J Sepr., 1897. QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAT. 249 
About 1868, zridiflora was crossed with Warscewiczii, and the result was the 
fine variety first called Zridiflora hybrida, but afterwards Ehemanni. This 
pointed out the possible value of Cannas as flowering plants, and attention was 
directed to the raising of varieties, of dwarfer growth, with brighter-coloured 
flowers broader in the petal (or staminodia, correctly speaking) thicker in 
texture, on finer and more massive spikes. ‘ 
The greatest advances have been made in France, where the climate was 
better adapted to the plant outdoors than in England. 
* The grower pre-eminent of others is M. Crozy, of Lyons, and his name 
must ever be associated with the production of the garden Cannas of to-day. 
So thoroughly is he identified with them that he is said to be known in his own 
neighbourhood as Papa Canna, a name which has been also bestowed on one of 
his latest varieties. 
i Mr. George Paul, ina paper read before the Horticultural Club, 14th 
November, 1893, gives the following :—“ In a very brief note (for my request 
for information gave M. Crozy barely time to catch the post) he says— 
“My debat in the race of Cannas dates from about twenty years ago. I 
began with Warscewiczti and Nepaulensis grandiflora, a tall variety of which 
I have reduced its height little by little. My first gain was C. Benneti, a 
variety much appreciated at the time; since that time, constantly progressing, 
IT succeeded in obtaining the splendid variety Madame Crozy, which, by the 
year I had it ready to put into commerce, had given me 1,500 seedlings. These, 
flowering, have given me all shades of colour, and since then I have improved. 
in the rose and carmines, even attaining nearly to whites.’ ” 
Other French growers of note, who have raised fine flowers, are Vilmorin, 
of Paris, and Lemoine, of Nancy. 
In England, Paul and Sons, of Cheshunt, and Cannel, of Swanley, have 
given some attention to the genus. 
In Germany, Pfitzer, of Stuttgart, has sent out several splendid varieties, 
notably Konigen Charlotte. 
Tn Italy, Danman and Sprenger have lately come to the front with notable 
advances. 
Tn Mr. Paul’s paper before-mentioned he writes—_ 
“TJ have attempted some hybridising, but, though satisfied with the dwarfer 
habit and fine flower in the yellows, 1 do not think that I or other raisers 
have yet rivalled Crozy’s gains. In a quantity of seedlings, the proportion. of 
good seedlings is small, the majority reverting to oliler types. I think seven 
or eight were all I selected from four or five hundred, which flowered when 
planted out this season.” 
The climate in Queensland is very suitable to the raising of new varieties. 
The plants seed freely here, and will flower frequently in their first season. 
My neighbour, Mr. J. E. White, one of our amateur members, has several 
seedlings of merit. Messrs. Pink and Cowan have several fine ones, and Mr. 
W. B. Bailey, of Pimpama, tells me that he has two or three that he considers 
ood. 
: T have tried my hand, but so far have none of real improvement on parent 
varietics. With me there scems to be a great reversion to yellow grounds, 
generally lightly spotted. 
Some varieties seed most freely, while others do so sparingly. Madame 
Crozy this year has seeded in abundance, while last year [Thad no seeds from 
it till late in the season. 
The outer coat of the seed is, as before stated, exceedingly hard, and 
without help the germ is seldom able to break through. It requires heat and 
moisture, and the best way is to soak the seed in very hot water for about 
twelve hours before planting ; let the seed bed be exposed as much as possible 
to the sun, and water frequently. _Even then only a few germinate, and that 
most irregularly. Some authorities recommend filing through the outer coat, 
others the use of boiling water. 
