390 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
distylum, as well as A. carpinifolium, both from Japan, are curious 
for the leaves being without lobes, the usual number of lobes vary¬ 
ing from three to seven. As the first leaves developed on seedling 
plants (e.ff. Sycamore) are without lobes, it represents a primitive 
character, while the five and seven lobes, obtained by later-developed 
leaves and characteristic of many species, would seem to be later- 
developed forms; the threc-lobed A. trilobatum having been parti¬ 
cularly characteristic of the Miocene epoch. 
Several of the beautiful forms were exhibited by Mr. Yeitch, which 
were introduced by Mr. Maries, but have not yet received distinctive 
names ; as also some curious instances of Japanese grafting, where 
several varieties of Maples were growing on the same stem. 
BLUE-FLOWERED SHAMROCK. 
(PAROCHASTUS COMMUNIS.) 
A graceful plant of trailing Trefoil-like habit, admirably 
adapted for planting out on sheltered rockwork in May in a 
position vvhere it may droop over a mossy stove in a natural way 
and display its pretty little Pea-like flowers. It is by no means 
new, and by no means too plentiful in cultivation, nor is it quite 
hardy except in very mild climates near the sea ; but, as before 
pointed out, it is well worth preserving in a cool house during 
the winter, giving it a suitable place outside as soon as all danger 
from frost has passed away. As a basket plant in a cool green¬ 
house it is most charming, its trailing shoots depending, as shown 
in our sketch, and bearing a profusion of turquoise-blue flowers, 
which remind one of those of the common Chick Pea (Lathyrus 
sativus), but are green, brighter, and more lovely in colouring. 
Readily propagated by division it deserves a place in all gardens. 
It is a native of the Himalayas.—D. 
LABELS. 
Having seen much discussion in the Journal of late relative 
to the merits of different plant labels, and having tried various 
kinds for borders, I can strongly recommend those I send to 
you as the cheapest and most serviceable I ever used. I have 
taken them fresh from the border. To make them serviceable, 
after writing the names they should have two or even three coats 
of copal varnish, and one every spring, and not less than two 
years without another coat. Those I send have been a little 
more than a year outside, exposed to all weathers. The one with 
the two holes for the wire, decidedly the best way of mounting, 
had its second coat some few weeks ago ; the one with one hole 
has not yet had its spring coat. You can therefore judge as to their 
merits. The size of wire is what I have always used for these now 
for some little time, and answers perfectly as to strength. They 
are cut in lengths of 13 inches, and I have never known them 
thrown out of the ground in all the severe winters we have passed 
through. The label is merely a preparation of brown paper (best 
colour of all, as they are not too conspicuous on the border where 
there are many of them), made to order for me by Messrs. Blake 
and Mackenzie. These are cheap and very durable when treated 
as recommended, and are far superior to their original patent 
green labels, which I have quite discontinued using as not durable 
and the colour objectionable. 
I may take this opportunity of mentioning that I have had in 
use for the last fifteen or sixteen years a similar label (a plan of 
my own), almost precisely similar to the Blair Drummond one 
described at page 308, with the only difference that I have one 
wire instead of two, which I find quite sufficient. These are used 
specially for Conifers, are quite fresh and legible, though they 
have never been with paint or varnish since the day they were 
put in. The letters are of black paint on a cream-coloured 
ground. The labels are lettered according to the bed, and num¬ 
bered from a particular point, so that in digging they can never 
go wrong. The writing on both sides I consider an advantage. 
After writing the names with common ink I think they are better 
not to be varnished too soon, but to be exposed to the weather 
for three or four weeks frost on the border.—D. H. 
[The labels submitted to us are oval in form, with a rounded 
projection on the upper margin, through which the wire is passed 
in the same manner as is shown in the figure on page 236. They 
appear durable, and the spring coat of varnish is decidedly 
advantageous.] 
HARDY PLANTS. 
I think I hear someone say, What beauty is there in a 
Daffodil? Not much, perhaps, individually, but when seen as 
they were here about a month ago they would have thought 
differently. We have a border on each side of a gravel path 
edged with Box ; on each side of that for 100 yards are large 
patches of Daffodils, which, when seen from either end, have the 
appearance of a broad band. Their beauty is now gone, but 
patches of East Lothian Stock, Alyssum saxatile, Arabis verna, 
Omphalodes verna, and Anemones are becoming beautiful, and a 
grand effect will be produced by the Pseonies, of which the buds 
are just bursting. I am a great lover of a mixed flower garden, 
and here I in a measure am gratified, for with borders about 
600 yards long and 2 yards wide devoted to herbaceous plants 
there are facilities for growing a large collection ; but at present 
the varieties or species are few, but I hope in course of time to 
make the collection unique, especially with Phloxes, Asters, 
Delphiniums, Campanulas, and Statices. There is always some¬ 
thing fresh springing up in a mixed herbaceous border, and many 
admirably suited for cutting for decorative purposes. “ D., Deal," 
whose opinion on herbaceous plants I fully endorse, would, I am 
sure, be delighted with the appearance of these borders when in 
their full beauty.— J. Gadd, Bclhm Park. 
SINGLE DAHLIAS. 
Last year, when “Single-handed” ventured to place the 
claims of single flowers above those of the double forms, he 
caused quite a flutter of excitement in various quarters, but no 
serious results followed. As regards the popularity of single 
Dahlias your correspondent was undoubtedly right. These flowers 
will be in the ascendant this season, and those who wish to be in 
the fashion must plant them in their gardens. It is simply mar¬ 
vellous to note the rapid increase in varieties of these flowers. 
Five years ago there were not more than five varieties named in 
catalogues, if so many, whereas now there are nearly twenty times 
that number in Mr. Ware’s catalogue, and if anyone will visit the 
Hale Farm Nurseries they will be astounded to see the thousands 
of plants that it is necessary to provide to meet the demand ; in¬ 
deed it is quite impossible, in respect of some of the varieties, to 
execute the orders for them. This is probably the same in other 
places, therefore those who desire to plant single Dahlias will not 
only find it to their advantage to order plants quickly, but also 
give the vendors the option of making a selection. It is of little 
