274i THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



culture, only requiring to be potted in October, and grown on like 

 the tulip, etc. 



Tiie next I shall name is an old border favourite, known in these 

 times but to few, and imperfectly appreciated, perhaps. I allude to 

 the Tassilago fragrans. It is not altogether a pot plant, but for our 

 purpose here it is. There need be no trouble to grow it, for its 

 natural season of flowering on warm sheltered borders is January, 

 so that, by potting up a few some weeks before the time we want it, 

 we can safely reckon upon securing its flowers at Christmas ; but it 

 is neither brilliant in colours nor ornamental in foliage, but its 

 fragrauce, as its name denotes, is highly valued. At this dull season 

 of the year, all the directions that are necessary for me now to add 

 may be given in a few words. At the close of October, the tulips, 

 crocuses, snowdrops, and primulas, must receive protection from 

 cold nights and heavy rains ; and if they are at once put into their 

 winter quarters, it will assist them materially. Great care will be 

 required in watering, that they be not saturated. Neither must 

 they be kept dust-dry, but uniformly moist ; and occasionally they 

 should be sprinkled overhead on a mild day. Avoid a close, con- 

 fined atmosphere in dull, muggy weather, for such weather is a 

 fruitful source of mildew, if there is not a continual movement by 

 daylight in the air. Perhaps this applies chiefly to plant-houses, 

 but the remark here is noc altogether out of place. 



I am aware that a more extended list of plants could be given 

 to furnish flowers at Christmas ; but my object has been to name 

 only those that any fair reader could procure and manage with a 

 little trouble and expense, for it is from such a source that the 

 greatest pleasure is derived. 



A GAEDEN or GAY SEEING ELOWEES. 



HE writer has carefully looked over his own collection of 

 thousands of herbaceous plants, which include many of 

 the commonest as well as many of the rarest species 

 and varieties, and has bestowed some care in preparing 

 the following list of kinds that are among the most 

 beautiful of the whole, easily grown, and all actually procurable in 

 this country. He knows that some are scarce, and almost hopes 

 they may continue so, for in these days people do not seem to value 

 things that are common and cheap, though their beauty may be such 

 as no pencil can paint, and no pen describe. He knows that 

 in many horticultural works professing to be " practical," species 

 and varieties are enumerated that no one can procure — that, in fact, 

 have never been introduced to the country ; and, in giving this list, 

 the writer has considered both the usefulness of the plants named, 

 and the possibility of procuring them ; and he can say, from actual 

 knowledge of the case, that there ought to be no great difficulty in 

 obtaining any of them. 



Adonis vernalis{^ the Spring Adonis, native of Europe. — Useful 

 border plant. 



