AptU a, 1869. 1 



JODBNAIi OF HOflTIOULlUBE AND COTTAGE GABDENER. 



389 



CuiMSPHDcE OASSABON/B.— Foliftga bright green, spiny, beau, 

 tifal ; 2 to 4 feet. 



C. DL\ciNTiiA.— Foliage white, spiny ; 2 feet. 



These biennials have a tine appearance, their spiny foliage 

 being very hanJsome. The seed ehoold be sown in May in a 

 gentle heat, in a compost of two parte turfy loam and one part 

 leaf mould, frtely mixed with sand. The plants when large 

 enough to handle should be potted off singly, and as often as 

 the pots fill with roots repot up to October, and then remove 

 to a cool house, koeping rather dry daring the winter. They 

 may be wintered in a cold pit, the pots being plunged to the 

 rim in coal ashes, and protected from frost by a covering of 

 mats over the lights. Plant out in May. 



Ertthhina cRisTA-CALLi (Coral tree). — Foliage shining and 

 handsome; flowers crimson scarlet, produced in racemes from 

 the axils of the leaves. The seeds ought to he sown early in 

 March singly in small pots, in a comport of two-thirds loam, 

 and the remaining third equal parts sandy peat and leaf mould, 

 with a free admixture of s&nd. Place the pota in a bottom 

 heat of from 7Cr to 7.')'. Keep the soil moist but not very wet, 

 and near the glass, .\dmit air freely after the seeJlmgs appear ; 

 and when the pots are full of roots shift into pots a size larger, 

 and continue in the hotbed until established, taking out the 

 points of the shoots when the plants are about (i inches high, 

 shortening them to two or at the most three joints. When the 

 plants are well established remove them to a light and airy 

 position in the Rreenhou.se, repotting them as required until 

 August, then gradually reduce the supply of water, and in 

 October discontinue it altogether, keeping them cool and dry 

 daring the winter, but safe from frost. In March cut them 

 down to within two eyes of the base of each slioot, and place 

 them in a house where there is a gentle heat, and when they 

 have shoots 2 inches lonj shake the plant out of the pot, re- 

 pot in the same size of pot, and keep close, moist, and shaded 

 until it has recovered from the potting ; then expose fully to 

 light and admit air freely, keeping near the glass so as to have 

 the plant dwarf. Plant cut in .June in rich soil in an open 

 situation, and in dry weather keep the plants well supplied 

 with water, and syringe freely overhead. Take them up before 

 severe weather, pot, and keep them in a place secure from frost 

 over the winter, dry, but not so much so as to cause the lower 

 part of the shoots to shrivel. — G. Abbey. 



ROYAIi HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Arnir. Uth. 



Fruit Comshttee.— G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., in the ohair. 

 Mr. Calver, gardener to Sir H. Cotterell, ftarnons, sent a bunch of 

 Lady Downe's Seedling; GraTie, whicli had been very well kept. Mr. 

 Calver's object in sending thj bnnch was to compare it with some of 

 the other and newer late varieties, but as no otbei-s were exhibited the 

 comparison conld not be made. Messrs. Manle & Son, of Bristol, 

 sent a dish of a beautiful, small, conical Apple, called Easter Beauty, 

 which will, doubtless, form an ornament in the dessert, bnt its texture 

 and the flavour of the flesh were such as not to recommend it for use. 

 Mr. J. A. Franklin, of Hamustead, sent a dish of what was supposed 

 to be a seedhng Apple, which in the opinion of the Committee was 

 Hoary Morning. Mr. T. Lockie, Court Gardens, Great Marlow, sent 

 very handsome specimens of Reinette da Canada, grown in 10-iuch 

 pots, to which a special certificate was unanimously awarded for the 

 skilful cultnre. Mrs. Blackett Ord, of Whitfield Hall, Haydon Bridge, 

 sent two specimens of a seedling Apple, raised from seed of a French 

 Apple, of very large size, and anguUir lile the Catshead or lientish 

 Codlin, sound, and of excellent flavour. It was commended by the 

 Committee, and a request was made that Mrs. Ord would send it again 

 another season. Mr. George Beech, Castle Ashby, sent a seedUng 

 Apple, the texture and flavour of which were such as not to recom- 

 mend it. Mr. G. Craddock, gardener to Lord Willongbby do Broke, 

 Compton Vcrney, sent a fine specimen of Shaddock, anil two large 

 fruit of the Seville Orange, remarkably well grown. They were 

 grown on the back wall of a vinery under the shade of Vines. 



