162 THE GARDENER. [April 



The third is a break from No. GO, which was considered identical 

 with Dr Hardy by the Derby growers, and which the raiser himself 

 only last season pronounced identical when he saw it in the breeder 

 state ; and to those who do not dislike scarlet flames, it will possess 

 many attractions in its fine short cup and sharp defined markings. I 

 would scarcely venture to assert the fact of its identity, although the 

 breeder is considered the same, for to my eye there is a sufficient 

 difference in the broke flower to establish a distinct variety ; and I 

 have found, in my experience in seedlings, that two distinct varieties 

 may be originated from one breeder — so closely similar may two differ- 

 ent seeds be found in their produce as to deceive the most careful 

 observer until broken. However, there is no doubt of its being a good 

 and useful flower, and, like the rest of these seedlings, very constant in 

 its markings, being a very fine flame. 



No. 15 is a very fine feathered variety, having a short cup, rather 

 small, with the colours less brilliant than in some of the others. 



Lord Palmerston is another flame, sometimes only lightly flamed 

 according to the season, with a fine large cup, and of a peculiar brown 

 on a lemon ground in its markings. 



Mr Mills is a superb variety, with a fine rich flame upon a good 

 yellow ground. This I should pronounce to be amongst the finest of 

 the batch. 



General Lee is a beautiful flame ; fine short cup and clear markings, 

 and a fine stage-flower, usually coming in good character. 



There are at least a score others about which my memory will not 

 allow me to speak a word, and of whose names and numbers I have quite 

 lost recollection ; but after next bloom, if spared to see it, I hope to 

 have something to record. Omicron. 



THE PHLOX. 



4 



There was a time, and that not very long ago, when the Phlox was 

 scarcely recognised as a florists' flower, but now it holds a deservedly 

 high place in the list. Besides great beauty, it has other desirable 

 qualities. It is hardy and easily propagated ; it continues long in 

 bloom, and may be made very effective in a border. By using both 

 the early and late flowering varieties, bloom may be had from, the end 

 of June till far on in September. In the present paper my object 

 will be to show how to grow the Phlox for competition, which, of 

 course, is to bring out its best qualities. It must be understood that 

 I write as an amateur cultivator for amateurs, and that the plan of 



