501 THE GARDEN AND ITS FRUITS. [Chap. V. 



bearing beautiful lilac and Avliite flowers ; very fragrant suitable for vases ; 

 seed may be sown early in April, flowering in June. 



Aster Chincnsis, or China Aster. — This beautiful annual comprises over 

 twenty-five different varieties. Truffaiit's, for general cultivation, is tlie best, 

 on aecoiint of the beauty of its flowers and variety of their colors ; seeds 

 sown in the ojien ground in May, in rich soil. All single or semi-double 

 flowers should be pulled up and thrown away. 



C'alliojjsis, or Coreopsis. — This is a very showy annual — fourteen different 

 varieties ; flowers, bright yellow, mottled with a rich velvety crimson, 

 highl}' ornamental ; seed may be sown in October or early in Ajsril ; easily 

 transplanted. 



Balsam, or Lady's Slipper. — A well-known tender annual. The ca- 

 melia-flowered contains twelve varieties, of all shades and colors, variously 

 striped and mottled. Seed sown in the open ground in the hitter part of 

 May. To have them early, seed should be sown in pots in the house in 

 April, and transplanted to the garden when four inches high. Plant singly, 

 pulling up all semi-double or single flowers. 



Cuphea Platy centra. — A very pretty annual or green-house perennial, 

 with scarlet and purple flowers, suitable for vases; flowering all summer, 

 and in winter, if taken up in autumn and kept in the house ; sown in pots 

 in the liouse in April. Plants may be procured from any florist for a trifle. 



Cypress Vine. — A splendid running vine, delicate foliage, bright crimson 

 flowers, of a star shape ; Alba, pure white. Seed sown in the latter part 

 of May ; likes a rich soil. A very ornamental pyramid may be made by 

 setting a straight pole in the ground six or eight feet high, surrounded by a 

 hoop three or four feet in diameter, fastened to the ground with three pegs ; 

 run strings from the top of the pole to the lioop. Sow the seed outside of 

 the hoop. It may also be trained over arches or vases. 



Lathyrus Odoratus, or Sweet Pea. — One of the prettiest and most fragrant 

 of the popular annuals which ornament the flower-garden. The sweet pea 

 grows four or five feet high in rich soil. The plants should be tied to a stake 

 or an old tree. Sow the seed in April ; flowers in July. 



Ageratum Mexicanum. — A half hardy annual, with light blue flowers. 

 Seed sown in May ; flowers in July, blooming profusely until killed by the 

 frost. 



Alyssum Maritimum, or Sweet Alyssum. — This is a hardy annual, growing 

 one foot high; flowers white; very fragrant. Seed may be sown in autumn 

 or early in spring. 



Cacalia, or Scarlet Tassel Flower. — A. very pretty annual, with scarlet 

 and orange tassel-shaped flowers. Seed sown first of May ; blooms from 

 July until October. 



Fschscholtzia California, or California Gold Flower. — Flowers bright 

 yellow, very showy. This, with slight protection during winter, will flower 

 the second season ; blooms from June until October. 



Clarkia Elegans. — A hardy annual, very showy. Seed sown in Septem- 



