March 13, 1909 



HORTICULTURE 



351 



Beyond a question it is unprejudieedj and trustworthy, 

 ;is il is outspoken and explicit, yet we happen to receive 

 liy tiic same mail a high tribute to the Formosa 

 lily as t(i its behavior this year with Bassett 

 & W'ashliurii of Chicago, who are large growers 

 ami ttlid announce their intention of growing 

 the Formosa lily exclusively next year becausi' 

 it has pleased them so well. They do find fault, how- 

 ever, with the groat diversity in length of stem under 

 forcing conditions. One of the most extensive growers 

 of lilies for the Boston market says that the Formosa is 

 by far the best lily he has ever grown but he admits 

 that the types are badly mixed. It is to be deplored that 

 the lily situation all over the world wherever bulbs are 

 commercially grown is so unsatisfactory and it intensi- 

 ties the apprehension to learn of the failure of this lat- 

 est "hopeful"' to make good at any stage. The subject 

 is one for dilligent investigation and intelligent dis- 

 cussion. 



British Horticulture 



SOME FLOr.Al. XOVELTIE.S 



For those garden enthusiasts who delight in securing 

 new attractions for their flower beds there is no lack of 

 variety in the novelties being offered. Gardening here 

 was never more popular than it is at the present time; 

 this is due in a large measure to the skill and enterprise 

 of the trade in continually extending the range of the 

 amateur's interest in floral subjects. There is no limit 

 to the field of selection. For instance, from America 

 has been introduced a new nasturtium of the Tom 

 Thumb variet}'. Golden Midnight. This has similar 

 foliage to Golden Feather, with neat, deep maroon flow- 

 ers. This is likely to prove useful as a bedding subject. 

 Queen Alexandra is the popular name selected for a 

 winter stock, of the same type as Beauty of Nice, which 

 produces a profusion of fragrant pure white blooms. 



The new Namaqualand daisy, which received an award 

 of merit at the Temple show last summer, is being sent 

 out this spring. This is a dwarf half-hardy annual, 

 with daisy-like flowers of a glossy, salmon-orange shade, 

 with a black central ring. The latest form of the peren- 

 nial sweet pea is the Picotee, the blooms having a light 

 ground color, edged with pink similar to a picotee. The 

 sweet pea is showing no diminution in the hold it has 

 attained on public favor. Besides the many new kinds 

 which are being issued by the British specialists, some 

 novelties have been imported from across the Atlantic. 

 These include : King Edward Spencer, bright crimson ; 

 Apple Blossom Spencer, deep rosy pink ; Mrs. Chamber- 

 lain Spencer, white tinged with bright rose; Dainty 

 Spencer, pale primrose, changing to white, with pink 

 edge; Princess Alice Spencer, delightful shade of laven- 

 der; Mrs. Eoutzahn, deep crimson ground, with rose 

 edge, etc. 



Progression is the name of a new delphinium, which 

 is described as the purest white variety yet raised. The 

 outer petals are white, the inner three being tinged with 

 pale yellow, the blooms being of a shapely form and im- 

 posing size. 



Sweet AVillianis still find a place in many gardens; 



Giant White is an attractive hardy biennial, producing 

 good trusses of large smooth-edged blooms. The new 

 asters include Beauty of Colwall, which has received a 

 first-class certificate from the Eoyal Horticultural So- 

 ciety. The lavender-blue flowers are double, borne erect 

 on stout stems about four feet high. Feltham Blue is 

 also another welcome addition. 



Very useful for bedding, the pyramidal forget-me-not 

 will be in demand in many quarters, its upright habit of 

 growth being a notable feature. A new type of sun- 

 flower is offered in Starlight; the blooms are of a canary- 

 yellow tint, with graceful twisted petals. This is an 

 improvement on the race of annual sunflowers, particu- 

 larly adaptable for cut flower purposes. 



Eose lovers will appreciate a white variety of the ever- 

 popular Dorothy Perkins, which has emanated from the 

 Colchester Nurseries, where so many good things have 

 been raised. This has secured the gold medal of the 

 National Eose Society. Begonia raisers have been very 

 active in producing new forms of this charming flower. 

 Recent additions comprise: Beatrice Mabbett, pure 

 white, with a lemon shading towards the centre; Amy 

 Bruce, rose colored; Gladys, a dark red variety for 

 hanging baskets ; Mrs. G. F. Fry, salmon pink ; Mrs. T. 

 E. Rossiter, red-edged yellow with waved petals; Mrs. 

 Peter Clowes, salmon. For bedding purposes a new 

 sort has been raised, producing numerous bright crim- 

 son blooms on compact plants ; this is known as the Sur- 

 prise single bedding begonia. 



There is always a wide range of chrysanthemums 

 available, as the supplies of the home growers are sup- 

 plemented by the introductions of the Australian and 

 continental raisers. Amongst the new aspirants for 

 honors are the Eev. E. D. Eves, white flushed over with 

 delicate pink ; W. Howe, a bold incurved Japanese bloom, 

 of a rich crimson-maroon tint, with silvery buff reverse; 

 Melchet Beauty, resembling F. S. Vallis, deep yellow, 

 flushed with crimson; George H. Godfrey, amaranth- 

 purple; F. W. Lever, creamy-white; H. J. Jones, 1908, 

 golden-yellow. 



THE NEW EXHIBITION 



The "White City" in western London which last year 

 formed the site of the Franco-British exhibition, this 

 season is being utilized for a great Imperial Inter- 

 national show, organized by that great Napoleon of the 

 exhibition world, Mr. Imre Eiralfy. An important agri- 

 cultural and horticultural section has been formed, 

 under the chairmanship of Lord Carrington. Two large 

 flower shows of an international character are being ar- 

 ranged. Many of the leading nurserymen will also make 

 displays of bedding, and an interesting comparison will 

 be provided of the British and continental methods of 

 arranging, parterres. I have been appointed Hon. Secre- 

 tary of this section; any of your readers requiring fur- 

 ther information should send a letter to me, addressed, 

 the White City, Shepherd's Bush, London, W. I shall 

 be most happy to afi'ord them every possible assistance. 

 The exhibition promises to be one of the chief attrac- 

 tions of the London season, and crowds are expected 

 from all parts of the empire. The opening takes place 

 on May 1st, the season lasting for six months. Lord 

 Stratlicoua is acting as President. 



London, Encj. 



>ty</- ddiiixu. 



