THE FLORAL "WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
fine flavour and Lardy constitution. This is not a new variety, as it 
has been in cultivation several years, and it can therefore be all the 
more heartily commended. There are several types of the Batavian 
JEndive in cultivation, some with leaves not much broader than the 
common dandelion, and of a very indifferent flavour, whilst others, 
like Idmser’s Improved Broad Leaved, have broad leaves, and are when 
well blanched of good flavour. It may be assumed that the greater 
the breadth of the leaf the finer tlie flavour when blanched, and the 
nearer the approach to a well blanched cos lettuce ; and therefore 
the Improved Bound Leaved Batavian may be considered a welcome 
addition. This variety is said to have much broader leaves than the 
broadest of the Batavian types, and a more compact habit. It is 
certainly well worth a trial by those who grow endive for winter 
saladiug, and to me it appears diflicult to have a salad worthy of the 
name witliout a plenty of good endive. This also is in the hands of 
Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons. 
New peas are plentiful this season, and Messrs. Hurst and Sons, 
Leadenhall Street, E.C., offer a set of four varieties, raised by Mr. 
Laxton, and which have been selected from the collection sent out 
for trial last season. They are : — William ihel'irst, a dwarf wrinkled 
marrow, of excellent flavour and appearance ; the pods are handsome, 
and well filled. Popular is recommended as a useful tmriety for 
main crops, the pods being large and well-filled, and the peas of a 
good colour and flavour when cooked. Omega claims attention as 
a late pea, and may be described as a dwarf Ne Plus Ultra-, the usual 
height is thirty inches, and although sticks are necessary the expense 
will be trifling, as very short sticks will suffice. The last on the list 
is Superlative, which is remarkable for the size of the pods only, and 
is not desirable for small gardens, as the pods, although large, are by 
no means well filled. 
Of new broccolis, Coolincfs Matchless, in the hands of Mr. Cooling, 
of Bath, and Watts' Excelsior, in the hands of Messrs. T. Watts and 
Son, 56, Gold Street, Northampton, are both first-class varieties; 
they are large, of good colour, and in flavour very excellent. 
Samples of the former, exhibited last spring at South Kensington, 
were of gigantic proportions, and, as regards colour and appearance, 
were as near perfection as tiiey possibly could be. 
STEELITZIA REGINA. 
BT WILLIAM COLE, 
Head Gardener, Ealing Park. 
IHIS fine old plant, notwithstanding its interesting and 
attractive character when in bloom, is but little known, 
and it is a rare occurrence to meet with it in any but 
large gardens. At the present time, we have in the 
stove here a large specimen which has been in flower 
or some time, and will continue to produce its flowers throughout 
January. 
