THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
149 
wet, is often so great a shock to the tender rootlets 
that it takes half the summer to recover from the in¬ 
jury; when, if we had waited perhaps two weeks 
longer before bedding them out, the earth would have 
been more congenial, ^d there would not be that ces¬ 
sation of growth which is sometimes so annoying 
when arranged for special purposes. If our beds have 
a southern exposure, or are not shaded by trees and 
shrubbery, they will of course get warmed up earlier 
than if excluded partially from the sun’s rays. 
However, May is none'too early to uncover our hardy 
plants and lighten the earth about them, and work into 
the soil some old manure to give them impetus. And 
our shrubs will need trimming;' all dead branches should 
be cut away, and others pruned until symmetrical, 
for awkward-growing shrubs, although they may bear 
pretty flowers, do not have a fine effect in our yards 
or garden. 
Now, while I would exercise caution in removing 
plants from a warm room to the ground in May, I 
would recommend planting the hardier varieties of 
flower seeds, like the Aster, Pansy, Dianthus, etc., this 
month, for I think they are surer to germinate 
than if we wait until the soil is dryer. All fine seeds I 
sow in boxes of earth, for they are liable to get covered 
too deep or washed out by heavy rains if sown directly 
in the ground. And it is a good way to sow Everlast¬ 
ings, and transplant to beds, for they will not grow 
readily if the soil is dry; and, somehow, we are not so apt 
to neglect to water seed-boxes as beds and borders, and 
so many fail to make the different varieties of Everlast¬ 
ings germinate. But they will not fail to grow if we 
keep the soil moist; this is the secret of growing them 
successfully. After they have been transplanted to the 
beds they should be watered until they get a firm hold 
of the earth. After this they will take .care of them¬ 
selves unless the season is a very dry one. And what 
is true of the Everlasting is true of many other flower 
seeds, and if the reader has failed with any variety 
when planting seed in the beds, try again, and sow in 
RARE SHOW 
It is safe to say that there was never before seen on 
this continent, or, in fact in the world, at this season of 
the year, as large a display of Roses as was exhibited at 
No. 247 Fifth Avenue, New York, on the 24th and 25th 
days of March. It is also quite safe to say, that finer 
Roses, grown under glass were never before seen, under 
any circumstances or on any occasion. We have often 
been gratified at the exhibition of Roses at the New 
York and Boston Horticultural Societies’ halls, but the 
best that has been shown in either place, were feeble 
exhibitions in comparison to this, the enterprise of an 
individual florist, Mr. C. F. Klunder, at whose establish¬ 
ment on Broadway is usually found the rarest of all 
rare flowers, in season and out of season. 
Mr. Klunder thought he would give his many patrons 
a rare treat, and to do it, secured a hall 50x100 feet, 
into which he gathered everything from the realm of 
Flora that could possibly interest or instruct. The Rose 
was of course the predominant feature, and here it was 
to be seen in the greatest profusion, and in the greatest 
perfection; quantity and quality were equal factors, 
boxes, and the boxes may be covered with glass, or 
even a shingle laid over until they begin to break 
through will answer the purpose, which is to keep the 
moisture from evaporating, for seeds do not need the 
light to take root and come forth ; but they should be 
uncovered as soon as they begin to break through the 
soil. 
There are some seeds among our garden varieties that 
are slow to germinate. 
Canna seeds may be hastened by pouring hot water 
upon them, and soaking twelve hours. Abronia seeds 
should have the husk removed before planting, and 
after they are up, give them the sunniest place you have 
outside, for they are regular salamanders to stand the 
hot sun. 
Verbena seeds should be planted in seed boxes in the 
house; make the soil even on the surface, and drop the 
seed on, one in a place; cover them evenly about twice 
their depth, and with a smooth surface, press down into 
the soil. Sprinkle and cover them with a wet cloth and 
give gentle heat, and in five or seven days you will find 
them coming up; then remove the cover and set at the 
window until large enough to plant out. The cloth 
that covers them should be kept wet constantly. 
Seeds of the Cobea Scandens should be planted edge¬ 
wise in moderately moist soil, and set where the sun 
can strike the pot and warm up Hie soil. This plant, 
though slow in starting, runs rapidly after it gets under 
way. 
Complaints often reach me from amateurs in growing 
Everlastings, hut they are easily raised if seeds are sown 
in boxes, instead of directly in the ground. The soil 
should be kept moist; that is all the secret I know of in 
making them germinate. The boxes may be covered 
and set out doors in the sun. They are easily trans¬ 
planted to beds; a little care is needed at first, until 
they get a firm hold of the earth. After this they will 
take care of themselves. All fine seeds I sow in boxes, 
and transplant; it is the surer way, and success is our 
aim. Mbs. G. W. Flanders. 
OF FLOWERS. 
and seemingly rivals, for the best Roses were not shown 
singly, nor yet by the dozen, rather by the hundreds. 
Vases containing 25 blooms of La France, many of the 
individual blooms measuring five inches in diameter, 
were quite common on the long tables which filled the 
hall. And what was true of La France, was also equally 
true of the following varieties.. Paul Neyron, some of 
which were nearly six inches in diameter; Baroness de 
Rothschild, Annie de Diesbach, Captain Christy, Countess 
of Oxford, Duchess of Vallombrosa, Mabel Morrison, pure 
white, and more double than we have ever before seen 
it; Magna Charta, Black Prince, Annie Alexieff, Jules 
Margottin, Gen. Jacqueminot, always beautiful, but now 
simply astonishing, both because of size and color; here 
were buds by the hundred, four inches in diameter, 
with an intensity of color proportionate to their size; 
Mad. Cusin, Suvenir de la Malmaison, Marshal Niel, 
never better; Duke of Connaught, Catharine Mermet, 
Cornelia Cook, Souvenir d’ un Ami, Marechal Robert, 
Perledes Jar dins, Niphetos, Mad. Falcot, Charles Rovolli, 
Southern Belle, Douglass, Bon Silene, Safrano, Mad, 
