THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
2i/5 
foxglove, and that is to aovr the seed where the plants are to remain. 
Where there are nooks and corners in a semi-wild state they may 
have additional beauty and interest given to them by the introduc- 
tion of flowering plants of free growth and noble aspect. Indeed, a 
few dwarf-growing plants may also be most advantageously intro- 
duced for carpeting the surface. As a rule, it -will be simply 
necessary to scatter the seed over the surface and then hoe over the 
ground for the purpose of covering it. The seed will germinate 
more quickly if the ground is moist, but it is not necessary to wait 
for a rainy day, as the seed will not take any harm by laying in the 
ground for a few days before it commences to germinate. 
In the preceding paragraph, reference has been made to the fox- 
glove as being the type of the plants best suited for semi- wild places, 
and certainly it is admirably suited for such situations. Wlien in 
groups, with noble spikes of flowers ranging from four to six feet in 
height, it has a most striking and beautiful appearance. It is also 
well adapted for planting in groups, of about half a dozen plants, 
amongst the shrubs wnth which plantations in the pleasure-grounds 
are generally faced. There are a number of varieties, all of which 
are thoroughly good ; the best are known as the Gloxinia-flowered 
foxglove, or Digitalis jnorptirea Oloxinioides, which produce flowers 
of large size, good shape, and are beautifully spotted. To prepare 
the plants for their permanent quarters, it is necessary to trans- 
plant them to a nursery-bed, for if they are planted out when in a 
small state the chances are that they will be either dried up or eaten 
by slugs. But by planting them in a nicely-prepared bed, where they 
can remain for six weeks or two months, they can be watered and 
shaded when they require that assistance. About tliree inches is a 
capital distance to put them apart in the nursery-bed. Some plants 
will not require transplanting provided the seed is sown thin. 
The time for planting in the permanent quarters must depend 
upon circumstances. If the plants are strong they may be put out 
towards the end of September or in the early part of October, but 
otherwise it will be better to defer the work until March or April. 
Much, of course, depends upon the character of the plants, and the 
state of the weather and soil at the above-mentioned seasons. But 
as a rule it is of little use to put out small plants late in the season, 
for they seldom make so satisfactory a start as when kept in the 
nursery-bed and planted in spring. 
Parasitic Fungi. — Under the name of “Herbarium Mycologicum CEct- 
nomicum,” F. Baron Thiimen proposes to form a collection of those parasitic fungi 
which are injurious (including also any that are useful), in forestry, agriculture, 
horticulture, or in any other branch of industry. The specimens of each species 
will be labelled with the scientific name, diagnosis, and any needful remarks, and, 
where possible, will be sufficiently numerous for a portion to he submitted to 
microscopic examination. The collection will be issued in fasciculi of fifty species, 
at the price of three thalers each, and may be obtained of the collector, at Teplitz, 
in Bohemia. 
July. 
