October 27, 1888.] 



THE GARDENERS' CHBONICLE. 



477 



are. AVe may add that we were indebted for 

 the specimens we grew to Mr. Haskings, 

 gardener to Sir Henry Thompson, and that the 

 tubers grown on a cold clay soil, without manure 

 or care of any kind, were not only abundant and 

 delicate to the taste, but when dug out of the 

 ground were of a silvery whiteness, recalling in 

 a minor degree the pearly lustre of bream or 

 whitebait. Messrs. Carter's specimens were by 

 no means so bright in colour as our own — a fact 

 which suggests the probability that the nature of 

 the soil may much affect the appearance of the 

 skm, as it does in the case of Potatos. In any 



able profusion. The plant from which our figure 

 (fig. 68) was taken is in the gardens of II. E. Green, 

 Esq., Kingsford, Colchester, and is the striatifolia 

 variety of H. reticulatum, distinguished by its rather 

 broader leaves, and by a distinct white keel running 

 their entire length. It is a showy late summer 

 flowerer, but the flowering season can be consi- 

 derably lengthened by starting at various times any 

 bulbs that may have been at rest during the winter 

 and early spring. It requires a distinct period of rest 

 in a greenhouse from October onwards until March, 

 when the first plants may be induced to recom- 

 mence growth by a thorough soaking of tepid water, 

 and by being placed in a waim pit or house where 



The National Auricula and National 

 Carnation and Picotee Societies (Southern 

 SECTION). — The annual meeting of the members of 

 these societies took place at the room of the Horti- 

 cultural Club, Hotel Windsor, Victoria Street, S.W., 

 on the 23rd inst. The Eev. II. II. D'Ombrain in 

 the chair. Present also : Messrs. Shirley Hibberd, 

 Treasurer; J. Douglas, Secretary; II. Turner, R. 

 Dean, T. E. Ilenwood, J. Lakin, &c. The notice 

 convening the meeting, and the minutes of the last 

 annual meeting having been read, the Treasurer 

 presented a statement of accounts as follows: — 

 National Auricula Society. — Receipts, including 

 balance in hand, 633 ; and subscriptions, £51, 



FlO. 68.--BTFPEASTB™ BETICuXATOM I FLOWEBS KED, LEAVES STKIPED ; MUCH BEDCCED. 



ease, the skin is so thiii that washing only is re- 

 quired before cooking, and no peeling is necessary. 

 'I he plant has not flowered anywhere so far as we 

 know, so we can only refer the reader to our pre- 

 vious article (p. 18, Jan. 7, 1888) and illustration 

 for the full history of the plant so far as known. 



HlPPEASTRUM RETICULATUM. — The original 

 species of the above plant, generally known in 

 gardens as Amaryllis reticulata, but now placed 

 by Mr. J, G. Baker under Uippeastrum, was intro- 

 duced to this country from Brazil in 1777, and 

 flowered at Mr. Lee's nursery, Hammersmith, in 

 1781. The flowers are bright mauve-red, with 

 numerous cross lines of crimson colour ; and when 

 well managed, the plant produces them in consider- 



the night temperature will range from 50° — 55° — top- 

 dressing with rich loamy soil, or repotting if the bulbs 

 are much crowded ; but this last should be avoided 

 except at intervals of three or four years, as, pro- 

 vided the drainage of the pots be maintained in 

 efficiency, the less frequent is root disturbance, the 

 greater will be the disposition to flower abundantly. 

 After making a decided start into growth the plants 

 should be moved into the plant stove, and there 

 remain until the flowers open, when by removal to a 

 less warm place they will remain in perfection for 

 several weeks. The plant forms an excellent vase 

 or indoor decorative subject, and shows well under 

 artificial light. Mr. Kettle, the gardener at Kings- 

 ford, is a very successful cultivator of this Hippeas- 

 trum, if we may judge from the beauty of the speci- 

 mens under his care. 



amounted to £91 12s. Id ; and the expenditure, in- 

 cluding prize money, £61 12s. dd., came to 

 £73 14s. 9(7., leaving a balance in hand of £17 17s. id. 

 National Carnation and Picotee Society. — Receipts, 

 including balance, £11 6s.; and subscriptions, 

 £•'19 18s. Qd., came to £59 7s. Expenditure, in- 

 cluding prize money, £12, amounted to £52 '.is. 2'/. ; 

 leaving a balance in favour of the Treasurer of 

 £7 •'>. I0d. The accounts were referred to the 

 auditors. It was resolved that the financial year 

 should for the future close on September 29. The 

 Chairman was requested to send a letter of condolence 

 to Mrs. Whitbourn, widow of the late President 

 of the Auricula Society, and Mr. Shirley Hibberd 

 was elected President in the place of the late Mr. 

 F. Whitbourn. Dr. Hogg, Dr. Masters, Mr. J. T. 

 D. Llewelyn, and Mr. II, J. Veitch were re-elected 



