242 THE ERYTSPJNA. 



The shoots proceed from a hard, woody root, in early- 

 spring ; grow rapidly, producing large spikes of bloom in 

 August ; and, if allowed, will continue growing until the 

 plant becomes a shrub, or even a small tree. The proper 

 treatment, however, is to cut off all shoots close to the root, 

 and allow the plant to rest during the winter, starting it 

 into growth again in early spring. 



The plant is singularly facile in its growth ; for by proper 

 application of heat, light, and water, it may be had in bloom 

 any month in the year. 



Our plan is to treat it as a bedding-plant. 



In April, the roots are planted in a frame, where they 

 soon make shoots. 



When all danger of frost is over, and the chill is out of 

 the ground, the roots are carefully transplanted to a rich 

 border, where they grow vigorously, and bloom freely all 

 summer. When the frost has killed the foliage, the plant is 

 cut down ; and the roots, packed in dry earth, are preserved 

 in a warm frost-proof cellar until spring. 



The flowers of all are red, dark or dull, or scarlet ; the dif- 

 ference being in color, foliage, and growth. The plants are 

 easily propagated by cuttings of the young shoots in spring, 

 or by cutting up the old flowering stem when ripe, and strik- 



