March 6, 1897. 
r HE GARDENING WORLD. 
429 
shone yet more brightly in the enjoyment of his life- 
giving beams. We have never been so far led astray as 
to perpetrate “ spring poetry,” but certainly here was 
a full and fair inspiration for the longest haired poet 
that ever bought a rhyming dictionary. Our readers, 
however, will doubtless appreciate the facts more 
than the poesy, and the following are some of the 
very charming facts that we saw. 
The members of the genus Narcissus whose name 
is legion, are as yet only represented by the van¬ 
guard, which is long before the swallow, and in 
decided advance of the March winds. Of the 
" trumpet-flowered ” section N. pallidus praecox is 
is the only representative in flower in the open 
ground. Its lemon-yellow flowers with their twisted 
perianth segments, and the prettily fimbriated corona 
are very showy. N. minimus, a form of N. Pseudo- 
Narcissus minor, is an exact replica of the type in 
structure, but a miniature of it with regard to size. 
It is only a few inches in height, and of a rich yellow 
colour. A fine lot of this was flowering under pro¬ 
tection. Quantities of N. Cyclamineus were also 
blooming under similar conditions. The flowers of 
this pretty plant are very distinct with the long 
tubular corona, and the abruptly reflexing segments. 
It is a very useful subject for pot culture, to which it 
takes kindly. 
The Chionodoxas are by no means behindhand in 
asserting themselves, and as considerable breadths 
are planted with the several species and varieties the 
effect when the sun shines is truly brilliant. The 
rich blue of C. sardensis would be difficult to beat, 
and although the popular C. Luciliae has larger 
flowers, the colour being much lighter it is not nearly 
so brilliant. C. sardensis alba is a novelty that 
deserves a hearty recognition. It flowers quite as 
freely as the type and is fully as hardy. The blooms 
are about the same size as those of the type, and are 
of the purest white. The habits of the two plants 
are identical. Another charming albino has been 
evolved from C. Luciliae. Here again the only great 
difference is the pure white of the flowers. The 
white variety, however, had bsen protected, and the 
type had not, and this would account for the slight 
advantage with regard to size obtained by the white 
form over its type. Of C. gigantea, otherwise known 
as C. grandiflora, we cannot be too loud in praise. 
The flowers are fully twice as large as those of C. 
Luciliae. This, combined with their soft lavender 
hue, makes the plant a most valuable acquisition 
to our spring-flowering subjects. Its constitution is 
vigorous and thus renders it suitable for massing in 
beds or borders, naturalising in grass, or for planting 
anywhere that C, Luciliae will grow. For pot 
culture it is certainly the gem of the genus. 
Amongst the Scillas, S. bifolia is too well known 
to need any further description. S. sibirica taurica 
is a strong growing form collected from the Taurus 
Mountains. The flowers are slightly lighter in hue 
than those of the type with a darker stripe down the 
centre of the segments. They are borne in numbers 
of from 5—7 on a scape. A more important charac¬ 
teristic, however, is that it flowers two weeks earlier 
than its immediate ancestor 
The Saxifrages are not, as a whole, very early 
flowerers, but they have a few members to represent 
them even at this early season. A large breadth of 
S. ligulata had betrayed itself to the bees which were 
buzzing with unfeigned delight amongst the huge 
compressed panicles of pink flowers. S. oppositi- 
folia, and S. 0. alba in shaded corners of the rockery 
were just commencing to open a few decidedly pre¬ 
cocious flowers. 
Crocuses were much in evidence both in clumps 
upon the large rockery, and also in a plot of ground 
specially devoted to them. In this latter place they 
were distributed in breaks of one colour, and the 
hues varied from nearly white to rich yellow on the 
one hand to deep purple on the other. Amongst the 
species and sub-species were to be seen not a few 
interesting and pretty plants. C. aureus is note¬ 
worthy as being the parent of our common yellow or 
Dutch Crocus. C. stellaris is very dwarf, and has 
small flowers of a very rich orange co'our. C. 
biflorus is another very variable species. The form 
argenteus has very pretty white flowers. C. tomma- 
sinianus has pale sapphire-lavender flowers, and is a 
continuous bloomer. The form albidus is well worthy 
attention. 
The genus Iris is represented by some of its mem¬ 
bers throughout the greater part of the year. I. 
stylosa has been in bloom for weeks past. The 
flowers are large, and, although not quite so bright as 
those of other forms which flower amidst more 
favourable climatic conditions, are still very showy. 
