Achimenes—Fine plants, suitable for the greenhouse, sitting-room, or hanging baskets Plant six tubers in a 5-in pot, with their growing ends inclining to the centre and the roots to the edge of the pot, and cover them an inch deep with a compost of peat, loam, and leaf-mould, or a light, sandy soil Keep them well supplied with liquid manure while in a growing state Height, 6 in to 2-1/2 ft.

Philesia—An American evergreen shrub which grows best in peat, but will thrive in any light soil It should occupy a cool position, but be well sheltered from winds It is increased by suckers Flowers in June Height, 4 ft.

Lonicera—Hardy deciduous shrubs, which will grow in any ordinary soil, and produce their flowers in April or May They are propagated by cuttings planted in a sheltered position Prune as soon as flowering is over Height, from 3 ft to 10 ft.

Abies (Spruce Firs)—Among these ornamental conifers mention may be made of the beautiful Japanese Spruce Ajanensis, which grows freely in most soils and has dual-coloured leaves—dark green on the upper surface and silvery white underneath; this makes a grand single specimen anywhere The White Spruce (Abies Alba Glauca) is a rapid grower, but while it is small makes a lovely show in the border; it prefers a moist situation Of the slow-growing and dwarf varieties Gregorii is a favourite The Caerulea, or Blue Spruce, is also very beautiful Clanbrasiliana is a good lawn shrub, never exceeding 4 ft in height The Pigmy Spruce (A Pygmea) is the smallest of all firs, only attaining the height of 1 ft Any of these may be increased by cuttings.


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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