70 . 



voody branches having clusters of narrow leaves like those of the 

 Larch-tree; the tlowers are produced from the side of the branches, 

 upon long slender peduncles singly; they are of a pale blue colour, 

 and appear the beginning of March. It is a native of the Cape. 



Culture.-^-'Thc hardy kinds of these plants easily succeed in 

 almost any soil or situation. The first sort, and varieties being an- 

 nual plants, arc propagated by sowing the seeds of the different kinds 

 from the beginning of March to May, on a very moderate hot-bed, 

 just to bring up the plants, the air being admitted as much as possi- 

 ble when the weather is suitable, in order to promote the vigorous 

 growth of the plants; when they are sufficiently strong they should 

 be planted out either into beds of good earth at six inches distance 

 each way, or into tlie places where they are to remain, in the borders 

 or other parts: the latter is probably the better practice, as they grow- 

 more strongly. In the bed method they are usually transplanted 

 after a i'ew weeks, with large balls of earth to their roots, into the 

 situations M'here they are to flower, the mould being made fine about 

 them. A few of the fine double varieties may also be put in pots. 

 Moist weather is the most suitable for this business, but in other cir- 

 cumstances a little water should be given immediately after the earth 

 has been closed round their roots, as well as in future when it may 

 be necessary. 



But when the sowing is not made at an early period, the best 

 practice is to let it be done in the situations where the plants are to 

 grow, which should be rather warm and dry, the moidd being made 

 fine by a rake in the spots Avhere they are to be put in, as in this 

 way their growth is less checked than when transplanted. 



In either method of sowing, care should be taken that the seed 

 be only covered in a very light manner, and tliat the mould be made 

 very fine. .;. 



The only further culture which they require, is that of keeping 

 the plants perfectly free from weeds, and well supported in the time 

 of flowering. 



The whole of the hardy American sorts as well as the Italian 

 species may be readily increased by parting the roots. In the 



