580 
THE GARDENERS’ MAGAZINE. 
August 2, 1913. 
permanent mat of beautiful green. In spring 
and early summer the white flowers a/ppear 
in great profusion. It is a very rapid 
grower, and small tufts planted some dis¬ 
tance apart soon meet and make a fitting 
background for spring-flowering ibulibs. 
Named varieties of the Dovedale Moss are 
numerous, one of the closest and most com¬ 
pact being gemmifera, while variegata has 
foliage prettily variegated with white and 
green. 
S. muscoides. 
This is a dwarf, dense, carpeting kind, 
with yellowish flowers in the type, forming 
a moss-like tnrf only an inch or less in 
height. S. m. atropurpurea, with bright red 
flowers, is the original source of all the fine 
red hybrids that we now have. S. m. 
mosohata is a stronger-growing kind, with 
white flowers. All are extremely useful 
subjects for the many situations in the 
rock garden. 
to be synonymous with S. Camposi, a 
Spanish plant with much less hairy stems 
and leaves. Like all the others this plant 
grows well in light, rich and well-drained 
soil. W. Irving. 
Kew. 
TABLE DECORATIONS. 
The competition in classes for table de¬ 
coration generally arouses considerable in¬ 
terest among competitors and the public, 
a certain amount of criticism, and also, I 
fear, some dissatisfaction with the awards 
at times. This appeared to be so at the 
National Sweet Pea Society’s Show at Vin¬ 
cent Square. 
As an observer—and some might say not 
quite a novice—I was much interested in 
the comments on the tables, and the 
awards. Taking an impartial view of the 
matter, I do not see that the judges could 
To illustrate the value of flowers for 
table decorations, a class for luncheon 
tables, also one for dinner tables, might 
be provided, showing what would be effec¬ 
tive under natural light, and also und« 
artificial light. This would make an in- 
teresting competition. I have seed thh 
done at some shows with very good effect. 
A rule should be made as to how many are 
to dine at a table, and the number laid 
for. The competitor would then know 
what space he has to work on, and how 
to place the epergnes or glasses he would 
require. Had such an arrangement been 
carried out on the tables under notice, a 
far better idea of the deco-rations would 
have been given. In many private estab¬ 
lishments gardeners have to make an ar¬ 
rangement that will allow of the guest* 
l>eing seen, and for general conversation t * 
be carried on while dinner is in pro¬ 
gress. With all respect to the fair sex, I 
SAXIFRAGA GLOBULIFERA. 
A free-growing species bearing a profusion of white flowers. 
S. trifurcata. 
Til is elegant plant comes from Northern 
S-pain, and makes a carpet of rosettes ivith 
three-parted leaves that are of a stiffer 
character than most in this section. The 
pure white flowers are borne on stems two 
or three inches high in graceful sprays. The 
variety ceratophylla, Avhich is known as the 
“ Stag’s-Jiorn Rockfoil,” has more deeply 
parted leaves of a still more rigid character 
than in the type. Like the others, it is a 
quick grower, and easily increased by divi¬ 
sion. 
S. Wallace!. 
One of the best of this section, with dis¬ 
tinct foliage of a light green colour, and 
large white flowei’s that are sweetly scented. 
For spring bedding or for borders it is a 
very attractive plant, producing its flowers 
freely, and lasting for a long time in per¬ 
fect condition. 8. WaJlacei is of garclen 
origin, but was considered for some time 
have done otherw ise than they did in plac¬ 
ing the awards. Frankly, there w’as not a 
pretty table among them. Some were 
rather overdressed, some rather under¬ 
dressed ; it may be the new style is 
affected by the tables. There was also not 
quite that continuity of design carried out 
to make them effective. Others were a bit 
too formal in ai’rangement, and went too 
far, while some did not go far enough. 
If some set of rules were drawn up on 
judging table decorations, and those rules 
observed by the judges, some better idea 
of what should be done by competitors 
might be an assistance, such as arrange¬ 
ment, continuity of design, more or less, 
without being too formal, colour schemes, 
and also blending of colours. A single 
variety of sweet pea does not always lend 
itself to effectiveness; also some varieties 
are better night colours than day, and vice 
versa. 
do not agree with ladies only 
Neither do I hold with single 
or one judge, ^ is sweet 
I do not think the judges at th ^ 
show were ladies. Exhibitors ^ 
ous shows will agree with nie 
is room for improvement in fudged- 
corated tables are ghoaI<* 
and that some clearly defined 
be observed on the 6ubje<^. ^ 
pidistra 
e is frequently wnsulted to >- 
le splitting which at „ f],e 
istra leaves, and often pu ^^yinced. 
of. This trouble, 
ly owing to the deeplv, 
id stem, being buried * 
lants are potted. the 
to affect tne 
