120 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
February  6,  1902. 
called  C.  e.  alba.  At  present  the  principal  authority  appeals 
to  be  in  favour  of  giving  specific  rank  to  C.  Leichtlini,  of 
which  the  type  is  said  to  be  blue,  and  the  creamy  one  only 
a  variety.  It  is  of  this  plant  that  seedlings  were  offered 
last  year,  said  to  give  flowers  varying  from  blue,  through 
lavender  and  French  grey,  to  white,  with  intennediate 
shades.  I  was  glad  to  be  able  to  secure  a  few  of  these, 
and  hope  to  see  them  in  bloom  this  year. 
Camassia  Fraseri  of  Torrey  is  a  pretty  plant  with  blue 
flowers,  sometimes  nearl}  white,  and  growing  by  the  sides 
of  streams  and  in  meadow^s  from  Pennsylvania  to  Texas, 
where  it  flowers  from  April  to  May.  It  grows  about  2ft 
high,  and  is  a  nice  form  for  those  who  want  a  little  variety. 
Britton  and  Brown,  in  their  “Illustrated  Flora,”  figure  it 
under  the  name  of  Quarnasia  hyacinthina.  More  people 
wdio  have  the  space  available  ought  to  grow  the  fine 
C.  Cusicki,  which  has  broad  foliage  and  spikes  of  large, 
pale  lavender-blue  flow’ers  wuth  vellow  anthers,  and  reach- 
rng  a  height  of  from  2ft  to  3ft.  This  is  an  effective  and  very 
hardy  species  from  Oregon,  arrd  introdrrced  aborrt  twelve 
years  ago.  The  latest  species  to  make  its  appearance  has 
been  C.  Engelmanni,  which  hails  from  the  Rockies,  and  has 
very  large  bulbs,  wTich  w’ould  make  a  more  substantial 
meal  if  edible,  aborrt  which  I  can  say  nothing.  The  spikes 
of  flower  are  from  lift  to  2ft  high,  and  the  bright  blue 
flowers  are  rather  loosely  arranged  upon  it.  This  species 
flowers  aborrt  July. 
While  it  will  be  seen  from  these  details  that  there  is 
but  little  variety  of  colorrr  among  the  Camassia  species,  it 
mu.st  be  remembered  that  the  blue  or  blue-pirrple  huee  of 
tlje  flowers  are  not  too  well  represented  among  flowers  at 
any  season,  w^hile  the  plants  are  so  distinct  in  aprrearance 
that  they  are  very  noticeable  when  in  bloom.  Thirs  they 
deserve  some  increased  attention.  From  my  experience  of 
the  Camassias  I  am  greatly  in  favour  of  planting  them  as 
early  in  the  season  aS'they  can  be  procured,  and  of  making 
them  permanent  occujrants  of  their  positions.  Brrlbs 
received  at  the  same  time  as  the  usual  rirn  of  bulborrg  roots 
ar’e  not  always  so  phrmp  and  sorrnd  as  one  would  like. 
Judging  from  their  native  habitats,  the  Quamash  ought'  to 
he  a  good  plant  for  natirralising  in  moist  grass.  I  recollect 
seeing  it  in  the  grass  at  Kew  a  few  years  ago,  brrt  whether 
a  success  there  or  not  I  cannot  say.  The  farrlt  of  the  plants 
I  saw  there  was  that  they  were  thinly  planted,  while  the 
Camassia  always  looks  best  in  bold  groups,  even  in  the 
border,  where  it  will  grow  well  if  in  a  moist  and  slightly 
shaded  -nosition.  Some  shelter  from  wind  is  also  advisable. 
Planting  from  4in  to  6in  deep  is  what  I  recommend. — 
S.  Arnott. 
- - 
Figs  under  Glass. 
Earliest  Trees  in  Pots. 
