January 18,1883. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 55 
amongst them than blue-purples. Amongst them are two of the 
oldest genera in florists’ flowers—namely, the Tulips and Hoses, 
which have long defied all our skill to eliminate the red from the 
purples they contain. Blue flowers, excluding yellow, are com¬ 
paratively few, only seven examples being given above, and the 
last of them is slightly doubtful, as Verbenas often have strongly 
marked yellow centres. But with the eight having purple and 
no yellow flowers, which might almost be ranked with the last, 
we have a total of fifteen, excluding yellow from association with 
blue or blue tipts, The results will stand thus—yellow combined 
with blue or purple, 18; blue or purple excluding yellow, 21, 
Not taking the purples into consideration, however, the results 
are much more striking—that is, blue and yellow combined, 7 ; 
blue without yellow, and yellow without blue, 25—a sufficiently 
large proportion to indicate that there is somewhat more than 
mere chance in the separation of these colours. 
It may be observed that the foregoing are mostly varieties or 
hybrids of a few species, but some are varieties of but one ; and in 
estimating their colours chief regard is paid to self-coloured 
flowers, and those in which the limb of the corolla are distinctly 
coloured, the markings in the tubes of monopetalous corollas not 
being considered, as in most instances they are comparatively 
unimportant. However, yellow frequently occurs in these tubes, 
but usually when the limb is red, and seldom in combination with 
blue, which is more frequently attended by white. The next point 
deserving attention is the proportion of blue to yellow-flowered 
species in the same genus, but first a few peculiarly changeable 
species deserve notice, and a few of these are most directly oppo¬ 
site to the Decandollean theory, that “ no blue flower ever changes 
to yellow, nor yellow to blue.” One of the best known and most 
remarkable is Myosotis versicolor, the flowers of which are at first 
yellow, then becoming blue, and finally purple—an extraordinary 
change in one flower, for though the flowers of many other members 
of the Boraginacem family are changeable, the progression is usually 
from red to blue and purple, as in Echium vulgare, Anchusa 
sempervirens, and Myosotis repens. Still self-coloured flowers 
of the most pure yellow and blue tints occur in the same order 
and in closely allied genera, though not exhibiting this change¬ 
ability. In another family Cheiranthus chamseleo is a peculiarly 
varying species, the flowers opening white, advancing to yellow, 
red, and violet, thus having a similar range to the Myosotis. This 
is the most remarkable phenomena in the colouration of flowers ; 
and were it more frequent in a similar direction to Myosotis 
versicolor there would certainly appear to be no rule regulating 
the exclusion of yellow or blue respectively. This is far from 
being the case, and in the majority of colour-changing flowers the 
evidence is more in its favour than otherwise, as in Hibiscus 
mutabilis, the flowers of which expand green, becoming white at 
midday, and advancing to crimson in the evening.—L. Castle. 
(To be continued.) 
SOLANUM HENDERSONII. 
The above is one of the best of the berry-producing plants 
commonly called Christmas Cherries. For decorative purposes 
during the Christmas festivities they are very useful and appro¬ 
priate objects. Having been fairly successful in their culture I 
give my experience for the benefit of others. 
To commence with the seeds. These should be sown early in 
January if useful-sized and well-berried plants are to be secured 
the first season. However, those not having a genial temperature 
at command, say 55° to 60°, had better wait until they can com¬ 
mand such. Sow the seed thinly in a pan or pot, covering the seed 
with some finely sifted soil. The pot should have a good drainage 
of potsherds. The seed, if good, germinates freely in the above- 
mentioned temperature, bottom heat not being necessary. When 
the seedlings are well advanced they should be placed singly in 
thumb pots. Any good soil suits them well. 
All that is necessary to secure good plants is attention to water¬ 
ing, potting as required, thinning the berries when a sufficient 
number have set, and pinching and regulating the growths from 
time to time. The best sized pot and one in which they may be 
grown large enough for decorative purposes is a 6-inch pot. As 
to the shape in which they are grown, that is a matter of taste 
with the cultivator. They may be grown successfully in the bush 
form or as standards ; I prefer the latter. With about 6 inches 
of clear stem they are very attractive as standards. When the 
pots are filled with roots, being gross feeders, they cannot be too 
liberally supplied with water. Diluted cow urine given every 
other watering when the pots are well filled with roots is very 
beneficial. During bright sunny weather a good syringing with 
tepid water about 4 p.m. each day is also beneficial. Occasionally 
fumigating with tobacco paper will keep down any green fly that 
appears ; this insect seems to be the only one troublesome. 
With such treatment as I have endeavoured to describe good 
results may be obtained the first year; and if the cultivator can 
command a genial temperature, they may be kept in tolerably 
good condition up to the following February. The second year, 
however, far better results may be obtained. In the second year’s 
treatment proceed thus :—When the plants begin to look shabby 
cut them well back and place them in a genial temperature until 
such time fresh growths are produced. This taken place, shake 
all the soil from the roots and repot into the same sized pots. A 
good portion of the roots may be advantageously cut away with 
a sharp knife before potting. 
