466 THE GARDENER. [Oct. 



THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 



The past season has been from beginning to end unsatisfactory in 

 every sense, those flowers which have thriven under the continued 

 attentions of Jupiter Pluvius having been very few indeed. Of these, 

 East Lothian Stocks have been particularly fine with us. Koniga, 

 Cerastium, Polemonium variegatum, and Golden Feather pyrethrum, 

 about complete the number. Violas and Pansies have been failures, 

 with the one exception of " Duchess of Sutherland " — one of Messrs 

 Downie &, Laird's introductions — which we find one of the very finest 

 kinds ; it is clear light-blue in colour, robust in health, and continuous 

 in its flowering. No better kind has passed through our hands since 

 "Alpha " and "Sovereign " were introduced ; and it will take its place 

 beside these as a standard sort. Verbenas have been equally bad, or 

 even worse than Violas, with the exception of V. venosa : these have 

 been without flowers, and pretty well without having made any growth. 

 Calceolarias : the few grown have done pretty well ; but the ravages 

 the disease makes amongst these causes one to be very chary in using 

 them to any extent. Geraniums have been comparatively innocent of 

 flower, and have caused a sad blank in the arrangements. Lobelias 

 have grown pretty freely. Those who have not got the following 

 sorts would to well to do so : L. magnifica, a kind which ought to 

 be well known by this time ; L. Brighton, a clear blue, dwarf and 

 spreading in habit, a grand kind ; L. defiance, magenta, in habit per- 

 fection, and well worth looking after. These three sorts can be recom- 

 mended as certain to please. Of Alternantheras, the only sorts which 

 have grown are magnifica and amabilis, both very " much of a much- 

 ness." Iresine Lindeni has not grown much, and not coloured. Four 

 Grasses worthy of being extensively grown are the upright-growing 

 variety of Dactylis glomerata variegata ; Festuca glauca, a bluish 

 grass, and very attractive ; Phalaris arundinacea, the old kind known 

 as " the Gardener's Garter ; " and the exceedingly pretty Isolepis gra- 

 cilis — for a dividing-line betwixt dwarf and rougher growing plants 

 this cannot be excelled. A line of this, planted with Ageratum "Her 

 Majesty " alternately, has attracted attention through its chaste appear- 

 ance. Dwarf Chrysanthemum Asters have proved very useful this 

 autumn. These are now very rich in colour in some varieties, and have 

 stood the weather a long time. 



Prompt attention must now be given to get stock in good condition 

 to pass the winter. If Geraniums, Verbenas, and other plants, which 

 do best propagated as early as possible in the autumn, are now well 

 rooted, they ought to be kept as cool as possible, and left out of doors, 

 or, at least, uncovered by glass as late as possible. If, on the other 

 hand, they are not rooted satisfactorily, they should be one and all 

 placed in a growing temperature at once — from 55° to 60° will do, 

 with ventilation. In such a medium they will soon be rooted, but it 



