'fir’Tawre!' If*-*® 1*™ YEAR. 
1 Single i\«., Eight Cei 
YOLXXIII. NO. 10. 
NEW YORK CITY AND ROCHESTER. N. Y, 
FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, MARCH II, 1871, 
[Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by D. D. T. Moohe, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.] 
lormtltttrr. 
FLOWERS IN OLAY SOILS. 
What kind of flowers grow best in oor 
Suite, where the soil is moBtly clay ? Last 
year I sent for two dollars’ worth of‘seed, 
and out of the whole package none even 
sprouted, with two exceptions—nasturtiums 
and sweet peas. I followed the directions for 
planting as near as possible. As I have 
neither cellar nor conservatory, I should 
also like to obtain those plants that live and 
bloom in the sitting room, winter and sum¬ 
mer. I am an invalid, never being able to 
walk but a few rods distance; yet last sum¬ 
mer, with tlie aid of a stout pair of scissors 
and a table knife, I sat for hours out in my 
yard cutting away the grass with the one 
and loosening the dirt with the other, and 
was rewarded in the fall with an abundance 
of morning glories, fall roses, sweet peas, 
t!cc. Yet I could only see them when 1 went 
out doors. Tho coming summer I want 
something in evciy window and nook, so 
that I can enjoy them during the long, lone¬ 
ly hours that I am unable to leave my room. 
I want something for hanging baskets, win* 
v dow plants, and in the open border.— Jen¬ 
nie Seaton, Morgan (Jo., Ind. 
In starting plants from small and delicate 
seeds in clayey soils, great care is required 
not to cover them too deep. After every 
shower, the surface of ttie soil becomes so 
hard that the seedlings cannot break through, 
consequently they perish, and the would-be 
cultivator usually believes the fault was in 
the seed. Theremarks of our correspondent 
show that this was the cause of her failure; 
for the nasturtiums, sweet peas and morning 
glories came up; these have comparatively 
large seeds, and the young plauts possess 
sufficient strength to break through a crust 
of soil, where many other kinds of plants 
would fail to appear. 
There are two ways of avoiding failure in 
cultivating delicate plants in a heavy soil. 
First, procure a sufficient, quautity of leaf 
mold from the woods, or other light, friable 
soil, to cover the seeds. Those of very small 
size should not be covered more than one- 
quarter of an inch deep, even with loose soil, 
and as this quantity will soon become dry, 
it is positively necessary that it should be 
frequently sprinkled with water. Do this 
every evening during dry weather, until the 
plants appear. It is more than useless to 
commence watering, unless it is continued 
unremittingly, because if the seeds are al¬ 
lowed to shrink after having once started to 
grow, they are sure to perish. And it is just 
here that many persons make a great mis¬ 
take; they commence watering their seed 
beds, but do not persevere in the practice 
long eucugli to produce the desired results. 
Second, cultivate perennial plants instead 
of annuals. There is an immense variety of 
these, and when they are once firmly estab¬ 
lished the vexations, usually attending the 
production of seedlings, is entirely obviated. 
It is true that to give up the culture of beau- 
ti ful annuals, such as Asters and Drummond’s 
Phloxes, would be somewhat annoying; but 
Flora’s Kingdom is a large one, and there is 
really no limit to the forms and shades of 
beauty which it contains. 
lioueie Plauts. 
We fear that many persons who have had 
no experience in the cultivation of bouse 
plants, do not fully comprehend the difficul¬ 
ties to be overcome, in order to be successful. 
In cold climates the rooms must be kept 
constantly warm, night and day, and the 
least neglect in keeping up fires will put an 
end to the be9t collection. For a dozen 
cheap window plants that are not only beuu- 
titul but can be cultivated without extra care 
we will name the following: 
Boses. —Hermosa, Agrippina and Marechal 
Neil. 
Geraniums. —Mrs. Pollock, Moun¬ 
tain of Snow, and variegated Rose 
Scented. 
Begonia .—Hybrid Multiflora. 
Calla ethiopica nana. Ricliardia alba 
maculata. Ouphea ptatycentra. Aloy- 
sia citridora. 
