270 
THE GARDENING WORLD , 
April 1, 1905. 
Viscaria oculata. 
Several very beautiful varieties of an annual are now widely 
cultivated in gardens and productive of line effects in propor¬ 
tion to the masses of them sown. We refer to the annuals 
known under such names as Viscaria cardinalis, V. oculata', etc. 
Owing tO' the different names given to various members of tne 
genus, however, there is a great diversity in different books 
and gardening publications as to the correct relationships of 
these annuals. Stated briefly, those varieties which we have 
just named are garden forms of Lychnis Coeli-rosa. 
By the courtesy of Messrs. Webb and Sons, Wordsley, Stour¬ 
bridge, we are able to' give an illustration of the beautiful 
hardy annual which we now term L. Coeli-rosa oculata. ihe 
flowers are about 1|- in. to 1J in. in diameter and of a. beautiful 
pink colour with a dark eye. The leave® are linear and the 
slender branching stems about 12 in. to 15 in. in height. 
These characteristics would suggest Linurn grandiflorum as 
another relative, but that is only a. mere outward resemblance, 
as the two belong to quite different families. The species and 
varieties of Lychnis belong to the same' family as the Dianthus, 
and in both these cases have very high-sounding titles if the 
Greek and Latin names are' translated. The two words, Coeli- 
rosa, mean Rose of Heaven, and this fact will give some idea 
of the beauty of the flowers and the admiration which the old 
herbalist had who applied this 'name, A iscaria suggests a 
Catch-fly, and that applies to the viscid exudation on the stems, 
not only of this but of several other species of Lychnis and 
Silene which are often spoken of as Catch-flies. 
The variety under discussion is of the easiest cultivation, 
sown in the open ground in April, provided the soil is of 
ordinarily good garden quality. If sown too thickly, it will 
greatly improve the size of the flowers and the succession if 
the plants are thinned out at least to 3 in. apart as soon as it 
can be discerned which seedlings will come along strong and 
healthy. 
Runner Beans. 
Few kitchen garden crops are more remunerative, and none 
appreciate care and attention in relation to' the preparation of 
the ground and to after attention than Runner Beans. The 
new and improved types are in every way so far in advance of 
the old varieties that it is surprlsiffg, not only to me but to' 
many others, that these should be cultivated at all at the' pre¬ 
sent day, and yet acres upon acres of these are grown especially 
for supplying the London and other great, markets in the 
country, and the result is that, really first-class Beans such as 
are cultivated in private gardens can seldom be obtained. 
Many which are offered for sale are scarcely worth cooking 
for human food. I know of no merits to recommend these in- 
preference to the better kinds, except that the seed can be 
bought somewhat cheaper. 
Sowing the Seed. —I much prefer to sow in boxes and raise 
under glass in quite a cool structure, especially so for the 
earliest supplies, as by so doing the seeds usually germinate 
much more strongly, and are practically secure against late 
frosts and ravages of slugs. The seed should be put in about 
May 20th at a distance of 3 in. to 4 in. apart; give abundance 
of air as soon as the young growth can be observed, and tho¬ 
roughly harden off before planting. When this is carefully 
performed no harm will accrue to- the plants. In fact, I have 
found it a distinct advantage by transplanting. This should 
be done immediately the first growth is seen after the seed-leaf. 
Nothing is gained by overcrowding, and a distance of at least 
10 in. to 15 in. should be allowed between the plants, which 
should be planted in double lines. 
Preparation of the Land. —The Bean is a deep-rooted sub¬ 
ject and a gross feeder, consequently the ground should be 
deeply and thoroughly trenched and heavily manured. When 
extra, fine pods are required for exhibition purposes it is a 
capital plan to prepare trenches much in the same way as 
for Celery, in which should be placed from 8 in. to 10 in. of 
good, half-decayed farmyard manure and turfy loam in equal 
proportions, and the rows should be from 10 ft. to 15 ft. apart. 
Staking.—I regard this as one of the most important points 
in relation to successful Bean culture. The growths, owing to 
short and. bad stakes, are frequently far too crippled, owing to 
want of space upwards. The longest and best sticks possible 
should be procured, and at least from 10 ft, to 12 ft. should be 
left above the ground level. Thrust well into- the ground, and 
stout stakes should be inserted on either side of the rows—made 
as rigid as possible to be proof against strong gales—to which 
stretch two or three lines of stout cord. Though this may 
appear to incur a good deal of labour, I have proved over and 
over again, beyond doubt, that the increase of the crop by 
taking such measures more than repays, as not only are the 
■ X k 
_ [Webb and Sons. 
Lychnis Coeli-rosa oculata (Viscaria oculata.) 
Beans produced in much larger quantities, but the quality is 
also far superior. 
Mulching. —It is a capital plan after active growth has com¬ 
menced to cover the ground between the rows with a. good 
thickness of long stable litter, and especially is this invaluable 
on hot, gravelly soils. 
Watering. — The plants should never be allowed to want for 
moisture at the roots, and tins should be given freely, both 
clear and liquid manure. During spells of hot weather, par¬ 
ticularly during the early part, of the season, it is an excellent 
plan to' syringe over the growths during early evening with 
clean, tepid water, which will do. much in assisting to 1 set the 
flowers. 
Varieties.— I made a large and extensive trial of what I 
believed to be the best kinds in cultivation, each .treated pre¬ 
cisely under the -same conditions, and I give the results in the 
order of merit. The new variety raised by Mi'. Lye, of Sydmon- 
ton Court, now named Carter’s Mammoth Exhibition, was dis¬ 
tinctly the best, followed closely by Hackwood Success, raised 
by Mr. Bowermao. Next came Sutton’s Prizewinner, a good 
variety, and Sutton’s Best of All. E. BeCketT. 
