THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
59 
examining these floats, and never saw a seed attached 
except in the immediate vicinity of the plant. Water, and 
the attachment of a thistle-head to a passing traveler is 
evidently a better distributor than thistledown. Besides 
this, some of the thistle family have heavy seeds that are 
held in place by the chaffy scales of its surroundings, 
while the papus or down breaks off easily by the wind, 
and floats away without, in a single instance, carrying a 
seed with it in these species. We cannot say the down is 
for distributing seeds in those species where it never dis¬ 
tributes. Yet, when we look at a dandelion head, and 
note that, although the feathery crown does not carry the 
seed far before it breaks away and loses it, yet it does aid 
in a small degree in carrying the seed from the parent 
plant, and leaves a fair presumption that distribution was, 
at least, a purpose in its formation. For what purpose 
the seedless floss is carried many miles is still open to 
investigation. * 
* * 
Bessarabian Starwort, Aster amellus var. Bessara- 
bicus .—Very much superior to the type, growing about 
eighteen inches in height, with a deep brownish stem, and 
dark-green leaves covered with short hairs. The flower- 
heads are very large, with long spreading ray-florets 
of a deep purple color and a small yellowish disk. It 
is a very beautiful border plant, and also deserve^ a 
place on the rockery. Native of Central and Southern 
Europe. * * * 
Reeves’s Starwort, Aster ericoides var. Reevesi .— 
This is a very distinct kind, of bushy habit, growing only 
about one foot to eighteen inches in height, with feathery 
foliage, which gives to it a very distinct appearance. The 
flowers are not so large as the common Daisy, but as they 
are produced in great abundance their smallness is hardly 
noticeable. It is a capital subject for the front line of a 
mixed border. * * * 
Bullate Aphelandra, A. bullata .—A good specimen 
forms a very handsome plant, but unless well grown has a 
very miserable and half-starved appearance. The leaves 
are dark green and bullate, as suggested by the specific 
name. The flowers are borne on a four-sided flower- 
spike, densely clothed with serrated bracts. The flowers 
are bright scarlet and two-lipped, with the lower lip, which 
is the largest, three-lobed. 
* 
* * 
Californian Zauschneria, Z. californica. — A free- 
flowering plant with flowers of a bright crimson color. It 
grows about eighteen inches in height, with the stems 
clothed with glaucous green leaves. It is easily cultivated, 
thriving in a rich well-drained soil, but on a damp soil does 
not survive a hard winter. Native of California. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Camellia— Mrs. James Franklin.— Your Camellia is 
deficient in root action, the cause of which is. most prob¬ 
ably, to be attributed to the use of hen manure, which is 
not at all suitable, as it contains too much nitrogen. Your 
plant may possibly have suffered from drought during sum¬ 
mer. It is a good plan to set the pot in a tub of water, two 
or three times during the summer, and allow it to remain 
several hours. The roots form such a solid mass that 
water on the surface will not be absorbed in sufficient 
quantities to keep the roots in a healthy condition. 
American Banner Rose — Mrs. C. H. Smith, Miss.— 
It is not at all likely that you have this Rose; if you had 
you surely would have had no reason to complain of its 
not flowering. Please send us two or three leaves, and 
we will decide the matter for you. 
Begonia— Mrs. St. John, Kansas .—The leaves of your 
Begonias dry up and turn brown, because of too dry an 
atmosphere. The Rex varieties are poor plants for the house. 
Strong lime-water will destroy the earth-worms in your 
pots without injury to the plants. Let the earth get fairly 
dry, then water thoroughly. The Cape Jasmine is not a 
winter-flowering plant. It should be turned out of the pot 
into the open border for the summer, taken up upon the 
approach of frost, potted in a strong rich soil, using a pot 
only large enough to accommodate the roots by carefully 
pressing them together. Water liberally, in order that the 
earth may become firm about the roots, then do not water 
again, excepting to keep the earth from becoming dusty, 
until the flower-buds begin to swell. During its period of 
rest it may be kept in a cool situation. A light cellar, free 
from frost, will answer. 
Carnations— A. M. A. H. —You must commence anew, 
and throw out all the old soil, and replace with fresh turfy 
loam, made moderately rich with well-rotted manure. The 
soil in which your plants now are has most likely been too 
wet. For the winter give the earth a good soaking with 
strong lime-water. 
Green Insect— Lizzie R. Reinhart. — Your insect 
enemy is the aphis. Your best remedy is to dip your 
plants in strong soapsuds or tobacco water, after which 
dip them in clean tepid water. Repeat as often as 
necessary. 
Calla— The same. —Your plants may have too large 
pots. They should be root-bound, and have plenty of 
heat and moisture. Plant in the open ground during the 
summer ; about the middle of September pot them, first 
removing the offsets. 
Anemones— Mrs.F. T. G., Ithaca, N. Y. —Yes. There 
are two classes of Anemones; the one, a hardy herbaceous 
plant; the other, a tender or half-hardy bulb, or corm. 
The term “ flore pleno ” means double flowering. 
