OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN -FLOWERS. 255 



The propagation of this Saxifraga is more difficult than any 

 other according to my experience, and I have heard of many 

 who have found it the same. The offsets are not produced close 

 to the ground, consequently have no rootlets ; neither, from their 

 hairy character, can they resist rot from moisture so well when 

 planted as if they were bald, like the stolons of other species. I 

 have found the best plan to be as follows : Take offsets before 

 the plants flower; if there are none, which will often be the 

 case, the bloom must be sacrificed by pinching out the stem. 

 As soon as there are nice sized shoots ready, cut them off with 

 all possible length of stalk ; prepare a sandy patch of soil in a 

 warm situation, lay them in a row on the surface, heads to the 

 north, and then place a brick on them so as to hold all the 

 cuttings in position; gently press on the brick, to cause the 

 cuttings to assume a more natural position, and they will need 

 no other attention until they become rooted ; the brick will act 

 as a screen from the hot sunshine, absorbing the heat to the 

 benefit of the cuttings, as it will also absorb superfluous 

 moisture. During the summer I have rooted many offsets in 

 this way. That contact with the brick is favourable to the 

 roots is evidenced by their clinging to it ; no water should be 

 given, however droughty the season may be excessive moisture 

 is the main thing to guard against. 



Flowering period, June to August. 



Saxifraga Oppositifolia (Lin.) 

 PURPLE MOUNTAIN SAXIFRAGE, PURPLE SAXIFRAGE, BLUE 



SAXIFRAGE, OPPOSITE-LEAVED SAXIFRAGE; Nat. Ord. 



SAXIFRAGACE^J. 



DURING the month of March this is one of the most effective 

 flowers in our gardens. The mossy appearance of its foliage, 

 when dotted with its large blossoms, is hardly less beautiful 

 than when the whole broad spreading tufts are literally packed 

 with them. This must be a dear flower to all lovers of our 

 native flora, for it not only comes very early, and in its wild 

 homes on the Ingleborough, Welsh, and Scottish hills, greets 

 and gladdens the rambler, who is, perhaps, making his first 

 excursion of the year, but it is one of our most striking and 

 beautiful flowers, even though they are produced on a plant of 

 such humble size and habit. The pleasing and descriptive 

 names of this gem of our hills would form a chapter in them- 

 selves. Even the old Latin names by which it was known, before 

 the time when Linnaeus arranged and re-named most of our 

 native plants, bespeak a desire to do justice to a flower of more 

 than ordinary beauty ; and, as they were so strictly descriptive, 

 at least one, I think, may be given without trying the reader's 

 patience : Saxifraga alpina ericoides flore cceruleo, or the Blue- 



