418 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ NoTember 9, 1893. 
afforded sufficient water to settle the soil, shadine: the plants for a few 
days from sunshine, and damping them at closing time in the afternoon 
daring the same period. Then the shading was dispensed with as 
well as the syringing, and the sashes drawn off during favourable 
weather and replaced at night, tilting them up a little in the absence of 
frost. 
The after treatment will consist in giving plenty of air on every 
favourable opportunity that presents itself, guarding against excessive 
damp, as the greatest evil which the cultivator of the Violet in unheated 
pits has to contend with during the winter months, keeping the 
runners persistently pinched, bad and damped off leaves being removed 
at ithe same time, the soil scratched over with a pointed stick, and 
giving tepid water at the roots when the condition of the soil renders 
its application necessary. An occasional top-dressing of Thomson’s Vine 
and plant manure before giving water will prove beneficial during the 
next five months, being careful not to let it come in contact with the 
leaves in strewing it lightly over the soil between the plants. As a 
means of protecting the plants from injury by frost we cover the sashes 
at night with Eddy’s “ dressed canvas,” to which cords are attached for 
securing them in position, and small staples driven into the wall-posts at 
intervals of about 5 feet. When severe frost is expected a few inches 
thick of dry bracken are laid on between the glass and the canvas 
covers. 
The varieties we grow are Marie Louise, Patria, blue (very much like 
the former, but of a deeper colour) ; De Parme, pale lavender colour ; 
Comte de Brazza, large double white flowers ; Victoria Regina, deep 
blue double flowers ; the two last mentioned being for spring flowering. 
We also grow a few plants of The Czar, large blue flowers. In a fort¬ 
night we have gathered 200 large bunches of Marie Louise and Patria, 
which varieties we find the best for autumn and winter flowering.— 
H. W. Ward, Longford Castle. 
PELARGONIUMS AT WINDSOR. 
It would be a difficult matter to find a class of plants so universally 
popular, or more deservedly so, than are Zonal Pelargoniums, The 
amateur with his little greenhouse, and may be a frame, can have 
them in bloom all the year round by a judicious insertion of cuttings 
and assiduous attention to other details of their culture. But it is to 
Zonal Pelargoniums under the guise of winter blooming plants as grown 
by Mr. Thomas in the Royal Gardens, Windsor, to which these notes are 
intended to call particular attention. The plants are now, when 
beautiful flowers to brighten our homes are all too scarce, com¬ 
mencing to bloom. In floriferousness, brightness, and general utility 
they are unrivalled, the “ Autumn Queen ” being unable to cope with the 
brilliant hues of these flowers. The collection at Windsor is an extensive 
one, and includes many, if not all, the finest varieties in cultivation. The 
plants are flowered in 6-inch pots, and form at the present time a 
dazzling display. One is liable when so much is heard of Cannell’s Pelar¬ 
goniums to think that it is at Swanley alone that they may be seen to 
perfection. Such, however, is not the case, for the plants grown by Mr. 
Thomas are equally healthy, and carry as many flowers as those of the 
justly celebrated grower above mentioned. This will certainly be 
acknowledged by all who are privileged to see those now under notice. 
It will doubtless be interesting to many readers of the Journal to know 
what varieties are the best in this collection, both for habit and 
distinctiveness. 
The selection cannot be opened with a better or more useful kind 
than Miss Gordon, which is purplish red in colour with a clearly defined 
white eye. The pips are large and of perfect shape. A free blooming 
semi-double scarlet is found in La Bruant, the habit of which is very 
fine. Only one single white variety appears to be grown, and by the 
way this is blooming none other is required. Queen of the Whites 
justifies its name, for the colour is of the purest, the shape of the best, 
and the trusses amongst the largest. The habit, too, is excellent, dwarf 
and sturdy, and carrying its chaste flo vers just clear of the healthy green 
leafage. A very beautiful deep rose is Kate Turner, and Freiza may be 
considered one of the very best of the scarlets. The pips are of exceed¬ 
ingly rich colour, and contour of the truss leaves nothing to be desired. 
Gloire Lyonnaise is a very beautiful deep rose-coloured flower, and for 
a pure salmon nothing more beautiful or more useful could be desired 
than Mrs. F. G. Hill, The truss is exceptionally large and perfect in 
form. Eiffel Tower is a double rose-hued variety of much merit. 
La Cygne is a splendid double white, and Madame Thibaut a grand 
double pink. One of the very best in the collection is A. Grisau. The 
pips, which are rather over the medium size, are deep pink in the centre, 
and have a broad white margin, which, whilst greatly enhancing its 
beauty, renders it remarkably showy and attractive. A delicate rose- 
tinted variety of great beauty is Luther de Medluc, and John Fellowes 
is a grand scarlet. 
