The snowdrop is the most welcomed of the early spring flowers, and we look cheerfully forward to the time when we shall gather our first blossom. After a hunt amidst leaves and snow we find it bravely peeping up and bearing unflinchingly all the vicissitudes of the early spring season; how we eagerly secure our prize and bear it off in triumph, inwardly rejoicing that winter and spring have met, and that we may now expect warmer suns and brighter skies !

Those who would have snowdrops in the spring must plant them now. There are several species in cultivation and all are desirable ; there is also a beautiful double variety. Closely allied to the snowdrops are the snowflakes, or leucojums. The snowdrop delights in a rather strong loam, in a position where it is seldom disturbed. It will thrive freely under trees and shrubs and in the grass on a sheltered lawn, and it does well when planted on a grassy bank. When planted in the border the bulbs are often much disturbed and sometimes seriously injured by the hoeing and raking necessary to keep the beds in order ; and besides the flowers are often greatly disfigured by being dashed about by the heavy rains and winds that are so prevalent in the spring time.

For planting the bulbs in a lawn a spade or garden trowel may be used. Insert the spade about three inches into the turf and cut a triangular piece of sod out. Remove the sod and plant the bulbs thickly ; then replace the sod and flatten it down carefully with the back of the spade. Some use a dibble and fill up the hole with garden soil. I object to the dibble because it makes pointed holes and so hardens the ground that it holds water for some considerable time, and the bulb is apt to lodge an inch or so from the bottom of the hole, where it is placed in the best possible position for decay.

The snowdrop is difficult to force, but it can be made to produce its flowers earlier by covering the plants with a garden frame. When it is necessary to force them in the greenhouse it will be found best to plant them rather thickly in shallow pans, and to subject them to a temperature that shall at no time exceed 500. Water them occasionally with very cold water. To grow them for the sitting-room they may be planted thickly in pots or pans and then placed in a sheltered situation. Bring them into the house when the buds begin to show. If subjected to any degree of heat they produce nothing but leaves. - H. W. Smith, Baton Rouge, La.

Lagerstroemia Indica is a very beautiful half hardy deciduous shrub belonging to the natural order lythrarieae. It attains a height of 10 or 12 feet, and has numerous branches. The leaves are opposite, entire, roundish ovate, and glossy green in color. The flowers are produced in large, leafy panicles at the extremities of the branches during the months of September and October, the individual flowers being large and of a rich rose color.

The plant is a native of the Indies, where it was discovered by Dr. Wallich, who introduced it into England in 1841. It is one of the prettiest as well as one of the most rare species of this splendid genus, and as it is a plant easily cultivated I do not think that too much can be said in its praise.

The easiest and best method of cultivating this plant is to set it out in a well-enriched, deep border in a sunny situation. I plant it about the 10th of May and keep it well supplied with water during the summer months ; and if all goes well it will commence to flower in September, and continue to do so until destroyed by frost. Then it should be taken up carefully, potted, and placed in any situation where it can be given a uniform winter temperature of 40 degrees. Before the plants are brought inside they should be trimmed and all superfluous wood removed. Water must be very sparingly given, the object being to keep the plant in a dormant state until the ensuing May, when it can be planted out and started into growth.

Propagation is effected by cuttings of the half-ripened wood, and if the young plants are repotted as often as necessary and carefully cared for, nice flowering specimens will soon be obtained.

The lagerstroemia is often grown as a pot plant, and in order to ensure success, it is absolutely necessary to give it an abundance of room for its roots, and good drainage. It should be grown in a compost composed of two-thirds well decayed sods and one-third well decayed manure; mix thoroughly, and during the season of growth apply liquid manure with a generous hand.

The plant should be taken out of the pot or tub every spring before it starts into growth. Carefully remove all the soil from the roots, and then repot, using fresh compost, and treat as previously advised. During our hot dry summer weather the plants occasionally become infested with red spider, and then they should be thoroughly syringed every evening until these pests are destroyed. - Chas. E. Parnell, Queens, N. Y.