278 



JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEB. 



I April 18, IMT. 



are, that by bavin i; every piece of vrood with its leading shoot, 

 the proper nourishment of the tree never ceasea to keep pro- 

 perly distributed, you obtain a crop without any covering to 

 your trees, and you avoid all standing in the cold and hitting 

 your fingers instead of the nails in winter pruning. 1 have 

 had a crop of fruit for the last twenty years under the above 

 moiie of managing the trees. 



The six Peaches which I recommend are — Chevreuse, Teton 

 de Venus, Noblesse, Bellegarde or Galande, Walburton Admir- 

 able, Grosse Mignoune. The following are also good kinds :— 

 Bed Magdalen, Kojal George. Vanguard (very often sold for 

 Noblesse), Old Newiugton, Chancellor. The six Nectarines 

 which I prefer are — Elruge, Red Eoman, Brugnon, Violette 

 Hative, Pitmaston Orange, Hardwicke. — J. Hakris, iVHrsci-yHWH. 



nOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Dr. Masters's Lectfre, J}>i-il 13th. — The Stem and Branches 

 formed the subject of this day's lecture, the features distingiiishiug 

 them from the root were pointed out, and numerous illustrations were 

 given of the various forms which these parts assume. The pur^joses 

 which the stem serv-es in the economy of the plant were stated as being 

 to act as a channel of communication between the roots and leaves, 

 to expose the latter to the light and air, to serve as a reservoir of 

 nutriment for the plant, and in some cases to act as a substitute for 

 the leaf. For the support of annual plants a small herbaceous stem 

 was usually sufficient, but for those of longer duration, or which are 

 exposed to the wind, a woody stem or truulj became necessarj-. The 

 wav in which the trunk is formed through the greater energ)' of the 

 terminal bud, and its more favourable position as compared with the 

 side shoots for receiving nourishment and light, was then explained ; 

 and Dr. Masters next showed that the different shapes which trees 

 assume depend on the suppression of some buds, the development of 

 others, the position and arrangement of the latter, and the direction 

 which the resulting shoots assume. In the organs of plants there was 

 the same struggle as that which goes on between plant and plant, 

 when a number are gi-owing together, and the same victory of strong 

 over weak. Tliis struggle exercised a powerful effect on the form and 

 habit of the plant, and climbing plants were instanced as a form in 

 which the leaves are as fully exposed to light and air as if they had a 

 thick trunk and branches. 



Dr. Masters next pointed out that the underground portions of the 

 stem, such as tubers, corms, and rhizomes, are distinguished from 

 roots by the habitual production of buds, and serve as i-eservoirs of 

 nutriment. Renerally containinf? starch and other substances available 

 for the growth of the plant. Many subterranean forms of stem, it was 

 then mentioned, could change their position by their growth at one end 

 and decay at the other. Aerial stems likewise served as storehouses, 

 some, as in the case of Cactuses, containing large quantities of water, 

 while in others there were resins, gums, and various peculiar secre- 

 tions. 



The power which the cultivator has of altering the form of plants 

 by pruning, grafting, and other operations was then referred to, as well 

 as the effect of these as regards the formation of wood and the pro- 

 duction of fruit. The effect of grafting, and especially that of dpnble- 

 grafting, in promoting the speedy formation of fruit-spurs, was also 

 pointed out, and illustrated by specimens kindly sent by Messrs. Rivers. 



Second Spring Show, Aj)ril IGth. — This was an extensive as well 

 as most beautiful Show, lacking but one element to render its success 

 complete, and that was fine weather ; for though the two conservatory 

 arcades, which the various subjects fully occupied, and the conservatoi-y 

 itself, were warm, dry, and comfortable, the drizzling rain which con- 

 tinued more or less throughout the day very much diminished the 

 numbers and enjoyment of the visitors. Masses of fine Azaleas and 

 Rhododendrons, and -a profusion of Roses constituted the leading 

 features of the display, while mixed collections of flowering and fiue- 

 foliaged plants, Cinerarias, Lilies of the Valley, Pelargoniums, and 

 other plants served to give it variety. 



In the class for nine Azaleas the only exhibition was that of Messrs. 

