224 PLANT CULTURE 



quently in bloom up to the middle of December. It is used for 

 window boxes, vases and baskets. 



Propagation. A few plants may be lifted, cut back and planted 

 in the front part of a Rose or Carnation bench, where they wiU 

 furnish abundant material for cuttings in the Spring. It is also 

 raised from seeds which for a succession of bloom should be sown 

 several times during the season. 



AMARANTHUS (Amaranth). The value of the Amaranthus 

 lies in the highly-colored foliage, no other class of plants surpassing 

 them in this respect. In the hottest parts of the country they do 

 not last long after attaining their full size, and may be successfully 

 used among Canna plants, which have been set out in a semi- 

 dormant state. The common sorts are: A. caudatus, Love-Lies- 

 Bleeding, and A. hypochondriacus, the Prince's Feather; the former 

 has flower stems resembling red cord, the latter has highly- 

 colored leaves as well as a showy flower head. 



Propagation. Amaranthus will germinate out of doors and 

 make fair-sized plants, but to have them at their best the seed 

 should be sown in the beginning of March, in a warm house, and near 

 the glass, as the seedlings get very weak unless given all the light 

 possible. As soon as large enough they are pricked off into boxes, 

 and, when they reach the proper size, potted singly into 3-inch 

 pots, planting them out from this size. 



ARCTOTIS (African Daisy). The A. grandis is a most at- 

 tractive daisy-like flower with petals white above and bluish be- 

 neath; the centers are steel-blue. It makes a rather good cut flower. 



BRACK YCOME (Swan River Daisy) . A charming little blue 

 Daisy used for edging borders of annuals. The species most grown, 



B. ibcridifoHa, often bears blue, pinkish or white flowers a half inch 

 in diameter. 



Propagation. For best results the seeds are started in boxes 

 in March. 



BROWALLIA (Amethyst). B. data is a blue-flowered annual 

 species and may be sown where it is to bloom. In this locality the 

 numerous varieties are hardy annuals. B. speciosa may either be 

 raised from cuttings or seeds. When grown cool both are good 

 Winter blooming plants for the conservatory. 



CALENDULA (Pot Marigold). An old favorite of which 

 there are now excellent golden yeUow and lemon-colored flowers. 



C. officinalis is grown in the greenhouse and garden because of its 



