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JOURNAL OF HORTICOLTUSE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ April 19, 1877. 



and lay them in on a dry warm border, and let them remain 

 till the foliage becomes dry and decayed, then oat it off to 

 within an inch of the bulbs, but touch not the root fibres. 

 Now cover the bulbs over about an inch deep with sand; this 

 prevents them from drying too quickly and ehrivelling. After 

 they have remained in the sand three or four weeks rub off 

 the fibres and store the bulbs away until the planting season 

 comes round once more. — N. Cole. 



KOTAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



April 18th. 



liiMEDLiTELY the idea was suggested that the growers and 

 salesmen of plants, flowers, bouquets, fruits, vegetables, and 

 salads should unite in providing an exhibition of their wares, 

 an unanimous response of approval resulted ; and it was no 

 sooner suggested that the proposed Exhibition should be held 

 under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society, than the 

 Council of the Society not only acquiesced, but promptly de- 

 termined to give the utmost encouragement to the project. 



It may not be scientific horticulture which the Society has been 

 thus ready to patronise ; but it was none the less ueefnl, sensible, 

 practical work that was exemplified in the Exhibition of yester- 

 day. The display both by its extent and excellence was worthy 

 of the efforts of those who provided it, and of the patronage of 

 the numerous visitors. It was not novelty merely, but sterling 

 culture, that was the characteristic of the Exhibition — culture 

 devoted to a definite object, and for the most practical of all 

 purposes — namely, the " bringing home " as it were of horti- 

 culture to the greatest number who can participate in its 

 benefits. To Mr. Howard, a successful cultivator, the credit is 

 due of having first suggested the practicability of holding this 

 great commercial display, which all connected with have aided 

 so willingly and well to bring to a successful issue. 



It was not a show for which special preparations had been 

 made, but was a fair example of produce such as is in a regular 

 way provided for the daily demands of the metropolis, and the 

 more credit on that account is due to the several producers and 

 exhibitors. That it was superior produce none can dispute, and 

 that high culture was shown in the various exhibits is also be- 

 yond question. Both in the ornamental and useful departments 

 admirable examples of what are in daily demand in the homes of 

 the affluent were forthcoming — examples which are not always 

 and at all times equalled in a private way, neither, let us add in 

 justice to many cultivators, ought always to be expected. 



It were impossible — and the fact may well be remembered — 

 for any one of the exhibitors of yesterday to have excelled in 

 aU that was exhibited, since each only submitted his speciality; 

 butgardeners, as a rule, have no specialities, but must distribute 

 their skill and divide — it may be dilute — their resources accord- 

 ing to peculiar demands, the exigencies of circumstances, and 

 the dictates of conveniences. It is only fair to mention this — 

 not as affording an excuse for inferior cultivation, but as record- 

 ing a fact which cannot be gainsaid by competent men. 



Let us now glance at the Exhibition — its aspect, arrangement, 

 and collections. The general effect was, of course, less imposing 

 than that produced by a great display of large specimen plants, 

 yet it was extremely telling from the distinct masses of decided 

 colours which the salesmen are so well able to dispose effectively. 

 The feathery masses of Spira-as (Hoteias) contrasted with the 

 rich blue Cinerarias ; the massive Hydrangeas were not more 

 conspicuous than the golden feathery globe-shaped Cytisuses ; 

 scarlet Geraniums imparted brilliancy, toned by the softer 

 shades of other varieties; Azaleas and early Pelargoniums, 

 some rich, some sober, were rendered the more striking by the 

 association of densely bloomed, healthy, and elegant Fuchsias ; 

 Bichardias contributed their distinct white spathes; and Ferns 

 and Lycopods cheerful refreshing masses of green. Perfume 

 was redolent from the numerous and good examples of Musk 

 and Mignonette, Heliotropes and Roses adding also their odour 

 and their beauty; and all these plants were represented in 

 excellent condition, and were remarkable alike for cleanliness, 

 vigour of foliage, profusion of bloom, sturdiness of habit, and the 

 Bmallness of their pots ; they were, in fact, patterns of good culti- 

 vation, and exactly suitable for the decorative purposes for which 

 they had been grown. Variety was further imparted by the 

 examples of fruits, vegetables, salads, and bouquets, most of 

 of which were good, and none unworthy of the building in which 

 they were displayed. 



The Exhibition was held in the arcades east and west of the 

 conservatory, the latter structure being occupied with nursery- 

 men's collections. As affording an idea of the extent of the Ex- 

 hibition we may state that the corridors are nearly 800 feet in 

 length, and they were quite filled with market produce arranged 

 on staging about 6 feet wide along one side, the remaining space 

 being left for promenade, except where occupied with fruit and 

 yegetables. How many thousands of plants were exhibited it is 

 impossible to conjecture, but many of the collections contained 

 some hundreds, and in one or two instances there could be Uttle 



short of a thousand, Mr. Hayes of Edmonton staging, in fact, 

 upwards of sixteen hundred. 



The first collection in the eastern corridor was from Mr. 

 Herbst, New Nursery, Richmond. In the centre of this group 

 was a square bed of Lily of the Valley in boxes, surrounded with a 

 fringe of Primula amcBna, and near each eod of the collection 

 were squares of pink Azaleas surrounded with Hoteias. Between 

 these primary beds were small Palms, the entire collection 

 being backed with Palms and fringed with Ferns. The whole 

 of the plants were in admirable condition. 



