MARYGOLD. 241 



variety with purple flowers. The Cape Marygolds, spe- 

 cifically so called, as well as some others, natives of the 

 Cape, have a deep purple centre or disk ; and the florets 

 around it, which are called the rays of the flower, are of a 

 violet colour without, and a pure white within. 



These kinds, like our common Garden Marygold, open 

 when the sun shines, and close in the evening, and in 

 cloudy weather. Two of these, the Grass-leaved, and the 

 Shrubby, are perennial plants : the others are annual. 



The Garden Marygold, and the Great, the Little, and 

 the Naked-stalked Cape Marygolds, may be sown in 

 April or in March ; the first singly ; the others, four of 

 them, or five, in a pot ten inches wide. If they all come 

 up, the two most promising should be preserved, and the 

 rest rooted out ; they will not bear transplanting. The 

 Grass-leaved kind is best raised by a gardener; and should 

 be housed, but not kept too warm, in the winter. The 

 Shrubby Marygold is increased by cuttings planted in any 

 of the summer months, and shaded from the sun until they 

 have taken firm root, which will be in five or six weeks. 

 In winter, this must be treated as the last. 



The Marygolds must not be suffered to remain dry, but 

 must have but little water at a time. Most of them flower 

 from June till August; but the Garden Marygold con- 

 tinues in bloom till stopped by the frost. 



ff Open afresh your round of starry folds 

 Ye ardent marigolds ! 

 Dry up the moisture of your golden lids, 

 For great Apollo bids 



That in these days your praises shall be sung 

 On many harps, which he has lately strung ; 

 And when again your dewiness he kisses, 

 Tell him, I have you in my world of blisses : 

 So haply when I rove in some far vale, 

 His mighty voice may come upon the gale." 



KEATS. 



