338 
THE GARDENERS’ 
CHRONICLE. 
(May 20, 
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while in the healthiest possible state, it was producing many 
Ss of its sweet coat-like blossoms.  Zichya glabrata, 
Kennédya prostrata, and Brachysema latifolium, were trom Mr. 
Clarke, gr. to W. Block, Esq., but in no way remarkable. 
e was qui i in quality, 
of the charming tribe of Orchidacew, and these obtained, as in 
former years, a considerable amount of the visitors’ attention. 
the flower ; a fine plant of the elegant Oncidium divaricatum ; O. 
ly; O. papilio, 
the much-admired butterfly-plant, in high health ; Dendrébium 
cupreum, an immense plant, with many noble racemes of its pale 
coppery yellow-coloured flowers; Blétia superba, a species with 
large and remarkably rich purplish crimson blossoms ; Epiden- 
drum crassifolium, indicating how beautiful the species is when 
properly managed; Chysis aurea, perfectly healthy; a new 
species of Epidendrum, near E. selligerum; and the stately 
Cyrtopera Andersonii, throwing up several strong spikes of 
showy yellow blooms. Maxilléria Deppii, with nearly twenty of 
its interesting blossoms, which come up before the leaves; M. 
aromatica, flowering in its ordinary profusion, and shedding a 
delicious aromatic fragrance; Céttleya intermedia, with a good 
scape of bloom; a variety of C. Mossize, very splendid, with three 
new species of Epidendrum, with dense and short upright spikes 
of whitish flowers; E. macrochilum, particularly robust; E. 
imuli with fully-spreading i 
blossoms ; an enormous plant of Acanthophippium bicolor, the 
blossoms of which formed quite a bed on the surface of the pot 
y t sta ds, gr. to the Duke of 
Devonshire, at Chiswick. Dendrébium densiflorum, bearing two 
racemes of flowers on one of its splendid stems, and one on 
another, came from Mr. Gunn , gr. to Sir G. Larpent, Bart. 
G. Barker, Esq., of Birmingham, furnished Peristéria Humbolati, 
@ New species, with long pendant scapes of yellowish flowers, 
which are much sp 
Cycnoches pentadactylon, another new plant, having the flowers 
banded with dark brown like those of C, maculatum, but altogether 
Jarger and darker, Both these last are handsome plants, though 
ardie, gr. to 
J. Jarrett, Esq. Ithad a tall flower-stem, 15 or 20 feet in height, 
dark red flowers. Erios- 
Busby, gr. to J. Ricardo, Esq., of Sunning Hill. 
Mr. Hughes, gr. to Mrs. Rogers, of Tooting, brought a plant of 
Chorozema Hi enchmanni, tolerably well bloomed, 4 feet in height, 
though somewhat ragged. 
Of. ‘ew or scarce plants, there were present Siphocdmpylus 
betulefolius, from Mr, Green, gr: to Sir E,jAntrobus, Bart., in the 
highest order, and producing its scarlet and yellow blossoms very 
freely ; Manéttia bicolor, also from Mr. Green, 5 feet high, on a 
barrel-shaped trellis, and beautifully in flower. Rhododendron 
2 a new variety, from Mr. Smith, of 
Norbiton, with large heads ‘of brownish yellow flowers, which 
have numerous spots in the upper petals, and are very handsome. 
R, Smithii decorum, from the same individual, with pale and 
delicate pinkish blooms, spotted in the upper petals, likewise 
od. Cyrtdéceras i 
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what injured by travelling, from Mr. Davis, gr. to Lord Boston. 
Statice macrophylla, a species with peculiarly broad and long 
in flower, from Mr. Forrest, nurseryman, of 
Kensington. A species of Bossizea, with narrow and very regular 
alternate leaves, and rather superior yellowish flowers, from Mr. 
