May 22, 1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
603 
of good form and substance, the petals being smooth 
and with unbroken margins. The ground colour 
must'be intense, and the base pure frcm stain or 
splash of any other colour, whilst the class markings 
must be accurate and well defined. 
The aim of the hybridiser, said Mr. Horner, should 
be to intensify the class markings by crossing. To do 
this it is essential that both parents should be taken 
from the same class, otherwise there would be a 
mixing up of colours, and a confusion of markings 
that would be far from satisfactory. The stigmas of 
flowers that are to be crossed should be shielded 
from the influence of undesirable pollen by laying 
over and around them a light protecting pad of 
cotton wool. When artificial impregnation is per¬ 
formed this layer could be removed, a new one 
being subsequently substituted. 
After fertilization is well advanced, the long 
stigmas must be cut off, otherwise they are very 
liable, by catching the wpter, to cause the seed 
vessel to rot. The seed is ripe and fit for gathering 
when the pods begin to open in August. If the bulb 
bearing the seed is valuable, the bulb itself should be 
gently detached from the plant and the latter treated 
as an annual. 
The best time to sow seed is soon after it is ripe, 
which is early in September. It will then germinate 
in February and the youDg plants will show their 
leaves about the same time as the bulbs planted in 
autumn. The young bulb produces each year a 
single leaf until it flowers, when it will produce two, 
this number being forthcoming every year subse¬ 
quent to the season of flowering. It takes from four 
to seven years to flower out a whole batch of 
seedlings, although the major part of them will 
bloom during the fourth or fifth year. The essayist 
a'so alluded to the practice of the young plants 
throwing down "droppers,” or young bulblets, to 
great depths, but stated that this was a practice that 
became less evident as time went on. 
The value of new seedlings might be judged as 
soon as the plants flowered, although in not a few 
cases a form that is attractive as a breeder, and 
shows good colour, does not rectify well. 
In conclusion, Mr Horner said that bizarres are 
the wealthiest section, there being a finer form and 
more correctness of marking amongst them than are 
shown by the bybloemens and roses. Amongst the 
two latter sections much remains to be done. Both 
form and marking are capable of much improve¬ 
ment. Generally speaking, however, form is ahead 
of marking. 
In the discussion which followed, Mr. Krelagerose 
to answer a question concerning the etymology of the 
word "bybloemen ” at the special request of Mr. R. 
Dean. Mr. Krelage said that " bloemen ” had the 
plural termination “en” and therefore, correctly 
speaking, meant " blooms.” The prefix " by’’was 
probably an allusion to an old classifi'cation of 
Tulips, in which the bybloemen were the second 
section, the roses, or bizarres being the first. In 
an answer to another question also put by Mr. Dean, 
he said that in Holland they did not find that either 
the early or late florists’ Tulips were addicted to 
throwing down " droppers.’ It had been observed, 
however, in some of the species, and they sometimes 
put stones in the ground to prevent them from going 
down. The Tulip disease was now undergoing 
investigation in Holland by a committee of experts, 
but a definite conclusion had not been arrived at yet. 
They had found, however, that the disease was 
confined to particular areas, and had attributed it to 
exhaustion of the soil in those parts, calcium being 
the lacking element of plant food. 
This brought to a close the official programme. 
Mr. Bennett-Poe moved a vote of thanks to the 
readers of the papers, expressing his regret at Mr. 
Horner’s absence. Mr. J. W. Barr seconded, and 
on being put to the meeting it was carried par 
acclamation. A vote of thanks for presiding was also 
given to the chairman on the motion of Mr. 
Needham, seconded by Mr. Bentley. 
-•*—- 
Freedom Park, Plymouth.—As all the trees have 
been cleared away from Greenbank, at the highest 
point of Mount Gould, it is proposed by a number 
of residents to add to the number of existing trees in 
Freedom Park, and that the same should form part 
of the Jubilee celebrations. 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS AT READING. 
