10 YE- L1ES-BLEEMXG. g9 



It is a sad drop from the heights to which the poets 

 carry us to the uncomfortable suggestions of the old 

 French name for the flower, " Discipline des religieuses " — 

 the nun's whipping-rope. Another French name takes 

 the " amor " into consideration, for it is " Fleur de ja- 

 lousie." The geographical enterprise of the Spanish and 

 Portuguese is reflected in the name — " Papagayo" — it bears 

 in the Peninsula ; it is there the parrot flower, though 

 quite unlike a parrot, except in its brilliant colour. 



All the amaranths are annuals, and all that are known 

 are worth growing. Three of the number are of con- 

 siderable importance to amateurs who require flowers in 

 plenty at the least possible expense, and needing but very 

 little exercise of horticultural skill. They comprise the 

 one here figured, Amaranthus caudatus, which will grow 

 in any soil, but attains to a splendid character when located 

 in a rich, deep, moist loam. It is sufficient to sow the 

 seed on the border where it is to remain ; but for a well- 

 managed garden, the proper practice is to sow in pans or 

 pots, and raise the plants in a frame, and plant them out 

 when large enough. There is a yellow-flowered variety, 

 and there is one with whitish flowers ; but the common 

 crimson is the most effective. 



Prince's feather is a replica of the foregoing, but with 

 upright instead of pendent inflorescence. Its book name 

 is Amaranthus hypochondriacus. It is more hardy, grows 

 to greater size, and lasts longer in flower than love-lies- 

 bleeding; but though a fine plant, it must be placed 

 second in order of merit as regards distinctive beauty. 



A showy amaranthus is A. sjjeciosns, a native of Nepaul, 

 growing three to four feet high, with reddish-purple 

 leaves, and crimson flowers in dense whorls. If sown in 



