August 1, 1905 
method of cultivation is responsible in 
large part for varieties degenerating. The 
advice to return to more natural conditions 
is one worthy of attention and adoption. 
In the same discussion, Mr. Douglas cites 
the late E. S. Dodwell, author of “The Car- 
hation,” as having stated that the average 
life of a variety of carnation was fifteen 
years. ew, if any, of the varieties culti- 
vated in America can boast of such longe- 
vity; but that, we are inclined to think, is 
owing more to older varieties having been 
‘Superseded in one or more of their attri- 
butes by their successors rather than to in- 
herent defects resulting from senility. 
Fashions in flowers are also responsible for 
older sorts being discarded to make way 
for those that better meet the existing 
Popular demand. It would prove interest- 
ing to know just how long a variety would 
live and thrive, under good conditions of 
Sulture, in the United States, before it 
ictually petered out and became abso- 
lutely worthless. 
Sweet Pea for Cutting. 
0% 
| To vast numbers of garden. lovers the 
Principal recommendation of the sweet pea 
jles in its unqualified value for the varied 
burposes of home decoration. It is essen- 
fially a flower for utilization in epergnes, 
Yases, and other ornaments, while tor din- 
Ner table decorations it is unrivalled. 
mong the worshippers at the shrine of 
this flower are many whose sole object in 
owing it is to have an inexhaustible 
‘upply of flowers for cutting, and it is es- 
pecially for their benefit that the subjoined 
jst has been compiled. It comprises new 
fad old varieties, some of which rank 
mong those recommendable for exhibi- 
‘on, that are extremely floriferous, and 
Thich, if persistently cut, continue to pro- 
ice blooms over a very protracted period. 
{he first and second named claim a place 
\Y reason of their rapid progress and early 
\owering propensities: Mont Blanc, Apple 
Mamilton, Dorothy  Eckford, Firefly, 
srincess Beatrice, Dorothy Tennant, 
tacie Greenwood, Prima Donna, Blanche 
hry, Emily Henderson, Miss Willmott, 
itke of Westminster, Countess Cadogan, 
‘\tince of Wales, Queen Victoria, Lottie 
tkford, Prince Edward of York, Countess 
* Lathom.—‘“Sweet Pea Annual,” 1905. 
\ 
Classification of Sweet Peas. 
tn 1902 the National Sweet Pea Society 
“agland) organised the first public at- 
pt to classify sweet peass under recog- 
Sed color headings, and diverse as are 
© opinions held in regard to colors, the 
(nbers of growers, was an unqualified 
j%cess. The tabulated 1cturne were 
|}Sted on every hand, appreciations com- 
S from Amerita as well as from all over 
\S United Kingdom. Sced merchants 
‘/>ressed theinr approbation and were an- 
Shenae ated 
Blossom, Lady Mary Currie, Lady Grizel 
\Sult, as judged by the expressions of © 
xious that something of the same nature 
should be done every year. It was, thore- 
fore, decided to conduet a second classifica- 
tion during 1904, and the results are sub- - 
joined. 
A. close perusal of the details, particu- 
larly if the original classification is used for 
comparison, will show remarkable  eyi- 
dences of stability and equally remarkable 
fluctuations. 
prominent positions in 1902 are just as con- 
spicuous now; while others have fallen 
substantially from their erstwhile high es- 
tate. Then, too, some that received only 
a comparatively small number of votes in 
the earlier work have now risen consider- 
ably in public esteem. Those only have 
been included which received upwards of 
ten votes in the forty papers filled in— 
every one below that standard hag been 
excluded, so that those retained may be 
regarded as the finest sweet peas in gene- 
ral cultivation. There are several others 
of the finest quality which are not yet, 
owing to comparatively recent introduc- 
tion, very widely grown. 
White—Dorothy Eckford, Blanche Bur- 
pee, Sadie Burpee, Emily Henderson, 
Mont Blane (for early flowering). 
Crimson” and Scarlet—King Edward 
VII., Salopian, Scarlet Gem, Mars. 
Cerise—Coccinea. 
Rose and Carmine—Prince of Wales, 
Lord Rosebery, Mrs. Dugdale, Her Ma- 
jesty, Lord Kenyon, Royal Rose. 
