70 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
January 28, 1905, 
lies in the fact that they bloom in winter when not only Orchids, 
but most flowers are relatively scarce. They also have the 
merit of being - not merely common flowers, but scarce, and 
even unique. _ 
Pteris palmata argenteo-striata. 
A coloured illustration of this new variety of Fern appears 
ia the January number of the “ Revue de bhorticulture 
Beige.” It is characterised by having silvery-white stripes 
running from near the midrib of each of the larger segments 
towards its edges, and thesei are apparently sufficiently 
numerous to render the variety distinct and attractive to those 
who fancy variegated Ferns. 
For the benefit of those who have not given Ferns any 
special attention, we may say that P. palmata belongs.to a 
section of the genus named Dory opt eris and sometimes used as 
a generic name. The plants themselves are rather distinct in 
appearance, inasmuch as the fronds are short, more or less 
triangular and divided on the palmate plan. The principal 
divisions all originate from one point at the top of the leaf¬ 
stalk and radiate in different directions. These again are 
divided once or twice, giving the ultimate segments more or 
less a wedge-shaped form. This species is also notable from 
the fact that it gives rise to young Ferns somewhere on the 
upper surface of the fronds, and these may be taken off and 
rooted as separate plants. The species may also be pro¬ 
pagated to any extent by means of spores, which are freely 
produced. 
Hitherto, the species has not given rise to any appreciably 
distinct variety, and according to Mr. Charles Pynaert, the 
variegated form is as robust as the type, and the fronds have 
a very decorative aspect. The variety appeared in the cul¬ 
tures of M. Arthur van den Heede, a Fern specialist at Ghent, 
who exhibited the plant at a meeting of the Syndical Chamber 
of Belgian Horticulturists on May 1st last year, when he was 
accorded a Certificate of Merit for his novelty. 
Lachenalia d’Anconae. 
Whatever the origin of this form, it' seems to have been 
raised by the crossing of others in gardens, and appears closety 
allied to L. tricolor quadricolor. The flowers are similar in 
size, borne in a short raceme and pale in colour. The inner 
segments are broad at the apex and yellow tinted with light 
purple. The outer segments are of course always shorter, and 
here they are yellow tipped with green. Each bulb produces 
two leaves about 1 in. to 6 in. in length, oblong and green or 
only finely marked. A basket of this plant lias been flowering 
for some time past in the greenhouse No. 4 at Kew. 
Sangumaria canadensis major grandiflora. 
This glorified form of the Blood-root, is after all worthy 
its rather elaborate name, for in comparison with the type 
from which it sprang it does certainly bear large, and even 
grand flowers. 
The ordinary Sanguinaria canadensis is well worth growing, 
its clean-looking blooms, pushing up direct from the soil, doing- 
much to embellish the border or rockery, but grown beside 
the major form it stands very much in the rear in point of 
attractiveness, so vastly superior is the latter. When a choice 
and elegant flower is required for a special position on the 
rockery, this large-flowered Blood-root should not be forgotten, 
as it is by no means difficult to grow if planted in deep, fairly 
light soil, while both flowers and foliage are exquisitely 
beautiful. Heather Bell. 
Hardiness of Heaths. —During the prevalence of snow, 
frost, and piercing east winds, the hardy Heaths are amongst 
the few tilings in the open air which do not seem to mind the 
state of the weather. They are keeping their appointed time 
notwithstanding the state of the weather. 
Trade Notices, 
Mr. Charles W. Breadmore. 
An Exhibitors’ Guide and Seed Catalogue has been sent out 
by Mr. Charles W. Breadmore, 120, High Street, Winchester. 
It is printed in blue ink on good paper, and looks neat and 
clean. Vegetables and flowers are here listed in the customary 
style, but much useful information concerning the cultivation 
of various vegetables is given in the beginning of tire work. 
Much attention is given to Sweet Peas, which are one of Mr. 
