March 10, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
175 
W HILE they are still in the future or are past and gone we can 
think and speak of the “ blustering winds of March ” with 
comparative indifference, but it is otherwise when we feel their fell 
power. In days such as we have had of late, when all Nature 
seemed shivering and shrinking, it takes all our patriotism to enable 
us to feel with Alfred Austin when he speaks in his “sonnet, 
written in mid-channel,” of the return from other climes, knowing 
that what would greet him would be 
“ No scent of Orange groves, no zephyrs bland. 
But amazonian March, with breast half bare, 
And sleety arrows whistling through the air.” 
And still could say ;— 
“Yet he who boasts his birthplace yonder lies, 
Blesses the brave bleak land where he was born.” 
But even these days have their silver lining, and we know that 
they are performing a useful if unwelcome task in retarding the 
early buds and blossoms which were hastening on too rapidly. 
Stormy and bitter as has been the weather, it is wonderful how 
little the early flowers have suffered. The Snowdrops are still 
with us, and little wonder is it that some attention is being directed 
to their improvement even if this is to end in the multiplication of 
varieties and the eventual appointment of a “ Snowdrop Com¬ 
mittee.” Several amateurs in this country have devoted consider¬ 
able attention to these flowers, and I have on my table as I write 
some blooms very kindly sent me in accordance with a request by 
Mr. Wm. Thomson of Auchinraith, High Blantyre. These are the 
result of a cross between Galanthus nivalis and G. plicatus, the 
former being the pollen parent. The flowers have been somewhat 
damaged in transit, but they are without doubt distinct from either 
of the parents. They vary somewhat, and as they are as yet 
unnamed a detailed description cannot very well be applied to 
them. What Mr. Thomson has sent me as No. 1 is a very large 
flower with a very strong stem, and from the green at the base of 
the tube and its markings presents a strong resemblance to one of 
the best varieties of G. Elwesi, having a graceful habit and being 
of better form than most of the Elwesi varieties. One very 
conspicuous feature of the whole of the flowers is the vividness of 
the green on the outside of the tube. This is much lighter and 
brighter than in the common G. nivalis, and the streaks in the 
inside are also much deeper in colour, while the pollen is of a 
deeper orange. The form of all the flowers is excellent, and Mr. 
Thomson informs me that he has a beautifully crenated flower 
which has been a failure this season. I cannot speak of the foliage 
or height of the flowers, but the raiser states that the foliage is 
sometimes very long and the stalks of considerable height. It may 
save some trouble to state that these Snowdrops are not in the 
market. It is to be hoped that those who take an interest in this 
chaste and beautiful flower will persevere in their work of raising 
new and improved varieties, a work which, as all who have raised 
bulbs from seed know, requires very considerable patience. 
There is now in bloom in the garden a flower which, although 
later to bloom, will in time become a formidable rival to the 
favourite Snowdrop ; this is the Leucoion, or white bulbous Violet, 
barbarously (if I may be allowed to say so) corrupted to 
Leucojum. The varieties of Leucoion sestivum, the Summer 
Snowflake, are better known, but much inferior to the varieties 
of L. vernum, which is one of the most admired of my garden 
flowers. Hardly anyone who sees it can fail to be delighted 
with its large and beautiful bell-shaped pure white flowers, 
tipped with green, drooping from stout, deep green stems, and 
enhanced by broad, deep green leaves. The flower-stems are from 
4 to 6 inches in height, and the plant prefers a somewhat shady 
and moist but well-drained soil. The typical L. vernum was 
introduced in 1596 from Germany and Switzerland, but has for 
years been neglected by the general flower grower. It says little 
for the taste for hardy flowers that this most beautiful bulb 
should have been in this country for well nigh 300 years and 
still be so rare in gardens. It was known to Parkinson, but the 
taste for novelty has relegated it to comparative obscurity. A 
variety of L. vernum known as carpathicum is frequently 
offered in catalogues, but, as some of us know too well, is not 
easily obtained ; but this is excusable, as there seems some 
difference of opinion as to what is the true carpathicum. It 
seems, however, to be the one so beautifully figured in 
“Wooster’s Alpine Plants,” plate xxxii., as L. vernum. I 
understand it is also in the “ Botanical Magazine ” (table 1993) 
under the correct name. Mr. J. G. Baker, whose authority we 
may accept as conclusive, states that Erinosma (Leucoion) 
carpathicum “ is a form with the perianth segments tipped with 
yellow itistead of green.” I have been on the look out for this 
plant for some years, and last year a generous friend, to whom I 
have been indebted for many good things, gave me a few bulbs of 
this variety, which is at present in full flower, and is to my mind 
much finer than the type. There seem to be some stocks of 
L. vernum of shy flowering habit, as some that I have had for 
some years never flower, while others flower regularly. The 
Leucoion was dedicated to St. Agnes. 
Now, too, are the gardens aglow with Crocuses, worthily and 
appropriately entitled by our old herbalists, “ Herbs of the Sun,” 
for true children are they of its cheering rays. I have before 
this spoken of Crocus biflorus, popularly known as the Scotch 
Crocus, but why so called I have never been able to ascertain, 
although the most ultra-national of my countrymen need not feel 
aggrieved at this beautiful species receiving the name of the land 
of Scott and of Burns. It is a native of the Crimea, whence it 
was introduced in 1629, but is rarely offered in the catalogues of 
the general bulb dealer. Its earliness and beauty endear it to the 
grower, and I think nothing can be finer than the appearance of a 
clump in my garden having, when the sun shines, about a hundred 
fullj' expanded flowers. These are white, with a yellow zone at 
the base and orange anthers. The grassy foliage showing among 
the flowers adds to their beauty, and the pencilling of deep purple 
or black on the outside makes them very beautiful when closed. 
Then a large clump of C. Imperati is still most beautiful. Last 
autumn I added to my stock of this exquisite early species, and I 
am delighted with a mass in full bloom. The bright purple 
flowers are larger than my former stock of the same species, and 
vary in depth of colour ; like C. biflorus the grass-like leaves are 
intermingled with the flowers. It, too, is a special favourite with 
the bees, both being swarming with the little insects on fine days. 
How little the yellow Crocus seems to attract them ! But while 
the bees neglect the common yellow Crocus, we, who gather not 
honey from the flowers, cannot refrain from admiiing it. What 
the ancient alchemists failed to produce from the baser metals. 
Nature seems to have succeeded with. From the black or brown 
earth she has produced these masses of unalloyed gold shining and 
gleaming in the sunlight. The Crocus never fails to cheer us 
with its bright hues. But one is almost afraid to linger longer 
over the various bulbous plants in flower lest we should, with 
perhaps good reason, be accused of favouritism and of preference 
for these flowers. There are, hosvever, no plants of early spring 
No. 611 .—VoL. XXIV., Third Series. 
No. 2267.—VoL. LXXXVL, Old Series. 
