98 
THE FLOEIST AND POJIOLOGIST. 
[ July, 
Wliat, however, has been a desideratiun, and 
which has been most difScult to manage of all 
the aims of a cross-breeder, was to reproduce 
seedlings of free-flowering tendency, rvith stout, 
broad foliage, and comparatively short scapes. 
It has only been by an interfusion of blood that 
this has become practicable, and even nov/ such 
distinguished representatives of their different 
classes as William Pitt as representing Solan- 
dr£eflorum, Ackermanni pulcherrima as repre¬ 
senting Aulicum, Marginatum conspicuum as 
representing Vittatum, and even Pardinum 
itself, are completely beaten out of court by 
some of the most advanced seedlings of the 
present day. 
From a decorative point of view, the four 
types above mentioned may now be merged 
into three, as follows :— 
1. The Solandrceflorum type.—This ought 
to have broad segments, the colours, w'hat- 
ever they may be, well defined, with the 
segments turned partly over at the extremity, 
the flowers of great substance and fine general 
outline. The best variety I have seen of this 
type is Mrs. Findlay, which was certificated at 
Manchester. 
2. The Aulicum type.—This ought to have 
the segments standing out smoothly to the ex¬ 
tremity, not turned over, showing no disposition 
to “ tube,” as in Solandrseflorum type, and all the 
better if the colours remain uniform to the base ; 
if they vary, they should form a brighter star of 
colour than that of the general surface. The 
slightest green in this type is a defect. 
3. The Pardinum type.—This should have 
the same form as the second, only differing in 
being spotted or blotched—the more regularly 
the better. The segments should be nearly 
uniform, and the colouring, whatever it is, 
should be faultless to the base. 
The whole should have short broad foliage, 
like a well-grown hyacinth ; the scape strong, 
and not too long ; and the flowers, whether in 
pairs, in fours, or as they sometimes come, in 
fives and even in sixes, like Vallota, should 
stand at right angles to each other. 
At least, such is my idea of what a good 
Amaryllis should be, and it may help your 
readers, or such of them as care for the breed¬ 
ing of this fine family, to shape their manipula¬ 
tions accordingly.— James Anderson, JJcacloit;- 
hank Nurseries^ Glasgoio. 
VICOMTESSE PIERICAET 
D’THURY STEAWBEllRY. 
ANY of your readers can remember 
the introduction of Keens’ Seedling 
Strawberry, which became such a 
favourite that it was sometimes known as the 
“ gardener’s friend.” Then there came trooping 
at its heels, Alice Maud, President, and a host 
of other good kinds, and now there has 
appeared in our midst the Vicomtesse Hcricart 
d’Thury, which is unquestionably the epeen of 
Strawberries. There is no variety with which 
I am acquainted that can hold the candle to it. 
It has a splendid constitution, grows like a 
weed, keeps evergreen all the winter, crops 
magnificently, sets its fruit freely, and is not 
subject to mildew. The fruit is of a bright 
vermilion, and has a good flavour. I forced 
some 800 of it this year, and so satisfied am 
I of its superiority for this purpose, that not 
another variety shall be forced next year, but 
this and this alone. To those who have not 
gone in for this excellent kind, I would say, 
then do so, and you will not be disappointed.— 
J. Bust, Bridge Castle. 
LASTREA ARISTATA 
VAEIEGATA. 
\0 doubt this is one of the most orna¬ 
mental evergreen ferns which have re¬ 
cently been introduced to our gardens. 
It came to us from Japan, and has been fre¬ 
quently exhibited during the past season, both 
by Messrs. Veitch and Sons and Mr. W. Bull, 
to the latter of whom we owe the use of the 
accompanying figure, which very well illus¬ 
trates the peculiar features of the plant. The 
species is well known as occurring in somewhat 
varying forms in India, the Pacific Islands, 
New South Wales, Natal, and Japan, and, as 
might be expected, is of a hardy constitution, 
growing best indeed in a greenhouse, but pro¬ 
bably very nearly hardy enough to bear the 
rigours of our climate in an ordinary season. The 
variety is probably equally hardy, but it is well 
worth the shelter of a greenhouse, its perma¬ 
nent character and elegant variegation being 
sufficient to recommend it. 
Lastrea aristata has a slowly-creeping caudex, 
and produces fronds of from 1 ft. to 2 ft. 
high. The texture of the frond is rigid and 
