The Belladonna (Belladonna Lily) should be planted in June in a sheltered border in rich, well-drained soil.

Pears—Wherever Apples are a success Pears will grow As a rule, they are best grown dwarf On light soils they should be grafted on to Pear stocks, but on heavy soils they are best worked on the Quince The fruiting of young trees may be accelerated by lifting them when about five years old, spreading out the roots 1 ft below the surface of the soil, and mulching the ground The mulching should be raked off in the spring, the ground lightly stirred with a fork and left to sweeten, and another mulching applied when the weather becomes hot and dry In pruning, leave the leading branches untouched, but let all cross shoots be removed, and the young wood be cut away in sufficient quantity to produce a well-balanced tree, and so equalise the flow of sap Some of the pruning may be done in summer, but directly the leaves fall is the time to perform the main work A good syringing once a week with the garden hose will keep the trees vigorous and free from insects Should scab make its appearance on the leaves, spray them oc.

Melittis Melissophyllum (Large-flowered Bastard Balm)-This handsome perennial is not often seen, but it deserves to be more generally grown, especially as it will thrive in almost any soil; but to grow it to perfection, it should be planted in rich loam It flowers from June to August, and may be increased by division of the roots any time after the latter month Height, 1½ ft.

Acer (Maple)—Very vigorous plants, suitable when young for pots, and afterwards for the shrubbery The A Negundo Variegata has silvery variegated leaves, which contrast effectively with dark foliage, Campestre Colchicum Rubrum, with its bright crimson palmate leaves, is very ornamental, as is also Negundo Californicum Aurem, with its golden-yellow foliage The Maple grows best in a sandy loam It may be increased by cuttings planted in a shaded situation, or by layers, but the choice varieties are best raised from seed sown as soon as it is ripe.


Alternantheras—Cuttings of this greenhouse herbaceous plant may be struck in autumn, though they are usually taken from the old plants in spring Insert them singly in 4-1/2-in pots filled with coarse sand, loam, and leaf-mould When rooted, place them near the glass, and keep the temperature moist and at 60 degrees or 65 degrees, then they will flower in July Height, 4 in to 1 ft.

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