1881. ] 
NEW CARNATIONS AND PICOTEES. 
151 
pretty full of tlie Pitmaston Orange blood, 
made up nine more between them. As I con¬ 
fess to a preference for this Pine-apple over all 
3 -ellow-fleshed Nectarines, I must admit to my 
surprise that it was only repi’esented by five 
dishes, while the old Pitmaston was twenty- 
four strong. 
The same tale was told by the Apples and 
Plums. The season of Pears was not yet, at the 
end of August, at Manchester, though Williams’ 
Bon Chretien mustered in force. What a pity 
some of our hybridists cannot Bon Ohretienise 
in flavour some of our best winter Pears. The 
peculiarly rich aroma of this fine Pear is more 
generally liked than any other. But, alas ! we 
can hardly say ’tis here, before it has gone 
into sleepy mealiness or sheer rottenness. 
But to return to our proper theme. It is 
singular to note the widely-differing estimates 
of the value of novelty that prevails among 
plant and fruit-growers. With the former, it 
is over, with the latter, it may be under-esti¬ 
mated. Anything better or more beautiful 
than we already possess should ever be wel¬ 
comed with avidity. But, surely, it is a vulgar 
error to prefer things merely because they are 
new. Fruit-growers have proved themselves 
far above such errors. So much, however, can 
hardly as yet be said of the growers and judges 
of plants and flowers. Not a few of both seem under 
a sort of novelty mania or spell. A new thing 
affects their judgment like a whiff of laughing- 
gas. There is some excuse for cultivators, none 
for jurors, for in all great shows there are 
special prizes for new things. Beyond this, 
mere novelty, unless combined with higher 
merits than existing varieties, should have no 
power in swaying awards. It has none with 
the judges of fruits, though it is generally felt 
it has far too much influence over the majority 
of judges while adjudicating on the merits of 
plants and flowers. Will any one undertake 
to explain why this difference, and where lies 
the reason for it, or what is the benefit ?— 
D. T. Fish, Hardwiclce. 
NEW CARNATIONS AND 
PICOTEES. 
“ These things we would buy ourselves, and therefore recom¬ 
mend them." 
friends, Mr. R. Gorton of Eccles and 
M. Hewitt of Chesterfield, have 
ltly originated some beautiful 
varieties of these lovely flowers, of which, 
having been privileged to grow them on trial, 
I append descriptions :— 
friend 
W M - w - 
recently 
E. S. Dodwell (Hewitt), c.b. —A very fine flower, 
in a class of fine flowers. Of full size, finely formed, 
with large broad petals of great substance, smooth, 
and richly marked with deep crimson and purple, 
it will, I venture to say, make its mark whenever 
well grown, despite the number of formidable com¬ 
petitors it has to meet. 
Master Fred (Hewitt), c.b. —The highest- 
coloured c.b. I have yet seen, and undoubtedly the 
best of the high-coloured section. A grand addition 
to its class, and a commanding influence, where well 
done on the exhibition-table. To some tastes, in its 
earlier stages it may seem slightly too fiery, but as 
the flower matures, the colour tones, and the richness 
and regularity of its markings are exceedingly beau¬ 
tiful. A good grower, of full size, fine form, great 
substance, and perfectly smooth. It won the premier 
prize, and took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in its class, at 
Manchester, in August, 1880. 
Sir Garnet Wolseley (Hewitt), p.p.b. —A seed¬ 
ling from Mayor of Nottingham, p.f. A flower of 
great refinement and beautifully marked; worthy 
a place in the most select of collections. 
Muriel (Hewitt), heavy-edged purple Picotee.— 
A broad-edged purple, on a pure white ground; 
smooth, and of great substance. It won the 
jiremier prize at Manchester on August 9th, though 
closely run by a fine specimen of Tinnie shewn by 
Mr. B. Simonite, a fact which in itself stamps the 
value of the variety. An excellent addition to an 
already rich class. 
Evelyn (Hewitt), light-edged purple Picotee.— 
Medium size, with a large, broad petal of the true 
“Mary” type, without any of the discoloration 
which occasionally disfigures that fine old variety. 
Smooth, of great substance, and exquisitely pure. 
William Skirting (Gorton), c.b. or p.p.b. —A 
seedling from Rifleman, it rivals that grand variety 
in the beauty of its form and form of petal, and is 
very distinct in its colours. This and Harrison Weir, 
also a seedling from Rifleman—a variety I have had 
the good-fortune to raise—-are the most refined crim¬ 
son bizarres I have ever seen, whilst they leave nothing 
to be desired in substance, smoothness, and size. 
Possibly, as they age something new may get in 
advance of them, but I cannot imagine the attain¬ 
ment of higher properties in the Carnation. 
Saturn (Gorton), another c.b. or p.p.b. from the 
same source, is only surpassed by William Skirving, 
and deserves a place in every collection. 
Tim Bobbin, Rob Roy, and Robin Hood, three 
Rose-flakes, also seedlings of Mr. Gorton’s raising, 
are unquestionably the masters of the class. Seed¬ 
lings from John Keet, they quite distance the 
parent, and seem to leave nothing more possible for 
the seedling-raiser in their class. They are quite 
distinct, each showing different shades of rose, 
with a definiteness of marking which may be 
equalled, but cannot be surpassed. The specimen 
of Tim Bobbin to which the Premier prize was 
awarded as the best Carnation in the whole exhibi¬ 
tion at Manchester on August 9th, was the finest 
Rose-flake I had ever seen. It was “ beautiful 
exceedingly” in colour, and surpassingly rich in its 
markings. 
I have notes of various other fine new things, but 
as I believe they will not be offered this season, it 
is unnecessary to describe them. To those who may 
care to know my opinion of my own bantlings, I 
shall be glad to send a descriptive list on application. 
—E. S. Dodwell, 11 Chatham Terrace, Lark- 
liall Rise , Clapham, S. W. 
Tlie following selection from liis fine batch 
of Seedlings, is this year offered to his 
brother - florists by Mr. E. S. Dodwell, of 
Chatham Terrace, Larkhall Rise, London, 
who, we are sorry to find, is compelled, by 
failing health, shortly to leave the suburbs 
