Jaae 21, 1877. J 



.JODRNAL OP HOSTIGUIiTDRE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



459 



for covermg bowers, arbours, rockwork, fences, garlanda, &a. 

 We repeat it is beautiful, more beautifal than a hundred others 

 Bent into commerce since, and it is surprising that a variety so 

 meritorious should disappear from gardens. 



It would be diUijult now to procure the Rambling Noisette 

 Kose (Noisettiana repens). The greatest amateurs do not pos- 

 sess it, nevertheless a plant of this excellent queen of flowers 

 exists with M. Acbille Aubry, Mayor of Coubert, where M. 

 Coohet has lately discovered it. In a year the horticultural 

 eatabUshment of M. Coehet will be able to supply this varietj 

 to those who are desirous of possessing a beautiful and good 

 Rose, very vigorous, long-lived, and acquiring an enormous 

 growth. — (Journal des Roses.) 



ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S GREAT 

 SUMMER SHOW.— JusE 19th. 



When we remember bow successful the previous shows of the 

 Society have been during the present year, the Committee 

 meetings which have grown into exhibitions, the spontaneous 

 efforts made by the growers and exhibitors of plants for Covent 

 Garden, and the united display subsequontly made by those 

 growers and the chief nurserymen on the occasion of Her 

 Majesty's visit on May 2ad — when such a splendid example of 

 horticultural loyalty was exemplified — it was not to be expected 

 that on the occasion of the visit of the popular Prince and 

 Princess of Wales that other than a rich, varied, and extensive 

 display would be provided. As soon as it became known that 

 their Royal Highnesses had signified their intention of ailordiug 

 the Society the benefit of their patronage, it was certain that 

 efforts would be made both by the directorate and exhibitors 

 to render the Show worthy of the occasion. The result has 

 proved, as it was certain to prove, that those efforts have been 

 successful, for the exhibition on Tuesday was remarkable both 

 for its extent and bi^h quality. 



It is noteworthy, particularly so, that during the whole of the 

 exhibiting term the displays have been of what may be termed 

 an honorary character ; and that they have been sustained in 

 the powerful way thay have been is the greatest compliment 

 that could have been paid to the old Society and its Couucil, 

 and have proved in a signal manner the vitality of horticultural 

 life even when its chief exponent was struggling with dilB unities 

 of a nature which many felt to be insurmountable. The season 

 hitherto has been a season of success ; it has been a success 

 of unity, not of contest. The Exhibition afforded a striking 

 instance of the resources of our pnncipal nurserymen. At show 

 after show they pour forth their treasures in all their freshness, 

 fulness, and beauty. On this occasion they appeared to be in 

 finer form than ever, and made a noble winding-up of the summer 

 shows of the preseut year — a grand finish to a successful season ; 

 a success in upholding the influence of the Society and the 

 object of it — the promotion of horticulture — rather than asuccrss 

 wnereby one exhibitor has triumphed over another, or where the 

 fight has been fur immediate gain, where prizes have gone to a 

 few and blanks to many. 



That contested exhibitions have done much for British horti- 

 culture none can deny. They have perhaps done more than 

 anything else to promote high culture ; but the experiment, 

 dictated, wo presume, by circumstances and not adopted from 

 choice, of uncnuteatod exhibitions, has certainly proved that the 

 issue has not been an issue of degeneration. Larger plauts may 

 have been staged than those exhibited at Soutb Kensington tbis 

 year, but plauts of greater value, in greater variety, and in better 

 condition have not been witnessed during recent years. Com- 

 petition will cojne again, and it will be none the less enjoyable 

 and ardent for the year of grace that has been afforded ; and in 

 the meantime it is satisfactory to find that the extjibitions have 

 been so good ; and it is also satisfactory — and tbis must be placed 

 to the credit of tbe S iciety — tbat no one has exhibited worthily 

 without having received a meed of recognition. It has been a 

 year of modals not of money, and medals carry a value bejoud 

 their immediate and intrinsic worth. Medals were awarded 

 on Tuesday, aud well tbey were won. Let iis now look iu what 

 manner and with what materials ; first, however, giving a general 

 idea of the character of the Exhibition. 



