506 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 6, 1895. 
a dark green venation. Besides those named there are 
many others differing in a variety of ways ; but the 
above added to a collection would enliven it 
and impart an aspect to any shrubbery quite 
different from what they have been accustomed to 
wear. In fact the variations are so great as to 
warrant the planting of Japanese Maples in beds by 
themselves for the sake of the beautiful foliage. 
Other shrubs might also be intermixed with them, 
including the variegated forms of Cornus, Negundo 
aceroides variegata, and various others. 
-—*-- 
AMARYLLIS AT CHELSEA. 
The hybrid and highly improved race of Hippeas- 
trum or Knight’s Star, better known as Amaryllis, 
are now in all their glory in the nursery of Messrs. J. 
Veitch & Sons, Chelsea. They occupy the house 
which has been devoted to them for the last fifteen 
years or so; and if anyone who had noted them 
were to see them now, he would be surprised at the 
marvellous changes which have been effected both in 
the size and rich colours of the flowers. The 
shortening of the tube, the expansion of the lamina, 
and the intensity of the colours infused into the 
flowers and the washing out of the green from the 
pale varieties, leaving the ground work of a pure 
white, are changes for the better, and so extensive 
that they cannot be ignored when studying the 
modern improvements. The bulbs were potted 
during the last week of January, preparatory to 
closing the house to bring them on gently. The 
treatment to which they have been subjected tells its 
own tale, for the scapes are only 18 in. to 2 ft. high. 
The visitor can stand in the pathway and glance con¬ 
veniently over the tops of all the flowers in the raised 
central bed, whereas the steps or something else was 
necessary last year to enable the visitor to get a full 
view over the flowers. The display here is certainly 
magnificent, while many of the young bulbs occupy¬ 
ing the side benches are also flowering. Last year's 
varieties have mostly been sold and cleared away so 
that new ones are by far the most dominant; and 
all of those described hereunder are new. 
We took the trouble of measuring the breadth of the 
segments of one widely expanded flower and found 
that the outer three were 4 in. across and the inner 
ones 2J in., so that each segment would of itself 
make a large flower for many kinds of garden plants 
that are highly appreciated. The flowers were of a 
rich red with a green star in the centre. The funnel- 
shaped flowers of Timora are of a brilliant crimson- 
scarlet, shaded with maroon along the sides of the 
rays. The flowers of Dulas are also shapely, but of 
a peculiar and uncommon colour, being deep claret. 
Somewhat similar but perfectly distinct is Medina, 
whose claret flowers are intensified in the throat 
which has a glossy lustre. Altogether brighter is 
Myca, which has a widely spreading lamina of a rich 
vermilion shaded with crimson in the throat, while 
the star is obliterated except two of the rays. The 
wide flowers of Marina, on the contrary, are brilliant 
scarlet, with the white-rayed star extending three- 
parts of the way down the segments. In the case of 
Rita one scape bears four large flowers of a crimson- 
red with a short star ; the number of flowers has no 
effect in diminishing their size. A very symmetrical 
flower is Eathorpe, with bright scarlet flowers 
shaded with crimson along the sides of the green 
star. Two scapes from a bulb of Islanmore bears in 
the aggregate six scarlet flowers much variegated 
with pure white. Marlay is a brilliant crimson- 
scarlet, very rich in hue and shaded with dark 
crimson along the sides of the rays of the star, 
which is nearly white and three-parts as long as the 
segments. 
