I873-] ALPINE PLANTS FOR WINTER BEDDING. 517 



THE LUTON HOO CUCUMBER. 



Amongst tlie many new varieties recently introduced, I undoubtedly 

 consider the Luton Hoo to be the nearest approach to perfection ; 

 far surpassing either Marquis of Lome, Blue Gown, or any of the 

 others we have heard so much of. I have grown nothing else but the 

 Luton Hoo this season, and no variety can approach it either for the 

 table or for exhibition, it bears so continuously, almost all the year 

 round, is of very large size, symmetrical shape, dark green colour, and 

 carries a beautiful bloom. The judges of the Royal Horticultural 

 Society, who awarded the Luton Hoo three first-class certificates during 

 the season of 1871, were certainly correct in their judgment; and I 

 believe Dr Hogg thought it the best of the year. It will, I am sure, 

 be largely grown next season. I inclose you a brace for your editorial 

 verdict. Scio. 



[The brace received were most handsome, and excellent in flavour. — Ed,] 



ALPINE PLANTS FOR WINTER BEDDING. 



The person who does not admire the great majority of hardy Alpine 

 plants is not to be envied, for he debars himself from one of the most 

 beautiful and interesting fields of study and observation which the 

 flora of the world affords. That these, in most instances, tiny gems 

 are coming more into notice, is certainly a matter for congratula- 

 tion. Besides much else that can be said for a great many of them, 

 it can be said that as the freshness and beauty of other hardy flowers 

 decay, the freshness and charms of many of the Alpine plants are 

 most conspicuous at the " fall of the leaf " and downwards through 

 the winter. In whatever way they are arranged or grown, they are 

 always objects of great beauty and interest. A well-arranged collec- 

 tion of Alpines, whether in pots, in a mixed border, or on a properly- 

 constructed rockwork, is sure to give much interest to their votaries 

 every day in the year. And these are common enough ways of cul- 

 tivating and arranging them, and not a word can be said against them. 

 But the use of these gems as carpeting or bedding plants is as yet 

 comparatively rare. We are, however, convinced that their extreme 

 attractiveness when so used — in groups and in quantities together — is 

 not so well known and appreciated as it should be, and it only requires 

 a few striking examples of Alpine bedding to commend this system of 

 planting them to all lovers of winter gardening. 



Indeed it would seem that, from the way nature nurtures these 

 lively plants, to cultivate them in large surfaces is the correct way of 

 bringing out their striking beauty to perfection. Look, for instance, 



2m 



