Culture of the Sweet Pea 689 



to have made many crosses, using the best varieties known at the time 

 as well as his own best seedlings. Among the varieties introduced by him 

 are Etna, Madame Camot, Invincible Blue, Carmen Silva, and Rising Sun. 



After Mr. Laxton's death the work was carried on by his sons, who 

 introduced Princess May and Sultan. They also made crosses of the 

 Cupids, of which mention is made under that division of our subject. 



Mr. Eckford began his work of improving sweet peas about 1870, while 

 in charge of the gardens of Doctor Sankey at Boreatton. His collection 

 consisted of the varieties known as White, Scarlet, Black, Painted Lady, 

 and Butterfly. Later he started in business for himself at Wem, Shrop- 

 shire, a small village but a place which he has made famous throughout 

 the world. Here he worked, crossing and intercrossing all the varieties. 

 His first notable result was Bronze Prince, which was exhibited before, 

 and awarded a First Class Certificate by, the Royal Horticultural Society, 

 August 8, 1882. This variety was sent out by W. Bull. Year by year 

 the introduction of new varieties, was forwarded, despite the claims of 

 some persons during the earlier years that Mr. Eckford 's varieties were 

 no better than existing varieties. Steadily he kept at work, bringing out 

 new varieties that were of improved size, form, or color. In the early 

 nineties his varieties caused a sensation in America, and under the leader- 

 ship of the Reverend W. T. Hutchins there was great enthusiasm in growing 

 sweet peas for exhibition, and above all for home decoration. This 

 suppHed the required stimulus, largely lacking at home, for Mr. Eckford 

 to put forth his best efforts, and the result is the remarkably long Hst of 

 meritorious varieties that he sent out. 



Aside from Bronze Prince, the following are some of the early Eckford 

 varieties: Blue King, Charming, Duchess of Albany, Princess, Grandeur, 

 Emperor, Black Prince, Leviathan, Rosalind, Maggie Ewing, Salmon 

 Queen, Lavender Gem, Empress Victoria, Queen of Roses, Queen of 

 Stripes, Purple Queen. How many of these were introduced we have 

 been unable to ascertain. 



In 1885 Mr. Eckford introduced Queen of the Isles and Grand Blue; 

 in 1886 or previously, Cardinal, Indigo King, Princess of Wales, and 

 Miss Ethel. These were offered in the United States by Joseph Breck 

 in 1886. The varieties introduced in 1885, together with Miss Ethel, 

 were also offered by Peter Henderson. 



In 1887 Mr. Eckford sent out Duchess of Edinburgh, Imperial Blue, 

 Isa Eckford, Orange Prince, and The Queen. These were offered by 

 Breck the same year. Miss Hunt was also probably sent out this year. 

 The following varieties were sent out in succeeding years: 



In 1888, Apple Blossom, Boreatton, Mauve Queen, Queen of England, 

 and Splendour. 



