LINE.^. 81 



or where they may be shaded from strong and direct sunhght, 

 and the very soft point of the cutting be removed ; if taken late 

 they will be more successful if placed on slight bottom-heat, 

 shaded, and kept close till they show signs of growth, when 

 they will require a little air, and the shading gradually discon- 

 tinued. The seed may be sown in pots in a cold frame, in 

 March or April, in the open border, or where the plants are 

 designed to remain, and seed will be found the least trouble- 

 some means with amateurs. 



L. alpinum {Alpine Flax). — A very dwarf species, with nu- 

 merous almost prostrate stems, clothed with linear, short, 

 sharp-pointed leaves. The flowers are dark blue, in terminal 

 clusters, appearing in summer for about two months. A very 

 pretty plant for rockwork in sandy loam and peat in a dry sunny 

 position. Height 6 inches. Native of most of the mountain- 

 ous parts of Europe. 



L. arljoreum {Shrubby Flax). — This is a dwarf somewhat 

 shrubby plant with rather straggling habit and milky-green 

 egg-shaped leaves. The flowers are .borne in sparse terminal 

 clusters, bright yellow, the petals somewhat pointed. Flowers 

 early and late, and continuously in summer. It is a fine showy 

 plant for rockwork. My experience of it only embraces observa- 

 tions made in the neighbourhood of London, and I should 

 hesitate putting it in any exposed position north of that locality. 

 There, and southwards, it will be perfectly safe in the mixed 

 border, and will form a most pleasing addition to it; and north- 

 wards also, in very favourable dry sunny places, or warm 

 sheltered sea-coast locaHties, it may be safe ; but while stock is 

 limited it should have the protection of a cold frame or hand- 

 glass, and mat or dry litter in winter in severe weather. Height 

 about 1 8 inches. Native of mountains in Asia Minor, S. 

 Europe, and N. Africa. 



L. austriacum {Austrian F/ax). — Where space is limited, and 

 the Alpine Flax cultivated, this may not be worthy of a place ; 

 but if the collection is a large one, it will be found distinct and 

 useful for certain purposes in which the other is not so suitable, 

 and especially as a mixed-border subject will its larger and 

 more robust nature be useful in the less favourable localities 

 for alpine plants. The flowers are the same colour, and appear 

 about the same time, as those of the Alpine Flax; but the plant 

 is taller by a few inches, and more spreading in habit. Native 

 of Austria. 



L. campanulatum {Bell-shaped Flax). — This species grows 

 about 1 8 inches high, with broadish lanceolate milky-green 

 leaves clothing the numerous not very erect stems. The flowers 



F 



