Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1866-01-17

Plants for Special Purposes.

We take the following interesting and
valuable remarks in the adoption of plants
for special purposes from Vick's New Illus
trated Catalogue of seeds, just published ::
Much disappointment often results by
selecting plants that are not well adapted
10 the purposes for which they are de-
signed Most of the trailing Lobelias, for
instance, are superb for pots and hanging
baskets; but if planted in the garden, to
add to the effect, and where it is desirable
to make good show to be seen at dis
tance, they are worthless. This is the
reason why one customer will write, Those
Lobelias you sent me were beautiful; |
never had anything so graceful in basket
"a wilderness of delicate flowers, and in
bloom so long, while another says, 'All
toe seeds produced magnificent flowers ex-
cept those choice Lobelias-they were tiny
things, with flowers no better than many
of our weeds Some inadvertently place
tall and free going plants in the front Of
flower beds, instead of using them for the
background; and, because they dislike them
out of place, imagine that they can be of
no use anywhere, while in their proper
place they are really admirable. There
are places where even the coarse Sunfower
can be used with advantage and be made
TO produce fine effect Sad mistakes are
often made with running or climbing plants
OF course they are comparatively worthless
unless provided with the necessary support
Indeed, instead Of being an ornament,
they are almost a nuisance, if allowed to
run about the ground, where they can never
make natural and healthy growth. The
same plants, when used to cover an arbor,
or buildings, or fence, or when properly
trained upon trelis provided for the pur
pose, are the most effective means provided
for garden decoration. Here we have the
true drapery of nature
To aid in selecting seeds for special pur-
poses, L name few that can be used with
advantage. Others, however, not men
toned here, are nearly or equally good. as
[ have not the space only to mention a
few.
F5o,rers for a Constant Brilliant sNo1c.
These will be found in the first department
OF the Catalogue, and are familiar, doubt
less, to most of our readers. The Aster,
Antrrehinum, Balsam, Stock, Dianthus,
Delphinium, Pansy, Petunia; Phlox, Drum
mondi, Portulaca, Salpiglossis, Scabioss,
Double Zinnia, and other varieties that We
have not space to name, should have space
In every collection.
For q .Samnaer Ked9e.-There are some
situations where low hedge or screen is
very useful and ornamental I don't know
OF anything that will make prettier hedge,
supported by neat brush, than the Sweet
Pea, If sown earl ly in spring and deep in
the ground-not less than four inches
and the earth is kept we'll hoed up to the
plants. In good soil, the hedge will be
three or four feet high. The Amaranthus
makes fine ornamental hedge; the foliage
is dark, rich, and some varieties two or
three eolored. Delphinium cordiopetalum
always pleased me for this purpose-about
eighteen inches or two feet in height
Gomphrena globosa, in a good rich soil.
makes pretty hedge two feet in height.
Ornamental leaue9 nts-Plants with
ornamental leaves are becoming popular in
all parts OF the world. They produce
very fine effect when grown in a group OF
half dozen or more together For use.
tulness in this respect, know of nothing
better than Perilla NankiGensis, Cannas,
Ricinus and Amaranthus The seeds OF
all these but the CaRnas may be sown in
the open ground, and will produce a splen.
did etfectssthe first season; or they may be
transplanted from the hot bed. The Ri.
cinus has tap-root, and if grown in hot
bed should be in pots or in some manner
SO that they may be transplauted without
injury The finest | have ever grown.
however, were sown in the open ground
about the time of corn planting. The
Gamma does best started in heat. The Ri.
einus is the tsllest of those named-from
four to ten feet high-and should occupy
the centre Of the group.
Fbotoers Desirable for Fraqrance.
For fragrance, nothing equals the Migno
nette, Sweet Asylum, and Sweet Peas.
For Baskets-Conyolvulus, Fenzlia.
lpomea, Leptosiphon, particularly L. hv.
bIlda) Loasa, Lobela, Mignonette, Memo
phila, Petunia, Phlox Drummondi, Thun-
bergia, Trop@olun, Verbena, Sweet Alys-
sum.
Those of pretty strong running
habit, like the Morning Glories and
Trapaolum majus, should have the tops
pinched of If they run too far, which will
make them dwarf and branching. All the
varieties mentioned above, except the run.
ming sorts, are excellent for pots.
C2imIing P2ahts.-These are particu
larly valuable for covering buildings, fences.
ETC., and making beautiful, what but tor
them would be very unsightly. Nothing
will give more satisfaction than the animal