JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
32 
[ July 14, 1881, 
grown at the St. Osyth farms, vegetables being only represented 
by a few choice Peas and Lettuces, the bulk of the stock in this 
department being grown elsewhere. To enumerate the former 
alone would far exceed the space at our disposal, but a few of 
the most remarkable, together with the most distinct and striking 
novelties, may be briefly indicated to convey some idea of the 
extent and nature of the work done. One of the first attractions 
was a large square bed of the Blue Woodruff (Asperula azurea 
cmspitosa), of tufted habit, and, viewed in the mass of a soft blue 
tint, reminding one strongly of the peculiar steely hue charac¬ 
terising the flower heads of some Echinops. Near this were 
masses of the light yellow composite Helipterum Sandfordi, and 
beds of the large pale yellow Wallflower-like Erysimum arkan- 
sanum. Clarkias in several portions of the farm were grandly 
represented, especially noteworthy being a beautiful novelty 
which originated there entitled Mrs. Langtry. This is unques¬ 
tionably a distinct and handsome variety, the petals having 
evenly rounded margins, rich crimson in the centre, with a broad 
and clearly defined marginal band of white; it is very constant 
and will probably become a popular favourite. Passing large 
extents of Leptosiphons, yellow and purple Sweet Sultans, we next 
noted several select varieties of Godetia in similar profusion. 
G. Lady Albemarle is now an established and well-known form, 
Fig. 6.—Clarkia Mrs. Langtry. 
and the crimson flowers produce a grand effect ; yet the new 
variety Princess of Wales with bright crimson flowers having a 
lighter centre, and of very compact habit, is even more attractive. 
Eschscholtzias are extremely brilliant, the bright yellow E. cali- 
fornicus and E. crocea, with its varieties, and the handsome 
orange and dark scarlet E. Mandarin are well represented. A 
very distinct and pretty form with soft, clear, rosy-tinted flowers 
selected from the last-named, is also being tried, and is likely to 
prove an acquisition of considerable value. Efforts are being 
made to secure a Mandarin Eschscholtzia that shall have the 
inner surface of the flower of a similar tint to the outer portion 
of the petals, and already there is evidence of some progress 
having been made. The bright pink Saponaria calabrica occu¬ 
pies hundreds of square yards, while the dwarf free-flowering 
Silene pendula com pacta was seen in equal quantities ; Antir¬ 
rhinums of diverse hues, bright blue Clintonias, and soft azurean 
Kaulfussias, all contributing to a vast panoramic plateau of 
colours. Now an unsurpassed bed of dark crimson Candytuft 
came in view, and the richness of colour was still further height¬ 
ened by contrast with huge breadths of the sweet white Alyssum 
which load the air with delicate perfume. The Candytuft is 
remarkably fine and merits all that can be said in its praise, for 
both in compactness of habit and depth of colour it is superb. 
