July 11, 1878, } 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
23 
which they had been first brought to this country, and gave a 
general idea of the mode of cultivation. The following were ex- 
hibited :—Rare specimens of the Iris, Tropeolum polyphyllum 
and Alstrémeria chilensis by Mr. L. Dow; twenty-four new 
seedling fancy Pansies by Downie & Laird ; beautiful flowers of 
the Hoya carnosa by Mr. R. Robertson; and large spikes of 
Stocks by Mr. W. Black. 
SINGULAR BEECH TREE. 
THE engraving is from a rough sketch of a Beech tree that 
grows in the vicarage garden at Sedgley near Dudley. The 
4 
Fig. 3—Singular Beech Tree. 
peculiarity consists in this, that the branch denoted as A grows 
into the branch B, and has become from that point one branch ; 
also the branch C has grown in a like manner into the stem of 
the tree marked D in such a manner that at first sight it was 
not clear which of the two places, ¢ or D, the branch had first 
started from.—HENRY COOPER. 
THE BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND SHOW. 
THE floral decorations in connection with the Bath and West 
of England Show are, I think, deserving of a little comment. 
The Show is generally described in glowing colours by re- 
porters, and its arrangement is spoken of as if the height of 
perfection were attained. As the present system of exhibiting 
has been going on for several years this may not be an inap- 
propriate time for inquiry into its usefulness. This department 
of course is considered as an adjunct to the agricultural depart- 
ment. When produces of all kinds are brought together in 
sharp competition the consequence is that the very best is 
brought from all parts, and a lively interest and some excite- 
ment is created among all classes connected with agricultural 
matters. Why should it not be so in the horticultural depart- 
ment! To most it would seem that is the very thing that is 
wanted, and if a liberal schedule were issued the Show might 
be the best flower show of the season. The Committee will do 
well to see into this matter, and not only endeavour to make 
it an exhibition of admiration but also remunerative-—AN 
OLD EXHIBITOR. ° 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. 
JULY 10TH. 
THIS Society acted wisely in dividing their last summer show 
into two parts, and offering prizes for cut flowers and fruit a 
month later than it has been their usual custom to do. The 
classes for both subjects were well contested, and the quality 
of the Roses exhibited was far superior to anything we have 
witnessed this season. Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, received 
the highest honours for seventy-two varieties, single trusses ; 
Messrs. Cranston & Mayos, Hereford, were placed second ; and 
Mr. Keynes third. For forty-eight, three trusses of each variety, 
Messrs. Cranston & Mayos were in splendid form and were 
awarded the first prize, Messrs. Paul & Son the second, and Mr. 
Keynes the third. In the class for twenty-four, three trusses of 
each, Messrs. Paul & Son, Cranston & Mayos, and Mr. Turner 
were first, second, and third respectively. Mr, Turner was first 
for twenty-four single blooms, and Messrs. Paul & Son also won 
five other first prizes for admirable collections. There was only 
one exhibitor in the amateurs’ class—Mr. Davies, The Square, 
Wilton, Wilts, and he was deservedly awarded the first prize for 
a collection of twenty-four varieties, three trusses of each. 
FRUIT was also well exhibited. Twenty-one classes were pro- 
vided for in the schedule. The first prize for a collection of nine 
sorts was awarded to Mr. Miles, gardener to Lord Carington, 
Wycombe Abbey ; and for six varieties to Mr. C. Ross, gardener to 
C. Eyre, Esq., Welford Park, Newbury. Mr. T. Coomber, gardener 
to J. A. Rolls, Esq., Hendre, Monmouth, was an excellent second. 
Pines Apples were numerously shown. The best two Queen Pines 
came from Mr. Hepper, gardener to C. O. Ledward, Esq., The 
Elms, Acton ; and for a single fruit of the same variety Mr. Dins- 
more, gardener to T. F. Blackwall, Esq., received the first prize. 
Grapes were very good indeed. The best basket of white Grapes 
was Muscat of Alexandria, sent by Mr. Douglas, gardener to 
F. Whitbourne, Esq., Loxford Hall, Ilford; and the best basket 
of black came from Mr. P. Edwards, gardener to Mrs. Tristram, 
Liphook, Hants. For three bunches of Muscat of Alexandria 
Mr. Douglas was again to the front, and for three bunches of 
white, any other variety, Mr. Mowbray won the first place with 
Buckland Sweetwater. Black Hamburgh Grapes came from Mr, 
Edwards ; Mr. Prince, gardener to F. Gretton, Hsq., Bladon House, 
Burton-on-Trent ; and Mr. Feist, all exhibiting remarkably good 
and well-finished bunches. Peaches and Nectarines were finer 
than we often meet with them so early in the season. Straw- 
berries, Cherries, and Figs were also fairly represented. Mr. 
Douglas received the two first prizes for Strawberries and Cherries. 
An interesting collection of wild flowers was staged by Mr. W. 
Hills, Prittleworth, and received the first prize. Carnation and 
Picotees were exhibited by Messrs. Turner, Douglas, and Hooper, 
who were placed in the order of their names in both classes. 
Mr. Douglas occupied the first place for twenty-four trusses: of 
stove and greenhouse flowers, and Mr. Morse the second. Mr. 
Morse was placed first for twenty-four trusses of hardy herbaceous 
flowers, and Mr. Wheeler second. 
Extra prizes were awarded to Messrs. Williams, Henderson and 
Son, Carter & Co., Rollisson, Cutbush, and Osborne, who all staged 
effective groups of fine-foliage and flowering plants in the centre 
of the great tent, which was greatly admired by the visitors. 
Floral certificates were awarded to My. Tumer for Rose Harrison 
Weir, Pink Rose Bonheur, Picotees Lady Rosebery, Sultana, 
and Ne Plus Ultra; to Messrs. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, for 
Rose Countess of Rosebery, and a botanical certificate to Messrs. 
E. G. Henderson & Son for Polypodium Hendersoni. Messrs. Ivery 
and Son were awarded a silver medal for an exquisite collection 
of hardy Ferns; and Messrs. Cannell, Hooper, Laing, Turner, and 
Chard were also awarded extra prizes. 
OUR BORDER FLOWERS—FIGWORTS. 
WE have no flower in its season that is more attractive than 
the Foxglove, or, as some call them, Fairies’ Gloves. Fairies 
were often called Folks; hence, no doubt, the origin of the 
common name Folksglove, and not, as misspelt, Foxglove. 
Foxgloves are a rather numerous family, but there are not 
many met with in general cultivation. There are many places 
well adapted to their cultivation. They haye a fine effect on 
stony or elevated banks in open spaces in the shrubbery and 
the herbaceous border, open woods, and by old walls. They 
are no way particular as to soil, but they delight in a partially 
rocky medium for their roots, not objecting to an admixture 
of lime, but they cannot endure stagnant moisture. They 
require efficient drainage in cultivation. They are increased 
by seed, which they produce freely; it is best sown about 
midsummer. Transplant them when large enough to handle. 
Remoye them with balls in the spring where they are intended 
