HEPATICA. 27 



Hepatica, which is, therefore, not able to produce 

 seed. Such plants necessarily require the hand of 

 cultivation to prevent their becoming extinct. 



The change of colour in plants is principally 

 owing to soil, and of this Mr. Bradley relates a 

 remarkable circumstance. u Some roots of the 

 Double Blue Hepatica were sent to Mr. Harrison, 

 of Henley-upon-Thames, from Mr. Keys'* s garden, 

 in Tothill-fields, whose soil was so different from 

 the ground they were planted in at Henley, that 

 when they came to blossom there, they produced 

 white flowers, and were, therefore, returned back 

 to their first station, where they retook the blue 

 colour they had at first." 



A few seasons ago, a remarkable fine Hy- 

 drangea was exhibited at a meeting of the London 

 Horticultural Society, which had entirely changed 

 its pink tints to a perfect blue colour on being 

 planted in peat earth. We also recollect having 

 seen a Blue Hydrangea some years back, at a cot- 

 tage in Hampshire, cuttings from which we planted 

 in common garden mould ; the consequence was a 

 return to its natural pink hue. 



The Single Hepaticas produce seeds every year ; 

 and by sowing them, new varieties may be obtained 

 as in other plants. The time recommended for 

 sowing the seed is the beginning of August. They 

 should be sown in pots or boxes filled with light 



C 2 



