76 



BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



clay, provided that the latter is well broken up, and free from 

 stagnant water. The finest results are secured when it is planted 

 in deep, well-manured loam, such as will give good Roses. The 

 flower stems may then rise six feet high, half of which is clothed 

 in large single or semi-double flowers. The finer the plants the 

 greater the necessity for adequate staking. Without support the 

 stem may be blown over in stormy weather. Staking must not, 

 however, be done carelessly, or the spikes will not show to ad- 

 vantage. Care should be exercised to 

 insert the stakes and affix ligatures in 

 such a way that they are not obtru- 

 sive, and yet do their work. The 

 stems must not be arched or bunched. 

 The range of colour in Delphiniums 

 is not great, but that is of no con- 

 sequence, because they give us that 

 rarest of colours, blue, in all shades, 

 from palest lavender to deepest indigo. 



CUTTING DOWN DELPHINIUMS /-. r ,1 i_ i . 



Some of them have white centres. 



A, old stems and faded flowers cut off at dark 



line; B, result, second crop of flower Other varieties are wholly white. The 



spikes. 



plants may be easily propagated by 



dividing the roots in spring. There are many varieties, the best 

 of which are sold under names, in the same way as Roses, 

 Chrysanthemums, and other popular flowers. The following are 

 beautiful varieties : 



Beauty of Langport. 

 Belladonna. 



Blue Celeste. 

 Persimmon. 



Princess of Wales. 

 Spinosa. 



Doronicums (Leopard's Banes). It would be over-straining lan- 

 guage to describe the Leopard's Banes as an important genus in 

 the same sense as Phloxes or Chrysanthemums. They are not 

 that, but they are extremely useful all the same. They make very 

 early growth, and the mere sight of their cheerful clusters of green 

 leaves at the break of spring is inspiring and encouraging. Thick, 



