CRUCIFER/E. 39 



CRUCIFER^. 



This is a very interesting and extensive order of plants, more 

 remarkable, perhaps, for the great importance and value of the 

 food products it yields to man and beast, than for high orna- 

 mental qualities, though it comprises a large number of plants 

 by no means deficient in that respect. The greater number of 

 the ornamental species are comprised in comparatively few 

 genera, and are mostly alpine or sub-alpine plants. Some 

 very interesting and beautiful species, from peculiar habitats, 

 are difficult to grow and keep under ordinar)', or even extra- 

 ordinary, conditions ; but these have been avoided in making 

 selections, and only such as will succeed with ordinary facilities 

 adopted. Many of those selected are adapted to a variety of 

 purposes; they will be found beautiful objects on rockwork, and 

 for edgings and masses in the spring flower-garden ; and the 

 majority are available in a variety of soils for culture in the 

 mixed border, while there are a few that will be found very 

 useful for naturalising in woods and semi-wild places. The 

 uses to which they may be applied, and the culture, will be 

 noticed more particularly under the genera and species as they 

 are severally considered. 



Alyssum {Madwort). — This is rather a numerous group, 

 composed of a few annual and biennial, and a majority of per- 

 ennial species. The perennials are half-shrubby plants of 

 humble growth, and evergreen to a greater or less degree \ the 

 flowers are small individually, but produced in dense masses 

 and in long succession. They are plants of the easiest culture, 

 succeeding best in light gritty loam of a rich quality, but doing 

 very well in a great variety of soils and situations. The rock- 

 M-ork, mixed border, and borders of shrubberies, are all fit places 

 for these plants, and some are qualified for naturalising, and 

 will be noticed in their place. They are propagated by division 

 in autumn and throughout winter and spring, but if done in 

 early autumn there is no sacrifice of bloom, which is inevitable 

 to some extent in the later periods ; by cuttings also in spring 

 and throughout the summer, inserted in sandy loam and leaf- 

 mould under a hand or bell glass in a shady place, as behind a 

 low wall or hedge. Cuttings, if early struck, make the most 

 vigorous plants, and flower the strongest the following year; 

 and a few should be struck annually in order to keep up a 

 healthy and ample stock. This is especially necessary where 

 they are to be largely used in filling up the beds of the summer 

 flower-garden in the spring months ; and stock of neat uniform 



