January 14, 1905. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
37 
carried fifteen of its handsomely blotched and spotted flowers. 
Oncidium tigrinum was represented by large and well-grown 
plants, much finer, in fact, than we usually see this old but 
handsome and richly striped species. One plant had a spike 
carrying thirty-four flowers having six side branches. Another 
had even a larger panicle with a grand total of sixty-three 
flowers. These blooms seemed as large as those produced on 
smaller plants. One of the species shown in this group re¬ 
ceived an Award of Merit—namely, Cypripediurn Alcibiades, 
as described in our last issue, page 15. 
_ , of. 
Trade Notices. 
Messrs. Toogood’s Garden Seeds. 
We have received a copy of the Garden Seed Guide for 
1905 sent out by Messrs. Toogood and Sons, Southampton. It 
is a bulky publication of some 144 pages dealing with 
vegetables in the first portion and flower seeds in the second 
half. Messrs. Toogood tell us that they supply the King 
and cottagers with, exactly the same seeds. They also 
record the fact that Mr. Thomas Wilkins, late gardener 
to Lady Guest, was one of their customers and won 5,000 
prizes, including cups, gold and silver medals, etc. 
Numerous photographic and other illustrations represent 
the varieties of vegetables which they offer, including an 
Onion named Southampton Champion, which, according 
to measurement, was over 7 in. in diameter. A field of 
Onions also shows their relative numbers and size upon 
the ground. Peas are amply represented by some of the 
firm’s own introductions, as well as the standard varieties 
that have long been in cultivation. Potatos also receive 
ample attention at the hands of the firm. Being large 
growers of flowers for seed purposes, several of the fields 
are here represented. All the ordinaiy run of florists’ 
flowers, annuals and popular greenhouse flowers repre¬ 
sented by photographs show a great range of variation in 
colour. Sweet Peas are classified according to colour, and 
tlie best new and old varieties included. Throughout the 
guide much information is given concerning different sub¬ 
jects which cannot fail to be of service to all concerned. 
Mr. William Deal, F.R.H.S. 
The Catalogue of Seed Potatos sent out by Mr. William 
Deal, F.R.H.S., Brooklands, Kelvedon, Essex, shows a 
number of well-known new varieties by reproductions 
from photographs. He also gives a considerable amount 
of information respecting several of the varieties which he 
offers. In order to test the cropping capabilities of dif- 
fei ent vai leties, he cut a number of them into ten sets to 
the pound, planting these and then calculating the weight 
produced from this pound of seed. The comparison can¬ 
not fail to be interesting to Potato growers, and although 
we cannot always agree that the biggest Potato or the 
heaviest cropper is the best for home use, nevertheless, 
there are, no doubt, useful purposes for all the kinds.’ 
The fertility of the new kinds compares well with that 
of older varieties. 
Mr. David W. Thomson. 
The outside covers of the annual Seed List of Mr. David 
horn son, 113, George Street, Edinburgh, are ornamented w 
two illustrations of the Princes Street Gardens, Edinbur< 
s lowing what an array of beds may now be seen durino- \ 
summer-time alongside the finest thoroughfare in the ci 
1 he list, itself contains a descriptive arrangement of the varic 
vegetable and flower seeds offered. Peas are classified 
early, second, general and late crops, thus facilitating the wc 
oi those who want Peas for any given purpose. Flower see 
are dealt with in the same way, each variety offered bei 
described according to colour and general features. The 1 
ot miscellaneous flower seeds shows the different kinds arram 
m tabular form, with descriptions of their duration, coin 
height and remarks indicating their most useful features a 
what they are best suited for. All other useful garden -un- 
dries will also bo found in the seed list. 
Messrs. Stuart and Mein’s Gardening Guide. 
One of the features of the Gardening Guide put out by 
the above firm of Kelso, Scotland, gives some information on- 
ceriiing their champion Cabbage competition. The conb -r 
will be divided between gardeners in the north and south, so 
that one may not have the advantage of the other owing to a 
difference in climate. All the useful vegetables here listed 
are amply described and much information given with regard 
to tlie cultivation of each kind. This should be of advantage 
to amateurs as well as professional or experienced men. Messrs. 
Stuart and Mein are well known for the fine collection of Car¬ 
nations which they cultivate, and it may here be stated that 
they offer seeds collected from their splendid strain. 
Messrs Dickson, Chester. 
The above firm sends out a catalogue of 91 pages, exclusive 
of the ample index, giving particulars of vegetables and flower 
seeds, as well as various requisites necessary in all gardens. 
Both vegetables and flowers are represented by numerous illus- 
Cypripeoium Noci. (See page 29.) 
trations, and amongst the Potatos we notice two new varieties 
—namely, Eastern Planet and Dunbar Monarch, which appear 
to be handsome tubers of slightly flattened character and use¬ 
ful for exhibition purposes as far as form is concerned. Judg¬ 
ing from the descriptions, they are also of excellent quality as 
well as appearance. 
Mr. John Forbes. 
The Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower Seeds sent out by 
Mr. John Forbes, Buccleueh Nurseries, Hawick, Scotland, is 
out in good time, and shows that he gives a considerable 
amount of attention to seeds of a great variety of kinds, inde¬ 
pendently of the florists’ flowers, of which lie is an acknowledged 
master, and which are usually sent out in the form of plants. 
Both vegetables and flower seeds are arranged alphabetically, 
and each variety is described according to colour and the pur- 
