200 
THE QARDENINQ WORLD , 
March 11, 1905. 
Leguminosae. 
The diagram dealing with the Pea family shows a vertical 
section of the flower, together with tire five dissimilar petals 
spread out separately, the two unequal bundles of stamens, the 
peculiar form of the seed pod and its style, and a seed pod 
split open. The floral plan is also represented, and for more 
advanced students there are sections of the seed showing the 
embryo in situ. The peculiar form of the tendrils of a Pea 
plant, are also shown, and a very interesting feature of the 
whole of the Pea family is shown by a portion of the root 
furnished with the nodules in which are the organisms or 
bacteria which fix the free nitrogen of the' atmosphere. 
Liliiflorae. 
The above diagram really represents two very closely allied 
orders, and on account of their relationship it has been con¬ 
venient to place them side by side. On the left will be seen 
a Hyacinth with longitudinal section of a flower and another 
of a bulb. To the right of this is shown a whole plant of 
Colehicum. Still further to the right of that we have the fruit 
of the Colehicum, sections of the seed and sections of the conn, 
which is essentially different from a bulb. Then comes a 
flower which would represent a Tulip, together with its three- 
celled capsule and a vertical section of the seed, showing the 
tiny embryo embedded in a large mass of endosperm. On the 
top of this is the floral diagram. 
On the right hand of the picture is a figure of a Narcissus, 
together with a section of the flower, another of the seed 
vessel, and beneath this again is a Snowdrop with a section 
of the flower. It will readily be seen that all of the above 
illustrations belonging to the diagram named Liliiflorae belong 
to Liliaceae, with the exception of the Narcissus and Snowdrop, 
which belong to the Amaryllideae. These, when enlarged to 
36 in. by 24 in., show the structure of the flowers, fruits and 
sevds very plainly. 
The first set of diagrams consists of six, covering seven 
natural orders of plants—namely, Eauunculaceae, Cruciferae, 
Leguminosae, Umbelliferae, Compositae, Liliaceae, and 
Atiiaryllideae. Painted in the colours as above described, 
varnished and mounted on cloth and rollers, the six diagrams 
are obtainable at two guineas the set. Those who find it ne¬ 
cessary to use diagrams can obtain the’ above set from this 
office. 
Primula megaseaefolia. 
We have during the last few years received many valuable 
and beautiful plants from China, some of which have already 
attained considerable popularity, and will long rank among the 
choicest inhabitants of our gardens. Not the least meritorious 
among these new introductions is the Primula named above, 
which is in some respects distinct from any other of the 
Primulas hitherto grown in this country. Its specific name is 
happily chosen, for the foliage certainly more resembles that 
of a small Megasea. than it does the general run of Primulas : 
indeed, one might be pardoned for mistaking a flowerless plant 
for a seedling of the former. In shape the leaves are almost 
circular, with reflexed margins and flattened stems. They are 
of a deep green, with stems and stalks of a rich mahogany, the 
whole plant being covered with short, soft hairs. The flower- 
stalks stand erect, each pip being supported by a short, slender 
foot-stalk. In colour the flowers are a lively rosy-purple, the 
cup being pale greenish-yellow, brightened up by five bright 
orange spots. Each petal is rather deeply notched, making 
almost a star-shaped flower. Every bloom I have thus far seen 
has been pin-eyed, but I am keeping a lookout for thrum-eyed 
flowers. The plant grows and flowers well in an unheated 
house, but whether it will prove quite hardy out of doors it is, 
I suppose, too early to say. Let us hope our winters will not 
be too trying, for the value of so good a plant will be greatlv 
enhanced* if it. be found capable of braving and surviving all 
the changes of our fickle climate. Heather Bell. 
Readers’ Competition. —Particulars of weekly prizes, see 
centre page. 
Acacia hastulata. 
There are many species of Acacia, all of them more or less 
very showy, yet this is one quite unique and distinct. 
It was discovered by Mr. Menzies in King George’s Sound, 
from whence he sent home seeds and specimens in 1829, and 
plants raised from the former flowered some time about 1834. 
In habit the plant is of a bushy nature, producing lon<q 
slender growths clothed with numerous small, hastate, lanceo¬ 
late phyllodes about J in. in length, arid tapering to a sharp 
point. 
The flowers are produced freely along these growths and 
form what one might term a dense cylindrical spike of about. 
4 in. diameter, which completely hides the small phyllodes. 
The globose heads are borne on slender pedicels, and are of a 
lemon colour, emitting a pleasant fragrance. Cuttings from 
half-ripened wood in summer strike readily, and grown on in 
5-in. pots flower, perhaps, after the third year, producing 
seventeen to twenty flowering growths of about 1 ft. to 2 ft. 
in length. A few nice plants of this species can be seen on the 
Australian stage in the Temperate House, and have been ia 
flower now for over a fortnight. 
Other Acacias in flower at present are A. linearis, A. longi- 
folia and variety magnifica, A. leprosa, A. pubescens, A. 
arniata, and var. undulata, A. cultriformis, A. obliqua, A. 
lineata, A. verticillata, A. diptera, and A. latifolia. Mack. 
Culinary Herbs. 
Often consigned to an odd corner, these modest occupants 
of the garden receive as a rule but scant attention, but it 
sometimes happens that a new head comes to reign in the 
kitchen who has a perfect mania for herbs, and one has to be 
pretty smart to keep up the supply. Although classed as 
culinary or “ Sweet Herbs ” for the sake of convenience, some 
of them are of a shrubby character, some are herbaceous, and 
others are biennials or annuals, but all are easily managed and 
raised from seed. One end' of a border is a convenient place 
for them, and it should be well trenched and given a good 
dressing of well-rotted farmyard manure. This is absolutely 
necessary, as many of them will remain at least five or six 
years. I question if it is advisable to let them stay much 
longer, as by that time they begin to show signs of wearing 
out. In planting allow 3 ft. between the rows for the shrubby 
and herbaceous sections, 2 ft. for the biennials, and 1 ft, for 
the annuals. 
The kinds generally asked for are : Thyme, Sage, Mint, 
Tarragon, Chervil, Basil, Marjoram, Savory, Fennel, Anise, 
Chives, and sometimes Sorrel. Others that are asked for occa¬ 
sionally by visitors are Lavender, Burnet, Caraway, Purslane, 
Rue, Rosemary, Tansy, Clary, Balm, Chamomile, and Cost- 
mary. 
Borage' should always be grown where garden parties are 
given, as it is in great request for iced drinks, such as claret- 
cup. 
The propagation of the shrubby kinds, such as Thyme, Sage, 
Lavender and Winter Savory, is effected bv seeds sown in 
shallow drills outside in April, or by cuttings of young shoots 
inserted in sand under a handlight in June, a shady position 
being requisite, and by division in March or April of such 
kinds that are low growing. Winter Savory and Thyme are 
cases in which this method may be practised. 
The herbaceous section, such as Tarragon, Mint, and Balm, 
may, of course, be easily propagated by division in March. 
The biennials, such as Caraway and Parsley, may be sown 
out of doors in shallow drills in April, or in pans under glass in 
February, pricking off into boxes as soon as large enough to 
handle, and planting out in May. In the case of Parsley 
there is an objection to this latter method, for although you 
may get a larger percentage of plants they are liable to 
“ bolt,” and are consequently useless for standing over the 
winter. The hardy annuals are all raised from seed sown in 
shallow drills outside iff April. Such useful kinds as Chervil, 
Anise and Summer Savory, belong to this section. 
Sweet Basil is a tender annual, and consequently requires to 