The comprehensive nature of the Show may be gathered from 

 the fact that the Society's schedule containecl forty-nine clanses 

 — twenty-four for amateurs aud twenty-five for nurserymen and 

 the trade; the PoUrJonium section twenty-four classes, and 

 twelve prizes were offered by Mr. William Bull, fur plants of bis 

 inroduction, comprising as many silver cups — four of hfiuen, f.>nr 

 of ten, and four of six guineas in value, together with money 

 prizes in two classes amonuting to i.'ll — iu all seventy-seven 

 classes. From the Council-room to the Exhibition the bro^d 

 walk, about 160 yards long, bad been covered with cauvas, 



making the approach delightfully cool preparatory to the still 

 cooler reception which had been provided by Mr. Wills. The 

 Pelargonium tent, 1.50 yards in length, was placed directly 

 across the broad walk, and was entered from the north side 

 immediately in the centre ; and just at this point Mr. Wills had 

 blenrled winter with summer — the tropical with the frigid zone, 

 for a rugged pile of icebergs had been erected from the inter- 

 stices of which were a few graceful Palms, just suUioient for 

 affording relief to tbe glistening blocks of ice, and by contrast 

 intensifying, as it were, its cool appearance. The arctic- 

 torrid pile was further ornamented with Water Lilies fringed 

 with fresh green plants of Lysimachia Nummnlaria, and sup- 

 ported at intervals above it in ornamental vases were brightly 

 coloured plants of Pandanus Veitchii, with a base of Lycopods 

 and Isolepis gracilis. In the centre was a large terra cotta 

 fountain reaching nearly to the top of the tent. The vases, 

 fountain, *o., were provided by Messrs. F. Kosher & Co., King's 

 Road, Chelsea, London, and the ice employed exceeded six tons. 

 It was a bold and skilfully arranged example of advanced deco- 

 ration, and was particularly appropriate during the sultry and 

 brilliant day. 



The Pelargonium tent was 120 yards iu length, and was filled 

 from end to end with an excellent display of these plants and 

 some extensive collections of Irises and Lilies. 



The Fruit and Vegetable tent, which contained also table 

 decorations, ttc, was of nearly the same length as the Pelar- 

 Konium marquee, and was at right angles with it, and was also 

 quite filled. From the other end— tbe east end of the Pelar- 

 gonium tent — a covered way conducted to the large marquee in 

 which the principal collections were arranged. The reception 

 was here again appropriately cool, for Messrs. Dick Radulyffe 

 and Co. had erected a charmingly natural pile of artificial rock- 

 work. The stones were carpeted with moss, and from the 

 crevices sprang fresh greon Ferns, Begonias, itc. Spurting foun- 

 tains sent jets of tiny spray from the base-like miniature springs, 

 and from the top of the rock a gurgling stream of water poured 

 into the pool below. The whole had a very refreshing effect. 

 A short distance from the rockery and arranged in a semicir- 

 cular manner round it were a fine collection of Ivies in pots from 

 Messrs. Laue & Son, Berkhampstead, the plants being trained 

 as pyramids. These afforded an effective background to the 

 rockery. On either hand and affording colour were some fine 

 collections of " market plants," the Lilinms especially imparting 

 a delicious odour. Having noticed the entrance we will take 

 a momentary stand iu the centre of the marquee. In the very 

 centre where a group of plants were formerly arranged there 

 was on this occasion a simple circle of smooth lawn, the plauts 

 being arranged on elevated turf-covered mounds sufficiently 

 isolated to show their distinctness, and were rendered all the 

 more bright and effective by the neutral centre, which also 

 afforded additional room for purposes of promenade. The plan 

 adopted was unquestionably the right one from whatever point 

 of view it was regarded — whether for convenience or effect. The 

 first group at the end was Mr. WilUams's great collection. This 

 was flanked on the one hand by a fine collection of Cycads and 

 new plants from Mr. Bull, and on the other by the Orchid col- 

 lections, brilliant boxes of Irises from Messrs. Veitch, also 

 Japanese Acers, amoi>gst which the distinct white Hydrangea 

 Thomas Hugg showed conspicuously. 



At the opposite eud of the tent was arranged a group resem- 

 bling a tropical forest, composed of immense Tree Ferns, large 

 Palms, and towering Cordylines, the group being fringed with 

 a bank of Lycopods, from which sprang bright flowering and 

 foliage plants, with here and there elevated above them fiue 

 specimens of Nepenthes — a fine group, about which it is not 

 necessary to say another word. It was flanked by a group of 

 great variety and richness from Messrs. Veitch on the one hand, 

 the opposite bank being crowned with fiue specimens of Ivies 

 from Mr. Turner, Slough ; tbe sides of the bank being occupied 

 with Ferns and hardy flowers from Mr. Parker, Tooting, aud a 

 large and good miscellaneous collection of plants from Messrs. 

 Rollisson & Sons. Such is the general effect of the central 

 portion of the Show. The opposite outer sides of the banks 

 were excellently filled, as was tbe marginal border surrounding 

 the marquee. 



We may now look a little more in detail at some of the chief 

 collections. 



Tbe collections of nurserymen and the trade were necessarily 

 the more extensive and important features of the Show, con- 

 sequently they first demand notice. The groups were un- 

 limited as to the number of plants; space of a given extent 

 having been appropriated to each exhibitor, which he occupied 

 with plants of his own choice, and arranged them, of course, 

 BO as to best display their attractions. This mode of exhibit- 

 ing undoubtedly possesses many advantages. According to 

 the arbitrary stereotyped plan of specifying the plauts an ex- 

 hibitor must necessarily leave many specimens at liome, which 

 whether they are large or small are highly attractive; but by 

 the plan here adopted opportunity was afforded for every plant 

 of merit being arranged, and the combinatiouB thna effected 



