466 AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



In one or other of these modes they should be renewed every 

 year. The plants raised by layers are not quite so hardy as 

 those from cuttings or seeds ; but the young strong plants of 

 almost all of them bear the winter about as well as grass, while 

 the old ones of the larger kinds require to be housed, and even 

 those of the smaller kinds suffer by exposure. 



Skillful florists of taste and fancy, who take pride in floral 

 exhibitions, practice various arts in preparing flowers for show, 

 known technically as " dressing" them. By means of a pair 

 of long and delicate tweezers, or tongs, usually of wire, with 

 flattened and smoothly-finished ends, the petals are arranged 

 to the very best advantage ; any curled, or imperfect, or mis- 

 placed petals are removed, and, if need be, substitutes from an- 

 other flower inserted. It is the careful, and not always hon- 

 est toilet of the flower, that it may catch the eye and secure the 

 conquest. 



Pinks, Picotees, and Carnations are peculiarly liable to be 

 made the subjects of these manipulations, although, perhaps, 

 no class of show flowers is entirely exempted from them. 



21. PRIMROSE, &c., Primula. This class of flowers, includ- 

 ing the Primrose, Polyanthus, Cowslip, &c., are, like the Dais} 7 

 and Pansy, early and very pretty, though at the north the win- 

 ter is too severe for some of them if unprotected. They are 

 increased by dividing the plant when it has done flowering for 

 the season, shading the young ones for a while. 



22. SAGE, Blue-flowering, Salvia angustifolia. The flow- 

 er is of an extremely fine shade. See also page 472. 



23. SPIKE FLOWER, Steeple-top, Veronica spicata, varie- 

 gata, &c. Simple pretty flowers of numerous varieties, some 

 growing three or four feet high, and others hiding their mi- 

 nute and delicate beauty among the short grass by the way- 

 side. 



24. SPIRAEA FILIPENDULA. A small, pure white double 

 flower, of peculiar delicacy of habit, yet hardy and easily raised 

 if slightly shaded from the strong sun. It has small tuberous 

 roots, and is increased by dividing from the crown. 



25. SUN-FLOWER, DOUBLE PERENNIAL, Helianthus multi- 

 florus pleno. A tuberous-rooted sun-flower, bearing numer- 



