510 



The Cultivation of Linnsea borealis and Goodyera repens. 

 By Dr. Charles Stuart, Chirnside. 



All persons who have a rock-garden, find certain plants diffi- 

 cult to keep alive, for any length of time. Linncea borealis and 

 Goodyera repens, under ordinary management, are very trouble- 

 some in this respect, whatever peaty mixture we choose to grow 

 them in. Personally, I have experienced this difficulty with 

 Linncea, which induced me last summer, when botanizing at 

 Mellerstane Woods, to pay particular attention to the sort of soil 

 and situation wherein it flourishes. On examination, I found its 

 silky roots to derive their entire nourishment from the decayed 

 remains of the Scotch Firs, and other vegetable matters, which 

 have been gradually deposited in the course of ages, among the 

 mosses ; and there is no trace of soil of any kind whatever, near 

 the roots, to be seen. The Goodyera has also its creeping roots 

 comfortably established among the mosses, and vegetable debris, 

 never, as far as I have observed, among the soil. Taking a leaf 

 out of Nature's book, I began to think I should like to try to 

 grow these plants in a similar mixture. With plenty of rooted 

 specimens, I brought home some of the rotten Scotch Fir bark 

 and decomposed dust, which is plentiful at Mellerstane. A six- 

 inch flower pot was now half filled with broken crocks and a 

 layer of common moss (Hypnum purum) spread over these, to en- 

 sure perfect drainage. The decomposed bark and dust, being 

 well incorporated with the moss, were added till the pot was 

 nearly full, when the rooted plants of Linncea and Goodyera were 

 inserted; and more moss added, till the pot was filled tight, 

 rather overfilled than otherwise ; similar to the plan on which 

 tropical Orchids are cultivated as far as the planting is concerned. 

 Placed in a cold frame, with a northern exposure, and sprinkled 

 with water regularly, both plauts grow to perfection. On the 

 rock-garden, a similar plan of procedure, may be successfully 

 adopted. There must be no stagnation of water near the plants, 

 otherwise the moss decays, becomes sour, and poisons them. 

 Perfect drainage can alone effect this ; and as I have heard 

 Orchid-growers state, that their plants grew best when the 

 Sphagnum in which they were planted was also in a growing 

 condition — a similar state of matters should be aimed at with the 

 plants mentioned in this notice. 



