DATURA, Nat. Ord. Solanacece. 
ATURA is a large, strong-growing plant, with trumpet-shaped 
flowers, the best varieties bearing blooms six inches in length, 
mostly white, and sometimes tinted with a 
delicate blue. No one ever flowered a 
good Datura for the first time who was not 
a good deal more than pleased, and no one 
ever had a blooming plant in his garden 
that did not receive a large share of the at- 
tention and admiration of visitors. This is 
due very largely to its great size and purity 
of color. There are several double varie- 
ties, in fact, the Datura seems to double in 
almost every style, but we prefer the single 
kind. The roots of one variety, Wrightii, 
will usually endure the winter and flower for several seasons, but any of the roots can be pre- 
served HI a cellar, like Dahlia roots. Plants two feet in height ; set plants two feet apart. 
DKLPHINIUM, Nat. Ord. Ranunculacece. 
The Delphiniums are beautiful, free blooming, popular plants, and generally known as Lark- 
spurs on account of the peculiar formation of the flower, which has a fancied resemblance to the 
spur of that favorite European song-bird, the Lark. There are several very desir- 
able Perennials, which will be found described in the proper department, and also 
The Larkspurs prefer a cool soil 
quite a number of annuals, all hardy and good, 
and season, plenty of moisture, and a little shade 
will do no injury. Sow the seeds in the autumn, 
or very early in the spring, so as to have the 
benefit of cool, early, showery weather. Among 
the annuals, the Rocket varieties are perhaps the 
favorites. They send 
up a tall spike, as shown 
m the engraving, which 
gives the name, and a 
bed of these varieties is 
truly gorgeous. The 
appearance of a good 
double flower is shown 
in the small engraving. 
There are several varie- 
ties that make rather large, branching plants, and as these have abundance of flowers on strong 
stems, are especially desirable for cutting. A somewhat new variety, called Candelab?'iim, is 
shown in the engraving. The branching varieties grow about two feet in height, and should be 
planted about eighteen inches apart. The Rockets should be set in rows five or six inches apart. 
Sow the seed -where the plants are to bloom. Larkspurs continue in flower only a short time. 
DIDISGUS, Nat. Ord. Apiacece. 
The Didiscus coeruleus is a truly handsome Australian plant, about two feet in height, with 
numerous umbels of sky blue flowers. The appearance of both plant and flower we have endeav- 
ored to show m the engraving. While, 
like others we have before described, we 
do not think this flower will ever become 
generally cultivated, yet it is too pretty to 
be omitted from our list. If seeds are 
sown and plants well forwarded in the 
hot-bed, bloom may expected about the 
first of July ; but if in the open ground, not 
It is better, if possible, to sow under glass. 
70 
until the latter part of the month. 
