156 
THE a ARDEN I NO WORLD . 
February 20, 1904. 
only partially acquainted with the nature of the plants will 
be able' to> judge of their real character and ornamental value. 
Messrs. John K. King and Sons, Coggeshall, Essex, send 
out their spring catalogue' of seeds, etc., for the garden. This 
contains some coloured plates, including one of culinary 1 eas 
with very long pods, and another of Sweet Peas, representing 
certain varieties which are here named. This latter picture is 
well executed, though some of the shades of colour may not 
be precisely identical with the originals. The illustration 
of Peas shows certain varieties raised by Messrs. King and 
Sons, containing eleven to thirteen .seeds each. Numerous 
other illustrations are given throughout the catalogue repre¬ 
senting vegetable®, flowers', and the grounds' where some of the 
seeds are grown. Most of the popular types of florist flowers 
and annuals are represented by good woodcuts. In the middle 
of the catalogue is a chapter on the cultivation of many kinds 
of vegetables. Much information is also given throughout 
the body of the-catalogue in reference to the various subjects 
enumerated, and where the' varieties are' relatively new or little 
known a full description is given for the benefit of all con¬ 
cerned. A good index also' shows where everything is to be 
found, notwithstanding the fact that the generic names in the 
body of the work are also arranged alphabetically. A ready 
reference in a catalogue is always of primary importance to 
the busy man, and here' be is well served. 
Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Hither Green, Lewisham, 
S.E., apart from his “ Chrysanthemum Guide,” sends out a. 
Catalogue of new Chrysanthemums, Seeds, and Plants. Very 
few illustrations are given in this work, which is confined to his 
several specialities, occupying something like 110 pages, a 
considerable amount of space being devoted to his chief 
speciality the Chrysanthemum, giving new and old varieties. 
His list of new and choice' Japanese Chrysanthemums 1 , either 
raised by himself or introduced by him, numbers twenty-seven, 
some of which have been recognised by First-class Certificates. 
He also cultivate® a very large collection of Michaelmas 
Daisies, of which he has at different times brought large 
groups before? the public. Some are grown in pots, and others 
in the open ground. Other specialities are tuberous Begonia®, 
Gannas, Carnations, Cactus Dahlias, Fuchsias, Gloxinias, show, 
regal and decorative varieties of Pelargoniums, Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums, etc. The catalogue also deals' with good 
standard varieties of all the leading vegetables. 
Mr. John Forbes, Hawick, Scotland, now-sends out his 
catalogue of florists’ flowers and hardy border plants. Some 
of the -specialities which do well at Hawick are Carnations', 
border and laced Pinks, mule Pinks, early-flowering Chry¬ 
santhemums, Dahlias of all the leading classes, Delphiniums, 
Gaillardias, Paeonies, show and fancy Pansies, Violas, Phloxes, 
Antirrhinums, East Lothian Stocks, etc. Herbaceous plants 
also do well here, as they do in most parts of Scotland if in 
any way hardy ; and even where they seem to get injured in 
the south they may do well in the north, probably because 
the greater amount of moisture in summer is more beneficial 
to them than the cold of winter does harm. Numerous, small 
illustrations serve to give the beginner an idea of the habit 
of the plant, while, of course', all the plants are properly de¬ 
scribed with height, colour, and other necessary particulars 
under each respective name. 
Messrs. James Cocker and Sons, Union Street, Aberdeen, 
send out a. “ Useful Catalogue of Vegetables and Flower Seeds, 
Bedding Plants, Florists’ Flowers, etc.” Lists are given of all 
the more useful vegetables and flowers, each different variety 
being suitably described. Florists’ flowers come in for a. con¬ 
siderable amount of attention, the collections grown at their 
Morningfield Nurseries 'being fairly extensive. In order to 
be up-to-date they offer a considerable number of novelties and 
specialities of recent introduction, both of vegetables and 
flowers. These are printed on paper of a. different colour, so 
that the attention of the reader is readily drawn to these novel¬ 
ties. Among florists’ flowers are a good many beautiful 
varieties of recent introduction, but the Sweet. Peasi are even 
more numerous. Of course, we have been familiar with most 
of the varieties of Sweet Peas here mentioned, though it may 
be true to say that they are of recent, introduction. They have 
also been well tried and found reliable. 
