274 AMEKICAN PLANTS. 



will be found gi-owing in low ground, like the Lilies, but in a 

 ditferent soil ; the former appear on the richest soil, and where 

 they can get more moisture when growing. These grow on dry 

 banks, where the soil is frequently thin and gravelly, generally 

 overhanging streams and ditches of water. In such situations — 

 deep valleys — the climate during the growing season is hot and 

 humid, whilst the roots, it may be, are running amongst gravel 

 comparatively dry, and at other seasons perfectly so. How then 

 can it be expected such plants will grow in the wet cold soil of an 

 English herbaceous flower-garden? They are blooming finely in 

 their native wilds the middle of September. In cultivating these 

 plants, give a sandy loam with a little leaf-mould, but no 

 manure ; use a quantity of stones among the soil; and above all, 

 whether in-doors or out, let it be thoroughly drained. In pots 

 will be the better way to grow it, as it then can be given plenty 

 heat when growing. Bear in mind careful watering when 

 growing, and little or none at any other season. 



Asclepias incarnata is a well-known fine herbaceous plant. In 

 its native haunts it grows on " uplands," which may be called 

 dry, and exposed to a burning sun iu summer. Many, or indeed 

 most of the other Asclepiads thrive in a low moist soil, such as is 

 favourable to the growth of the Lily ; and frequently in the 

 skirts of woods where the shade is not too dense. In such 

 habitats may be found A. nivea, verticillata, and many others ; 

 but never A. incarnata. The former, when found growing where 

 the soils are dry, and in company with A. incarnata, are generally 

 very feeble, and, as a consequence, the treatment which suits one 

 will not the other. Beautiful as is A. incarnata, some of the 

 light coloured varieties are equally splendid; in fact they will 

 compare with the finest Hoyas. Under cultivation these plants 

 should be grown in a rich soil, in a very warm rather close house. 

 They will repay any care given them, as no plants are more 

 beautiful. I might run over many other plants which are equally 

 beautiful, though lost sight of 



In order to give some idea of our hot summers, I will just 

 observe a fact connected with Kalmia latifolia. This is one of the 

 commonest undergrowths we have in our forests. Occasionally, 

 when the " white man " clears away the native forest, he will 

 leave some clumps of these near his residence ; but they will soon 

 dwindle gradually away under the burning suns of summer. In 

 fact they must have shade to live ; and when transplanted to our 

 gardens it must be in a shady spot. What a contrast to England, 



