St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-04-04
Geraniuns.

bedding plants in use within a Jew
wears, the gerauium in unequalled. For
tunately, the number now in this class
of plants is so great that they may be-
come the staple of many groups III the
same garden or yard without an appar-
ent sacrifice of variety. Formed III par
terres by themselves, mixed with annu-
ais or grouped in almost any way, they
become a browning excellence. | count
ed more than 200 of the Golden Bronze
among other geraniums in the grounds
belonging to public institution, and
amid all the variety of fine plants and
gorgeous flowers, the flowers, the foil
age of the Bronze, was conspicuously
beautiful. Having fresh importatlons
from all parts of the world, we may ul-
timately obtain something better than
geraniums but, in the meantime, we
Shall do we'll to utilize what we have,
and seek for their undeveloped capa-
bilities.
We read a good deal of European
STYLES of gardening; of ribbon planting /;
of grouping the same kind and different
kinds of plants. Our own people are
doing something i'll this line, and will,
doubtless, do much more in future, and
in the doing will find that geraniums of
some sort may with advantage enter
into almost any combination. One oc-
casionally sees things worth mention
ing. Very good in its effects was a
large circular bed that | saw near one
corner of lawn. For centre was
plant of Ricinus Sanguineus, about ten
feet high; then row of tall Cannas
around it, then circle of Saliva Splen-
dens and another of Golden Bronze
Geraniums with an edging of Sedum
that harmonized with the velvet turf
that reached it. So people are begin
ming to think of snowy and attractive
corners in their yards as ladies study
up pretty corners for their parlOrs.
Another admirable group which has
come under my observation commenced
at the edge of the circle with blue Lo-
bella then came a thickly set line of
Mountain or Snow GeIaniam against
that another of Double Pink Geranium
Madame LemOine-while the centre
was mass of Heliotrope, laden with
sweet flowers. One acquainted with
these plants needs no very active I'M
agination to see the exquisite beauty of
this arrangement. The plants were all
vigorous, properly trimmed and made
shapely-the only conditions upon
which vegetation of any kind looks
well. We all know that large mass of
Scarlet Geraniums surrounded with
Rocket or Tom Thumb Candy tuft, and
edged with blue ANNALS gives the ma
tiOnal colors in most pleasing form.
There are ANIMALS as enduring in their
bloom as geraniums which may apprO-
priately be planted with them. OF such
Viscaria, Ageratum MeXicanum, Bro
wallia, and should place Drummond
PhloX aud EschschOltSia first on the list
but for their procumbent habits. There
are good plants that have hardly enough
color to form beds by themselves. A
mass of Lantanas is immensely imprOv-
ed by few plants of the Jewel Gera-
mum so disposed rs not to hide the
SPRAYS of Lantana or be hidden by
them.
To use geraniums in this way would
be very expensive, it may be urged. |
reply that there are many people who
grounds may be Ornamented. UnfOr-
tunately, some have nothing but mon
ey to spend-nO time to give to the
subject. Consulting II florist helps but
little, for he knows nothing of the place
or situation, and often fails to recon-
mend what is needed. The planting of
trees and shrubs is always with refer
ence to walks and drives and fine views
from the house, so that there must be
adaptation of smaller plants to places.
There must be reasons for planting this
or that or the other, out of the variety
from which we have to choose.
The purchaser often makes heavy
outlay, and places his stock in the
hands of an unskilful gardener. The
consequence is that some things live,
and some die. Nothing is where it
should be, and everything is unsatis-
factory. Out of patience with the for
list, aid wishing the gardener in JOppa,
etc., etc., the man may yet find The
principal fault in himself, in not know
ing what he wanted, or what would
thrive on his premises. A person can
not make fine picture unless he have
the thoughts, habits and genius of an
artist. But though one have no time
to study this subject, he may still have
geranium beds, and probably this is
the safest investment that he can make.
| uOSC WIZ dulC W uGpcuu Oil
themselves for bedding plants may
multiply geraniums at pleasure. We
are told to take slips in July and Au-
gust to make plants for next summers
bloom. Very few of us can spare cut
tings in any considerable number from
our beds at that season, good as the ad-
vice undoubtedly is. l have taken cut
tings in September, kept them close
and shaded for a week OF more, then
exposed them to the heat and light OF
south window, dropping a thick
heavy curtain behind them, and they
have rooted well, and grown during the
: Autumn as if in a greenhouse. Water
must be used very spaIingly, failure
comes nearly always from too mucl
moisture.
If we cannot get slips before frost de-
stroys the beauty of the bed, they may
be taken, even at that time, if manag
ed skilfully. Instead of planting eacl
IN tiny pot, (Which is the proper way
, put dozen or more in a ten-inch pot
place them mostly at the sides, so tina
b each shall have but little space and lit
: tie soil. Give this pot bottom heat TO
g ten days. But how shall we do it on,
inquiries. Have you not reservoir o
hot water in the kitchen Perhaps vol