LOBELIA MARIGOLD 247 



them out a foot apart in a good open position, and if possible in a 

 rather stiff soil. When they have developed into fine clumps, lift them 

 with care and place them in pots, avoiding injury to the roots. This 

 method will produce a display of colour which cannot be attained by 

 exclusive pot culture. 



From the best strains of seed it is almost certain that some plants 

 will revert to long-lost characters. Florists are striving to obviate 

 this, but it will require time. Meanwhile there are two ways of deal- 

 ing with the difficulty. Some growers prefer to raise plants from seed, 

 and take cuttings from approved specimens for the next season. 

 This plan insures almost the robust growth and free- flowering qualities 

 of seedlings, combined with exactitude in height and colour. But 

 it necessitates holding a stock through the winter, and this may be a 

 serious matter to many. The simpler proceeding, and one which 

 answers well in practice, is to remove any plants from the pans or 

 boxes which show the least deviation from the true type. A few kept 

 in reserve in pots will supply the place of any * rogues ' which may 

 be detected after planting out. 



The handsome perennial section of Lobelias remains for con- 

 sideration, and we are bound to remark that it obtains less attention 

 than it deserves, especially as the most ordinary routine culture will 

 suffice for these plants. They are partial to moisture, and also to a 

 deep rich loam. A sowing on moderate heat in March will secure 

 plants fit for bedding out in May. They may also be grown entirely 

 without the aid of artificial heat from sowings in June or July. 

 Employ pots or seed-pans, and pot off singly immediately the plants 

 are large enough to handle. The protection of a cold frame or 

 hand-light is all that is necessary during winter, and the planting out 

 may be done in May. These Lobelias reach two feet in height, and 

 make excellent companions to such, flowers as Anemone japonica 

 alba, Gaura Lindheimeri, and Hyarinthus candicans. The dark 

 metallic foliage and dazzling scarlet flowers also have an imposing 

 effect as the back row of a ribbon "border. Both L. cardinalis and 

 Z. Victoria come true from seed. 



MARIGOLD 



Tagetes. Half-hardy annual 



MARIGOLDS of several classes are valued for the profuse display of 

 their golden flowers in the later summer months. The choicest are 



