1869.] HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 255 



vacancy will be more speedily filled up in this manner. Cut with a sharp 

 knife a portion of the bark^ and a little way down into the alburnum, 

 where it is intended to form a new branch. The cut so made must be 

 as nearly as possible the size of the branch to be inarched. Take the 

 latter and cut into it after the same manner, making the cut about the 

 same size ; thereafter bring the face of the cuts into firm contact, and 

 tie up with mat, the same as grafting. Clay may also be applied, which 

 will facilitate the union. The best time to perform this operation is 

 shortly after the rise of the sap. I never have performed this opera- 

 tion upon either Apples or Pears, but have done so with great success 

 upon several other fruits, and I have every confidence that it is a good 

 practice to fill up a blank speedily. For fuller information upon this 

 point I refer the reader to Lindley's ' Theory of Horticulture,' p. 323. 



James M'Millan. 

 [To he continued). 



NOTES ON HARDY HERBACEOUS PLAINTS. 



Trtentalis Europe a. — This pretty little plant is a native of Britain 

 and other countries of Europe, also of North America and Asia, always 

 affecting the colder latitudes, or, if appearing in the warmer countries, 

 it rises into the mountains. Old fir or other open moist woods are its 

 favourite haunts. It is a solitary species, and the sole representative 

 in the flora of Britain of the seventh class in the Linnaean system of 

 botany ; but it is not a good seventh, the parts of the flowers being 

 often found in fives. The whole plant rarely exceeds 6 inches high, 

 wdth erect wiry stems bearing a few leaves whorl-fashion at the top, 

 and from the centre of these spring the chaste and graceful star-like 

 white or pale pink flowers with a small yellow eye. On rockwork it 

 must be placed in such a position as that shade and moisture will be 

 secured to it, and the soil it most delights in is open gritty leaf-mould, 

 or very sandy peat and light loam. It does not succeed cultivated in the 

 ordinary exposed mixed border or bed, shade being very essential to its 

 wellbeing ; but it is a most useful plant to introduce into moderately 

 shady moist woods or banks, with a northern aspect, where the natural 

 herbage is not too rank and overpowering. In all cases where the in- 

 troduction of it is contemplated, the soil above named should be liberally 

 allowed ; it well repays a little trouble in the first preparation for its 

 reception. The flowers appear in cultivation usually in May or June, 

 but in nature often a month later. Division is the best method of 

 propagation. 



