162 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 3, 1892. 
•when it is understood they number 7000, associated in blocts 
of colour in the different structures. They are not large “ speci¬ 
men ” plants obtained by sowing early in the spring, but stocky, 
sturdy, thrifty plants, the result of sowing about midsummer, and 
they have plenty of vigour in them for supporting the seed. That 
is the object in view—good seed of the best varieties that can be 
attained by careful fertilisation and selection, with the rejection of 
all below the ideal standard of excellence, which is high. 
It may be taken for granted that the guide or showman, 
call him what we may, at Perry Hill will not omit to draw 
attention to the batch of Holborn Blue, which was certificated 
for its newness in colour a few years ago, and has since been 
greatly improved in size and form ; nor will a still newer distinct 
and pleasing form, Holborn Porcelain, pass unnoticed, for it forces 
itself on the visitor’s attention by the boldness of its flowers and 
their charming colour—a sort of shading or blending of blue tints, 
with a suspicion of a shimmering of silver, caused, in part at least, 
by the play of light on the lustrous surface of the blooms. This 
is undoubtedly a fine Primula, numbers of flowers exceeding 
2 inches in diameter, and at the same time substantial and 
symmetrical. Holborn Porcelain is destined to become a favourite, 
but it cannot find its way everywhere very quickly, as it is a some¬ 
what shy seeder, and therefore, like some other things new, will 
remain for a lime the favourite of the few, though it must 
eventually find its way into the greenhouses of the many. 
Among other glowing varieties Holborn Ruby attracts by its 
massiveness and richness. It is a variety of sterling merit; and 
so, indeed, are the other “ Holborns ”—Rose, Vermilion, Carmine, 
Magenta, and Salmon, the predominating colours being indicated, 
and it must be said they are generally brighter and better, because 
more sparkling and lively, than represented in colours in the Vade 
Mecum of the firm. Without an exception, too, the plants are of 
good habit, with robust spikes of handsome flowers. 
In contrast with the *' blocks ” of bright colours are large 
sheets of fleecy white, represented mainly by two varieties, both 
pure, yet totally distinct, inasmuch as Holborn Elaine, clear pearly 
while, has dark purplish leafstalks, while Holborn Queen has 
tender green leaves and stems. Both are bold, free, and effective. 
Some persons prefer Elaine, others the Queen, while others again, 
and probably the majority, cannot make up their minds which 
they like best, so adopt the sensible plan of growing both. Then, 
for those who desire something midway between what may be 
termed the reds and the whites, Holborn Venus is provided, white 
dotted and pencilled with colour, no two flowers being alike, yet 
all possessing the family likeness. The varieties alluded to are all 
single, all distinct, firmly fixed in character, and uniformly good. 
Equally dissimilar from each other are half a dozen double or 
semi-double varieties that seed with more or less freedom, and are 
reproduced with fidelity. They have a somewhat more massive 
appearance than the singles, produce their flowers well above the 
foliage, generally expand earlier, are more durable, and, conse¬ 
quently, remain attractive over a very long period. They should 
be grown by all and everywhere as convenience is afforded for 
the plants. At Forest Hill the following are the leading varieties : 
—Prince of Wales, bright rosy crimson, free, floriferous, and alto¬ 
gether good ; Princess of Wales, a natural companion, and, as befits 
its name, very charming in its rosy, flesh-tiu^^ed hue ; Lilac Queen, 
a stately form, deepening to purple, and effective ; Blue Rosette, a 
delicate lilac blue, free and attractive ; Carmine Empress, one of 
the richest of all Primulas, compelling all visitors to pause and 
admire its beautiful flowers, and, as a white, we have Snowflake, 
as pure as its name denotes, and a general favourite. 
Those in the mam are the varieties grown at Perry Hill. 
There are others in limited numbers—the latest selections— 
undergoing the ordeal of comparison and fixation. Only a com¬ 
paratively few out of the many that are raised possess all the 
coveted properties that stamp them as improvements. Their 
newness or dissimilarity from established sorts of the first merit 
is not enough to warrant their increase, and though many are 
novel, curious, and even in some respects attractive, yet if they 
do not exhibit a combination of virtues, so to say, they have to go. 
These probationers are kept far distant from the general stock 
with the object of averting seminal disturbance by pollenisation, and 
it is because of the care exercised in this respect by experienced 
Primula growers that the purity of their selected varieties is so 
well maintained. 
