No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 277 



its of my many favorites, I have tried to select only those that are 

 perfectly hardy and easy to cultivate. I liave also chosen a fair 

 proportion of low and tall growing plants and have tried to make 

 the list cover the season from early in the spring until late in the 

 fall. They are as follows: 



xlrabis Albida. This pretty rock-cress is of the easiest culture, 

 grows only about five or six inches high, and puts forth its fragrant 

 while flowers in April so profusely as to completely hide the 

 foliage. It is a neat little plant, likes the sun, and is easily in- 

 creased by division. It does well in rockery or at the edge of 

 border. 



Iberis Sempervirens. This pretty candy-tuft has clean evergreen 

 foliage which is completely hidden with large white flowers early 

 in May. It is perfectly hardy in this section, requiring no protec- 

 tion, and if soil is not too heavy, will seed itself. The Gibraltarica 

 variety is considered by many to be prettier, but it is not as hardy 

 as the Semper virens. 



Iris Germanica. The German Iris is a very satisfactory plant in 

 every way. While, perhaps, not quite as beautiful as the Japanese 

 Iris, it requires no special soil or protection, and is therefore much 

 easier for the amateur to grow. There are many named varieties, 

 and if I could choose but one, I should select the Iris Pallida spe- 

 ciosa, which, I believe, is the same as "Mile. Almira," and has light 

 blue flowers of immense size. It will grow almost anywhere, but 

 prefers the sun, and should be divided and transplanted every three 

 or four years. 



Papaver Orinetale. These beautiful showy poppies have hand- 

 some foliage and do well in common garden soil. They are very 

 hardy, produce their gorgeous flowers in May, and will sow them- 

 selves. All of them are fine, but if I had to uiake a choice, I should 

 take "Parkmanii," which is of deep scarlet with a black blotch at 

 the base of each petal. They give' excellent eljfect amongst shrub- 

 bery, 



Veronica Rupestris. This pretty creeping "Speedwell" grows only 

 three or four inches high; flowers late in May and makes a beautiful 

 sheet of blue. It is exceedingly pretty among rocks, and a few 

 evergreen boughs thrown over it in the fall will keep the foliage 

 fresh and green, ready for an early start in the spring. 



Paeonia Officinalis Rubra Plena. All of the herbaceous paeo- 

 nies are beautiful and satisfactory plants for the amateur to grow. 

 They improve with age, are perfectly hardy, and their bright, glossy 

 foliage makes them attractive even when the bloom has passed. If 

 I could only select one, I should take the plant named. It has 

 double brilliant crimson flowers, which are borne in great profusion 

 in May. Paeonies make a fine show when grown in a mass. 



