* 

 OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 245 



shelters should be used for this most deserving subject. Propa- 

 gated by division of the woody semi- creeping roots during early 

 autumn; each division should have a crown and some roots, 

 when they may be planted in their permanent quarters. 

 Flowering period, March to May. 



Saxifraga (Megasea) Cordifolia. 



Nat. Ord. SAXIFRAGACE^]. 



A FIRST-CLASS herbaceous perennial, grown for over a hundred 

 years in English gardens; it comes from Siberia, and conse- 

 quently, it is very hardy in this climate. The Megasea section 

 of the Saxifraga is a very distinct genus; there are several 

 forms with but slight distinctions in the section, but the species 

 now under notice may be readily distinguished from its nearest 

 known relatives, first by its extra size in all its parts, next by its 

 wrinkled heart-shaped leaves. 



The flowers are produced on stout stems nearly a foot high, 

 a section of which will cut the size of a sixpenny piece ; the rose- 

 coloured flowers are perfectly developed before they push through 

 the many -times over-lapped foliage ; they are neatly arranged, 

 the branching stems sometimes giving the panicle, of blossom 

 the form and also the size of a moderate bunch of grapes. Just 

 at this stage the flowers, to be most enjoyed, should be cut 

 before the weather spoils their delicate colour. The fine pale 

 green calyx, which is also conspicuous by its handsome form and 

 extra length, is far from the least important feature of this 

 flower, especially at the above-mentioned stage. The leaves are 

 Gin. to lOin. across. 



Of the use of its flowers in a cut state, a few words may be said 

 The weather soon destroys their beauty, but when cut they may 

 be preserved for fully a fortnight. On one occasion I took a 

 blossom and placed it in a flower stand for single specimen 

 blooms ; in this instance all the other glasses held such fine roses 

 as Baroness Rothschild, Madame Lacharme, and Edouard 

 Morren, but so richly did it compare with these roses that it was 

 given the place of honour the top centre glass ; this flower I 

 should say had never seen the full light in the open. After that 

 others pushed out of the leaves and were speedily damaged, and 

 not fit to cut. 



Flowering period, March to May, 



Saxifraga Coriophylla. 



Nat. Ord. SAXIFRAGACE^. 



THIS is a rather recently discovered alpine species, very dwarf, 

 but beautiful. The specific name would appear to be in allusion 

 to its flowers as pink-shaped; they are very small, but the 



