April 20, 1878. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



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Walker of Thame, the epaoea fiUed-in with laolepis gracilia, 

 taking away from the formality ; and the froLt row filled- in with 

 planta of Cyclamens, of which there was a magaiflcent diaplay ; 

 while on the opposite side, immediafely under the orchestra, 

 was a fine bank of Rosea in pots from Mr. Wm. Paal. 



Oiring to the fact that the Exhibition did not open until two 

 o'clock ample time waa given for making arrangements, and had 

 the Judges' work been much more ardaoos than it was all 

 could have been comfortably done. Mr. R. Dsan brought his 

 energy and experience to bear in carrying out Mr. WiUs'a plans, 

 so that all went without a hitch. Nothing cm possibly be mite 

 convenient for an exhibition than the position of the Aquarium ; 

 and although the bailding lack^ the size and grandeur of the 

 northern and southern palaces, yet the plants looked well, and 

 the courtesy of the Superintendent gave full expression to the 

 liberality of the Directors. 



The report in last week's Journal waa so complete that it 

 leaves little for me to say ; however, there are a few things about 

 which I may, as in my own peculiar province, say a word. 

 Auriculas were fairly well represented, Mr. Douglas showing a 

 large number and eliciting some surprise at the forwardness of 

 his bloom. Mr. Turner, Mr. James, and myself were all late ; 

 and what still more struck ns was that kinds which with all of 

 us are amongst the latest bloomers, such as Lancashire Hero, 

 were staged by him, while with myself there is not a pip of it 

 opened. Where shows are held early it is of couree a great 

 advantage to be able to manage this, nor do I kaow to what it is 

 to be attributed, as Loxford Hall is not a warm place. My own 

 collection will be fairly in bloom about what we used to con- 

 sider the orthodox time — the 25th, although we are, I am sure, 

 late in this neighbourhood, for I notice every year that the fruit 

 trees and vegetation generally are much more forward nearer 

 the metropolis. Amongst the sorts which were reprB«ented 

 were Col. Taylor ; Col. Champneys; Headly's Alderman Wisbey, 

 a fine green edge, but somewhat inclined to coarseness ; K^y's 

 Topsy," a pretty self ; Dickson's Apollo, a good pirple self ; 

 Traill's General NeUl, green edge; Dickson's Matilda; Camp- 

 bell's Pizarro, fine self ; Cheetham's Lancashire Hero, good 

 grey; and Headly's George Lightbody, not in very good con- 

 dition. There were also some fine Alpines. 



Amongst seedlings exhibited and cercificated was a fine new 

 Rose from the Cheshunt firm, Duke of Connaught, a very fine 

 bright crimson flower of good substance and of brilliant colour. 

 Mr. Wm. Panl exhibited a seedling Tea unnamed, but which 

 promised well. These both received first-class certificates, as 

 did also a very fine deep claret fancy Pansy, exhibited by Mr. 

 H. Hooper of Bath, called Enterpiise. 



Altogether I think that the Directors of the Royal Aquarium 

 may be congratulated on the success in a horticultural point of 

 view of their first Show. — D., Deal. 



I and onght to be seen in general cultivatioD. G. stellaris re- 

 quires to be better known to be appreciated. Then there is 



I G. sylvatica, G. glanca, and many others, which when gathered 

 together and grown side by side cannot fail to give pleastire to 

 those who have cared for them. — Vebitas. 



OUB BOEDEK FLOWERS-GAGEAS. 



A BACE of dwarf spring and early Bummer-flowering bnlbons- 

 rooted plants, weU adapted for front rows in herbaceous borders. 

 These plants do not require any particular treatment, but 

 prosper alike in sunshine and in shade. I have seen them do 

 well in loam on a gravelly subsoil. When well cstabUshed 

 they should not often be disturbed. They succeed in open 

 spaces in the shade of trees if not too much shaded. They 

 may be increased by seed sown as soon as ripe in light soil in 

 a shady place — the seed vegetates the following spring ; and 

 also by division after the growth is matured. They are useful 

 for rockwork in partial shade. The early, blooming kinds are 

 available for the spring garden. If grown in pots and plunged 

 where they are required they can be removed when the bloom 

 is past to make room for others. They can be stored away in 

 an out-of-the-way corner, requiring little attention save a little 

 water oeoaaionaUy until they have matured their growth. 



Gageas may not be so attractive as some of our border 

 flowers are; but when a few kinds are gathered together and 

 dotted here and there in shrubberies or sheltered dells they 

 afford an agreeable change. One or two are natives of Britain ; 

 and who that has seen Gagea lutea in its own home peeping 

 np among the grass with its yellow-green face to the snn in the 

 spring time but will welcome it with the welcome it deserves ? 

