The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1889-1889, 1889-03-28
FOR THE. FLOWER LOVERS.

| CkRRoLLfoN, Mich, March 20.-- Editor
Critic: Have you space to spare for short
floral chat2 l am SO very domestic fear
my literary talent will not be very impress
sive, to say the least, and while sitting by
the table, pen in hand, and trying TO look
very wise, my eldest brother, who writes
for some Eastern paper, sits opposite me,
looks around, says: "Well sis, what now9''
The idea Of calling me sis-iue, who soon
expects TO see my name IN print. "Going
to write for paper,p I replied, half def
antly. care yousn he replied, with quiz
ical expression. "Well, then, keep TO your
subject; remember woman's falling;
don't ramble, but keep to your subject
After this free delivery Of unwelcomed adj
vice he again turned to his book and to
my thoughts,
| sutjcctp Why OF course must have q
subject, and what one more appropriate for
this time OF the year than flowersY l won
der how many Of our would-be flower
lovers can take up one OF the finely Illus
trated seed catalogues which our leading
seedsmen send us and tell just what they
want.
How many there are who for want of
knowledge, or rather the lack OF II, find
their efforts In Horticulture comparative
failure; for II is indeed very annoying to
SOW and plant. Then to learn as the season
advances you have only the, early sorts.
that soon flower, and are gone and nothing
remains but dead dried stalks for the last
half OF the season. Again, how disap-
pointing 1t is to plant some low growing
variety in the centre Of a bed, like phlox or
alyssum, and then border with some tall
sort like zinnias, thus hiding from view
those In the center, spelling what might
have been q thing Of beauty the whole
summer. Some are disappointed this way
and learn that experience is a dear
teacher" and ignorance is not always
bliss. 1t is with desire to aid the new
beginners that | am penning these lines.
II large collection is wanted II does not
make SO much difference what kinds are
chosen, but II only few are wanted great
care should be exercised to select only
those that give the most flowers and remain
the longest time in bloom. Ageratum is a
pretty little Mexican plant of easiest cul-
ture. The flowers are sky blue, freely
produced and continue in bloom until frost.
It is much priced by our florists for bou-
quets. The Ageratnm is well adapted for
house culture. Adonis is another desir-
able annual. The foliage is fne-cut and
pretty. The flowers, a brilliant red, look
"A like so many Goals of fire nestled down
among the foliage. Scabasa, phlox, CATCH
fly, mignonette, candytuft and petunias are
all good Towering sorts for small garden
Phlox is one of the very best varieties for
all purposes. Petunias excel all others for
fragrance. The only short7blooming sort
mentioned is the candytuft, Of which two
sowings should be made to insure their
lovely pure white flowers until frost. With
the above-named varieties Of flowers a very
pretty small garden may be made at the
expense of the seed, which is triaing, Cal
endula (metor) is lovely plant. The
flowers are very double, dead orange and
, yellow color, and freely Produced until
frosts.
Did you ever grow the new mignonette
!, tparson's tree), If not you should give It a
trial this year; 1t is the grandest variety of
, all the mignonettes. The plant grows
about two feet high, is Of erect habits, the
foliage is deep cut and pretty for bouquets,
as are the flowers, which are borne on long
spikes six to eight inches in length, and are
exquisitely fragrant. Another new flower
is the. miribilis 1ongihora), the flower
trumpets are nine inches in length, OF 70
pure .waxy white, and very fragrant. 1t is
difficult to recognize this plant as belong
ing to thea oclocks, so distinct variety
is It.
/ Do not think am more in favor of new
: flowers to the dscarding of the old ones.
Not 80. believe in growing the good old
sorts and as many Of the new ones as have
been thoroughly tried and found worthy Of
cultivation: Brachycome is lovely annual
and but little known. By some 1t is called
the Swan River Daisy, and 1t ia a daisy
Its pretty blue and white flowers are sc
freely produced as to almost cover the
, entire foliage from view. The Brachycomt
is q native OF Australia, where 1t grow
wild on the banks Of the rivers. ,Gilia
!. Whitlava aud Phacelia are pretty flowers
: only early bloomers. The last two named
will serve q double purpose to those who
= keep honey bees, as the bees are particu
larly fond Of them. Some Of our. larg,
: Avery keepers COW fields Of the Phacelii
J. for bee food. For ribbon bed COW Phlox
!, y red, white and blue. Sow separate color
!, In each row. A few plants Of the statel,
Ricinus add tropical look to the grounds
I Perilla is lovely foliage plant Nothing
!. else like It,. The leaves are q dark metalli
bronze, and very pretty. Do you know tn
= pretty Oak Geranium, which we so care
fully cultivate indoors, lisa perfectly hard
= annual, and is fine for bordering9 will
!, give anyone some Of the Oak Geraniuu
nd xub n n fn-f -fryf M 7 hau n