156 FLORICULTURAL GLEANINGS. 



ance. With this solitary exception it is still a lovely and desirable 

 variety. 



Sir Sidney Smith. 

 This, in my opinion, is a very pretty variety, although it is no 

 great favourite in this neighbourhood, where I think there is rather an 

 unfair prejudice in favour of dark grounds. It possesses a tolerably 

 good eye, and the ground colour of a rich darkish scarlet, the lacing 

 very regular and correct, and the tube neatly elevated. Owing to the 

 lightness of the ground colour the eye does not look so pure as some 

 of those with dark grounds, but it is still a very correct flower, and 

 well worthy of cultivation by the florist who is fond of red grounds. 

 I must add, however, that I grew the very same variety this last 

 season under the name of " YouelPs Independent," and which is the 

 correct name I will not pretend to say, as both were procured from 

 distant and respectable markets. 



Nicholson's King. 

 Nicholson's King is another excellent Polyanthus. The tube is 

 neatly elevated, the eye a fine yellow, the lacing very fine and regular, 

 and the pips remarkably circular. It is a strong and vigorous 

 grower, a good trusser, and altogether a very desirable variety. 



Nicholson's Gold Lace. 

 This is comparatively worthless as a show flower, and is not fit for 

 a place in a collection consisting of the foregoing varieties. The tub 

 is neatly elevated, but the eye is exceedingly large in proportion to the 

 ground colour, which is very deficient ; and this being surrounded 

 with a broad gold lace, gives the corolla altogether such a glaring 

 preponderance of the yellow colour that 1 am sure it will never be 

 esteemed by the Northumbrian florists. To those who wish for dis- 

 tinct varieties it may give satisfaction, but it will never, in my opinion, 

 aid the florist at an exhibition. 



Wilson's Bucephalus. 

 This is a seedling raised by that esteemed and veteran florist, Mr. 

 John Wilson, of Newcastle, one of the fathers of " the fancy " on the 

 banks of " coaly Tyne." It is a very good Polyanthus, but has this 

 great defect, that it is rather a shy trusser, it being very difficult to get 

 five good pips expanded at one time. For my part I have grown it 

 for three seasons, and have never succeeded in accomplishing this till 



