TO THE FLOWER GxVRDEN. 73 



May. They increase freely from seeds, as well as division. 

 The hardy sorts may be sown in the borders, in March, in 

 damp peaty soil. The evergreen trailing kinds increase by 

 cuttings, and for the most part require stove heat. 



CO]S[A^^THERA. [Liliaceae.] Pretty half-hardy bulbs. 

 Dryish, sandy, loamy soil. Propagated by offsets. 



CONOSPEPtMUM. [ProteacefB.] Greenhouse evergreen 

 shrubs. Sandy peat soil. Increased by cuttings in sand 

 under bell-glasses. 



CONOTHAMNUS. [Myrtaceae.] Greenhouse evergreen 

 shrubs. Soil, peat and loam. Increased by cuttings in sand 

 under bell-glasses. C. trinervis, flowers red, in June. 



CONVALLARIA. Ltly of the Valley. [Liliacege.] 

 This universally admired plant is a dwarf herbaceous peren- 

 nial, and its spikes of drooping white, deliciously fragrant 

 flowers, and broad green leaves, form one of the loveliest of 

 nature's contrasts in colouring — rich green and pure white. 

 There are varieties, in one of which the flowers are pinkish, 

 and in the other double white ; but the simple form is the 

 most attractive. They grow in common garden soil, and 

 flourish in shady places. The plants are increased by dividing 

 the roots. Planted in pots they are beautiful subjects for 

 forcing into earlv bloom. 



CONVOLVULUS. Bendweeu. [Convolvulace*.] Orna- 

 mental plants, with trumpet-shaped flowers, which are great 

 favourites in gardens. The best known are known as the 

 Convolvulus 7najor and the Convolvulus minor of gardens, 

 the former of which belongs to another family, called Phar- 

 BiTjs, which see ; and the hardy annual species, of which 

 C. tricolor, and its white and dark blue varieties are the best, 

 should be sown in pots in March for early bloom, and again 

 in April and May, in the open borders, for a succession. 

 C. tricolor is a fine border plant, and where the beds are 

 large it is a good flower for masses ; for, though a little strag- 

 gling, it is not more so than can be controlled. C. scam- 

 monia, among the hardy perennial kinds, is a very pretty 

 twiner, and like the rest is best increased by seeds, and need 

 only be planted in a dry, well-drained situation, in good 

 lightish garden soil. The half-hardy kinds chiefly need pro- 

 tection at the root against wet during winter. There are 



