290 Phlox Drummondii as a Green-house Plant. 



we are decidedly so; for we never look upon it, or cut one of 

 its clusters of flowers, but we are involuntarily led into ex- 

 clamations of its great elegance. As a summer ornament of 

 the border, and as a winter inmate of the green-house, it is 

 equally to be admired. 



Now that the season is at hand, when it is to be seen in its 

 full splendor in the open garden, and when its seeds should 

 be planted to produce plants for blooming in the green-house 

 in the spring months, we are induced to make a few obser- 

 vations upon its cultivation in the latter place, having already 

 spoken of its treatment (Vol. IV., p. 322,) in the flower 

 garden. 



The seeds, to produce good plants, should be sown the 

 latter part of August, or, at the latest, by the middle of Sep- 

 tember. Collect them from the plants now growing, if such 

 can be had, or procure them from the seedsmen. Select a 

 shady situation in the garden, where the sun only shines in the 

 morning or afternoon, and plant the seeds, after having well pul- 

 verized and prepared the soil. In the course of a week or 

 two, they will be up. 



Keep the young plants free from weeds, and in the latter 

 part of September if the seeds were sown in August, or in 

 October if they were sown in September, take up the young 

 plants into pots, placing one in each, in a No. 1. Any 

 common soil of the garden will answer for potting them. 



The pots should then be removed to a frame, where they 

 may remain until November or December, giving occasional 

 waterings, though they will need but a very small quantity 

 at this season of the year. At the end of this time the 

 plants may be removed to the green-house, placing them on 

 an airy shelf, as near the glass as is convenient, watering them 

 very sparingly. 



About the 1st of February, the strongest of the plants may 

 be removed into No. 2 pots, using about half loam and leaf 

 mould, or peat and a small quantity of sand, giving at the 

 same time, a good drainage to the pots. The weaker plants 

 need not be repotted until March. 



When the flower stems appear, they should be tied to neat 

 sticks, painted green, to give them a handsome form. If al- 

 lowed to trail over the sides of the pot, they do not look 

 well, from the half erect habit of the plants. We have train- 

 ed them to small delicately made trellises, of a fan shape, and 



