1874. ] 
GARDEN GOSSIP.—GARDEN WORK FOR MAY. 
117 
soft pink hue, of full substance, and with a reflexed character like La France,^ 
Mr. H. Bennett: April 1, 
Saxo-Friderioia subcordata [b.o.]. —The correct name of the plant noted 
as Rapatea p)andanoides^ at p. Cl. It is a very singular plant, of the Xyridaceous 
order, and closely related to the rushes.— Messrs. Veitch ^ Sons: R.B.S.^Marck 25. 
Vanda ccerulesoens [b.o.]. —An Indian species, of small stature, with large 
blue flowers, having the anterior part of the lip very dark blue.—iliessrs. Veitch - 
Som: R.B.S.-i March 25. 
GAKDEN GOSSIP. 
E have previously, in these pages, directed attention to M. Alphand^s 
splendid work on the Parks and Gardens of Paris, entitled Les Promenades 
de Paris (published by Eothschild, 13 Eue des Saints Peres, Paris; 
Barthes and Lowell, Great Marlborough Street, London), and we have 
now the satisfaction to announce that the work has been completed. It is so full of informa¬ 
tion, so abounding in plans, in sketches of scenery, in figures showing the habit and character 
of all kinds of decorative plants, that it ought to be in all public libraries and in all garden . 
libraries. It is produced with so much artistic taste and merit, that it ought on that ground 
to find a place in the library of every country mansion. We shall endeavom* next month to 
give an analysis of its contents. 
- ^ WRITER in Notes and Queries states that the origin of the name 
Green Gage is simply that the Plum was brought into England, about the 
middle of the last century, by the Eev. John Gage, Eoman Catholic priest, 
in some way connected with a monastery or conventual establishment in France. 
The laws of that time against Roman Catholic priests were so severe that Mr. Gage 
lived abroad, but frequently visited his brother, Sir Thomas Gage, of Hengrave Hall, near 
Coldham, in the county of Suffolk, fifth baronet. In one of these visits he brought over, from 
the garden of the monastery, grafts of this excellent fruit-tree, which were cultivated in the 
garden at Hengrave Hall, and soon were spread throughout England. 
- ^ NEW tuberous-rooted Begonia called Begonia octopetala.^ has lately 
been introduced by Messrs. Froebel, of Zurich. It has large rounded leaves, and 
very large 8-petaled flowers, white on the inner surface, rose-pink beneath, almost 
as in Anemone japonica alba. The plant is a native of the highlands of Peru, and may be 
considered as hardy as B. boliviensis. Amongst the hybrids of this latter some double- 
flowered forms have appeared, both in the establishment of Messrs. E. G. Henderson and Son 
and in that of M. Lemoine. It is the male flowers only which are double, and they are doubled 
by the substitution of petals for stamens. 
GAEDEN WOEK FOE MAY. 
FLOWERS. 
PEING-FLOWEEING plants must soon give place to the summer occupants 
of the flower-garden, and a stock for another year must be provided for 
by dividing and replanting a sufficiency in the reserve ground. Having, 
therefore, devised and sketched out the arrangements for summer planting, 
proceed with the renovation of the soil, the exigencies of cultivation as to 
manuring being iniled by the crop the beds are to carry. Such plants as are 
prized for the magnitude of their foliage must have an abundance of rotten 
manure, and the soil deeply worked up ; in fact deep cultivation is most desirable 
with all plants. Calceolarias, Variegated Pelargoniums^ Lobelias., Violas., &c., 
luxuriate in a fresh, turfy soil, well enriched; while flowering Pelargoniums., 
Tropceolums., &c., bloom most satisfactorily in a poor soil. Coleus^ AlUrnanthera^ 
