Violets for \\ 'inter. 79 



purple centre, shaded to a white edge ; Madame Wagner, pink centre, shaded 

 to a white edge ; Cromwell, deep rose, very large flower; Madame Doublat, 

 light crimson ; Van Houttii, purple, striped with white ; Airs. Forbes, 

 bright purple and white. 



There is a still earlier phlox, blossoming in June, called Phlox divaricata. 

 The flowers are of a slaty-blue color, and are produced in great profusion. 

 The plant rarely grows above eighteen inches. Still earlier, and of still 

 more humble growth, is the well-known species. Phlox siihuLita, popularly 

 called " moss pink," which, in May, covers the ground with masses of 

 pink-and-white blossoms. Thus, from spring to approaching winter, the 

 phloxes yield an unbroken succession of bloom. 



These are all perennial, and all hardy ; but, in a notice of this brilliant 

 tribe of plants, one must not forget the Texan annual. Phlox Dnimmondii, 

 which, in brightness of color, may be said to outshine them all. There are 

 varieties, — white, crimson, purple, violet, rose, and scarlet; and others va- 

 riously striped, spotted, and marbled. The bloom is exceedingly profuse, 

 and lasts a long time. Seed may be found at any seedsman's, and it germ, 

 nates readily if sown in a warm border in May. Seed of the different 

 varieties may be had in separate papers ; and it usually " comes true," — thai 

 is to say, produces flowers in color like the parent. No annual is better 

 worth cultivating:. F. P. 



Violet.'^ for Wintet^. — The best plan is to take off the suckers or 

 runners in May, and pot them singly in small pots in a compost of turfy 

 loam two-thirds, and leaf-mould one-third. Place them in a cold frame, 

 and keep close, moist, and shaded, until established. Remove the lights 

 gradually, keep the plants well supplied with water, and, when the pots be- 

 come full of roots, shift into six-inch pots, draining these well, and using 

 the same compost as before. The plants require moisture and coolness 

 during the summer, and they will grow well if the pots be plunged. In 

 September they may be returned to a frame, and remain plunged in ashes, 

 with the protection of a mat over the lights in severe weather, drafting 

 them into the greenhouse as they are wanted to flower, and always select- 

 ing the most promising. 



