OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 67 



flowers, both in the garden and when cut, the long stalks in both 

 cases adding much to its effectiveness ; its form and brightness 

 are sure to commend it, no matter whether it happens to be a 

 fashionable flower or otherwise. It is at once a bold and delicate 

 form, and one that harmonises with any other kinds and colours. 



It should be grown in deeply-dug and well-enriched earth, and, 

 as already hinted, the drier the situation the more safely will it 

 winter. Not only that, but on raised beds or banks sloping to 

 the full sunshine it will also flower to perfection. All its family, 

 so far as I have proved them, hate excessive moisture. Its pro- 

 pagation may be by division, as in this damp climate it does not 

 seem to ripen seed, but I have found sometimes not a little 

 difficulty in dividing the woody roots, as frequently there is 

 only one stem below the surface with roots. When there are 

 more the difficulty is lessened, but I have noticed that the 

 stronger branches which are weighted to the ground form rudi- 

 mentary roots where in contact with the earth. These may either 

 be pegged and covered with soil, or cut off and made into cut- 

 tings, removing most of the tops. If the latter is done during 

 August they will become well rooted before the frosts appear. 



Flowering period, July to October. 



Coreopsis Tenuifolia. 



SLENDER-LEAVED COREOPSIS; Nat. Ord. COMPOSITES. 

 HARDY, herbaceous, and perennial ; a native of North America, 

 and a distinct species, from its finely-cut foliage and small, dark, 

 orange-yellow flowers. For several weeks it has a few flowers, 

 but during September it literally covers itself with bloom, so 

 that it is one of the most pleasing objects in the garden. 



It grows 2ft. high ; each flower has a long nearly nude stalk, 

 slender but wiry; the flowers are l^in. across, and of a deep 

 yellow colour ; the florets of the ray are more distant from each 

 other than is the case with many of the genus; the disk is 

 small, dark brown, but changing from the appearance and dis- 

 appearance of the yellow seed organs. The foliage, as may be 

 seen by the illustration (Fig. 27), is deeply and finely cut, of a 

 dark green colour, and so arranged that each node has a nearly 

 uniform dressing ; the main stems are slender, and bend grace- 

 fully with the least breeze, and otherwise this plant proves a 

 lively subject. Its habit is bushy and very floriferous, and it is 

 well worth a place in every garden. It cannot fail to win 

 admiration ; even when growing, and before the flowers appear, 

 it is a refreshing plant to look upon. In a cut state, the bloom, 

 if taken with long stems, is well adapted for relieving large and 

 more formal kinds. Tastes differ, and in, perhaps, nothing more 

 than floral decorations; all tastes have a right to a share of 

 indulgence, and in claiming my privilege in the use of this 



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