236 THE GARDENER. [May 



may be able to glean from these two opinions, and hope some of our correspon- 

 dents will be induced to express their views on the matter. — Eds.] 



Spirea Palmata. — This fine red - flowering hardy herbaceous species can 

 scarcely be too highly commended. It forms one of the many valuable intro- 

 ductions from Japan made by Mr Robert Fortune ; and though it had been 

 described by Thunberg in his work entited 'Flora Japonica' many years ago, it 

 had never been seen in flower in this country till exhibited by Mr Noble some 

 months ago. It grows from 3 to 4 feet in height, and produces its fine-coloured 

 heads of flower quite freely. For the herbaceous border it will be invaluable, 

 and should be in every such collection. 



Names op Flowers (a Lady Reader). — 1. Bulbocodium vernum; 2. Ane- 

 mone Appenina ; 3. Saxifraga oppositifolia alba ; 4. Scilla Siberica. 



Double White Hepatica (C. E. S. Baildon). — We never saw or heard of a 

 double white Hepatica. The single white variety is by no means plentiful. 

 Hepaticas can be produced from seed, as we saw some seedling plants of the 

 single white variety at Mr P. J. Perry's nursery at Banbury not loug since. It 

 is said the Hepatica seeds very sparingly indeed. 



A Plea for the Mulberry.— This venerable plant found its way to this 

 country at a very early date; and somehow, I fear, it is more or less neglected, 

 as we do not see it take that prominent position which I consider it justly entitled 

 to. Nowadays our plants are too eagerly sought after, before much is known 

 of their merits. I frankly own that our gardens are much ornamented by the 

 introduction of new plants, such as the Pinus, Cupressus, Cedars, Araucarias, the 

 Cryptomeria, &c, and other hardy trees; but I see no reason why a Mulberry 

 tree should not be planted on our lawns. Among all deciduous trees, none of 

 them excel it in point of beauty. I speak particularly of it as more suitable for 

 villa residences than large mansions. When soil and climate are favourable, the 

 dessert-table is enriched with its wholesome fruit ; and the lady or gentleman 

 who takes an interest in silkworms, derives a source of pleasure from having an 

 ample supply of leaves to feed their favourite insects upon. I hope my advocacy 

 of growing the Mulberry tree, as an ornamental feature in villa gardens, will 

 meet with a favourable consideration. The red kind is the most free in producing 

 fruit, though the white variety is as handsome in appearance. — S. 



A Subscriber, L. — We do not think the Trentham Black a suitable Vine for 

 an early vinery, nor the Bowood Muscat. We prefer the Common Muscat of 

 Alexandria to the latter, and Madersfield Court Black to the former. You can 

 inarch them with ease. The others you have will do very well. The list for 

 your late house will do very well, except that we would advise you to plant one 

 Old Acre's West St Peter's, a very nice Grape, which comes into use when the 

 Hamburghs fail, and before Lady Downes has got up its full flavour. We notice 

 what you say about the failure of the White Lady Downes before the Fruit Com- 

 mittee ; it was roughly used on the railway evidently, for it seems it was brown 

 in colour ; you must use your own discretion whether you plant it or not. On 

 Easter Sunday we shall place a dish of it, and one of Black Lady Downes, on our 

 employer's table ; and if you can procure another white variety that will enable 

 you to do this, plant it instead. We have two Vines of Mrs Pince's Muscat, and 

 do not intend to increase our stock. We cannot advise you to plant it where you 

 have Black Lady Downes. 



R. P. Brotherston. — The probability is, that the seed you have procured of 



