1870 . ] 
CANNA IlilDIFLORA IIYBIUDA,-THE BEST GARDEN CABBAGES. 
12U 
CANNA IRIDIFLOEA IIYBRIDA. 
[Plate 497.] 
S HE old Caiina iridijlora,, a species of 
noble cliaracfcer, remarkable for the size 
as also for the distinct form and char¬ 
acter of its flowers, is now rarely met with, 
though of the many forms which arc known it 
is one of the most worthy of cultivation. The 
plant which we here figure has been latterly 
grown under this name, and is probably of 
hybrid origin, with C. ividijlora as one of its 
parents, the peculiar form of the flower, indi¬ 
cating this relationship. It formed one of a 
very interesting and extensive series of Gannas 
grown last year at Chiswick by Mr. Barron, to 
whom we are indebted for the specimens 
figured, and of which both Mr. Fitch and Mr. 
Severeyns have assisted in producing a very 
faithful portrait, so far as a fragmentary repre¬ 
sentation can do justice to so noble a plant. 
This Ganna is p)articularly suited for green¬ 
house and conservatory decoration. It may 
either be cultivated in pots of rich loamy soil, 
or planted out in the beds, the roots in the latter 
case being probably all the better for being 
rested in winter by taking them up and storing 
them in a moderately dry place. If grown in 
pots, the resting can bo effected by reducing 
the winter supply of water; but the desicca¬ 
tion should not be carried so far that the 
tuberous masses lose their plumpness. They 
can bo started or replanted in spring, and will 
come into flower during the late summer and 
autumn.—T. Moore. 
THE BEST GARDEN CABBAGES. 
G'pN the last issue of the Journal of the Roual 
& Horticultural Societi/ (vol. v., part 8), we 
find a valuable report, by Mr. Barron, on the 
Cabbages grown for trial at Chiswick in 1877-8, 
in which 187 distinct samples, under 150 dif¬ 
ferent names, were subjected to two examina¬ 
tions, the seeds in the one case being sown in 
March, so that the Cabbages came into use 
in the autumn, and in the other case 
in July, so that they came into use 
early in the following summer. Omitting 
the Field Cabbages and the Bed Cabbages, 
and confining our attention to the garden 
varieties, rve find that these were reduced to 21 
typical forms, of which Nos. 1 to 8 in the 
following abs^r .?t are indicated as those best 
adapted for so\.*- ^ in the spring; and Nos. 4, 
5, 9, and 10 for sowing in autumn, the former 
to furnish a supply in autumn, the latter in 
spring and summer. Of these. Nos. 2, 5, (>, 
7, and 8 are those most strongly recommended. 
1. Atkins’s Matchless. —A dwarf compact 
variety, growing about 9 in. high, the leaves 
crumpled, of a deep green colour, and forming 
a small, tapering, firm, solid heart. An excel¬ 
lent small early variety for autumn use. 
2. Early York. Syn.: Small Oxheart ; 
Selections: Superfine Early, Tom Thumb Early 
Dwarf, Early Dwarf York.—A small, compact 
variety, with deep green erect leaves, averaging 
No. 21, IJIBEIUAL SERIES. 
10 in. to 12 in. in height, having a heavy 
bloom; the heart small, ovate, firm, and quickly 
formed. A distinct type, excellent for summer 
and autumn use, to be sown in spring. 
o. Hardy Green Colewort. Si/ii.: Large 
Green Colewort.—A compact-growing variety, 
of very fine quality, about 12 in. high, 
with deep green red-tinged leaves, and 
late slowdy-formed, medium-sized, broadly- 
conical hearts. It is very hardy, and excel¬ 
lent for late autumn use; should be sown in 
May, and planted out thickly as Coleworts for 
autumn and winter. 
4. Little Pixie. Si/n.: Oxheart Early, 
Coeur de Boouf Petit, Normandy, Early Nor¬ 
mandy. Selections : Louviers, Precoce de 
Louviers.—A very small, close, compact, light 
green variety, averaging about 8 in. high. The 
leaves are short and smooth. The hearts form 
very early, and are of excellent quality. Sown 
in spring, planted 15 in. apart, it yields a good 
late summer and autumn crop. 
5. Nonpareil. Selections — earl//: Dwarf 
Early, Carter’s Ileartwell, Heartwcll, Wheeler’s 
Imperial; smooth-leaved: Cocoa-nut,Wheeler’s 
Cocoa-nut, Monarch, Oliver’s Monarch.—A 
dwarf close-growing variety, seldom exceeding 
12-in. in height, with light-green somewhat 
crumpled leaves, and early-formed, firm, solid 
hearts, of excellent quality. “ One of the most 
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