Notes and Gleanings. 175 



before the time it would be in flower. This naturally induces an earlier second 

 growth, which will come into bloom in good time to take the place of the plants 

 not subjected to the same treatment. 



I have thus grown this Delphinitun with varied success for the last three 

 years, keeping the plants in reserve-beds over winter, and transplanting them 

 about the end of April, by which time the flower-stems are well developed ; and 

 the operation serves the j^urpose of retarding them considerably, especially if a 

 good part of the roots are cut off in the process. 



I am now inclined to think that the same result might be better effected by 

 using only seedlings of the preceding year. By raising them from two or more 

 distinct sowings, there is little doubt that a succession of superb blue spikes 

 might be obtained from June to November; and I think it would be interesting 

 to many readers of " The Journal of Horticulture " if some correspondent would 

 show a little light on the subject. 



Another blue bedder, the merits of which I think are but scantily appre- 

 ciated, is the beautiful little Cape aster {Agatlicea calestis). Its tidy habit, dark- 

 green foliage, and sky-blue, star-like flowers, all indicate it as a plant almost 

 worthy of its name, — certainly of more patronage than it has yet received. — 

 Ayrshire Gardener. 



Sowing Pentstemon-Seed. — The seeds should be sown in May, in pans 

 well drained, and filled to the rim, or nearly so, with light turfy loam. Scat- 

 ter the seeds over the surface after having made it smooth, and cover with fine 

 soil to the depth of a quarter of an inch. The pan may then have a gentle 

 watering, and be placed in a cold frame, or on the front-shelf of a greenhouse ; 

 shading it from sun, so as to keep the surface moist until the plants appear ; 

 then discontinue shading, and admit air freely. Keep moist; and, when the 

 plants are large enough to handle, prick them off in a bed in the open ground, 

 shading for a few days until established, and finally planting out where re- 

 quired. 



Cyclamen Persicum Culture. — Sow the seed in February. When the 

 seedlings are large enough to handle, prick into small 60-pots ; giving the last 

 shift into large 6o's, which are quite large enough for the first year. 



From the time the seed is up, the jilants should be kept in a moist, growing 

 temperature, but by no means with a confined atmosphere ; and, at the end of 

 ten or twelve months, fine blooming plants can be had. 



After the blooming period, the plants should not be allowed to become dry at 

 any time of the year, or to be exposed to the mercy of the weather during the 

 summer months. When they show signs of starting, they should be repotted, 

 but without destroying any of the roots ; and as little as possible of the old soil 

 is removed. Keep them in a cool house, with a free circulation of air. 



A good way to preserve them during the resting-season is to bury the bulb. 

 as soon as the foliage decays, in the flower-border, covering it (pot and all) with 

 about a foot of earth. Let it remain until October ; take it up and repot : it 

 will be found fresh, and in good condition. 



