110 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Febrnary 5y 
tural Society. A keen well trained intellect, a good heart and winning 
manner, are the characteristics of Dr. Masters, and we think they are 
reflected in the portrait that we have the pleasure to present. 
Maxwell Tyldex Masters, M.D., F.R.S., was born at Canterbury 
in 18.315 and was educated at King’s College, London. In early life, 
indeed when he was a mere youth, he devoted himself to the study of 
natural history, various branches of which attracted him in his early 
career, but eventually after qualifying himself for the medical pro¬ 
fession, which he practised for some years, he devoted all his energies 
to the pursuit of structural and physiological botany. So well had he 
distinguished himself in this science that he was chosen lecturer on 
botany at St. George’s Hospital, an office he held with great acceptance 
from 1855 to 18G8. On the death of Dr. Lindley he became principal 
editor of the Gardener's Chronicle in 1865. On the occasion of the 
International Horticultural Exhibition at Ghent in 1888, Dr. Masters 
was Vice-President of the Jury, and had the distinction of Chevalier 
of the Order of Leopold conferred upon him, and in the same year he 
was elected a corresponding member of the Institute of France in the 
room of the late Professor Asa Gray of Harvard University. 
Dr. Masters has been a voluminous writer and a hard worker. His 
more important works are a treatise on “Vegetable Teratology,” 
“ Botany for Beginners,” and a revised edition of Henfrey’s “ Ele¬ 
mentary Course of Botany.” He has assisted in the production of 
Oliver’s “ Flora of Tropical Africa,” Hooker’s “ Flora of British India,” 
and other works of an important character. 
THE BEST FLOWERS FOR CUTTING. 
With the continually increasing demand for cut flowers there is,* 
at the same time, a rapid increase in the number of plants suitable 
for the purpose. Gardeners at no period have had such a varied 
collection open to their selection as they have at present, and the 
extent to which they can draw on all kinds, hardy and tender, 
annual and perennial, is practically unlimited. No private 
establishment could find space to do justice to a large number; but 
whilst that is the case it is possible, and wuthal very convenient, to 
so restrict, to so select the plants cultivated, that along with an 
abundant supply it may, at the same time, include the choicest 
in the several sections. The notes which follow it is hoped may 
be useful in directing attention to a number of really good 
plants, and the cultural advice meet the wants of the least ex¬ 
perienced. 
Hardy plants occupy a position of great importance as pro¬ 
ducers of useful flowers for cutting, and in the term hardy 
plants it is not to be implied that the words indicate what are 
known as “herbaceous” merely, but are meant to include good haidy 
annuals and biennials as well. It is impossible to conceive the 
amount of garden space which is wasted every year. If annuals 
are grown they are chiefly useless sorts. If hardy perennials, 
much the same remark applies. Now, it is a fact which anyone 
who has gone into the matter practically and experimentally must 
admit, that the best decorative annuals and perennials are also 
those best adapted for furnishing a continued supply of flowers. 
In many seasons with the aid of a few good flowering and fruit¬ 
bearing shrubs the entire year might be circled with flowers grown 
in the open. The present season, of course, is a practical reminder 
that the greenhouse is a most useful adjunct to the garden, but 
happily seasons like this are somewhat out of the normal course, 
and the fact remains that much more can be had from the portion 
of gardens devoted to flowers than is generally the case. 
Many annuals are not really hardy, and are unsuitable for 
autumn sowing ; they can only be raised in the spring of the year 
in wdiich they are to flower. The benefits accruing from autumn 
raised seedling are a much earlier bloom and generally stronger 
plants, while with attention the continuance in flower extends as 
late in autumn as the spring sown series. Common examples are 
Sweet Peas, Cornflower, Oxeye Daisies, and Candytuft. The time 
to sow in spring depends very much on locality. The beginning of 
IMarch for the warmer districts, ranging till the end of the month 
for late districts. Thin seeding is a matter of first importance. 
One plant of a strong growing species will produce a greater 
quantity of flowers than if several were grown close together, while 
the quality will be superior. This is a certainty, only it must be 
noted that the plant which is to be allowed to grow must from 
the beginning have plenty of space. A multitude of seedlings 
confined to a limited space in a short time extracts all sustenance 
from the soil, and those left have this drawback to overcome with 
a weakened constitution engendered through overcrowding. 
Another important point is that of removing all seed capsules at 
regular intervals. 
In addition to the flowers already named, the following are all 
i suitable for furnishing good flowers. Calliopsis bicolor is much 
better than some mixed strains of Gaillardia, capital for mixing 
with other flowers. Chrysanthemums yield a selection of good 
flowers. The Corn Marigold for some years has been much grown. 
