74 
THE GARDENING WORLD , 
February 6, 1909. 
Sweet Pea Novelties for 1909. 
1.—By G. F. DRAYSON. 
In 1904, when Countess Spencer was 
distributed^ it was recognised that the 
size and form of that variety far surpassed 
any previous introductions. It could hardly 
have been foretold, however, to what an 
enormous extent it was destined to influ¬ 
ence the development of the Sweet Pea. 
Only flve seasons have passed, but we 
now find that varieties of the Countess 
Spencer type are rapidly superseding 
those of the older type, especially for ex¬ 
hibition purposes. New varieties of all 
sorts are being introduced in ever in¬ 
creasing numbers, but it is very excep¬ 
tional for a novelty not of the Countess 
Spencer form to command any consider¬ 
able sale or to attain to any great dis¬ 
tinction. This popularity has been 
achieved in spite of the fact that the un¬ 
fixed state in which some varieties of the 
new type have been distributed has pre¬ 
judiced many growers against the whole 
of the class. 
Waved Sweet Peas. 
Perhaps at this point some little cor¬ 
rection of the current ideas as to the un¬ 
fixity of the waved Sweet Peas will .be 
appreciated. Many growers look upon 
the varieties of the Spencer type as being 
influenced by laws other than those 
which govern the older Sweet Peas, and, 
thinking that it is impossible to rely upon 
any variety of that type to come true, 
some gardeners altogether refuse to grow 
any of them. This is a great mistake, for 
there is no reason why varieties of this 
type should not come as true as any 
others, and there are already quite a 
number of distinct shades, which if pur¬ 
chased in the right market, can be ob¬ 
tained in perfectly fixed strains. Several 
novelties distributed last year came quite 
true, and there is reason to expect that, 
in the future, there will be less and less 
unfixity, especially in the case of seed 
obtained from reliable firms. 
American Introductions. 
Before this year’s novelties are dis¬ 
cussed in detail, I should like to say one 
word as to American introductions. In 
1908 White Spencer was introduced from 
over the sea, but it proved to be hope¬ 
lessly mixed and practically worthless. 
The English stocks of the same variety 
(Etta Dyke), introduced by three or four 
independent raisers, came absolutely true 
and were much admired. The English 
stock of Cream Spencer (Clara Curtis) 
also was far superior to the American. 
'I his year we have nuite a number of 
Spencer novelties from America, and al¬ 
though it will probably be a wise policy 
in most cases to choose an English stock 
where such is obtainable, there is good 
reason to anticipate a great improvement 
on last year’s results, for advance trials 
of several varieties have already been held 
in England, and many amateur and trade 
experts consider that iqog will see some 
valuable introductions from America. 
King- Edward Spencers. 
A variety that will in the coming sea¬ 
son be as widely grown as any, is the 
Spencer form of King Edward VII. Quite 
a nurfSer of raisers offer th-' of 
this, and considering the reputations of 
the firms concerned, it is probable that it 
will be obtainable in practically fixed 
stocks. Eckfords, “the old firm,” offer 
it as Dodwell F. Browne. The King, 
from Dobbies, is already well known, and 
King Edward Spencer (from the Ameri¬ 
can firm of Burpee) is being advertised 
very widely in this country. - The latter, 
in English trials last year, threw, I be¬ 
lieve, a small proportion of plain stan¬ 
dard flowers, but, considering its low 
price, it is probable that it will give satis¬ 
faction, especially if, as is thought by 
some, it scalds in the sun less than 
several of rhe English strains. 
Crimson Paradise (Hemus), King Al- 
phonso (Breadmore), and Crimson King 
Spencer (T. H. Bolton, said to be sun¬ 
proof) are other names by which this 
variety is being offered. It must not be 
expected that these Spencer crimsons 
will equal in serviceableness our old 
friend, King Edward VII., for it is no 
secret that most of them burn badly in 
the sun. As to which is the best it is too 
early to say, but Dobbies’ variety is very 
large, although it scorches. 
Blue Varieties. 
New blue varieties are badly Wanted, 
and consequently Zephyr (offered by two 
growers, Miss Hemus and Mr. Unwin) is 
sure to be welcomed. It is a Spencer 
form of the beautiful pale blue" Flora 
Norton, and is equal in value to any in¬ 
troduction of the year. Offered at half 
a crown a packet, I understand that it is 
practically sold out, so gardeners who 
wish to grow it must find a substitute in 
either Anglican Blue (E. W. King) of the 
Unwin type, or Flora Norton Spencer 
(from the American firm of Morse, offered 
by English seedsmen). 
Maroon Spencers. 
