210 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 6, 1898, 
extent taken the place of Zonal Pelargoniums, and they seem 
regardless of the weather. Shrubs and trees have profited by the 
moist season, growing strongly, and retaining a fresh green tint. 
Rhododendrons have flourished, but the weather is against the 
maturation of the wood and buds, while Conifers have made 
astonishing progress in many instances. 
It might be added that we have had nearly fifty communications 
from over thirty counties in England, Ireland, Scotland, and 
Wales, so that a good general idea of the weather effects can be 
gathered from them. It is interesting to notice what a large 
proportion of gardeners take careful meteorological observations, 
the majority registering rainfall and temperature. Such records 
are often very useful for after reference, and in any case it is 
important to all gardeners to study the weather closely. 
NOTES ON ALPINES. 
PRIMULAS. 
The heavy and continuous rain of the present season seems to 
have suited many Alpine Primulas, and particularly those which 
come from the Himalayas; indeed, it is not merely confined to this 
group, for all the cortusoides (Sieboldi) section seem more vigorous 
than usual, and still retain their foliage, which latter in recent 
years has been more or less scorched and decayed. Our native 
Primroses, single and double, all have been benefited by the oft 
repeated drenchings of rains, which seemed for the time to be without 
end. This heavy downpour, coupled with the absence of sun for so 
great a period, seems to have thus far favoured a few shade and 
moisture loving plants, and the Primrose among the number. In a 
mixtui’e of light loam, to which abundance of sharp grit has been 
added and about one-half of thoroughly decomposed manure, 
Primula viscosa nivea, the Snowy Primrose, is remarkably vigorous, 
and for some time past pushing forth white fleshy roots in abund¬ 
ance from the collar of the plants, a circumstance far from com¬ 
mon in summer time,and with this particular plant. P. rosea was 
never more happy, while P. cashmeriana seems inclined to 
become rampant, and if a comparatively fine autumn ensues one 
may look for some fine heads of bloom from these two last named 
in the spring of 1889. 
ARNEBIA ECEIOIDES. 
The Arnebia has made more than usual headway, and is one of 
those easily grown plants -which will eventually find its way into 
many gardens. It is not a difficult plant to grow and as slow to 
increase as was represented to us eight or ten years ago, but on the 
contrary lends itself most readily to two or three modes of pro¬ 
pagation. - It is alike suited to rockwork or front row in the 
border, thriving well in a rich light loamy soil of good depth. The 
clear sulphur yellow of its flowers have perhaps but one rival in 
the Alpine Wallflower, Cheiranthus alpinus, the dwarf cushions of 
which in spring time render it highly desirable among other good 
things in the spring garden. It may be that in a few years the 
Arnebia will become more plentiful, and nurserymen will reduce 
their prices for it accordingly, for good and choice as it now is, I 
venture to predict that the greater demand for it, which a reduc¬ 
tion in price would bring about, would prove highly beneficial to 
the vendor. The fact of its perfect hardiness and robust con¬ 
stitution are points which all growers of it will fully appreciate. 
DIANTHUS ALPINUS. 
The glossy tufts of this Alpine Pink are not without beauty, 
even when its flowering is completed, and considering its vigour 
and free growth I am inclined to regard it as among the very best. 
Since its flowering in the early part of the year I have rooted some 
cuttings, which strike freely in moist sandy soil, kept close and 
shaded in handlights. As this species is somewhat variable from 
seed, it is a good rule to flower them all, discarding the inferior 
ones, and increase the best forms by cuttings ; these root readily 
any time from May or June till the end of October. As it is im¬ 
possible to have such a one in too great a quantity, I strongly advise 
all lovers of Alpines to strike quantities of cuttings annually and 
plant in patches on the rockery in moist sandy loam. It is one of 
the brightest of Alpines, and worthy the best culture. It may also 
be grown well in pots. One or two items seem essential to its well 
being, and these need plenty of water in the growing season, and a 
comparatively dry snug position in winter. Its rosy crimson 
flowers in spring are most charming and not easily matched. 
Speaking of Alpine Pinks reminds one of the other species near 
akin, such as D. glacialis and Fischeri. All these succeed in moist 
gritty loam in sunny well-drained positions. 
ACANTHOLIMONS. 
