398 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Alba, pure white ; seed requires to be soaked in warm water 

 before planting ; seed sown one-eighth of an inch deep, in the 

 latter part of May. 



A very ornamental pyramid may be made by placing a hoop, 

 three or four feet in diameter, fastened to the ground by pegs, 

 setting a straight pole six or eight feet high, in the center, run- 

 ning a string from the top of the pole to the hoop. Sow the 

 seed outside the hoop ; it may also be trained over arches or 

 vases. Sathgrus odoratus, or sweet pea, one of the prettiest and 

 most fragrant of the popular annuals which ornament the flower 

 garden. The sweet pea grows four or five feet high in rich soil. 

 The plants should be tied to a stake or old tree. Seed sown in 

 April flowers in July. Ageratum Mexicanum, a half hardy 

 annual, with light blue flowers, indispensable ; seed sown in May 

 flowers in July, flowering profusely until killed by the frost in 

 autumn. Alyssium Maretimum is a hardy annual, growing one 

 foot high ; flowers white, very fragrant ; seed may be sown in 

 autumn or early in spring. Cacalia or scarlet tassel flower — 

 a very pretty annual, with scarlet and orange tassel-shaped 

 flowers ; seed sown first of May blooms from July until October. 

 Escholtzia or California gold flower ; flowers bright yellow ; very 

 showy ; this, with slight protection during winter, will flower the 

 second season ; blooms from June until October. Clarkia elegans 

 is a hardy annual, very show}^ ; seed sown in September flowers 

 much better than when sown in the spring ; for spring sowing, 

 plant in April, in poor soil. Clintonia elegans is a beautiful, 

 tender annual, covered with deep blue flowers ; grows about six 

 inches high ; seed sown in May in light, rich soil, blooms in July 

 and August. Gomphreana globosa, or globe amaranthus, five 

 different colors ; seed rather diflicult to vegetate unless soaked in 

 warm water ; the flowers, if gathered and kept in a dry place, 

 will retain their colors for several years ; seeds sown in May 

 flowers in July. Mignonette, one of the sweetest of all the 

 annuals in the markets of Paris and London ; thousands of pots 

 of it are sold annually ; it has been found growing upon the 

 walls of old ruins near Paris, springing from every crevice where 

 the seed could germinate, and scenting the air with its fragrance. 

 The mignonette is of very easy culture ; in rich soil it grows 

 luxuriantly with poor flowers that have little or no fragrance ; 

 but in poor soil the flowers will be large, and very fragrant ; 

 when once the seeds are planted it will retain possession of the 



