530 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
r Jane 28, 1888. 
This throws and flowers freely in most places, except where cold 
stiff clay abounds, on this it will not thrive. For twelve years I 
have been endeavouring to induce some apparently healthy tufts to 
produce flowers, but in vain. Certainly there has been a flower or 
two, but not in its usual way, while in the same bed the Helleborus 
niger vars. Dodecatheon Jeffrayanum, Campanula carpatica pallida, 
Iberis, Anthericum Fair Maid of France, Horminium pyrenaicum, 
Gaillardias, Phloxes, and the like grow to perfection, to say nothing 
of standai-d and dwarf Roses in abundance. The only plant which 
evidently will not thrive is this Gentian, and I believe it thoroughly 
dislikes the soil. I have grown it to perfection on light sandy soil 
overlying gravel, on soils overlying the red sandstone, on a good 
sound loamy soil, and in beds of American plants, and the difference 
was very trifling either in growth or flower. Such a plant as this, 
then, must be one of the best. I have planted it at all seasons from 
September to June inclusive, but I give preference to the month of 
October, paying special attention to firm planting at all seasons. It 
is surprising how weU this Gentian does for edging beds or walks 
in the garden, and how well it flowers when used for ihe purpose 
named. I have this impressed on my memory by the fact that 
some sixteen years ago the specimen Phlox beds at the Exotic 
Nurseries, Tooting, were edged with it, and by reason of the traffic 
t) the Phloxes they became as firm in their positions as the paths 
themselves. The Phloxes were copiously supplied with water, 
cinsequently the Gentians came in for a share, and flowered with 
the greatest freedom. From this apparently trivial circumstance I 
learnt the lesson of firm planting, which I now adopt for all 
Gentians having any inclination to produce stoloniferous growth, 
such as G. excisa, G. alpina, G. verna, and its forms. 
ARNEBIA ECHIOIDES. 
“ The Prophet Flower,” undoubtedly the finest spring-flowering 
Alpine in cultivation, but I have seen it as good in October as in 
May, which inclusive embraces a lengthened period for flowering. 
Given a free light rich sandy loam it will quickly establish itself 
without difficulty, and has no equal amongst Alpines either from a 
decorative point of view or for exhibition purposes, while for 
spring gardening when sufficiently plentiful it will be excellent. 
It is a remarkably interesting plant by reason of the characteristic 
changes through -which its flowers pass in the earlier hours of their 
expansion. When first open the flowers are of a pleasing shade of 
soft yellow, but on the second day a dark blotch appears on each of 
the petals, which eventually become black ; afterwards they 
gradually fade, and ultimately disappear altogether. In well 
flowered examples these varying stages may all be witnessed at one 
time. I have found by experience that it is not nearly so impatient 
of removal as some may imagine, though let it alone by all means 
if this course can be adopted. The methods of increase are three¬ 
fold, and if each of these can be carried on successfully a stock 
may soon be raised—namely, by dividing the stools, by seeds, and by 
root cuttings. The first named is best done in early spring, and 
will need to be done carefully, shaking all the soil away previously, 
so that an opportunity may be afforded for examining the stool 
and see where division can best be made. Pot the plants and place 
them in a cold frame, taking care to shade from sun till well 
started into growth again. Seeds may be sown at any time as soon 
as ripe ; but with regard to these I may say that they are not 
usually abundantly produced from young plants, while established 
clumps will produce them in a manner verging on freedom. The 
root-cutting operation can only be performed in winter and very 
early spring when the plants are at rest. It is a native of the Ural 
Mountains, and -when established attains a foot or 18 inches high, 
a very suitable height for rockery or herbaceous border. I first 
made its acquaintance some eight years ago in that richly stored 
garden then presided over by the Rev. H. Harpur Crewe at Dray¬ 
ton Beauchamp Rectory, Tring, where it merely figured as a unit 
among a host of choice and well cared for plants. 
CHEIRANIHUS ALPINUf'. 
