226 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
March" 14, 1903. 
or see. Of course, there are other means of expression open 
to the gardener in the way of cultivation, and particularly in 
the arrangement of the plants and other products he grows. A 
landscape gardener especially can express himself in many 
ways. He can use his keen perception and good taste in laying 
out a garden and grounds near the dwelling conveniently and 
beautifully, as well as economically. A garden really well 
laid out is one that can be worked most profitably and easily, or 
at the least cost, afterwards. So we see that the gift of 
creation or expression is no mere accomplishment, but in its 
best it is really a sterling and practical thing, leading towards 
economy and real utility, or, in other words, towards the con¬ 
servation of energy in the shape of labour and general utility. 
New Cactus Dahlias of 1903. 
In giving a few notes on the best of the new Dahlias for 
1903, it is, of course, without knowledge in many cases of the 
habit of the plants, and my notes were, to a great extent, taken 
from flowers exhibited at the various large shows last autumn. 
Speaking of the new Dahlias reminds me of the fact of so many 
varieties never again being seen in so fine form as they were 
exhibited by the raiser, and I have for years been under the 
impression that this was simply owing to the fact that the 
raisers cultivated them better and with more care than other 
growers afterwards devoted to them. I am now, however, 
coming to the conclusion that this is not so in many cases, but 
that the varieties rapidly deteriorate, some quicker than others, 
and that it is not, as is generally, supposed, entirely, the fault 
of our Dahlia raisers when indifferent results are obtained from 
varieties which the autumn before were particularly good. In 
many instances varieties which were full-centred flowers the 
first year quickly get so thin as to become open-eyed. All 
these different failings have always been met with in raising 
new flowers, and, in all probability, will continue, which brings 
me to the point of giving the subjoined short list of new 
varieties. Although some will drop out when tried the second 
time, yet amongst them are doubtless some which will still 
further improve the Cactus section. These must be looked 
upon as payment for those which are tried and found wanting. 
In looking through the list. I notice that seven varieties only 
secured the certificates of the three leading' committees— 
namely, the N.D.S., the R.H.S., and the London Dahlia Union. 
As a long season over which a, Dahlia will produce perfect 
bloom is a great advantage, I give these seven flowers first 
place, as they must, have been, in good form for some time. 
These were : — H. .1. Jones, a large flower, fine-petalled and 
good centre, primrose-yellow at base of petal, shading to pink 
at the tips, the pink shading being more noticeable early in 
the autumn at the first N.D.S. show. Yeiy fine as shown on. 
several occasions. Minnie West is large, incurving in form, 
primrose at base, pure white at tips, very promising. Eva, a. 
very pure white, incurved form and fine petals ; should become 
a welcome addition. Manxman, large flower, crimson, with 
purple shading, inclined to broaden at the base of petal, but 
a striking variety. Albion, white, slightly creamy near the 
centre, straight petals, fine at points, large full flowers. Etna, 
decided break in colour, being lilac and violet blended; form 
good and stem wiry; pleasing colour. Vesuvius, a fancy 
Cactus, with yellow ground, speckled and striped crimson. 
Very fine on several occasions last autumn, and an additional 
colour to this section. 
In all probability the above seven are amongst the very' 
finest. All the following were successful in taking two out of 
the three awards mentioned before, and are, in my opinion, 
all hopeful flowers : — 
Miss T. Cherry is carmine-pink, a pretty colour, with largo 
flowers of fairly good form. Coronation is a small flower of 
pretty form, veiy fine in petal, and bright red in colour. F. A. 
