248 THE CULTURE OF FLOWERS FROM SEEDS 



the so-called French, or Tagetes patula, whice have richly coloured 

 and striped flowers, and are judged by the florists' standards because 

 of their high quality. The most generally useful are the African or 

 Tagetes erecta, which make large bushy plants with flowers 'piled 

 high ' in the centre ; the colours are intense orange and yellow in 

 various shades. The bedding section is represented by Tagetes 

 signata, a very neat plant, with fine foliage and rather small orange- 

 coloured flowers produced in great plenty. In hot seasons and on 

 dry soils this proves an admirable substitute for the Calceolaria, 

 which does not thrive when short of food, whereas the Tagetes bears 

 drought and a poor soil with patience, and up to a certain point with 

 advantage. Sow all these in March in a moderate heat, and prick 

 the plants out in the usual way, taking care finally to allot them 

 sunny positions. The section of Pot Marigolds, Calendula officinalis, 

 comprises many fine varieties, one of which (' Meteor ') is delicately 

 striped, and may be regarded as a true florist's flower, worth a place 

 in the choicest garden. These may be sown on the open border 

 in March, April, and May, and the best place for them is in the full 

 sun on a rather dry poor soil, but they are not particular, provided 

 they are not much shaded. 



MARVEL OF PERU 



Mirabilis Jalapa. Half-hardy perennial 



THIS flower may be treated either as an annual or as a biennial. As 

 an annual the plants are small, but very compact and effective, the 

 leaves and flowers forming round glittering masses in the late summer 

 and autumn months. When the roots are saved and planted out in 

 April larger plants are obtained, but there is no advance in quality 

 over the very neat and sparkling specimens raised from seed. Sow 

 on heat in March and April, and treat as Balsams until the time 

 arrives for planting out. A rich sandy loam suits them, and they like 

 full exposure to sunshine. 



MIGNONETTE 



Reseda odorata. Hardy annual 



MIGNONETTE is so much prized that we must devote to it a para- 

 graph, although there is little to be said. As in many places it 



