306 STUDIES IN GARDENING 



can help. But even so it is sure to seem freakish to 

 some readers; and if it does they will have the pleasure 

 of disagreeing with it. 



We will begin with Larkspurs, one of our chief dif- 

 ficulties. The florists are always raising new varieties 

 of these, but many of them are not pure blue, and 

 surely the glory of a Larkspiu- is in its blueness. In 

 this Delphinium Belladonjia has never been surpassed. 

 It is not quite so robust as some varieties nor so tall 

 growing, but will do well enough in most sunny well- 

 drained borders; and it flowers longer than any Lark- 

 spur. Persimmon is taller and larger flowered and a 

 splendid variety, but it has not all the grace of Bella- 

 donna. True Blue is a noble plant, a darker colour 

 with a brown centre like a bee, but it has a doubtful 

 constitution. Therefore we choose Belladonna for our 

 Larkspur. It used never to ripen seed; but a seed- 

 bearing variety has now been obtained from which 

 it is said the seedlings come true. Several species of 

 LUies are thoroughly good garden plants. The chief 

 of them, of course, is the Madonna, whose one defect 

 is its disease. Plant it in August or September in 

 a rooty place, but where it gets plenty of sun, and 

 with the top of the bulb only about an inch under 

 ground. In a poor soil give it a good dose of cow 

 manure well under the bulb. Then never disturb it, 

 and it will probably triumph over the disease, even 

 in districts where the disease is rampant. LUium 

 testaceum must also come into our anthology. It is 

 even easier to grow than the Madonna Lily, and 



