57u 
THE QaKDE/\U\(J WORLD. 
•July 4, 1903. 
live' in a bunch, and are pale rosy-pink suffused with salmon and 
yellow at the base of the petals. 
Possibly the public are even better acquainted with Dorothy 
Perkins, which may be described as a hybrid wichuriana rather 
than a rambler, the last named being the seed parent, which 
was crossed with the pollen of Mine. Gabriel Luizet. The plant 
is of drooping or semi-pendent habit, so that it is suitable either 
for growing as a pillar Rose or as a standard. Under the latter 
conditions its drooping habit should entitle it to be called a 
weeping Rose, like those of the others raised from wichuriana. 
In order to show the character of the weeping Rose as 
described, we give an illustration of Rosa wichuriana itself 
grafted or budded standard high. The drooping branches, with 
small shining leaves, are very pretty even when not in bloom. 
The flowers of this species are white, and might be compared 
to those of our native Field Rose, being precisely similar m 
habit. If planted in the open ground the stems ramble freely 
over the soil, forming a close carpet. During the course of 
years successive stems are developed in layers one above the 
other, so- that in the course of time the plant forms an elevated 
heap somewhat like a table, and this is very much the be¬ 
haviour of our Field Rose. Although this is the habit, of the 
plant when left to its own resources, it may be trained into any 
form at'pleasure, and will give equal satisfaction. 
As a pillar Rose it answers admirably. It may also be 
trained over arches or fastened to walls ; but, being perfectly 
hardy, we should not advocate training in that fashion, as the 
leaves are more liable to be injured with red spider. Further¬ 
more, when budded standard high, tin*branches, droop around 
the parent stem, somewhat, in umbrella fashion, and in the 
course of a few years the plant, becomes quite a handsome 
weeper. The illustration we give represents a. very young 
plant- that has not yet attained the symmetry it. may be ex¬ 
pected to do in the course of two or three years. All of the 
hybrids of R. wichuriana behave in the same way, and can 
be used for similar purposes. 
We may refer readers to- Rosa, rugosa repens alba, figured on 
page 464. In that illustration merely the surface of a. huge 
bush is shown and the numerous large white flowers which it 
produces. The figure, however, gives no idea of the strange 
habit, of the plant. The principal stems are arching, some^ 
times very curiously contorted, resembling the form of some of 
the Japanese pigmy trees which have been made to assume 
curious forms by artificial means. In this case, however, the 
contorted and twisted stems are perfectly natural. At a short 
distance, however, this is not observable when the plant is in 
growth or bloom, because then they are mostly hidden with the 
wealth of foliage and blossom. It was the result, of crossing 
R. rugosa with R. wichuriana, two very unlikely Roses to use 
together as parents. The flowers have much longer petals than 
those of R. rugosa, so that it is perfectly distinct, and worthy 
of being used as a decorative garden Rose. 
Messrs. Paul continue to employ themselves actively in the 
raising of new Roses by the crossing of suitable species and 
varieties. They have already raised a. large number, but we 
are likely to see many more in the near future. They also 
raise Rhododendrons, and we noted a. very fine one named 
Helen Paul. A number have been raised from Rhododendron 
Fortunei crossed with the best hybrids of R. ponticum. The 
leaves and flowers of the race vary, and the flowers being large 
and vigorous, they vary with from five to seven segments each. 
Helianthtmuiii formosum. 
A robust, woody, erect-growing species, attaining a height 
of 18 in., forming a freely-branched plant with tomentose 
stems and spathulate hairy leaves. The flowers, which are 
very freely ]n’oduced and rich yellow, have at the base of 
each petal a distinct dark spot. Masses of this plant, are most 
effective, whilst its habit forms a contrast to that of the trail¬ 
ing appearance of the more frequently met H. vulgare. Native 
of Portugal. 
Potato Growth. 
So far as I have seen Potato 1 breadths in many directions 
I have observed large' quantities of the plants are very weak 
It does look strange to find one patch distinctly weak and un¬ 
even in, appearance, and another close by quite strong and 
even. To what these divergences' are due it is difficult to say. 
I am just now referring to what is seen on allotments, and par¬ 
ticularly to one' large group of some 250 plots. In such case 
not only are there planted many varieties of Potatos, but 
seed tubers have come from many diverse sources. 
There seems to be room in such a matter for an inquiry, as. 
whilst in so. many breadths this irregular and weak growth is 
seen, it is evident that, great loss to the nation must result. 
As my experience so far relates to southern breadths, it would 
be interesting to learn how far growth may be similar or much 
better in, the north, and if better, then does it seem as if 
climate, had great, effect in producing seed tubers of greater 
stamina and productiveness than southern districts do. 
Still further, it may be possible, assuming that the northern 
breadths are better, that, not only do. tubers ripen rather later 
there than they do south, buti also that they winter more rest- 
fully than is the case southwards. Down here let the season 
be cold even, it is not, possible to keep tubers absolutely at 
rest. If stored densely, such as in pits, tubs, or heaps, they 
heat somewhat and eyebuds soon become active. It is then 
that, great waste of stamina, ensues, as these precocious shoots 
have to be pulled off. It is no wonder if seed tubers so treated 
break badly and give poor plant growth. But even if spread 
out quite thinly on shelves or in shallow boxes and kept ever 
so cool, still, a,S' the spring advances] shoots will develop, and 
these must be carefully preserved by full exposure, so that 
they harden when so treated ; there should be no manifest 
weakness ; yet many plants do manifest weakness all the same. 
The inference, therefore, though it may be a false one, is 
that there is something in the southern climate that does 
militate against the robustness of seed tubers. 
For several seasons I have planted Surrey-grown seed tubers, 
yet apparently for size, all being carefully selected, of the 
most, perfect, and sound description, yet the growth never is 
satisfactory. To test the effect of later planting, I this year 
did that work a, fortnight, later than in previous years, putting 
the tubers into furrows 5 in. deep. This was done so late as 
April 28th. But, in spite of all the care taken, the tops are 
weak again, and I am puzzled and disappointed. I am lookin': 
with considerable interest to a trial of twenty-eight varietis' 
planted on sand, on April 23rd, the ground having been well 
prepared for the purpose. The tubers—all planted with great 
care, in furrows.—came from Reading, Rothesay, AVordsley 
Boston, and Elstree, with a few Surrey grown. This trial 
should enable me to see which lots show the most, robo t 
growth. I have not seen them since planting, as they ire in, 
a remote, place. ' A. Dean. 
Veronica Traversii. 
At Ivew this is the hardiest of the larger-growing species of 
shrubby Veronicas 1 out of doors, for, although it has been killed 
or baldly injured by very severe frosts, it has stood unharmed 
through winters which have destroyed or seriously crippled' 
many other specie®. As, is the case with the majority of the 
shrubby Veronicas, it, is, a, native of New Zealand. At Kew ii 
make a large, dense bush 34 ft. to 4 ft. high, with a diameter 
of the same dimensions. The leaves are small, scarcely f in. 
long and \ in. wide, dark green and glossy. The flowers are 
in axillary racemes 3 in. to 4 in. long, white, or white tinged 
with lilac in colour. It can be increased with ease by mean; 
of cuttings, especially in the middle of summer, and good, 
plants are quickly made. In places where it. stands t he wintei 
well it forms a useful addition to the list of evergreen shrubs 
it being one with the extra, advantage of being a really good 
flowering shrub. W. D. 
