March 23, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
237 
- SciLLA SIBIEICA. —What a fine effect this lovely blue-fiowered 
bulbous plant produces throughout the present month! No matter 
under what conditions it is grown it seems to be able to take care of 
itself ; but, like the majority of plants, it well repays the extra labour 
involved in giving it good culture. We have large numbers of it in 
various positions, many clumps being located in places where but little 
attention can be given to them, while others are growing in beds and 
mixed borders. In all instances they flower regularly and profusely, 
but those in the latter position have by far the largest flowers ; the 
annual manuring and constant stirring of the soil doubtless produces 
this effect. I think this fine plant would become even more popular 
than it is if the bulbs were planted in large clumps or masses. No idea 
grows to perfection, is the beautiful Merveille de Lyon. Mr. William 
Paul’s Salamander is another impressive variety which Mr. Smith grows 
and exhibits with distinguished success. 
The Rev. James A. Paton, B.Sc., Minister of the Parish of Insch, who 
himself buds every autumn 500 of the finest Roses, and has frequently 
gained first prizes at Edinburgh, where he had to compete with eminent 
professional floriculturists, is entitled to be accounted an accomplished 
rosarian. Mr. James Hogarth, forester to the Earl of Stair at Castle 
Kennedy, is a most successful cultivator of Japanese Lilies ; while the 
Rev. Dr. Barty, Minister of Kirkcolm, excels in the culture of herbaceous 
flowers. 
All of these horticulturists, in virtue of their attainments in one of 
the most exquisite and elevating regions of activity, are entitled to 
recognition in the Journal of Horticulture .— David R. Williamson. 
Fig. 48.—CARAGUATA CARDINALE. 
of its great beauty under such conditions can be formed by seeing it 
only in small clumps or lines. A broad, richly coloured mass of this 
blue Scilla, edged with a band of bright yellow Crocus, is a sight to be 
remembered.—H. Dunkin. 
WIGTONSHIRE HORTICULTURISTS. 
The County of Wigtonshire, in the extreme south of Scotland, can 
boast of several horticulturists of considerable eminence. The Floricul- 
tural Essays of Sir Herbert Maxwell, M.P. for this county, in the Nine¬ 
teenth Century and other periodicals, are well known to English readers, 
and have frequently commanded by their originality the attention and 
approbation of the London journals. His article on “ Gardening,” which 
is one of his finest efforts, has not yet been included in his collected 
works ; but I am assured by the cultured baronet that it will have the 
privilege ere long of being embodied in a new volume of Essays. 
In Wigtonshire we have a very successful and popular rosarian, Mr. 
Thomas Smith of Stranraer, who has frequently carried off the premier 
prizes at the leading Scottish Horticultural Shows. His splendid display 
of 1000 blooms at the great Glasgow International Exhibition was much 
admired by Her Majesty the Queen. His favourite Rose, which he 
CARAGUATA CARDINALE. 
When exhibited at the Drill Hall, on Tuesday, March 14th, by 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Victoria and Paradise Nursery, Upper 
Holloway, the above-mentioned plant created much interest, and was 
awarded a first class certificate by the Floral Committee of the Royal 
Horticultural Society. It is a remarkably showy South American 
Bromeliad, and when well known will doubtless become a favourite 
plant. The specimen exhibited, and from a sketch of which our illus¬ 
tration (fig. 48), has been prepared, was of a dwarf habit, though very 
attractive in appearance. The leaves are about 18 inches in length and 
IJ inch in width, and deep green. From the centre of these, as depicted 
in the engraving, arises the dense bracts of a bright scarlet or cardinal 
colour. 
Like most of the bromeliaceous plants, Caraguata cardinale requires 
a stove temperature and similar treatment to that generally accorded 
Billbergias and Tillandsias. The plant remains in flower for many 
months, and it will doubtless prove a valuable acquisition. 
