The climbing or scandent Lophospermum, Lophospermum scandens, is a very interesting half-hardy perennial climbing plant belonging to the natural order Scrophulariaceae. It is a plant of vigorous growth, attaining a height of from twelve to sixteen feet, having cordate ovate pointed leaves which are clothed with soft spreading viscid hairs, and the beautiful rosy purple foxglovelike flo.wers are produced in the greatest profusion during the plant's season of growth. This variety is considered by all to be the best of the Lophos-permums, and as its roots are thick and fleshy it can on this account be easily kept over during the winter season. It is a native of Mexico from whence it was introduced in 1835, having been raised from seed by Mr. Shepard, of the Liverpool Botanical Gardens.

This Lophospermum is a plant easily cultivated. In the flower border it delights in an airy sunny situation, a deep, well enriched soil, and an occasional watering during seasons of drought. Support should be given the plants before they commence to run, and care must be taken as to training the young and tender shoots. If all is well, and the plants were strong and healthy when planted out, they will commence to flower about the first of July and continue until frost. In the flower garden it will be found to be of great value for training up trellises, lattice work, etc., and it is equally as valuable for greenhouse cultivation.

When grown as a greenhouse or window garden plant, young plants should be obtained about the middle of June and potted into three-inch pots, using ordinary potting soil. As soon as the pots become well filled with roots shift into five-inch pots; at the same time pinch back all the leading shoots and continue this re-potting and pinching back until the first of September, when the plants should be brought inside and placed in their respective positions. By this time one will have nice, compact, well rooted specimens, which if given a light sunny situation and an average temperature of 550, with an occasional application of liquid manure water, will reward us with bloom in profusion. Inside, the plants should be syringed occasionally, at the same time slightly fumigated with tobacco in order to destroy the green fly, to which pest the plant is unfortunately very subject.

The next season the plants can be well cut in and planted out in the flower border and given the treatment advised for young plants. It seems almost superfluous to remark that young plants must be prepared for another winter's bloom. Propagation can be easily effected by cuttings of the half-ripened wood at any time; also by seeds which are best sown early in March. Sow thinly and cover slightly in a well drained pot or pan of light loamy soil, and place it in any warm moist situation as near the glass as possible. As soon as the young plants are strong enough to handle pot them off into three-inch pots, keeping them close and moist until well established, then gradually expose to the open air and plant out when all danger of frost is over.

When grown as a pot plant ordinary potting soil will answer very well, but it is essential that the pot be well drained.

The generic name is derived from "lophos," crest, and " sperma" seed, in allusion to the fact of the seeds being furnished with a crested wing; and the specific name alludes to the climbing or scandent habit or growth of the plant.

Queens, N. Y.