October  14.  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
371 
Diel,  Duchesse  d’AngoulSme,  and  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey.  The  north 
wall  was  furnished  with  the  orthodox  Morello  Cherries. 
Down  each  side  the  central  path  of  the  kitchen  garden  Chrysanthe¬ 
mums  were  in  strong  force.  Before  the  year  is  out  some  of  our  garden 
friends  will  know  about  them  at  the  leading  shows  in  the  district.  They 
bore  evidence  of  high-class  culture,  with  the  promise  of  “  up  to  date  ” 
flowers.  INIr.  Parks  is  a  formidable  competitor  in  the  Chrysanthemum 
arena,  having  within  the  last  three  years  secured  sixteen  first-class  prizes 
at  Wolverhampton,  Droitwich,  and  neighbourhood. 
The  glass  accommodation  is  not  extensive,  but  is  made  the  most  of. 
In  one  house  we  saw  some  good  Grapes.  The  colour  was  good,  while 
the  “finish  ’  was  perfect.  In  the  Peach  house  there  was  one  large  tree 
from  which  385  perfect  fruits  had  been  gathered  for  table,  besides  many 
more  used  for  other  purposes.  There  were  the  usual  greenhouse  plants 
and  Ferns,  all  healthy  and  free  from  blemish.  We  compliment  the 
worthy  owner,  not  only  on  the  high  keeping  of  Ferndale,  but  the  masterly 
skill  by  which  every  part  is  managed. — Quintin  Bead,  Ei'esham. 
BRIEF  NOTES  ON  ALPINE  FLOWERS. 
Achillea  tomentosa. 
Ox  page  246  I  made  reference  to  the  pretty,  Daisy-like  Achillea 
ageratifolia,  and  I  have  now  to  draw  attention  to  another  dwarf  member 
of  the  same  genus,  but  totally  unlike  it  in  appearance  and  in  colour. 
This  is  A.  tomentosa — the  “  Downy  IMilfoil.”  It  is  of  capital  habit,  and 
a  leading  work  says,  with  truth,  that  it  “  is  one  of  the  best  yellow- 
flowered  species  for  the  rock  garden,  having  a  dense  habit.”  It  is  a  native 
of  Europe,  and  also  of  the  North  of  Asia,  and  is  perfectly  hardy  and 
able  to  accommodate  itself  to  almost  any  conditions  on  a  light  and  free 
soil.  On  a  richer  one  it  is  liable  to  grow  taller  and  coarser,  and  so  to 
lose  in  some  degree  one  of  its  merits  as  a  rock-garden  plant.  The  flower 
heads  of  bright  yellow  are  individually  small,  but  the  plant  is  usually  so 
floriferous,  and  the  numbers  produced  on  a  small  plant  so  great,  that  the 
general  effect  of  this  Achillea  is  very  pleasing.  This  is  added  to  by  the 
small  finely  divided  leaves  being  exceedingly  woolly— a  feature  shared  by 
the  flower  stems  also. 
In  rich  soils  A.  tomentosa  grows  to  about  12  inches  in  height,  but 
poorer  soil  will  reduce  this  to  as  low  as  6  inches,  an  advantage  for 
ordinary  rock  garden  purposes.  Although  not  very  particular  in  its 
re({uirements,  it  seems  to  prefer  a  sunny  situation,  and  to  look  all  the 
brighter  if  given  a  little  limestone  or  lime  rubbish  intermixed  with  the 
soil.  It  is  a  pretty  little  plant,  easily  obtained  at  a  moderate  price. 
Caedamine  pratensis  flore-plexo. 
The  little  flower  possessing  this  long  name  is  only  the  double  variety 
of  the  common  Lady’s  Smock,  which  is  so  plentiful  in  many  districts.  It 
is  not  a  very  scarce  or  rare  plant,  but  one  occasionally  hears  it  spoken 
of  as  one  of  more  than  usual  rarity.  It  is  neither  this,  nor  is  it  excep¬ 
tionally  difficult  to  grow.  In  some  gardens,  indeed,  it  spreads  freely,  and 
increases  not  only  by  means  of  growth  from  the  root,  but  apparently  by 
the  young  plants  which  form  on  the  leaves  being  dispersed  and  taking 
root.  This  singular  provision  for  perpetuation  and  increase  is,  of  course, 
known  in  some  Ferns  and  other  plants  as  well,  but  when  pointed  out 
rarely  fails  to  secure  increased  interest  in  the  double  Lady’s  Smock. 
These  young  plants  are  produced  on  some  of  the  leaves  only,  but  are 
complete,  although  miniature,  plants,  only  requiring  favourable  conditions 
to  enable  them  to  form  perfect  and  full-sized  individuals. 
