4C0 



JODENAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



( Jtmo 11, 1874. 



tbem iu the yocng state. If seed could be sown by the ounce 

 the precaution would be less called for ; but as the vendors 

 regard it as so precious, and try to sell as little as they can, 

 the case is different, and we must lessen the risk of loss of 

 even a few plants as much as possible. 



The Lothian is, perhaps, the most useful type of Stock ex- 

 tant, and our good friends " over the border" are to be con- 

 gratulated on its introduction. Its few and clearly-defined 

 colours, its quality of producing a great proportion of doubles, 

 its hardiness, and especially its long continuance iu bloom, 

 are its valuable attributes. 



For ordinary purposes of out-door flowering, about the end 

 of May or beginning of June is a good time to sow — that is, 

 with those who have little or no glass accommodation to 

 winter the plants in pots. In this case the plants should be 

 grown-on as hardy as possible. If these or any other nearly 

 hardy plants are left long in the seed bed and get weakened 

 and drawn, or if they are planted out too thickly, or in over- 

 rich soil, or in a position lacking a full sweep of air, or partially 

 shaded by trees, then they are made more tender and badly 

 prepared to withstand the frost and snow of winter, through 

 which they are expected to pass unharmed. This class of 

 Stocks is only hardy when made so by summer culture. They 

 must be transplanted early on firm ground, and no approach 

 to overcrowding must be tolerated. They must have the 

 fullest expofure to the sun possible, and stand sufficiently 

 wide apart that one can walk amongst them in autumn when 

 nearly full grown without touching a plant. In fact, open-field 

 rather than shelterfd-garden culture is the most suitable pre- 

 paration for the plants, and the nearer it can be approached 

 the better. Grown like this, and replanted towards the end of 

 October, most of them will stand the winter with little or no 

 injury. I have lately seen some glowing bushes 2 feet high 

 and through, which could not fail to strike the most casual 

 observer. They were planted in the front of shrubbery 

 borders, and bad, and will for a long time continue to have, a 

 fine effect. Yet wherever a few pots and a bit of glass can be 

 afforded them, they are worthy of it. 



If a portion of the early-sown Stocks are potted and set in 

 the open air after the manner of Chrysanthemums during 

 summer, they will, if duly attended to, show bloom iu autumn, 

 and a shift then into larger pots will carry them to perfection, 

 and they will fill no unimportant place iu indoor decoration, 

 and will hold their own anjidst more aristocratic things. 

 Those potted-up in autumn and wintered in frames, with frost 

 excluded, especially from the roots, will be fine for turning 

 out in spring. A few weeks after potting it is necessary to go 

 over them and remove the decayed leaves, of which they shed 

 a good many, otherwise they invite mildew, and damage en- 

 sues. Beyond this and a very occasional watering, but Uttle 

 trouble is involved. — J. Weight. 



(To be continued), 



EOYAL HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



Jdne 4th and 5th. 



This was the principal summer Show of the Society, and for 

 the number of the subjects exhibited and their general quality 

 W6 have no hesitation in pronouncing it the largest and best 

 show held this year in the metropolis. The very abundance of 

 the materials caused the Show to be split up into two tents, the 

 large one being fall to repletion ; and this no doubt somewhat 

 detracted from the effect which it would otherwise have had. 

 The weather being extremely fine, notwithstanding other at- 

 tractions, there was a large attendance of visitors. 



Stove and Gbeenhouse Plants in Flower.— Of these there 

 •was a large display of good specimens of the usual kinds met 

 with at the summer exhibitions, and generally they were in ex- 

 cellent condition both as regards quantity and freshness of 

 bloom. The first class in the schedule was for twelve plants, 

 and in this Mr. Ward, gardener to F. G. Wilkins, Esq., Leyton, 

 took the lead with a collection which included a large plant of 

 btatice prof usa in fine bloom ; a very good Anthurium Scherzeri- 

 anum ; Dracophyllum gracile ; large, finely-bloomed plants of 

 Erica tricolor Kingscottii, E. CandoUeana, and E. Caveudishii ; 

 Franciscea confertiflora, Genetyllis tulipifera, and Aphelexis 

 macrantha rosea. Mr. J. Wheeler, gardener to J. Phillpott, 

 Esq., Stamford Hill, took the second place with a good collec- 

 tion, but not so even in size ; and Mr. Kemp, gardener to the 

 Duke of Northumberland, Albury Park, the third. In the next 

 class, for eight (nurserymen only), Messrs. Jackfion, of Kingston, 

 carried off the chief honours, Mr. Williams, of Holloway, being 

 second, the specimens iu both cases being large and in excellent 



bloom. In Mr. Williams's group Azaleas Coronata and Iveryana 

 formed grand masses of bloom, and noticeable among the rest 

 for size were Phrenocoma prolifera, Ixora coccinea, Anthurium 

 Scberzerianum, and Epacris Eclipse. Mr. Morse, of Epsom, 

 was third. In the amateurs' class for sis plants Mr. Ward 

 was again first, showing a plant of Erica tricolor impreEsa 

 quite 4 feet in diameter ; Ixora amboynensis with large heads ; 

 Aphelexis macrantha purpurea, fine ; Genetyllis Hookeri and 

 tulipifera, both good, but the latter small ; and Erica Cavendiahii. 

