March  11,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
215 
of  the  Tea  in  it.  We  were  told  a  little  while  ago  that  this  was  the 
coming  class,  and  yet  since  1891  there  have  only  been  three  added  to  it. 
Perhaps  those  who  are  very  anxious  to  extend  it  will  see  if  they 
cannot  plunder  the  Hybrid  Perpetual  class  of  some  more  Roses.  I  do 
not  wish  to  be  mistaken.  Many  of  these  Roses  are  very  beautiful.  My 
objection  is  not  to  the  Rosea  themselves,  but  to  the  position  they  are 
made  to  occupy.  I  have  been  led  into  somewhat  of  a  digression  from 
your  correspondent’s  questions  ;  but  the  subject  was  a  tempting  one  to 
me,  for  I  am  considered  somewhat  of  a  heretic  in  the  matter,  and 
although  your  correspondent  may  perhaps  be  disappointed  I  have  done 
the  best  I  could  for  him.— D.,  Deal. 
FUCHSIA  JOTTINGS. 
Flowers,  like  books,  captivate  in  varying  degrees,  some  causing 
quite  a  craze  and  taking  the  world,  as  it  were,  by  storm  ;  others  attract¬ 
ing  little  or  no  attention,  and  others  still  creating  and  preserving  a 
reputation  that  wavers  not  amid  the  ups  and  downs  of  fashions  and 
fancies.  In  the  latter  section  the  ever-popular  Fuchsia  is  a  prominent 
figure.  Before  the  present  race  of  horticulturists  sprang  into  existence 
the  plant  found  favour  in  the  eyes  of  all  sorts  and  conditions  of 
gardeners,  and  if  I  mistake  not  it  will  hold  its  sway  when  this  generation 
is  numbered  amongst  the  past.  Turn  to  the  early  volumes  of  the  old 
Cottage  Gardener,  and  you  will  find  its  praises  sung  by  able  gardeners 
who  were  also  able  writers,  and  although  the  then  brief  list  of  varieties 
has  been  largely  augmented  at  the  hands  of  the  hybridising  florist,  the 
principles  of  culture  are  the  same,  and  withal  so  well  known  that  to 
attempt  to  teach  would  only  be  going  over  the  track  now  so  well  trodden, 
therefore  I  will  be  content  with  a  few  reminders. 
One  of  the  most  pleasing  features  about  the  Fuchsia  is  that  it  does 
not,  like  many  other  plants,  only  bring  pleasure  to  the  favoured  few, 
but  adapts  itself  to  varying  conditions  of  cultivation.  It  is  a  window 
plant  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word,  and  behind  the  casements  of  the 
meanest  and  most  obscure  cottages  are  annually  grown  plants  that 
would  do  themselves  credit  in  any  conservatory.  In  village  home  life 
too  the  Fuchsia  plays  its  part,  and  well  do  I  recollect  the  merits  of  a 
certain  Lucy  Finnis  that  had  been  begged  as  a  “  slippin’  ”  by  a  rural 
postman,  and  grew  and  prospered  till  the  plant  became  a  byeword 
amongst  the  cottage  gardeners  in  the  country  round.  Favoured  admirers 
in  turn  were  provided  with  cuttings  from  the  famous  “  Lucy,”  and  in 
course  of  time  the  majority  of  windows  in  the  village  were  ablaze  with 
flowers  that  owed  cheir  origin  to  the  postman’s  “  slippin.”  I  will  not 
attempt  to  illustrate  the  excitement  at  the  village  show  when  the  plants 
were  pitted  against  each  other  in  competition  for  the  coveted  first  prize 
card. 
All  honour  then  to  a  plant,  old  though  it  be,  that  brings  pleasure  to 
the  lowly  and  obscure,  and  at  the  same  time  is  indispensable  in  the 
gardens  of  the  affluent.  Indispensable  it  is,  if  such  may  be  said  of  any 
plant,  for  there  would  be  sometlr'ng  distinctly  wanting  in  the  greenhouse 
and  conservatory  were  the  time-honoured  Fuchsia  absent.  Under  what¬ 
ever  condition  it  is  equally  accommodating,  and  one  of  the  most 
pleasant  natural  features  of  the  Isle  of  Man  is  the  hedges  of  wild 
Fuchsias,  though  it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  convince  the  average 
Lancashire  “  tripper  ”  that  they  are  really  of  the  same  family  of  plants 
which  figure  so  conspicuously  in  his  little  greenhouse  at  home.  As 
climbers  for  pillars  and  rafters  we  have  Avalanche  and  others  of  similar 
type,  and  for  the  herbaceous  border  there  are  Fuchsias  coccinea, 
virgata,  gracilis,  and  many  another  that  give  beauty  during  the  summer 
months,  and  require  no  further  protection  in  the  winter  than  a  covering 
of  litter  to  exclude  severe  frost. 
