THE GARDENING WORLD 
817 
/August 22, 1896. 
JZc- 
to all the trouble of lifting the turf, make holes about 
4 in. or 5 in. deep in the grass with a crowbar. 
Drop the bulbs in these, cover them up with a little 
soil, and wait for them to grow. If you apprehend 
the bulbs being attacked with basal rot, it is a good 
plan to surround them, when planting, with 
antiseptic screens such as dry road, silver, or river 
sand. 
-- 
BEGONIA MISS EMILY ATKINSON. 
The week before last we gave a short notice of some 
fine varieties of tuberous Begonias we received from 
Mr. Chris. Leeson, Wrawby, Brigg. On this 
occasion we revert to the variety as named above. 
The larger of the two accompanying illustrations 
represents a flower of natural size as we received 
it. When the plants are in full vigour the 
flowers attain a diameter of 6 in. The petals are 
of pure white and of good substance, so that the 
flower stands up well, notwithstanding its great size. 
ZONAL PELARGONIUMS AT SWANLEY. 
It would not be too much to say that amongst all 
the subjects which receive such enlightened and 
skilled attention by Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons at 
Swanley, Zonal Pelargoniums occupy one of the 
foremost places. Even at the present time, although 
it may be regarded as being between the seasons, the 
show is magnificent, and admirably illustrates the 
pitch of excellence to which the popular flower has 
been brought by this enterprising firm. 
A span-roofed house some hundred feet in length 
by twelve in width is devoted to a grand collection, 
including upwards of a hundred double and semi¬ 
double varieties. The plants are all grown in a 
large thirty-two pot, which is nearly or quite 6J in. 
in diameter. The size of the bloom trusses is 
astonishing, as is also that of the individual pips. 
It may well be imagined that a house such as this 
affords a brilliant spectacle, even for the month of 
August, when flowers both indoors and out are 
abundant. 
late autumn and winter. Lady Carlisle, a superb 
pink, is most remarkable on account of its florif- 
erousness; being of dwarf and spreading habit it 
is not only fitted for pot culture, but eminently 
suitable for bedding purposes, for which it will 
doubtless be largely used once it becomes more 
generally known. Lilacina is a charming pink 
flower also, and the delicate yet unmistakable 
suffusion of purple adds to its charm. 
Varieties with salmon-coloured flowers form an 
exceedingly strong section, almost all conceivable 
shades being represented. Both Mrs. Hall and 
Lady Tennyson are superb varieties that should find 
a place in every collection. The large deep salmon 
flowers of Mrs. Hall particularly took our fancy. 
Purples up to now have been a weak section in most 
collections, but the Messrs. Cannell have made a 
distinct advance in this direction, although the 
coveted “ blue,” which it is hoped may in the 
future arise from the purples, is as yet a long way 
off. Blue Beard is the most noteworthy variety here, 
Only the cluster of golden-yellow anthers in the 
centre shows a different colour from the rest of the 
flower. The photograph we have reproduced shows 
the natural habit of the variety as evidenced by a 
number of specimens. The flowers rise clear above 
the foliage, which is an all important point for a 
Begonia to possess. As a single variety it is one of 
the best we have seen, taking the habit of plant, and 
the size, texture, and shape of the flowers into con¬ 
sideration. It may be said that single varieties can 
more easily carry their blooms erect than double 
ones; but while admitting the fact, we also remember 
that single ones are just as liable to hang their heads, 
when they are more suitable for basket work than pot 
culture either under glass or in the open air. Besides 
the single varieties, Mr. Leeson also raises and grows 
double ones, some of which we have seen are of 
excellent form. 
-- 
The Mignonette is the national flower of Spain. 
We were informed by our guide that all of the 
varieties in front of us could be confidently recom¬ 
mended for winter work, as no variety is sent out 
until it has been tried both as a summer and a 
winter bloomer. 
With such a collection of good things from which 
to pick and choose it is manifest that we can only 
hope, from the limited character of the space at our 
disposal, to give a few of the gems that most 
attracted our fancy. 
White Lady is as remarkable for its dwarf and 
branching habit as it is for its large trusses of snowy- 
white flowers. Snowdrop is another grand white of 
perfect form and large size ; it is rather taller than 
White Lady, but still it makes a compact bushy 
specimen. Dr. Macdonald certainly takes a front 
position for size of truss, which under good cultiva¬ 
tion will run to full 8 in. in diameter. Its blooms 
are rich glowing scarlet in hue, and must certainly 
produce a brilliant effect during the dull months of 
and it undoubtedly has the largest and best shaped 
flowers of any of its class, in addition to a dwarf and 
sturdy habit. 
Amongst the crimsons and scarlets are to be found 
numbers of gems. Lord Farrer throws gigantic 
trusses of clear rosy-scarlet flowers with a white eye. 
Volcanic is likewise very showy; the flowers are 
fiery-crimson in hue, slightly shaded on occasion 
with magenta, and a bright pearly-white eye. This 
variety bears an exceptionally good character for 
winter culture. Soldier’s Tunic is the name given to 
an intense scarlet flower that rivals the soldier's 
coat in brightness. Kitty is soft cherry-red with 
a white eye ; the pips are large and perfectly circu¬ 
lar in outline. 
A new and very pretty section has lately been 
formed by the introduction from the continent of 
three varieties bearing spotted flowers. These are very 
charming, and a distinct novelty. Belle Alliance 
has single white flowers spotted with deep pink, the 
