THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 81 
mounted on slender wires, in much the same manner as fresh flowers 
are mounted, and made up into bouquets. It is quite impossible to 
arrange them satisfactorily without mounting them. The inflor- 
escence of the grasses must be cut as soon as fully developed, 
and before the stems begin to turn yellow, for that is an indication 
of their approaching maturity, and when left until ripe the seeds fall 
off, and the spikes are comparatively worthless. On the other hand, 
they must not be gathered before they have become somewhat firm, 
or they will shrivel, and be of little use. The flowers may be dyed 
of any colour, if so desired, and so also may the grasses, but as there 
is some difference in opinion as to whether they should be dyed or 
not, this matter must be left to the taste of each individual. For 
my own part, I prefer the natural colours of the flowers and grasses, 
but those who prefer brighter tints can easily dye them with Judson’s 
Dyes, which can be procured of any chemist. 
NEW NOTES ON TOMATOES. 
BY GEORGE SMITH. 
——————— 
= OMATOES have within a very brief period become im- 
mensely popular, and are now grown extensively in the 
gardens of the amateurs instead, as was the case only a 
few years back, of being confined to the gardens of the 
wealthy. In consequence of this popularity, a whole 
host of new sorts, reputed and otherwise, have been introduced to 
commerce. Some of these are highly meritorious, whilst others, 
forming the majority, have proved either inferior to the established 
kinds, or merely the old sorts under new names. I am afraid to 
say how many times our old friend the Common Red has been re- 
christened within the last four or five years. It would be of no real 
service to give the names under which it has been sent out, or I 
would do so; but for all practical purposes it will suffice to enume- 
rate those which after carefal trial have been found to combine a 
remarkable degree of productiveness with high quality. These are, 
Keys’ Harly Prolific, a variety of great value for the earliest crop, 
as it does not occupy muck space, and ripens its fruit early; and 
Hathaway’s Excelsior, which produces fruit. of large size, perfectly 
smooth and free from ribs or corrugations, and remarkably solid. It 
ripens soon after the foregoing, and where there is room for a few 
plants only, it should be grown in preference to all others. Un- 
questionably, it is the most productive and finest flavoured tomato 
yet in cultivation. Those who are partial to yellow tomatoes should 
grow Carter's Greengage ; the fruit is of medium size, round, very 
solid, and of the most delicious flavour. In the latter respect it is 
so good that it may be eaten and enjoyed by those who are very 
fond of tomatoes in an uncooked state. Of! course, the Common 
Red may still be grown with the full assurance of successful results, 
but Hathaway's Excelsior is so vastly superior to it that it should be 
grown in preference. 
March, 6 
