in good trim till the borders must be cleared. All sheltered situations, places near warm walls, and nice snugly-warmed dells, are suitable positions for them. They are generally used in huge and ugly masses, both about Paris and London; but their true beauty will never be seen till we learn to place them tastefully here and there among the flowering-plants—just as we place sprigs of graceful fern in a bouquet. A bed or two solely devoted to them will occasionally prove very effective; but enormous meaningless masses of them, containing perhaps several hundred plants of one variety, are things to avoid and not to imitate. As to culture and propagation, nothing can be more simple: they may be stored in winter, as readily as potatoes, under shelves in the houses, in the root-room, or, in fact, anywhere if covered up to protect them from frost. And then in spring, when we desire to propagate them, nothing is easier than pulling the roots in pieces, and potting them separately. Afterwards it is usual to bring them on in heat, and finally harden them off previous to planting out in the middle of May; but a modification of this practice is desirable, as some kinds are of a remarkably hardy constitution, and make a beautiful growth if put out without so much as a leaf on them. The soil for all Cannas should be deep, rich, and light.
In rambling through the suburbs of Paris, I once came upon a tuft of Canna springing up strongly through a box-edging—pretty good evidence that it had remained there for some years. Upon inquiring of the proprietor of the garden I found this was the case, and that he had no doubt of the hardiness of several other kinds. They were planted not more than 8 ins. or 10 ins. deep. When we remember that the Cannas are amongst the most valuable plants we use for giving grace and verdure to the flower-garden, this surely is a hint worthy of being acted upon, as, of course, they will prove equally hardy with us. Considering their diversity of colour and size, their graceful pointed habit and facility of propagation, we must concede them the first place; but their capability of being used by anybody who grows ordinary bedding-plants, and the fact that they may be preserved so very easily through the winter, enhance their value still more. Cannas, protected by a coating of litter, have been left out in Battersea Park through severe winters, and during the unfavourable summer of 1867 attained a height of nearly 12 ft. Where it is desired to change the arrangements as much as possible every year, it may not be any advantage to leave them in the ground, and in that case they may be taken up with the bedding-plants, and stored as simply and easily as carrots. Wherever they are grown as isolated tufts, in small groups, or in small beds, it will be best not to take them up oftener than every second or third year. These noble plants would also adorn the conservatory, which is often as devoid of any dignified vegetation as the unhappy flower-gardens which are seen all over the country. Few subjects would be more effective, none more easily obtained.
SPECIES AND VARIETIES OF CANNA.
In the following list of the species and varieties of Canna, the first thirteen kinds are considered species: but the finest kinds for garden use will be found among the Hybrids and Varieties.
Canna aurantiaca.—A vigorous kind, 6½ ft. or more in height, with large, broadly oval-lance-shaped leaves, of a pale green colour, slightly waved on the margin. Flowers with rose-coloured outer, and reddish inner, divisions, the upper lip being of an orange colour and the lower one yellow dotted with orange. Rhizome tuberous, with long subterranean shoots. Antilles.
Canna discolor.—One of the finest kinds, and, although it does not flower regularly in the open air, one of the most valuable on account of its foliage. The leaves are very large, broadly oval-oblong, the lower ones tinged with a blood-red hue, and the upper ones veined or streaked with purple. Stems reddish, stout, growing to a height of more than 6 ft. Flowers orange-red, with bright-red inner divisions. S. America.
Canna edulis.—A vigorous species, largely cultivated by the Peruvians for the sake of its edible roots, growing from 6 ft. to 7 ft. high, the stems tinged with deep purple. Leaves broadly oval-lance-shaped, green tinged with purple maroon. Flowers large: external divisions purple, upper internal division scarlet shaded with yellow, the lower one of an orange-red. S. America.
Canna flaccida.—A species remarkable for the great size of its flowers, which bear some resemblance to those of Iris Pseud-acorus. They are entirely yellow, flaccid, few in number, and very transitory. This is not a tall species, seldom exceeding 2 ft. 8 ins. in height. Leaves oval-lance-shaped, erect, glaucescent. South America. This species should not be confounded with the C. flaccida of Willdenow which is found on the shores of the Mississipi.