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wSS&wWwIfW >: ' - - Wk •■/.s” ■■**** **SIDIIIfe§K yiif. >i s>.\ X; F <■:. ; H Pr z * W/ / / SAiWjIjJF ■ / # k «£ 1b 1 I // '•■ ® li fl Si L / % IJ® tlf K > wytti { w // B WII ". / 11 11 M// ■ li WWs ■ ¥.7/ V f $ /W.\ itif I fs||Oj Vi- \ IW‘' M W ■ 4; < flk ■■' • 1 fll • ■ : ' wJi ••'• w - H' hW Jz» B1 ' >5 I <’ Sa 1- 4? •• I ; "" Hi *■• -. • .•■- ;i w ■ >' - - '/'.■ • -♦ ■ . .. .... . ~ _ ' F XM- CARRIE BELLE GABLE. MY PANSIES. O, here is one in a purple hat And a robe of violet silk ! This little fellow is all in yellow, And that one—is white as milk ; One is dressed in a velvety black, And one has a crimson gown ; 1 his little maid is in blue arrayed, And that—in golden brown ; One has a critical earnest look, And one is wofully sad— My pansies wise—with their dusky eyes, And faces grave or glad ! Dancing high or dancing low, Just as the heavenly breezes blow; Dear little thoughtful beauties, O! GREENHOUSE AND WINDOW PLANTS. The increasing power of the sun will be seen in the increased growth, and in the bloom of the plants, and the greenhouse and window should be bright with bloom. From the same cause, the growth of insects will be promoted, and call sot activity on the part of the grower. The new tender growth on many plants presents a tempting place for the green fly, or plant lice, to attach themselves, and many growers may expect to find these troublesome pests de stroying the new shoots on their plants, unless they are very careful and vigilant. In the greenhouse—burning tobacco steihs will keep the “fly ” —which is nota fly, but an aphis—in complete subjection. This insect also infests the window plants, and unless they can be smoked by placing them in a bath-room or closet, tobacco must be applied in some other form. An infusion, about the color of a cup of tea, may be sprinkled on the infected plants, which should afterward be given an abund ant shower bath with clear water. A bath tub is a convenient place for them to be so sprinkled. Do not forget that faithful hand-picking and frequent showering, as well as washing the leaves of ivy and other smooth leaves, will do much towards keeping all in a healthy condition. Only once was I ever troubled with the red spider, and that was on a rose bush that had been rather neglected and kept dry. I changed the pot, washed the bush and kept it moist, and have never seen one since, on anything.— Neveram troubled with aphis or scale or any of those destroyers, so I deem myself very for tunate. A FOLIAGE BED. Every flower - garden should have a foliage bed ’ —that is, a bed with plants in it with hand some foliage, instead of flowering plants. To make one is easy enough if a person has a well filled purse to draw on— to buy Coleus, Gerani ums, Achyranthus, etc., but to make one cheap, beautiful, and suitable for any place is what I intend to tell you how to do. In the first place, it must be understood that the plants are all to be raised from seed, the whole of which will not cost fifty cents. The best shape for the bed is a circle, about twelve feet in diameter. In it place a Ricinus—either the variety known as tri-color orpurpureus, as a centre plant, make a circle around this, one foot and a half from the centre in every part. On this circle plant Cannas, or Nigricaus. One foot from this plant Amaranthus bi-color; tri-color in another circle. In another circle, one foot from the last, plant Cineraria Maritima. Then a circle of Tyrethum—Golden Feather— and finish the bed with Centaurea. This will make a handsome and cheap bed. Soak Canna seed in hot water one hour before planting. Start early in boxes. The other varieties should be ready to set out some time in April. Sow in boxes and keep warm and moist. Ricinus, or C stor bean—can be planted where it is to grow, as it is quite hardy. Set the plants about one foot apart on the circles. Coleus are very easily raised from seed and they repay one tor any care bestowed on them. “Setting Sun” is a beautiful golden variety and would contrast nicely with Crimson Redder These two alone would make a handsome bed; still there are so many kinds and of such a variety of lovely markings, itis diffi cult to decide which is best. I will try the two mentioned, this spring,and know I shal 1 be pleased with the result. ZINNIAS. My interest in these grand flowers has this year been greatly awakened, and I spend more or less time every day among my large bed of them, for they are truly a joy and beauty to me. I alwavs sow seed in the open ground the first of May and thin out the plants to one foot apart in the rows which are two feet apart. Ido not think there is anything gained by start ing the seed in hot-beds. The large grow ing ones, with double blossoms as large as a Dahlia, are my favorites. They present a mass of colors