158 THE GARDENER. [April 



section, is more disposed to become tufted in the course of a year's 

 growth than some others, and therefore requires a little attention in 

 order to keep it smooth. A little pressure with the hand or foot, ap- 

 plied occasionally to the centre of the tufts when they begin to assume 

 a tendency to become uneven, will put all right. 8. crustata belongs, 

 as the name implies, to the incrusted group, and is similar in character 

 to the first named, and requires similar treatment. S. hypnoides be- 

 longs to the mossy section : it is less inclined to become tufted than 

 ccespitosa, but will require some attention in that respect in order to 

 keep it neat and dressy. It is, perhaps, the best of the mossy section 

 for the purpose in view, being compact in habit, and of a very pleasing 

 lively colour. Similar to, and indeed closely resembling it, are the 

 sorts grown under the names affinis, decipiens, hirta, incurvifolia, and 

 others which, by botanists, are regarded as only slight variations from 

 the typical form of the species. S. ligidata belongs to the incrusted 

 group. The leaves are narrow, and form very neat and pretty rosettes, 

 assuming a very bright silvery tint. It is, in fact, a miniature of the 

 next species, and only suitable for margining small beds and clothing 

 small circles with a silvery mass, in the centre of which some contrast 

 in colour and habit may be put. S. longifolia is one of the handsomest 

 of the section with crusted leaves. It has been called the queen of 

 Saxifragas. Others might dispute its title as applying collectively to 

 the genus, but it is indisputably the queen of the section to which it 

 belongs. When well cultivated, this beautiful plant forms leaves of 

 considerable length, and rosettes of perfect symmetry, seven or eight 

 inches across. Left to itself, it is apt to become tufted and rough, but 

 if divided and replanted annually, it forms one of the most attractive 

 carpeting plants imaginable. S. cotyledon, another of the incrusted 

 species, better known in one of its forms as pyramidcdis, is larger 

 leaved, and forms larger and bolder rosettes. It requires the same 

 attention in regard to annual dividing and replanting as the others of 

 this section. There are a few other incrusted species and varieties 

 which may be used — any of the section being adaptable to different 

 purposes and positions in the way contemplated — but it is quite need- 

 less to describe them. They all require similar treatment. 



Sempervivums offer a few distinct forms which are already well 

 known to flower-gardeners as amongst the best subjects for carpet and 

 geometrical bedding. S. californicum, tectorum, montanum, being 

 three of the larger growers ; while for small or narrow lines and beds, 

 Jiagelliforme, soboliferum, arachnoideum, and arenarium, are very neat 

 and pretty. 



Thymus. — Among the Thymes there are some very pretty plants for 

 our purpose. One of the best, Thymus lanuginosus, forms a close, 

 densly-spreading carpet of hoary purple foliage, clothed with fine hairs, 

 which impart the colour that r is so attractive in this variety. T. 

 azoricus takes the form of close, lively-green cushions, which will re- 



