188 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 1, 1892. 
opens the seeds fall around the plant, where they germinate in 
quantity, and the young plants often stifle themselves. If a 
particular variety is found in a meadow search around without 
going away, and you will very probably find other examples of the 
same variety that the weight of the seeds has prevented becoming 
more widely spread. 
In a natural state, if crossing between different species were 
frequent, there would only be hybrid Orchids on the ground, for 
it must not be forgotten that all hybrid Orchids are more vigorous 
than the plants which have produced them, and they would not 
be long before they took the place of their parents. But this is 
not the case ; the artificial crossing effected by insects is very 
rare. The numerous fertile seeds in a state of nature might be 
expected to germinate easily, but the proportion of plants which 
escape the risks attending them in a young state would be very 
small. It is in view of the dangers to which young plants are 
exposed that Nature has provided certain plants with thousands of 
seeds. 
In cultivation great attention is paid to the compost which is 
suitable for the seedlings ; in our opinion the best is that of the 
mother plant. It should not be forgotten, however, that the seed¬ 
lings require a more constant humidity than the mother plant, and 
that they also require a regular rest. It is often forgotten that 
Orchids are bulbous plants, of a special form it is true, but which 
rest the same as Tulips, Hyacinths, and other underground bulbs. 
You would try vainly to make young Hyacinths grow all the year. 
When the time has come for them to rest, the leaves turn yellow, 
and the part of the plant above the soil disappears. I feel con¬ 
vinced that if Orchid seeds were sown at the time when the plants 
from which they issued commenced growth greater success would 
be achieved, while if they were rested at the proper time more of 
the seedlings would be preserved. 
JUDGING HERBACEOUS FLOWERS. 
The misinterpretation of conditions, and the subsequent dis¬ 
appointment thereby occasioned, are things that will of a surety 
continue so long as loosely worded classes are to be found in 
schedules. These latter are framed by the Committee, too often 
in indefinite terms, without any note having reference to a par¬ 
ticular class or classes whereby the exhibitor may be guided ; but 
exhibitors as a rule are sufficiently intelligent to know for them¬ 
selves what is really intended, and if the wording is beyond their 
powers of comprehension nothing could be simpler than putting 
the question to the Secretary, and he would bring the subject 
before the Committee, who would no doubt be able to clearly 
interpret the meaning they intended certain words should convey. 
A schedule should not be a puzzle, and should be discussed 
thoroughly before going finally to press and then to the public. 
Where the wording is not sufficiently clear the exhibitor places his 
own construction upon the class, and this on the show day may be 
found not to tally with the idea of the committee, who have given 
their instructions to the judges. These gentlemen are sometimes 
told to use “ their discretion,” and again “ not to be too hard or 
exacting but I maintain that if the judges pass by errors un¬ 
noticed it affords the exhibitors every opportunity of deviating 
and assuming this or that. I do not say disqualify unconditionally 
at all times, though perhaps this means, if severe, would be the 
best in the long run ; but I do say this, that every erring exhibit 
or such as is likely to be in the first three should be branded, and 
the reason briefly stated on the card ; or the exhibit may be 
disqualified, and if sufficiently meritorious be awarded a special or 
“ consolation ” prize. Such a step would demonstrate on behalf of 
the Committee that the terms of the schedule must be complied 
with, while a special award would also display their leniency and 
sympathy with the erring exhibitor. 
As regards “ herbaceous flowers,” some exhibitors appear to 
think anything will do for these, especially when we see in pro 
minent London exhibitions such things as Tree Pmonies included 
and passed by without comment, securing a place of honour into 
the bargain. I have never seen H.P. Roses in pots included as 
“ herbaceous,” though they have just as much right there as Tree 
Pseonies. Then, again, both annuals and biennials very frequently 
are set up as herbaceous, though quite erroneously. “ Northants ” 
speaks of Stocks and Zinnias, but neither of these is “herbaceous,” 
and would merit disqualification, an herbaceous plant being one 
that “ produces annual flowering stems from a perennial root.” 
Such a one may be quite hardy or may require the temperature of 
a stove or grtenhouse, provided it performs the above functions ; 
therefore a class for herbaceous plants or flowers as usually intended 
should be rendered “ hardy herbaceous ” to be definite and unmis- 
takeable. Their relative or comparative hardiness is of little 
moment, because societies for these exhibits are common now in 
most towns and many villages, and competitors are confined to a 
given limit as a rule ; therefore Kent and Durham would hardly be 
competitors, while in larger exhibitions classes are framed for the 
immediate district of the society, and “ open ” classes for all 
comers. 
