34 



purpose. The proper soil or earlli for this use is ihal of the light 

 sandy kind. The seed should be sown as evenly as possible, but 

 rather thick, and be covered by sifting light mould over it to the 

 depth of about a quarter of an inch. The only attention necessary 

 afterwards is that of occasionally shading the plants from the effects 

 of the sun in hot weather, and giving them a gentle watering now 

 and then. In about six weeks the plants will show themselves, when 

 they should be kept perfectly free from Aveeds till the leaves begin 

 to decay, when a covering of light sifted mould should be again ap- 

 plied, and another in the autumn may sometimes be required. 

 During the winter they should be well protected from the frosts. la 

 the second summer many of the plants will flower, and the best may be 

 marked by a slick; but none should be destroyed till the third year. 

 At this period the roots will begin to be too thick, and at the decay 

 of the leaves must of course be taken uji, which is best done by pass- 

 ins; the mould lhr(jugh a fine sieve. And as Avlien sown in beds 

 many roots will be unavoidably left, they should be levelled, and 

 suffered to remain till the following year. The routs that have 

 been separated should be preserved, as before directed, for future 

 j)lanling. 



These are all highly ornaincnlal plants, cai)able of being cm- 

 ployed with much efiect in pleasure-grounds: many of them are 

 hardy, flower early, and produce great variety in such situations. 

 The wood sorts are very useful in adorning wilderness quarters. The 

 double sorts, when in beds, afford much beauty and vaiiety. 



In tlie i)HhatUla kinds the propagation may be accomplished 

 eidier by the seed or dividing the roots. In the first method the 

 seeds should be sown in boxes or pots filled Avith very light sandy 

 earth, and not covered too deep with mould, which will prevent 

 their rising, as they require no more than just to be covered. The 

 boxes should be placed where thej may have the advantage of the 

 morning sun, but be screened from it in the heat of the day; and 

 when the season is dry the earth be refreshed occasionally witli 

 water. Tlic best lime for sowing is in July or August, soon after the 

 seed is ripened; as b^' keeping its vegetative power is apt to be de- 