Kyle, of Leyton, Essex; Begonia coccinea, the showiest species 
of the genus, Son scarlet flowers, which are disposed in panicles 
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veined leaves, and handsome purple flowers. Anda Leschenatiltia, 
probably grandiflora, from Mr. Falconer, gr. to A. Palmer, Esq., 
of Cheam. The last-named plant was much better than L, biloba, 
having larger and darker flowers; it may possibly rank among 
the finest things that were shown 
A collection of interesting little Alpine plants, grown in pots, 
was supplied by Mr. Wood, nurseryman, of Norwood, They 
comprised some very pretty species, several of which were 
alluded to specifically in our report of the last meeting of the 
i iety, at Regent-street.. Those which are most 
noticeable, and were not then pointed out, are, Stachys corsica, 
a beautiful lilac-flowered species; Saxifraga granulata plena, a 
plant that is often cultivated in flower-borders, and which is 
quite suitable for growing in pots; Cheiranthus ochroleucus, 
another favourite border plant, and equally adapted for pot 
culture; Phlox setacea, with showy dark pink flowers; Pulmo- 
naria davurica, with bluish blossoms ; and Viola palmata, bearing 
mottled flowers, of a blue and white tint. Of Fuchsias there 
was only one collection, from Mr. Catleugh, of Chelsea, the 
best varieties in which Buistii, a gracefully-g e pl 
with very deep blue corollas to its rather small flowers; rosea 
alba, having nearly white blossoms; and grandis, which has 
good foliage, red sepals, and a rich crimson corolla; its flowers 
are large and showy. Messrs. Lane, of Berkhampstead, sent 
plants of their F. Laneii, which has immense blossoms, and 
appears to be in all respects a noble sort, Mr. Gaines, of Bat- 
ersea, brought a basket of well-cultivated Ixias, the varied and 
showy colours of which made an excellent display. 
The Pelargoniums occupied a larger space than usual, and the 
quantity exceeded that of any former exhibition we have seen, 
‘The weather has for some time past been so unfavourable for 
the development of these plants, that greater heat than usual 
has been required to bring them forward; and the transition 
from heat to the cold air was apparent upon examination, 
The general display, however, was very imposipg; and the cul- 
ivation, training, and management of the plants was highly 
creditable to the growers. e new class of Pelargoniums 
grown in pots of 24 to the cast proved highly interesting, as 
many seedlings and new varieties were introduced among them; 
and had the weather not been so unpropitious, this class Would 
have numbered more competitors, as the size of the pots bring the 
cultivation of them within the management of a greater number 
of growers. The Gold Banksian Medal, offered by the Society 
in this class, was awarded to Mr. Beck, of Isleworth, a success- 
fulamateur, for 12 well-cultivated plants in fine health and con- 
dition ; they were grown and exhibited in slate pots, and the 
state of the plants bore conclusive evidence that this anti-porous 
material is not injurious to the growth of these beautiful flowers, 
Some new and fine varieties were shown in this class also by 
Mr. Gaines anid Mr. Catleugh. Among the growers of large 
plants, Mr. Cock’s were conspicuously fine ; nor can we imagine 
the cultivation of large specimens to be carried beyond the 
Skill exercised by him ; the Prince of Waterloo, Dido, Madeleine, 
Coronation, and Cyrus, excited unanimons delight from. their 
fine colour and the extraordinary mass of bloom by which the 
plants were covered. Mr. Bell’s collection was very creditable, 
and Mr. Catleugh’s and Mr. Gaines’s large plants were also 
generally admired. ol 
The supply of seedling Pelargoniums was rather limited; the 
same ungenial weather had caused the seedlings generally to be 
ate. Among those sent, two were selected by the Judges, to 
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good ; and the petals being stiff, it retains its shape to thelast 3 the 
habit of the flower is good, and its style of trussing very fine. 
Zanzummimis a large flower, having delicate pink under petals, 
with arich crimson spot in the upper part of the flower, nearly 
covering the surface of the petals, leaving only a narrow border 
of rose-colour; this is a showy variety, and both flowers we 
imagine will improve as the weather becomes more favourable 
for the natural development of the flowers. The habit of the plant 
is'good, short-jointed, and ingitstrusses well. T i 
of showing the seedlings in pots must have been apparent to 
every one, as the nature of the foliage, mode of growth and 
trussing is seen, and supersedes the necessity of inquiry upon the 
subject; the regulationis an admirable one, and will prove 
advantageous both to purchasers and growers. The seedling 
Calceolarias were numerous, varying much in quality ; but 
unless seedlings in this class possess decided novelty of colour 
or marking, or perfection of form, it is useless tosingle them out 
for reward, as the ease with which they are raised brings a tole- 
rably good collection within the reach of every one possessed 0 
agreenhouse. Two curious varieties from Mr. Standish’s col- 
lection were selected for a certificate of merit; one named 
Eclipse, the other Duchess of Gloucester, the former having a 
buff ground, was covered with large maroon spots ; the appear- 
ance of this variety is very peculiar; the latter had a lemo! 
ground, covered with brown spots; they are perfectly distinct 
from those generally seen, and will no doubt be inrequest. ‘The 
seedling Cinerarias were not sufficiently distinct to merit par- 
ticular notice, Patt 
The following is a list of some of the winning Florists’ Flowers. 
