THE LADIES’ FLORAL CABINET AND PICTORIAL HOME COMPANION. 
BT 0. L. ALLEN, BllOOKLYN, N. V. 
As this is the season for planting all kinds of 
hardy bulbs, may wo suggest to those who in¬ 
tend making beds of hyacinths, tulips, crocus 
and other Dutch bulbs, and to those that buy for 
house culture, the necessity for immediate pre¬ 
paration, as late planting is more frequently the 
cause of failure than poor bulbs, as all are called 
that do not produce fine spikes, or large, perfect- 
formed flowers. 
Planting should bo attended to as soon as the 
bulbs can be obtained from Holland, which is 
generally about the 15th of September, and 
should not, if possible to avoid it, be deferred 
later than the first of November. Bulbs do not 
require as much labor, trouble and expense in 
the preparation of the soil, as is generally sup¬ 
posed and recommended. 
Hyaoinths 
do well in any good garden soil, but succeed best 
in a light, sandy loam, worked, say two feet 
deep, and made very rich with, well-rotted cow 
manure. Plant four inches deep. In spring, as 
soon as up, cover the bed two inches deep with 
clean straw, to prevent the spikes from falling 
into the dirt, and to protect from severe fro.sts. 
The beds should in all cases be well drained. 
For planting in the open ground, the following 
twenty varieties >vilt be found an excellent selec¬ 
tion : 
Double White, Anna Maria, La Tom de Au¬ 
vergne. 
Single White, Elfrida, La Candeur and Grand 
. Vainqueur. 
Double Sed, Lord Wellington, Boquet Tendi-e 
and Comtesse de la Costa. 
Single Red, Norma and Robert Steiger. 
Double Blue, Bloksbcrg, Laurens Coster and 
Lord Wellington. 
Single Blue, Baron Von Thuyll, Grand Lilas 
and Charles Dickens. « 
• Double Yelloio, Ophir d’Or and Goethe. 
Single Yellow, Adonia and Anna Carolina. 
obtained at a much less cM^Wd for massing 
are very desirable. 
The Soil for Hyacinths in Pots 
should be the same as recommended for beds, 
with one-flfth part white sand added. Use pots 
four inches in diameter and eight inches deep, 
one bulb to a pot. The bulbs should be placed 
in firmly, but not quite covered. After filling, 
plunge out of doors, and cover three inches deep, 
which will give them a good root growth. Bring 
in about the first of December, and give them 
plenty of light and water, and place in a cool 
room. 
The following varieties succeed best in pots 
for house culture: 
White, Grand Vainqueur Victoria Regina. 
Bed, Robert Steiger, Madame Hodsen, Norma. 
Bhie, Grand Lilas, Charles Dickens, Grgnd 
Vedette. 
Blush, Elfrida and Grand Blanch Imperiale. 
Hyacinths can be grown in glasses, but we do 
not advise the trial without' first starting in pots. 
When nearly ready for bloom shake out care¬ 
fully, wash the roots, and put in the glasses, 
' which should be kept cool, in the fight, but not 
where they will got the direct rays of the sun. 
Homan White Hyacinth. 
An old but little-known variety; it is strongly 
recommended for pot culture. The flowers are 
small, pure white and very fragrant. By suc¬ 
cessive plantings, commencing September 1st, 
flowers may be had from December until March. 
They are also desirable for the open border, being 
perfectly hardy and coming into flower at the 
same time as the crocus, with which it contrasts 
finely. It propagates freely, and can remain un¬ 
disturbed in the ground for a, number of years, 
like the Narcissus; ,, 
Tulips 
require a heavier ^1 than the hyacinth—one 
precisely suited to it would be simply well-rotted 
• turf, which can easily be obtained. Spade deep 
' and fine; plant five inches apart and four inches 
deep; mulch two inches deep with coarse ma¬ 
nure. The.bulbs should be planted in October, 
and may remain undisturbed for two years. 
For early flowering, the Due Van Thols arc 
the most desirable. Plant in rows, ton inches 
apart; the bulbs three inches apart. For a 
pleasing cflcct, when a large bed is to be planted, 
thooolors should alternate—first, scarlet; second, 
white; third, vermilion; fourtli, yellow. A 
largo bed planted in this manner is the most 
showy of any spring flowers. 
