OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 113 



stakes, as they would mar its good form. A fat loam and a moist 

 situation will suit this Gentian to perfection, and it may be 

 planted with other strong herbaceous things in the borders, 

 where it should be allowed to grow to large specimens. It is one 

 of the quickest growers of its genus, few species of which can be 

 grown in too large quantities. When it is needful to increase 

 this subject, it may be done more readily than the propagation of 

 some Gentians the roots are more easily separated. It should, 

 however, be carefully done, and early spring is the best time ; or 

 if the autumn should be a dry season and the tops die off early, 

 it may be done then. 



Flowering period, July and August. 



Gentiana Burseri. 



BTJRSER'S GENTIAN; Nat. Ord. GENTIANACE^E. 

 A HARDY perennial species, of a bold but neat habit, while the 

 flowers and foliage combine in rendering it a first-class decora- 

 tive subject. It is a recent introduction, having been brought 

 from the Pyrenees in 1820 ; it is seldom seen in flower gardens, 

 where it certainly deserves to be. 



Its flowers are not brilliant, but they are effective from their 

 size, number, and persistency ; they are produced in whorls on 

 stout round stems 18in. high, but only on the three or four upper 

 joints. Each flower is Ifin. long, lemon-yellow, tubular, angu- 

 lar, having four to six segments, widely separated, and furnished 

 with a membrane at each separation. The segments, and also 

 the tube, are dotted with dark brown spots; each flower is 

 tightly folded in a somewhat one-sided membranous calyx and 

 borne erect. They occur in pairs mostly, but with several pairs 

 in a whorl. They have very short pedicels, and the whorl is sup- 

 ported by a bract of stem-clasping leaves, cupped, and variously 

 shaped, as ovate and beaked ; there are also supplementary 

 bracteoles. The leaves of the root very much resemble the 

 plantain leaf, also that of G. lutea, having longish ribbed and 

 grooved petioles or stalks ; they are 5in. to 6in. long, and over 

 3in. broad, egg-shaped, entire, veined longitudinally, and slightly 

 wrinkled ; they are of a dark green colour, shining, and of good 

 substance. The leaves of the stems, as already stated, are stem- 

 clasping, and differ in shape. The flowers keep in good form for 

 two or three weeks, and otherwise this rigid bright-foliaged 

 Gentian proves very ornamental. 



I find it to do well in vegetable soil in a moist quarter. 

 Most of the members of this genus enjoy plenty of moisture 

 at their roots, and this specimen is no exception. A flat stone 

 will form a good substitute for a damp situation if placed 

 over the roots ; besides, such a method of growing this and 

 others of the tall Gentians will allow of their being planted on 



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