July 1, 1893. 
693 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
EMINENT VIOLA GROWERS AND 
RAISERS. 
By the courtesy of Messrs Dobbie & Co , of Rothe¬ 
say, we are permitted to re-print in our columns the 
following brief biographical not ices and accompanying 
portraits of half a dozen of the leading Viola growers 
and raisers of the day, which they recently published 
in a useful little brochure on "Violas and Viola 
Culture," which many of our readers may not yet 
have seen. 
Mr. William Dean, Birmingham.— Mr. Dean, 
more than any other man, has, by his able and in¬ 
cessant advocacy of the merits of the Viola in the 
columns of the horticultural Press, secured for it the 
position it now holds in public favour in England, 
and we are only giving honour to whom honour is 
due by placing his portrait first. Mr. Dean has, 
during all his life, been a warm admirer of Pansies 
and Violas, and his is an experience that dates back 
for well-nigh half a century. He has somewhere 
said that his enthusiasm for the Viola was first 
Mr. William Dean. 
kindled by seeing in the possession of his old friend, 
John Wills, some very fine Violas of the V. cornuta 
type. Mr. Dean has also a reputation as a raiser, 
and we cannot refrain from mentioning his " Brides- 
Mr. John Baxter. 
Viola lutea of the Pentland Hills and the ordinary 
show Pansy. In 1863 he operated in a similar way 
with V. amcena and V. cornuta, and has, we are sure, 
found an ample reward for all his labours in being 
able to raise and introduce from time to time such 
grand varieties as " Hollyrood," “ Bullion,” " Vir- 
Mr. James Grieve. 
ginilis," " Grievei," “H. M. Stanley," "Dorothy 
Tennant," and “ Merchiston Castle.” Wherever 
florists do congregate in Scotland, Mr. Grieve is 
present'; and over the world be has a reputation 
associated not only with Violas, but with many good 
things in other departments of horticulture. 
Dr. Stuart, Chirnside, Berwickshire.— We 
think it would be a good thing if Dr. Stuart’s name 
could in some way be permanently associated with 
the new and remarkable race of Violas which he has 
raised and introduced. The doctor is a devoted 
lover of hardy flowers, and it was only after a long 
series of painstaking experiments that he arrived at 
"Violetta." This is a charming miniature Viola, 
very hard)'—almost truly perennial. The blossoms, 
which are nearly pure white, are raised above the 
dark green foliage on short, stiff footstalks. The 
perfume is very sweet, resembling that of V. odorata. 
Dr. Stuart has also introduced several other varieties 
of a larger flowered character, but all of dwarf tufted 
habit. “ Sylvia," a cream-coloured variety, is the 
best of them, and it is so good that little room is left 
for improvement. Dr. Stuart's work markes an epoch 
in Viola culture. 
Mr. George M'Leod, Chingford.— The popular 
secretary of the London Pansy and Violet Society, 
deserves recognition for his work in connection with 
the Viola. He has demonstrated during the last few 
years that Violas can be grown as well in the neigh¬ 
bourhood of London as anywhere else, and has thus 
done much to remove a prejudice that existed against 
them. Mr. M'Leod is, like many more of his coun¬ 
trymen who have gone south and forgotten the way 
back again, “ a successful Scot resident in London." 
All his spare time is devoted to floriculture. He was 
one of the founders of the National Amateur Gar- 
maid," which is one of the loveliest Violas we have 
ever grown. - He is well-known as one of the best 
horticultural judges in the Midland Counties of 
England. 
Mr. John Baxter, Daldowie, Broomhouse. —To 
this worthy and capable gardener is due much credit 
for his work in connection with Violas. He has been 
a grower since 1859, and has been a true pioneer in 
all that appertains to the effective and artistic exhi¬ 
bition of our favourites, while his reputation as a 
raiser rests on such triumphs as “York and Lancas¬ 
ter," “ Gipsy Queen,” “ Bluecloud,” "Ada Adair,” 
&c. Mr. Baxter has hitherto always taken the first 
prize for seedling Violas, open to all, at the Scottish 
Pansy Society’s annual meeting in Edinburgh. 
Perhaps his greatest recent success was coming out 
first at the Great International Exhibition in 
Glasgow, for twenty-four bunches of Violas, open to 
the United Kingdom. 
Mr. J ames Grieve, Edinburgh. —This gentleman, 
who is manager to the well-known and old-established 
firm of Messrs. Dicksons & Co., Edinburgh, has been 
a keen florist all his life. In 1862 he started to cross 
deners’ Association—a wonderfu'ly successful insti¬ 
tution. Even with very limited facilities Mr. 
M'Leod has succeeded in growing some splendid 
flowers, and we are certain that, as a raiser of new 
varieties, he has a great future before him. 
Mr. William Cuthbertson, Rothesay, is the 
member of the firm of Dobbie & Co., who has taken 
special charge of the Viola. About ten years ago he 
became convinced of the undoubted merits of the 
flower, and also that there was a grand opening in 
the country for some one to take it up, and, as it 
were, reintroduce it. The firm seized the 
opportunity, and their collectionsof Violas have been 
features at very many of the important London and 
other shows ever since. The success which has 
followed the step is the best proof that it was a wise 
and timeous one. 
-- 
GILBERT WHITE. 
On Saturday last the Selborne Society, in com¬ 
memoration of the centenary of the death of 
Gilbert White, the author of “ The Natural History 
and Antiquities of Selborne,” paid a visit to the 
village of Selborne, Hants, where the naturalist 
was born, where he laboured, and where he died in 
1793. Luncheon for the party was laid in a large 
marquee, and Lord Selborne, who presided, in pro¬ 
posing the toast of " The Memory of Gilbert White," 
said that the writings of Gilbert White had qualities 
which were not always met with in scientific or 
Mr. William Cuthbertson. 
literary works. He desired first of all to speak of 
the character of the man, and then of his famous 
book. Until lately they had had no means of 
knowing the character of Gilbert White save 
through his book. Gilbert White, they had 
discovered, was a man of excellent abilities and of 
wide classical attainments. He was conversant 
with the best literature of Greece and Rome, and 
also with the best English literature. In his letters 
he often referred to Chaucer and “ Piers Plowman," 
with which Englishmen to-day were not always 
well acquainted. White was an observer of nature, 
and had prepared himself for the task of observation 
by the best mental culture. No one could read his 
book without noticing his remarkable faculty of 
observation, his constant aim at truth and accuracy,, 
and his frequent flashes of humour. Nor could 
anyone help being struck with the modest simplicity 
of his character. That simplicity lent a great charm 
to his book, and it even produced every now and 
then a sense of amusement. White’s shrewdness 
of discernment was a most valuable gift, and 
one that he possessed in a signal degree. His- 
