, it will cost you only a stamp or postal; no other
charge or expense possible. Address

"1900" WASHER COMPANY, 385 N. Henry St., Binghamton N. Y.

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MICHIGAN

_Editor Mayflower:_

In my order to Floral Park, two years ago, for seeds and plants, I
included an order for one of the unique Acalyphas Sanderi. I had read
somewhere that these plants would prove a disappointment to the amateur,
and must have hot-house culture to develop their beauty, so of course I
wanted to try one in my south window. The plant as received was about 5
inches high and beginning to blossom. I placed it in good rich soil,
gave it plenty of warmed (not hot) water, and the very warmest, sunniest
corner of the south window, so screened that the sun's rays were caught
and held in the little nook where it stood. I persisted in the warmed
water treatment and never let the soil get dry. The lustrous green
leaves soon began to appear and at the stem of each leaf a bloom-tassel
grew in crimson contrast. I am well pleased with my experience with this
plant.--_Lillian McIntosh._

MINNESOTA

_Editor Mayflower:_

I wonder who first advanced that miserable theory that Begonias should
be watered sparingly, be kept always in the shade and not a drop of
water allowed to touch the leaves. No wonder that Begonias treated in
that way drop their leaves and refuse to grow. I have grown a great many
varieties--I have forgotten how many--and I find that they all like heat
and moisture, and showering or spraying the leaves is a benefit to them
if the sun is not allowed to shine on them while they are wet. While the
rough or hairy leaved varieties will not stand hot sunshine they will do
much better and be more sure to bloom if they stand where the early
morning or late afternoon sun can shine upon them. B. Vernon and two or
three other varieties will stand as much hot sunshine as Portulaca if
given plenty of water at the roots and an overhead showering every day
after the sun is gone, in dry weather. No Begonia will do well here on
the prairie if bedded out, and plunging in pot is worse. I don't like
earthen pots for them any way--the plants do better in wood or tin. I
have a number of pots (?) made from gallon paint kegs; one keg makes
two, which I use for my Tuberous Begonias. I use broken bones for
drainage, a mixture of leaf mold and sand for soil, plant one bulb in a
keg, and after the weather becomes warm I p