August 31, 1907. 
575 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
of them in cultivation, have also been 
raised by Mr. Smith. About four years 
ago he "tried his experienced hand with 
the object of raising flakes and bizarres 
similar to the old florists’ flower, but pos¬ 
sessing vigorous constitution, and in this 
he has also been remarkably successful. 
He is still as enthusiastic as ever, and we 
believe he has still other strains or races 
in his eye and which he intends to im¬ 
prove. 
Some Choice Picotees. 
Arriving at the gardens we proceeded 
in quest of the gardener, Mr. Charles 
Blick, who is quite as enthusiastic as his 
master in the cultivation of these choice 
flowers, and indeed it is necessary for em¬ 
ployer and employed to go hand in hand 
in "'his matter. " Mr. Blick obligingly 
took us through the houses in which the 
best plants were grown in pots, and 
showed us one house filled entirely with 
last year's seedlings, representing the 
greatest advancement which has been 
made. The crossing of the flowers and 
the raising of the seedlings are, of course, 
conducted under glass, but the first year 
all the seedlings are bloomed in the open 
ground. On the occasion of a former 
visit ten thousand seedlings were planted 
out, but this year that number has been 
doubled. 
The plants under glass are all grown in 
6 in. or 8 in. pots, attesting the skill of 
the cultivator even with such vigorous 
growing plants. Two or three layers 
may be put in each pot, so that every pot¬ 
ful is worthy of the space it occupies. 
Each plant carries a large number of 
flowers, and not one to each layer or 
three to a pot as in some of the old- 
fashioned varieties. Very handsome is 
Leonora, with its light rose edging on a 
pale primrose ground. The petals are 
broad and flat. (See illustration). 
Equally choice in its way is Lady Gas¬ 
coigne, having a light rose edge on a rich 
yellow ground when in perfection. This 
variety has had two First-class Certifi¬ 
cates, and was the premier bloom at 
Westminster, both last and this year. 
(See illustration). Very striking was the 
broad petalled Heartsease, having a 
heavy rose edging on a soft creamy yel¬ 
low ground. Mayflower was another 
striking bloom of large size, with a heavy 
rose edge on a bright yellow ground. 
The petals are broad and flat. The 
shoots, or grass as it is termed, were 
12 in. to 16 in. long, and produced in 
plenty. Wild Duck has a more solid 
colour than Mayflower, the petals being 
very broad and easily dressed or put into 
position. They have a light rose edge on 
a deep yellow ground. Sophie Western 
is a very refined flower with a purple wire 
edge on pale yellow. This edging 
strikes the beholder as remarkably well 
defined. A huge flower is Ace of 
Trumps, with a heavy scarlet edge on a 
bright yellow ground and broad, flat 
petals. 
Last Year’s Picotees. 
We shall now describe the very best 
of the new varieties of last year, and 
which were all grown together in one 
house. Of the Picotees, Flora Mac¬ 
donald has broad, smooth petals and a 
rose edge on a bright yellow ground. 
'Santa Cllaus has a very heavy purple 
edging on clear yellow, broad and 
smooth petals. It was the premier of its 
| 
class at Westminster and Southampton. 
Anatis has a rosy mauve but light edge 
Yellow Ground Ficotee Leonora. 
[.Maclaren and Sons. 
on -a bright yellow ground and broad 
petals. A light purple edged Picotee .is 
Yellow Ground Picotee Antonio. 
[Maclaren and Sons. 
