July  27,  1699. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
75 
that  I  always  enjoy  as  lessons  of  lovely  colour- harmony  of  grey  and 
brown  and  black. 
Much  to  be  regretted  is  the  disuse  of  the  old  word  murrey,  now 
only  employed  in  herildry.  It  stands  for  a  dull  red  purple,  such  as 
appears  in  the  flowers  of  the  Virginian  Allspice,  and  in  the  native 
Hound’s-tongue,  and  often  in  seedling  Auriculas.  A  fine  strong¬ 
growing  border  Auricula  was  given  to  me  by  my  valued  friend,  the 
Curator  of  the  Trinity  College  Botanic  Garden,  Dublin,  to  which  he 
had  given  the  excellently  descriptive  name  “Old  Murrev.” 
Sage-green  is  a  good  colour  word,  for,  winter  or  summer,  the  Sage 
leaves  change  but  little.  Olive-green  is  not  so  clear,  though  it  has 
come  by  use  to  stand  for  a  brownish  green,  like  the  glass  of  a  wine 
bottle  held  up  to  the  light;  but  perhaps  bottle-green  is  the  better 
word.  And  it  is  not  clear  what  part  or  condition  of  the  Olive  is 
meant,  for  the  ripe  fruit  is  nearly  black,  and  the  tree  in  general  and 
the  leaf  in  detail  are  of  a  cool  grey  colour.  Perhaps  the  colour  word 
is  taken  from  the  colour  of  the  unripe  fruit  pickled  in  hrine,  as  we  see 
them  on  the  table.  Grass-green  anyone  may  understand,  but  I  am 
always  puzzled  bv  apple-green.  Apples  are  of  so  many  different 
greens,  to  say  nothing  of  red  and  yellow;  and  as  for  jea-green,  I  have 
no  idea  what  it  means. 
I  notice  in  plant  lists  the  most  reckless  and  indiscriminate  use  of 
the  words  purple,  violet,  mauve,  lilac,  and  lavender,  and  as  they  are 
all  related,  I  think  they  should  be  used  with  the  greatest  caution. 
I  should  say  that  mauve  and  lilac  cover  the  same  ground  ;  the  word 
mauve  came  into  use  within  my  recollection.  It  is  French  for  mallow, 
and  the  flower  of  the  wild  plant  may  stand  as  the  type  of  what  the 
word  means.  Lavender  stands  for  a  colder  or  bluer  range  of  pale 
purples,  with  an  inclination  to  grey ;  it  is  a  useful  word,  because  the 
whole  colour  of  the  flower  spike  varies  so  little.  Violet  stands  for  the 
dark  garden  Violet,  and  I  always  think  of  the  grand  colour  of  Iris 
reticulata  as  an  example  of  a  rich  violet-purple.  But  purple  equally 
stands  for  this,  and  for  many  shades  redder. 
Snow  white  is  very  vaiue.  There  is  nearly  always  so  much  blue 
about  the  colour  of  snow,  from  its  crystalline  surface  and  partial 
transparencv,  and  the  texture  is  so  unlike  that  of  any  kind  of  flower 
that  the  comparison  is  scarcely  permissible.  1  take  it  that  the  use  of 
“snow  white”  is,  like  that  of  “golden  yellow,”  more  symbolical  than 
descriptive,  meaning  any  white  that  gives  an  impression  of  p  irity. 
Nearly  all  white  flowers  are  yellowish  white,  and  the  comparatively 
few  that  are  bluish  white,  such,  for  example,  as  Omphalodes  verna, 
are  of  a  texture  so  different  from  snow  that  one  cannot  compare  them 
at  all.  I  should  say  that  most  white  flowers  are  near  the  colour  of 
chalk,  for  although  the  word  chalky  white  has  been  used  in  rather  a 
contemptuous  way,  the  colour  is  really  a  very  beautiful  warm  white, 
but  by  no  means  an  intense  white.  The  flower  that  always  looks  to 
me  the  whitest  is  that  of  Iberis  sempervirens.  The  white  is  dead  and 
hard,  like  a  piece  of  glazed  stoneware,  quite  without  play  or  variation, 
and  hence  uninteresting. 
CYCLAMEN  PERSICUM. 
A  well  grown  and  well  flowered  collection  of  Cyclamens  is  always 
admired  and  usually  looked  upon  as  a  good  test  of  a  gardener’s  ability. 
Nor  is  there  any  doubt  that  to  produce  them  in  the  very  best  form 
requires  skill  and  care,  and  these  provided  there  is  nothing  really 
difficult  in  their  culture.  Those  growers  who  are  in  the  habit  of 
priding  themselves  upon  the  production  of  a  few  fairlv  respectable 
plants,  should  take  a  look  in  at  some  of  the  large  market  growing 
establishments  about  the  metropolis  and  see  the  way  the  plants  are 
treated  in  their  thousands,  and  note  what  a  fine  specimen  each 
individual  plant  is. 
