Jl 3 
FOffc 
116 
J^atkes’ 
lanu llaiiiiiet nm\ Pielorra! 
;ome 
THE HYBRIDIZING OF PLANTS. 
Flowers, from the florist’s hands, and as we find 
them in “ pastures green,” or along the hanks of run¬ 
ning streams, are indeed beautiful. But did you 
never, my reader, long for some plant which would 
owe its peculiar attractions to your own adaptation of 
nature’s laws f Watching each returning season for 
some tint or marking hitherto unknown to my garden, 
and meeting with frequent disappointments, I resolved 
to trust no longer to the media of winds and insects to 
produce an interchange of colors. I sought and 
found an article on the subject, and after careful 
study, behold ! my trials and their success. Pe¬ 
tunias being easier handled than aught else in 
my collection, my first attempt was with them. 
They open in the morning, and rarely unfold the 
receptacles containing the pollen until nine, or even 
ten o’clock. Before that time I visit the flower¬ 
bed, and selecting two plants, for instance, one 
of white the other of pink, prepare the blossoms 
for the final work a few hours later. As an ex¬ 
ample, I take a small pair of pointed scissors and 
cut from all the white blossoms every stamen I 
can detect. 1 next visit the pink variety, and destroy 
the pistil belonging to each; thus every flower is 
dependent upon another to become fertilized in order 
to produce seed. For about two hours I find the re¬ 
ceptacles at the ends of the uncut stamina have opened, 
and the pollen ready to be removed. Taking one 
flower at a time, (of the pink), I cut it from the plant, 
and removing every portion of the corolla I may with¬ 
out injury to the stamina, I gently brush the latter 
over the pistil of the white variety until a 
quantity of the pollen is transferred from 
them to the said pistil. Taking each flower 
in turn, I continue the operation until all are' 
fertilized, when time alone is wanting to 
complete the work. A small thread may be 
tied to the stem of each flower, to distinguish 
it from others, in order that the seed may be 
gathered separately. And to prevent other 
colors being introduced with those already 
mixed, tie a piece of net or gauze over each 
blossom to prevent their being disturbed by 
insects. Fair weather is desirable, as moist¬ 
ure would hinder, in a degree, the removal 
of the pollen, and also prove detrimental to 
the formation of seed. When once the prac¬ 
tice is acquired, taste may be exercised in 
the arrangement of colors, and our efforts 
extended to an infinite number and kinds of 
plants. A writer says: “Any two plants of 
the same order can be made to form a union,” 
i. e., a Cypress Vine and Morning Glory, ; 
both being of the natural order Convolvu- 
laceae, wall unite. Of this, I have no experi¬ 
ence of my own as proof, but any one can make the 
attempt who has at hand a catalogue containing the 
botanical order of flowers. What a field of pleasure 
is opened to us in the study of the affinity of plants! 
Sister flower-lovers, shall we not compete with the 
florist in producing new and unknown varieties ? For 
not only are changes effected in the coloring and mark¬ 
ings of flowers, but their natures and wants may be 
transformed. We can endow them with qualities best 
suited to our climes, while in no degree lessening their 
pleasing attributes. The Dahlia will partake of the 
fragrance of some sweet sister-rose, while the latter 
will exchange for it the quality of a perpetual bloomer. 
Then, too, a plant will learn the lesson of endurance 
from some hardy cousin, and be none the less delight¬ 
ful to our homes for the nicety of perfume it in grati¬ 
tude bestows upon its benefactor. Our care should be 
taken that no ill-assorted unions be made among our 
plants. Dame Nature has done much to prevent mis¬ 
alliance in her own particular province; nevertheless, 
most unaccountable marriages take place in the plant 
kingdom as well as in our own. In conclusion, I hope 
many readers will peruse this with interest, for who 
knows how endless the pleasure and instruction it will 
afford to inquiring minds f Jennie. 
Veranda Covered with Vines. 
FLOWER GARDENS. 
