THE OX LIT: 147 



oxlijis ave of the greatest valui-, hut they arc not so well 

 adapted for the dressed grouiuU, heeaiise theif llowei'iiii^- is 

 soon over, and when they thi-i\-e as they should the\' he- 

 eome somewhat eoarse in leaf:ii;v as the suniniev advances. 

 It is known to Imt few how many s[>lendid varieties are 

 avadaljlo f(.)r the g-anleu, and how partieulavly worthy ol' 

 pot culture are man\' of the named kinds. Their sparkling 

 freshness of colour is promoted l>y frame cultui'e hy reason 

 of the shelter secured at the time the dry east winds pre- 

 vail, when these })lants are lialjle to serious injury, and we 

 can the least allord to lose a leaf or flower. When so 

 o'rown they re(|uire a ligdit rich soil, and carelullv })acked 

 drainage, and to be kept always much exposed to the 

 weather save when severe frost or east winds prevail. 

 ^^ hen planted out in the shrubliery borders any fairly good 

 soil will suit them. A collection of choice sorts shoidd 

 have a prepared border in any case where a doubt may arise 

 as to the suitability of the natural soil for tliem. We have 

 found all the sorts thrive on a heavy clay, but we have had 

 losses through planting in positions much expiisedt(.) strong- 

 sunshine, east wind, and sunnner drought. Occasionally 

 when Idlled down by summer heat, they will in the cool 

 autumn renew themselves fnnn the root, but it is safer to 

 shade them and hel]) thern through with water, and safer 

 still to insure them the permanent shade of trees and 

 shrubs, bat in a 2)osition partially open to all the winds of 

 heaven . 



The raising of plants from seed is a liusiiKss reipiiring 

 care. It is best to sow the seed in pans hlled with light 

 comp(jst, covering the seed with a mere dusting of soil, and 

 then taking care that it never becomes quite diy. A light 

 sprinkling of moss will be useful to check evaporation, but 



