Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1876-12-14
+ LO R | G i / 7 i R T.,

f1oWer-beds of the Michigan Agricultural
College as they have existed during the past
summer. 1t should he of interest to the
people generally, and more especially to
those of our Territory, since Lansing is sit
uated in a northern latitude. Prof Beal |
says:
On account of our frosty location and the
short summers here, no attempt is made to
use some Of the bedding plants which are
| considered of most value further south, or
in places with longer summers. Among
| these are Scarlet Sages, Dahlias, Ti,aca alba
and Vinca rosea.
MOST PROMINENT PLANTS.
| Verbenas, with us, are very satisfactory
for bedding. They are easily managed, and
flower profusely for a long season. We bend
them down and keep them next to the
ground by small stakes. In this way the
stems throw out roots. Those raised from
homegrown seeds do best, as they are more
thrifty and free from miltlew. The difficult
ty in raising them from seeds is this we do
not know what colors we shall get. Some
of the best varieties are Velvet Mantel, Sam
bo (black), Cnrulea (blue). Bride (best white
and sweet scented), Depanc, a good old scar
let variety, which is in great demand. The
Mrs. Woodruff is crimson. For bedding
and ribbon beds we are especially we'll pleas
cd with variegated sage (Salvia o67cmaAs
va@) Alyssu,m, Cestauea gy',anocaapa, Gin
era7ia aca3.difolia. Some of our ribbon
beds this summer have been made up as
follows: Pelargoni'uns, known as General
Grant for a center or the main part of the
ned with a border Of Scnecio lanata Gna-
4 phalium lauatun.) The border needs little
clipping occasionally. A nice bed can be.
made with dark Vsr5enas (Sambo) bordered
with Golden Feverfew. Remember to keep
the center buds Of the Feverfew picked Off
to prevent it running to flower.
Another bed had Coral tree for center
(afy small dense shrub would answer as
wel), then a ring of Centaurea Gynaocaspa,
then ring of Achyranthes Linderi. The
last is of beautiful red color, but is inclin-
ed to grow too tall. Itneeds frequent pinch
ing. Outside of the last is a row of varie-
! i gated Sage (saluia o6fciaats var.), then a
!, row Ct Altermanthera nsagnifca. The above
: bed was too small, being only about eight
feet in diameter, yet it was much admired.
+ Another small bed had a tree for center,
-ithen A1te,nssia acanthifylsa. This is too
ragged. Then came a ring Of CcntaMrea
caa,didissinaa.
Another circular bed, IA feet across, had a
) center of 20 small plants Of Colocasia esc4-
le,ata (Caiad:a,,s) This burned in hot
r weather and did not do very well. Next
J. came ring of Colcus called Sambo or R.l-
bra. It is good sort, and did we'll. Then
$ came ring of Cineraria acanthitolia. This
Q was rather too small to match witt the rest.
t Next came Achyyanthss Verschafelti, and
: the next was variegated Sweet Alyssum ;
, then Golden Feyeriew next, Alte,nanthera
: ueysicolor. In the center, instead of Coteca-
1 ssa, place Coleus Verschafelh, and the bed
t would be made up of good selection.
Our flat beds did better than those much
: elevated. The soil is rather light, and some
: days of our summer very hot.
q We find it q great advantage to mulch
!: with manure, about two inches thick. The
: plants do much better than with frequent
0 hoeng without mulch.
q PIONEERING ANIMALS.
s For Towering ANIMALS, nothing gives MS
: greater satisfaction than good strains OF
: porionate yield. In 1875, the population OF
f Oregon was 105 900. against 81 ,O00 in 1870.
: Though the growth of the population is
j slow. the natural resources of the State are
! great. the salmon trade alone being worth
y $4,000, 900 per annum.