CARYOPHYLLACE.E. 7/ 



cuttings or seed must be resorted to. Seed may be sown in 

 Februar)^ or March in cold frames, or in the latter month and 

 in April in the open ground ; but many will flower the first 

 season if sown in the first-named month in cold frames, and 

 they are properly attended to in the matters of timeous pricking 

 out and watering till they can take care of themselves. Divi- 

 sion is best accomplished in early spring. 



Silene acaulis {the stemless Catchfly or Cushion Pink). — ■ 

 This species grows in dense moss-like tufts 2 or 3 inches high. 

 The flowers, very numerous, with very short if any stalks, are 

 reddish purple or pink. Best adapted for culture on rock- 

 work in moist rich sandy loam. Flowers from June till August. 

 There is a variety named 6". a. alba, which, though not so 

 sparkling as the normal colour, is well worth growing for con- 

 trast sake ; but the other variety sometimes seen in cultivation, 

 named S. a. exscapa, is only a little more pigmy and dense 

 than the parent, without any other feature worthy of considera- 

 tion to the flower-gardener. Native of Britain, rather abundant 

 in some parts, but rare in others, and enjoys a very wide 

 and general distribution in northern Europe, Asia, and North 

 America. 



S. alpestris {Alpine Catchfiy). — This species grows about 6 

 inches high. The stems are leafy, the leaves narrow lanceolate 

 or linear, and simple till near the top, when they branch out into 

 an open panicle of pure-white flowers, supported gracefully on 

 longish thread-like stalks. The flowers appear in May, June, 

 and July. Propagate by division in early spring. Best suited 

 for rock work or the front lines of the mixed border in rich 

 light sandy loam, deep and moist, but well drained, and in a 

 sunny exposure. Native of the Austrian Alps. 



S. Elisabethse {Elizabeths Catchfly). — This is a very distinct 

 and lovely plant, growing in tufted fashion, with masses of 

 slightly-hairy leaves, the stems terminating in a loose panicle 

 of few but large brilliant rose-coloured flowers. The flowers 

 appear in July and August. My experience of this plant in cul- 

 tivation is not yet very complete, but on rockwork it will no 

 doubt be found to thrive well in the soil recommended for those 

 species immediately preceding. Propagation may be eftected 

 by seeds, and by division when the plants are strong enough to 

 be risked by that process. Native of Italy and the Tyrol. 



S. fimbriata {Fri?iged Catchfly). — A very distinct species, 

 growing about 18 inches or 2 feet high, with erect but graceful 

 stems, clothed with egg-shaped or lanceolate leaves, and sur- 

 mounted by panicles of white flowers, the calyx much inflated 

 and the petals much and deeply fringed. Adapted for the inner 



