October 22, 1910 



HORTICULTURF. 



565 



Acidanthera bicolor 



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Acidanthera bicolor is a ratlier 

 rare summer flowering bulbous 

 plant, possessing qualities which are 

 very apt to pave its way to a more 

 general recognition. In habits of 

 growth it resembles to some extent 

 the montbretia. It has, however, 

 not the erect carriage of the latter 

 and nearing maturity very often re- 

 quires some support. 



Acidanthera bicolor at its very 

 best does not apjjear to nie a plant 

 species suitable for floral mass ef- 

 fects. Beaching a height of from 

 two to three feet, its flowers, ex- 

 panding during July and August, 

 are borne on thin stems, seven to 

 ten on one stalk. The color is a 

 creamy white, with a broad deep 

 maroon base. The starry outlines 

 of the segments in connection with 

 the delicate color shading, however, 

 draw attention at a glance. The 

 admiration for these flowers grows as soon as we become 

 aware of their fragrance, wdiich reminds us of the lily. 

 They combine certain elements of beauty, which are al- 

 ways apt to make a lasting impression on us. Cut and 

 put in water I have been able to keep the flowers fresh 

 for nearly a week. They have in many instances proven 

 an excellent material for high-class design work. The 

 plant well merits some space in every garden where a 

 choice selection of flowers ranks above the everyday 

 maPs effect. 



'.NICAL 



Bulbs should be planted in the open ground early in 

 p]iring, a light loamy soil properly enriched and a sunny 

 position being a necessity to insure a thrifty growth. In 

 overwintering the Acidanthera the requirements are the 

 fiiiiie as for gladiolus bulbs. 



-^jUA/OJLXi <^<r(/i 





'Northemt Harbor, Me. 



British Horticulture 



SOME NEW DAHLIAS 



The National Dahlia Society's second autumn show 

 on September 80 and 21 attracted a good number of 

 visitors to the Eoyal Botanic Gardens, in London, thanks 

 chiefly to the genial weather which at the time of writ- 

 ing is offering its solace for a disappointing summer. 

 The trade exhibits, as usual, formed an interesting fea- 

 ture. In the nurserymens' section, for the prizes offered 

 for three vases of cactus dahlias put into commerce for 

 the first time during 1908-9, Mr. John Walker of Thame, 

 Oxon, gained the first award with a tasteful arrange- 

 ment, showing Echo, Mercia, and Mrs. A. Dyer. The 

 pseony-flowered varieties made an attractive display, 

 some of the tints being particularly striking. The fol- 

 lowing new varieties received first-class certificates : 

 American (cactus) white ground, splashed and striped 

 crimson — Keyne, Williams and Co. Mrs. Douglas 

 Fleming (cactus) white, with greenish center; H. L. 

 Brousson (cactus), a pleasing shade of rosy mauve, with 

 lighter centre; White Ensign (garden cactus) pure 

 white ; Flagstaff (garden cactus) large bloom, of rosy- 

 salmon tint — J. Stredwick and Sons. Mary Furrier 



(garden cactus) bright crimson — J. T. West. William 

 Pemberton (fancy) yellow ground, splashed and striped 



;rimson; Model (show) white base, tipped with rosy 

 purple — S. Mortimer. Pink Beauty (pompon) a useful 

 shade of light pink — J. Cheal and Sons. 



THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION 



London is to see an international horticultural exhi- 



bition in 1913, for which active preparations are already 

 being made. The finest gardens of the empire will be 

 drawn upon to make a display thoroughly representative 

 of each nation's highest forms of horticultural art. The 

 exhibition is expected to surpass the great international 

 show Iield at the Eoyal Horticultural Society's gardens 

 in South Kensington in 1866. These gardens were sit- 

 uated near the Albert Hall, and were opened by the 

 Prince Consort, who planted a Wellingtonea gigantea. 

 The Society's headquarters were subsequently shifted to 

 Chiswick, owing to the site being required for the Im- 

 ])erial Institute. The spacious grounds adjoining the 

 Poyal Hospital at Chelsea have been chosen — a site ad- 

 mirably suitable as regards accommodation and accessi- 

 bility from all parts of the Metropolis. There is an ap- 

 propriateness in the selection from the fact that the pic- 

 turesque grounds at Chelsea were laid out by Sir Joseph 

 Paxton, one of Britain's noted horticulturists. About 

 20 acres, including the Eanelagh Gardens will be avail- 

 able, with entrances from the Chelsea embankment and 

 Bridge street. An influential executive committee has 

 been formed, with Mr. J. Gurney Fowler, J. P., a noted 

 gardening enthusiast and treasurer of the Eoyal Horti- 

 cultural Society as chairman, and Sir Jeremiah Colman, 

 Bart., the distinguished orchidist, as honorable treasurer. 

 The list of patrons already include their Majesties the 

 King and Queen, the Duke of Connaught, and Prince 

 and Princess Christian. 



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