 This is regarded by some as a rare plant, but it is more local 

 than rare, for where it does occur it ia generally abundant. 



There are several kinds of this family that have been intro- 

 dnced at different times, but they are very seldom met with in 

 cultivation. Gagea fascicularis with its bundles of flowers is a 

 splendid little plant in April and deserves extensive cultivation. 

 Then there is the Uttle pigmy G. pvgmxa from Spain, asking 

 for more attention than it is at present receiving. G. villosa 

 with its shaggy appearance ought to have a place among our 

 selected plants. G. fistulosa, the choicest and the brightest 

 of the famUy, should not be overlooked; it is aa acquisition. 



BIRMINGHAM POTATO EXHIBITION. 



It will interest exhibitors of Potatoes to know that the 

 Council of the Birmingham Cattle Show have just decided on 

 a moat attractive prize list, the prizes offered to be competed 

 for in December next at their great annual Show. The experi- 

 ment made last yenr of arrangicg classes for " types of kinds" 

 was so successful that it has been decided to continue it. Thus 

 Ashleaf Kidneys, known by innumerable synonyms, are to be 

 exhibited in one class ; and to Lapstone Kidneys, which are 

 also known by a number of names — e.g., Haigh'a Seedling, 

 Pebble White, Headley's Nonpareil, Yorkshire Hero, A'c, an- 

 other class is set apart. Regents or Dalmahoys, or any variety 

 of this class or type, no matter by what name known, are pro- 

 vided for in another class. A class is provided for Paterson's 

 Victoria, another for Vermont Beauty or Brownell'a Beauty, 

 another for Soowflaka or other white-skinned American va- 

 riety (including Bresee's Climax, Bresee's Peerless, American 

 Breadfruit, Early Goodrich, &c.) ; another for " any white- 

 skinned variety not provided for in the other classes ;" and 

 another for " any coloured-skinned variety not provided for in 

 the other classes." 



Classes are also provided for three, six, and twelve varieties, 

 left to choice of exhibitors respectively, and in the latter the 

 prizes are so good that we imagine the competition wiU be 

 severe, for, in addition to £5, £3, and £2 for first, second, 

 and third prizes in money, a cup, value ten guineas, will be 

 awarded to the winner of the first prize, the cup being given 

 by George Wise, Esq., J. P., of Woodoote, Warwick, a gentle- 

 man who for some years past has most intelligently and 

 generously encouraged the cultivation of our most important 

 tuber. There are other valuable prizes offered by the leading 

 seedsmen. 



The prize list will be ready shortly. Those of our readers 

 who may desire to possess a copy should send their names and 

 addresses to the Secretary, Mr. J. B. Ljthall, Bingley Hall, 

 Birmingham. 



CULTIVATION OF THE GLOXINIA. 



I HAVE often heard it asserted that the Gloxinia requires a 

 very high temperature, but this is not so, for I have for several 

 years grown these plants with some success both from leaves 

 and seed under what may be termed cool stove treatment. 



I prefer raising plants from seed, and have found the best 

 time to sow the seed ia as early in January as possible. It 

 should be sown in pans well drained, using a compost of fibry 

 loam one part, leaf mould two parts, and one part well-de- 

 cayed cow manure, using a good admixture of sand, but not 

 placing too much on the surface, and by no means nsing peat 

 or the surface is sure to become covered with a green moss, 

 which is certain destruction to the roots of the seedlings. I 

 cover the pans with a piece of glass, and place them in a 

 Cucumber house. As soon as the seedlings are large enough 

 to handle I have some of the same compost prepared, again 

 using pans into which the seedlings are transplanted ; tnen 

 raise them very carefully with a pointed stick, being careful to 

 separate them thoroughly. When large enough, or when the 

 leaves touch each other, it is quite time to pot them into 

 large 60's, being careful that the pots are well drained. Alter 

 this process I place the plants on a shelf in the Cucumber 

 I house close to the glass and allow them to remain there till 

 I they show flower, and then remove them to a pit kept close 

 I until the flowers open. When all have opened I make my 

 selection, throwing the others away. I may add that from Mj. 

 Williams's strain they are mostly always good. 



I am very careful about watering. The plants should not be 

 watered till they become quite dry and then give them a good 

 soaking. The grower will find a great advantage by flowering 

 his-corms the first year, as he will know what he is growing 

 afterwards, and consequently will not require so much room 

 as those do that do not flower them till the second year. 

 After their blooming season I withdraw water very slowly, not 

 drying so suddenly as is often recommended, as that is the time 

 the corm is perfecting itself, and this must be watched to ensure 

 success the ensuing season. When thoroughly dried off, which 



