April 30, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
359 
Notes on the Illustrations in this Issue. 
Phaius Hmnblotii albus. 
The typical or ordinary form of this Madagascar Orchid has 
ji„ht rosy-purple sepals and petals shaded with white. Thei 
lip has rather more colour, especially at the very base, but 
the terminal lobe is rosy-purple, washed with white in thei 
centre. The side lobes are reddish-brown, deepening to 
crimson at the margin. A very conspicuous feature of the lip 
is the two large fleshy excrescences forming the crest on the 
base of the lip. • 
The subject of our illustration derives its name from the 
fact that tlie sepals and petals are pure white. In this clasis 
of flower it is usually much more difficult to get rid of colour 
on the lip, and the nearer the centre the more difficult it is 
to disturb or get rid of the original colour scheme. A fair 
amount of colour has therefore been retained by the lip, 
especially the side lobes. 
Since its introduction this species has attained a 
considerable amount of popularity on account of its 
hold upright habit, large flowers, and the easy cul¬ 
tivation of the plant. On account, of these, qualities 
it has been used in a considerable number of cases) 
for the production, of hybrids. For instance, it has 
been used as the pollen parent in the hybrids known 
as Phoebe, P. superbus, oakwoodensis, Cooksoniae, 
and Ruby. It has also been used as a seed parent, 
apparently only in the case of P. crawshawianus. 
For the photograph of this beautiful variety we 
are indebted to Mr. H. J. Chapman, gardener to 
N. C.Cookson, Esq., Oakwood,Wylam-on-Ty ne, whose 
collection is veiy rich in species, varieties and hybrids 
of this beautiful and stately genus of terrestrial 
Orchids. 
Saxifraga muscoides atropurpurea. 
The typical form of several of the varieties of this 
species axe rather insignificant plants from a garden 
point of view. That does not apply to. &. m. at.ro- 
purpurea, which is one of the prettiest and one of the 
dwarfest-growing species in. gardens. The leaves are 
small, produced in, dense rosettes, and these again 
arranged, soi closely together as to form a close green 
caipet completely covering the ground. The flowers, 
of a dark rose purple, are borne a few together on stems 
rising only 1 in. to 1-J- in. above the carpet of foliage. In 
clumps of this plant which have been, introduced from 
the Continent sometimes more than one colour or shape 
of flower may be detected. This in itself would give an idea 
of the range of variation possessed by the plant. 
More recently the variety S. m. Rhei, a native of Transyl¬ 
vania, has been introduced to cultivation, and has already given 
rise to more than one very beautiful variety. The most, strik¬ 
ing distinction between S. m. Rhei and the variety which wei 
figure is the greater height of the flower-stem, which varies 
from 3 in. to 5 in., bearing flowers of varying shades of rose or 
red, according to the variety. 
In the matter of cultivation, the plant which we illustrate 
presents noi difficulties whatever. It will grow freely on almost, 
any exposure of the rockery, but should be occasionally watered 
until it has become established. After this, the foliage so 
covers the ground as to. retain the moisture for a considerable 
time. Those who have rockeries should not omit to add this 
beautiful variety to their collection if they do not already 
possess it. Its value lies in the fact that it. is. perfectly hardy 
and forms a veiy dwarf covering to the soil, requiring prac¬ 
tically no attention after it has become established. 
Division of the plant will usually give all the specimens that, 
are required, but if the cultivator desires a large number of 
plants, almost eveiy unflowered shoot will form roots and 
make a plant in relatively short, time if taken up and used in 
the form of cuttings in sandy soil, either in pot si or in prepared 
beds covered with a hand-light or frame, any time during 
summer after the plant goes out of flower. Those who still 
have a certain amount of carpet bedding to. do might employ 
this species instead of the stronger-growing species of mossy 
type to which this belongs: It would stand the winter in beds, 
and, owing to its dwarf habit, requires very little trimming, 
except when it grows beyond its allotted bounds: 
Our illustration was prepared from a photograph taken at 
Kew. The label at the top will be interesting to. several of 
our readers, as it represents the large lead labels on which the 
letters) are punched and painted. These labels are practically 
indestructible, even if the letters require repainting occasion¬ 
ally when that becomes necessary. 
Parsley. 
It is, by no. mean® an unusual occurrence in many gardens 
to find a scarcity of Parsley just at the season when it is most 
needed. This generally arises from the fact that it. is one of 
those everyday plants that need no care or trouble, and are 
consequently left to) themselvesi, when all of a sudden, it is 
found that there is none, or the bed has run to seed and is 
spoilt. My experience is that moderately rich soil is de¬ 
sirable, and deep digging is of the greatest importance. Crops 
grown in a well-trenched ground that may not have been re¬ 
cently manured will afford plentiful gatherings when, plants) 
in over-rich and loose soil will turn a sickly yellow and ulti¬ 
mately wilt, away. The usual spring sowing should with 
judgment supply all needs for the next few months, while seeds 
sown later on, should furnish useful leaves from Christmas until 
the next spring lowing is fit for use in summer. The best, 
plan is (and which I have found to answer well after many 
unsuccessful attempts 1 by my predecessors here) to sow the 
seed in lines, about 1 ft. apart, and ultimately thin the plants 
to 9 in. apart, tot give them room for full development,; arrange 
the size of the bed so that a, frame may be fitted over it 
during the winter, the bed to be facing south. It, is a good 
plan to cut away all the large leaf-growth from old beds about 
the middle of August, with the result that instead of a. lot of 
rusty leaves, there will be an abundance of fresh Parsley later 
on. It, is important that a good curled strain, be grown, such 
as Sutton’s Imperial Curled or Myatt’s Garnishing, a® when 
used for the decoration of joints it adds to the attractiveness 
of the dish, and choice Parsley is no more troublesome to 
cultivate than the common field variety. Trevor. 
Ystrad, Denbighshire. 
Readers’ Competition. —Particulars of weekly prize see 
centre page. 
Saxifraga muscoides atropurpurea 
