214 THE GARDENER. [May 



species and varieties of this favourite genus, the present species lately 

 introduced to cultivation is scarcely equalled in point of colour by 

 any of the older and better known ones. It grows about 18 incliea 

 higli, in neat compact style. The leaves are narrow lanceolate, pale 

 green, or glaucous. The flowers are produced on long racemes, borne 

 on slender stalks, and are brilliant sky-blue. From seed, the plant 

 varies somewhat in colour in the depth of the blue, and occasionally 

 in being reddish purple. It is a native of California. I cannot speak 

 from experience of its hardiness and cultivation, but it does not appear 

 to be more difficult than that of other Pentstemons. In wet, cold 

 localities, stock should be struck in autumn in pots, to keep over win- 

 ter under protection. 



Primula elatior magnifica. — This is one of the most beautiful of 

 the elatior-tribe of Primroses. It has the compact tufted habit of all 

 the breed. The flowers are large, about the same size, and fringed in 

 the way of a good type of China Primrose, bright gold in the centre, 

 and shading into clear Primrose yellow on the margin. They are 

 supported on stout stalks high above the foliage in great profusion, 

 and are very fragrant. It is a beautiful plant for spring bedding, being 

 very showy and effective in masses at a distance, and withal neat. 

 For pot -culture, for the purpose of greenhouse decoration early in 

 spring, it is very desirable, as it bears forcing very well, and lasts a 

 considerable time in bloom. 



Saxlfraga ^jeltata. — One of the most extraordinary and distinct of 

 its family. It produces large lobed leaves 8 inches across, attached 

 near the centre to strong stalks 18 inches or 2 feet long, and bearing 

 striking resemblance to an umbrella, in consequence of which it is 

 popularly called Umhrella xJlant. The flower-stalks rise to the height 

 of 2 feet, bearing cymes of large, white, rose-tinted flowers. It forms 

 strong fleshy creeping stems, and is found growing on the margins of 

 streams in California, with the stems frequently submerged. This at 

 once suggests its fitness for ornamenting the banks of streams and 

 lakes in this country, and that abundant moisture is an essential con- 

 dition to its successful culture anywhere. W. S. 



TEMPERATURE OF FORCHSTG-HOUSES. 



Passing over the little satire indulged in by your correspondent J. S. at my 

 expense, I cannot however pass without notice his dark, and, to use his own 

 words, *' imscrupulous insinuations " as to my facts and intentions in, as he 

 states, *' my not accepting the plain reading, or even the words of his text, in 

 his December paper." By way of demolishing me he would have your readers 

 to suppose that it did not suit my purpose, but that I proceeded to alter both 



