150 THE FLORIST. 



with large trusses on short flower stems. This is a flower now but 

 little grown in or near London, but from its great beauty we are 

 surprised that it is not more generally cultivated. The prevailing 

 opinion is that it is difficult to manage, but Mr. Turner says no ; 

 however, be that as it may, the effect of a fine collection, when well 

 grown and bloomed, is such as but few are aware of Several promising 

 seedlings were just open, while the old, but favourite, varieties were 

 Ringleader, Ne Plus Ultra, Duke of Cambridge, Unique, Lovely Ann, 

 Glory, Richard Cobden, Colonel Taylor, Stapleford Hero, Apollo, 

 Cheetham's Lancashire Hero, Duke of Wellington, Lady Jane Grey, 

 Matilda, Plougliboy, Bolivar, Fair Flora, Champion, Privateer, 

 Complete, Countess of Wilton, Catharina, &c. A warm spring is 

 known to be favourable to Ringleader, and it is conspicuously fine this 

 season, nearly rivalling the famed Lancashire Hero of the same class. 

 Polyanthuses were past their prime, but had been good. Pansies, of 

 which a large collection is grown, both in pots and the open ground, 

 were as gay as they are generally seen in the middle of May ; and as 

 they had received proper attention, the blooms were large and clean. 

 The new varieties deserving mention are — Duchess of Sutherland, a 

 white ground flower, top petals and margin rich deep purple, the two 

 colours being very clear and distinct, with large open shield, a variety 

 that will become a favourite ; Memnon, a dark self ; and the following 

 yellow-ground varieties : Lord Palmerston, Comet, Satisfaction, and 

 Lord John Russell. Of old varieties, we thought the following the best 

 in their respective classes — Monarch, Royal Standard, Sir John Cath- 

 cart. Royal White, Emperor, Ophir, Marchioness of Bath, Royal Visit, 

 Duke of Perth, Miss Talbot, and Charles Turner ; but there were 

 many other fine flowers that deserve honourable mention. Cinerarias 

 are grown extensively, the specimens being the best plants we have seen 

 — dwarf and vigorous, with large and well coloured flowers ; but the 

 season for them will be brief, owing to the intense sunheat we have 

 experienced. Tulips will be unusually early, and the long bed of 180 

 rows is so clean and healthy that not a spot is observable on the foliage, 

 and they promise to be exceedingly fine. Those who are fond of Car- 

 nations and Picotees should visit this establishment in July, to see them 

 blooming in perfection ; but the " forest " of plants, in fine health, 

 gro\\m here will interest the amateur at any time. The Pelargoniums for 

 May, June, and July are all large, healthy specimens, five houses being 

 devoted to the culture of this family ; and it is a matter for surprise to 

 many at seeing such remarkable specimens in 8 -inch pots ; on a plant of 

 Mochanna we noticed nearly 200 trusses of bloom open and opening. 

 The fancy Geraniums are even more forward than the others, large 

 plants of Hero of Surrey, Gipsy Queen, Lady Hume Campbell, Cali- 

 ban, Formosissimum, &c. &c., being in good bloom on the 20th of April. 

 In addition to full collections of florists' flowers, a general collection of 

 plants, trees, shrubs, &c., is cultivated here, and order and cleanliness 

 are remarkably apparent in every department. 



For the present we leave this subject, with the intention of resuming 

 it at a later period of the ^^ear. In the mean time we recommend all 

 engaged in gardening pursuits to closely inspect the London nurseries 

 and gain fi'om them all the information they can. 



