202 THE GARDENER. [June 



when the spring arrives, have them potted singly into 3-inch pots. Attend to 

 this potting, although the plants can only occuity the i)ots for a week or two. 

 They get established in a short time, forming a ball, and are less subject to be 

 injuriously influenced by the weather Avhen planted out, be it hot or cold. 

 Seed may also be sown in the spring-time, either in a gentle heat or the open 

 border. In the latter case, of course, flowers need not be expected in abund- 

 ance until late in the season. 



Projmgation hy Cuttings This is resorted to with those who desire to per- 

 petuate good varieties, and it is advisable in this case to renew the entire stock 

 by cuttings, which obviates the necessity of lifting the old plants, should a new 

 arrangement be decided upon. The proper season to multiply the stock is at 

 midsummer, when they are growing freely. The side-growths shoidd be taken 

 while they are yet succulent and stubby. Choose a soil of equal proportions, 

 light loam, leaf-mould, and sand. Insert the cuttings rather thickly, and afford 

 them the protection of a hand-glass or cold-frame, in a sunny sheltered part of 

 the garden. AVhitewash the glass or otherwise shade, and keep rather close, 

 with sufiicient moisture to encourage root-formation, until it is known that the 

 cuttings are rooted, after which air may be more freely admitted, and the shad- 

 ing dispensed with. "When well rooted, pot the young plants separately into .3- 

 inch pots, and plunge them anew into the frame ; using the precaution to shade 

 for the week succeeding, to allow time for the plants to re-establish their roots 

 in the soil, without suffering by the strong sunshine that may occur in the 

 course of that time. Water ought always to be supplied in sufficient quantities 

 to prevent the soil becoming too dry, but do not water in excess while winter 

 lasts. Air freely in open dry weather, by removing the sashes. This keeps 

 them both stubby and hardy, but a close frame would have the opposite effect, 

 and cause them to be tender and lanky. Plant out in April, the weather per- 

 mitting, allowing M inches between plants, both ways. Secure each plant by 

 placing a stout stake to it. This will prevent winds breaking them after they 

 become top-heavy. 



NEW VARIETIES OF 1873. 



Of these I select apart those that I have seen myself, while in the pride of 

 their beauty. The Rival, white-tinted violet crimson, mottled and streaked 

 with same colour, point of lip suffused yellow, extra. Charming, vivid yellow, 

 striped scarlet, vermilion tube, and throat white, streaked violet purjole, bold 

 and distinct. Lina, ground white, almost wholly covered with streaks, stripes, 

 and freckles of purple crimson, point of lip yellow. Avenir, lovely canary, 

 heavily laid on the centre, point of flower changing to sulphur beneath, with a 

 narrow streak of vermilion on each lower segment, cap sulphur. Gem of 

 Yellow^s, grand rich golden flower. Octoroon, black-tinted rose, Aurora, 

 pure white, slightly mottled with rosy crimson. Snowdrift, delicately-mottled 

 rose. Antagonist, a noble flower and spike, white, under part overlaid brilliant 

 yellow, with threads and freckles of vermilion, flrst-rate. 



NEW SORTS OF 1872, 



Delicatum, a magnificently bold flower of the white type, finely marked in 

 spots and stripes of warm crimson. De Foe, deei) crimson self, overshaded by a 

 bluish tinge, good. John Hodge, yellow, strongly marked with streaks of crim- 

 son. Novelty, crimson, marked with violet, fine. Monarch, a handsomie self 

 of the crimson type. Figaro, another self, with a fainter shade of yellow on 

 the cap, excellent form. Snowflake, a soft \vhite self of great merit. William 

 Robinson, this is a telling variety, the flowers are bold, well expanded, large, 

 of perfect form, and the colour brilliant crimson. 



