502 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 9, 1892; 
without sprouting, and while the Potato would sprout 
the Dioscorea was wholly free from this disadvantage. 
It was effected neither by cold, or heat, and it was 
thought only slightly by moisture. It w'as said of it, 
“ Left in the ground it remains alive through the 
winter without injury, so that it is a hardy plant in the 
widest acceptation of the term,” but it did not take. 
It suited the whim of the curiosity mongers of the 
gardening fraternity for a time, and then little was 
heard of it, and now it seems to be altogether lost 
sight of. 
Some day it will no doubt turn up again like the 
constantly recurring Mummy Pea, and it will again 
have a brief run of popularity. 
It is said there are upwards of one hundred and 
fifty species of Dioscorea, and under the name of 
Yams, the large fleshy tuberous roots of several 
species of the Yam are extensively used for food in 
many tropical and sub-tropical countries, where 
they are largely cultivated and take the place of 
potatos. Chief among them is the one which heads 
this paper. Yams vary greatly in size and colour, 
according to the species producing them, many 
attain a length of two or three feet, and weigh from 
thirty to forty pounds. Some are white, others 
purplish throughout, while some have a purple skin 
with white flesh. In the case of D. batatas it was 
found when planted in a deep yielding loam to root 
down very deeply in the soil, so deep indeed that 
great difficulty was experienced in getting them out 
of the ground. Its habit of growth is that of a 
climber, training from right to left. From the neck 
of the root issue rhizomes of great length, which, as 
they descend into the ground, become swollen into 
something like a club shape. It is said if the roots 
are left in the ground all the winter, they will 
increase very much in size during the second year, 
but with a certain loss of quality. I remember the 
late Mr. James Wray, of Reigate, once producing a 
tuber of great size and length; it seemed to be the 
only one produced by the plant, and it had attained 
to huge proportions.— R. D. 
THE HERBACEOUS BORDER. 
Choice Plants in Flower. 
Helleborus colchicus.— In this we have one of 
the finest of all the Hellebores belonging to that 
section known as Lenten Roses. The sepals are of a 
dark plum purple, and when in perfection seem to 
be suffused with a glaucous bloom that adds con¬ 
siderably to their interest and beauty. The mass of 
yellow stamens in the centre contrasts strongly with 
the sepals. Usually this form is in perfection in 
March, but the long-continued cold weather has de¬ 
layed flowering beyond the usual time. A moist, 
but well-drained soil in a somewhat shady position is 
best suited to its requirements. 
Pulmonaria angustifolia. —Of the two species 
we can claim as British, that here noted is the 
earliest to flower, and is sometimes spoken of as the 
Blue Cowslip. The expanding flowers are red, 
changing to purple, and finally to a bright blue. 
The narrow, lanceolate leaves are usually spotted 
with small grey markings. A similar position as for 
the above Hellebore would suit this Lungwort. It is 
both interesting and beautiful in early spring. 
Narcissus Cyclamineus.— The bright yellow 
flowers of this singular-looking Daffodil serve to 
brighten the borders at a time when competition for 
favour is by no means great. Several other Daffodils 
are in bloom, it is true, but none of them have the 
strongly reflexed perianth and the long narrow tube 
of this one. It never exceeds 6 in. in height, and is 
frequently dwarfer, and may therefore be regarded 
as one of the choicer subjects for the open border. 
Saxifraga Stracheyi.— The typical form of 
General Strachey’s Saxifrage has pink flowers borne 
in a branching drooping panicle, and generally 
flowers in March, but the long continued cold during 
that month has delayed the flowers till now, and the 
flower stalk is still very short, so that the blooms 
are crowded in a mass. S. S. alba has pure white 
flowers and reddish sepals making a beautiful 
contrast. It may be planted in a well-drained 
border, or on rockwork, where the elevated position 
would serve to keep the roots dry in winter. 
Erythronium Dens-canis. —The Dog’s-tooth 
Violet is one of the prettiest and most interesting of 
spring flowers. The latter are rosy purple and 
drooping with reflexed segments. The oval leaves 
are blotched or marbled with purplish-brown and 
grey. There is a variety named E. D-c. grandiflorum, 
with pale flowers, the outer segments being blush or 
nearly white and the inner ones soft rosy purple. 
