February 1,.1905 
ters are produced’ true in all the seedlings. 
In case a desirable hybrid is found to he - 
sterile to its own pollen, it should, be fer- 
tilised if possible with pollen taken from 
similar hybrids showmg the same. varia- 
tion. ay: el hii; 
In the continual self-fertilization. prac 
tised in fixing variations there is doubtless 
much loss of vigor. In some cases this 
might be avoided by making numerous hy- 
brids between several different sects of in- 
dividuals of the same sort, but not: closely 
related (that is, separated by num gous 
seed generations), so that several unrelated 
hybrids, showing practically the same com- 
dination of characters, could. be obtained. 
These hybrids ¢ould be bred together. and 
rigidly selected each generation, until-all 
the seedlings produced. show the desired 
combination of characters. Howevyér; in 
earder to avoid the greater possibility of 
ising the variation, it is probably best in 
all cases to solf-fertilise, if possible, a por- 
tion of the flowers. 8 ; 
There is evidence which shows that odor- 
jess plants have been rendered fragrant’ by 
hybridising with scented species or varie- 
taes. According to Wittrock, pansies have 
been considerably improved in this respect 
by crossing various sorts with the: frag 
vant V. Cornuta. Violetta, a fragrant 
sort, was produced by crossing V. cor- 
muta with pollen of the pansy Blue King. 
Sensation ; another scented variety, wasalso 
produced by crossing V. cornuta and the 
pansy. Wittrock, who is probably the best 
authority on violets and pansies, says: “No 
pais have been spared of late by the pansy 
cultivators of Great Britain to increase the 
charm of the pansy by obtaining perfume 
as well as beauty, but by a more extensive 
‘use of the odorifcrous alpine species (Vv. 
cornuta L. and V. lutea Huds., var. grandi- 
fora (L.) Vill.) for hybridization doubtless 
much may still be done in this direction.’ 
PROVED SORTS OF 
TUFTED 
PANSIES. 
So many lengthy lists of Tufted Pansies 
are issued that the inexperienced grower 
‘becomes bewildered when endeavoring to 
compile a list of the best. Each season sees 
additions to the already long list of sorts, 
and, that intending growers may be helped 
in making a good all-round selection, the 
present opportunity is taken to give their 
names and descriptions. This should en- 
able the would-be grower to determine 
those sorts best: suited to his requirements. 
For the next two months propagation by 
cuttings will be largely practised. * The 
more noteworthy varieties are given promi- 
nence under the heading of their respective 
colors: 
WHITE. 
White Empress.—This variety is also dis- 
tributed under the name of Blanche, and as 
# good robust and free-flowering creamy- 
white sort it is superb. The blossoms are 
large and rayless, and possess plenty of 
maade, and so on, until the desired charac: ~ 
‘THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
substance. It is also a most continuous 
bloomer, fs 
. Seagull--A very beautiful pure white, 
raylcss flower, with an extremely neat yel- 
low eye. The plant has a very good dwart 
and compact habit, and is-free flowering. 
' Elaine.—This is a large pure white 
flower, with a suffusion of yellow on the 
lower petal. The blooms possess plenty of 
substance, and are developed on a splendid 
length of footstalk. It is free flowering, and 
the plant has a capital constitution. 
iidward Mason.—This variety does well 
in the warmest weather. The flowers are 
pure white with a neat yellow eye, and 
rayless. The plant isa very free bloomer, 
and. possesses a beautiful habit of growth. 
Cream King.—A novelty of the present _ 
season, in which the rayless blooms are very 
large and-circular, and of splendid sub- 
stance. The color may be described as a 
rich creamy-white, with a brilliant orange 
eye. Extra strong growths are benefited 
by having their points pinched out occa- 
sionally. 
Penea‘tland.- This has had a good trial, - 
and is now recognised as a very useful kind. 
ft is a pure white sort, and is slightly 
rayed. 
YELLow. 
Katty Hay.In this the color is a par- 
ticularly striking shade of yellow, and is 
most effective when the plants are grouped 
in quantity. The flowers are rayless, and 
the plant is a profuse bloomer. 
