ually developed, and forms
a yellow ring round the dark green cone, which rises slowly to the top
when the florets of the ray fall; from this it will be seen that the
flowers last a long time. The leaves of the root are sometimes a foot in
length and half as broad, being oval, pointed, and sometimes notched or
lobed; also rough, from a covering of short stiff hairs, and having
once-grooved stout stalks 9in. or more long; the leaves of the stems are
much smaller, generally oval, but of very uneven form, bluntly pointed,
distinctly toothed, and some of the teeth so large as to be more
appropriately described as segments; the base abruptly narrows into a
very short stalk. The flowers of this plant are sure to meet with much
favour, especially while the present fashion continues; but apart from
fashion, merely considered as a decorative subject for the garden, it is
well worth a place. There are larger yellow Composites, but either they
are much later, or they are not perennial species, and otherwise this
one differs materially from them.

I need not say anything respecting this form of flower in a cut
state--its effectiveness is well known. If planted in ordinary garden
loam it will hold its place and bloom freely year after year without
further care. Smaller subjects should not be set too near it; it may be
unadvisable to plant too many clumps in the same garden, but it can be
allowed to spread into one bold patch. The best time to divide or
transplant is in early spring, when growth is just pushing, for vigorous
as this and many other perennials are, I have often found them to rot,
when the dormant roots, after being cut into pieces, have had to face
the winter.

Flowering period, July to September.

Rudbeckia Serotina.

_Late_ CONE-FLOWER; _Nat. Ord._ COMPOSITAE.

This hardy American species, though not an old plant in English gardens,
is nevertheless classed with "old-fashioned" plants and flowers; and
certainly its sombre but pleasing dark golden ray flowers, together with
its likeness to many of the old sunflowers, favours such classification.
It is the latest of a late-flowering genus.

It attains the height of 2ft.; the root leaves are of irregular shape,
some oval and pointed, others, on the same plant, being lance-shaped,
with two or three large teeth or acute lobes; in size the leaves also
vary from 3in. to 8in. long, and being covered with short bristly hairs,
they are very rough, also of a dull