16 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



the smallest degree since they were first distributed. The 

 little differences that have occurred have been on all-fours 

 with those that characterised the smooth-standard group 

 half a century or more ago. There are those who affirm 

 that the fact of the seed of Countess Spencer having been 

 originally grown in bulk in California was the whole and 

 sole cause of its unreliability ; but there cannot be much 

 in this argument, for other varieties which have also been 

 grown there are true to all intents and purposes. 



It is on record that Henry Eckford devoted several years 

 to the fixation of smooth-standard varieties before introduc- 

 ing them, and that Messrs. Sutton had their variety Butterfly 

 in the nurseries for many seasons before they put it into 

 commerce, simply because they could not get it to remain 

 constant ; and other raisers have had similar experience. 

 Thus the conclusion is almost forced upon us that had 

 Countess Spencer been held back for a period it would 

 have saved all the trouble. Countess Spencer was a seminal 

 variation from Prima Donna. 



Some varieties that were notoriously bad when first 

 sent out have been enormously improved, but there are 

 others, and Audrey Crier may be mentioned as a well- 

 known example, which it appears impossible to persuade 

 to come true, or even to improve. Although this variety 

 has been selected and re-selected year after year, it is as 

 unreliable as ever, and must never be expected to yield 



