NEW YORK, OCTOBER, 1879. 
Ambrosia.—Most persons would agree that the 
rose has enough in its perfume and beauty to sus¬ 
tain its pretensions to be queen of flowers, but it 
seems that the rose can be made exquisite also to a 
third sense. Not long ago a confection of rose-petals 
was served to Emperor William. It was the gift of 
an English lady, and came from Alexandria, where 
the rose thus prepared is considered a strengthen¬ 
ing as well as a delicate dish ; but Egyptian cooks 
are said to be the only ones who understand the art 
of preparing it, and the right species of rose for this 
purpose grows only in that region. A Smyrna house, 
however, exports jelly of roses. Perhaps research 
might find a way of converting other floivers besides 
Eastern roses into delicate food. In that case, cook¬ 
ery and floriculture would strike up a closer alliance 
than now seems possible for them to have.— Gal. 
Horticulturist. 
The Shades of Color in a Flower vary remark¬ 
ably, even in the course of the same day, according 
as it is lighted by the direct sunshine of midday or 
by a north light from a bright blue sky, and it is 
known that flowers themselves seek by preference 
the warm orange rays of sunlight. M. L. Hugo has 
been making some experiments at the Horticultural 
Exhibition on the modifications induced by electric 
light, the results of which he communicated lately to 
the Paris Academy of Sciences. He finds that under 
this influence the Nidularium exhibits a beautiful red 
portion in the centre of its clump of lanceolated foli¬ 
age, the electric light appearing to him to intensify 
its red lustre. The Caladiwm exhibits red particles 
dispersed among the white or green leafage, the 
brilliancy of this red appearing sensibly “ tarnish¬ 
ed,” and approaching a reddish brown.— Exchange. 
In purchasing hardy bulbs for spring flowering 
this query forces itself upon one irresistibly: “ How 
can I make the finest display for the least money T’ 
This is really an important question, and one we 
have often asked ourself—did not less than an hour 
ago, as we turned the pages of a catalogue before us 
and glanced with greedy eyes over the tempting con¬ 
tents. Let us endeavor to frame a reply to this 
practical question. 
In the first place, no one need expect a bed of 
flowers, no matter how rare, to represent money 
value. If you expect a visitor to glance at your tu¬ 
lip-bed, for instance, and calmly point out variety 
after variety, enquiring the name and price, you are' 
greatly mistaken. Named bulbs, in particular, are 
a snare and a delusion, because they are invariably 
from three to five times as expensive, and give you 
not a wdiit better flowers; while nine times out of 
ten, those who purchase named sorts do not label 
them after the first season, and consequently have a 
lot of unnamed bulbs the next spring after all. Our 
advice on this score is, candidly, to bu}' mixed va¬ 
rieties of hardy bulbs, leaving the named sorts to 
cheapen in the hands of amateurs and professional 
florists. 
Hyacinths are the most expensive bulb we have— 
that is, the imported. Those grown in our own 
soils degenerate and do not produce as fine spikes of 
flowers as those fresh from Holland; but still, for an 
out-of-door show, these degenerate ones are the best 
after all. The coloring is brilliant, and the spikes 
are strong enough to stand erect in spite of the sever¬ 
est storm. Mixed hyacinths can be bought for one 
dollar and a half per dozen, and will give general 
satisfaction. 
Tulips are showy and cheap. Many named varie¬ 
ties of great beauty can be bought for a nickel each. 
AN EXCELLENT BASKET PLANT. 
The improved kind of tuberous-rooted Begonias, 
now everywhere so abundant, make excellent basket 
plants. In this way their large, brilliantly-colored 
leaves, which are naturally of a drooping character, 
can be seen to advantage, and if grown in good soil 
and kept well supplied with water in a moderately 
cool, dry house, they will produce a charming dis¬ 
play for months in succession. On rockwork, too, 
in any corner of a conservatory or greenhouse, or 
even out of doors in a warm corner, they grow and 
flower freely, and are exceedingly effective. To 
tall, light-leafed, sub-tropical plants, in a warm, 
sheltered situation, they would add variety of color 
and be much more satisfactory than plants of other 
kinds often used for such purposes. 
A Dozen Kinds of Boses on one Bush.— 
j Flower-growers can have a dozen kinds of roses on 
one ush, by selecting a plant of the “Prairie 
Queen ” or any other strong grower, and budding 
thereon a dozen different kinds of roses each of a 
different color. These may be selected to all bloom 
at the same time, and become a great curiosity and 
pleasurable display of beauty. 
THE NATURAL EASTER CROSS. 
{Continued f rom page 145.) 
ed the flowers must be made or these may e formed 
first and laid away, secure from the dust, until all are 
done, and the cross finished. The flowers suitable for 
this cross are two clumps of Violets, a few Snow¬ 
drops, and the ever-lovely trailing Arbutus; which 
furnish the chief adornment. These may all be made 
according to directions previously given, and arrang¬ 
ed in proper positions about the cross. They must 
be touched with varnish and dusted with diamond 
powder. The trailing Arbutus is clustered thickly 
about the base, peeping out from the snow and ice 
about the stones, and fastened up round the body 
with long sprays, falling over the arms in long, 
graceful garlands. 
THE AMARYLLIS. 
An excellent plant for the house is the Amaryllis; 
it never fails to send up its flower-stalk crowned 
with three or four beautiful lily-like blossoms. 
It equires very little care; give it plenty of water 
while in bloom, and keep very dry for at least 
three months after it has done flowering. I would 
keep the bulb growing for some little time after 
blooming, to develop it for future flowering, but it 
should be dried off for some time before blooming. 
Do not take the bulb out of the pot; simply let the 
earth get dry. 
PUBLISHER’S ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
Change of Business. —All correspondence re¬ 
lating to The Ladies’ Floral Cabinet, and the 
publication of books heretofore published by me, 
should hereafter be addressed to 
Adams & Bishop, 
Box 2456, New York. 
Office, 46 Beekman Street. 
Numerous changes in my business which were 
occasioned by the hard times, and in consequence 
thereof subjected me to inconveniences and delays 
which I could not avoid or adequately explain, 
have made it necessary for me now to retire from 
my present business. The publishing interests 
heretofore conducted by me are now in the posses¬ 
sion of the above firm of Adams & Bishop, who will 
conduct the same successfully. Having ample capi¬ 
tal, ability, and experience, all subscribers and cus¬ 
tomers will find abundant satisfaction in dealing 
with them. And I recommend to every one a lib¬ 
eral patronage of their efforts. With thanks for the 
kind regards and favors from my subscribers of the 
past, I am, gratefully, 
Henry T. Williams. 
Delays Remedied. —The delays of the past 
few months, which have been beyond explanation or 
apology—the business situation being of a peculiar 
nature—will now be remedied, and subscribers may 
depend hereafter upon prompt publishing and mail- 
I ing of papers to them. 
