Jano 28, 1877. 1 



JOURNAL OF HOBTIOOLTDBE AND COTTAGE GARDENEB. 



48-8iz6ii pot ; every plant represents a cashion of pinkish-white 

 flowers, and the long row is extremely chaste. The plant re- 

 quires a considerable quantity of water at the roots, but not 

 much on the foliage, to have it in the good condition in which 

 Messrs. Carter exhibit it: it will become popular, for at the 

 Eoyal Horticultural Society's Show on the lyth iust. we noticed 

 that this annual fouud many admirers. The uext row consists of 

 Hhodanthes in several varieties, and very attractive these Ever- 

 lastings are when well grown; like the lonopsidium — or rather 

 with the Rhodanthes the matter is still mure important that 

 water must not be carelessly sprinkled over the foliage, bat 

 Bhoald only be applied to the roots. Everyone who requires 

 attractive decorative plants in early summer should grow Rho- 

 danthes. The most effective varieties in the Exhibition under 

 notice are Manglesii, raaculata, very fine ; Prince Biamarck, 

 deep pink; atro-sauguiuea, the richest of all; and Alba, an 

 attractive white variety. Other plants of the same nature are 

 AorooliQiumi, rose and white, very pretty; and Waitzia acumi- 

 nata, bright yellow. 



The other plants in the collection are arranged in panels — 

 squares of dwarf sorts being divided by annuals of taller growth 

 — Sweet Peas, Canary Plants, Lupines, ChrysauthemumB, white 

 and yellow, very telling, and admirably adapted for distant 

 effect; Clarkias, Larkspurs, and Cyanus minor, brilliant azure 

 blue, very beautiful for bouquets, but has a singular habit of 

 fading in water. 



Amontist the more effective of the dwarfer plants are the 

 dwarf Nasturtiums (Tropaeolums). The darkest variety of all is 

 King Theodore, intense velvety maroon ; but very rich and 

 floriferous is Tom Thumb, crimson. Extremely bright is an 

 orange-scarlet variety named Beauty : this and King of Tom 

 Thumbs are the best of the scarlets, the latter being distinct on 

 account of ita small bluish-green foliage. There is a bright 

 yellow variety without a spot, and another with maroon blotches 

 on the petals. Those varieties nimed are amoug^t the most 

 effective of annuals, which grow fi*eely and flower profusely in 

 any ordinary garden soil ; they possess an advaotage over many 

 other annuals, inasmuch as they are seldom eaten by slugs. A 

 few other annuals to note as being very effective are Silene 

 pendula compacta — a dense mass of glowing pink, valuable alike 

 for lines, beds, and for cultivation in pots : a pure white 

 variety would be an acquisition — the one known as Alba being 

 tinted with rose, and a more correct name for it would be Alba 

 rosea. The CoUinsias are charming when well grown in pots. 

 The best variety is probably multicolor, but marraorata nearly 

 approaches it. Bartsitefulia and its white variety are smaller, 

 but very attractive. The Centrauthuses — Asperula (Woodroffo)- 

 likrt plaiiti! — are chaste annuals, the varieties of C. macro- 

 Biphon aff )rding pretty flowers for catting. Another annual 

 which yields acceptable soft scarlet flowers for bouquets is 

 CoUomia coccinea — the trusses resembling those of miniature 

 Boavaidias. The Kaulfussias are effective, especially atro- 

 violacea, which is extremely rich in col .ur. The Leptosiphons 

 are amongst the most effeo ive of dwarf growing sorts, the 

 colours being yellow, lilac, rose, and white. Gilias are also 

 pretty, lacinata and capitata major being very distinct. Showy 

 and useful are the varieties of Convolvnlus minor: one of the 

 best varieties being Tricolor splendens. It is a little singular 

 that while slags attack Convolvulus major so persistently, they 

 seldom tonch C. minor. Another showy annual is the yellow 

 Sphenogyne speciosa. Mignonette is of course represented, the 

 variety named " Pyramidalis bouquet " having very fine spikes. 



Amongst the curious annuals may be named Cenia turbinata 

 fliva — a dwarf Lasthenia like plant with orange-yellow flowers. 

 C^rinthe major is also singular: in growth it is not unlike some 

 of the taller-growing Sedums in habit, and has drooping flowers 

 like those of Correas; and Clintonia pulchella is both carious 

 and beautiful : it resembles a brilliantc-iloured Lobelia— yellow, 

 purple, and white, nnd is well suited for cultivation in pots. 

 The Nemophilas— all of them— are charming annuals for pots 

 and beds, but those at the Regent's Park are jnst passing their 

 best, and in a few days their beauty will have vanished. 



Annuals are so varied in habit and colours — so easy of culture 

 and BO cheap, so admirably adapted for producing a pleasing 

 effect iu early summer both outdoors and under gla^s, that they 

 are worthy of more c.ira being bestowtd on them than is often 

 given. Too often the seed is sown in poor soil, and the plants are 

 not thinned, conseqaently they are adjudged as being " weedy." 