For a half dozen plants for bang¬ 
ing baskets we name :— Myrsiphyl- 
lum asparagoides , Linaria cymba- 
laria rariegata , Gnaphalium lana- 
tum, Lysmachia nunumilaria , Ivy 
leaved geranium, (Holly wreath,) 
Koniga maritima . 
-♦-*-*- 
ST APELIA S. 
In general appearance the Sta - 
pelias resemble some of the com¬ 
mon species of Cacti; but the 
structure of their flowers shows that A, 
they belong to Die Asclepiodacee, or 
milkweed family of plants. There V' 
are over a hundred species described a 
in botanical works, and all of them, 
we believe, are natives of the Cape of 
Good Hope and adjacent country. 
They are low, succulent plauts, 
with thick stems furnished with 
very small, fleshy scales in the place 
of leaves: The flowers are large, 
five-cleft, and of various colors. In 
some of the species they are beauti- < 
fully vat legated; in others the entire 
surface is covered with long, silky ' ' s 
hairs of a purple color. 
The Stapelias require a rather 
high temperature, but they may be 
successfully cultivated as window 
plants, and as such they usually 
bloom quite freely. The plants are 
low and of a compact habit, the very 
largest species seldom grow more than a foot 
high, and the larger proportion not more 
than six inches, with numerous stems spring¬ 
ing from one crown or stool. The best soil 
in which to grow them is a mixture of sandy 
loam and old rotten sods, with small pieces 
of soft brick intermingled. If any manure is 
used, it should be from the cow stable, ami 
that which is old and well rotted. 
In summer, when the plants are grow- 
STAPELIA ASTERIAS. 
ter is generally the most convenient time. 
Propagation. 
All the species grow freely from cuttings, 
which should he dried a few days before 
planting. The usual method is to cut otr the 
shoots and lay them upon a shelf, with the 
severed end in the sun, until the wound is 
thoroughly dried; then insert in a pot of 
pure sand or sandy loam. Water should he 
applied sparingly, until roots are produced. 
append a description of three, with 
accompanying illustrations. Only 
a small section of the plant, is shown, 
but the flowers are of natural size. 
Stapelia asterias .—Flowers dull 
purple, segments tipped with light 
red, the entire surface being Inter 1 
l sected with transverse lines of a 
| light gray color, and fringed with 
I long silken hairs. The fragrance of 
jfh this species is far from being pieas- 
J ant, particularly if the newly ex- 
im parnled flowers are brought in con¬ 
i’ | , ■'/), tact with one’s olfactory organ. And 
mf fl we may as well add just here that. 
M/v n 'l l l' e 9 P ec * 08 have a peculiar, 
,Wr unpleasant odor, although it is not 
‘iMffl sufficiently strong to be offensive in 
a well ventilated room. 
'('j Stapelia variegata .—Flowers pale 
Vs-lfo yellow, beautifully blotched and 
marbled with purple. The plant is 
Jsjj¥ of a low, compact habit, with nu- 
(5**' merous slender stems of the size 
and form shown. A very free 
. bloomer and rapid grower. 
' Stapelia lentiginosa .—Pale yellow, 
with three distinct rings of brown, 
the entire surface being covered 
with very small dark purple dots. 
The plant is quite dwarf, assuming 
a tree form, or producing a single 
stem, will) several short branches. 
The name of the genus was given 
it in honor of J. B. Stapel, one of 
the early Dutch botanists. 
--. 
FLORAL NOTES AND QUERIES. 
Hnrt'cn Ca runt ions. 
Will some of your numerous 
readers tell me what ails my Carna¬ 
tion pink? I got some seeds which came 
up and grew very fast, and for three years 
I have done everything I could think of; 
have cut sonic down to one stalk, and it has 
grown so as to form a complete bush, strong 
and thrifty, and yet they will not bloom. 
»//5- •* - V ^ -•< *■ 
a; 
STAPELIA LENTIGINOSA. 
ing rapidly, considerable water may he 
given them; but in winter it should be with¬ 
held, unless the room in which they are is 
sufficiently warm and light to keep up a 
vigorous and healthy growth. But it is best 
to give them a season of rest, and the win- 
STAPELIA VARIEGATA. 
Species. 
