478 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
September 19. 
flower finer the following year. I saw, also, this last 
spring, a long row of strong plants, in Mr. Mountjoy’s 
nursery, at Ealing, that were in full flower in the open 
air, on the 23rd of April. The frost that was so remark¬ 
ably severe on that night partially cut the tops, but 
afterward they broke out afresh, and flowered well in 
May. Increases readily by dividing the strong, fleshy 
roots with a crown to each, and also by young tops, 
planted in sand, under a hand-light, or a gentle heat. 
Everybody that has a garden ought to grow this plant. 
D. TENCiFOLiA (Fine-leaved).—From the cold country 
of Kamschatka; produces pink flowers; grows a foot 
high ; and is increased by division. 
DIPHYLLEJA. 
Derived from dis, twice, and phyllon, a leaf, the plant 
having two leaves on one stem. 
I), cymosa (Cyme-flowered).—This is a pretty plant, 
seldom seen, but is worthy of being sought after. It 
has white flowers in May; grows nine inches high; 
native of North America; and is increased by division. 
It is, strictly, a rock-plant, but will thrive on a peaty, 
dry border, rather shaded. 
DODECATHEON.—THE AMERICAN COWSLIP. 
The English name is probably given to these plants 
because they flower in heads, or clusters, like our 
common Cowslip, and because the flowers appear about 
the same time. In no other respect have they any 
affinity with that plant. The generic name is an 
ancient one, applied by the ancient Roman author, Pliny, 
to a plant witii similar leaves. The plants all require 
a warm, dry, sandy loam ; and are increased by dividing 
the crowns of the roots. They are very handsome. 
D. integrifolia (Intire-leaved).—From North Ame¬ 
rica; growing half a foot high ; with flowers of a light 
purple colour appearing in April. 
D. Meadia (Meadia).— Of this handsome species 
there are several varieties, namely :—Albijiora (White- 
flowered) ; Elegans (Elegant); (Jiganteum (Gigantic); 
and Lilacina (Lilac-flowered). They all flower in May, 
grow a foot high, and are increased by division. 
DORONICUM.—LEOPARD’S BANE. 
This is a tribe of early-flowering plants which will 
thrive in any soil, and almost any situation, but are 
rather weedy-looking plants. I shall select one or two 
of the best. 
D. Ai.taicum (Altaic).—White flowers, growing a foot 
high, and appearing in June. Increased by cultivating 
it for a year, and then dividing the roots. 
D. Caucasicum (Caucasian). — Yellow; flowers in 
June; growing a foot high ; a rare species. Increased 
by division. 
D. Columns: (Columna’s).—Golden yellow; two feet 
high; flowers in May. Increased by division. This 
makes a good early bed, or large patch in a mixed 
border. 
DRABA. 
A genus of the dwarfest of plants, many of them 
growing only an inch or two high. They are chiefly 
useful as rock plants, but will thrive in a dry soil, in a 
warm, sheltered situation. 
D. aizioides (Aizoon-like).—This little yellow flower 
is occasionally found on the mountains of Wales. It 
flowers as early as March ; growing three inches high ; 
with yellow flowers. Increased by division. 
D. alpina (Alpine).—From the cold regions .of Lap- 
land, where its pretty yellow flowers appear as soon as 
the snows are melted by their short summer’s sun. In 
our gardens it flowers early in May, growing only an 
an inch high; colour yellow. Increased easily by 
division. This plant, though a native of so cold a 
country, cannot bear our dry frosts, because it has not 
the snow to protect it. It is advisable to keep a dupli¬ 
cate or two in a cold frame. T. Appleby. 
{To be continued .) 
THE TOMATO. 
The well being of a plant usually depends on all 
its parts being kept in a healthy, working action, and 
in such a way that each may be duly balanced to its 
compeers; for instance, a proportionate amount of root 
is allowed to a corresponding quantity of stem or foliage, 
and to curtail either, so as to materially destroy the 
proper “ balance of power,” is attended with ill effects 
to the plant as a whole. This is so well understood by 
our Grape-growers, and others, that it forms one of the 
most important features in their mode of management. 
But, while this judicious “balance of power” is so ! 
essential in the cultivation of plants having what may 
be called a permanent existence, it is not always 
advisable in others having a more limited period of 
endurance: in the latter case, the object in view is to 
obtain as much as possible of what we esteem the most 
useful part of the plant before we part with it, and in 
so doing, we do not scruple in sacrificing all the other 
features about it. For instance, we do not leave any 
more of the foliage on the Melon than is necessary to 
keep the plant in that healthy condition required to 
perfect the fruit we aim. at obtaining, while it is true, 
we too often see that system carried to excess, for a 
certain amount of foliage is requisite to the well-being 
of the plant; but the exact quantity to leave on forms 
one of the nice points in gardening, and is, in fact, one 
of those cases where the “balance of power” may be 
said to be in force, only in another form to the one 
noted above. 
There are other purposes for which this balancing 
principle may bo sacrificed, or rather, where an “ un¬ 
equal balance ” is sought for and obtained. Some plants 
flower best when punished to an extent that is hurtful 
to their health, and we never hesitate to do that where 
it suits our purpose ; while, sometimes, a contrary course 
is taken to secure health. In the latter case, a good 
example is found in picking off the immature flower- 
buds of Camellias. This enables the plant to direct 
its undivided energies to the formation of wood-buds, 
calculated to burst forth, at the proper time, with 
increased vigour—only, this must not be carried to 
excess; a few flower-buds must be left on, otherwise the 
plant will, in its endeavours to form others at an im¬ 
proper season, do itself more harm than it would have 
done had it not been meddled with; while, by leaving a 
few (if ever so small a quantity), the energies of the 
plant are concentrated in perfecting these to an im¬ 
proved degree, so that flowers of more than ordinary 
fineness are the result. 
Acting on the principles embodied in the above 
remarks, we now come to treat on a plant having but a 
brief existence—in fact, an “ annual.” The Tomato, 
whose fruit, being the only useful part, is of some im¬ 
portance to have in as great abundance and as good in 
quality as possible; and here we have only to look to 
the present time; there is no necessity here for that 
judicious thinning which is necessary to put in force 
with tho Peach, and other crops, so as to insure fruit 
another season; for here we have a plaut to deal with 
whose existence will be at an end as soon as the fruit is 
gathered. In this case, therefore, a considerable por¬ 
tion of both top and root is sacrificed, and now-and- 
then some of the late fruit likewise, in order to hasten 
the ripening of those that aro left, so as that they may j 
attain the greatest perfection before the severe weather 
sets in. Now, in doing this, nothing more is wanted | 
