294 HARDY HERBACEOUS FLOWERS. 



no very distinctive characters. All are beautiful, and new seed- 

 lings are being constantly produced, crowding out the old 

 favorites, to be in turn supplanted by those that come after. 



DiCTAMNUs. — The Fraxinella. — This singular plant has an 

 odor something like that of lemon-peel, especially noticeable if 

 the leaves or stalk be gently rubbed. In warm midsummer 

 weather, when the plant is in bloom, the odor is strongest, and 

 it is said that an inflammable vapor is exhaled from its resinous 

 secretions in sufficient quantity to admit of being set on fire, 

 though we have never tried the experiment. There are two 

 varieties, a red and a white flowered, both blooming in June and 

 July, and growing to the height of about two feet. In Nova 

 Scotia it requires to be planted in favorable situations, and to be 

 protected in winter. In Western Ontario it seems to be suffi- 

 ciently hardy in weU-drained soU, but very impatient of wet. 

 It is raised from seed, which should be sown in the autumn as 

 soon as ripe. 



DiANTHUs. — The Pink. — An universal favorite that needs no 

 description, finding a place in every garden, and consisting of 

 many varieties. These varieties are such as to be worthy, in 

 many cases, of individual mention, and requiring often various 

 treatment. 



Garden PinJc. — This is sufficiently hardy to endure our 

 winters, suffering only if allowed to become large, when the 

 shoots form such a mat that they damp off or rot from excess of 

 moisture. It requires a good, rich garden sod, that is thoroughly 

 weU drained. We have found that by layering the shoots after 

 the plants have done flowering, and thus keeping up a supply of 

 young plants, there is no difficulty in preserving them in the climate 

 of that part of Western Ontario within the influence of the lakes, 

 but if this be neglected, they are almost sure to go in winter 

 with the damp. Florists have laid down certain rules, by which 

 the quality of the flowers is decided ; those having large and 

 broad petals, with finely fringed edges, the ground color being 

 white or rose, with a dark velvety eye, and a delicate lacing of 



