180 



JOUENAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ Angnst 26, 1875. 



berries. I have need it ever since, watering them with weak 

 liquid manure, and then putting on the chaff just when the 

 flowers were setting. I never see a slug, and my Strawberries 

 are splendid. I have only a man of all work, and we have 

 belter fruit than onr neighbours with several gardeners. — 

 A I'ooE Lady. 



ALEXANDRA PALACE. 



THE METROPOLITAN FLORAL SOCIETY'S SHOW, 

 August 24th. 



When we find nearly i'SO in prizes offered for Dahlias, up- 

 wards of .i'20for Hollyhocks, £35 for Gladioli, and ±18 for Asters— 

 when we find this, also at the helm the Rev. H. H. Dombrain, 

 V e are satisfied that neither by a lack of energy in management 

 or encouragement to growers shall this autumn exhibition of 

 florists' flowers fail. Added to this we have recently had fine 

 weather to finish the flowers which constituted this two-days 

 exhibition. The display may be fairly considered a good one, 

 and s.Dch as should afford encouragement to the promoters in 

 their laudable endeavours to promote the cultivation of such 

 garden flowers as may be — but are not — grown in every garden. 

 As to the intrinsic beauty of these flowers none can dispute it. 

 What more brilliant and yet more stately than a collection of 

 Gladioli, either in the garden or on the exhibition table ? What 

 more rich and imposing than the symmetrical and massive 

 Dahlias, or more commanding than the towering forms and 

 varied masses of colour of the Hollyhocks ? Where can we 

 find a more diversified display of colour combined with beauty 

 of ffirm than is afforded by the varieties of Asters ? And to 

 these may be added brilliant Zinnias, Verbenas, and Roses, and 

 we have the material to make the garden gay and the show 

 room attractive. 



The collections were arranged down each side of the great 

 hall, reachicg nearly the entire length, the centres of the tables 

 being occupied by well-grown Ferns, Begonias, &c., furnished 

 by the Palace Company. These plants afforded a great relief 

 to the formal masses of cut flowers, and broke up the monotony 

 which otherwise would have prevailed. 



The most effective display in the Exhibition was undoubtedly 

 afforded by the Gladioli. These were staged in considerable 

 numbers, and many of them were of high quality. 



In the nurserymen's class for thirty-six varieties Messrs. 

 Kelway & Son, Langport, were in the ascendant. Their collection 

 was a noble one, being massive, varied, and brilliant. In the 

 high-coloured section some of the most striking were Prome- 

 theus, fiery scarlet; Meyerbeer, vermilion scarlet ; Autiethenes, 

 Oscirus, and Victor. Of salmons and roses, Astra, Serapis, 

 Alector, Carbala, Pythias, and Agrius were the best, the last- 

 named having a certificate of merit awarded it, it is a stately 

 flower of fine form. Among the lighter colours Shakespeare 

 was pre-eminent, followed by Chromius, Mansolus, Clymenus, 

 and Veronica. Certificates were also awarded to Titus, a fine 

 flower flaked with lilac purple and magenta, and Brennus, a 

 rich flame- scarlet variety. Messrs. T. Bunyard & Sons had a 

 third prize for smaller spikes. For twenty-four varieties Messrs. 

 Kelway again distanced their competitors with a collection 

 which had not a poor spike or indifferent bloom amongst them. 

 Mr. Walker, Thame, and Messrs. T. Bunyard & Sons had second 

 and third place respectively with attractive collections. 



In the amateurs' classes also splendid spikes were exhibited, 

 those from Rev. H. H. Dombrain and Mr. Douglas, gardener to 

 F. Whitbourn, Esq., being equal to those of Messrs. Kelway. For 

 eighteen varieties Mr. Douglas had the post of honour. With 

 the exception of Delicatissima and Madame Furtado the whole 

 collection were seedlings raised at Loxford. One of these had a 

 certificate of merit, and was named Mr. McKenzie. It is a 

 smooth flower of perfect form, and a warm salmon rose colour ; it 

 has a good spike, and worthily heads the list in this section. 

 The remainder of the seedlings were fine, one cf them having 

 twenty-four blooms and buds, and embraced a great vaiiety of 

 colours. The Rev. H. H. Dombrain was placed second with 

 very fine spikes of Mejeibeer, Horace Vernet, Robert Fortune, 

 Psyche, Seda, Ginerva, and seedlings. For twelve varieties 

 the Rev. H. H. Dombrain had the first place with admirable 

 spikes, in which the rose-featheied varieties predominated. 

 Very fine indeed were Murillo, Meyerbeer, Legouvc, Lady 

 Bridport, and Pactole. The last-named is a distinct sulphur- 

 coloured variety, aud had a certificate of merit awarded. Mr. 

 Douglas was placed second with, principally, seedUngs richer in 

 colour but not so fine in spike as the preceding. Mr. Stadden, 

 Chipping Norton, aud Mr. Catley, Bath, were placed second and 

 third respectively with meritorious collections. For six varieties 

 first honours went to Mr. J. W. Minchin, Eastend, Hook Norton, 

 with capital spikes of Eugene Scribe and Madame Furtado, the 

 rest being seedlings ; Mr. Fewkes being second. Messrs. Kel- 

 way also exhibited a miscellaneous collection of sixty varieties. 



Dahlias were the next important feature of the Exhibition. 

 Owing tothe cold and wet July these have not quite reached 

 their zenith of perfection, yet many very fine blooms were 



staged. In the nurserymen's class for forty-eight varieties Mr. 

 Keynes, Salisbury, had a collection of great excellence, but 

 owing to the names having been hurriedly scribbled in pencil 

 on blue paper they were nearly invisible to the spectators. For 

 twenty-four varieties Mr. Walker, Thame, had the first place, 

 his best blooms being Grand Sultan, John Kirby, Thos. 

