182 THE FLORIST. 



of the West ; Sagg's Royal Exhibition, handsome specimens of which we 

 have seen but not tasted ; Marshall's Improved Jewess, and Norfolk 

 Hero, stated to grow about eighteen inches in length, and to be an 

 excellent variety for ridge culture. We are afraid that advertisers 

 sometimes find it difficult to control their feelings, when pen in hand, 

 " they to the wide world give free their thoughts." One advertiser 

 commences as follows : — " The Cucumber Season. Growers of this 

 superb and select branch of Horticulture 1 1 " Which is the branch? the 

 Cucumber or the season ? We have also met with an advertisement 

 announcing a " Cucumber Surpriser," but whether the new intro- 

 duction is to surprise the family of Cucumbers or the public, is not 

 stated ; but what a name ! Among Broccolies, we have Dilcock's 

 Bride, now a tried variety, quite hardy and well recommended ; and 

 Elletson's Emperor, quite new. We now come to a gigantic Lettuce, 

 Magnum Bonum, the stock of which is stated to be exceedingly hmited, 

 in consequence of the impossibility of seeding it in the open air (?). It 

 appears to be a Cabbage Lettuce, and has been seen four feet in cir- 

 cumference — a very questionable recommendation I There is also a 

 May's Paragon Cabbage, which the advertiser " guarantees as the 

 finest Cabbage in existence, has never been known to run, reaches 

 28 lbs. in weight, and tender as Asparagus." We should imagine this 

 — from the advertisement — ^to be a gigantic Cattle Cabbage. 



We shall this season prove the American Strap-leaved Turnip, stated 

 to be a good white sort, with Lettuce-like leaves ; also Robertson's 

 Golden Ball Turnip, a new variety. In Celeries, we have Laing's 

 IMainmoth Red, said to attain an extraordinary size, and therefore 

 claiming attention from our northern readers; Incomparable Dwarf 

 White, high in the estimation of many; and Cole's Crystal White, 

 which, although not new, has again been proved by many to be first 

 rate. There is a Cauhflower named Mitchell's Hardy Early, which is 

 now under trial, and shall be reported upon hereafter. We are of 

 opinion that the Fluke Kidney Potato is one of the very best varieties 

 in cultivation, rich flavoured, an excellent storer and late, keeping re- 

 markal^ly free from disease. This is our opinion after two years' trial. 

 There is, however, a seedling fi*om it called Deans Seedling, which we 

 are told is an excellent variety, and three weeks earlier than the parent 

 variety. The " Fluke," however, is a first-rate sort, and cannot easily 

 be surpassed. 



New Rhubarbs abound. Salt's Crimson Perfection is said to be 

 very high coloured, and with but a small amount of acidity — a most 

 desirable attainment; JNIarshall's Royal Leamington Blood Red; and 

 Hawke's Champagne, said to be as early as " Prince Albert, "deeper in 

 colour, and more productive. We have not yet proved either of these 

 varieties, but we have the gratification of speaking in high terms of a 

 new variety not yet sent out, called " Scarlet Nonpareil," a basket of 

 which was forwarded to us some weeks since, and was pronounced by 

 our chef de cuisine — no mean authority — as the best Rhubarb yet 

 under notice. It is very rich in colour, tender, juicy, and entirely 

 free fi-om acidity, with a very pleasing flavour, quite unlike that usually 

 appertaining to Rhubarb. Among Strawberries we have Ajax, Ruby, 



