154 
JOlTT^^^AL  OF  HOFTWULTURE  AXD  COTTAGE  GARDEXEE, 
FeVruan-,  17,  1898. 
suggestion  that  could  be  made  was  to  cut  down  the  tree  and  burn  all 
parts  attacked.  With  regard  to  the  Pine  beetle,  to  encourage  the  multipli¬ 
cation  of  insectivorous  birds  as  far  as  possible  might  be  advantageous. 
Cypripediums  with  Fungus. — Mr.  Douglas  exhibited  specimens  with 
the  roots  badly  infested  by  a  mycelium.  Mr.  Veitch  at  once  recognised  it 
as  the  result  of  a  too  damp  atmosphere,  recording  the  fact  that  having  on 
one  occasion  to  make  a  double  roof,  it  caused  so  much  damp  that  he  lost 
many  Orchids  from  the  same  cause,  but  on  improving  the  atmosphere  this 
completely  prevented  any  recurrence  of  the  fungus. 
Primula  obconica  9  x  sinensis  6. — Mr.  Shea  showed  a  hybrid  raised 
between  these  species.  The  flowers  were  pink,  showing  the  extension  of 
yellow  from  the  throat,  with  curled  petals,  and  bearing  a  decided  scent  of 
sinensis.  The  calyx,  however,  was  entirely  that  of  obconica.  The  general 
appearance  was  nearer  that  of  the  female  parent.®  Mr.  Shea  proposes  to 
re-cross  with  sinensis,  and  so  intensify  the  features  of  the  male  parent. 
Twospathed  Arum. — A  fine  example  of  this  very  common  condition 
was  received  from  Mr.  Thomas  Bennett,  The  Gardens,  Shavington  Hall, 
Market  Drayton. 
NEW  DAHLIAS  OF  1897. 
New  Dahlias,  like  new  Chrysanthemums,  are  now  introduced  with 
such  rapidity  that  one  is  often  puzzled  to  know  what  to  buy.  Few 
Dahlias  are  bought  by  the  general  public  the  first  year  of  distribution  ;  fis. 
and  7s.  6d.  being  sums  above  the  average  Dahlia  grower’s  pocket,  so  it  is 
usual  to  wait  until  the  second  season,  when  plants  can  be  procured  at 
Is.  6d.  to  2s.  each.  This  is  the  price  of  most  of  the  following,  and  the 
varieties  mentioned  may  be  considered  the  best  of  their  class. 
Taking  the  Cactus  section  first,  as  it  is  thje  most  widely  grown,  I  have 
included  some  varieties  in  it  that  are  not  in  the  latest  list  of  Cactus 
Dahlias  issued  by  the  National  Dahlia  Society,  but  they  may  be  in  it 
another  season  ;  anyhow,  their  list  is  only  binding  at  the  show  held  at  the 
Crystal  Palace. 
Cactus. 
Austin  Cannell. — This  is  of  a  deep  rose  colour,  with  long  spiral  florets. 
The  height  attained  is  3  feet. 
African. — A  deep  velvety  crimson  variety,  with  the  petals  rather  broad 
at  the  base,  but  well  twisted  at  the  ends.  This  is  a  Hne  variety  that  grows 
4  feet  high. 
Bridesmaid.— -The  colour  of  this  is  pale  rose,  passing  to  yellow 
towards  the  centre  ;  a  lovely  flower  in  a  warm  season  ;  height  3  feet. 
Cedric. — This  variety  produces  long  twisted  petals  of  bright  magenta 
colour.  It  is  a  splendid  Dahlia,  but  appears  to  be  little  known.  When 
when  well  grown  it  is  about  1  yard  high. 
Cycle. — This  excellent  variety  is  of  a  rich'ruby  red,  paler  at  the  tips. 
The  height  is  3^  feet. 
Miss  Webster.— A.  pure  white  true  Cactus  in  a  warm  climate.  The 
large  flowers  are  borne  on  strong  upright  stems.  It  is  admirable  for  cut 
flowers  or  decoration.  The  plant  grows  about  4  feet  high. 
Cinderella. — Dark  purple  in  the  centre,  the  colour  of  this  variety  is 
lighter  towards  the  outside.  A  very  fine  floriferous  Cactus,  but  the 
flowers  hang  down.  Four  feet  is  about  the  usual  height. 
Starfish. — A  superb  variety,  with  long  twisted  petals  of  orange  scarlet. 
It  flowers  freely  on  long  stout  stems,  and  is  probably  the  best  Cactus 
Dahlia  yet  introduced.  In  height  it  is  4  feet. 
Princess  Ena. — A  delightful  combination  of  amber  and  reddi.sh  orange. 
The  petals  are  well  twisted,  and  flowers  very  freely  produced  on  long 
stems  ;  height,  4  feet. 
Ophelia. — In  colour  this  is  bright  cerise.  The  petals  are  long,  and  it 
is  a  splendid  flower,  the  plant  growing  3  feet  high. 
