The Abronia Umbelrata is a charming, lialf-liardy 
annual, a native of California. It is of a low, trailing 
habit and produces numerous clusters of sweet-scent¬ 
ed flowers somewhat resembling the Verbena in form. 
They are very effective in beds, rock-work, or in bas¬ 
kets suspended in a conservatory, growing freely in 
any light, rich soil, and producing a profusion of rosy- 
lilac flowers from August till October. The seeds are 
covered with a loose husk which should be removed 
before sowing. They do not always germinate very 
freely, and should be started in a hot-bed when con¬ 
venient. 
PANSIES. 
The Pansy is a native of Siberia. Japan, and many 
parts of Europe. It is quite commonly found there in 
fields of grain,where it is sheltered from the wind and 
shaded from the rays of the noonday sun. Many of 
its cousins, various species of violets, are plentifully 
scatterred over our country in a natural condition, 
and from their habits v e may judge best, perhaps, of 
the soil and situation best adapted to their wants. 
The Pansy must ever recommend itself to notice,' not 
only by the brilliancy and great variety of its colors 
and the profusion of its blossoms, but also for its du¬ 
ration in bloom and the frank and honest countenance 
with which it always seems to look us in the face, — 
“a thing of beauty” that shall surely prove a joy 
forever. Our best strains of Pansy seeds now produce 
the greatest variety of colors ranging from pure white 
to a deep velvety black, with red, brown,yellow, vio¬ 
let, purple and blue, and diversified with stripes and 
spots of all imaginable shades. Those df one color 
only are called “seifs,” but these are not so common 
or desirable as the more variegated sorts. The Pansy 
is a very hardy flower. The seeds may be sown at 
almost any time of year. Those sown early under 
glass w ill flower during the whole Summer and fall, 
while those sown in September, if slightly covered, 
will withstand our winters and bloom quite early in 
spring, continuing throughout the season. To pro¬ 
duce the largest flowers they should be given plenty 
of room in a rich, moist situation. The seeds we offer 
will certainly give the greatest satisfaction. 
ADONIS. 
Adonis. A class of hardy annuals of easy cultivation 
having pretty fine-cut foliage and large, single, bright 
red flowers that remain a long time in bloom. This 
plant is well adapted to growing in half shady situa¬ 
tions, under trees or vines, where its peculiar brilliant 
color prevents its becoming hidden. There is an old 
legend which attributes the origin of this little flower 
to the drops of blood that were spilled from Adonis 
when he was wounded by the wild boar. 
NEW HYBRID VERBENA. 