PELARGONIUMS : In collections of 12 varieties, in pots of 12 to 
the cast. (Amateurs), — Silver-gilt medal to Mr. Cock, for 
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imax, Joan of Arc, Florence, Erectum, Specu- 
lum, Rienzi, Eliza Superb, Jewess: Silver Knightian medal to 
Mr, Watt, gr. to E, Snell, Esq., Pimlico, for Comte de Paris, 
Clarissa, Acme, Eliza superb, Florence, Victory, Dowager Queen, 
Annette, Lord Mayor, Bridesmaid, Portia, Magnet. (Nursery- 
Juba, Coronation, Mabel. Pelargoniums, in collections of 12 
new and first-rate varieties, in pots of 24tothe cast, (Amateurs.) 
~Gold Banksian medal to Mr. Beck, for Admiral, Evening Star, 
Vales, Caroline, Lydia, Euterpe, Sylph, Queen’ of Bourbons, 
Duke of Cornwall, Orange Perfection, Lady Prudhoe, Nymph, 
Vanguard, Amulet. Hxereacnous Cancrorartas: In collec- 
tions of 6 varieties, in pots of 12 to the cast. (Amateurs.)—The 
Silver Knightian medal to Mr. Green, gr. to Sir E, Antrobus, Bt., 
for Purpurea grandiflora, Alba coccinea maximum, Prince of 
Wales, Formosissima, Ne plus Ultra, Cordata: the Silver Bank- 
Sian meda! to Mr. Beck, of Isleworth, for Agnes and Lad. 
Douglas (seedlings), Madonna, Adonis, Bertha, Pulchella superb : 
The Silver Knightian medal to Mr. Catlengh, for Green’s Alba 
coccinea maxima, grandiflora, Fireking, Barnes’ Reform, Prince 
of Wales, Jubilee, Suruspy CatceoLarias: In 6 varieties, in 
pots of 12 to the cast. (Amateurs).—The Large Silver medal to 
Mr. Beck, for Lady of the Lake, King, Miss Antrobus, 
Mirabilis, Climax. (Nurserymen).—The Silver Knightian medal 
Mr. Nicholson, gr. to the Earl of Orkney, Mr. Mitchell, of 
Brighton, Mr. Davis, of East Barnet, Mr. E. Davis, gr. to A. 
Smith, Esq., Woodhall Park, Mr. Davis, gr. to Lord Boston, Mr. 
ods, gr. to Sir G. Warrenden, Bart., and Mr. Chapman, of 
Vauxhall: with a few White Sweetwater from some of the same 
growers, and from (?) the gardener to R. Gunter, Esq. Some fine 
Peaches and Nectarines came from Mr. Tillery, gr. to the Duke 
of Portland; and a dish of both, likewise, from Mr. Hutchison, 
gr. to E. J. Shirley, Esq. Mr. Jennings, gr. to the Earl of Derby, 
contributed some good Mayduke Chi v 
Melons were exhibited; and some Str 
last, Myatt’s British Queen was from M 
Grey. There were collections of Apples, including two or three 
kinds of Pears, in excellent preservation, from Mr. Baldwin, of 
Turnham-green, Mr. Fish, gr. to R. H. Oddie, Esq d 
rook, 1 Pettistree Lodge. Three large Shaddocks, 
their blossoms, were furnished by Mr. Moss, gr. to J 
Esq. : and there were several brace of Cucumber: 
parti The prize-list will best explain the merits of all these 
articles. 
the two main points that call for notice in the get ting up of 
the exhibition are, first, that a considerable portion of the flowers 
had their names legibly and neatly written on cards, which were 
fastened to them in conspicuous p: ions; and, secondly, that 
many of the specimens had the soil in the pots covered with 
moss, which had a neat, finished appearance, and would tend 
materially to prevent the plants being injured by the abstraction 
of moisture by any currents of aiy to which they might happen 
to be exposed. Both practices, however, ought to be more uni- 
versally adopted ; and if the system of attaching names to the 
fruit were likewise pursued, it would add considerably to the 
interest with which they are contemplated by many an inquiring 
2 
5 
May 18.—Mr. E. Solly, in his second lecture, briefly adverted 
to the importance of bearing in mind the facts, exemplified 
before, that the most extraordinary changes in matter may be 
produced. by slight chemical differences of combination; that 
heat on one hand, light on anoth ation, will give 
rise to products of the most div: fied character. He then pro- 
ceeded to prove that the various forms of vegetable matter are 
mere forms of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. But in 
the first place he called attention to the large quantity of water 
that is found in all vegetables used for food, as was exemplified 
by the following Table of results obtained by himself, showing 
the relative quantity of water, organic, and inorganic matter 
in 
ComPosiTION oF VEGETABLES. 
