264 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 1, 1905. 
Webbs’ New Kaiser Pea. 
Amongst, vegetable products that are grown in the Kinver 
trial grounds of Messrs. Webb and Sons, Wordsley, Stour¬ 
bridge, Peas come in for a large share of attention. A fairly 
extensive piece of ground is devoted to them and several rows 
are usually grown of all those new varieties under trial in 
order to determine their cropping and other qualities before 
any attempt is made to put them into commerce. Some years 
usually elapse before trials of Peas are regarded as conclusive. 
The reasons for this are that new Peas are liable to vary or even 
to sport, dependent upon their origin, while the varying 
seasons also act upon them favourably or prejudicially. 
The variety under notice is now being put into commerce 
by the firm as a novelty. It was the result of cross fertilisa¬ 
tion repeated through more than one generation. The stems 
are very moderate in height, being only 31 ft., while the crop 
produced is remarkably heavy. The pods are produced in 
pairs, and are well filled with eight to ten seeds of large size. 
The table qualities of these peas'are excellent, and the deep 
green, well-filled- pods also make this suitable for exhibition 
purposes, whether shown in the natural state or split open 
to expose the seeds. The cooking properties of the variety 
have also been proved to be excellent. 
Judged by the time of flowering and the production of usable 
pods, this is classed as a main crop or general cropping Pea, 
and would take its place alongside of those standard varieties 
also known to be excellent, and at the same time of dwarf habit. 
This is a feature of no small importance, especially in districts 
where it is difficult to get proper Pea stakes. In the moister 
climate of the northern part of Britain, strong growing Peas 
are inclined to outgrow almost any stakes which a gardener 
would think of using. In the ne-wer varieties of Peas, includ¬ 
ing that under notice, the tendency is to get main cropping 
Peas of moderate height with the crop concentrated on rela¬ 
tively dwarf stems. The accompanying illustration was repro¬ 
duced from a photograph of four pods showing the general 
characteristics of the variety, so that further description is un¬ 
necessary. The illustration of this new Pea was placed at our 
service by Messrs. Webb and Sons. 
Salvia Horminum violaceum. 
This Salvia, which is one of the most attractive summer- 
flowering outdoor plants, is, as the name implies, of a rich 
violet-blue colour ; and for massing in beds or planting singly 
in the heibaceous bolder cannot be equalled for producing a 
brilliant effect. The colour and shape of the flowers are so un¬ 
usual as to instantly make one who is not acquainted with it 
wish to know more of it; and when well grown and judiciously 
planted, leaves a lasting impression on anyone interested in it. 
For planting out in May, seed should be sown in well-drained 
pans of light, sandy compost, sifted through a fine sieve. Sow 
the seed thinly and cover with sand, and water carefully with 
U' fine-i 0 -se can. Keep the pans shaded until the seed has ger¬ 
minated, when they may be placed on a shelf in a warn vinery 
or Peach house. As soon as they are large enough to handle, 
prick them off into 3-in. pots, using light sandy soil and well- 
drained, clean pots. Water judiciously at all times, and more 
so when they are freshly potted. 
If the plants become rooted too much before planting-out 
time, give them another shift rather than let them starve and 
become weakly. Plants should be strong and healthy when 
planted out, and they will make much more show than those 
that are potbound and put out haphazard at any time. The 
ground they are to occupy should be well manured and deeply 
dug, whether it be a bed or border. If it is intended to make 
a bed of it, which I think is the most effective way of usin" the 
plant, they may be planted about 6 in. apart', taking care to 
press them firmly in the soil, and give a good watering when 
finished. 
When planted in the herbaceous borders, they should be 
placed in batches of about six plants at different intervals, and 
if possible associated with plants having light-coloured flowers, 
when their flowers will show to much more advantage. The 
blooms are borne on stalks about 2 ft. high, and they flower 
nearly the whole length of the spike, thus making with the 
rather unusual colour a most attractive object. Plenty of 
water should be given if the weather is at all dry, and a light 
spraying overhead at night after sundown will greatly benefit 
[Webb and Sons. 
Webbs’ New Kaiser Pea. 
them. The flowers are useful for cutting, and a charming 
effect could be produced by using it with Gvpsophila panicu 
lata, or some other light-flowered plant. R. Thatcher. 
Wistow Gardens, Leicester. 
Primula frondosa. 
Flowering during March in the alpine house at Messrs. A 
Bee and Co.’s nursery was a batch of this lovely little Primula 
The plants were young and very small, so that it had the 
appearance of being one of the smallest of Primulas, but stil 
was a delightful plant. Stronger plants in the open make : 
bigger show later in the season, but where space can be founc 
under glass for a few plants, the neat little heads of mauve 
blue flowers -will be very charming. The plants mentionei 
covered a circle of about 3 in. diameter, the oblong-lanceolafij 
leaves being almost white with meal, very crisp and fresh 
looking. The main stalks were not more than 2 in. high, fron 
the top of which sprang the thread-like pedicels supportin'; 
the tiny bird’s-eye flowers, small, but bright and pleasing ii 
the extreme. Heather Bell. 
