Jnly 1, 1875. ] 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



later; NepetaMnsBini, an effective Uvender-manve flower plant 

 for borders, being a good foraging ground for bees. 



The Cotoneaster is a qnick-growing evergreen sbrnb, and 

 though the leaves are small the growth is so dense and close 

 as to give a carpet of deep shining green to rock, and rugged 

 ground, whilst for walls it clothes them in a close green 

 mantle, be they old or new, and for low walls up to those of a 

 dozen feet or more it is, for a close covering, perhaps match- 

 less. The flowers are white, and only from their number are 

 figoificant of the following of the bright red berries, appearing 

 to great advantage — coral beads upon the brightest and deepest 

 of emerald setting ; against the walls of a church it is a fitting 

 subject, according well at the festive season with the decorated 

 interior. 



Bugged and sloping banks after the plants become esta- 

 blished are covered by it speedily and effectively, and though 

 it has been recommended as good for growing under trees, my 

 experience appears to point to only partial success. It is not 

 either suited to a position very bleak or exposed, as the growths 

 are cut by severe weather, especially if the ground be rich and 

 the growths consequently strong and iiuripe. With moderate 

 shelter, however, it succeeds admirably. 



C. buxifolia has rounder leaves, is of more glaucous aspect, 

 and is not nearly so good or free-growing as C. miorophylla ; 

 and C. Simmons! , which was vaunted upon its production 

 as a berry-bearing shrub, is certainly very free in growth, of 

 stiff and erect habit, of no use whatever as an evergreen cover- 

 ing for walls, being at best only a semi-evergreen, losing a 

 majority of its leaves in winter ; but it bears a profusion of 

 bright orange-red berries, which are very pretty and useful 

 for deoorative purposes at the dreary season. — G. Aebet. 



ALEXANDRA PALACE ROSE SHOW. 



June 24th. 



A PERIOD of showery weather followed by a week of dull yet 

 dry days has aided the production of splendid Roses. The 

 rains suppoited the plants, and the cloudy days intensified the 

 colours of the flowers, and a perfect show-day enabled them to 

 be set-up in large numbers, and many of them of a high order 

 of merit. The first Alexandra Show was great not only in 

 name bat in fact. The great Rose champions entered the lists 

 and marshalled their forces in such numbers as almost to over- 

 tax the energies of the managers, but by dint of bard work the 

 arrangements were jnst completed in time for the public in- 

 spection. It is indeed little short of a marvel, considering the 

 distance the collections have to be brought, and the utter de- 

 pendence on trains not always punctual, that flowers can be 

 staged in such numbers and freshness as are found at any ex- 

 hibition of note. It is only by untiring devotion and unremit- 

 ting work that an exhibition such as this can he perfected, and 

 the Rose-loving world should recognise the efforts and appre- 

 ciate the labours to all who contribute to a succestfal display. 



A cocaprehensive schedule and liberal prizes met a general 

 response of rosarians. At this first Show thousands of blooms 

 were staged, and thousands of visitors were attracted, yet on 

 the first day the numbers were more select than numerous. 



As is to be expected in such a large number, many blooms 

 were small and indifferent, but still more were exceedingly fine. 

 As a rule the collections were too fully expanded, and had just 

 passed the prime of the fall gloss and freshness cf youth. Some of 

 the exhibitors were sensible of this, and wisely kepi their blooms 

 covered until the last moment. The Judges were sensible of it 

 too, and did not always award primary honours to the largest 

 blooms, but evidently and justly gave full weight to freshness, 

 colour, and uniformity. Roses are never so beautiful as just 

 before they are fully expanded, and mere size does not, neither 

 ought it to, carry the palm. We note this because the weak 

 point of the Exhibition — and it is a common if not a growing 

 weakness — was that a majority of the blooms were too far ad- 

 vanced. Two-days shows have frequently a ragged appearance 

 on the second day, by paying undue honour to mere size of 

 blooms on the first. The correctness of the judgment will, in 

 most instances, in this Show, we think, be as clearly seen on 

 the second day as at the time the awards were made, and that 

 is no mean proof that quality has been recognised aa well as 

 size. 



In glancing at the classes we shall not append a long string of 

 names, as it is only repeating John Hopper, Charles Lefebvre, 

 Mme. La Baroune de Rothschild, Alfred Colomb, La France, &c , 

 over again. Such Roses are always good, and are constant and 

 sterling varieties indispensable in all collections. In the six 

 exhibits in the nurserymen's class for seventy-two single trusses 

 the above were all represented in flue order. Messrs. Paul and 

 Sjn, Cheshuut, secured first hononra with an even l"t, com- 

 bining size, substance, and colour. Amongst them Duke of 

 Cjnnaaght, Due de Rohan, Eugenie Verdier, and MaiieBau- 



maun shone pre-eminent. Messrs. Cranston & Mayos were 

 second with equftlly large blooms of nearly the same varieties?, 

 but not quite so bright and fresh as the Cheshunt Roses. Mr. 

 Cant, Colchester, was third with fmiiUer but particularly fresh 

 blooms. In this collectiou Emilie Hausburgh was lovely. 

 Than this no more charming tlower was in the Exhibition. 

 Louis Van Houtte was also intensely coloured, and Niphetos 

 was shown in faultless beauty. Mr. Turner was placed fourth. 

 An extra prize .,was awarded to Mr. Keynes, Salisbiiry, f ir 

 a collection of considerable merit. In this class the bloom 

 were the finest in the Exhibition. More imposing, however, 

 was the following class for forty-eight varieties, of each thrre 

 trusses (five competitors). Here Mr. Turner, Slough, was in 

 the ascendant, securing first honours with blooms nearly equil 

 to those in class 1. Mareohal Niel, Maurice Bernardin, Madame 

 Eugenie Verdier, and Etienne Tjevet were amongst the bebt. 

