2 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 7, 1892. 
foliage should never be allowed to flag. Remove all runners as 
they appear, and keep clear of weeds, then may sturdy fruitful 
plants be expected capable of producing first-class Strawberries. 
—G. A. 
HARDY FLOWER NOTES. 
Heuchera sanguinea. 
One of the finest of our rock or border plants at present is 
Heuchera sanguinea, wh’ch was illustrated in the Journal of 
9th June (page 437). With the illustration appeared a most 
interesting notice of the plant by *• Daisy,” and if I must differ 
from that writer in his recommendation of annual division, it must 
be only in part, as the truth is we can lay down no hard and fast 
rule as regards division or non-division of hardy plants which can 
be applied to all gardens alike. In some gardens H. sanguinea 
may be divided and transplanted with excellent results, and in 
others this treatment may be unavailing. This I have seen amply 
tested, and I know full well that this mode is a most unsuitable 
one in a garden such as mine, where the Heuchera flowers freely 
if it receives an ample supply of water in early spring and summer. 
It is well, however, to know that with some success may be 
achieved by different treatment, and where the plant flowers even 
only moderately well it is well worth all the pains which may be 
bestowed upon it. 
It is pleasant to know that at Kew progress seems to have been 
made with this plant, and I have no doubt if some enthusiast 
would only take up the improvement of the Heuchera that a rich 
reward—not perhaps in coin of the realm—would await him, and 
our gardens would be vastly enriched. Advocate as I am of raising 
hardy flowers from seed, I cannot but recognise that by this mode 
inferior forms are produced, and the exigencies of trade prevent 
most trade growers from eliminating the inferior plants. Here, 
however, is the field for the amateur, and I fancy he will not long 
leave it untilled. There is, by the way, what is said to be a 
superior variety of H. sanguinea offered by some of the trade 
under the name of H. s. superba. This should not remain at a 
high price for any length of time, as few plants are more easily 
increased. 
Dividing Gentiana acaulis. 
Ere I quit the connection, a word or two on the subject of 
Gentiana acaulis occurs to me. I held for many years the orthodox 
faith that this delightful flower should be disturbed as seldom as 
possible, and when disturbed it should be removed in as large 
plants as possible. Fancy, then, my horror when on going into the 
garden of an enthusiastic lady florist I observed an array of single 
crowns of the Gentianella. On making inquiry why this was done, 
I learned that the friend from whom my friend had received the 
plant had said it would flower more freely if thus divided and 
planted. As was to be expected I promptly expressed dissent, but 
on entering the same garden the following spring I was astonished 
to see a delightful bloom upon the divided Gentian. Since that 
time I have become more heterodox in my treatment of flowers, 
and where I find G. ac?ulis is not amenable to the various soils 
recommended by ordinary practitioners, I do not scruple to suggest 
tearing the plants to pieces. Thus do our cherished prejudices 
become dissipated by facts—these “stubborn chiels.” 
I have begun with poetry and descended into prosaic treatment; 
I have begun with the intention of reviewing some of Flora’s 
battalions as they pass the saluting point, and have been tempted 
into the by-paths of cultivation. If thus I have gone astray per¬ 
chance some other day some flowers unnoticed may receive their 
merited praise, for June has many blossoms in her hand. 
Poppies. 
Poppies are brilliant and wave to the breath of the wind. 
Papaver umbrosum found a home here some six or seven years 
ago, and to all appearance means to remain. The Shirley Poppies 
arrived soon after their introduction by the Rev. W. Wilks, and 
spring up everywhere. P. nudicaule, the Iceland Poppy, runs 
riot through the garden, turning up in all sorts of places. It has 
invaded the borders and rockeries, and finds in mounds of Mossy 
Saxifrages and other Alpine plants a convenient seeding place. 
The convenience may be pleasant for the plant, but our patience is 
sometimes sorely tried when we have to extract tenderly from the 
bosom of some choice alpine the youthful scion of the sleep- 
producing race. Then the giant Oriental Poppy, P. orientale, known 
here as the “French” Poppy, has of late striven to emulate the 
others of its race, and to establish itself in unwelcome places. But, 
after all, the Poppies are little, if any, worse than many other 
flowers in this respect, for my garden seems to be a spot where 
seedlings love to grow, and the fine Poppy flowers with their 
“ crinkled ” petals are very acceptable. 
Sun Roses. 