It  is,  however,  amongst  the  florists’  varieties  that  we  have  the  Fuchsia 
in  its  most  pleasing  aspects,  and  at  the  present  time  plants  that  have 
been  resting  through  the  winter  are  pushing  their  young  growths  and 
propagating  is  going  forward.  For  the  adornment  of  corridors  arid  large 
conservatories  old  plants  are  extremely  useful,  and  as  growth  is  now 
commencing  potting  should  be  proceeded  with.  Branches  should  be 
thinned  and  trimmed,  the  idea  being  to  train  the  plants  in  pyramidal 
form,  and  later  if  a  succession  is  needed  a  portion  of  the  plants  may  be 
removed  to  a  somewhat  shaded  position  outdoors  and  brought  in  as 
required,  by  which  means  a  fine  display  of  specimen  plants  may  be  kept 
up  throughout  the  season.  Light  and  air  are  conducive  to  sturdy  growth, 
and  when  the  pots  are  full  of  roots  applications  of  liquid  or  chemical 
manure  may  be  given  with  advantage.  Soot  is  a  capital  fertiliser,  as  it 
gives  sturdiness  to  the  foliage. 
Plants  for  all  purposes  may  be  now  raised  from  sturdy  cuttings  taken 
from  the  old  stock.  Small  well-flowered  examples  in  5-inch  pots  are 
well  suited  for  table  decorations,  and  larger  specimens  may  be  grown 
for  the  conservatory  or  exhibition  purposes.  The  routine  of  propaga¬ 
tion  is  so  simple  and  well  known  that  there  is  no  necessity  to  go  over 
the  old  ground  again.  Abundance  of  light  to  keep  the  young  plants 
short  jointed  is  the  chief  requisite,  and  not  allowing  them  to  become  too 
pot-bound  before  shifting  to  larger  receptacles.  The  principal  training 
required  is  to  place  a  stake  to  the  main  stem,  not  stopping  the  leading 
shoot,  but  pinching  back  the  side  growths,  in  order  to  insure  a  compact 
habited  plant.  If  late  flowering  plants  are  required  it  is  advisable  to 
remove  a  portion  to  the  shelter  of  a  cold  frame.  Fuchsias  are  not 
commonly  subject  to  attacks  from  insect  pests,  red  spider  being  the 
worst,  and  this  may  be  kept  in  check  by  frequent  syringing. 
Since  the  revolution  in  the  old  stereotyped  system  of  bedding,  and 
graceful  effect  has  taken  the  place  of  stiffness  and  formality,  the  Fuchsia. 
plays  no  small  part  in  the  adornment  of  the  flower  garden  in  summer. 
To  see  them  in  perfection  one  should  pay  a  visit  to  one  of  the  public 
parks,  where  they  are  largely  used.  There  the  graceful  habit  is  shown 
to  great  advantage,  and  one  is  rather  surprised  that  they  are  not  more 
largely  grown  for  this  purpose  in  private  gardens.  If  planted  in  beds 
vith  a  groundwork  of  Yiolas  or  other  dwarf-growing  plants  nothing 
could  be  more  effective,  the  chief  care  being  to  pinch  off  the  seed  pods 
as  the  flowers  fade  in  order  to  insure  continual  blooming.  Then,  again, 
as  single  specimens  for  planting  here  and  there  in  the  turf  they  are 
admirable,  and  for  this  purpose  they  are  often  allowed  to  remain  in  the 
oots,  the  latter  being  sunk  into  the  ground  and  the  turf  replaced  round 
the  stems. 
Such  are  the  uses  of  the  old-fashioned  Fuchsia,  and  where  have  we 
another  plant  so  generally  accommodating  ?  Varieties  are  numerous, 
and  one  has  only  to  run  the  eye  down  the  lists  given  in  florists’ 
catalogues  to  notice  sorts  that  have  been  in  cultivation  for  years,  and 
also  others  of  more  recent  introduction.  Another  doubt  arises  as  to 
whether  as  much  care  is  taken  over  the  cultivation  of  the  plants  as  was 
once  the  case.  In  the  days  of  trained  Azaleas,  Heaths,  and  other 
specimen  plants  pyramid  Fuchsias  were  a  feature  at  many  of  the  leading 
shows.  Granted  that  utility  has  to  a  great  extent  taken  the  place  of 
formality,  is  this  sufficient  reason  that  the  growing  and  exhibiting  of 
specimen  Fuchsias  should  be  given  up,  for  not  are  they  only  monuments 
of  horticultural  skill,  but  in  every  respect  graceful  and  artistic?  At  the 
great  summer  exhibition  at  York  there  are  always  to  be  seen  fine  plants 
and  with  this  exception  I  do  not  remember  having  seen  anything  out  of 
the  ordinary  during  recent  years. 
