July 11, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
595 
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Corydalis thalictrifolia, 
This charming rock plant, whidh has quite recently been 
introduced into cultivation, has already earned a widespread 
reputation, and promises to be a valuable plant in the English 
„ a .rden. Very few plants indeed have met with so much public 
favour as this beautiful species of Corydalis, which is a native 
of Central China. In some respects it resembles the well-known 
C. capnoides, but C. thalictrifolia is far more attractive, the 
flowers being much larger and of better colour. 
When grown in a greenhouse the flowers may be produced 
from March until late autumn, and when grown in the open it 
may be had in flower all the summer through. The flowers, 
which are borne in racemes, are of a golden yellow colour, the 
raceme being from 5 in. to 7 in. long. It is seen to its best ad¬ 
vantage when grown in the rock garden. It may also be grown 
in the border as a pot plant, and is exceedingly decorative when 
grown as a basket plant. It is not perfectly hardy, even though 
it has stood the winter so well at Kew, but during frosty 
weather it requires some protection, either that of dead leaves 
or by planting in a sheltered position. 
A very good method of cultivation is to grow it in the open 
during the summer, and in the autumn to lift it and protect it 
in a cold greenhouse, where it will constantly flower. Of 
course, this method is very exhausting to the plants, but new 
plants may be readily propagated by cuttings or from seed. 
Lib- other species of Fumitory, it is particularly easy to grow, 
a ccarse and open soil suiting it best. 
Seed should be sown early in the year in a gentle heat; the 
you tg plants must be pricked on as usual, and should be grown 
on in a cold house or frame if required for outdoor culture ; 
otherwise they should be grown in a cool house. When pro¬ 
pagated by means of cuttings they should be inserted singly in 
small pots and placed in a propagating pit. 
The R.H.S. has deservingly awarded this valuable introduc¬ 
tion a First-class Certificate. Herbert Cowley. 
Points in Malmaison Culture 
Few flowering plants have attained to so high a degree of popu¬ 
larity as the Malmaison Carnation. So much is it appreciated 
that in many gardens a special house has been erected to suit 
its cultural requirements. Its popularity can in a measure- be 
attributed to its possessing the following characteristics:—Re¬ 
finement of flower, exquisite scent, and comparative hardiness. 
As many readers will probably soon be thinking of commencing 
to layer for early summer flowering in next year, I will give a 
few details which I always have observed, and which I think in 
a great measure are essential to success. 
Assuming that the operation of layering is understood by most 
of the readers of The Gardening World, let me first of all say 
that we layer in a cold frame, the advantages of which are that 
the layers are readily shaded from bright sunlight, and shelter 
is also provided against an excessive rainfall. Prior to turning 
the plants out of their pots they ere well watered, all weakly 
growths, as well as any which are unduly' gross, being thinned 
out, retaining those which are medium in size, firm and con¬ 
veniently placed. The plant may then be laid sideways in the 
soil in the frame, spreading the shoots out into convenient posi¬ 
tions for layering. 
After the incision with a sharp knife has been made the layer 
must be firmly fixed with a small peg into a compost consisting 
for the greater part of fine leaf soil and sand. After layering is 
completed keep the frame constantly moistened to induce the 
layers to emit roots as speedily as possible, shading always during 
bright sunshine. As soon as the layers have acquired an in¬ 
dependent rooting system they should be detached from the 
parent, using a sharp knife, and allowing them to remain in such 
a condition for ten or twelve days, when they may be taken up 
with as much soil attached as possible, and potted into pots of 
about 3g inches in diameter, using a compost of equal parts loam, 
leaf soil, and sand. Should the weather be fine and open the young 
plants may be returned to a well ventilated cold frame. Here 
they may re-mam until the approach of cold, damp weather, when 
a cool house will be the best place. As soon as the small pots 
become filled with roots they must at once be transferred to their 
flowering pots, which should he about 6in. in diameter, using a 
compost consisting of two parts loam and equal parts leaf soil 
and sand, or sharp road grit. The pot must be well drained, 
as the Malmaison is very sensitive to stagnant moisture. Pot 
fairly firm, and, if possible, return the plants to an open wood 
work stage, where they may pass the winter. 
During the winter months water must be used sparingly and 
with care. Avoid coddling in any shape or form. It will be 
well to remember that a few degrees of frost will do- m> harm. 
Afford ventilation at all times unless the weather be excep¬ 
tionally severe. During a spell of wet and damp a little heat 
may be turned on, not to raise the temperature, but to assist in 
the dispelling of moisture and creating a buoyant atmosphere, 
which is so essential to their well doing. As the spring ap¬ 
proaches the plants will show signs of increased activity, and 
will, of course, require a little more generous treatment, an ad¬ 
mirable fertiliser for them being clear soot water, with which 
we also syringe the plants after bright days. This serves a 
double purpose, that of keeping the foliage clean and healthy, 
and also acts as a fertiliser. Syringing must-, of course, be dis¬ 
continued directly the flower buds show colour. Do not attempt 
to hasten the plants ini any stage of their growth. Shade from 
bright sunshine, particularly as the flowers expand, and always 
afford ventilation whenever possible. To keep up a clean healthy 
stock it is most essential to propagate from healthy, clean plants. 
I am advised that Condy’s Fluid, at about one part to twenty 
of water, is very efficacious in keeping the plants healthy and 
Group of Malmaison Carnations. 
free from rust, spraying the plants every week. A few plants 
should always be grown on to flower a second time, as they are 
useful for grouping, but the flowers with me are invariably 
smaller than those- on the younger plants. For growing on the 
plants should have the ball reduced, and be potted into about 
8im. pots using a compost as already advised, adding a little 
bone meal. As the plants will occupy these pots for some time 
(bone meal being a lasting fertiliser), retain only the best placed 
and strongest shoots, which must be neatly staked. The plants 
may be stood in a cool shaded position outside. Water carefully 
until they are well established, removing them indoors prior to 
the autumn rains setting in. 
I am forwarding for the Editor’s inspection a photograph of 
a group of Malmais-ons, which I worked up in three years from 
six small plants which I found here when I came, flowering for 
the first time, my notes detailing the methods adopted in their- 
production. W. H. W. 
Early Peas for Table. 
A few hints on this most important subject may be of profit 
to some of the readers of The Gardening World. The older 
generations of gardeners sowed their early peas in October or 
November, but times have since changed, and habits with them. 
