107 



Sctlla Siberica is perhaps the best of its 

 class, although the comparatively new Chtono- 

 doxa Lucilia is almost equally desirable for its 

 lovely shade of blue. Of the other squills, the 

 colors of 5. bifolia vary much, some being far 

 better than others ; this species also contains a 

 white variety. S. Italica and S. amcena are 

 worthless. The later-flowering Spanish squills 

 are large and coarse, but showy in shrubberies. 

 These are of three colors blue, white, and 

 pink sold under three names campanulata, 

 patula, and nutans. The difference in name 

 does not always insure difference in flower. The 

 best of all, certainly as regards color, is 5. Sibe- 

 rica. From the chinks of the rocks the hepati- 

 cas glow with all shades of blue, purple, and 

 rose, until they stop at nearly a pure white. The 

 hepatica comes in the category of those flowers 

 which the gardener neatly terms "very thank- 

 ful." If you can not procure it readily from the 

 woods, you should raise it from seed taken pro- 

 miscuously from the different kinds, to procure 

 new colors. 



It is not strange that the British hold the 

 primrose in such estimation that they have con- 

 secrated to it a " Primrose-Day" April ipth 

 the anniversary of the death of Lord Beacons- 

 field, who wore a bunch of primroses in his but- 



