292 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 15, 1866. 
P. Sturii put as a synonym. We have not seen the plant growing. 
Syn. minima, var. pubescens, Josch. 
P. suffrutescens, A. Gray.— One of the most charming 
little shrubby Primulas we have yet seen, and with the exception 
of P. marginata is the only one known to us with this curious 
habit. Fortunately, it is very easily cultivated, as shown by a 
large piece growing on the rockery at the Tottenham Nurseries, 
and we believe T. S. Ware to be the introducer of this gem. It 
is doing well with us in strong loamy soil, with small pieces of 
sandstone round the neck, and plentifully supplied with water 
during the season of growth. The whole plant is nearly glabrous, 
leaves thick, leathery textured, cuneate spatulate, and coarsely, 
sharply toothed at the apex. Leaves crowded on the top of the 
stem, the old ones being rather persistent. Stem upright or 
sometimes creeping. Scape about 6 inches in height, carrying 
three to ten flowers, deep maroon purple, with a large yellowish 
eye, the tube longer than the calyx, and about the same length 
as the lobes. Exposed rocks of the Sierra Neveda at 9000 to 
11,000 feet elevation, Silver Mountains, &c. First discovered 
by Bridges above the Jeosmite Yalley. The thick matted roots 
are said to fill the crevices of the rocks, and are more creeping 
than in any other species. Flowers April and June.—D. 
BURGHLEY PRODUCTIONS, 
Chou de Burghley. —It says much for anything new when it is 
criticised in the Press; it shows the interest taken by growers, and leads to 
a correct estimate of its value. I have before had something to say in 
favour of Chou de Burghley, but it was objected by “• A Working Man ” 
through there not having been any weather to test its hardiness. Another 
year’s experience of it only confirms the views I had formed. It is an 
excellent winter vegetable, taking the place of Cabbage from October to 
April inclusive, and superior in flavour at that season, having a taste of 
Cauliflower along with Cabbage, and in spring the Cauliflower flavour is 
very decided in the Broccoli-like hearts. Sown in March or early April 
it forms large Cabbage-like heads by October, and these may be calcu¬ 
lated on to be fit for the knife and pot any day from then to spring, as wet 
weather does not affect the heads to anything like the same extent ns 
Cabbage and Savoy, for while the Cabbage and Savoys are split and torn 
into shreds, Chou de Burghley is unaffected by fog or rain. Frost (and 
“ A Working Man ” will note this) has very little effect upon it, and there 
has surely been enough frost and cold to test the hardiness of anything. 
After standing the winter in an open situation I had a large batch that 
were not any worse in March, and then came in most acceptably. They 
were from a sowing made early in May, and afforded a capital succession 
to those sown earlier. I found by planting in firm soil the plants were 
much dwarfer and formed closer hearts. 
Chou de Gilbert. —I had this for the first time. It may be 
described as a Cabbage-Brussels Sprout, the Cabbage-buttons clothing the 
stem as in Brussels Sprouts. It grew strongly, attained to a height of 
3 feet, and were studded with little Cabbage-heads from the bottom to 
the top of the stem. Tbe heads or buttons are exactly similar to Brussels 
Sprouts, only smooth and shining; not crumpled, and more prolific. The 
quality when cooked is excellent, having the sweetness of Cabbage, 
most delicate and delicious. It seems quite as hardy as Brussels Sprouts, 
not being in any respect injured by the frost of the past winter. It was 
considered quite a delicacy at table, and I consider it one of the best 
vegetables introduced of recent years, even by Gilbert. 
Universal Savoy —I have grown this two seasons. It is a decided 
improvement upon the Ulm and Vienna varieties, and quite distinct, par¬ 
taking more of the character of the Dwarf Green Curled than those 
varieties, and is much hardier. It is very dwarf and turns in quickly, 
being next to all heart, there being few useless outside leaves, and the 
quality excellent. Asking how it was liked at table, I was answered, 
“ Capital, delicious, delicately flavoured.” It is one of those things that 
can be grown by everybody, and it does not require much space. I gave 
it 18 inches distance, and that was ample. Those requiring small heads 
may give it less. It stands wet well, and frost does not damage it nearly 
so much as the yellow-hearted sorts. I have cut it in spring when others 
had only split or decayed heads, and it keeps a long time fit for use. In 
order to obtain a late supply a sowing should be made at the end of May or 
early in June for putting out after early Potatoes. 
Primrose Harbinger. —Primroses are the most popular of our 
hardy flowers; even tbe Violet is losing ground. I wish the Primrose 
League would associate the Violet with the Primrose, the “bit of blue ” 
shows off the Primrose so gloriously. Gold and purple go well together. 
