THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 107 



now enumerate some fine subjects that require no mysterious pro- 

 cesses and no costly appliances, and which the lovers of true beauty 

 ought to grow, for they have all the points of interest that belong to 

 plants that are costly and of great renown. Without further pre- 

 face, I shall proceed. 



LoYE Lies Bleeding. — Amaranfhus ccnidatus. — I have seen in 

 a " choice garden" this splendid plant mixed with various others in 

 a long border, and the eflect of its long crimson tails, some of them 

 two or three feet long, like great ropes of velvet, was truly delight- 

 ful. Sow in a pan early in April, and place on a gentle hot-bed. If 

 no hot-bed, shut up the seed in a frame ; it will soon be up. Prick 

 the plants out into a bed in a frame as soon as they are large enough 

 to handle, and during showery weather in May, transplant them to 

 the border, which should be deeply dug and, enriched with manure 

 two or three weeks before the time of planting. 



Prince's Feather. — Amaranthus Injpochondriaciis. — Treat this 

 in the same way as the last, but plant it further back. It makes a 

 very effective bed, but is more effective if mixed with something 

 graceful. 



Amaranthus melanchoUcus is the well-known claret- coloured 

 beddi:-!g-plant. It must be grown in the same way as the above, but 

 it is well to sow the seed about the 1.5th of March. However, the 

 first week in April will do very well. 



Arundo conspicua. — This fine grass grows in the style of the 

 Pampas, but is neither so gracefwl nor so tall ; but it is indis- 

 pensable to the choice garden because of its peculiar beauty and its 

 abundance of flower spikes from June to the middle of Kovember. 

 Sow the seed in April, and shut it up in a frame, keeping it moist 

 by means of moss laid over, or a square of glass. When the plants 

 are up, give air, and in June plant them out in some very well shel- 

 tered place six inches apart. In the month of April following, 

 transplant them to the places they are to decorate, and there let 

 them remain. The stations should be previously prepared by deep 

 digging and abundant manuring. This grass loves moisture, but if 

 planted in a wet place, is apt to die in winter ; therefore it is safer 

 to plant it on elevated spots, and make amends by giving plenty of 

 ■water during the summer. In places where it is used largely, as at 

 Battersea Park, they sow seed every year, to have a good stock of 

 plants in case of losses in the winter. No doubt the last winter 

 killed many. This is matter for regret, as the plant is not in its 

 prime till three years old. 



Artemisia annua is an elegant plant, with a peculiar and pleasing 

 shade of green, and agreeably odoriferous. It is well adapted to 

 introduce amongst flowers to give variety and relief, to help us out 

 of our monotony, and our dead level of carpet patterns. Sow in 

 March or April on any sunny border, and in due time plant out 

 where wanted. 



The Bocconia. — I have had the honour to introduce the Boc- 

 conia to cultivation on the continent, and while I remain here I shall 

 hope to see it in the English choice garden. This plant is of most 

 quick growth, the great leaves are deeply notched, and with much of 

 whitish colour. The flowers are like poppies, but not singly, as we 