1 find a few plants very useful, but use it only occasionally. The 
best of the others are the Double White and Yellow, Dunnett’s 
White and Yellow, and C. tricolor, and the variety Burridgei. There 
is a continental form of these with double flowers, very pretty and' 
useful. Each plant of these should have plenty of space. 
Godetias are useful, and the variety is now great. Duchess of 
Albany, Lady Satin Roae, and Bijou, the last a distinct small 
flowered form, are a good trio. A packet of mixed varieties will 
give satisfaction. Allow a space of at least 12 inches each way 
betwixt each plant. Larkspurs are worth being represented by the- 
branching form. One plant forms a good sized bush, and yields a 
large quantity of flower. I grow the blue form only. Love Lies 
Bleeding is to be grown in the same way as the last. It is of value 
for furnishing very large vases. Sweet Sultan, white and purple,, 
is indispensable. They are suitable either for mixed arrangements 
or for employing alone. These are among the best of flow^ers for 
cutting. 
TropjBolums give us a valuable selection of flowers. Tho 
dwarf forms should alone be grown. The yellow and bronze- 
shades are unique in their tones. One seed should be sown where 
a plant is wanted, and if the soil is in good heart it will cover about 
2 feet square. A poor soil is best for these, as they flower so much 
more profusely. They are most suitable for small glasses or bowls,, 
and look prettiest in a setting of their own leaves. T. peregrinum,. 
or the Canary Creeper, is one of the very best plants from the cut 
flower point of view. The plants should not be closer than 1 foot 
to 18 inches. We employ it either for small glasses or in long 
shoots for very large vases, allowing the stems to hang loosely or to 
twist round the vessel. Pot Marigold furnishes a desirable change. 
The selection we grow is a Continental one, flowers of large size,, 
and of a deep orange shade of colour. 
Hardy biennials may, in many instances, be treated as half- 
hardy annuals, and raised under glass the same year as they are 
flowered. Many of these, moreover, become perennials in mild 
winter. However, as a rule, young plants will be found of the 
greatest value, as they yield a greater profusion of better flowers. 
The end of June or beginning of July is a good time to sow, and 
the seedlings should be transplanted from the seed bed in early 
autumn to the place they are intended to occupy. Antirrhinums- 
are worth including. We occasionally fill vases with flowers front 
a good strain. The dwarf forms should not be grown for the 
purpose of supplying cut flowers. To Canterbury Bells much 
the same remark applies. 
Foxgloves are excellent. The finest of all is the white form. 
Cut with long stems this makes one of the most effective cut 
flowers. A shaded position in a room should be chosen, as unfor¬ 
tunately these do not stand very well when cut. Heartsease.—The 
fancy Pansies grown from seed and treated as above yield a profu¬ 
sion of pretty flowers, which are most acceptable for furnishing 
flat dishes during the summer and autumn months. They are best 
set up among their own foliage. Oenothera Lamarckiana should 
find a place because of its perfume as much as on account of its- 
large open yellow flowers. 
Sweet Williams, when the strain is good, are valuable. Double 
mixed. Carter’s Auricula-eyed, Scarlet, and White are all especially 
fine. We use them for large glasses mixed with other flowers. 
Wallflowers demand the same remarks about the quality of the 
strain as the last. The blood-red and a clear yellow are the two 
best forms. We find them indispensable.—B. 
BISMARCK APPLE. 
Apple growers are indebted to Mr. Geo. Bunyard for the trouble he 
has taken to trace the origin and history of the Bismarck Apple. As 
my name is mentioned in connection with its introduction to this 
country, perhaps a few words from me will interest some of the readers 
of the Journal. 
I did not receive grafts from Auckland, as stated by Mr. W. J. 
Palmer. During the summer of 1881 I received from my brother in 
Auckland a small box containing six young trees of Bismarck. They 
were genuine dwarfs, stock and scion did not measure more than 
6 inches. They were packed in wood ashes, and although ten weeks in 
the box they were fairly fresh. Four out of the six grew, but made 
little progress that season ; however, in the following year they gained 
strength and set blossom buds. In 1883 several fruits set, and a dish 
was exhibited at the Chiswick Congress. Three of my trees then passed 
into the hands of Messrs. Veitch &: Sons, and from them were produced 
the splendid fruits to which was awarded a first-class certificate at the 
Crystal Palace Show in the autumn of 188-1. 
Mr. Palmer claims having first introduced Bismarck into England^ 
and having sent to Messrs. J. Laing & Sons twenty-four plants of 
