276 THE FLOEAL WOKLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



Chain are not suiBciently new to be entitled to any notice liere, and 

 I must pass them by with the remark, that they are two of the most 

 effective varieties known, remarkably bright and clear in colour, and 

 growing very compact. In the green and zone-leaved classes, one of 

 the most useful novelties is Saltmarsh's Little Treasure, a variety 

 fully as dwarf as Little David or Baron Hugel, with finer flowers 

 than either of those varieties ; iu fact, with flowers as large, as stout, 

 and as bright as those of Attraction. Beaton's Rebecca (Wm. Paul), 

 a superb trusser, the colour purplish-red, is certain to become as 

 great a favourite as Christine or Trentham Hose. It has an unusually 

 rich appearance, owing to the decided shade of blue mingled with 

 the deep, strong red. When contrasted with yellow or orange, this 

 will probably show its blue tone more decisively than any other way. 

 As to its habits, there could be nothing better. Wiltshire Lass, of 

 Downie, Laird, and Laing, has proved a better bedder than any 

 variety we possess in the Christine section. It produces enormous 

 trusses in great abundance ; the colour a clear, fresh, rosy pink, 

 most delightful for grouping, and even for single specimens ; well 

 ■worth the best attention. Hibberd's Kate Anderson (B. S.Williams) 

 has eclipsed all the scarlets for brilliant masses, partly owing to the 

 dark zone and dull hue of the leaf and the brilliancy of the flowers, 

 and partly, also, by its compact, neat habit, and the production of 

 flower trusses in great profusion. It is peculiarly well adapted to 

 place near stone-work, as in the case of requiring to decorate a 

 terrace with pot plants, as vrell as for filling vases, etc., etc. Another 

 in the same series is LI. W. Longfellow, which proves to be the 

 richest, most free and effective of all the salmon-coloured bedders. 

 The introduction of large blocks of this variety would give a fine 

 feature to geometric patterns, as it would bring out the blues and 

 purples, harmonize with the reds and yellows, and render strong 

 green tints additionally pleasing. 



Yeebenas. — The two best bedders of the year are Crimson Kincf, 

 of Methven's, and Fire Brigade, of Kirtland's. There are many 

 growers who fail with all kinds of verbenas, owing to some pecu- 

 liarities of soil or climate. We advise all such to try Fire Brigade 

 next season. It can endure any amount of heat and drought, if 

 planted early. The flowers are stout in substance, and of a brilliant 

 crimson scarlet colour ; the habit of the plant compact and wiry, 

 and needing no pegging. We have not seen its equal among hun- 

 dreds of varieties, as a bedder, but for pot culture it is of no value 

 at all. Crimson King is of bolder habit, and a deeper shade of 

 colour. It is a decided acquisition, possesssing all the qualities 

 required in a bedding plant. These two are all that I can mention 

 now as unquestionably good ; but I will name one as unquestionably 

 bad, and that is Really Blue, which is really a washed-out, mifly 

 thing, that will disgust all who try it. 



Lobelias. — Messrs. Y. and A. Smith, of Dulwich, brought out a 

 series of new lobelias, a few years since, all of which were distinct 

 and good, but only one of them. Blue E^ivg, has taken a place among 

 bedding f"avourites. These were all raised by Mr. Gordon, of the 

 Crystal Palace, who has found Blue King one of his best kinds for 



