THE AMATEUR S FLOWER GARDEN. 
89 
varieties liave "been sent out within the last three or four 
years, very little real improvement has been effected. Two- 
thirds, at least, of the newest varieties are worthless. The 
varieties of Tom Thumb are of no real value in the parterre, 
as they seldom, if ever, bloom continuously throughout the 
season. They make a brilliant display for a short time and 
then go out of bloom, and remain an eyesore for the remaining 
part of the season, unless pulled up and consigned to the 
rubbish-heap. A few clumps placed in a mixed border, 
where they can be pulled up as soon as they begin to present 
a shabby appearance, are very well, but they should not be 
planted extensively. The only recommendation they have 
consists in the fact that they reproduce themselves freely 
from seed, and the only trouble occasioned by raising a stock 
consists in sowing the seed where the plants are to remain 
and flower. The well-known T. Lobbmnum and its varieties 
should be planted in poor soil, in the most sunny position, to 
insure an abundant bloom. In the event of the soil proving 
too strong, the plants acquire a coarse leafy character, which 
it is impossible to correct in a satisfactory manner, thougfr 
frequent removal of the leaves, -where they are crowded, will 
reduce the luxuriant habit of the plants and promote a more 
free production of flowers. The soil, however, should be 
deeply dug to encourage the plants to send their roots abroad, 
and enable them to hold their own against a drought. It is 
also important to put out strong plants that are well hardened 
off, for when they are not more than half hardened previous 
to planting, they generally receive so very much injury from 
the sun and wind that the summer season is far advanced 
before they become well established. The stock of all the 
bedders should be renewed by cuttings, for seedling plants 
cannot be depended upon, as all vary more or less, either in 
the colour of the flowers or the character of the growth. The 
best of the scarlet-flowered varieties are Beauty of Malvern 
and Star of Fire. Both are neat and compact in growth, and 
bloom most profusely throughout the season, and, unlike the 
Tom Thumb varieties, they do not produce much seed. Ad¬ 
vancer has also scarlet flowers and is very desirable, and in 
some soils may, perhaps, equal in effectiveness both the fore¬ 
going. Of the varieties producing flowers other than of a 
scarlet hue, Luteum Improved , rich orange-yellow spotted with 
crimson, and The Moor , deep crimson-maroon, are the best. 
