The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-03

 underneath. instead, a pure sleignt-of- hand trick and one that Is done so neatly and with such quickness that the closest observer would firmly be- lieve that the top card was dealt. FLORISTS WOULD
 PRODUCE NEW PLANTS John T. Timmons in Philadelphia
 North American.
 There is a constant effort on the part of expert florists to produce something new in the flower world. There Is an ever-growing demand for novelties in the beautiful in nature as well as In other lines. and each new production, or distinct type of flower ing plant or bulb. Is purchased by those desirous of adding something new to their collection.
 Very frequently such persons are dis appointed. They censure those selling the article. when 1t Is their own fault the plants do not amount to much.
 New productions are scarce. New fntroductions are more common. for some of the largest concerns have men of experience securing the world for plants that have not yet been intro- duced to the fiower-loving public of this country. The great Jungles and the mountain ranges are being tra- versed in search of some new type of plant life that may be suitable for house or garden culture in our coun- try.
 Actually new productions, coming from experimental work on the part of those who understand such things. are occasionally seen, but very fre- quently return to former conditions. or assume a form or condition that sx,o lrn. 4kA ,ra. 70 the new productions are simply in- provements of old weli-established flower or vegetable plants which. through crossing or ether scientific work. have been given some unusual quality. These are frequently retain ed but short time. as they seem to incline to run back into the parental, habits.
 One of the recent productions that seems to have come to stay is the little plant known as the tufted pansy. If was created by a cross between the favorite pansies and violets. They are plants of low habit and make attractive beds or borders.
 Nearly every flower grower knows that pansies are difficult to grow suc- cessfully in the summer owing to the extreme heat They seem to have many insect enemies and many persons
 
 The tufted pansies are a combine ton of the delicate colors and ex- quisite markings of the pansy and the odor and shape of the violet. Many lovely colors that were not found in the pansy are to be seen in the new production. The fragrance is very pleasing. and the plants are so healthy that 1t is no task to secure thrifty bed or border. They only require a slight protection in winter. A board set on edge. with a little litter or au- tumn leaves scattered over the bed. will prevent the stinging winds from killinng the plants.
 A good result can be had by sowing the seeds in early spring. but I have found very good way to proceed is to SOW the seeds in early fall, and let them get nice start before the winter sets in. and then there will he a good start in the spring following. Outdoor sowing any flower seed is all right if the right location and con- ditions are secured. I would select sunny spot. one that Is warm. and make a frame with four boards, and then spade up the earth inside the frame and thoroughly pulverize and mix with a little sand and well-decay- ed manure until had a fine rich soil. The seeds of most flowers are very small and only require slight cover ing with earth. One good rule is to cover to a depth of three times the diameter of the seed. Where the seeds are very small this Is difficult task. take a thin hoard and use the edge to make o mark or slight depression in the fine earth in the bed.
 These I make from three to five inches apart. and then I carefully drop the seeds into the shallow furrows. take care not to distribute the seeds too 1 thickly. When sown. l take a little very fine earth and sift gently over the surface of the bed, and when 1t Is cov- cred slightly I press firmly, but not very hard, with board, fiat side down. | A seed bed should he kept moist. but I do not think best to wet until the soil becomes sour. I wet my seed beds more immediately after the seeds are planted than later. but l do not give l them such a soaking as to cause the | earth to bake.
 If the weather is cool 1t will assist wonderfully if a window sash Is placed | over the seed bed. I keep the soil | eantlv stirred between the rows. but ! do not disturb the seed. It required | different lengths of time for the seeds to germinate, but most seeds should come up in warm weather in from two l to four weeks.
 Another excellent methods of secur- 1 ing plants from seed Is to sow few seeds In a four or five inch flower pot, covers very lightly with earth. keep moist in a light warm place, and cover with a piece of window glass, In doing this I leave one edge open a part of the time, but close 1t at night.
 Many of the new roseA and espe- 1 cially the monthly varieties. are being | produced by grating and budding and a system of crossing old types. Many beautiful types have appeared as the result of this work on the part of ex- pert florists, but one very noticeable feature in many of the new productions is the absenme of the fragrance, a quality which all humanity has so long l and ardently admired. I find many very delicate roses wholly devoid of l fragrance.
 l They are beautiful and make a great addition to any flower garden and are most pleasing for indoor culture; but l it is difficult to accustom ourselves to the absence of the most beloved quail ] ty of the rose.
 1 | Mothers and GrandmOthers Subject ta 1 Indictment.
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