e the field daisy, but they are borne on
densely-branched stems in hundreds; in fact, the plant, which grows
nearly 2ft. high, seems to be nearly all flowers. Each one has a single
ray of shining white florets, narrow and separate. Those of the disk are
of a canary-yellow colour; the imbricated calyx is pear-shaped; pedicels
slender, bent, wiry, and furnished with very small leaves; main stems
hispid, woody, and brittle. The leaves of the root are 2in. to 4in.
long, smooth, entire, linear, almost grass-like; those of the stems much
less, becoming smaller as they near the flowers; they are somewhat
rough, partaking of the quality of the stems. The habit of the plant is
much branched, the spreading clusters of flowers being six or ten times
the size of the plant, so that it becomes top-heavy; it blooms for many
weeks, and is not damaged by coarse weather. Amongst other Asters it
shows to advantage, flowering earlier than most of them, but lasting
well into their period of bloom. It is sure to prove a useful white
autumnal flower; small sprays when cut look better than on the plant, as
they are then seen to be well spread and rigidly held by means of their
wiry stalks; they have the scent of Southernwood. It grows well with me
in ordinary garden loam, the situation being well exposed to the sun. It
may be readily propagated by root division.

Flowering period, August to October.

Bellis Perennis.

COMMON PERENNIAL DAISY; _Nat. Ord._ COMPOSITAE.

This native plant, the commonest flower of the field and wayside, and
the weed of our grass-plots, is the parent form of the handsome and
popular double kinds seen in almost every garden. Well known as these
flowers are, it may prove interesting to learn a little more about the
fine large double crimson and white kinds--their treatment, for
instance--in order to have abundance of flowers during the earliest
months of the year; and the uses to which they may be most
advantageously put; for, common as are the Daisies, they are, without
doubt, amongst the most useful flowers we possess. First, I will briefly
give the names and descriptions of the more distinct varieties.

_B. p. aucubifolia_ is the Double Daisy, having a beautifully variegated
foliage, mottled with golden-yellow in the way of the aucuba.

_B. p. fistulosa._--This is the double crimson or pink Daisy, having its
florets piped or quilled (see Fig. 19).

_B. p. hortensis_ embraces all the double forms raise