TILE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
133 
gradually hardened off, ready for turning out at the 
proper time. If there are any vacant places in the 
mixed border or shrubberies, let them be filled with 
beautiful and sweet flowers, not forgetting to sow 
Mignonette in all directions. The fragrance of this, 
mixed with the perfume of Roses, Carnations, 
and other summer flowers, is perfectly delightful. 
Before the final planting out, see that all 
plants in pots are thoroughly soaked with water. As 
they are planted, press the earth firmly against them by 
the feet, or hands. This brings the soil and roots in con¬ 
tact, so that the plant will at once commence its growth. 
IT IS BEST TO 
Remove all old flowers from flowering plants as soon 
as they have lost their brightness; allowing these to 
decay upon the plants not only injures those situated 
immediately under them, but ofttiines causes the entire 
shoot which produces them to damp oil. Dead and 
dying flowers are not only unsightly in themselves, but 
detract from the beauty of the newly-opening flowers. 
Bedding plants should not bo allowed to ripen seeds, 
and the same rule will apply to all other plants that are 
grown alone for their flowers. When a plant has 
ripened its seed, it has accomplished its mission, and 
will, in most cases, stop flowering; whereas, if the flowers 
are picked as soon as they begin to wither, the plants 
will continue to flower the entire season. When plants 
are grown for seed—and for this purpose there should 
always be a suitable bed provided, in order to secure the 
best of every variety grown—a few of the first flowers 
should always be removed; this is particularly necessary 
with plants producing double flowers, as the first are 
usually semi-double, and will give seeds that will, only 
in their turn, produce plants with single flowers. 
Double flowers are the effect of what is usually termed 
high cultivation, and it is only by such that good seed 
can be obtained; consequently, have your stock-seed 
bed as rich as possible, and when the flowers are in 
their greatest perfection, remove all buds excepting 
the few that are partly opened, and, at the same time, 
nip the ends of the brauches, in order that no new 
buds can form, which will, usually, cause the flowers 
already opened, and those opening, to yield seed 
which they would not otherwise do. Plants pro¬ 
ducing single flowers should be treated in precisely the 
same manner. For instance, the first flowers of Pan¬ 
sies and single Petunias, are never so large, or perfect 
in form, neither are their colors and markings as posi¬ 
tive and well-defined as those coming on a little later in 
the season—hence the latter should, in all cases, be se¬ 
lected for seed. When a Petunia produces a flower, as 
they often do, which is absolutely perfect, take off all 
the rest from the plant, and carefully protect this from 
all harm, as it will yield from 200 to 500 seeds, sufficient 
for the next year’s crop. This is the method adopted by 
the best flower-seed growers for their stock seed, which 
iB far better than any they sell, or can afford to sell, at a 
price within the reach of the ordinary buyer. It is one 
of the great mistakes in floriculture, to think we can 
buy better seeds than we can, with a very little care in 
the selection, produce ourselves. No amateur gardener, 
worthy of the name, will over-depend upon the seeds¬ 
man for his seeds of choice flowers, not that the seeds¬ 
man is unreliable, for we do not think any class of mer- 
chants more anxious to please their customers, or a 
class that has more difficulties to contend with than the 
seedsman. The amateur’s preference for seeds of his 
own saving is, because he knows precisely what he has 
got, hence there is no uncertainty as to the result. But 
far greater than this is the pleasure he derives from the 
consciousness that his beautiful flowers are, to a great 
extent, the result of the labor of his own hands, the 
sweet reward of his industry, skill, and watchful care. 
He knows full well, that just in proportion as his 
Petunias are larger and better marked, his Balsams 
more double, and in all respects finer than those of his 
neighbor, so is his intelligence and his patient indus¬ 
try, the union of which is the cause of his marked 
success. 
The bed, in which plants are grown for stock seed, is 
the very soul of the garden, possessing no attractions 
for any but the happy owner, who sees in it sure prom¬ 
ise of reward, in the splendor of his garden in future 
years. This is a work that should be carried on by 
ladies; it is a work they can do, and do well. It is a 
work that can be made profitable as well as pleasant. 
There is not a seedsman in the country but would be 
glad to secure stocks of any variety of flowers, or vege¬ 
table, that have become greatly improved by careful 
selection and cultivation. 
In elevating the character of the flower, the char¬ 
acter of the cultivator, is, at the same time, developed; 
improvement never goes single-handed. What we do 
for the plant, in making it more beautiful or useful, the 
plant returns to us ten-fold, not only in its commercial 
value, but in the sweet pleasure that always attends 
success. We do not advise ladies to forsake indoor du¬ 
ties for outside ones: at the same time, open air exer¬ 
cise is essential to good health, and this exercise; given 
to the cultivation of choice flowers, will accomplish the 
result quite as well as croquet, or archery, while the in¬ 
dications of noble character are more favorable when 
exercise is coupled with a beautiful industry, as is the 
development and growth of flpwers. To obtain the 
best, the purest enjoyment of your garden, it must have 
your personal care and attention; it must be the result 
of your own design in laying out, in planting, and its 
cultivation. It will require your attention, early and 
late; your personal devotion and love; for love it is, 
after all, that makes the flowers grow, as it does every¬ 
thing else that is beautiful; and this love, like all 
other, grows as fast as worthy subjects present them¬ 
selves. 
It is not so much the size of the garden, or what is in' 
it, that gives pleasure; it is what is in you. It is your 
personal devotion that perfects all the arrangements, 
and keeps it in a healthful and flourishing condition. 
The plants know you as well as you know them, and' 
will reciprocate all the labor bestowed—yes, an hun- : 
dred-fold. To enjoy your flowers you must enjoy your 
work; do not go at it with gloves on—plants do not want 
