Part 39

Salpiglossis.--Very beautiful half-hardy annuals which are greatly prized for cut bloom. A light but not over-rich soil suits them best. The seed may be sown in the open border early in spring, or preferably on a hotbed at the same period. For early flowering raise the plants in the autumn, and winter them in a frame or greenhouse. Flowers are produced in July and August. Height, 2 ft.

Salsafy (Vegetable Oyster).--Sow the seed in any good garden soil--deep sandy loam is best--towards the end of April in drills 1 ft. apart, and thin the plants out to a distance of 6 in. from each other. The roots may remain in the ground till required for use, or be lifted in October and stored in the same way as Beet or Carrots. They are prepared for table in the same manner as Parsnips, and are also used for flavouring soups.

Salvia.--Very showy flowers, well worth cultivating, and easily grown in a rich, light soil. The annuals and biennials may be sown in the open early in spring. The herbaceous kinds are increased by dividing the roots; the shrubby varieties by cuttings of the young wood planted under glass in March; while the stove species require to be placed in heat. They flower in August in the open. Heights vary, according to the kinds, but S. Coccinea and S. Patens, which are most commonly met with in gardens, grow to a height of 2 ft.

Sambucus (The Elder).--Useful deciduous shrubs. S. Nigra Aurea has golden foliage, and is suitable for town gardens. The silvery variegated variety (Variegata), is fine for contrasting with others. They may all be propagated by cuttings or by division. Flower in June.

Sand Wort.--See "Arenaria."

Sanguinaria Canadensis (Bloodroot).--A hardy perennial, curious both in leaf and flower. It requires a light, sandy soil, shade, and moisture; is propagated by seed sown in July, also by division of the tuberous roots, and it blooms in March. The tubers should be planted 5 in. deep and 3 in. apart. Height, 6 in.

Santolina.--This hardy evergreen shrub grows freely in any soil. It flowers in July, and is increased by cuttings. Height, 2 ft.

Sanvitalia.--Interesting, hardy annual trailers, which may be readily raised from seed sown in March or April, and merely require ordinary treatment. They produce their golden and brown and yellow flowers in July. Height, 1 ft.

Saponaria.--These grow best in a mixture of sandy loam and peat or decayed vegetable soil. The annuals may be sown either in autumn, and wintered in a frame, or in the open in April. The perennials are increased by seed or by division of the root, and young cuttings of the branching species root freely if planted under glass. S. Ocymoides, on account of its trailing nature, and S. Calabrica make fine rock-work plants. The leaves of S. Officinalis, or Soap Plant, if stirred in water form a lather strong enough to remove grease spots. They bloom in June and July. Height, 6 in. to 2 ft.

Sarracenia.--Curious herbaceous plants, requiring to be grown in pots of rough peat, filled up with sphagnum moss, in a moderately cool house having a moist atmosphere. They flower in June, and are increased by division. Height, from 9 in. to 1 ft.

Sauromatum Guttatum.--This makes a good window or cool greenhouse plant. Pot the tuber in good loam and leaf-soil, and keep the mould only just damp until the foliage, which follows the flowers, appears. When the foliage fails, keep the tubers dry till spring. If grown out of doors the tubers must be lifted before frost sets in.

Savoys.--Sow the seed in March or April, and when the plants are 2 in. high remove them to a nursery-bed, selecting the strongest first. Let them remain till they are about 6 in. high, then transplant them, 18 in. apart, in well-manured soil. Their flavour is greatly improved if they are frozen before being cut for use.

Saxifrage.--These beautiful Alpine perennials delight in a light, sandy soil, and are easily propagated by seed or division. It is most convenient to grow the rare and tender kinds in pots, as they require the protection of a frame in winter. Saxifraga Sibthorpii is very suitable for the lower and damper parts of rock-work; it is hardy, and sheds its seed freely. S. Umbrosa (London Pride) makes a neat border, and is also useful for rock-work. S. Sarmentosa (Mother-of-Thousands) is a fine hanging plant for greenhouse or window. They flower in April. Height, mostly 4 in. to 6 in., but some grow as high as 1-1/2 ft.