The flower-loving public are greatly indebted to commercial 
florists for the improvement of the various kinds of plants they 
severally take in hand. This supply of superior forms increases 
the demand, with the inevitable result that the cultivation of them 
increases year by year. The advance that has been effected in 
Primulas is indisputable, and in this Messrs. Carter have shared 
to the satisfaction of themselves and their friends in the floral 
world.—iNSPECTon. 
Events of the Week, —On Friday, March 4th, Messrs. Protheroe 
and Morris will offer several interesting Orchids for sale by order of 
Mr. F. Sander, such as Cypripedium Chamberlainianum, C. Kimballianum j 
and Cattleya Victoria Eegina, commencing at 12.30 p.m. On the 7th 
there will be a sale of Hardy Perennials, Dahlias, &c., and on the 9th of 
Azaleas, Eoses, and other plants, at their rooms, commencing at 
11.30 A.M. There will be a meeting of the Eoyal Horticultural Society 
at the Drill Hall, James Street, Westminster, on March 8th, when a 
lecture will be given on “ Plants for House Decoration,” 
- The Weatheh. — The indications of a change from the 
somewhat mild weather with occasional light showers experienced in 
the south of England that were noted on the 27th ult., were quickly 
borne out. The weather remained dull and lowering on the 2Sth and 
29th, while March opened with a piercing wind, which increased in 
force towards evening, when snow, sleet, and rain fell. On the 2nd inst. 
the cold wave was maintained, snow falling intermittently. Slight 
frosts have been registered on several occasions. Though the change of 
weather will have retarded outdoor operations somewhat, it is of 
advantage in keeping back the fruit buds. 
- The Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. —The Committee met on 
the.26th ult. for the first time since the annual meeting, and unani¬ 
mously re-elected Mr. W. Marshall to the office of Chairman. The 
following gentlemen were elected local secretaries for the ensuing 
year—viz., E. Bell, Esq., Tyrone, for Ulster ; Mr. George Cooper, Kirk- 
stall, for Leeds and district; Mr. F. Collyer, for Ilkley, Yorks ; Mr. 
Malcolm Dunn and Mr. Matthew Todd, for Edinburgh ; Mr. Fairgrieve, 
for Dunkeld ; Mr. Goldsmith, High Trees, for Eedhill, Surrey ; Mr. 
Hussey, Clive House, for Esher, Surrey ; Mr. J. B. Stevenson, for 
Bournemouth; Mr. J. Lyne, for Chislehurst, Kent; and Mr. Upjohn, 
Worsley Hall, for Manchester. The following gentlemen, who retire, 
were accorded a hearty vote of thanks for their past services :—Mr. 
Furze, Mr. Ellicott, Mr. Frankland, Mr. Lumsden, Mr. F. Eoss, and Mr. 
L. Castle. The following special receipts were announced as having 
been received during the month :—Manchester Gardeners’ Improvement 
Society, £5 ; Eeading Gardeners’ Improvement Society, £2 23.; Mr. J. 
Thomson, Hawkhurst, £1 Is. ; and Mr. M. Dunn, £1 Is. The sum of 
£1000 was authorised to be invested ; and guardians were appointed for 
the eleven children who were elected at the annual meeting. 
- Kingston Gardeners and the Orphan Fund. —A meet 
ing has, we learn, been called for Saturday evening next, March 5th) 
at the Albany Hall, Kingston-on-Thames, for the purpose of determining 
upon some action or effort in aid of the Orphan Fund. There are very 
many gardeners about the town and neighbourhood, but so far only 
about four are subscribers. There is no local secretary, and literally 
next to nothing done for so good an object. We hope the meeting will 
result in the production of something tangible in aid of the Fund. We 
are requested to mention that every gardener in the district is cordially 
invited to attend. 
- Testudinaria elephantipes. —A correspondent wishes to 
know if any reader of this Journal can inform him “ To what age Tes¬ 
tudinaria elephantipes attains, how long it takes to form one notch or 
square, and how often it flowers.” 
- Weather Eeports. — Why are your correspondents so 
bashful? On pages 144 and 145 the whole value of several statements 
is destroyed by the localities not being given. “ A. V. M.” writes from 
“ Staffordshire,” “ B. D.” from “ South Perthshire,” which is not much 
better; but “ W. T.” bears off the palm, for he does not say whether 
his observations were made in England, Scotland, or Ireland.— 
G. J. Symons. 
- The Sale of Weed-killers by the Trade. —A case of 
great importance to the horticultural trade has just been decided. It 
was one brought by the Pharmaceutical Society of England against 
Mr. E. J. Butt, a Barnstaple seedsman, for selling a weed-killer admitted 
to contain arsenic in large proportions, and thereby, it was alleged^ 
contravening the Act restricting the sale of poisons to registered 