Prizes were offered at this meeting for collections of Cucnmbers. 

 In Class 1, for a brace of Wliite-spined Cucumber, there were tivo 

 exhibitors. Mr. Lockie, the Court Garden, Great Marlow, sent Berk- 

 shire Challenge, a brace of veiy handsome Cucumbers, receiving the 

 first prize, and the second was awarded to Mr. Godfrey, gardener to 

 .J. Anderson, Esq., Ankerwyke, Wraysbury, for Anderson's Perfection. 

 In the class for Black Spines there were no exhibitors. In Class 3, for 

 Smooth Cucumbers, there were three exhibitors. The first prize was 

 awarded to Telegraph Improved, exhibited by Mr. Gilbert, Bnrgbley 

 House Gardens, Stamford. No other dish was considered worthy of 

 a prize. In the class for "Any variety. " Mr. Lockie exhibited six 

 remarkably handsome fruit of Blue Gown, obtained by crossing 

 Tomer's Favourite and Telegraph. They measured 22 inches, and 



were awarded the first prize, and the second was awarded to Mr. God- 

 frey, for six fruit of Anderson's Perfection. 



Mr. Cadger, of Luton Uoo Park, sent a dish of Prince of 'Wales 

 Potato. 



Floral Comjuttee.t-Rpv. J. Dix in the chair. The weather was 

 unfortunately wot, tho rain never ceasing the whole day, and the 

 Fellows who usually support these meetings were deprived of the Op- 

 p.irtiiuity of admiring an exceedingly interesting exhibition. Mt^ 

 William Paul's Koses alone were worth a long journey to soo anci 

 ailmire; the Orchids, also, were very nnraerous. Mr. .t. Dohson, of 

 1 .leworth, sent several seedling Cinerarias ; with the exception of a 

 white flower. Princess Tec"k, there was none in advance of flowers 

 already seut out. Thia novelty was too coarse and irregular to merit; 

 any distinction. Mr. Badman, nnrHOrymau, Gravosend, exhibited' 

 several small plants of Zonal Pelargonium Harbinger, a large brilliant; 

 scarlet flower, very showy, but deficient in ontlino and comiyactness o£ 

 truss. Tbero are hundreds of seedlings of equal merit. Messrs. 

 Kullisson, Tooting, sent a collection of plants which was awarded a 

 special certificate ; among them were some small specimens of fine 

 varieties of Camellias, and several Palms. Mr. Shcrrfltt, gardener to 

 •Tames Bateman, Esq., Kuypersley, bronght cut specimens of Hhodo' 

 dendron Batomanni, one of the Bhotan kinds, of a very dark purplialr 

 rose, but quite deUcatt) in constitution. Mr. Fairbairn, Acton Green, 

 exhibited specimens of a seedling Cineraria named Floribuuda. .This 

 was wide of tho mark in every possible way. 



Mr. Bull exhibited Oncidiam nubigenum, which was awarded a 

 second-class certificate ; Ficns ebumea — first-class certificate — a plant 

 useful for its foliage in subtropical gardens ; Coleus Princess Louise, 

 and Coleus Alexandra, not equal to the Coleuseg lately introduced. 

 Among other plants from Mr. Bull, were Sophronitis grandiflora. Cym- 

 bidium eburneam, Strelitzia grandiflora. Gloxinia Conquest, and Ea- 

 onymus japonicus aureus. 



