88 
THE AMATEUR’S FLOWER GARDEN. 
the time they are in pots. The most distinct and valuable 
varieties are Alba, pure white; Atrococcinea , deep scarlet; 
Ueynholdi , a magnificent scarlet-flowered variety; Leopoldi , 
pink and white ; Queen Victoria , dark rosy purple. A bed of 
mixed sorts has a fine appearance, but seed of each of the 
above should be procured, and the plants arranged according 
to their colours when planted. The seedlings must be 
potted off immediately they are strong enough, because it 
ruins them to be allowed to remain crowded together in the 
seed-pots after they are an inch or so in height. Sow in a 
gentle heat in the latter part of March or early in April. 
Portulacca. —For dry and hot positions these are most 
useful. They are very singular in appearance, and the flowers 
are remarkably showy. The soil in which they are planted 
should be light and sandy. The most effective for bedding 
purposes are P. alba , white; P. caryophylloides, white and 
rose; P. coccinea , scarlet; P. splenclens , crimson ; P. Thov- 
burni , yellow. Sow in pans of sandy soil in April, and instead 
of putting the seed-pans in heat, place them on a sunny shelf 
in the greenhouse, and lay a slate over until the little plants 
appear. Pot them off early and keep them in a dry sunny 
position until they are put out in the flower garden. A few 
groups planted upon a rockery having a sunny aspect would 
produce a startling effect. 
Pyrethrum. —The great usefulness of the Golden Feather 
is too well known to require a single word of praise, and very 
few words will suffice respecting its management. As a rule, 
amateur gardeners sow much too early, and place the seed- 
pans in a strong heat. The end of March is quite early 
enough to sow, and the temperature of a cold frame will be 
quite sufficient. Seed may be sown in the beds about the 
beginning of April, but it is more advantageous to sow in a 
frame and transplant. The frame should, of course, be well 
ventilated after the seed has vegetated. Sow thinly in drills, 
and then the whole stock can be transferred direct from the 
seed-bed to the flower garden. As a matter of course it must 
not be allowed to flower in the parterre, but for the purpose 
of saving seed a few plants may be put out in some odd 
sunny corner or in the kitchen garden. 
TROPiEOLUM. —It may be said with safety that the value 
of the tropmolum for flower garden decoration has been over¬ 
rated, and also that, although a very large number of new 