All have a yellow blotch at the base. The filaments 
are white and the anthers black, while the leaves are 
blotched like the type. Both may be grown in any 
good garden soil. The rootstock is bulbous. 
Chionodoxa Lucili.e.— Where the Glory of the 
Snow is grown in any quantity or even in small tufts, 
it cannot escape the least observant at this early 
period of the year, when its bright blue and white¬ 
eyed flowers are so conspicuous. The retardation 
of growth owing to the frozen condition of the ground 
or the cold does not seem to have had the slightest 
evil effect, but rather the contrary, as the leaves and 
flowers ultimately started away with great vigour, 
attaining perfection in April instead of March. The 
bulbs may be planted on the rockery, or in the open 
border if the soil is well drained. 
Scilla bifolia. —The typical form of the Two¬ 
leaved Squill has deep blue flowers, or they may be 
shaded wdth purple, and are produced in a short, 
compact raceme. The habit is precisely similar to 
that of the Glory of the Snow, than which the 
flowers are smaller, and uniform in hue instead of 
having the large white eye. There is a variety with 
rosy-pink flowers, and another that is pure white. 
Considering the hardiness and pretty appearance of 
this early-flowering Squill, it is surprising it should 
not have found its way into most gardens where 
spring flowers are estimated at their proper value. 
By being planted in the intervals between the lines 
of taller growing and summer flowering subjects no 
space would appear empty when its leaves die down 
later on. 
Doronicum austriacum. —Even in the south of 
England the plants of this Composite are in a very 
backward condition, like vegetation generally, and 
the flower stems have not commenced to push up. 
In Ireland, however, the plant has been in bloom for 
some time past, and the golden-yellow flower heads 
are welcome at this time of the year, although they 
would be less so late in summer whem Composites 
are getting too plentiful. The stems as yet are only 
about 6in. high, but they ultimately reach a height 
of 12 in , and furnished for the greater part of their 
length with leaves. 
Anemone blanda.— The ternateiy divided leaves 
of this early-flowering Anemone serve as a beautiful 
background or carpet, from amongst which the 
flower scapes arise and are shown oft to the best ad¬ 
vantage. The flowers are relatively of large size, 
solitary, and usually bright blue; but there are 
variations from the type with pale blue and also white 
flowers. The latter are tinted with blue on the out¬ 
side, and therefore appear at their best when fully 
expanded as the inner surface is pure white. 
jNEW § E^lE~PIi7IjWg. 
Fritillaria aurea.— The stem of this species 
varies from 4 in. to 6in. high, and is furnished with 
linear, fleshy, glaucous leaves, the lower ones being 
in whorls of three. The flower is large for the size 
of the plant, solitary, drooping and very pretty. 
It is bright yellow, with each of the segments 
chequered or tessellated with seven to nine rows of 
dark markings. In general appearance it reminds 
one of F. Moggridgei, but is much smaller. It was 
shown by Mr. T. S. Ware and received a Botanical 
Certificate. 
Iris Rosenbacheana.— The ligulate leaves of this 
species are of a light green and glaucous on the 
back. The rootstock consists of a pear-shaped, 
short, fleshy rhizome giving off fleshy fibres. The 
scape is 4 in. to 6in. high, bearing a large, solitary 
flower. The falls are strongly reflexed above the 
middle and revolute along the sides of the lilac claw ; 
along the centre is a prominent and elevated yellow 
ridge, and the lamina is blackish violet-purple. The 
standards are spathulate, lilac and curiously re- 
flexed, so that they hang down below the flower. 
The stigmas are broad, erect, or ascending, and pale 
lilac-blue. 
Shortia galacifolia.— The leaves of this rare 
plant are soborbicular, toothed, leathery, and netted. 
The one flowered scape bears three bracts just 
under the calyx, the segments of which are ovate. 
