DAISY. 45 
flowers lack substance and should be pinched off, as 
they only weaken the plant. 
There are now many fine varieties of Alpine, Show, 
and Fancy Auriculas, to be had from the nursery- 
men. The “Alpine” varieties, especially the bright 
golden-yellow and cream-centred forms are best for the 
open air, and may be used on banks, borders, or rockery 
with great effect if boldly massed. They are easily 
increased by offsets soon after flowering is over, or 
early in autumn. When plants are raised from seeds 
the latter should be selected from the choicest varieties 
and best strains. 
The chief dangers to Auriculas in the open air are 
a wet sour soil, and the attacks of slugs. The latter 
can be kept in check by a dusting around the plants 
with a little lime and soot ; the former can be rectified 
by digging and the addition of sand or grit to the soil. 
BAPTISIA australis. — This is a fine North American 
perennial, 4 to 6 feet high, having greyish-green leaves 
(composed of three leaflets) and purple or blue pea-like 
blossoms with white “ keels ” in June and July. The 
plant flourishes in ordinary good garden soil, and may 
be increased from seeds sown in spring, or by careful 
division of the rootstock. 
BELLIS perennis (Daisy ). — From the common 
Daisy of our pastures and lawns, many fine varieties 
have been developed by careful selection and cultiva- 
tion. The yellow centre has been suppressed, or rather 
converted into strap-shaped florets like the outer 
row, and double white, crimson, and striped forms have 
been evolved. Diana, red ; Goliath, rose and white ; 
La Fiancee, pure white ; Pink Beauty, pink ; and Rob 
