Virgilia—For the most part greenhouse shrubs, requiring to be grown in a compost of loam, peat, and sand Young cuttings planted in sandy loam and covered with glass will strike The hardy kinds, such as V Lutea, grow in any light soil, and are increased by laying down shoots in autumn or spring July is the month in which they flower Height, from 2 ft to 12 ft.

Picotees—See "Carnations".

Malva—Very ornamental plants, more especially the greenhouse varieties The hardy perennials succeed in any good garden soil, and are increased by seed sown in the autumn, or by division of the root The greenhouse kinds should be grown in rich earth: these are propagated by cuttings planted in light soil The annuals are poor plants Some of the varieties bloom in June, others in August Height, 2 ft.

Waitzia—Very beautiful half-hardy annuals, but more suitable for the greenhouse than the open flower-bed They require a sandy peat and leaf-mould, and the pots to be well drained, as too much water is as destructive to them as too little They may be had in flower from May to August by making two sowings, one in September and the other in February, and keeping them in the greenhouse When large enough to handle, pot off into 3-in pots, putting two plants in each pot close to the sides, and shift them into larger ones when they have made sufficient growth Place them in a dry and airy situation and near the glass They are unable to stand the least frost, therefore, if they are planted out, it should not be done before the beginning of June Height, 1½ ft.


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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