Digitalis Freesia- Fuchsia 



attention are D. grandiflora, a most beautiful yellow variety ; the 

 Giant Spotted, which produces handsome flowers, rich and varied in 

 colour, on dense spikes four feet in height ; and the tall white variety 

 with its abundance of charming ivory-white bells, which are occa- 

 sionally slightly spotted. 



Any deep rich soil suits the Digitalis, and seed sown in May, 

 June, or July will produce seedlings which, with very little attention, 

 will yield a fine display of flowers in the following summer. Sow 

 in the open in pans, or on a prepared border, and put the young 

 plants into permanent positions during showery weather in August 

 or September. 



FREESIA 



Half-hardy perennial 



THE FREESIA is another of the bulbous flowers that can be easily 

 raised from seed. Use a rich compost, and sow under glass in 

 January, February, or March, as may best suit convenience. Seed 

 should be sown again in August, to supply flowers in spring or sum- 

 mer of the following year. The brittleness of the roots makes 

 re-potting a hazardous operation. It is therefore wise to sow in 

 48-pots, and thin to four or five plants in each. When re-potting 

 becomes imperative, it must be done with a gentle hand, and the 

 bulbs ought to be carefully matched for each pot. The position 

 chosen for Freesias should be light and freely ventilated in mild 

 weather, but they will not endure a cutting draught. 



FUCHSIA 



Greenhouse shrub 



To RAISE Fuchsias from seed will be new practice to many ; but it 

 is both interesting and inexpensive, and every year it secures an 

 increasing number of adherents. Seed may be sown at almost any 

 time of the year ; if a start be made in January or February, the 

 plants will bloom in July or August. The soil for the seed-pots 

 should be somewhat firm in texture, but a light rich compost ought 

 to be employed when the plants come to be potted off, and the final 

 shift should be into a mixture containing nearly one-third of decayed 



243 R2 