The Parrot Tulip 
follows in succession of bloom; and in groups 
or mixed borders, are exceedingly beautiful and 
showy. The number of varieties of single early 
tulips is immense, any one of which will do ns 
well ns the other; consequently we will leave 
the selection of varieties to the taste of the 
grower. 
Lata Flowering or Show Tulips 
are divided into three classes: 1st, Byblooms, 
■such ns have a Avhite ground variegated with 
purple; •2d, Biznrres, having a yellow ground 
variegated with scarlet, purple, rose or velvet; 
and 3d, Roses, having a pure white ground varie¬ 
gated with bright rose, scarlet or crim.son. 
These varieties grow two feet high, and produce 
lai-ge, well-formed cup-shaped flowers, and are 
justly' considered by ilorists and amateurs to be 
the only' ones worthy of a place among florists’ 
flowers. 
Double Tulips 
are showy, .and, for s.akc of variety, desirable. 
Tournesol is one of the best for pot culture, and 
early flowering; Rosinc, a bright rose on white 
ground; La Candeur, a good wliite; Bello Alli¬ 
ance, red and white striped; Rex Rubrorum, 
bright scarlet; Yellow Rose, a pure yellow, are 
the best of the double v.arieties. The Due V.an 
Thols are well adapted for pot cultm-e. 
The Crocus 
suffers more from late planting than any of the 
Dutch bulbs. Plant in September, in any good 
loamy soil, two inches deep. The Large Yellow 
and the new varieties of Dutch Seedlings, pro¬ 
duce very large and finely m.arked flowers. They 
being the first colored flowers of spring, together 
with their compact form of growth, make them 
charming border plants. 
The Crown Imperial, 
o-tvftA — 
be found in every gai-deu. Prepare the bed the 
same as for the hy.acinth. 
The Narcissus 
will grow well in .almost any situation. They 
rarely do well the first y'ear after [jlanting, but 
after they become well established they' flower 
in great profusion. All the varieties of the 
Polyanthus Narcissus—the Double Narcissus, 
Alba Pleno Odorato, white and fr.agrant; the 
single varieties, Albo Simplex Odorato, white; 
and the N. Poeticus, white with red cap—should 
be more generally cultivated. 
The Lily of the Valley 
can be planted any time after the first of Octo¬ 
ber, it succeeds best in a heavy loam in some 
cool partially shaded place, plant single buds 
about six inches apiirt each w.ay. They 
main undisturbed a number of years. 
The Snowdrop 
will thrive in any situation, but delights in some 
w.arm, cozy corner protected from the cold March 
winds. Plant in small clumps, two inches deep. 
The Iris 
should be more generally' grown. Anglica and 
Hispanica are the only perfectly hardy' bulbous 
rooted varieties. The new varieties lately intro¬ 
duced from Jiipan, are the most beautiful of any 
of the class, and are of the easiest possible cul¬ 
ture ; plant in almost any soil or situation, and 
they are sure to thrive and become the most at¬ 
tractive plants in cultivation. 
Hardy Gladiolus 
can, and should be planted any time before the 
ground freezes up. Though inferior to the v.arie¬ 
ties of Gandivensis, they richly deserve a place 
in our gardens. G. Communis Alba and Rosea, 
are very beautiful if planted in clumps of a dozen, 
They flower in June, and are charming for 
arranging in vases, baskets or bouquets. 
The'Colchicum or Autamnal Crocus 
has a singular way of growing; flowering in 
September, the foliage and seeds being produced 
in the Spring ; the flowers .aye similar to the .cro¬ 
cus vernum, treatment same as for the crocus. 
The Scilla, 
ns a class, arc very desirable, perfectly hardy, 
producing spikes of splendid blue and purple 
flowers, similar to tho hyacinth, but very much 
smaller. Plant two inches deep, in small clumps, 
in a sunny border, where they can remain a 
number of years without taking up. They are 
also very desirable for pot culture. 
WINDOW GARDENING. 
