368 



The Weekly Florists^ Review* 



December 28, 1905. 



OBITUARY. 



Death of Henry Eckford. 



Henry Eckford, the man who is widely 

 credited with greatest responsibility for 

 the improvement of the sweet pea and 

 who has sent out many of our very best 

 kinds, died at his English home Decem- 

 ber ;j at the age of 82 years. The ac- 

 companying illustration is from a photo- 

 graph made July 18, 1905, when W. 

 Atlee ISurpee visited Mr. Eckford for 

 tlie last time. The original is among 

 INlr. Burpee's choice possessions. 



Tlio announcement of Mr. Eckford 's 

 death scarcely came as a surprise, for 

 since September lie had been confined to 

 liis bed. During the 80 years of his life he 

 witnessed many changes in the horticul- 

 tural world and was himself instrumental 

 in no small measure in bringing about 

 some very important ones, especially in 

 sweet peas which he raised from the 



humblest to the highest rank amongst 

 garden annuals. 



A Jiative of Mid-Lothian, Scotland, 

 he was apprenticed as a gardener at an 

 early age, and later on in life filled sev- 

 eral important positions as a gardener 

 before commencing business on his own 

 ! jiccount at Wem as a seed grower and 

 1 merchant. As a hybridizer of verbenas 

 ' and other fiowers he was well-known 

 before devoting his attention and skill to 

 culinary peas and sweet peas. It was 

 among the latter that his greatest 

 achievements were attained, his many 

 triumphs culminating in the variety 

 known as Henry Eckford, introduced 

 this year, a distinct advance in color 

 upon anything previously known in 

 sweet ])eas. lie was not long ago award 

 ed the Victoria medal for his great ser- 

 vices to horticulture. 



He was of a genial and kindly dis- 

 position and his conversation was al- 

 ways interesting on account of his many 

 reminiscences of bygone days. 



CARNATION NOTES -WEST. 



Notes on Varieties. 



Before you get into the propagating 

 too far you will do Avell to figure xip what 

 varieties you are going to grow next 

 season and how many of each. The 

 season is well enough along now for you 

 to see what varieties are going to pay 

 you best and what colors you want to 

 increase or decrease your plantings of 

 next season. If you liave new varieties 

 on trial you can tell pretty well by this 

 time wliether you will Avant to make all 

 the cuttings yon can for next season or 

 whether you will want only enough to 

 give a fair trial next season. A plan 

 we have been following for some years 

 with good success is to draw a sketch 

 of each house and mark what is to be 

 planted on each bed and the number of 

 plants each bed requires. When making 

 cuttings you can always refer to this 

 list and know just what you will require 

 of each variety. Changes can of course 

 be made as needed. 



This list does not embrace all the 

 varieties that are on the market, but in 

 it are good varieties in all the leading 

 colors. In most cases they are the best 

 in their colors. 



Vesper. — As an all -sea son white we 

 place this at the head of the list. It is 

 early, free and continuous. The blooms 

 are large, pure white and never burst. 

 Long and strong stem. This variety was 

 not pushed as its merits deserved but it 

 will be grown more and more as it be- 

 comes better known. 



Lady Bountiful. — If this variety would 

 come into its best form a little earlier 

 in the season we would give it first place. 

 Undoubtedly the best shipper on account 

 of its great substance. 



The Belle. — Many growers consider 

 this the finest white commercially, as it 

 is large and free and has good stems. 

 <^;omes in form very early and was the 

 finest white at our late show in the 



general classes. A tendency to split a 

 small percentage of its calyxes during 

 mid-winter is its only fault. 



AVhite Lawson. — Same as its parent 

 save in color. Comes slightly mottled 

 when first opened but fades out pure 

 white when fully developed. 



Indiana Market. — A variety of our own 

 grown in place of JMora Hill on account 

 of its productiveness and ability to with- 

 stand liot weather. 



Moonlight. — A tall growing, early 



blooming, pure white. Makes up fine in 

 casket sprays. Not an extra good ship- 

 per, but for the retail grower this is hard 

 to beat. 



The Bride. — A dwarf growing white 

 with a good bloom, but outclassed in gen- 

 eral by the above varieties. 



The Queen. — This variety is making a 

 place for itself as an early white for 

 commercial blooms. Outclassed on the 

 exhibition table, but a great money- 

 maker as it is seen on many places. 



Boston Market.— Very free flowering 

 but too small in size in these days of 

 fancy carnations. 



Cov. Wolcott. — A fine white during 

 warm weather but splits too much in 

 winter. 



Flora Hill, White Cloud, Her Majesty, 

 I^rna and Queen Louise we have dropped 

 because they are outclassed by the above 

 varieties. 



Enchantress. — Never before has a va- 

 riety done so universally well right from 

 the start as has Enchantress. At once 

 became a favorite with everybody, 

 grower and retailer alike. Produces the 

 highest grade of blooms under ordinary 

 culture and is as free as most of the 

 smaller varieties. Every grower needs 

 this. 



Fiancee. — This variety was unable to 

 show itself in its true form this season 

 except on a few places. I think, how- 

 ever, that when it gets on to its feet again 

 it will fulfil all the claims that Avere 

 made for it. 



Mrs. LaAvson. — The standard dark pink 

 of the day. 



Indianapolis. — Has not met with the 

 success we looked for with most growers. 

 Is still our best paying dark pink va- 

 riety, not excepting Lawson. Very free, 

 early and f'ontinuous, and makes long 

 stems early in the season. Wants to be 

 kept topped back close when making the 

 plant. 



Mr>!. E. A. Nelson.- — -With some this 



Hency Eckford and W. Atlee Burpee. 



(Ppom a photograph made last July.) 



