134 



GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



ORIGIN OF PRIMULINUS 

 HYBRIDS 



P1-:KIIAPS the most wondorl'nl cruatioi-.s 

 of recent years are the beautiful hyhrids 

 which have evolved from gladiolus primu- 

 liiuis. This remarkable species is found in 

 a wM state in the region of the Victoria 

 l-"alls, in Rhodesia. It was first discovered 

 in 1887 by Mr. J. T. Last, in the Usagara 

 .Mountains, but for its later introduction 

 nito commerce Sir Francis Fox was chiefly 

 responsible. It was in 1904 during the con- 

 struction of the celebrated bridge across the 

 gorge of the Zamlxfsi that this gladiolus was 

 rediscovered growing under the spray of the 

 Victoria Falls. The flowers of this species 

 are unique, and were destined to become the 

 progenitors of some of the most remarkable 

 hybrids ever seen. It very soon became 

 popular, and some of the keenest hybridists, 

 l)oth in this country and abroad, quickly 

 realized the possibilities of this African 

 wilding. The charming hybrids which have 

 resulted by crossing it with some of the 

 finer forms of Gandavensis have an all- 

 compelling beauty which it is difficult to ex- 

 aggerate. They are graceful in habit and 

 have all the vigor of the Gandavensis type, 

 while the varying shades of yellow whicli 

 predominate in this race have added a new 

 interest to the gladiolus world. — Horlicul- 

 ture. 



PLANNING THE FLOWER SHOW 



V'XiFT.-XBLK, fruit and flower sliows are 

 possible and successful because of the 

 native characteristic in every normal person 

 to enter into competition with his fellow- 

 man, and the greatest good comes from 

 such exhibitions, says the United States De- 

 partment of Agriculture, only when knowd- 

 edge and care have been exercised by those 

 in charge of planning the exhilMtiou so that 

 all competitors will be assured of fair and 

 equal treatment. It is often a lack of knowl- 

 edge on the part of amateur promoters 

 rather than a lack of sincerity that mars 

 the show and makes it impossible for some 

 conscientious competitor to enter the con- 

 test, or causes him to be disqualified. 



Because of existing demand and an ab- 

 .sence of printed information on the subject 

 of show classifications, schedules, arrange- 

 ment of entries, and other equipment, the 

 Department of Agriculture has published 

 Department Circular Xo. 62, "Horticultural 

 Fxhibitions and Garden Competitions," by 

 M. L. Mulford, horticulturist in the bureau 

 of plant industry, which is intended to fur- 

 nish a complete and satisfactory guide to 

 those who are contemplating flower shows 

 or who will have the same problems to solve 

 in regard to the coming season's fairs. 



The object of horticultural sliows and 

 garden competitions is to arouse the interest 

 of citizens and their families, lead them to 

 take a greater interest in such matters, and 

 to incite a deeper study of the best methods 

 of plant growth. Early in the season it is 

 advisable to outline the work for the com- 

 ing year in or<kr that all may be started on 

 the right track for this year's entries. The 

 circular can be had by application to the 

 Department of Agriculture, Washington. 

 D. C. 



THE LONDONERS' GARDEN 



.\ Sussex nurseryman once said : "The 

 Londoners haven't any gardens: this is their 

 garden," Tie was standing in the midst 

 of the springtide beauty of the fortnightly 

 flower show at the Horticultural Ilalj, 

 Westminster. A soft breeze waved a patch 

 of fairy-like pale violet primulas set among 

 deep red tulips, shading to pink, and 

 sheathed in the softest Spring green leaves, 



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"A'herever the eyes rested were signs of the 

 "Spring o' the Year" — golden daffodils, wide- 

 tved violets, a glory of azaleas, and hya- 

 cinths of every hue. 



But it was more than a flower show ; it 

 was, as the Sussex nurseryman had said, "a 

 .garden." People came not only to admire 

 tlie beauty, but to study the growth of 

 things. Those who had gardens in tlie 

 country or even those who had only "back 

 yards" in London, came to get ideas from 

 the results obtained by the expert members 

 of the Royal Horticultural Society. 



Garden lovers from all over England 

 and from many other countries were busy 

 comparing this "Londoners' Garden" with 

 their own. They met at the, rock gardens, 

 where all the beautiful little Alpine plants 

 sliowcd how tlie mild Winter had advanced 

 them, and admired the bliie of the aubretia 

 on the gray rock with dark purple violas, 

 like wild pansies, on a stone beneath. 



Many felt the same about the pink vio- 

 lets. "They smellcd like violets, but, as one 

 woman said, "One expects them to look 

 'violet.' " 



Nine new' plants .got the usual attention 

 afforded to any novelty, but a keen gardener 

 aptly explained their position in the show. 

 "There's nothing very particular about them, 

 but then they are new." 



There were apples that had just been 

 identified by experts of the society. One 

 had been pronounced a new' variety and 

 had been given an award by rea.son (jf ils 

 .good flavor and color. Its fortune then, as 

 an apple, was made, for the recomniendatinn 

 of the society would carry it anywhere. 



It is not only at the fortnightly show 

 that problems are put to the society to solve. 

 Every day the society is working to ad- 

 vance the knowledge of gardening for its 

 members. Collectors constantly go to dif- 

 ferent parts of the world to find new plants. 

 They send the seeds home to be grown at 

 Wisley, where the society lias large gar- 

 dens. Girdling the whole earth is this 

 brotherhoo<l of gardeners for the 18,000 fel- 

 lows are to be found in every corner of the 

 wfvrld. — Chrtatian Science Monitur. 



lie sows lime fields with clover, ,-uid the 



w.irld' 

 Broadcasts with little cninnion kindnesses, 

 Tlie ijlain gofid souls he sends us, who fulfil 

 Life's homely duties in the daily palli 

 With cheerful heart, ambitious of no more 

 Than to supply llie wants of friend and kin. 

 ^'e( serve fiod's higher lover to hiini;in 



hearts ; 

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