CANNA. 139 



become through cross-breeding', that the greater portion of 

 the varieties described here are capable of withstanding 

 the severity of our ordinary -winters unharmed, if the 

 ground is properly prepared and covered in winter. To do 

 this, remove the soil for a considerable depth, and fill up to 

 within about a foot of the surface with rough drainage 

 material, such as bricks, &c., over which put some good 

 rich open loam, with a slight admixture of leafy mould, 

 well decomposed. In this manner they may be used with 

 advantage, either as groups in the centre of flower beds, 

 in large beds by themselves, or as isolated groups upon the 

 lawn, &c., &o. They are propagated by division of the 

 roots and by seeds. 



G. Achiras variegata. — This is a charming variety for 

 in-door culture. It is of medium height, having its bright 

 green leaves striped with white and yellow ; it will grow 

 in the open air during summer, and retains its character, 

 but it will probably not be efieotive enough for sub-tropical 

 gardening. 



G. Annaei. — A charming kind, growing from six to ten 

 feet high. The leaves are long, tapering to a sharp point, 

 stand somewhat erect, and are of a light glailcous green 

 colour. Its bronzy yellow flowers are produced in abun- 

 dance ; in addition it is of a robust and hardy constitu- 

 tion. 



G. Armed rosea. — This variety is less robust in habit 

 than the preceding, as it seldom exceeds five feet in height; 

 the ground colour of the leaf is dark green, the mid-rib 

 and margin being dark bronze ; the flowers are reddish 

 purple. It is a very hardy kind, and is one of the best for 

 planting in the sub-tropical garden. 



G. Awguste Ferrier. — ^A very fine variety, but one that we 

 have not seen so much grown as it deserves. It is of a 