The next collection was Mr. Hayes's great contribntion above 

 mentioned. The plants occupied about 150 feet in length oS 

 staging, and caused expressions of surprise that all of them had 

 been produced by one cultivator. They were arranged on tho 

 mixed system, and consisted of all kinds of hard and softwooded 

 plants in season — Cytisuses, Erica ventricosa, and scarlet Gera- 

 niums preponderating. The collection also contained many 

 China Roses and Cinerarias, and a few Ferns. It was both an 

 extensive and beautiful display, and only wanted a background 

 of Palms and a fringe of Ferns to have rendered it perfect. 



We next came to a group of ornamental-foliaged plants from 

 Mr. H. B. Smith, Ealing Dean Nursery, Ealing. This was a 

 capital contribution, the plants being remarkably healthy and 

 clean. They comprised Palms, Dracisnas, Phormiums, Pan- 

 danuses, Begoniis, and Ferns. In the centre was a plant of 

 Latania borbonica, some of the fronds being distinctly varie- 



j gated, rendering it additionally ornamental. 



Messrs. W. & A. Brown, Hendon, staged the next collection, 

 which consisted of Pelargoniums, very healthy plants of Poly- 

 sticbnm aculeatum, and bright close masses of Silene pendula 



[ compacta, China Roses, and Forget-me-nets. 



I Adjoining this was a good and bright group of considerable 



I extent from Mr. J. Puttick, Park Road, Acton, comprising double 

 and single Geraniums, early-flowering Pelargoninms, very good 

 pots of Mignonette and Intermediate Stocks; a few " Oak- 



[ leaved" scented Geraniums were also interspersed amongst the 

 flowering plants. 

 The next was a "self" collection and a good one — namely, 



I a hundred plants of Hoteia japonica from Mr. G. Potilton, 



: Fountain Nursery, Angel Road. Edmonton. The plants, which 

 were in small 48-8ized pots, were about 2 feet in diameter and 



' nearly the same in height, and had about a dozen good spikes of 



I flowers on each — just in perfection. 



The end group in this corridnr was furnished by Messrs. H. R. 

 and G. Wright, Turner Road, Lee, and consisted of large Palms, 

 at the front of which were grouped a few good Orchids, well- 



j coloured Crotons and Dracasnas, with Ferns — a tolerably ex- 



j tensive and very exc'llent collection. 



] In the eastern arcades Mr. Reeve, The Nurseries, Acton, con- 

 tributed a very fine bank, 50 feet in length, arranged principally 

 in squares, each containing from two to four dozen plants of 

 Mignonette, very fine ; double Primulas, good ; Coleuses, white 

 and scarlet Tulips, greenhouse Pt-largoniums, Hydrangeas, He- 

 liotropes, Fuchsias, Gardenias, and Roses. At the back were 

 Palms, Richardias, Arum album maculatum, and Hoteias, and at 

 the front Ferns, small Euouymuse8,and Anthericum variegatum 

 — an admirable collection. 



Messrs. Hawkins it Bennett, Lily Gardens, Twickenham, came 

 next with a group about -10 feet long, composed of small admir- 

 ably bloomed plants of perhaps still the best decorative Gera- 

 niums in their respective colours — namely, Vesuvius, Madame 

 Vaucher, and Christine. The centre of this lively group was 

 composed of small Ferns and Lycopods, and cut trusses of 

 Geraniums. 



The next group, over 60 feet long, was from Mr. Thomas Paget, 

 Clapham. In this bank Cytisus racemosns preponderated, and 

 dotted amongst tbem were Dracainas, Paudanuses, Palms, and 

 Hoteias, the whole being fringed with small Ferns — Adiantum 

 cuneatum and Pteris serrulata. 



We next arrived at a very extensive and striking collection of 

 early-flowerinp Pelargoniums exhibited by Messrs. Beokwith 

 and Son, The Nurseries, Tottenham. There were nine rows of 

 plants, each row being 60 feet in length. The plants were ex- 

 tremely sturdy in habit, good in foliage, and profusely furnished 

 with bloom. These varieties, which chiefly belong to the French 

 section, are highly useful decorative plants. Amongst the most 

 striking we noted Duchess of Bedford, new white, fine. This, 

 with Digby Grand, Kingston Beauty, and Mrs. Bradshaw are 

 the best of the lights. Amongst darks were Lizzie Holland, 

 Rob R' y. Whetstone Hero, and 'Triomphe de St. Mande. Fanoiesl 

 Fanny Gair only. Mr. Beckwith also exhibited some attractive 

 plants of a dark Heliotrope — a seedUug from Florence Night- 

 ingale, and one of the best varieties we have seen. Its name 

 is Lizzie Holland, and it is good in colour, truss, and habit. 



Messrs. Hooper ct Co. contributed an effective display of table 

 and general decorative plants in various sizes — from Palma 

 6 feet in height to Lycopods only a few inches high. Caladium 

 argyrites in this group was very effective, and especially so was 

 Arundo donax versicolor. Ficus Parcellii, Crotons, Marantas, 

 Dracfenae, Dieffenbachias, and Ferns completed the collection. 



