One part of peat, one of loam and one of leaf mould will grow them well; thoroughly mix the component parts, and break it rather fine; be careful to secure good drainage.

Every spring gives us a host of new varieties, most of which are discarded in a few years. The white corollaed varieties are generally of weak growth, and not adapted for culture out of the green-house. Those with a double corolla we do not admire; the multiplication of floral leaves detracts much from the simple beauty of the flower; they are, however, valuable in a collection, and very showy in garden planters.

Fuchsia coccinea is a pretty species, with purple and white sepals and corolla. Fuchsia serratifolia is a species with scarlet tube, tipped with green, blooming in winter. There are some twenty other species, which are beautiful in a green-house, but valueless for window growth.

Queen Victoria, La Crinoline, Omar Pasha, Nil Desperandum, Duchess of Lancaster, Climax, Guiding Star, Rose of Castile, Hoi des Blancs, Prince Frederic William, are all fine varieties.

The Myrtle

Myrtles are natives of Europe, New Holland, and China. They are hard-wooded, evergreen shrubs, possessing a peculiar, agreeable fragrance, and have always been favorites for parlor culture. The soil should be three parts loam, with one part of sand and one of leaf moulds.

They do not require very large pots, and flourish well in almost any situation. They require moderate washing, and watering, and plenty of light and air during the growing season, which is in summer, when they should be put out of doors in a shady place, yet not under the drip of trees.

The flowers are usually white, and produced in profusion in midsummer. M. communis is the common plant of our parlors, of which there are many varieties, with small and large leaves, variegated foliage, and flowers single or double.

M. tenuifolia is a New Holland species; a fine plant for parlor culture. M. tomentosa is a fine Chinese species, with purple flowers changing to white, so that flowers of many shades are seen at once on the same plant. It should be more generally grown; being equally hardy, except it is impatient of exposure to the hot sun.

Achaenia

A. malvaviscus is a beautiful parlor plant, symmetrical in growth, and producing its brilliant, scarlet flowers in profusion at the end of every branch. These flowers are succeeded by white berries, changing to bright red, which alone would make the plant ornamental did it not always display a profusion of bloom.

The best way to grow the plant is as a pyramid, as thus the flowers and fruit show to great advantage. Give plenty of sun and light, turning the plant frequently. It is not subject to the attacks of insects. Soil, two parts loam, two leaf mould, with a slight admixture of sand is the perfect blend.