1880. ]

71

The

sort. "In June, 1878," writes Mr. Barry, "we had ample opportunity to give it a thorough trial, and it pleased us exceedingly. Its vigorous habit of growth is one of its characteristics. No other variety that we are acquainted with produces such strong, thrifty plants, or has such large and handsome foliage. It is very productive, and yields immense crops even under ordinary treatment. trusses are remarkably strong and well-proportioned for the burden they are intended to support, although in many cases the fruit is so large as to bend them to the ground. The berries average large to very large, are generally oblong in shape, narrowing to the apex, but sometimes irregular and flattened. The colour is a clear light red, with smooth, shining surface. The flesh is moderately firm, with a fine aroma, and may be rated as first in quality.

"A bed of this variety, when the plants are loaded with fruit, is well worth visiting. The rich dark green foliage at once arrests attention, even from a distance, and if we will take the trouble to approach and examine the fruit, it will not be possible to repress our surprise and admiration. If it proves as great a success generally as at Rochester, Catawissa, and Cinnamison, we predict for it great popularity."

This Strawberry was, as we learn, raised by

Mr. J. K. Sharpless, of Catawissa, in 1872, and we are indebted to Messrs. Ellwanger and Barry, of the Mount Hope Nurseries, Rochester, for the annexed illustration and description

“Size large, an average specimen measuring 1 to 1 in. in diameter either way; a specimen exhibited at the Nurserymen's Convention, held at Rochester, June 20th, 1878, weighed 11⁄2 oz., and measured 7 in. in circumference, and a berry of 1879 measured 72 in. in circumference. Colour clear light red, smooth, shining. Flesh firm, sweet, with a delicate aroma; of excellent quality. Plant remarkably vigorous and luxuriant, hardy and prolific. This variety having fruited with us. several seasons, we have no hesitation in recommending it."

With such a high character as this, which, as far as appearance goes, is fully borne out by the illustration, the Sharpless Strawberry would appear to be worth the attention of our own Strawberry growers.-T. MOORE,

RUMINATING.

OURNING the pages of our Floricultural literature, in that process of "chewing

the cud" which comes naturally with the long evenings of winter, I came upon two numbers of the Country, kindly sent me by the Editor, but which had escaped my notice at the time, the one containing a report of the National Carnation and Picotee Society's show, the other a notice of my flowers at Larkhall Rise.

This latter, which admirably sets out the conditions of successful culture, and the especial suitability of the Carnation and Picotee as town flowers, excepting that it too much lauds my humble efforts, I should desire to be very widely known; but there is one paragraph, occasioned, probably, by some involved expressions of my own during the visit of the writer, which, as containing a cardinal error on a point of great practical importance, I wish to correct. The writer says, "When in bloom, certain flowers are occasionally selected for crossing, but this Mr. Dodwell largely leaves to natural agencies." My practice and my teaching are the converse of this. For seed-taking likely to result in improved developments, I have for many years practically known the necessity of the most careful selection of the

parents, and though I have not refused to take

seed from a good stock when only the motherplant was known to me, yet all my experience has led me to the conclusion that the higher development is only approached after careful study of the habit and character, both of plant and flower, of the pollen-producing and seedbearing plants respectively.

With respect to the notice of the show, speaking of the awards, the writer says:"The last grower would have taken higher rank with all his flowers, had he resorted to the practice, now universally adopted, of dressing' the blooms. With no wish to reopen this often discussed question, we would suggest that when a grower shows undressed flowers in a class in which dressing is permitted, he should at least be allowed to affix to his stand a statement that the blooms are shown in their natural condition; and, moreover, there might well be an open class for undressed flowers, which always present greater attraction to the general public,"

I italicise the words on which I desire to offer a brief comment; but first, I should like to say the practice of dressing is permitted and practised in every class; and secondly, the grower referred to did in a fashion dress his flowers, though in a manner and with an effect far inferior to, let us say, a Turner. Now, as to the evidence on which this assumption of the greater attraction of "undressed" flowers for the general public rests. I have lived through a long floricultural life, and have had a considerable experience of Carnation and Picotee shows, and, as was the case at the exhibition in question, I have rarely known shows at which, from lack of opportunity, numbers of flowers have not been shown without the aid the final touch of a skilful dresser confers. Seventy-two flowers of my own were in this state in two large boxes, and some others from other cultivators. Thus the opportunity was afforded of determining, by indisputable evidence, this assumed attraction. And I am bound to record it is based on no foundation whatever.

At no

time throughout the day were the prize-stands, more especially the very fine collection of twenty-four selfs and fancies shown by Mr. Turner, without a crowd of eager admirers and equally eager inquirers; but at no time throughout the day did even two or three assemble in the neighbourhood of the undressed and therefore only partially developed flowers.

I think it is to be regretted that writers in a position potentially to bias the general public should put forth assumptions formed without even an attempt to ascertain their base, and which a few hours of patient attention would show to be unfounded in fact.

No one can have graduated in floriculture without being aware that its every process is, from time to time, excepted to by some who, instead of studying those processes, and thereby learning how truly they are developments of Nature, are for ever harking back upon something they are pleased to imagine could be, of course without effort, attained by "all and singular," a state of affairs they apparently think so satisfactory, that they clearly do not know that the attainments of "all and

singular" would bring mankind to the level of the new-born baby, or to push the subject yet

further into the realms of the ridiculous, to the status of the savage.

Lovers of flowers, like lovers of other forms of beauty, bring their productions together for the purpose of determining the development of Nature possible to Art; and those acquainted with the rules within which the florist works, and will continue to work, know well there is no possibility of Nature being degraded, or the lustre of Art tarnished in the process.

I should have desired these remarks to appear in the paper which has been the occasion of them, but as I learn the Country ceased to be issued with the death of the late Mr. Serjeant Cox, I shall greatly esteem your giving them publicity.-E. S. DoDwell.

TREE CARNATIONS FOR

BORDERS.

HE Tree or Perpetual Carnation, in addition to its great value as a pot

plant for winter flowering, is one of the most useful plants for the border. The old plants are generally consigned to the rubbishheap, after their winter bloom is over; but if planted out, I know nothing more valuable than the tree Carnation for cutting from during the late summer and autumn months.

The cultivation is a very simple matter, and can be made a source of great interest to the amateur, if carried out as I recommend.

Sow the seed in spring, in a slight heat, in a light soil. When large enough to handle, prick the young plants out in pots or pans. When established, harden off, and plant out in prepared beds in the open ground from six to nine inches apart; keep them clean, and well watered if necessary, and by the end of September they will be nice plants to be potted up for winter and spring flowering in the greenhouse.

I do not pretend to say the varieties will be equal to the named kinds, but many will be worth saving, and all will be useful. Those of the plants which do not yield blossoms can be turned out with the rest for summer flowering. It is surprising what a number of nice things are produced from a packet or two of seed such as is now sold by the principal seedsmen, as compared with the large proportion of singles that were produced in former days.

To save the best kinds, I layer them at the usual time, potting up the layers in small pots, and wintering them in a cold frame or pit.-J. W. LAURENCE, Newstead Abbey, Nottingham.