THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 141 



fusion as to form dense masses throughout the season, and are of a 

 fine deep Oxford blue, and produce an exceedingly rich effect, quite 

 superseding all the others of a similar character. Blue King is like 

 the precedmg, remarkable for its neatness and fioriferous character, 

 and the flowers are of a pleasing Cambridge blue, thus forming an 

 excellent companion to it. These are unquestionably the two best 

 blue Lobelias of their class in existence. Mazarine Gem differs from 

 the foregoing, in being more vigorous in growth, and in its adapta- 

 bility for large beds. The flowers are large and of rich marine blue, 

 with white eye ; and in masses or broad belts, the effect is exceedingly 

 good. Nivea is a white variety, so thoroughly good that it quite 

 supersedes Purity, White Perfection, and all the other white 

 Lobelias. 



In the Pumila section we have two most valuable acquisitions 

 in Pumila mapiifica, and Duchess of Edinburgh. The first is one 

 of the finest lobelias ever raised; for as described in the " Garden 

 Oracle " for the current year, it combines " the vigour, size of bloom, 

 and the richness of colouring of the finer forms of Speciosa with the 

 compact habit of Pumila." The plants, when they have sufiicient 

 room for their development, attain a height and diameter of six 

 inches, and are quite solid with bloom of the richest indigo blue. 

 The flowers, unlike those of the majority of lobelias, have no white 

 eye. The second is an excellent white variety, which will be found 

 most valuable for planting in beds where a dwarf white flowering 

 plant will be appropriate. Both are valuable additions, and cannot 

 be too strongly recommended ; as they are now being sent out for 

 the first time, they will cost half-a-crown or so per plant, and the 

 others may be had for sixpence or so. 



:N^0TES on THE NEW EOSES OF 1875. 



BT GEORGE GOEDON". 



[NOWING that a very numerous body of the readers of 

 the Floral World take a deep interest in Eoses, I 

 have prepared a few notes on the new varieties now 

 being distributed for the first time, or which will shortly 

 be ofi'ered for sale. The number of new roses is this 

 season unusually large, there being about fifty French varieties, of 

 which at present but little is known in this country, and ten English 

 varieties, all of which have been exhibited at the leading exhibitions 

 in the metropolis and elsewhere. That a very large proportion of 

 the continental roses should be either worthless or second-rate, is 

 simply a matter of course, for the raisers do not set up a very high 

 standard in selecting seedlings, and the nurserymen on this side of 

 the Channel mostly purchase all that are ottered in the French lists, 

 propa<i;ate freely, and ofler them to their customers with the raiser's 

 descriptions. The amateur rosarian, anxious to keep well abreast 



May. 