which is truly grand. I usually grow them mixed, but when one has space to grow a row of the different colors side by side the effect is exceedingly fine. I grew the new Pompons this year for the first time, and am charmed with them. The blossoms are about one-half the size of the others, and are as compact, double and perfect as one can imagine. They will, no doubt, become the leading favorites among Zinnias. Haageana is a splendid sort for variety sake, though one does not want too much of it. The blos soms are golden yellow and about the size of Carnation Pinks. Theplants are dwarfs, busby and compact growers. A GRAND TREE. No tree makes a prettier lawn or shade tree than the Catalpa, and none grow so rapidly. From the size of a pencil they will grow in three to five years to a very large size. There are several varieties, of which the Hybrid Japan and Kcempferi are the best, both in luxurious foliage and bloom. Ihe Purple-leaved is a very new sort with black foliage and is a tree of striking beauty. All the Catalpas are free bloomers and are very beautiful and fra grant. Look about you and see how/nany places you can find where such a tree ought to stand. Then get and plant them. They cost very little. PANSY CULTURE. No flowers are more easily raised. We find that the best are obtained by planting seed in the hot-bed; this is better thaff the open ground, as the young plants are liable to be cut by that enemy the cut worm. The pansy rejoices in a rich soil and a deep one, a little shade will do no harm, but is not essential, as many suppose. If for fall blooming, the young plants should be ready for transplanting by the last of June. If proper care is given, they will soon begin to grow. Let the first bud unfold if you like, that you may know just what to expect later on; but if wanted for winter bloom, never allow them to bloom before September; keep buds picked off and they will flower profusely until the snow falls. The bed, however, should have a covering of leaves before freezing weather, and when in March you uncover them, you will be surprised to find in a short while a dazzling mass of brilliant blossoms, before you realize that winter is over. Here, in the South, we can uncover the beds in Feb ruary and work them,and give a watering of liquid manure; repeat this twice a week, as the pansy is a hearty feeder and the soil becomes exhausted. Never water them while the ground is hot or the sun is shin ing upon them; wait till evening and give them plenty. Itis well to give the pansy bed a top dressing of manure; put it on quite thick ly, or until the ground is covered; you will be amply rewarded by seeing them smiling up at you and nodding and dancing and broadening and glowing, as if to show their appreciation of all your care and attention. Oh yes I plant plenty of the beautiful, queer comical, and lovely pansies. TEN WEEKS STOCKS. This popular flower is essential to every garden, for it fills a place which nothing else can supply. Its beautiful double flowers are borne in compact Pyramidal spikes and in beauty surpass anything ol that habit. Its fragrance is equal to the best of all flowers, and its duration in bloom remarkable. Spikes cut and placed in fresh water retain their beauty and fra grance for a long time. For garden cul ture they are very showy, but for pot cul ture, with people who have not the luxury of a garden, they are unsurpassed. They bloom during late summer and through the tall far into the winter, and are most attractive pot plants. Their culture is very easy. Sow seed early in spring under glass if possible. When transplanted to the gar den or to pots, they should have g- od rid •oil, for the more vigorous the plants tin larger and finer will be the flower. A few >t the plants will always give single flowers and these can be pulled up unless they are desired for seed. The double ones bear no seed, but seed saved from goo 1 vigorous single ones, produce mostly double flowers. Improvements in these flowers are constant ly going on, the latest being the Large Flowered Globe Pyramidal. The spikes are formed of large, double flowers crowded to gether in beautiful Pyramidal form. Habit of plant dwarf and stout, producing its flower spikes freely. The colors are many and range through all the shades of white, rose, crimson, blue, etc. GLADIOLI. The gladiolus,rich and brilliant in color ing, yet delicate in texture, is one of the most satisfactory bulbs, for summer and fall blooming, that can be grown. It gives the best effect when planted in masses. If the bulbs are set in rich, light soil, and kept free from weeds the gladiolus bed will furnish a splendid collection of flowers in endless variety of color. The only extra care required is to stake up the plants to prevent their being blown down during heavy rains or wind storms. Plant the