62 
THE LADIES ’ FLORAL CABINET 
yet we know not how beautiful double flowers of the 
same size and delicate whiteness may prove to be. It 
happens, however, with plants that are extensively 
grown that when they begin to vary iii one place they 
vary in many, the variation being in the species rather 
than in individual plants. I will, therefore, propose to 
your readers to make observations at once as to this 
matter while their plants are at their best, as they now 
are. Those showing a tendency to doubling should be 
marked for removal at a convenient season, or at all 
events for further observation of the doubling process.” 
Literary Notes. 
No more convincing evidence of our progressive 
civilization and advance in refined taste could be sug¬ 
gested than is found in the general sympathy an educa¬ 
ted public manifests in achievements of an artistic 
character. An appreciative interest in whatever is 
beautiful in conception or skillful in execution, is being- 
developed among our people with a rapidity as surpri¬ 
sing as it is gratifying,and taxes to the utmost the highest 
efforts of ambitious artists. To satisfactorily meet the 
requirements of this cultured taste has been the aim of 
the Managers of the New England Manufacturers and 
Mechanics Institute, and confessedly their object has 
been attained in the catalogue of the Art Department 
of 1883’s Exhibition, before us. 
As a work of art in its entirety, it deservedly takes 
high rank, and has elicited alike from connoiseurs 
and amateurs the most flattering encomiums. Me¬ 
chanically, it merits the admiration it has received, the 
paper on which it is printed being of the best quality, 
and the letter-press almost defying criticism. The 
front cover is.a marvel of beauty, attractive alike fof its 
originality of design and its brilliancy of execution. 
The illustrations from original drawings, etchings,, 
albertypes and photo-engravmgs, are from the pencils 
and burins of eminent artists. These abundantly testify 
to the high state of culture American art has already 
achieved, and give brilliant promise of still higher 
attainment. The various phases of American art are 
felicitously portrayed by prominent art editors and 
writers, who present a wealth of varied information on 
these topics which must rank among the most valuable 
contributions to art literature. 
The January number of the Penman's Art Journal 
sustains the enviable reputation of this handsome 
monthly. Its contents are both entertaining and in¬ 
structive, and full of valuable suggestions to those who 
seek information pertaining to the penman’s art. It 
should be in the hands of every teacher of penmanship, 
and read by all who wish to improve in the art of 
writing. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Tulips from Seed— M. S » M. Wright .—Tulip seed 
should be sown soon as ripe, in good rich loam; the 
young plants will put in an appearance the following 
spring. With proper cultivation the plants will bloom 
in five or six years from the time the seed is sown. 
The first flowers will be self-colored, that is without 
markings; they may remain seifs for a number of 
years, when the colors will break, and the flowers be¬ 
come variegated, after which they never change. The 
growing of Tulips from seed is an interesting work, but 
one that requires more patience than is usually found 
in this country. 
Roses— E. Stansbury .—It is a difficult matter to 
grow Roses with any degree of satisfaction, in the 
house, when all the conditions of growth are unfavor¬ 
able. Yours seem to do exceptionally poor. We cannot 
state the cause; it is probably owing to the soil in 
which they are growing, or to insects eating away the 
feeding roots. 
Roses— W. Falconer .—The above answer will apply 
to your query, as the questions were the same. 
Resurrection Plant —Miss Sarah Harms .—The Sela- 
ginella found in Texas, and to which you refer, is also 
found in South America. You can probably get the 
South American species from J. M. Thorburn & Co., 15 
John Street, N. Y. They are easily grown from seeds, 
treated in the same manner as Ferns. Where the seed 
can be obtained we cannot say. 
H. C. Wiley , Esq .—The cultural instructions you ask 
for lead us to suppose you have a greenhouse, as, with 
one or two exceptions, the plants you name cannot be 
grown under other conditions ; neither will an ordinary 
greenhouse supply their wants, requiring as they do, a 
great amount of heat and moisture, such as furnished 
by what is termed a stove-house. We will give you, 
however, the treatment best adapted to their several 
wants: 
Lapageria,—This plant is not difficult to grow either 
in pots or planted out in a border of the greenhouse. 
In order to have good plants, they must be grown in 
twelve-inch pots, of good, strong, rich soil. The shoots 
should be trained to a trellis, a flat one being the most 
suitable. Whether grown m a border or a pot, good 
drainage should be secured. A border four feet long, 
two feet wide, and two feet deep, clear of the drainage, 
will be required for a large plant. The drainage should 
be, as already stated, very good, for, during the season 
of growth, the watering must be plentiful, and at no 
time must the soil be allowed to become dry. During 
the growing season a plant in a large pot will require a 
gallon of water daily, and one in a border thrice the 
quantity. The Lapagena requires a low temperature, 
the ordinary greenhouse being quite sufficient. The 
Lapageria cannot bear full exposure, or even partial 
sunshine without injury. The leaves are so leathery 
and hard that they are little injured by cold 
or bad air. But they cannot endure direct sunshine- 
during the warmer portions of the day without scorch¬ 
ing, and if the leaves get scorched the beauty of the 
plant is destroyed.. 
