31G 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



1 October 7, 18TB. 



the old pink Christine, followed by another of white-edged 

 Garaninm with the flowers kopt picked off; then came a rich 

 purple Viola, very fine, with an edging of Golden Pyrethrnm — 

 two charming beds, so perfect when I saw them that one conld 

 not but regret that the blossom was not as durable as the 

 bright-toned foliage of the carpet beds. Of other goo'l-colour 

 combinations there were lovely cheqiipred masses of Verbena 

 vpnosa and white-edged Geranium, not kept separate but ming- 

 ling irregularly but very beautifully together ; circles of Iresine 

 Lindeni alternating with wide bands of Gazania eplendens 

 variegata ; rich circles of deep crimson Geranium edged with 

 the grey Guaphaliam, and some grand masses of Amaranth 

 Geranium. 



The roECry borders had a pretty design of rich circular 

 masses, around which swept brilliant curved bands which were 

 continued throughout each border. The colouring was bold in 

 character and in exceedingly good taste ; it consisted of white, 

 pink, blue, grey, yellow, green, deep crimson, and scarlet. 



The carpet bedding comprised many intricate geometrical 

 designs, most of which were fine examples of this justly popu- 

 lar style of bedding, and Mr. Thomson may be congratulated 

 upon the skill in designing and exquisite taste in colouring 

 which they so fully exemplify. An attempt at an imitation of 

 butterflies is, I think, a failure and a step in the wrong di- 

 rection. So long as carpet bedding partakes of the character 

 of mosaic work it most worthily takes high rank among art 

 works, but when it is diverted into a mere pictorial delineation 

 of insects or other figures it sinks from its high position and 

 becomes a mere toy. Designs of two of the most effective of 

 the beds with the mode of their planting accompany these 

 notes. — Edwabd Luckhubst. 



EOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



October 6th. 

 A p.iRT from the quaint forms and varied colours of a collection 

 of Fungi, the edible and nutritious qualities possessed by one 

 section and the poisonous properties of the other impart to an 

 exhibition of them material for both study and admiration. 

 One cannot hut be struck with their attractive appearance, and 

 regret that the different species — their nature and properties — 

 are so little understood. It is only by bringing collections before 

 the public that knowledge on this generally-unknown branch of 

 vegetation can be disseminated : hence the exhibitions which 

 are occasionally provided. The display on this occasion was 

 only small, Mr. James English, Epping, Essex, being the only 

 exhibitor of note, and who evidenced great industry in collecting 

 and arranging his numerous spf cimens ; he received the whole 

 of the awards. A very fine specimen of Polyporu3 eulphureus 

 was exhibited by Mr. Burnett, gardener to Mrs. Hope, The Deep- 

 dene, Dorking; it was of the shape of a half-blown Cauliflower, 

 a foot in diameter, and of a deep sulphur colour. It had been 

 taken from an old Tew tree. Mr. Beeob, Castle Aehby, also exhi- 

 bited some curious specimens. 



Fruit Committee. — Henry Webb, Esq., in the chair. Mr. Beale 

 of Messrs. Carter & Co. sent fruit of an American Grape, sup- 

 posed to be Catawba, which had been ripened against a wall in 

 the open air. A Raspberry was sent from the Society's Garden 

 at Chiswick called Surpasse Merveille de Qaatre Saisons Rouge. 

 There was also the white variety of the same, and the fruit 

 was large and handsome. Mr. Richard Smith of Worcester sent 

 fruit of the Worcester Pearmain, a fine handsome Pearmain- 

 shaped Apple of a brilliant pcarlet colour. It was awarded a 

 first-class certificate as a valuable market and highly ornamental 

 Apple. Mr. R. Harvey of Bury St. Edmunds sent a seedling 

 dessert Apple called St. Edmund's Pippin, a middle-sized some- 

 what conical Apple of a pale brown russet colour, with a tinge 

 of brown on the side next the sun. It was rich in flavour, 

 and resembled in this respect the Golden Russet, but is much 

 earlier than any other of this class. It was awarded a first-class 

 certificate. Mr. William Paul sent a seedling Apple called 

 Beauty of Waltham, a large round Apple of the shape of 

 Blenheim Pippin, but quite distinct. It it a kitchen Apple, 

 and has a white and tender flesh. Mr. J. Murray, Hall Stile 

 Cottage, Hexham, sent a seedling culinary Apple, which was 

 not of Bufiicient merit to be recommended. Mr. James Clark, 

 gardener to Rev. A. D. Stackpoole, Writtle, Essex, sent fruit 

 of a Pear called Berwick Place Seedling, which is Grosse 

 Calebasse, and also a seedling Apple, which had nothing re- 

 markable in its character. Mr. Mills, market gardener. Turn- 

 ham Green, sent fruit of Winter Windsor Pear which were 

 unripe. Mr. Peter Grieve sent a seedling Pear, which was 

 unripe, and was referred till the next meeting. 



Mr. Francis Dancer of Little Sutton sent fruit of Fondante 

 d'Angleterre, a small juicy pyriform fruit, with a thin sweet 

 juice, and which has the property of not decaying at the core. 



He also exhibited Madame Treyve and Benrre Hardy, which 

 were of very fine flavour. 



Messrs. Carter & Co. sent fruit of their Green Gage Tomato. 

