198 GLENNYS HANDBOOK 



put in pretty close to each other, forming a triangle, with one 

 in front and two behind. A sandy loam is preferable for them. 

 They require no protection except in very severe weather, and 

 will bear a good deal of frost without injury. The plant has 

 grassy or leek-like leaves : the flower-stem comes up in the 

 centre, and from a sheath at the top bursts on one side the 

 bunch of flowers, which are white or yellow, with a yellow or 

 orange cup in the centre. The Jonquil is a species of Nar- 

 cissus, considerably smaller than the Polyanthus-Narcissus, 

 and very sweet-scented : there are varieties with both double 

 and single flowers. There is considerable variety among the 

 other species of Narcissus, all of which are worth growing as 

 border flowers. 



NASTURTIUM. [Cruciferfe.] The vulgar name often 

 given to TropiEolum, instead of the proper one of Indian Cress. 



NAVARETTIA. [Polemoniacese.] Dwarf hardy annuals, 

 closely related to Gilia and ^Egochloa, and requiring the same 

 treatment. They should be sown about the middle of April. 



NEJA. [Compositse.] Half-hardy sub-shrub, suitable for 

 summer beds. Light rich soil. Increased by cuttings. 



NEMESIA. [Scrophulariacese.] Half-hardy annuals or 

 perennials. Sandy, loamy soil. Increased by seeds or cuttings. 

 The best is N. floribunda, which flowers white and yellow. 



NEMOPHILA. [Hydrophyllacese.] Hardy annuals. Some 

 species of great beauty. The best is N. insignis, whose flowers 

 are very bright blue, with a white eye, and covering the plant 

 in its season : it is on this account a most beautiful plant for 

 clumps and beds which form parts of figures. For early 

 blooming it should be sown in autumn, and protected in cold 

 frames during winter : it may be sown in the pots or in a 

 patch. These plants, if potted, and afterwards planted out 

 in May, will bloom directly ; and others sown in spring, about 

 March and April, will be ready to furnish bloom as that of 

 the early ones declines. It is tolerably hardy, for self-sown 

 plants stand over ordinary winters. N. macnlata is another 

 showy species, but all the rest are only to be grown for the 

 sake of variety. For beds the seedlings should be put out 

 four inches apart, and the plants will then present a dense 

 mass of flowers. The soil should not be too rich, for if the 

 plants grow rank they become straggling, and flower less 



