(ENOTHEKA PBOSTEATA. 



165 



the soil, and obviate the necessity of frequent watering ; but as soon as the seedlings 

 are above the soil, the glass should be partially removed, as too much care cannot 

 be taken to preserve them from damping off. When sufficiently large to transplant, 

 they should be potted two or three together in four-inch pots, using a mixture of 

 sandy loam and leaf-mould or peat ; good drainage must be ensured by a handful of 

 crocks. In May the plants may be transferred to the borders, with their balls of 

 earth entire. We are inclined to think that the seed might be sown in the open 

 borders about the middle of April, if the soil is light, and a hand-light can be placed 

 over the patch, for the first month or so. The plant may also be grown in pots for 

 the window, or green house ; and in this situation it will be more likely to ripen seed 

 than in the open ground. 



The generic term, Microsperma, has been applied in reference to tho smallness of 

 the seeds, from micros, small, and sperma, seed ; but it cannot be said to be very 

 appropriate, inasmuch as these organs, although comparatively minute, are far less 

 so than in many other plants. 



OENOTHERA PHOSTRATA. 



Prostrate Evening Primrose. 

 Linnean Class— Octandrta. Order— Monogynia. Natural Order— Onagracejj. 



Under the name of CE. riparia, this pretty dwarf Evening Primrose is now some- 

 what generally known. Its flowers are by no means the largest or handsomest of 

 the tribe ; but as it appears to be well adapted for bedding purposes, or as an 

 edging to groups of taller plants, a figure of it will, we hope, be acceptable to some 

 of our subscribers. 



The coarse habit of the common CE. biennis excludes it from most gardens of any 

 pretensions ; but among the dwarfer species, are to be found subjects which scarcely 

 yield in interest to any other of our hardy border plants. Who that has once 

 grown the beautiful CE. speciosa, taraxieifolia, ccespitosa, or macrocarpa, has ever 

 willingly discontinued their culture ? 



The first of these, speciosa, with white flowers, has been supposed difficult to 

 preserve. We know not what can have given rise to such an impression, for with 

 only the commonest attention, this beautiful species will live through our severest 

 winters in the open border, and no plant is more readily increased by cuttings. 

 The short side shoots slipped off, root in two or three weeks if placed in sandy 

 loam under a bell-glass or tumbler, without the aid of bottom heat. It also throws 