 Mr. Donald, gardener to J. G. Barclay, Esq., Leyton, came 

 second with good plants of Boronia tetrandra, Clerodendron 

 Balfourianum, and Dracophyllum gracile. The third place was 

 taken by Mr. G. Wheeler, gardener to Sir F. Goldsmid, Bart., 

 who bad among others a well-flowered specimen of Franciscea 

 confertiflora. 



The next two classes were for eight plants in 12-inch pots 

 respectively for nurserymen and amateurs, and many well- 

 grown and flowered plants were exhibited in the different 

 groups. Messrs. Jackson, Williams, and Morse were the prize- 

 takers among the nurserymen, while Mr. Ward outdistanced all 

 coTnpetitors in the amateurs' class, showing among others An- 

 thurium Scberzerianum with immense spathes, and finely- 

 bloomed examples of Statice profusa, Aphelexis macrantha 

 rosea, Erica ventricosa grandiflora, and Azalea Magnet. Mr. 

 Child, gardener to Mrs. ITorr, EweU, wjio was second, had a fine 

 plant of Clerodendron Balfourianum. Mr. Kemp was third. 



The greatest interest attached to the stove and greenhouse 

 plants was that arising from the competition for the Davis 

 prizes, the chief of which Mr. Baines last year carried off un- 

 opposed ; and though in the present season, in consequence of 

 Mr. Micholls' removal to town, the grand collection which 

 existed at Southgate has been brought to the hammer, the 

 plants selected for this competition by Mr. Baines were specially 

 reserved for him by Mr. Micholls. Again Mr. Baines carried 

 all before him, there being: no plants by a long way approaching 

 his. Foremost in his collection came a plant of Ixora coccinea 

 fully 4 feet in diameter, bearing a profusion of grand heads ; 

 then a magnificent Dipladenia amaltilis; a fine specimen of 

 Ixora aurantiaca; Franciscea confertiflora, 3 feet in height; AUa- 

 manda Chelsoni ; Boronia pinnata, 3i to 4 feet through, and 

 finely bloomed ; and wonderful plants of Bougainvillea glabra 

 and Clerodendron Balfourianum. All were admirably bloomed. 

 Mr. W. Cutbush, of Barnet, bad excellent plants for their age 

 of Boronia serrulata and pinnata, Dracophyllum gracile, Clero- 

 dendron Balfourianum, Franciscea confertiflora, Phcenocoma 

 prolifera, and two plants of Genetyllis tulipifera, one under the 

 name of Hedaroma, and the other of Genetyllis, a circumstance 

 which probably lost him the second prize, which went to Mr. 

 Kemp, gardener to the Duke of Northumberland, Albury Park, 

 who had, however, very good plants of Genetylhs tulipifera, 

 Erica Caveudishii, Dracophyllum gracile, Acrophyllum veno- 

 Bum, &c. 



OncHiDs. — Although these were not very numerous, they were 

 very good. Tliere were two classes for twelve, the one for ama- 

 teurs, the other for nurserymen, and, as might be expected, iu 

 these the leading exhibitors put out their strength. Mr. Ward 

 took the lead among amateurs with a fine potful of Phalsenopsis 

 grandiflora, with nine spikes; Aerides Lobbii, fine; Odonto- 

 glossums AlexandrfB, Bluutii, and Phalajnopsis; Lycaste Skiu- 

 neri, Phalsenopsis Schilleriana, Cattleya MossiiB superba, and 

 Oncidium ampliatom. Mr. F. Rutland, gardener to the Duke 

 of Richmond, Goodwood, came next with Cattleya Mossim 

 magnifica, a superb mass of bloom, and 2^ feet in diameter; 

 Cvpripedium caudatumwith five flowers, the Foxbrush Aerides, 

 Aijrides crispum, Brassia cordata, and Oncidium sphacelatum 

 majus. The third prize went to Mr. J. Douglas, gardener to 

 F. Whitbourn, Esq., whose group, though consisting of smaller 

 plants than those just noticed, bore the impress of thoroughly 

 good cultivation, and one plant in it, Masdevallia Harryana with 

 ten or more flowers dazzling in their brightness, was the guiding 

 star to the Orchids. Othtr plants there were of the same species 

 in the Exhibition, but none equal to it at once in brightness, 

 freshness, and profusion of bloom. The remainder of the group 

 consisted of a good Oncidium Lanceanum, Phabcnopsis grandi- 

 flora, Odonfoglossum crispum, Cattleya Warneri, fine; Dendro- 

 bium formnsum giganteum with very large flowers, Cypripedium 

 superbum Veitchii, C. barbatum nigrum, Dendrobium Bensoniae, 

 very good, and Lslia purpnrata, with one or two others. Among 

 nurservmen Mr. Williams occupied the place of honour, showing 

 a splendid mass of Cattleya Mossiro superba, Odoutoglossum 

 citrosmum roseum with four fine spikes, Laelia purpurata and 

 Brysiana, Orchis foliosa, fine, Aerides affine superbum, Sacco- 

 lahium retusum, and others. The most notable in the group 

 from Mr. Bull, which came next on the prize list, were Odouto- 

 glossum Roezlii, Cattleja MendeUi. and Cypripedium Parishii. 

 Mr. Morse, of Epsom, was third. The next class was open both 

 to nurserymen and amateurs. Here Mr. Williams was again 

 first with L.'L'lia purpurata with large and fine flowers, Mas- 

 devallia Harryana, past; Dendrobium densiflorum, very fine; 

 a large mass of Cypripedium barbatum superbum, Cattleya 



