March 12, 1904. 
THE GARDEN I NO WO RLE. 
215 
Notes on the Illustrations in this Issue. 
Saxifraga Wallacei. 
The above plant originated in an Edinburgh garden many 
years ago, and for some years, was supposed 1 to be the Spanish 
S. Camposii, recorded as having been introduced from Spain in 
1882. This belief has now been abandoned by the Kew 
authorities, who, however, allow it to retain its garden name. 
It is one of tire most useful of the mossy-leaved Saxifraga®, as 
it is also one of the strongest growers. The flowers are of such 
size and produced in isuoh abundance as to resemble Snow in 
Summer (.Cerastium tomentosum), with which it makes a very 
suitable associate on the rockery, and is equally hardy. 
Our illustration shows, a large patch as grown upon the 
rockery at Kew, and may be seen equany vigorous in other 
gardens where it is grown in this fashion. As it is a strong- 
growing plant, it likes plenty of room to throw out its running 
stems preparatory to flowering for another season. For this 
reason, if grown in confined 'space, it is liable to overcrowd 
itself and go bad in the centre, although this can be remedied 
by renewal every second year. The whole patch may be taken 
up, broken into pieces, and replanted after flowering, if the 
weather is sufficiently moist to warrant -the proceeding at 
that time of the year. In very dry weather it would not 
be advisable to attempt lifting it at that time, but to 
take cuttings and root them in. small pots under a hand- 
light or in a frame. The patch could then be renewed at 
any time with such a stock in hand. Those whoi propagate 
it in this manner will find that it makes robust growth and 
soon forms specimens that will make excellent flowering 
plants in pots if ai ishift is given into a size sufficient to 
meet its requirements. Cuttings will at least require 48- 
size pots to flower ini for the first time if the rooted cub 
tings have been properly dealt with during the course of a 
season in cold frames. 
These plants! would be of useful market size, and in 
private establishments could bei taken to the greenhouse 
or conservatory or used in any other way for decorative 
purposes when in bloom. Few Saxifragas of so showy a 
, character are soi easily managed as this one for the purpose 
we mention. 
Camassia Fraseri. 
The flowers of thisi species are smaller than those of 
any other Quamasih coming under our notice, yet they are 
equally pretty when the bulbs have made liberal growth in, 
a light but rich border. It is: a native of North America, 
and is known as the Wild Hyacinth and the Missouri Squill 
or Qua,mash. The stems are 12 in. to 18 in. in height, bearing a 
long raceme at the top of very numerous flowers about 1 in. 
^ across, and pale blue lavender or white in different- individuals. 
Needless, to say this plant, asi well as its. relatives, is closely 
allied to the Squills, and differs chiefly in having more 
numerous nervesi to the segments of the flower. A colony of 
bulbs sends up a liberal tuft of Linear leaves from amongst 
which the flower-scapes arise and about equal them in length or 
i slightly over-top the same according to the stage of growth. 
Seeing that the requirements are similar to those of a, Squill, 
there is no difficulty in cultivating thei plant provided it is 
planted in a friable and 1 fairly rich garden soil. If it holds 
moisture during the period of bloom, the latter will last all 
the longer in, good condition. This species flowers in May in 
the neighbourhood of London, though it would be somewhat 
later in northern, gardens. Though not, the largest, it is never¬ 
theless just, as pretty and neat as the larger ones. It is ®ome- 
what variable in the case of imported bulb®, but is not, always 
obtained true to name. Our illustration gives a good idea of a 
colony of this early summer flowering species. 
Fritillaria Meleagris alba. 
The above is an albino of the type of a, large genus of plants, 
t constitutes also; the type of a. very small group, there being 
on y another species which comes exactly into the same 
category as. Fritillary proper. In the wild state, until within 
ew years ago, it might have been obtained in quantity in. 
the meadows near Oxford, and those who saw it while still 
growing in plenty know how variable a plant it is. Some of 
the darkest flowers; are of a, veiy rich purple, more or lass 
tessellated on both sides, while others are of a paler hue, 
passing by insensible gradations to pure white, like the plant 
represented in our illustration. This would be described as an 
albino; that is, a, white variety, the tesserae or draught-board 
like markings being absent from both surfaces. The name 
Meleagris, is given ini allusion to the tessellata markings on the 
more typical form®, and in allusion to the guinea-hen, a rather 
scarce bird in this country, and kept on some farms more by 
way of ornament than a,s a useful fowl. This bird has beauti¬ 
fully-marked feathers in alternate patches of blue and white, 
but densely arranged, so that the Fritillary of onr meadows 
takes its name from the bird. 
Under cultivation this Fritillary is very amenable to, cultural 
treatment, under different conditions. It may be planted out 
in the ordinary garden border, and thrives well if the soil is in 
any way passable. It may also be used as a, spring bedding 
plant, and when planted out thinly in thisi way a large number 
of the bulbs give rise to twin flowers. Whether the twin 
flowers are more elegant, than the single one we leave it for 
Saxifkaga Wallacei. 
our readers to judge., hut, the plant is, certainly choice and hand¬ 
some grown under either of these conditions. The plant is 
perfectly hardy in: a cultivated state in any part of Britain. 
Debating Societies for Young Gardeners. 
A widely-recognised means of obtaining increased knowledge 
of good methods of gardening among young gardeners is by 
means of debates which take place at meetings of local societies. 
When properly arranged they are of great assistance, espe¬ 
cially in preparing young gardeners for positions of greater 
responsibility. 
A large number” of young gardeners have a good knowledge 
of their work, but lack the ability to express it .in words so 
that others may reap the benefit of their experience. 
It was remarked at the close of the last session) of such a 
debating society, carried on almost entirely by young gar¬ 
deners!, that, though the papers which had been given were 
notable for their practical information, there was a want of 
method in their arrangement, and that the writers were evi¬ 
dently somewhat, inexperienced in treating then’ subject in a 
concise and convenient manner 1 . 
With this experience in mind, perhaps, your readers may 
appreciate a, few hint®' on writing and reading papers and the 
