CISTACE^. 55 



subjects that have so richly rewarded his efforts with brilHant 

 resuhs. It is quite possible that in a few years, by well-directed 

 selection alone, much might be done for the improvement of 

 this much-neglected but beautiful family. There is already, 

 perhaps, all that could be wished as regards colour; but it would 

 be a fortunate achievement to produce brilliant varieties with 

 the invaluable quality of a long and continuous blooming sea- 

 son. In all the host of gay things included in the general cate- 

 gory of bedding plants, none are more bright and beautiful than 

 these in their season ; may some one with the requisite skill 

 and means take the Rock-Roses in hand then, and improve and 

 extend their fine qualities. Many will be found to succeed well 

 in the mixed border, if the soil is not tenacious and damp, and 

 the exposure is bright and sunny; but the majority are bet- 

 ter adapted for culture on rockwork and in dry banks and 

 rocky and sandy places, while a few will require protection 

 from the rigour of our winters in a cold frame, either by lifting 

 the old plants or taking cuttings and storing them after the 

 fashion of half-hardy bedding plants— that is, without artificial 

 heat, but duly protected. They are most easy to cultivate, and 

 the larger number, when they become established in a place, 

 keep it well and tenaciously; but it is well to be prepared 's\ith 

 a few plants from cuttings annually in order to make gaps good ; 

 and, as above stated, young plants, if healthy, are the most 

 prolonged and continuous bloomers — a point in their successful 

 culture that should always be kept in mind. As to soil they 

 are not fastidious, if only they are not attempted in clays or very 

 wet soil, neither of which is congenial to them ; but they are 

 seen perhaps to the greatest perfection in a mixture of peat and 

 loam, or any very light dry loam. They are easily propagated 

 by cuttings just when the shoots of the current season's growth 

 are beginning to become a little hard and matured, and they may 

 be managed successfully by putting them under a bell-glass out 

 of doors, or into a cold frame either in pots or without, keeping 

 them close and shaded from scorching sun for some time after 

 putting them in. The list of species is a very long one, too 

 long for all to be noticed here, even were it desirable to do so ; 

 but there is much confusion as to the Hmits of specific forms, 

 and much sameness of form and colour ; and when they are re- 

 garded simply as subjects for decorative purposes, a selection 

 embracing some of the most distinct and beautiful ought to be 

 aimed at, and the following are a few of the best. 



H. algarvense, syns. H. ocymoides and Cistus algarvensis 

 {Algarve Rock-Rose). — This is a tall-growing species, most suit- 

 able for planting along with the larger-growing herbaceous 



