38 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
January 14, 1905. 
poses for which they are used, particularly in the case of the 
less common types. 
Messrs William Paul and Son. 
Some time ago we gave an account of the splendid Rose cata¬ 
logue sent out by this firm, but the catalogue of seeds now to 
hand shows that keen attention is also given to a great variety 
of other subjects distributed in the form of seeds. Amongst Peas 
we notice such excellent and recently raised varieties as Edwin 
Beckett, King Edward VII., The Pilot, and others. Suffi¬ 
ciently ample description is given with each variety to enable 
the gardener to select those most calculated to meet the re¬ 
quirements of the establishment under his care. Amongst 
flower seeds, a new strain of dwarf, large-flowered hybrids is 
offered, consisting of varieties of Schizanthus that attain a 
height of 12 in., forming bushy plants laden with flowers of 
most peculiar form, and comparable to <h'chids as much as any 
thing. In the general list of flower seeds the names of the 
different varieties are alphabetically arranged in tabular form, 
o-iving colour, height, duration, and a considerable amount of 
useful information concerning their uses and the various situa¬ 
tions in which they prove most suitable and desirable in the 
garden. 
Messrs. Methven and Sons. 
The annual Seed List sent out by Messrs. T. Methven and 
Sons, 15, Princes Street, Edinburgh, has been on our table for 
some time, and is devoted to flowers and vegetables which have 
hitherto given most satisfaction amongst their customers. 
These seeds are annually selected with the 1 greatest care, and 
the result amply justifies their recommendations. Cultural In¬ 
structions are given under each kind of vegetable which will be 
useful as reminders when the proper season comes for sowing. 
A fine list of herbs which they offer would give indication that 
such are coming more into favour again, because we feel cer¬ 
tain that less than a half of the different kinds would have been 
sufficient for the average private establishment not so many 
years ago, and, nevertheless, all these are old and well-tried 
kinds which have been rather neglected in recent years. The 
flower seeds are followed by a general list, in which a very 
l ar ge number of kinds is tabulated in alphabetical order, with 
illustrations of many interesting kinds. 
Messrs. Rowntree Bros. 
Messrs. Rowntree Bros., seedsmen, Chelmsford and London, 
issue a very handsome catalogue in stiff covers, the front of 
which is ornamented with pink, yellow and crimson Roses, set 
off with a variety of other plants for greenery, the whole being 
on a o-olden ground. The back cover has coloured illustrations 
of four varieties of fancy Pansies, which lend themselves 
admirably to this kind of work, more so now than the old show 
type would have done. We think the catalogue might have 
been improved by an index referring to the pages on which 
everything listed is to be found. We note, however, that both 
vegetable C and flower seeds are arranged alphabetically, with 
the exception, perhaps, of garden Peas, which obtain the pride 
of place on the first page of many modern catalogues of 
admitted repute. Many varieties are given, together with 
ample descriptions concerning the high quality and other par¬ 
ticulars about the same. They are also classified according to 
the season in which they come into use. Illustrations of the 
various vegetables are numerous, and they are also admirably 
executed, for which the stiff, smooth paper is to a large extent 
responsible. Onions also receive a considerable amount of 
attention, the different varieties being fully discussed and 
their various merits pointed out, while directions as to time of 
sowing and the kind of soil most suitable are given. Amongst 
Tomatos, Rowntree’s Chelmsford Beauty is a new one, pro¬ 
ducing large bunches of round, smooth fruits of a suitable size 
either"for dessert, or other purposes. Flowers are as liberally 
dealt with as vegetables, being arranged alphabetically, and 
much information given respecting them. Amongst good illus¬ 
trations we may point out Aquilegias, double tuberous Be¬ 
gonias, Calceolarias, Campanulas, Carnations, Ervngium 
amethvstinum, Shirley Poppies, Verbenas, Wallflowers, and 
others. 
Messrs. Fisher, Son and Sibray. 
