CRUCIFER^. 43 



pagated by cuttings in early summer, and by division in autumn 

 or winter. 



Aubrietia. — A very interesting and attractive genus, of few 

 species so called, but which are not strikingly distinct in 

 character one from the other. They are all, however, worthy 

 of cultivation, though not together in one collection, except 

 perhaps in the largest ; but no collection of spring flowers may 

 be considered complete without one or other of their best forms 

 in its ranks. The same spreading trailing manner of growth, 

 and the same rosette style or crowding of the leaves at the ex- 

 tremities of the stems and branches, as characterise the Rock- 

 Cresses of the albida type, are characteristic of these little 

 plants, but in miniature only, the plants being less vigorous 

 and bold, and when managed well in a congenial situation and 

 soil they become most beautiful objects. They are best adapted 

 for culture on rockwork, their low carpet-like growth being in- 

 valuable for that kind of ornamentation. They succeed in all 

 light loams freely in any situation ; but very indifferently, and 

 often fail entirely, in heavy wet soils. In beds and borders, in 

 soils of the unfavourable kinds, they should be raised above the 

 surface-level by some means, so as to secure that comparative 

 dryness and freedom from stagnation they like so well. A very 

 good plan, in heavy loam and clay, is to make a pit to the 

 extent the plant is designed to occupy, and about half the 

 depth of a spade, filling in with stones, brick-rubbish, or rough 

 charcoal to the surface-level, finishing up with a mound of good 

 loam and leaf-mould on the top of the drainage, about 6 inches 

 deep, on which to plant. The better forms of these plants are 

 worth any amount of trouble that may be necessary to secure 

 their wellbeing ; and those who succeed will not regret any tax 

 that may have been temporarily laid upon them, when they 

 come to enjoy the rich beauty they so freely and continuously 

 yield at a period of the year when flowers in profusion are 

 comparatively rare. Their brilliant dense masses of flowers are 

 being turned to excellent account in spring bedding, or massing 

 in flower-gardens. Propagation may be effected by cuttings in 

 early summer in a shady place, by division in autumn or early 

 winter, and by seeds sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame or 

 under a hand-glass, the plants to be pricked carefully off into 

 rich light soil as soon as they can be handled. 



A. Campbellii [CampbelVs A.) — This is comparatively a new 

 form, and is probably of garden origin. It is the most brilliant 

 of the group, forming dense carpet-like patches of pale-green 

 foliage, which is profusely covered with comparatively large 

 light violet-purple flowers from March till June. 