 Weedy indeed they are when thus neglect-d, but when pro- 

 perly cultivated they are as certainly charming flowers. 



lists for the election (fifteen kitchen and fifteen dessert Apples). 

 I should like to have many more lists before finishing, and if 

 they could be sent during the next fortnight I should feel 

 obliged. 



I have had many interesting letters from fruit growers, and 

 have no doubt they are anxious to see the result in your 

 Journal. Mr. Record introduced the subject at the last meet- 

 ing of the Maidstone Gardeners' Society, and many present 

 promised to send lists. Some of your readers who belong to 

 kindred associations may perhaps assist in the same way. — 

 Lewis A. Killick, Lan^jley, Maidstoiw. 



THE EOSE ELECTION. 



The prospect of a good Rose bloom having qnieted-down 

 our good friend " Wyld Savaoe," I venture to take time by 

 the forelock, if he has any this forcing weather, and pro- 

 pound the question which, with the permission of onr Editors, 

 I propose for this year's solution. 



It is to be essentially an exhibition election. 



Name the forty-eight best exhibition Roses in your esti- 

 mation, placing them if possible in order of merit. If not 

 thus placed, mark the best twenty-four out of the number, 

 and further distinguish by some ether mark the best twelve of 

 these. Any list having Roses unmarked will be considered as 

 named in order of merit. 



QuiLiFicATioN FOR ELECTORS. — Eich elector must have been 

 on some occasion a priz taker at one of the leading exhibitions, 

 or a frequent prizetaker for several years at local Rose shows. 



From any Rose-growers in this poll-book I shall be glad to 

 receive replies by the 31H of August. I will then strive to 

 publish the state of the poll as soon after this date as possible, 

 so as to be in time for those intending to order plants. — 

 Joseph Hinton, Warminster. 



APPLE ELECTION. 

 I QUITE agree with "A NoRinEBN Gardener" that the 

 Bnmmer time is the best for discuasiog the planting of fruit 

 trees and also the sorts to plant. I al»o think that the result 

 of the Apple election would be a good basis on which to start. 

 I think there are many contributors, whose letters on Apple- 

 cnltore have appeared in your Journal, who have not forwarded 



NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 



At a general meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, 

 held on Tuesday 19ih inst., Lord Alfred S. Churchill, V P., in 

 the chair, the following can'iidatea were duly elected fellows 

 OF THE Society— viz. , H. S. B irtleet. Miss Bowden, W. J. B mty, 

 Philip Butler, Mrs. Joseph W. Chitty, W. W. Dnffield, F. W. 

 Fisher, Herman Gwinner, David Hartley, Chas. F. Horn, Mrs. 

 C. W. Howell, Mrs. Jameson, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Edward 

 Johnston, J. Norman Lockyer,F.R.S., Lieut-Col. Page, Cha". J. 

 Perceval, W. S. Prichard, A. C. Sollar, H. D. Seymour, Hon. 

 Lady Stapleton, Mrs. Stapylton, Dr. Topham, Ac. A list of 

 five one-guinea Members elected by the Council was also an- 

 nounced. 



A GREAT Internationai. Fruit Show is annonnoed to 



be held at the Alexandra Palace on the 13th, 14th, and 1.5th of 

 September, when prizes amounting to upwards of £3-50 will be 

 offered for fruits, vegetables, table decorations, and cut flowers. 

 The schedule is in course of preparation and will shortly be 

 ready, when it may be obtained on application to Mr. John 

 A. McKenzie, 1 and 2, Great Winchester Street Buildings, 

 London, E.G. 



The annual Exhibition of the Richmond Hortichl- 



TDBAL Society, which takes place this day, the 28th inst., will 

 doubtless be worthy of a visit. The Exhibition of last year 

 was an excellent one, and this year the schedule is very com- 

 prehensive, no less than 134 classes being provided, including 

 many special prizes by H.S H. the Duke of Teck, the Countess 

 RuBsell, Lady John Chichester, Sir Arthur and Lady Rugge 

 Price, Lady Alice Peel, Lady Trevor Laurence, Lady Parker, 

 &e. A silver cup is also offered by Metsre. James Carter and 

 Co. for a collection of vegetables. The premier class in the 

 schedule is for a collection of plants arranged for effect lu aa 

 area of not more than 100 fe' t o{ space, fur which prizes of 

 £.5, £4, £3, and £2 are oliaod. This with some others of the 

 principal classes are open to all exhibitors. 



The arrangements for the forthcoming International 



Fudit and Flower Show, to be held in Carlisle in September, 

 are now progressing apace. The Committee have already good 

 reason to believe that the handsome prizes offered— amounting 

 to about £1300— will attract exhibitors from all quarters. 

 Many eminent horticulturists in England and Suotlaud have 

 signified their intention to compete ; it is expected that con- 

 tinental exhibitors will make an appearance in the contests ; 

 and some very interesting collections of fruits, &a., will come 

 from the United States and Canada. The marquees will be 