A useful catalogue of some seventy-two pages, exclusive of a 
good index, is sent out by Messrs. Fisher, Son and Sibray, 
limited, Royal Nurseries, Handsworth, near Sheffield. Peas 
take the leading place at the beginning of the catalogue and in¬ 
clude a large number of well-known standard varieties capable 
of keeping up a succession over a long period. The Pilot is 
listed amongst the new varieties offered. The pages of the 
catalogue are freely illustrated, representing typical or standard 
varieties, and some of their own favourites sent out by the 
film. Potatos include a number of the new heavy cropping 
varieties concerning which so much has been heard during the 
past year or two. Amongst the new varieties, Sir John Llew¬ 
ellyn adds an acquisition to the first early kidney varieties as 
admitted by most growers of Potatos. Flowers are also re¬ 
presented by many illustrations, and are amply described in 
alphabetical order. Those who take the trouble to look into 
the list will find it a very lengthy and exhaustive one of good 
and useful things for the garden. 
Mr. Titus Rime. 
During the past few years Mr. T. Kime, Mareham-le-Fen, 
Boston, Lines, has been giving marked attention to the intro¬ 
duction of new varieties of Potatos calculated to be heavy 
croppers, disease-resisting, and able to hold their own from a 
commercial point of view. Some varieties may be put out that 
do not come up to the expectations which are held concerning 
them, but the wheat gets separated from the chaff in the course 
of a few years, and the wheat conies to stay. In his catalogue 
of Potatos for this year, he gives illustrations of a typical tuber 
of Northern Star, a field of plants of this variety as well as 
excellent illustrations of Evergood and Sir John Llewellyn, all 
of which are now considered worthy of extended cultivation. 
Sharp s Express and Royal Kidney are less known to the 
general public, but during the past year a good opinion of them 
has been growing. The last-named of these two varieties gave 
a crop at the rate of 17 tons per acre. It is a new variety 
strongly recommended by Mr. Kime, who said he never wished 
to see finer quality. Some of the new varieties of which we 
have seen tubers this year were of enormous size—too large, in 
fact, for table use—but this may have been the fault of cul¬ 
tivation rather than the variety. Provided the Potato gives 
tubers of medium and useful size and has cooking qualities to 
recommend it, there is no reason for planting for the mere 
purpose of getting size. The latter part of the catalogue is 
devoted to testimonials written by various people of which a 
facsimile is here represented. Even cuttings from newspapers 
representing what lias been said of certain varieties in the 
neighbourhood of different towns are represented just as cut 
from the papers, with the written comments of the senders. 
This is a new departure in cataloguennaking on any extensive 
scale, but it at least shows what the writers’ opinions are re¬ 
garding the varieties named in their communications. 
Messrs. Cutbush and Son. 
The Catalogue of Flower, Vegetable and Farm Seeds sent, 
out by Messrs. William Cutbush and Son, Highgate 1 , London, 
runs to eighty-four pages, including a list of novelties, chiefly 
vegetables, occupying twelve pages. Some of the space, how¬ 
ever, is occupied with the illustrations representing the new 
varieties recorded. Considerable interest will be centred in 
the grand new Pea, Edwin Beckett, which is here represented 
by a photograph of pods full size, one of which is open, showing 
that it contains nine large seeds. Some of our correspondents 
during the past season spoke favourably of this new variety 
either for culinary purposes or exhibition. It was raised by 
Mr. E. Beckett himself. Two other new varieties of Peas nre 
here described, together with several new dwarf French Beans, 
Runner Beans, and a new Long Pod Bean. Brussels Sprouts, 
Cabbages, Carrots, Celery, Onions, Tomatos and Potatos all 
have, had additions made to them in the form of well-tested 
varieties now being put into commerce. Melons and Cucum¬ 
bers are also represented by some of the most recent produc¬ 
tions in this special line. The rest of the catalogue is a well 
got-up production in which the varieties offered are described. 
Amongst the flowers, however, illustrations are much more 
numerous, including perennial species of which seeds are only 
occasionally offered. There can lie little doubt, however, that 
