* 
10 
éuiniliar appellation has been given to it. 
44! course the photograph only shows a few 
‘looms, but it tells far more graphically 
tan any words of mine how Poppy-like are 
shose lovely flowers, with their graceful, 
tragile, and fugaceous petals, which seem 
xs 1f they would be the sport of a rude wind 
or a prey to the rough wooing of the 
weather of our islands. 
The Romneya is a good herbaceous plant, 
with glaucus, prettily-cut, and ornamental 
fuliage; but it is in the flowers that its 
glory lies, and they are the embodiment of 
#oral elegance and beauty. They are 
white, beautifully crinkled, like so many of 
the Poppies; while the large central boss 
of yellow stamens adds to the beauty of the 
«ffect. Then thay are fragrant, so that the 
zombination of merit appeals to most of 
those who love flowers. [Its failings are not 
anany, but they are serious enough. For 
one thing, the flowers are fugaceous, and a 
thigh wind will soon cause them to shed their 
Hragile petals. For another, the plant 
atself is only doubtfully hardy in many 
places, although I believe that a good deal 
of this reputation is due to the losses of 
single plants alone, while if two or more 
jiad been planted one might have survived. 
' Even in the Leeds district—not one of the 
warmest in Britain—I have seen it 
thoroughly established in the open air, and 
recelving no protection except that given by 
ats decayed stems, which were left on until 
the spring to ward off severe frosts. Some 
grow it upon a wall, but there is no com- 
parison between plants on a wall and the 
anure beautiful ones in bush form. It makes, 
however, a good greenhouse plant in a pot, 
und the delicate flowers can be protected 
drcm the wind when cultivated. 
The Californian Tree Poppy likes a fairly 
good but dry soil, and a sheltered position 
wught always to be selected, with a south 
+xposure, or one facing south-west. It can 
only be «satisfactorily propagated from 
zeeds, as cuttings do not strike readily, and 
seedlings grown on in single pots establish 
auuch better than others. In ordering 
plauts from a nurseryman, it should always 
be # stipulation that the Romneya should 
te supplied established in pots. Seeds 
should be sown in spring in a gentle hotbed 
vr in a greenhouse, the seedlings being 
transplanted singly when fit to handle into 
sniall pots, shifting them occasionally with- 
wut disturbing the ball of soil. They must 
be kept from frost when young, and 
pianted in their permanent positions in late 
spring. So beautiful a flower should be- 
awome a favorite, and any failings it may 
possess will be found far out-balanced by 
ais wany attractions.— ‘‘ The Gardener.” 
OYTISUS RACEMOSUS. 
Dytisuses, or Brooms, afford us a con- 
siderable number of exquisite plants of 
shrubby character. “Many are hardy, but a 
yreat number inust be grown under glass to 
protect them from inclement weather or to 
permit of their flowering in our climate. 
4). yucemosus is one of the most pleasing of 
tthe yreenhouse species. It is a very orna- 
mental shrub, grcwing three feet or more in 
height, having trifoliate leaves and pretty 
spikes of yellow flowers in great numbers 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER, 
‘these blooming generally from September 
onwards. There is a variety named 
Everestianus, which has deeper colored, 
sweet scented flowers. Thisis probably the 
same as the variety called superbus. 
The greenhouse Oytisuses are not at all 
difficult to manage. They bloom more 
freely when planted in loam than if in peat, 
and are all the better for being kept out of 
doors for a month or two in autumn, 
although the soil must -be carefully watered 
in dry weather. After flowering they may 
be cut back into shape, and repotted when 
they make some fresh growth. In winter, 
if wanted early, they may be brought on in 
a temperature of about 50 degrees, Out- 
tings strike well in September, if several 
are put into a6 inch pot and kept rather 
close until they begin to make growth.— 
S. R. Norr. 
pavnpamneeien) 
WINTERING SALVIA PATENS. 
