THE GARDENING WORLD 
150 
the method being to sow in a gentle heat, 
then to transplant the seedlings into other 
pans or boxes when they have made the 
first rough leaf. When established in 
this soil, they could be placed in a cold 
frame. We have an idea, however, that 
we could rear it quite easily in a frame 
entirely unheated, sowing it about the 
middle of March and treating it as above- 
mentioned. 
It grows about 9 in. high, and produces 
a single flower at the end of each stalk, 
thus making it suitable for cut flower 
purposes, much in the same way as the 
Barberton Daisy (Gerbera Jamesoni), but 
we think it will be of much more easy cul¬ 
tivation than that, growing more freely 
and sooner attaining the flowering stage. 
It is too early yet to determine all classes 
of soil in which it mav be grown, as it 
onlv made its appearance last year, but 
we "should select a light and friable soil, 
such as that in which the French Marigold 
would succeed. 
= Potato = 
Midlothian 
Early. 
The life of a Potato — that is, a variety 
of Potato — is limited, but just what num¬ 
ber of years that might be it is difficult to 
say. They are usually longer lived than 
Tomatos. It is unquestionable, however, 
that it is necessary continually to be rais¬ 
ing new varieties which shall have a robust 
constitution and able to resist the Potato 
disease, and it has frequently been proved 
that new varieties, or some new varieties, 
are certainly capable of withstanding a 
considerable amount of disease in the 
early years of their life. .There are also 
other incentives for raising new varieties 
of Potatos. We require them as early in 
the season as pos: ble, as most people 
March 6, 1909. 
and sometimes in May. dependent upi 
the season. If planted in April, tfc 
variety will in the average of seasons > 
ready for digging towards the end of Ju:. 
The tuber is kidney-shaped, with a roui 
skin and very shallow' eyes, so that th<: 
is no w'aste in preparing it for table p . 
poses. 
Some of our earliest Potatos are sm; 
in size, and on sandy soils give a scar 
crop, but Midlothian Early is a Pott 
that is large enough on all hands i 
table purposes. We are indebted 
Messrs. Dobbie and Co. for the accoi 
panying illustration of it. 
A National Horticultural College. 
The scheme prepared by the Char 
Commission, under the will of the la 
Mr. John Innes, of Merton, has now'be 
settled and sealed. The most import?, 
part relates to the institution of a natior 
Cheadle and Cheadle Heath Show. 
The Floral and Horticultural Society 
of Cheadle and Cheadle Heath, Cheshire, 
hold their sixth annual show on July 30th 
and 31st. The society appears to be 
flourishing, and the schedule of prizes 
which the hon. secretary, Mr. L. C. Lake 
iWroxham, Cheadle Heath, Stockport), 
sends us is bulky and w’ell got up. 
A New Pace of Lilies. 
“ The Florists’ Exchange” frequently 
reverts to the improvements that are being 
made in Lilium longiflorum and its 
variety L. Harrisii. Since the introduc¬ 
tion of L. philippinense to America it has 
proved of easy cultivation, and it has now 
been crossed with L. Harrisii, producing 
a race that appears to come into bloom 
earlier than its progenitors. The flow'er is 
somewhat longer than Harrisii, but 
scarcely so wide in the tube, and attains 
- 'he "flowering stage in a shorter space 
of time than its parents. 
Potato Midlothian Early. 
have a greater relish for new Potatos than 
old ones which have been kept over from 
the previous year. The best of modern 
Potatos also crop much more heavily than 
those of the olden time, and many of them 
produce much larger tubers, but it is easy 
to overdo the size of a tuber for table pur¬ 
poses. 
Midlothian Early is a new w'hite kidney 
Potato which came into strong prominence 
last year, when it was granted an Award 
of Merit by the R.H.S. on July 31st. Pre¬ 
vious to that, how'ever, it had been well 
tried for three seasons in Bute and Essex 
by Messrs. Dobbie and Co., Rothesay, 
N.B., and Marks Tey. Essex. These 
trials enabled them to form a correct 
opinion of- the capabilities of the variety, 
and they now' consider it unequalled for 
earliness, crop and quality—that is, the 
three points combined. Field Potatos in 
Scotland are planted in April, as often 
towards the end as towards the beginning, 
[Dobbie and Co. 
horticultural college at Merton. Tl 
institution will be managed by a couno 
consisting of three trustees — Mr. C. 1 
C. Scott, barrister, Mr. F. G. Courthop : 
of Southover, Lewes, and Mr. W. E„ 1 
Innes, of Rossey Park, Horsham —and r 
presentatives of Oxford, Cambridge, ai 
London Universities, and other bodies i 
terested in horticulture and agricultur 
The institution is established" to ' affo 
practical and scientific training in hori 
culture. The scheme stipulates that /; 
shall be applied to local charities and th 
£ 200 shall be paid for the upkeep of tl 
Merton Boy’s Club, founded by .Air. Inne 
Provision is also made to the extent 
^154 to found scholarships at the Rutli: 
Secondary School, Alerton. The groun 
attached to Manor Park, Merton, with tl 
exception of two acres used for the he 1 
ticultural college, are to be appropriate 
as recreation grounds for the inhahitar 
of Merton and Malden. 