Scabious.--Ornamental and floriferous hardy biennials, which grow freely in common soil. The seed may be sown at any time between March and midsummer; transplant in the autumn. They bloom in June. Height, 1 ft to 3 ft. (See also "Cephalaria.")

Scale.--Red Scale may be easily overcome with a strong solution of soft soap applied with a sponge. White Scale is harder to deal with. Syringe frequently with strong soapsuds heated to 120 degrees. If the plant is badly attacked it is best to destroy it.

Schizanthus.--Extremely beautiful and showy annuals. A rather poor, light soil is most suitable for their growth. For early flowering sow the seed in autumn, and keep the young plants in a frame or greenhouse throughout the winter. For a succession of bloom sow in the open border early in the spring. They flower in July and August. Height, 2 ft.

Schizopetalum.--This singular and delightfully fragrant annual does best in a mixture of loam, peat, and sand, or sandy loam and leaf-mould. Sow the seed in pots in the spring, place in a greenhouse, and when large enough to handle, plant out in the open border, or it may be kept in an airy part of the house, where it will bloom in June. Height, 1 ft.

Schizostylis Coccinea (Crimson Flag, or Kaffre Lily).--A most lovely autumn-blooming plant, producing abundant spikes of Izia-like flowers about 2 ft. high. It is suitable for pot-culture or planting outdoors, and is quite hardy. It requires a rich, light soil.

Scillas (Squills).--Very useful spring-flowering bulbs. They are hardy, and do well in any position in light soil. When mixed with Crocuses and Snowdrops they produce a very charming effect. To get perfection of bloom they require deep planting. S. Siberica especially looks well when grown in pots with Snowdrops. Scilla roots are poisonous. General height, 1 ft.

Scorzonera.--Sow in March in light soil in rows 18 in. apart. Thin the plants out to about 7 in. one from the other. They may perhaps be ready for use in August, but to have large roots they should be left till they are two years old. They may remain in the ground till wanted for use, or they may be lifted in October and stored like Beet, etc. This vegetable is scraped and thrown into cold water for a few hours, then boiled in the same way as Carrots and Parsnips.

Scutellaria.--These plants will grow in any good soil. The hardy perennials flower in July. The greenhouse varieties merely require protecting in the winter. They all bear division of the root, and are easily raised from seed. Height, 1-1/2 ft.

Scyphanthus.--An elegant and curious trailer, which is best grown in a loamy soil. It may be increased from seed sown in April, and it flowers in August. Height, 2 ft.

Sea Cabbage.--See "Crambe Cordifolia."

Seakale.--The readiest way of propagating this useful vegetable is by off-sets, but it may be raised from seed sown in March or April in rows 1 ft. apart. Thin out the young plants to 6 in. in the rows, and transplant in February or March into well-trenched, deep, rich soil in rows 2 ft. apart and the plants 15 in. asunder. Keep the plants to one crown, or shoot, and remove all flower-shoots as they appear. In dry weather give a liberal quantity of liquid manure. Cropping may commence after the roots have been planted two years.

Sea Lavender.--See "Statice."

Sea Milkweed.--See "Glaux."

Sedum (Stonecrop).--This well-known hardy perennial is suitable for pots or rock-work. It delights in a light, sandy soil, and is readily increased by division or cuttings. It flowers in June or July. Height, 3 in.

Seed-Sowing.--Two of the most important points in the sowing of seed are the proper condition of the ground and the regular and uniform depth at which the seed is sown. Seeds require light, heat, air, and moisture for their germination. The ground should be light, and in such a condition that the young roots can easily penetrate it, and in all cases should be freshly dug so as to communicate air and moisture: it should be neither too wet nor too dry. The most favourable time for seed-sowing is just before a gentle rain. If sown too early on cold, wet ground, the seed is apt to rot; when sown too shallow in a dry time, there may not be sufficient moisture to cause it to sprout. The seed should be sown evenly. The size of a seed is a nearly safe guide as to the depth at which it should be sown. For instance, Beans and Peas of all kinds should be sown about a couple of inches deep, while very small flower-seeds merely require to be just covered. As to the time for sowing, see "Annuals," "Biennials," and "Perennials."