 Lane & Son, of Berkhampstead, who had a first prize for Gem, Chel- 

 soni. Advance, Klegantissima, Stella, and finely-bloomed plants of 

 Poi Leopold, Sir Charles Napier, Magnificent, and Iveryaua. In the 

 Amateurs' class for six, Mr. Wheeler, gardener to Sir F. Goldsmid, 

 Bart., was first with well-bloomed specimens of Marie Louise, Duke 

 of Devonshire, Stella, Broughtoni, Semi-duplex, and Alba Cincta. 

 Mr. Todman, gardener to R. Hudson, Ksq., Clapham Common, was 

 secoud with smaller plants, but in excellent bloom, the varieties being 

 Ducbesse Adelaide de Nassau, very brilliant in colour; Princess 

 Royal, rosy crimson ; Roi Leopold, Princess Barthilda. Conciuna, 

 purplish lilac ; and The Bride, white. Mr. Wilkie, gardener to J. 

 McHenry, Esq., Kensington, who was third, had Crispiflora, in which 

 the edges of the petals are curled or crisped ; Burlingtoui, orange 

 scarlet ; Coronata, deep rose ; a finely-bloomed standard Sir Charles 

 Napier, and a pyramidal plant of Roi Leopold, covered with bloom. 

 The snrae exhibitor was first for three plants with Sinensis, Dnchesse 

 Adelaide de Nassau, aud Marie Vervaeao, all three in exoellent bloom. 



and the last, though small, being pure white with a few streaks of red, 

 was very pleasing. Mr. "Wheeler was second, and Mr, Todman third. 

 The first prize for the best single specimen was awarded to Mr. Fair- 

 bairn, gardener to the Duke of Northumherlond, Siou. for a plant of 

 Trinmphans, forming a ref^nlar cone about 5 feet in height, well 

 covered with flowers. Mr. Turner, Slongh, was second with Louise 

 Von Baden, bearing a profusion of its fine large white flowers. Messrs. 

 Lane contributed Rcine des Blanches, about Sj feet high, and Mr. 

 Lydiard, Batheaston, a small plant of Extrani, but in very good bloom, 

 'of Rhododendrons, Messrs. Lane were the only exhibitors in the 

 class for six, but took a well-merited first prize for Angustum, delicate 

 pink ; Nero, dark rosy pnqde ; Illuminator, with largo trusses of rose- 

 coloured flowers ; Vervaencanum, semi-double, bluish lilac ; Griswoodi- 

 anum, blush ; and Erectnm, deep rose — all of them moderate-sized 

 plants, and in excellent bloom. Messrs. Lane also contributed a col- 

 lection of dwarf standards in small pots, and in fine bloom, though 

 not exceedino a foot in height. The first prize for a single specimen 

 went to Mr. 'Wilkie, for a fine standard Everestiannm, with a head 

 measuring 5 feet or more across ; and the second to Messrs. Lane, 

 for Toowardianum, bearing numerous large tmases of its rosy lilac 

 flowers. 



Mr. Parker, of Tooting, sent a fine half-standard Countess of Had- 

 dington, with a head .SJ feet across, and bearing numerous trusses of 

 its charming rosy blush flowers. Most unfortunately it was too late 

 for competition, otherwise it would doubtless have secured an award. 

 This fine hybrid variety, it will be remembered, was first sent out by 

 Mr. Parker. Mr. Batch sent cut blooms of Rhododendrons giown out 

 of doors at Hafodnnos, Denbighshire ; likewise blooms of Aucklandii, 

 of course from a house. 



Roses and their merits will be fully reported on by " D.," of Deal, 

 and in the meanwhile it will snflice to mention the names of the prize- 

 takers, and a few of the varieties exhibited. The fii-st prize for nine 

 was taken by Mr. Turner, in whose collection we remarked fine ex- 

 amples of Seuateur Yaisse, Baron Adolphe de Rothschild, Vicomte 

 Vigier, Charles Lawson very fine, Madame Falcot, and Souvenir de 

 la Malmaison, with numerous beautiful blooms. In that of Mr. "W. 

