194 
WISCONSIN STATE AORIGULTURAL SOCIETY. 
ing up out of the earth like an onion, and seem to have but slender 
hold upon life, swaying back and forth at the slightest touch. Re¬ 
move from the earth and shake or wash it all off, then with a sharp 
knife cut the lower part of the large root, provided there are 
enough of fine fibrous roots near the crown; if not, use a larger size 
flower-pot and set deeper. Have the earth well pulverized, but not 
rich, as that would cause luxuriance of foliage and indifferent 
bloom. Water now thoroughly, but sparingly during the summer, 
and pinch off all buds that may appear; sink in a cool place in the 
garden or keep on a shady piazza. This may be done in May, andi 
the plants returned to the house in September. 
Cyclamen will need fresh soil and to be cared for similar to the 
latter. Oxalis must be dried off in April, taken from the earth and 
kept in a dark, dry place. Carnations that have bloomed all 
winter might be planted out; first cutting well back. If you have 
a propagating box, using the clippings for next winter’s plants, as- 
one winter is all they are expected to do well. Roses ! oh, would 
that I could say that I fully understand them; that is, how to have 
them always in bloom; to grow them with a miscellaneous collec¬ 
tion of plants, it is difficult to make them blossom freely. Often¬ 
times I think the mystery is solved, and I too, shall have an endless 
profusion of those most beautiful creations of nature, but just as it 
seems within my grasp, ignis fatuus like, it evades me; then 
come a few stray, lovely buds like the song of a sweet siren luring- 
me on not to death, but almost destitution of pocket. It is not a 
happy feeling, this admitting of defeat, still it is better to strive 
and lose than never strive at all. If I understood the definition of 
the word discourage, I might say I was affected with symptoms of 
it; but in the abridgement of my dictionary, the word was ex¬ 
cluded. The following plan will give healthy plants, and for me a 
few blossoms: Shake off the earth, and wash their roots; spare not 
the knife on the tops; re-pot in rich fresh soil; keep in a cool, 
shady place for about ten days, then sink the pots in a bright 
sunny spot in the garden. This can be done any time in May* 
Water, whenever dry. The Stevia and Eupatorium have, most 
likely, grown to be great shrubs; cut them nearly to the ground, 
and take off a large portion of their roots; keep shaded for a few 
days, then sink them in the ground, any time after frost. Callas, 
about June, free them from the earth; wash the roots, removing all 