These same “ crinkled ” petals remind me of the Helianthemums 
or Sun Roses, now brightening the rockeries in early morning and 
sunny forenoons. Fragile and beautiful are they ; true children 
of Helios, and like their deity are too short a time with us. But 
as Herrick says, “ Old time is still a flying,” and we can but glance 
at those sheets of Alyssum serpyllifolium giving in the garden the 
brilliant gold which its congener A. saxatile lavished in tte month 
of Mav ; Onosma taurica (the Golden Drop), with its Almond- 
scented drooping golden ear-drop blossoms and hirsute foliage ; 
Lithospermum prostratum, with its dark green foliage and deep 
blue flowers as if coloured by the iegis of Athena ; noble Pyreth- 
rums, with their beautifully cut leaves and Aster-like flowers— 
some double and massive, others single and light and graceful; 
a stately yellow Tree Lupin loaded with flower ; its cousins, 
the varieties of L. polyphyllus, with spires of crowded blooms ; 
drooping Columbines—in former times the emblems of deserted 
lovers — double Rockets, Sikkim and Japanese Primroses, and 
many other flowers which are shining around. Ere this appears 
the lordly Delphiniums will have begun to deck themselves with 
pale or dark or purple-blue, and with their companion flowers 
coming on in serried ranks we may stand, unwearied, watching as 
they pass onward these children of the summer, for with their 
beauty there is no sameness to pall upon us. And thus, though as 
I write drenching rain and gloomy skies would fain shadow us 
with gloom, I lay down my pen cheered with looking and thinking 
and writing of these flowers, which seem sent to give joy to 
man, and to inspire him with pure and reverent thoughts.— 
S. Arnott. 
NOTES ON FIGS. 
Figs are favourite fruits with many, and appear to be increasing 
in popularity. They are wholesome, luscious, and easily grown in 
appropriate structures and under suitable management. The 
second crops on the trees which ripened the first crop in April and 
May are now swelling freely, and where judiciously thinned fine 
fruit will soon be forthcoming. This applies to the very early 
varieties, Tresfer, Early Yiolet, St. John’s, and Angelique, which 
must be kept dry as soon as ripening commences. Brown Turkey 
is later, and affords a good succession, being slightly preceded by 
White Marseilles. If the crop is heavy, the former thinning not 
having been sufficient, thin the fruit at once, leaving the most 
forward at the base of the shoots, which will ripen earlier than tho 
others, and so afford more time for the maturing of the wood. 
Trees in pots required for very early forcing must not carry a 
heavy second crop, nor be allowed to bear any fruit near the points 
of the shoots, otherwise they will not produce a full first crop 
another year. 
Early-forced planted out trees should have the young growths 
ripened, and be resting by the middle of October. They must not 
be allowed to bear a second crop at the points of the shoots. If 
the borders were allowed to get dry when the first crop of fruit 
was ripening, they must be repeatedly watered until the soil is 
thoroughly moistened down to the drainage, and a mulch applied. 
Liquid manure and surface dressings will be required by trees 
having their roots in borders of limited extent, and more frequently 
than by trees with a larger extent of rooting area, the former about 
once a week, and the latter every fortnight, always giving thorough 
supplies, and equal in temperature to the mean of the house. The 
mulching need not be heavy, a couple of inches sufficing, and it 
should be damped when the surface becomes dry, not kept con¬ 
stantly wet, or the roots will not work freely, while the growths 
will be sappy. 
Syringe the trees twice daily, except in dull wet weather, then 
only to keep down insects, and always to allow the foliage to 
become dry before night. Forcible syringings are only useful 
against red spider and generally suffice to keep it in check, but 
if it gains a footing it must be dislodged, and there is no better 
means than clear water forcibly applied with a syringe or engine. 
Softsoap, 3 ounces to a gallon of water, may be used, and scale 
removed from the wood with a brush moistened with the soapy 
solution, thoroughly cleansing the trees afterwards with clear 
water. Painting the hot-water pipes, heated to over 170°, with 
sulphur brought to the consistency of cream with skim milk is an 
effectual remedy for red spider. The house should be closed, the 
foliage dry, and the pipes hot for at least an hour after the sulphur 
is applied. The trees should be forcibly syringed the following 
day. Remember that the fumes of sulphur will only kill living 
parasitic animals and fungi ; they have no effect whatever on th9 
eggs, therefore it may be necessary to repeat the applications. 
