THE LADIES’ FLORAL CABINET. 
121 
Eschscholtzia. —The bright colors and floriferous char¬ 
acter of the “ Extinguisher flowers ” have brought them 
well to the front among subjects for the embellishment 
of the garden. They are most effective associated with 
other flowers and in masses. Sow the seed early in 
May, and thin to six inches apart. The most suitable 
kinds are E. crocea and its varieties. A very pretty 
kind for the rockery is E. tenuifolia, with flowers of a 
light yellow color. 
Godetia. —Every garden, even the smallest, should 
boast of some of the representatives of this lovely group. 
Sow the seed this month, and thin out the plants to about 
one foot apart. G. Duchess of Albany is exquisitely beau¬ 
tiful, and most effective in beds. Equally valuable is G. 
Lady Albemarle, with brilliant crimson flowers. These 
two are undoubtedly the finest, but the following are also 
meritorious: G. Lady Satin Rose, of a deep rosy pink, 
very floriferous ; G. The Bride, white and carmine ; and 
G. Princess of Wales, rich crimson. All the above are 
of good habit, and should be grown in the border, flower¬ 
beds, or in masses. 
Gypsophila. —Charming annuals ; flowers attractive and 
very easily grown. Sow the seed in beds, and thin the 
plants out slightly, but take care not to overdo it, as they 
are not very vigorous. The best are G. elegans, remark¬ 
able for its graceful habit, and G. muralis, which forms a 
capital edging subject. 
Kaulfussia. —Lovely annuals, neat in habit, and most 
valuable in small clumps in the front row of the border. 
Sow the seed early in May, and thin out well, leaving 
about six plants to a clump. K. amelloides atroviolacea 
and K. kermesina are the best. The former has violet and 
the latter crimson flowers. 
Larkspur. —The famous old delphiniums are so well 
known as to scarcely need mention. They possess a good 
habit, and the colors are of the richest description. Some 
recommend sowing the seed in pans in March, and trans¬ 
planting when sufficiently large, but if the seed is sown in 
May the plants will be quite as strong, and flower as early 
as those sown previously in the pans. The dwarf growing 
kinds, such as Stock-flowered, Hyacinth-flowered and 
Candelabrum-shaped, are the most suitable. The tall 
growing varieties make stately border plants, and their 
lovely racemes of flowers are of great value for filling 
vases and indoor decorations generally. 
Mignonette. —Sow this in plenty, for the flowers are 
always appreciable, especially by the ladies. The seed 
should be sown in rich soil, and the plants thinned out 
to about six inches apart. When this is done the plants 
will be robust and produce sturdy spikes of flowers all 
through the summer and autumn. Golden Queen mi¬ 
gnonette is an excellent variety for the open ground. 
Nasturtium. —These produce such a blaze of color that 
they cannot be left out. If sown in masses the effect is 
gorgeous in the extreme, but they look best perhaps as 
edgings to borders and beds. Sow the seed at the end 
of April, and the young plants should be thinned out to 
about six inches apart. The Empress of India, scarlet, 
and the Yellow King and Tom Thumb varieties are 
the best. 
Nemophila. —The floriferous character and neat habit 
of these annuals adapt them for the front lines of borders. 
Give them a rich friable soil, and they will produce a very 
pleasing display. For the embellishment of the garden 
during the summer sow the seed early, and for spring 
decoration in August. The various forms of N. insignis 
are the most attractive, the blue color of their flowers 
rivaling those of the gentian. 
Peas. —The sweet-peas are so valuable for cut-flowers 
that they should be grown rather extensively in large 
gardens. They grow in ordinary soil, and should be 
sown in rows as early in spring as possible, and supported 
with sticks as soon as it is necessary. Never allow them 
to fall out through want of support, as they are sure to be 
considerably injured, and often their tender stems snap 
off. It is a good plan to remove the seed-pods as soon as 
they make an appearance if a long continuance of bloom 
is the object of the gardener. The Invincible varieties 
are the best, but a good assortment of colors can be ob¬ 
tained from mixed seed saved from a choice strain. 
Poppy. — These claim attention for the gorgeous hues of 
their flowers, and on that account are most effective in 
masses. They thrive in any soil, and in almost any posi¬ 
tion. The seed should be sown in April and May, and 
the young plants thinned out well, as they come up like 
weeds. The Double Pceony-flowered and Double Carna¬ 
tion are very desirable. Papaver umbrosum is a very 
showy variety with deep red flowers, marked at the base 
of each petal with a rich black blotch. 
Sanvitalia. —Charming annuals, blooming for a very 
long time in moderately rich soil. Their neat and dwarf 
habit adapts them for planting on the rockery, filling 
flower beds, or edging purposes. The most suitable va¬ 
rieties are S. procumbens and S. procumbens fl.pl. 
FLOWERS FOR A SHADY LAWN. 
I GO into a great many front-yards belonging to flower- 
lovers, who regret that they cannot grow plants suc¬ 
cessfully on their lawns, or in borders that are shaded by 
trees. They do not wish to cut down the pleasant shade 
that secludes them from the passers-by, but, oh! if they 
only could make a few flowers thrive, just enough to 
brighten the lawn and have now and then a button-hole 
bouquet without going to the florist for it! If I say a word 
I am told that they have tried all possible ways, have had 
fresh earth brought in, and often manure. Well, the soil 
is no doubt much weakened by the roots of the trees, and 
because there was no wonderful result the first year, 
everything was given up in despair. Perhaps the soil is 
sour and requires to be dug in autumn, and exposed to a 
winter fallow of frost and wind when the trees are leafless. 
At any rate, have it deeply dug in spring, not just 
scratched on the surface, and give it a good dressing of 
manure to turn in with it. Then you can have a bed of 
