TEE SXAP-BRAGOX. 15 



colours, all growing, as the little fruit-trees were, on the 

 rough brickwork, without a particle o!^ proper " mould." 

 Here we again noted that the red, pink, white, and browu 

 Howers were comparatively poor, but the crimson and the 

 pale yellow were glorious, both for their fine form and 

 purity of colour. 



Although from these observations it appears that the 

 plant tends in two distinct directions in its natural varia- 

 tions, it is due to the florists to say that they have produced 

 a series of named varieties, remarkable for the number and 

 size and smoothness of their flowers, as well as for distinet- 

 ness and purity of colour. AVe have seen in nurseries col- 

 lections ot over a hundred varieties, embracing ali colours 

 except true blue and clear scarlet, and ranging in height 

 from pigmies of four or five inches, to robust plants a foot 

 to a foot and a half high. They are especially adajrted to 

 adorn the flower-beds in places where the natural soil is 

 hot and dry, and they make useful bedding plants, becausCj 

 being perfectly hardy, they need no aid of glass to keep 

 them through the winter. As regards soil, however, they 

 do well on any soil that is not absolutely boggy, but a 

 sandy or calcareous staple suits them best when the question 

 arises as to their proper location. 



Named varieties are raised from (■uttings, and when 

 plants are required for the production of distinct masses 

 of colour, this mode of propagation should be practised. 

 But when there is no special need for uniformity, a pinch 

 of mixed seed may be sown in spring, and the plants may 

 be put out when large enough, and there will be plenty of 

 showy flowers in due time. If it is required to establish 

 them on a wall or ruin, the seed may be thinly sprinkled 

 and covered with a little mould. The best time to do this 



