246 We (SKartJert'a JStorg. 



nials that may be dotted here and there in the 

 border ; its scarlet is so strong, it does not require 

 to be planted in masses. This varies somewhat 

 in the size of its flower-heads and the intensity 

 of its hue according to the soil and the season. 



The same observation holds good with very 

 many plants, that some years prove extremely 

 satisfactory and again are disappointing. A 

 thorough rain at the right time does wonders 

 toward heightening the hues of flowers ; and 

 cool weather is everything in holding the true 

 colors of many. Certain varieties of roses 

 which faded rapidly one season, and which I had 

 condemned on that account, I have found, an- 

 other season, when the weather was favorable, 

 entirely satisfactory. So that it is not always 

 possible to judge of the merits of a flower from 

 a single season's experience. Neither can one 

 expect that a species which is desirable in one 

 place will invariably prove so in another so 

 much depends on climate, soil, and the caprice 

 of the weather. 



A fine contrast to the scarlet lychnis, besides 

 the larkspurs, roses, excelsum and candidum 

 lilies, is Chrysanthemum maximum, a grand, 

 hardy Marguerite, which has large white daisy- 

 like flowers, with yellow centers, on stiff stalks. 

 The narrow notched leaves are of a deep green, 