Melampus—In_ this tplantt we have a. 
kind with a perfect habit, and this, together 
with an erect flower-stalk, carrying the 
blossom well above the procumbent foliage, 
makes it a distinct acquisition. The flowers 
are of goodly proportions and rayless, color 
deep yellow. 
Andromeda.—This is a 1900 novelty, of 
which but little is known. The flowers are 
very large, and the color may be described 
as bright yellow, with a deeper shade of 
yellow on the lower petal. With age the 
blossoms pale off to a primrose on the edge 
of the upper petals. The plant has a good 
tufted habit. 
Bland G. Sinclair——Although only dis- 
tributed in 1901, this variety, a free-flower- 
ing bright yellow self, has achieved dis- 
tinction. The plant has a creeping-like 
style of growth. 
Klondyke——-The modern florist’ would 
probably find fault with this flower, yet 
the free manner in which the blossoms are 
developed appeals to all who have seen 
them. | When massed the effect is very 
striking. Color, clear yellow, rayless. 
Pensee dOr.—Unfortunately, there is 
very little stock of this lovely variety ob- 
tainable. The habit is all that could be de- 
sired, and the plant is a profuse bloomer. 
The deep rich orange-yellow color of the 
flowers is one of its chief charms. 
eae Buive. 
Pigmy.—This is not a large flower; in 
fact, it is one of the miniature sorts. The 
plant, however, is very free-flowering and 
has a good habit. For edgings this plant 
has a special value. The color may be de- 
‘scribed as deep helio trope-blue, and the 
flower has a néat yellow eye: - 
King of the Blues.—This excellent kind 
is one of the late Dr. Stuart’s raising, and 
is the best true blue sort. The flowers are 
of small to medium size, and the beautiful 
deep blue color is*enhanced. by the bright 
yellow eye. The blooms are rayless, but are 
heavily veined in the centre: Habit good, 
and also a free-flowering kind. OFk D 
Blue Gown.—-If ‘good pieces of this de- 
lightful Tufted Pansy can be secured, there 
is no better. The habit is ideal, and the 
plant flowers freely. The color may be de- 
scribed as mauve-blue.  Rayless. 
. OTHER Coors. — 
Florizel—-No collection can be con- 
sidered complete without this yariety. The 
smallest pieces will develop into handsome 
plants which will bloom freely. The color 
is a. shade of blush-lilac and the blooms are 
rayless. Habit perfect. 
‘Virginus is a refined and beautiful flower 
of a pleasing pale blush color and rayless. 
The habit is dwarf and compact and’ the 
“plant blooms freely. 
Councillor W. Waters.—Tius has a good 
habit and is free-flowering. The color is 
rosy-punple. , 
Magie.—This variety is often printed as 
“Maggie,” but the name given in this in- 
stance is the correct one. It is a large, 
deep rose flower, paling somewhat in the 
warmer weather, and it has a neat yellow 
eye. Habit compact and fairly dwarf. 
Duchess of Fife.-This is generally con- 
sidered one of the very best of the mar- 
gined flowers, the color in this instance 
being primrose, irregularly margined blue. 
The habit of this plant is dwarf and crawl- 
ing, and each plant develops into a large 
clump. Two other members of this same 
family are Goldfinch and White Duchess, 
and these are slight variations from the 
variety under notice. : 
Crown Jewel—This is somewhat simi- 
lar in its markings to Countess of Kin- 
tore, so well known. Jn this case, how- 
ever, the colors are brighter and the habit 
is fax better. 
D. B. Crane. 
DESIGN FOR TABLE DECORATION. 
A. charming effect may be produced by 
dispensing with a tablecloth and leaving a 
well-polished top bare. This is especially 
suitable for a black oak or dark walnut 
table. At each cover there must be a 
dainty d’oyley for the plate to rest on, and 
a smaller one on the left side for bread. 
Tn the centre, running Jengthwise, an arch 
of flexible wire holding small glasses for 
cut flowers, at each corner a miniature 
arch. Surrounding the centre arch should 
be four silver candlesticks; if antique, so 
much the better. Large and small silver 
dishes for fruit'and bonbons relieve the 
Dareness. Suitable floral decorations 
“would be pale pink sweet peas and the old- 
fashioned delicate flower known as London 
Pride. If sufficient silver is. not at hand, 
trails of Virginia creeper relieve the bere- 
ness, 62 
