DISH-CLOTH OR BATH SPONGE GOURD. These are 
the common names of Luffa, a robust vine be¬ 
longing to the Gourd family, bearing rather hand¬ 
some foliage and large, shovry, golden flowers 
succeeded by long, ribbed, club-like fruits. The 
seeds are almost as large as those of a water¬ 
melon, and when they turn black, the Gourd may 
be taken off and thrown in water until the pulp 
dissolves, then the net-work is washed for use in 
household economy or for fancy work. For the 
latter, bleaching is necessary to give it the de¬ 
sirable white color. In sanitariums, this vege¬ 
table net-work is often used to scrub the body 
and promote friction, being used as bath mittens 
worn by the attendants. The vines are easily 
grown from seeds. 
annual, showy 
in garden beds, Virginian Stock 
and excellent 
for window pots. The flowers have four petals 
and are of various colors from pure white to deep 
crimson. The plants appear to the best advantage 
when grown in masses, and to do this the seeds 
should be sown in rows five inches apart and the 
plants thinned out where they seem too thick in 
the bed. Sown in early Spring, the plants will 
bloom well during the Summer. Started in June, 
they will make a fine display irr Autumn, the 
cool weather apparently developing the plants 
and flowers to perfection. A dozen plants in a 
six-inch pot become a grand mass of bloom in a 
cool room, and if the dark, rich-colored varieties 
are grown in this way, the effect is very striking. 
Regular pkt. 5c. 
ARABIS ALPINA is a hardy perennial of rare beau¬ 
ty, blooming early in spring. The flowers are 
white or rose, in clusters, and remain in bloom 
for several weeks. The plants are easily grown 
from seeds, and are especially desirable for 
growing in crevices of rocks upon the north side 
where they are not liable to be injured from the 
hot sun. In a well-drained garden bed, however, 
they thrive and make a fine display, appearing as 
a sheet of bloom shortly after the snow has dis¬ 
appeared. The plants are not particular as to 
soil, growing either in a sandy situation or in 
loam or clay. A good, porous soil, however, is 
preferable, and they should stand from 6 to 8 
inches apart in a bed. They improve with age 
under favorable conditions, and each plant will 
become a handsome strong clump of pretty foliage 
which is much admired throughout the Summer 
and Autumn, after the flowers have faded. It is 
a perennial that should be found in every garden. 
LUNARIA BIEN¬ 
NIS is a very 
desirable hardy- 
biennial, readi¬ 
ly propagated 
from seeds and 
easily cultivat¬ 
ed. It grows 
from a foot to 
two feet in 
height, and 
bears in the 
Spring large 
clusters of 
showy flowers 
not unlike 
Sweet Rocket in 
general appear¬ 
ance and emit- A Handsome Biennial 
ting a delicious 
odor. Started in early Spring, the seedlings 
will bloom in the Autumn, but the better time to 
sow is in July or August. The young plants will 
then endure the Winter and bloom freely the fol¬ 
lowing season. The flowers are succeeded by the 
large silvery seed pods which are as showy and 
as much admired as the flowers, and when Cut 
are fine for Winter ornaments. On account of 
these curious seed vessels, the plant is often 
called "Silver Leaf". Its more common name, 
however, is "Honesty". 
Jumbo pkt. 10c. 
The California Tree Poppy, Romneya Coulteri 
Romneya Coulteri is a beautiful herbaceo'js 
perennial from California belonging to the 
Poppy Family. The plants attain the height of 
from 3 to 6 ft. when of blooming age, and the 
numerous branches terminate in poppy-like flow¬ 
ers of great size, measuring from 15 to 18 inches 
in circumference, rich satin-white with an at¬ 
tractive bright orange center. The foliage is a 
glaucous green, finely cut, and is, alone, very 
handsome. It forms a lovely background for 
the large, beautiful flowers which are produced 
during the summer. 
Romneya Coulteri is a Monotyptic genus, 
found along streams near San Diego, California. 
In America, it is very satisfactory, the plants 
being easily grown from seeds. They grow well 
in pots if shifted as soon as they need more 
root-room. A frame or pit will protect them in 
winter at the North, but further South they need 
no protection. The plants thrive in rich, sandy, 
well-drained soil. Seedlings started in the spring 
are easily transferred to pots to winter and can 
be bedded out in Spring. If the smaller buds 
are removed, leaving only the larger, terminal 
buds, the flowers developed will be of immense 
size and great beauty. 
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