68 THE HOME FLORIST. 



the highest by cultivators, on account of their rather distasteful fragrance, but are decidely too 

 beautiful to be entirely ignored for this reason. 



TAGETES SIGNATA PUMILIA. A splendid half-hardy annual, forming a dense globular 

 mass from one to one and one-half feet in diameter, and producing hundreds of bright yellow 

 and orange flowers on the surface. It is a handsome plant for the garden, and as easily grown 

 from seed as are the common Marigolds. 



MESEMBRYANTHEMUM, INCLUDING ICE AND DEW PLANTS (Greenhouse Perennial, 



33, 43 to 60, 90). 



A genus for the most part natives of the Cape of Good Hope. There are many varieties, 

 but the several I will here notice are the most valuable for ordinary cultivation*, and are highly 

 prized wherever introduced. All of these are of trailing habit, and being free growers they are 

 consequently very desirable for planting in baskets, vases, etc. They are also excellent for pot 

 culture in the window or conservatory, and very handsome if bedded, continuing in flower dur- 

 ing most of the season, and growing with great freedom in rich ground. 



M. Chrystallinium (Ice Plant), this variety is noted for the peculiar cold, icy appearance the 

 foliaga presents, the stems and leaves throughout being covered with crystal frost-like gems, 

 which render the plant very attractive. Grown from seed, and should be treated as a tender 

 annual. M. Cordifolium (Dew Plant), another variety possessing the remarkable features of 

 the Ice Plant to a slight extent, but, aside of this, is a stronger and more handsome grower gen- 

 erally, with rich deep green foliage, and is covered with a profusion of attractive small rosy-pink 

 blossoms almost constantly. This is one of the handsomest, drooping plants in cultivation for 

 hinging baskets, vases, etc., and also as a low, trailing bedding plant. Propagates from cut- 

 ting?. M. Cordifolium variegatum, similar to the preceding, but in addition, the foliage is varie- 

 gated in creamy white and green, which renders it exceedingly pretty for any use it is suited to. 

 M. Grandiflorum y a variety with round-pointed foliage, producing large pink flowers several 

 inches in diameter, more or less continually from early spring throughout the season. 



MIGNONETTE RESEDA (Hardy Annual). 



A deliciously fragrant flower, two well known to require any special description. It is easily 

 grown from seed, which may be sown very early in the spring where they are to flower, and 

 several times during the season for an abundance in succession, and may also be sown late in 

 the fall. Every garden should have a bed for cutting from. Some pots may be started in sum- 

 mer for winter flowering in the window or conservatory. Do not transplant well. 



MIMOSA SENSITIVA SENSITIVE PLANT (Tender Annual). 



A remarkable annual cultivated for the curious peculiarity of its delicate pinnate leaves, 

 which suddenly close and droop if touched or shaken. They open and regain their upright po- 

 sition in the course of an hour or two, without the least injury to themselves or the plant for the 

 surprising transition through which they have passed. The plant is only suitable for pot culture, 

 and may easily b_e reared from seed by sowing in a warm window or hot-bed. 



MIRABILIS JALAPA FOUR O'CLOCK FLOWER (Half-Hardy Annual or Perennial), 



A very ornamental plant of good habit ; glossy bright foliage with fragrant flowers, which 

 open about four o'clock in the afternoon, hence its appropriate common name. The plant 

 grows to several feet in height, and blooms profusely after mid-summer. The flowers include 

 various colors, such as different shades of red, red striped with white, red and yellow, yellow, 

 lilac striped with white, violet and white, and sport into many attractive variegations. May be 

 reared from seed planted in May where the plants are desired, or the roots may be taken up in 

 the fall and preserved like Dahlias during winter. The plants should stand two feet apart. 



M. Jalapafolis varicgata, a variety of the above, the leaves of which are faintly variegated 

 or marbled ; several colors of flowers. AT. Longiflora alba and violacea, with long, sweet scented 

 flowers, in the former, pure white with purple below, and in the latter, violet. 



MORNING GLORY. See Convolvulus. 

 MUSK PLANT. See description of Mimulus Moschatus, page 18. 



MYOSOTIS FORGET-ME-NOT (Half-Hardy Perennial). 



An old and well known genus of garden plants, growing about six inches high, which survive 

 our winters with protection. They bear in different varieties blue, yellow and white star-like 

 flowers with bright centers ; very small, but highly esteemed for their distinctness and perfection 

 of form ; these appear in little clusters during the greater portion of the season, if the plants 

 are grown in moist soil in a somewhat shaded situation a condition most favorable to their 

 growth. Easily raised from seed sown in early spring or in August. 



MYRTUS COMMUNIS MYRTLE (Greenhouse Perennial, 32, 43 to 50, 90). 

 This, the true Myrtle, is a pretty pot plant of erect shrubby habit, which has been grown 

 and highly esteemed for ages very remote. At the present day it is valued by florists for its 

 twigs of small dark, smooth foliage, which are a useful green in making wedding and funeral 

 bouquets and designs of white flowers, besides being slightly fragrant. The plant bears small 

 white flowers quite freely, and is of the easiest culture in the window or conservatory. 



