n8 



LOBELIA MAHERINA. 



Lobelia Erinus, in varieties, best for bedding. 



L. Speciosa, fine for pots yielding a long succession of intense 

 azure-blue flowers, with darker foliage than the others. 



L. Gracilis \ a delicate growing variety, dark blue ; fine for hang- 

 ing baskets 



L. Gracilis Alba, white. 



Z. Gracilis Compacta, blue and white ; fine variety. 



MAHERNIA. 



The name of this plant, an anagram of Herman- 

 nia, signifies affinity. Mlahernia is a native of the 

 Cape of Good Hope. It is a valuable constant bloom- 

 ing plant, bearing a profusion of bell-shaped lemon- 

 colored flowers possessing a fragrance not unlike 

 that of the Lily of the Valley. 



SOIL, GENERAL TREATMENT AND VARIETIES. 



Mahernia thrives in a sandy loam enriched with 

 a little manure. 



It should have a plentiful supply of water but 

 not enough to make the soil sodden. 



The plant is easily increased by young cuttings 

 taken at a joint, and started in damp sand or soil 

 under glass. Transplant them to small pots when 

 the roots are half an inch long. 



It has a tendency to grow straggling which can 

 be restrained somewhat by tying the stem to an 

 upright support and frequently pinching off the 



