Jan. 10th, 1885. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
293 
considered for horticultural work, that can be found 
in the three kingdoms, I have seen whole rows of what 
should have produced a good spring crop cut down 
by the end of January, while in the next garden 
they have stood the test without a single loss. On 
inquiry the different results are found to have accrued 
from the difference in the hardiness of the varieties 
grown. Market gardeners in growing the large acre¬ 
ages which they do in the Vale of Evesham and 
Lichfield and Tamworth for the supply of Birmingham 
and Wolverhampton markets understand this, and 
amateurs and gardeners, too, may often obtain a 
wrinkle from a market-gardener’s book. 
As a rule, whatever the sort grown that has to stand 
the rigours of frost a sheltered spot should be selected 
for the growth, the effects of the destructive east and 
north-east winds during frost being more injurious 
than the frost itself. I have seen row r s of winter 
Broccoli in this locality stand the rigours of the severe 
winter three years ago, with the simple protection of 
a row of Pea-sticks left standing by their side, while 
in the same garden, without this protection, other 
rows were cut off. These remarks apply to my own 
flower, protected during winter and early spring, or to 
seeds sown in February in frames or in boxes. 
The Early Erfurt Cauliflower is a close, com¬ 
pact growing variety, producing large heads and not 
so subject to “ button” as some varieties. 
Walcheren Cauliflowers.— For August and Sept¬ 
ember use the old Walcheren, from a good stock, is 
all that is required, and I have not yet found its equal 
to stand the hot weather of June and July. Seeds for 
this crop should be sown in March. 
Veitch’s Autumn Giant Cauliflower is one of the 
noblest introductions of late years. If sown in August, 
and given the same protection as other Cauli¬ 
flowers, and planted out in early spring, and liberally 
treated, it will produce immense heads in September, 
earlier than the same variety from seed sown in 
February. From spring-sown plants of this variety 
the supply can be well kept up until the end of 
November, when the protecting varieties of Broccoli 
proper will be coming into use. Of these to carry on 
the supply until the end of January there are now 
numerous varieties to be had with more or less 
hardiness of constitution. The Messrs. Veitcli have 
mid-ribs to its leaves, the centre ones well protecting 
the hearts from spring frosts. Seed should be sown 
at the end of March. Thus far I have traced succession 
through the year, and without egotism, I feel certain 
that in all moderately favourable localities, with the 
varieties named, the grower may depend upon being 
able to obtain a dish of Cauliflower or Broccoli “ all 
the year round.”— J. Knight, Bilston. 
[We should be obliged if some of our readers North 
and South of Staffordshire would favour us with 
their experience on this subject.— Ed.] 
GLOXINIAS. 
Few plants have undergone such a complete change 
for the better during the last few years, as the 
Gloxinia, and the erect flowering type in particular. 
It seems but the other day since the introduction of 
a fine new variety was welcomed almost with as much 
enthusiasm as a new Orchid, and named sorts were 
catalogued at prices that would now be con¬ 
sidered preposterous. All this has been brought 
ERECT-FLOWERED GLOXINIAS. 
and other less favourable localities. In warmer 
districts the protection of the plants for early spring 
supply is a secondary consideration, and if the soil is 
well drained they will, in nine cases out of ten, take 
care of themselves. 
And now for a selection of sorts to solve the diffi¬ 
culty of being able to cut a dish of Broccoli or Cauli¬ 
flower all the year round. I will commence with 
March and April, and for the supply for these months 
there is none better than 
Elletson’s Mammoth Broccoli, now a very old 
variety, and grown in immense quantities for market 
purposes; one of the largest and best extant for general 
spring use. To carry the supply through May, 
previous to the hand-glass Cauliflowers coming in, 
several good varieties of recent introduction are in the 
market, but 
Miller’s Old Dwarf White Broccoli, when it can 
be obtained true, stands the test, or even a later 
plantation made of the Mammoth will prove useful. 
Seeds of these two kinds should be sown at the end of 
March or beginning of April. For supply in June and 
July resort must be had either to August-sown Cauli- 
introdueed an invaluable supplement to their older 
Autumn Giant, already referred to, in their 
Self-protecting Autumn Broccoli, and Messrs. 
Sander, of St. Albans, announce for distribution this 
season a new 
Mammoth White Autumn Broccoli, as to the quality 
of which I cannot do better than quote the testimony 
of Mr. R. Gilbert, of Burghley, whose contributions 
enrich the columns of The Gardening World. He 
says it is “ a perfect wonder, large in size, beautifully 
white, remarkable flavour; but, above all, its protecting 
quality is really handsome, when full blown its large 
leaves arch over in such a way as no hands could have 
made them do ; it caused quite a consternation among 
our people.” 
Snow’s Winter White Broccoli, an old and well- 
tried sort, is depended upon by many of the Cornish 
market gardeners for their Christmas and New Year’s 
supplies ; it is very hardy and will stand almost any¬ 
where. Seed should be sown at the end of March. 
For cutting in February and the beginning of March, 
I have not yet found a better Broccoli than the old 
Wilcove White, a very strong grower, with very broad 
about by the hybridists who have so much improved 
the flowers in every way, that a packet of seeds 
from a reliable strain now yields flowers in plenty 
that put the old-named sorts to shame. Nearly 
all the leading houses have strains of their own, 
which they keep improving by careful selection 
and crossing, and amongst them may be noted the 
“marbled” strain, which Messrs. James Carter & Co. 
grow as a speciality, and of the character and quality 
of which some idea may be gleaned from the annexed 
illustration. In this strain the mottled or marbled 
flowers, call them which we please, are singularly 
pretty and well varied in colour. Of the cultivation of 
the Gloxinia we need say nothing now, so recently has 
Mr. Roberts (p. 217) exhausted that subject. 
-'■ - '^o —- 
Thrinax graminifolia. — A graceful Palm of 
recent introduction, said to surpass the well-known 
Thrinax elegans in effect. The segments of the leaf 
are grass-like, giving a light and elegant appearance, 
a feature which constitutes the great charm of the 
genus. It is figured in the December number of the 
Illustration Horticole. 
