70 
BEAUTIFUL GARDEN FLOWERS. 
or semi-clouble blossoms, and tlie colours of many are 
often wasliy, indistinct or otherwise undesirable. 
Cuttings are usually taken from tlie base of the old 
stems, which, with the roots, are placed in gentle 
warmth about February and March, and sprinkled 
over a few times during the day. The old roots 
should be exposed to the light to secure strong sturdy 
cuttings. When these are about 3 inches long, they 
are taken off with a sharp knife just where they emerge 
from the old stem. Each one is placed in the centre 
of a 3-inch pot in light sandy soil, and placed in shade 
for a few days. A light sprinkling each day, in con- 
junction with the heat, soon induces the cuttings to 
root, after which they should be given as much light 
and air as possible to keep them sturdy. 
Where convenience for raising plants from seeds 
and cuttings does not exist, the old rootstocks may be 
divided at the time of planting, care being taken to 
split the crowns so as to retain a portion of the old 
stems, from the base of which the new shoots arise. 
Insect Pests. — The young plants are often attacked 
by slugs. These may be checked by dusting the soil 
around with a mixture of lime and soot at the time of 
planting. Earwigs are partial to the blossoms later 
on, and must be trapped by placing a little hay or 
moss in pots inverted on top of the stakes. These are 
examined each morning and the insects destroyed. 
Hollow stems of P olygonum or Broad Beans may also 
be dipped in a sugary solution and hung on the shoots 
to serve as effective but less conspicuous traps. 
DELPHINIUM (Larkspur ) . — There are many species 
of Larkspurs, but a few of them are of garden value. 
