FORGET-ME-NOT. 121 



The genuine Forget-Me-Not is extensively cultivated in 

 France, for the Paris market, and succeeds well, if kept in 

 pots in a pan of water, making a pretty appearance in the 

 window. 



It is easily propagated by dividing the roots in the spring 

 or fall, and planting in a rich soil, requiring little or no 

 attention further than pinching off the ends of the shoots 

 to prevent its running over the sides of the pot ; for com- 

 pactness sometimes makes a plant as beautiful as the flow- 

 ers. We know that allowing plants to run too much, pre- 

 vents them from flowering luxuriantly, which is the case 

 with this plant. Care must be taken to destroy the insects 

 which are frequently found on them ; this is easily done, if 

 attended to on their first appearance. The flower will 

 sometimes sport to pink, or a dingy yellow ; this arises 

 from some local cause. It may then be hybridized with 

 some of the Alpine species, and new varieties may be ob- 

 tained. In its native state, it is not known to sport. It has 

 attracted more attention in France than its native country, 

 i.nd is now almost identified with it, being found growing 

 profusely on the banks of the Luxembourg, the peasants 

 calling that stream the " FAIRY BATHS." 



There is a legend related of the origin of the name 

 Forget-Me-Not, which has immortalized this flower for ever, 

 It appears that two lovers (as a matter of course when 

 lovers are in "the tale it is enough to immortalize any affair, 

 however trivial) were walking on the banks of the Danube ; 

 the lady discovered the flower M. palustris, floating on its 

 pearly stream, and was struck with its beauty, and ex- 

 pressed a wish to possess it. The lover (unlike one of the 

 present day), to prove his readiness to gratify his " lady 

 li 



