40 
txSies' floral BaEinet «ua!l JHctarinl 
offie 
lamjmman. 
NEW YORK, MARCH, 1877. 
VERBENAS AS WINDOW PLANTS 
IN WINTER. 
Have the soil, half garden loam, one-fourth each of 
old barn yard manure and sand; good drainage of 
charcoal and broken bits of old plaster. In August 
take strong shoots, three to four inches long, without 
flower buds, if you can; if not, pinch them out. Be 
sure to take them with leaves at the lower end of your 
cuttings ; just at the leaves the roots start. Clip off 
the lower leaves, and plant about an inch or more, in 
six-inch pots : four cuttings around the edge, and one 
in the center, each a different kind. Set them in a 
shady place for a week, where they will get the dew; 
they root rapidly, if not drowned; but give water as 
needed, to keep the foliage from wilting; give an 
hour’s morning sun for a week; when growing well, 
more sun; and so on until all day ; as they grow, 
pinch back; they soon become bushy plants. Leave 
out as long as possible; when brought in, place in a 
south window; they love a plenary fullness of sunshine 
and air. Do not water too much. Watch and pick 
off the green aphis, if they appear; sometimes I have 
this to do once. Once or twice a week dip the plants 
in a bucket of tepid water, or hold sideways and 
sprinkle thoroughly with the hand. When they form 
buds, water once a week with weak manure water. 
One winter I had a fine lot; they commenced budding 
in February, bloomed all through March and April. 
March is colder and rougher here than midwinter. 
They were just glorious—trusses large, colors as bril¬ 
liant as if grown out of doors. No plant makes a finer 
show in the window-garden in early spring, and they 
repay us for all care. The last of May I set them out 
in a bed of rich soil; they grew right on, were cover¬ 
ed with flowers long before the seedlings were in bud, 
and were the last to succumb to the frost. In warm 
countries the Verbena is perennial. I have twenty- 
four kinds in the house now; they will soon bloom. 
L. K. Share. 
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE MONTH. 
The illustrations on the first page, represent favorite 
ways of decorating windows with flowers in Germany 
and England, which we can successfully imitate and 
adopt here in America. 
The Fern Window and Aquarium, is large, and 
projects outward. The arch frame is also on the out¬ 
side. The rockery constructed within, is made of 
natural rock and earth, built and cemented together, 
and the bottom of the aquarium is covered with loose 
sand and pebbles. The crevices of the rocks are full 
of earth, in which grows such ferns as Adiantum, 
Onychicutn, Pteris, Selaginella and Pteris, in any of the 
varieties. Such a window fernery, however, is per¬ 
missible in this country, either in mild weather, or in 
the milder climates. 
The illustrations of flower stands, represent pretty 
boxes, in which bloom and are displayed the striking 
foliage of Dracasnas, Marantas, Agaves, Pteris, &c., 
while in the trellis hang the drooping tendrils of the 
Coebea, or the German Ivy. 
Upon pages 36 is an artistic arrangement of the com¬ 
mon varieties of ornamental grasses, all of which are 
described in every seedsmans catalogue. 
Upon pages 40, 41 and 45, are family scenes, with 
incidents of pleasure and taste. The absorbed reader 
of the book—the bright good morning of the gleeful 
boy awaiting the return of his father—and the fair- 
artist, both whose work and face are pretty, remind 
us of home joys, and make home occupation doubly 
attractive. 
3 ^} 
The Charmed Reader. 
PUBLISHER’S ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
Renew, Renew.— Many thousand subscriptions expire with 
this number. Renew! Renew !! 
Only One Dollar. —All the rest of this year’s numbers April 
to December, will be sent for only.one dollar, this including also the 
steel plate engraving, “The Glee Maiden,’’ worth alone $1.00. 
Get up Clubs.— To any one who will get up clubs for us this 
Spring, will be given their commission towards your own paper 
free. 
To every dollar subscription, we will allow ]5 cents, or to every 
subscription at $1.30, we will allow 20 cents, to be applied towards 
your own paper free, or any book we offer in our list. These com¬ 
missions are not cash, but trade towards your own paper or book. 
A club of T will get you your paper one year; a club of three will 
pay for neurly six months, bu t every name you get besides your 
own, counts in your favor and reduces the cost of your own paper. 
Respecting Certain Advertisements.— In response to 
further inquiries of our readers, we will state that the advertisement 
of the Texas Land Company, was sent us by an agent, Edwin Aiden, 
of Cincinnati. We have always found him and his word reliable. 
Before inserting it in our journal, we took the trouble to specially 
ask him if this Company was responsible, and he informed us they 
were all right. As this Company has not proved other than swin¬ 
dlers—both Mr. Aiden and ourselves have been deceived, although, 
we took due caution before hand. Our readers must understand 
that we did the best we could. 
Mr. C. A. Eeeser, of Erie, Pa., also last year met with many misfor¬ 
tunes. Hard times took away his business, his landlord shut down 
and sold him out by Sheriff’ stopped his business, and effectually 
broke up his correspondence. Mr. Reeserhad always previously 
been reliable. We do not know the cause of his misfortune. We 
do not consider it a deliberate swindle—if so. then ashe owes us $168, 
we also have been swindled worse than any of our readers. M r. Eeeser 
has always tried to keep a good name and reputation, but he was 
unfortunate. 
