n 



JOURNAL OF HOKTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENBB. 



[ July 8, 18C9. 



wild state, but are often the oflapring of the outcaBtB of a 

 garden. 



SaxifrftRH Rranulata plena, a pretty doable-flowering plant, is 

 not so plentiful as it oiiRht to be, and is liable to be lout when 

 grown amongst other robust subjects. I find it is sometimes 

 called the Mountain Kinunculus, a term not at all inappro- 

 priate. 



How many names has the purple Meadow Orchis, Orchis 

 latifolia ? I have not taken much notice of such matters, but 

 believe this has more names than the Cowslip. — J. Bodson. 



[The Oxlip or Cowslip could not have been the Culver-keys, 

 because the flowers of this plant are described as blue. Thus 

 John Davors, the angler and poet, quoted by Walton, delighted 

 an walking "by fresh rivers" — 



*' Amont; tho Daisies and the Violets blue, 

 Red Hyacinth and yellow DalTodil, 

 Pnrplc Narcissns, like tho morning rays, 

 Palo Candor Grass, and azure Calvcr-keyos." 



For similar reasons Saxifraga granulata does not satisfy the 

 description, its flowers being white. The flowers of the Orchis 

 are in unison with that of Culver-kevs, but we fail in any name 

 for that Orchis, either English or foreign, that approaches 

 that of Culver-keys. Its German name, Creutz blnm, is the 

 nearest, remote as it is. Our own opinion is that tho wild 

 Hyacinth, Soilla nutans, is the Culver-keys of John Davois. 

 —Eds.] 



PEWITS AS VERMIN KILLERS. 

 I SHOULD be much obliged by "I.N. P." stating how he 

 manages his pewits — lapwing plovers I take them to be — 

 throngli the winter :' I also had some lust year in my garden, 

 and found them very useful. But although there was plenty 

 of food and shelter for them in a large walled garden, they 

 gradually pined away, and died in December. The last sur- 

 vivor, which I examined after death, seemed to be nothing but 

 skin and bone. Is it necessary to feed them at all ? and if so, 

 what kind of food should be given ? I tried small pieces of raw 

 meat, but the birds would not touch it. I shall be obliged to 

 " I. N. P." for some hints as to his own practice, and also it be 

 would tell me where the birds are to be purchased. — H. E. W. 



ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



JUIY GTH. 



Fp.riT CoMSTTTEE.— Gcorgo F. Wilson, Esq., F.K.S., ia the chair. 

 Mr. William Paul, Walthnra Cross, exhibited a collection of thirteen 

 varieties of seedling Strawberries, selected from a great number of 

 other seedlings, which fruited for the 6rst time last year. Those were 

 accompanied with details as to their parentage, which proved of much 

 interest. Some of them wero of considerable promise, yet none of 

 them proved sufficiently rich to merit any special award. The present 

 season, it may however be remarked, is so very unpropitions for Straw- 

 berries, that the best varieties are only of verj- indifferent quality. 

 Mr. J. Trotman, Spring Grove Nursery, Isleworth, sent a seedling 

 Strawberry of considerable promise, a hybrid between Black Prince 

 and British Queen, showing veiy distinctly its parentage as regards 

 both varieties. This was commended by the Committee, and Mr. 

 Trotman was requested to send it again next season for further 

 testing. 



Mr. Eckford, gardener to the Earl of Eadnor, Colcshill, sent three 

 ■bunches of a seedling white Grape, named Coleshill White Hamburgh. 

 The bunch was large ; berries large, sliRhtly oval. It was, however, 

 not quite ripe, so tljat no correct decision upon its merits could be 

 arrived at. 



Mr. .J. Good, gardener to Louisa Lady Ashburton, Melchet Court, 

 Eomsey. sent a very line specimen of tho fruit of Monstera delicious, 

 Mr. .T.'Hepper, gardener to J. B. Walmslev. Esq.. The Elms, Acton, 

 exhibited six very fine specimens of Kipley Queen Pine Apple, 

 averaging in weight from U to 5 lbs. each, and all exceedingly well 

 grown. A special certificate was awarded. Mr. T. Record, gardener 

 to Col. Loyd, Lillesdcn, Hawkhurst, Kent, sent .some ripe fruit of 

 Tacsonia Van-Volxemi, which are edible in tho same way as, and very 

 much resemble in taste, etc., those of tho Grauadilla, or Passion 

 Flower, and have a very agreeable perfume. The fruits are from 4 to 

 6 inches in length, from 1 to 1} inch in diameter in the middle, and 

 taper to both ends. When ripe they are of a pale greenish green 

 colour, having altogether quite an ornamental appearance. " The 

 fruit," Mr. Record stated, " banRs about nine months on the plant 

 before ripening ; but such extraordinary vigour does the plant possess, 

 that it flowers profusely tho whole time ; if supplied with plenty of 

 moisture, nearly every llowcr produces a fruit. Some of the fruit I 

 send you has been cut several days." These fruits, unfortunately, 

 did not arrive in time for the meeting of tho Committee. 



Messrs. Rivera it Son, nurserymen, Sawbridgcwortb, exhibited 



twelve pretty examples of miniature Apple trees, ab^ut 2 feet in 

 hoiRht, quite clustered with excellent fruit. These had been grown in 

 tho open pround in tho ordinary* way. They wore grafted on the 

 Eniilisb Nonesuch Paradise st/x-k, which was raLwd by Mr. Rivers 

 from seed of the Nonesuch Apple, and which in the soil at Sawbridge- 

 worth gives great fertility to trees grafted on it. These wero more 

 immediately exhibited, as stated by Mr. Rivers, to show their pro- 

 ductive habit and fitness for suburban gardens, as they may be 

 planted from 3 to 1 foot apart with advantage. A special certificate 

 was awarded. 



