May 6, 1905. 
TUB GARDENING WORLD 
373 
Notes on the Illustrations in this Issue. 
A Handsome Grape Hyacinth (Muscari szovitzianum). 
Many very handsome Grape Hyacinths have been intro¬ 
duced to cultivation, but relatively few of them find their way 
into gardens generally. This is surprising considering their 
beauty, hardiness, and little trouble they give when once 
established in the borders surrounding fruit and vegetable 
quarters in private gardens, where they would reward the 
cultivator by coining up every spring after they had been 
long forgotten. 
The above is one of the largest-flowered types, and takes a 
position between M. botrvoides and M. racemosum, both well 
known in gardens, the last being the Starch Hyacinth. The 
tlowers are about one-sixth of an inch long, but arranged 
in a dense conical or cylindrical raceme, varying from 1|- in. 
to 3 in. in length. These flowers are bright blue with a white 
rim at the mouth, and when seen while the spike is still 
compact, and the clump a fairly large one, the effect is very 
handsome indeed. The flower scape is 6 in. to 8 in. high, 
or even 12 in. when grown under glass, and often more than 
one flower stem are produced from a good sized bulb. Each 
bulb produces ffve to nine leaves, spreading 
about on the ground and dying off early in the 
summer. 
Any good garden soil will suit this species, 
which comes from the Caucasus and Persia. For 
size it ranks next to Heavenly Blue (M. coni- 
cum), and we think it is even brighter in colour, 
and therefore equally effective. So' long as the 
soil is well drained, and light rather than heavy, 
no trouble is necessary with the plant after the 
bulbs have been first put into the soil in autumn. 
If the cultivator objects to the bare soil after 
the foliage has died down, the precaution can be 
taken of sowing some annuals over the ground 
to take the place of this plant later in the season. 
The bulbs are equally amenable to pot cul¬ 
ture, and those who like variety in the green¬ 
house or conservatory in spring would do well 
to pot up some bulbs -in the autumn when the 
general potting of bulbs is being done. No heat 
whatever is required to force this plant; indeed, 
fire heat would be detrimental in drawing up 
the stems, and spoiling the compact and pleasing 
habit of the plant. The mere fact of its being 
brought along under glass would cause the 
flowers to develop much in advance of those in 
the open. This bulb could, therefore, be em¬ 
ployed under glass even by those who* have no 
heated structures whatever. 
Henderson’s Dog’s-tooth Violet (Erythronium Hendersoni). 
The American species of Dog’s-tooth \iolets are usually 
taller growing, and quite different in aspect from trie European 
one. Many of them are difficult to distinguish, except by 
those who have given them a little study. That under 
notice is a very distinct one, and its colours alone serve to 
distinguish it from all other American species. 
The flower stems of this species are usually 6 in. to 8 in. 
in height, and carry one to three flowers, sometimes as many 
as five. These flowers are pale lilac-purple, fading away to 
white in the lower part of the segments, with a dark maroon- 
purple zone at the very base surrounding the seed vessel. These 
flowers are nodding or drooping with their faces downwards, as 
a rule, but sometimes placed sideways, as may be seen by 
reference to our illustration. • They are also of an appreci¬ 
able size, the segments being lj in. to 2 in. long. The pale 
purple flowers with the maroon-purple zone in the centre is 
tlie distinguishing mark of this species, which comes from 
Oregon. 
When planted in the open a well-drained soil should be 
selected, and it will be much to the benefit of the plants 
if a considerable quantity of leaf mould or peat is used in 
tlie soil. The conns should also be placed 0 in. or 8 in. below 
the surface, particularly if tlie soil is of a light and sandy 
character. This depth will keep the conns not only safe in 
winter, but cool and equable in summer, after the hot 
weather has set in. It is surprising how strongly they come 
up from that depth in well drained soil and in cool situations, 
though well exposed to light. As they make their growth 
in spring, neither the flowers nor the foliage is affected by 
a hot and dry soil, but the bulbs seem to appreciate being 
planted at this depth, and thereby kept cool. Our illustra¬ 
tions of both these subjects were taken at Kew, where the 
plants are growing in the open. 
Rare Plants. 
These words may seem misleading to many when the sub¬ 
jects I allude to are spoken of as being rare. Not only in the 
gardens we may be employed at, but also the places frequented 
we view indoor plants that are seldom cultivated. Before 
doing so, I take occasion to lament on the scanty information 
that young gardeners receive from their superiors on the rare 
plants in the glass structures, and of trees and shrubs of orna¬ 
mental value. I have experienced difficulty in ascertaining 
the correct names of, I might say, uncommon plants that are 
not seen in every garden. I have either had to send specimen 
leaves or flowers to gardening editors, or make use of botanical 
gardens for their true classification. A good many gardeners 
denounce the under ones, if enthusiasts on plant names, as 
foolish and of no importance. The spade or barrow is more in 
their favour. That may be; but there is abundance of space for 
head gardeners to be just a trifle more considerate to their 
subordinates. To' remain ignorant of plant names is to lose 
knowledge. For instance, interesting illustrations and articles 
may appear in gardening papers of little worth to the reader : 
he does not know the plant, yet he may inspect the same plant 
almost daily, but no> name is attached, or no one can give 
assistance. Thus good information is lost. Every encourage¬ 
ment should be given to tlie youth on plant names, so that he 
may read and gain experience. 
Strelitzia Reginae.—I have only seen this noble stove plant 
in two gardens. The popular name is " Bird of Paradise 
Flower, ’’^although it does not flower very often. When first 
A HANDSOME GRAPE HYACINTH (MUSCARI SZOVITZIANUM). 