Harbinger Primrose has foliage like the common Primrose, only more 
shining or less hairy. It is quite hardy, and adorns a. hedgehank, 
copse, shrubbery, and garden quite as well as window, greenhouse, con¬ 
servatory, and boudoir. It is a plant for the million. Its flowers are 
large and as fine in form (lacking the fringe) and sweeter than the Chinese 
Primulas, with the difference that the one is suited to everybody and the 
other only gladdens those with greenhouses. Its flowers are white, prim¬ 
rose-tinted, yellow eye, and sweetly scented. The flowers are borne in 
trn«ses—Polyanthus-like—and yet without the stiffness of that flower, but 
diffused openly have a grace exceedingly attractive. Outdoors it flowers 
with the Primrose, being at its best in the spring, and is fine for spring 
bedding, imparting a richness to borders through its purity, superior 
form, and floriferous character, For pots I find it extremely useful as 
plants have only to be lifted from the open ground, potted, and stood in 
a cold frame, from which they can be drafted at intervals to a green¬ 
house, so as to afford a succession from the New Year to April. Well- 
grown plants are invaluable for house as well as conservatory decoration, 
and being hardy they are available where tender-flowering plants are not. 
It increases rapidly by division after flowering, planted in good soil on a 
summer-shaded border, but not by overhanging the ground and rendering 
it as hard and dry as a barn floor. Primroses like moisture and as much 
sun and light in winter as possible.— G. Abbey. 
The Primula Conference. —This Conference will be held on 
Wednesday, the 21st inst., in the Royal Albert Hall. The chair will be 
taken at noon punctually by John T. D. Llewelyn, Esq., Penllergare, 
Swansea. The following papers will be read and discussion invited 
thereon. The first in order is that by Mr. Shirley Hibberd, “ On the 
origin and history of the florists’ Auricula;” second, “In what direction 
should efforts be made with the view of improving the florists’ flowers 
belonging to the genus Primula?” Mr. Barlow has been unable to prepare 
a paper on this subject, but the Rev. F. D. Horner has kindly consented 
to take his place. Mr. J. G. Baker, of the Royal Herbarium, Kew, will 
next discourse “ On the nomenclature of alpine Primulas while to Dr. 
Masters has been committed tbe important subject of “ Root structure 
and mode of growth, as affording indications of the probable best 
culture.” 
- At a general meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society 
held last Tuesday, Maxwell T. Masters, Esq., M.D., in the chair, the 
following candidates were unanimously elected Fellows—namely, Alex¬ 
ander Finn, John Goddard, Leonard G. Sutton, and John Wright. M. 
Treub waselected a Foreign Member. 
_Presentation to Mr. W. J. Ireland .—On Thursday last a few 
friends and fellow servants of Mr. W. J. Ireland met him in Kells to 
present him with a handsome gold watch as a small token of their esteem 
and regard on his leaving Headfort Gardens to take charge of those of 
Lord St. Oswald, Nostell Priory, Wakefield, Yorks. Mr. Ireland, in 
renlying, thanked them for the honour dme to him, and said he would 
always look back with feelings of pleasure on the time spent among 
them. 
- We understand that the first-prize silver medal, offered by the 
English Arboricultural Society for an essay on the “ Larch 
Disease,” has been awarded by the Judges to Mr. Clark, of Clark Brothnrs 
and Co., nurserymen, Carlisle, the second-prize bronze medal being 
awarded to Mr. Coupar, Ashford, County Galway, Ireland. The publica¬ 
tion of these essays will be looked forward to with interest, as whole 
plantations of Larch are supposed to have been destroyed by this cause 
all over Great Britain and Ireland. 
- Royal Aquarium, Westminster.—W e are requested to state 
that, owing to the enlargement of, and to the extension of the time for 
holding the exhibition by the Kennel Clubs, the Rose Show announced for 
June 25th and 26th is entirely withdrawn ; and the Strawberry FSte and 
Show, announced for July 2nd and 3rd, is from the same reason postponed 
until July 9th and 10th. 
- Mr. Stephen Castle, West Lynn Vineyard, King’s Lynn 
Norfolk, states that he “ Caught the first Queen Wasp on Friday, the 
9th, and another on the 12th. What this means I hardly know after the 
severe late winter.” 
- We are informed that, owing to continued ill-health, Mr. John 
Smith has felt it incumbent upon him to resign his post as Curator of the 
Royal Gardens, Kew, an appointment he has held for twenty-two years. 
A brief notice of Mr. Smith’s career will be found on another page. 
_ The statement made on page 160 of the “ Gardener s Year 
Book ” for 1886, to the effect that the horizontal tubular boiler there 
figured and said to be advertised by the Thames Bank Iron Company as 
the “ Rochford ” Boiler, is an error. The boiler under that name, we 
