CINERARIA, OR THE CAPE ASTER. 73 



a rich and light soil, and the pots must have a good drain- 

 age, and if kept in the shade will retain their colors more 

 pure. 



CUCKOO-FLOWER. 



(LYCHNIS FLOSCULI.) 



This a pretty herbaceous perennial flowering plant, a 

 native of England, where it is found growing profusely 

 along the lanes and road-side. Flowering from April to 

 June, bearing a double flower of a rose color, on a stem 

 about fifteen inches high. The leaves are pinnate, the rad- 

 icles roundish, toothed, leaflets those of the stem alternate, 

 with leaflets becoming narrower and more entire at the top. 

 The flowers terminate the stem in a raceme near a corymb 

 form. This plant is often sold for Lychnis Dioica (Ragged 

 Robin ), and is erroneously so named in published cata- 

 logues ; both are good border flowers, and deserve a place 

 in the flower garden or the parlor. The Cuckoo flower is 

 perfectly hardy and of easy culture, and is increased by 

 dividing the roots in July ; each crown must be furnished 

 with root fibres, then planted in the shade to gain strength. 

 This plant is perfectly hardy, although cultivated in the 

 green-house, where it exhibits its beautiful flowers quite 

 early in the spring. 



