e the protection of a house in winter. Height, 6 in.

Avena Sterilis.--A very singular hardy-annual ornamental grass,
generally known as Animated Oats. Very useful in a green state for
mixing with cut flowers. Sow in March or early in April. Height, 3 ft.

Azaleas (_Greenhouse_).--A good soil for these deciduous shrubs is
made by mixing a fair quantity of silver sand with good fibrous peat.
The plants must never be allowed to become too wet nor too dry, and
must be shaded from excessive sunshine. After they have flowered
remove the remains of the blooms, place the plants out of doors in
the sun to ripen the wood, or in a temperature of 60 degrees or
65 degrees, and syringe them freely twice a day. If they require
shifting, it must be done directly the flowers have fallen. Cuttings
taken off close to the plant will root in sand under a glass placed in
heat. A. Indica is a plant of great beauty. Stand it in the open air
in summer, in a partially shaded position. In winter remove it to a
cool part of the greenhouse. The hardy varieties should receive the
same treatment as rhododendrons. Flowers in June. Height, 4 ft.

Azara Microphylla--This hardy evergreen shrub, with its fan-like
branches and small dark, glossy leaves, is very ornamental and
sweet-scented. It is increased by placing cuttings of ripened wood in
sand under glass with a little heat. Height, 3 ft.

B

Babianas.--Charming, sweet-scented flowers, suitable for either pot
cultivation or the border. In August or September place five bulbs in
a well-drained 5-in. pot, using rich, light, very sandy soil; cover
them completely, and press the mould down gently. Water very sparingly
until the roots are well formed; indeed, if the soil is moist when the
bulbs are planted, no water will be needed till the new growth appears
above ground. Stand the pots in ashes and cover them with 3 in. of
cocoa-nut fibre. When the flower spikes are formed, give weak liquid
manure twice a week till the flowers open. Keep them in a temperature
of 55 degrees. When the foliage begins to die down gradually, lessen
the amount of moisture given. The bulbs while dormant are best left in
the pots. For cultivation in the open, choose a warm situation, make
the soil light and sandy, adding a good proportion of well-rotted
manure, and plant the bulbs 5 in. deep either in autumn or spring.
Height, 6 in. to 9 in.

Bahia Lanata.--A hardy herbaceous plant of easy culture from seed sown
in s