Mrs.  Kingsley  Foster. — This  is  a  rich  golden  amber,  and  must  become 
a  great  favourite  for  cut  flowers,  as  it  has  long  stiff  stems.  The  height 
is  4  feet. 
Ensign. — A  useful  variety,  which  produces  good-shaped  flowers  of  a 
bright  carmine  colour.  Four  feet  is  about  the  height. 
fona. — A  fine  terra  cotta  hued  variety  that  has  twisted  petals,  flowers 
freely  produced  on  long  stems.  This  will  be  a  favourite  for  some  years, 
and  is  4  feet  high. 
Harry  Stredwick. — This  was  sent  out  to  supersede  that  grand  variety, 
“  Matchless,”  but  has  hardly  succeeded.  It  is  a  very  good  Dahlia,  deep 
maroon,  and  very  free-flowering  ;  the  petals  are  narrower  than  IMatchless. 
Fantasy. — Though  this  is  a  beautiful  flower  when  cut,  it  is  a  failure  on 
the  plant,  the  stems  being  very  short  The  colour  is  bright  scarlet,  passing 
to  yellow  at  the  base,  the  petals  curling  inwards.  The  plant  is  4  feet 
high. 
Aurora. — This  is  a  miniature  Cactus  of  salmon  shade,  with  a  bluish 
tint  on  the  tips  of  the  petals.  The  plant  is  most  floriferous,  and  the  variety 
is  first-rate  for  cutting  or  garden  decoration. 
Show  axd  Fancy  Varieties. 
Sidney  Humphries. — This  is  of  a  clear  lilac  colour.  The  petals  are  very 
good,  and  the  flower  is  large  and  bold.  It  grows  3  feet  high. 
Queen  of  Autumn. — The  large  flowers  of  this  variety  are  of  a  new  shade 
of  huff.  It  does  not  require  much  thinning,  and  will  be  much  sought  after 
for  exhibition.  In  height  it  grows  about  3  feet. 
Countess. — A  blush  white,  mottled  with  rosy  purple  towards  the  edge. 
Fine  shell  petals,  high  in  the  centre.  It  is  the  best  introduction  for 
several  years.  The  height  is  4  feet. 
Daniel  Cornish. — A  large  terra-cotta  red  flower,  with  a  good  centre. 
The  plant  does  not  require  much  pruning,  and  grows  about  3  feet  high. 
Percy  Mortimer. — This  is  a  deep  claret.  It  is  a  good,  useful,  distinct 
flower,  and  grows  3  feet  high. 
James  Martin. — A  bright  scarlet,  similar  to  the  well-known  variety 
W.  II.  Williams,  but  blooms  earlier.  The  habit  excellent. 
Pompons. 
There  were  not  a  great  many  new  Pompon  varieties  sent  out  last 
year,  but  some  were  very  good. 
Ganymede. — This  is  a  true  Pompon.  The  colour  is  fawn  shaded  with 
lilac.  Nothing  has  been  seen  before  like  this  variety  in  colour.  The 
height  is  3  feet. 
Adrienne.— Hhe  colour  of  this  is  a  dull  red,  and  the  form  is  good.  The 
plant  grows  3  feet  high. 
Clarissa. — A  pale  primrose  coloured  variety  tipped  with  purple.  It  is 
fine  in  petal  and  outline,  and  may  be  termed  a  lovely  Pompon,  that  is 
very  free-“owering. 
Dagrnar. — This  is  crimson  maroon,  a  fine  Pompon,  and  quite  distinct ; 
neat  in  habit,  and  very  free.  The  height  is  2^  feet. 
Opal. — Growing  to  a  height  of  2^  feet,  (his  is  a  bright  yellow  with  a 
white  tip. 
Dr.  Jim. — This  is  a  first-rate  Pompon  ;  fine  close  petal,  good  centre. 
The  ground  colour  is  white,  heavily  edged  with  dark  purple  ;  very  free. 
Single  Varieties. 
Although  the  single  Dahlias  are  so  beautiful,  they  are  giving  way 
before  the  Cactus  section.  Three  lovely  new  ones  are  Trilby,  velvety 
maroon,  with  white  tip  ;  Polly  Eccles,  fawn,  with  a  red  disc  ;  and  Naomi 
Tighe,  sulphur  yellow,  with  an  orange  ring.  These  have  received 
certificates  from  the  N.D.S.,  and  are  all  first- rate. — Georgina. 
CHINESE  PRIMROSES  AT  SWANLEY. 
