BEDDING PLANTS. 57 



Soil— This should be very rich and light, and if the plants are put in 

 positions where it is inconvenient to water them during dry weather 

 they should get a mulching of half-decayed stable bedding. 



ERYTHRINA— The varieties of E. Crista-Galli are seldom without 

 flowers during the hottest months when ijlanted out. During Winter 

 they should be kept dry, under a bench, and may even be put out iu that 

 state, although quicker results may be had by starting them into 

 growth before planting. They are best propagated by glvin;j: the old 

 plants heat and moisture, to produce growths about the 1st of March. 

 When a few inches long take off with a heel, pot iu siyidy soil and stand 

 them in a warm propagating frame. 



FICUS ELASTICA may be associated with such plants as Vm negated 

 Screw Pines, Crotous, Variegated Panax and Dracaena Sanderiana in 

 the formation of tropical groups of plants. They make very rapid prog- 

 ress when plunged in 5-inch pots shortly after being potted from 8-inch 

 pots. All of these may be arranged where the full sun will strike them. 

 The Ficus must be examined from time to time, to prevent the roots 

 from establishing themselves outside of the pots. 



QAZANIAS— Decumbent composite plants from South Africa, of a 

 somewhat succulent growth, and succeeding well in partially shaded 

 positions. In the Northern States they thrive in full sun. The flowers 

 are large, deep orange. Owing to the succulent character of the plants 

 the cuttings are liable to decay when placed in wet sand. Put them in 

 boxes, using sandy loam. Make the soil quite firm; give one good 

 watering, then put in the cuttings and keep in a cold but close frame 

 until rooted. This may be done about the end of September; on the 

 approach of severe weather bring the boxes into a cool greenhouse and 

 pot off in early Spring. 



GERANIUn— See Pelargonium. 



HELIOTROPE (Heliotropium peruvianum)— Grown principally on ac- 

 count of the sweet-scented flowers. There are dark and light lilac varie- 

 ties, also a few with whitish flowers. A few years ago a very large-flowered 

 kind was sent out, but it had no perfume, and its first season was its last. 

 The kinds will succeed best in full sun. Old plants should be wintered, 

 planted out on a bench. A minimum temperature of 40 degrees will suit. 

 From these plants abundant material for propagation may be had in 

 early Spring. 



HUNNEMANNIA FUMARI^FOLIA, for late Summer and Fall cutting, 

 beats all other members of the Poppy family. Seeds of the earliest 

 flowers will have ripened by the end of September. They should be 

 gathered and laid away in a cool, dry place for sowing in early Spring, 

 taking care not to burst the seed vessels. The only difliculty attending 

 the cultivation of this Poppy is in the seedling stage. The young plants 

 are difficult to transfer from the seed pan to small pots, but this can be 

 avoided if the seeds are sown in small pots, with the soil firmly pressed 

 before sowing and shifted on as the plants require it. The flowers resem- 

 ble those of some of the Eschscholtzias, to which genus it is closely 

 allied; but there Is much more substance to the flowers of the Hunne- 



