28 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1878. 



mates, many from Siberia, and one of the newest, Cerulea, comes from 

 the Eocky Mountains, and all of the rest are found in high latitudes. 

 There are a great number of beautiful varieties, but I think the most beau- 

 tiful of all are Cerulea, blue and white, and Chrysantha, the "golden 

 spurred columbine.'' Coming, as they do, from cold regions wp can at 

 once see how very valuable they are, or may be, to New Englanders. 

 Our wild varieties are easily transplanted and readily adapt themselves 

 to their new location. 



The Clematis needs not to have its praises sounded. It shows for it- 

 self in many gardens in this city. Blooming freely where many plants 

 fail, and in so many different shades, from the large white varieties, and 

 small jessamine like flower and foliage of flammula, exquisitely fragrant, 

 through the different shades of mauve and purple, to Jackmani, who 

 wears the purple of the king right royally. Of the Phlox family enough 

 cannot be said. In the hardy varieties, instead of the three or four 

 varieties of years ago, we have an almost endless number of varieties? 

 and as they are constantly being added to, we have a great many to choose 

 from. Some kinds blooming earlier than others, if we are careful in 

 making our selection we can have a succession of bloom. The hardy 

 procumbent phlox (moss pink) every one is familiar with, and it is useful 

 for edging. Phlox Drummondi is valuable both for massing and cut 

 flowers. It really requires very little care after the plants are fairly 

 started, and it is to the annuals what the geranium and verbena are to 

 the tender green house bedding plants. In fact it is a most formidable 

 rival to the distinct and brilliant flowering plants. And here let me 

 mention a class of annuals and perennials which I consider of great 

 value : The Gypsophila muralis, a low growing, small pink annual, so light 

 and dehcate it seems almost as if to take it up would crush it, still it 

 keeps some time in water, and I think it is very lovely. Paniculata, 

 -hardy while perennial, flowering in panicles on thread-like stems, very 

 useful with olher flowers, giving a lightness unsurpassed to a bouquet or 

 dish of flowers. It is also useful for winter bouquets, drying like immor- 

 telles. 



Sweet Peas should be in every garden. Plant them as you would gar- 

 den peas, in wide, deep drills, and do not make the soil too rich, or you 

 will have more vines than blossoms. Some of the perennial varieties are 

 beautiful, but they lack the fragrance of the annual. 



The Pansy is a general favorite, and many cultivators are very success- 

 ful in raising plants from seed. Nothing is easier. Plant in boxes in the 

 spring for fall bloom, and in the ground in August or September for 

 spring bloom. Get the plants well started, if in the ground, and cover 

 lightly. If in the house or frame, set them in the ground as soon as it is 

 free from frosts. 



