May 9, 1908. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
r this purpose. Heuchera gracillima 
id its varieties are useful for our pre- 
ait purpose, and London Pride (Saxi- 
aga umbrosa) None-so-pretty, is not to 
; despised. 
C. C. 
-- 
ardens of the Ancient Persians. 
In the Persian gardens of a limited de- 
ription the trees were arranged in 
raight lines, and the margin of the walks 
>vered with tufts of Violets, Roses, and 
her odoriferous-flowering plants. 
-*+*- 
PERENNIAL . . 
- Phloxes. - 
— / Cultural Notes. 
To cultivate these beautiful border 
ants successfully, a partly shaded spot 
.ould be selected away from other plants, 
bile.a good rich soil, incorporated with 
,me thoroughly decayed manure, is es- 
ntial for their well-being. To have large 
id handsome trusses of blooms, thinning 
it of the weak flowering stems is neces- 
.rj. Large clumps should be divided in 
>ring, when they have begun active 
rowth, the outer portion of the clumps 
flag selected, and divided to form round, 
iat plants, as these will give us the finest 
usses for two or three years. In the 
urth year they are weaker, and the bril- 
ancy of the floivers begins to deteriorate, 
1 it is necessary to divide them at this 
age- 
Being surface-rooted plants, and mois- 
ire-loving as well, it is beneficial to 
ulch them in the spring with some good 
anure, in order to stay evaporation, and 
1 give extra nourishment while they are 
rming their flowering shoots. 
A single, well-grown plant is a pretty 
ght, but to see them at their best they 
lould be grown in clumps or masses of 
iree, four, or more, of one variety and 
flour; by massing various colours along 
le border they are sure to command at- 
ntion for their striking beauty 7 . 
To propagate by cuttings is best done 
1 April, and if they are taken with a 
eel so much the better, as they quickly 
>rm roots. The branches taken off dur- 
ig the thinning out process will do very 
ell for cuttings; these can be inserted 
t a shaded frame, and kept close until 
le cuttings stand erect, when a little 
enlilation can be given, increasing it 
1 aily as growth begins, afterwards en- 
rely removing the lights. To assist root- 
ig a hole should be made with a stick or 
ibber and filled up with some gritty sand 
nd pressed firm after the cuttings have 
een inserted. Shade from the hot sun, 
nd see that they never suffer from want 
f water. In September they can be re- 
1 loved from the frame, and planted out in 
teir permanent quarters for flowering the 
fllowing season. 
Some very fine varieties are to be found 
mongst the early-flowering kinds, 
otablv Phlox suffruticosa, and among 
re late-flowering kinds, such as Phlox 
ecussata. A succession of bloom can be 
btained for a long period if plants of 
oth varieties are selected. 
Joseph Floyd. 
Narcissus Sir Watkin. 
The accompanying illustration shows a 
good potful of Narcissus Sir Watkin grown 
in moss fibre as it is offered by Mr. 
Robert Sydenham, Tenby Street, Bir¬ 
mingham. The bulbs were potted much 
in the usual way 7 in the autumn, varying 
the method of potting somewhat in ac¬ 
cordance with the material in which they 
were potted. For instance, it would be a 
mistake to press the moss fibre so hard 
as in the case of soil. The roots of Daffo¬ 
dils are produced in such quantity that 
they would have a difficulty in penetrating 
the fibre if it was pressed hard like soil. 
As it is unnecessary and the result has 
proved- a success, it is an example which 
might well be adopted by those who have 
a difficulty in getting proper potting soil 
or by those who have little convenience 
for storing it. 
Another and more important point for 
Grown in Moss Fibre. 
some people is that the bulbs, instead of 
being grown in ordinary porous earthen¬ 
ware pots, were potted in ornamental 
vases which are perfectly impervious to 
water and do not, therefore, wet the furni¬ 
ture of dwelling rooms on which they 
may be stood. We are aware that some 
people use earthenware saucers to retain 
any water which may run through, but 
unless they are glazed or enamelled the 
moisture oozes through such saucers. On 
the other hand, there are no openings in 
the bottom of the ornamental vases, so 
that there is no spilling of moisture wffien 
they are watered. 
The method is to give a sufficient 
amount of water to moisten the whole of 
the fibre and to give no more until it 
shows signs of getting dry again. A short 
time after watering the vases may be 
turned on their sides over a vessel to see 
Maclaren and Sons. 
Narcissus Sir Watkin. 
