1877, ] 
THE CARNATION AND PICOTEE.-CHAPTER XVI. 
8U 
large, and oaiiy in liower. Should be grown well, and will carry two to throe llowors on each 
plant. Parentage unknown. 
James Merryweather (Wood).—Another of the fine productions of Mr, Edmund Wood, 
sulHcient, oven did it stand alone, to ensure him long remcmbrauco in the minds of Carnation- 
growers. A seedling, I have little doubt, of the Lovely-Ann family, it has a petal which is 
the perfection of .shape, broad, smooth, of line substance, and richest quality; markings bold, 
—distinct through-stripes, and full of variety, form tine, size large, and an admirable grower, 
no collection can be complete without this variety, and it worthily commemorates the name 
of a most excellent, enthusiastic florist, who was esteemed in life by all who had the privilege 
to know him. First bloomed in ISGo ; sent out in 1869. My friend Mr. Rudd has for¬ 
warded me a plant of this variety which had sported into a Crimson Bizarre, of which he 
.says, If constant, it will prove one of the finest C.B.’s pos.siblo to be seen.” 
John Keet (Whitehead).—Raised at Oldham from mixed seed, but I have little doubt, 
like James Merryweather, of Lovely Ann extraction, this is another of the varieties of a 
rich class which can scarcely bo too highly extolled. Largo in size, tine in form, of great 
substance, smooth, richly marked with through-stripes,—lovely in their variety, though all 
distinct,—admirable in its habit, and robust in its growth, it is difficult to imagine higher 
attainment than is hero developed. Comes early into bloom, but, as from its vigour, many 
of the strongest side-shoots run to bloom, it may also l)ehad amongst the latest. In ordinary 
cases, my practice is to stop ” the side-shoots as they start for bloom, and thus generally I 
get a large addition to the increase; but finding John Keet to be an exception to the rule, I 
recommend allowing the shoots to run, and thus a few fine late dowers will be secured. 
Grow generously, but, as with every other variety of Carnation or l^icotee, carefully avoid the 
use of crude forcing stimulants. 
Lovely Ann (Ely).—.“Raised from Wakefield’s Paail Pry, C.B., and sent out in 1836. 
3Iuch the best R.F. bearing Mr. Ely’s name, though Lady Ely is shown probably twice as 
often. As used to be the fashion some years ago, when the trade in fiowers was not so healthy 
as it now is, spurious varieties have been largely distributed for this. Indeed, in my ex- 
i:)erience I have bloomed no less than 7ii7ie, so-called. Lovely Anns, and many fiorists do not 
now know the true one. Lovely Ann correct and in good character is indeed lovely ; the 
petal broad, very .smooth, gently cupped, of good substance and rich texture ; the white 
clear, and the colour, a rich rose, not a deep rose, admirably distributed. The distribution is 
not, as in Lady Ely, in stripes of almost uniform width in every petal, but of varied widths, 
giving the flower a less stiff and a more sweet and sunple character, to my taste far more 
engaging, though Ann, like some other very lovely ladies, can upon occasion be qixite sufii- 
ciontly covmanduig in her style. Of average size when well grown, and well crowned, with¬ 
out any confusion. The habit of grass is narrow, curled, and if touched with greeu-fiy will 
become twisted and distorted. A delicate grower, and requires csreful treatment during the 
Avinter and early spring months. Must be groAvu in a kind, generous soil, and as the buds 
swell, tAvo or three applications of Aveak, clear manure-Avater Avill much advantage the bloom.” 
This AA'as my description of 1853, and though noAv nearly a quarter of a century has elapsed, it 
needs no emendation. Alone of the Rose Flakes then described, it remains in my collection, 
and though from its delicate habit such a result might scarcely liaA-e been anticipated, it has 
been the parent immediately, or Avith a generation removed, not only of several fioAvers of 
the finest quality in the class, but of varieties of the most robust and kindliest habit. 
Mary" Ann* (Fletcher).—Raised at North Brierley, near Bradford. Sent out in 1873. 
A very large full flower, heavily flaked Avith deep rose. The petals are very stiff and leathery 
in texture, and apt,^! not bloomed upon a card, to curl, Avhen the fioAver is Avorthloss. Though 
uncertain in its character, it is, when caught, a really beautiful variety. Requires good 
groAvth ; Avill carry tAvo to three lloAvers on each plant. IMedium in its period of bloom. 
IMaid of Athens (Ely).— An old variety, though I am unable to give the date of its in¬ 
troduction, and one AA’hich, in several localities, for some years did duty for the same raiser’s 
Lovely Ann. It is, hoAvever, very distinct from Lovely Ann, both in the habit of itsgroAvth, 
and the colour and characteristics of the flower. It has a Avell-shaped and Avell-marked 
petal, and a good-formed floAvor, but both white and colour are far behind the high quality 
and richness of Lovely Ann. Habit of grass, narrow, lino, exuberant: a good groAver. 
Merri-aiac (Wood).—A good bold fioAver; lino form and substance; Avhite, pure, Avith 
Avell-defined markings of bright rose; good pod, and a smooth petal; constant, and a good 
habit of groAvth. Sent out prior to Eccentric Jack and others; one of E. Wood’s earlier 
seedlings. (I am indebted to my friend Mr. H. M. HoAvitt, of Chesterfield, for this description.) 
Mrs. F. Burnaby (Turner).—First bloomed in 1870. Sent out in 1873. As seen by mo 
at Slough in 1875, one of the SAA’eetest delicate pale ro.ses I have ever seen, but, unfortunately, 
judging from its behaviour in my garden, it lacks robustness of constitution, and consequently 
both plants aiid fiowers Avore a disappointment. In more open situations, and Avith a purer 
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