182 THE GARDENER. [April 



form of spikes ; the former, however, is rather a stronger plant, and 

 has the leaves on longer footstalks. 



P. nigj'um, from middle and southern Europe, is erect in growth, 

 about 8 or 10 inches high, with oblong spikes of intense dark violet- 

 coloured flowers. Very suitable for the shady sides of rockwork in 

 light rich soil. Flowers in May, June, and July. 



P. canescens is one of the most distinct and showy in the family. 

 The plant is somewhat hoary, in most parts being covered with rough 

 bristly hairs. The simple stems rise to the height of 1^ or 2 feet, and 

 are terminated by long raceme-like spikes of lilac flowers, the spikes 

 in luxuriant plants being often branched. This species adapts itself 

 to a variety of positions, and is available to enrich the vegetation of 

 open woods and other shady places. W. S. 



TE-0PGE30LUM SPECIOSUM. 



In the interest of truth and caution, I cannot allow to pass unnoticed 

 the statement by " R. F." at page 134 of the ' Gardener' for March, 

 to the effect that I had exaggerated the difficulty experienced in many 

 parts of the country in cultivating this admirable climber. It would 

 be most gratifying to find that I had been mistaken in representing 

 Tropoeolum speciosum as fastidious or capricious regarding climate and 

 soil, which have a much wider significance than locality merely ; but 

 unfortunately the mere opinion of " R. F.," founded only as it is on 

 the narrow experience of even ten years in one locality, is not suffi- 

 cient to afford me that gratification. His opinion, if it proves any- 

 thing, proves only that he has been successful, which is something he 

 may congratulate himself on ; but nothing to the point at issue. I 

 have seen too many failures in the south, and too few in the north, to 

 doubt but that climate has something to do with it, and that it is all 

 in favour of the north. There is nothing peculiar in " R. F.'s" treat- 

 ment except the old pea-stick element, which smells of fungi — every- 

 thing, in fact, but success ; and it may be fairly presumed that his 

 success would have been none the less had he dispensed with that 

 singular bottoming. That, however, is his own matter; and I* have 

 no wish to interfere with or call it in question, in so far as he practises 

 it ; but I feel bound to warn all who contemplate planting, that there 

 is danger in using pea-sticks, or anything like them, for such a pur- 

 pose. For the rest, "R. F.'s" advice is sound enough, except in the 

 matter of depth : 3 or 4 inches in light soils is too little — twice that 

 depth is safer ; and there is no fear of the plants not coming up, and 

 with greater strength, too, than if planted shallower. W. S. 



