MARCH. 81 



manifests a remarkable power of extension in its ramifying hair-like 

 roots, penetrating to the depth of one to two feet — a fact quite 

 sufficient to account for its enduring the opposite extremes of severe 

 hea f . and cold. In addition to its hardiness under the vicissitudes of 

 an English climate, its value is considerably enhanced in its adaptation to 

 all the varieties of common garden soil, requiring but a thin firm surface 

 stratum of one inch ordinary sifted or broken loam. Maintaining its 

 verdant freshness alike beneath storm and sunshine, it combines every 

 needful feature of adaptation with economy, and an uniform aspect of 

 neatness with the least possible care or attention. Its fertility in bloom 

 during the month of July is equally beautiful, being at that period 

 studded over with myriads of low compact salver-shaped snow-white 

 blossoms, appearing not as in fancy, but in reality, the living picture 

 of an emerald velvet green carpet, spangled with innumerable silver 

 stars. From the preceding remarks, it will be seen, that the established 

 growth of this plant maintains a dwarf close web of green verdure, and 

 entirely dispenses with the extra toil and expense of mowing, its 

 numerous small brittle flower scapes being removed by the gentlest 

 movement of a wing or brush over the surface of the lawn, either whilst 

 in bloom or afterwards ; and these constitute the only surface growth, 

 or tokens of its beauty, which require this operation but once a year. 

 For small or medium-sized lawns, terraces, verges, mounds, &c, this 

 remarkably interesting and beautiful little plant offers an object of great 

 interest to every lover of gardening pursuits, and every lady amateur 

 cultivator may superintend and personally manage the slight attentions 

 required to preserve the terrace margins or velvet lawn in the highest 

 condition. The permanent and uniform condition of dense growth, with 

 the penetrative power of its roots, preserves it from all risks of being 

 parched by extreme exposure in sultry weather, and the progressive 

 accumulation of its Moss-like growth, gives an elastic pressure to the 

 foot, much softer than the finest Turkey carpet. The seeds may 

 be sown either in or out of pots, in the usual method observed fur fine 

 seeds, with a slight but uniform covering of soil, a.d placed within 

 either a frame, cool pit, or greenhouse, using the usual precaution of 

 shading the seed pans from intense sunlight, daily for a few hours, 

 until well germinated ; after which it may either be replanted in 

 stores of ten to fifty plants, within dishes or large pots, or otherwise 

 planted out in a rather shady border of the open ground, for a few 

 weeks, and ultimately transplanted upon the prepared lawn surface in 

 two or three plants, within one inch or more of each other ; and such 

 little plant groups may be formed at a distance of six, nine, or twelve 

 inches apart ; in such positions, the growths will progressively ^ meet, 

 and form the rich and beautiful surface now described. It is also 

 adnrrably adapted for picturesque green tufts and edgings on avenue 

 lines and borders, for grouping the front spaces of massive rock-work, 

 and surfacing partially raised mounds around classic fountains and 

 basins or artistic columns, where Grass is unavailable for mowing, and 

 equally telling for cultivation in larger vases, in alternate effect with 

 the silvery sheen of the beautiful Cerastium tomentosum, on terrace 

 verges, and architectural approaches. 



VOL. XII., NO. CXXXV. G 



