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JOURNAL OF HOKTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ April 6, 1871. 



Spring frosts is a matter of great importance, but the expense 

 and trouble of doing it deter many, while there is the danger 

 of leaving the cover up too much, and so coddling the trees. 

 Mr. Jones's plan is simply to place long poles in a slanting 

 direction against the wall, and on these to fix horizontally about 

 ■ a foot apart loosely-twisted straw ropes, roughly done, so that 

 the straws project, and sometimes nearly pass from one rope 

 to the others. ' This is left on at all times. I can testify that 

 Apricot trees covered thus suffered nothing during those severe 

 days we had the week before last, and that it is a simple, cheap, 

 and effective proteciion to wall-fmit trees when in blossom. 

 —D., Deal. 



ROYAL HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



April 5th. 

 Although not one of the principal shows, there was on this occa- 

 sion a pecnliarly attractive display, not so much of the suhjects for 

 •which prizes were offered as of those not specially invited. The Roses 

 formed the chief attraction, and the lovely banks of these rivetted the 

 attention of every -visitor, and of such there were many. They had a 

 beauty, a freshness, a charm all their own. The splendid plant of 

 Rhododendron arboreum, noticed last week, formed the brilliant 

 centrepiece to the whole. 



Class 1 was for sis distinct Odontoglossums. The only exhibitor 

 "Was Mr. Bull, who had a first prize for O. Alesandrrc Triauas, O. tri- 

 nmphans, O. cordatum, 0. gloriosum, 0. luteo-purpureum, and a 

 variety of 0. nebulosum. The plants were not large, but in good 

 bloom. 



Cyclamens were shown in Classes 2 and 3, the former being for col- 

 lections unlimited as regards the number, the latter for collections of 

 twelve. Mr. Groddard, gardener to H. Little, Esq., Cambridge Villa, 

 Twickenham, was first wfth a collection of upwards of one hundred 

 pots, many of the plants forming fi.ne masses of blossom, and several 

 of the varieties verv beautiful in colour. The second prize went to 

 Mr. Edmonds, of Hayes Nursery, who had also a numerous collection ; 

 and the third prize to Mr. James, gardener to W. F. Watson, Esq., 

 Isleworth, who was also first for twelve in profuse bloom, Mr. Goddard 

 being second. For six Cyclamens shown in Class 4, Mr. Goddard was 

 first and Mr. James second. 



Cinerarias came nest in order in the schedule. The best nine came 

 from Mr. Lacey, gardener to C. S. Mortimer, Esq., Wigmore Park, 

 Dorking. These were compact, well-grown plants, not large, but full 

 of bloom. Compactum, with a white eye and broad rosy purple edge ; 

 DeUcatum, white, with a narrow edge of the same colour; Ne Plus 

 Ultra, pui-plish crimson self; and Empress were the most noticeable. 

 Mr. James, who was second, had Blue Bell, always conspicuous by its 

 beautiful dark blue colour, and Miss Smith, a pretty blue-edged free- 

 flowering kind. 



Class 6 was for six Amaryllids, Mr. Baxter, gardener to C. Kieser, 

 Esq., Brosbourne, the only exhibitor, taking a first prize with Olga, a 

 beautiful pale crimson variety edged and streaked with white; Robert, 

 bright scarlet ; and four other kinds which do not call for special 

 remark. Mr. Baxter also exhibited a fine collection of seedlings, 

 among which Xieseri, blood red, and Duke of Cambridge, scarlet, were 

 striking. 



For boxes of six hardy Primroses, shown in Class 7, the first prize 

 was withheld, and a second was given to Mr. "Ware, of Tottenham. 

 Golden Chain, yellow with an orange eye, was very free-flowering. 

 Among the others were the double white and double hlac varieties of 

 Primula acauhs. 



In Class 8, for six bulbous plants in flower, Mr. Ware had a first 

 prize for the blue Grape Hyacinth, yellow and red Crown Imperials, 

 Triteleia uniflora, the pretty little Narcissus juncifolius, and Fritillaria 

 pyrenaica, with pendulous bell-shaped flowers, dull purple mottled 

 with yellow on the outside. 