The observant visitor cannot fail to notice how 
effectually the green shading of light coloured 
flowers is being washed out or eliminated, leaving 
the white of a pure and green tint. Armoire is an 
example of this, and bears four white flowers on a 
scape slightly streaked with red on either side of the 
midribs of the segments. It will also be noticed 
how tenaciously the red lines and markings cling to 
the flowers, even of the newest varieties, making a 
pure white of very rare occurrence. Another, 
equally prolific in blossom, is Jocasta, which is 
shaded and lined with red on each side of the soft 
apple-green rays. The widely campanulate flowers 
of Bandon are white, striped with scarlet along 
the middle, except on the lower side of the 
flower, which is devoid of markings. Very dwarf is 
Ham, being only 15 in. high, with a few purple-red 
lines along the midribs on the upper side of the 
flower, the rest being white. Cupid bears four large, 
widely-expanded flowers, shaded and striped with 
crimson-scarlet on a pure white ground. The four 
flowers of Ethie are bell-shaped, and white, shaded 
and lined with reddish-purple and pale green at the 
very base. A light coloured and pretty flower is 
Melisse, striated and netted with scarlet on a white 
ground. The widely, funnel-shaped flowers of 
Marnovia have broad segments, heavily shaded and 
netted with crimson on a white ground; the lower 
side of the flower has very little colouring. This 
latter circumstance is a noticeable feature of several 
of the light coloured varieties, and gives rise to 
some speculation as to the meaning of this peculiar 
behaviour. The lower side of the flower corres¬ 
ponds to the lip in several other well-known flowers, 
and which is usually the most highly coloured in 
Cattleyas, Laelias, and various other Orchids, as 
well as members of other families. 
The light and the dark kinds are so distributed 
through the house as to relieve one another and give 
the whole collection a pleasing and effective appear¬ 
ance. Whichever way the taste of visitors may be 
inclined the range of variety here is sufficient to 
meet the requirements and likings of all. There are 
many other dark kinds we should like to mention, 
but must be limited to a few. A bulb of Iona bears 
two scapes with an aggregate of eight flowers which 
are light in colour, shaded, striped and netted with 
light scarlet. Cawdor is a funnel-shaped flower with 
widely revolute segments and of a deep crimson with a 
green throat and short rays of the same colour 
radiating from it. The flowers of Guthrie are of 
huge size, widely expanded, and deep crimson shaded 
with maroon, and having a pale green star. It is 
certainly a very meritorious variety. What was 
said of Guthrie is equally true of Gorgeous, which 
received an Award of Merit from the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society on the 26th ult. The bloom is of 
great size and intense crimson, shaded with maroon 
in the throat and entirely obscuring the rays. The 
flowers of Phaedra, of which there are four on a 
scape, are of a beautiful soft scarlet broken up into 
lines on the basal half of the upper segments, along 
which the broad white rays of the star run to the 
tips. The huge blooms of Carridon are of a glowing 
crimson-scarlet with a short-rayed star. Those of 
Phidon are bell-shaped, very wide, and crimson- 
scarlet shaded with crimson on each side of the 
midribs. Lucan is a similarly shaped flower, with 
broad, overlapping segments of a deep rich scarlet 
and very conspicuous. Altogether darker and more 
intense is Andalusia, whose flowers are of a glowing 
dark crimson shaded with velvety maroon in the 
throat and confining the rays to the base. Two 
scapes from a bulb of Cabra bear in the aggregate 
seven flowers, whose segments are red on the apical 
third of their length, but beautifully lined from 
thence downwards, while six white rays extend down 
the segments for three parts of their length. Roydon 
has bell-shaped flowers of a brilliant scarlet, and so 
heavily shaded with maroon in the throat as to 
obscure the rays. Crinia is a differently coloured 
flower from any of the above, as there is a consider¬ 
able amount of a distinct shading of rose over a 
darker colour, and the combination may be described 
as rosy-orange with darker veins running through 
the upper segments. The whole is brightened by 
six white rays extending down the segments for three- 
parts of their length. 
Those who have frequently seen the Amaryllis 
house at Chelsea will see much to admire amongst 
this year’s crop of bloom : and there is a treat in 
store for those who have not yet seen the collection, 
though they may from time to time have seen such 
samples as may have been brought before the public. 
The quantity of blossom and the high standard of 
merit that runs through the whole collection are 
features to be remembered because unrivalled, 
particularly on the score of general quality. 
THE CULTURE OF VEGE¬ 
TABLES. 
[Continued from p. 490.) 