Messrs. Dickson, Brown, and Tait, Corporation Street, Man¬ 
chester.—Tire “ Farm Seed Catalogue ” of this firm is now on 
our table', and shows that they do a considerable amount of 
business in this line. The illustrations of vegetables and 
grasses are numerous, and a coloured plate of some Swedes 
has been very well executed, showing all the characteristic 
features of two varieties. Other photographic illustrations 
deal with varieties of Turnips, Mangolds, etc. 
The Native Gnano Co., Ltd.. 29, New Bridge Street, Black- 
friars, London, E.C., sends out a catalogue consisting chiefly 
of testimonials from customers who have used native guano. 
Lists are given of the yield of wheat per acre in the various 
counties of England, as well as in Scotland, obtained by appli¬ 
cations of their manure, varying from 1 cwt. to. 10 cwt. per 
acre. The .last is usually applied to land that is very poor, 
and yet very decent crops are obtained from the use of this 
manure. This refers chiefly to agriculture, but the guano is 
equally applicable to various garden crops, such as Carrots, 
Turnips, Beet, Potatos, Strawberries, Onions, Leeks, Celery, 
Rhubarb., Gooseberries, Vines, Tomato®, and various pot plants, 
such as Sweet. Peas, Begonias, Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Chry¬ 
santhemums, Ferns, Lilies, Arums, etc. Indeed, native guano 
seems to have been employed for the' rearing of almost ©very 
garden crc-p, and the' results must have been excellent consider¬ 
ing the number of appreciative testimonials which have been 
given by different cultivators, and whose names here appear 
in support of their testimony. The catalogue runs to seventy- 
six pages, of which all except eleven are occupied with testi¬ 
monials from various parts of Britain and Ireland. 
Richardia elliottiana. 
This lovely Lily, it seems, will never gain the popularity 
that Richardia africana hasi done for itself, although it. is quite 
easy to do 1 , providing anyone has a suitable house for it. The 
reason why SO' many people fail with it is. because they do not. 
give it its proper season of rest. No. time should be lost, in 
making a. start with it if not already done. A nice open com¬ 
post should be prepared for it. of the following: —One part 
good turfy loam, one leaf-mould, and some well-decayed 
manure. Droppings from an old Mushroom bed would do 
quite well, and a,, dash of sand or road grit, and all well mixed 
together. Then the bulb should be shaken clean out. of the 
old soil and potted in thei above, then placed in the stove to 
start, or, better still, if a hot-bed is at hand, they should be 
plunged in that. 
After they have started they should be brought as near to 
the glass as possible to' prevent, them from becoming drawn and 
weakly, and as the pots get full of roots they must be fed 
liberally with weak manure-water. Manure-water made from 
sheep’s droppings is a. capital thing for them, also an occa¬ 
sional watering with soot-water is. beneficial to them. By the 
beginning of May the flower spa.the will be showing, and as 
these open the plants should be removed to a cooler house, 
where they last much longer than if left, in the stove. They 
also last well in drawing-rooms, providing they are not placed 
in the cold draught, where a nice basket or stand can be made 
up. They are sure to be appreciated, as they are so much 
showier than the common white species. 
After they have done flowering they should be placed on a 
shelf in the vinery, but water should not. be withheld until 
all the foliage has died down, when they should be placed right 
in the' sun and get a. good baking. Then good results would he 
forthcoming for another year. The main object, is to give 
them as long a season of rest as possible, and a. short one of 
growth. So' that they should receive' no check whatever when 
growing, they require plenty of heat and moisture, and to 
be a.s near the glass as possible when growing. They will re¬ 
quire a little shade if the sun is too strong for them. This 
applies to R. Pentlandii, R. aura.ta., and others. J. 0. 