The miscellaneous subjects were very numerous, and of them the 

 magnificent coUections of Eoses shown by Messrs. Veitch, William 

 Paul, Paul & Son, and Lane &; Son, constituted a show of themselves. 

 We shall not attempt to mention the names of the varieties of which 

 fine examples were shown — they were so numerous, including most of 

 the well-known kinds. Charles Lawson in Mr. W. Paul's collection 

 was most splendid, perfection in bloom and freshness of colour. Facing 

 this was another fine plant of the same variety from Messrs. Veitch, 

 ■with Madame de St. Joseph, very fine, just beneath it. Marquise de 

 Mortemart in Mr. W. Paul's collection was exquisite, and Beauty of 

 Waltham and Mdlle. Marie Kady were also remarkably fine. Mr. 

 Wilhama, of HoUoway, sent a collection in which were Palms, with 

 Cbamsedorea Ernesti-Augusti bearing its catkin-like inflorescence, 

 several Orchids, Tillandsia Lindeni, Camellias, and several other 

 plants. Messrs. Lane sent Rhododendrons and Azaleas in pots, to- 

 gether with cut blooms of the same, and of Eoses. From Mr. Turner, 

 of Slough, came a fine basket of Mrs. Headly Golden Tricolor Pelar- 

 gonium, together with baskets of Mrs. Turner, Mr. Eutter, and several 

 other kinds ; also collections of Alpine and Show Auriculas bloomed 

 in his usual excellent style. 



Messrs. Veitch sent a fine miscellaneous collection, including Den- 

 drobium Farmer! and the Golden D. chiysotoxum in fine bloom, to- 

 gether with several other fine Orchids, Anthurium Scherzerianum 

 Tfith large and extremely brilliant spathes, the white Ehododendron 



Sesteriannm, &c. Mr. Needle, gardener to the Comte de Paris, sent 

 three boxes of Ophrys and Orchids, including numerous species. For 

 this fine exhibition we beheve the award of a Lindley medal has been 

 recommended to the Council. Mr. Eobert Veitch, of Exeter, sent his 

 "White Azalea Lady Poltimore, forming a fine pyramid of bloom, 

 Messrs. E. G. Henderson, of St. John's Wood, sent Eudgea macro- 

 phylla with lai'ge heads of its white flowers, which it appears to pro- 

 duce freely. From Messrs. Eolhsson, of Tooting, came Epacris hya- 

 cinthiflora carminata, a free-flowering variety ; a collection of Alpine 

 Auriculas ; and a collection of Palms, stove and greenhouse plants^^ 

 and Orchids — among the last, ArpophyUum squarrosum in fine con- 

 dition. Mr. Bull also sent a collection of Odontoglossums, including 

 O. Pescatorei and Cervantesii, hkewise a miscellaneous collection 

 of Palms, Orchids, stove and greenhouse plants, fruiting Aucubas, 

 &c. Mr. Noble, of Bagshot, sent a collection of his beautiful new 

 Clematises— as Miss Bateman, white, very fine ; Albert Victor, 

 bluish lilac ; Lord Londesborough, a very distinct slaty purple, with a 

 bronze-red band in the centre of each segment. Mr. Ware exhibited 

 six double Wallflowers in excellent bloom, Dielytra spectabilis well 

 grown and bloomed, Sphcea japonica, and a collection of spring 

 flowers. Extra prizes were awarded to nearly all the above exhibitors. 

 Mr. Baxter, gardener to C. Kieser, Esq., sent Tropmolum tricolor 

 trained on a flat trellis, in fine bloom ; Messrs. Standish & Co., of 

 Ascot, a box of vei-y fine blooms of Marcchal Niel Eose ; and Mr. 

 Williams a specimen plant of the large-flowered Mignonette admirably 

 grown. 



Special certificates were given to Mr. Needle for his collection of 

 terrestrial Orchids; to Mr. Turner for his collection of Zonal Pelar- 

 goniums ; to Mr. Williams for his group of plants, also for his plant 

 of Mignonette ; and to Messrs. Standish for their box of Marechal 

 Niel Eose. 



