September 4, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
211 
I THINK we ought to know the name of the Society which others 
prizes for “small fruit/' and permits Grapes and Melons being 
included in the collections. I think anything more absurd it would 
be difficult to imagine than the logical interpretation of a class like 
that referred to on page 205. It is quite original, and the Society 
ought to have the credit of its remarkable production. 
But there is one more curiosity. A correspondent desires to 
know what I think of the judging of bouquets of annuals to which 
he directed attention last week. 1 think if the case was exactly as 
stated that the Judges were duffers ; and I think also if the writer 
of the letter to the Journal took no other steps in the matter—entered 
no protest—was frightened of offending the “ big guns,” that he was 
very nearly a duffer too. If he did enter a protest on the grounds 
stated, and ventured timidly to suggest that Celery is not exactly 
an annual, and not exactly adapted for finishing-off bouquets, and 
still the Committee took no notice, 1 should be strongly inclined to 
think that they were the greatest duffers of all. It is just possible, 
however, I think, that there has been some mistake in the matter— 
some ambiguity m the schedule, for it is scarcely conceivable that 
any body of intelligent men, not to say intelligent gardeners, would 
stultify themselves in the manner indicated by “ Second Class.” If 
they have let us hope they have managed their last show. 
Forty-six varieties of Orchids must make a right Royal bouquet, 
that number being enumerated on page 192 as presented by Dr. 
Paterson to the Princess of Wales, surrounded appropriatelj^ with 
Fprays of Prince Albert’s Pine. My first thought on reading the 
note referred to was that the loyal Doctor must have a rich and 
extensive collection of the aristocratic flowers, and my second one 
of wonder as to who the individual could be who was able to 
institute a comparison between Stenia fimbriata and Mephistopheles. 
I am free to confess I have never seen either of them. I should 
like very well to make the acquaintance of Stenia, but as to the 
“ other party ” I shall be content to remain in ignorance of his 
peculiar appearance.—A Thinker. 
CHOICE ALPINE PLANTS. 
Nierembergia rivularis. —This, as the specific name implies, is 
a water-loving species, and of quite a distinct habit of growth from 
the other members of its genus. Among hardy and dwarf alpines 
generally it holds a first-class position, and should in consequence be 
among the most prominent in all good collections of hardj^ plants. 
Under cultivation it seldom attains more than 3 inches in height, its 
slender stems creeping quite closely to the ground and forming a dense 
carpet with its abundant foliage, and from this mass of leaves its 
large, erect, creamy white flowers spring. These are usually some 
2 inches across, with yellow centres, and may sometimes be seen 
faintly shaded with rose. When in good condition its flowers almost 
hide from view the carpet from which they spring, and it is, in short, 
one of the most effective of summer-flowering plants. It is of easy 
culture ; indeed, once planted in the right spot it will take care of 
itself provided it be not overrun by something else of rampant growth. 
It delights in moisture—not, however, a wet position, since this some¬ 
times proves fatal to it. Peaty soil, or loam and peat in equal parts, 
suit it well. Choose for its companions such plants as Trilliums, 
Rhexia, Spigelia, and the like, all of which will be at home alike in 
the same soil and situation. It is also well adapted to form carpets 
where Cj^pripediums are planted, which will suggest the desirability 
of a partial shady position. On damp grassy slopes it may also be 
placed, for in such is it found on the banks of the Plate River. It 
may be grown equally well in pots, which should be placed in shallow 
pans kept full of water till late in the autumn, when they may be 
removed in early spring. Never let it suffer for the want of water. 
It is a charming plant for the rock garden and deserves every encou¬ 
ragement. It is by no means an everyday occurrence even in choice 
collections of hardy plants, which to me is an unaccountable fact, 
seeing that its free growth and general excellence favours its extensive 
cultivation. It is readily increased by division. 
Lithospermum prostratum. —Few are the plants which we 
possess with brilliant blue flowers, the Gentians excepted, that are truly 
hardy. This well-known favourite (fig. 37). however, possesses all 
these qualities. It is peculiarly adapted for planting on rockwork owing 
to its prostrate habit and great profusion of lovely rich blue flowers, 
which bear favourable comparison to the rich hues of the majority of 
the Gentians. From a variety of causes it is generally seen in a 
straggling almost miserable condition—a condition which fails to 
recommend it to lovers of plants, though all admit it to be one of the 
most charming in respect of colour. It is easily managed, and by 
following the simple method which I have for jmai's adopted in 
its cultivation compact tufts may easily be obtained. It will be 
seen at a glance that it is not of the usual character of alpines in 
respect to habit, and which generally form themselves into more or 
less compact cushions. This, however, is quite distinct, and is in 
reality a suffruticose evergreen. In planting choose for it a sunny 
position on the rock, in deep, rich, light sandy loam. It will soon 
form compact tufts. Not so, however, when planted in stiff, clayey, 
or cold soils ; in these it invariably grows slowly and in the end only 
makes straggling growths, which are mostly blackened half their 
length. In this lingering and unhappy condition it is anything but 
pleasing. Let those who desire to see this plant in luxuriant spread¬ 
ing masses obtain fresh stock and make a fresh start. When the 
flowering is over prune them closely with the knife, say to within a 
radius of 3 inches (this is, of course, only intended for newly planted 
ones), which will induce them to break up numerously from the 
centre, and in sufficient time to get well-ripened wood before winter. 
This plan may be adopted till the plants have made really good tufts, 
when they may be allowed to ramble at will. It is propagated by 
cuttings : those best suited to form roots quickly are the young shoots, 
which should be stripped off with a heel attached and inserted under 
handlights in very sandy soil. Inserting considerably more than mxy 
be required will be the quickest means of soon forming good patches, 
pruning them till they form such as above described. When once 
established it is most impatient of removal, and old plants can seldom 
Fig. 37.—Lithospermum prostratum. 
be removed ; therefore it is most important that a good position: 
should be selected at first, where it may remain undisturbed. It 
comes from the south of Europe, where it is said to become a foot 
high. Such, however, is the experience of but few of even the best 
cultivators in England, where it assumes a strictly prostrate habit of 
growth. L. fruticosum is often given as synonymous, though I believe 
erroneously, and has been known to cultivators upwards of two cen¬ 
turies, and attains a height of 2 feet, while the lovely little plant under 
consideration came to us in the early part of the present century. 
Epig^a repens. —A trailing evergreen from North America, 
where it is abundant in many parts and a real beauty, for though 
from the rich flora of North America we have an almost endless 
number of rare and lovely plants possessing qualities not easily 
surpassed, yet this little trailing shrub ranks among the best. Singu¬ 
larly enough, as with many other choice plants, it is only known to a 
few, that limited few known as enthusiasts, and in this unique circle 
it is much admired. The conditions under which it luxuriates in its 
native home, though apparently of a commonplace character, are not 
usually sufficiently imitated in English gardens to suit it. Like many 
other plants having the reputation of being fastidious it will require 
time ere it will become a popular plant. Still it is to be hoped that 
many more will make an attempt to grow it successfully, as it well 
repays the labour bestoAved upon it. The primary cause of failure is 
