The Indian Cress. 131 



i a s they increase in size the plants may be transferred to 

 1 r^er pots? an ^ supplied with water drained from a manure 

 , This operation of division of the roots is applied to 



many other plants besides the Cineraria, and the foregoing 

 directions may serve as general ones. 



A bed of these plants, properly arranged, is very ornamental 

 . ^g flower garden. A situation sheltered from the sun in the 

 hot part of the day suits them best. The soil must be loose, 

 and sufficient water afforded. As soon as the flowers have 

 fallen, the care of the amateur must be exerted to promote 

 the growth of the plant, so as to strengthen it for enduring the 

 coolness of autumn and winter. Those plants which have 

 bloomed in pots must then be turned out and planted in 

 a situation where they will be protected from too much heat. 

 The greater part of the ball of earth around the roots must be 

 removed, the flower stems cut off within two inches of the 

 base, and then set at about a foot apart. The crown of the 

 root should also be sunk a little below the surface, by which 

 means the shoots which are intended for separation will have 

 acquired a sufficient supply of roots for their maintenance 

 when the season arrives for their removal. When planted in 

 the open air, they require frequent watering in dry weather, 

 and the bed must be kept free from weeds. 



TROP^OLUM— INDIAN CRESS. 



Natural Order, Tropseolacese. Linnsean Class and Order, Octandria, Mono- 

 gynia. Generic Distinctions : — Calyx, of five united sepals, the lowest 

 spurred. Petals, five, unequal. Stamens, eight. Ovary of three united 

 carpels. Stigmas, three. Nuts, coriaceous, furrowed, three-celled, one- 

 seeded. 



T. majus. Leaves, peltate, repand ; petals, obtuse, some of them fringed. 

 Plate 20. 



The name of this well known genus is derived from the 

 latin, tropaum, a trophy. The leaf is shaped like a shield, and 

 the flowers resemble an empty and blood-stained helmet, which 

 defensive armor formed a part of those trophies which were 



