Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-05-28

not already done SO would set apart
plat, however small, Of the home
grounds, it would be found to be one
Of the best paying things. next to a
good vegetable garden that could be
provided.
Years ago, when plants we're not
easily procured, because commercial
florists were few, and florists flowers
and plants not generally grown by
them, it was often difficult to get bud
ding plants; and those who loved
flowers had to content themselves
with ANIMALS, and such roots, tubers
and bulbs as cannas, MADEIRA vines,
dahlias, gladiolas, ETC., and such
hardy things as hyacinths, tulips,
narciscus, and its near relation, the
jonvuil, which remain in the ground
all winter, but which by good cult
vators are always mulched to keep
them from alternate freezing and
thaw1ng. Other beautiful and thor
oughly-hardy bulbs are crocus and
snow-drops. If to these you add =
herbaceous pcony or two, a few plants
of the beautiful bleeding heart d.
central, and q few clumps of Japan
lilies-all of which may be planted
in the spring-you will get some sat
isfaction therefrom.
Hyacinths, narcissus, and .jonquils
are delightfully."- fragrant, and for this
reason they are especially sought for
Towering in pots and glasses; they
make most pleasant additions to the
flowerstand in the parlor throughout
the winter, and until the glow of
flowers make the garden and grounds
bright and fragrant All these that
we have mentioned must be planted
in the fall for blooming outside, ex-
cept cannas, dahlias, gladiolii, Ma
deira vines, etc, which must be WIN
tered in dry sand, in some cool, dry
place, exempt from frost.
Among the prettiest and most use
full bedding plants are pelargoniums,
verbenas, helitropes and pansies.-
These are now easily and cheaply OBJ
tanned of any commercial florist, and
in many cases sent by mail at about
one dollar per dozen. At this price,
certainly, few need be without some
of these pretty things.
Why is it that so few Of that queen
of flowers, roses, are seen about our
country places? All that is required
of annual or June roses, as they are
called, is to plant them aud care for
them, and, after the first season, you
have yearly bloom and fragrance
Why not train a few climbing roses
up and about the porch? Do so; you
will never regret it. With these and
and the June roses you will soon
come to want a few of the hardy per-
petuals that, with slight protection in
winter, make the wife and mother
happy and the children contented
with home, howe> er humble it may
be.
Among the more common and pref
ty ANIMALS are aster, balsam, clarkia,
convolvulus, larkspur, lobelia, mari
gold, mignonette, nasturtium dwarf
sweet-pea, phlox, Drummondii, portu-
lacca and EMMA. Within the last
ten years asters, balsams, convolvu-
lus and portulacca have been much
improved, and the seeds Of exceed
ingly fine varieties are now as cheap
as the older and common sorts.
In planting your annual seeds this
spring, do not forget that old favor
itc, the sweet-william (Dianthus),
now improved so as to be desirable
in any collection. They do not
flower until the second season, it is
true; but, transplanted into bed
when the seedlings are of proper
size they will amply repay the little
trouble and care they require.
Now, We do not expect to that our
readers are going to rush into flower
culture en- n,dsse, nor that those who
do undertake it for the first time will
do SO extensively the first season;
but SO far as your means go, and
your leisure will allow, there is moth
ing with which you can employ your
time to better advantage than with a
few attractive flowers.
Did you ever admire beautiful
foliage. plant Of stately growth and
tropical appearance, with its large,
perhaps nearly purplish, and deeply
cut leaves and stem; or with blood
red leaf-ribs and stalks; or, perhaps,
with the stalks and fruit of a delicate
and, perhaps, feel qualm
upon hearing it called a castor-oil
plant? If so, forget the qualm, for
castor-oil has gone out of fashion for
purging juvenile humanity; but re-
that some varities of this
family, Ricinus, are among the most
beautiful of our summer foliage
plants, as they are among the most
easily cultivated, if planted when
the ground is warm and all danger
of frost is over.
DO, therefore, plant few flowers,
you who have not already done so;
but do not neglect the kitchen gar
den. If you cultivate that as well as
the children will the flower-beds you
may perhaps find your reward in de-
doctors bills in the course
of years, and we are sure your family
physician will rejoice; for, although
doctors must live, this they may east ;
ly do from the ailments, real or imag-
mary, of those effeminate ones Of
both sexes who cannot help them
selves, or that other class who never
read, cultivate gardens or enjoy their
fruits. Yes, your physician will re-
joice, for there are few more humane
selfsacrificing individuals than the
educated physician. And SO, dear
reader, cultivate a garden and with
it few flowers. and Gar
den IN Chicago Tribune.