Four of the finest new spencers for 1914

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“Four of the Finest New Spencers for 1914.

An Average Spray of KING WHITE, — Reproduced from a Fordhook Photograph.

W. ATLEE BURPEE & CO., PHILADELPHIA, U. S. A.

Cable Address: BURPEE, Philadelphia.

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Sweet Pea, — “King White.”

It is, perhaps, early days to say much about new Sweet Peas, but if some of the
1914 novelties only come as good in the open air as they are doing under glass, then
there are a few good things in store, and perhaps the one that will catch everybody
all around will be King White. In my humble judgment it will put “ paid” to the
account of all other white varieties. I have seen it now on two occasions,
and without going into any detailed description as to its size, shape, position on stem,
elegance, etc., it is one of, if not the Sweet Pea to watch during the next two months.
True, its name sounds a bit awkward, backwards, as it were; yet I do not doubt for a
moment the introducers know, much better than I do, how to put a name down in a
catchy style, but most folks would have written White King. — J. B. R., in The Nur-
seryman and Seedsman, London, June 7, 1913.

ICincr WVlitf* probably reign for long. — From The Garden,

fVlIlg VV llllc London, May 24, 1913, in editorial report of the Chelsea
Flower Show.

\A7Viifra is well and truly named! This certainly is the “King”
rvlllg VY llllc au \Yhite Sweet Peas. In strength of vine, size of flower,
frilled form and finish no other White Sweet Pea can compare with it. The texture,
too, of the flower is greater than that of any other white. — Thus wrote the well-known
specialist, Mr. Hugh Dickson, Newtownards, County Down, Ireland, May 28, 1913.

ICincr Whlttf* In my opinion this is the greatest improvement in whites since
Tf I11LC. the introduction of Dorothy Eckford. Like Floradale Fairy,
it carries perfect Spencer form, blooms placed to perfection on the stem. It is easily
the whitest white and lacks the green found in White Spencer and Etta Dyke. The
principal feature, however, is the wonderful substance. — Thus wrote Mr. Frank G.
Cuthbertson, June 17, 1912, — when visiting our Sweet Pea Ranch at Lompoc,
California, — in company with Messrs. Morse and Dickson.

San Francisco, Cal., June 17, 1913.

W. ATLEE BURPEE & CO.,

Philadelphia, Pa.

Use Cuthbertson’s descriptions and double enthusiasm. I regard King White
best sweet pea novelty of recent times. The white is pure and opaque ; stems long,
bearing almost uniformly fours; immense petals of finest frilled type. Our trial
sample under poorest possible conditions produced large blossoms.

Illuminator, a new shade salmon-rose, will be permanent acquisition; is good
thing and popular florists’ shade.

Wedgwood a fine improved Zephyr ; good size ; holds color well and is consider-
ably larger and finer than Flora Norton Spencer, which is still one of the most popular
Spencers. Will want King White and Illuminator ourselves.

Lester L. Morse.

Floradale Farm, Lompoc, Cal., June 18, 1913.

W. ATLEE BURPEE,

Fordhook Farms,

Doylestown, Pa.

King White is not only the best white Sweet Pea in existence but it is a leader
among all Sweet Peas; its purity, large size, wavy standard and coming generally
four flowers on a stem, placed just right, appeal to every one, whether amateur or
professional, who have had the good fortune to see it growing at Floradale both in
1912 and 1913. Its future is undoubtedly assured not only for cut-flowers, but for
general planting whenever and wherever white flowers are appreciated.

Wedgwood is the very best among the blues; flowers are large and expanded
more freely than other blues. Wedgwood will surely be awarded first place in its
color class, as it will appeal to all lovers of flowers and especially to florists.

Illuminator; in summer of 1912 an enthusiastic Sweet Pea expert unhesitatingly
pronounced this the very best sweet pea he had ever seen, to which we cheerfully
subscribed. In form it is all that could be desired, and in color it is several shades
brighter than Edith Taylor , — a brilliant rose illuminated with orange-salmon.
This is sure to find its way to the forefront among sweet peas and will remain there
for some time to come.

