ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Cereus Grandiflorus (Night-Blooming Cereus).— Mary 
Veneso. The fact of your plant having surprised you 
with its flowers, is proof that your treatment of it has 
been the proper one; and if you continue in the same 
manner as you have done you may reasonably expect 
flowers again next year. The requirements of this and 
all other Cactii are, plenty of water when in a growing 
state, and perfect resfrat all other times. Plunging the 
pots out-of-doors during summer affords them a natural 
rest, if they have not finished their growth when put out, 
water liberally uutil they have. A five-inch pot is large 
enough for a plant that will produce 20 flowers in a 
season; but during the period of active growth liquid 
manure should be applied weekly. 
Plants by Mail.— Mrs. Jennie A. Brunner. If your 
plants are ordered from dealers experienced in packing, 
all they will require will bo to put them in three-inch 
pots of good rich soil and they will commence an active 
growth at once. If they have been improperly packed, 
and have become dry, nothing will save them. How to 
“take rain water spots from black velvet,” is a little 
out of the editor's line. His wife says “ hold the article 
over the tea-kettle spout and give it a good steaming, 
the steam to be applied to the wrong side of the velvet. 
Geranium .—The same. It is simply impossible to 
name a flower without seeing it, and nearly so to give 
the variety name of any where there are so many differ¬ 
ent forms and colors as the Geranium affords. 
Coleus.— Alda M. Sharp. Coleus is a botanic name, 
and we believe it has never received a more common or 
local one. It was named from koleos, a sheath; refer¬ 
ring to the way the bottom of the stamens or anther- 
threads are combined. The species are natives of Asia 
and Africa. The botanical name of Sweet William is 
Dianthus Barbatus. We do not know to what plant the 
local name of rice or pickle-plant is applied. It is quite a 
mistake to think that any plant will produce seeds, a 
portion of which will germinate a year sooner than the 
others. 
Camellia — Inquirer. Camellia is the name of .the 
genus, of which there are some six or eight species, 
Japonica being the more prominent one, and the parent 
of all the well-known varieties. In fact none of the 
other species are considered woi thy of cultivation. 
Geranium.— Tlie same. For winter blooming you had 
bettor leave your geraniums in the pots, cut the branches 
well back, and plunge the pots in the open border, 
They will then make a slow but hardy growth, forming 
compact, bushy plants, which will bloom freely the com¬ 
ing winter. _ 
Iris Iberica.— H. C. (?., Corpus Cliristi. Your Iris 
and Arum will not do planted in the border ; your cli¬ 
mate is too hot and dry. Put them in pots and water 
liberally when in a growing state, and when the foliage 
begins to droop gradually dry them off ; then place the 
pots in a shaded place until they again show signs of 
growth. With that treatment you will get them to 
bloom. Any of the Palms that your fancy may select 
can be grown without difficulty, all they require will be 
plenty of moisture when in a growing state, and syring¬ 
ing at all times. We do not know the bulb from de¬ 
scription given. Heliotropes will grow better with you 
out of doors than in the house; give them partial shade 
and plenty of water. The plant sent for name is Sola- 
num Macranthum. 
Richardia.— E. H. C. Your plant will not be likely 
to give you another flower this season. 
Lily-of-the-Valley.— Same. You cannot plant it in a 
place where it will not grow; in sun or shade, in rich or 
poor soil, it will thrive. There is no flowering plant 
that will do as well under a tree as the Lily-of-the-Val¬ 
ley, and none that will more liberally reward generous 
treatment. The best time to plant is in October; plant 
the pips singly, about three inches apart each way. 
Eulalia.—You will find the Eulalia an entirely differ¬ 
ent plant from the ribbon or striped grass ( Pliilaris 
Arundinacece) as it will, if in a suitable situation, grow 
from four to six feet high, and make one of the most 
beautiful and showy clumps in the garden; besides, the 
plumes are the most ornamental of all the dried grasses. 
Your only remedy for boreos, slugs, etc., is to set traps 
for them. Take Turnips or Potatoes, cut in slices, and 
scatter them over your flower-beds; in the following 
morning go early after them, and you will find them 
under the traps prepared, after which, if you have lost 
a number of valuable plants, they will not be likely to 
trouble you. 
In the garden of W. B. Bolles, Esq,, Garden City, N. 
Y., there is aLilium Aura turn, the bulb of which was 
planted in the spring of 1882. That year it had one spike 
with the usual number of flowers; this year it threw up 
three spikes, on one of which there are now 81 buds and 
blossoms, on each of the other spikes there are 24 buds 
and flowers. 
Gladiolus and Lilies are now in their greatest perfec¬ 
tion at the bulb farm of C. L. Allen & Co., Garden City, 
N. Y. It is a rare treat to see several acres of such rare 
flowers in bloom at one time. That treat is in store for 
all who wish to enjoy it. It is but an hour’s ride from 
Hew York by the Long Island Railroad. 
Arrangements are being made to have a Gladiolus and 
Lily show at Peter Henderson-*. Co.’s, New York, some 
time this month. Besides the flowers named, there will 
be a general display of Roses, Geraniums, and all other 
seasonable flowers.- 
A deaf and dumb person being asked to give his idea 
of forgiveness, took a pencil and wrote: “ It is the 
sweetness which flowers yield when trampled upon.” 
