1G8 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ November, 
plant remain until the flowers expand, when it 
may he taken to the conservatory until bloom¬ 
ing is over. At the beginning of October, it 
should be again subjected to an ordinary stove 
temperature, and in February top-dressed with 
sphagnum, crocks, and charcoal, and treated as 
above recommended.— Henry Chilman. 
NOBLE’S NEW CLEMATISES. 
flower, was Mr. Charles Noble, of Bagshot, and 
several of the spring varieties raised by him still 
hold their place in the estimation of cultivators. 
We refer more especially to the varieties named 
Miss Bateman, Albert Victor, and Lord Londes- 
borougli, which, in their particular style, though 
perhaps equalled, have not been excelled. They 
are all of the spring-flowering section, of which 
C. patens is the type. 
Some three or four years ago, Mr. Noble exhi¬ 
bited several other crosses, many of which appear 
to partake of the blood of C. jlorida , but no¬ 
thing more has been seen of them till this year, 
when a group was exhibited at South Kensing¬ 
ton, which showed that some of them, at least, 
are destined to secure a share of the public 
favour. In one of them, the property of frag¬ 
rance appears to be more fully developed than 
had been previously noticed. We append a 
few notes on the several varieties:— 
Aurora.—T his is an unusually free bloomer, the 
flowers double, of a reddish-violet colour. 
E. Booth. —This variety bears flowers with seven 
or eight sepals, which are of a pale plum-colour 
down the centre, with the outer edge white. The 
sepals are deeply frilled, which gives the flower an 
elegant appearance. 
Edith Mallett. —This variety has flowers with 
seven sepals, of a pale blush-colour, with a crimson 
feather at the base ; the sepals broad and rounded 
at the extremity. 
George Eliot. —This is a profuse-blooming 
variety; the flowers as sweet-scented as Violets ; 
they are medium-sized, eight-sepalled, the ground¬ 
colour dark lavender, shaded with violet. 
Imogene. —A variety with eight or nine sepalled 
flowers, of a beautiful silky white; the sepals very 
stout and flat. 
Lady Constance Kennedy. — A very profuse¬ 
flowering variety, the blossoms having three rows 
of sepals, snowy white, the anthers deep plum-colour, 
giving it a decidedly distinct appearance. 
Lord Gieeard. —The flowers are of a reddish- 
pink, suffused with lilac; they are eight-sepalled, 
and very distinct and pleasing. 
Margaret Dunbar. —A very profuse-blooming 
sort, with flowers of a deep blue, shaded with lilac 
(Oxford blue describes this exactly) ; centre white ; 
a distinct variety, blooming profusely. 
May Queen. —A bright-looking, handsome variety, 
the sepals eight in number, white down the centre, 
pale amethyst on the outer edge. 
Pirate King.— A broad, eight-sepalled flower, of 
a pale plum-colour, the substance of both the flowers 
and leaves remarkable. 
Proteus. —A variable sort; the flowers are some¬ 
times quite double, at other times semi-double; the 
colour i3 a purplish-lilac; they are about eight 
inches in diameter. 
Sarah Bernhardt. —A free bloomer, and very 
distinct, the flowers being a full double, and the 
colour a pinkish-lilac. 
W. E. Gladstone. —This variety has immense 
eight-sepalled flowers, nearly nine inches in diameter; 
the colour is a bright lavender. 
Of the foregoing sorts, George Eliot for its 
fragrance, Lady Constance Kennedy for its 
purity, and W. E. Gladstone for its size, are, in 
our opinion, to be preferred.—T. Moore. 
CHANGE OF CHARACTER IN 
FRUITS. 
T may appear singular that fruits, especi¬ 
ally Peaches, Pears, and Grapes, should 
have so many addenda to their titles, in 
the form of varieties of names. How ready 
some persons, on the mere authority of a 
new name, add to their collections sorts 
with high-sounding titles; and how widely 
the descriptions of these vary in different 
catalogues! There is a great fault some¬ 
where in this matter of misleading the un¬ 
wary. We know that soils and districts have 
much influence over fruits, flowers, and veget¬ 
ables, but it is not justifiable on the part of 
growers to send out what they know to be old 
—and perhaps faithful—servants under new 
names. We note the remarks of your able 
correspondent on the kinds of Grapes and their 
synonyms, and such papers are very seasonable. 
For example, the Golden Hamburgh Grape, 
which was the subject of a discussion some 
years ago, is believed by some to be a foreign 
introduction, though exhibited at Chiswick as 
being shown for the first time as a new kind. It 
may be possible that a fruit could be raised in 
this country identical with a foreigner, but how 
is it that the novelty so soon wears off, and the 
high commendations which welcomed the new¬ 
comer are so soon forgotten ? That grape, when 
well done, is equal to Black Hamburgh, and will 
keep as long in good condition. I have had, 
for years in succession, from a vino grafted on 
the Black Hamburgh, splendid bunches of 
large amber-coloured berries, which have been 
sent to table in good condition up to the end of 
February. 
