184 the amateur’s flower garden. 
post, omitting the silver-sand. Early in January shift into 
six-inch pots, and put them in an early vinery, or wherever 
the heat averages 50° by night and G0° by day. In a month’s 
time shift again to eight-inch pots, and give them a rise of 5 3 
to 10’ in temperature. About the middle of April shift again 
to ten or twelve-inch pots, put them in a cool house slightly 
shaded, and give abundance of water. When the spikes 
appear, put in light stakes five feet high, and tie the spikes 
in carefully from the first, to prevent them getting bent or 
twisted, and for the rest— 
wait and see. Of course the 
two systems can be combined, 
and all plants not wanted for 
indoor display can be put out 
in rich mellow borders in the 
month of May to take their 
chance. 
In selecting for ordinary 
purposes, the garden varieties 
are the best. But such dis¬ 
tinct species as L. cardinalis, 
3 feet, scarlet flowers; L. sy¬ 
philitica , 2 feet, light blue ; 
and L. nicotiancefolia , G to 
12 feet, flowers pale lilac, are 
invaluable, the last being ad¬ 
mirably adapted to stand alone 
during the summer in a shel¬ 
tered nook, where its noble 
outlines would be seen to ad¬ 
vantage. The following are 
the names of a dozen varieties 
of different colours, and the 
finest quality, for decorative 
purposes :— St. Clair , crim¬ 
son, a fine bedder; Carminata , carmine; King of Blues , blue ; 
Alba grandiflora , white, with blue veins; Ceres , rose; Sappho , 
reddish-purple ; Distinction , cerise-red; Nonsuch , violet and 
vermilion ; Ruby , ruby ; Excellent , magenta ; Beach Blossom , 
peach and vermilion; Victoria , rich scarlet, a fine bedder. 
Marvel of Peru. —“ Is it worth growing ?” Oh, ingrate 
world, to ask such a question! Look into the tiny front court 
LOBELIA NICOTIANJSFOLIA. 