The  tree.s  started  in  November  or  early  in  Dcoember  for  afford¬ 
ing  ripe  Figs  at  the  end  of  April  or  May,  they  being  of  such 
approved  varieties  as  Early  Violet  and  St.  John’s  for  very  early 
ripening,  and  Brown  Turkey  to  succeed  them,  will  be  throwing 
out  fresh  roots  plentifully,  the  bottom  heat  being  kept  steady 
at  about  70deg  to  75deg.  Bring  the  fermenting  material  up  to 
the  top  of  the  pots,  and  place  pieces  of  rich  turf  of  good  size 
round  and  over  the  rims  to  keep  the  roots  near  home,  and  to 
induce  sturdier  growth  than  would  be  the  case  if  the  roots  came 
over  the  top  of  the  pots  to  ramble  unchecked  in  the  fermenting 
material.  Maintain  a  good  moi.sture  in  the  atmosphere  by 
syringing  twice  a  day  and  damping  as  may  be  required  in  bright 
weather.  Admit  a  little  air  at  70cieg,  increasing  it  with  the  tem¬ 
perature  close  at  75deg,  and  if  the  temperature  rises  to  80deg 
or  85deg  it  would  be  an  advantage.  See  that  there  is  no  lack 
of  water  at  the  roots.  The  drainage  being  good,  there  is  little 
danger  of  giving  Figs  too  much  water.  Many  crops  are  lost  by  the 
soil  being  kept  too  dry.  The  temperature  in  dull  weather  must 
be  kept  at  60deg  to  65deg,  55deg  to  60deg  at  night,  when  the 
external  air  is  cold,  but  5deg  higher  when  the  weatlier,  is  mild. 
Disbudding  will  need  to  be  attended  to  as  growth  advances  and 
gross  shoots  stopped,  but  the  finest  Figs  are  borne  upon 
extensions. 
Forced  Border  Trees. 
The  trees  started  at  the  new  year  will,  if  the  borders  have  been 
brought  into  a  properly  moist  condition  by  watering  with  tepid 
water,  be  starting  into  growth,  and  may  have  the  night  tem¬ 
perature  gradually  raised  to  55deg,  60deg  to  65deg  by  day  from 
fire  heat,  with  an  advance  from  sun  heat  and  free  ventilation  to 
70deg  or  even  76deg.  Syringe  twice  a  day,  except  when  dull, 
then  damp  instead,  and  see  that  the  borders  are  thoroughly 
nioistened.  If  the  trees  are  weak,  a  thorough  soaking  of  tepid 
liquid  manure,  not  too  strong,  will  assist  the  growth. — Groaver. 
Notes  on  New  Japanese  'Varieties. 
As  the  analysLs  of  Chry.santhemums  publ  ished  last  week  does  not 
give  mucli  information  as  to  wliat  are  desirable  additions,  for  the 
benefit  of  tho.se  who  had  not  the  opportunity  of  judging  for  them¬ 
selves  at  the  various  shoArs  Avhere  exhibited,  I  give  a  .selection  of 
those  I  consider  as  being  worthy  of  addition  to  an  even  already 
long  list  in  tliis  section.  Exhibitors  of  experience  know  well  the 
value  of  a  new  variety  in  close  competition  when  such  possesses 
points  of  excellence  beyond  a  variety  similar  in  character.  To 
impress  upon  beginners  in  Chrysanthemum  culture  the  import¬ 
ance  of  such  an  addition,  1  only  need  to  name  one  or  two  instances. 
For  example,  take  Madame  Carnot  and  Avalanche,  or  Mh  H. 
Lincoln  and  Mrs.  Greenfield,  or  Mrs.  Barkley  and  Mrs.  C.  H. 
Payne.  At  one  time  Avalanche  Avas  looked  upon  as  unsurpassable 
as  a  Avhite-floAvered  variety,  and  so ,  Avas  W.  H.  Lincoln  as  a 
yelloAv.  Mrs.  C.  H.  Payne,  for  size  and  coarseness,  AA'as  a  verit¬ 
able  mon.ster.  Fortunately  all  three  are  surpassed  so  much  that 
feAV  examples  of  the  older  type  are  uoav  to  be  seen. 
Sentiment,  or  Aveakness  for  a  particular  variety,  does  not 
count  much  upon  the  exhibition  table.  The  best,  and  the  best 
only,  are  there  required.  Having  had  opportunities  during  the 
season  just  noAv  pa.st  of  inspecting  the  bulk  of  ncAv  varieties  at 
the  various  shoAvs,  I  give  beloAv  for  beginners  the  benefit  of  my 
experience,  a  selection  of  nerv  and  desirable  varieties.  In  some 
ca.ses,  perhaps,  my  definition  of  colour  and  form  may  not  agree 
Avitli  that  published  in  all  catalogues.  I  give,  for  the  benefit  of 
Journal  readers,  a  faithful  description  of  Avhat  I  saAv,  and  as  I 
have  no  axe  to  grind  I  have  nothing  to  gain  or  fear  in  description. 
