84 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ April, 
PHLOXES, DELPHINIUMS, Etc., AS SHOW FLOWERS. 
IN looking tkrongli tlie schedule of the Royal Horticultural Society, I find that 
prizes are offered for Phloxes , Delphiniums , Pentstemons, and Antirrhinums , 
exhibited in pots. It is very gratifying to see encouragement thus held 
out to new classes of plants, since with care these may all be made to form 
interesting features at our exhibitions. Great improvement as regards quality 
has taken place in recent years in the varieties of these flowers, and there is every 
reason to believe that if a little extra attention were to be devoted to them,, 
we should see an equally marked improvement in their cultivation. On this 
point, perhaps, I may venture to make a few remarks. 
In the case of Phloxes and Delphiniums , the plants to be selected should bo 
those that have bloomed once, without having been since divided; these will 
produce several blooming spikes, and will flower much finer than plants of more 
mature age. In regard to Pentstemons and Antirrhinums , the most vigorous- 
growing young plants should be chosen. About the end of April the plants 
should be repotted into the pots in which it is required or intended to bloom them. 
The soil most suitable for them would be thus composed, namely, three-parts of 
good rich turfy loam to one part of good old decayed manure, a little silver-sand 
being added. The plants being potted in this compost, and sufficiently hardened 
off, the best position that can be found for them will be a space in the open 
ground, fully exposed to the sun, but sheltered from driving winds. In order to 
keep them dwarf and sturdy, they should be placed about 18 in. apart, and the pots 
should be plunged, which will be very beneficial to them, as much less artificial 
watering will be required. As they advance in growth, the young shoots should 
be kept tied out to small sticks, to prevent them from being injured by the wind. 
After the plants have become well established, a little weak liquid manure may 
be given to them with advantage about twice a week. The following varieties are 
particularly recommended for this mode of culture > 
Phloxes. 
Edith (Turnery —White, with crimson eye, 
of the finest form and marking. 
Godfrey. —Large rose, with crimson eye. 
Mademoiselle Marie Lacroix. —White, with 
violet centre. 
Annie. —Delicate lilac, with purple eye. 
Attraction. —Salmon-pink, with crimson eye. 
The Princess. —Blush, with crimson eye. 
Virgo Maria. —White, very fine, and of 
good form. 
Marshal Gouvain St. Cyr. —Shaded rose, 
with white eye. 
Bessie. —White, with lilac eye, dwarf habit. 
Madame Domage. —Puro white, with largo 
crimson eye. 
Mr. William Bull. —Bright lilac, with white 
centre; fine. 
Mademoiselle Marie Lobbe. —White, with 
lilac-purplo eye. 
Delphiniums. 
Madame Chcite. —Large porcelain blue and 
bronze, very fine large spikes. 
Bella donna. —Fine light azure-blue, good, 
and of dwarf habit. 
Gloire de St. Maude. —Fine large purple, 
with yellow eye. 
Madame Henri Jacotot. — Porcelain-blue, 
extra fine. 
Pompon d'Hirlemont. —Blue and bronze, 
extra fine. 
Barlowi versicolor. —Dark blue, with bronze 
centre. 
Madame Lelandais. —Dark blue and bronze, 
very double. 
V. Lemoine. —Double white, tipped with blue. 
Paul et Virginie. —Dark blue, tipped with 
white, bronze centre, very double. 
Ranunculceflora. —Purple and bronze, very 
double. 
