San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-04-12
FLOWERS, SHRUBS AND TREES.

a new begOnia, Vernon, is repre-
scented as producing in few weeks
from seedlings. This is new de-
parture.
The orchid salpiglossis is new
variety. 1t bears immense bios
SONS Of rich velvety purple, eX-
quisitely veined and feathered with
yellow.
Aspidistra lurida variegata is a
subject that all cultiVatOrs of win
dow plants should become ac-
quainted with. Its peculiar value
lies in its ability to withstand
more unfavorable conditions than
any other plant.
Tulips have been par excellence
the dinner table decorations lately.
On one occasion a large round
table, arranged with twenty-fOur
covers, had a central mound of
yellow daffOdils, with four smaller
ones round the outside, each hold
ing a candelabra.
The Oldest tree on earth, at least
as far as anyone knows, is the Boo
tree in the sacred City of Burmah.
1t was planted, the record says, in
the year 2SS b. c., and is, therefore,
about 300 years old. Its great age
is proved by historic documents.
To keep cut roses an authority
recommends changing the water
twice a day and clipping the ends
of the stems at each changing. Use
cool, not cold water. Put white
and yellow roses near the window;
set the vases holding the red and
pink roses in a dark corner of the
room.
The largest and finest yet in
Scotland is at Braigends, Renfrew-
shire. 1t is of a cOnical shape, and
being comparatively young tree,
is in a most vigorous condition. 1t
covers an area of about $50 feet in
circumference, and rises to height
of 40 feet. The hole is s feet in
diameter.
The dwarf Gala is pronounced
gem for the window garden. 1t
grows from 10 to II feet high, with
as perfect a flower spathe as its
taller-grOwing relative. The great
recommendation is the small space
it requires and the small size of
the pot. OF course, the flowers are
smaller than in the case of the or
binary Gala, but this is not seri-
Gus disadvantage.
A writer in the American Flo
rist, in speaking of the preparation
of hot beds, gives the suggestion
that mixture Of fresh spent hops
from brewery, and stable manure
in equal proportions, not onl pro-
duces heat longer than manure
alone, but the remains of the mix
ture,when thoroughly decOmpOscd,
make a most valuable ingredient
for pOtting soil.
Little Midget" roses are new
introduction, said too bloom in a
few weeks after the seed is sOwn.
They belong to the pOlyantha class
of roses, which are very prOfuse
in blooming, like them, are perfect
ly hardy. They are very dwarf,
and the roses are only an inch
across. They continue from late
spring until frost, increasing in
value year after year.
The simplest way to grow the
Egyptian lotus is to take a tub and
place it in a suitable position on
the lawn early in the summer, fill
ing the tub tWO-thirdS full of rich
compost, Then plant in it root
of the sacred lotus. In a very
short time the tub will be covered
with large, round, glossy leaves,
followed by lovely flowers. 1t is
highly ornamental when not in
bloom. The tub must be kept fill
ed with water.
Do you know, asks Mrs. VI. ID.
Welcome, what an elegant golden
flower YOU have in the bartOnia?
1t is too much neglected. | have
seen a great many flower gardens,
but never have | seen this Splen-
did annual in any amateurs but
my own. 1t has single, saucer
shaped flowers, in the center of
which is a mass of stamerS which
glisten as though covered with
gold dust. 1t is of a lOw-grOwing
habit and bears prOfusely all sum-
mer. Try it; packet will cost on
ly DC.
The City of New York has begun
the work of creating a great botan-
ical garden. Some time since a
law was enacted providing for a
grant of $50 acres of land in BRONX