CANDYTUFT, (Iberis,) Nat. Ord. Cruciferce. 
The Candytuft is an old, popular, hardy annual that every one at all conversant with flower^ 
is acquainted with. It is the same flower now that it was two hundred years ago, the improve- 
ment in its character being ver)' 
slight. Although the Candytuft 
grows so freely that it is not con- 
sidered necessary to give it any par- 
ticular care, yet it appreciates a 
little extra culture, as those who 
take a plant or two for extra good 
treatment Avill be fully aware after 
the trial. A little manure water occasionally, with a thorough softening of the soil around the 
the plant, and a thinning out of the too numerous clusters of buds, will produce heads of flowers 
three inches across. The Candytufts are a treasure in the hands of 
the florist for bouquet making, especially the white varieties, because 
the flowers are so small and the white so pure, and because by 
sowing a little patch occasionally flowers can be 
had at any time, winter or summer. Several 
times, crimson, carmine and other bright color- 
ed Candytufts have been announced among the 
Novelties, but until this summer we never found 
any better than the old purple, or much differ- 
ent. We now have a good bright rose, which 
is a most valuable acquisition. Seed should be 
sown where the plants are to bloom, either in the 
fall or as early in the spring as possible. The 
general form of the Crimson, Purple, Lilac etc., is shown in the engraving; also the Rocket, 
Mdiich bears its flowers in spikes. 
CASSIA, Nat. Ord. Leguminoscc . 
Cassia chamsecrista is a very good annual indeed, with pretty, light green foliage, like the 
Sensitive Plant, and plenty of bright, golden yellow flowers, ' 
It is of dwarf, compact habit, about eighteen inches in 
height, has the appearance of a little hard-wooded shrub, 
and makes a very pretty border. It is a native of the West 
and Southwest, and entirely worthy of culture. Persons 
who see this flower first in its wild state are so delighted 
with it, and so anxious to have others share their pleasure, 
that samples of both flowers and seeds are sent us by the 
hundred. We judge from the demand made upon us for 
seeds by European seedsmen and florists, that this native 
American is attracting considerable attention. Sow under glass or open ; set plants a foot apart. 
CATGHFLY, (Silene,) Nat. Ord. Caryophyllacece. 
There are a great many Silenes with small flowers and not very great beauty, 
of all is S. Armeria, and generally 
known as Lobel's Catchfly, named 
after Lobel a distinguished old botan- 
ist of Flanders. Nearly all the species 
of this genus have a viseid moisture 
on their stalks, in which it is said flies 
are sometimes entrapped, therefore the 
Catchfly part of the name. The Silene 
Armeria is a free flowering hardy 
annual, growing over a foot in height, 
with small flowers, red, white or rose. Set plants six inches apart so as to fomi a clump. 
66 
The prettiest 