For  lovers  of  flowers,  however,  the  main  interest  of  the  double 
Cardamine  lies  in  its  pretty  double  flowers,  either  white  or  pale  rose  in 
colour.  These  are  perfectly  double,  and,  in  addition  to  their  beauty  on 
the  plant,  are  not  to  be  despised  for  cutting  purposes.  The  pale  rose- 
coloured  form  is  more  plentiful  than  the  pure  white  one.  As  may  be 
expected  when  we  consider  the  water-loving  nature  of  the  tyjucal 
Cardamine  pratensis,  the  double  variety  likes  a  rather  damp  position, 
and  the  flowers  last  longer  if  the  place  is  partially  shaded  from  strong 
sun.  On  the  margins  of  little  pools  or  bogs  in  the  roek  garden  it  will  be 
found  quite  at  home.  It  may  also  be  mentioned  that  it  is  usually  some¬ 
what  dwarfer  than  the  single  variety. — Alpixits, 
(To  be  continued.) 
KEW  NOTES. 
Ix  the  narrow  border  which  skirts  the  south  front  of  the  T  Kange  at 
Kew,  something  of  special  interest  may  be  seen  in  flower  at  almost  any 
period  of  the  year.  At  present  several  good  things  are  at  their  best. 
Against  the  low  wall  of  the  structure  several  shrubs  are  growing  and 
flowering,  which  are  more  often  seen  in  the  greenhouse  than  outside. 
Of  these  the  dwarf  Pomegranate  (Punica  granatum  nana)  is  very 
bright.  It  is  not  trained  closely  to  the  wall,  the  side  branches  only  being 
trained  to  extend  the  plant.  It  forms  an  upright-growing  bush,  with 
glossy  lanceolate  leaves  1^  inch  long.  The  first  flowers  were  open  early 
in  September,  and  now  it  is  covered  with  open  flowers  and  buds.  The 
flowers  are  about  IJ  inch  long  ;  the  calyx  is  scarlet  and  fleshy,  and  lasts 
a  considerable  time  ;  the  corolla  is  scarlet  also,  but  the  petals  are  very 
flimsy  and  fugitive.  A  white-flowered  variety  is  growing  by  the  side  of 
this,  but  is  not  producing  flowers  at  present. 
Another  shrub  of  considerable  merit  is  Medieago  arborea,  the  “  INIoon 
Trefoil.”  The  leaves  of  this  are  trifoliate,  pubescent,  and  slightly  glau¬ 
cous,  The  flowers  are  produced  in  umbels,  usually  about  eleven  in  each, 
from  nearly  every  node  on  the  upper  parts  of  the  branches.  They  are 
orange  yellow  in  colour.  Kaphiolepis  salicifolia  is  also  flowering  well ; 
almost  every  branch  is  terminated  with  a  raeeme  of  flowers.  A  variety 
of  Cajiparis  spinosa  is  producing  numerous  white  flowers  and  a  few 
purple  fruits.  This  has  a  little  protection  during  winter.  Among  other 
shrubs  on  the  wall,  in  or  out  of  flower,  are  Abutilon  megapotanicum, 
Calceolaria  alba,  Discaria  longispina,  Ligustrum  lucidum  tricolor,  and 
Aloysia  citriodora. 
In  the  border  at  the  foot  of  the  wall  a  ((uantity  of  Amaryllis  Bella¬ 
donna  are  in  flower.  In  addition  to  the  ordinary  form  of  this  there  are 
several  plants  of  a  variety  which  is  better  in  every  way.  It  has  darker 
flowers,  which  are  produced  in  larger  umbels,  on  longer  and  stouter 
stalks  than  the  type.  In  a  corner  a  mass  of  Kniphofia  Northiae  is  seen  to 
great  advantage  ;  this,  however,  is  not  in  flower.  A  plant  of  Hibiscus 
moschatus  is  freely  producing  its  large,  blush-coloured  flowers,  and 
several  other  interesting  plants  are  notieeable.  An  edging  several 
inches  wide  is  made  to  the  border  with  Zephyranthes  Candida,  which  is 
nicely  in  flower. 
Anyone  who  can  afford  space  round  a  warm  house  to  make  such  a 
border,  will  be  amply  repaid  for  the  trouble  by  the  great  number  of 
interesting  plants  he  can  grow  from  the  little  extra  warmth  afforded  by 
the  house  and  wall,  and  in  such  a  border  interesting  plants  which  require 
rather  more  attention  than  other  border  plants  can  be  more  easily  kept 
sight  of,  and  there  is  not  the  same  danger  of  small  choice  plants  becoming 
smothered  by  coarser  growing  neighbours,  as  is  sometimes  the  case  in 
mixed  borders. — K. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
Coleus. 
These  comprise  many  handsome  summer  foliage  stove  plants,  which 
in  growth  and  shape  of  leaves  closely  resemble  the  common  Nettle. 
