GARDEN FLOWERS. 115 



to put some compost and leaves around the plants, and cover with 

 sashes and matting, or something of the kind ; or, what is easier, 

 to plant against a fence, and a stake will keep the sashes in place 

 without the trouble of making frames. The}' are grown exten- 

 sively from seed. The seedlings require ncj protection the first 

 year be3'ond a little compost around the roots. Each 3'ear brings 

 a more varied range of color. From white to black we have al- 

 most every color and shade. 



The Clematis is considered hard}" ; but many complain that a 

 blight has fallen on some of their plants. In many cases they 

 flourish in the same location for 3-ears. I have a number of varie- 

 ties which get no special care beyond a little mulching in the 

 autumn. They have been out a number of years, always come 

 up strong in the spring, and flower profusel}' through the sea- 

 son. I think Clematis Flammula one of the finest climbers we 

 have. It seems more like a jasmine than a clematis. Indeed 

 when I first saw it, it was in a private garden, and they called it 

 C. jasviinoides, and under that name I tried more than two years 

 to get it. The foliage is small and bright, unlike that of any other 

 clematis that I know. The flowers are pure white, very delicate, 

 covering the whole plant, and verj' like the jasmine in fragrance. 

 C. VUicelli I find very hardy ; and the variety alba has survived 

 two winters. Jackmanni and some other old varieties, as 1 have 

 before said, I have no difficult}' in growing ; but some newer sorts 

 which I have tried the last two or three years have come up, and 

 suddenly withered and died. Perhaps, as some dealers say, there 

 is a disease among them. They say they dare not recommend 

 them as they used to do. All I can say is that they disappear, 

 and from no apparent cause. 



There is a great range in bedding plants ; some are desirable for 

 cut flowers, some only valuable for garden decoration, and some 

 answer both purposes. Among tlie last named are the semi-double 

 Geraniums, and they are so beautiful and useful we might discard 

 the single in their favor, and gain by it. 



Gladioli we must have, and an}' one who will may grow them. 

 With the descriptive catalogues sent out by reliable dealers one 

 can hardly go astray in selecting varieties, but as a rule it would 

 be better to choose from exhibition flowers, by which one can judge 

 better than by descriptions. A great many new varieties do not 

 satisfy our expectations, and there are so many comparatively new 

 ones which are really fine and reasonably cheap, tliat it does not 



