THE GARDE NINO WORLD. 
March 2, 1907. 
[Maclaren and Sons. 
Linaria alpina. 
162 
The 
AlpineToad Flax 
Linaria alpina. 
Of the dwarf growing species of Toad 
Flats’, few are more interesting or hand¬ 
some than this alpine or rock plant. This 
is due to the intensely glaucous hue of 
the leaves and the racemes of dark blue- 
purple flowers with an orange spot on the 
palate. Most of the species of Toad Flax 
love to grow in dry situations,' while some 
prefer to grow in the crevices of old walls. 
The alpine Toad Flax under notice can 
accommodate itself to either of these 
methods of cultivation. It may be grown 
as a patch on the rockery, or it may be 
inserted in the crevices of rocks or large 
stones, even at some elevation above the 
ground. The accompanying illustration 
shows a fine bushy plant which had no 
other support than it could get in the 
crevices of a large stone partly split, as 
may be seen. Just below the Toad Flax 
the leaves of a Pink (Dianthus) may be 
seen. From this illustration a hint may 
be gleaned of what may be considered 
trulv rock plants, and a large number 
mighit be employed in the Same way, 
either on the rockery or in wall garden- 
Daffodil Poisoning.— As Autolycus 
has it—“When Daffodils begin to peer, 
Why, then comes in the sweet o’ the 
vear,” but we are warned that some care 
i; needed in handling this most popular 
of our spring flowers, which comes “In a 
yellow petticoat and a green gown.” In 
r> there are minute crystals cf 
(•xn’nt? of lime, which make the juice 
= Gnse irritant to the skin as to 
produce “Daffodil poisoning.” or nasty 
sores and gatherings on the hands. They 
should consequently always be cut with 
scissors, and not pinched off with the fin¬ 
gers, and care should be taken not to 
allow the juice from the stems to touch the 
skin. There is a similar risk in handling 
some of the greenhouse Primulas and 
white Hyacinths, so that it is perhaps wise 
to always wear a ~ pair of house gloves 
when arranging early spring flowers for 
table decoration and vases. 
- ++4 - 
Sweet Pea Alice C. Finn — : 
A Letter to the Editor. 
Sir,—I am somewhat amused at “ Culti¬ 
vator’s ” remarks (in the “G.W.” of Jan. 
5), concerning my references to the above, 
and did I not suspect the identity of the 
critic, and by this alone convince myself 
that your correspondent’s knowledge of 
Sweet Peas is a trifle hazy I should feel 
very much disposed to let things pass. 
The critical one endeavours to wax 
humorous at my expense, but is not able 
toi see that he displays crass ignorance. 
In the first place the variety in question 
is a new seedling or break, and is not 
being offered for sale. 
I referred to it merely as a matter of 
interest, but “ Cultivator ” is now going to 
give it a special advertisement, although 
I have not stated where it originated, or 
how many growers hold stock of it; but I 
might say that it is in the hands of several 
men whose abilities to judge Sweet Peas 
are very far removed from those of “ Culti¬ 
vator. ” 
If “Cultivator” has had any experience 
growing novelties he mnv have found that 
the descriptions of raisers are not always 
Wi-n ] a s t'K'c i n !: ~t *i rroOcl 
?• ik of AH-c A. !' r. I - h •.a’,.’, dou dess 
pa-- ■ " .o' - v r --.ct. rrv’. enlarge 
upon its good ones. 
But I am not, and having, I hope, a 
slightly honourable feeling, I merely des¬ 
cribed Alice C. Finn as I had seen it. 
Moreover, I venture to say that, being 
perhaps one of the most critical of 
growers at the present time, -I rathi 
underrated this new seedling. 
I have seen Frank Dolby on the sho 
table on more than one occasion, an 
know its good and bad points, but I woul 
hesitate to back it against Lady Gris 
Hamilton all the way. In his own ama 
ing way “ Cultivator ” rants about bloon 
on a stem, but does not apparently unde 
stand that being a new break the variei 
in question was allowed its"complete fre 
dom, or almost so. Wideawake men c 
not cut blooms from new breaks as fa 
as they appear, therefore the plants vei 
soon lose their vigour. 
Whereas Sweet Peas grown specially f< 
seed on ordinary soil, quickly finis 
blooming, Alice C. Finn, owing to its b 
ing among exhibition-grown plants, nev< 
collapsed, but continued to bloom inte 
mittently during the season, despite tl 
seed pods being carried. The fact < 
pods being allowed is sufficient to explai 
why Alice C. Finn got weaker later in tl 
season. 
When “Cultivator” deals with colour, 
am bound to suggest that he knows e 
more about Sweet Peas than the verie 
tyro. Lady G. Hamilton frequent 
opens with a pinkish shade, which fad* 
as the flowers age. 
Then again, there is no lavender < 
mauve variety that holds its true coloi 
right through the season, and let me sa 
that three months continuous bloomin 
is a long season. Lady G. Hamiltc 
runs frequently into mauve, especially 
the autumn is chilly. It also runs ini 
stripes, being frequently flaked with whi 
or deep mauve. 
Indeed there is hardly a variety the 
does not vary at the latter end of tl 
season, but particularly does this apply 1 
lavenders, especially when grown vei 
strongly and on heavy soil. 
As regards “ Cultivator’s ” opinion c 
the illustration, when my noble critic hr 
seen the new break, or comes across som 
capable person who has, then it will t 
time for him to discuss its merits. 
I have hinted as much, and now sa 
that this new break is better and large 
than any lavender yet exhibited. 
Respecting “ Cultivator’s ” remarks o 
autumn-sown Sweet Peas, I take them wit 
a grain of salt. I am quite as much i 
touch with the trade, probably more sc 
than he is, and therefore venture to sa 
that the seed sold in the autumn is 
fractional part only of the quantity sol 
after December. 
“ Cultivator” would prefer sowing unde 
glass early in the year, presumably be 
cause his soil is not likely to produc 
satisfactory results from autumn sowings 
I by no means wish to convince anyon 
that autumn sowings cannot or should no 
be made, it is simply a case of soil ant 
aspect, coupled with a definite object. 
-“Cultivator” airs the strange opinio) 
that the general public do not care abou 
exhibitions. I am bold enough to sa; 
that the exhibitions during the past si: 
years have done mere to create the rxtn. 
ordinary enthusiasm 1 at mw preva- 
than all the empty chatter ;u:I. as 
correspondent pens. 
The finest show varieties are the be; 
for all purposes, and when the genera 
public see the magnificent stuff that i; 
staged, it becomes animated with a desire 
to grow similar blooms, and straightway 
strives to get them. Grower. 
