SOME NOTES AND SUGGESTIONS 
Liquid Fertilizer. —To make a good liquid 
fertilizer get an open-end barrel or metal drum 
and fill it with water; then sack a half-bushel 
of fresh stable manure and, place m the water. 
To enrich the water, punch the sack with a 
blunt stick until the water shows color, when 
it is ready to use. The water must be freely 
used to prevent it from becoming stale. Water 
with this liquid about once a week and you 
will be surprised at the increased growth. 
Platycodon. —This is a very beautiful and 
tenacious hardy perennial that blooms the first 
season when started rather early in Spring. 
The plants grow about 2 feet high, and bloom 
throughout the season, are large and showy, 
and thrive even in sandy soil and hot sunshine. 
They should be better known. It is also known 
as Wahlenbergia and Campanula grandiflora 
(See page32.) A writersays in the Eng. Garden: 
This is a fine plant for the rockery, its neat bushy, 
compact, but vigorous growth at once arrests attention. 
The beautiful blue and white flowers are freely produc¬ 
ed, are quite large, and of the bell-shape form. E. G. 
Oenothera Missouriensis. —This makes a 
splendid rock-work plant when grown in dry 
sandy soil and in full sun. In rich soil it grows 
too freely to bloom well. Its long trailing 
stems with narrow shining leaves makes it 
valuable. Starts readily fiom seeds. Hardy 
perennial. 50 seeds 5cents. 
Jacob Vis Davil. Vis 
Vis Brothers.— On another page are the 
pictures of Father Vis and one son, and here 
are the other brothers. You must admit that 
they are all good-looking, and what is more, 
they are as good as they look, when it comes 
to growing good seeds of choice flowers. You 
can always bank on anything that bears the 
name of Vis. They are reliable Dutchmen. 
Niererr.bergias. — N. Frutescens, 2ft., is of 
easiest culture from seeds, 
begins to bloom in three or 
four months after sowing 
the seeds, and continues to 
.bloom freely till after frost. 
In a mild climate it retains 
it’s narrow graceful foliage 
throughout the winter, and 
begin to bloom in the Spring, 
soon becominga waving mass 
of little cup-shaped flowers, 
appearing in the distance 
like a lot of fluttering but¬ 
terflies. It is really one ot 
the most desirable perennials, and should be in 
every garden It is also fine as a pot plant. It s 
relative N. Gracilis is low and rather drooping 
and is a lovely house plant for the window or 
rockery. 750 seeds 5ets. 
Obelisk Flower.— A beautiful blit much 
neglected flower is Obeliscaria Pulcherrima. It 
has a high rich brown “Obelisk” center 
§J surrounded by broad velvety crimson 
drooping petals (see cut.) Each petal 
A.V i s distinctly margined with gold. It is 
a near relative of Rudbeckia, but more 
attractive on account of its odd and 
charming appearance. It is very easily 
grown, and if its merits as a showy garden 
flower were better known it would be popular. 
200 seeds 5cts. See page 27. 
Pyrethrum Roseum. —No garden should 
be without these handsome and useful flowers. Equally 
showy and beautiful are both single and double kinds, 
but the single command attention by their grace and 
elegance, points that are lacking in the double. The 
single kinds are extremely light and effective, and last 
a long time in perfection. Beds wholly devoted to these 
make areally telling display, and where cut flowers 
are required in quantity they are simply invaluable. 
F. J. in English Garden, 
Double Pyrethrum 
I offer Pyrethrum seeds from Vis Brothers’ 
splendid collection, Single Mixed* 250seeds at 
5c., and of Double Mixed 100 seeds 5c., James 
Kelway, the rich deep velvety crimson Pyreth¬ 
rum, 100 seeds 5c. Don’t fail to add these to 
your order. 
I find the following in the English Garden: 
“I do not wonder that these are being much grown 
for cutting purposes, for they are easily grown and 
flower with great freedom. From one bed a friend cut 
over5,000 flowers, and there were many blossomsstill 
open. Fie had a deep, strong, sandy loam which suited 
the Pyrethrums exactly. Plants are easily propigated 
from seeds, and when large the clumps can be divided 
and firmly planted in well manured and deeply dug 
soil. To avoid slugs during winter place around the 
stems coarse sand or fine ashes, these being the best 
preventives.” 
Verbascum Phoeniceum hybridum.—A 
perennial Mullein, and one of the very best for 
mixed borders in small gardens, the flowers 
white, lilac, violet, rose, blue, and purple. It 
continues blooming from May till August, and 
is very striking. H. D., in Eng. Garden. 5c. P.42 
Silene Orientalis. —This is a very desirable 
Catchfly having large, dense clusters of deep rosy- 
purple blossoms and glaucous foliage. It blooms the 
second year. In dry soil it lives for several years. 
Note. — I have found this a very attractive plant for 
beds, clove-scented and fine for cutting. 11 starts read¬ 
ily from seeds, and mostly self-sows. Compacta is an 
improved sort 18 inches high. Sets. See page31. 
