162 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOQIST. 
[July, 
lings, and when they bloomed, even more so with their size and the beauty 
of the hues of colour. I saw that by means of intelligent selection there 
could be attained a race of border Polyanthuses of great value for decorative 
purposes, and the result of the intervening year’s work has been in every way most 
satisfactory, as shown in flowers ranging in hue from white to rich maroon- 
crimson, including lilac, violet, mauve, and purple shades, flowers of enormous 
size and fine shape, a strong plant throwing as many as 8 or 10 trusses, which 
form an immense bouquet. They are the admiration of every one who sees them, 
and they afford spring gardeners what has hitherto been much required in their 
vernal displays, striking dark hues of colour. 
I ought to have said that the pollen of some beautiful high-coloured single 
Primroses was also used in the strain, and the result is seen in that many of the 
plants throw up in the first instance very early in the season flowers on single stems, 
in the way of the common Primrose, and after that their trusses of bloom. I am 
too sensible of the beauty of the gold-laced strain of Polyanthus, to wish to 
depreciate it in any way ; but for decorative value in borders in early spring, 
the Fancy Polyanthus is far superior to the original type. 
The seed from which I shall obtain next year’s seedling plants has now been 
sown some six weeks, in a shallow box filled with a light free soil, and placed on 
a shelf in a cold greenhouse. Already the surface of the soil is dotted with many 
plants making their third leaves. Polyanthus-seed should always be sown early, 
so as to secure strong plants ; if sown in July and August, few of the plants will 
flower, and one has to wait another season to see what floral beauties they will 
unfold. My soil is a deep, moist, and somewhat heavy sandy loam, and previously 
to planting out the seedlings this is deeply dug, and a good dressing of decayed 
leaves and a little dung applied. The Polyanthus loves a deep soil on a cool 
bottom, where it can root deeply ; a shallow soil on a dry bottom is death to 
many of the plants. As far as possible I have tried to secure large circular, stout, 
flat pips, and thrum-eyes, allied with striking definite colours. I get fine flowers 
with pin-eyes, but unless there is something of value to breed from, they are all 
thrown away. The seedling plants flower very early, and I need scarcely say how 
much pleasure I derive from watching the opening blossoms; it is a source of 
gratification so peculiar that it cannot be expressed in words, and it can only be 
understood by those who are interested in raising flowers.— E. Dean, Ealing. 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
T the Florence International Exhibition, Dr. Moore, of Glasnevin, produced 
in blossom a new hybrid Sarracenia, which it has been suggested should 
have the name of Sarracenia Moorei. This, it is believed, was the first 
hybrid Sarracenia which had ever been flowered. It was described to 
be the offspring of Sarracenia flava, fertilised with the pollen of Sarracenia Drummondii. 
The plant is as nearly as possible intermediate between those two noble species. Those who 
have cultivated Sarracenias successfully, know that during the months of April and May 
most of the species flower and produce young leaves, which after perfecting the plants rest 