We exercise scrupulous care over our pages that nothing known 
to hewrong. shall he inserted. We can not personally know each 
party, but do take pains to inquire and try to become satisfied that 
every advertiser has hitherto always done as he agrees, at d is con¬ 
sidered able to keep his promises. 
Six Months’ Subscriptions.— By reference to publishers 
new terms, subscribers are allowed privilege of six months’ sub¬ 
scriptions at 65 cents (without Premium), to begin with any 
number. This will accommodate those who may not be able to pay 
but for six months at a time. It is better, however, to pay for a full 
year at one time, and thus save trouble of double remittance and cor¬ 
respondence. 
To Housekeepers. —Ladies will take note that the Prize Col¬ 
lections of Recipes, which the Cabinet publish this year, will be of 
immense value to them virtually a first-class Cook Book of them¬ 
selves, worth $1.50. We do not see how any lady can do without 
them. 
A Sweet Home Paper. — The Floral Cabinet is eminently 
a practical paper of Home Work. It avoids fashions and exciting 
stories, and considers things of common sense and practical use; but 
specially teaches ladies how to beautify their homes— this is our 
special mission. We choose flowers as a leading feature, but it is not 
an exclusive subject. Music, Art. Elegancies, Housekeeping—all we 
give, have ideas which have cost time, dollars, and experience to pro¬ 
em®. There are plenty of papers at cheaper price, but none which 
give more true worth for the money. 
Household Books.—Premiums for Clubs.— A club of 
only eight entitles club agent to one of these splendid household 
books: 
“Window Gardening,” - Retail price, $1.50 
“Household Elegancies,” “ “ 1.50 
“Ladies’ Fancy Work,” - — - - “ “ l 50 
If agent's club is less than eight, 20 cents is allowed towards any book 
for each name in bis club, and he can remit balance in cash. A little 
effort on the part of each subscriber will enable him to get his book 
or paper at a reduced price. 
MAGNIFICENT NEW FLORAL PREMIUMS. 
“ The Floral Cabinet ” Collection of N ew Seedling 
Gladiolus. —This is a nfew collection, never before offered, grown 
exclusively for us, which consists of twelve flowering bulbs of Gladi¬ 
olus, one of the finest quality and most exquisite variety of colors. The 
quality of this collection is unequalled, and in every respect, we can 
safely guarantee them extra choice. The same quality of named 
varieties of Gladiolus, obtained of reliable seedsmen, would cost $12. 
The colors range from the most fiery scarlet to the purest white! 
Offer Ho. 1.—This collection, worth $12, will be given free to any 
person who will raise a club of 15 subscribers to the Floral Cabinet 
at $1.30, and also an extra copy of paper 1 year, free to agent. 
Offer Ho. 2.—To any one'who will get up a club of 20 subscribers 
at $1.30 we will give sufficient bulbs that the members of the club 
may have each 1 bulb worth $1, and the club agent the entire set of 
12, also with extra copy of paper free 1 year. 
Offer Ho. 3—One subscription at $3, will give subscriber the 
Cabinet 1 year and collection free, all worth $15. 
This collection is not for sale by any seed house, and cannot be ob¬ 
tained at any other place, and all are new seedling varieties just 
originated. 
The Floral Cabinet Collection of Balsams.— This com. 
prises the best strains of Camellia-flowered Balsams ever offered. 
The Balsam is a great favorite with the ladies. This collection is the 
very cream of the extra choicest sorts ever raised. Its value may be 
judged when the seedsmen have offered 10 cents a seed for all that 
can be spared. We know there is nothing in Europe or t merica to 
equal them. The collection consists of 6 packets, pure white, deep 
rich purple, brilliant scarlet, crimson spotted, velvet violet spotted, 
and carnation striped. The flowers are so large and perfect as to be 
almost equal to roses. The set is worth $1.50 at least, and can he ob¬ 
tained only on the folio wing'terms: 
Ho. 1.—A club of 10 subscribers to Floral Cabinet, at $1.30, will 
entitle club agent to 1 set of above packets, $1.50, and 1 extra copy 
of Cabinet and engraving free. 
Ho. 2.—A subscription of $2 to Cabinet will entitle subscriber to 
the paper and collection in addition. 
Ho. 3.—A club of 4 subscribers at $1.30 will entitle agent to the 
collection free, as a premium. 
Ho. 4—A club of 20 subscribers, at $1.30 each, will entitle club 
agent to enough packets to present each member of the club with the 
collection, worth $1.50, also the Cabinet and engraving 1 year, all 
together worth $3.80, and the club agent to extra set of paper, en¬ 
graving, and collection free. 
The supply is limited, and those who desire them will do well to 
get clubs in as soon as possible. 
The collections of Balsams and Gladiolus are named specially after 
the Floral Cabinet, and we are very cautious never to send out 
anything hut just as represented. The good name and fame, and 
honor ;of the Carinet is the best endorsement of these new floral 
collections, which are of extraordinary value- 
