4.-2 



.TOUBNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENEE. 



[ Jane 10, 1875. 



brush, using warm water and soap ; afterwards to keep the 

 outside clean, so as to allow of evaporation. Where the in- 

 side of the pot is not so treated the greatest difficulty is 

 experienced in repotting, and where the outside is allowed to 

 become dirty I have invariably found poor sickly plants. 

 — Beta. 



ALISMA PLANTAGO. 

 Seldoji are hardy water plants vouchsafed a notice by the 

 horticulturist, or their claims to cultivation pressed on the at- 

 tention of the garden- 

 ing public. Possibly it 

 is that many of these 

 plants are not stately 

 in form, or gorgeous 

 in colour, yet some of 

 them possess both 

 sweetness and beauty, 

 and all are interesting 

 from habit, or form, 

 or properties. The 

 plant we figure is not 

 a brilliant plant, but it 

 is not devoid of at- 

 traction, and it posses- 

 ses a feature of interest 

 by its medicinal and 

 alimentary properties. 



It is commonly 

 called the Water Plan- 

 tain, and is found 

 growing by the sides 

 of streams in this and 

 many other countries. 

 It produces a long 

 creeping rootetock, 

 from which the leaves 

 spring, and around 

 which the roots are 

 enveloped and gain 

 support for the plant. 

 It grows to a height of 

 2 feet, and bears white 

 flowers, which are ar- 

 ranged in whorls or 

 panicles. 



Haller states that 

 the plant if applied to 

 the skin inflaiues and 

 blisters, and it has 

 been represented as 

 poisonous if eaten by 

 animals. Dr. Hogg in 

 the " Vegetable King- 

 dom," states, that 

 ' ' Some years ago it 

 was highly extolled as 

 a remedy in hydro- 

 phobia, but after re- 

 peated experiments and 

 a searching inquiry as 

 to its effects, it was found to be perfectly useless." The same 

 authority also states that the rootstocks contain starch, and 

 when dried are eaten by the Calmuoks. The plant thii3 ap- 

 pearing to lose its acridity by drying. 



To those who enjoy a collection of hardy atjuatic plants and 

 wish to see the margins of streams and ponds interesting by 

 vegetable life, this free-growing plant may be welcome. We 

 give this information in answer to " Clericus," and in a form 

 that may possibly be useful to others who may be interested 

 in this somewhat neglected tribe of plants. 



It is increased by root-division, or by seed sown in pots in 

 sandy peat soil and immersed in the water. The flowers are 

 larger than represented in the engraving, and are freely pro- 

 duced. The plant is of free growth, and may be left to take 

 care of itself when once it is established. 



usually good in extent, quality, and patronage. On the 16th 

 inst. Burton-on-Trent and Jersey (Roses) offer liberal pro- 

 grammes, and on the same day the Glasgow and West of 

 Scotland Horticultural Society holds its summer Exhi- 

 bition at Glasgow. 



BORDER FLOWERS— MORINAS. 

 One of the smallest, yet one of the most beautiful border 

 plants we possess is Morina persica. It is said by some to be 

 half-hardy, but I have proved it to be perfectly hardy, having 



had it fully exposed for 

 at least a dozen years. 

 I find the plants suc- 

 ceed in a thoroughly 

 drained situation fully 

 exposed, and the soil 

 broken up to the depth 

 of 2 feet. Good friable 

 loam, sandy peat, well- 

 decomposed hotbed 

 manure, a little char- 

 coal dust or coarse grit 

 is a suitable compost. 

 The border should be 

 prepared some time be- 

 fore planting, to allow 

 it to become firm. The 

 plants should be firmly 

 placed in the soil, and 

 they should be well 

 watered. They like a 

 moderately moist, but 

 not a wet, situation. 

 When once well esta- 

 blished they last a 

 number of years. 



They may be in- 

 creased by division, but 

 that sometimes proves 

 injurious to their fu- 

 ture well-doing, and I 

 have known them 

 after being wounded go 

 oft altogether. They 

 seed pretty freely, often 

 BOW themselves where 

 established, and may 

 be removed at plea- 

 sure. The seed may 

 be sown in spring, 

 the young plants be 

 grown on in pits or 

 frames, and planted 

 out in autumn or 

 spring. They are well 

 adapted for indoor de- 

 coration, and some 

 should be kept in pots 

 for that purpose as 

 hardy herbaceous 

 plants for exhibition. 

 Why such plants are bo seldom seen in our herbaceous borders 

 I am at a loss to account for. Surely the time is not far 

 distant wheu attention will be directed to their cultivation. 

 We only have two kinds enumerated — I think we have room 

 here for hybrids. 



Morina persica, from Persia, is a very beautiful border plant 

 and is the commoner of the two, but is scarcely met with in 

 a day's Journey. The flowers, being red and white, have a 

 very pleasing effect. Morina longifolia. said to be from India, 

 is of rather stronger habit but equally interesting, the flowers 

 bearing a shade of purple. This species is somewhat of a 

 rarity, and as a border flower it is seldom to be seen. — Vekitas. 



107. — ALIS^tA PLANTAOO, 



Provikcial Horticultubal Exhibitions.— Immediately cur- 

 rent are Leeds on the 9th, 10th, and 11th, and York com- 

 mencing on the 10th inst. These great Yorkshire galas are 



DIEFFENBACHIA BRASILIENSIS. 



The woodcut and the following description are borrowed by 

 us from Messrs. Veitch and Sons' catalogue of new plants 

 introduced by them into their King's Road Nursery : — 



" A very handsome plant with the well-known D. Bausei 



