1884.] 
THE AMERICAN GARDEN. 
and the center-piece were elegant groups of 
La Prance Eoses. We hope the artist who 
displayed so much taste in this arrangement 
will try his hand again imder more favorable 
circumstances. 
Among the plateaus aud baskets were sev¬ 
eral of exquisite taste and graceful aiTange- 
mont. A basket of about three feet in 
diameter was filled mainly with Maiden¬ 
hair Perns, interspersed with -a hundred 
more or less beautiful Catherine Mermet 
Eoses, and edged with a rayed circle of a 
groat variety of rare and brilliant Croton 
leaves. The effect produced by this simple 
arrangement was exceedingly pleasing. 
The bouquets, of which there were a gi-eat 
many, of all styles and for all purposes, were 
almost without exception very tasteful. 
Most of them contained only one or two 
lands of flowers in combination with Adian- 
tums and AsjMragiis gy^toX'Osiis. The nonde¬ 
script indiscriminate flower mixtureis, form¬ 
erly called bouquets, seem fortunately to 
have been discarded by the New-York florists 
—forever, we hope. 
Of funeral designs there were the usual 
assortments of crosses, sickles, clocks, altars, 
' lyres, broken wheels, etc., etc., many of which 
found enthusiastic admirers ; but we must 
confess our inability to siifflciently appreci¬ 
ate this style of decorative floral art. Wo must 
except, however, a slanting cross of about 
four feet in height, the body made of Camellia 
leaves, and the stem and arms gracefully en¬ 
twined with a loose wreath of Maiden-hair 
Pern, interspersed with Eoman Hyacinths. 
This simple design was so insphing and 
touching, that if sympathy and love can be 
expressed in leaves and flowers —we thought 
—this unpretending cross came nearer to the 
embodiment of the most tender human sen¬ 
timents than anything we have over seen 
before. Another similar and hardly less 
effective and chaste cross was made of Ivy 
leaves and overhung with a wreath of Maiden¬ 
hair Perns, Callas, Lilies of the Valley, 
Eoman Hyacinths, Violets, and Eoses. 
Many other really meritorious designs, as 
well as the grand exhibits of Eoses and cut 
flowers, have to be loft unmentioned; but in 
closing, we cannot omit to tender om- con- 
gi-atulations to the New-York florists, as well 
as to the officers of the society, for the un- 
' paralleled success of this exhibition. 
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY HOETIOULTUEAL 
SOCIETT. 
The fifth annual meeting of this society 
will be held in Kansas City, Mo., from the 
22d to the 25th of January, 1884. A rich 
intellectual treat may be expected by all 
present, and that the occasion will be 
pleasant and enjoyable as well, no one who 
has attended a meeting of this excellent 
society will doubt for a moment. 
DE. LOUIS E. BEEOKMANS. 
On the 7th of December died, at the ven¬ 
erable ago of 84 years, at Pruitland, Augusta, 
Georgia, Dr. Louis B. Berclanans, father of 
the celebrated horticultuiist, Hon. P. J. 
Berekmans, First Vice-President of the 
American Pomological Society. 
Dr. Berekmans was a native of Belgium, 
coming to this country in the early prime of 
manhood. He first resided at Plainfield, N. 
J., where he built up a beautiful place, re¬ 
moving later to Georgia, on account of his 
failing health. Ho settled at the charming 
place now owned by his son, where he estab¬ 
lished the famous Pruitland Nm-series, and 
from where, a few years ago, he moved to 
Eome, Ga., to spend his remaining years in 
quiet and retirement. He was a man of rare 
ability, extraordinary attainments, and high¬ 
est moral character. His scientific training 
and comprehensive mind led hun at an early 
age to the study of natural sciences and fine 
arts, and his love of the beautiful in nature 
ineliued him to the pursuits of horticultiu'e 
and especially pomology. He was intimately 
acquainted with all the prominent horticult¬ 
urists and scientists of his time, and those 
who knew him best loved and admired 
him the most. No one has done more for 
the horticultmal development of the South 
than he. 
With the death of Dr. Berekmans, his State 
and the entii'o comitry loses one of its most 
distbiguished and honored citizens, of whom 
it can be said in truth that, through his ovm 
work aud example, he left the world better 
than he found it. 
