248 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



[September 1, 1888. 



ning, Smith, Wright, Marshall, and Cummins. The 

 following crops on trial this season were inspected : — 



1. Potatos. — A collection of eighty-six varieties 

 being grown. With very few exceptions they were 

 found to have suffered severely from disease, the 

 early varieties more especially so. The following 

 varieties proving to be good croppers and of fine 

 appearance, were subjected to the test of cooking, 

 viz., Governor (Dean), Lavington Conqueror (Lye), 

 Epicure's Delight (Smith), Vegetarian (Dean), Re- 

 nown (Webb & Son), Debutante (Ellington), Castle 

 Morton (Collins), Nelly Blue Eyes (Dean), Basford 

 Beauty (Howard), Bluebeard (Dean), Purple Beauty 

 (Dean), Stirling Castle (Murdoch). None of them 

 was considered of superior quality, being somewhat 

 watery, a result attributable to the excessively wet 

 season. 



2. Cabbages, Spring-soion. — A collection of forty 

 varieties. The following were selected as the most 

 desirable varieties to cultivate for use at this season, 

 viz., Early Etampes (Vilmorin), Early Paris 

 Market (Vilmorin), Leeds Market (Rutley & 

 Silverlock), Prince's Nonpareil, Early Dwarf York. 



3. Tomatos. — A collection of fifty-two varieties, 

 grown in pots. None of these were considered 

 superior to sorts certificated in 1887, and now in 

 general cultivation. 



Flokal Committee. 



A meeting of this committee was held on the 24th 

 ult., Mr. H. Herbst in the chair. Present : Messrs. 

 Walker, Dean, Laing, Noble, Goldnng, Masters, 

 Lowe, Hibberd, Pollett, Bates, Dominy, Eraser. 



The collections of Stocks and Asters on trial in the 

 gardens were examined. Of the large-flowering Ten- 

 week Stock from Messrs. Vilmorin the following 

 colours were selected as the most distinct, and awarded 

 three marks, viz., white, sulphur, lilac, blood-red, 

 violet, light violet. Of the same section, from Messrs. 

 Benary, the white, dwarf white, brick-red, and light 

 blue, received three marks ; also of the Dwarf German 

 Chamois and those of the new Giant Perfection 

 (Benary), sulphur-yellow and light blue, received 

 three marks, and the dark blood-red from the 

 Novelty Company. 



Amongst the Asters the tollowing received three 

 marks: — Half dwarf: Multifioia, white; ditto, light 

 yellow (Vilmorin) ; Globe Poeony-fiowered, copper 

 coloured, white edge (Vilmorin). Dwarf: Chrysan- 

 themum, rose (Vilmorin) ; and ditto, scarlet-red 

 (Vilmorin) ; Dwarf Queen, crimson (Benary) ; Dwarf 

 Queen, white (Benary); Mignon (Benary). Pyra- 

 midal : Hedgehog or Needle, dark crimson (Benary) ; 

 large flowered rose, dark scarlet (Benary) ; Triumph 

 (Novelty Company). The following assortments of 

 various colours from Benary were commended, viz., 

 double dwarf, early flowering, fourteen vars. ; dwarf 

 bouquet flowered (Boltzes), eight vars. ; dwarf Chry- 

 santhemum flowered, ten vars. ; dwarf pyramidal 

 flowered, twelve vars. The later varieties will be 

 further examined. 



Stocks at Chiswick. 



Mr. Barron maintains the practical and useful 

 work he does at the Chiswick Gardens of the Royal 

 Horticultural Society by this season carrying out a 

 very successful and extensive trial of Ten-week 

 Stocks. No annuals are more grown, probably, than 

 the German Stock ; they are so floriferous, so bright, 

 find varied in colour, so fragrant, and so easily 

 managed, that it is not to be wondered at the popular 

 Stock Gillyflower maintains its ascendancy in the 

 flower garden. And so great has been the improve- 

 ment in types and varieties during the past few years 

 that they are even more attractive and useful as 

 decorative agents than they were a few years ago. 



About four distinct types may be found in the 

 trial at Chiswick, viz., the dwarf Ten-week, the 

 dwarf pyramidal large-flowering Ten-week, the large- 

 flowering Ten-week, and the Giant Perfection. The 

 finer types have, no doubt, been obtained by means 

 of selection, and by possessing varying characteris- 

 tics they can be used for different purposes by the 

 gardener, according as his taste or humour may 

 incline him. 



