Lilium Longiflorum

It does not seem to be generally known that what is often called Lilium longiflorum in gardens is not Lilium longiflorum of Thunberg, but is Lilium eximium of Courtois. Gardeners often speak of eximiums and longi-florurns as if they were the same thing; but if they have them true they are different.

Nertera Depressa

This curious plant, allied to the Mitchella repens of our woods, often covers the whole plant with its amber berries. At the recent meeting of the New York Horticultural Society, the secretary says: 'Thomas Tait, Port Richmond, S. I., shows a fine specimen of Nertera depressa completely covered with berries"

Dracaena Wellesleyana At The May New York Horticultural Society's Exhibition

William Bennett, Flatbush, shows Dracaena Wellesleyana, a magnificent variety of exceedingly robust habit, broad leaves distinctly marked with red; a fine addition to this already beautiful family.

Cheap Boilers

W. H. B, Independence, Kansas, asks: - "Please tell me what kind of a boiler that cheap greenhouse contained at a cost of fifteen dollars."

[What are known as " water bucks " can be had at less than fifteen dollars, at the stove stores. The writer once had one in a small greenhouse (50 by 12 feet), which answered pretty well. It was a small, low house for propagating. - Ed. G. M.]

Culture Of Amaryllis Speciosa

"Seedling," Adams, Berkshire Co., Mass., writes: - " Will some one of your readers, that has had experience, be kind enough to give through the Monthly the treatment proper for Amaryllis speciosa and A. Atamsco. State the proper time to re-pot, also if the old soil should be entirely removed or not. Should they have a size larger pot evert year, etc, etc.?"

Amaryllis Longifolia

Miss R. asks: - "Would Amaryllis longifolia and A. Johnsoni hybridize together, or is not Amaryllis longifolia a true lily?"

[Amaryllis longifolia is not now regarded as a true lily. Its proper name is Crinum capense.

It is not, however, wholly impossible that it might hybridize with a true Amaryllis. There have been instances of what botanists regard as distinct genera uniting together. In this case there is enough of possibility to make it worth trial. - Ed. G. M.]

Ripening Melons

It is said that the Persians draw earth over the fruit at a certain stage, and that the fruit ripening in the dark is improved in quality thereby. It has long been known to hothouse grape growers that the fruit is much improved in flavor by shading the glass as maturity approaches.