IRISH GARDENING 



11 



In })u11j(>us roots this reserved sap is deposited 

 in the l)ulb. which in a great measure coni])oses it. 

 Now, the store which is thvis formed varies con- 

 siderably in the same species of plant, according 

 to the particular circumstances under which it is 

 raised. Thus the onion in the south of Evirope 

 accumulates a much greater quantity in a single 

 season under a greater degree and longer dviration 

 of heat than is afforded by our colder climates, 

 and. therefore, it acquires in a given time a much 

 larger size. 



Mc Knight was induced by those observations 

 to sup]jose that two short and variable summers 

 in England might perhaps be equal in effect to 

 one long and bright season in Portugal, and, 

 accordingly, he attempted a method of culture 

 which has proved his inference to be correct. 



In pursuance of this plan, seeds of the Portugal 

 onion were sown in late spring very thickly on a 

 l)()or soil and in a shady situation. Under these 

 circumstiinces the bulb in the autumn had 

 attained scarcely beyond the size of a large pea. 

 The bulbs were then taken from the gi'ound and 

 jirescrved dry during the winter, and in the 

 ensuing spring they were again planted at equal 

 distances. 



From this treatment the bulblets i)ri)duced 

 bulbs very superior to those raised immediately 

 from seed, some exceeding 5 inches in diameter, 

 and being more matured, remained sound 

 throughout the winter, with greater ^certainty 

 than those raised from seed in a singfe season. 

 American and Dutch growers pursue with some 

 slight alteration the same methods, and find it 

 l)erfectly successful, many tons finding their way 

 to England during the sirring months — are 

 eagerly sought after by small holders — the bulbs, 

 like the potato onion, not been troubled by 

 insects. — Rh ind's V<'(jelabk' Kliujchnn. 



Saxifraga lilacina. 



This is one of the most satisfactory of the 

 Kabschia section, preferring a shady position. 

 In fact it burns up and languishes in bright sun. 

 The rosy-lilac flowers are freely produced from 

 small rosettes of short thick fleshy leaves, and the 

 plant makes a compact cushion. It rejoices in 

 gritty soil, and is an excellent subject for a pan, 

 and should be grown by all who possess an alpine 

 house or cold frame. For competition in classes 

 for alpines at spring shows nothing choicer could 

 be desired. 



Primula ciliata superba. 



Every year this fine variety proves its value both 

 in the rockery and in the alpine house. It was 

 grown here before P. Mrs. J. H. Wilson was on 

 the market, and is quite as good as that fine 

 Primula, and has, if anything, larger flowers. It 

 increases freely by offsets, and covers itself with 

 umbels of soft lilac-purple flowers. It makes an 

 excellent subject for the alpine house, an 8-inch 

 pan of it being a glorious sight when in flower. 



Primula Maximowiczii. 



A XKW Chinest' species forming rosettes of 

 broadly lance-shaped h-aves from among which 

 it throws up a sleiu about a foot high bearing 

 whorls of long-tubed floweis, of a reddish-choco- 

 late colour, with nuich recurved petals. Not very 

 long in cultivation, it is early to say nuich of its 

 hardiness, but franu^-grown plants have done 

 very well. It may prove useful for hybridising, 

 the colour being unusual. 



Notes- 



Primula Winteri. 



The earliest species to flower. 1'. Winteri, has 

 been blooming in the open for over two months, 

 and looks like keeping on for sorne time. It does 

 quite well on the rockery facing north and pro- 

 tected by a friendly overhanging rock. In build- 

 ing rockwoi'k much stress is laid on sloping all 

 the stones into the soil but one, which hangs 

 forAvard. is fre(iueiit ly ver\- useful in protecting 

 tender or eai'h -flow i-iin- siilijects. 



.Seedlings from seed collected in June, 1914, are 

 now flowering, and it is interesting to note that 

 though the parent was " thrum-eyed " and 

 pollinated with its own pollen, the progeny show 

 both " thrum-eyed " and " pin-eyed " forms so 

 possibly more and better seeds will now be 

 prodviced. 



Wulfenia Cordata. 



This is a pretty little early flowering plant, not 

 more than 4 to 5 inches high, bearing short 

 racemes of white flowers. The leaves are metallic- 

 green, with stalks about 1 1 inches long, the 

 blades heart-shaped with toothed margins. 



Primula tibetica. 



A DAINTY little plant reminiscent of !'. iiius- 

 carioides, but smaller in stature and with fewer 

 flowers to each " head." The individual flowers, 

 however, are rather larger than those of P. mus- 

 carioides, and are of a soft blue, tinged with red 

 at the base of the tube. The flower stem arises 

 from a tuft of hairy spathulate leaves, and is 

 about <j inches high, bearing 10 to 12 flowers. 



Catalogues. 



(\ S. Daniels \- Sox, Wymondham, Norfolk, 

 send us a list of Choice Plants for the (iarden. 

 Messrs. Daniels specialise in the production of 

 plants for summer planting in the flower garden, 

 and those who have difificulty in raising their 

 own stocks will find their requirements fuUy 

 met in the new list. All the showiest and best 

 annuals, including several novelties, are offered 

 as young plants ready for planting, and the 

 prices are such as will suit practically everyone. 

 With this list before one, a selection might be 

 made which, for a few shillings, would make 

 the smallest garden gay during summer and 

 autumn. 