The" Stocks tried comprised those put into circula- 

 tion by Messrs. Vilmorin Andrieux & Co., of Paris, 

 and Mr. Ernest Benary, of Erfurt. Of the large- 

 flowering type of Vilmorin & Co. three marks, which 

 are equivalent to a Certificate of Merit, were given to 

 the following colours : — White, yellow, lilac, blood- 

 red, purple, and light violet — all distinct and decided 

 colours. Of the large-flowering type of Ernest 

 Benary — and the high quality of both strains appeared 

 to be identical — the following were selected for three 



marks : — Two white, one dwarf and one taller ; 

 Chamois was fawn, purple, and ash-grey. Of all the 

 types of Stock this appears to be the most useful, 

 and in each case the percentage of double flowers 

 was very large. There are other colours, all with 

 good double flowers — too many colours, indeed, and 

 combinations of colours ; but it appears to please the 

 Continental growers to select as many as possible, 

 probably to make up bulky collections. Benary's 

 type of large flowering dwarf pyramidal is of a more 

 erect habit of growth, and not so branching. The 

 only one of this type selected for three marks was a 

 very fine white and a dark scarlet or crimson, growing 

 to a height of 15 inches, very fine and showy. Of 

 Benary's type of dwarf Ten-week, a very useful and 

 compact-habited Stock, suitable for beds or massing, 

 the following three varieties were awarded three 

 marks : — Lilac-rose, violet, and yellow. 



The finest, tallest growing, and most showy type 

 of Stocks is that known as the Giant Perfection ; 

 and especially is this adapted for exhibition pur- 

 poses where bold spikes are required ; the general 

 height may be stated at 18 inches. Probably it was 

 owing to occupying a more favourable position, but 

 Benary's strain appeared to be rather finer in 

 development than Vilmorin's ; still there was little 

 to choose between them in point of quality. The 

 following varieties from Mr. Ernest Benary received 

 three marks : — Yellow, blush, and light blue. 



It is pleasing to record the advance made in the 

 yellow Stocks, as the shades are being deepened, and 

 the green is giving place to a truer tint of yellow. 

 The Wallflower-leaved Stocks are quite a distinct 

 race, but with very few exceptions they lack robust- 

 ness of character, and are therefore not so popular as 

 the woolly-leaved strains. 



A rich crimson Ten-week Stock, named Victoria, 

 sent by the Novelty and Specialty Company, 

 Newton-le- Willows, was also awarded three marks. 

 It is a charming variety for bedding or pot culture. 



TROWBRIDGE HORTICULTURAL. 



August 22. — This busy Wiltshire town fully 

 maintained its old prestige by holding a capital ex- 

 hibition on the above date : and by the townspeople 

 coming out very strong in the way of decoratiou. 

 The railway station was very gay indeed, and as the 

 weather was fine, the effect was good throughout. 

 The show took place as usual in the field adjoining 

 the railway station, and was largely attended. 



Plants, Stove and Greenhouse. — In the leading class 

 for nine specimens, Mr. G. Tucker, gr. to Major W. 

 P. Clarke, Trowbridge, took the 1st prize with a good 

 fresh lot, his leading plants being Statice profusa, 

 Stephanotis floribunda, Dipladenia amabilis, D. 

 Brearleyana, finely bloomed ; Lapageria alba, and 

 Allamanda Hendersoni ; 2nd, Mr. J. Matthews, gr. 

 to W. R. Brown, Esq., J.P., Trowbridge, his best 

 specimens being Bougainvillea glabra, Erica Mar- 

 nockiana, E. Macnabiana, E. ampullacea, and Ron- 

 deletia speciosa major. 



In the amateur class for six plants, Mr. H. Pocock, 

 gr. to J. P. Haden, Esq., Trowbridge, had very good 

 specimens of Oncidium flexuosum, Dipladenia ama- 

 bilis, D. Brearleyana, Stepanotis floribunda, and 

 Allamanda nobilis; 2nd, Mr. G. Tucker. Mr. J. 

 Matthews, came in 1st with the best three. 



The best new or rare plant was shown by Mr. J. 

 Hiscocks, gr. to E. B. Rodway, Trowbridge, who had 

 a good piece of Anthurium Van Houttei ; Mr. J. F. 

 Mould being 2nd with Impatiens Hawkeri. 



Mr. Tucker had the best six plants of Achimenes. 



Some very good plants of Gloxinias were shown 

 byMr. C. Richmond, gr. to G. L. Palmer, Esq., Trow- 

 bridge, and Captain Tucker. 



Tuberous-rooted Begonias, both double and single, 

 shown in sixes, made an excellent feature, Mr. G. L. 

 Palmer being 1st in both classes. 



Mr. G. Pynner, gr. to Mrs. Goldsmith, Trowbridge, 

 was the only exhibitor of four Orchids, having well- 

 grown and bloomed pieces of Cattleya Loddigesi, C. 

 Eldorado, Odontoglossum citrosmum, and Cypripe- 

 dium Stonei. 



Mr. J. F. Mould had the best six Heaths, 



Fuchsias. — These, always such a fine feature at 

 Trowbridge, though remarkably well shown, were 

 not yet up to their usual average, it being the prac- 

 tice of the growers to finish off their plants in the 

 open air, they showed the effects of sunless days and 

 cold nights. Mr. G. Tucker, who is one of the 

 leading Wiltshire growers, came 1st, with very good 

 plants of the following six varieties— Charming, the 

 Hon. Mrs, Hay, Thomas King, and Dell's Favourite, 

 dark varieties ; and Harriet Lye and Arabella, light 



varieties. 2nd, Mr. H. Pocock. Mr. Matthews had 

 the best four varieties, having very good plants of the 

 Hon. Mrs. Hay, Bountiful, Rose of Castille, and a 

 seedling ; 2nd, Mr. Tucker, with Charming, Thomas 

 King, Mrs. Rundle, an excellent exhibition and 

 decorative variety, and Bountiful. 



