1884 .] 
KHODODENDRON BLUEBELL.-DESCRIPTIONS OP THE BEST CARNATIONS. 
65 
RHODODENDRON BLUEBELL. 
[Plate 609.] 
TT will be at once apparent to those who 
^ glance at the accompanjing illustration, 
^ and who know anything of hardy Rho¬ 
dodendrons, that the variety named 
Bluebell is one of first-class merit. It is in 
fact more lovely as a flower than effective as 
a picture, having a tint of blue thrown into 
its light purplish margin, which is of a most 
pleasing character. It is a sturdy vigorous 
shrub, with ample evergreen foliage, and 
bears large bold compact trusses of bell¬ 
shaped flowers, which are perfect in shape, 
having a white centre marked with a few 
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE 
ESUMINGr our descriptive list of these 
favourite flowers, we have next to take 
up the group of 
Scarlet Flakes. 
Annihilator {Jackson). — A seedling evi¬ 
dently from Admiral Curzon, s.b., which it 
closely follows in its habit of growth and 
^ flower, save that it has no bizarre. At its 
best it is a fine flower, but it is difiicult to 
propagate, being hard in its growth, and un¬ 
kind in rootiug, very sportive, and should 
on no account be highly stimulated. First 
bloomed in 1865 ; sent out in 1867. 
Bayley Junior (^Dodwell). — A seedling from 
John Bayley, s.f., not so full of colour as the 
parent in its best days, but a very brilliant and 
striking flower. Habit of grass dwarf, but a 
good grower. First bloomed in 1879 ; sent 
out in 1880. 
Clipper [Fletcher). —Raised at North 
Brierley, near Bradford, from seed taken from 
John Bayley, s.f. This variety closely fol¬ 
lows the pai'ent in habit of flower, though 
different in its growth, being freer, narrower, 
and longer in its grass. A fine variety ; sent 
out in 1873. When forwarding it to me in 
1875 Mr. Rudd said, “It has been each year 
as yet the best scarlet flake in my collection.” 
a fine broad smooth petal, well con¬ 
tinued to the crown, fine white, and very 
brilliant scarlet; will carry two, sometimes 
three flowers to a plant. Being high in colour, 
it should not be strongly stimulated, but grow¬ 
ing freely it must not be cramped for room in 
its blooming quarters. 
Dan Godfrey {Holmes). — Raised at Wake¬ 
field by the late Mr. Abraham Holmes, from 
his Roseflake Sybil, about ten years since. 
A large and very striking variety, and a very 
robust grower, but as a scarlet flake by no 
yellowish spots on the upper segment, and 
a well-defined margin of bluish-purple to the 
broad rounded lobes. Mr. Fitch has well 
represented the form of the flower and the 
contour of the truss, but the tint of colour is 
a feature which, if difficult for the artist to 
catch exactly, is still more difficult of repro¬ 
duction in a chromolith. 
The variety was raised by Mr. Anthony 
Waterer, of Knap Hill, and was first flowered 
about two years since, when our sketch was 
taken, thanks to the opportunity afforded by 
the courteous proprietor.—T. Moore. 
BEST CARNATIONS.—IV. 
means equal to the high place held by Sybil 
amongst rose flakes, the scarlet being some¬ 
what undecided in tone or tint. * 
Friar Tuck {Dodwell). — Like the preceding, 
a seedling from a rose flake; also a large 
flow'er, and a good grower. But it is not one 
of the aristocracy of s.f.’s. Sent out in 1881. 
Harry Matthews [Dodwell). — A seedling 
from Sportsman, s.f., not so full as the parent, 
but with a much broader petal, and also a 
deeper scarlet. A very telling variety, whether 
for the home stage or the exhibition table. 
Much inclined to sport. Sent out in 1882 ; 
first bloomed in 1879. 
Henry Cannell {Dodivell). — The finest 
scarlet flake I believe I have yet raised ; large, 
full, smooth, finely formed, and very definitely 
marked with brilliant scarlet, on a ground of 
the purest white. A fine grower. During 
the past season it has surpassed all put in 
competition with it. Seeded from Scarlet 
Keet, that again springing from John Keet. 
First bloomed in 1881 ; sent out during last 
autumn. 
James Cheetham {Chadwick). — Raised from 
mixed seed by the late Mr, Wm. Chadwick, of 
Dukinfield. First bloomed in 1859, when 
also it was sent out. This in a favourable 
season, a warm genial July, is one of the most 
telling s.f.’s we have, from its rich dark 
colour, distinct markings, fine white ground, 
and good form. In a cooler season, such as 
the two last have been, it lacks the brilliancy 
and finish needed for the highest class. A 
good grower; should be carefully shielded 
from wet from the moment the bud begins to 
open. 
John Ball {Dodwell). —A seedling from 
Clipper, S.F., but much larger; an extra fine 
variety, both for the home stage and exhibi¬ 
tion table, of fine form, richly marked, large 
