THE LARKSPUR 223 



It is, in fact, one of the most variable and pli- 

 able of plants comparable in this regard to the 

 dahlia. 



Such being the case, it is not surprising that 

 it has been found possible to develop new shades 

 of color, as well as much larger and finer flowers 

 than those of the original species. Forms with 

 wider petals, and others with twisted petals and 

 other variations of the corolla, have also been 

 developed. Even a double cosmos has been pro- 

 duced. But the species is comparatively new in 

 the flower garden, and offers therefore, rather 

 exceptional opportunities for the experimenter. 



The amateur who is looking for a plant that 

 has not been carried to anything like its limits 

 of variation may advantageously pay attention 

 to this graceful, attractive, and rapid-growing 

 composite. 



The extreme heat and long days of the sum- 

 mer even in high altitudes in the United States 

 makes possible the cultivation of a large number 

 of flowers that were originally of tropical habi- 

 tat. Among these no others are more familiar 

 or have retained their popularity more steadily 

 than the tribe of plants of the genus Ipomoea, 

 which numbers among its representatives plants 

 of such diversity as the morning-glory, the moon- 

 flower, the cypress vine, and the sweet potato. 



