I had such splendid success with my balsams this year that I must record my experience for the benefit of others. I started seeds in a cigar box placed in a south window ; when the seedlings had formed the second leaves, transplanted into thumb pots, kept them there till May, when the weather had become settled and the ground warm, then they were planted out. As the plants grew up, I broke off all the side branches, allowing only the main stalk to grow. June tenth they began to bloom, and grew rapidly until three feet high, when the stalks were perfect masses of flowers, so thickly set that nothing could be seen but leaves and flowers. Such a blaze of scarlet blotched with white, and crimson and purple, and white tinged with a faint bluish, and other different shades! Many were double, and fit rivals for the queenly roses. It is a pity they have such short stems. The best way to display them is on a plate or saucer, on a green bed of French Marigold, or some other plant with delicate, spray-like foliage. Pruning the plants in the above manner causes them to bloom earlier, and in much greater abundance.

A few should be set out every two or three weeks for succession, as when they began to ripen seeds, the plants lose much of their beauty, and should be cut off and thrown away.

To occupy the spacce thus left vacant in the flower border, plant, at the time of setting the balsams, a few seeds of Abronia umbellata, a handsome trailing plant, with trusses of very sweet scented flowers, of rosy lilac color, resembling the Verbena in shape, but not so large. This will run over and occupy the ground and be ready to bloom about the time the old balsam stalks are cut away. It is best to start the seeds of Abronia in a warm window or a hot-bed, if one has that convenience in the spring. The seeds must be separated from the hard husks in which they grow, else they will rot. - Iowa Homestead.

Double Balsams #1

ED. Western Horticulturist: Whilst growing a varied collection of flowering plants, I yet have some that succeed so well as to become specialties. One of these is the Double Balsam - not the straggling, half-grown looking things often seen in many front yards, but strong plants, that spread three feet, and produce large, double flowers big as roses - some three inches across, and of varied hues and shades; very showy and brilliant when grown in quantity. Some of the newer striped and blotched varieties are simply magnificent; the Solferino variety cannot be excelled for beauty and delicacy of coloring. I want them in quantity, too; must have a hundred or more; half a dozen plants won't satisfy. Plant the seeds thickly, and thin out undesirable colors when the flowers appear; eighteen inches space will allow the plant to spread itself. Some visitors say, " 0 how do you manage to have such splendid Balsams? What mystery attends their cultivation?" No mystery at all; buy seed of good varieties, plant in well enriched soil, keep down weeds, and give abundance of water in dry weather if large flowers and plenty of them are wanted.

If you have leisure time, trim a portion of the plants to a single stalk, as soon as side branches appear, and see what a wealth of flowers you will have - almost hiding the plant from sight. Pull off fading flowers unless seeds are wanted. Although the flowers have such short stems, yet they make a beautiful appearance arranged on a flat dish. If you have no fern leaves or other delicate green, take young carrot tops and place them over a large dish; arrange the balsam flowers thickly over these, and you will have a very "thing of beauty." R. L. Blair.

Des Moines, Iowa.