PR A C T1CAL PL OlilC UL T URE. 
In order to determine in a ready and simple way which colors will be best alongside 
of each other, either in beds ot flowers or in bouquets, place a sheet of white paper so 
that the eye can he suddenly cast upon it; then gaze steadily upon the flower or leaves that 
it may be wished to plant 01 aiiange so as to harmonize or form a good juxtaposition; 
aftei gazing two 01 thiee minutes, suddenly cast the eye on the white paper, and the color 
will be seen that will be best to place near whatever has been looked at. 
DEFORMITIES CONCEALED. 
About many neat and even handsome homes there are oftentimes dilapidated buildings, 
sheds or fences that may be hidden out of sight and transformed into things of beauty, at 
least during the summer season, by the use ot some perennial climbing plants. The 
Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Celastrus scandens, Clematis virginiana, Tecoma radicans and 
others of the same character (see Climbing Plants, p. 393), will serve this purpose. 
Many of the annual climbers can also be used to good advantage. The Echino- 
cystis lobata, or Wild Cucumber, is a rapid and luxuriant grower, and has the further 
advantage, not common among climbers, of long racemes of sweet-scented flowers. A 
singleplant will sometimes cover a good-sized building in a season. The Ricinus com¬ 
munis, or Castor-oil Plant, though not a climber, is often used for this purpose in orna¬ 
mental grounds, its large and abundant peltate foliage forming an excellent screen. The 
Kelianthus annuus, or common Sunflower, and the allied species, Helianthus tuberosus, or 
Jerusalem Artichoke, will also serve the same useful purpose in an effective manner. 
<PR OP A GA TIJSTG PLANTS. 
ATURALLY some amateur culturists will have occasion to use one 
or more of the simpler methods of propagating plants, which are 
on that account here subjoined. 
SOWING SEEDS. 
In sowing seeds, some thought should be had for their size and construction. 
Small ones, as the Portulaca and Petunia, it is quite sufficient to scatter on the 
ground, and, rubbing the hand gently over the surface, mix them with the soil. 
For others it is well to mix them with some finely pulverized earth, and sow 
both together. Larger seeds, like Sweet Peas, Four-o’clocks, Beans, and 
various others, require planting, a process which is different from sowing, inasmuch as 
the seeds are placed in the earth, in proportion to their size, from one to two or more 
inches apart; and none should be embedded deeper than five times its own diameter. The 
outer or whitish shell of the Nasturtium, and of some others that have a double shell, 
should be removed with the thumb-nail or a knife. Some flat seeds, like the Cobasa, 
should be put in the ground edgewise, to prevent decay. The cottony substance around 
the Globe Amaranth seeds should be picked off for the same reason. Very hard seeds, 
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