Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1874 — FLORICULTURE.-BALSAMS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FLORICULTURE.-BALSAMS.

The cut above is a very good rapresentation in black of two oil three branches of double balsam. Mr. Gray classes this plant in the Geraneum family, in which he also includes wood-sorrel, cranes-bill, pelargonium or geraneum of hoiftse and garden culture, and the nasturtiums, the seeds and seed-pods of some varieties of which are used to flavor cookery and for pickles. The balsam is also called Impatiens (ils botanical name), touch-me-not, jewel-weed and lady’s-slipper.— There are two' wild varieties in America, the pale and the spotted, that grow on wet ground and in moist shady places. The garden balsam is a native of India, but it flourishes luxuriently in this country, especially on our dark prairie soil; and if the ground is artificially enriched it is so much the better. Twenty years, ago balsams were not such attractive plants as they arc today. Then they bore flowers of delicate texture, cool appearance and bright colors, but they were small, single, and nearly hidden by foliage.— Careful cultivation has developed a plant that produces large and very double flowers, with less proportion of leaves, so that a single branch is often of itself a magnificent bouquet. Mr. Vick, who may be considered excellent authority in floriculture, in his Floral Guide says the balsam is “One of the most popular and the most beautiful of our half-hardy annuals, but a rich soil and good culture are needed to bring it to perfection. With good care very few flowers will afford more satisfaction.” Another florists says it is a “Strong growing, half-hardy annual, producing fine, large, double flowcis in abundance. A deservedly great and popular favorite wi t h th e 1o v era -of -flow ers .”; Balsams are too tender to endure frost, though seeds will remain in the ground all winter and germinate the next spring; but plants thus grown seldom or never have double flowers. A better plan is to procure seeds each spring from one who makes it a business to

, save them, make abed where young 1 plants can be protected, either in a | frame or some sheltered place in the garden, and plant as soon as I the weather is suitable, say about ! early corn-planting time. When the second leaves have grown a little, plants may be removed ami set where they are wanted to bloom. Set them ten to fourteen inches apart, putting tall-grow'ing varieties in the middle or back row of the bed, and lower-grow'ing sorts at the outer edges. As different kinds vary in bight, ranging from six to thirty inches, it is essential that care be taken not to plant dw'arfs promiscuously among tall growing ones, nor the tall ones in front rows with dwarfs behind, if a fine appearing symmetiical bed of flowers -is desired. When branches shoot out pinch off all but two or three, and pinch off the top of the main I stalk. A very good way is not to | let any branches grow, but prune the plant to a single stem. If this plan is adopted, plants may be set much nearer together; the taller ones will grow nearly three feet high, and be a perfect flowering wand. If seed pods are picked off when they appear plants will blossom twice or three times during the summer if the weather is showery or they are watered freely at night. The flowers of double bal. sams grow as large as two inches or more in diameter, are as perfect in form as a rose, and are of several shades of red, purple and lilac; they are also pure white, creaihy white, greenish white, spotted and striped. Indianapolis papers complain that the city is overrun with mechanics—carpenters, bricklayers, paihters,. etc.—attracted by the extensive system of advertising that has been practiced by those who were interested in reducing the wages of laboring men. A bill was introduced in Congress Monday to relieve Raphael Semmes from bis political disabilities,

Nkvv 81'141 KU Goods.—ls you wantanything in the dry goods line consult your interesfby looking atthe new stock just’ opened at the Btone Store. All the most popular articles in the line of ladies' dress goods, for the spring of 1874, may be seen in this establishment. In this assortment are elegant silks, Japanese fabrics, spring delains, foreign and domestic ginghams, percales, fast colored prints, lawns, alpacas, muslins,, etc.; also a complete line of trimmings including thread, buttons, lace, ribbons, insertion and fringe. Our ready made clothing and gentlemen’s furnishing goods department is as complete as ever, ami in it may be found coats, pants, vests, overcoats and full suits for men and boys in great varety of price, style and quality. We have a very large stock of clothing fabrics including broad cloths, docskins, fine and fancy vestings, cassimeres, velvetenes, corduroys, moleskins, jeans, cottonades, drillings, ducks, denims, etc., etc. Particular attention is invited to our stock of spring shawls, to our extensive -line of carpets, and to our boots and shoes for men, women and children. The leather and rubi- ber goods in our house can not be excelled by any in the land. Hats and caps of the latest styles for men and boys.' Our groceries areas good as any kept in Rensselaer. We in rite everybody to call and examine these goods as they are all first class and will bear inspection. Our prices‘this season are down very low in order to conform to tlie stringency in money affairs experienced by all. Cash paying buyers will certainly find it to their interest, to call on us and learn our prices before making purchases anywhere else. Remember the place —Stone Store—brown front, Rensse-

laer. Indiana.

LEOPOLD & FENDIG.