ENCYCLOPADIA OF GARDENING. 
similar soil in cold frame at same time, transplanting seedlings 3 in. 
apart when two years old; division of bulbs in Aug. Seedling bulbs 
do not flower until four or five years old. 
SPECIES OULTIVATED: M. bulbocodium, rosy lilac, autumn, 3 in., Spain; 
bulbocodium bulbicoides, larger flowered; caucasica, rosy purple, spring, 3 in., 
Caucasus; persica, lilac, Nov., 3 in., Persia. 
Mertensia (Virginian Cowslip). — Ord. Boraginacezw. Hardy 
perennial herbs. 
CULTURE: Soil, sandy peat & loam. Position, partially shady 
rockeries or borders. Plant, Oct. & Nov., March & April.” Lift & 
replant in fresh soil every four or five years. M. siberica will thrive 
in ordinary soil in partial shade. Propagate by seeds sown 1-16 in. 
deep in sandy peat in cold frame in autumn; division of roots in Oct. 
or March. 
SPECIES OULTIVATED: M. pulmonarioides (Syn. M. virginica), the Virginian 
Cowslip, purple and blue, May, 12 to 18 in., N. America; sibirica, purple and blue, 
May, 18 in.; sibirica alba, white; sibirica atro-cerulea, blue. 
Mesembryanthemum (Fig Marigold; Ice Plant).—Ord. 
Ficoidacee. Greenhouse & hardy annuals & herbaceous & shrubby 
perennials. Mostly evergreen & trailing. First introduced 1690. 
CULTURE OF GREENHOUSE SHRUBBY AND SUCCULENT- 
LEAVED SPECIES: Compost, equal parts old mortar, pounded crocks, 
sandy loam, well-decayed manure or leaf-mould & sand. Position, 
well-drained pots in sunny greenhouse or window. Pot, March to 
May. Water freely, April to Sept.; moderately, March & Sept.; keep 
nearly dry during the remainder of year. Temp., March to Oct., 
55° to 65°; Oct. to March, 40° to 50°. 
SHRUBBY AND HERBACEOUS SPECIES may be planted in sunny 
pede or on rockeries in June; lifted, repotted, & placed in greenhouse- 
in Sept. 
CULTURE OF ANNUAL SPECIES IN POTS: Sow seeds 1-16in. 
deep in April in 4 or 5-in. pots filled with above compost in temp. 55° 
to 65°. Thin seedlings to 4-in. apart. Treat otherwise as advised for 
shrubby species. 
CULTURE OF ANNUAL SPECIES OUTDOORS: Soil, ordinary, 
with liberal addition of old mortar. Sow seeds 1-16in. deep in April, 
where plants are required to grow. Thin to lin. apart. Position, 
sunny well-drained rockery. 
CULTURE OF M. CORDIFOLIUM VARIEGATUM: Propagate by 
cuttings inserted in sandy soil in March, April, or Sept. in temp. 60° 
to 70°. Grow in temp. 50° to 60°, Oct. to May; in cold frame until 
June, then plant outdoors. 
CULTURE OF ICE PLANT: Soil, ordinary. Position, sunny bed, 
border or rockery. Sow seeds jin. deep in sandy soil in temp. 55° to 
65° in March, transplanting seedlings outdoors in June. 
CULTURE OF HARDY SPECIES: Soil, ordinary. Position, sunny 
well-drained borders in 8. of England. Plant, May. Propagate 
annual species by seeds sown 1-16 in. deep in spring in similar compost 
to that advised for plants; shrubby & herbaceous species by seeds, also 
by cuttings inserted in old mortar & sand in temp. 55° to 65°, March to 
MEPL cine SHRUBBY SPECIES: M. aureum, yellow, June, 1 ft., 8. Africa; 
pblandum, white, June, 18 in.; Bolusii, yellow and red, July, 1 ft.; Brownii, 
orange-red, summer, 1 ft.; coccineum, scarlet, July, 18 in.; Cooperi, rosy purple, 
summer, 1 ft.; cruciatum, yellow, 6 in., summer; deltoides, pink, May, 18 in.; 
echinatum, yellow, Aug., 1 ft.; multiflorum, white, Aug., 3 ft.; tigrinum, yellow, 
autumn, 6 in.; violaceum, purple, July, 1 ft. 
269 
