52 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
January 17, 190 3 
tlie original species from which our show varieties have been 
obtained). Well, the next season I took the best habited plants 
to seed from, and obtained the pollen from others of more decided 
colours of the same shades, and the results were' far more satis- 
factory. Among them was one which, later, was deemed worthy 
of a first-class certificate by the Pelargonium Society, which then 
existed (but, alas! is no more). Ihere is little difficulty in cross 
fertilising the Pelargoniums. The anthers can easily be re¬ 
moved (before the pollen cells burst) from the flowers that are 
to be fertilised with pollen from others. 
Bouvardias. — With these it is much more difficult to effect 
a cross. The tube of the flower has to be carefully split- open, 
and the anthers which are attached to the top of the tube 
removed. The pistil, which usually only reaches- about half 
way up the tube, cannot be reached without taking the pollen 
of the same flower down when attempted from the throat of the 
flower. 
Sweet Peas. —We have already heard so much about the fer¬ 
tilisation of these that there is not much to add, except that the 
difficulty does not arise so much from not being able to get at 
the pistil as it does in not being able to remove the anthers 
before they shed their pollen. 1 lie keel or two lower petals 
have to be opened when they appear about half developed, and 
this must be done with very great care. In the usual way the 
Sweet Peas are fertilised before the flowers appear to be fully 
developed, and the pollen, which is very abundant, is shed even 
before the pistil is quite ready to absorb it; but, being confined 
in the closed petals, it cannot escape before sufficient has been 
absorbed to fully fertilise the ovary. A. Hemsley. 
The Seed Room. 
Mr. Blair, in a recent number, gave some useful hints about 
ordering seeds, and I now beg to offer a few hints to young 
gardeners on the management of the seeds from the date of their 
receipt till they are committed to “ Mother Earth.’’ 
Every well-appointed garden has its seed-room, but in many 
places a cupboard or chest of drawers in the fruit-room or 
potting-shed has to do duty. Whatever the accommodation be, 
seeds should be kept in a dry, cool place, any exposure, to damp 
especially, often having disastrous consequences, and that mayhap 
to the prejudice of the seedsman. 
Before the arrival of the fresh stock, the drawers or shelves 
should be cleared of old seeds and thoroughly cleaned. No old 
seeds should be kept, but such as are of special value-, and these 
should be marked and kept -by themselves. 
It will save much confusion if the seeds are carefully assorted 
when being stored a-way. Vegetable seeds can be graded by size 
of package thus: Large, such as Peas and Beans; medium, such 
as Beetroot, Parsnips, etc. ; small, including -all the Brassica- 
t-ribe; and partially hardy, including Toma-tos, Cucumbers, Mar¬ 
rows, etc. 
Flower seeds had better be graded according to dates of sow¬ 
ing, thus: 1st, Begonias, Gloxinias, etc.; 2nd, general run of 
tender and half-hardy; 3rd, less tender, such as Marigolds, 
Scabiosas, etc. ; 4th, hardy annuals; 5th, biennials and 
perennials, such as Wallflower, etc. When sowing, any surplus 
seeds should be kept in case of failure. 
Chas. Comfort. 
Broomfield, Davidson’s Mains, Midlothian, N.B. 
WITHOUT PREJUDICE. 
Quizzings by “Cal.” 
I am sorry if I trod on “ Hortulanus’s ” coat-tails. 
* * * 
It- is a trait, I fear, I am addicted to. Respecting F. E. 
Willard, I am unaware as to its ha,bits in this country, but what 
American Roses I have grown here succeed well enough. They 
are all on their own roots, and generally reach me in the form 
of tiny plants. 
* * * 
A pink variety, named Champion of the World, did remarkably 
well this past season, the plant being three years old. It might 
be termed a perpetual Tea, as it flowered throughout the summer 
and autumn and, as it- was full of buds in November, I potted 
it- up, and it is now flowering under glass. 
* * * 
I am a supporter of Hortulanus ” respecting Rose Mme. 
Cadeau Ramey. Its firm petals make it an ideal autumn Rose. 
Exactly why American Roses are little known here, I cannot 
say; possibly because we have enough already. 
As to Carnations, well, the English swear by smooth border 
varieties the Americans stick to fringed perpetual flowerers. 
* * * * 
Nevertheless, there’s a gentleman named Kelway who speaks 
highly of the latter type owing to their vigorous constitution. 
Although the remarks of the writer of “ Annuals for the 
Garden,” respecting Asters, are true to some extent, I eannot 
believe that the singles will ever oust the double varieties. 
The gigantic strides made with this flower are marvellous, and 
it would be idle to say finality has been reached. 
* * * 
I consider the new giant forms rivals of the Autumn Queen, 
and it is not unlikely that they will eventually be grown for 
market under glass, both early and late. I have seen some grand 
specimens during February and March from autumn sowings. 
* * * 
Whilst on a visit to Portsmouth recently, I visited Messrs. 
Pink and Sons, who have opened up a connection with Barbados 
in Sweet Pota-tos, a number of which I brought away with me. 
* -x- ■* 
To anyone who has resided in the West Indies, the roots will 
prove a welcome addition. In fact, I was informed that large 
quantities were being sold to such residents. 
* ■* ■* 
When boiled, these Potato's are mealy, rather sweet, with a 
slight aroma, the colour being somewhat like a Swede. 
* * * 
The nearest that I can liken them to is the popular Parsnip, 
and when the taste is acquired, -one devours them with avidity. 
* * * 
Messrs. Pink are also importing Yams, which are far more 
palatable than some of the Potatos one frequently obtains. The 
above firm will be pleased to reply to any person communicating 
with them upon the subject. 
* * * 
Respecting “ Facts and Fancies about Sweet. Peas,” the letter 
“ e ” was omitted following the variety “ Othello.” 
* * * 
As printed, it read that Burpee introduced all the varieties in 
the paragraph quoted. 
* * * 
In the following par, a comma was erroneously admitted after 
“ Sunproof.” It should have read “ Sunproof Salopian ” ; that is, 
an American selection of Eckford’s Salopian with greater sun- 
resisting power. 
* * * 
Readers desiring a greenhouse plant of easy culture, coupled 
with great beauty, would do* well to invest iu a collection of 
Zonal Pelargoniums. 
* * * 
I was fortunate to fall in with an amateur a while ago who 
possessed one of the finest collections I have ever seen, consisting 
of English, -Continental, and American varieties, and I hope 
shortly to be able to give a paper concerning them and their 
grower’s methods. 
* * * 
• 
A vegetable I have not often seen mentioned is Sutton’s 
Hardy Sprouting Kale. It is unquestionably a cross between 
the Brussels Sprout and a Kale. I-t is superior to the former, the 
flavour being milder, while it is remarkably tender eating. 
* * * 
In growth, it- resembles the Sprout, but is more vigorous and 
hardy, and not. liable to rot- through wet weather. 
* * * 
It comes in about Christmas, the firm, yet open, sprouts being 
borne right away from the base. 
* * 
The tops are much larger than those of Brussels Sprouts, being 
more like small Savoys. It is assuredly one of the finest of 
winter greens, and I strongly advise readers to sow seed next 
April. 
* * * 
My own plants are growing on heavy soil, bastard trenched 
last autumn, and I never saw finer stuff, despite the bitter recent 
weather. 
■%.* The prize last week in the Readers’ Competition was 
awarded to “ M. E. P.,” for his article on “Zonal 
Pelargoniums for Winter,” p. 27. 
