268 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



as these push a little, they take cuttings of them in the ordinary- 

 way, and hardening them off with the bedding-plants, put them out 

 in May. If there be any cheap turf-pits in the place, they may be 

 brought forward excellently in such. It should be observed that 

 this method is quite unnecessary for the mere propagation of the 

 Phlox, which is multiplied as fast as could be desired by dividing 

 the roots ; but it is the best way to get strong and independent 

 young plants ; those entirely started on their own basis, and with 

 young roots, being better, stronger, and fresher than bits of the old 

 roots. But it should be observed, that if in breaking the old roots 

 up, the young part of the root only be retained, or, in other words, 

 the part with the young fibres adhering to it, it will prove more 

 vigorous ; and this applies to nearly all herbaceous plants. It is 

 just like potting the suckers of cinerarias. Suppose you put a piece 

 of the old root with one of them, by way of encouragement, or even 

 the old root itself, what good will it do ? Probably remain a 

 miserable object all its life ; while a young sucker, taken off with a 

 few young white fibres pushing out from its base or button, grows 

 as heartily as a flat Dutch cabbage. As for the soil for the Phlox, 

 we need not be very particular. It likes it rich, it likes it free, and 

 it likes, as most plants do, a good open position. Some people have 

 a weakness for putting things of this kind in the shade, or shelter of 

 all sorts of things ; but, depend upon it, that there is nothing like 

 the full, free sun in our variable climate. The owner of a collection 

 of Phloxes, or one who takes much interest in the family, will do 

 better to have his well-named and best varieties planted together in 

 a favourable spot, even if he use many kinds largely, for the general 

 ornament of his garden, while people in general had better think 

 how it may be best employed to lend beauty and interest to 

 the garden. Por all border-work it is fine, and also for forming 

 grand mixed beds of such things as are the better for annual re- 

 moving, like the Delphiniums, some of the best Achilleas, etc. ; among 

 which could be sprinkled Gladioli in profusion. A splendid use to 

 make of them would be to associate them with Gladioli, or, in 

 other words, plant the bulbs of that fine plant in the spaces between 

 the Phloxes in a bed. This would be a capital system in places 

 where autumnal decoration is the chief desideratum, and there are 

 very many such. As for the selection, it is a comparatively unim- 

 portant matter, because all the kinds are good and beautiful, though 

 it is nevertheless necessary to name the best and most distinct, with 

 the most recent 'improvements, at the end of the paper. 



The Phlox is generally best in the second year of its existence, 

 and as it then pushes up more shoots than it is desirable to retain, 

 if we wish for a good and strong bloom, it must be thinned out to — 

 say five or six stems — using thinnings as cuttings, if it be desired to 

 much increase the variety. When the Phlox is at first planted 

 out from the cutting, or young plant state, it had better be planted 

 pretty close ; but the second year they will be the better of standing 

 about two feet apart, and had better be taken up, and placed at that 

 distance apart, at any convenient time in winter or spring. Once 

 past their second year of flowering, they are frequently thrown 



