THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 8L 



Amongst miscellaneous subjects with silvery leafage that are 

 indispensable, may be mentioned Antennaria tomenlosa, a most valu- 

 able plant lor edging or for carpeting the surface of beds filled with 

 succulents, as it does not exceed an inch in height. It is perfectly- 

 hardy, and can be readily increased by division. Achillea umbellata 

 is very useful for a narrow edging, but it is difficult to propagate, 

 and of slow growth. The Centaureas are indispensable. C. ragusina 

 compacta for edging, C. ragusina for second rows, and C. gymnocarpa 

 for centres and back rows. These can be raised from seed sown in 

 the autumn or early iu the spring, or from cuttings taken at the 

 same periods. Cineraria asplenifolia and C. acanthifolia are both 

 very useful and effective for edgings and second rows ; but they are 

 not wanted, excepting for the variety they afford, where there is a 

 good stock of Centaureas. For very hot and dry positions Stachys 

 lanata will be found useful, but it is coarse in growth, and should 

 not be planted where better things will thrive. The last on the list, 

 and one of the best of its class for amateurs, is Veronica incana. 

 The growth is very neat, seldom exceeding three inches in height, 

 and the leaves are of a greyish white hue. It is perfectly hardy, and 

 requires hardly any attention whatever to keep it in order. By 

 dividing the tufts in the spring or autumn the stock can be increased 

 to any extent, and it can also be propagated from seed. 



Golden Leaved. — The following are all first-rate in their 

 respective classes : — Golden Leaved : Yellow Boy, Golden Banner, 

 Crystal Palace Gem, Golden Fleece, and Jason, for all purposes, and 

 Little Golden Christine for edging only. Bronze Zonals ■ Kentish 

 Hero, Mulberry Zone, Crown Prince, Princess of Wales, Mrs. Lewis 

 Lloyd, and Sybil, all of which are first-rate, the, first-named being 

 the strongest grower, and therefore the best for large beds. Golden 

 Zonals : Florence, Louisa Smith, Sophia Dumaresque, Edwinia Fitz- 

 patrick, and Miss Watson; the latter being especially good for 

 edging purposes. 



Amongst miscellaneous subjects the following are especially good : 

 Abutilon Thompsoni for centres and large beds; Fuchsia Golden 

 Fleece and Pyrethrum Golden Feather for edgings. The latter 

 should be raised from seed sown in a cold frame early in March, and 

 when strong enough transplanted into its permanent quarters. The 

 seed may be sown in the beds early in April, and the plants thinued 

 out to the desired distance apart, but it is not such a good plan as to 

 sow it iu a cold frame as here directed. Many growers fail in realizing 

 their expectations of this useful plant through sowing the seed 100 

 early, and by keeping the plants in a high temperature until they 

 are two or three inches high. 



Dark Leaved. — The Alternantheras are too delicate to be of 

 much s-ervice to amateurs, but it will not be out of place to mention 

 that A. magnified and A. paronychioides are the two best and most 

 valuable for edging. Amaranthus melancholicus ruber is very distinct 

 and effective, and can be multiplied by means of seeds sown in 

 spring. The plants require a moderate amount of heat to push them 

 along, and must be well hardened off previous to being put out in 

 the beds. When it is necessary to keep them dwarf, they should 



VOL. VI. — NO. III. 6 



