MAY] FLOWER GARDEN. 413 



SOWING PERENNIAL FLOWER-SEEDS, ETC. 



The seeds of most kinds of perennial and biennial flower-seeds, 

 may yet be sown as directed on page 365 ; but they will require oc- 

 casional watering till up and well established in the earth. 



PROPAGATING DOUBLE SCARLET LYCHNIS. 



This beautiful flowering plant may now be propagated by cuttings 

 of the stocks, as well as at an earlier period by slips from the root. 

 Towards the latter end of the month, let some of the young flower- 

 stalks be cut into lengths of six or seven inches, and planted in a 

 shady border of rich light earth, leaving one or two joints of each 

 cutting above ground; close the earth well about them, water them 

 gently, and if bell or hand-glasses are placed over them, their rooting 

 will be greatly facilitated thereby. 



THE HESPERTS MATRON ALIS, OR GARDEN -ROCKET. 



The double white, and double purple varieties of the garden-rocket, 

 are extremely beautiful and fragrant; I have not yet had the plea- 

 sure of seeing one of them in this country, nor have I been able to 

 learn that such is to be found on this side the Atlantic; however, it 

 is to be hoped we shall soon obtain that charming, showy, and de- 

 lightful flower.* It is perfectly hardy, and maybe cultivated at this 

 season, as above directed, for the double scarlet lychnis, or by slips 

 or offsets from the root, taken off and planted either in spring or au- 

 tumn ; it does not prosper well except when annually slipped or pro- 

 pagated by offsets ; for the old roots are very subject to decay, espe- 

 cially the double varieties ; the single sorts are much more permanent 

 and easy of culture. The ladies of Europe are extremely fond of it, 

 whence it obtained the name of dame's- violet, or queen's gillyflower. 



DOUBLE WALL-FLOWERS AND STOCK-GILLYFLOWERS. 



The fine double wall-flowers, and double stock-gillyflowers, may 

 now be propagated by young slips of the present year : choose those 

 of short and robust growths, from four to five, or six inches long, 

 and let them be carefully slipped or cut with a knife from the mother 

 plants. Take the lower leaves off, so that there may be two, three, 

 or four inches of a clean stem to each, and plant them in a shady 

 border or in pots, inserting them into the earth up to their leaves ; 

 then give some water, and be particular to shade them from the mid- 

 day sun till they have taken root. Water them occasionally during 

 summer, and in September, such as are planted in borders may be 

 taken up with balls of earth and potted, in order to lie placed in 

 frames, &c., for protection from the winter frosts. 



The double varieties are accidentally produced from seed, and it is 



* The double white is now in many collections in this country, and the 

 double purple has been often imported, but for some unknown cause it 

 generally dies out after a short time. 