The sheltering leaves which cluster round the 
flowers enable the latter to brave a moderate degree 
of cold. Other Irises growing in frames were I. 
reticulata, I. r. Krelagei, and I. r. caerulea, the last- 
named a light blue form. The spathes are two leaved 
and brown in colour. The leaves are narrowly lanceo¬ 
late in shape and bright green. The falls, or outer 
perianth segments are not highly developed, being 
comparatively small. They are ovate in shape, light 
purple blue and much reflexed. The standards are 
light purple in hue with a purple-maroon margin. A 
broad yellow stripe runs up the centre, and at the 
reflexing tips developes into a crest. The three 
petaloid branches of the style are violet in colour 
margined with blue-white. They are bifid at the tips. 
The height of the plant is from 4 in. to 5 in. 
Tulipa violacea was the only Tulip out in the open. 
The flowers are of medium size, and rosy-crimson in 
hue with a small basal area of deep violet. 
Somewhat of a novelty to the general public, but a 
plant that should not long remain so, is Corydalis 
ledebouriana. The leaves are ternately divided, the 
lobes being unequal in size, and very glaucous. 
The flowers which are produced in long racemes are 
dull pink in colour. Although not very showy the 
earliness of this plant’s flowering season is remark¬ 
able, as it has been in bloom for some weeks. 
Hellebores receive special attention at the hands 
of the Messrs. Barr. In addition to plants of H. 
punctatus, H. olympicus, and H. foetidus which 
were flowering in frames, a considerable area outside 
is devoted to them. This includes a large batch of 
seedlings chiefly of continental origin, amongst which 
some very fine white and crimson varieties are to be 
seen. One seedling from H. orieatalis has bright 
rosy-pink flowers, and will doubtless be heard of 
later on when it has a name bestowed upon it. 
Owing to the way in which Chionodoxas and other 
bulbs have their nursery quarters shifted periodically, 
and the difficulty of getting the whole of the bulbs 
out of the ground a great part of the nursery is 
starred with various pretty flowers. Snowdrops 
were peeping out in one or two places. Galanthus 
nivalis, and its double form predominated. In one 
part of the nursery a few Roman Hyacinths were 
showing their pure white flowers. These have been 
afforded shelter by covering them with heather 
during frosty nights. In corners of the rockery 
clumps of Cyclamen Coum, in its white form were 
in full bloom, whilst in exposed parts the white 
Daphne Mezereum was very conspicuous. Cycla¬ 
men ibericum rubrum is a charming subject for pot 
culture. The flowers are of medium size for this 
class of Cyclamens, and rich red in hue, whilst the 
leaves are very prettily marbled ; indeed, the plant 
is well worth growing for its foliage alone. 
- mfm . - - 
Questions md ansaisRS 
*,* 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.] 
Plants for window boxes —D. W. D. : Window 
boxes of big town houses are in many cases refilled 
at various periods during the summer, in order to 
keep up a good display. We have seen all sorts of 
plants used, from Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia 
Nummularia), up to Crotons, Dracaenas, and similar 
things We think, however, that you should confine 
yourself to such things as the best varieties of Zonal 
Pelargoniums, white or yellow Marguerites, 
Calceolarias, young Fuchsias, Petunias (single) and 
Ten Weeks Stocks. When the latter go out of 
flower, they could be pulled up, for by that time the 
other plants will require more space. To hang over 
the front of the boxes you might use Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums or scarlet Tropaeolums of the trailing 
kind, such as Ball of Fire, or even the ordinary T. 
majus. 
Reineckia carnea Yariegata — Joss : It is hardy 
in the southern counties at least, but it is never a 
very ornamental plant when grown out of doors, 
because the variegation becomes very indistinct, and 
shoots that are entirely green often develop. This, 
and many other variegated plants of a similar nature 
require to be grown in a fairly warm temperature to 
develop the variegation in its best form. In fact, we 
think it is scarcely worth growing in the open, 
although relatively hardy. 
Young Yines.— Conaglen : Even if they have come 
from the nursery as fruiting canes, we should not 
allow them to bear the first year if intended for 
permanent vines. We should cut the canes back to 
3 ft. above the soil, as they are not very strong 
according to your description. When digging out 
the soil for them you will see the state of the border. 