This beautiful blue flowering Salvia may 
be readily grown and propagated by 
cuttings, that spring from the base of the 
old plants, which should be taken off and 
inserted in pots of fairly rich soil. ‘hey 
will quickly emit roots if placed on a mild 
hotbed or in the propagating pit. When 
well-rooted the plants may be potted up 
singly at once, and then potted off into 60- 
sized pots and grown quietly on until the 
time arrives for plantiug in the beds or 
borders. The old plants should be lifted 
and either stored away in a dry cellar with 
the soil adhering to the roots or be placed 
in boxes, which may easily be removed as 
required from one place to another. Avoid 
any excess of moisture about them during 
their season of rest, or spindling shoots will 
push up prematurely, thus weakening the 
plant considerably, as they would have to 
be taken off. If desired, some cuttings 
may be taken from the old plants in spring. 
when the growths are about ‘two or three 
inohes in length, and these will make fairly 
strong plants for bedding out in the same 
year. A very effective bed in these gardens 
during the summer contained a mass of 
Salvia patens, and these grew to a height of 
24 feet; as a groundwork we planted 
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variega- 
tum, and this made an effective carpet. In 
the centre of the bed (which is circular) 
stands a large flat vase; this was planted 
with Pelargonium John Gibbons, round a 
large ventral plant of Agave americana 
variegata. This was a very pleasing 
arrangement, and there are in all gardens 
‘equally suitable positions where a grand 
display may be made with this useful yet 
somewhat neglected blue-flowering plant. — 
H. 'T. Martin. 
DIGITALIS ORIENTALIS. 
THE EASTERN FOXGLOVE. 
To most of us ihe name of Foxglove is a 
reminder of the sunny days of youth, when 
we roamed through the haunts of the 
flowers of our own land, and plucked the 
blooms from the noble digitalis plants to 
place upon our fingers, thinking, it might 
be, of the foxes, or more correctly of the 
folk, or fairies, whence the name of Fox or 
Folk’s Glove was derived. We have no 
‘June 1, 1904 
more effective wild flower than D. purpurea, 
and to it we owe the many noble Foxgloves 
of varied hues which brighten so many- 
gardens in summer. 
To those who know these garden Fox-. 
gloves which have originated from D. 
purpurea, the LKastern Foxglove, D. 
Orientalis, must seem ineffective and un- 
attractive. Yet it has its features of inte- 
rest. It has not the noble compact spike of” 
tubular flowers of our own Foxglove, nor 
has it the bright-hued and well-formed 
blooms the former gives. The spike is of 
fair length, but the flowers are smaller and 
more sparsely arranged along its length, 
and with leaves between. 
Then the form of the flowers is peculiar 
compared with those of our wilding, for the- 
lower lip is, so to speak, drawn out and 
‘projects beyond the rest of the bloom. The- 
color is whitish, but the flowers have not 
much beauty in themselves. As a garden 
flower D. Orientalis must rest its claims 
upon the general effect of the whole plant, 
which is one to be used sparingly in a small 
group to give a distinct look to a border or 
a wild garden. Itis well suited for these. 
purposes, seeing that it isa perennial. It 
should not, however, be in a cold or exposed 
position, since it is a little tender, like some 
other plants from the Levant, whence it 
was introduced in 1820. 1t should be. 
raised from seeds, which ought to be sown 
in spring under glass, the young plants 
being wintered in a frame the first season 
after being raised. Seeds are, however, 
very scarce, and it is possible that those of 
D. ambigua or D. lanata, which have oc ca- 
sionally been named D. Orientalis, may be- 
substituted. When planted out this Fox- 
glove should have arather dry place. I 
grows from 14 to 3 feet gh. 
Solemon’s Seal is a plant that frequently 
succeeds admirably beneath the shade of 
trees. 
Clear liquid manure, given once or twice 
a week, is of great assistance to Camellias 
that are swelling their buds. 
There is always the greatest danger of” 
overwatering Orchids at the time when they 
are just commencing to grow after resting. 
it is not essential in all cases, but it is a 
wise plan, to so arrange garden crops that 
they follow each other in rotation. 
a ri 
MUSICAL EDUCATION, 
‘There are many country homes, and also homes 
in the suburbs, where gardeners and their 
families greet an evening’s recreation with music 
as agreat boon, So itshould be, The difficulty 
very often lies in the fact that while the piano or 
organ is there the musician is wanted. To 
supply this pleasure we are introdncing from 
America a Chart of Musical Chords, arranged by 
Mr. Charles E. Pratt. By the use of these 
Chords, which any ordinary intelligent person 
can learn quickly without any previous know- 
ledge of music, an accompaniment can be played 
to any song yet composed. In addition to the 
Chart the publishers supply a book of popular 
songs, containing 48 pages, all for the very 
modest price of 2s. 6d. and postage. On receipt 
of 2s, 6d, and postage 2d. we will send the chart 
and music to any address in the Commonwealth 
An advertisement appears on page 14, 