 Paul & Son were second with La France (splendid), Senateur 

 Vaisse (very bright), Charles Rouillard, Framjois Miohelon, etc.; 

 Mr. Keynes being third, his Devoniensis and Marquise de 

 Castellane being the most effective. Mr. Cant was fourth ; an 

 extra going to Messrs. Cranston & Mayos for blooms only a shade 

 inferior to those of their great rivals. 



In the class for twenty four triplets of Hybrid Perpetuals were 

 ten competitors. It was a massive display, Messrs. Paul & Son 

 having the premier place with blooms almost perfect in form 

 ■and colour, but not very large. Madame Lacharme was here 

 very good ; and very fine were La Ville de St. Denis, Louis Van 

 Houtte, Marie Baumann, and Madame Hippolyte Jamain. Mr. 

 Prince, Oxford, was second with blooms of great substance, 

 Messrs. Cranston & Mayos being third, and Mr. Turner fourth. 

 In the next class, for twenty- four single blooms, eight fine boxes 

 were staged, Mr. Keynes winning with a level lot of great excel- 

 lence, Messrs. Cranston & Mayos and Mr. Prince following in 

 the order named ; equal fourth being awarded to Messrs. Davison 

 and Whitten, Hereford, and Mr. Cant. The best blooms in 

 these collections, besides the old standards, were Etienne Levet, 

 Mad. Hippolyte Jamain, Exposition de Brie, Catherine Mermet, 

 Xavier Olibo, Dr Andry, Fisher Holmes, Marie Baumann, Mar- 

 quise de Mortemart, Princess Beatrice, Horace Vernet, Louise 

 Van Houtte, Marguerite de St. Amand, and Franpois Michelon. 



In the nurserymen's class for Tea-scented and Noisette Roses 

 were six competitors, and some charming flowers were staged ; 

 Messrs. Paul & Son winning a close race, followed by Mr. Prince 

 and Mr. Cant in the order named, Messrs. Davison & Whitten 

 being fourth ; Mr. Keynes having an extra prize. In the cor- 

 responding class for amateurs the Rev. J. B. M. Camm was 

 first, followed by Captain Christy, T. Laxton, Esq., Stamford, 

 and Mr. Pulien, gardener to E. Smith, Esq., Colney Hatch. 

 These charming Roses afforded a refreshing relief to the Hybrid 

 Perpetual classes, and had many admirers. The best were 

 Marechal Niel, Anna OUivier, Madame V/illermoz, Niphetos, 

 Catherine Mermet, Devoniensis, Souvenir de Paul Neron, Gloire 

 de Bordeaux, Marie Van Houtte, Belle Lyonnaise, Madame 

 Capucine, Alba Rosea, Souvenir d'un Ami, Souvenir d'Elise, 

 Celine Forestier, Adam, President, Mr. Kemble, Mens. Fartado, 

 Josephine Malton, Reve d'Or, and Homere. 



In the remainder of the amateurs' classes was good compe- 

 tition. For forty-eight single trusses Mr. Baker, Heavitree, 

 Exeter, won the first honours with a very fine collection. Some 

 of the best were Marie Van Houtte, Marie Baumann, Annie 

 Laxton, Fraoijois Miohelon, Duchesse de Caylus, Beauty of 

 Waltham, and Centifolia Rosea. The other awards going to 

 Miss Penrice, Norwich ; Mr. Rushmore, gardener to Sir C. 

 Rowley, Bart., Tendring Hall, Colchester, and Mr. Laxton. 

 For thirty-six blooms eleven competed, Mr. Baker being again 

 in the ascendant; Mr. Curtis, Chatteris, Mr. Cavell, Oxford, and 

 Mr. Mayo following in the order named ; Mr. Camm having 

 an extra prize. In the class for twenty-tour blooms seventeen 

 competed, and the awards were made in the following order 

 — Mr. Atkinson, Brentwood; Mr. A. J. Bloxham, Oxford; Mr. 

 T. Jowitt, Hereford; Mr. Curtis and Mr. Baker, equal fourth; 

 and an extra to Mr. Mayo. In these collections many inferior 

 blooms were placed, but the winning stands contained fine ex- 

 amples of standard varieties; Beauty of Waltham, Henri Lede- 

 chaux, Paul Verdier, Marquise de Castellane, Annie Laxton, 

 and Etienne Levet showing to advantage. In the class for 

 twelve were eighteen collections of superior quality, Mr. Baker 

 being placed first; Rev. A. Cheales, Reigtte, and Mr. Taylor, 

 Oxford, equal second; Mr. Smallbones third; Mr. Gravely fourth; 

 an extra award being given to Mr. Mayo. 



The open classes were specially interesting, and brought out 

 some fine Roses. For twelve blooms of 1873, 1874, or 1875 Mr. 

 Turner secured the first place. He had very fine examples of 

 Beauty of Slough, Dean of Windsor, Caroline Kuster, Mr. Baker, 

 Capitaine Christy, J. S. Mill, &c. ; second honours going to Messrs. 

 Paul & Son, who had amongst their finest Duchess of Edin- 

 burgh, Mdlle. Marie Finger, Reynolds Hole, and Etienne Levet. 

 Mr. Cant had third place, his best being William Hayes, Etienne 

 Dupny, Madame Lacharme, and Antoine Mouton of a v>-ry 

 pleasing lavender tint; Mr. Keynes being placed fourth. For 



