THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 173 



ture of red and blue is both peculiar and gorgeous. Suppose the 

 pyrethrums to be treated the same way, but instead of geraniums 

 calceolarias should be used, and how novel would be the mixture of 

 rose and yellow, and how fine a balance as regards strength to the 

 mixture of blue and scarlet. 



I find that in the strong soil of Stoke Newington the pyre- 

 thrums make a stronger growth than they do with Mr. Salter. The 

 flower-stems of Rosa plena, Rosa alba, and Gomte de Morny, and 

 other strong growers of similar habit, rise two feet and a half high, 

 and the flowers average three inches in diameter. We might there- 

 fore take another leaf out of the Crystal Palace book, and peg down 

 the flower-stems of the pyrethrums as they there peg down the 

 flower-stems of the delphiniums. But there is another course open 

 for the practitioner of bedding, and that is to try his hand first 

 with the dwarf-growing kinds, of which there are several, as, for 

 example, Icerijana, bright rose ; Nemesis, dark rose ; Princess Alex- 

 andra, white ; Carnea nana, blush ; Tom Pouce, red. All these, and 

 a few more which might be found, are of just the proper height to 

 look over the tops of calceolarias, and show a delicate and effective 

 mingling of white or rosy flowers, to afford a contrast, and at the 

 same time tone down the glare of the yellow. 



As for soil and circumstances, they will grow in any soil and any 

 climate if they have a nice open sunny position. If under the shade 

 of trees, some of them are sure to perish in winter. Vermin of all 

 kinds are fond of them, and I am obliged in the early part of the 

 season, when the snails are hungry, to plant lettuces with mine, 

 which by the way is a golden rule of practice in all old gardens to 

 preserve many things besides pyrethrums. An open sunny spot is 

 positively the only important requisite ; if the finest show flowers 

 are wanted, the soil must be rich, aud they must have plenty of 

 water; but for bedding purposes, neither manuring or watering are 

 needful. It is quite worth remarking, however, that in a rich soil and 

 abundance of water some of the anemone kinds acquire ranunculus 

 forms, and in starvation circumstances the ranunculuses degenerate 

 into anemones. A little more light thereby on the subject of double 

 flowers. 



As to propagating, there is but one method worth mentioning, 

 and that is division of the roots. We have endeavoured, in another 

 place, to show the trade how to make stock rapidly; here we need 

 ouly consider the interest of the private grower. The roots can be 

 easily divided into small pieces, each with a distinct centre and a 

 tuft of roots. The safest time to do this is during the months of 

 March and April, as every scrap will then make a plant if put into 

 light sandy soil, aud kept shaded for a week or so until beginning 

 to make fresh roots. But a better time to part them is the mouth 

 of August, when, however, they will require rather mote care in. 

 shading and watering ; but yet even then, if the weather is not verv 

 trying, they will almost take care of themselves. If the finest 

 possible flowers are desired, part them in August, and plant them 

 out in beds of rich soil where they are to flower. S. H. 



