The time has arrived when our flower-gardens begin to put on their spring garments, when Crocuses, Scillas, and Snowdrops, together with the Violet and Periwinkle, peep forth in all their varied colours; and we should meet their opening flowers with neatness. I therefore venture, before our hands are full, to offer a few remarks on plants which I consider worthy of notice; and I will begin with:

Aquilegias (Columbines)

Some of these are very ornamental. They grow from one to two feet high, and thrive in common garden soil. They may be increased by seeds, or by dividing their roots. Six of the best are, Glandulosa, white and blue; Skinneri; Canadensis, reddish orange; Gardneriana, purple, striped; Davurica, purple; Brodieana.

Aconitum (Monkshood)

Handsome, generally tall-growing plants, producing abundance of flowers. All the species are stated to be more or less poisonous. Three or four of the best are Chi-nense, blue; Versicolor, blue and yellow; Grandiflorum, pale yellow; Ochroleucum, yellowish white.

Achillea (Milfoil)

The plants belonging to this genus are not all beautiful, but the following are worthy of cultivation: Alpina, white; Tomentosa, yellow; Millefolium, white; Eupatorium, yellow.

Anemone

All handsome flowers, from our native white and blue woodland Anemones, to the large Dutch varieties of Coronaria. Some interesting hybrids have already been produced between A. vitifolia and japonica; and no doubt still better results might be obtained by further following up the subject. They succeed best in a loamy soil. The following might be selected: Japonica, purple; Pulsatilla; Sylvestris; Sulphurea; Vitifolia, white; Uralensis; Richardsonii.

Baptisia

Herbaceous Pea-flowered plants of vigorous growth, of which Australis and Villosa especially deserve cultivation.

Betonica (Betony)

Pretty plants, and well adapted for rock-work. The best perhaps are, Alopecurus; Incana; Alba; Grandiflora.

Carnamine

Low herbaceous plants, of which Trifolia is early and pretty; Macrophylla is also well worth cultivation.

Chelone

Handsome plants, now mostly included in the genus Pentstemon. They succeed well in a mixture of peat and loam. The best are, Barbata; Gentianoides; Glabra; Mexicana.

Campanula

Herbaceous plants of much beauty, some of which attain a height of three and four feet. The following are worthy of selection: Barbata, blue; Speciosa, blue (4 feet); Pyramidalis alba (4 feet); Grandis, blue (1 foot); Carpatica, blue (6 inches).

Centaurea

Pretty perennials, of which the most desirable are, Delusta, red; Depressa, yellow; Atropurpurea, purple.

Chrysanthemum

The most useful and ornamental of all autumn flowers. The red, white, and yellow sorts have the best effect in out-door culture.

Dianthus

A genus of beautiful flowers, with which all are familiar, and which succeed in light loamy soil, mixed with decayed leaves and sand. Guttatus, spotted; Superbus, white; Atrorubens, crimson; and Hopeanus, are handsome.

Epilobium

The best species are, Dodonei, purple, and Lati-folium, red.

Foxgloves (Digitalis)

Intermixed with native Ferns, these clothe our hill-sides and glens in purple, and they are no less ornamental in dress grounds. They will thrive in common garden soil, and are readily propagated by seeds, which they ripen in abundance.

Francoa

Handsome flowers, of which the most beautiful are, Ramosa, white, and Sonchifolia, purple.

Geum

Pretty perennials, which thrive in light, loamy soil. The best are, Coccinea; Rivale, yellow; and Chiloense, copper-coloured.

Gentiana

All the Gentians are pretty. Acaulis makes a beautiful edging when in bloom. They succeed best in sandy peat. Septemfida, blue; Asclepiadea, blue; Punctata, yellow; and Cruciata, dark blue, are beautiful.

Globba

These are increased by parting their roots: they succeed in sandy loam. Careyana, yellow; and Orixensis, pink, are two of the best.

Helleborus

These thrive in common garden soil, and are increased by dividing their roots. Niger, pink, and Atrorubens, purple, are useful winter flowers.

Hepatica

Red, blue, pink, and white, are all pretty early spring flowers, which do best in light, loamy soil, in situations where they are not disturbed for years.

Hedysarum (French Honeysuckle)

These grow in any light, rich soil; some of the species are suitable for rock-work. The most distinct are, Obscurum, purple; Roseum and Coronarium, scarlet.

Iris

Very beautiful plants, which like a sandy soil. A few good ones are, Amcena, blue; Pumila, purple; Swertii, yellow; Versicolor, variegated; Taurice, yellow; Scariosa, blue; Subbiflora, violet; Humilis, blue; Lutescens, yellow; Sibirica, light blue.

