THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 337 



intermediate shades between crimson, white, and purple, and moat 

 of them presenting a distinct and conspicuous eye. We venture to 

 say that a more pleasing sight never greeted the horticultural eye ; 

 and whether it was the peculiar treatment they received here, or 

 whether it was that the soil is more suitable for them, we do not 

 know, but certain it is, we have never seen them in such perfection 

 elsewhere. 



Now it must not be inferred that we expect they can be grown so 

 extensively in private places, but there are many large establish- 

 ments where they may be had in such numbers as to give a very 

 striking effect, and we do not doubt but that to many it would be a 

 very agreeable change, for the eye gets tired of continuously look- 

 ing upon long rows of scarlet geraniums. Then as to the occupants 

 of small places, they must not think that they are to be excluded 

 from growing this beautiful summer plant ; and for their special 

 purpose we give here the names of four varieties, the effect of which, 

 if planted two rows deep round a circular bed, we are sure would 

 be magnificent. A centre of five plants of Colonel Dundas, purple 

 centre ; two rows Countess of Moreton, white ; two rows Rigoletto, 

 bright crimson ; two rows Dwarf Variegated. We should much like 

 to see this arrangement carried out on a ribbon border, and if the 

 same liberal treatment of copious drenchings of water were given, 

 the same as for bedding plants, we have no hesitation in saying the 

 result would be highly satisfactor}'. 



The Phlox will grow in almost any soil, but a moderately dry 

 friable loam is the best for it, which should be rich and porous, as 

 stagnant water is fatal to its fleshy roots. It requires some support 

 when grown in exposed situations, and as a precaution against a wet 

 and cold winter, they should be taken up about the first week in 

 November, and be stowed away under a stage in a greenhouse, and 

 preserved from the drip, and to be plantsd out again about the last 

 week in March. A very troublesome enemy to the young growth, 

 just as it has appeared above ground, is the little red ant, but about 

 a tablespoonful of soot shaken round the plants will soon disperse 

 them. They are very readily propagated by divisions of the roots, 

 or by taking off the stems at the crown of the plant when they have 

 o^rown to about the length of three inches. If these are placed in a 

 little bottom-heat, they will soon emit roots, when they may be 

 hardened ofi' and planted out, but should not be sufiered to flower 

 the first year. If we were about getting up a collection, we would 

 purchase next spring all the varieties we intended to grow, and then 

 place them in a suitable spot in the kitchen garden, supply them 

 plentifully with liquid manure, and keep all flowering stems pinched 

 back to the height of twelve inches; this would cause a greater 

 action at the roots, and thus enable us the following spring to divide 

 them into three or four parts each. Calvekt Claeke. 



YOL. II. — NO. XI. 23 