Perhaps  the  Fuchsia  has  become  to  be  looked  upon  by  the  gardener 
as  only  an  amateur’s  plant,  and  not  worthy  of  the  superior  skill  of  the 
former.  If  so,  the  sooner  such  an  idea  is  banished  the  better,  for  long 
service  has  proved  its  worth,  and  no  occupant  of  the  greenhouse  gives 
better  returns  for  care  on  part  of  the  cultivator.  But  I  have  said 
enough  ;  I  only  intended  to  remind,  and  in  the  rush  for  the  new  let  us 
fully  realise  the  usefulness,  beauty,  and  utility  of  the  old. — H.  H. 
BRIEF  NOTES  ON  ALPINE  FLOWERS. 
Hepaticas. 
We  have  had  references  to  these  old-fashioned  flowers  both  in  an 
interesting!  article  by  “  R.  P.  B.”  and  in  “  Hardy  Flower  Notes.”  A 
catalogue  which  has  just  come  to  hand  contains  a  wonderfully  varied  list 
of  these  flowers,  which  may  interest  others  in  addition  to  the  corre¬ 
spondents  who  have  written  of  them.  Acutiloba,  angulosa,  and  angulosa 
major  are  offered.  Then  there  are  the  deep  purple  blue  H.  Barlowi,  the 
common  single  blue  and  red,  and  the  European  form  of  the  single  white. 
Of  double  forms  there  are  two  blue  ones,  marked  “  No.  1  ”  and  No.  2,” 
and  the  double  red.  There  are  also  the  North  American  single  white, 
one  named  alba  coerulea,  described  as  white,  delicately  tinged  with  blue  ; 
alba  major,  large  single  white  ;  alba  rosea,  white,  tinged  with  pale  rose, 
lovely. 
Then  we  have  one  named  triloba  “  Beautv,”  which  from  the  descrip¬ 
tion  one  would  think  would  answer  to  “  R.  P.  B.’s  ”  “argentrive”  or 
ash-coloured  one.  It  is  said  to  have  silvery  grey  flowers  and  marbled 
leaves.  This  is  followed  by  triloba  coerulea,  which  we  are  told  is  quite 
distinct  from  the  single  blue  European  form  with  its  variety  pallida 
“  pale  ccerulean  blue.”  This,  again,  has  a  major  form  with  larger 
flowers.  We  are  also  offered  coerulea  purpurea,  pale  blue  tinged  with 
red.  Lilacs  are  also  included  as  we  6ee  from  triloba  lilacina  with  “  lilac  ” 
flowers,  and  lilacina  pallida,  pale  lilac.  Rosea  delicata,  very  pale  blush 
shading  to  white  ;  rosea  pallida,  pale  rose  ;  and  rosea  splendens,  bright 
rosy  crimson,  conclude  a  long  list  which  must  include  flowers  tempting 
to  fanciers  of  these  old-fashioned  and  bright  plants.  Possibly  enough 
there  may  be  very  little  difference  between  some  of  the  shades.  The 
plants  are  offered  by  a  reputable  nursery  which,  to  my  knowledge,  has 
an  almost  unique  stock  of  alpine  flowers.  It  is  not  my  duty,  however, 
to  name  the  place.  The  advertising  columns  of  the  Journal  are  the 
proper  medium  for  the  owner,  but  a  recital  of  the  varieties  to  be  obtained 
in  commerce  may  be  of  value  to  some. 
Saxifraga  Burseriana. 
The  ordinary  form  of  Saxifraga  Burseriana  is  now  in  flower,  and 
very  pretty  it  is  with  its  spiny  tufts  of  grey  foliage  surmounted  by  the 
crimson  buds  or  white  flowers  visible  at  this  season.  It  is  unfortunate 
that  it  is  not  easily  grown  into  large  masses  on  account  of  its  liability  to 
die  off  on  becoming  a  plant  only  a  few  inches  across.  It  may  be  kept  a 
little  longer,  and  may  be  grown  into  a  larger  plant  by  mixing  a  little 
peaty  soil  and  sand  together  and  working  them  carefully  among  the 
rosettes  of  the  plant  immediately  after  it  has  flowered.  It  is  well, 
though,  to  propagate  fresh  plants  occasionally.  This  may  be  done  by 
taking  off  small  pieces  and  planting  them  by  themselves  on  the  rockery, 
or  by  placing  them  in  pots  of  sandy  peat  surfaced  with  sand,  which  can 
be  put  in  a  frame  or  cold  greenhouse.  The  x'arieties  of  this  pretty  little 
Saxifrage  tend  to  increase,  as  besides  the  ordinary  form  there  are  two 
varieties  passing  under  the  name  of  S.  Burseriana  major,  and  seed  is  now 
offered  as  S.  B?  biflora.  I  have  seen  nothing  of  the  last,  so  cannot  say 
anything  about  its  merits. 
SOLDANELLAS. 
Some  of  the  Soldanellas  do  not  flower  well  unless  covered  with  glass 
from  about  October  to  February,  or  March  ;  but  now  that  the  flower 
