248 
THE Hardening world. 
March 25, 1905. 
or two flowers, but usually only one made up of live to seven 
pale sulphur-yellow sepals. Each leaf of the involucre at the 
base of the flowers is made up of three to five narrow segments. 
In the early stages of flowering these leaves are very similar 
to those which arise from the root-stock, but the latter when 
fully developed are again more or less divided. It is pretty 
and interesting, though scarcely so effective as the A. ranuncu- 
loides above-named would be. 
Saxifraga Boydii alba. 
The original form named S. Boydii has clear yellow flowers 
similar in size and shape to those of S. burseriana, and the 
leaves are also similar to the latter. The form named S. b. 
alba does not seem to be the same thing always in different 
collections. This can probably be accounted for by the fact 
that S. Boydii has always been regarded as a hybrid, and those 
who have studied the subject know that a batch of seedlings 
usually gives rise to a considerable amount of variety, some of 
the seedlings tending towards one parent and others diverging 
towards the other parent. The variety under notice always 
has white flowers, but the leaves seem to vary considerably, but 
more particularly the size of the rosettes. Those of the plant 
now in bloom at Kew measure about |j in. across—that is, each 
individual rosette when fully developed—but' these again are 
arranged in dense tufts like those of the supposed parents. The 
chief divergence of the so-called S. Boydii alba from the type 
consists in the larger size of the leaves and rosettes, and the 
density of arrangement of the leaves. Each flower-stem varies 
from h in. to 2 in. in height, and bears a cyme of one to four 
flowers. Probably the various forms coming under the above 
name all originated from the same parentage, but the different 
forms are difficult to distinguish by the naked eye from some¬ 
thing else either allied or similar. 
Lcontice Albeni. 
The above is a dwarf-growing herbaceous plant belonging to 
the Barberry family and quite distinct in general aspect from 
anything else we have seen in cultivation. During the early 
stages of flowering the plant cultivator who first makes 
acquaintance with the plant is puzzled with the form of the 
leaves and the distinct aspect of the flowers. The flowering 
stems are 6 in. to S in. in height, terminating in a leaf with 
two stipules at the base. The flowers are produced in a hori¬ 
zontal raceme, but the individual blooms are drooping, and 
their stalk diverges at right angles from the stem. These 
flowers are each 1 in. long, yellow and slightly feathered with 
a reddish-brown band on the back of the oblanceolate sepals. 
The inner series of segments are small, erect, and support the 
stamens. The leaves on the stem are first divided in three', and 
each portion carries seven to eight narrowly oblong, glaucous 
segments. At flowering-time only a few leaves arise from the 
root-stock, and seem to spring from other crowns than those 
that are flowering. They are similar in structure to the leaves 
on the stem. Curiously enough, the plant is described as the 
Lion's Turnip, and comes from Turkestan. 
Fritillai ia pudica. 
Both out of doors and under glass the harbingers of the 
various species of Fritillary are now commencing to bloom. 
The plants or the above in the Alpine House at Kew have stems 
only 2 in. to 4 in. high, furnished at the top with three or four- 
glaucous leaves varying from oblong to lanceolate. .On the top 
of these stems is a solitary, drooping, funnel-shaped flower of 
a clear yellow on both surfaces, with occasionally in some in¬ 
dividuals a brownish-purple zone near the base of the flower. 
The latter is not- chequered in any way. 
Fritillaria aurea 
At present the stems of these species are only 2 in. to -1 in. 
in height, each terminating in a large drooping bell-shaped 
flower. The ground colour rs golden-yellow, and the whole of 
the inner face is chequered with deep brown. Only the backs 
of the inner segments are chequered in this way, though the 
markings are less decided and obvious than on the interior of 
the flower. Each stem carries about six erect, glaucous leaves 
varying from oblong to lanceolate. Pans of this are now get¬ 
ting interesting in the Alpine House, but out of doors would 
flower about four to six weeks later. Several other species- 
have some resemblance in the size and shape of the flowers, 
but that with which it is most liable to be confused is F. del- 
phinensis Moggridgei. 
Soldanella alpina. 
This plant belongs to the Primula family, but bears very 
little resemblance to- any of them. We have, however, some 
plants belonging to other families which in outward form re¬ 
semble this. For instance, we have a variety of the Harebell, 
though this is a mere garden form. Amongst the Diapen- 
siaceae we have, however, flowers possessing a considerable 
amount of outward resemblance. Those of Shortia are 
slightly in the same way, but this is even more highly de¬ 
veloped in Schizocodon soldanelloides. At least four species 
cl Soldanella and one hybrid are in cultivation, and that under 
notice is the oldest and best known, though not nearly so fre¬ 
quently cultivated in private collections as we should like to 
see. The leaves are reniform, dark green, and leathery. The 
short flower-scapes carry two to three widely funnel-shaped, 
purple corollas cut about half way down into linear fringes. 
The aspect of the plant is, however, neat and effective. 
Celosia plumosa. 
When well grown this plant is among the most showy and 
decorative subjects in cultivation. The first consideration 
must be when it is that the plants are needed in bloom. This 
should always be decided upon when the seed is sown, as no 
check must occur between this and the flowering period. The 
seed should be sown at the end of March ; or a period of four 
months should always be allowed from the date of sowing. 
Do not sow the seed too thickly. Lise a compost of equal parts 
loam, leaf-mould, and sand, and cover the seeds lightly with 
tine soil. Thoroughly water, and place in a temperature of 
about 70 deg., until germination lias taken place, when remove 
to cooler quarters near the glass. This will be conducive to 
a sturdy growth. 
When the seedlings are about 3 in. high, they should be 
placed singly in 3 in. or 4 in. pots, with the addition of a 
little decayed manure—the compost already advised will suit 
them. 
For a few days after potting the plants must be kept close 
till they have become established in the new soil. When this 
has taken place a temperature of 55 deg. to 60 deg. will suffice. 
From this time onwards the plants should be kept in a light 
position, watering carefully. Pots of 6 in. or 7 in. will be 
large enough to flower them in. For this potting, the followin',’ 
compost will be found suitable:—Three parts fibrous loam, 
one of horse-droppings (not too fresh), one part rough leal 
mould, and one part of coarse silver sand. When the plants 
have become established, any house or frame where a tem¬ 
perature of 55 deg. can be secured will suit them. If possible 
all air should be admitted at the top, which prevents draughts 
reaching the plants. Watering must be done with discretion, 
as the fine roots of these plants are very susceptible to injury 
if the soil be allowed to become soured ; yet at no time must 
water be withheld long enough to cause flagging. It is 
advisable to support each plant with a small stake. A itli 
the above treatment plants with good plumes will be obtained. 
Much, however, depends on the strain, and care should be: 
taken to secure the finest procurable, which, when once ob¬ 
tained, may be preserved, a selection being saved every year 
from the finest plumes. . A. J. 
Hedges in Ireland. —It would seem that the landlords in 
Ireland are particularly neglectful of the hedges surrounding 
their properties, for Mr. Timothy Harrington, 41. P.. had some 
time ago received a notice, but, failing to obey the order, the 
case was again brought before the court, when the Bench issued 
an order empowering the countv surveyor to cut and plash the 
hedges. As we previously indicated, several of the landlords 
had been summoned for this same neglect. The plea of the 
authorities is that the hedges preserve the moisture on the public 
roads and keep them in an impassable state. 
