The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-10-12
Cultivated Flowers.

There Is no good reason, says the New
York Tribune, why Horticulture should not
flourish with us. In countries where mild
er air allows of greenery, and even of bloom,
through nearly everv month of the year, out
OF doors, there is not such passion excited
for floral companionship as here, where the
brown OF torrid summer and the months
of white and brown of sub-arctic winter
give both plants and planters long rest and
keen desires. This rest has a double effect.
1t enables the planter to prepare for its best
display, and prepares the eye for full enjoy
ment. Our flowers and fruits-partly from
this complete rest, and partly from the
brighter light of our skies-gain extremely
vivid colors and tints of foliage. Our for
lists are now equal in ability and in adequa-
cy of plant to those of any country under
the sun, and their trade is continually grow
ing. Amateurs are more skillful now than
most of the professionals were year ago,
and gardening, in all it's branches, is every
where advancing in skill and effect. Every
well-wisher to his country and to his race
must feel delighted in seeing this pursuit,
which is peaceful, humanizing and recrea-
tive above all others, occupying so large a
share of attention, and becoming so well
understood with reference to our peculiar-
ties of climate condition. This great extern
ton has been vastly aided by the modern
press, and by the increased facilities for ex-
act illustration which have only lately been
possessed.
Everybody is delighted with the fragrance
and delicacy of the white water lily, and we
buy them at the railroad stations in sum-
mer as good genii, which will dspel largely
the ennui and lassitude, the depression and
disgust OF hot days ride in the sultry and
cindery cars. Very few but have, at one
time or another, wished that they might be
able to propagate so sweet flower The
following mode has proved successful: The
-oots, procured in the fall. are kept damp
during winter in flower pots. In the spring
half barrel, with the hoops well secured,
Is procured; if painted, so much the better,
and set or bricks in the garden, and one
third filled with mixture of garden earth,
sand, and well-rotted manure. The roots
are set in this and covered. Water is added
gently, and little at time, every day or
two $50 as not to disturb the earth) till the
tub is filled In the fall the water is al
lowed to dry off, and the tub is placed in the
cellar and watered at long intervals.
Bedding for Stock.
1t is economy to give the horse, COW and
other stock housed through the winter. a
good bed. 1t has much to do towards saw
ing feed and keeping stock in a thriving
condition, to say nothing of the obligation,
man is under to provide well for the dumb
animals for him given to have dominion
over" Better to give stock comfortable
beds through the usual season of necessary
shelter and stabling, as they can be provi-
ded with very little difficulty or expense.
There is usually refuse fodder. straw or
other matter, which can be thus utilized
and made into manure by this process. A
large amount of excrements, by this prac-
tice, which would otherwise be lost, can be
saved Fine sand makes n GOOD beddino
material, and good dressing for any heavy
soil. Sawdust is another article that can be
used advantageously for the same purpose
There is no farmer who cannot provide plen-
ty of litter, of some kind, for his stock, and
this by all means ne should do, if he under
stands his business and consults his own in
terests.-Dirigo Rural.