 Paul, who was second, we remarked Victor Verdier, .John Hopper, and 

 Madame Villermoz ; whilst Messrs. Paul & Sou, who were third, had 

 Anna AlexieSf beautifully fresh, Charles Lawson, Madame Villermoz. 

 and Alba Rosa, Mr, James, gardener to W, F. Watson, Esq,, took 

 a first prize, the onlv one awarded in the Amateurs' class, with plants 

 in good bloom ; and' in that for the best single specimen Mr. W. Paul 

 had a like award for Madame Alfred de RoU!;emont, which, although 

 not large, had about two dozen expauded flowers, white tinged with 

 pink, equally distributed over the plant. Mr. Turner was scconcL 



New Roses of 18(55 and 1866 were with some exceptions not seen to 

 the best advantage. Charles Wood, deep velvety crimson ; Exposition 

 de Brie, violet shaded crimson ; Mdlle. Marie Body, crimson scarlet ; 

 Camilla Beniardin, Dr. Andre, Marguerite de St. Amand, Alba Muta- 

 bilis, Charles RonUlard, and Marechal Niel were some of tho most 

 noticeable. The last, of course, now requires no commendation. Mr. 

 W. Paul was first ; Mr. Turner, second ; Messrs. Paul & Son, third. 

 Extra prizes wore also awarded to Mr. W. Paul, and to Messrs. Lane, 

 who each showed numerous collections of pot plants, also to Messrs. 

 Paul & Son for boxes of cut blooms. . 



Among Cinerarias the most attractive were Miss Smith, Lord Elgin, 

 William Dobson, Lady Theodore Grosvener, blue-edged ; and Echpse, 

 white with a broad rosy purple edge. Messrs. Dobson i" Son were first, 

 also receiving an extra' prize for twelve well-bloomed plants ; Mr. Fair- 

 baim, secoud ; Mr. James, third. The last-named exhibitor also had 

 a first prize for six Calceolarias admirably flowered, aud of the same 

 excellent strain as that which he usually exhibits. 



Prizes were also offered for AmarylUds. Messrs. Veiteh and Mr. 

 Burley, Bayswater, were the onlyexhibitors, the former bemg awarded 

 the first prize for their collection, in which Ackermanni pulcherruna, 

 with large, deep scariet flowers veined with blackish red, and Bau- 

 manni grandiflora were conspicuous. 



Auriculas, Polyanthuses, and Pansies, will receive special notice at 

 other hands. For Auriculas, Mr. Turner, of Slough, took a first prize 

 in the Nurserj-mens class, with beautiful examples of Miss Giddmgs 

 (Read), Richard Headley (Lightbodv), and Mary Ann (Fletcher), Grey- 

 edged ; Unique (Dickson), Priuce of Wales (Ashton), and Lady 

 Richardson (Gaim), Green-edged; Crucifix (Clegg), Fail- Maid (Light- 

 body), and Pillar of Beauty (Hughes), White-edged ; Lli7,a (Sim), 

 Meteor Flag (Lightbody), and Stadtholder (Gorton), Selfs. Mr. .Tames, 

 who was first in the Amateurs' class, had a good eight, likewise tataug 

 a third prize for Alpines. For Polyanthuses, Mr. Wiggins was first, 

 Mr. Turner, second; and for Pansies in pots, Mr. .Tames was first. 

 Good stands of cut blooms from Mr. James and Mr. Hooper, of Bath, 

 also received first and second prizes. ^ , 



LUv of the Valley, in excellent bloom, from Mr. Reeves, Campden 

 Grove' Nursery, Kcisiugton. had a first prize; aud Mi'. Salter, Ham- 

 mersmith, was second with beautiful potsful of the variegated sort m 

 fine bloom. 



Miscellaneons collections of plants in flower consisted for the most 

 part of subjects which had been exhibited on the previous Saturday at 

 the Regent's Park. Among them were Acacias, Ixoras, Genetyllis, 

 Vincas.'Eriostemons, Azaleas, Rhyncospermum jasminoides, Odonto- 

 glossums, Vandas, and other Orchids. Mr. Wilkie was first, Mr. 

 Williams second, and Mr. Wheeler third. 



