208 Some observations on the 



the soil extending themselves, by means of stolones, very rap- 

 idly, a single plant, where there was room allowed, covering the 

 space of two feet or more. In this manner the plants flourished 

 and came into bloom the latter part of August, and remained in 

 flower until after several frosts. 



In the month of November, the foliage looking bright and vig- 

 orous, although the flower stems had been withered up by re- 

 peated frosts, we took up nearly all the plants; there being an 

 abundance, we were not particular to remove all, and accidentally 

 four or five remained in the ground. The plants were placed in 

 moderate sized pots, (No. 3) in a soil composed of loam, leaf 

 mould, and a very small portion of sand. After standing in the 

 back-shed of the green-house until January, they were removed 

 to the green-house. Here they commenced growing rapidly, 

 and soon attained the height of nearly two feet. In the month 

 of February they began to bloom, and have continued to throw 

 up a succession of flowers, which they will undoubtedly do the 

 whole summer. The plants should be very carefully watered 

 during the months of December and January, and at all times be 

 placed as near the glass as possible, giving them an abundance of 

 air and light, or the flower stems will run up so weakly as to ei- 

 ther damp off, or fall over from want of strength to support them. 

 After the first of March the plants should be more liberally sup- 

 plied with water and shifted into the next size pot. In the month, 

 of May they may be turned into the border, where they will dis- 

 play their elegance to the best perfection. Though flowering 

 the first season from seed, it is in the second year that the great- 

 est profusion of flowers are produced. It is easily increased by 

 the seeds, which are freely ripened, or by taking up the under- 

 ground stolones any time during summer. 



With us this species has proved hardy. We have just re- 

 marked that, accidentally, a few remained in the ground last fall. 

 In digging the soil we were astonished to find the roots perfectly 

 vigorous, and ready to throw up an innumerable quantity of shoots. 

 The past winter has been so uncommonly mild, that it can hard- 

 ly be considered as a fair trial; but if it will stand our winters as 

 unharmed as it has the past, we may class it among our most val- 

 uable plants. 



The flowers are produced in a kind of forked cluster; four or 

 five laterals proceeding from close beneath the first head of blos- 

 soms, in a nearly erect position, each bearing a head or truss of 

 deep lilac-colored flov^ers, not large, but quite compact. The 

 leaves are stiff and rigid; roughly serrated, with very prominent 

 veins; hai)it erect, attaining in the green-house the height of two 

 feet; but in the open border its branches are more diffuse, and it 

 does not grow but about a foot high. 



V. ^^ubletia. — It is unnecessary for us to detail the cultivation 