As  has  been  largely  in  evidence  of  late,  Ave  annually  obtain  a 
goodly  number  of  home-rai.sed  varieties  of  sterling  merit.  About 
this  there  is  one  redeeming  feature.  Generally,  raisers  here 
have  been  in  the  near  na.st  exhibitors,  and  they  knoAA^  the  Amine 
of  dAvarf,  or  reasonably  dAAarf,  groAA-ing  varieties,  hence  they 
haA^e  taken  this  largely  into  account  Avhen  selecting  Aurieties  for 
hy|)ridisation.  Noav  Ave  have  a  type  of  fairly  dAvarf-groAving 
Amricties  Avith  a  robust  constitution,  and,  Avhat  is  equally  im¬ 
portant,  too,  the  indiAudual  quality  of  the  blooms  is  distinctly 
improved.  We  get  fcAver  yearh^  of  such  coar.se-groAving  varieties 
like  Graphic,  Etoile  de  Lyon,  Madame  Gu.staA’e  Henry,  Soleil  du 
Levant,  and  Mrs.  C.  H.  Payne,  or  even  International.  What 
Ave  require,  not  only  for  exhibition,  but  for  home  decoration,  are 
varieties  that  are  more  graceful  in  type,  yet  full  solid  blooms, 
like  PhoebAis,  Mrs.  Greenfield,  Mrs.  J.  LeAvis,  Lord  Ludlow,  J.  R. 
Fpton,  Miss  EA'elyn  Douglas,  and  Bessie  Godfrey,  and  incurved 
Japanese,  like  Mrs.  Weeks,  Aliss  Elsie  Foulton,  Donald  McLeod, 
and  W.  R.  Church.  No  matter  hoAV  large  such  varieties  are  pro¬ 
duced,  they  are  never  regarded  as  being  coarse. 
Of  English-raised  varieties  Ave  have  a  large  number  this  season^ 
and  among.st  them  many  sterling  novelties.  To  Mr.  Godfrey, 
of  Exmouth,  belongs  the  palm  of  introducing  the  greatest 
number  of  neAv  varieties,  of  AAdiich  some  of  the  following  are  the 
best,  and  .should  be  in  everj^  collection — large  or  small. 
Bessie  Godfrey 
grOAVS  to  full  size,  has  long,  broad  seini-drooping  florets  Avhich 
curl  at  the  tips ;  the  colour,  pale  yelloAv,  deepens  considerably 
tOAAmrds  the  centre  on  the  unexpanded  florets.  This  is  a  distinct 
improAmment  upon  Madame  A^on  Andre,  and  is  likely  to  become 
a  standard  Amriety. 
Exmotjth  Crimson 
has  loosely  formed  floAvers  with  incurving  florets,  Avhich  reflex 
AA'ith  age,  thus  exposing  the  rich  surface  colouring  of  purplish 
crimson.  The  reverse  of  the  florets,  AA'hile  expanding,  is  quite 
prominent  and  iileasing — bronze  flushed  Avith  yelloAA". 
Godfrey’s  Triumph, 
Avhen  fully  deA'^elopcd,  has  graceful,  drooping  florets,  rich  ruby 
crimson  in  colour,  the  reAmrse  crimson  and  golden  yelloAv.  This 
is  quite  a  unique  colour,  and  a  full,  yet  handsome,  flower. 
Exmouth  Rwal 
is  a  magnificent  Cullingfordi,  and  for  its  colour  alone  should  be 
in  every  collection.  Masterpiece  is  Indian  red  in  colour,  the 
revei’se  of  the  florets  golden  yelloAv  flushed  AAoth  crimson.  Queen 
Alexandra  belongs  to  the  Lady  Ridgeway  type  of  flower.  It  has 
broad  reflexing  florets ;  Avhen  fully  deAwloped  in  colour  it  is 
remarkable  golden  amber,  suffused  AA'ith  terra-cotta. 
Godfrey’s  King 
I  look  upon  as  one  of  the  best.  It  is  a  true  Japanese,  Avith  semi- 
drooping  florets  of  a  rich  terra-cotta  colour  flushed  Avith  amber. 
