46 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ January 18, 1883. 
improvement on White Clipper, with large trusses of pure white 
well-formed flowers that are produced very freely ; and the other 
has brilliant scarlet flowers with a well-marked white eye which 
renders the scarlet hue still more striking. During the present 
season a dozen new round-flowered Zonal varieties are to be sent 
out from Swatdey. Six of these were raised by Mr. Windsor— 
namely, Snowball, white ; Mrs. Naish, bright red, like Mrs. Moore ; 
Mr. C. L. Teesdale, scarlet; Bayswater Burley, salmon, white eye ; 
Peter Henderson, reddish salmon; and Mr. G. Brunning, deep 
red. Five are from Mr. George—viz., Emperor, crimson scarlet; 
Favourite, cerise scarlet; Edith George, reddish pink; Surrey 
Scarlet, and Crimson Gem ; while one, Kate Greenaway, was raised 
by Mr. Harrison Weir, and resembles Lizzie Brooks. All these 
are distinguished by the fine form of the flowers. 
In other sections of Pelargoniums several handsome varieties 
are ready for distribution. As a bedding variety Miss Blanche is 
likely to prove very popular, the colour being a rich purple-pink, 
and the flowers in large trusses. In the Hybrid Nosegay section 
Aurore Boreale and Gloire Lyonnaise are the best, the former 
light scarlet and the latter rosy-scarlet. Amongst the Ivy-leaf 
forms the grand single variety Masterpiece, with rich crimson 
flowers, and the doubles, Jeanne d’Arc, white, and La Rosffire, 
rosy-lilac, are the best. Double and single Zonals from Lemoine 
include what may be termed the Egyptian series—-viz., double, 
Admiral Seymour, Khedive, and Sir Garnet Wolseley; single, 
L’Egypte and Tel-el-Kebir, of varied colours. Show and Regal 
varieties are also represented by several novelties of merit. 
Chrysanthemums. —An enormous collection of these is grown 
at Swanley, compiising nearly all the named varieties in cultiva¬ 
tion. Three very striking additions were made to them last year. 
Lord Wolseley, which was certificated at Kensington and several 
Chrysanthemum exhibitions, is a distinct sport from Prince 
Alfred, with large handsome blooms of a peculiar bronzy hue. 
It will undoubtedly become a favourite exhibition variety. Mrs. 
John Crossfield is a sport from White Globe, with large, well- 
formed, pinkish blooms, and it was certificated at Liverpool. 
The last of the trio is styled by Mr. Cannell “ a double Pompon,” 
under the name of the Star of Whyke. It is, however, larger 
than ordinary Pompons, as the woodcut (fig. 11, p. 45) shows, and 
is chiefly remarkable for its floriferousness and the long period 
during which it blooms, being one of the latest, continuing to 
near Christmas. It possesses all the characters of a really useful 
variety, either as affording a supply a flowers or for decorative 
purposes. Another useful late variety is Mrs. Carey, which is 
flowering at the present time. It is very distinct from other 
varieties, and, as Mr. Cannell states, “it will not bloom until it 
has had its Christmas holiday.” 
Dahlias.—A collection of similar extent to that of the pre¬ 
ceding is one of the Swanley features ; Show, Fancy, Bouquet, and 
single varieties being largely represented. Of the last, however, 
it is only necessary to speak here, as it is to these that the chief 
additions have been made. Of the Gracilis type, one of the best 
of all the singles, the forms luteo-nana, yellow ; rubro-nana, 
bright scarlet and concinna, orange scarlet, are very notable. 
Three fine single varieties were certificated at Kensington—viz., 
Marguerite, deep rose ; Tyro, purple shaded ; and Yellow Gem, 
bright yellow. Those are of a taller-growing race than the pre¬ 
ceding, but the ^blooms are of excellent form. Seven new and 
beautiful varieties have been selected for distribution from a 
large number of seedlings. Many others of equal merit, such as 
the “ White Juarezii ” Constance, are also included in the forth¬ 
coming novelties. 
Primulas. —The Swanley Red, Purple, and White strains of 
Primula sinensis have established their fame, but fresh varieties 
are being constantly added. One that was certificated last year— 
namely, Princess of Wales, is unquestionably one of the most 
distinct, delicate, and useful of the recent improvements. The 
flowers are flushed with a soft pink tint, and are borne in large 
compact trusses well above the foliage. A most distinct Primrose, 
and one the utility of which is already being widely recognised, is 
Harbinger, which Mr. Cannell has secured for distribution. The 
flowers are much above the ordinary size, white with a deep 
orange eye—a striking contrast; and as it shares the free character 
of its relatives it may be relied upon as useful either indoors 
or out. 
