Vines For Mexico

It is said that the Mexican Government has lately ordered 1,000,000 grape cuttings from California, and will distribute them free to all who wish to plant them in Mexico.

Virginia Creeper On The Lawn

How many people know that the Virginia creeper is handsomer as a lawn plant than the Kilmarnock willow and similar trees ? Trained over a rock or a trellis four or five feet high, it makes a most free and graceful mound of foliage.

Warning Against American Evaporated Apples

Notice. - It has been proved by careful examination that American evaporated apples, which are so common in our markets, contain an extraordinary amount of the salts of zinc. These salts find their way into the apples during the process of evaporation, and when taken into the system, act very injuriously upon the general health. (Exposed by the Imperial Commissioner of Health, 1889. - Garten-und Blumenseitung.

Watermelon Rind Pickles

Pare the rinds and trim off all soft places; cut in the desired shape, remembering they will shrink considerably in cooking. Sprinkle a very little salt over them, and let them stand over night. Then soak them a few hours in clear water. Steam them until a fork will go through easily, and then drain off every bit of water. Put them in a stone jar-and pour over them the prepared vinegar, which should be ready and waiting on the fire. Use about three pounds of sugar to two quarts of good vinegar; put in a sliced lemon and whole cloves, and use cinnamon to taste. Let it stand a few days, then turn off and reheat; it may be necessary to do this several times if the weather is very hot.

Watermelon Syrup

Until quite lately, the watermelon has been the legitimate prey of the small boy and the mainstay of the doctors. But times are changing, and a splendid syrup is now being made from it. The syrup is made by chopping up the melons and squeezing or pressing out the juice (about a quart being taken from a fair-sized melon). After boiling the juice rapidly for several hours the red coloring matter coagulates, rises to the surface and is skimmed off in the form of a foam, leaving the juice as clear as distilled water, and of a pale amber color. Boiled a little longer, it thickens into a rich, fruity-flavored syrup, perfectly clear and the color of quince or apple jelly. - California Fruit Grower.

Watsonia Iridifolia, Var. O'Brienii

About a year ago this plant was first exhibited in bloom at one of the Horticultural Society's meetings by Mr. J. O'Brien (who had also introduced it), and was awarded a first-class certificate. It is now in flower at Kew, and is indeed a plant of singular beauty. The entire flower is of the purest white, without a speck or tinge of color. A strong spike will measure three feet in height and remain in bloom for several weeks. The watsonias require the protection of an unheated frame, and prefer a rich loamy soil.

Way Of Propagating Hydrangea Paniculata

This consists of using the flower buds as cuttings. The buds root readily, provided they are taken off with a heel. If grown in small pots and forced, these small plants can be made very effective for decorative purposes, as they flower almost immediately. - Bulletin d'Arboriculture.