DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 239 



If required to grow in tliick clumps, tbcy should not be 

 often moved, and then with great care, pressing the earth 

 close to their roots ; a strong, rich, loamy soil is best for 

 them ; seed for varieties and double flowers should be 

 sown in July or August, or as soon as ripe — some say the 

 transplanting should take place in August ; I am of a dif- 

 ferent opinion, and think it should take place as soon as 

 the flowering is over; in August the blossoms for the en- 

 suing spring are forming at the base of the foliage, and to 

 check this operation would destroy the flowers, whereas, 

 moving in May only endangers the ripening of the seed 

 which is not wanted. 



Double Sepaticas in pots are sold in large quantities 

 by the gardeners in England, and fiom the absence of 

 foliage the pot apj^ears entirely filled with flowers. 



The double white variety is considered rare. 



HESPERIS.— Gakden Rocket. 



{Hesperis—hom a Greek word, signifying evening. The flower is more 

 Iragiant towards evening, than at any otlier period of the day.] 



H^speris matronalis, Dame's Yiolet— Sweet Rocket. — 

 The single varieties of this fragrant flower are common in 

 most gardens. It is a biennial or imperfect perennial, 

 three to four feet high, easily raised from seeds, producing 

 the second year flowers of various shades, from pure white 

 to purple, on long spikes ; in May and June. Fine va- 

 rieties may be perpetuated by divisions of the root, or by 

 cuttings. The double vaiieties of this flower are superb, 

 and highly esteemed for their fragrance and beauty. 

 There is a purple and white variety, both very double, 

 forming a spike about one foot high. It was known in 

 Gerarde's time, and cultivated by him in 1597. He re- 

 marks : *' By the industry of some of our florists, within 



