42 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



of this (our) native flower is properly appreciated. The 

 American Cowslip is quite common in the western country, 

 more especially on the prairies, where its splendor is 

 most enchanting. 



To cultivate this beautiful plant the roots should be di- 

 vided after their flowering- and the leaves die down ; if di- 

 vided in the spring, a plan frequently done, will often pre- 

 vent them flowering that season. The seed should be sown 

 as soon as ripe, or may be kept until spring ; a shady place 

 and moist soil being most desirable, it must be a rich loam. 

 Seedlings should not be transplanted until the second sea- 

 son, and will flower the third. 



AMARANTHUS. 



" With solemn adoration down the East, 

 Their crowns, inwove with amaranth and gold, 

 Immortal amaranth, a flower which once 

 In Paradise, first by the tree of life 

 Began to bloom." 



This is a very numerous family of ornamental flowering 

 plants, which gives to the flower garden a lively appear- 

 ance from the month of July to September. The racemes 

 of these annuals are superb, some more so than others. A. 

 melancholicus grows about four feet high, flowering all the 

 summer ; this plant is better calculated for a large garden, 

 consequently not much cultivated in this country as in some 

 parts of Europe, The color is a rich crimson purple. This 



