148 DIPSACE.^. 



DIPSACE^. 



The most valuable genus in this tribe is Morina ; and it is a 

 choice and rather rare plant. In extensive collections of mixed 

 ornamental and botanical subjects, one or two species of Cephal- 

 aria may be tolerated; but they are generally rather coarse 

 plants, and not very long-lived perennials, requiring periodical 

 attention in the matter of lifting and replanting in order to 

 keep them vigorous. Scabiosa is the most numerous genus, and 

 comprises a few handsome species ; but the majority are either 

 coarse or slightly ornamental, fit only at the most for natural- 

 ising on banks in half-kept parts of grounds. 



Morina longifolia, syn. M. Wallichiana {Long-leaved M.) — 

 This is one of the most beautiful of border-plants. It produces 

 dense tufts of bright-green, wavy-margined, spine-toothed leaves, 

 from 9 inches to i foot long, and i or 2 inches broad. The 

 flower-stems are stout, erect, and about 18 inches or 2 feet 

 high, clothed -s^dth shorter leaves, but otherwise the same as 

 those of the roots, in the axils of which appear the handsome 

 whorls of tubular, two-lipped, red-and-white flowers in July 

 and onwards for a couple of months. The plant is accounted 

 half-hardy, but is quite hardy in any part of the country. It is, 

 however, impatient of wet stagnant soil, and assumes the bien- 

 nial character in such ver)' often. It flourishes best in light 

 rich loam of considerable depth, being a deep tap-rooting plant. 

 It ripens seeds pretty freely in many parts of the countr}^, and 

 may be easily kept in stock by means of these — sowing a few 

 annually, or when requirements dictate, in spring, either in heat 

 or in a cold frame in pots. Increase may be effected also by 

 means of division in spring; but if doing well the plant should 

 not often be disturbed, though when signs of weakness begin 

 to show themselves in the centre of the tuft, it is advisable to 

 lift and replant in fresh soil. Native of India. 



Scabiosa {Scabious). — The Sweet Scabious, so well known as 

 a border annual, is one of the best of this family ; indeed none 

 of the perennial species are equal to it in showiness, though 

 a few are more neat and trim border-plants. They flourish 

 best in light, rich, well-drained loam, and are easily increased 

 by seed and division ; and some shrubby or half- shrubby 

 species may be increased by cuttings. I make but a small 

 selection, but they are amongst the best of the species at pre- 

 sent in cultivation. 



S. agrestis {FieM Scabious). — This species is nearly related 

 to the British S. Columbaria. It forms tufts of slightly-divided 



