December 17, 1910 



HORTICULTURE 



Lychnis 



861 LIBRAR 



NBW YO 



BOTANIC 

 OARUE 



Of this plant genus, conipiising 

 some thirty species, not more than 

 about ten are known to be desira- 

 ble garden plants. Lj'chnis alpina 

 and L. pyrenaica as natives of 

 mountain regions of great altitude 

 are low-growing varieties, well 

 adapted for the rockery. Both, of 

 dense pulvinate growth, flower free- 

 ly, forming compact heads or clusters 

 borne on stems from four to six 

 inches high. The first species 

 named conies in white and pink 

 varieties, while the blossoms of the 

 last named appear in a pale flesh 

 color. 



Best known and most widely 

 distributed is Lychnis chalcedonica, 

 a species from Asia Elinor and 

 southern Russia, which inhabited 

 the gardens of the ancient, as well 

 as those of the classic Greek and Eo- 

 man ages. The original form is in 

 flower during June and July, the 

 terminal clustered blossoms of a 

 fiery scarlet color being carried on 3 to 3i{. foot stalks. 

 Of Lychnis clialcedonica leading herbaceous plant firms 

 have been of late offering double varieties, both in white 

 and red. Aside from the herbaceous border all are high- 

 ly effective when mixed in together with flowering 

 shrubs on the outskirts of woodland plantations. Their 

 hardiness has made them especially popular in our 

 Northern States, where the original single scarlet form 

 under the common English name of London Pride can 

 be found in nearly every farmhouse yard. 



Lychnis flos-cuculi, the Bagged Robin, and L. flos- 

 Jovis, syn. Agrostemma flos Jovis, were cherished favor- 

 ites in grandmother's old-fashioned flower garden. Both 

 are still holding their own and if placed Judiciously and 

 with proper regard to color-harmony, do not lack the 

 charm of their past. 



If radiance of color stands for merit we must class 

 Lychnis Haageana, a cross between L. fulgens and L. 

 coronata, among the showiest. I firmly believe that this 

 variety is deserving more consideration and space within 

 the American garden than hitherto given. During June Northeast Harbor, Maine 



LifNCHNIS VI8CAR1A SPLENDENS 



and July the freely-branching plants seem to be literally 

 covered with brilliant scarlet flowers. For near and dis- 

 tant eft'ects this perennial will prove highly satisfactory, 

 both in formal gardens and on the mixed lierbaceous 

 border. It thrives well in light sandy loam. Wet and 

 low locations, when placing Lychnis Haageana, should 

 be avoided, for it is sensitive to excessive moisture. 



Last, not least, I mention Lychnis viscaria splendens. 

 Both the single and the double varieties possess quali- 

 ties which soon draw attention. To their floriferousness 

 our illustration testifies. Growing in bushy clumps, foli- 

 age throughout the season never losing its vivid dark 

 green, they always remain more or less ornamental. Un- 

 der leaf covering Lychnis viscaria well survives our 

 frigid Northern winters. It can be used to best advan- 

 tage cultivated on the border, or naturalized in the wild 

 flower garden. All the Lychnis family are easily raised 

 from seed and most of them propagated by division. 



SoeJucuui-^o^ 



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Fruit and Vegetables Under Glass 



FIG HOUSE 



Figs can be grown in pots or tubs, but where a quan- 

 tity is called for it is better to devote a house to them and 

 grow them on a trellis. Much criticism has been show- 

 ered on this method by some who contend that more 

 fruit is produced per cubic foot from trees grown in 

 tubs, etc., on the bush-shaped tree. Others will say a 

 fig never looks good on a trellis ; this is only a matter of 

 faulty tying, etc., for crude as a fig tree may look when 

 devoid of its massive foliage, it can be trained into per- 

 fect shape and will produce two and sometimes three 

 crops in a season. The position and shape of the house 

 must determine the shape of the trellis. Figs will suc- 

 ceed equally well in a lean-to or span-roof house. The 

 curvilinear shaped and corresponding trellis is to be 

 preferred, as it does away with the sharp bend at the 

 eave and tlie trees can make a straighter growth with 

 less tying. 



Wlien planting allow each tree ample room to develop, 

 one tree being enough for a 30 ft. house ; if longer, plant 

 two or more trees. When making up a new house more 

 trees can be planted and be removed as room is wanted. 

 Every precaution should be taken to have roots under 

 complete control^concrete floor and sides to border. 



Fig trees should have less border than a vine other- 

 wise that rank unruly wood is produced. Drain and 

 give the same depth as for a vine. Use a compost of 50 

 parts loam, 1 of large bone, 1 of small bone, 1 wood 

 ashes, 1 charcoal and 1 small broken brick. Leave the 

 border a few inches below the level of walks, as figs make 

 a quantity of surface roots and by covering these each 

 year with a top dressing the level is soon reached with 

 no detriment to the tree, new roots coming off the base 

 of the stem. Prune on same system as a peach, leaving 

 as much new wood as possible, as first crop is produced 

 on this. When tied in, each growth should be 6 inches 