Proportion in 10,000 parts of the Fresh Plat 
Organic Tnorganie 
‘Water, Matter. atter. 
Potato . . . . 3 2173 
Carrot . . . . 1159 1l4 
SBUL TED ene Weer ee 588 104 
Parsnep . . Fy = 1947 124 
Red ee et 1390 109 
Bassano Beet . ° . 1159 i 
Nulite Beet.) e 1198 2 
Jerusalem Artichoke , 2208 186 
Flag Leek . id ia 112 
Shallot .  , . . 130 
Garlic . . . ‘ 153 
Spring Radishes , . 81 
Endive . . . . 91 
Scotch Kale. . . 145 
Red Cabbage . . 97 
Savoy 5 . 5 ‘ 121 
Seakale . fs 57 
Young Cabbage . ¥ 168, 
Spinach . . . . 252 
Le ea. 95 
French Beans... O4 
occoli . . 96 
Red Celery) . 20 6 123 
White Celery in 125 
Giant Rhubarb. 62 
Asparagus, . . 55 
Watercress . . . 107 
. . . . OL 
Parsley , . ® . 1299 271 
Fennel . . . . 1048 191 
Horseradish .. 2 2045 176 
SBIR GT lieu, Yue Ge, 1929 120 
Green Onion». e 1325 
Mustard . . ° 436 102 
Purple Sage . . 2240 245 
Cucumber .  . 352 59 
KohlRabi. 2... «8646 1240 114 
From this it appeared that the Cucumber contains as much as 954 
per cent, of water, the Cabbage 87, the Beet 86, and so on; this was 
further illustrated by a comparison between the fresh state of the 
diant Rhubarb of Covent-garden, and the dried part of the same 
plant, the former being three feet long, and the latter about one- 
thirtieth of the size. ‘Thus it appeared that plants consist of & 
small quantity of organic and inorganic matter, and of a large 
quantity of water. The organic products were then examined. 
Liebig’s apparatus for the analysis of plants was introduced, and 
its application explained ; and it was shown how it enables all 
the organic matter burnt away to be examined, and proved to 
consist of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. ‘Then the 
characters of lignin, starch, sugar, gum, gluten, and albumen 
were pointed out, By a variety of tests their presence and dis- 
tinctions were shown in the specimens of vegetable matter on the 
table, and also their conversion into carbon, oxygen, hydrogens 
and nitrogen. In this part of the lecture some beautiful experi- 
ments were introduced, especially the decomposition of iodide 
of potassium by chlorine, and the liberation of the iodine, which 
before decomposition had no effect on starch, but afterwards 
attacked it, and gave it its usual blue colour. The carbonaceous 
nature of all these matters was i 
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short, everything organic in the vegetable structure, to peculiar 
combinations of the four great elements, oxygen, hydrogely 
nitrogen, and carbon. Some allusion was at the same time made 
to the action and consequences of fermentation; but this was 
introduced at the end of the lecture, and was more insisted on than 
demonstrated ; especially the fact that starch changes into sugary 
sugar to spirit, spirit to vine; 1 vinegar to carbonic ach 
and water, which is the final result of all vegetable destruction 
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 
A wWrex.y council was held at the Society’s House in Hanover- 
square, on the 10th of May, the Hon. R. H. Clive, M.P.,in the 
Mr. ‘Davenport comm 
is made last year with gua a 
eshire: On Mento e ene 
cwt. of 
ypsum—30 tons procuc’: 
One acre of Turnips, 2 cwt. of guano and 2 cwt. of sypsm on 
ons. The difference between an unmanured acre #®2 psumh 
manured with 3 ewt. of guano and the same quantity of Brae 
Was 27 cwt. of hay additional, Mr. Henry Wilson, of Sto model 
toft Hall, near Ixworth, Suffolk, presented to the Society ie of We 
of Rouse’s Improved Plough. This ploughis the invention st. 
Rouse, a wheelwright, residing at Barton, neat a to it, 
Edmund’s, and the principal points of advantage cae ete 
as communicated by Mr. Wilson, are the following + d in an 
share may be deepened or fleetened to or from the Jan 
