262 glenny's handbook 



ill sand}'- soil. Loam and peat in equal quantities form p 

 proper compost for it. The cuttings, when rooted, should bt 

 potted off, and only changed from small to larger pots whei) 

 the roots actually fill them, because it is desirable to check as 

 much as possible the growth of store plants. For pot culture 

 they are mostly too large, as they do not flower freely without 

 having previously made extensive growth. When planted in 

 the conservatory border they wdll half cover the place with rosy 

 blossoms. They are admirable conservatory climbers. T. 

 manicata, crimson ; T. mollissima, rose ; and T. pinnatistipula, 

 pink, are the chief varieties. 



TAGETES. [Corapositae.] This genus contains the 

 French and African Marigolds, both well-known and showy 

 annual flowers. These plants have long been favourites in 

 gardens, and both have greatly improved under careful culti- 

 vation, so that the fine double varieties of each are really 

 splendid objects. The African is of a rich golden colour, and 

 very large. The French is of a rich brown, dark or light, but 

 variously blotched or edged with bright golden yellow : in a 

 large number of seedlings scarcely two will give flowers alike, 

 and, indeed, on the same plant it is difficult to find two in all 

 respects identical. Both kinds are raised from seed, and to 

 get them early they should be sown in heat about March. 

 When tliey germinate they mus.t have plenty of air to prevent 

 their becoming drawn up. Plant the French sort out towards 

 the middle of May about three in a patch, because the 

 diversity of colour assists by its contrasts in producing a good 

 effect. This, however, does not apply to the African sort, 

 which may be put out singly, because they are not variegated, 

 and also because they are larger, and one plant makes show 

 enough in a place. When the French Marigold is planted 

 out in a bed it is very gaudy, and the numberless varieties in 

 the mixture of only two colours, brown and yellow, is wonder- 

 ful, the differences merely consisting in the blotching, edging, 

 and general marking of the flowers. All single and semi- 

 double ones ought to be pulled up and thrown away the instant 

 they can be detected ; and if choice ones are prized it is very 

 desirable that this should be carried out through all the 

 borders, as well as in the seed-bed, which every one should 

 have for the purpose of saving seed. Besides those sown in 



