JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. f August 24, 18 S 2 
“• that the high estimate of the value of earth-closet manure does 
not rest on any solid foundation,” for even Dr. Voelcker himself, 
I imagine, does not deny that pure night soil contains high ma- 
nurial properties ; and granted this much, I would ask, What 
becomes of the nitrogen, &c., when simple dry earth is mixed 
with it ? We who know the value of earth-closet manure take 
care that there is nothing used for deodorising which can have 
the effect of driving away the ammonia, also that the soil is in 
the best possible condition for absorbing it, so that only a small 
quantity is needed. To dry the soil after it has used by the 
aid of strong fire heat must have the effect of driving off a great 
deal that is valuable, and the practice can only be defended where 
soil is more valuable than manure—certainly it ought not to be 
tolerated in any but our largest cities. 
“Inquirer” must remember that my statements rested on 
something more than theory. I was simply telling my readers 
what had been used for the production of Vines and Grapes, of 
which a well-known writer and good gardener said in this Journal 
last October, that “a similar example of culture had not been 
attained in the time in the Queen’s dominions and as nothing 
else has been used besides what was described, I would ask “ In¬ 
quirer” to suggest where the stimulant came from. That the 
small quantity of Standen’s manure used did not produce it I 
have had proof this season, which I will partly describe. The 
earth-closet manure was used on some of the Vines, and as there 
was not sufficient for all it was used on those which were supposed 
to be most in need of it, an extra dressing of Standen’s manure 
being given to those which had none of the favourite mixture, 
and the difference is so very remarkable that I am now prepared 
to agree with “ Single-handed ” that I make a mistake in using 
Standen’s manure for this purpose. I have used it hitherto be¬ 
cause in a trial with several other concentrated manures a few 
years ago I found it to be the most satisfactory, but I have my 
doubts whether the quality is of so high a standard now as it 
once was. 
I wish to tender my thanks to “ Single-handed ” for his 
papers on manuring. I hope your readers will turn his advice to 
good account.— William Taylor. 
FORGET-ME-NOTS. 
In simple unobtrusive beauty what hardy flowers can equal the 
Forget-me-nots? Whether they be growing in native luxuriance 
near some shady brook or stream, in the most humble or most 
elaborate garden, in the conservatory, or whether we see the 
flowers alone in vases or bouquets, they are invariably admired 
and can claim a position amongst the most general favourites. 
Now spring bedding is so fast growing in popularity increasing 
attention is being paid to these plants, for few beds are more effec¬ 
tive than a well-filled one of Forget-me-nots with some suitable 
margin, say lines of red and white Daisies. Their cultivation in 
pots also is being greatly extended, and many growers send large 
quantities to market in spring and early summer, while in suit¬ 
able localities, particularly under the shade of fruit trees, acres of 
these plants are grown to afford flowers for cutting. Such 
evidence of the demand existing for them is sufficient apology, if 
any be needed, for devoting a little attention to these charming 
plants, especially as the present season is a suitable one for seed¬ 
sowing to obtain a stock in spring. 
Names to many persons possess considerable interest, and few 
plant names are invested with more romance than the Forget-me- 
not. Everyone knows the German legend of the unfortunate but 
devoted lover whose exclamation as he threw the flower to his lady 
on the river bank is said to have given it the popular title which 
it still bears. It is not, however, so generally known, as Dr. 
Prior has pointed out, that quite a different plant was long desig¬ 
nated Forget-me-not both in England and on the continent. The 
old writers, Gerarde, Parkinson, and many others, all bestow this 
title upon the Ajuga Chamsepitys, not on account of its beauty or 
from any similar romantic associations to those connected with 
the Myosotis palustris, but from its possessing a nauseous flavour 
which is likely to dwell in the memory of those who have 
tasted the plant. Veronica Chammdrys has also been so named 
in Denmark and elsewhere, while it appears to have been bestowed 
upon some plant in the middle ages which cannot be now 
recognised. The English name of Scorpion Grass refers to the 
inflorescence, which is considered to resemble the tail of a scorpion. 
As a popular name, however, Forget-me-not is much preferable, 
and is often adopted now for the whole genus, though originally 
restricted to one species. The botanical title Myosotis is an old 
classical name, having been employed by Pliny and others, and 
signifies Mouse-ear, in reference to the shape of the leaves. 
The species of Myosotis are rather numerous. Between fifty and 
sixty are known besides some varieties ; but few are in general 
cultivation even in large collections of hardy plants, and more 
than half a dozen species are rarely seen in any but botanic gardens. 
