THE COMMELINA. 227 



7. The color should be dense, whatever it be ; not as if it 

 "vvere a white dipped iu color, but as if the whole flower was 

 colored throughout. Whether tipped or edged, it must be 

 free from splashes or blotches, or iudefinite marks of any 

 kind ; and new flowers, unless they are superior to all old 

 ones of the same color, or are of a novel color themselves, 

 with a majority of the points of excellence, should be 

 rejected. 



As in dahlias the newest varieties are supposed to be the 

 best, and as each year gives us many new varieties, the best 

 list can be obtained from florists' latest catalogues. 



THE COMMELINA. 



These pretty little plants are natives of America ; and 

 some have tuberous roots, which are eatable. 



They should be raised from seed from which they bloom 

 the first year. When the frost has killed the foliage, the 

 roots should be taken up, preserved in dry sand until spring 

 in a frost-proof cellar, and planted out like any tender 

 tuber. 



The species are, — 



C. coelestis. — Flowers blue or white. 



