286 THE .FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



frame until large enough to plant out. Self-sown seedlings occur 

 abundantly in the border where plants have flowered, and may be 

 planted out in September or October. It is an important matter, 

 in managing the seed-pans, not to allow the soil to become dry, for 

 that is fatal to the germination of the seed. The varieties most 

 prized are those with laced borders, the ground colour being dark 

 crimson, maroon, or black, and the lacing consisting of regular 

 marginal bands of various shades of yellow or orange. The named 

 varieties grown in pots for exhibition are of this class. The " giant " 

 polyanthuses are the most showy for the border and the parterre, 

 being of all colours, and in many cases most beautiful. The follow- 

 ing distinct varieties are particularly desirable : — Double Yellow, 

 Hose-in-Hose, Double White, and Golden Plover. 



THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



|HIS fine autumn plant is now an object of some solicitude 

 on the part of the villa gardener. The chrysanthemum 

 fittingly closes the list of what may be termed leading 

 flowers, and that the weather may remain mild enough 

 to allow of the plants blooming in all the fulness and 

 perfection of their beauty, is an ardent desire on the part of all villa 

 gardeners. If the chrysanthemums are growing against the wall — 

 and they should occupy a south or west wall for the sake of getting 

 all the sunshine they can — it is an easy matter to give the plants 

 some protection by night. A neighbour of ours, who loves the 

 chrysanthemum dearly, and yet by reason of the absence of glass is 

 obliged to grow his plants in the open ground, has made a perma- 

 nent plantation of them against a six-feet back wall. In front of 

 the wall is a border some three feet in width, and at this season of 

 the year this is made a pleasant chrysanthemum garden. The plants 

 against the wall, being treated liberally, make a vigorous growth, 

 and the shoots are kept fastened to lengths of galvanized iron wire 

 running the length of the wall, just as they are set up for training 

 fruit-trees. As the cultivator does a little in the way of exhibiting, 

 it is obvious that, to have clean flowers, there must be protection 

 from rain, etc., as well as from frost. For this purpose he has a 

 movable wooden framework, in the form of a slight sloping roof, 

 raised a foot from the wall at the back, but so constructed as to rest 

 upon the wall, and in the front to uprights placed in the ground. It 

 is about thirty feet in length, and of homely construction ; and it 

 can be placed in position or removed with but little labour and 

 difficulty. The top is covered with a thin oiled canvas, which gives 

 plenty of light, and effectually prevents any rain from falling on the 

 flowers. Air can be given at pleasure, if needed, at the top of the 

 wall along the back. The front is open to all the sunny influences 

 that can be obtained ; and, in case of heavy frost or cold winds, a 

 oovering of tiffany can be placed along the front. 



