The Canadian Horticulturist. 51 



Ricinus, or Castor-oil Bean, forms the centre-piece of the circular bed, and is 

 most appropriately surrounded by a ring of Cannas. 



The oldest variety known is the Canna Indica, or Indian Shot, which was 

 introduced to England from the West Indies in the year 1596. For a long time 

 this was the only variety cultivated, and it was not until 1855 that the French 

 gardeners began to pay attention to this plant, and have recently succeeded in 



BED OF RECINUS AND CANNAS. 



producing hybrids which are great improvements on that variety, both in leaf 

 and flower. Among these the following are iwo of the most valuable, and we 

 subjoin the description of them as given by Mr. Fewkes in Popular Gardening. 



Adolph Wkick is by far the moat valuable of the red.flowered Cannas, excelling all 

 others in freedom of bloom and general usefulness. Though not a new variety, its great 

 value has been but recently appreciated. It does not content itself with throwing up 

 simple spikes of bloom, but each one branches into four or five side branches, whicn 

 terminate in very full clusters of flowers of large size and great beauty. When well grown 

 it will average about five feet in height, beginning to flower very early in the season. In 



Eots in the greenhouse it will flower when about two feet high, and, if planted in a rich 

 ed in June, will flower all through the summer until cut down by the frost. 



Premices de Nice. — Among yellows there is nothing better than this old variety, 

 which was introduced about twenty years ago. The flowers are large, very freely pro- 

 duced, and of a clear, canary-yellow color. It reaches the heighth of about six feet, with 

 pointed, light glaucous green leaves. The bright color and freedom with which the 

 flowers are produced make this one of the most useful varieties grown. 



