THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 201 
a-dozen distinct varieties. It is impossible to have a thoroughly 
good succession with a less number; and as they all differ some- 
what in flavour, one does not soon feel tired of strawberries. For 
a small collection, La Grosse Sucrée and Keen’s Seedling are the two 
best early sorts ; Dr. Hogg, Sir Joseph Paxton, President, Sir Charles 
Napier, and James Veitch for mid-season ; and Frogmore Late Pine, 
Myatt’s Eleanor, and Elton Pine, for late use. Where space for a 
few varieties only can be spared, I would recommend La Grosse 
Sucrée, Dr. Hogg, and Frogmore Late Pine, as the three best 
strawberries grown. British Queen is the finest-flavoured straw- 
berry we have ; but it can only be grown well in a few places, and, 
in all cases, requires high cultivation. Grove End Scarlet, Newton's 
Seedling, aud Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury are all specially adapted for 
preserving, as they produce fruit of high colour and piquant flavour. 
All the strawberries mentioned above will, however, make excellent 
preserves. 
THE BEST BEDDING PANSIES AND VIOLETS. 
BY THOMAS MOORE, F.L.S., 
Floral Director of the Royal Horticultural Society. 
Y2|AST year a large and comprehensive trial of bedding 
#| Pansies and Violets was carried out in the gardens of 
the Royal Horticultural Society at Chiswick, and duly 
reported on by the Floral Director. Altogether eighty- 
two varieties were grown, and as exceptional opportuni- 
ties were afforded for determining the merits of varieties, Mr. 
Moore’s report possesses great value, especially so, now that the 
time for propagating a stock of these flowers for next year’s display 
is close at hand. 
The varieties of these plants subjected to the test of trial were 
contributed by Messrs. Dickson & Co., of Edinburgh; Messrs. 
Cocker & Sons, of Aberdeen; Mr. R. Dean, of Ealing; Mr. G. 
Westland, of Witley Court; Dr. Stuart, Messrs. Milligan & Kerr, 
and Messrs. Robertson & Galloway. ‘Those only are here described 
which obtained certificates. In several instances the certificates 
granted in 1874 under less favourable conditions were now confirmed. 
The plants were inspected by the Committee on June 9th, and 
again on July 16th. The following may be regarded as a selection 
of the best of the bedding Pansies, chosen from the point of view of 
showing compactness and dwarfness of habit, profuseness and con- 
tinuity of bloom, and useful and effective colours, rather than that 
of size and shape in the individual flowers—chosen, in fact, for 
those special features which give them their value as bedding 
lants :— 
' Alpha (Dickson & Co.).—A very compact-growing, vigorous- 
habited, free-flowering variety. Flowers large, bluish purple, witha 
. July. 
