12 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
was contended by more than one writer that the old dwarf Beck’s Gem, or, 
as it is as widely known, Tom Thumb, was one of the very earliest of all. 
This variety grows about 1 foot high; the pods are short, and not over- 
plentiful. This Pea is now completely distanced, to use a racing phrase, 
by Maclean’s Little Gem, a variety very like Beck’s Gem in regard to 
height and earliness, but which, being a wrinkled Marrow, is a prolific 
cropper, with good pods, too, and the habit is strong and lusty ; and then 
it has that great quality of all—flavour. It is as yet somewhat scarce ; 
but now that its qualities are being recognised by the trade, it will soon be 
taken in hand and largely grown. I hear that it is largely used at Sand¬ 
ringham, and that Mr. Turner will shortly publish a bond fide testimonial 
that has emanated from Royalty. There is no reason, I imagine, why this 
Pea should not be had at Christmas, if sown, say, in August, and grown on 
in a forcing-house, or any other appropriate place. I do not go so far as to 
say that it would be safe to sow it out of doors as early as one would sow 
the hardier round kinds, but, weather being at all favourable, it certainly 
does turn in early. Seed of this variety is somewhat scarce this season, 
owing to the wet summer; but those who can obtain it should grow it as a 
first early Pea, giving it a sheltered warm position and good soil, and they 
will have no reason to regret having espoused it. 
E. W. 
ERYTHRINA CRISTA-GALLI. 
To see this fine old plant in perfection, it ought to be planted out of 
doors in some dry warm corner or border, and if a little bottom heat could 
be secured for it by a hot-water pipe or flue crossing beneath, all the better. In 
the old gardens at Welbeck, there was a border between two Pine-stoves or 
pits, and a pipe for steaming-purposes ran across at a depth of 2 feet. This 
border was planted with three or four Erythrinas which had formed very 
large stools, and when in flower constituted one of the most gorgeous 
masses of floral beauty that I have ever seen. I have counted as many as 
thirty spikes, many of them 18 inches long, all in flower at once; and with 
the fine foliage of Cannas and other plants clustered around them, the 
whole formed a sight worth looking at. Every autumn the stools were 
covered over with a foot deep of old tan, and this covering was not removed 
till May or June in the following year. 
Welbeck. , William Tillery. 
NEW ROSES. 
Monsieur Chaix d'Est-Ange (Leveque et fils).—Vigorous. Flowers large, 
very full, bright red. 
Monsieur Noman (Guillot pere).—Raised from Jules Margottin. Vigor¬ 
ous. Flowers large, full, delicate rose, bordered with white. 
Monsieur Plaisangon (Ducher).—Very vigorous. Flowers very large, full, 
globular, of fine form, deep carmine. 
Monsieur Thiers (Trouillard).—Vigorous. Flowers large and very full, 
of regular outline, fine brilliant red. 
Panache du Luxembourg (Soupert et Notting).—Very vigorous. Flowers 
medium-sized, full, of fine form, purple and violet, striped with salmon rose. 
Paid Verdier (C. Verdier).—Vigorous. Flowers large, full, finely im¬ 
bricated, magnificent bright rose. 