Visitors to Reading, especially those interested in 
horticulture should not fail to visit the Portland 
Road Nurseries of Messrs. Sutton & Sens. It 
matters not what season of the year it may be, some¬ 
thing interesting is sure to be found ; the celebrated 
strains of florists’ flowers are innumerable. The lovely 
Cyclamen, Primulas, Cinerarias, &c., are just past, 
and great attention is now being paid to the harvest¬ 
ing of the seed of these useful, winter and spring 
florists' favourites. Better strains it is impossible to 
find. The rapid strides made by the hybridists are 
well known and have been commented upon most 
favourably in your columns already. Just now a 
glorious sight succeeds those mentioned, by a grand 
display of Calceolarias and Gloxinias. 
The Calceolarias 
Are a marvellous strain ; hundreds of plants 
superbly grown in about 14 in. to 16 in. pots are now 
in perfection. For profusion of bloom, large well- 
formed flowers, compact but vigorous habit, and 
diversity of colours nothing could possibly excel 
them. There is the lovely Cloth of Gold ; there are 
the self-colours of deep rose, maroon, pale yellow, 
and the mammoth spotted varieties with immense 
trusses of flowers of the largest size and finest form 
possible to procure in these popular favourites. The 
plants as seen here are grand examples of cultivation, 
well clothed with fine foliage over the rim of the pots, 
flowering most profusely, the majority being fully 2 ft. 
or more across, and as clean as one could wish. These 
have been grown without heat as far as they possibly 
could, with plenty of air consistent with safety. A 
succession can be kept up by sowing at intervals 
during the months of May, June and July. For 
early flowering now is a good time, but June sowings 
generally produce the finest plants. 
Gloxinias. 
These like their rivals previously alluded to have 
greatly improved, and here is to be seen a grander 
display if possible than usual ; for the plants now in 
flower are larger than last year’s. A house in full 
blaze of most lovely colours is a grand sight. The 
plants are superbly grown in pots, about 12 in. in 
diameter ; the foliage is clean and perfect, extending 
right over the rim of the pots, and flowering most 
abundantly. The flowers are of the finest form and 
substance, combined with distinctiveness of colour¬ 
ing, and enormous blooms ate making a grand show. 
Many of the plants referred to have three to four 
dozen flowers and buds. There is Her Majesty, the 
purest white Gloxinia in commerce by a long way. 
The foliage of this is highly ornamental also, and of 
the crassifolia type, with erect flowers thrown well 
above the foliage. Reading Scarlet is a grand com¬ 
panion to the former colour with flowers of an 
intense glowing scarlet. Then there are the varieties 
Duke and Duchess of York, the former being a large 
flower of a deep crimson edged with white, and vary 
effective ; the latter is a rich purple edged with white. 
There is a grand pair of varieties alike in habit and 
constitution, namely, Azure Blue, a sky blue on a 
white ground, and Sutton’s Purple, a self rich purple, 
both of which are most conspicuous. The spotted 
varieties are valuable additions likewise and vary 
considerably in variety of colours. Those mentioned 
are all of the erect strains. The drooping flowered 
varieties, although not so popular, contain many 
superb forms which are as distinct as the erect types. 
They are excellent for hanging baskets and brackets. 
I often wonder they are not more grown for this 
purpose, for the habit of plant and flower alike are 
excellent and admirably suited for this kind of work. 
The collection at Reading is a very extensive one; 
the plants varying in age, but the yearlings generally 
produce the finest flowers. Here they are grown 
from seed and flowered superbly in nine months. 
The best time for sowing is January, February, and 
again in June. These sowings will ensure plants in 
bloom the greater part of the year. Those who 
make but one sowing should do so in February. 
Begonias. 
Hardly any florists’ flower has made the rapid strides 
these have, both double and single alike. I well 
reYnember the first time B. boliviensis flowered ; then 
came B. Veitchii and B. rosaeflora, which were the 
first introductions. Then came B. Sedenii and B. 
Chelsoni ; but hybrids innumerable have sprung up 
since, and many, yes, very many grand, improve¬ 
ments are j early making their appearance to the as¬ 
tonishment and glory of the many raisers. The 
culture of the Begonia is a special feature at Read¬ 
ing, where many houses are devoted to their culture ; 
and, shortly, judging from the appearance of the 
grand lot of sturdy well grown plants now to be seen, 
a grander treat than ever is in store for a later 
period of which I hope to allude to, and try to des¬ 
cribe when they are fully in flower. 
