62 PICTOBIAL FBACTICAL BULB GBOWING. 



parison from ordiii-iry screens, and as an inmate of the fasliionable 

 large china or brass vases fills a corner in the drawing-room in a 

 manner all its own. 



For gorgeousness of blossom the Canna can give points to 

 most of its cono-eners, the Orchid-fiowered section yielding some 

 of the most brilliant Howers known. Visitors to the fruit shows at 

 the Crystal Palace wdll well recall liow all others of Flora's 

 progeny present paled their ineffectual fires before the all-conquering 

 Canna, and at the large Chrysantliemum exhibitions its triumph 

 over the 'Mum is only in less degree because of the vast dis- 

 pro^Dortion of the respective fiow^ers in number 



At one time Canna culture was thought to hold great secrets, 

 but all of these — if, indeed, there w^ere any — have now been revealed, 

 and the generally accepted conclusion to-day is that the man who 

 can grow good Dahlias be equally successful with Cannas. 

 In fact, in their pro])agation and general treatment the two can* 

 be very conveniently bracketed together, with the single exception, 

 perhaps, that the Canna outshines its confrere as a pot plant. Both 

 may be stored in a frostproof place during Avinter — giving the 

 Canna first choice in the matter of w^armth— and both can be 

 propagated by seeds or division in spring. Xay, still further can 

 the parallel be carried, for even as the Dahlia is started in heat, 

 and its resultant shoots detached and struck ^s cuttings, so in 

 like manner can the finest Cannas be grown, provided that a 

 piece of the old rootstock accompanies each separated growth. 



Many Cannas are worth growing for their foliage alone, wdiich 

 is often a beautiful bronze colour, and in some instances variegated, 

 These, however, and indeed all the tall forms, such as those 

 comprised in the Orchid-fiowered section, should have a sheltered 

 position afforded them, as rough wimis soon spoil the beauty of 

 their leaves. The Gladiolus-flowered sorts are dw^arfer and stand 

 breezes better ; they are also more suitable for pot culture. 



The beginning of June is quite early enough to bed Cannas 

 out, and they are much benefited by a mulching of long manure 

 and copious drenchings of water during hot, dry weather. 



Seeds of a good strain yield handsome plants, wdth flowers of 

 good size and colour, but anyone w^ishing to obtain the very best 

 results w^ould do w^ell to plant named varieties, of which a selection 

 is given herewith. 



Selection of Cannas. 



America, scarlet and Italia,, orange scarlet, 



orange. yellow margin. 



Aurore, red. Konigin Charlotte, red, 



Austria, canary, dotted edged gold. 



brown {see jy. 63). Menelik, reddish crimson. 



Capri, salmon scarlet. Madame Crozy, vermilion, 



Duchess of York, yellow, edged gold. 



spotted red. Pandora, red and gold. 



K d u a r d Andre, red, Plato, red, flamed orange. 



spotted yellow. 



