294 FLOWER GARDEN. 



this practice, however it may be followed by those who 

 judge according to the technical " criteria of a fine 

 flower," will scarcely be adopted by any who have an 

 eye for natural beauty. 



Sweet Violets, including varieties of Viola odorata 

 and the Neapolitan and Russian violets, are very de- 

 sirable ornaments in the spring months : and the fra- 

 grance of their flowers is delightful when strewed on 

 any kind of server in the boudoir. To have them in 

 perfection, a new plantation should be made every year 

 as soon as they are done flowering, generally towards 

 the middle or end of May, preferring damp or cloudy 

 weather for the operation. 



The genus Lobelia may now be regarded as affording 

 a group of florists' flowers. The leading species are 

 L. cardinalisj.fulgens, splendens, and syphilitica; but 

 there are several hybrids of merit. The cardinal flower, 

 of a fine scarlet color, has long been a valued plant. 

 It is propagated either by seed or by offsets. L. ful- 

 gens, of a rich crimson, is a still more showy species, 

 forming a magnificent plant. A Lobelia bed, consisting 

 of these species and of their hybrid offspring, haying, 

 perhaps some of the procumbent species on the outside 

 by way of edging, is calculated to produce a beautiful 

 effect in the flower garden, continuing in bloom the 

 whole season. Most of the kinds afford offsets readily; 

 if these be taken off and potted in autumn, in a light 

 sandy soil, they may be kept in a cool frame over win- 

 ter; or the entire old plants may be put into large pots, 

 and kept in the same way, the offsets being removed in 

 the spring and forming excellent plants. 



It would lead us too much into detail to speak mi- 

 nutely of Calceolaria, Phlox, Chelone, Pentstemon, 



