10 The Progress in Vegetable Cultivation 



has been done in improving the solidity and flavour, and amongst the Reds may 

 be noted Clayworth Prize, A 1, Standard Bearer, Sulham Prize, and Leicester Red, 

 with Solid White and Wright's Grove White as the best of the White section. 

 Probably the most distinct variety of English origin is White Gem, a small early 

 sort of great value. 



Attempts have been made to popularise the Continental self-blanching sorts, 

 but although these may be useful for soups, they are practically of no value where 

 tender, fine-flavoured Celery is prized, for except in appearance they differ but 

 little from unblanched English Celeries. 



CARROT. 



In Carrots the progress made has been very marked indeed during the period 

 under review. Although there were several varieties grown in the early years of 

 the Queen's reign, they were either very long, such as Altrincham and Surrey, or 

 of the Horn section. Improvements on some of these quickly appeared, James's 

 Scarlet Intermediate at once became popular, and for market purposes will doubtless 

 long continue to be grown. Our French neighbours are adepts at the improvement 

 of the Carrot, and the English trade is indebted to them in this respect to a larger 

 extent, perhaps, than in any other Vegetable. The French Forcing Horn and 

 Nantes have met with warm approval, the finest types of the latter being particularly 

 free from the objectionable yellow core existing in most sorts. It is only necessary 

 to refer to the magnificent specimens of New Intermediate and Early Gem, and 

 similar varieties, which are so frequently seen on the exhibition table for evidence 

 of the great improvement which has been made in this popular Vegetable. 



THE CUCUMBER 



was represented by numerous sorts at the time of the accession of the Queen, 

 including Early Frame 5 and White and Black Spine, besides the so-called Long 

 Prickly and Short Prickly Ridge Cucumbers. Snow, Cuthill, Mills, and Constantine 

 were amongst those who endeavoured to improve this popular esculent, and by 

 1812 many varieties were available. 



Kelway's Victory and Phenomenon, Sion House, and Victory of Bath appeared 

 during the fifties, and a few years later Berkshire Champion and Manchester Prize. 

 Then it was that Thomas Lockie took the Cucumber in hand, and Blue Gown (and 

 its sport, Tender and True), Royal Windsor, and the deservedly popular Lockie's 

 Perfection were the leading varieties raised by him. Meanwhile, other sorts, 

 including Telegraph and Cardiff Castle, obtained a leading place, and it will be a 

 long time before Telegraph is superseded for general cultivation. 



I have not inquired from the Messrs. Rochford how many years the Rochford 

 Cucumber has been in their family, but it is probably more sought after by growers 

 for market than any other variety. In recent years the palm for raising improved 

 varieties must certainly be given to Mr. Mortimer, whose wonderful exhibits at the 

 Westminster Drill Hall and elsewhere have been greatly admired. Button's A 1, 

 Peerless, and Matchless are results of his painstaking work. 



