240 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
at the Royal Nurseries, Slough, this summer, a variety somewhat more com¬ 
pact in habit than Scarlet Tom Thumb, but of a soft orange scarlet colour, and 
blooming with a most surprising profusion. It appears to be quite distinct 
from anything in cultivation, and will be highly acceptable for ribbon-borders. 
Gf varieties for basket and trellis work, I may instance Brilliant, a strong¬ 
growing, deep scarlet; Atrococcineum, known also as Splendens, very free- 
blooming, and having plenty of small, deep scarlet flowers; and Ball of Fire, 
very bright scarlet, a free bloomer, and a good climber. 
E. W. 
DIANTHUS HEDDEWIGII. 
In the north of Ireland we found this Pink succeed admirably, notwith¬ 
standing the almost perpetual dripping to which it was subject: rain and wind 
seemed to affect it but little. We have also proved it here this season to be 
equally satisfactory. This and Tagetes signata pumila are now doing better 
than anything in the garden. 
The main point to be attended to in the cultivation of this beautiful Dianthus 
is to sow early and secure strong plants. Sow, say in February, in gentle heat, 
and as soon as the seedlings can be handled prick them out in boxes and harden 
off, growing them on in a cool frame until bedding-out time. With this treat¬ 
ment they will commence blooming at once, and continue to do so till frost. 
The blooms are admirably adapted for bouquet and vase purposes. 
Wrotham Park. John Eddington. 
SELECT GOOSEBERRIES. 
A Correspondent, “ W. R.,” requests a list of the best Gooseberries, 
“ not the huge Crabs the Lancashire folks call Gooseberries,” but the best for 
flavour, together with a short description of each. To meet his request we 
extract from the third edition of.Dr. Hogg’s “Fruit Manual” the descriptions 
of the following varieties, which may be considered the best of each colour :— 
‘ RED. 
Companion (Hopley).—Fruit of medium length, chiefly two-veined, a little 
flat-sided towards the stalk, with plump shoulders, and nicely rounded towards 
the nose. Skin thin, and very, hairy, bright light red. Flavour first-rate. 
Weight in 1852, 31 dwt. 11 gr.. An early variety. 
A very handsome early variety, suitable either for cropping or exhibition 
purposes. Makes a fine spreading bush, and bears freely. 
Ironmonger ( Hairy Black). — Small and roundish. Skin red, and hairy. 
A first-rate variety, of excellent flavour, but inferior to Red Champagne, which 
is also known under this name chiefly in Scotland, and from which it is distin¬ 
guished in having rounder and darker red fruit, and a spreading bush—that 
of the Red Champagne being erect; leaves downy. 
Keens’ Seedling {Keens’ Seedling Warrington).— Medium sized, oblong. 
Skin brownish red, hairy. Of first-rate quality. Bush pendulous ; a great 
bearer, and earlier than Red Warrington. 
Miss Bold {Pigeoti’s Egg). —Medium sized, roundish. Skin red, and downy. 
Of first-rate quality, and early; it somewhat resembles Red Walnut, but is 
better. Bush spreading. 
Raspberry {Old Preserver; Nutmeg). —Fruit small, roundish-oblong. Skin 
thick, dark red, and hairy. Richly flavoured and sweet. Ripens early. Bush 
spreading, and a good bearer. 
