174 MECONOPSIS 



MECONOP'SIS continued. 



introduced species are rarely to be found at present 

 in gardens, though as the seed becomes cheaper it 

 is to be hoped this will soon be altered. Coming 

 as most of them do from the high plateaux of 

 Central Asia and the Himalayas, they must be 

 regarded as hardy, though most tantalising plants 

 to establish, resenting anything like coddling. The 

 seed, which is very minute, should be sown A- in. 

 deep in sandy soil in pans or pots placed in a cold 

 frame in March or April. It germinates in a few 

 weeks, and may be pricked off and planted out 18 

 ins. apart, as soon as the seeds are large enough to 

 handle, where the plants are to grow. The soil 

 should be open and friable with a large proportion 

 of peat and sand. Good drainage and ample 

 moisture are necessary. During the following 

 winter the plants should be kept as dry as possible, 

 as they are liable to rot off, though this is difficult 

 to accomplish except under pot culture. It is a 

 good plan to place sandstone, broken up firmly, 

 round and underneath the leaves to check damp 

 and rot. By the following spring, with any luck, 

 they will be strong established plants and flower 

 the same summer. 



MENTZE'LIA (named after C. Mentzel, a Prussian 

 botanist). Nat. Ord. Loasacece. 



Showy annuals and biennials of N. America, 

 suitable for the mixed border when grown in 

 groups together in full sunshine. 