This Alpine Wallflower should be a common plant for spring 
gardening, for it is easily managed, and furnishes bright pleasing 
masses of colour which always satisfy. It is a really good alpine, 
flourishing in any good ordinary soil, clay excepted. For the rock- 
work in large patches it is most effective, and equally so on the flat 
surface of a bed. In height it is about 8 or 9 inches, and spreads 
into compact tufts, -which in turn are completely covered with soft 
sulphur yellow flowers, a colour which in fact forms a good imitation 
for the Arnebia were it not for the presence of the spots on the 
latter. The Cheiranthus is readily increased by cuttings taken in 
Juljq which should be torn off with a heel attached and inserted in 
sandy loam. In the cutting state they are impatient of moisture, 
and succumb to it quickly, so that an old light or frame into which 
abundance of air can be admitted forms the best place to root 
ihem. A close moist atmosphere they cannot endure. A good 
stock of it may soon be had from seeds, which are produced some¬ 
what freely, and these sown as soon as gathered will, with good 
culture, make fine plants by the autumn. An excellent companion 
plant is C. Marshalli, with rich orange-coloured blossoms. It is not 
such a free grower as C. alpinus, hence its comparative rarity. 
—J. H. E. 
(To be continued.) 
ROSE SHOWS IN 18S8. 
June 28th.—Brockham and Ryde, 
„ 29th.—Maidstone. 
„ 30th.—Colchester and Reigate. 
July 3rd.—Bagshot, Canterbury, Diss, and Hereford. 
„ 4th.—Croydon, Dursley, Farnham, Hitchin, and Richmond 
(Surrey). 
„ Bth.—Bath, Farningham, and Norwich. 
„ 6th.—Sutton. 
„ 7th.—Crystal Palace (National Rose Society). 
„ 10th.—Gloucester, Ipswich and Oxford. 
„ 11th.—Ealing and Tunbridge Wells. 
„ 12th.—Birmingham, Carlton-in-Lindrick, and Winchester. 
„ 14th.—Eltham, Manchester, and New Brighton. 
„ 16th.—Christleton and Newcastle-under-Lyne. 
„ 17th.—Leek and Ulverstone. 
„ 18th.—Birkenhead. 
„ 19th.—Helensburgh. 
„ 20th.—Darlington (National Rose Society). 
„ 24th.—Tibshelf. 
In the case of Birmingham, where the show extends over two 
days, the date of the first day’s exhibition only is given.—E dwarxo 
Mawley, RosehanU, BerUliamsted, Ilertu, 
ROSE PROSPECTS. 
The Roses about here look like being very much later than usual, 
I hope Christmas will not intervene before the blot)ms come on, but if 
the present cold biting east wind continues much longer I expect 
Christmas will be here first. The early foliage of my Roses is pretty 
well shrivelled, owing evidently to a wave of frost at a recent 
date. This has put the growth hack and given a severe check to 
everything. The leaves of all the trees in the neighbourhood seem to 
have suffered in the same manner, and no doubt from the same cause. 
It is probable that the east wind, of which we get the full benefit at 
1000 feet above sea level, has helped matters in this direction. Ho.v- 
cver, I look forward to a fine autumn show of bloom. 
HER MAJESTY. 
Some time ago I wrote saying I had a hundred of these planted out >• 
and that I had pruned a few down to the ground, the bulk being cut 
about 1 foot to 1.0 inches only. These latter I find are carrying a lot 
of bloom buds. The shorter pruned ones being later, in consequence ®f 
the treatment, are not yet showing many, but I expect they will bloom 
freely, just as Baronne de Rothschild or Merveille de Lyon does. The 
foliage of Her Majesty is superb, more beautiful than either of the twO' 
Roses just mentioned. 
A ROSE ENEMY. 
If 3 our correspondent “ H. V. M.” will procure a dark lantern and a. 
white cloth, and will visit his Rose trees about eleven o’clock at nighf, 
he will find them swarming with weevils, which seem to be taking a- 
benefit this year, though 1 have none. The cloth should be spread on 
the soil, and then if he is not squeamish he can crush a good many of his. 
enemies with finger and thumb; leather gloves are cleaner tlian bare 
hands. Those that fall on the cloth must be attended to before they 
crawl away. Two or three visits on different evenings will get rid of 
the whole lot. 
THE PERSIAN YELLOW. 
I have a thicket of this charming little Rose in my garden. In its 
lasting qualities it is a good deal like the foam on the river we read 
about— 
•* A moment seen, then gone for ever.” 
I have once or twice attempted to cut a branch or two to place m 
water, but the flowers fade and die almost at once. Possibly I did not 
place them in water soon enough. My trees are now about to burst 
into bloom, at which time they are a lovely sight. There is no doubt 
about its being hardy, as it grows and increases here just like a wihl 
Briar. It requires no pruning, the simple removal of the old wood being 
not even necessary. Generally speaking, the wood made the preceding 
season carries a bloom springing from each bud. I am not sure whether 
the variety growing here is Harrisoni or the old Persian Yellow ; one 
