to come to blossom, we often obtain a fine autumn display of flowers.

These late blossoms are, however, seldom as fine as the flowers which June

gives us; for June is pre-eminently the month of roses, and then only does this queen of flowers attain its fullest glories.

To us, roses out of season never seem as beautiful as when they welcome the long days of early summer.

It is not our intention to enter upon the subject of rose-culture, which has been so often and so ably discussed in our pages. Mr. Parkman's treatise, with which all our readers are probably familiar, is exhaustive upon the subject; and no better cultural guide can be put into the hands of the novice in rose-growing.

We must, however, differ from the generally-received opinion, that any one can grow roses. Rose-culture requires careful attention, and the careless cultivator will get little reward.

If well grown in deep, rich, well-manured soil, roses will give abundant satisfaction; but there is no flower which sooner runs out if neglected, or which is less able to take care of itself.

Probably no flower has more insect enemies; and the cultivator has to wage a ceaseless and relentless war against a host of creeping and winged pests, or all his care in growing will be brought to nought.

The old saying, that any soil which will grow a cabbage will grow a rose, is perhaps true with respect to soil; but the care required in the culture is vastly more in one case than in the other.

Varieties which

Every year is witnessing great improvement in roses. were in great demand a few years since have made room for newer kinds, which probably, in their turn, will be forgotten. Many of the old varieties, however, still hold their own as standard kinds; and it will be very difficult, and hardly desirable, to supplant them in the public estimation.

In England and France, many hundred thousand seedlings are yearly raised; and some of those of recent years are of surpassing beauty. Such is the subject of our illustration, which certainly has no equal in vigor of plant, symmetry of form, and color of flower. We cannot say whether it is yet for sale in this country, but have little doubt that the enterprise of some of our nursery-men will speedily place it within the reach of all.

This rose is of the Général Jacqueminot class, although of fuller petal and of a more intense scarlet color. Its habit is good, and it will probably prove one of the most valuable of its class. Our figure is taken from

"The Floral Magazine," plate 323.

A DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF SELECT FLOWER-SEEDS AND FLOWERING-PLANTS SUITABLE FOR THE GARDEN.

WITH DIRECTIONS FOR THEIR CULTIVATION.

No. I.

BEFORE "The American Journal of Horticulture" was announced to the public, I assented to have my name placed on the list of contributors to the work. I then expected to be able to furnish articles, occasionally, on floriculture, or on some other branch of horticulture, and thus show my interest in this new enterprise; hoping to give some useful hints to those who were seeking information on the subject in which I have been so deeply and happily engaged for the last half-century. For various reasons, I have not been able to perform what I had promised to the proprietors.

Age, probably, had something to do in hindering the use of my pen. We cannot stave off old age: it will come, and with it a disinclination to make much effort, either of body or mind; or, in the words of the wise man, "the grasshopper is a burden," or little matters appear formidable.

But now I have promised again; and, if health is continued, I shall endeavor to give, from time to time, articles for the Journal relative to the cultivation of flowering-plants most suitable to ornament the flower-garden.

In the first place, I shall give a select list of the most showy annuals, perennials, and biennials that are named in most of the catalogues of seedsmen and florists. These catalogues, or many of them, contain from a thousand to two thousand varieties and species of flower-seeds and plants, embracing ten times more than one in a thousand would ever think of cultivating, even if they were all worthy of it.

A novice takes up a modern catalogue, and, in looking over the long list, is confused and perplexed, not knowing what to select or reject. Perhaps he may think the plant which has the longest name will give him the finest flowers. Suppose he should cast his eye upon a catalogue now before me as I write : he would probably be astonished to know that he could have the Ipomea grandiflora alba picta carminea folis argentis marmoratis for the reasonable price of eighteen dollars for a hundred seeds; or he might have a hundred seeds of the NOVELTY Ipomea hederacea grandiflora atrocarminea

intus alba folis argento marmoratis for about the same sum. I think, however, that he would get more name than beauty of flower: there is something in a name. There is some humbug in catalogues as well as in other matters. It will be my object, in the articles I contemplate, to give selections of some of the most choice out of the long lists of ornamental plants which are presented to the public, with flourish of trumpets, in many catalogues.

