Aug. 2—There is quite a lot of yellow-flowered double Rudbeckia laciniatq grown in Shanghai gardens, The reason for this is easily understood when it is realized that the plant is very showy, easy to grow and one of our best perennials We wonder why the plant is colloquially known as the "Japanese Dahlia" for it is supposed to be native to Canada. There appears to be some doubt about this, however, for some writers state that the origin of "Golden Glow" is uncertain It was introduced into America in 1894 and as the plants were sent io the distributing station by a correspondent, it is possible that they were sent from this area or Japan, On the other hand it is possible chat plants were imported into Japan and later brought to this city where the gardeners gave to them the name of Japanese dahlia. The plant thrives in moist ground, it does not mind shade provided it can get a peep of the sun occasionally, the foliage is divided and the double yellow flowers are borne on stiff stems. There are many other rudbeckias besides the one ioned; but their leaves are generally not divíded, are commonly known as Cone flowers or "Nigger-heads." We do not like these flowers so much as we do "Golden Glow," but they are useful all the same and they also thrive in semi-shade. We saw another yellow-flowering plant the other day which is not often grown here outside the property where we saw it. It was a Cassia and quite attractive. We are so used to referring to Cassia as a street tree that we find it somewhat difficult to give the same name to border plant. It is a far cry from the gorgeous golden, pink, or white "shower" street trees of the tropics to the dwarf plant dis
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