254 ZEA 



Ze'a — continued. 



65^ When 2 ins. high transfer singly into 2-in. 

 pots and place in a cool frame to gradually harden 

 ofif, finally exposing them to the open air. By June 

 the seedlings will be ready to plant out. Give a 

 rich soil and water freely. The variegation is not 

 shown in the first batch of leaves, but appears later. 



Zin'nia— Youth-and-Old-Age (named after Dr J. G. 

 Zinn, a German botanist). Nat. Ord Compositce. 



What Zinnias lack in grace and elegance they 

 certainly make up for in brilliancy and diversity of 

 colour, and though only half-hardy there are few 

 annuals more popular for bedding out purposes. 

 The taller kinds, having long stalks and lasting 

 well in water when cut, are in great request for 

 flower-vase arrangements. Coming from Mexico 

 and Texas they of course revel in sunshine and 

 cannot endure a degree of frost, so that they must 

 not be hurried out into the open until all chance 

 of that is over. They look best massed together 

 in a bed or in groups in the mixed border, and 

 being erect and strong stemmed are not easily 

 damaged by sudden storms. 



Double Zinnias are deserving of particular 

 notice, not only for the variety and splendour of 

 their colours, but also for their size. It has earned 

 its quaint name of Youth-and-Old-Age ivovnit^ rigid 

 and lasting rays and continued production of disk- 

 flowers, but it is not a name much used now. 

 Z. ^legans, IJ to 2 ft. high, is an erect and 

 branched plant having single flowers about 2 