A. venustum still has the reputation of being rare, and certainly 
its slow growth will do much to keep it in this position for some 
time. Its occurrence in lists of Alpines is as rare as it is in private 
collections of these plants, and quite apart from its near ally from 
Mount Ararat, A. glumaeeum. The last named makes a very pleasing 
edgingand grows well in ordinary sandy soil in a good position. In 
spring its spiny tufts are covered wi th small spikes o f rosy pink flowers, 
which are very pleasing, and whether placed on the rockery or used 
as an edging it is alike charming, and, by reason of its free growth, it 
should be planted in large patches to provide a good effect. In its 
culture an annual dressing of equal parts of sharp grit, thoroughly 
decayed manure and leaf soil worked well into the tufts will be found 
of material assistance to the plant, and if an increase of stock i& 
needed it may be done at the same time in the following manner i 
Select a tuft and strip a number of the growths half off ; semi- 
detach them as it were from the plant at the main stock, at which 
point will be found a heel ; work your sandy soil well in, and give 
a watering when complete to settle the soil. The shoots thus treated: 
will by spring have made nice roots, and may be detached at will; 
it may also be increased from seeds. 
A. venustum may readily be distinguished by its rosy crimson 
flowers and semi-glaucous tufts of spiny leaves. It is thriving 
admirably in rich loamy soil with plenty of grit and abundant- 
drainage. To these I can only add that it has occupied a position 
quite contrary to that usually recommended for it, which is a south 
exposure on the rockery, by being in a cool shady spot where 
abundance of water has been given it. Notwithstanding this, it is 
perfectly happy and growing more vigorously than I remember 
having seen it before. This charming plant and its propagation is 
worthy a study in itself, and I am attempting some experiments 
with it which I hope to record by-and-by ; meanwhile let all those 
who possess it strive likewise. 
OURISLA COCCINEA. 
There are few plants to compare with the brilliant scarlet 
flowers of this Ourisia, and few plants more easily accommodated 
when its cultivation is fully understood. It loves a cool moist 
place in loamy soil, not necessarily heavy, but well drained ; a deep- 
moist sandy loam is far preferable to a heavy loam, cold and reten¬ 
tive ; it will linger and die in the latter. Some years ago I had a 
grand specimen in a pot of this, which was the admiration of all 
who saw it. The position occupied by it for some two years or 
more was in a frame devoted to choice Alpines, and the soil 
employed was similar to what a grower would give his Chrysanthe¬ 
mums. One large plant occupied a 10-inch pot, and its vigour and 
free growth may be easily imagined when I say that it grew over 
the rim of the pot and half way down the sides. Not the least 
interesting feature with this plant was the fact of its being covered 
with spikes of its brilliant scarlet flowers the ensuing summer; 
indeed, so conspicuous was it that my employer requested that a 
prominent position should be given to it, that the numerous 
visitors might see it to advantage. Abundance of water was given 
during the spring and summer. The Ourisia on a cool moist 
surface will make roots in its onward course as free as any plant I 
know, and doing this the rest will follow as a natural consequence. 
It should never be placed on the dry exposed positions with hardly 
any soil near, and for which the pseudo-name of rockery has been 
given. It loves a deep soil at all times—this, with moisture, are its 
chief requirements.—J. H. E. 
MILDEW ON STRAWBERRIES. 
The drought of last summer resulted in Strawberries being 
attacked generally by mildew, consequently those forced indoors 
last spring fell a prey to its ravages. I have observed that when 
plants outside are attacked, and those required for forcing are 
raised from them, that they suffer in a corresponding manner. It 
is clear, therefore, that the spores are carried on the plants into the 
forcing house, and when the conditions are favourable it springs 
into activity and completes its work of destruction by the time the 
plants are in flower unless strong measures are taken to arrest its 
progress. ' . 
There can be no doubt whatever that drought is the main, if 
not the sole, factor in bringing this parasite, although other con¬ 
ditions, such as a continuance of cold, damp, sunless weather, might 
bring it into existence. We have grave doubts, however, on this 
subject, for observations point conclusively in the opposite direc¬ 
tion. It has been noticed on plants when the weather has been 
the reverse of warm and dry, but these conditions have generally 
followed spells of bright hot weather and winds that have dried up 
the soil to such an extent that to keep the plants well watered has 
proved a work of some difficulty. Plants outside last season were 
