382 



JOURNAL 01 THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



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 time before Telegraph is superseded for general cultivation.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 Society's meetings and elsewhere have 

 been greatly admired. Sutton's Al, Peerless, Progress, and 

 Matchless are results of his painstaking work. 



Notwithstanding the almost endless varieties now procurable, 

 it is generally admitted that none of them supply the ideal type 

 required for cultivation on a large scale. For productiveness 

 none equals the best strain of Telegraph, but its somewhat pale 

 colour, especially when the plants are bearing a heavy crop, 

 lessens its value for market purposes ; and if the Council of the 

 Royal Horticultural Society should see their way to undertake a 

 series of trials at Chiswick I would gladly offer a prize of £5. 5s. 

 for the seedling Cucumber, raised since 189G, which shall com- 

 bine the productiveness and excellent form of Telegraph with 

 the dark colour of Rochford 's Cucumber. 



The Leek 



in 1837 was represented in this country by the Common and 

 Flag types, although it is on record that in the previous year 

 four Scotch Leeks were produced in Edinburgh with a circum- 

 ference of 9 inches or more. A Scotch gardener now living 

 informs me that although he came to England in 1854 it was 

 several years before he saw Leeks grown here. The Mussel- 

 burgh was one of the first improved forms, followed by Ayton 

 Castle and Henry's Prize. The greatest triumph, however, is 

 found in The Lyon and the better selections of this good variety, 

 such as rrizetaker, appear to present as perfect a form of Leek 

 as it is possible to obtain or desire. 



In this connection may be mentioned the excellent work 

 done by the Messrs. Dobbie, who have introduced one or two 

 very fine selections of Leek as well as of several other vegetables. 



Lettuce. 



The number of varieties, both Cos and Cabbage, has wonder- 

 fully increased during the past twenty years, and they embrace 

 many types and shades of colour. 



