May 21, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
605 
Gentians were abundant in Alpine floras, in fact 
they were all Alpines with few exceptions including 
Gentiana Pneumonanthe, which was to be found in 
this country, at Swanage. 
Professor Henslow then explained the theory that 
was accepted in order to account for the presence of 
Alpines in widely severed areas, possessing similar 
climates. He alluded to the idea that England was 
at one time part of the Continent, and that the 
glacial epoch covered the face of the Continent very 
far to the south with glaciers, and that as the 
glaciers retreated further north, and the temperature 
became higher the, then Alpine, plants in the plains 
retreated or were driven up the hills in search of the 
lower temperatures they loved. This accounted for 
the presence of these plants on our highest hills, and 
also for the destruction of the links that at one time 
joined them to their relatives in other parts of the 
world. 
The Medicagos were the next plants that came in 
for discussion, allusion being made to the spirally 
twisted pod or fruit, characterising the genus, as 
different from the usual straight pod to be found in 
Leguminosae. There were several variations, how¬ 
ever, from this curled pod, especially in M. sativa, 
where all gradations from nearly straight to curled 
where shown. In M. falcata, also, the pod was 
curved like a sickle. It had been suggested that the 
snail-like appearance of the pod had been adopted 
by the plant in order to delude certain birds who 
dashed the fruits about, and thus distributed the 
seeds. 
Bougainvillea was next discussed, and the fact 
explained that the so-called “ flower ” was nothing 
more than three large showy bracts which enveloped 
the flower proper, which was quite inconspicuous. 
Passing to the consideration of double flowers, 
the. lecturer pointed out that a florist could not make 
a flower double, but must watch for and take advan¬ 
tage of the signs given by nature that she was 
willing to produce a double flower. The actual 
causes which produced doubling were not as yet 
understood. It might be the excess of nutriment; 
and in connection with this it had been stated that 
no plant with variegated leaves bore double flowers. 
Kerria japonica, curiously enough, was always single 
in Japan, but generally double in England. Double 
flowers of a certain plant were occasionally produced 
contemporaneously in several parts of the country. 
Thus there were no double Primulas until twenty 
years ago, when double flowers occurred at the same 
time over parts of Britain and the Continent. Mr. 
Engleheart had told him that day that, although 
they had been trying for years to get a double Nar¬ 
cissus poeticus, none had appeared until this year, 
when it had been forthcoming in three different 
places. 
The different forms of the roots of Radishes were 
finally dealt with. They were the progeny of Raph- 
anus Raphanistrum, and of D. maritimum, the for¬ 
mer probably a mere variety of the latter species. 
Plrny had much to say about Radishes, and amongst 
other things he stated that the Greeks had found 
out the way to turn the male Radish into the female 
—the long roots were thought to be the male, and 
the round ones the female. It had been found by 
Carriere that this change was quite possible, for he 
had planted the long ones on hard soil and had dis¬ 
covered that they had a tendency to shorten, and 
become round; similarly, when grown in soft, light 
soil, the round roots had a tendency to lengthen. 
This was only another instance of the adaptation of 
plants to their environments, and was evidence of 
the statement that everything in nature tends to 
become hereditary. 
-- ■■■ ■ 
ISCELLANY. 
VIOLA TRUE BLUE. 
In spite of the influx of new varieties of Violas that 
has taken place of late years there are some of the 
older sorts that have held their ground successfully 
amongst the newcomers. Freedom and continuity 
of flowering are both alike indispensable for varieties 
that have to be employed for bedding purposes, and 
refinement of flower, however much we may admire 
it, and however high a place those varieties possess¬ 
ing it may rank in our estimation, has to take a 
subordinate position to these two requisites. True 
Blue is a notable example of an old form holding its 
own against newer and more refined sorts. I know 
of nothing to touch it as a bedder, for the rich blue 
flowers are produced with almost prodigal profusion, 
and it is the best of its colour for bedding purposes. 
Seen in the mass the effect is rich in the extreme. 
Added to this floriferousness is a hardy and vigorous 
constitution, and what more do we want ? Messrs. 
Barr & Sons have a nice stock of this variety at 
Long Ditton, where as it is grown side by side with 
other sorts its relative value may easily be gauged. 
