I I 2 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



brownish stripes), and S. Watsoni (rosy purple), and justly awarded certificates. How 

 were they obtained? By the methods described in Vol. I. (page 26 et seq.). S. Eexi 

 (blue), introduced from South Africa in 1824, was crossed with S. Dunni (rose), 

 Transvaal, 1884. This cross brought S. kewensis, which in turn, crossed with the 

 Cape species S. parviflora (purple, white, and yellow), brought S. Watsoni. 



It may be presumed that even Mr. Watson could scarcely have foreseen that his 

 two little floral children would so soon bring in their train the marvellously diversified 

 and beautiful varieties now so easily obtainable from seed. The progress was brought 

 about in this way : — 



About two years after S. kewensis and S. Watsoni were raised they attracted 

 the attention of Mr. John Heal, one of the expert hybridizers in the establishment of 

 Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, who saw them planted out round the border of the 

 large succulent house at Kew and flowering very freely. The Kew authorities gave 

 Mr. Heal a few plants to see if he could make any improvement with them, as Kew 

 is not an hybridizing establishment on a large scale. \ 



No doubt the Kew people did well, as time has proved, to let others do their best. 

 The result has exceeded the expectations of every one who takes an interest in these 

 beautiful flowers. The grand collection exhibited by the Messrs. Veitch in the 

 Diamond Jubilee year at the show of the Royal Horticultural Society in the Temple 

 Gardens, Loudon, excited expressions of admiration and surprise. Among the 

 exhibits were splendidly floriferous plants of what must in justice be called Veitch's 

 Hybrid Strain, arranged in distinct colours to show how true each colour will be 

 reproduced in seedling plants as the result of careful fertilisation. There were pure 

 whites without any trace of colouring, then white with dark blotches, magentas with 

 rich and distinct shades, violet, purple, rose, pink, and various tints practically 

 indescribable (see Fig. 50). 



Exhibited at the same time were three other distinct strains which demand 

 attention. The first, known as S. gratus, is very distinct. The flower stems, from 

 6 to 9 inches high, are very strong and freely produced, some of them bearing from 

 twenty to seventy flowers and buds, which means a continuation of bloom for several 

 months. The flowers are about an inch across, and the colours bright and showy, 

 including terra-cotta and rose shades. This strain, with its several varieties, was 

 obtained by crossing the African species S. Dunni with Veitch's Hybrids. 



The second strain which merits special notice was named S. Mrs. Heal, in com- 



