224 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
form called exscapa ; and a crimson one called grandiflora. 
These plants require to be grown in a compost of sandy loam, 
peat and leaf-mould on a partially shaded rockery. Only suit- 
able for country gardens where the air is free from sulphurous 
atmospheric deposits. S. alpestris is a native of the Alps, 
grows 3in. high, is of compact growth, and bears sheets of 
glistening white flowers in early summer. Requires the same 
treatment as S. acaulis. S. Pumilio (Pigmy Catchfly) is a 
Tyrolese species, growing 2 to 3m. high, and bearing rosy 
flowers in July. Grow as advised for S. acaulis. C. maritima 
(Sea Catchfly) is a native species with procumbent stems, sea- 
green foliage, and white flowers borne in summer. The 
double-flowered variety (flore pleno) bears double-white flowers 
the size of pinks, and is far superior to the species. This 
kind does well on a sunny rockery or margin of a border. 
There is also a blush-pink, single-flowered variety named 
rosea which is very pretty. S. Schafta is a dwarf Caucasian 
species, growing 6in. high, and bearing purplish-rose flowers 
in September. This should be grown on the margins of mixed 
sunny brders or on rockeries. There are a number of other 
species in cultivation, but as they possess no special merit we 
pass them by. The perennial kinds should be planted in 
autumn or spring. Increased by seeds sown outdoors in 
April, or in sandy soil in cold frames in March ; division in 
autumn or spring. 
Silphium (Rosin Plant; Compass Plant). — Hardy her- 
baceous, yellow-flowered perennials of the Daisy order (Com- 
posite), and natives of N. America. Only suitable for the 
rough mixed border or wild garden. Ordinary soil. The fol- 
lowing are the only species worth growing : S. laciniatum 
(Compass Plant), 8ft. ; S. perfoliatum (Cup Plant), 4ft. ; S. 
trifoliatum, 5ft. All flower in summer. Best grown in bold 
masses. Plant in autumn. Increased by seeds sown outdoors 
in April ; division in autumn. 
Silybum (Milk Thistle). — The only species grown is S. 
marianum, a hardy biennial, belonging to the Daisy order 
(Composite), and a native of S. Europe. It has pinnate 
thistle-like shiny leaves prettily blotched with white, and rosy- 
purple thistle-like flowers borne in late summer. The plant 
grows 3 to 4ft. high, and is suitable for the wild garden, 
shrubbery border, or any other position where its handsome 
foliage can be seen to good effect. The flower-buds should 
be removed if the beauty of the foliage is to be maintained. 
Sow seeds where required to grow in April. 
Sisyrinchium (Satin-flower; Rush Lily).— S. grandi- 
florum belongs to the Ids order (Iridaceje), is a native of N.W. 
