218 THE GARDENER. [May. 



pans or boxes in light soil, then placed into a close frame without artificial 

 heat, keeping the soil rather dry throughout until the seedlings appear. They 

 may then be placed on a shelf close to the glass in a greenhouse for the winter, 

 under which conditions very little attention is required further than a little 

 water now and then, until the spring has somewhat advanced. When more 

 rapid growth commences in the seedlings, they should be potted singly into 

 small pots, and encouraged to grow freely by every means, so that they may be 

 strong plants at planting-out time, and that they may also flower the sooner. 



Plant them out into beds in lines 1 foot apart each way. This is quite enough 

 space for proving seedlings, and ascertaining which of them are worthy of being 

 multiplied. 



Propagation hy Cuttings. — It is generally found that numbers of young sprouts 

 make their appearance on the main stem a little above the soil. These make the 

 best cuttings ; they root more freely than when taken from lateral growths. 

 Remove them from the plant when they are about 2 inches long, and have them 

 dressed and potted in the ordinary method of putting in cuttings. They will 

 root freely inside a shaded cold frame when kept close, with a rather moist 

 atmosphere. When rooted, pot singly into 3-inch pots ; and as soon as these are 

 filled with roots, shift them into two sizes larger pots rather than have them get 

 pot -bound before planting out. 



General Cultural Hints. — A richly-manured free soil will be found productive 

 both of vigour in the plant, and also quality and quantity of flower. The more 

 robust growths should be supported by means of neat stakes that reach some 

 distance up the stem ; but these stakes ought not to reach so high as to inter- 

 fere with the natural drooping grace of the flower-spikes. The tallest varieties 

 should be selected, and made to do duty in the centre of the bed when a group of 

 sorts has been determined on, bounding these with a ring of those less tall or 

 vigorous in their habit. This forms an excellent bed without the aid of other 

 kinds of plants. N or is it advisable to plant too closely together ; 15 inches apart 

 both ways will suit strong growers and 1 foot the weaker ones. 



SELECT LIST OF NEW VARIETIES. 



Some of these are truly remarkable advances on known sorts, others none the 

 less acceptable for the new shades, with other essential points of quality sus- 

 tained as a matter of course. 



Omega Kiger, throat purplish white, streaked maroon, one of the darkest, 

 quite a novelty. Little Pixie, purplish crimson throat, pencilled white, another 

 novelty. Densa (dwarf), colour bright scarlet, deep crimson throat pencilled 

 with white. Hugh Austin, light blue, white throat, stained dark rose, extra. 

 Tribune, dark rose-purple, like Mazeppa. Wonder, colour light rose-crimson, 

 pure white throat, veined pure, fine, open. Lomaria, pure white, slightly tinged 

 rose, fine spike, profuse bloomer, W. M. Dolben, purplish red, the throat 

 stained chocolate on the lower part, upper portion white, lobes streaked and 

 spotted chocolate, splendid. 



VARIETIES OF 1872. 



A. St Clair, light carmine throat, brushed, shining purple, distinct and flne. 

 ISIrs E,ose, clear red, with pure white throat. Floribunda, white throat, bor- 

 dered brisk red, fine. Eobert Fenn, a splendid sort, very distinct, throat plum, 

 with purple tubes. Stephen Wilson, pale mauve, throat white, well expanded, 

 solid perfect flower. 



OLDER VARIETIES. 



Agnes Laing, deep rose, clear white throat, excellent spike, flowers perfect. 

 Amabilis, purple, throat crimson, extra. Black Knight, deep maroon, throat 



