THE BLUE 



in habit. Its stem is so developed as to give it 

 a unique interest. 



A. excelsus. — A fine garden plant, bearing 

 immense heads of blue flowers on stout stems 

 5 to 6 feet in length. 



A.Jiore pleno. — The double-flowered form, 

 strong and robust in growth, handsome and 

 lasting when well seen ; sometimes, particularly 

 if at all checked by bad weather, the flowers 

 fail to open well. 



A . giganteus. — A very fine garden form, 

 with leaves broad and massive and throwing a 

 stout stem of about 4 feet with an immense 

 head, frequently of more than 200 flowers, of 

 a dark gentian-blue with buds of a still deeper 

 colour. 



A. insignis. — The new plant exhibited last 

 J une at the Drill Hall by Messrs. Bull. Its prin- 

 cipal deviations from the old plant are the pe- 

 culiar whiteness of the base of the leaves, and 

 the long flower-stems and tube of the corolla; 

 these are both of such a length as to make a 

 light but large head, the blooms well displayed 

 in all senses. They are of a peculiar pale shade 

 of lilac-blue, and numerous. 



A. intermedins. — A form producing long 

 flower-stems and a head of deep bright blue 

 flowers; not very distinct. 



A. Krelagei. — A variety blooming late in 

 October when most other kindsare over; with 

 large heads of deep blue flowers. 



A. Leichtlinii. — A wild form from the 

 Cape, differing in its large heads of light blue 

 flowers, which are more compact than in any 

 other kind. 



A. maximus. — A garden development, lar- 

 ger in all its parts and of vigorous growth. 

 Leaves broad and massive with stout stems of 

 4 feet or more, and spreading heads (over a foot 

 across) showing in some cases over 300 flowers. 

 These are good in colour, coming in two crops 

 and lasting for weeks; there is a white form 

 otherwise identical. 



A. minor. — A distinct and fine variety, 

 though smaller in all its parts. It belongs to 

 the hardier and deciduous section, which may 

 be wintered outside in many parts if the crowns 

 are planted deep and covered during winter 

 with aheap of cinders orother light protection. 

 It is dwarf in growth, with leaves and stems 

 slender and narrow, bearing heads of deep blue 

 flowers; good in masses. 



AFRICAN LILY. 277 



A. Mooreanus. — A form of the above, but 

 with leaves shorter, narrower, and more erect, 

 but also hardy, and deciduous even in a green- 

 house. It has lived in the open for many years 

 at Kew, in the rock-garden. The plant is very 

 free, even tiny bits throwing one or more 

 spikes of deep violet-blue flowers. It is said to 

 come true from seed. 



A. pallidas. — A garden form, with short 

 rigid leaves and flowers of a pale porcelain blue. 



A. Saintpaulii. — A new plant belonging to 

 the minor section of hardy and deciduous kinds. 

 It is distinct in character, dwarf and compact 

 in growth, rising only 2 feet in height ; bears 

 many pure white flowers lasting for several 

 weeks and good in contrast with the small blue 

 kinds. Though probably as hardy as they, it 

 should (until more common) be lifted, dried, 

 and stored. 



A. Saundersonianus. — A distinct garden 

 plant with flowers of a deep blue in colour. 



A. Weillighi. — A new plant recently found 

 by a German explorer in Swaziland. It belongs 

 to the section of hardy and deciduous kinds and 

 differs by the drooping way in which its flowers, 

 which are long and narrow, are held. It has 

 recently flowered for the first time. There are 

 in addition to the foregoing a few named kinds 

 of slight importance, the best of which are F. 

 PF.Moore,with heads of large blue flowers; and 

 H. C. Hart, similar but of dwarfer habit ; and 

 several forms with leaves striped with white or 

 yellow and of small value for gardens. B. 



Dangerous Water. — The ugly pieces of arti- 

 ficial water, which so often disfigure our pleasure- 

 grounds, are often the cause of fatal accidents. 

 These result chiefly from the stiff" way in which the 

 margins of such waters are made. Instead of the 

 bank gradually sloping into the water, as is usual in 

 natural lakes, it is frequently hipped in a steep way, 

 leaving the water too deep at the margin. All arti- 

 ficial waters near a house, or in any position where 

 there is danger of children falling into them, should 

 be made shallow and very gradually sloping at the 

 margin. The bank of turf should slope easily and 

 gradually into the water, never jump abruptly out 

 of it, and the bottom should slope from the margin. 

 So arranged, it is almost impossible that an accident 

 can happen. And it is worthy of notice that the 

 truest art and perfect safety go hand-in-hand in this 

 case, for the common abrupt margin is an eye-sore, 

 and wrong in every way, for the plants that grow 

 on it and near it and the effects that should arise 

 out of any happy union of shore and water. 



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