OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 29 



but the tubers Lave the appearance of being strung together by 

 their ends. They are edible, and where they grow wild they are 

 called " ground nuts." From the description given it will be easy 

 to decide how and where it should be planted. 



There should be provision made for its twining habit, and it 

 may have the liberty of mixing its foliage with that of less 

 beautiful things during autumn, such, for instance, as the bare 

 Jasmine nudiflora ; its spare but effective leaves and flowers will 

 do little or no harm to such trees, and after the frosts come the 

 jasmine will be clear again. It may also be grown with happy 

 results as shown in the illustration, needing only a well-secured 

 twiggy bush. Cut as sprays it is very serviceable for hanging or 

 twining purposes. 



It most enjoys a light soil, also a sunny situation. Sometimes 

 it has been found slow at starting into growth when newly 

 planted ; this, however, can hardly be the case with newly lifted 

 tubers. I may add that it is no uncommon thing for these to be 

 out of the ground for weeks and months together, when they not 

 only become hard and woody, but when suddenly brought in 

 contact with the damp earth rot overtakes them. There is no 

 difficulty whatever with fresh tubers, which may be lifted after 

 the tops have died off. Beyond securing fresh roots, there is 

 nothing special about the culture of this desirable climber. 



Flowering period, August to October. 



Arabis Lucida. 



SHINING BOCK CRESS ; Nat. Ord. CRTJCIFER^E. 

 THIS member of a well-known family of early spring flowers 

 is desirable, for its neat habit and verdancy. There is not a 

 particle of sere foliage to be seen, and it has, moreover, a glossy 

 appearance, whence the specific name. The flowers are not of 

 much effect, though, from their earliness, not without value; 

 they are in the way of the flowers of the more common species, 

 A. alpina, but less in size ; they are also more straggling in the 

 raceme ; these two features render it inferior as a flower ; the 

 stalks are Sin. to 6in. high. The leaves are arranged in lax 

 flattened rosettes, are lin. to Sin. long, somewhat spathulate, 

 notched, fleshy, of a very dark green colour, and shining. The 

 habit is dense and spreading, established tufts having a fresh 

 effect. Though an Hungarian species, it can hardly have a more 

 happy home in its habitat than in our climate. Where verdant 

 dwarf subjects are in request, either for edgings, borders, or 

 rockwork, this is to be commended as one of the most reliable, 

 both for effect and vigour. In the last-named situation it proves 

 useful all the year round, but care should be taken that it does 

 not overgrow less rampant rock plants. 



A. I. variegata is a variety with finely-marked leaves. The bloom 



