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mixed together, placing the pot in a shady window or other place, and covering its mouth sometimes with a pane of glass.

The Wallflower, though it will grow on the top of an old wall, does best in a rather rich, dry, loamy soil, but is not by any means fastidious. When planted finally, they should be moved with balls, which is more easily done when they are transplanted in the seedling state than when left in the seedling bed till autumn.

Corydalis tuberosa, 8 inches, purple-March and April. Corydalis nobilis, 16 inches, yellow-April and May. These two plants, though they do not make a very conspicuous show, are very elegant, taken as a whole. C. nobilis is a very effective plant for breaking up masses of colour, when such is produced by dwarf and more formal plants; and this being a style in which I am interested, I look upon this, among some others, as effective for planting in single specimens. C. tuberosa might be made useful as a graceful edging plant. They are of easy culture, and lift better than most tuberousrooted plants with balls. To increase them, it only needs that the roots be divided, and they can also be increased by cuttings very much in the same way as Dielytra.

Crocus, Cloth of gold, 4 inches, yellow-February to April.
Crocus, Cloth of silver, 4 inches, white, purple stripes.

Crocus, common yellow, 4 inches, yellow.

Crocus, common blue, 4 inches, blue.

Crocus, David Rizzio, 4 inches, purple.

Crocus, Gold-finder, 4 inches, white.

Crocus, Ne plus ultra, 4 inches, violet, edged with white.

Crocus, Sir John Franklin, 4 inches, purple.

Crocus, Queen Victoria, 4 inches, white.

As one of those spring flowers which appear among

the first promises of Flora's gifts, the Crocus, as an ornament of the spring garden, is a general favourite, being neat and trim in habit, delicate in its shades of colour, cheap and easy of culture. Another feature which very strongly recommends it is its suitableness for planting close to the edges of beds and borders, where it will remain for years, and not interfere with the preparation of the beds for the summer flowers. It is also singularly well adapted for intricate planting in scrolls and designs in small borders, and as patches in mixed borders; and for planting among grass, to take up the waning simple beauty of the snowdrop, it is well adapted. The varieties which are now enumerated in catalogues are, like many other things, endless; but, as in the case of most other plants for groups and lines, distinct self-colours are most effective, and the common varieties named above are the most useful and cheap. Those who wish for striped and tipped varieties can become acquainted with them by consulting a bulb catalogue.

The culture of this charming little plant is exceedingly simple. When to be purchased and planted for the first time, I would recommend beginners, and especially where the soil is rather retentive than otherwise, to purchase and plant early,-not later than the end of October. At the same time, they can be planted in light dry soils all through the winter, but it is not desirable to be later than the middle of November, even under the most favourable circumstances. As for most other bulbs, a sandy loam, well enriched with rotten manure, is the best. The ground should be broken up as finely as possible; and in planting edgings and lines, the best way is to draw a drill widely, placing

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a double row of bulbs about a couple of inches apart in width in the bottom of the drill, and about 3 inches apart lengthways, covering the bulbs to the depth of 4 inches. Should the ground be heavy, it is desirable to put a little fine sandy soil, or even sand itself, under the bulbs, and to fill up the drill entirely with light rich soil. In planting groups in mixed borders, 6 or 8 bulbs should be planted in groups, about 2 inches between each bulb, each group being of the same variety, and the varieties planted time about as their colours suggest. They may remain undisturbed from four to five years, during which time they will multiply and improve. When lifted with the view of increasing them or regulating them, this should be done while the leaves are still green. The soil clings nicely to them, and they can be divided into patches and planted immediately, putting a little rich sandy soil about their roots; and, if well watered, they will scarcely suffer. Indeed I have frequently transplanted Snowdrops, Crocuses, and Daffodils when in full bloom, and divided them without their suffering in the least. Mice are ravenously fond of Crocus bulbs, and must be vigilantly watched, in the case of fresh plantations, especially when they have been covered with fresh soil. A few mice will soon play havoc with a great extent of bulbs, so that the little pests must be carefully watched and destroyed in the usual way, by trapping and poisoning.

Centaurea Ragusina, 12 to 18 inches, lovely silvery foliage.

For the propagation and general treatment of this fine plant, see Summer and Autumn Flower-Gardening. As a panel plant, or for the centre of baskets, it is most effective, and so hardy that it can be put out with all safety in

most localities after the end of March, if previously well hardened off. For summer decoration, it is much better to plant it in April; and in order to make the same plants available for spring and summer work, it is best to plunge it in its pots, so that in the beginning of June it can be moved about as required, without suffering from transplanting,-a process of which it is not over fond, having very easily injured roots. A few scores of this plant, judiciously dispensed in the parterre, are very effective; and for panels in blue or purple, nothing can be better.

Cyclamen Coum, 3 inches, red-January and April.

Cyclamen Coum vernum, 3 inches, red, with var. fol.-Jan. and April. Cyclamen, hederifolium, 3 inches, rosy pink-January and April.

It would be difficult to point to any plant which combines so much tiny gracefulness and sparkling beauty in so condensed a form as is furnished by the beautiful little leaves and bright flowers of these plants ; and, flowering with the first return of spring, they should have a place in every spring garden. Of course they are so small that they are not adapted for extensive beds or borders; but for placing round the margins of small beds or vases that are placed below the eye, where they can be inspected, they are very interesting. They thrive best in dry gritty soil and rather shady situations than otherwise. When removed from their blooming positions, they should either be potted or placed in light soil, where heavy rains can be warded. off them while at rest; or, where such cannot be accomplished, they can be kept in pots, placed in cold frames till the severity of the winter be over, and then plunged in their pots, where they are required to bloom. The whole of the Cyclamens seed freely, and are remarkably

easily raised in this way. The seed should be sown, when ripe, in light sandy soil, well enriched with leafmould. When fit to handle, they may be planted either in boxes or in a piece of prepared soil, where, with a couple of years' growth, they make flowering bulbs.

Dactylis glomerata variegata (variegated Cock's-foot Grass). This summer favourite can also be made available for dwarf edgings in spring, for in March, April, and May, in its fresh growing state, it is more delicate and chastelooking than at any other period. The summer plants should be lifted and divided as soon in autumn as arrangements for spring-gardening can commence. By dividing it, and laying in like a Box edging, where it is wanted for the spring, it gets hold before the severe weather sets in, and commences to grow in spring, in time to look beautifully fresh and effective with the élite of the garden. It will attain to the height of 7 or 8 inches by the middle of May in ordinary springs, and in that state is most graceful; and if arranged so as to remain for summer, the same plants will do without any further trouble; but if to be moved, it moves perfectly well with balls in May and June. In planting it in autumn, it will thrive all the better if a little rich free soil be laid to its roots; and it should be rather deep than otherwise, and made firm in the soil.

Dielytra spectabilis, 24 inches, rose and yellow-April and May. Dielytra spectabilis, 24 inches, white and yellow-April and May.

Except in early localities and favourable seasons, the blooming of these plants cannot be counted on till the beginning of May. But as it is a plant of great beauty of foliage, I enumerate it as suitable for a panel or relieving plant, in sheltered positions. It is perfectly

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