56 THE FLOWER GARDEN COMPANION. 



The Phlox combines many desirable properties, and is 

 admirably adapted to the American flower garden ; the roots 

 being perfectly hardy, are easily increased and cultivated. It 

 is pleasing and various in the color of its blossoms, and con- 

 tinues in flower, in a well chosen collection, from March until 

 late in the fall. To what state of perfection the Phlox may 

 attain to, time alone will determine ; although it is very rea- 

 sonable to suppose, it will in a few years have but few rivals, 

 as a " florist flower," when it is considered how readily new 

 varieties are obtained from seed, in conjunction with the lively 

 colors of the flower, and its natural modification of petals or 

 flowers approaching the desired properties of a florist flower. 



Culture. The Phlox may be increased from seed, by 

 which new varieties may be obtained. The seed may be 

 sown early in the spring, either in patches in the flower 

 border, or in drills, for the purpose of transplanting, either 

 into beds or to be mingled in the flower borders for final 

 flowering. The young plants may be transplanted so soon 

 as they have three or four rough leaves, which will generally 

 be about the beginning or middle of June ; they should have 

 every encouragement by culture to make them grow freely, 

 and by this means they will flower in profusion in the fall. 

 To this method may be added, that of parting the roots in 

 September, or early in the spring, and putting out cuttings 

 of the young shoots in the month of May, in a shady situa- 

 tion, which will be well rooted and ready for planting out in 

 the fall. 



Soil. The Phlox will flourish in almost any soil, although 

 a rich mellow loam answers best; and in it the plants will 

 flower to a greater perfection than in a poor sandy soil ; it 

 also requires a free, open exposure ; and has a beautiful effect 

 when planted in separate beds, in a grass plat, or other con- 

 spicuous place, near the dwelling. 



I herewith append a list of the most approved varieties, 

 which can be obtained of most of the florist and nurserymen 

 in different parts of the States. 



