nlike _S. longifolia_ and _S. cotyledon_, which have
large and firm rosettes close to the ground to stay them, this species
has a somewhat "leggy" rosette or a foot stalk, which is more or less
furnished with browned and very persistent foliage. The flowers last a
long time in good form, and, if grown clean, their yellow--nearly
golden--stalks render them very useful in a cut state.

The propagation of this Saxifraga is more difficult than any other
according to my experience, and I have heard of many who have found it
the same. The offsets are not produced close to the ground, consequently
have no rootlets; neither, from their hairy character, can they resist
rot from moisture so well when planted as if they were bald, like the
stolons of other species. I have found the best plan to be as follows:
Take offsets before the plants flower; if there are none, which will
often be the case, the bloom must be sacrificed by pinching out the
stem. As soon as there are nice sized shoots ready, cut them off with
all possible length of stalk; prepare a sandy patch of soil in a warm
situation, lay them in a row on the surface, heads to the north, and
then place a brick on them so as to hold all the cuttings in position;
gently press on the brick, to cause the cuttings to assume a more
natural position, and they will need no other attention until they
become rooted; the brick will act as a screen from the hot sunshine,
absorbing the heat to the benefit of the cuttings, as it will also
absorb superfluous moisture. During the summer I have rooted many
offsets in this way. That contact with the brick is favourable to the
roots is evidenced by their clinging to it; no water should be given,
however droughty the season may be--excessive moisture is the main thing
to guard against.

Flowering period, June to August.

Saxifraga Oppositifolia (_Lin._)

PURPLE MOUNTAIN SAXIFRAGE, PURPLE SAXIFRAGE, BLUE
SAXIFRAGE, OPPOSITE-LEAVED SAXIFRAGE; _Nat. Ord._
SAXIFRAGACEAE.

During the month of March this is one of the most effective flowers in
our gardens. The mossy appearance of its foliage, when dotted with its
large blossoms, is hardly less beautiful than when the whole broad
spreading tufts are literally packed with them. This must be a dear
flower to all lovers of our native flora, for it not only comes very
early, and in its wild homes on the Ingleborough, Welsh, and Scottish
hills, greets and gladdens the rambler, who is, perhap