No man can predict, absolutely, the public’s ultimate decision on a new introduction; 
yet undoubtedly there are some good points about each one, which may respond 
to particular 'conditions of soil, climate, locality and treatment. The purpose 
here is merely to take note of what is going on in the march of progress 
A GOOD many plant novelties are this 
season offered to both professional 
and amateur growers, and many of them, 
so far as observation goes, have merit 
sufficient to bring them into what may be termed 
the popular class. Without a close study of type 
and origin, some, no doubt, are likely to escape 
general attention, although possessing character 
istics most marked. Nowadays, the introduction of 
a new species is a rather rare occurrence (excepting, 
of course, from the Chinese flora) but new varieties 
of a type are constantly making an appearance, 
due almost wholly to the efforts being made by 
plant breeders and hybridizers to improve upon 
existing varieties. 
Most of the novelties of this season are improved 
forms of existing varieties, and it remains to be 
seen whether they will supersede their progenitors 
altogether, as far as demand is concerned, or 
merely supplement them. 
All the roses here named will be seen at the 
several spring shows this season (New York and 
Boston in particular). 
It is among roses, perhaps, that we find most 
novelty, and in the offerings are to be found some 
meritorious American productions. At the head 
of the list should be placed the red Hybrid Tea 
rose, Francis Scott Key, which is remarkable 
both for size and form, but, sad to say, lacks 
an important essential in a rose — fragrance. 
In spite of this drawback, it is attracting the 
attention of rose growers all over the country 
as a decorative rose, and will undoubtedly be 
widely grown this year. It is an excellent 
forcer and easy grower, and as an exhibition 
rose will, undoubtedly, carry off many blue rib- 
bons at our shows this spring, and bids fair to 
succeed well outdoors. It is a seedling from the 
old Cardinal, crossed with an unnamed red 
seedling. 
Ophelia is another grand new rose, good either 
for the garden or greenhouse. It is classed as 
a salmon flesh centre, shaded light yellow at 
base of petals; the bud is yellow before opening. 
It is a Hybrid Tea, raised in England, and has 
been tried thoroughly outdoors in sections in the 
United States where the thermometer in winter 
seldom falls below zero and the summer temper- 
ature rarely exceeds 95 degrees and proved 
highly desirable. It is not subject to ordinary 
diseases, is vigorous ingrowth, blooms generously 
in spring and autumn and fairly well in the heat 
of summer, fine flowers with practically no 
disbudding. 
Polypodium Mandaianum. A new fern for conservatory 
use and decorative work. Winner of the first gold medal 
at the National Flower Show, Chicago (W. A. Manda) 
Miltonia St. Andre, a new hybrid introduced by the Julius 
RoehrsCo. Parentage: Bleuana and Roezli 
Lady Anne Borrodell is a soft blush cream sport 
from the Hhybrid Tea rose My Maryland, poss- 
essing all the characteristics of the parent. It is 
splendid for either garden or greenhouse, and per- 
fectly hardy. Where exhibition flowers are de- 
sired it is necessary to disbud. 
Prince E. C. d’Arenberg is a true red rose which 
should score well at the current exhibitions. It is a 
good forcing rose, but it remains to be seen what 
it will do outdoors. The foliage is not inclined 
to mildew or spot, and is handsome and sub- 
stantial. A vase of the blooms seen under arti- 
ficial light is something to remember. 
The well-known rose Mrs. Geo. Shawyer has 
given us two fine sports — Mrs. F. F. Thompson, a 
shell pink, and White Shawyer. These have all 
the good qualities of the parent, and should prove 
welcome additions to both forcing and outdoor 
varieties. 
Killamey Queen is an improved variety of the 
popular Killamey, and is superior both in green- 
house and outdoor use. The growth is stronger, 
the foliage larger and deeper in color. The color of 
the flower is a bright cerise pink shading to a lighter 
pink at the base of the petals. The buds are pointed 
and long, and the open flower large and handsome. 
Mme. Edmond Rostand is an excellent green- 
house rose, and does fairly well outdoors, al- 
though not a very free bloomer in summer and 
autumn. It is a Hybrid Tea and in ordinary 
winters quite hardy. The bloom is pale flesh 
shaded with salmon, and reddish orange yellow 
in the centre. The foliage is crinkled, rendering 
it very pleasing. 
A fine dark crimson rose is Crimson Queen, 
which has just been tried out under glass, prov- 
ing very desirable. The flower is large and 
stoutly built, handsome in form, and the petals 
have a velvety texture and high sheen. The 
fragrance is delightful. It is not known how 
the variety behaves outdoors, but the foliage is 
tough and glaucous and the growth vigorous, 
which would make it worthy of trial. 
A light pink sport of Prima Donna, originating 
on the Pacific Coast, is offered this year for 
the first time under the objectionable name of 
September Morn. It is the sweetest in point of 
fragrance, many claim, of any Hybrid Tea grown. 
Its growth is free and the best flowers are pro- 
duced on fairly long stems. The bud is rather 
short, the outer petals fimbriated, creating a 
pleasing appearance. It is a strong claimant 
for popularity. 
Mrs. Morefield Storey is a new rose of Ameri- 
Average type of French Hybrid Hy- 
drangeas, which are notable for the large 
size of the individual florets. A number of 
varieties are now offered (E. Mouilliere) 
Begonia Mrs. J. A. Peterson. A red 
variety of the Gloire de Lorraine type which 
is likely to become a good Christmas plant 
(J. A. Peterson & Sons) 
Gladiolus Primulinus Hybrids. A 
new race flowering in all shades between 
yellow and crimson. Splendid for decora- 
tive work (Grown by J. Lewis Childs) 
Snapdragon Phelps’ White. One of 
the newer varieties of antirrhinum, suitable 
for both greenhouse use and bedding pur- 
poses (A. N. Pierson, Inc.) 
