1869.] HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 493 



where a command of fire-heat was available, the crop is abundant. We 

 have a Grosse Mignonne Peach-tree here, measuring over 30 feet length- 

 ways, on a 16-feet wall (east aspect). After thinning and leaving a 

 fair crop, there are over fourteen dozen handsome and well-coloured 

 fruit upon the tree at the present time, many of the fruit measuring 

 10 inches in circumference. This tree was partly shaded in the early 

 season by the dense branches of several tall Elm-trees growing out- 

 side of the garden. The same variety of Peach on a south aspect, 

 together with both early and late sorts, have this season proved a total 

 failure. 



An Elruge Nectarine-tree, growing between a Royal George and 

 a Noblesse Peach on a south aspect here, is a perfect picture. This 

 tree was experimented upon during the month of February last. It 

 was shaded with double mats nailed to a wooden frame, which was 

 placed erect about 2 feet from the wall or tree. The result is a 

 splendid crop. I only regret that all the other trees on the south 

 aspect have not been protected in the same way — not from frost, but 

 from the alluring brightness of the sun. Wm. Chisholm. 



, BouGHTON Place, near Maidstone. 



J^OTES ON HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 



Cortusa embraces only one species, the C. Matthioli. It is near akin 

 to Primula, and in general appearance and habit of growth resembles 

 some of the species of that family. It is found, in company with 

 several of the AljDine Primulas, inhabiting moist valleys at high eleva- 

 tions on the Alps of Italy and neighbouring countries, and is therefore 

 best adapted for cultivating on rockwork, where partial shade and 

 abundant moisture can be given it in the growing season. In warm 

 sheltered situations, where moisture abounds in the atmosphere and 

 the soil is naturally or artificially well drained, it may succeed in the 

 open ground ; but there are very few places in this country where 

 these conditions exist in the degree necessary to the wellbeing of this 

 little plant. It will therefore be safer to keep it on rockwork, of which 

 it is more characteristic than the open dressed border, and in cold wet 

 localities less or more of it should be kept in pots and wintered in a 

 cold dry frame to provide against loss of stock. Rich loam, or a little 

 peat and loam, with a liberal allowance of sharp sand, forms a congenial 

 compost. Whether in pots or otherwise, it must be remembered that 

 ample drainage should be provided, and copious supplies of water dur- 

 ing the time it is making growth. Propagate by seeds and division^ 