.  From  repeated  observations  in  private  gardens  I  am  convinced  that 
the  present  month  is  the  period  when  many  Cyclamens  go  wrong. 
The  plants  from  seeds  are  given  too  much  heat  and  too  little  shade, 
while  those  that  have  flowered  once  are  treated  as  though  they  were  of 
no  farther  use,  absolutely  neglected  in  fact.  In  some  cases  they  are 
turned  outside  and  exposed  to  the  full  strength  of  the  midsummer 
sun,  very  scantily  supplied  with  water,  and  left  to  shrivel  and  lose 
their  foliage,  upon  the  proper  maturation  of  which  next  season’s  crop 
of  flowers  largely  depends. 
I  never  take  my  plants  from  under  glass,  but  allow  them,  after 
they  have  finished  flowering  the  first  season,  to  ripen  their  foliage 
slowly  and  natural iy,  keeping  the  roots  a  little  drier  than  when  they 
had  the  dual  strain  of  flower  and  foliage  upon  them,  but  not  practising 
anything  in  the  way  of  drying  off.  As  soon  as  possible  after  the 
plants  have  completed  their  growth  they  are  repotted,  using  the  same 
sized  pots  in  some  cases;  in  others,  when  a  shift  seems  desirable, 
using  a  couple  of  sizes  larger.  The  best  compost  is  free  working 
fibrous  loam,  with  a  fourth  of  peat  or  leaf  mould  and  a  similar  quantity 
of  well  dried  cow  manure,  or  its  equivalent  in  a  good  artificial  fertiliser. 
Sand  is  added  if  the  texture  of  the  loam  requires  it. 
After  potting,  the  plants  must  not  be  hurried  into  starting  again 
by  applying  fire  heat,  but  kept  a  little  on  the  dry  side  at  the  roots  and 
allowed  to  break  naturally  when  they  seem  inclined.  This  treat¬ 
ment  is  the  surest  method  of  producing  the  fine  handsome  foliage  that 
is  so  much  admired  as  a  set  off  to  the  flowers.  A  damp  atmosphere  is 
necessary  in  all  cases  and  at  all  times  except  when  the  flowers  are 
open,  a  slightly  drier  state  then  helping  to  conserve  the  blossoms. 
This  is  an  important  point,  neglect  of  which  is  especially  harmful  to 
young  vigorous  seedlings,  leading  to  insect  attacks  and  crippling  tin 
foliage.  Should  insects  cf  the  thrips  or  aphis  order  put  in  appearance, 
as  they  will  do  sometimes  under  the  best  of  treatment,  lose  no  time  in 
fumigating  the  house.  The  best  kinds  of  vaporising  and  fumigating 
material,  used  according  to  the  maker’s  directions,  are  practically 
harmless  to  Cyclamens. 
For  growing  fine  Cyclamens  no  structure  cm  compare  with  a 
rather  narrow  span-roofed  house,  a  central  walk  and  side  benches 
being  provided.  Here  the  plants  obtain  ample  light  during  winter, 
while  in  summer  they  are  easily  protected  from  sun  by  blinds  or 
fixed  shading,  the  former  for  preference.  Though  the  advice  to  sow 
thinly  has  been  repeated  times  out  of  number,  it  is  still  as  necessary 
as  ever,  the  best  plan  being  to  dibble  the  seed  1A  inch  apart. 
— H,  R.  Richards. 
ANEMONES. 
There  are  among  the  Anemones  or  Windflowers  some  of  the  m  >s . 
pleasing  border  flowers.  They  give  considerable  variety  and  vary  mm  a 
in  time  of  floworing.  While  some  few  do  bettor  in  the  rock  garden  th.i.i 
anywhere  else,  nearly  all  may  be  grown  in  good,  well  drained  soil  m  the 
border.  Anemone  alba,  which  is  rather  dwarler  in  habit  than  the  well- 
known  A.  sylvestris,  is  a  pretty  species  not  at  all  unlike  the  otaer  in 
general  appearance.  It  has  white  flowers  ami  grows  about  6  inches  ug  >. 
It  comes  from  Siberia  and  the  Crimea.  It  can  be  grown  in 
A.  alpina  and  the  variety  sulphurea  are  both  pretty  Windflowers,  vvhieh  . 
are  a  little  fastidious  in  their  ways.  In  some  cases  they  thrive  well  either 
in  borders  or  rockwork,  while  in  other  gardens  they  pme  away.  A.  alpina 
isVenerally  white,  and  sulphurea  pale  yellow.  They  coine  from  the  slopes 
of  the  mountains  of  Central  Europe.  According ^to  another  authority 
they  are  also  found  in  the  Rocky  Mountains  of  North  America.  <  r 
appear  to  like  a  good  soil  and  a  rather  damp  place.  In  all  probability 
the  want  of  moisture  is  the  common  cause  ot  failure.  . 