Abutilons. —The valuable qualities of these plants for winter 
decoration are now well known, but their popularity is still 
increasing. Six of the best of Mr. George’s seedlings have been 
selected for sending out in 1883, and they maintain the high 
character for which the Putney plants are famous. The best are 
Belle of Surrey, is of a delicate rosy hue ; Dazzle, bright shining 
red ; Le Grande, rosy red ; Rosy Morn, bright rose ; and Striata 
splendida, bright orange. All these possess the symmetry of form 
in the flowers combined with sturdy habit and clear bright colours. 
The woodcut (fig. 12, page 49), shows the general form and size 
of the flowers of this improved race of Abutilons. 
Tuberous Begonias have been magnificent, some extremely 
large-flowered and brilliantly coloured varieties having been 
obtained. At the present time the Primulas and Violets are the 
chief features in the nursery, several houses containing an 
enormous stock of these plants. In innumerable other genera 
additions have been made during the past year, but the above 
are sufficient to show the character and extent of advance. 
EARLY CAULIFLOWERS AND LETTUCES. 
Gardeners in the south, having quite a different climate to 
deal with from their brethren in the north, may not always com¬ 
prehend the difficulties we have to contend against. The notes 
which follow may not, in consequence, appeal to their sympathies. 
Northwards, where both Cauliflowers and Lettuces are somewhat 
difficult to manage through winter, they will be better understood. 
It is a common practice to grow Cauliflowers under handlights 
in all parts of the country, and from these the earliest crop is 
gathered. In the north, however, a break is likely to occur when 
depending alone on autumn-sown plants to follow these. I have 
been in the habit of sowing seed in heat at this time in order to 
make sure of overcoming this difficulty, and at the same time a 
little Lettuce seed is sown. The best sort of Cauliflower for this 
purpose is Veitch’s Early Forcing, a new variety which has been 
found most satisfactory. Early Dwarf Mammoth should also be 
employed to afford a succession to the above. The earliest Lettuce 
is one of the All-the-Year-Round type, or, where size is not a 
necessity, the Tom Thumb type may be used. In my experience 
these are not appreciated, and that best of all Lettuces, Hicks’ 
Hardy White Cos, is employed for use at all seasons. 
The treatment of both kinds of vegetables is very much alike. 
The seedlings are raised in a temperature of about 55°, and when 
well up they are kept near to the glass, in due time being trans¬ 
ferred to a cold frame until ready for pricking out singly in a 
bed prepared as follows. On a hard bottom a thin layer of Mush¬ 
room-bed refuse is made firm, and on this a couple of inches depth 
of compost made of half loam and half manure is placed. Into 
this the young plants are put out about 2£ inches apart each way. 
Boards placed round the sides and ends admit the placing of old 
sashes above the plants. In March they are ready for transplant¬ 
ing. If the weather becomes cold after they are planted we place 
a twig or some evergreen over each plant, and find this of benefit 
as a protection. This sowing of Lettuces is planted between the 
rows of yearling Strawberries, and are cut before the fruit is ready. 
We invariably have our finest Lettuces under this treatment. 
The Cauliflowers, I find, derive great benefit from a slight dressing 
of sulphate of ammonia to each plant.—B. 
ANEMONE JAPONICA. 
Much has been written on the merits of this plant for beds 
and borders, but a few more words of praise will not be out of 
place. I consider it to be one of the most showy and useful 
plants for the herbaceous border, flowering as it does for a con¬ 
siderable time through the latter part of summer and autumn 
months. I saw it used last September with good effect in a round 
bed about 15 feet in diameter. The bed in question was filled 
with plants varying from 3 to 4 feet high, the taller in the centre. 
I never saw this Anemone grown finer, and when in flower 
about the middle of September nothing could surpass it in beauty. 
Another bed was planted with the rose-coloured variety and 
growing equally as strong. Near to these two beds of Anemones 
was a bed about the same size planted with the purple Clematis 
Jackmanii rambling over sticks that were arched over the bed, 
the highest part of this bed being about the same height as the 
Anemones. These beds were backed up at some distance with a 
mixed border containing at intervals plants of the white and 
rose-coloured variety of Anemone. The effect viewed from a little 
distance was such that would not soon be forgotten. I have never 
seen anything more pleasing than these beds when in flower. 
Anyone pretending to possess an herbaceous border should grow 
this plant, and in fact no garden, however small, should be with¬ 
out it. Where there is sufficient room it should be grown in 
quantity, as it is extremely useful for cutting purposes. The flowers 
being pure white are always appreciated. The flowers may be 
used in many ways ; for filling vases it is very effective associated 
with other flowers, or, as I have seen, vases filled with it entirely 
with a few fronds of Ferns. 
Anyone wishing to increase their stock of plants should do so 
now while the weather is open. Autumn is also a good time for 