This year sees the introduction of 
several new maroon varieties of the Spen¬ 
cer type. This colour in the waved form 
gives very large flowers, and is well worth 
growing. Paradise Maroon (Hemus) is 
already sold out, but an unfixed strain, 
throwing as a rogue only a waved mauve, 
is still obtainable. Anna Lumley (Lumley, 
said to be practically fixed), George Bax¬ 
ter (Robt. Bolton), and Othello Spencer 
(Morse), are other flowers of something 
the same colour. 
Apricot Spencers, etc. 
Mrs. Routzahn Spencer (Burpee) is an 
apricot shaded variety which is being 
offered very widely this year, and which, 
after being tested in this country last 
season, is considered by many experts to 
be quite fixed and an excellent variety. 
The colour is one that is unlikely to 
throw many rogues, but it will have to be 
good to surpass Mrs. Henry Bell (distri¬ 
buted last year by Mr. Bolton). How¬ 
ever, Mrs. Routzahn Spencer is not very 
expensive, and I think it can be safely 
recommended. Holdfast Belle (Hemus) 
is a variety of the same colour, and is 
thought by some to surpass Mrs. H. Bell, 
and Earl of Plymouth ("Baker) is another 
rival to the same beautiful flower. 
Queen Victoria Spencer (Burpee) ap¬ 
pears to be very similar to last ar 
novelty, Paradise Ivory, but it I nc 
likely to be better than that variety, llc 
we know to be quite fixed and exccL, 
The seed of the American variety, 0 v. 
ever, seems to be cheaper and more r nti 
ful. t ' 
In Mrs. Andrew Ireland (Dobbi w 
have the only novelty that, bavin ob 
tamed the N.S.P.S.’s recognition, is' m , 
distributed this year. Its award (a F C 
in 1908) proves it to be good and ,'sc 
lutely fixed. Although of the Sp C e 
type, it is hardly so waved as some1 H e 
ties, but is very large. Its colour i be 
tween that of our old friends Jeannie 0 r 
don and Triumph. Somewhat diffen 
from the last mentioned, are Imp ,- e < 
Lucy Hemus (Hemus, a Spencer foi 0 
Jeannie Gordon), Triumph Spencer 0 1- 
ton), and Apple Blossom Spencer jr- 
pee). There seems to be a good qua in 
of seed about of the last-menti ed 
variety, and I understand that ther m 
several stocks. When grown last ye j r 
England I believe it came almost tn 
Lavender Spencers. 
During the last two years Mrs. Ch .e; 
Foster has been the best lavender S ;ei 
Pea on the ma-rket, but it has beer oc 
unfixed for general culture. This ye . 1 
believe, better strains are obtainable ui 
several other lavender forms are I ae 
introduced, which may possibly si ?r 
sede Mrs. Charles Foster, for it is no; he 
finest of the lavender varieties that re 
being obtained from Countess Spei ;r. 
Lavender George Herbert (Breadme 
Asta Ohn Spencer (Morse), Mrs. W. ei 
Carter (Bunting), are all rivals. It w lc 
be difficult indeed to say which , is he 
best, for their value will probably dene 
on their fixity. 
Cream Spencers. 
Malcolm’s' Waved Cream is, I bewe 
almost the same as Clara Curtis. he 
latter is not quite fixed, so the former ill 
be of great value, if, as is advertise! i! 
comes quite true. Mrs. A. Malcol: 1.- 
said to be the deepest cream yet iro- 
duced, but it is only slightly waved, id 
is not quite so large as the last nu- 
troned variety I believe both these t be 
really good. Breadmore's Prim ic 
Spencer I should imagine to be ahdet 
stock of Clara Curtis. 
Captain of the Blues Spencer. 
Readers will be able to judge the corn 
of Captain of the Blues Spencer (Me e 
from the name. Should it come tnn. ii 
will be one of the most valuable old 
introductions, as its colours in Speiei 
form is unique. 
Various Spencer Types. 
In Mrs. R. W. Pitt (Stark) we hai : 
waved variety of a shade not previok 
represented in the Sweet Pea. Crus* 
Strawberry is the raiser’s descriptioi oi 
the colour, and this gives a very g >c 
idea of the variety. If it is sun-pro< i 
will be very useful. 
Mrs. T. G. Baker (Baker) is a lob 
white Spencer flower slightly tinted ir.ts 
early stages. A stock of this variety ai 
I selected from Mrs. C. Foster, last a 
son came quite true, and was very md 
admired, although it is, perhaps, had) 
as good as Etta Dyke. I imagine i !is 
the same as Mr. Cole’s Lady Althc * 
and the American varieties Prims; 
Catherine and Mrs. Sankey Spencer. 
St. George, although of a most brill in’ 
