DESCRIPTIVE AND SELECTIVE. 229 



suitable for the rockery, although not plants of marked 

 value. Hieraci folium alpinum and rupestre are two 

 of the best. Both bear yellow flowers in May. They 

 thrive in ordinary soil, and may be propagated by 

 seeds sown in spring, or by cuttings. 



ERYTHRAE A.— Vretty plants allied to the 

 Gentians. Diffusa (Massoni), with pink flowers in 

 late spring ; and Muehlenhergi, also with pink 

 flowers in spring, are two of the best. The former 

 Hkes peat, with partial shade in summer. They 

 may be raised from seed sown under glass in autumn 

 or spring. 



ERYTHRONIUM (Dog's Tooth Violet).— Most 

 beautiful Httle bulbous plants, admirably adapted for 

 the rockery. They bloom in spring. Not the least 

 pleasing feature of them is the handsome spotted 

 f oh age. Every bulb dealer of standing offers them at 

 a cheap rate in his autumn catalogue, and as they 

 are easily grown, no hesitation need be felt with 

 regard to trying them. It is well to include them in 

 the first bulb order that is sent off, as they are best 

 planted early. They will thrive in ordinary soil if it 

 is friable and well drained ; they do not care for damp, 

 heavy ground. Propagation is easily effected by taking 

 offsets when the plants have died down. The best 

 known species is Dens-Canis, which grows about six 

 inches high and produces its purple and white flowers 

 in March. There are several varieties of it. Ameri- 

 canum^ common to the Eastern United States, bears 

 yellow drooping flowers in spring. Grandiflorum is 

 the finest of all. It is an American plant with yellow 