To those who have a choice in land, I would say, 
choose a light rich loam, to which, once a year, I 
would apply well-rotted cow manure and leaf-mold 
from the woods, if attainable. It is my plan to collect 
all the leaves, pieces of turf, young weeds, etc., and 
pile them up in an obscure corner. As you add to this 
pile, stir it up, and in this way you will keep on hand 
A Garden Summer-house. 
a compost that is as invaluable for pot plants as it is 
for applying to your beds. The more you stir the 
pile, the quicker it will decay. It will take about two 
summers for it to fully decompose. The ground should 
be laid out according to taste, and the varieties you 
intend to cultivate. If you have but little space, and 
wish to cultivate as many varieties as possible, the 
best way is to take the turf all off and arrange in 
straight beds, with a walk between. These beds 
should not be so wide but that you can weed them 
without stepping among the plants. Where there is 
plenty of room, fancy shaped beds, cut in the green 
turf, are much prettier. The grass needs to be cut 
close and even to give the best appearance. Beds 
like these should be filled with something that will 
blossom all the season, or sometimes two varieties can 
be planted in one bed so as to produce the effect. 
1 his is an excellent way to plant spring flowering 
bulbs. The annuals sown between the rows do not 
injure the bulbs, but grow so quickly that they cover 
the bed with flowers almost as soon as the bulbs are 
gone. 
Planting in fancy beds brings the necessity of a 
bed similar to the one first described, for such varieties 
as bloom and die quickly, and also for cut flowers. 
Having prepared your ground, you must next 
sow your seeds and plant roots of perennials, 
shrubs, etc. Seeds should not be sown in the 
New England States until after the first of May. 
If you sow them in a seed-bed, it is well to pre¬ 
pare it in the most sheltered spot you have. By 
so doing, you can plant them a few days earlier. 
Those kinds that have long roots should always 
be sown where they are to stand, for many plants 
will be lost in transplanting, and those that live 
will become stunted. Do not neglect transplant¬ 
ing until they have become drawn or slender. 
When they are putting forth their second and 
third leaves is the time, for they will soon need more 
room. You can obtain flowering plants much earlier 
by planting in a hot-bed. Those who have no hot¬ 
bed can plant them in pots, or even rough wooden 
boxes in the house. After your plants are transplanted, 
nothing remains except to keep the weeds down. Some 
plants may need to be tied up to stakes to prevent 
breaking by wind or rain. Roots of perennials do 
best if planted in the autumn. They can be planted 
in the spring, but will not do as well the first 
summer. Always make a plan of your gar¬ 
den or lawn in the spring, and select your 
seeds, etc., according to space and situation. 
I will say a few words about making selec¬ 
tions, which may be a help to amateurs. If 
you want tall, showy flowers, select Zinnias, 
Balsams, Poppies, Marigolds, etc. These 
are not my favorites, however. For masses 
of medium height, plant Phlox Drummondii, 
Candytuft, Petunias, Verbenas, etc. Portu- 
lacas make showy masses in the early part 
of the day, but as they close soon after noon, 
should not be planted in a very conspicuous 
place. Try a bed of foliage plants. If you 
have never had them, you will be surprised 
at their magnificence. Amaranthus, Ri- 
cinus, Celosia Huttonii, Coleus, Cannas, 
and Caladiums are all good for this purpose. 
But do nor forget the fragrant flowers. I 
would sooner do without a great many of 
my beautiful blossoms than some that are 
less showy but more fragrant. What can be 
sweeter than the little Mignonette, Sweet 
Alyssum, Sweet Peas, and Heliotropes. When more 
than one variety is planted in the same bed, be sure to 
plant the tallest in the centre or backside, and the low¬ 
est on the edge or in front of the beds. Ribbon beds 
are pretty if well taken care of, but they need a great 
deal of pruning to keep them in shape. They may be 
planted of different colors of the same flower, or alto¬ 
gether different plants may be used. It requires some 
care to select plants of the proper height and color. 
By all means have a bed of bulbs. Hyacinths and Tu¬ 
lips planted in the ribbon style are truly beautiful. 
Myrtle. 