They may be planted out during the summer, lifted and 
repotted again in the autumn. However, with the uncertain sum¬ 
mers we have, it is preferable to keep them under glass, far better 
results being so obtained.—J. Richardson, Calverton Hall. 
A BOTANICAL RAMBLE WITH THE LATE MR. 
J. SADLER. 
A touching sketcb of the late Mr. John Sadler, Curator of the 
Roj al Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, from the pen of our valued 
correspondent, Dr. Stuart of Chirnside, appears in the North 
British Advertiser, from which we extract the following graphic 
descriptions of botanical excursions made in Mr. Sadler’s company. 
Speaking of the discovery of Salix Sadleri Dr. Stuart says :— 
“ We had almost crept along the precipitous ledges running from 
the Break-neck Waterfall, at the head of Glen Callater, which extends 
towards the weird-looking inky tarn, gathering Carex rupestris and 
other rarities. The day was grey and very windy, and our footing 
on such steep ground was far from secure. John Sadler took to the 
steep grassy ledges facing the north-east side of the lake, and 
ascended for about 1000 feet, from one ledge to another. The climb¬ 
ing was not so difficult, but the getting down was another matter, 
especially as the w r ay was obscure, and not without risk did he make 
the descent, bringing with him cuttings of the Willow and a Carex 
never before gathered nearer than the Swiss Alps, and named Carex 
frigida. Both were submitted to Dr. Boswell Syme, LL.D., who pro¬ 
nounced the Willow new to Britain, and named it Salix Sadleri, after 
the discoverer ; and the Carex also proved a species new for Britain. 
A plant of the Willow is growing on the Rock Garden, Botanic 
Gardens, Edinburgh, and the Carex has also been cultivated with 
success. 
“ The favourite quarter of our departed friend in the north was 
Bridge of Lochay inn, half a mile from Killin, on the road to 
Kenmore. Picturesquely situated on the river Lochay, and over¬ 
shadowed by the Finlarig woods and the everlasting hills, this quiet 
retreat has been a welcome sight to many a weary botanist; and Mr. 
and Mrs. Cameron have ever a kindly welcome for the whole brother¬ 
hood. Ben Lawers, Maol-na-Ptarmachan, Cam-a-Creag, Maol Ghirdy, 
Craig Mohr, &c., are within reach, and then alpine flora is the 
richest in the kingdom. Here Mr. Sadler has conducted many a 
happy party, and introduced many an ardent botanist to the beauties 
of Flora in this classic region. No one can ever forget the pleasure 
of a first excursion to Cam-a-Creag and Maol-na-Ptarmachan, and 
the delight with which he saw growing the snowy Gentian, the 
mountain Forget-me-not, the ‘ himmel ’ blue of the mountain 
Veronica, the green of the Spleenworts which fringe the moist 
crevices, the alpine Willows and mountain Saxifrages, the rare 
Woodsia hyperborea, &c. Here, on the mica schist, in a state of 
disintegration, there is a growth observed and a vigour attained by 
these alpines seen nowhere else. Wherever our party began opera¬ 
tions, even in the far north, the finish to the excursion was generally 
at Bridge of Lochay; for whether at Ben Lawers, Cam-a-Creag, or 
Craig Mohr, there is always, if the weather proves favourable, a 
grand excursion to be had. It would be difficult to relate how often 
Mr . Sadler made returns to his favourite ground; at all events, he 
never tired of renewing his acquaintance with the alpine flora of the 
district. In the year 1876 we visited the West Highlands, and 
ascended Ben Nevis on a very stormy day. Botanically we did little. 
On the following day the precipices under the peak were examined, 
Saxifraga rivularis and Juncus castaneus being the best plants 
obtained, close to the melting snow. 
“ Mr. Sadler did not like Ben Nevis much, so we returned through 
Glencoe, and got to Tyndrum early next day, proceeding to Bridge 
of Lochay partly by rail. In the evening we hired a vehicle and 
drove up Glen Lochay to a deserted farmhouse named Chirrai. 
Climbing up the grassy bank covered with sweet-scented Gymna- 
denias (G. conopsea and G. albida) and Butterfly Orchises, we came 
to the roofless dwelling. Our friend, ten years before, when bota- 
nising, had lived here ajnong the herds, and, looking down, began in 
his humorous strain to describe his experiences. In the big kitchen 
lived the master and mistress, with half a dozen herds, and a number 
of lasses to mind the dairy work. Our friend occupied the other end, 
and pointed out the remains of a wall press where he kept his plants. 
At night the herds retired up a ladder or ‘trap’to one side of the 
