The true northerner., 1879-08-15
Plants for Winter Flowers.

Although as we write our eyes rest upon beds
of stately foliage plants, lovely Geraniums,
brilliant Verbenas, and long lines of snowy an
nuals, we are prone to remember that, in few
weeks more at the most, another season of
buds and blossoms will be u thing Of the past
These glorious summer days, wherein we love
to hear the joyous hum of the busy bee and
the humorous iests of the harvest hands as
they bind up the golden grain, must in the
course of the ever-changing seasons be sue
ceeded by the gloomy, dreary winter. We who
love the beautiful flowers which the hand Of
God has caused to spring up everywhere to
adorn His footstool, desire them not only in the
summer, but every day of the year, aid it is
surprising what little forethought will do in
securing plants to bloom In winter If we
would have our homes look bright and cheerful
we must see that the preparatory steps
are taken now. Following in the course pur-
sued in the spring, will give six kinds of seeds
for winter flowers for three green stamps
Seeds may be sown i'm August in cool, shady
place in the garden, the soil being kept con-
stantly moist, and as the plants get large
enough they are to be put in the pots in which
they are to bloom: by fall they will be just
right to bring indoors OF the climbing plants
or viues for winter blooming the Cobea and
the Maurandia are excellent. Mignonette and
Sweet Alyssum may be sown as late as Septem-
ber, and transplanted to four or five plants IN
six-inch pot. Ageratum will give pretty blue
flowers. The Petunia is considered indispensa-
ble. Browallias are delicate, pretty, abundant
bloomers and easily grown. The tubers of the
Madeira Vine may be planted now in five-inch
pots, aud plunged, that is sunken, in the
ground to the rim Of the pot. So also may the
bulbs of the deliciously fragrant Tuberose and
you will have the sweet blossoms in early win
ter.
Plants in pots intended to bloom in winter
require season of preparation, and some of
them of absolute rest We must not expect a
Fucnsia or Geranium which has given us
flowers all summer to continue to do SO in
winter There are certain Fuchsias-notice-
ably, Carl Holt, Speciosa, and Luster-which
are specially adapted to bloom at that season of
the year. Such Carnations, Geraniums, Hello
tropes, and Bouvardias az are inclined to
flower now should have every bud removed
until September.
OF the winter-blooming bulbs the Hyacinth
heads the list, both for fragrance and beauty
OF its flowers, but as they, must be imported
from II )lland every year, they are considered
rather expensive by some people. There
is the gorgeous Tulip, the pretty Crocus, the
modest Snowdrop, the sweet Lily of the Valley,
and several others. Who is shere among
the lovers of flowers who does not admire
the Cyclameny 1t is always in bloom
the winter through. Tea Roses Heliotropes
and Tuberoses will give us their fragrance:
Ageratum, Bouvardas and Begonias their
color; Smilax and Lycopodium their glossy
will refer to in subsequent letters, will enable
us TO beautify our homes with brilliant
fragrant bouquet even when
The melancholy days have come,
The saddest of theyear
MR.. RENNrE.