200 Drummond Phlox. 



under the name of P. scarlet (coccinea) ; but its flowers, though of a very 

 brilliant color, are far from being the true scarlet, and only of a radiant, 

 bright dark-crimson tint. The flowers of this new variety offered here are 

 of the pure true scarlet, with a slight tinge of copper-color. The phloxes, 

 among which we have a good portion of distinct tender and bright tints, 

 belong to our best and most useful annuals : but this new variety will have 

 the first place everywhere between the most striking of them ; and, for 

 composing whole true scarlet groups of it, it will be highly welcome. It 

 is quite constant, of dwarf, compact habit, one of the best acquisitions 

 of modern horticulture, and the very complement of phloxes (prints to be 

 had). The produce of seeds being too scarce, I am obliged to offer this 

 novelty in small quantities, and only at a high price, — for a hundred seeds, 

 thirty shillings." Well, that is a pretty good price, amounting, when all 

 charges are paid, to fifteen cents per seed. Of this novelty I had the fol- 

 lowing experience. 



I received the print, which I found to be a pretty good representation, 

 although, as in most cases, a little exaggerated. I planted fifteen seeds in 

 my greenhouse in March : of these, seven only vegetated ; and I raised and 

 potted only six plants, which were turned into the ground in June. Some 

 of them had already begun to show flower. Soon some of the plants 

 began to dwindle ; and I found that the wire-worm, or some insect, was at 

 work at the roots : they continued their depredations until they had de- 

 stroyed all but one plant. This flowered very full, more dense than the 

 old varieties, and the plant more dwarf and stocky. The flowers answered 

 to the description given by t!ie Prussian florist, but were not so large as 

 the common sorts. Before a single seed was perfected, the plant seemed 

 to blight, and died off": so there was an end to my experience ; and I shall 

 have no seed except that which may be obtained by importation. 



