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fear it might not receive the attention it deserves ; for, 

 truly, it is a great acquisition to the flower-garden, and no 

 plant presents a more brilliant show than this, when 

 planted in masses. The flowers are rosy-crimson, large 

 and beautiful, opening with the bright morning sun. It 

 makes a rich bed from July to October. The plant is 

 dwarf and trailing; leaves small ; about six inches high. 

 All the other varieties have the same habit, and equally 

 beautiful. From this, and probably P. Gilliesii^ have 

 come all the showy varieties of the garden, some of Avliich 

 have received distinct names, such as P. Thelussoni^ P. 

 alha^ P. aurantiaca^ etc. 



The Portulaca, though one of the most common, is still 

 one of the most showy and beautiful annuals, admirably 

 adapted to our climate, growing freely and flowering 

 abundantly under conditions of soil and treatment where 

 many other flowers would scarcely make any display ; the 

 old orange and scarlet, when planted out in large patches, 

 vie in brilliancy and decorative efl'ect with the showiest 

 Verbenas. For a long time there were but two or three 

 shades of red and orange, but with the skill of cultiva- 

 tors they have crossed and fertilized till we have nearly a 

 dozen difl'erent sorts. They had hardly become well 

 known before we had another improvement, obtained by 

 the German florists, in double flowers, as double as a rose. 



"The double varieties are in fact charming objects, and 

 may well claim a prominent place among the novel things 

 of recent introduction. The flowers are perfectly double, 

 about the size of a silver dollar, and a bed of them in full 

 bloom presents a gay appearance, not unlike that of the 

 beautiful Ranunculuses, or the little Burgundy Rose, so 

 that the Germans call them 'Portulaca Roses.' 



" The Portulacas need a warm and rather light soil, and a 

 dryish situation to flower well. They need not be planted 

 early, unless in a frame or hot-bed, as the seed will not 



