84 
THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 
March, 1917 
In due time the seeds germinated and devel- 
oped fast under protection. Those outside 
had two or three setbacks due to temperature 
falling to 29 and 30 degrees. April 27th a 
few tomato plants were transplanted under 
the tall plant forcers. One night the tempera- 
ture fell to between 27 and 28 degrees. The 
plants looked rather sickly the next morning, 
but recovered again and grew wonderfully 
well. Radish and lettuce under cover, May 
10th, were l\ times as large as those without 
protection. Beans and corn were three 
inches tall. Tomatoes were spreading out 
and growing fast. We then had a cold night 
when the temperature fell below 27 degrees 
and the next morning my test with beans, 
corn and tomatoes, first planting, ended, be- 
cause they were frozen and could not recover! 
The radish and lettuce were not hurt much 
and continued after a slight rest, to demon- 
strate the great advantage of plant forcers. 
I immediately replanted under each forcer, 
and by so doing, obtained an advance crop 
ten days ahead of regular outside plantings. 
From my first year’s results I am frank to 
say that plant forcers will not protect from a 
hard freeze where the temperature falls be- 
low 27 degrees; but, where no such drop 
in temperature is obtained, they will protect 
and they will give advanced results. — A. E. 
Wilkinson, Ithaca, N. Y. 
The Butterfly Bush (Buddleia). — Of late 
years the Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac, 
etc., has been very much advertised and ex- 
ploited. We acquired some specimens under 
the name of B. variabilis Veitchii, simply be- 
cause the name sounded attractive, the pic- 
tures looked pretty, and every one else 
seemed to be buying. But to tell the truth, 
we were decidedly disappointed; the plants 
seemed weak growers; did not branch out into 
dense bushes, as shrubs usually do, and in- 
clined to winter kill; blossoms were few and 
not at all showy. They received exactly the 
same care as the old favorite shrubs, and 
when friends and neighbors reported the 
same lack of success we condemned Buddleia 
variabilis as a novelty of little worth. 
Last summer, however, I was traveling in 
Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, and found a 
Butterflv Bush growing and flourishing in a 
manner most astonishing — especially after my 
own unsatisfactory experience. I could not 
resist further inquiries as to care and treat- 
ment, and also to take a photograph. This 
bush was growing by itself in full sun. It was 
at least six feet high and eight feet in diameter, 
svmmetrical in form, with dense leaf growth 
and covered with rich fragrant spikes of flow- 
ers. It was truly living up to its name for a 
dozen or more gorgeous big butterflies were 
hovering over the blossoms. This was at a 
little power station at a junction of two trolley 
lines. The man in charge had much leisure 
time and interested himself caring for the 
flowers and tiny grass plot. I learned that 
he treated his Buddleia more like a half hardy 
perennial than a hardy shrub (as it is described 
in the catalogues). In winter it is protected 
with a covering of manure, and bundles of 
cornfodder shield the top from the sun’s rays. 
Before growth starts in the spring the top is 
cut back — leaving about two feet of the main 
branches. This causes a thick new growth 
each year. Every day in dry weather a 
bucket of water was poured around the roots, 
and sometimes a little fertilizer given. This 
daily care during the parching summer time 
is perhaps the chief reason for his success. 
Moisture and food encourage a constant 
growth so that a succession and wealth of 
bloom follows as a natural course . — Elinor 
S. Brinton, West Chester, Pa. 
[Unquestionably the best treatment of the 
plant is to cut it down annually and depend on 
the new growth. It is to be regarded as a sub- 
shrub, like the Bush Clover, or even Perennial 
Phlox. Water too, and that in abundance is 
imperative for any good results. — Ed.] 
Alpines for Early Bloom. — We are in- 
trigued by those “Alpines which bloom earlier 
in spring than anything else you can grow” 
(see Garden Magazine for January, page 
201). Our diminutive rock garden is our 
favorite child at present and we shall be very 
glad to buy it the new toys you mention if 
Summer Lilac (Buddleia) six feet high. It is treated as a half 
hardy perennial and given plenty of water in summer 
you will tell us their names and how to make 
them work . — Carl S. Miner, Chicago, III. 