Pink Shades—Prima Donna, Countess 
Spencer, Lovely, The Hon. F/ Bouverie, 
Mrs. Knights-Smith, Countess of Lathom. 
Blusah—Duchess of Sutherland, Sensa- 
tion, Countess of Aberdeen. 
Blue—Navy Blue, Countess Cadogan, 
Emily Eckford, Captain of the Blues. 
Yellow and Buff Shades—Hon. Mrs. E. 
Kenyon, Lady Mary Ormesby-Gore, Mrs. 
Eckford, Queen Victoria, Venus. 
Orange Shades—Miss Willmott, Gorge- 
ous, Lady Mary Currie, Chancellor. | 
Lavender—Lady  Grizel Hamilton, 
Countess of Radnor, Lady Nina Balfour. 
Mauve—Mrs. Walter Wright, Dorothy 
Tennant, Admiration, Fascination. 
Violet and Purple—Duke of Westmin- 
ster, Duke of Sutherland, Duke of Clar- 
ence. 
_ Magenta—George Gordon, Captivation, 
Calypso. 
Maroon and Bronze—Black Knight, 
Othello, Shahzada. 
Picotee Edged—Dainty, Lottie Eckford, 
Maid of Honour, Golden Gate. 
Striped and Flaked (Red and Rose)— 
America, Aurora, Jessie Cuthbertson, 
Mrs. Joseph Chamberlain, Pink Friar, 
Gaiety. 
Striped and Flaked (Purple and Blue)— 
Princess of Wales, Senator, Grey Friar, 
Wawona. 
Bicolors—Jeannie Gordon, Triumph, 
Prince Edward of York, Blanche Ferry, 
Little Dorrit. 
Fancies (those with more than two dis- 
tinct shades)—Gracie Greenwood, Agnes 
Johnston, Lottie Hutchins,. Duchess of 
Westminster, Stella Morse. 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER, 
Several varieties that held 
For the purposes of this classification, 
and for future exhibitions, the Committee 
of the National Sweet Pea Society has de 
cided to regard the following varieties 
which are bracketed as synonymous. 
Duchess of Sutherland 
Modesty 
Countess of Radnor 
New Countess 
Flora Norton 
Momento 
Blanche Ferry 
Karliest of All 
Dorothy Eckford 
White Swan 
Mrs. Geo. Higginson, Jr. 
Gladys Deal 
—‘‘Sweet Pea Annual,” 1905, 
Lasting Qualifications of Out 
Flowers. 
In various classes of plants there may be 
some difference in regard to the time cut 
blooms will last, but in many instances it 
is more imaginary than real, and it is 
a little difficult to find the cause of some: 
going off quickly, while others last well. 
Yet, in some cases, the cause is quite appa- 
rent. The first thing is that they should be 
cut before, or as soon as, they are fully ex- 
panded. I have seen several examples in 
the market this season, where, from the 
swollen capsules, it was quite evident that 
the flowers were almost passed! before they _ 
were cut, and a day longer would see them 
quite done for. We know that in some 
cases it may be an advantage to hold floygmra 
over for a certain period, but in the 
run it will pay better to cut as soon afreal 
and they will give much better satisfaction 
to the customers. 
I find in carnations, any which seed 
freely do not keep so well as those which 
are abortive; for as soon as fertilization 
takes place the petals wither away. This 
was one quality with the old favorite Miss 
Joliffe, it never, as far as I am aware, pro- 
duced seed, and consequently the flower 
lasted well, and this is a point worth study- 
ing by growers generally, for there is no 
doubt but that it is the main cause why 
some last better than others. The Mar- 
guerite carnationgy are pretty, but unless 
they are cut before they are fully developed 
they go off quickly. It may be that thea 
petals are not of great substance, but the 
chief cause will be found in the fact that 
they seed so freely. Begonia Gloire de 
Lorraine is a good example of an abortive 
flower lasting well. It is the one advan- 
tage in double flowers, that, being seedless, 
they last so-much longer. The advantage 
of dipping the stems in water as soon as 
they are cut is often overlooked. Most. mar- 
ket growers make a great point of this, 
Dipped in water (the stems only) and shut 
up in a close box, they keep fresh even 
longer than they would if put into water 
after the stems have got a little dried. Any 
that are inclined to bleed from the flower 
stems will keep much better if dipped in 
