The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1890-01-11
THE FLORAL KINGDOM.


The FLORAL KINGDOM.
Instructive and Useful Information ~
Lovers Of Flowers.
Florists say nothing Is gained by start
Ing gladioluses in the house in advance
Of the outdoor planting time.
1t Is the nature Of the poinsettia to
drop it's leaves after blooming, when
grown in the sitting-room. 1t often
drops them before, unless good deal
Of water is used on its foliage.
Lady Forester, of London, IL . prac-
teal philanthropist. Each week she
sends to the factory girls Of London up
ward Of 1000 punches Of flowers gath
cred by the servants on her estates.
There is chrysanthemum Juror in
the United States, which started ten
years ago from the smallest beginnings.
1t has increased until the November
shows have become fixed institutions,
and the displays are very magnificent.
Among the most beautiful of the late
sutumnal blossoms may be mentioned
several species Of blue gentian. The
gentian is one of the very few flowers
which may be described as true blue
most Of those generally called blue
being in reality moro Of purple order.
Cut flowers can be kept fresh for quite
length Of time by putting few drops
OF liquid ammonia in the water in which
they are placed. This water should be
changed daily, and at each change the
stems of the flowers should be cut OF
an inch or two to present fresh sur
face to the water
Asa florists flower the orchid will hold
far more important place in the near
future in this country than in the past,
and the day Is not far distant when
prices of the different orchid blooms
will be quoted together with roses and
other flowers In the horticultural bulle-
tin. and there will be few retail florists
that can afford to do without them.
A very neat and inexpensive window
box Tor bulbs or plants is made by nail
ing small strips Of tree boughs (Which
have previously been split or Whitfield
nat on one side) ON . common wooden
soap or small packing box obtained at
any grocery store. hestrips are pointed
or rounded ct the ends and tackled ON
perpendicularly, close together, project
ing above the top of the box 90 as to en-
tirely cover 1t.
The beautiful daisy opens ct sunrise
and closes at sunset, whence its name,
days eye" The morning-glory opens
its flour with the day. The s.John-go-
to-bed-st~noon" awakes at four O'Clock
in the morning, but closes its eyes in
the middle of the day, and the dandelion
ls in full bloom only during the hours
Of strong light.
Cnrysanthemums can be propagated by |
seeds and cuttings and by separating the
Did plants. The seed may be sown in
February or March in welI-drained
boxes Of mellow soil, In which there IN
'ome sand. Sift thin covering Of fine
itrt over the seed, press down into the
'oA with block and wator gently with
sprinkler. Keep moist and shaded.
They will be up in about week. When
he little plants have three leaves set
tut In nicely prepared bed in the gar
len. o., II the weather IL cool, they may
70 put In other boxes or in jars, rather
loosely, say one inch apart
Orchids are not short-lived under care
nj treatment Tho constantly increas-
ng demand there now being i've hum
red cuItfvators where there was one
vhen they were first imported} has kept
he prices mp, and the likelihood Il that,
Thfle flowers may be somewhat cheaper,
God plants for florists stock will ne
aain about the same; again, the cost Of
ollecttng IS constantly increasing, It
cling almost impossible to underestf- ,
rate the trouble and hardship under
one, especially rs the plants in their
alive homes become scarce, and the
ollector must travel greater distances
han heretofore. Chicago Mail