— As an ardent alpine plant enthusiast I was 
greatly interested in your note hinting that 
alpine plants might be grown even though the 
only space available happens to be a border 
along the fence. Why not indeed grow a 
few alpines? As you point out, a square yard 
will accommodate a score of plants, and then, 
think of the interest and enjoyment that can 
be obtained from that square yard! No 
other class of plants possesses their delicacy 
and brilliance of coloring and their cultivation 
has that element of difficulty that is sufficient 
to stimulate our interest and one comes to 
love them for their very capriciousness. They 
are not so very hard to grow if we only study 
them a little and minister to their, sometimes, 
exacting needs. Most alpines will succeed 
when they are planted in a deep stony soil, 
very well drained (this is most essential) that 
will encourage their roots to penetrate so that 
they may be cool and moist during the hot 
summer days. If they are planted on the 
lee side of a large rock their roots will usually 
manage to find cool moist conditions, and if 
large rocks are not available a few stones 
placed on the surface amongst the plants 
will prevent evaporation and help toward 
giving that coolness at the root which is so 
essential. Here is a list of a few (only a few 
of the many available!) “alpines which will 
bloom earlier in the spring than anything else” 
that have been grown successfully around 
New York and which are obtainable from 
nurserymen in this country who make a 
specialty of alpine and rock plants. 
Adonis vernalis a plant which grows about 
12 in. high with beautiful, fern-like foliage 
topped with glistening yellow flowers two or 
three inches in diameter. Grow it in half 
shade in deep sandy soil containing humus, 
do not disturb it once it is in position, and, 
year after year, it will bloom and charm 
with its dainty freshness . 
Anemone Pulsatilla (The Pasque Flower). 
For a sunny position. The soil should have 
some old mortar or broken limestone mixed 
with it. It has silky, lilac purple flowers. 
There are several varieties — red, white, and 
double. The high alpine, A. vernalis, is an 
even more exquisite plant but I have not been 
able to find it listed in any of the American 
catalogues. 
Erinus alpinus likes a sunny well drained 
position. It delights in growing in the 
chinks and crevices of an old wall. About 
three inches high, with rosy purple flowers. 
I he variety carmineus with carmine flowers 
is the prettiest little gem imaginable. 
Myosotis alpestris (Alpine Forget-me-not). 
The true high alpine form is a compact, little 
plant about three inches high spangled with 
blossoms of azure blue. This alpine Forget- 
me-not differs greatly from the common .1/. 
palustris but some nurserymen do not seem to 
appreciate this fact and supply the latter when 
the former is ordered! 
Noccaea alpina, or, II utchinsia alpina, forms 
tufts of tiny glossy foliage, starred with pure 
white blossoms. It grows about three inches 
high. Calcareous, gritty, soil, and sunshine, 
cause this plant to thrive. 
Omphalodes cappadocica, more correctly 
0 . cornifolia, grows about a foot high, and 
has true blue, forget-me-not like flowers. 
Moist well drained soil, and a semi-shady 
position is most suitable for this species. 
Primula Auricula — Bears-ears — Alpine Auri- 
cula. Is sometimes precocious and produces 
its blossoms in November and December. 
The high alpine form has its leaves covered 
with a white, farinaceous like substance. It 
is easily grown. 
Primula denticulata. The Himalayan Prim- 
rose, has round balls of lilac flowers produced 
on stems six inches to a foot in length before 
the leaves appear. It likes a rich, moist 
soil. 
Primula marginata is one of the gems of 
the genus. It has toothed, grayish leaves 
with silvery margins. The truss of rose 
colored flowers is often larger than the entire 
plant. It is perfectly at home when planted 
in a rock crevice packed with leaf soil. 
Whilst on the subject of alpine plants I 
would like to ask; has anyone used them as an 
edging to the hardy perennial border? If not, 
why not? They are excellent plants for 
this purpose. A few small rocks can be dis- 
posed, as naturally as possible, along the 
front of the border and a selection of the more 
easily grown species planted. A delightful 
effect can be obtained, when the border is 
flanked by a gravel path, by using the trailing 
kinds, which should be allowed to encroach 
upon the walk, giving a natural and informal 
appearance unobtainable in any other way. — 
M. Free, Brooklyn. 
New Acquaintances. — One of the pleas- 
antest and most advantageous branches of 
gardening is the making of new acquain- 
tances. Not necessarily plants of recent 
introduction, but any that have not before 
come our way and that we have reason to 
think would be lovely and suitable to our con- 
ditions. In America our circle of flower 
friends is as yet rather limited and there is 
every reason why it should be extended to 
include some of the many delightful char- 