Lady Russell is a variety which attracts universal opinion, the color 
being of a beautiful rose with a prominent white eye. Another pink < 
a high order of merit is Leather Bell. The pips are rather small! 
size but of perfect shape, as also is the truss. In colour it is a shac 
deeper than Lady Russell, and is totally distinct in habit. Both ai 
worthy a place in any collection. Lady Reed is one of the most charn 
mg. The petals are white at the upper parts whilst the lower is a cler 
rose, which produces a striking effect. The truss is of medium size bv 
perfect in contour. The dwarf habit of Louisa Penith is a great recon 
mendation to an already good variety. The rosy red coloured trussi 
stand sturdily out from the foliage of the plants, which are of excep¬ 
tional dwarfness. F. V. Raspail stands unrivalled amongst the doubles. 
The pips are large, and the colour of the most vivid scarlet. A good 
double rose is found in Dr. Thousent, the flowers of which are of medium 
size and the trusses large. The silver variegated foliage of Chelsea Gem 
is very striking amongst the other varieties, the flowers, too, being 
attractive. Amongst the dwarfest is Heroine, a double scarlet, and, as a 
good companion for the two previous named, Madame Thibaut might be 
named. The growth of the plants is singularly alike, and the trio is 
unquestionably a good one. The list cannot be closed without reference 
being made to a very handsome flesh-coloured seedling, of which Mr. 
Thomas is wisely taking much care, for it will undoubtedly be an ac¬ 
quisition in a class of plants which is already rich in grand varieties 
and superb colours.—H. J. 
Mr. Mawley’s Analysis of 1893. 
In support of my statement (page 384) that the analysis cannot be 
said throughout to be mathematically correct, I should like to give 
two typical instances. Viewing the fact that the analysis is said to 
be deduced from the experience of several years, they are fair instances 
in support of my argument. In the few remarks I add I have the 
agreement of others, who are fully as experienced as either Mr. Mawley 
or myself. 
Madame Hoste is a beautiful Rose, which has been well known to all 
of us for some years. It is in Mr. Mawley’s analysis of 1890. It is 
there given as No. 25, and placed in analysis as exhibited an average of 
seven times. Last year it was shown eight times, and Mr. Mawley has 
it still low down. No. 26 and 7’9, working on its actual exhibits. This 
year, although the Rose has been in the analysis since 1890, all these 
previous facts and figures are ignored, and the figure of twenty-one 
exhibits in 1893 is taken as the correct average for a series of years. 
Can this be called mathematically correct? I have not one word to say 
against the Rose, but I take exception to this fresh start and unreal 
position given to it, as 1893 was not a typical year for it. The 
Rose being one with light petals, the heat of this year was not 
really favourable to it. How it only appeared in eight winning boxes 
last year is surprising, as 1892 was eminently favourable to its growth. 
That it happened to be shown in twenty-one winning boxes in 1893 I 
look on simply as mere chance. 
In the same way Ernest Metz has been exhibited in winning boxes 
for some years ; it has been in the N.R.S. schedule in a special class 
since 1891. I cannot tell how long previous to this Mr. Mawley has had 
his eye on it, but the Rose is not in his analysis of 1890. Last year it 
was placed in the analysis as an average of 12 (on previous per¬ 
formances, I suppose), but this year previous performances are ignored, 
and 30 is given as its “average,” but apparently solely on the exhibits 
of 1893. Is this mathematically correct ? It is well here to recall the 
fact that Mr. Mawley has altered his system of working his analysis I 
think more than once ; that which he now thinks infallible he may 
hereafter find a flaw in. It is also worth mentioning that an analysis 
which may work satisfactorily in regard to Dahlias and Chrysan¬ 
themums, of which apparently hundreds of new varieties are produced 
annually, need not necessarily be of equal value in regard to Roses, 
of which very few new varieties are thought worthy of attention. 
Finally, although Mr. Mawley may think “crude figures” to be matters 
of trifling importance, we in the City have a theory which hitherto has 
been found to work out mathematically correct, and it is that we like to 
have our accounts and analysis worked by crude figures in preference to 
having them changed in any way.— Charles J. Grahame, Croydon. 
[We stated that in our opinion the results as given by Mr. Mawley 
were mathematically correct as deduced from the elaborate and pains¬ 
taking system adopted in their preparation, and we were confirmed in 
this opinion by a gentleman of world-wide fame, whose life has been 
spent in elaborating deductions as true as he can represent them from 
ponderous masses of crude figures. Mr. Mawley can have no objection 
to a fair examination of his work, but he very properly objects to being 
charged with “ cooking,” a rough city method of expression in this 
reference that is not merited, and which does not meet with general 
approbation.] 
Lord Penzance’s Hybrid Briars. 
I HAVE to acknowledge Mr. Charles J. Grahame’s allusion to a 
previous paragraph of mine on page 396. If he reads attentively Sir 
Walter Scott’s “ Lady of the Lake” he will find that the Eglantine is 
a native of the Trossachs Woods, which I recently saw in all the glory 
of their autumnal hues. It also grows wild in the woods of Galloway, 
as I can testify from personal observation. I have a vigorous specimen 
of the Sweet Briar Rose growing in front of my manse which, during 
the months of July and August, is a mass of pink blossoms, and is at 
present perfectly covered with its beautiful berries. It was, many years 
ago, transplanted from a wood in the parish, which overhangs the sea. 
