laEinet uiifl Pictorial Some fBamiiartion. 
Deutzias.— Having occasion, one day in October, to 
tie up some plants, I cut some sticks from a Deutzia 
Scabra. Several weeks after I discovered that some 
of the sticks were growing, but was not surprised at 
that, for it is common enough to see willow, pear, or 
grape twigs growing in this way; but there are now 
on these Deutzia twigs strong, healthy-looking flower 
buds, which give every indication of coming to peifec- 
tiou. So large a proportion of the sticks used are 
growing, and have buds, all of them, that I have been 
wondering if we might not force Deutzia twigs instead 
of taking up the plant. It would save a great deal of 
room. Has any one ever tried it? 
Lynn, Mass. M. P. G. 
Plants with. Colored Leaves.— Please inform me 
the best way to obtain a plant of the autumn leaf like 
the spray described in your premium, “ Gems of the 
Flower Garden,” and price, and you will greatly oblige 
me. L. M. K. 
Answer . —The colored leaves you see in chromo, 
“ Gems of the Flower Garden,” are natural. At the 
left hand the red and yellow-colored leaves are of the 
Amaranthus bi-color. Toward the stem are a few 
sprays of Virginia Creeper. Any florist will supply 
the plants. 
Burr Bose.— “Why does the Burr Bose burst, and 
are they all imperfect, etc? G. C.” 
In an old garden, on the banks of the Brandy¬ 
wine, near Wilmington, Del.,-I enjoyed the surpassing 
beauty of this old-fashioned Bose— the Microphylla, 
or Bun- Bose. This was almost twenty-five years 
ago ; but if I recollect right, there never was one im¬ 
perfect Bose or bud on those old bushes, which had 
grown to the size of small trees. They were pinned 
closely each spring, cutting out as much old wood as 
possible. The soil was a clayey loam, enriched with 
well rotted cow manure, and, as is my custom with all 
Bose bushes, they were frequently watered with soot- 
water, and the ground beneath the bushes covered 
thickly with charcoal, pounded until well crushed, but 
not pulverized. I think if G. C. will pursue this 
course the difficulty complained of may be remedied. 
Aunt Carry. 
Meal Worms.—In reply to questioner about rais¬ 
ing meal worms for mocking birds, I would say that 
if a stone jar is filled with bran meal, or a similar sub¬ 
stance, with pieces of old shoe-leather mixed with it— 
a dead bird or mouse would also be a welcome addi¬ 
tion—and colonized with about two hundred meal 
worms, which can easily be procured in spring, and 
the whole set in a warm place, the worms will increase 
so rapidly that if the colony is given three months to 
increase in numbers, without disturbance, it will then 
be ready to give the birds a daily supply. It must 
also be observed that occasionally a rag, wetted with 
beer or water, must be laid on the contents of the jar 
to supply moisture. Charles Mann. 
Exchange.—I would like to exchange seeds with 
some subscriber to the Cabinet. I have very fine 
double Portulaca seeds; also, crimson Coxcombs and 
Globe Amaranth seeds. My Portulacas have been 
splendid for three or four years. Planted florists’ seeds 
at first, and was told they would soon run out; but it 
is not so; they never were more double or beautiful 
than last year. Would like double Diadem Pinks, or 
double Larkspur, or really fine Ipomoea seeds, or seeds 
of anything that is pretty in a conservatory. Address 
Saybrook, Conn. Jennie Hoffman. 
My Conservatory, and How I Came by it. —Last 
fall the good man of the house foreseeing the conse¬ 
quences of the continued rooting and potting which 
was going on, and wishing to make sure of the priv¬ 
ilege of looking through his windows if he should feel 
so inclined, proposed building a bit of conservatory or 
plant-room upon the south side of our sitting-room. 
You may be sure I made no objection to the plan, but 
aided and encouraged all in my power. Its comple¬ 
tion was delayed somewhat, but finished at last, and 
plants safely installed in their new winter quarters; 
and to-day, as I stand in its wide doorway and look 
upon my floral treasures, am fully convinced that the 
same amount of money could not have procured as 
much enjoyment expended in any other way. Happily 
every member of our little family is of the same 
opinion. J. K. 
Plant for Winter Blooming. —I send a box con¬ 
taining a flower found in the woods, by a little branch, 
near my residence. It is quite abundant, choosing 
places similar to the Fem, and has a sort of tuberous 
root, sending up several shoots in thrifty plants, with 
three and four beautiful ultramarine bells at every pair 
of leaves. It is very lovely, and I have transplanted 
a good deal of it. Can you tell me what it is? It 
gives signs of being valuable for winter blooming. I 
shall try it. 
Salisbury, N. C. Mrs. J. S. McCubbins. 
Answer .—Fringed Gentian; an extremely beauti¬ 
ful plant. 
White Worms.—I have very little room, still man¬ 
age to find a place for about fifty-five pots of house 
plants in winter, and have had very good success. Sly 
greatest pest is the little white insect in the dirt. To¬ 
bacco tea has been recommended; but they seem to 
flourish on that. Am also troubled with the scale bug 
(know no other name for them) on Boses. What 
shall I do for them? 
