NOTICES OF SEW OE HAKE PLANTS. 143 



whence its name. The plant was introduced from China hy Mr. Fortune, to the establishment of 

 Messrs. Standish and Noble of Bagshot. 



Gtmxopsis Uniserialis. (Composites.) — A recently introduced half-hardy annual, from Mexico 

 and Texas, remarkable as being almost the only plant of this extensive family, yet discovered with 

 fragrant flowers ; the leaves and flowers of many Composite plants yield an aromatic odour* 

 but the Jasmine-like fragrance of the Gijmnopsis is very rare, if not unique. It is a branching 

 plant of somewhat straggling habit, with alternate triangular leaves, irregularly toothed, and 

 downy beneath, The flower-heads are about two inches across, of a bright yellow colour ; the 

 circumference is formed by five or six broad ovate, spreading, strap-shaped florets, the centre of the 

 capitulum being occupied by from Iwenty to thirty tubular florets, loosely arranged. It requires 

 the same treatment as the other half-hardy plants of this class, and flowers in September. 



"Weigela Middexdorfiaxa. ( Caprifoliacea.J — Many of our readers are doubtless aware of the 

 existence of this so-called yellow Weigela, but so few have seen it in flower that suspicions have 

 arisen as to tho reality of its xanthic tint. Some of the young plants have, however, yielded a few 

 blossoms during the past season, and its yellow colour is beyond dispute, but at present the plants 

 are so weak that a correct opinion can hardly be formed of the real value of this species. As in 

 the case of all new plants, the specimens have been kept at an elevated temperature with a view t° 

 obtain cuttings for propagation, and this unnatural condition has, in more than one instance, led to 

 the death of the plant. Being a native of Northern Asia, probably of Mongolia, it requires 

 abundance of air, a comparatively low temperature, and a partially shaded situation ; in a word, 

 a similar treatment to that of the Rhododendrons, and other plants of that class. The plant 

 resembles in its habit and foliage the well known W. rosea appearing to differ only in the tint of 

 its flowers, which are of a sulphur yellow. Another species, or perhaps variety of this genus, is 

 likely to excite some attention, the Weigela amahilis, differing from the W. rosea, chiefly in 

 flowering at a later period ; it has also the advantage of blooming freely while very small. Whether 

 it proves to be a true species, or merely a variety of rosea, is of little moment in a horticultural point 

 of view, possessing as it does these obvious advantages over that species. 



CULTURE OF TLTE SILEXE COMPACTA. 

 The Silene compaeta is one of our handsomest biennial plants, and makes an admirable bed, or 

 group in the mixed borders, flowering from the end of June to August or September. Unfortu. 

 nately, in wet soils it is apt to dwindle away immediately previous to flowering — a result which 

 may be, to a great extent, obviated by the following plan, suggested by Professor Decaisne, and 

 successfully practised by the French Horticulturists. The seeds should be sown in the open ground, 

 about the end of September ; and as soon as the young plants have two or three pairs of leaves, 

 they should be pricked out under a south wall, or in a cold frame ; the latter is chiefly desirable, on 

 account of its protecting the plants from excessive wet, for they suffer little from mere cold ; if 

 planted under a wall, any simple expedieut may be adopted to screen them from wet in winter. 

 About the end of March, the seedling are to be carefully dug up, and planted in pots, eight inches in 

 diameter, filled with light garden soil, with which is mingled a quantity of old lime rubbish ; this 

 gives great permeability to the soil, and appears very congenial to the roots of the plants. One or 

 two of the seedlings may be placed in each pot, according to their size, and the pots are then to be 

 plunged into the ground to their rims. By this means, plants may be obtained, which in July will 

 b covered with the bright rose-coloured flowers which make this species so ornamental. The 

 above plan seems to resolve itself into efficient drainage, protection from excessive wet in winter, 

 and a calcareous soil, and it is therefore probable that any modification which ensures these con- 

 ditions would be as successful as the foregoing treatment. The potting might, we think, be 

 dispensed with, except in clayey soils, where its adoption would, no doubt, be attended with con- 



