with the red-stalked and white-flowered _S.
Burseriana_, the purple _S. oppositifolia_, and the many other forms of
the mossy section, all, or nearly all in bloom about the same time, it
offers a pleasing variety, as being distinct in every way from its
contemporaries, more especially in the foliage. It is rather a slow
grower, and not so readily increased as most Saxifrages; it is greatly
benefited by having pebbles or small stones about the collar. These keep
it moist at the roots during the growing season. If a little dry cow
manure or guano is dusted amongst the stones during early summer, the
results will soon be seen; such growth, however, should not be
stimulated during the latter half of the year, or from its want of
ripeness it will be liable to damage during winter. This practice of top
dressing greatly assists the parts touching the earth to root, and so
either an increased stock or larger specimens may sooner be obtained.

Flowering period, March.

Saxifraga Fortunei.

FORTUNE'S SAXIFRAGE; _Nat. Ord._ SAXIFRAGACEAE.

This, as may at once be seen by a glance at Fig. 86, belongs to the
lobed-leafed section. It is as yet new in English gardens, and is often
grown in pots in warm glasshouses. It is, however, perfectly hardy,
having stood out with me in the open for the past three years. It is
nearly related to _S. japonica_ and its varieties, but is without the
stolons or runners. In this climate, with outdoor treatment, it flowers
in October until cut down by frost, which sometimes happens before the
flowers get well out. It has been stated not only that it is not hardy,
but that its flowering period is May. With me it has proved otherwise,
and others have proved it to flower naturally in October. I also
observed it in bloom in the Hull Botanic Gardens on the open rockwork in
November, 1882. I have no doubt that autumn is the natural season for
well-established plants to flower; weaker specimens may fail to push
forth ere the frost cuts down their leaves, when the dormant buds must
remain sealed for the winter, but ready to develope with the return of
longer and warmer days.

The flowers are arranged in panicles on scapes nearly a foot high, the
panicles being 6in. long and 3in. in diameter. The petals are long and
narrow, of uneven length, and notched; colour pure white. The calyx is
well developed; segments oval, notched at the ends; colour, pale apple
green. Stamens, long and tipped with beautif