178 
FLORA AND SYLVA 
of the Tufted Pansies do if left alone, pensated for previous disappointments 
these are best left to themselves for two and we are now hoping for something 
or three years to spread and increase in new and choice. Good sorts are : — 
size and beauty. The late Dr. Stuart Violetta^ white with yellowish centre ; 
assured me that they should remain in Gold Crestj rich deep golden yellow ; 
the same position for at least two years. P/r^j/^-t?, white with picotee edging; 
At the end of the first year the single Blanche^ clear silvery white ; Queen of 
shoot planted in the spring will be re- the Tear^ china blue, spotted white ; 
presented by a little tuft some six inches Pigmy ^ rosy-purple, very free ; White 
across, and after a second season's growth Dot^ pure white ; Qiiail^ white, broad- 
the tuft is large and at its best. When ly margined bluish-lavender ; Minnie 
in full beauty such tufts are a charming War7~en^ pale lilac, very dainty ; Com- 
picture and those who have seen the I /y^Off^rt'ii/////, good ray less yellow; Rock 
plants in this condition never fail to be j Yellow^ dense yellow ; and Rock Blue^ 
pleased with them. Light and porous a charming little deep-blue flower with 
soil, well enriched with old and decayed a yellow eye. D. B. CRANE, 
manure, is an essential factor to success ' Highgate, N. 
with these plants. It should also be of THE GREATER TREES OF THE 
good depth, for the Tufted Pansies are NORTHERN FOREST.— No. 28. 
deep-rooting,and during hot weather — THE SYCAMORE MAPLE {Acer 
especially in the south of England — the pseudo-platanus). 
value of deep culture is soon seen. In ; A noble and beautiful Northern tree, 
addition to the beauty of well-flowered forgotten too often by planters, perhaps 
tufts in the rock-garden, the cut blooms by reason of its freedom to spring up 
make up very prettily for dress-sprays, from self-sown seed. So we often see 
buttonholes, and vases, these small it in a crowded state in shrubberies, 
flowers carrying well where the large and its flne form and stature is only 
petals of other kinds flop about or are ; revealed when we stand before such trees 
too heavy for good effect. as those at Knole House in Kent, and 
As yet there are not many Violettas at Penshurst. In many districts of our 
catalogued, but of those that have passed country, where the soil is free and con- 
through my hands the kinds named be- tains varied mineral constituents, like 
low are the most noteworthy. Last much of Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, 
season, as the result of several crosses, j the Sycamore increases so rapidly as to 
I raised about a hundred and twenty impress us by its effect, but in nature 
seedlings, and as these are just coming it does not often, like the Oak and other 
into flower I am watching their progress trees, formpure woods, beingmore often 
with more than ordinary interest. In mixed with the mountain trees like Beech 
i903,owingtothewetandcoldsummer, and Hornbeam, with which it has more 
it was impossible to get the pollen for in common as to area and soil. It loves 
crossingpurposes,buti904amplycom- diversified country more than the heavy 
