AFRICAN MARYGOLD. 365 



See the day is waxen oltle, 



And 'gius to shut in with the Marygold. 



W. Brown. 



It is remarked by Linnaeus, that the Marygold 

 usually opens its petals about nine in the morning, 

 and closes them again at three in the afternoon ; 

 but we observe that it depends more upon the state 

 of the atmosphere than on the hour of the day. 



Keats says — 



Open afresh your round of stan-y folds, 

 Ye ardent ]Marigolds ! 

 Dry up the moisture of your golden lids. 

 For great Apollo bids. 



The African and French IMarygolds usually 

 begin to flower in July, and continue to give out a 

 succession of blossoms until the branches are de- 

 stroyed by frost ; on which account they are con- 

 sidered rather an autumnal than a summer flower. 

 When judiciously planted, they add consider- 

 ably to the gaiety of the parterre during the later 

 months of the year, the tall African Marygold 

 forming a brilliant background to clumps of China 

 Asters, or displaying its golden corollas amongst 

 the evergreens of the shrubbery 3 whilst tlie more 

 richly painted petals of the Tacjetcs Patula, or 

 French Marygold, is well calculated to contrast 

 with the blue or purple stars of the Aster, since no 

 plant displays a richer colouring of carmine and 

 gold. 



