Balsam in a

( Bot. and Hort.) The most common name of the gen. Impatiens, ord. Balsam in ace a. CHARACT. Sepals colored, apparently 4, the 2 upper being united, the lowest gibbous and spurred; petals apparently 2, each of the lower being united to the 2 lateral ones; anthers cohering at the apex capsule often 1-celled by the obliteration of the di epiments, 5-valved, bursting elastically; stems smooth, succulent, tender, sub pellucid, with tumid joints. There are numerous species, several of which have very handsome flowers. They are chiefly found in the damper parts of the East Indies; but the only one that is much known is the common garden balsam, B. hortensis, which, in its double state, has been an object of cultivation since the earliest records of modern horticulture. This plant is one of those species which not only has a tendency to vary with double flowers, but has also the power of continuing to produce them when renewed from seeds. On this account it particularly deserves the attention of the cultivator, especially as it may be brought by art to a state of beauty equalled by few plants. It should be raised in a hot-bed, treated with great care as a tender annual, grown in rich soil, sheltered from exce ive sunlight, and kept constantly in a damp atmosphere, but freely and fully ventilated. It should not, however, be stimulated into extremely rapid growth until the plants have become stout bushes, and the flowers have grown to the size of small peas. At that time the plants should have all the heat and moisture they can bear, and the most brilliant flowers the plant is capable of producing will be the result; in the latter stage of growth, great care is still to be taken to expose the plants fully to air. - The Touch-me-not, Impatiens pallid a, ( Fig. 277,) found in wet, shady places, in the U. States and Canada, has a stem 2-4 ft. high, branched and pale yellow flowers, sparingly maculate, blo oming in Aug. Its capsule, oblong-cylindrical, 1' long, bursts at the slightest touch when matured, and scatters the seed. - The Jewel-weed, Impatiens fulva, principally distinguished from the preceding by its flowers, deep orange, maculate with many brown spots, is more common, and found in the same places.