If the material is bad it ought to be renewed, even 
if you do one section of the border now before plant¬ 
ing the young vines ; the remainder could be done in 
September. The drainage may even be more im¬ 
portant than fresh soil. We should spread out the 
roots of the young vines at 9 in. below the surface, 
encouraging them to keep there by mulching. As to 
the old vines being forced, it depends upon the time 
you want the grapes. Start them with a gentle heat 
in any case, and if the fruit is not wanted before 
September, allow them to come aloag slowly, with a 
little fire heat, and a night temperature of not more 
than 60? with fire heat, You had better aid them 
with a little fire heat, but never attempt forcing if 
you find the roots in a bad way. Avoid over¬ 
cropping. 
Hybrid Thistles.— W. Napper : No two authori¬ 
ties, scarcely, agree with one another as to whether 
the intermediate forms between the Meadow and 
Marsh Thistles are species, natural hybrids,or merely 
luxuriant specimens, all the three ideas being 
advanced by different authors. For instance there 
are hybrids or intermediate forms between Carduus 
crispus and C. nutans ; between C. arvensis and 
acaulis ; C. pratensis and C. acaulis ; C. palustris 
and C. pratensis ; and C. heterophyllus and C. 
palustris. C. pratensis is sometimes said to be 
allied to C. tuberosus, or a sub species of 
it. Others reverse the order, making C. pratensis 
the species to which C. tuberosus is allied. The fact 
is that no agreement has been come to us to what 
constitutes a species. There seems no reason why, 
in the present state of science, these intermediate 
forms should not be regarded as natural hybrids. 
Other wild hybrid British plants.— W. Napper 
Botanists have found many instances of British 
plants which they regard as natural hybrids, includ¬ 
ing one between Lmaria repens and L. vulgaris. 
Amongst the Mulleins the following names indicate 
the parentage of wild hybrids :—Verbascum Thapso- 
Lychnitis, V. Thapso-nigrum, V. nigro-pulverulen- 
tum, and V. nigro-Lychnitis. In other cases we have 
Primula vulgaris crossed with P. elatior, and P. 
vulgaris crossed with P. variabilis. Linnaeus seems 
to have had the idea of hybrids in his mind 
when he described plants under such names as 
Campanula hybrida, Veronica hybrida, and Papaver 
hybridum. The Campanula and the Papaver are 
now regarded as good species, and the Veronica as a 
variety. The game fowl and the Cochin Cochin, 
mentioned by you, are generally understood to be 
simply domestic breeds of the domestic fowl. 
Treatment of Ericas. — Ericas : The usual method 
of treating Heaths, after they have finished flower¬ 
ing, is to cut them down nearly to the base of last 
year’s shoots. Erica hyemalis, E. persoluta alba, E. 
Caffra, E. wilmoreana, and E. melanthera, all 
submit to this form of treatment. After being cut 
down, less water will be necessary for a time, but you 
must not on any account allow them to become dry. 
After ten days or so you can place them ia heat and 
syringe the tops to encourage fresh growth. As 
soon as the buds begin to push, give the plants a 
shift if necessary; but beware of overpotting, as 
they require but a small amount of root room. 
Keep them in heat tiUthey have made good growth, 
syringing them every day more or less according to 
the weather. They must always be kept near the 
glass for the sake of light. After they have made 
their growth, place them in a cool, well-ventilated 
house. When the summer is well advanced the 
plants may be plunged in coal ashes out of doors in 
a sheltered place till the approach of frost obliges 
you to take them into the greenhouse. Black peat 
cut in the form of a thin turf where it grows, and 
containing fibre is best. It must be fairly dry peat, 
not that wet soapy material which is termed bog. 
You had better buy it, unless your home peat is the 
proper material. 
Yine Spurs Bleeding — Conaglen : You do not tell 
us whether your vines have been pruned or not. If 
they have been pruned, then it is all right. We 
suspect that the sap is simply rising again, as the 
spring is now far advanced. There is no need for 
ventilation into the border. That is an old notion, 
now obsolete or discarded. The principal point is to 
see that the border has been properly drained in the 
bottom. ' If not, it ought to be remade, even if you 
are obliged to use the old soil. It should net be 
more than 2i ft. deep, and 1 ft. of that, or nearly so, 
should consist of rubble for drainage. If the situation 
is naturally damp, a drain should be connected with 
the lowest part of the bottom of the border, either at 
the side or end, to take away superfluous moisture. 
The adventitious roots on the rods might or might 
not indicate that the border is in a wet condition. 
You say that such roots are few, so that the roots in 
the border might be all right: but you should dig 
down carefully with a fork and ascertain. 
Plants for table and drawing room decoration. 
— D. W. D. : Of those genera which you mention, we 
should select varieties of Adiantum cuneatum and 
A. Capillus-Veneris or A, formosum ; Kentia 