Edwin Lonsdale.

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New Sweet Pea, — King White.

A “perfect” white Spencer Sweet Pea has long been the desire of all growers
and we can truthfully say “here it is,” King White being immeasurably superior
in form, size and substance to all others of this color. Whereas the petals of other
white Spencers are thin and the standards generally inclined to reflex, King White
has substance to spare, while the standards are of immense size, bold expanded form,
yet exquisitely waved. It is an extremely vigorous grower, floriferous to a degree,
and gives a. large proportion of four-flowered sprays. W. P. Wright, in his Sweet
Pea Note Book for 1913, says of King White: “At Sutton Green it was gigantic.
It gives fours and is a great acquisition.” It received an Award of Merit from the
National Sweet Pea Society of England, July, 1912.

1^ Jn q. #2, was awarded Certificate of Merit by The Pennsylvania Horti-

rVlIlg TY Illlt cultural Society at the Sweet Pea Show in Philadelphia,
June 26, 1913, and also by The Royal Horticultural Society of England, July, 1913.

In sealed packets containing fifteen seeds each: Per pkt. 15 cts.; $1.00 per
dozen pkts.; $7.00 per 100 pkts. In lots of 500 pkts. or more, $6.25 per 100

pkts. (Cable word, Rex.)

In sealed packets containing thirty seeds each: Per pkt. 25 cts.; $2.00 per
dozen pkts.; $13.75 per 100 pkts. In lots of 500 pkts. or more, $12.50 per 100

pkts. (Cable word, King.)

King White and Wedgwood

are introduced jointly by

ALEX. DICKSON & SONS, Ltd.,

Hawlmark, Belfast.

W. ATLEE BURPEE & CO., Philadelphia.

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New Sweet Pea, — “Wedgwood.”

The Best Blue Spencer.

See Spray Painted from Nature at Fordhook on Page 110 of The Burpee Annual for 1914.

It may help to give “a mental picture” of this charming novelty to say that,
until definitely named now, it has been known in our California “workshop” as
Improved Zephyr , or Improved Flora Norton Spencer. As Mr. Frank Cuthbertson
says, however, it “is more than the title implies, as the size is greater, the color
better and the form way ahead of all other Spencer Blues.”

ownnrl aPProPriate^y named, as its color throughout is a unique
▼ V CUg WUUU shade of Wedgwood blue,— a color so popular in China and
destined now to become almost equally famous in this distinct New Sweet Pea.

Wpflo'Wftnfl *s a true se^’ a most beautiful Wedgwood blue

VV CUgWUUU throughout the entire flower. It is entirely free from the
harsh purple shading found in Flora Norton Spencer and others of that type; at the
same time the flower of Wedgwood is much larger than Flora Norton Spencer,
Princess Mary, Southcote Blue, Kathleen McGowan or Zephyr.

WoHcrwonrl Pr°duces profusely flowers of good size (but not so gigantic
YY CUg WUUU as ]£ing White), borne almost uniformly in four-flowered
sprays, well placed upon long stout stems. Of finest Spencer form, the standard
and wings are well waved. It is a color that has been long wanted and for which
we anticipate an eager demand. Like most true Spencers, while blooming most
abundantly, many of the flowers drop without setting any seed-pods. Consequently
the “Seed in Sight” will hardly be sufficient to meet the expected demand.

Wedgwood was awarded Certificate of Merit by The Pennsylvania Horti-
cultural Society at The Sweet Pea Show, Philadelphia, June 26, 1913.

In sealed packets containing twelve seeds each: Per pkt. 15 cts.; $1.00 per
dozen pkts.; $7.00 per 100 pkts. In lots of 500 pkts. or more, $6.25 per 100
pkts. (Cable word, China.)

In sealed packets containing twenty-five seeds each : Per pkt. 25 cts. ; $2.00 per
dozen pkts.; $13.75 per 100 pkts. In lots of 500 pkts. or more, $12.50 per 100
pkts. (Cable word, Wedgwood.)

