November, 1889. 
213 
* 
The Ivv-leaved Pelargonium is a very 
good window plant. It was originally grown 
chiefly for the sake of its handsome, ivy- 
like foliage; but varieties have latterly been 
introduced bearing handsome flowers, both 
single and double. They are all desirable, 
but the best double white is probably Joan 
of Arc, introduced last spring by Peter Hen- 
derson & Co. It is short jointed and free 
blooming, and well adapted for window cul- 
ture. They are all trailing plants, and may 
be grown on a frame, in a basket, or allow- 
ed to droop from a pot placed on a bracket. 
The mountain Fleece. 
A year’s trial and an examination of Mr. 
Falconer’s plants have produced the convic- 
tion that Polygonon amplexicaule v. oxyphyl- 
lum is the best hardy herbaceous plant that 
lias been introduced for some years. The 
scientific name, however descriptive, may 
be somewhat perplexing; but the plant is 
all right, and there is nothing perplexing 
about it. Messrs. Hallock & Son, who send 
it out, propose the common or English name 
of “Mountain Fleece,” wliich is pretty, and 
also expressive as applied to the flowers, 
Cove, L. I. Messrs. Hallock & Son procur- 
ed a plant from Mr. Falconer, and thus the 
Mountain Fleece at last finds its way to the 
general public, to gladden many an eye, we 
hope, and cover many a vacant space. It 
has the additional value of being quite 
fragrant. 
The plant blooms from the early part of 
September till frost, and would doubtless 
continue much longer under favorable con- 
ditions. In fact, Mr. Falconer informed us 
that Mr. Dana thought of covering one of his 
large plants with glass to prolong its season 
The Mountain Fleece. Fig. 1619. 
The last is the least troublesome way, and 
is a good one. The plant will grow in al- 
most any soil. 
Where only a few flowering Begonias 
can be grown in a room in winter, B. metal- 
lica should be one of them. It combines 
^nearly all the good qualities of the ornamen- 
tal-leaved and the flowering varieties, hav- 
ing beautiful leaves and bearing handsome 
flowers, and is as easily grown as any of 
them. It is a gem in its way, but needs a 
little sunshine to bring out fully its beauti- 
ful metallic hues. — P. B.'Mead. 
which, on a ma- 
ture plant, ap- 
pear in great 
white masses, 
that, at a distance 
might well be lik- 
ened to fleecy 
clouds. 
The plant is a native of the Himalaya 
Mountains. P. amplexicaule, bearing red 
flowers, was introduced some fifty years 
ago; but the seeds from which the variety 
under consideration was grown, we are in- 
formed, were sent to the Kew Botanic Gar- 
den in London about ten years ago by Dr. 
Aiteliison. The late Dr. Asa Gray, on his 
last visit to Europe, being impressed with 
its value, brought a plant home with him, 
and placed it in the Harvard Botanic Gar- 
den. When Mr. Falconer left the Garden he 
was so fortunate as to procure a plant to 
bring with^him to his new home at Glen 
of bloom. The rootstock is strong and spread 
ing, and throws up a compact mass c f stalks 
from three to four feet high, in time cov- 
ering a large surface. The stalks are furnish- 
ed with foliage to the ground, and there is 
nothing weedy or naked about the plant. It 
will be inferred that it requires some space 
to grow in, and this is quite necessary for its 
natural development. 
The flowers, which are produced in large 
panicles, are white and small, but very num- 
erous, and take on a pink tinge with age or 
the approach of frost. Their fi agrance will 
make them additionally valuable for floral 
work. From the fact that it grows luxur- 
antly in the sandy soil of Long Island, it 
may be inferred that the Mountain Fleece 
will succeed almost anywhere. It can hard- 
ly fail to become a very popular plant. The 
accompanying illustration shows the plant 
singly, and as it grows^in its native habitat. 
— P. B. Mead. 
