VII. LIST OF FLOWERS. 



stand on the ground, and they also prevent the worms 

 getting in. A slight covering during the frosts of winter 

 is necessary for a fine blow. Those plants which are 

 planted out in the border should be taken up and parted 

 every three years, or they become weak, blow but little^, 

 and shortly die. 



423. BALSAM. Lat. Impatiens balsamina. Fr. B<tl- 

 mmine des Jardins.From the East Indies. A most 

 beautiful, but rather tender, annual plant. Well known 

 to almost every body, and almost universally cultivated, 

 and is very ornamental in the flower borders, in the green- 

 house and in the parlour. It blows in July, August, and 

 September, double and single flowers, red, pink, white, 

 or variegated. The best way of propagating is by 

 sowing the seed early in March in a moderate hot-bed. 

 By April, the plants must be potted off singly, and then 

 struck in the hot-bed again ; then accustom them by de- 

 grees to the open air, and early in May put them out 

 into the borders, or put them into large pots ; according 

 as you design them to blow. In a fine warm summer 

 they will be finer in the open air than in the green-house 

 or stove j less drawn up, and bearing flowers larger and far 

 more abundant, and, towards the fall they will ripen seed 

 n abundance, which should be carefully gathered every 

 evening. The pods should be very cautiously approached 

 'or this purpose, as, if ripe, they fly in pieces instantly, 

 on being touched, and scatter the seed in all directions. 

 See that the pod be a little yellow before you gather it, 

 and then fold your hand round it, and let it fly open 

 Within your fingers. But, to return to the plants, these 

 i will a.$ver want water after they are once well rooted in 