The following species of annuals, with their varieties, if well cultivated in good soil, cannot fail to make the garden gay from July to November. For the early spring and June flowers, dependence must be placed upon perennial herbaceous plants, including spring-flowering bulbs. The aster, now called Callistephus sinensis, in all its splendid improved varieties, may be considered one of the most important flowers for August and September. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus and nanum), of many colors, although a biennial in dry soil, flowers the first year from seed, from July to hard frost ; sweet alyssum (Alyssum maritimum), always in bloom; double camellia and rose improved balsams (Impatiens balsamina), not good for bouquets, but, when in spikes, fine for dishes and vases; Calliopsis, formerly Coreopsis, Calliopsis Drummondi, and some of the new dwarf var. ; cockscomb (Celosia cristata); candytuft (Iberis), in various colors; larkspur, double var. ; Delphinium consolida and Ajacis; pinks, flowering from seed the first year, or biennials; Dianthus, Heddewigi, imperialis, chinensis, in splendid varieties; everlasting flowers (Helichrysums), in variety; sweet-peas (Lathyrus odoratus); petunia, hybrid varieties; Drummond phlox, brilliant colors from pure white to scarlet and dark crimson; portulaca, all colors, fine for masses; mignonette (Reseda odorata); mourning-bride (Scabiosa atropurpurea), sporting into many colors and shades from pure white to almost black, in bloom from July to November; ten-weeks stock (Mathiola annua), numerous varieties and colors, in bloom to November; marigold, the old-fashioned flower, and the new dwarf Tagetes signata pumila; pansy (Viola tricolor grandiflora), a great favorite with all; double zinnia (Zinnia elegans fl. plena), one of the modern and most beautiful novelties; Tom Thumb nasturtium (Tropæolum nanum), choice bedding-plants of various colors; four-o'clock (Mirabalis Falapa), a great favorite with some, but cannot be used for bouquets, or any other way for table ornament.

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CLIMBING-PLANTS. - Maurandia Barclayana in various colors; cypressvine, red and white (Ipomea quamoclit) var.; Thunbergia alata in variety; Lothospermum scandens; Cobæa scandens; Calempelis scaber; Loasa aurantica; canary-bird flower (Tropaeolum canariense or aduncum). None of these will succeed well unless started in the greenhouse or hot-bed. The varieties of the morning-glory, scarlet bean, and hyacinth-bean, are well known as suitable for covering screens, walls, &c. Tall nasturtiums are very showy climbers, and may be used for the same purpose.

All the nemophias, dwarf con

TRAILING OR PROSTRATE PLANTS. volvulus, Abronia umbellata; eschscholtzia, Sanvitalia procumbens; Lobelia gracilis, with its improved varieties; Nolana atriplicifolia, with alyssum and portulaca already named.

EVERLASTING FLOWERS. In addition to the helichrysums, there are Ammobium alatum, Acrolineum roseum, Rodanthe Manglesii in variety, globe aniaranthus (Gomphrena globosa) in variety, Xeranthemum annuum in variety.

TALL-GROWING PLANTS. - Cannas, double sunflowers, Ricinus sanguineus. The following annuals may be added to this list if more are wanted : viz., Chrysanthemum, carinatum and coronaria in variety; Ageratum Mexicanum; Brachycome iberidifolia; Cacalia coccinnea and aurea; Centaurea, various sorts; Godetias; Senecio elegans fl. plena in variety; and varieties of the Silene. Most of these last-named are very pretty, and useful for bouquets. Amarantus tricolor and melancholicus ruber and Perilla nankinensis are cultivated for the beauty or novelty of the color of their leaves.

THE engraving represents a medium-sized bunch of No. 9. This variety, and all the numbers between and including Nos. 5 and 14, are hybrids between the white Chasselas and native, and all of a red or light-red color; not one of this mixture being black, as was the case with many of those from the Hamburg.

The vine of No. 9 is very vigorous, and sometimes very productive; the