86 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 
of old plants is resorted to only for the purpose of 
supplying cuttings in spring, annual renewals of the 
plants being absolutely needful if a free growth and 
an abundant bloom be desired. A quick way of making 
stock is to tear the plants to pieces in the autumn, and 
pot the little rooted tufts in sandy soil and store them 
away In a greenhouse or pit. The section known as 
“pumila,” consisting of very dwarf cushion-like plants, 
may be very well propagated by this method, but the more 
wiry ones, such as ramosa and elegans, are best grown 
from cuttings. They may all be most easily grown from 
seeds sown in pans in February or March, and afterwards 
pricked out to become strong in time for bedding, or the 
seed may be sown in April where the plants are to 
remain to flower, and if thinned in good time the plants 
will do very well, although, of course, they will flower 
somewhat late. 
All the lobelias, including the grand “ cardinalis” 
section, require a deep, rich, moist soil, and therefore, if 
the soil of the garden is dry and poor, plenty of leaf- 
mould, rotten turf, and old hotbed manure should be 
dug in where the lobelias are to be planted. None of 
them are quite hardy, but none of them are particularly 
tender, therefore moderate protection in a cool house or 
pit will in general suffice for their preservation during 
winter, but long-continued frosts will certainly prove 
fatal to them. As they are a thirsty lot, an overdose 
of water at any time will scarcely trouble them; and if, 
amongst the arrangements for bedding plants, any house 
or pit proves too damp for geraniums, it will probably 
happen that lobelias may be wintered there with perfect 
safety. 
