MrarLTTS, HEATHS ; OSWEGO TEA. 131 



The Mimiilus, or Monkey Plant, is a gay flower, either 

 for pots, or for planting out in the borders. There are 

 many hardy varieties ^Yhich are perennials, and which 

 flower abundantly throughout the summer. Any soil 

 will do, but a light, rich, moist soil suits them best. 

 Roseus, and a very few others, are half hardy, and require 

 to be removed into a pit in winter ; but if their seed be 

 sown in March they may be used as annuals, and will 

 flower well in summer and autumn. A few are annuals. 

 The jNIusk Plant is a Mimulus, which dies dow^n in winter, 

 and comes up again year after year ; its pleasant scent, 

 bright tender green foliage, and pretty yellow flowers, 

 render it attractive. This, and all the tribe, w^ant 

 abundance of water. The name of Monkey Plant is 

 from the form of the seed. The Diplacus is a Mimulus 

 of a shrubby grow*th. D. glutinosus has orange, 

 v. puniceus, scarlet flowers. All are natives of Cali- 

 fornia, and it must be remembered, with regard to all 

 plants of that country, that they are easily killed if the 

 sun strike on the collar of the root. Propagate by 

 cuttings taken w^hen they are getting firm at the base, 

 in April. Plant them in sand under a bell glass. 

 These plants must have a little protection from frost in 

 winter. 



The Heaths are not useful in the garden, but they are 

 nice greenhouse or window^ plants, though often disap- 

 pointing. In potting, the collar of the root is sometimes 

 put too low, which makes it rot. AYater regularly, never 

 letting the plants be either sodden or too dry, and never 

 subject them to a cold position nor a hot sun. Heaths 

 grow well in three parts peat well pulverized, and one 

 i part silver sand, and the pots should be w^ell drained. 

 I The pots should have no saucers, and should be watered 

 twdce a day, over head, in summer, and have plenty of 

 air ; in winter, once a day for watering is enough, and 

 less air, but a little even in slight frost. 



The Monarda didyma, or Oswego Tea, and Monardas 

 1 of other varieties, are rather tall-growing plants, pro- 

 I', ducing showy flowers throughout the summer. They 

 j] thrive in a rich light soil, and are increased by division 



£2 