Another important feature is the breadths of Virginian Stock of 
several fine varieties, but one, a recent selection on the farm, now 
well tested and perfectly true, is named Fairy Queen—a well- 
chosen title for what is by far the most handsome form that has 
yet come beneath our notice. It is dwarf and compact in habit, 
and the flowers when they first expand are a very bright rose 
colour with a distinct approach to scarlet, which as they become 
older fades to a lighter hue, and when seen in a mass the com¬ 
bination of these tints produces a soft yet bright hue that is most 
pleasing. A short distance from these Convolvulus minor mon- 
strosus presents a grand sheet of the most brilliant blue flowers 
relieved by the white centres. So even was the bed that it re¬ 
sembled a handsome and elaborate mosaic pavement in blue and 
white, the foliage being scarcely visible. A variety of the smaller 
Convolvulus termed unicaulis is also notable. Its peculiarity is, as 
the name implies, the production of a single stem, which seems to 
concentrate the strength of the plant in one head of flowers, con¬ 
sequently these came of great size and surprising richness of 
colour. Larkspurs are grown in variety, early and late, tall and 
dwarf, in many shades of colour, but the most striking of all is a 
soft rose-coloured double form which has the flowers so closely 
crowded on the stem as to constitute veritable wreaths. Sweet 
Peas are largely grown of many distinct shades of colour. One 
large patch nearly half an acre in extent of the Invincible Scarlet 
produced an indescribably brilliant effect, while correspondingly 
soft in shade was a breadth of Painted Lady, the upper petals or 
standard of which are bright rose, and the lower white. Both are 
handsome varieties, and as grown at St. Osyth they are as true as 
possible. Tropseolums next merit attention. The thoroughly 
useful King of Tom Thumbs was in admirable condition, the 
lines of dwarf compact plants appearing almost as if they had 
been moved to bring them to such an exact level. The 
foliage, as is well known, is very dark, and the flowers rich 
scarlet, but a selection named Empress of India is considered to 
surpass it. The plant is similar in habit and foliage, but the 
flowers are said to be much deeper and richer in hue ; these, un¬ 
fortunately, we were unable to see, as none was expanded at the 
time of our visit. Probably, however, visitors to the Kensington 
meetings will soon have an opportunity of seeing it. The fine 
Marigold, Calendula officinalis Meteor, deserves a passing word of 
notice, for its distinctive characters were well shown in a large 
bed of it there, very little variation being perceptible in the 
colours or markings of the flower heads. Some of these exceeded 
3 inches in diameter, even and circular in outline, the florets 
being light orange yellow neatly margined with bright orange. 
Choice selected strains of Pansies, yellow, purple, and blue, were 
observable ; one, the Beauty of St. Osyth, being a fine velvety 
black. Rhodanthes, too, were attractive, both the Manglesi and 
maculata varieties ; and there, as elsewhere, an improvement in 
the old types had been effected by selection. This was a Man¬ 
glesi form, very dwarf, remarkably profuse in flowering, and the 
flower heads of an uncommonly bright rose colour. Sweet- 
Williams were very handsome, some of the flowers exceeding 
an inch in diameter, of excellent form, substance, and colours. 
Viscarias, too, were abundant and attractive, especially the 
dazzling V. cardinalis ; the dwarf bright blue Lupinus nanus, the 
double white Chrysanthemum Dunnetti, the bright yellow and 
pretty Bartonia aurea, with innumerable other beautiful plants, 
which cannot be noticed at length. We may conclude the notice 
of this portion by a brief reference to a remarkably dwarf Migno¬ 
nette entitled Golden Queen, which forms compact plants about 
a foot high, branching freely, and bearing close spikes of yellow- 
tinted flowers. The closeness yet vigour of the plant is very 
striking. 
Peas have been casually alluded to, and it is only necessary to 
add that several very promising novelties are on the way. One 
tall variety bids fair to be the latest Pea grown, and several other 
medium-height foims which appear unusually prolific and of good 
quality have not yet been named. But by far the most striking 
among the Peas was Stratagem, which is rather largely grown on 
this farm, and in every portion it was of similarly excellent ap¬ 
pearance, the very short but strong haulm being loaded with large 
handsome pods well filled with peas. In some instances so 
abundant was the crop that it was jokingly suggested the pods 
had been placed on the haulm. Telephone was also in first-rate 
condition, and as any doubt as to its distinctness must have long 
since ceased, it is unnecessary to refer to the characters it so 
clearly bears there. Many other Peas are also grown for trial, 
and thus a good opportunity is afforded of testing their respective 
quality. With this we may conclude these few notes upon one of 
the finest-kept business establishments of the kind we have had 
the satisfaction of visiting.— Visitor. 
SHREWSBURY ROSE SHOW. 
The annual Rose Show of this flourishing Society was held in the 
Music Hall of this ancient town on Thursday, July 7th, with the 
enviable adjuncts of admirable management, lovely weather, nume¬ 
rous visitors, and superb Roses ; yet, notwithstanding these indis¬ 
pensable elements of success, your reporter never found his expe- 
