On the Cultivation of Annuals. J 81 



an erect stem and foliage, much resembling that of G. capitata, but 

 the flowers are very mucli longer, and instead of being collected in 

 globose heads, widely spread at the end of long peduncles, they are 

 few in number in each head ; but the peduncles being much shorter, 

 and very numerous, they form a large and rather dense panicle, in 

 which the deep orange of the centre of the color, and the light 

 purple or white of the margin, separated by a circle of deep purple, 

 show off to advantage. It is cultivated as easily as the G. capitata." 

 G'llia achiUa.Jdlia (Milfoil-leaved Gilia). This is also a native 

 of California, and was sent from thence by Mr. Douglass. It is a 

 hardy annual, and requires the same treatment as the G. tricolor. 

 The flowers grow in corymbs rather more dense than the latter, of a 

 purple color, and are abundantly produced throughout the season. 



Madia tltgans (Elegant Madia). This is a new and very pretty 

 annual. The seeds should be innnediately sown in the flower bor- 

 der, and when the plants are an inch or two high, they should be 

 transplanted singly into situations where wanted, selecting, however, 

 a rather shady part of the border, as the bright sunshine causes the 

 petals of the flowers to cuil up, thus destroying much of their 

 beauty. Early in the morning, or just at night, the blossoms appear 

 exceedingly splendid. It grows about two feet high. 



Salvia augustifolia (Narrow-leaved sage). This species of the 

 splendid genus Salvia, is quite new to our gardens. The fine vivid 

 blue flowers with which the plants are covered, form a delightful 

 contrast when growing near the S. splendens, and fulgens. The 

 plants grow about a foot in height, and are easily raised from seed ; 

 and also increased by cuttings like the other species. Sow the seed 

 immediately in a warm part of the border ; and remove the young 

 seedlings, when they have made three or four leaves, where wanted 

 to flower. They will bloom profusely until cold weather. It is a 

 native of IMexico, and if the seeds do not ripen, the plants may be 

 preserved in a green-house or cold frame, until spring. 



Commehna ca'lestis (Sky-blue commelina). A very delicate an- 

 nual (and perennial), belonging to the Tradescanteae family. It 

 should more properly be treated as a tender annual, but if the seeds 

 are sown early in this month, in a warm and sheltered situation, they 

 will vegetate freely, and the plants will flower profusely during the 

 latter part of the season. They delight in a rich, moist soil, in a 

 sunny situation ; the plants bear removal, without any injury. 

 The tubers should be taken up on the approach of frost, and pro- 

 tected through the winter, by placing them in a w^arm cellar, in a 

 similar situation with Dahlias, as they are a native of Mexico. The 

 tubers should be set out again in spring, and if planted in small 

 patches, they will display their brilliant blue flowers, from June to 

 October. 



ClarMa pulchllla (Beautiful Clarkia). This is certainly one of 

 the most beautiful of our hardy annuals. It is a native of Colombia, 



