April 15, 1878. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



297 



stove or temperate house few plants are better suited than 

 this, as wherever it can have light and heat it will grow and 

 bloom profusely. It is quite safe in the winter months if the 

 temperature is not below 4o", and at that season very little 

 water is required to keep the plant in liealth. 



NOLANAS. 



Odk illustration (fig. 08) is not a good typical representation 

 of a class of hai'dy annuals which contribute an air of graceful- 

 ness and a feeling of repose amidst the more brilliant masses of 

 colour in the garden where they have a place. They are con- 

 volvulus or bell-shaped flowers in which blue in varied tints 

 predominates, and their low trailing habit of growth renders 

 them suitable for many purposes of decoration. While they 

 cannot be regarded as occupying an important rank in the 

 floral category, or be classed as prominent or indispensable in 

 creating any distinct effect, yet. like annuals generally, they 



have a charm all then- own, and are more beautiful than many 

 plants which are more extensively cultivated. 



They are natives of Chili and Peru, the oldest variety, 

 N. prostrata, having been introduced in 17C1, and the newest, 

 N. lauceolata, about 1862. N. atripUcifolia is the variety best 

 known ; it is in colour blue, white, and yellow, and is a pretty 

 graceful annual. N. ccelestis is a pure light blue of a pleasing 

 tint. N. paradoxa violacea is a deep lavender violet, with a 

 yellow centre, and is very gay. The best, however, of them all 

 is N. lanceolata. It was introduced by Messrs. Veitch & Sons. 

 The " Botanical Magazine " for 18(J2 contains a beautiful 

 coloured plate of this plant, and describes it as a charming 

 addition to our hardy annuals. It was discovered by Mr. 

 Cumming at Coquimbo. In colour it is a rich mazarine blue 

 with a white throat, and in shape is similar to a Petunia. The 

 colour of this flower is almost unequalled in its way, and we 

 may add as a point in its favour that it is a fashionable 

 colour. 



Fig. 68.— NOIANA LANCEOLATA. 



It is very rarely that this pleasing class of flowers are 

 honoured with a notice except in seedsmen's catalogues, yet 

 we make no apology for drawing attention to them here, 

 and also in giving an example of their features, for the beau- 

 tiful colour alone of the variety last named merits attention, 

 and will afford to the many admirers of blue flowers a tint 

 which they cannot easily find in any other plant, texture, or 

 pigment. 



The notice is further opportune as being the proper time to 

 sow the seed. It simply requires to be sown where required to 

 bloom, or in pots and transplanted. This plan is advisable 

 with any cherished annual where elugs are prevalent. The 

 Nolauas grow less than a foot high : hence are suitable for 

 growing near the margins of borders. By their trailing habit 

 they are suited also as drooping plants, and are further well 

 adapted for window-box culture. To those who enjoy the 

 raising of simple flowers from seed, and who have pleasure 

 in seeing a reward of their own hands within a few weeks of 

 Bowing the seeds, will instinctively turn to hardy annuals, 

 and amongst these we would advise them to no longer neg- 

 lect, if they seek a charming blue, Nolana lanceolata. For 

 children's gardens especially — and we would offer fare for all 

 tastes and requirements — these simple, attractive, and easily- 

 cultivated flowers should be adopted, as, besides affording 

 pleasure, they are instructive in imparting a lesson, and in 



cultivating a pure and refined taste, 

 have a use. 



Thus even ananals may 



NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 

 A RDMOUR having obtained credence that the Council of 

 the Royal Horticultural Society do not intend fating the 

 PRIZES of 1874, we are requested by the Secretary to say that 

 such a rumour is unfounded in fact, and that the prizes of 

 1874 will be paid as soon as the funds of the Society will 

 admit of it. 



New editions of Gordon's " Piuetum " and Paxton's 



" Cottager's Calendar of Garden Operations," have just been 

 published. 



At the International Exhibition to be held at Phila- 



DEi.rniA in 1870, our Government have decided that the in- 

 terests of the British section shall be entrusted to the Lords of 

 the Committee of Council on Education. Anyone wishing to 

 exhibit should apply to E. Cunhffe Owen, 'j, Craig's Court, 

 Charing Cross. 



HABDY VINEYARD AT,"CAEDIPF CASTLE. 

 There are instances on record of^.the cellars of some of our 

 British nobles being pretty well stocked with wine the pro- 