 Messrs Hurst & Son of Leadenhall Street sent fruit of Hanham's 

 Champion Tomato. Mr. William Heath, gardener to J. Black- 

 well, Esq., Newton Lodge, Middlewich, sent a seedling Melon of 

 medium size, oval, fine yellow colour, and well netted. It is 

 red-fleshed, and was inferior in flavour through being over-ripe. 

 Mr. Owen Thomas, The Gardens, Drayton Manor, Tam worth, 

 sent a seedlina Melon cf large size, round, yellow, and slightly 

 netted. The flesh is very white, and it has a large seed cavity. 

 It was of good flavour for the season. 



A very large and interesting collection of Apples and Pears, 

 consisting of three hundred varieties correctly named, was exhi- 

 bited by Mr. William Paul of Waltham Cross, to which a letter 

 of thanks was awarded, and which was of such merit the Com- 

 mittee recommended to the Council the award of a medal. Mr. 

 Francis Dancer of Little Sutton sent a very fine collection of 

 Pears and Apples, which were remarkable for their size and 

 high culture, to which a letter of thanks was awarded. The 

 Committee recommended this collection also for a medal to the 

 recognition of the Council. Mr. Robert Fenn of Woodstock 

 received a letter of thanks for a fine collection of his seedling 

 Potatoes. 



Floral Committee. — W. B. Kellock, Esq., in the chair. The 

 Council-room presented quite an ornamental appearance on 

 this occasion, Mr. Bull's group of plants being a show in 

 themselves. The Crotona were especially in fiae condition — 

 viz., Majesticum, Weismanni, Imperiale, Volutum, and Spirale, 

 These distinct and fine varieties were very effective. The group 

 also consisted of Cycads, Dracaenas, Palms, and Ferns, with 

 a good plant of Anthurium crystallinum. A vote of thanks was 

 awarded for this collection, and a medal was recommended to 

 be given. 



Mr. B. S. Williams exhibited an attractive group of table 

 plants, consisting of Palms, Ferns, Orchids, Dracasnas, Ac. On- 

 cidium tigrinum had a fine spike of thirty flowers. In bloom 

 also were Miltouia Morelliana, a very dark-coloured species; 

 Cypripedium Harrisianum, and Pancratium speciosum. Ber- 

 tolonia guttata alba punctata was in exceedingly good condition. 

 A vote of thanks was awarded for the coltection. 



Mr. Wills, Onslow Crescent, exhibited twelve plants of Ce- 

 losias in a variety of rich colours. The plants were in 8 inch 

 pots, were 3 to 5 feet in height, and deservedly received a cul- 

 tural commendation. 



Mr. Douglas, Loxford Hall, exhibited a bouquet of the single 

 white Macartney Rose, for which a vote of thanks was awarded. 

 It is especially suitable for furnishing vases. 



Messrs. James Veitch i^' Sons had a first-class certificate for 

 Brahea filamentosa, a Palm somewhat similar to Chamfflropa 

 Fortunei, but covered with filaments; it is very distinct and 

 ornamental. A cultural commendation was awarded Messrs. 

 Veitch for Renanthera coccinea, carrying a fine spike of fifty 

 flowers. The same firm also exhibited Pescatorea lamellosa, 

 Masdevallia Hirryana, Exacum zeylanicum, Areca Dicksonii, 

 and Artocarpuses ; and a like award was made to Mr. Green, 

 Botanical Nursery, Holmesdale Road, Reigate, for Streptocarpus 

 Greenii, which has previously received a first-class certificate. 

 Mr. George Smith, Tollington Nursery, Hornsey Road, exhibited 

 plants and cut blooms of his new semi-double Pelargonium 

 Wonderful. This plant worthily had a first-clasa certificate 

 awarded at a previous meeting. It is a sport from Vesuvius, is 

 even brighter than the parent, is exceedingly dwarf and flori- 

 feroup, is an admirable bedder, and as affording cot flowers has 

 no superior, if any equal, amongst scarlet Pelargoniums. He 

 also exhibited P. George Smith, a blush variety with a salmon 

 centre. 



A first-class certificate was awarded to Mr. Croucher, gardener 

 to J. T. Peacock, Esq , Hammersmith, for Agave Victoria 

 Regina. This is a Mexican species which is singularly at- 

 tractive by its white veins and black terminal spines. This 

 plant received a gold medal at Cologne, and was worthy to have 

 received one at Kensington. Mr. Peacock holds the entire stock 

 save ore plant, which he has presented to Her Majesty. A 

 first-class certificate was also awarded to Mr. Noble, Bagshot, 

 for a dwarf variety of Gynerium argenteum. It is very distinct 

 with fine compact plumes, and is highly ornamental. 



Thujopsis borealis aurea variegata was exhibited by Mr. 

 Noble, Sunningdale Nursery, Bigshot, and was requested to be 

 seen again by the Committee. "This is a very promising sport, 

 at once decided in its variegation and apparently vigorous in 

 habit. 



Masdevallia Harryana came from Mr. Stevens, Trentham; 

 Tropeeolum James Russell from Mr. Russell, gardener to Sir G. 

 Maclean, Pendell Court, Bletchingley. 



Mr. C. Turner, Slough, had a first-class certificate awarded for 

 Pompon Dahlia Dove, a perfect bloom, creamy white with pink 

 tips, and very charming. A vote of thanks was also awarded 

 Mr. Turner for a box of twelve varieties of bouquet Dahlias. 



