1885.] ARBORICULTURE ABOUT STIRLING. 371 



Although by no means readily established, still, with a little per- 

 severance and knowledge of its requirements, success usually crowns 

 the effort. The soil best suited to its growth is a free sandy loam 

 of a calcareous nature, and the position in which it seems most 

 at home a northern or eastern aspect and full protection from 

 the mid-day sun. With a strong well-rooted specimen to start, and 

 by paying attention to the above instructions, this singularly 

 beautiful plant may be readily enough established in any shady 

 garden. Xine out of every ten failures in its cultivation may be 

 attributed to the exposure and rough usage to which the plant is 

 subjected between the time it is lifted on the Continent and planted 

 in our garden. 



The flower is produced in May or early June on a stem usually 

 from 9 to 12 inches in length. It is sweetly scented, and during 

 bright, dry weather lasts for a considerable time. The leaves are 

 not unlike those of Epiimdis latifolvi, but of a lighter green, 

 many and distinctly ribbed, hairy or pubescent, alternate, and from 

 3 to sometimes G inches in length. At the base of the stem the 

 leaves are largest and broadest, and gradually decrease in size 

 upwards. A tradition which still obtains credence in the Tyrol is 

 that the old name of this plant, Calceolus Maria, was bestowed 

 because the plant blossomed under the feet of the Blessed Virgin. 



ARBORICULTURE ABOUT STIRLING. 



TEEES have been intimately associated with the varied fortunes 

 of this ancient burgh ever since the Eoman warriors found 

 their triumphant march stopped by the thick fastnesses of the 

 neighbouring Torwood forest. The murder of King James III. was 

 at Sauchie, near St. Ninian's, around which no willows of any kind 

 now grow, although some of the tribe flourish in the valley nearer 

 the river. The Town Council appear determined to make boulevard 

 planting a feature in the town, as the railway traveller passing- 

 north is pleasingly reminded. But should he, stirred by the 

 archaeological memories of the town, traverse its streets, the graceful 

 rows of stately elms around the King's Park will show him how 

 this is no novelty in the history of tlie burgh. Old Stirling is pre- 

 eminently on hills ; and the cemetery, now thoroughly modernized, 

 on one of them, should be visited, both for the fine views of the 

 surrounding plains, as well as for the way in which such trees 

 as the laburnum and mountain ash are utilized. The idea of a 

 waste, howling wilderness forcibly brought to the mind by the too 



