70 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Scilla Sibirica, and with cultivation niaj'' excel it ; but to my 

 fancy the latter is the brighter and better of the two, besides 

 being much less expensive. With such dwarf-flowering varieties 

 as I have named it is appropriate to plant the Snowdrops (Galan- 

 thus) and Grape Hyacinths (Muscari). Of the former, in addi- 

 tion to the type, may be named Ehvesii, plicntus, and Redoutei. 

 These are much finer and more distinct than the type. 



The Muscari are little known, but they form attractive groups 

 and are fragrant. Atlanticum^ botryoides, and moscliatum are the 

 best adapted to this purpose. We cannot include the spring- 

 blooming Anemones, and it is a pity, though nothing is finer for 

 cultivation in cold frames with Pansies. 



The quaint Fritillarias, Colchicums, and Winter Aconites should 

 be used, and, where there is room, b3' no means forget to make 

 plantations of Lily of the Valle}'. How often we see tliis starved, 

 and often running out, when good culture would achieve the best 

 results ! It is exceptional to see it in vigorous cultivation. The 

 mat which it forms should be broken up and thinned out from 

 time to time, and the crowns should be top-dressed yearly with 

 fine manure. It then takes on a different aspect, the spikes of 

 bloom reaching twice the size of those from the starved plants. 

 It is improved by being planted in open situations rather than 

 under trees, as is generally the rule. 



In these beds can be dotted here and there groups of Pansies 

 which have been wintered in cold frames ; and Primroses of the 

 hardy t3'pe can also be used with the best effect. Our winters are 

 too severe for Pansies and Primroses ta thrive continuously out of 

 doors, and a cold frame will be found a great help to those who 

 cultivate hardy flowers. 



Those who have gardeners, and those who have not, will find 

 the care of a few cold frames involves comparatively little trouble, 

 and in them can be wintered many interesting half-hard 3- bulbs and 

 plants, like Narcissus Bulbocodium, Geum coccineum pUnum ^ Hel- 

 lebores, Violets, Pansies, and, last but not least. Pinks and Carna- 

 tions. I do not refer to our Perpetual Carnations, used for winter 

 blooming, but to the hardier border Pinks and Carnations, like 

 Lord Lyons, Mary Morris, Mrs. Simkins, Blush Clove, The Gov- 

 ernor, and mau}' others. These can be safely wintered in a frame, 

 in pots, and turned out into the open bed in spring, where, asso- 

 ciated with the dwarfer plants, they are especially satisfactory and 

 beautiful, furnishing cut blooms in abundance, of the most durable 



