176 MENTZELIA 



Mentze'lia — continued. 



Propagate the annual varieties by seed sown 

 J in. deep in February in temp. 65°, growing the 

 seedlings on in a frame, giving liberal shifts. Soil, 

 fibry loam, and a small quantity of leaf- mould and 

 sand. Plant out in May in a sunny, well-drained 

 border. They may also be sown, but with more 

 risk, in the open in mild weather in April where 

 they are intended to flower, and thinned out at 

 about 1 ft. apart when an inch high. M. Lindley'i, 

 however, may be sown for spring flowering the 

 autumn before, about September, and prefers a 

 sandy soil. The biennials, sow the previous May 

 or early June in the open in the reserve garden, 

 when they will be large enough in the autumn to 

 move to blooming quarters for the next summer. 



Mesembryan^themum — Fig Marigold (from Gr. mesem- 

 bria, mid-day, and anthemon, flower). Nat. Ord. 

 Ficoidew. 



Nearly all the species of this numerous family 

 are perennial, but there are a few annuals to 

 note. Being natives of warm climates they are 

 rather tender and revel in the sunshine on an old 

 wall or rockery even in the poorest soil. They 

 generally flower about July till cut down by frost. 



M. crystalli'num, or Ice Plant, is a dwarf trailing 

 plant covered with icy-looking warts and 

 sometimes used for garnishing ; the star-like 

 flowers are small and white. There is also a 

 pink variety. A native of Greece, 1775. 



