ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Cistus — M. E. II. II., Putnam. Conn —This is a genus 
of half-hardy, ornamental shrubs. They may be grown 
iu a warm situation, by protecting them with a covering 
of evergreen boughs during winter ; or they may be 
grown in tub 3 , and kept in the cellar during winter. 
Plant for Name.— Mrs. G. M., Lindsay, Out .—The 
variegated leaves are of the Mesembryanthemum cordi- 
folium. (Variegated Leaved Ice Plant). The Fuchsia, 
we think, is tire variety known as Mrs. Marshall, al¬ 
though from a single flower of any plant, where there 
are so many florists’ varieties, we cannot speak accu¬ 
rately, _ 
Oleander.— The same.—Cut back immediately after 
flowering ; if tire plant is now cut it will not bloom 
until after it has made another season’s growth. 
Bulbs.— H. C. G., Corpus Christi .—Your seasons are 
altogether too warm, and the soil too dry, for Tulips, 
Lily of the Valle}', and others of that class. If you 
have a moist piece of ground, well shaded with trees or 
a wall, you can grow tire latter tolerably well. Tulips 
would grow in a moist soil, but should not be much 
shaded. If your soil is very dry, your only hope will be 
by planting the bulbs very deep, say eight inches. We 
cannot advise, as against “ Blizzards.” The best we 
can do is to give the best methods of culture, with the 
natural conditions of soil and climate. We could not 
make out the name of plant from specimen sent, it was 
too badly broken. The best plants for the house, in your 
climate, would be Geraniums and Petunias, for flowers, 
and Palms for decorative plants. 
Bird of Paradise.— Subscriber, Brooklyn, N. Y. This 
is a popular name for the flower of the Strelitzia Re¬ 
gina, because of its fancied resemblance to the beauti¬ 
ful birds. This plant was formerly considered a hot¬ 
house subject, but it succeeds well in the ordinary 
green-house, grown in large pots, or tubs of rich loam, 
and kept in a light part of the house at all times, except 
for a couple of months, say July and August, when it 
is best out of doors. It is not adapted for the living 
room or conservatory, because of the room it requires. 
It can be obtained from dealers in rare exotic plants. 
A “south-eastern” exposure is one of the very best for 
such plants as are usually termed house-plants, such as 
Geraniums, Callas, Ferns, Palms, Dracaenas, etc., etc. 
If these do not succeed it is not because of the position, 
but rather the treatment they receive from inexperienced 
hands. Plants sicken and die from being over-fed, 
over-dosed; they have too much doctor; being wonder¬ 
fully like men, they cannot endure too much stimulant. 
Calla.— L.B., Lee's Summit, Mo. As we said in the 
April number of the Cabinet, we cannot say zohy the 
Calla, or another plant, does not bloom. There is but one 
right way in the treatment of a plant, but wrong ways 
innumerable. The Calla’s requirements are, a very 
rich soil, a moderately S ( unny, and light situation, and 
bundance of water when in a growing state, and com¬ 
plete rest for two or three months’ during the summer, 
this is best given by turning the pots down on their 
sides, in some shaded situation, when they will not get 
a particle of water from June until September, then 
re-pot, and grow on as directed. 
Hibiscus.— Mrs. S. M. Wright. The cause of failuie 
of your Hibiscus to flower after taking it from the gar¬ 
den, was a natural one. No shrub or herbaceous plant 
will thrive for a season after having been disturbed 
while in an active, growing state. In disturbing its 
roots, you forced it into a premature rest. Now, new 
roots will, in due time, form, and the plant will com¬ 
mence another season’s growth. In future, it would be 
much better not to take the plant out of the pot, but 
plunge it, so that the rim of the pot will be about an 
inch below the surface. This is the only way that it can 
be kept in a constant growing state. 
Will you please tell me what kind of curtains will be 
suitable for my parlor windows—as I wish to change 
from shades to drapery—and for curtains for the folding- 
doors ? The room is furnished with bright Brussels car¬ 
pet, hair-cloth furniture, piano spread green with 
colored border. Also, what would be pretty for recess 
in chamber with scarlet trimmings r and oblige 
A Farmer’s Wipe. 
We would suggest for the window hangings “ Arme¬ 
nian net,” a fabric similar to the lovely and expensive 
Madras curtaining. Its combination of delicate old- 
gold, dull greens and pale pinks, upon the lace founda¬ 
tion, would harmonize with the colors of your room 
admirably, and while not excluding the light, would 
yet cause a soft, subdued effect. It is fifty inches wide, 
and costs §2.25 per yard, and should be hung by rings 
from a pole. Poles made of walnut or cherry can be 
purchased for §1.50 a piece. 
If you do not retain your white shades as a shield to 
the upper part of the windows, you might have lambre¬ 
quins, also made of the net and edged with the tassel 
braid which comes for trimming this material, and is 
sold for fifty cents per yard. 
For the folding-doors, we would advise Philadelphia 
or imitation Turcoman, which makes very pretty and 
inexpensive portieres. It is composed of horizontal 
bands of various colors, or Roman stripes, with a tinsel 
thread outlining each stripe, and can be purchased for 
ninety cents a yard, blit the quality sold for §1.40, 
would be more serviceable. It is fifty inches wide and 
alike on both sides. ' A portiere of this should be hung 
from a pole within the door casings, and should be just full 
enough to hang in easy folds. If desired, the edges can 
be finished with a tassel binding which comes for this 
purpose, but when simply hemmed it looks very 
nicely. 
For the recess, cretonne draperies would be very ap¬ 
propriate, and should be chosen in colors to correspond 
with the trimmings of the room. Deep lambrequins 
made of the same, for the windows, would be a pretty 
addition. 