They  are  of  little  use  for  house  decoration,  as  the  foliage  soon  falls,  but 
they  are  serviceable  for  what  may  be  termed  “  rough  decorations,”  by 
which  I  mean  for  bazaars,  corners,  and  tables  in  small  local  shows.  For 
such  affairs  the  gardener  is  often  called  upon  to  send  plants,  and  not 
wishing  to  risk  damage  to  his  most  valuable,  it  is  here  that  Coleuses  and 
many  others  are  found  very  useful. 
They  are  propagated  both  by  seeds  and  cuttings,  the  latter  being 
more  suitable.  Sow  the  seeds  in  .lanuary  in  pans  of  light  sandy  soil, 
water  and  cover  over  with  a  piece  of  glass.  The  best  position  for  the 
germination  of  the  seed  is  on  a  shelf  in  a  temperature  ranging  about  70°, 
and  as  soon  as  the  seedlings  appear  remove  the  covering  so  that  they 
may  have  all  the  light  possible.  When  they  are  large  enough  to  handle 
prick  out  into  pans  and  place  back  again  on  the  shelves. 
Before  they  are  large  enough  to  pot  into  small  pots  it  is  easy  to  select 
those  that  are  worth  keeping.  The  slowest  growing  are  usually  the  best, 
being  more  highly  colonred  than  the  quick  and  strong-growing  varieties. 
Propagation  by  means  of  cuttings  is  by  far  the  easiest  way,  and  also  the 
only  mode  in  the  case  of  named  varieties  to  obtain  them  true.  Cuttings 
may  be  inserted  singly  in  small  thumb  pots,  or  three  or  four  round  the 
sides  of  a  3^-inch  ;  and  if  placed  in  a  ])ropagating  frame  will  soon  com¬ 
mence  to  root.  They  may  also  be  inserted  in  the  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse 
that  is  usually  placed  in  the  bottom  of  the  frames. 
When  rooted  pot  into  3i-inch,  using  a  compost  of  two  parts  loam, 
one  part  leaf  soil,  and  one  of  sand  ;  and  as  soon  as  the  roots  have 
commenced  to  take  hold  of  the  new  soil  place  the  plants  in  a  position 
fully  exposed  to  the  sun,  so  that  they  may  develop  their  handsome  eolours 
to  the  full  extent.  From  the  3|-inch  transfer  to  5  or  6-inch,  using  the 
same  material  as  before.  The  stronger-growing  varieties  will  again  want 
potting  into  7  or  8-inch. 
Give  plenty  of  water  at  the  roots  during  the  summer,  also  syringing 
amongst  the  pots,  but  take  eare  not  to  damp  the  foliage.  Some  growers 
pinch  their  plants  to  make  them  bushy,  but  I  consider  they  make  better 
specimens  without.  If  the  main  stem  is  allowed  to  go  ahead  it  will  throw 
out  side  shoots  as  it  advances,  thus  causing  the  plants  to  be  pyramidal  in 
shape.  It  is  advisable  to  pinch  the  flower  heads  out  as  soon  as  they 
appear,  for  they  are  no  good,  and  only  spoil  the  appearance  of  the  plants. 
In  winter  the  foliage  loses  its  brightness  considerably  and  many  loaves 
fall.  When  they  begin  to  do  this  jdace  a  sufficient  quantity  for  obtaining 
cuttings  for  another  season  on  a  shelf,  or  somewhere  in  a  position  where 
they  are  not  an  eyesore,  for  Coleus  are  usually  objects  of  pity  in  winter. 
They  require  very  little  water  at  the  roots  at  this  season. 
Mealy  bug  and  red  spider  are  partial  to  Coleus,  and  when  jilants  are 
attacked  it  is  advisable  to  propagate  anew  and  throw  the  attacked  ones 
on  the  fire. — Elvedex. 
Hixts  ox  Cyclajiex  Culture. 
As  Cyclamens  are  annually  becoming  more  popular,  a  few  hints  on 
their  culture  may  be  acceptable  to  young  gardeners.  In  the  first  place  it 
is  a  matter  of  great  importance  to  secure  a  good  strain  of  seeds,  whieh 
are  sown  by  many  growers  between  the  months  of  January  and  April. 
I  prefer,  however,  to  sow  about  the  end  of  July  or  early  in  August,  and 
the  plants  should  be  in  bloom  in  September  of  the  following  year.  This 
is  when  flowers  for  cutting  are  scarce,  and  at  their  highest  value. 
Sow  the  seeds  in  an  ordinary  seed  pan  that  has  plenty  of  holes  for 
drainage,  placing  inch  of  clean  crocks  hollow  side  down,  and  follow 
with  a  layer  of  coarse  leaves.  The  compost  of  fibrous  loam  and  leaf 
mould  in  equal  parts,  with  a  little  sand,  must  be  placed  to  within  half  an 
inch  of  the  rim  of  the  pan,  and  must  be  neither  wet  nor  dry  when  used. 
Sow  the  seeds  very  thinly,  cover  to  the  depth  of  a  quarter  of  an  inch  with 