There  is  little  room  for  adding  additional  honour  to  Messrs.  Cannell 
and  Sons  in  reference  to  Chinese  Primroses.  Ever  in  the  van,  growing 
and  showing  the  finest  strains,  and  well  grown  too,  they  have  been 
entitled  for  years  to  the  highest  credit  to  which  florists  in  relation  to  any 
flower  may  aspire.  But  grand  as  blooms  of  these  greenhouse  Primroses 
now  are  universally,  and  great  the  variety  in  colour  of  flowers,  in 
character  and  colour  of  foliage,  and  general  habit,  yet  does  there  seem  to 
have  been  generally  reached  such  high  excellence  that  it  is  dififlcult  to 
move  further  with  these  superbly  improved  strains. 
As  in  other  directions  the  Chinese  Primrose  is  the  flower  of  the 
immediate  season,  not  only  at  Swanley  but  on  the  breezy  hillsides  of 
the  Eynsford  seed  farm.  At  either  place  the  plants  are  in  luxuriant 
bloom  and  in  splendid  form,  whether  of  leaves  or  flowers,  literally  by 
thousands.  Out  at  Eynsford  perhaps  richer  and  purer  colours  and  finer 
forms  may  be  seen,  though  stocks  be  identical.  That  is  due  to  purer  air, 
brighter  light,  and  loftier  surroundings  at  the  latter  place.  To  see  the 
plants  at  either  place,  and  at  both  especially,  is  indeed  a  joy  for  lovers  of 
the  beautiful  in  flowers  just  now.  Visitors  as  they  pass  through,  not  only 
the  Primrose  but  all  other  houses,  see  no  inferior  stocks.  No  matter 
whether  a  variety  may  be  represented  by  fifty  plants  or  500  plants,  all 
are  alike  true  to  character.  That  is  the  result  of  the  most  careful 
hybridising  of  the  stock  flowers  with  pollen  only  of  the  stock.  Of 
natural  fertilisation  alone  theie  is  little,  because  insects  are  absent  and  the 
air  is  still.  Aided,  however,  by  the  camel’s-hair  brush  Nature  does  her 
work  of  fertilisation  perfectly. 
The  present  winter,  so  far,  has  been  favourable  to  this  operation,  and 
no  doubt  capital  seed  crops  will  result.  But  breaking  away  from  the 
giant  blooms  and  traditional  types  of  the  sinensis,  Messrs.  Cannell  and 
Sons  have  already  worked  what  can  be  well  described  as  a  revolution  in 
strains,  and  their  new  ones,  derived  from  the  now  well-known  common 
looking  but  remarkably  free  blooming  pyramidal  White  Lady,  literally 
entrance  lovers  of  spring  flowers  such  as  Primulas  present  with  their 
beauty  and  floriferousness.  The  intercrossing  of  the  White  Lady  strain 
with  fine  or  large  flowered  varieties  has  in  but  a  year  or  two  given 
splendid  results.  It||^as  only  the  other  day  that  this  said  White  Lady  was 
rejected  at  Swanley  as  rubbish.  Mr.  Robert  Cannell,  who  controls  the 
Eynsford  establishment,  on  the  other  hand,  saw  in  it  great  possibilities, 
and  he  raised  stock  of  it,  so  that,  true  to  the  original  character,  there  are 
white,  lilac,  and  pink  flowers  with  the  same  dark  and  finely  cut  leafage. 
The  section  has  been  termed  decorative  ;  not  an  inapt  term,  as  anyone 
looking  over  the  houses  may  see,  for  the  new  breaks  give  relatively  fully 
three  times  the  body  of  bloom  from  plants  of  the  same  age  and  dimensions 
that  is  furnished  by  plants  of  the  older  strains. 
Of  course  the  flowers  on  the  White  Lady  strain  are  not  large 
relatively.  Those  of  the  original  form  are  smooth  edged,  much  lobed, 
and  rather  small.  The  first  break,  after  crossing  with  one  of  the  large- 
flowered  whites,  gave  a  selection  of  still  perfectly  smooth -edged  flowers 
much  finer  and  stouter,  and  quite  round,  the  petals  overlapping.  This 
is  a  great  advance  on  White  Lady,  and  is  nowin  commerce  under  the 
designation  of  rotundiflora  alba.  The  tiers  of  whorls  and  pyramidal 
form  of  the  seed  parent  is  in  this  variety  well  maintained.  There  is  also 
a  pink  or  carmire  round-flowered  form. 
Later  crosses,  using  for  pollen  parents,  especially  those  fine  varieties 
Swanley  White  and  Cannell’s  White,  have  resulted  in  the  production  of 
surprising  selections  having  fringed  flowers,  the  very  finest  of  which  are 
pyramidalis  grandiflora  striata,  the  flowers  being  here  much  flaked  ; 
pyramidalis  nigrafolia  alba,  a  fine  advance  ;  and  finally  as  the  most 
beautiful  of  all,  pyramidalis  splendens  alba,  the  flowers  of  which  are 
large,  fringed,  perfect  in  form,  pure  white,  and  borne  in  wonderful  pro¬ 
fusion.  All  are  singularly  floriferous,  and  give  effects  that  in  the  bulk 
are  surprisingly  beautiful. 
