WAITZIA, Nat. Ord. Composite. 



The Waitzias are an interesting class of annuals, bearing their dry or everlasting flowers in 

 clusters. The flowers are very good, though showing too much of the 

 centre, which becomes discolored unless picked early. With this precau- 

 tion, however, they make a desirable addition to our 

 stock of Everlastings. All the varieties have yellow 

 flowers. The seeds are very fine and should be sown 

 under glass, or much success is not to be anticipated. 

 Sometimes when we give such instructions, some people 

 are just contrary enough to try to show us we are mis- 

 taken, and that they can succeed in growing plants in the 

 open air, and generally succeed because they are deter- 

 mined to do so; zeal and determination are the ele- 

 ments of success, and the open ground often fur- 

 nishes the warmth and moisture necessary to germinate the most delicate seeds. 



XERANTHEMUM, Nat. Ord. Composite. 



Xeranthemums are free-blooming annuals of a very neat, compact habit, and growing less 

 than a foot in height. 

 The leaves are silvery 

 and flowers abundant 

 on strong stems, and 

 are purple, blue and 

 white. There are both 

 doable and single vari- 

 eties, specimens of 

 both of which are 

 seen in the engravings. 

 Seeds germinate freely ; plants transplant well when small, and should be set about ten inches apart. 



GYPSOPHILA, Nat. Ord. Caryophyllaceee. 



The Gypsophilas, though not Everlastings, are among the most valuable flowers we have for 

 . ( bouquet making, either green or dried. Every one knows that florists 



add much to the beauty of bouquets by a 

 delicate net-work of fine flowers, which ap- 

 pear like an airy veil, toning down the bright 

 colors. For this purpose the Gypsophila is 

 used, and we commend it to our readers as 

 one of the most desirable plants known for 

 ornamental purposes. It dries admirably, 

 and is a treasure in winter. It flowers the first season, but will continue to bloom several years. 



STATICE, Nat. Ord. Plumbaginaceee. 



The Statice is an extensive series of herbaceous plants, bearing their small flowers in pani- 

 They are not Everlastings, 



cles. 



but, like the Gypsophilas, are of very 

 great value for drying, as they retain 

 their color when dried, and work 

 up with the true Everlastings in 

 bouquets and floral ornaments to 

 very great advantage. They are 

 also equally useful in summer for 

 bouquets of fresh flowers. There 

 are several annuals, almost as many 

 perennials, yellow, pink, rose and 

 blue. We give an engraving of one of the best varieties, S. latifolia. 



97 



For others, see seed list. 



