1873.] FLORIST FLOWERS. 179 



for indoor display ; in short, no conservatory should be without a few in summer. 

 They are extremely simple in their wants, cultivated in pots ; but what is 

 especially essential is to allow pots fully above the average in size, as a healthy 

 Phlox is furnished with an extraordinary number of roots. It is not necessary 

 to pursue the plan of giving successive shifts, but rather pot into those iu which 

 they are intended to be flowered, using a compost of three parts light fibry 

 loam, adding a fourth well-reduced cow-manure, and a moderate amount of sand 

 to make the compost porous. Drain sufficiently by means of broken pots, 

 covered with a rotten turf to prevent the soil mixing with the drainage. Turn 

 the plants out of the pots when about to give this final shift, and separate the 

 cramped roots with the fingers before potting. If the roots are very long cut 

 back the longest. Stake to prevent the stems being broken if they are at 

 all advanced. Water well, and give a temporary protection in cold frames 

 until they have made some progress in rooting. Especially guard against cold 

 winds and frost ; let them have all the sunshine at command, and plenty of air; 

 never permit them to flag for want of water. All the foregoing hints ought 

 strictly to be followed or the under foliage will be sacrificed, and along with it 

 one of the best features of the plant. 



A little manure-water is of much importance when the flowers begin to form, 

 which should be always given them up to the time the flowers begin to open. 

 At this stage the plants are ready to be jilaced in the showhouse. 



SELECT LIST (eaELY-FLOWERING). 



Lady Napier, white, extra form and richly fragrant (new). William Paul, 

 brisk deep rose, solid and fine (new). Miss H. C. H. Ritchie, glossy white, 

 eye bright dark rose, fine spike. White Lady, of the purest white, without a 

 stain, flowers solid, glossy, and perfect, enormous spike, keeps its foliage to 

 the end. Miss Baillie, shaded white touched with rose, fine spikes. Mrs 

 Hunter, flowers French- white, with a bright purple star-like centre ; the veins 

 are prominent on the upper surface of the petals, afl"ording the flower a solid 

 look ; pips immense size, of perfect outline, with excellent spike. jSIrs Ballan- 

 tyne, white, with neat delicate rose eye, extra. Her Majesty, pure white, 

 highly fragrant, and otherwise first-rate. George Goodall, rose lilac, great 

 flowers, and fine spike. John Baillie, deep rose, shading to purple, good flower. 

 James ISTeilson, rose jjurple, large crimson eye, good spike, extra. Roi des 

 Blanches, a most excellent white. 



late-flowering varieties. 

 Dr Masters, delicate rose, rich crimson eye, extra (new). Philippa Penglase, 

 flowers pale purple, with blazing pink eye — splendid in pots ; a most lively 

 variety. Mrs Dombrain, white, with glowing crimson eye, in every way one 

 of the first. Rosy Morn, a charming distinct peculiar shade of rose, beautiful, 

 compact, extra large spike, and flower very dwarf and compact, retains its fine 

 foliage to the end. Shirley Hibberd, shining carmine with deeper shades, 

 splendid flower and spike. Princess Louise, white suffused with blush, large 

 purple crimson eye of star form, distinct and good, ]SIrs Laird, rose lilac, has 

 a delicate pleasing effect, flowers handsome and perfect. ^Miss Maci'ae, white, 

 deep crimson eye, fine. Ange Gardien, paper- white, solid in texture, splendid 

 spike, extra in pots. Chanzy, rose lilac, very large and fine shades of crimson 

 in some instances present around the margin of the flowers. Comte de Lam- 

 bertye, violet red, puri)le centre. Madame Bonuaire, flowers large, of perfect 

 symmetry, solid and glossy, colour brilliant purple crimson, retains its foliage 



