July High Summer 



a patch of Mossy Saxifrage. One of the best of the 

 Autumn Crocuses is speciosus, bearing pale mauve 

 flowers; pulchellus, lavender shade, and zonatus, lilac- 

 rose, are other beautiful sorts. The common Meadow 

 Saffron (Colchicum autumnale), though not possessing 

 the splendour of the larger kinds, is nevertheless one 

 of the most attractive. Colchicum speciosum, rose- 

 purple, byzantinum, pale mauve, giganteum, lilac, are 

 large handsome sorts. The leaves of the Colchicums, 

 which appear after the flowers, are large, and this 

 should not be forgotten at planting time ; if the roots 

 are put near choice alpines in the rock garden these 

 may be ruined. 



Winter Crocuses. Some of the winter - flowering 

 Crocuses are beautiful flowers, but as they open when 

 bad weather is to be expected, means are taken to 

 give them some protection. But in nooks in the rock 

 garden, or on a sheltered sunny border, it is worth 

 while having a few groups ; a handlight or bell glass 

 provides all the shelter that is required. They are also 

 delightful for pots in the cold greenhouse. The corms 

 should be potted now and kept in a shaded frame, or 

 some other cool spot, for several weeks, so that roots 

 may form freely. A few especially worthy of mention 

 are Cloth of Gold, pr susianus, golden yellow; Sieberi, 

 pale mauve ; chrysanthus, yellow ; Imperati, mauve and 

 fawn ; and biflorus, white marked with violet. 



Shrubs from Cuttings. The present is an excellent 

 time to increase various shrubs by means of cuttings. 

 These are taken from "half -ripe wood," that is to say, 

 from growths which are moderately firm and brownish 

 in colour. Such shoots are usually obtained from 

 branches that have borne blossoms. The ordinary 

 method of preparing a cutting is followed, the latter 

 being severed immediately beneath a bud or joint. It 

 is often possible to take off a little piece of the older 

 branch when the cutting is detached; the cutting is 



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