THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 9, 1904. 
pages, -and, although arranged -alphabetically, a page of contents 
is given in the front- The first part of the catalogue deals with 
vegetables, and, as is customary with this northern firm, a good 
deal of information concerning cultivation is given with the 
different kinds of vegetables, and the varieties are also de¬ 
scribed, some of them at considerable length. Illustrations are 
fairly numerous, many of them being reproductions of photo¬ 
graphs and others woodcuts. Some of the Potatos which have 
been favourably spoken of during the boom which is still pro¬ 
ceeding are represented here, but merely in an instructive sort 
of way, in order to show the general features of the different 
varieties. The Factor has received excellent comments from 
many private and independent cultivators during the past 
season. Flowers are also represented by many pictures, in¬ 
cluding seven very good varieties of Cactus Dahlias. 
Messes. Dickson, Brown and Tait.— The catalogue of 
“ Garden Seeds ” issued by Messrs. Dickson, Brown -and Tait, 
43 and 45, Corporation Street, Manchester, runs to 66 pages, 
and though no attempt is made at ornament the catalogue is well 
illustrated, many of the reproductions from photographs being 
excellent both in the preparation and the printing. For in¬ 
stance, there are good photographic pictures of Peas, Beans, 
Asparagus, Celery, Leeks, Cabbages, Onions, Tomat-os, Sea 
Kale, etc. The pictures of Sweet Peas, Chinese Primulas, 
Stocks, Polyanthus, Poppies, Phloxes, annual Chrysanthemums, 
Calceolarias, etc., are -all very beautiful and lifelike. 
Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons.— The catalogue of the above 
well-known firm at Swanley, Kent, reached our table in all due 
time, and is filled with everything necessary for the garden, in¬ 
cluding many specialities grown by the firm in Kent. With 
exception of the front cover, with its handful of golden seeds, 
“ Cannell’s Herald of Spring,” as the catalogue is named, makes 
no attempt at ornamentation. There are, however, numerous 
illustrations consisting -of woodcuts and other pictures repro¬ 
duced from photographs. A great deal of cultural information, 
as well as descriptive matter, accompanies the vegetables and 
flowers. The end of the catalogue gives -a descriptive list of 
several of the best varieties of Strawberries, and fruit trees 
also get a little -attention. 
Me. John Forbes- —The catalogue of vegetable and flower 
seeds sent out by Mr. John Forbes, Buccleu-ch Nurseries, 
Hawick, N.B., deals with all kinds of seasonable requirements 
of the garden, especially in the matter of seeds. Prominence 
is also given to the specialities of this firm in the way of florist 
flowers, several races of which -are very successfully grown and 
seeded -at Hawick. The illustrations deal chiefly with florist 
flowers. 
Messes. Frank Dicks and Co.—T he catalogue of the above 
firm sent out from 68, Deansgate, Manchester, deals cliiefly 
with vegetable and flower seeds, the several kinds being accom¬ 
panied by cultural directions, descriptions, and other necessary 
information. Gladioli and Liliums are also dealt with as being 
bulbs that -are planted or potted up according to requirements. 
The number of Lilies is -considerable, leading us to hope that 
their, cultivation is extending. 
Messes. Dickson and Robinson. —The -above firm of seed mer¬ 
chants send out from Old Mill-gate, Manchester, a catalogue of 
63 pages, exclusive of a good index, dealing with both flowers 
-and vegetables. Many hardy perennials- are included in this 
catalogue, consisting of those from which it is possible 'to 
obtain a good, supply of fertile seeds. For instance, we notice 
Polyanthuses, Romneya Coulteri, perennial as well as annual 
Rudbeckias, Sc-a-bious, Lapageria rosea-, perennial Candytufts, 
Linuin, Kalanchoe flam-mea, and many others. Many illustra¬ 
tions are interspersed through-out the pages of the catalogue. 
Messrs, B. S. Williams and Son. —The seed catalogue sent 
out by Messrs. Williams, of the Victoria and Paradise Nur¬ 
series, Upper Holloway, N., deals with flowers and vegetables, 
many of which are illustrated by woodcuts- and reproductions 
from photographs. Many of t-he favourite perennials find a 
place amongst other necessities of the garden at this season of 
the year. The recently introduced Arctotis grandis receives 
favourable notice, and when we have a fine summer, with plenty 
of sunshine, we have no doubt that the above is a very orna¬ 
mental subject. It is particular, however, in the matter of 
weather. Most of the favourite garden flowers are represented 
by illustrations, including a number of the newer ones. 
Messes. Armitage Bros., Limited. —The seed manual of 
Messrs. Armita-ge Bros., Limited, Nottingham, includes plants 
and sundries, as well as all kinds of seeds for the garden. 
