Herbaceous and Bedding Plants 



AGERATUM. 



This well-known Summer-flow- 

 ering plant is a general favorite on 

 account of its pretty blue flowers 

 and long-continued season of pro- 

 fuse blooming. A good light loam 

 well-enriched with old manure will 

 grow it well. Plant the dwarf vari- 

 eties six inches apart, and the tall 

 species about fifteen inches apart. 



Propagate by cuttings in Sep- 

 tember, in a cold frame or green- 

 house ; in Winter protect them from 

 frost; plant them out of doors as 

 soon as the danger from cold 

 weather is over. 



AGROSTEMA. 



Hardy evergreen perennials and annuals with lance-shaped 

 leaves and star-shaped flowers. They are of easy culture, grow- 

 ing freely in any soil and (being mostly natives of Southern 

 Europe) requiring little water. They are also well adapted for 

 ornamenting dry banks if planted after the first rains in Autumn. 

 Seeds of the annual species should be sown in August in a cold 

 frame or in a sheltered border ; barely cover the seeds with finely 

 sifted sandy soil ; plant them out in October and they will begin 

 flowering in April. The perennial species, such as Agrostema 

 coronaria, are increased by division of the roots, the early Winter 

 being the best season for their division. 



Ageratum. 



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