At this season of tho year every one desires 
to adorn their windows with bright, blooming 
flowers which lend a charm, all their own, to 
every parlor or dining room, no matter how 
costly may he its surroundings. Lovely flowers 
and twining vines surpass all the beauties of 
tapestry and lace, velvet or damask. Draw 
widely apart your curtains, fair friends; let tho 
sunshine flow freely into your drawing rooms 
and parlors, and make your roses, fuchsias, etc., 
to bud and bloom in fragrance and gloiy, at the 
same time shedding a fresh glow of youth and 
health through your own veins. 
The cultivation of flowers is ennobling and 
refining, delighting all the senses, sweetening the 
air, and rejoicing the heart; but it will also be 
of inestimable benefit to you if it will ])revcnt 
you from shutting out the benign influences of 
the sunlight. The darkened pai-lors of the haul 
Ion are a shame and disgr.acc to civilization ! 
Let us coax you to try tho effect of the sun¬ 
shine, this coming winter, not only upon a stand 
of plants, but upon yourself and your home circle. 
“ lYhat shall wo attempt to grow in our win¬ 
dow gardens?” This is a question often asked, 
and wc will endeavor to answer it. AYe all de- 
sii e plants that will bloom constantly, and those 
of lovely foli.age and attractive form. 
For the first class we would recommend the 
Chinese Primrose, both double and single varie¬ 
ties. Its blossoms are continuous from eight to 
ten months in the year. Ours bloomed last 
season from November until August, and then 
we repotted them, and cut off every incipient 
bud, determined that they should rest awhile, so 
that they could bloom in renewed beautj' this 
coming sea.son. They delight in a rich, loamy 
soil, and sh.ade and moisture are essential to 
—x-iic-n'iiicc'-artu- 2 .w,v speci 
liable to the attacks of vermin. The double and 
single species of the Zonale geraniums arc spe¬ 
cially adapted to our puiqmsc. A dozen differ¬ 
ent pots are none too many for our windows. 
Wo must have the Tom Thumb or Nosegay 
varieties, scarlet, pink, cherry, salmon and while. 
These plants are very free bloomers, and are 
covered with large trusses of flowers for many 
months. Stella is of'the richest scarlet; Su- 
porba, a dazzling cherry with a white eye; Cyl- 
ister, the finest scarlet of tho Nosegay species; 
Mad. Qucfller, vcrmillion, edged with flesh color; 
Gloiro de Corbeney, bright pink, margined with 
white; Christine, the richest of pinks. Of the 
double geraniums, wo would select Marie Le- 
moine, a perfect rose-color, and Andrew Hender¬ 
son, of the deepest scarlet; Mad. Rose Char- 
meux is a double Tom Thumb of great beauty. 
Tho variegated plants set off a stand of plants 
wonderfully ! The Coleus are impatient of com¬ 
mon house culture—will not thrive well out of a 
green house; but all the varieties of Achyran- 
thus grow finely, and .as tlie sun shines through 
their richly tinted leaves, it gives a glory to 
them which is all their own; do not fail to 
secure several plants of this variety; they thrive 
in common soil, but love the sunshine. Sweet- 
scented Geraniums, Daphnes,Yellow Jessamines, 
Camellias, and vines, are all es.scntial to the 
beauty of our window gardens. Ivies should 
twine over the windows, and other vines must 
have a place. The Smilax is very exquisite in 
its foliage, and the Cobcea Seandens will make 
rapid growth) and delight you with its flowers, 
while the Madeira vine is well known to most 
flower lovers. It sends out its branches luxuri¬ 
antly, and will grow an inch or more each day. 
The variegated leaved geraniums must not be 
neglected; Mrs. Pollock, Lady Cullum, United 
Italy and Mountain of Snow, are all very great 
additions to our window gardens; their brilliant 
or snowy margined leaves doing duty for flowers. 
Already we fear that we have exceeded our 
limits, but in another article we will give direc¬ 
tions for the culture of window gardens, and 
will gladly reply' to any questions from our 
readers concerning their house plants in this 
column. “ Daisy Eyebright.” 
both desirable, and there is a rich crimson 
v.ariety that is very beautiful. It heads the list 
of indispensables. 