—Wanderer. 
THE VARIEGATED CORNISH MONEYWORT. 
Variegated plants invariably receive a large meed 
of praise because they are, so to speak, always in 
character. Flowering plants, on the other hand, as 
a rule, are only presentable when the floral organs, 
for which they are grown, are in the best condition. 
Many flowering plants, as is well known, are not 
admissible for decoration nine or ten months out of 
the year; but with variegated ones this does not 
apply—they are always with us. The variegated 
Cornish Moneywort (Sibthorpia europaea) is not, 
perhaps, a case in point, as it is too small to create a 
great sensation in the horticultural world; but to 
those whose love for plants is not in direct ratio to 
their size the little plant in question is a gem of the 
first water. It is not quite so robust as the species, 
but it is far more elegant, its tiny, round, crenated, 
money-like leaves being beautifully variegated and 
produced in great profusion on slender, thread-like 
stems. It requires a cool and moist atmosphere, 
and does exceedingly well with Mr. A. Wright, 
Falkland Park Gardens, amongst the cool Orchids, 
both in pots and on the covered stages. It goes well 
with greenhouse F'erns, and can, therefore, be 
strongly recommended.— C. B. G., Acton, W. 
WALLFLOWER HARPUR CREWE. 
Those who take delight in good old fashioned 
flowers would do well to add this fine double yellow 
variety to their collections of hardy flowers. The 
plants live for many years provided we get no severe 
winters, when, of course, Wallflowers that have got 
tall are liable to get cut down. The entire loss of 
the variety can, however, be readily avoided by 
taking cuttings during summer or early autumn and 
inserting them in pots of sandy soil. The cuttings 
should be shaded somewhat from the glare of the 
sun during the hotter parts of the day, but not longer. 
A cold frame will be sufficient for this purpose, as 
well as for the preservation of the young plants 
during winter, along with other hardy or half hardy 
subjects. The stock of young plants may be put 
out about the end of March or the beginning of 
April according to the weather and latitude. The 
old plants may be allowed to remain till they get cut 
down by a severe winter. It will be safe, however, 
to keep a few cuttings in frames as a reserve every 
winter. The yellow, fully double, and delightfully 
fragrant flowers are produced in abundance. We 
noted old and young plants in the garden of Mr. 
William Goldring, of Kew, with whom the variety is 
a favourite. 
BERBERIS STENOPHYLLA. 
This hybrid Barberry was raised by crossing B. 
Darwinii with B. empetrifolia, the progeny being 
intermediate in habit and foliage. The lower leaves 
are long and narrow, while those on the flowering 
shoots are shorter, lanceolate or linear, and entire. 
The orange flowers are usually produced in great pro¬ 
fusion, quite rivalling B. Darwinii in this respect 
as well as in vigour. The foliage is more sparsely 
arranged on the lower part of the stronger grow¬ 
ing stems. No collection of Barberries can be 
complete without this handsome garden form ; and 
pleasure grounds from which it is absent lack the 
presence of a decorative subject of first-class im¬ 
portance. The quantity of flowers, and their rich 
orange-yellow colour are only to be met with in 
B. Darwinii and B. stenophylla. The leaves are 
dark green, leathery, and equally as fine at mid¬ 
winter as at mid-summer. The last-named is per¬ 
fectly hardy, and shows up well by contrast with 
deciduous subjects in winter. The flowers are suc¬ 
ceeded by blue-black berries. 
QQ6SC10DS ADD ADSUJeHS. 
*,* Will our friends who send us newspapers be so good 
as to mark the paragraphs or articles they wish us to see. 
We shall be greatly obliged by their so doing. 
[ Correspondents, please note that we cannot undertake to 
name florists' flowers such as Carnations, Pelargoniums, 
Chrysanthemums, Roses, nor such as are mere garden 
varieties, differing only in the colour of the flower. 
Florists' flowers, as a rule, can only be named by those who 
grow collections of them.] 
