14 RAXU^XULACE/E. 



in view, and placed in a cold frame, handlight or bell-glass. 

 They may also be propagated in autumn by cuttings when 

 extraordinary increase is necessary. A plant in full growth 

 should be cut down in the middle or latter end of July, and 

 stimulated immediately into growth with liquid manure; and in 

 three weeks or a month the cuttings will be fit to take, and may 

 be treated in the same way under hand-glasses as pipings of 

 Pinks and other hardy herbaceous subjects. In the case of 

 some hybrids of recent production, division or cuttings must 

 be resorted to for increase, as they are sterile and do not pro- 

 duce seeds. The following short selection embraces some of 

 the best and most distinct of the species, hybrids, and varieties 

 of the group : — 



D. alopecuroides is a splendid sort, with dense racemes of 

 pale-blue double flowers. It grows from 3 to 4 feet high, and 

 flowers in June, July, August, and September. One of the best. 



D. Barlowi {Barlow's D.) — This sort grows about 4 feet 

 high, with noble racemes of bright-blue single or double flowers. 

 It is a garden hybrid; and the double is the best, being most 

 lasting in bloom. Flowers in July, August, and September. 

 Of garden origin. 



D. bella donna. — This is one of the sterile hybrids alluded 

 to above. It is an erect, very handsome sort, growing 2 or 3 

 feet high, producing fine racemes of lovely azure-blue flowers. 

 Perhaps in its own peculiar colour this hybrid is unsurpassed 

 for soft lovely effect. Flowers in July, August, and September. 

 The flowers are single. 



D. cheilanthum {Lip-floivered D.) — This is one of the older 

 species. It is of erect branching habit, about 4 to 5 feet high. 

 The flowers are not of the largest size individually, but are 

 numerous, in long racemes, and intense dark blue. Flowers 

 in July, August, and September. D. cheilantJmm var. multi- 

 plex is a beautiful double-flowered sort, one of the finest of the 

 dark-blues. 



D. elatum {Tall D.) grows 5 or 6 feet high, with strong erect 

 stems and five-lobed leaves. The racemes are loose, but long; 

 the flowers are blue, and appear in July, August, and September. 

 This is one of the older species, a native of Siberia, and is very 

 striking and handsome, though deficient in floral brilliancy 

 when compared with some of the recently-introduced hybrids 

 and varieties. There is a double-flowered sort which cannot 

 be considered much of an improvement on the normal fonn. 



D. formosum {Beautiful D.) — This well-known sort is of 

 hybrid origin. It grows 3 or 4 feet high, with stems of medium 

 strength and somewhat straggling, producing graceful racemes 



