131 FAMILIAR GAUDEN FI.OWBRS. 



Deljyhin'nim gives no examples, unless we recognise T). 

 ochnileiicnm as a yellow, which, properly speaking, it is 

 not. The annual lai-kspurs are amongst the gayest flowers 

 of their class, and the bright blue varieties are brilliantly 

 beautiful. They are unfortunately of brief duration when 

 sown in S])ring, and spring sowing of annual flowers pre- 

 vails so generally that not many growers of such have seen 

 the best sorts in the best condition. The larkspurs make 

 (iner spikes of flowers and last much hmger when the seed 

 is sown in autumn, and this practice provides the garden 

 with their agreeable verdure through the winter, for the 

 l)lan(s are i|uite hardy, and fine clumps often apj^ear from 

 self-siiwn seeds. The parent species are limestone plants, 

 and the garden varieties thrive on dry calcareous soils. 



Perennial larkspurs are raised from seeds and divisions; 

 they are quite hardy, and will thrive in almost any soil or 

 situation. In common with a majority of the plants that 

 command attention in the garden, they make a finer growth 

 in a good soil than in a bad one, but it is worthy of special 

 note that a hot dr}' soil is well adapted for them, provided 

 the aid of a little manure is afforded. AVheu a collection 

 has been secured, it will be good i>raetice to lift, and if 

 needful divide and re-plant ever\' three years, the soil to 

 be well du<4' over and liberal! v enriched with the clearings 

 from an old hotbed. In any case of failure, winter damj) 

 may be suspected as the cause, for as limestone plants, a 

 somewhat dry soil suits larkspurs far l.)etter than a heavy 

 soil retentive of moisture. 



The raising of plants from seed is a quite simple matter, 

 but needs a little care, on account of the liability of the 

 young plants to " damp off" if too freely or too frequently 

 watered. The best time to sow the seed is in summer ot 



