OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 191 



the middle ; they are of a pale, shining, green colour, the root 

 leaves resting on the ground. 



I find this Orchid capable of withstanding very rough treat- 

 ment, but it requires some time (two years) to get fairly estab- 

 lished. Silky loam and leaf soil are suitable for it; a moist 

 situation, but in no way of a stagnant character, should be given, 

 and the position should also be carefully selected, so as to secure 

 the brittle and top-heavy flower spikes from strong winds, other- 

 wise it will suffer the fate of hundreds of tulips after a gale. 

 It is propagated by root division after the foliage has died off. 



Flowering period, end of May to end of June. 



Origanum Pulchellum. 



BEAUTIFUL MARJORAM; Nat. Ord. LABIATE. 



THIS is indeed a well-named species or variety, whichever it may 

 he ; little seems to be known of its origin, but that it is distinct 

 and beautiful is beyond doubt. It shines most as a rock plant ; 

 its long and bending stems, which are somewhat procumbent, 

 have as much rigidity about them as to prevent their having 

 a weak appearance ; the tips, moreover, are erect, showing off to 

 advantage the handsome imbricate bracts, bespangled as they are 

 with numerous rosy-purple blossoms. The long and elegant 

 panicles of bracteae, together with the pleasing arrangement 

 thereof, are the main features of this subject. 



The rosy flowers are very small, and have the appearance 

 of being packed between the bracteoles ; still, their gaping forms 

 are distinctly traceable, but the pretty lipped calyxes are quite 

 hidden ; the bract leaves are roundly-oval, acute, cupped, and 

 touched with a nutty-brown tint on the outer sides ; the spikes 

 have many minor ones, being as fine as a thread, covered with 

 short soft hairs, and of a brown colour ; the leaves are fin. long, 

 oval, entire, and downy. The plant or shrub grows 18in. high. 

 As already hinted, the habit is procumbent, the older flower 

 stems being woody ; not only is it a bright object for rockwork, 

 but it is in its finest form when most other flowers are past. The 

 branches are useful in a cut state ; the slender spikelets, with 

 their pale green and brown tinted bracts, are very pretty by gas 

 light, and they keep well for a long time in water. 



The Marjorams are fond of a dry situation, and this is no 

 exception to that rule. Rockwork or raised beds of sandy loam 

 suits it to perfection, provided the aspect is sunny. It will, 

 therefore, be seen that there is nothing special about its culture, 

 neither is there in its propagation; cuttings may be taken in 

 summer, or the rooted shoots may be divided at almost any 

 time. 



It flowers from September to the time of severe frosts, and is 

 in its greatest beauty in October. 