Anemone,  or  Hepatica  angulosa,  is  the  largo-flowered  Hepatica  from 
Transylvania,  whose  beautiful  sky-blue  flowers  are  much  larger  than 
those  of  the  common  Hepatica.  There  are  now  several  varieties,  but  not 
many  of  these  are  as  yet  in  commerce.  There  are  a  deep-coloured  iargp- 
flowered  form,  one  with  pale  flowers,  one  rose  coloured,  anc  om  v  i.n  . 
Some  stocks  of  this  pretty  flower  are  shy  in  their  flowering.  t  <  o<  * 
fairly  well  in  a  half-shaded  situation  in  good  soil.  One  need  hardly 
commend  the  beautiful  and  well  known  A.  Hepatica.  A.  apennina  is  one 
of  the  most  valuable  of  the  dwarf  Anemones;  it  comes  from  bomb 
Europe,  but  is  perfectly  hardy,  and  a  reliable  bloomer  in  half-shacE 
places  in  light  soil.  The  flowers  are  bright  sky-blue,  and  the  whole  plant 
is  not  more  than  8  or  9  inches  high  as  a  rule  ;  it  tlowers  in  spring.  me 
and  rosy  varieties  are  also  found.  .  , 
A.  bland  a  is  an  earlier  bloomer  than  the  foregoing,  but  is  not  nearly 
so  easily  established,  nor  does  it  flower  so  freely  as  A.  apennina.  t  is 
found  to  do  better  on  a  stiff  soil  than  on  one  of  a  lighter  character.  It 
coaies  from  South  Europe  and  Asia  Minor;  there  are  white  flowered 
plants,  with  some  pale  and  dark  blue  flowered  varieties  as  we  .  o  > 
A.  blanda  and  A.  apennina  are  increased  by  division  of  the  tubers. 
A.  coronaria,  the  Poppy  or  Crown  Anemone,  is  one  of  om  most 
beautiful  flowers  of  spring  and  early  summer,  and  will,  in  mild  seasons 
even  flower  throughout  the  winter.  It  gro  ws  from  6  to  9  inches  high,  and 
presents  much  variety  of  colour  from  white  to  rose  and  scar  e  anc  purp  e 
and  blue,  with  both  single  and  double  flowers.  It  was  a  favourite  with 
the  old  florists.  If  left  in  the  ground  ard  not  lifted  dried,  anil 
replanted  the  Poppy  Anemone  is  apt  to  deteriorate,  and  the  tubers  to 
decay.  A  stock  may,  however,  be  readily  raised  from  seed.  I  he  mos 
popular  strain  is  that  known  as  St,  Brigicl  s,  from  which  many  ne  °\\e*  > 
are  produced.  Planting  should  be  done  in  September,  or  as  soon  as. 
Anemone  fulgens  is  one  of  the  most  brilliant  \V  indflowers  "e  ha  .e,  b  it 
it  is,  at  the  same  time,  the  most  erratic  in  its  blooming.  ^  *omt 
gardens  it  gives  no  satisfaction  because  of  not  flowering,  while  m, 
others  it  is  lovely  with  its  bright  scarlet  blooms.  As  a  rule  it  flowers 
fairly  well  the  first  season  after  being  procured.  It  must  be  saiu  that 
in  a  good  number  of  gardens  it  blooms  freely  without  any  particular 
treatment,  but  with  the  writer  it  has  so  far  proved  unsatisfactory , 
except  in  a  hot,  dry,  sunny  place.  It  is  increased  by  division  or  seeds. 
It  grows  about  a  foot  high,  and  there  is  a  double  lorm. 
A.  baldensis  is  a  charming  white  flowered  species  irom  Switzerland. 
It  is  said  to  be  only  6  inches  high,  but  with  the  writer  grows  taller 
Shady  rockeries  are  recommended  for  this  plant,  but  one  does  not  hnci 
that  shade  is  necessary.  There  is  a  variety  shaded  with  blue.  A.  baldensis 
may  be  increased  by  seeds  or  division.  A.  albana.  is  not  a  particula 
choice  species.  It*  has  yellowish  white  flowers  like  those  of  a  Iar0e 
A.  sylvestris,  but  much  less  pleasing.  _  -  . 
The  autumn  Japanese  Anemones.  A.  japonica  and  its  varieties,  are 
indispensable  to  every  garden.  It  is  almost  needless  to  expatiate  UP  1 
merits,  or  to  say  much  about  its  cultivation,  except  that  it  gr,->  T [!  ■  _ 
more  vigorously  in  a  rather  strong  soil  than  in  a  light  one.  .  a  ^ 
known  as  the  type  is  deep  pink.  The  white  variety,  A.  ].  a*  a,  is  vc  y 
