he calyx is very finely formed, broadly cup-shaped and cornered;
the five divisions are narrow, finely pointed, 3/4in. long, and spreading;
the corolla has a divided tube 1in. long, broadly set in the ample
calyx, gradually narrowing to the divisions of the corolla. As may be
seen by the engraving, the flowers much resemble some of our native
orchids in form, the lip being most characteristic. The leaves are
broadly lance-shaped, serrated, and sessile. The habit of the plant is
erect, and almost rigid. The flowers are of the most attractive kind for
borders, and, as cut bloom, can hardly be excelled.

The only drawback which attaches to it in this climate is that it is
_not_ perfectly hardy; in other words, it dies in winter when planted in
certain soils and positions. But I can, from an experience extending
over three trying winters, confidently state that, if it is planted in
spring, in deep rich loam, fully exposed to the sun, it will both flower
well and live through the winter. Only let the reader remember that it
is a native of North America, and he may then judge that it can be no
stranger to a cold climate. The advantages of the above method are, that
the plant becomes well established during summer, its long cord-like
roots get deep down to the moisture it loves so well, and from full
exposure it withers seasonably and the crowns become fully ripened by
the time the strongest frosts occur, so that they do it no harm. The
reader may take it for what it is worth, that by leaving the dried
stalks on, the plants are benefited; at any rate, I leave them on, for
the following reasons: In a dry state they are very hollow, and when cut
I have found them conductors of rain into the midst of the younger roots
and dormant crowns, causing them to rot, and when the remaining part of
the stalk has come away from rottenness too, it has been seen that a
cavity of corruption had formed where it joined. When I have left the
withered stalks untrimmed until the following growing season, no such
decay has been seen. So that, after all, it is perhaps not less hardy
than many other plants about which little doubt exists, but which may
have been a little more fortunate as regards other conditions than cold.

To those who prefer to dig up their stock of _L. cardinalis_ and winter
it away from frost, I may say that it is only needful to pack the roots
in sand, which should be kept moist, not wet. Propagation may be
effected by division