Of so large a number it may be readily imagined that many are 
unfitted for general cultivation, being wanting in the richness of 
colour or size of blooms which characterise the best of those now 
grown. The true Forget-me-not (Myosotis palustris) is the most 
common, and for general garden culture is very useful, especially 
in rather moist situations ; and its free growth, abundant bright 
blue flowers, and long-continued beauty are its great recommenda¬ 
tions. One variety named semperflorens continues blooming very 
late in the season. As this is a perennial plant, when once a stock 
is obtained it is little trouble afterwards, but, like other species of 
the same type, it is benefited by occasiohal lifting, the soil being 
freshened by the addition of a little light rich compost. It can 
be increased by division of the plants, cuttings, or seeds. 
M. sylvatica (the Wood Forget-me-not) is also well known and 
thrives well in beds and borders, but appears best when grown in 
dense clumps. Though preferring a somewhat damp and shady 
situation, this will succeed in drier positions than the preceding, 
and its bright blue flowers are always welcome. 
M. dissitiflora is an acknowledged favourite with all; the early 
season at which it blooms and the great size of the flowers well 
entitling it to its popularity. This has proved invaluable for spring 
bedding, and for culture in pots to afford a supply of flowers early 
in the season it is also greatly appreciated. The size and clear 
bine colour of the flowers admirably adapt them for bouquets, 
buttonholes, or floral decoration generally, especially as they are 
obtainable at a season when such are most in demand. A plen¬ 
tiful stock can be raised from seed sown at the present time in 
prepared beds outside or in pans or pots for forcing. A compost 
of light loam, leaf soil in equal proportions, with a little well- 
decayed manure and sand, suit it well, water being liberally sup¬ 
plied in dry weather to beds outside and to plants in pots. Most 
forms of Myosotis, in fact, except the alpines, require abundance 
of water, but they are impatient of any approach to stagnation, 
particularly when grown in pots. Varieties have been obtained 
with flowers greatly surpassing the ordinary type in size, two 
named splendens and grandiflora being similarly good in this 
respect. 
M. azorica, a compact-growing species of branching habit, often 
not exceeding 6 inches in height, is one of the best for pot culture ; 
and though its flowers are not so brilliantly blue as some of its 
allies, they are so freely produced that a well-grown plant appears 
to be literally a mass of blooms. It is on this account that the 
Azorean Forget-me-not is prized for pots, and when arranged in 
the marginal rows of groups or on stages the plants have a most 
pleasing effect. A white-flowered variety has been obtained, and 
is grown as a companion to this. 
M. rupicola is a charming little alpine plant that is more at 
home on the rockery than in open beds, and if a suitable nook be 
assigned it, moderately sheltered and not too dry, it will thrive 
and flower as well as could be desired. In pots also it is extremely 
pretty, but a little attention is needed to ensure its success under 
that method of cultivation. It is extremely dwarf, 2 or 3 inches 
high, of tufted habit, and the bright blue flowers are abundantly 
produced, possessing, moreover, an additional recommendation— 
a slight but agreeable fragrance. It may be readily increased by 
seed, cuttings, or division of the plants. 
Of the varieties grown, in addition to those mentioned above 
Myosotis Weirleigh Surprise must by no means be omitted, its 
pretty blue and white-striped flowers being so distinct in appearance 
from all others in the genus. M. Impdratrice Elizabeth, with 
purplish blue flowers and of dwarf habit, well suiting it for pots, 
is also a useful variety, and to these may be added the variegated 
form M. elegantissima, which is so well adapted for the margins 
of spring beds or as clumps in the mixed border. Many more 
species might be enumerated, all possessing some attractions, but 
the above will be found sufficient in most gardens, and a few 
particulars regarding the general cultivation may now be given. 
The quickest mode of raising a stock of Forget-me-nots, even of 
the perennials, is by seeds, which most produce very freely, and 
as these readily germinate, abundance of plants can thus be soon 
obtained. When preparing for a display next spring the seed 
should be sown at once, either in prepared beds of light mode¬ 
rately rich soil, from which the young plants can be afterwards 
transferred to the positions where they are required, or the seed 
can be sown in the allotted beds and the plants remain without 
being transplanted. Wherever there is much demand for flowers 
it is well to have a bed in a shady position, where the supply can 
be prolonged until autumn. For culture in pots similar treatment 
may be afforded—namely, the seeds can be either sown in the pots, 
or the young plants raised in beds can be pricked out when large 