Tuberous Begonias.— Box: We were a little 
doubtful about the colours you were going to use, 
but were of opinion that you would be getting as 
many colours as your beds would allow. We were 
fully aware that the four colours coming so near each 
other in a geometrical design would be somewhat 
odd, but could not see how to get away from it with 
four colours to deal with ; but since you are resolved 
to plant two of the beds with scarlet varieties, we see 
no objection to it. At the same time the other two 
should be planted with one colour to match, and the 
result would be a more perfectly balanced combina¬ 
tion. If the tubers are small your best plan would 
be to put them in fairly thickly without carpeting. 
You require tubers two or three years old to 
make it worth while planting them widely with a 
carpet of other plants beneath them. 
Dwarf Dahlias - Omega : The best dwarf scarlet, 
white, and yellow Dahlias as far as we know are 
Scarlet Globe, White Bedder, and Yellow Globa. 
We do not understand, however, why you should 
desire dwarf Dahlias for cut flower purposes. They 
are excellent for bedding purposes, if the beds 
must be dwarf; but we consider them unsuitable for 
cut flowers because their short, stout stalks are stiff 
and ungainly when put in vases. We should prefer 
Pompons or Cactus Dahlias for cutting as they 
flower more freely,and if the latter are not too large, 
they hang gracefully. In the southern counties of 
England few of the varieties of these two types are 
very dwarf. A few dwarf ones have been raised but 
they never become popular, because they pro¬ 
duce few flowers compared with those that grow 
more freely. 
Plan of Bed.— Bedding : We take it for granted 
that the bed, of which you send the plan, is of 
moderate size. If a large one you ought to have a 
centre of something. .On other occasions please 
state the width of the bed. Iresine Wallsii should 
answer perfectly in the lines you propose. Pelar¬ 
gonium Robert Fish would also suit for the six 
spaces marked No. 2. The two spaces marked No. 3 
might be filled with Pelargonium Lass o’ Gowrie; 
but you will have to stop some of the shoots to keep 
it from overtopping the other plants if it grows 
strongly. We think, however, that it would be an 
advantage to make it change places with Pelargonium 
R. Fish. The two spaces marked No. 4 might well 
be filled with Begonia Vernon Compacta. You have 
still two spaces unnumbered; let us mark them 
No. 5. By filling them with Begonia Duchess of 
Edinburgh, or some other pale variety belonging to 
the same fibrous-rooted strain, your design would be 
complete, and we think would look well. Your 
edging will answer. 
Ladies and Orange Blossom.— Omega : No doubt 
there are several reasons why ladies are partial to 
Orange Blossom. The flowers possess considerable 
decorative value, and are sweet-scented, but the 
principal reason is one of association. The flowers 
have been used from time immemorial at weddings 
for decorating the bride, who would ever after, per¬ 
haps, cherish a fond remembrance of them and their 
use on her wedding day. The daughter catches up 
the infection from her mother, and so on. We caD 
only imagine there are no ladies about the establish¬ 
ment, or they are plotting to keep you in the dark. 
That, of course, is their little game. 
Leaves of Azalea — J. T. Thurston : The leaves 
you sent have been injured by thrips, most likely 
during the dry weather last summer. These little 
black insects are particularly fond of Azaleas, and 
very mischievous. The plants require careful and 
constant attention so that the pest may be attacked 
whenever it makes its appearance. When this 
happens make a strong solution of soft soap, or 
Gishurst Compound, in water. Lay the plants on 
their sides on a board placed across the mouth of a 
large tub. Syringe the underside of the leaves 
vigorously with the solution, making sure that you 
thoroughly wet every leaf. The tub will catch the 
soapy water and enable you to give the plants 
another turn with the liquid. Wash with clean 
water an hour afterwards. A good syringing with 
clean water now and again during the summer 
months would help largely to keep away these and 
other insect pests. 
Insects in Yineries.— A.D.: The larger of the 
two insects that can fly, was the perfect or fully 
developed stage of one of the skipjacks ; but as you 
had decapitated the prisoner we shall not attempt to 
name the species. It does no harm in the winged 
state, but as a wireworm you probably know what it 
is capable of doing. By all means destroy every one 
you can lay hands on to prevent the females from 
laying their eggs. The small black beetle is evidently 
a woodborer, but the large pin had smashed it up. 
The brown, hard beetle that does not attempt to fly 
Hardening 
