THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 147 



as the grower phrases it. This method of growing plants may 

 also be followed in the case if minute seeds which are difficult 

 to start m ordmary seed pans or flats. 



Hawthorn vs. TnoRNAPPi^E.^-Dr. J. W. Peroutky, 

 Merrill, Wis. writes that throughout northern Wisconsin he 

 has never heard the name of haw or hawthorn used for species 

 of Crataegus. It is invariably thornapple. It might be in- 

 teresting to know how frequently the other claimant to the 

 title of thornapple, Datura stramonium, is called by this name. 

 The plant has several names but Jimson weed is the only name 

 we have ever heard actually used in conversation. 



Prairie; Gentian. — While some rare wildflowers are 

 comparatively easy to colonize under ordinary garden condi- 

 tions, others are very difficult and often utterly refuse to do 

 well until all their wants are complied with. This is the case 

 with the Pairie gentian as well as other choice members 

 of the Gentian family. Whether grown from seed or trans- 

 planted, if placed in the open bed the chances are that it will 

 be lifted out of the ground by the freezing in winter. On the 

 prairie or in the meadow surrounded by a network of grass 

 roots holding it down, it winters safely. The plant is common- 

 ly known a^ alkali lily and prairie gentian. It is a beautiful 

 plant wherever grown but its full splendor is reached only 

 when growing in masses in alkali soil. It is common, there, 

 to find twenty or more long-stemmed flowers on one stalk and 

 rarely plants are found bearing flowers of shimering trans- 

 lucent gold, or with snow-white blossoms. A glance at the 

 root system of a plant in full bloom should be sufficient to give 

 the reason for its extra care in cultivation. One plant, bear- 

 ing more flowers than one would care to place in a single vase 

 at one time, will be found growing from a root much smaller 

 in size than any ordinary plant. — Mrs. S. B. Walker, Denver, 

 Colorado. 



