Acrotis—These are mostly hardy herbaceous plants from South Africa The soil should consist of two parts loam and one part leaf-mould, and the situation should be dry and sunny Seed may be sown early in March in gentle heat, and the plants grown on in a cold frame till May, when they may be planted out a foot apart They will flower at midsummer Winter in a warm greenhouse Height, 2 ft Some few are of a creeping nature.

Phlox—For richness of colour and duration of bloom there are few plants that can rival either the annual or perennial Phlox The trailing kinds are very suitable for small pots or rock-work, C Drummondi for beds, and the French perennials, P Decussata, for mixed borders A rich, loamy soil suits them best, and they must never lack moisture They are easily raised in spring from seed, and the perennials may be increased by cuttings placed under glass, or by division Flower in July Height, 1 ft to 2 ft.

Massonia—Singular plants, which to grow to perfection should be placed in a mixture of loam, peat, and sand They require no water while in a dormant state, and may be increased by seed or by off-sets from the bulbs Height, 3 in to 6 in.

Alyssum—Well adapted for rock-work or the front of flower-beds, and is best sown in autumn The annual, or Sweet Alyssum, bears an abundance of scented white flowers in June, and on to the end of September The hardy perennial, Saxatile (commonly called Gold Dust), bears yellow flowers in spring Height, 6 in.


Beta Cicla—A hardy annual which succeeds in any common soil Its dark crimson and yellow flowers are borne in August Height, 6 ft It is used as spinach In Germany the midrib of the leaf is boiled and eaten with gravy or melted butter.

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