156 COMPOSTT.^. 



producing numerous much-branched stems, clothed with smooth 

 lance-shaped leaves. The flower-heads are produced in open 

 spreading cor}'nnbs in immense profusion, and are dark blue or 

 purple blue. Native of North America. Flowers in September 

 and October. 



Bellis perennis {the Daisy). — It would be an act of temerity 

 to introduce the common Daisy as an ornamental herbaceous 

 plant, to which I shall not commit myself; and yet, were it not 

 that we, as cultivators, are called upon to wage constant warfare 

 against it as a weed, our eyes might not be so unwilling to re- 

 cognise the intrinsic beauty of the " wee, modest, crimson-tipped 

 flower" that gave inspiration to Scodand's sweetest singer. 

 There is a group, however, of beautiful double varieties of the 

 Daisy, which is unquestionably worthy of culture amongst the 

 choicest of hardy border perennials. In the eyes of the florist 

 they are great improvements on their too common parent, but 

 the poet would miss in them the modesty that charmed him in 

 it. There are a good many varieties of these pretty lowly 

 flowers in cultivation. There are white, purplish, pink, and 

 crimson sorts ; some are variegated in flowers, and others in 

 foliage; and there are one or two cro^vned sorts in which the 

 centre and circumference are in different colours; and the 

 curious proliferous variety, or Hen-and-Chicken Daisy, is not 

 the least interesting of the group. The elegant variegated- 

 leaved sort, which in catalogues is named aiiciibcBfolia^ is worthy 

 of special remark. The leaves are blotched and veined with 

 yellow. In heavy wet soils it is not easily kept in winter, and 

 is apt to run green. In such soils it should be lifted on the 

 approach of winter, and stored in pots in a cold frame. All 

 the double Daisies are fit ornaments of the mixed border and 

 the rock work, and are invaluable edgings to paths and beds in 

 cottage gardens ; and their early free-flowering character has 

 brought them recently into repute as spring-bedding plants. In 

 whatever way they may be used, they should be annually lifted 

 and relaid or planted in fresh soil ; or if not new — that is, if 

 they must be planted in the same position — it should be well 

 dug, and a little manure given. Propagate by division at any 

 time during the growing season. 



Bupthalmum salicifolium ( Willow-leaved Ox-Eye) . — This is 

 a very showy plant. It produces masses of narrow, lance- 

 shaped leaves, slightly downy. The stems are erect and 

 clothed with leaves, and bear large bright yellow flowers, 

 with broad - spreading rays. Flowers in July, August, and 

 September. Native of upland pastures and bushy places in 

 Austria, Switzerland, and southern Italy. It is an excellent 



