SUTTON’S SPRING CATALOGUE FOR 1875, AND AMATEUR’S GUIDE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4411, 10 May 1875, Page 5

SUTTON’S SPRING CATALOGUE FOR 1875, AND AMATEUR’S GUIDE.

We have just received a copy of the “Amateur’s Guide” for spring, 1873, a catalogue issued by the well-known firm of Sutton and Sons, of the Eoyal Berkshire Seed Establishment, Beading. This book deserves more than a simple acknowledgment, inasmuch as it is a capital testimony to the extraordinary and praiseworthy efforts made at Home of late years by seedsmen and horticulturists to advance their calling as nearly as possible to perfection. It must be evident that the pursuit of cultivation, with the object of improving and perfecting, as far as practicable, the various esculents, as well as the raising of new and improved varieties by careful attention to hybridisation, both in the ornamental and useful parts of gardening, is commendable in the highest degree ; and none of the numerous giant competitors of the present day have attained more remarkable success than the publishers of the “Amateur’s Guide.” The work, as the title denotes, may be taken as a guide by the amateur gardener ; and not only so, but as a very acceptable reference .to those of greater experience. It is, in reality, a trade catalogue of the very first class ; got up with great skill and . ability, regardless of cost. Those of our country friends who may be unacquainted with the rate of progress in this branch at Home, will no doubt be pleasantly surprised to hear that this firm alone offers for competition, at the various shows during the year' no less than sixteen gold, silver, and bronze medals, five silver cups, and over £250 in money prizes. , The work itself is composed of 127 pages ot small type, closely printed, and contains over 200 woodcuts of various improved vegetables and desirable occupants of the flower garden ' and conservatory, executed with considerable ability, those of the English florist s flowers being quite gems, which we would fain transfer to our borders. Besides these, we notice some beautifully executed colored illustrations of “Sutton’s Hero of Bath melon; three varieties - of new peas, with the name ot ' the firm attached—giant emerald marrow, Duchess of Edinburgh, and bijou—so true to nature that the most being may be forgiven the desire to realise the image. Flora is also represented by a bouquet of six of “ Sutton’s improved penony perfection asters” of various colors, but symmetrical to such an extent as to suggest the thought that the idea of the name was not the least happy in their'execution. 1 We should not do justice by closing this 'notice without reference to the professional ■ and literary talent displayed in the compilation of , the work. The general and very useful ■ instructions in garden cultivation are blended with the advertising matter in such a manner as to make its perusal quite enjoyable ; and thus the publishers have overcome one of the greatest difficulties to be contended with in issuing any extensive trade catalogue. (I “A year’s work in the kitchen garden, which forms an interesting chapter of the book, has been compiled with evident care and ability. The introductory remarks and monthly directions are simple, concise, and complete. The same may be said of the special directions attached to all the vegetable, and many of the flower seeds, which no doubt apply, in many cases, to the special varieties offered by the firm. The essay upon ‘ Annual Flower Seeds, their cultivation and special adaptation,” written expressly for the work is very complete, and contains many valuable directions worthy of the attention of all those who delight to see Flora decked in her happiest attire. The “hints on the formation and improvement of garden lawns should also claim the attention of gentlemen s gardeners and the pastoral community, as it is ot great importance in laying down pastures and lawns that they should be done m such a manner as to keep in good heart for any number of years required. The list of novelties for the year is large, both in flower and vegetable seette, and contains many enticing acquisitions. The work is distributed gratis, and may be obtained on application to the firm by all intending purchasers. Messrs. Sutton and Sons announce that they are bona fide seedgrowers as well as distributers, and claim the support of the public particularly on this account, which is an evident guarantee of the genuineness of their seed ; and the most remarkable feature of the whole volume is that the name of the firm is prefixed to the larger

number of the seeds offered in almost every page, showing that they are the original producers of those varieties, thus creating the impression that the firm is at least one of the most advanced in their profession in the world, of which the “ caution to printers and others that the catalogue is original and copyright- is not the least proof. . , , . , We may add that this charming book is from the press of Spottiswood and Co., New Street Square, London, than which no house in the world is better fitted to execute finished work. We recommend our numerous town and country subscribers to write for and obtain Messrs. Sutton’s catalogue as a safe guide on the subjects treated of in its pages.