400 



THE GARDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



when only the single form of Z. eleyans was found in 

 gardens — of somewhat tall and branching habit, and with 

 very showy flowers. In course of time a double form ap- 

 peared, and, by careful breeding and selection, the flowers 

 are now large, full, very handsome, and varied in colour. 

 Seeds are sown in a little warmth in spring, the plants 

 grown on, and gradually hardened off for putting out in 

 the open. During the seedling stage they should not be 

 starved or receive a check, or they will not bloom well 

 in the open ground. The soil should be deep and rich, 

 and then the finest development may be looked for. The 

 plants form handsome bushes and are prolific of bloom. 

 Z. Baageana, an improved form of Z. mexicana, has both 

 single and double flowers, but it is not so popular as the 

 older race. A strain of hybrid origin, known as Z. Darwini, 

 is probably from Z. elegans and Z. multiflora. All the 

 varieties remain in flower for a considerable time. 



[R. D.] 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



POPULAR GARDEN PLANTS. 



The Achimenes. —These beautiful and 

 free-flowering plants are useful for the summer 

 decoration of conservatories, &c. Most of the 



Fig. 506.— Arhimenes. 



favourite sorts are of hybrid origin, having 

 been raised from species introduced principally 

 from the warm regions of South America; con- 

 sequently they will bear a considerable amount 

 of heat, though in the summer, when they 

 flower, they will do in a house without artificial 



warmth, provided they are not exposed to cur- 

 rents of cold air. 



They should be started into growth in March, 

 in pots or pans filled to within 1 \ inch of the rim 

 with fine sandy soil, placing the tubers 1 inch 

 apart, and covering them over with a little soil. 

 A stove with a night temperature of 65° or 

 thereabouts soon starts them into growth, and 

 when the stems are 2 inches long they may be 

 potted into 8- or 10-inch pots or pans, in a soil 

 composed of three parts good fibrous loam, two 

 parts sifted leaf-mould, and a moderate sprink- 

 ling of sand. A shelf near the roof-glass in a 

 warm house is a good place for them. When 

 the stems are 6 inches long pinch out the points 

 so as to induce a branching habit. In all stages 

 of their growth they must be well supplied with 

 water. 



When the flower-buds are formed, give man- 

 ure-water two or three times a week, and harden 

 the plants off until when in flower they may be 

 transferred to the conservatory. When the 

 tops have died down the tubers may be kept in 

 dry sand in a temperature of about 

 50° for the winter; or if room can 

 be spared, they may be allowed to 

 remain in the pots, in which way 

 they generally keep the best. Grown 

 in wire-baskets (see fig. 506) lined 

 with sphagnum, and some of the 

 plants put in so as to grow through 

 the bottom and sides of the baskets, 

 they are very effective when sus- 

 pended in a conservatory. 



They multiply themselves most 

 prolifically by means of their worm- 

 like scale -clothed tubers. They 

 may also be raised from seeds sown 

 in early spring and treated as 

 Gloxinias. 



There are numerous named sorts, 

 some of the best being the follow- 



Ad miration, red -purple. 

 Alba maxima, white. 

 Aurora, red. 

 Celestial, mauve. 

 Coccinea, scarlet. 

 Firefly, crimson. 

 Grandis. 

 Lady Lyttelton, scarlet. 



Mauve perfection. 

 Rosy Queen. 

 Scarlet perfection. 

 Splendens, scarlet. 



Longiflora, blue. 

 Margarita, white. 

 Masterpiece, purple, 

 white throat. 



Anemone (Wind-flower). — Several species 

 of this large and useful genus have long been. 