latter part of April. They blossom during August and on until frost, if planted in succession. They are one of the handsom est features of the flower garden. We leave them out over winter here in the South, as we do our Dahliasand Tube-roses and they multiply from year to year. Also leave our Tea-roses out, with no covering except a few leaves. COSMOS. This plant is very showy in fall. Noth can compare with it—except Chrysanthe mums. They will bloom until cut down by frost. Sow seed in boxes in house and transplant in April, in open ground. BEGONIAS. For constant bloom the following Bego nias will be unsurpassed, Rubra, Alba, Metallica, We)tonieusis,-and Hybrida Mul toflora. This last is lovely with its coral drops a’l winter and is a graceful plant and healthy. HOW TO GROW VERBENAS FROM SEED. Soak the seed a few hours in tepid water, and sow in a shallow box, filled with light soil; have it rich, and water sparingly. Keep in a light, moderately warm situation. They germinate in two weeks. When plants are an inch high, carefully lift them and put in three inch pots, shading a few days from direct sun light; when started, give plenty of light and fresh air, until planted out. Frequently sprinkle with te pid water; plant them and you will have brilliant flowers. I once sowed, under glass, a paper of verbena seed and as they failed to make an appearance in a week, I raked over the soil and sowed Petunias. In another week I could not imagine what was the matter, as the whole surface seem ed full of tiny weeds. That was when I was quite a novice at floriculture. I have learned since to have a good amount of pa tience and perseverance in sowing seed, as in other things; don’t try to hasten your plants; wait and they will be sure to come, if the seed are good and reliable. Try planting Tube roses and gladiolo on same bed, and Verbena and roses. They will reward you abundantly. Achonia seems to be hardy here in this section. This is the third winter we have left ours out, and it is still living and will put out in spring. All flowers that have been kept in cel lars can now be brought up.and placed where they can get plenty of warmth and light; cut them back, water moderately at first,and they will soon put forth new growth, and will flower and well repay you for any care bestowed on them. For Woman’s Wobk. GOOD NIGHT. How commonplace is this expression, and yet what Volumes it may speak for all future time. We never listen toit, in pass ing, that this thought does not force itself upon us,be the tones in which it is uttered, ever so gay. The lapse of a few fatal hours or minutes may so surround and hedge it in with horror, that of all the millions of words which a life time has recorded;' these two little words alone seem to be remem bered. Good night! The little child has lispedit, as it passed, smiling, to a brighter morn than ours; the lover, with his gay dreams of the nup tial morrow; the wife and mother, with all the tangled threads of household care still in her fingers; the father, with the appeal ing eye of childhood all unanswered. Good night 1 That seal upon days passed, and days to come. What hand so rash as to rend aside the vail that covers its to-morrow ? Carrie. For Woman’s Work. WINNING WAXS. There are a thousand pretty, engaging little ways, which every person may put on without running the risk of being deemed affected. The sweet smile, the quiet, cordial bow, the earnest movement in addressing a friend, the enquiring glance, the graceful attention, which is so capti vating when united with self-possession— these will insure us the good regards of even a churl. Above all, there is a certain softness of manner which should be culti vated, and which, in either man or woman, adds a charm that almost entirely com pensates for lack of beauty, and inesti mably enhances the latter, if it does exist. Belle. Our homes are photographs of ourselves, and it is there we make the most permanent impressions. To secure the bt st results, wb must have sympathy and common sense, a consideration for the welfare of others, a desire to make whatever sacrifices may be necessary for the general good, great pa tience and forbearance, and a wholsome appreciation of praiseworthy endeavor. These are the corner-stones on which a true home may be built. Itis one of the most unreasonable of hu man weaknesses that a man should be ashamed of saying that he has done wrong, instead of so much ashamed of being wrong that he cannot rest until he has said so the shame cleaving fast to him all the time until the confession clears it away.— Georac MacDonald. What the woman is to be within her gates, as the center of order, the balm of distress, and the mirrow of beauty; that she is also to be without her gates, where order is more diff nult, distress more immi nent, loveliness more rare.— Ruskin.