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THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



Fig. 2073. Russian Columbine (Aquilegia oxysepala). 



(Photo, hy F. T. Shutt.) 



Japanese quince [Pyrus Matilei) is another 

 hardy shrub which should be in every gar- 

 den where Pyrus Japonica is not hardy. The 

 flower buds of this species have never been 

 injured by winter here and the flowers are 

 large and of several shades of red. It 

 blooms about the middle of May. 



In the year 1887 a large collection of 

 seeds was obtained from St. Petersburg, 

 Russia. Among these was a Columbine 

 which came under the name of Aquilegia 

 oxysepala. This species, which has been 

 grown here for fourteen years, is still as fine 

 as when first introduced. The flowers are 

 very large and are of a rich shade of bluish- 



purple. The plant is a very free bloomer 

 and as it flowers early in the second week of 

 May, when there are few other plants in 

 bloom, except bulbs, it is especially desir- 

 able. Most columbines are difficult to keep 

 pure, as they cross very readily, but as this 

 species blooms so early it is self fertilized. 



We had good success this year in forcing 

 parrot tulps in the house and have decided 

 that we shall never be without them in the 

 future. They do not make very good pot 

 plants, as they are not stiff" enough, but as 

 cut flowers they are fine, the blooms lasting 

 for two weeks if the room is not too warm. 

 They are more difficult to force than the 



