in circumference. The individual blossoms are fully an inch 
in diameter, the segments half an inch across, and of good 
outline, and the colour a deep lilac-tinted rosy-pink, darker 
towards and around the eye, which is straw-coloured. There 
is no doubt that this is a very fine and remarkable variety; 
it is certainly the largest-flowered of any we have seen. 
The other varieties were raised by Mr. G. Smith, of Hornsey, 
to whom we are indebted for the opportunity of figuring them. 
Nemesis is a very fine rosy-scarlet variety, remarkable for the 
compact form of the truss, which is made up of full-sized 
flowers, firm in substance, with well-rounded segments, and a 
compact close eye. The plant is free-growing and robust. It 
is one of the most perfect yet raised as regards the form and 
texture of the flowers, and was awarded a first-class certificate 
by the Floral Committee of the Eoyal Horticultural Society. 
Striata perfecta is an older variety, but one of the best, if not 
the very best, of the striped-flowered sorts. The flowers are of 
a light bluish-lilac, with the segments distinctly and evenly bor¬ 
dered with white. Fairest of the Fair is a new variety of the 
present season, and was commended last July as a desirable 
novelty by the Floral Committee. In this, which is of free 
habit, the trusses are of average size, and the individual blos¬ 
soms of good form. The colour is pure white, with a small 
circlet of bright purplish-rose close around the eye, which is 
compact and closed. This bright marking and the purity of the 
other parts of the flower render it a very pleasing variety. 
The three novelties now represented having successfully 
passed the ordeal of a critical examination by the Floral Com¬ 
mittee of the Eoyal Horticultural Society, may be safely re¬ 
garded as varieties of superior character, and welcome addi¬ 
tions to those already distributed. 
Verbenas, as is well known, grow and flower freely if planted 
out in summer in moderately rich well-wrought garden-soil. 
They are best kept in winter, by propagating a few early plants, 
and having these well ripened to stand on an airy greenhouse 
shelf; these being placed, early in spring, in a warm propaga¬ 
ting pit, for the purpose of increase by cuttings. Many kinds, 
and we have no doubt, from its habit, Grand Eastern among 
them, form handsome pot-plants for summer blooming. 