In the cottagers' division could be seen specimen 

 Fuchsias much superior to what are generally seen 

 at horticultural exhibitions. 



Miscellaneous Flowering Plants. — Among these were 

 zonal Pelargoniums, Petunias trained to large oval 

 wire trellises and finely bloomed, and Verbenas the 

 same. Balsams and Cockscombs were also good for 

 the season, and all furnished good and pleasing patches 

 of colour. 



Foliage Plants. — The best lot of nine came from 

 Colonei Pepper, who had the following Crotons in 

 good character: — Weismanni, Queen Victoria, 

 Countess, and Johannis, also Kentia australis, K. 

 Fosteriana, and Lataniaborbonica. Caladiums were 

 a good feature, the plants being well grown and 

 finely marked. Coleus were a very good feature 

 also, strongly grown plants having handsomely varie- 

 gated foliage. Messrs. Matthews and Pocock were 

 severally lstand2ndin both the last mentioned classes. 



Ferns. — These are always well shown at Trow- 

 bridge, although fifteen specimens of Ferns and 

 mosses are required, and good-sized well-developed 

 plants are always to be seen. Mr. Tucker came in 

 1st, with a very good, even, varied, and well-grown 

 collection ; Mr. J. Coke, gr. to A. P. Stancomb, Esq., 

 Trowbridge ; and Mr. H. Pocock, being equal 2nd. 

 That handsome Silver Fern, Gymnogramma peru- 

 viana argyrophylla is always a good feature in the 

 Trowbridge collections. 



Cut Flowers— These are always a prime feature at 

 Trowbridge, and, notwithstanding the character of 

 the season, they were generally in good form. Roses 

 were numerous, and very good ; the best twelve 

 varieties, three blooms of each, came from Mr. J. 

 Mattock, nurseryman, Headington, Oxford, who had 

 excellent blooms of Mdlle. Marie Verdier, Sou- 

 venir d'Elise, Marie Baumann, Marie Van Houtte, 

 Souvenir d'un Ami, Alfred Colomb, Madame Lam- 

 bard, Devoniensis, Lady Sheffield, Rubens, Dupuy 

 Jamain, and Catherine Mermet, the Tea-scented 

 varieties being remarkably fine. 2nd, Messrs. 

 Keynes, Williams & Co., nurserymen, Salisbury, who 

 had very good blooms Ulrich Brunner, The Bride, 

 Beauty of Waltham, Alfred Colomb, Marie Verdier, 

 Marshall P. Wilder, and Madame Eugene Verdier. 



In the class for twenty-four blooms, Dr. Budd 

 was a remarkably good 1st, the leading flowers being 

 Comtesse de Nadaillac, Madame Lambard, A. K. 

 Williams, Mrs. John Laing, Marie Baumann, Cathe- 

 rine Mermet, Souvenir d'Alphonse Lavalle, Inno- 

 centa Pirola, Fisher Holmes, Alfred Colomb, &c. _ 



In the amateur division, Dr. Budd was 1st with 

 twelve varieties, three blooms of each, and 

 also with twelve single blooms. Mr. Hum- 

 phries also staged a box of blooms of Cactus 

 and decorative Dahlias, having in good character 

 Juarezi, Charming Bride, Mrs. Hawkins, Empres s °f 

 India, one of the most distinct and best ; F. C 

 Henley, Constance, William Pearce, Lady Kerrison, 

 &c. A pretty rosy-pink seedling is of a promising 

 character. 



Miscellaneous Cut Flowers. — Hollyhocks were fairly 

 good ; Gladioli not up to the usual mark, both show- 

 ing the hostile character of the season. Pansies were 

 as good as could be expected at this late season. 

 French and German Asters were very good, but not 

 so fully developed as one is accustomed to see them 

 the third week in August. Carnations, Picotees, 

 Clematis, and Verbenas were numerous and generally 

 of good character. Zonal Pelargoniums, in bunches 

 of five trusses, were very fine indeed, and made a 

 great display. Collections of hardy annuals, shown 

 in twelves, were remarkably good, and served the 

 useful purpose of showing what fine things can be 

 grown under this heading. 



Table Decorations, Bouquets, S(c. — The former were 

 very good, arranged in one class with garden, and 

 the other with wild flowers. Bouquets, wreaths, 

 and buttonholes were also good. Some charming 

 collections of wild flowers grown within 12 miles of 

 Trowbridge were also staged. 



Dahlias. — The best stand of twenty-four show 

 varieties came from Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., 

 who had fine blooms of King of Crimsons, J. T. 

 West, Henry Keith, Hon. Mr. P. Wyndham, William 

 Rawlings, Royal Queen, James Service, Colonist, 

 J. N. Keynes, Mrs. Langtry, Henry Walton, Harrison 

 Weir, Mrs. Gladstone, George Dickson, Herbert 

 Turner. Mrs. Shirley Hibberd, Joseph Ashby, and 



