TO THE FLOWER GARDEN. S17 



Thev require arranging according to their heights, as well as 

 according to their blooming season, when grown in collections, 

 fur some are early, others very late. Every year produces 

 novelties, hut many of the varieties are similar ; consequently 

 a few showy and strikingly different sorts should be selected, 

 and these are very desirable in a flower garden. In choosing 

 Phloxes those which are dwarf and most abundantly bloomed, 

 with individual flowers large and quite circular, should be 

 selected. They grow well in any good light garden soil if the 

 situation is not too dry in summer, but thrive better in beds 

 of peat soil. In sandy loam, enriched with equal parts leaf- 

 mould, they also grow very luxuriantly. If in beds by them- 

 selves, and the plants are small, they require to be planted 

 about a foot apart. They are propagated by parting the root, 

 and may be raised from seed : the former perpetuates any 

 approved variety, the latter gives us a chance of obtaining 

 new ones. The established sorts are propagated by dividing 

 the roots, and the plants should be allowed to remain two or 

 three seasons, for they are the better for spreading out a 

 little. New varieties are obtained from seed, which should 

 be sown about May, and the young plants planted in rows 

 in a nicely prepared bed. In the next season when they 

 bloom the best are to be selected for special culture : the 

 others serve as good border flowers. The dwarf trailing sojts 

 are veiy beautiful for rockwork not too much exposed to 

 drought. 



P. Drummondi, an annual species, is one of the greatest 

 acquisitions of late years to the list of popular flowers, and 

 many varieties of it have been raised, deserving all the pains 

 that can be taken with them for the border, and forming also 

 the most showy of flowering plants for pots during summer. 

 The colours vary a good deal, and there is no dependence on 

 any seed bringing plants quite similar in colour to the parent ; 

 but the general form of the plant, and its pi'etty and abundant 

 blooming habit, are maintained. The seed should be sown in 

 gentle heat in March or April, and as soon as the plants are 

 large enough to handle they are to be pricked out an inch 

 apart in wide-mouthed pots, where, for economy of space, they 

 may remain for three or four weeks, and may be kept in the 

 greenhouse or in a frame. When they have grown so as 