With a more careful wording of the schedule much might be 
done where a thoroughly practical man is secretary, backed by a 
practical executive ; but what may be expected in those instances 
where a pensioned policeman or a schoolmaster with no knowledge 
of gardening or plants obtain, and where the executive are the 
various shopkeepers of the place, and who are quite ignorant of 
the subject before them ?—J. II. E. 
WEM. 
Phodahey no shorter heading has ever appeared to an article 
in the Journal of Horticulture than the above. Tf it had not been 
for certain Sweet Peas bringing the little name to the front some 
readers might have wondered what Wem could be ; but they have 
learned that it is not a plant but a geographical expression. It 
is the name of an ancient looking village some ten miles from 
Shrewsbury, and the home of certain Peas—some to gratify the 
eye and render gardens and rooms beautiful and sweet ; others to 
satisfy the palate—all raised by that diligent florist and experienced 
gardener, Mr. Henry Eckford. His Sweet Peas in their season of 
flowering are a sight to see, and the long rows of culinary varieties 
laden with huge pods are not likely to be soon forgotten by those 
visitors who, to perpetuate a perhaps just admissible alliteration, 
wend their way to Wem. Many do this not from various parts 
of this country only, but from the Continent and America ; it is 
the Sweet Peas mainly that attract them. 
Mr. Eckford has worked so perseveringly in improving these 
charming fragrant garden flowers that ho may almost be said to 
have revolutionised them. The advances, however, have been 
made step by step, a few new colours and a slight increase in the 
size of the flowers having been obtained each year, so that we have 
to contrast the varieties of a generation ago with the new ones up to 
date to fully appreciate the change that has been brought about by 
the skill of the hybridiser and the selections of the florist. It is 
easy enough to raise new Peas, at least by those who know how ; 
but the work is not half done then, and rejection, retention, and 
fixation may be the work of years before pure and distinct stocks 
are established. 
Mr. Eckford has, at an estimate, about acres of Sweet Peas 
at Wem, and 2 acres of culinary varieties ; but these are of the 
newer varieties only, some of the latest in commerce, with otheis 
to follow, and the bulk of his seed is raised elsewhere, where better 
harvests are obtained than in their cold native parish. Peas grow 
luxuriantly at Wem, and flower profusely, the Sweet Peas appa¬ 
rently right into the autumn. They are grown in rows 5 or (1 feet 
apart, with Potatoes between them, of which Mr. Eckford’s 
favourite early variety is Sharpe’s Victor, because he finds it the 
first ready for digging, and one of the best for use. The Peas 
occupy the same ground year after year, without any loss of vigour ; 
but it is possible their seeding may be prejudiced by the abstrac¬ 
tion of potash, one of the chief essentials for a good harvest of 
seed. When a plant shows an improvement in its flowers, as is 
the case here and there in most of the rows, it is carefuliy bent 
from the row and secured to a stake, while any that may fall below 
the standard of merit are drawn out altogether. The rows, how¬ 
ever, are singularly true, and the long lines of colour, from white 
through various tints of rose and pink to glowing carmine, from 
pale lilac through different hues of lilac and mauve to purplish 
black, have, when in full beauty, a delightful effect, and the air is 
laden with perfume. 
Mr. Brotherston wrote very agreeably and usefully on Sweet 
Peas last week (page 161), and directed attention to several 
undoubtedly good varieties. He will grow them again no doubt, 
and if he is a connoisseur, and wishes to have the latest and the 
best, let him try such of the following as may strike his fancy, 
and describe his experience with them another season. They were 
among the best of the thirty-six varieties staged at the Shrewsbury 
Show, but looked quite as well in the rows as in those attractive 
bunches :—Emily Eckford : This closely approaches a time blue, the 
wings being of a well-marked coorulean tint, but the standard suffused 
with reddish mauve. Peach Blossom : An extremely pleasing 
colour, the wings being soft rose shaded with cerise, the standard 
rosy red at the base, shading upw'ard to pale pink. Ovid : One 
of the most richly coloured varieties yet raised, being brilliant 
rosy carmine. Royal Robin : A clear pink, with blush wings and 
a white keel. Venus : A blush coloured flower, with a suffusion of 
pale yellow, very distinct. Stanley : A beautiful dark flower, 
standard and wings being very dark brownish purple, almost 
