IN THE FRONT YARD. 129 



shadings and tinting which conhl be extracted were 

 there in a marvelous blending. I have some very rich 

 specimens, which draw the attention of visitors. They 

 are about six feet tall. Some are like great posts fres- 

 coed wdth bloom ; others are branching, and all are 

 grand. They follow hard after the Paeonies, and 

 bridge the chasm between them and the Phloxes. 



Over in England they have made great improvements 

 in these flowers, l^j careful selection and hybridizing 

 they have secured a race far superior to our native? 

 sorts ; but thoua'h these choice strains mav do well in 

 the milder climate of that country, they do not winter 

 well with us. But we have such a rich variety there 

 is no reason why we also cannot improve, and thus 

 secure hardiness w^ith beauty. 



I give the following as an English tribute to this 

 flower : 



Delphiniums — As permanent subjects in the hardy 

 flower garden we have few plants more worthy of special 

 attention than the Delphiniums. For producing a 

 striking display over a long season they are probably 

 unique. Eor general effect in groups or beds they are 

 extremely valuable as a whole, but one is easily carried 

 away on closer inspection by the exquisite beauty of 

 their flowers, particularly those with clear, sky-blue 

 shades. Indeed, they have many points of excellence, 

 any one of which alone should entitle them to popu- 

 larity. But to appreciate their beauty one must see 

 them growing, for it is almost impossible to convey any- 

 thing like an adequate idea of their worth by mere 