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New Sweet Pea, — Illuminator.

The Most Glorious Sweet Pea I have ever seen. — Thus wrote a well-known
“Anglo-American” expert, whose notes, made at Floradale Farm, our California
“Home of Sweet Peas,” were printed in our advance summer circular.

Illuminator

is so unique that it is almost impossible to find words to
properly describe its rare beauty. After several days at
Fordhook, the artist, Mr. Gauger, has caught a fair idea of its illusive charm, and if
properly lithographed we hope to show on the colored plate a reasonably true life-
like presentation of its daylight colors, but must leave to the imagination the glorious
effect of a bunch under artificial light for table decoration.

With a vase of these surpassingly superb flowers on the desk as we write, and after
looking up both our Floradale and Fordhook notes, the writer has decided that he
cannot improve upon the description of his friend, Mr. Hugh Dickson, of Belfast,
Ireland, who, besides spending weeks at Fordhook and Floradale during May and
June, 1912, also had Illuminator on trial at his home grounds, Newtownards.
Mr. Dickson’s description is reprinted verbatim in the first paragraph below.

Illuminator.

The most charming color or, rather, combination of colors
yet seen in Sweet Peas, and very difficult to describe. The

name conveys in part one of the charms of this beautiful variety, as the warm salmon-
orange ground color of the flower scintillates through the rich bright cerise-pink and
illuminates the flower delightfully. It is several shades richer and deeper in color
than the beautiful Edith Taylor , which variety it excels in texture and size of flower
as well as in color.

II 111 min a frit* *s stronS vigorous growth and blooms most profusely.

“The flowers, well placed upon long, stout stems, are uni-
formly of great substance, the standard being bold, expanded and attractively waved.
A glowing orange-scarlet,” — is the nearest approach we can make to its unusually
attractive appearance under artificial light. Awarded Certificate of Merit by The
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society , Philadelphia , June 26 , 1913.

Illumine frit* is of such a distinct and telling new color that it is sure to be
lllUlIlllldLUr eagerly sought for by Sweet Pea lovers throughout the world,
and our one regret is that the supply of seed is so limited that we fear we shall have
to report “ sold out ” long before the spring planting season arrives. It is only fair to
state frankly that we shall try to retain sufficient seed for our own retail trade;
therefore, other houses who desire to catalog Illuminator should order early.

In sealed packets containing twelve seeds each: Per pkt. 15 cts.; $1.00 per
dozen pkts.; $7.00 per 100 pkts. In lots of 500 pkts. or more. $6.25 per 100
pkts. (Cable word, Shining.)

In sealed packets containing twenty-five seeds each : Per pkt. 25 cts. ; $2.00 per
dozen pkts.; $13.75 per 100 pkts. In lots of 500 pkts. or more, $12.50 per 100

pkts. (Cable word, Illuminator.)

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EMPRESS EUGENIE -from a Photograph taken at FORDHOOK FARMS.

New Sweet Pea, — Empress Eugenie.

This beautiful novelty was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the American
Sweet Pea Society, June 29, 1911, but owing to its shy seeding character we have
not been able to introduce it until this season. The color is a delicate tone of light
gray, flaked with light lavender. A vase or bunch of Empress Eugenie gives a
most charming effect. The flowers are of large size, beautifully waved and crimped.
A vigorous grower and very free bloomer, throwing a large proportion of four-
flowered sprays.

In sealed packets containing fifteen seeds each: Per pkt. 15 cts.; $1.00 per
dozen pkts.; $7.00 per 100 pkts. In lots of 500 pkts. or more, $6.25 per 100
pkts. (Cable word, Empress.)

In sealed packets containing thirty seeds each: Per pkt. 25 cts.; $2.00 per
dozen pkts.; $13.75 per 100 pkts. In lots of 500 pkts. or more, $12.50 per 100

pkts. (Cable word, Eugenie.)

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Three New Spencer Sweet Peas.