Breadmore’s leading specialities. During the past year he came 
sc much to the front at the Sweet Pea Exhibition at the Crystal 
Palace that he may be said to have taken all the leading prizes 
of any importance, surprising all concerned. He gives various 
classifications: and collections for different purposes, with 
novelties extending from 1904 right back to 1901. The best of 
the colours are also listed in their respective places. Rpses, 
Dahlias, and,fruit trees are also features of the catalogue. 
Messrs. Alexander Cross and Sons, Limited. 
The Garden Seed Catalogue of Messrs. Alexander Cross and 
Sons, Limited^ 19, Hope Street, Glasgow, is devoted to descrip¬ 
tive and alphabetical lists of the various useful kinds of vege¬ 
tables and flowers. Hood illustrations are given representing 
the true character of the plants indicated. Besides well-known 
standard sorts of vegetables, some of the recent acquisitions are 
also given. The list of seed Potatos has been largely aug¬ 
mented in tliis respect with varieties now getting admitted to be 
of primary importance for extensive cultivation. In the way of 
flowers we note a considerable number of selected strains and 
novelties of recent introduction, including Antirrhinum Queen 
of the North, Aster Victoria Miss Roosevelt, annual Chrysan¬ 
themums', Cockscombs 1 , Nicot.iana Sanderae, Poppy Miss Sher¬ 
wood, Schizanthus wisetonensis, and various others. A lengthy 
list of flowers arranged in tabulated form gives 'descriptions 
that will be useful in making selections. 
Messrs. E. W. King and Co. 
A Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower Seeds is being sent out 
by Messrs. E. W. King and Co., Coggeshall, Essex, the covers 
of which are adorned with coloured illustrations of Sweet Peas 
in accordance with the fact that they are Sweet Pea specialists. 
A great variety of seeds, however, is grown by them, and amongst 
vegetables we note that they offer new varieties of Broad Beans, 
Runner Beans, Brussels Sprouts, Tomatos, and various others. 
Garden Peas include old and new sorts, and some of the firm’s 
productions. Many varieties have also been added to the list 
of Potatos. Some pictures are given of a field of Sweet Peas, 
showing the floriferous character of the sarnie. Many other sub¬ 
jects come under notice, and the whole includes a general list 
of vegetables and flowers for the garden. 
Messrs. Vilmorin-Andrieux and Co. 
The General Catalogue of Seeds sent out by Messrs. Vilmorin- 
Andrieux and Co., 4, Quai de la Megisserile, Paris, is a very 
bulky publication, running to 195 pages, and including an 
immense variety of vegetable, flower, tree, and shrub seeds and 
cereals. A perusal of the- catalogue -gives a good idea of the 
extensive character of the business done by the leading Paris 
firm. Illustrations of the various types are freely used througn- 
out. Plants grown from bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, and other 
forms of root are also dealt with, and each kind described. A 
list of novelties enclosed in the catalogue contains new vege- 
tables and flowers, some of which we have recently mentioned 
in our pages. 
Messrs. John Jefferies and Son, 
A good illustrated Catalogue -of Vegetables and Flowers is 
published by Messrs. John Jefferies and Son, Cirencester. 
Illustrations are used on most of the pages. Amongst vege¬ 
table novelties we note a new Pea named Magnificent, which 
bears pods of moderate length, but well packed with seeds of 
large size. A large collection of standard sorts is also classified 
into early, second, and general crop. The Shasta Daisy evi¬ 
dently flowers very well at Cirencester, judging from a photo¬ 
graph here given of a large plant. 
SwAxwrcK Branch of tiif. Fruit Growers’ Federation. — V e 
are surprised to learn that the above association, a branch of 
the London one, at a meeting recently held decided to secede 
from the parent federation, and endeavour to start an inde¬ 
pendent local body. Mr. F. Andrews presided, and Mr. Dim- 
mick proposed that an association be formed, with an annual 
subscription of 5s. This motion was seconded and carried. 
It is significant, however, that most of those present voted 
neither way. Notwithstanding this, the majority joined the 
new association before leaving the room. 
