998 
Portulaca 
This bright flowered, thick leaved an- 
nual (portulaca) is unrivaled for bril- 
liancy among plants of low growth. It 
possesses the ability to flourish under ex- 
tremely adverse conditions; even the hot 
sun and a light sandy soil, with sparse 
water supply, will not destroy it. It is 
satisfactory for beds, edgings, and rock- 
work, and for filling up irregular spaces 
or unexpected gaps in flower beds. As 
an undergrowth for taller plants it is also 
valuable. It flourishes, carpeting the 
ground with a mat of succulent foliage 
that in the forenoon is hidden by the gay- 
est flowers The plant is particularly use- 
ful in the Northwest. The seed does not 
germinate until hot weather, and should 
be sown late. Beyond the sowing, this 
plant requires little care. The hardy 
character of the plant is shown by the 
fact that it can be transplanted while in 
full flower through the driest, hottest sea- 
sons. The average height of the portu- 
laca is six inches. 
At Washington and southward this 
plant will perpetuate itself by self-sown 
seeds. In some soils this is sufficient to 
cause the plant to assume a weedy char- 
acter. It never becomes troublesome like 
its near relative, the weedy garden purs- 
lane, or “pusley” (Portulaca obracea) 
Pot Maricotp. See Calendula. 
Ricinus. See Castor Bean. 
RUDBECKIA, See Cone-Flower. 
Satvia. See Scarlet Sage. 
Searlet Sage 
Salaia splendens 
The scarlet sage is a standard bedding 
plant that keeps the garden bright with 
color until late in autumn. This plant 
lends itself to many uses; it makes a 
good pot plant, does well in window boxes, 
and is useful for cutting to give color. 
Its best use, however, is as a hedge or 
border plant where long broad bands of 
intense color are desirable. 
In the climate of Washington, D. C., 
seeds should be sown in window boxes 
or frames in March or April and the 
plants set outdoors during the latter part 
of May, or the seed may be sown outdoors 
after the first of June if protected from 
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
heavy rains and strong winds. The 
plants grow and bloom profusely in any 
light, rich soil. Both the tender and 
hardy perennial sorts bloom the first 
year and all are treated as annuals. 
Scorcu Pink. See Pinks. 
Snapdragon 
Antirrhinum 
The snapdragon is a valuable border 
plant. It flowers the first year from 
seed sown as an annual. The bright color 
and peculiar form of the flowers always 
attract attention. The newer sorts offer 
variety of colors and of markings. The 
spikes are useful for cutting and keep 
fresh a long time. From seed sown in 
the open ground in May plants will bloom 
in July and August. For early flowers 
the seed should be sown under glass in 
February or March and transplanted into 
beds of warm, dry soil moderately en- 
riched. If protected by a cold frame or 
even a mulch of leaves, the plants will 
winter well and bloom early the following 
year. The snapdragon, like most peren- 
nials and biennials which bloom the first 
year, and of which a particular display is 
desired, should be treated like an annual 
and sown every year. The plant blooms 
freely and continually until frost, its aver- 
age height being one and one-half feet. 
Stocks 
Maitthiola 
The group of plants known as stocks of- 
fers many desirable qualities. The plants 
are vigorous, have a good habit of growth, 
fragrant flowers in various colors, a long 
season of bloom, and are adapted to a 
wide range of cultural conditions. Stocks 
are suitable for bedding, edgings, pot cul- 
ture, house or conservatory use, and for 
cutting. For bouquets and floral work 
the double white sorts are especially use- 
ful. To secure early flowers, seeds should 
be sown under glass in March or April, 
and the young seedlings transplanted 
when an inch high into other pots or 
boxes, or into the fine soil of a spent 
hotbed. Advantage should be taken of 
showery May weather to transfer the 
plants to garden beds or deep, rich soil, 
setting them about a foot apart each way. 
As with other plants, frequent trans- 