Introduced by us in 1913 and now first offered at Wholesale.
Seed exclusively of our own Growing at
Floradale Farm, — The Home of Sweet Peas.

As the name implies, this novelty is indeed a “charming” variety of
111. delicate and exquisite color, such as we have every confidence in

introducing to our friends. It was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the American
Sweet Pea Society in 1911, under the name of “ Fordhook Fairy," but to avoid con-
fusing with our unique Primrose novelty for 1915, “ Floradale Fairy," — we have
changed the name to “Charm.” The flowers are of fair size and most of the strong
stiff stems bear four flowers each. Of the finest Spencer type, they are throughout a
glistening pure snow-white, suffused equally through standard and wings with delicate
flesh or blush-pink. It comes very true and is a most beautiful variety for bunching.

Wholesale: Per oz. 50 cts.; per lb. $6.00.

Dprnratnr This distinct novelty may be described briefly as an ennobled
cUUI * “ Rose da Barri" greatly increased in size and brought to true

Spencer type. Of vigorous growth the vines flower profusely, bearing on long stems
three and frequently four very large and beautifully waved flowers. No variety has
been more admired at Fordhook during the past season, and whether seen on the
plant or used for house and table decorations (especially under artificial light) its
merits are immediately recognized. The color is rich rose overlaid with terra-cotta,
intensifying to deep bright orange at base of wings. Awarded Certificate of Merit by
the National Sweet Pea Society of England and the Elberon Horticultural Society
at Asbury Park, New Jersey, 1912.

Wholesale: Per oz. 50 cts.; per lb. $S.00.

Orpllirl This glorious new introduction we believe will prove to be the gem of
'^'TEIIIU. tjle yean Never before have we seen a lavender with all the qualities
of Orchid; the flowers are softer in tone and more refined in contour. The color
is rich deep lavender throughout, slightly suffused pink on both standard and wings.
The flowers are practically of a self-color suggesting the rich tone found only in the
Cattleya family of orchids. The flowers are of extra large size, always borne three
and four (with plenty of fours) on long stiff stems. The plants are most vigorous
in growth and profuse flowering. While so profuse flowering most of the flowers are
dropped without producing any seed-pods, hence the seed is very scarce. Orchid
originated in Scotland with our friend, Mr. A. Malcolm, the noted hybridizer, from
whom we bought the entire stock when visiting his wonderful “workshop” in August,
19 1 1. Awarded Certificate of Merit by the Elberon Horticultural Society at Asbury
Park, New Jersey, July 3, 1912. See illustration on next page.

Wholesale: Per oz. $1.00; per lb. $12.00.

The Morse Novelty of 1913.

Margaret Atlee.

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful varieties
yet produced, and destined to be included in all “up-
to-date” collections. The flowers are of largest size, exquisitely waved, and borne
profusely in fours upon long, strong stems. The color is rich glowing pink on cream,
suffused with salmon; there is a distinct blotch of primrose at the base of the
standard, thus lightening up the flower most wonderfully. The color becomes slightly
deeper towards the edge of the standard, while the wings are a pleasing shade of rosy-
salmon. Margaret Atlee gives many duplex, or double, flowers and has been
greatly admired both in America and England. We were awarded a Certificate of
Merit for this lovely novelty by the American Sweet Pea Society, June 29, 1911, —
although we are only now first able to offer the seed. It was introduced to a small
extent last year, at retail only, by the originator, our friend Mr. Lester L. Morse,
of California. As another friend, Mr. W. Cuthbertson, head of the great Scotch
firm of Dobbie & Co., remarked to the writer last summer in Edinburgh, “it
will entirely replace Constance Oliver, popular as that beautiful variety is to-day.”
Only a few pounds to sell at wholesale.

Wholesale: Per oz. $1.25; per lb. $18.00.

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First Introduced (at Retail only) in 1913 by

W. ATLEE BURPEE & CO.,

PHILADELPHIA.

New Sweet Pea, “ORCHID,” — from Photograph taken at FORDHCOK.

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