58 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



flower, but too violently so to be altogether pleasing. But these 

 are hints only and show that new things are yet in store. I do not 

 think it impossible that we may j-et have blue ones. Improvement 

 may also be looked for in length of spike. Shakspeare and Meyer- 

 beer are perfect in form but not long enough in spike ; some of 

 the newer kinds have twelve or fourteen flowers open at once, and 

 we should not be satisfied until flowers are produced of such sub- 

 stance that the first shall still be good when the twentieth opens. 



There is no use in winding up with a select list of kinds ; two 

 persons lately gave lists of the best twenty-four : only one appeared 

 in both lists. There are too many kinds for any one to name the 

 best twelve or twentj'-four. Nevertheless it ma}^ not be out of 

 place to name a few that are undoubtedly of excellent quality, 

 though others mfty be better. 



Meyerbeer. — Brilliant orange scarlet with darker Ijlotch ; perfect 

 shape. 



Shakspeare. — "White, flamed rosy-pink with deep rose blotch. 

 This flower is thick and waxy, and of unsurpassed shape. 



If these two varieties made longer spikes I think the}^ would 

 stand at the head of all known kinds. 



Bernard de Jussieu. — Does not usually make a good spike, but 

 the cherry-purple flowers have a tint of blue which makes the var- 

 iety distinct and desirable. 



Citrinus. — The best of the many 3'ellows I have tried. 



Colbert. — Deep cherry with white stain on the lower petals. 



Cond&. — INIuch resembling Meyerbeer, but lighter and a little 

 larger. 



Jupiter. — Tall spike of dark red flowers flamed with mahogany 

 brown. 



Mary Stuart. — Old but not yet surpassed among white-and-rose 

 varieties. 



Milton. — Ver}' fine, with thick, waxy petals ; white marbled with 

 rose. 



Norma. — White, tinged with lilac. 



Rebecca. — A tall spike with large flowers ; pure white, with car- 

 mine feathering on the lower petals. 



Vivien. — Ver}' much like Rebecca but with thicker petals, and 

 therefore a little I)cttcr. 



Schiller. — A ShaUspcarc with crcaiiiy yolluw ground. 