Bouv.ardias of all shades are vei'y fine for 
winter blooming. Their flowers are borne in 
large clusters, .are of a tiny, trumpet slnape, and 
the plant is covered with blossoms. A new 
white v.ariety has elicited much praise. These 
plants require a cool temperature, are impatient 
of the hot, di'y' air to which many of us tre.at 
ourselves, and frequently in the winter become 
covered with .aphis, or the green fly'. But a 
warm bath applied weekly, will dissipate all 
these disagree.able intruders, and invigorate the 
plant. Bouvardia jasminoidcs possesses some¬ 
what of the fragrance of tho Jessamine. 
Fuchsias, roses, geraniums, chiysanthemums 
of all kinds, v.arieg.ated le.aved plants. Czar vio¬ 
lets, etc., must all find a place at our windows. 
The winter flowering fuchsias, Spcciosa and 
Seiralifolia, are inv.alu.able; they' will bloom for 
many months, and their bright-hued waxen 
bells are alway'S lovely'. There are many' other 
varieties that bloom in the early spring—.among 
them the earliest are Arabella, C.arl Halt, and 
Suipasse Vainqua D'Puebla. These plants do 
not desire much sunlight, but they love a moist, 
rich, dark peaty soil; give them this, and their 
growth will astonish you—their flowers will be 
countless. On a Spcciosa, last season, the new 
branches gi’own in January' and February mea¬ 
sured nearly three feet, and its pink-waxen 
bells, with their rich crimson corollas, were in¬ 
numerable. 
Roses are alway's numbered among the indis¬ 
pensables. Tho Bon Silenc Safmno, Marshall 
Neil, and others of the Tea Tribe are always 
excellent for house culture, both on account of 
their forcing readily, and tho delicious odor of 
their most lovely buds.. Hermosa, Louis Pliil- 
lippe, Sir Joseph Paxton, Superba, Phmnix, 
Queen of the Bourbons, and others of the Bour¬ 
bon speeies will bloom profusely in-dpors, if the 
air is not .too hot and dry, and they become 
covered with aphis, or red spiders. ' 
Geraniums are more desirable than any other 
plant for window gardening, on account of their 
willingness to endure neglect, and not being 
Gi«mOUtll.l,L. 
Ladies, write for The Cabinet, on flowers or ( 
home matters; anything you think will interest 
others; ask questions. In our January num¬ 
ber, we will have a genial eolumn expressly for 
“ Gossip with Correspondents.” 
Soil for Bulbs. 
Choose one part well-rotted cow manure, one 
part river sand, one part good garden soil, and 
one part leaf mould. This compost will do either 
for the out-door, the bed, or the in-door pot. 
But for tulips, use as little manure as possible. 
Wood mould is much the best. 
Temperature for Plant-rooms and Cabinets. 
A room for mixed plants should not bo heated 
above 65 degi-ees by d,ay, nor less than 55; nor 
higher than 50 at night, nor lower than 40. The 
most uniform success will come from an average 
temperature by day of 55 degrees, and at night 
of 45 degrees. 
A CUBIOnS SERMON. 
A funny story is told of three young candi¬ 
dates for a Scottish ministry. The first one put 
upon his trial, while putting on his robes', hap¬ 
pened to desery an aneient-looking, well-worn 
old paper, which proved to be a sermon upon the 
text, “ Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.” 
Seeing that the old sermon was much better than 
his new one, the aspirant to pulpit honors took 
possession of it, delivered it as his own, and’then 
returned it to its old resting place. The sermon 
was a good one, and pleased the hearers, although 
they would have preferred one delivered without 
book. Great was their astonishment the follow¬ 
ing Sunday, when preacher number two treated 
them with the same sermon from the same text; 
but it w^as too much for Scottish patience, when 
a third minister, falling into the same trap, com¬ 
menced his sermon by announcing that “ Jacob 
was a plain man, dwelling in tents;” and one 
old woman relieved the feelings of her fellow- 
sufferers by exclaiming, “ Deil- dwell him! Is 
he never going to flit ? ” 
