TAGETES 87 



The best species are S. Bonduellii, 15 inches, yellow ; S. 

 Suworowii, 15 inches, pink or lilac ; and 6". sinuata, 2 feet, 

 lavender ; this latter species has a white variety named can- 

 didissima, and mixed colours are listed as mixed hybrids. 



TAGETES 



^^ African Marigold" — *^ French Marigold" 



The African and French Marigolds {Composites) are glorious 

 plants, though they are not agreeable to handle owing to the 

 unpleasant odour of the leaves and stems when rubbed ; they 

 are so showy and easily grown that they are absent from 

 few gardens. In the North of England and in most parts of 

 Scotland they are especial favourites, and almost every ex- 

 hibition in the North makes provision for both kinds, and 

 keen competitions follow. In the Tyneside district extra- 

 ordinary pains are taken to bring the flowers to perfection 

 for exhibition purposes, the operations of shading, protection, 

 and thinning being as carefully considered as they are in 

 the case of exhibition Dahlias. 



For garden decoration the brilliance of the flowers compels 

 admiration. The French strains derived from the Mexican 

 species Tagetes patula are first rate for edging large beds or 

 borders, or for a groundwork under a thin planting of taller 

 plants. Legion of Honour is one of the very best varieties ; it 

 is about I foot high, bushy and compact, the florets broad and 

 regular, and the colour golden-yellow with a large mark of 

 velvety maroon on each. The other single varieties have some 

 merit, but are a long way behind Legion of Honour for effect 

 and lasting beauty. The double varieties are now very 

 popular, and the self-coloured flowers, or those with a maroon 

 stripe down each golden floret, or with golden margins to 

 maroon florets, are attractive. 



African Marigolds have descended from Tagetes erecta. 

 They are bold plants with big, massive, double flowers. 



