_Waverly, N. Y._
A vase of plants is not adapted to a cemetery unless there is a gardener
in charge of the grounds and who will give the necessary daily care.
A garden vase of growing plants needs daily attention in watering
and through the hottest weather should be supplied twice a day. It
is rare that a cemetery has a gardener in attendance. We, therefore,
would discourage the use of vases in cemeteries for they are anything
but ornamental unless they have constant care. It is far better to
set directly in the ground whatever flowering or ornamental plants
one chooses to have. There they will thrive with less attention than
elsewhere. Of course if they can have the needed care the vases can be
filled with such plants as are usually employed for this purpose, and,
no doubt, the vase which our inquirer complains of was well filled. It
was unsatisfactory, and probably would be so again another season. The
best place for the vase is on the lawn near the dwelling. But if it is to
be used in the cemetery then we should try to make the best of it, and
select such plants as will do fairly well with the occasional attendance
they will get, together with the rain which falls upon them from the
clouds.
Such a selection of plants is difficult to make. For a center plant
perhaps a small sized American aloe would be as appropriate and appear
as well as any that might be tried. Possibly a small India rubber plant
might be another good one. For filling in the list is a restricted one.
The portulaca would be reliable; the ageratum and the petunia would do
fairly well, and the Thunbergia and oxalis might be expected to hold
their own. The othonna would no doubt do well set around the edge.
Perhaps the green and the variegated vinca would suffer meekly, if it
was demanded of them, and try to show how brave they are. We fear the
nasturtium and geraniums and alyssum and lobelia would scarcely hold
their own. In some seasons which we have known in this region, when
showers have been frequent all through the summer, a vase of such plants
as are ordinarily used would do well, but such seasons are rare. Usually
the plants will suffer for lack of water.
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[Illustration]
The Best Food For Children?
is worthy every parent’s study; not only what they can eat, but what
gives the most nourishment. No children are better, and most are worse,
for eating lard-cooked food. If, however, their food is prepared with the
healthful new vegetable shortening,