As we have already said, there are at least 
one hundred different species of Stapelias, 
Is there a remedy?— Mrs. C. Colt, Litchfield 
Co., Ct. 
Ip the carnations are planted in the open 
and to give those of our readers who are not garden, and allowed to remain there during 
acquainted with any of them, an idea of the winter, we think they will bloom the follow” 
habit ot the plant and form of flowers, we ing spring. Perhaps, Mrs. Colt, you are 
-11 Pnrlt Row, New Yorlt. 
OT- ICES.-J gj UulTalo Si., Rochester. 
WHOLE NO. mi 
trying to cultivate annual blooming carna¬ 
tions as house plants, and keep them grow¬ 
ing during the entire season, allowing uo 
period of rest; if so, blooms will be scarce, 
no matter how strong and thrifty the plants. 
Be more specific in asking questions, and al¬ 
ways tell whether you are talking of house 
or garden plants. 
New Double Wistarin. 
Mr. Francis Packman of Jamaica Plains, 
Mass., received a small plant of Wistaria 
from Japan, several years since, which 
bloomed last summer, when it was dis¬ 
covered to bo a new and valuable variety, 
with double purple flowers. The plant, is 
perfectly hardy, resembling the old Wistaria 
sinensis so well known as one of the most 
beautiful of all our climbing plants. It. is to 
he hoped that Mr. Packman will be success¬ 
ful in propagating this new and charming 
sort, for the more varieties we have of this 
beautiful genus the better. There are quite 
a number of distinct sorts to he found in the 
larger nurseries, among the best wo will 
name, Wistaria sinensis, with deep bhieish 
flowers and very long trusses; IF. S. alba, 
flowers pure white and trusses nearly a foot 
in length; W. frutescens, a native species, 
with small, compact clusters of purplish 
flowers. The plant is a vigorous grower 
and usually blooms twice in a season. The 
W. frutescens alba is a charming sort with 
white flowers, excellent for forcing under 
glass, as the plant is rather a stocky grower 
and not inclined to climb as much as other 
sorts. The IF. magnified, with pale blue 
flowers, is also a handsome sort, and one of 
the most vigorous of growers. The IF. 
brochypoda resembles the frustescens , the 
flowers smaller and deeper purple. 
Soil for Verbrim*. 
I have been not a little amused at the 
dogmatical directions issued by some persons 
as to the necessity of a fresh soil yearly being 
necessary to grow good verbenas. It is nil 
a sheer absurdity, as my practice and obser¬ 
vation of over a quarter of a century has 
taught me. The verbena takes very little 
from the soil, its food is gathered mainly by 
its foliage; but to supply that, the soil must 
be deep and permeable to moisture and air, 
so that after a dry, hot day, or season, mois¬ 
ture and food, hv reason of cnpillary attrac¬ 
tion, may he distributed both to the roots 
and the foliage, the underside of the latter 
always having its mouth open for absorption. 
An old bed deeply dug and supplied with 
some vegetable substance to decay, at from 
ten to twelve inches below the surface, is 
just as good grow the verbena, as new 
fresh soil.—A tad. 
OH Plauts Wanted, 
I would like to know where, and for what 
price, I can obtain the Christinas Rose 
{Helleborus niger.) If you can give me the 
desired information, you will greatly oblige. 
—Mrs. Wm. E. Armstrong. 
We regret our inability to aid Mrs. Arm¬ 
strong in fiuding this old garden favorite. 
Our seedsmen and florists, in their anxiety 
to get all the new things, have overlooked 
and neglected many au old and valuable 
plant. If any of our nurserymen florists 
have plants for sale of Helleborus niger, will 
they please inform us of the fact? 
LUliospernium Friitlconmn. 
R. M., in the Gardener’s Chronicle, recom¬ 
mends this to those who are searching for 
beautiful winter and spring flowering plants. 
He says he took plants “from tho herba¬ 
ceous garden, potted them, and put them 
into a pit in a gentle heat, near the glass; 
and since they have produced a fine lot of 
flowers of the most beautiful blue color,and 
which have been moat valuable for small 
bouquets amongst white flowers. Indeed, 
I know of no small flower that is of such a 
beautiful blue at this season, equaling in 
color any of the finest Delphiniums.” 
A 
