FLOWERS. 119 



beautiful, hardy perennial. It produces many neat, blue 

 flowers, both in summer and autumn. It is propagated by 

 dividing the roots. 



Dahlia. — This is a beautiful autumnal flowering plant, 

 a native of Mexico. There are many varieties, single and 

 double, and of almost every colour and shade. Dahlias 

 will grow in almost any soil, but a poor, sandy, or gravelly 

 soil is thought best, for the purpose of preventing them from 

 growing too luxuriant, which would be the case if planted 

 in a rich soil. In a poor soil they produce a greater abun- 

 dance of flowers. They are propagated by seed and by 

 dividing the roots. 



The seed may be sown in March, in pots, and placed in 

 a hot-bed, or green-house. About the middle of May, or 

 when there is no danger from frost, plant them out in the 

 borders, or wherever they are to stand, and, as they advance 

 in height, let them be well supported by stakes, otherwise 

 the wind will break them down. 



The roots are tuberous, resembling a sweet potato, and 

 should be taken up in October or November, and preserved 

 through the winter in a box filled with dry sand, placed 

 where the frost never penetrates. Towards the end of 

 April, or when they begin to sprout, divide the roots, and 

 plant them where they are to stand, taking care to cover 

 them in case of frost. Plant only those that have a bud, 

 and be careful that it is not hurt by dividing the roots. The 

 plants soon shoot up to considerable height, and produce 

 a great abundance of flowers. The plants must be well 

 supported by slender stakes. They are said to do well if 

 planted in large pots. 



Daisy — Bellis — is a small, delicate, perennial plant, ana 

 produces beautiful little flowers. It is hardy, and well 

 calculated for pots, placed in the sitting room ; in which 

 case they will flower in the winter. It is propagated by 

 offsets. 



Dwarf Basil — Ocymum minimum — is a sweet, fragrant, 

 annual plant, easily raised by seed. But few plants 

 exceed this in fragrance. 



Egg plant. — This is a singular, annual plant. The 

 white ( Solarium melongena ) is the most unique, producing a 

 fruit resembling a large white egg. The seed should be 

 planted early, in a hot-bed, and after the frosts have gone 

 past, transplant them where it is desired they should 

 titand. 



EuPATORiuMj BLUE — Eupatoriim ccelestimm — is a pereu- 



