by frost. Flowers tubular, of 
various hues, from pure white to lilac and purple. Sow 
in early Spring in open ground, or in a hot-bed if practi¬ 
cable, to forward the period of bloom. Thin to one foot 
apart, or even more on rich soil. Choice varieties may 
be taken up and potted on the approach of frosts and will 
bloom through the Winter, in the parlor. 
No. 115. Double Hollyhock (Althaea rosea) — A 
showy perennial of easy culture, perfectly hardy, and de¬ 
sirable in every collection. It grows 6 to 8 feet high and 
flowers successively upon a tall spike continuing in 
bloom for a long time. Sow on a common garden soil, 
the last of April, or early in May, and thin to 18 inches 
apart. It will not bloom until the second season, and 
sometimes dies after flowering a few times, unless the 
roots are divided. 
No. 116. Mourning Bride, or Sweet Scabious (Scabi- 
osa alropurpurea).—K perfectly hardy and showy annual, 
of two feet in hight, flowering from July until cut down- 
by frost. The flowers are of different colors, ranging 
from lilac to purple, and nearly black. Sow early in 
May, ai d thin out to 8 or 10 inches. 
No. 117. Double Wallflower (Cheiranthus cheiri) — 
So called from cheir, the hand, and anthos, flower, the 
blossoms resembling the fingers; varies from yellow lo 
violet in color. A perennial requiring some protection in 
Winter. 
No. 118. Bee Larkspur (Delphiniumdatum). — A showy 
and hardy perennial from Siberia. Its blue flowers are 
borne on spikes from 4 to 6 feet high. Sow in May and 
subsequently thin to three feet apart, as each root throws 
up many stalks. It does not bloom the first season. 
No. 119. Mixed Chrysanthemums ( Chrysanthemum 
coronana).— These w ere figured and described on pages 
52 and 3411 of last volume. Hardy perennials, usually 
propagated from cuttings or divisions of the roots, but 
grow readily from seed and flower the second season 
They are too well known to need further description, 
blooming as they do so profusely from September, until 
killed by the hard Winter freezings. New seedlings 
of value may be expected from the seed. 
No 120. Clematis Virginicum, called also Virgin'! 
Bower.—A native perennial climber of strong habit, at 
taching ilself by its petioles, and growing 15 to 20 feet in 
hight. Flowers white, of only medium beauty—its.fruit, 
or seed vessels being the most attractive. It forms an 
ornamental covering for an arbor, or lattice work. Sow- 
in early Spring. Most of its foliage is killed by Winter, 
but springs up anew from the root. 
No. 121. Trumtet Flow'er ( Bignonia ratlicans).— One 
of the best climbers, w ith gay bell-shaped flowers of yel¬ 
lowish scarlet color, blooming in clusters from July to 
October. It is a w oody perennial, and does best when 
laid down and slightly covered in Winter. Propagated 
either from seeds or cuttings. 
No 122. .Mixed Canterbury Bells (Campanula medi¬ 
um).— Fine biennials wi'li showy bell-shaped flowers, of 
white, lilac, bine, an I intermediate colors, flowering the 
second season from seed, on spikes 2 to 3 feet high. Sow 
in early Spring and transplant or thin out in the Fall, to 
one foot apart. They will sometimes live 3 or 4 years. 
No. 123 Gnu (Nivalis).-— A delicate snow white an 
