Tree Paeonies (Paonia Moutan)

We shall be obliged to do without these beautiful flowers this season. The warm weather in February, followed by the severe cold weather in March, killed the flowering buds, and to all appearances the plants. We do not despair of the latter, for if there is any plant that cannot be killed it is the paeony. It will resent bad treatment by not flowering ; but die it will not.

Trees Lor California

The trees and plants of other countries suited to the peculiar climate of California have been introduced to a very limited extent. There are no doubt thousands of these that would prove of the greatest value to the state. All, or nearly all, of the flora of the higher Andes would undoubtedly flourish here, and many from other high dry mountainous regions. The species from which the indispensable quinine is made would probably flourish here if proper selections were made from the start. The great Mohave desert in the southeastern part of the state might be converted into a grand, most valuable forest by making proper selections of the best from other hot arid regions of the world. Robert Douglas, the forest king of Illinois, is confident that we have in our own flora most valuable trees that would flourish there like a green bay tree - D. B. Wire, Cal.

Trials Of "New And Rare" Seeds

We return our heartiest thanks to the Department of Agriculture for eight (8) packets of White ruta baga seeds and (2) of Red-top Strap-leaf turnip seeds. We note the instruction to "please report results" and shall be glad to comply with it. We have rented a bit of land for the purpose of giving these novelties an honest trial. Uncle Samuel will always find us ready to aid in the advancement of horticulture.

Tropaeolum Speciosum. "Subscriber"

This sort requires a moist and shady position, in a peat border and must not be disturbed at the roots. We have never raised it; can any of our readers tell us how it can best be succeeded with in this country ?

Tropical Plants For Summer Bedding

The beautiful arrangements of coleus and other foliage plants are still popular everywhere; yet it is remarkable that so little is done towards varying such beauty. I saw, last season, our well known greenhouse plant, Begonia odo~ rata, used in one large bed with a border of coleus around it. The effect was very beautiful. The locality was somewhat shaded and not over dry, which, no doubt, helped the plant to look so well. It flowers from spring till fall. Another very pretty plant that I hardly expected to do well in a mass for bedding, was the well known blue Achimenes. The effect was extremely pretty. A larger number of the plants of warmer regions would do for summer bedding with us than are now employed, if people would only think of trying them. In these parts the common banana is used to great advantage in summer bedding. Being dwarfer than Musa Ensete, it comes in well when the latter would be out of place. - T. M., Pa.

Trouble With Melons

Can you bring out in your pages a remedy for the dying out when the fruit is half grown, of the melons, cucumbers and squashes? I have always thought it a small fly which deposits its eggs in the stem. Riley thinks it is a fungus. I like melons morning, noon and night and between times, and their loss is a serious evil. - S. B. P.