To his sou, our dear friend, and his fam¬ 
ily, we extend our heartfelt sympathy, aud 
although well aware that words can offer 
but little comfort in the hoiu' of bereavement 
for the loss of such a father, whose mortal 
form is laid to rest for-ever, there is some 
consolation in the «(lssm'ance that his gi-eat 
legacy to his fellow-men — his glorious work, 
his noble deeds—has left its indelible im¬ 
press upon this and futm’e generations. 
PEPPEEMDIT OIL. 
The annual production of OU of Pepper¬ 
mint throughout the world is estimated at 
about ninety thousand pounds,- two-thirds 
of which is produced in Wayne County, 
N. Y., where over three thousand acres of 
land are devoted to Mint culture. The 
State of Michigan furnishes the next largest 
product, and recent attempts to grow Mint in 
Mississippi have proved highly satisfactory. 
"HIL DESPEBAEDDM." 
Tlicrc’s hover a day so sunny 
But a little cloud appears; 
There’s never a Ufo so happy 
But has its time of tears. 
Yet the sun shines out the brighter 
Whenever the tempest clears. 
There is never a garden gi’owing 
With Roses in every plot; 
Tliere’s never a heart so hardened 
But it has one tender spot,— 
Wo have only to prune the border 
To find the Forget-me-not. 
Tlicre's never a sun that rises 
But we know ’twiU set at night; 
The tmts that gleam in the morning 
At evmning are just as bright; 
And the hour that is the sweetest 
Is between the dark and light. 
There’s nev'er a dream so happy 
But the waking makes us sad; 
Tlierc's never a dream of soitow 
But the waking makes us glad; 
We shall look some ?lay with wonder 
At the troubles we have had.—Bar. 
THE HUSBAED'S OPPOETUEITY. 
It is doubtful whether the male head of 
a family often appreciates the opportunity 
he has for diffusing sunshine at home, or 
comprehends how much of gloom he can 
bring with him in a troubled face and moody 
temper from the office or the street. The 
house mother is within four walls from morn¬ 
ing till dinnei’-time, with few exceptions, 
and must bear the worriments of fretful 
children, inefficient seiwants, weak nerves, 
and unexpected callers. And she must do 
this day after day, with monotonous regu¬ 
larity. The husband goes out from the petty 
details of home care; he meets friends ; he 
feels the excitement of business competition; 
he has the bracing influence of the outdoor 
walk or ride. If he will eome home cheerful 
and buoyant his presence is like a refresh¬ 
ing breeze. He has it in his power to 
brighten the household life and add to the 
general happiness in a way that no man has 
the right to forget or neglect.— Fro/n “Some 
Brightening ” in Outing. 
EOTIOES OP THE PEESS. 
The Ambkic.vn Garden, always attractive, is 
made unusually so in its new cover aud by a full- 
page colored illustration—the latest and hand¬ 
somest. Tue Garden is rapidly gaining in 
America the honored position held by its London 
namesake in England.-Ifcio England Somesicad. 
The American Garden, published monthly by 
B. K. Bliss & Sons, of New-York, Improves with 
each number. It flUs a blank long felt by those 
who cultivate the earth for its fruits or its flowers 
and gives practical information of great value.— 
Boston Journal. 
One of our best Eastern exchanges is The 
American Garden of New-York. It is replete with 
useful information, much of which is suited to all 
sections of the country, even this far-away Paolflc 
slope.— Eiverside (Oalifomia) Press and Sorti- 
cuUurist. 
EEW JEESEY HOETIOULTUEAL SOCIETY. 
This flourishing society will hold its annual 
meeting on January 22d and 23d, at Camden, 
N. J. The place of meeting being right in 
the heart of the great fruit farms and market 
gardens of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, a 
large number of prominent horticulturists 
will be present, and a most interesting session 
may be predicted. Circulars may be obtained 
by addressing Secretary E. WilMams, Mont¬ 
clair, N. J. 
OUE WATOffWOED. 
RENEW 
SUBSCRIBE 
NOW 
to The American Garden for 1884. Bach 
number wiU be woi-th the cost for the entire 
year, and in no easier and cheaper way can 
you keep posted on what is going on in the 
horticultural world. 
The American Garden contotus a large collec¬ 
tion of choice articles for the florist, vegetable 
gardener, and the general horticulturist. It is on 
ably edited, valuable periodical, always reliable 
and useful.—EcpMhlican Standard. 
The American Garden Is one of the neatest 
and most practical amongst our exchanges. There 
is an air of thoroughness about it that we like.— 
Agricultural Epitomisl. 
The American Garden.— This handsome, gar¬ 
dener’s magazine continues to please all Us many 
readera.—Feathered World, 
