Gardening for Amateurs 



453 



Marigolds are Legion of Honour, yellow and 



brown, Diadem, chestnut-red and yellow, 



both 9 inches high, and T. signata pumila, 



6 inches high. In double French Marigolds 



we have plants 2 feet high, with orange or 



striped flowers, and numerous dwarf sorts, 



9 inches high, with orange, pale yellow, 



striped and blotched flowers. Marigolds 



are very easy to grow, thriving in most soils, 



and are suitable for all sorts 



of positions in the garden, for 



filling beds on the lawn, 



groups in the borders, for 



ribbon borders and edgings 



and wherever brilliant masses 



of colour are required. Sow 



the seeds under glass during 



March, or outside after the 



middle of April, the former 



for preference, otherwise the 



flowers open rather late in the 



season. 



Tropaeolum majus (Nas- 

 turtium). Both the climbing 

 and dwarf Nasturtiums are 

 valuable in the garden. Grow- 

 ing well in town and suburban 

 districts the climbing varieties 

 are excellent for covering 

 lattice work or clothing 

 arches, arbours, porches, and 

 fences. The colours of the 

 flowers include deep crimson, 

 scarlet, yellow, creamy-white, 

 spotted flowers, and numerous 

 intermediate shades. The 

 dwarf or Tom Thumb varieties 

 include as many or more 

 colours ; these are only 9 

 inches high, and form an 

 excellent edging for a border. 

 Some of the best have been 

 given distinctive names, which include 

 Empress of India, velvety crimson ; King 

 of Tom Thumbs, scarlet, dark foliage ; King 

 Theodore, nearly black ; Pearl, creamy- 

 white ; luteum, yellow ; and Cloth of Gold, 

 golden foliage and flowers. Seeds of Nastur- 

 tiums may be sown in pots under glass in 

 March, or outside in April where they are 

 to bloom. The soil must not be too rich, or 

 the plants produce quantities of leaves which 

 hide many of the flowers. 



Xeranthemum annuum (Immortelle). 



This is a nice Everlasting, growing 2 feet 

 high, with pretty double flowers. Seeds 

 should be sown in April to yield a supply of 

 blooms to dry for winter decoration. Though 

 generally sold in mixed packets, seeds are 

 obtainable in separate colours. 



Zinnia elegans. In purchasing seeds it 

 is necessary to secure a good strain, otherwise 



The Ten-Week S 



there will be numerous single and poorly 

 coloured blooms. The colours include scarlet, 

 pink, yellow, and white, also numerous inter- 

 mediate shades ; seeds are sold in separate 

 colours and in mixture. The plants grow 

 about 2 feet high. Zinnia Hnngeana is a 

 small-flowered sort with orange blooms, and 

 grows about 1 foot high. Zinnias delight in 

 rich soil. Sow the seeds under glass during 

 March or early April and plant outside 

 towards the end of May. 



