38 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ February, 
The system adopted by the Eoyal Horticultural Society at Chiswick is excellent, 
so far as regards proving the quality of the varieties, and their season of arriving at 
a stage for table use. But some further knowledge is required to satisfy all the 
wants of cultivators, especially as to what sorts suit best for successive sowings to 
keep up a supply for table through the summer and autumnal months. There are 
some sorts, such as Champion of England , which, having a strong constitution, 
are enabled to grow on through dry periods, and overcome attacks of mildew 
better than others; and these are consequently best suited for, and most profitable 
as a general crop. Indeed, I have found that by keeping principally to one or 
two good standard sorts, and sowing successions regularly, a better supply is kept 
up through the season, and one more easily managed, than can be obtained by 
sowing a number of sorts—which plan frequently results in having an overplus 
at one time, followed by a blank. 
Amongst the newest sorts I have tested I consider Omega to stand in the front 
rank. It has a very robust habit of growth, producing a stem nearly as thick as 
the stalk of a broad-bean; it boils of a dark-green colour, and has a fine flavour. 
I have grown it for two seasons, and find it stands dry periods well; its lateness 
also makes it an acquisition. G. F. Wilson is also a fine marrow-flavoured Pea, 
and is very prolific, but it does not stand drought so well as the former. Popular 
is another sort I think highly of as a second early ; it is an abundant bearer, 
with the pods regular and well filled. Fillbaslcet is also a first-class Pea here, pro¬ 
ducing large pods well filled, and it has also a fine flavour. William I. is a good 
early sort. Superlative I discarded after the first season’s trial; it is poor in 
flavour, and ought never to have received a Certificate of Merit. The Cook’s 
Favourite is not much better. Maclean’s Prince of Wales is a good sort for 
autumn use, and so is Princess Poyal ; both boil green, and are of good flavour. 
Veitch’s Perfection is an excellent sort, but it does not fill well in wet periods, or 
towards autumn, when the weather becomes cold. One of the best sorts is the 
British Queen , but its great height, and the space required to grow it well, are 
drawbacks in the way of its general cultivation.—J. Webster, Gordon Castle. 
SEASONABLE NOTES ON FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
'TEST and foremost comes the Auricula , which, I believe, is looked upon as 
the queen of the whole tribe of florists’ flowers. I need not dwell on 
its merits, as these are as well known to other growers as to me, but 
it is not every one who has had so many years’ experience in its cul¬ 
tivation as I have. At eleven years of age (which was in the year 1814—that 
long winter) I was an Auricula-grower ; in 1817, I was a Tulip-grower ; and in 
1820, I became a Carnation and Picotee-grower. Of my exhibiting and the 
successes attending thereon, in those earlier days, I may have something to say 
on another occasion. What I now propose to do is to offer some advice to those 
who may have lately taken up the fancy. 
If I am correctly informed, many of the older growers who had left off 
