255 
THE FLORIST’S LETTER BOX. 
In beginning our notice to our corresponding friends, we shall first say to 
Mr. Macdonald, of “ The Glen, Peeblesshire,” that we still have his first com¬ 
munication, and shall reconsider it. To the others, we beg leave to say, that 
want of space prevents us from giving their queries at full length ; but we 
trust they will be satisfied with the answers, in the drawing up of which we 
have consulted the best practical authorities. 
Annuals Grown on Moss. —Many sorts of annuals will do well sown upon 
moss; and the best moss for them is the white moss, or sphagnum, which 
should be cut rather small, and if a little soil is mixed with it, the plants will 
grow stronger and flower better. The proper size of pots is large forty-eights, 
rather flat. The moss should be pressed firmly down in the pot, and filled up 
to within an inch of the rim. The seeds are then to be sown, and a gentle 
watering given from a small-sized watering pot; but they should not be 
watered unless when the moss is very dry. In Autumn and early Spring, 
especially, water, except enough to keep up a very gentle moisture, is highly 
injurious to vegetation. 
The annuals, of which a select list is subjoined, that will answer for the 
mode of treatment, may be sown at different times, and thereby a succession 
of flowers may be kept up all the year round. The following are the principle 
ones, but many others will succeed :— 
Speculoria, speculum, blue, 
pentagonia, blue. 
iEnothera densiflora, purple, 
coccinea, purple, 
rubicunda, red. 
quadrivulnera, purple, 
rosea alba, white and rose. 
Clarkia pulchella, rose. 
Lopezia cordata, purple, 
coronata, purple, 
pumila, purple. 
Linontlius dichotomus, yellow. 
Liptosiphon grandiflorus, yellow and 
purple. 
androsaceus, white and blue, 
luteus, yellow. 
densiflorus, purple and white. 
Collomia, linearis, flame coloured, 
coccinea, scarlet. 
Gillia capitata, blue. 
tricolor, yellow, purple, and white. 
Achillifolia, blue. 
Shagelia densiflora, blue, 
lutea, yellow. 
Collinsia grandiflora, purple and blue. 
Very many genera and species besides those now mentioned will thrive by 
this mode of treatment; and the time of flowering, as well as the choice 
colours of the flowers, will depend on the time of sowing, and also on the care 
taken of the plants. If due attention is paid, a gay appearance may be given 
to the green-house, or to well managed w'indows, when all the perennial plants 
and seasonal bulbs are out of flower. 
Collinsia bicolor, purple and white, 
verna, blue and purple, 
heterophylla, purple and white. 
Livonia latifolia, yellow. 
triphylla, blue and yellow, 
reflecta, white, 
cretacea, blue and yellow, 
virgata, blue, 
theymifolia, yellow, 
pedunculata, blue. 
Nemesia floribunda, white and yellow. 
Nemophila insignis, blue, 
aurita, purple, 
atomacea, white and purple. 
Eutoca Menzesii, purple., 
sericea, blue, 
viscida, blue. 
Wrangeliana, blue. 
Phocelia congesta, blue, 
tancetifolia, blue. 
Amphalodes linifolia, white. 
Mignionette—Reseda odorata. 
Clintonia pulchella, yellow and blue. 
Virginian Stock. 
