28 TBINIDAD AND TOBAGO BULLETIN. [XVIIL 1. 



however to see occasionally beds of one colour, such as primrose yellow 

 or the red known as Fireball. I tried the white recently but it was 

 far from being a success as the colour was not pure enough. The 

 garden race of Zinnias have all come from Zinnia elegans a 

 Mexican plant. 



PLANTS SUITABLE FOR EDGING PURPOSES. 



Alternanthera. — A good edging plant is the well known Alternanthera 

 which can be clipped to form a neat compact border a few inches in 

 height. 



Alyssum. — This pretty border plant can be easily raised but grows 

 best during the dry season. 



Coleus (Climbing variety). — A small Coleus of many colours on a 

 ground work of green, and of scandent habit is very abundant in 

 gardens here. It can be trimmed to form a neat border to a bed. 



Myosotis or Forget-me-nots. — A very old favourite in the flower 

 garden, but very useful especially during the wet season, for covering 

 bare patches of soil amongst stronger growing plaiits. Planted in small 

 beds or as edgings, it is very pretty and can be dug up and replanted 

 when it begins to look shabby. It soon dries up in the dry season 

 unless very well watered. 



Violets make a vei-y neat edging to beds especially in the wet 

 season and should also be grown for gathering for the house. The leaf 

 growth is so vigorous that the tiowers are usually hidden. Propagated 

 by division. 



GENERAL. 



As a last word I should like to mention that the reason why so 

 many annuals fail here is the difficulty of getting them past the 

 seedling stage. My principal suggestion here and one that I have 

 found to answer well with most seeds is to sow them in boxes and 

 cover till they begin to germinate when they must be immediately 

 transferred to a sunny position, care being taken that they are never 

 allowed to get dry. Seedlings grown in shade become weakly and drawn, 

 and quickly succumb when planted in the open ground. 



The plants mentioned in this paper are all suitable for planting 

 throughout the year except those given below which are most suitable 

 for either the dry season (January to May) or the wet season (.Tune to 

 December) respectively. 



Plants for the dry season. — Antirrhinums, Amaranthus, Cockscomb, 

 Cosmos, Dianthus, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Petunias, Phlox Drum- 

 mondii, Verbenas, Alyssum. 



Plants for the tvet season. — Coleus, Mirabilis Jalapa, Salvia splendens 

 Browallia speciosa major, Torenias, Forget-me-nots. 