Early Carrots are usually forced in frames placed 
on a hot-bed, and grown in this manner are most 
useful. I once grew a fine lot in tubs in an early 
Peach house along with Vegetable Marrows, Peas, 
French Beans, and Potatos, having no frame 
room to spare. I only mention this to show that 
where there’s a will there is usually a way. The 
Carrot fly is in many places a dreaded scourge, 
and often destroys the whole crop. Sand soaked 
in petroleum and scattered over the ground broad¬ 
cast will help to prevent the fly alighting and 
depositing its eggs ; for in this, as in other things, 
prevention is better than cure. I am not certain, 
however, that anything has yet been found which 
will effectually exterminate this pest. 
The Brassica Family next claim attention. The 
earliest Cauliflowers are usually had from plants put 
out at the end of March, and afforded some slight 
protection in the way of small branches thrown over 
them to exclude frost. The seed should be sown at 
the end of January in a temperature not exceeding 
55° Fahr, and unless they are quickly removed to 
cooler quarters after they get about an inch high 
they are very liable to damp off. They must then 
be pricked off into 3-in. pots, and when they begin 
to get root-bound should be planted 6 in. apart in a 
cold frame in rough rich soil, where in a short time 
they will soon make strong plants. By the end of 
March they may be lifted with good balls of earth 
attached, when very little check will be sustained by 
them in their removal to a warm border. Cauli¬ 
flowers enjoy a rich soil and should never suffer 
from want of water, although they will not succeed 
in badly drained ground. Successional sowings 
should be made every fortnight up to the end of May, 
the seedlings being pricked off as before recom¬ 
mended as soon as they are fit to handle, afterwards 
planting them out in their permanent quarters with 
the trowel. 
Very often do we find the seed sown in rows or in 
beds as thickly, like so much Mustard and Cress, 
and allowed to remain there until it has to struggle 
for its existence, and then pulled up and planted 
regardlessly of shelter and whether plants have any 
roots or not. For early cutting Sutton’s First Crop 
and Early London are reliable sorts, while Veitch’s 
Pearl and Autumn Giant with Sutton’s Autumn 
Mammoth will be found to be among the best varie¬ 
ties for summer and autumn use. 
The Cabbage forms one of the most valuable vege¬ 
tables we have. For spring cutting seed should be 
sown the first week in August and again a fortnight 
later, the young plants being put out in September. 
No place suits this subject better than ground that 
has just been cleared of the Onion Crop, and which 
has had no preparation further than the clearing 
away of the weeds. In this position Cabbages make 
very stocky growth with leaves usually close to the 
ground. They are then in a favourable condition to 
withstand a severe winter. Assistance should be 
given by liberal applications of liquid manure in the 
spring, whilst a sprinkling of nitrate of soda between 
the rows will also be a means of quickening maturity. 
Ellam’s Early Dwarf is perhaps the best of all the 
spring Cabbages; but the seed should be obtained 
from a reliable source, otherwise disappointment may 
follow. 
Brussels Sprouts. —This is, perhaps, the most 
useful of all winter vegetables, the chief point to 
notice with regard to their cultivation being to plant 
in rich, but very firm soil, so as to enable the growths 
to become matured and in a fit condition to with¬ 
stand our changeable winters. As to varieties, I have 
found The Wroxton, Sutton’s Exhibition and Dwarf 
Gem everything that is wanted. 
Broccoli are a very uncertain crop, but when 
they can be had they are very useful. They are best 
grown on ground that has not been dug at all, for if 
planted on rich loose soil the plants resulting are 
soft, and the first severe frost plays deadly havoc 
with them. Heeling the plants over towards the 
north is time well spent, as this checks the growth 
and the plants are thus not so liable to be injured. 
Veitch’s Self-protecting, The Leamington, and 
Sutton’s Late Queen will be found a good selection, 
as these are all very hardy varieties. 
Savoys are very useful as well as Cottager's Kale, 
whilst other members of the Brassica tribe worthy of 
mention are Coleworts, which are often of great 
value and very useful as a catch crop, Scotch Kale 
and Asparagus Kale. 
Leeks. 
These are not so much grown as they deserve to be, 
for they should find a place in every garden, as it 
would be hard to find a more wholesome winter 
vegetable than they constitute. This remark would 
chiefly apply to the South, for in Scotland they are 
very largely grown and deservedly so. For a general 
crop the seed should be sown on a border in February, 