FEtnx CoMivnTTEE. — G. E. Blenkins, Esq., in the chair. Mr. Lockie, 

 gardener to F. W. Berger, Esq., Court Gardens, Great Marlow, sent 

 six Cucumbers Blue Gown. Mr. Cadger, The Gardens, Luton Hoo^ 

 sent two handsome seedling Cucumbers, which were considered by the 

 Committee of good quality ; but a desire was expressed that the variety 

 should be shown in a younger state. Messrs. Carter & Co., of High 

 Holborn, also sent a seedling Cucumber, named Marquis of LornOj. 

 2S;\ inches long. The same gentlemen also sent specimens of the 

 Sandiingham Celery, which in the opinion of the Committee is the 

 same as that which ia known as Turner's Incomparable White and 

 the Blanc Court of the French. 



Mr. Fowle, gardener to Sir H. Mildmay, Bart., Dogmersfield, sent 

 two dishes of Strawberries, one of which was President and the other 

 Dogmersfield Seedling. A special certificate was awarded to them. 

 Mr. Cadger, The Gardens, Luton Hoo, sent a dish of Eeens' Seedling 

 Strawberry, and Mr. Sage, of Ashridge Park Gardens, also sent a dish- 

 of the same variety. Both of these were very meritorious examples of 

 cultivation, and both received a special certificate. 



Mr. Hepper, gardener to C. P. Millard, Esq., The Elms, Acton, 

 sent two Queen Pines in pots. Mr. C. M. McCrow, The Gardens, 

 Nash Court, Faversham, sent a nice specimen of Eipley Queen Pine 

 weighing about 4 lbs., which received a special certificate. 



Prizes were offered for the best braces of black-spined, white-spined^ 

 and smooth Cucumbers. The best black-spined were a fine pair of 

 Blue Gown, about 2 feet in length, from Mr. Lockie, gardener to 

 F. W. Berger, Esq., Court Gardens, Great Marlow. The second prize 

 went to Mr. Douglas, gardener to F. Whitboui-n, Esq., Ilford, for the 

 same variety. The first prize for white-sprned went to Mr. Lockie 

 for Gillett's Eecruit, the same exhibitor also sent Berkshire Challenge^ 

 Telegraph from Mr. Lockie and Mr. Douglas was first and second in 

 the smooth class. 



I'or salading, Mr. Hepper, gardener to C. P. Millard, Esq., The 

 Elnis, Acton, was first with a varied assortment, some forced, some not, 

 consisting of Celery, Endive, Lettuces, Austrahan, Curled, and Water 

 Cress ; Dandelion, Eadishes, Mustard, Beet, Sorrel, Tarragon, &c. 

 Mr. Record, gardener to the Marquis of Sahsbury, Hatfield House, 

 was second with Telegraph Cucumber, Endives, Lettuces, Eadishes, 

 Mustard, and Cress. 



Floeal Committee. — Eobert Fortune, Esq., in the chair. Mr. J. 

 Linden, of Bi'ussels, sent a specimen of Odontoglossnm Hallii with 

 two fine spikes of large flowers, for which a special certificate was 

 awarded. A special certificate was also given to Mr. Stevens, gardener 

 to G. Simpson, Esq., Reigate, for a magnificent plant of Dendrobium 

 fimbriatum oculatum, clustered with rich yellow and dark crimson 

 flowers. Ml'. Green, gardener to W. Wilson Saunders, Esq., sentLycaste 

 fulvescens blooming very freely ; also a variety of Odoutoglossum, 

 nebulosum nearly white, with orange spots in the lip. From Mr. 

 Ware came an Iris, the species of which was doubtful, and named 

 iberica on the Continent. It appears to be Iris pumila. Messrs. 

 Carter & Co. exhibited a pan of Peristrophe angustifolia aureo-varie- 

 gata, showing its beauty for bedding purposes. Messrs. Veitch sent 

 Darlingtonia califomica in flower, a singular North American Pitcher- 

 plant, extremely diflicult of cultivation. A special certificate wag 

 awarded ; also from the same firm came AmaryUis Meteor, a glowing 

 carmine, most splendid in colour. Messrs. Boll & Thorpe, Stratford- 

 on-Avon, exhibited Ehododendron Jcnkinsii, closely allied to R. Dal- 

 housicc, bearing numerous trusses of its largo white and pale pink 

 flowers. This was remarkably fine, and received a special certificate. 

 From the same firm came garden labels formed of an alloy of 90 parts- 



