THE LADIES’ FLORAL CABINET. 
87 
from morning to night. Ignorance prompts us to prune 
such things as should not be pruned, and the reverse; 
to water plants that do not require it, and to withhold 
water when it is needed. Ignorance in the principles of 
cultivation, in the requirements of our plants, leads us to 
use the hoe, the spade or the trowel when they should 
not be used. It causes us to use fertilizers that burn 
and destroy, instead of those that nourish and build up. 
Ignorance has a first-rate companion in laziness ; the two 
acting in harmony cause many would-be gardeners to 
say “ that nothing will grow in their gardens.” No, 
nothing will grow in such a place, not even a crop of 
experience, with sufficient vitality to keep over until 
another season for gardening comes around. 
* 
* ± 
New York Horticultural Society. — The February 
meeting of this society was one of more than ordinary 
interest, not because of a larg~ show of Rowers and 
plants, but because of a remarkably fine one. It is to be 
regretted that there is a feeling allied to indifference 
among some of the members which deprives the citizens 
of New York and vicinity of a monthly exhibit that would 
be a credit to all interested in floriculture. At the last 
meeting we inquired why Mr. A— was not here with 
his Hybrid Perpetuals. The reply was : “ Disappointed in 
not getting the first premium at a previous meeting.” 
“ Well, where is Mr. B-? ” “ Oh, he is cranky about 
something—can’t say what.” Finally, “ Where is Mr. 
C-? He certainly could make a good exhibit.” “So 
he could,” was the reply, “but his head is sore.” The 
question is now: How to grind all the axes at the same 
time and give each a first-class edge ? (Premium.) 
John Henderson, Esq., of 'Flushing, N. Y., was first in 
the exhibit of Roses, and his Cornelia Cooks, La France, 
Catharine Mermet, Duke of Connaught, Sunset and 
Countess of Pembroke were remarkably large, of good 
form and in fine condition. 
John H. Sayler, F.sq., of Bayside, showed as perfect 
Bon Silene, Catharine Mermet and Madame Cusin Roses 
as we have ever seen on exhibition ; in all respects they 
were absolutely perfect. For the peculiar combination 
of color, for which Madame Cusin is noted, Mr. Sayler’s 
exhibit far excelled any we have ever seen. The same 
exhibitor showed a vase of Acacia pubescens , arranged 
in the form of a tree, which showed this charming plant 
to the best possible advantage. The sprays were fully 
three feet long and completely furnished with bloom. 
William Daniels, gardener to W. S. Gurnie, Esq., ex¬ 
hibited a magnificent specimen of Euphorbia jacquina- 
flora , one of the finest decorative plants in cultivation. 
Who is there who does not admire this splendid plant ? 
With its wreath-like branches of bright orange-scarlet 
flowers, it is certainly one of the finest plants in cultiva¬ 
tion. Mr. Daniels’ plant was much branched, and the 
branches were fully two feet in length and completely 
covered with bloom. This exhibit was a wonder to 
many of our old florists who had known and grown it 
for years. Mr. Daniels also exhibited Poinsettia pul- 
cherrima, nearly two feet^in diameter; none could be 
finer. 
Charles Bird, Esq., of Arlington, N. J., showed his re¬ 
markably fine strain of Mignonette. Some of the heads 
were one and a half inch in diameter and four inches 
long—the best we have seen. 
W. C. Wilson, Esq., Astoria, N. Y., made a fine dis¬ 
play of Orchids, prominent among which were Ccelogytie 
cristata, a very fine specimen; Cattleyas in variety; 
also Catasetum; Mormodes, a very singular and inter¬ 
esting class of plants, though not one that is liable to 
become popular; Oncidiums, some very fine plants, 
among which was O. tigrinum, a remarkably handsome 
dwarf Orchid from Mexico, 
Hallock & Thorpe took the first premium for the best 
three Orchids, with Dendrobium Wardianum, Lyca.ster 
Skinneri, and Cypripedium Harrisianum. They also 
showed several new Carnations of considerable merit, 
and some fine Swanley white Violets. 
John H. Gardener, Esq., Jobtown, N. J., gardener to 
Pierre Lorillard, Esq., made a very interesting exhibit of 
Amaryllis, the best of which were, John Hoel. bright 
crimson petals tipped with white ; Macduff, deep crimson, 
with white centre, large flower of good shape; Ovid, 
bright vermilion. 
Charles Parnell, Esq., Queens, N. Y., exhibited some 
very long and well-furnished spikes of Dendrobium 
nobile, a magnificent old Orchid from India, one that 
has long been in cultivation, and one that has but few 
superiors. 
There were many other exhibits of interest, but space 
will not permit further detail. We did notice, however, 
a marked increase of interest manifested, both by visitors 
and exhibitors, which can easily be kept up, if but a little 
interest is taken by our largest growers in bringing out 
such plants as they have without waiting for something 
startling. A large display of good flowers, even though 
they may not be particularly rare, is sure to be appre¬ 
ciated, even in New York. 
* 
* * 
Soil for Roses.—At a recent meeting of the Massachu¬ 
setts Horticultural Society, Joseph H. Bourn, Esq., read 
a paper on “ Old and New Roses.” In speaking of soils 
he said: 
“ The ground for Roses should be thoroughly drained 
and rendered as porous as possible, and fertilized. In 
clay soils the use of sand, lime, soot, burnt earth and 
loose, light vegetable matter, such as leaf-mould, will 
alter the texture and improve the quality. At the time 
of planting, strong fertilizers are not required, and should 
not be given until the bushes have become established ; 
they then like rich soil, which should be made light for 
the delicate rooting kinds, and more tenacious for the. 
robust and hardy, and it would be reasonable that the 
classes and varieties differing in their nature should have 
more than one soil, if all are to receive that which is the 
most suitable. A renewal of the surface soil with old 
pasture loam, every two or three years, will supply impor¬ 
tant elements unattainable by any other method. We 
should avoid the application of more fertilizers in a solu¬ 
ble state than the plants can consume. It is well that 
the earth should be filled with stimulants in different 
stages of decomposition, that the plant may in all condi- 