Amongst vegetables we notice that no less than ten varieties of 
new Peas are offered by the firm. Of course, these liav-e not 
been raised by the firm, who catalogues them as t-he produc¬ 
tions of other raisers. Other vegetables are dealt with in the 
same way, showing that the firm means to be up to date in the 
seeds offered its customers. The illustrations are very numerous, 
particularly amongst flowers, whole pages being devoted to 
different flowers, including varieties and races -of recent intro¬ 
duction. The illustrations certainly serve to give an idea of 
the habit of the plants or the form of the flowers of the recently 
introduced varieties, strains, and hybrids of popular garden 
flowers. 
Mr. D. W. Thomson. —The seed list of Mr. D. W. Thomson, 
113, George Street, Edinburgh, contains a descriptive list of all 
the vegetable and flower seeds required for the garden. A 
very useful list is that -of the miscellaneous flower seeds given 
in columns so as to furnish at- a glance an alphabetical list of 
the many garden flowers, with as much information in the space 
as possible. For instance, the first column gives the name, the 
second the duration of the plant, the third gives colour, the 
fourth height, the fifth price, and the sixth is reserved for 
remarks showing the purpose for which the plant is most suit¬ 
able. Many -abbreviations are used in these columns, but the 
abbreviations are described on the top of the first page of this 
tabulated list. Eight pages are devoted to this list of garden 
subjects, including plants for all purposes. The cover of the 
catalogue is ornamented with views of Princes Street Gardens, 
as they appeared last summer. 
Messrs. Little and Ballantyne. —The catalogue of “Garden 
Seeds ” issued by Messrs. Little and Ballantyne, Carlisle, follows 
the same arrangement adopted by the best got-up catalogues of 
the day by commencing with vegetables and following up with 
flowers in the second half of the catalogue. A number of illus¬ 
trations are given, the best being those reproduced from photo¬ 
graphs, and representing Peas, Melons, Onions, Tomatos, and 
sundry flowers- There are several novelties and specialities for 
1904 amongst the seeds of both vegetable's and flowers. 
Me. Albert F. Upstone, F.R.H.S.—The seed catalogue sent 
out by Mr. Upstone from 35, Church Street, and 1, Market 
Street, Rotherham, Yorks, includes some pictures of heavy crops 
of Peas on the covers. Vegetables and flowers receive abundant- 
recognition in the form of descriptive matter and a good few 
illustrations. Amongst vegetables are some new varieties of 
Peas, including a new dwarf sort raised from English Wonder, 
and growing somewhat taller than that usually does. The cata¬ 
logue also contains novelties in flower seeds of last year’s intro¬ 
duction -and -others of recent raising. 
Messrs. T. Methven and Sons. —From 15, Princes Street, 
Edinburgh, the above firm sent out- their “ Seed List ” for the 
present year. Vegetables are well represented by photographs 
of Peas, Tomatos, Potatos, and also woodcut illustrations. 
Various vegetables and flowers mentioned are arranged alpha¬ 
betically, with descriptive matter relative to each variety, while 
the latter p-art of the catalogue is devoted to a lengthy general 
list of flower seeds arranged in tabular form. Some attention 
is -also given to agricultural seeds of various cereals and root 
crops. To gardeners the alphabetical and tabular lists will 
come in handy. 
Primroses are in full bloom at Northallerton and in other 
places in the North Riding of Yorkshire. 
* * * 
Fruit Syndicates at Manchester.— Professor Robertson, 
liea-d of the Canadian Government Agricultural Depart¬ 
ment, left Liverpool on the 31st ult., by the Allan liner 
“ Ionian,” on his return home, completely restored to health, 
after several months’ absence on sick leave. On his arrival a 
vigorous renewal will be made of the attempt to capture the 
British market for Dominion produce. The Canadian claim 
that they are gaining on the Americans, and, if that be so, it 
seems rather ridiculous to tax the British consumer, as Mr. 
Chamberlain proposes, for the benefit of the colonists, who, on 
their own admission, already have the best of the produce trade. 
Although the capital of a great population, Manchester is de¬ 
clared to be inferior to Liverpool as a distributing centre for 
Canadian goods. In Apples especially Manchester is behind, 
because, it is stated, of the absence of competition among buyers, 
which, when the supply exceeds the demand, causes a drop of 
priees, and so makes Manchester an unprofitable market to the 
Canadian grower. Little syndicates are stated to exist in Man¬ 
chester, which “ arrange ” prices of colonial fruit among them¬ 
selves, whereas at Liverpool there is keen competition among 
buyers from all over England, with the result that better prices 
are realised. 