Larkspurs (Delphinium)

Handsome, well-known plants, which succeed in a loamy soil, and may be increased by dividing their roots. Six of the best are, Splendidum; Barlowii, blue; Ajacis, pink; Gran-diflorum, dark blue; Azureum, light blue; Albiflorum.

Lily Of The Valley

Lily Of The Valley is so well known, that it needs no recommendation. It succeeds in a shady corner, where little else will grow.

Linum

Monogynum, white; Alpinum, blue; and Flavum, yellow, are pretty.

Lysimachia

These grow in any common soil. Ciliata, yellow, and Verticillata, yellow, are useful; Nummularia is suitable for rock-work.

Lobelia

All very beautiful things, worthy of a place in every garden. They grow well in light, loamy soil. We take them up as soon as the flowers have died off, pot them, and winter them in a frame, turning them out again in spring. A few of the best arc, Fulgens, scarlet; Ignea, fine; Praecox, crimson; Speciosa, blue; Ramosa, dark blue (annual); Grandis, purple; Violacea, violet.

Lychnis

Also beautiful plants, which succeed in a rich soil. Viscaria, pink; Chalcedonica, scarlet; Fulgens, scarlet; Floscuculi, pink; and Grandiflora, red, are well worthy of cultivation.

Lupinus

Some of these are very handsome. They grow well in any common garden soil. Polyphyllus, blue; Lupidus, blue and pink; Sericeus, purple, are good species.

Mektensia

The most beautifully coloured are, Parviflora and Dahurica, both blue.

Mimulus

Some of these are very pretty, and they do well in damp, shady situations.

Onosmas

Are pretty plants, and well adapted for rock-work. Orientalis, yellow, and Echioides, white, are worth growing.

Orobus

Pea-blossomed flowers, which like a light soil. The best are, Vernus, purple; Jordani, blue; Sylveticus, purple; Cocci-neus, scarlet.

Cenotheras

Some of these have a nice appearance in a clump of roses. Anisoloba, white; Fruticosa, yellow; Missourensis, yellow, are useful.

P^Onias

Well-known showy spring flowers, which grow in any garden soil. One or two good ones are, Humei, red; Anemoniflora, pink; Albiflora, white; Fragrans, red.

Papaver

The most beautifully coloured are, Concolor, scarlet; Croceum, saffron; Bracteatum, red; Maculatum, scarlet; and Ori-entale.

Penstemon

All handsome perennials, more especially Augusti-folium, purple; Ovatum, blue; Gentianoides coccineum, red; Spe-ciosum; and Murrayanum, scarlet.

Phloxes

Beautiful plants, which grow in almost any soil. A few good ones, that grow 2 feet high, are, Van Houttei, purple and white; Reflexa, purple; Omniflora, white; Tardiflora, white. Shorter growing ones, Nivalis, white; Procumbens, purple; Ovata, rosy purple. Ccelestis and Nitens, figured in the first Volume of this work.

Potentilla

A handsome genus, whose most desirable species are, Formosa, purple; Laciniosa, yellow; Hopwoodeana, variegated; Russelliana, scarlet; Atro-sanguinea, red.

Primulas

Who has not admired the early Primrose of our woods! not less beautiful are the double white, lilac, yellow, and crimson of our gardens. The parterre could ill spare them in early spring. Besides these, Cortusoides, red; Marginata, pink; and Denticulata, lilac, are pretty, and well worth growing; but the latter is most suitable for pot-culture, as it is apt to get broken when out of doors in rough weather.

Pyrethrum (Feverfew)

Pretty perennials, which flower early and late: they may be increased by cuttings. The best are, Roseum, pale red; Grandiflorum, white, and most beautiful in borders.

Rudbeckia

Showy plants, of which Fulgida, yellow, and Drummondii, orange, are worthy of cultivation.

Saxifraga

Well-known plants, which are very suitable for rock-work. A few of the best are, Pyramidalis, Granulata, Oppositifolia, Sedoides, Hypnoides, Crassifolia, and Ambrosa, or London Pride.

Sedums

Also good rock-plants. One or two good ones are, Sieboldii, pink; Kamschaticum; and Saxatile.

Silene

Shaftii, Hispanica, Fimbriata, Sibirica, are worth growing.

Statices

These like a sandy loam; they may be increased by dividing the roots. One or two of the best are, Bellidifolia, Globu-lariaefolia, Elata, Latifolia, Viminea, Tatarica, Flexuosa.

J. Dobson.