A plant, which is most attractive here, and has 
been for a long time, and will continue so for some 
time to come yet, is the lovely Saintpaulia ionantha. 
This remarkable gesneraceous plant should be grown 
by all lovers of greenhouse perennials. It is easy 
to grow, very dwarf and compact in habit, with deep 
green, fleshy leaves. From the centre of the plants 
great quantities of spikes of flowers of a violet colour, 
resembling the Violet in shape, about 1 in. in 
diameter, and lasting in flower a very longtime, con¬ 
tinue to spring up. It is easily raised from seed, 
and plants flower when six months old. They 
require the same treatment as the Streptocarpus. 
A grand lot of these will shortly be in flower also. 
S. Wendlandii is now, and has been, flowering fer 
some time. It is a very remarkable and singularly 
interesting plant, its habit of growth being most 
peculiar. It has only one immense leaf over 2 ft. 
long, nearly the same in width, and reflexed from its 
very base. Scapes or spikes are thrown up 2 ft. 
high, branched, and bearing elegant, pale violet-blue 
flowers. Seed sown now would flower under ordinary 
treatment all the next winter, and will continue so 
for six months. The hybrids now so popular vary in 
colour considerably, lavender, purple, rose, red. 
and nearly pure white being some of the more salient 
hues. They are lovely objects for the decoration 
of the greenhouse and conservatory. Seed sown in 
January should produce flowering plants in June 
and July. They are easily grown. Some day I 
expect to see these plants become favourites with 
lovers of window plants, for which they are well 
adapted.— Rambler. 
-- 
ROSE DAY. 
Amongst the various projects for the celebration of 
Jubilee Day, it has evidently occurred to more than 
one that it would be very appropriate to wear Roses 
by way of personal decorations, and otherwise. The 
Journal of Greengrocery for May 1st alludes to the fact 
that "Alter Ego,” writing about Roses aud the 
Jubilee in The Gardening World, suggests that 
Roses be worn in connection with the above, and 
adds to his article ” : “ N.B.—All pirates of this idea 
are hereby warned that it is the sole property, &c.” 
The editor goes on to say that “ Alter Ego ” “ should 
get a copy of our journal of April 17th, and read the 
article on " Roses.” Our correspondent, Mr. New- 
mao, of Aylesbury, is three weeks ahead of him.” 
Well, there was only a fortnight between the pub¬ 
lication of the ideas of the two correspondents in the 
two instances named, but "Alter Ego” had been 
writing on the subject at least a week previously, and 
his communication had been published in another 
paper on April 25th This reduces the difference in 
publication to a week. We are assured that as regards 
"Alter Ego ” the idea was original,and he had not seen 
it in any paper, for he had just been reading a paper 
containing a list of all the proposals which had been 
made to commemorate the Queen s Diamond Jubilee, 
and they ran up into hundreds, yet he proceeded to 
make another proposal. 
The ideas of the two correspondents, “ Mr. New¬ 
man ” and " Alter Ego,” were different—in fact, two 
separate proposals—though related in some respects. 
Therefore, the time of publication affects the matter 
but very little. Mr. Newman, writing under the 
heading of " Roses,” says, " The practice of wearing 
a buttonhole is growing, and surely patriotism in 
this, the Diamond Jubilee year, would point to the 
* Rose ’ as being the appropriate buttonhole flower 
during the month of June.” He concludes his 
article by saying, " In June, then, the Queen of 
Queens might well be held in daily remembrance 
by decorating house and buttonhole with the queen 
of flowers.” 
As may be seen by reference to The Gardening 
World, p.549, " Alter Ego ” says, " I further suggest 
that here, June 22nd, shall be always known 
as "Rose Day” in honour of England and good 
Queen Victoria.” He concludes by saying, " Rose 
Day would throw all other celebrations into shade 
The Rose is a Royal flower, and should be used on 
such a truly Royal and national occasion this year, 
and for all times.” 
