TO THE FLOWER GARDEN. 141 



preferable), and never succeed well in soil where there is 

 stagnant moisture. They deserve a place in every choice 

 o^arden for their dwarf habit, bright colours, and early flowers. 

 The plants increase by side-shoots, which spread into a 

 moderate-sized tuft in a season or two if undisturbed. They 

 are increased in number by separating these tufts, so that 

 each heart or side-shoot with roots attached may become a 

 plant. This is done in spring, the roots being separated into 

 pieces not too small ; for, although the smallest bit would in 

 time spread, they would be two or three seasons before they 

 were fit to plant in the borders. These should be planted in 

 nursery-beds, about six inches apart, and after one season's 

 growth they will be large enough to plant out where they are 

 to remain. Tbe beds must be kept clear from weeds, and 

 the earth stirred upon the surface between the plants in 

 February. These plants are rather impatient of extreme 

 drought, Tbe double varieties are superior to the single, 

 and therefore are mostly cultivated ; but the double white is 

 very scarce, if not altogether lost, and therefore tbe single 

 white is grown. They are all pretty, double and single. 



HERACLEUM. Cow Parsnip. [Umbelliferse.] Large 

 coarse-growing hardy perennials and biennials, bearing large 

 umbels of white flowers. The larger sorts are admirable 

 plants for rough borders, rockwork on a large scale, wilder- 

 ness scenery, or wherever a bold, striking, picturesque effect is 

 required. Soil, deep rich loam. Increased abundantly by 

 seeds. H. giganteum, H. WilhelmsicE, and H. Persicum are 

 some of the best for these purposes. 



HERBERTIA. [Iridaceee.] Pretty little greenhouse or 

 half-hardy bulbs. Soil, sandy loam, with one-fourth peat. 

 Increased by off'sets or by seeds. Like other half-hardy 

 bulbs, they may be cultivated in well-drained borders if 

 planted six or eight inches deep. 



HERMANNIA. [Byttneriacese.] Greenhouse evergreen 

 shrubs, closely related to Mahernia. Soil, fibry loam and 

 peat in equal parts, with a liberal addition of sand. Being 

 free-growing plants, they require to be frequently renewed 

 from cuttings, which will root if planted in sandy soil under 

 a bell-glass in spring. 



HERON'S BILL. See Erodium. 