Messrs. Carter & Co., and Messrs. Ilurst & Sons, seedsmen, ex- 

 hibited examples of Laxton's Alpha Pea, a blue-wrinkled Marrow, 

 as early as Sangster's No. 1. This is one of Mr. Jjaxtou's namerona 

 crossbreds, and a very excellent sort. The pods are larger and more 

 cnr\-ed than Sangster's. This variety has been grown and tested at 

 Chiswick for two seasons in succession, and has there proved in all 

 respects a decided acquisition. It was awarded a first. class certificate. 

 Mr. Wm. Paul exhibited examples of Waltham Hardy White Coa 

 Lettuce ; and Mr. Perrj-. gardener to F. G.Debenham, Esq., Chesbnnt 

 Park, sent very good examples of a White Cos Lettuce, both of which 

 were considered to be the ordinary form of Whito Cos Lettuce of the 

 market gardens. Mr. Gilbert, gardener to the Marquis of Exeter, 

 BnrRhley, Stamford, sent a very splendid collection of vegetables, 

 which, however, arrived too lato for the adjudication of tho Com- 

 mittee. Some of tho samples were very splendid, and called forth tho 

 admiration of everyone, in particular the Cauliflower. Mushrooms, 

 Globe Artichokes, and TuTiips. It consisted further of Rood dishes 

 of Potatoes (four varieties). Carrots. Peas, Lettuces, Onions, and 

 Cucumbers. 



From tho garden of the Society came ripe examples of the early 

 Pears, Citron des Carmes and AmiK' .Toanett, which this season are 

 rather later than usual, and very small. 



Fi-onvi. CcMMiTTEE. — Rcv. .1. Dix in the chair. The Messrs. Veitcq. 

 as usual, exhibited a very fine collection of plants. Among these 

 Cvpiipcdinm Parishii was remarkably fine and distinct ; a first-class 

 certificate was awarded it. To Miltoiiia Reguelli purpurea, very beau- 

 tiful, a first-class certificate was also given. A special certificate was 

 awarded the collection. 



Mr. Bull sent a lai-RO collection of plants, many of them too old for 

 the special object of the Committee, or not in condition for adjudica- 

 tion. A special certificate wasawarded the collection. Messrs. Downie, 

 Laird, & Laing exhibited seedling hybrid Zonal Pelargoniums, pro- 

 mising, but seedling plants, which the Committee cannot recognise. 

 Messrs. RoUisson sent a collection of plants, which was awarded a 

 special certificate. ^ ». ,. 



Mr. Appleby received a first-class certificate for seedling Lobelia 

 Mauve Queen. In colour this Lobelia was considered as a desirable 

 variety, and promisini; for decorative puqioses. Jfr. Noble sent a 

 fine plant of Spiriia palmata. as beautiful and attractive as ever; 

 indeed, one of the most desirable hardy plants in cultivation, one which 

 no amateur should be without. Mr. Hally sent specimens of a double 

 Zonal Pelargonium, Mrs. Hally. rose-coloured floweri, but not distinct 

 from many others. Mr. Perry, gardener to F. G. Debenham, Esq., 

 sent Fuchsia Mrs. Perry. , , . 



Messrs. E. G. Henderson exhibited a collection of dwarf seettluig 

 Lobelias, also a splendid selection of decorative plants in small boxes, 

 which were awarded n special certificate. Messrs. E. G. Henderson 

 were also awarded a special certificate for a collection of curious ter- 

 restrial Orchids, many of them of botanical interest. Among these 

 were several Satvriums from the Cape. 



From tho gardens at Chiswick came a box of Aubrietia purpurea 

 variegata ; if constant in colour, it will be valuable. This was re- 

 quested to be sent again. ,-.,,-, i , 

 Mr. Coppin sent a collection of seedling Roses, and Mr. Eckford, 

 Coleshill, seedling Ivy-leaved Pelargonium, Lady Evelyn, which it 

 was requested should be sent again. 



From .Mr. W. Paul came seedling Nosegay Pelargonium Cyrus, and 

 a collection of cut Roses in fine condition, which received a special 

 certificate. Mr. Brown, Sudbury, sent specimens of a pure whito 

 Gladiolus. , , ,. -ii 



Mr. Williams, HoUowav, had a pretty plant of .\dmntum capillus- 

 Veneris undnlatum, whi'ch received a first-class certificate. Mr. 

 Lorrimer. eardcner to E. Salt, Esq. sent a fine specimen of Onc.dimn 

 macranthum, which most deservedly received a special certificate. 

 Mr Hooper, Bath, exhibited a seedling Picotee, Pnncess Teck, too 

 coarse • Mr. George, Pntncv, seedling Zonal Pelargoniums. One of 

 fine form and truss, a hybrid Nosegay, caUed Harry George, received 

 a first-class certificate. Mr. Cooper brought a collection of Cacti, 

 which, though Umited, was very interestuig, and received a special 

 certificate. , , , ., .. * t- -i- j 



G F Wilson, Esq., a most enterpnsmg exhibitor of LiUnms, and 

 to whom the Society is much indebted for his perseverance in bringing 

 this interesting class of plants to notice, received a special certificate 

 for a ma<Tiificent specimen of L. louRiflornm, with an unusual number 

 of flowers. We sincerely trust Mr. Wilson may bo supported in his 

 earnest endeavour to bring this class of dowers to pub be notice. 

 Great confusion at present exists in the nomenclature, and any light 

 which may be thrown on this now ncRlected family, wdl be most ac- 

 ceptable Much may be done, and remains to be done, as to the dia- 



