THE LARKSPUR 221 



and intensity of flavor, it surpasses all others, 

 but apparently has no other merit. Whether it 

 will prove a sufficient value for introduction in 

 the vegetable garden is still problematical. 



A less familiar member of the Composite 

 family which, however, has gained rapidly in 

 popularity in recent years is the plant known as 

 cosmos. This is a Mexican species that is now 

 making its way into the flower gardens every- 

 where. It is related to the plant known as the 

 black dahlia (Bidens atrosanguinea) botanically, 

 yet the relationship is not so close that the two 

 can be combined, at least I have not been able to 

 cross them. 



A peculiarity of the cosmos, due doubtless to 

 its recent importation from a subtropical region, 

 is its habit of blooming only very late in the 

 autumn. This is sometimes regarded as a merit, 

 but as the plant is very tender, there is danger 

 that its blossoms will be destroyed by early 

 frosts. So the most important work done with 

 the plant in recent years is the production of 

 early-blooming varieties. The effort has been 

 so far successful that there are now varieties 

 that bloom in midsummer. The fact that this 

 modification has been brought about within a 

 comparatively few plant generations illustrates 

 the pliability of the cosmos. 



