DATURA, Nat. Ord. Solanacea. 



ATURA is a large, strong-growing plant, with trumpet-shaped 

 flowers, the best varieties bearing blooms six inches in length, 

 mostly white, and sometimes tinted with a 

 delicate blue. No one ever flowered a 

 good Datura for the first time who was not 

 a good deal more than pleased, and no one 

 ever had a blooming plant in his garden 

 that did not receive a large share of the at- 

 tention and admiration of visitors. This is 

 due very largely to its great size and purity 

 of color. There are several double varie- 

 ties, in fact, the Datura seems to double in 

 almost every style, but we prefer the single 

 kind. The roots of one variety, Wrightii, 

 will usually endure the winter and flower for several seasons, but any of the roots can be pre- 

 served in a cellar, like Dahlia roots. Plants two feet in height; set plants two feet apart. 



DELPHINIUM, Nat. Ord. Ranunculacea. 



The Delphiniums are beautiful, free blooming, popular plants, and generally known as Lark- 

 spurs on account of the peculiar formation of the flower, which has a fancied resemblance to the 

 spur of that favorite European song-bird, the Lark. There are several very desir- 

 able Perennials, which will be found described in the proper department, and also 

 quite a number of annuals, all hardy and good. The Larkspurs prefer a cool soil 

 and season, plenty of moisture, and a little shade 

 will do no injury. Sow the seeds in the autumn, 

 or very early in the spring, so as to have the 

 benefit of cool, early, showery weather. Among 

 the annuals, the Rocket varieties are perhaps the 

 favorites. They send 

 up a tall spike, as shown 

 m the engraving, which 

 gives the name, and a 

 bed of these varieties is 

 truly gorgeous. The 

 appearance of a good 

 double flower is shown 

 in the small engraving. 

 There are several varie- 

 ties that make rather large, branching plants, and as these have abundance of flowers on strong 

 stems, are especially desirable for cutting. A somewhat new variety, called Candelabrum, is 

 shown in the engraving. The branching varieties grow about two feet in height, and should be 

 planted about eighteen inches apart. The Rockets should be set in rows five or six inches apart. 

 Sow the seed where the plants are to bloom. Larkspurs continue in flower only a short time. 



DIDISCUS, Nat. Ord. Apiacea:. 



The Didiscus coeruleus is a truly handsome Australian plant, about two feet in height, with 

 numerous umbels of sky blue flowers. The appearance of both plant and flower we have endeav- 

 ored to show in the engraving. While, 

 like others we have before described, we 

 do not think this flower will ever become 

 generally cultivated, yet it is too pretty to 

 be omitted from our list. If seeds are 

 sown and plants well forwarded in the 

 hot-bed, bloom may expected about the 

 first of July ; but if in the open ground, not 

 until the latter part of the month. It is better, if possible, to sow under glass. 



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