THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
61 
lowing: “I saw this rose a few days ago fruiting abund¬ 
antly in the gardens of Belmont, Taunton, the residence 
of J. Marshal], Esq. The bright-red fruits produced a 
very pleasing contrast to the cheerful green leaves. It 
may be useful to remark that earlier in the year this 
Rose produces numerous single flowers, which, if not 
particulary handsome, are decidedly pretty. Therefore, 
the Rose has two distinct seasons of attractiveness. In 
our rather cold soil this Rose will not stand through a 
severe winter, but, from the condition of the examples 
under notice, it appears to only require a well-drained 
and rather light soil to ensure success in its cultivation.” 
* 
* -X- 
The writer of the following notice has not been as 
successful in growing the following “novelty” of last 
season, as have many who have tried it in this country 
and who pronounce it a decided acquisition: 
“The double form of Acroclinium roseum appears to be 
a very poor thing, and very different to what I expected 
after reading the description in several of the English 
seed catalogues. One of the leading firms says of the 
flowers: ‘Besides being perfectly double are larger 
than those of the single variety.’ I invested eighteen- 
pence in a packet of seed, carefully nursed the plants, 
and placed them under the conditions most favorable 
for the production of flowers. As the result of my time 
and money I have flowers of precisely the same charac¬ 
ter as those borne by the single form, sufficient seed of 
which I could have obtained at a cost of threepence. 
I procured my seed of one of the very best houses, and 
if I were to complain I should no doubt be informed 
that the novelty was of Continental origin. I am not 
concerned about the expenditure of eighteenpence, but 
I am disappointed in not obtaining double flowers as I 
anticipated.” 
» 
* * 
The following example is worthy of imitation, and 
we would say that the experiment had been tried in our 
own city with remarkable results. Not long since an 
individual whese ideas of charity are not of the popular 
kind, had sent in June to one of the industrial schools 
of our city a Geranium for each scholar in the school, 
and offered a small cash premium for the best speci¬ 
men returned at the opening of the school after the 
summer vacation. To the surprise of the giver and the 
teachers, several plants were returned in a better con¬ 
dition than the same varieties could be found in the 
greenhouse from which they came. This was quite re¬ 
markable from the fact that they had been grown under 
the most unfavorable conditions. The children were 
from the very poorest classes in the city, all of them 
occupants of single, in rare instances two rooms, in the 
filthiest tenements in the city. But love, even in those 
habitations, will make its recipient thrive, as it will 
everywhere else. 
“ The Sheffield School Board on Saturday made an 
interesting experiment with the view of encouraging 
the love and culture of flowers, and especially in regard 
to window-gai'dening, among the scholars. Five thou¬ 
sand plants were given out to boys and girls in one dis¬ 
trict to pe reared for competition. The exhibition took 
place in Duchess Road Schools, when 2,500 plants were 
brought forward, many in very fine condition. The 
Mayoress of Sheffield presented prizes to over 100 schol¬ 
ars, and so great was the interest exhibited by the pa¬ 
rents of the children and the public that from 15,000 to 
20,000 people visited the exhibition during the day. The 
success will lead to general competition extending to 
all schools.” 
*x* 
* # 
The following hints on Amaryllis culture will prove 
useful to all lovers of this noble class of plants: 
‘ ‘ The Amaryllis, which I am glad to say is rapidly ac¬ 
quiring popularity, must have a season of rest, but it 
appears necessary to remind cultivators that the bulbs 
can be thoroughly rested without having their life al¬ 
most dried out of them. In very many instances they 
are placed in a position much too hot and dry for them, 
and thereby much exhausted. One of the most suc¬ 
cessful cultivators of these gorgeous flowers dries off 
the bulbs very slowly, and when they are closely ap¬ 
proaching the resting stage puts them in the green¬ 
house, and there allows them to remain until they are 
removed to the stove to start them into growth. Un¬ 
der these conditions many of the bulbs retain several 
green leaves throughout the winter, and this retention 
of the foliage is regarded with considerable satisfaction. 
The bulbs raised from seed sown in the spring previous 
are maintained in a growing state throughout the 
winter, as it has been found that they require no de¬ 
cided rest until they have made two season’s growth. 
But as a matter of course the water supply is less liberal 
than during the spring and summer months.” 
* 
* * 
None of the genus of Amaryllidacese are more inter¬ 
esting than the Nerines, and we are glad of the follow¬ 
ing plea in their behalf : 
“One of the finest of the bulbous plants for flowering 
in the greenhouse during the autumn season is the bril¬ 
liantly-colored Nerine Fothergilli major, and those who 
have to maintain a good display of flowers in the con¬ 
servatory during the time partridge shooting is in full 
swing will do well not only to make the acquaintance 
of the plant, but to grow it largely. The flowers, which 
are about an inch in diameter and of the most brilliant 
scarlet, are produced in large heads on scapes about 
twelve inches in height, and a well-bloomed specimen 
presents a dazzling appearance. To compare the Nerine 
with the better known Yallota is not necessary, but, 
were the comparison made, the Nerine would by no 
means suffer. Indeed, some would prefer it, on the 
ground of the flowers being much better adapted for 
decorative purposes in a cut state. Carefully detached 
from the trusses and neatly mounted they are suitable 
for the choicest of bouquets, whether for the hand or 
the buttonhole. I regard this Nerine with much favor, 
and have now a good stock, many of the largest ex¬ 
amples producing from six to nine scapes annually.” 
* 
* * 
“Sports” in plants often result favorable; in fact 
more really good varieties are due to this cause, that no 
one can account for, than from all others put together. 
We, therefore, confidently hope that that already beau¬ 
tiful flower, the Japan Anemone, may develop still 
greater beauty. An English writer says: 
“In looking over my stock of Japan Anemones I ob¬ 
serve one plant showing extra petals, and tending 
directly to the production of double flowers. The single 
flowers of the so-called Anemone vitifolia are so lovely 
that improvement appears to be beyond possibility, and 