Bridgeport. Mrs. J. W. Johnson. 
Answer .—For the white worm or insect in the 
eai-th use lime-water, weak at first, growing stronger 
until they disappear. Scale must be removed by 
hand. No fumigation or wash will in the least dis¬ 
courage them. 
Frames.— Some one was speaking of making frames 
of brown paper stars. She said she presumed every 
one was familiar with white star crosses. I admit my 
ignorance, and would like very much if she, or some one, 
would tell me, through the Cabinet, how they are 
made, and very much oblige A Cabinet Lover. 
Oleander. —What will Mrs. F. Throp do to make 
her Oleander bloom? It is full of buds, but they do 
not open. 
Glass for Examining Flowers _The best hand¬ 
glass (not microscope) for examining flowers is in¬ 
quired for by a subscriber. 
Answer .—A good magnifying glass for examining 
flowers can be had in the city for about two dollars; 
they can be obtained from any good optician. We 
would oblige our subscribers by selecting for them if 
they will remit to us. 
Kate. —Young and healthy roots of English, Irish, 
and ether varieties of Ivy can be obtained from H. A. 
Dreer, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Best Scarlet Geranium. —What is the name of the 
best double scarlet Geranium ? I have ten varieties 
of the double Geranium, and want the one you men¬ 
tioned. Dr. Jjeger. 
Answer .—Triumph is the best double scarlet Ge¬ 
ranium, so called, that we know of; yet its color is 
nearer crimson than scarlet. 
Plant Named.—What is the name of this plant, a 
specimen of the leaf and flower of which I send you? 
I never can find any description that corresponds 
with it. 
Wellington, 0. Mrs. Sarah Cady. 
Answer. —Achania Malvaviscus. 
Raising Plants from Seed.,—Will ■you give some 
information in regard to raising Tea Plants from seed? 
I have a few seeds which were given me, and as I find 
they are allied to the Camellia Japonica (Window Gar¬ 
dening), and those are a long time germinating, I would 
like to know if they could not bo treated like Canna 
seeds. The shell is like our hazel-nut; indeed, a 
friend of mine ate one of the seeds thinking it such, 
but found it rather too bitter to be agreeable. 
Mrs. S. Wellingford. 
Answer. —Sow the seed in a box or pan, and place 
where it will have good bottom heat, full as high as a 
good hot-bed. Do not soak them; they require con¬ 
siderable time to germinate. 
Heliotrope.—What is the matter with my Helio¬ 
tropes? The leaves are a yellow green, and before the 
leaf reaches its perfect size it dries and looks brown. 
I have looked it over thoroughly, but find neither 
spiders, aphis, or lice. I have a passion for Helio¬ 
tropes, and am much pained to see their blight. 
C. Irene. 
Answer. —The atmosphere of the dwelling is too 
dry for the Heliotrope; it requires a high temperature, 
plenty of water, large pots, and a moist atmosphere. 
Lily.—I have a Lily bulb, a present from a friend. 
She did not know the name. I will describe it; per¬ 
haps you can tell me. It is very smooth and glossy— 
color, pea-green; does best with half the bulb above 
the soil in the pot. I would send specimen leaf, but 
there is only one, eight inches long and very narrow. 
Elwood, L. I. Mrs. David Buffett. 
Answer. —We cannot name your plant without see¬ 
ing the flower. It is not however a Lily, possibly an 
Amaryllis. All Lilies have scaley bulbs, and do not 
succeed unless covered with two or more inches of 
earth. 
Eucharis.—Can you tell me how to treat the Eu- 
charis ? I have one, bought last fall, that shows no 
sign of bloom ; does not grow very fast. I have sev¬ 
eral large Fuchsias, that grow well, look healthy, but 
do not bloom. Speciosa and Carl Halt are among 
them. I like the talk about flowers, but do not, as 
yet, find anything recommended to keep away the 
black flies. I do not like them, but they will come. I 
should like to know the name of the handsomest scarlet 
Geranium you have any knowledge of. I have Lord 
Derby and Gordon. E. L. Sawyer. 
Ansiver. —The Eucharis Amazonica can only be 
grown in the hot-house, or what the florist terms the 
“ stove,” when the temperature ranges from 70 to 90 
degrees. A more difficult plant to grow well, or even 
to get to flower, however imperfectly, we do not 
know. Note our remarks about Fuchsias above. Fu¬ 
migating with tobacco, or frequent syringing with soap 
suds, is the most effectual remedy for removing the 
black fly (aphis). General Grant is the best scarlet 
Geranium, for bedding out, or in-door bloom. 
Plant Named.—Will you please tell me through the 
Cabinet the name of a plant like enclosed sample. 
Mine blossoms in February, clusters of small white 
flowers. E. L. W. 
Answer .—Eupatorium Mexieanum. 
Stuffing Birds.—Tell me how to stuff birds, &c., 
by doing so, you would oblige. S. W. Phifer. 
Ansiver .—Bird stuffing cannot be told. It must be 
learned from an expert, like any mechanical business. 
