"j^ The Phlox. 



THE PHLOX. 



We choose the phlox for a theme: first, because it is a plant wholly of 

 American origin ; secondly, for the great beauty of many of its varieties ; 

 and, thirdly, for the hardiness and vigor which admirably adapt it to general 

 culture. The tribe of the phloxes is divided into many families, of which 

 the most prominent at the present time is that called by botanists Phlox 

 paniailata. The original Flilox paniciilata, the parent of the rest, grows wild 

 in various parts of this continent. ' Its innumerable descendants, improved 

 by cultivation and by hybridization with other species, form an admirable 

 group of plants, in which the somewhat dingy purple or white of their pro- 

 genitor is transformed into unnumbered shades of lilac, salmon, bright pur- 

 ple, pure white, white, and vivid crimson. This change has been brought 

 about in two ways : first, by intermarrying Phlox paniciilata with other 

 species of the genus, which, though inferior as respects vigor of constitution 

 and habit of growth, are in some cases more brilliant in color ; and, sec- 

 ondly, by a long-continued raising of seedlings, and a careful selection of 

 the best through successive generations. As respects intermarriage, or 

 hybridization, it is by no means with every member of the same genus that 

 Phlox paniculata will unite ; but there are several for which it shows an 

 affinity. Some have gone so far as to say that it is perfectly ready to ally 

 itself with the beautiful annail, Phlox Dr:i:n-non:lii, whose clear and vivid 

 colors have of late years become familiar in our gardens. For our own 

 part, we can only say, that, for several seasons, we diligently applied the 

 pollen of the latter with a camel's-hair pencil to the flowers o'l Phlox panic- 

 ulata, and never could see that it produced more effect than so much dust 

 or ashes. Phloxes are not very easy to hybridize ; for the reproductive 

 organs are so hidden in the small tube of the flower, that to operate on 

 them successfully requires the patience of Job. We advise the amateur, 

 unless his zeal for science is irrepressible, to simply plant the different sorts 

 side by side, and let tiie bees carry the pollen from one to the other. 



We have raised many hundreds of phloxes from seed ; and, as the process 

 and it?s results arc very pleasant, we will give the fruits of our experience. 

 We will take three very distinct varieties to begin with, all belonging to the 