The coralla is white, sometimes tinted with pink, and 
consists of five obovate more or less deeply-toothed 
segments. The five prominent stamens are inserted 
between the lobes of the corolla, and have large 
anthers folded over the throat of the flower. Both 
the Iris and the Shortia were shown at the Crystal 
Palace on the 26th ult. by Mr. T. S. Ware, and re¬ 
ceived First-class Certificates. 
--J-- 
THE WEATHER AND 
THE CROPS. 
It used to be an axiom of Mr. George Glenny’s, forty 
years ago, that after Christmas every thing began to 
push ; but with regard to this, many years' experience 
has taught us that this movement is entirely under 
the influence of our ever-varying seasons, as regards 
the progress made in the growth of plants, affecting 
those under glass as well as those in the open 
garden. This season, in theout-door department, the 
development has been very much retarded on account 
of the comparative absence of the influence of the 
sun's rays, and the extreme low temperature of the 
earth. Having had more than two very unpropitious 
seasons, continuous rain-falls and little sunshine to 
warm the earth, it is well that some of our pet plants 
have survived so well. Of course very much in this 
respect depends upon the nature of the soil, and 
more especially the facilities adopted for getting rid 
of superfluous moisture, as nothing is so inimical to 
the health of plants as for the soil in which they are 
growing to be surcharged with moisture; but I may 
perhaps be permitted here to say that without doubt 
the extreme coldness of the earth, and the excessive 
wetness of the same, mainly contributed to the 
absence of the Potato disease, as it was proved that 
mildew, and in very fact nearly all the fungi tribe, 
were conspicuous by their absence last year. As the 
tubers approach maturity respiratory organs of the 
haulm become closed, hence the circulation less 
active. This is the period when, should the atmosphere 
prove genial to the generating of the fungus tribe, it 
is the most critical time, for I have noticed for many 
years that to ripen the crops satisfactorily', the 
weather cannot possibly be too hot or too dry'; in a 
dry arid temperature and an absence of fluctuations, 
little harm is likely to ensue. 
Years of experience has taught us that it is under 
peculiar conditions of the atmosphere that the 
Potato disease is at all likely to make its appear¬ 
ance. What I stated in the Gardeners' Chronicle, 1855, 
has been verified by subsequent observations, viz., 
“ that the disease is analogous to the mildew which is 
so destructive to Vines, wall trees, Peas, etc. ; but it 
appears to me that owing to the succulent nature of 
the Potato, its pernicious property is imbibed and 
conveyed into its whole system far more instanta¬ 
neously than in the case of hardwooded plants, hence 
the rapid changes which so soon take place after the 
watery tissues of the Potato are attacked.” I may 
here observe, from the time just quoted, that I have 
always noticed that when mildew has made its 
appearance on Peas, that its effect is soon seen upon 
the Potato crops, varying in form according to soil 
and situation, and the stage of growth when attacked. 
The plants when this takes place, so far as the 
haulm and foliage is concerned, are declining in 
growth, and almost in a comparative used-up 
condition, the strong, robust, healthy vigour of the 
plant being in a transition state as the ripening pro¬ 
cess is being matured. We may sow and plant, but 
must really depend on agents beyond our control for 
a successful issue. 
This is no new theory. I am in full view of good 
farming and market gardening. Many acres of 
Potatos, Sea-kale, Cauliflowers, etc., etc., are con¬ 
stantly under my eye, the proprietors of which are 
amongst the oldest growers for Covent-garden and 
other markets; hence I have ample opportunity of 
taking notes of both their successes and their failures, 
and as regards the latter it is obvious to my mind it 
is in no way for want of skill in the management of 
the various subjects under manipulation. One of 
them told me the other day that he tried a remedy 
for the Potato blight which was recommended to 
him, and which was decidedly effectual, as it not only 
completely annihilated the disease but at the same 
time destroyed the crop subjected to the treatment. 
And speaking of the good old practice of selecting 
good sound seed for planting, 1. e., those sets that 
had been carefully housed or stored, so as to be 
preserved entire, by being prevented from making 
insipid growth, and materially weakening the vitality 