 Gardener, W. P. Layard, Jas. Cocker, Julia Myatt, John Standish, 

 Royal Queen, and Hugh Miller. For twenty-four Fancies Mr. 

 Keynes and Mr. Walker were placed first and second respectively. 

 In these boxes really splendid blooms were exhibited of Rev. J. 

 B. M. Camm, Rose Flake, John Lamont, Letty Coles, Fanny 

 Stort, and Egyptian Queen. 



In the amateurs' classes for twenty-four varieties, Mr. Fewkes, 

 Tyburn Erdington, Birmingham, was first with charmingly 

 finished blooms of Leah, Lord Derby, Flag of Truce, John 

 Standish, John Neville, Miss Turner, James Service, Mrs. 

 Boston, Walter Reid, &c. Mr. Southgate, gardener to J. Petti- 

 ward, Esq., Frimborough Hall, Stowmarket, had the second place. 

 In this stand Charles Backhouse, Juno, Criterion, and Norfolk 

 Hero were perfect, and the rest good. Mr. Petfield, gardener 

 to J. Thornhill, Esq., Deddington, third. For twelve varieties 

 H. Glasscock, Esq., was placed first with a collection of great 

 merit, every bloom being good. They comprised Royal Queen, 

 James Service, Cremorne, Thos. Goodman, Flag of Truce, 

 Queen's Messenger, Vice President, Ovid, Mr. Harris, John 

 Standish, Picotee, and Willie Eckford. Mr. Hurst, Putney 

 Road, Enfield Highway, was placed second. Mr. G. Smith, New 

 Villa, Hedge Lane, Edmonton, third; and Mr. Griffith, Brocket 

 Villa, Wood Green, fourth. For twelve fancies Mr. Petfield, 

 gardener to A. J. Thornhill, Esq., Deddington, had the first 

 award with grand blooms of Mrs. Saunders, John Lamont, Flora 

 Wyatt, Fanny Sturt, Grand Duchess, Mrs. Bennett, and some 

 well-marked seedlings; H. Glasscock, Esq., Mr. Southgate, and 

 Mr. Fewkes following in the order named. Certificates of merit 

 were awarded to Mr. G. Rawlings, Romford, for Mr. Quennell, 

 orange tipped with red, a richly-coloured flower of good form, 

 and John Bennett, crimson scarlet, an immense bloom of good 

 shape ; also to Mr. Keynes for Henry Glasscock, bright maroon, 

 smooth, and of very fine shape. 



Hollyhocks were the weakest part of the Show. For nine 

 spikes, open, Mr. Chater, Saffron Walden, won with Rose 

 Supreme, Alba superba, Leah, Purity, Midnight, Fire King, 

 Perfection, Mrs. Chater, aud Exhibitor. Mr. Minchin also had 

 a minor award. For twenty-four cut blooms Mr. Chater was 

 again placed first, Mr. Minchin second, and Mr. Walker third, 

 but except the first-prize collections the blooms were very 

 small. Amongst amateurs, for twelve blooms Mr. Catley and 

 Mr. Minchin were placed first and second respectively, and for 

 six blooms Mr. Petfield was first with the best blooms in the 

 Exhibition, Mr. Fewkes having the second award. 



Roses were particularly bright and fresh. In the nursery- 

 men's class for twenty-four varieties the redoubtable Cheshnnt 

 firm of Paul & Son had the first place with a collection worthy 

 of a June show, Mr. Keynes being placed second with a good 

 collection, and Messrs. T. Bunyard & Sons, Ashford, third. 

 Messrs. Paul & Son also exhibited a collection of the best varie- 

 ties in quartets ; Mr. Prince, Oxford, exhibiting equally well in 

 triplets. Mr. 'Turner, Slough, staged a box of Rev. J. B. M. 

 Camm, the sweetest of all sweet Roses, excepting perhaps the 

 old Provence Cabbage, and with its sweetness a fine form and 

 a rich salmon rose colour. This should become a highly popular 

 garden variety. A first-class certificate was awarded. Amongst 

 amateurs Mr. Fewkes was the only exhibitor; his blooms were 

 very good. 



Asters were an extensive and excellent display. For thirty- 

 six varieties of French Asters Mr. Walker was placed first in 

 the open class for very perfect blooms, followed by Mr. Chater, 

 Mr. Betteridge, and Mr. Meadmore respectively. Amongst 

 amateurs the honours fell in the following order — Mr. Morgan, 

 gardener to Major Scott, Wray Park, Reigate; Mr. Petfield, Mr. 

 Catley, and Mr. Anderson for highly creditable collections. 

 The Quilled or German Asters were a charming display and a 

 source of great attraction to the visitors. The awards went in 

 order to Mr. Betteridge ; Mr- Benham, Newbury ; Mr. Webb, 

 gardener to J. Pennystones, Esq., Chipping Norton; and Mr. 

 Petfield. Mr. Betteridge also exhibited fine named varieties. 



For twelve Zinnias Mr. Chater was placed first for brilliant 

 aud very double flowers, followed by Mr. Walker, Major Scott, and 

 Mr. Hooper in the order named. i?or Verbenas Mr. Turner was 

 tbe principal prizetaker, and Mr. Hooper exhibited Phloxes. 

 The Exhibition being extensive and the quality good, with fine 

 weather and a large attendance, it is hoped the success is com- 

 mensurate with the efforts which have been made to aecare it. 



Flowek Mission, Hojie of Industey, Commercial Stbeet, 

 SpiTAiFiELDs, E. — The work of this Flower Mission, and that 

 at the Conference Hall, Mildmay Park, N., which has been 

 such a cheer to hundreds of suffering ones, is falling off terribly 

 for want of flowers. We ehoald be most thankful for ont 



