

CITLTIVATIOX AXD ANAI.rSTS OF PT.AXTS. 



in color from them. The various markings make these flowers to rank with the most 

 heautilul treasures of the floral kingdom, while they are by no means deficient in fragrance. 



As a low-spreading plant, the P. Drummondii is no contemptible rival to the far-famed 

 and longer-known Verbena. "It even possesses some attractions that give it a decided 

 advantage over that popular flower; for instance, it is less subject to insects and not so 

 dependent on moisture, though it is bv no means indifferent to attention in this respect. 

 As a plant for bedding out in large or small (|iKintities, it can scarcely be surpassed, as it 

 blooms early and continuously througli the whole summer and fall until frost. In large 

 masses it makes the most brilliant and at the same time the most delicate of flower-beds, 

 while the case with which it mav be cultivated should make it everybody's flower. 



For early blooming it is best to sow the seed in a shallovi' box only two or three 

 inches ileep, placed where the seedlings can have some protection from the occasional 

 liiclemcncv of the weather in early spring. It is, however, hardy, and accommodating 

 enough to dispense with such attentions, absolutely requiring only to have its seed sown 

 in any garden soil, but the less attention the later the flowers. It will propagate itself* 

 fi-eely by scattering its own seed when fully ripe. To collect the seed of the P. Drum- 

 mondii, it is necessary to gather the pods when a little more than half ripe, or when they 

 have begun to turn a yellowish brown. They should then be spread out for four or five 

 days in some dry, airy place, to complete the ripening process. Where they are allowed 

 to sow themselves, the ground slicmld not be distui'bed in spring, requiring only to be 

 raked free of rubbish and overlaid with a mixture of iialf conmion earth and half manure, 

 to the depth of about an incb. This will sa\ e ronsideralile trouble in the matter of dig- 

 ging, but will be attended by some extra laboi- in thinning out. For those, however, who 

 wish to make the most of the Phloxes, the best method Is to sow the seed, as already 

 recommended, e\ ery year, and dig the soil, where they are to bloom, to a spade's deptli, 

 enriching It at the same time with the best manure at hanil. As house plants they are 

 not desirable, as thev sliow best In open beds or borders. 



1 



' EXDMIXATED Physianthns from two (ireek words signil"\ 

 nature-flower, it Is dlfhcull to determine In what respect this plant Is 

 more entitled to tiiat name than a hundred others. The species most 



f\^^ r;:,~ ^ '" cultivation Is denominated P. albicans, from the Latin albico^ I make 

 :£il«>'.;^^ f,^^ white, because of its abimdance of white flowers. It belongs to the 

 vv^' Nightshade family, and Is niuch grown as a house ornament. The 



white Hciwers, w hicli are about an Ineh In diameter, grow In thick clusters in all 

 the axils, and emit a pleasant fragrance. They are much used on public occasions, 

 as at births, marriages and funerals, in baptismal bouquets, bridal wreaths, and 

 mortuary chaplets. The Physianthns is a good climber, covering a window-fraine 

 in a short time, yielding itself to the owner's wishes, and readily assuming such 

 shape as may be desired. Outdoors in warm latitudes the plants bloom freely throughout 



