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TROPÆOLUMS-6 to 15 inches.-Some of these are very effective, and, such as Cooperii, cover the ground with a dense sheet of scarlet blooms that withstand wet weather exceedingly well. They can be raised from seed, but cannot be depended on for producing the same varieties. To prepare a store stock in autumn from which to propagate in spring, the cuttings should be put in towards the end of August. They root very freely in a gentle bottom heat; and by putting them in 8-inch pots filled with rich soil all but two inches of the top, which should consist of equal parts loam, leaf-mould, and sand sifted fine, it is not necessary to prick them off. Forced in heat in spring, they yield cuttings very fast, which can be struck like Verbenas. It is best to pot them off when rooted, for if shaken out at planting time they do not succeed so well. Those who have not means for spring propagation must of course strike the required number in autumn; but spring-struck plants do best. They all flower most freely in a poor sandy soil. Cooperii blooms freely under almost any circumstances. The following, except Canariense, Brilliant, and Eclipse, which are strong climbers, are best for beds :

Brilliant, scarlet.

Canariense.

Cooperii, scarlet.

Compactum coccineum, scarlet.

Luteum improved, orange yellow and crimson spots.
Luteum, orange yellow, with crimson spots.

Eclipse, scarlet.

Elegans, orange scarlet.

King of Scarlets, scarlet.

King of Tom Thumbs, scarlet.

Rose Tom Thumb, rose.

TUSSILAGO FARFARA VARIEGATA-1 foot, Variegated Foliage. Perfectly hardy, and increases itself like a

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Nettle or Couch-grass, by running under ground. Indeed it is rather troublesome in spreading, and not easily eradicated once it gets a footing. It is very ornamental, and can be used with good effect in shady positions where other plants will not thrive. Looks very well as an edging to a clump of Ferns, or as a ground work to plants with graceful foliage. Likes deep rich ground.

TAGETES SIGNATA PUMILA-Orange-yellow with Brown Spots, 1 foot.-one of the most useful annuals. Has most wonderful powers of long-sustained and profuse flowering. Sow in the end of March in gentle heat. When 2 inches high, prick off about 1 inch each way in boxes. It vegetates in a warm greenhouse in April, and is very accommodating. It flowers best in a dry soil not over rich; and on hot soils, where Calceolarias are prone to fail, it is an excellent substitute. It withstands drought and rain equally well.

VERONICA SPECIOSA VARIEGATA, 1 to 2 feet-V. PUMILA VARIEGATA, 1 foot.-Among the prettiest of our silvervariegated plants, and not nearly so much grown as they should be. July and August is the best time to propagate in order to have nice stocky plants to plant out the following summer. Well-drained pots or pans may be filled with light sandy soil to within 3 inches of the top, then filled up with pure sand to receive the cuttings, which should be selected from the side-shoots, taking neither the strongest nor the weakest. They should be from 3 to 4 inches long. When inserted tolerably thick, as they are not subject to damp off, water well and place in bottom heat. When well rooted, pot-off singly in 3-inch pots, or three or four in 5-inch pots. Keep close for a short time, and then harden off till fully exposed,

They stand a few degrees of frost with impunity, and can be wintered in a cold pit where severe frost can be excluded.

VIOLA LUTEA, Yellow, 6 inches-VIOLA CORNUTA, Violet Colour, 6 to 8 inches.-These lovely dwarf Violas have risen rapidly into favour within the last few years, and they deserve a place in all flower-gardens. Being perfectly hardy, they are two of the very best things for those who have no convenience for raising tender plants. They are most easy to propagate, either by division of the roots or by cuttings. They strike freely in handglasses in light sandy soil in August and September; or when stock is scarce, they can be forced in spring and struck as directed for Verbenas. To have them in flower early in summer, autumn striking is the best; and for autumn blooming, spring-raised plants are preferable. They like a moist rich soil, and do not keep up a continuous bloom in dry gravelly soils. Indeed, to grow them to perfection, they must be treated similar to Pansies. They withstand any amount of rain. Some spurious varieties are in cultivation.

VIOLA TRICOLOR (PANSY)-BLUE KING, Pale Blue, 6 to 8 inches-YELLOW PRINCE, Yellow, 6 inchesPURPLE KING, Purple, 6 to 8 inches-WHITE QUEEN, White, 6 inches-IMPERIAL BLUE, Purple, 6 to 8 inches. -These have hitherto been chiefly cultivated for spring gardening, and too much cannot be said of them for that purpose. They are likewise most useful for summer and autumn, and, when properly managed, give a wonderful amount of flower. When wanted to bloom in summer and autumn, put in the cuttings under handglasses in October. They root through the winter, and

are nice plants, fit to be removed to where they are to bloom about the end of April. They should be lifted with balls, if possible, and kept well watered for a time. To flower well throughout the season, they require good deep ground, and a good manuring with rotten dung, and the seed-pod should be removed as soon as formed. These are invaluable Pansies for the amateur who cannot grow Yellow Calceolaria and Blue Lobelia or Purple Verbenas, and are so easily propagated, that if put in behind a north wall in light rich sandy soil, they root without any covering, and can be protected during very severe frost with a few evergreen branches or mats. For wet localities they are invaluable for summer and autumn display.

CHAPTER III.

WINTERING TENDER PLANTS IN COLD FRAMES-MANAGEMENT BEFORE PLANTING OUT-PREPARATION OF BEDS.

In many cases cold pits and frames are all that can be commanded for wintering tender flower-garden plants. There is sometimes an outhouse, spare room, or bowwindow that can be used as an auxiliary to a pit or frame. With such convenience, indifferent as it may be considered, and really is, it is astonishing how much can be accomplished by judicious management and earnestness of purpose.

In the construction of cold pits to be used for wintering such things as Pelargoniums, Verbenas, etc., the principal object to be secured is dryness, because damp is a far greater enemy to such plants, and one more difficult to combat, than frost. On this account, sinking below the ground-level should be avoided, unless the walls. below ground be made perfectly water-tight by cement, and the bottom as thoroughly drained as possible. Indeed, it is a good plan either to pave or cement the bottom of the frame or pit to prevent water rising by capillary attraction, in which case there must be holes for the escape of all moisture that may collect inside; and the foundation of the inside should be of open rubble, with a drain to take the water away. Pits sunk a little into the ground, and constructed in this

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