THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GMJIDE. 267 



round, and pressing the mass gently to render all firm. The plant 

 should then be put into a cool division of the stove, where plenty 

 of direct light is secured. This is necessary to prevent a too great 

 accumulation of chlorophyl — that is to say, a tendency to too great 

 an accumulation of green in the leaves. This plant is semi-aquatic, 

 and, with free and unimpeded drainage, delights in moisture. I find 

 large pans filled with pebbles and water to the rim, in which the 

 plant should be placed, most beneficial. The moisture imbibed by 

 those roots ramifying amongst the drainage, and the slow and con- 

 stant evaporation of moisture immediately around and beneath the 

 leaves has the eftect of increasing the vigour, and thus enhancing 

 the beauty of the plant. It likewise acts as an antidote to all kinds 

 of insects. A moist genial atmosphere must be secured by the 

 free use of the sjringe throughout the summer, and until the 

 month of October, when atmospheric moisture must be partially 

 withheld, and the plant taken off the moist pebbly pan, and kept 

 drier throughout the winter or resting season. It is when in this 

 condition that the plant really should be propagated. The ripe 

 side eyes, if judiciously taken off, will readily root. Erom the 

 specimen in my possession, and which has received high honours 

 from the Royal Horticultural Society and other metropolitan exhi- 

 bitions, I have this season secured upwards of two hundred fine 

 young plants, all possessing those charming attributes of character 

 of which my specimen is characteristic. 



THE PHLOX. 



BY KAEL PKO SP E R. 



NOBLE plant is the Phlox, and worthy of our best 

 attention. It is a flower of summer's maturity, strong, 

 and fresh, and vigorous, richly tinted as becomes the 

 blossoms of July, with none of those doubts asso- 

 ciated with it that often are with the flowers of spring, 

 which generally push forth under difficulties, and are frequently cut 

 off ere their beauties are seen. It is everybody's flower, because it 

 will grow almost anywhere ; and it is at the same time an ornament 

 of the first order for the most extensive gardens in the land- 

 Coming in before the gladiolus, it may be made a 'grand use of for 

 the garden of plants in the open air. It may be used into the bed- 

 iug sy.stem, in the mixed border; or, in a word, in any place where 

 hardy plants are grown. The Phlox, therefore, is a flower that 

 everybody must grow, and, we hope, enjoy. It is of easy culture, 

 and very hardy. In some soils Phloxes spread out into great tufts, 

 and preserve their perfect health for years ; but, about London 

 generally, a system of annual propagation and planting must be kept 

 up, where it is desired to make the most of tliis fine flower. Thus, 

 the great growers and raisers of Phloxes generally put a few plants 

 in a frame in mid-winter — say January or February — and as soon 



