54 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ MARCH, 
liave here a Self of the true Auricula, hardy enough for a very cold district in 
the south of Scotland, and judging by the description, I think it is the same that 
t 
used to be grown at Ednam (about two miles from Mr. Knight’s), when I was a 
boy, under the name of Dustj/ Miller. I have seen clumps of it at least a couple 
of yards in circumference. We used to part the clumps in the spring by cutting 
through them with a spade, and the divided portions grew luxuriantly in rich 
garden soil, and were very pretty when in flower. 
The great Auricula Show to be held at the Crystal Palace will be the means 
of eliciting some useful discussion on these and other matters. Shaded and self 
flowers will be shown side by side, for as the schedule admits both classes, the}’’ 
will each have to stand on their own merits ; and it will be very strange if both 
fanciers and the general public do not learn a useful lesson by the arrangement. It 
must be very gratifying to all true florists, north, south, east, and west, to see such 
a wide-spread interest in what one of our best professional gardeners called “ these 
grand old flowers.” In the days of pack-horses and stage coaches, there were 
great jealousies and much bitterness existing between the Northern and Southern 
growers, through a difference of opinion on some points. That is all over now, and 
whatever differences may exist, they are caused only by a desire to learn and to 
search for the truth.—J. Douglas, Loxford Ilford^ E. 
THE CAKNATION AND PICOTEE. 
Chapter XV.— Descriptions of the Best Varieties, Old and New {continued). 
TILL going forward with our descriptions of the best varieties of these 
flowers, we now come to the group called 
Purple Flake Carnations. 
Ajax (Hextall).—Origin unknown. First bloomed in 1870. Sent out in 1874. 
A large, full flower, with a well-marked and broad petal; useful for the back row of the home 
stage, but rarely sufficiently refined for the purpose of the exhibitor. A good grower. 
Dr, Foster (Foster),—Raised at Todmorden, from a fine old useful variety (Jackson’s 
Squire Trow), which it follows, with some slight variations, in its habit of growth and 
colour, but is incomparably better in its white ground, which is perfection itself. Petal broad 
and smooth, slightly cupped (unlike the parent, which has a tendency to reflex), of full size, 
and a fine grower, it would be at the head of its class, but for one unfortunate defect,—its 
generally insufficient marking. Nevertheless, and despite this serious drawback, it is a 
variety of gi’eat excellence, and such as will please a taste refined to fastidiousness. Early in 
bloom. 
Earl of Stamford (Addis).—Raised at Wolverhampton, from the same parent as the 
above, it is yet very distinct in its character, generally coming with plenty of colour and 
very fairly distributed, but is rarely seen with the fine quality and white ground of Dr. 
Foster. It is, however, a good, useful variety, a good grower, and well deserves a place in 
the best collections. Sent out in 1850. An early bloomer. 
Esther (Dodwell).—A sport from Fanny, P.P.B.—that variety again being a seedling 
from a purple flake of the Squire Trow family. For some years after the sport, this 
variety well maintained the high place it took in its class, but now,'like Fanny, shows pal¬ 
pable signs of diminished stamina. It yet, however, deserves cultivation, for its fine form, 
finely foimed petal, good white and rich distinct markings. Being, like all seedlings of the 
Squire Trow breed, open and succulent in its habit of grass, it is especially liable to the 
attacks of green-fly, and must be watched to guard against the evils certain to result if such 
attacks be not promptly repelled. 
Earl of Wilton (Holland).—Another variety, unquestionably of the same family, but' 
generally rather too full of colour, therefore should never be subjected to stimulating growth. 