Wellesley is, a strong-stemmed flower, crimson and magenta, 
and a variety of some promise. F. H. Chapman has huge 
flowers with fine petals of deep orange colour. It was very 
fine at the N.D.S. when certificated. Mr. Seagrave is rose, 
shaded purple, long petals, twisted and pointed, forming a good 
flower. Winsome is a white, incurved form, with strong stem, 
somewhat weak centre as shown later. W. F. Balding is 
yellow, shading to salmon, full flower, large and showy, with 
claw-sha.ped petals. Mabel Tulloch is rosy-pink, with yellow 
centre, incurved in form, and a most attractive colour. Charm 
is quite a new shade of colour, unique in fact, being yellow 
and red, distinctly tipped white, and of good form. 
I now come to a few varieties which secured one award, and 
which it is more difficult to give an opinion upon, but which 
in some cases looked veiy fine on the occasion when certificated, 
in some instances not being again seen, and in others seeming 
to be unworthily overlooked by the committees. Those I saw 
to best advantage are most commented upon. Mrs. W. Cutli- 
bertson is deep crimson, a veiy fine flower, good form, and a 
most hopeful-looking variety. Princess is pale rose, attractive 
on account of coloyr, which is much wanted. Ella is salmon, 
with orange shadings, and of good form ; petals veiy long. H. 
F. Robertson is deep yellow, with very narrow petals, forming 
pretty blooms of refined appearance. Iantlie, shown veiy fine 
at the early N.D.S. Show, is an incurved form, and finest petals 
of great length. Colour, yellowish-salmon, but blended other 
colourings. Mabel Needs is a scarlet, large flower, with 
pointed petals and good appearance. Prince of Orange is 
yellow, shading to chrome, inclined to heaviness, but a striking 
flower. Redcap is brightest crimson, with finest of fine petals, 
and small blooms. Clarence Webb is mauve, overlaid with 
salmon, and having most approved claw-sliaped petals. Ray¬ 
mond Parks is a variety often seen good last autumn, with 
deep crimson, incurved form, and large flowers. 
Respecting novelty in the above varieties in the sense of 
being new forms, colours, or other breaks, the most notable 
are Charm, Vesuvius, and Coronation. Charm is particularly 
unique in colouring, as is also- Vesuvius of the fancies, whilst 
Coronation is bordering on the pompone Cactus. 
If I had to select a dozen of the best I should vote for the 
following; but this is hardly a fair test, as so many have 
almost an equal claim for a position, and several others may 
turn out best; the flowers are not placed in order of merit, 
as this is quite impossible:—Charm, H. J. Jones, Albion, 
Manxman, Eva, Vesuvius, Clarence Webb, Ianthe, Etna, Minnie 
West, Mrs. Cuthbertson, and F. H. Chapman. 
My notes would not be complete without mention of two or 
three which, though not blessed with a certificate, were most 
promising flowers. Amongst them were Ida, a very fine 
yellow; Phineas, scarlet, large and bold flower ; Harry Laing, 
pretty colour ; and Mrs. Dust in, bronzy yellow. C. D. 
Acacia acinacea. 
This species is by no means so well known as it should be, 
for it is a neat-growing shrub, flowers in a. small state, and is 
suitable alike for planting out in a border or for growing in 
pots. In tire Temperate House at Iyew a plant is now in full 
flower, and a sight of it would at once convince anyone of its 
value. Like most of the good-flowering species suitable for; 
indoors, it is an Australian plant, and, like many of the 
others, it has been known for many years, though it never 
seems to have been largely grown. It is of low stature and 
graceful outline. Its height is anything from 5 ft. to 8 ft, 
its branches being very thin, wiiy and pendent. The leaves 
are about J in. long and veiy narrow. The flowers are yellow 
and borne in small, fluffy balls from the. leaf-axils of last years 
wood, an inflorescence being borne from almost every axil. 
Like most other Acacias, this one is benefited by being rathei 
severely pruned after the flowers are over ; if an annual pruning 
is not given, this species in particular would soon become legg} 
and unsightly. Cuttings of young shoots 3 in. or I in., long, 
taken off with a slight heel of old wood, root quickly in a 
mixture of sand and peat if placed in a warm and close pro¬ 
pagating case. ^ . 