Messrs. Lee, Hivmmersmith, sent a collection of Cephalotaxna, 

 proving these plants to be moncecious in some cases. Mr. Williams, 

 HoUoway, exhibited a fine collection of Orchids, which was awarded 

 a special certificate ; among them were some very interesting speci- 

 mens ; also a collection of greenhouse phauts which received a special 

 certificate. Among the Orchids were two species of Cfelogync ; one 

 was recognised by Mr. Bateman as C. oculata. Mr. Williams also 

 sent a x)lant of Primula sinensis magnifica, a white fringed flower, 

 but not of so pure a white as some previously exhibited. 



Messrs. Smith, Dulwicb. sent a very neat collection of plants, 

 among them some of their beautiful Tricolor Zonal Pelargoniums in 

 fine condition ; also a collection of seedling Cinerarias. Orb of 

 Day is of very superior quabty. indeed a great advance in this 

 flower, dark crimson flowers beautifully marked by a white centre an<f 

 disk ; this, with the seedling Royal Purple, is by far the best Cine- 

 raria of the season. This new strain, which may be named Tricolor, 

 promises to produce a new feature in these useful spring decorative 

 ])lants. Messss. Smith sent in addition Azalea Advancer, a very fine 

 flower of rosy tint, good in form, but the plant out of condition — 

 probably thismay at some future day take a good position ; and Azalea 

 Nimrod, of no particular merit. A special certificate wag awarded 

 the collection. 



Mr. Wm. Paul sent a very splendid collection of pot Roses, which 

 deservedly claimed a special certificate. Among them there was a new 

 Iterpetual climber. Prince Leopold, but not in condition to require any 

 special notice, however good it may prove in its proper season. Mr- 

 W. Paul also exhibited two plants of a new Hyacinth called Sonora ; 

 full spikes, but colour a pale buff, not sufficiently distinct. 



Mr. Wilson, gardener to W. Marshall, Esq., sent cut specimens of 

 beautiful Orchids. Messrs. Veitcb exhibited a fine collection of stove 

 plants, which was awarded a special certificate. Among them were 

 Azalea .Tames Veitcb, Gesneramacrantha, Rhododendron Brookeannm, 

 a beautiful plant with bright yellow flowers — first-class certificate; 

 Cymbidinm tigrinum — second-class certificate ; Thrixspermnm lum- 

 ferum, Oncidium cucullatum, and others. 



Mr. Green, gardener to W. W. Saunders, Esq., was awarded a first- 

 class certificate for a new Agave De Smetiana, two curious terrestrial 

 Orchids, and fine specimens of Hypocyrta brevicalyx, known also as 

 Gloxinia bypocyrtiflora, Messrs. Paul & Sou sent seedling CameUia 

 Glory of Cheshuut, almost identical with C. Valtevaredo. 



Mr. Turner, Slough, received a special certificate for a neat group 

 of plants, among them some of his well-known variegated Zonal Pe- 

 largoninms. It bad been previously determined by the Committee 

 that all awards for Zonal Pelargoniums should be deferred till the 

 May special meeting for this class of plants. Messrs. Lane sent a cut 

 specimen of Weigela purpurata. Mr. 'Whiting, of The Deepdene, 

 Dorking, exhibited a seedling Rhododendron resembling Sesterianum ; 

 and Mr. Lawrence, gardener to the Bishop of Winchester, a fine speci- 

 men of Odontoglossum luteo-purpureum, a snlendid species. This 

 received a special certificate. Mr. Peat, Park Hill, had a golden 

 variegated form of the common Valerian ; and Mr. Laxton, Stamford, 

 some seedling Zonal Pelargoniums, on which judgment was deferred 

 till the May meeting. Mr. Max Leichlin, of Carlsrube, sent a speci- 

 men of Lilium Thomsonianum. Much discussion arose as to its 

 merits, but in comphment to the exhibitor a first-class certificate was 

 awarded. More will be said on this plant, as the question as to its 

 being a trne Lilium is referred to high autbority. It evidently was 

 not exhibited in its true character. Major Trevor Clarke sent a fine 



