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JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ December 8, 1870. 



with the newly-introduced individual, and passing thence to the train- 

 ing thereof. 



Newly-introduced plants should possess in some degree the following 

 properties, which form the points upon which they should be judged : — 

 1, Novelty in bloom or foliage ; 2, Hardiness ; 3, Vigour ; 4, Bloom- 

 ing Capabilities. 



1. Novelty. — Diversity in shape or colour of foliage is as essential 

 to the production of effect as diversity in colour or form of bloom, or 

 in habit or mode of growth. Novelty in either respect should, there- 

 fore, be considered as forming a very essential point. 



2. Hardiness, or adaptability to the climate of this country with as 

 little protection as possible, is undoubtedly of the greatest importance 

 to horticulturists generally, in consequence of the great expense 

 attached to the cultivation of plants which do not bear up against our 

 changeable climate and low temperature. The chief aim of collectors 

 and introducers of plants should be to introduce such things as will 

 involve the smallest possible amount of expense in their cultivation. 



3. Vigour. — Hardiness and vigour of constitntion are essential pro- 

 perties, for while we want hardiness we also require quick or vigorous 

 growth and maturation, in consequence of the short and uncertain 

 season wherein plants have to perform these operations. 



4. Blooming Capabilities. — In addition to profusion we want dura- 

 tion and persistency, and more especially do we reqnire persistency in 

 conjunction with profusion. For if the plant be ever so profuse a 

 bloorner, and the bloom drop as soon as it expands, it is comparatively 

 worthless for decorative purposes. 



Having considered the essential points from which a plant should 

 be judged, I now pass to the consideration of the principles upon 

 which the flower should be criticised. It is of the first importance 

 that regard should be had to the chief characteristics of the order, 

 class, or genus to which the individual may belong, and especially is 

 this of importance with respect to double flowers ; for to expect duplica- 

 tion to be as complete in a representative of the Geraniacefe as in 

 Rosacea or Composite, is unreasonable, in consequence of the differ- 

 ence existing between the number of stamens in the two first-named, 

 and the composite nature of the latter. Neither can we expect it to 

 be as complete or full in a flower whose cestivation is valvate, as in one 

 in which the aestivation is imbricate. The forms assumed by flowers 

 should also be considered in accordance with these general character- 

 istics, whether they be regular or irregular. 



The colour of the flower should in all cases b3 distinct from any 

 previously known variety, except where it has other qualities of superior 

 merit to commend it to notice, the resemblance of colour in many 

 varieties of the same species being so considerable as to cause 1he 

 greatest confusion. "With colour, the stability of the same is essenti- 

 ally necessary, as is also good substance in the component parts; and 

 more especially is this of importance in florists' flowers, for what pre- 

 sents a worse appearance with regard to flowers than a washy and 

 flimsy flower ? As in plants, so with their bloom ; we want such flowers 

 as will stand, without losing their colour, a good drenching rain or 

 syringing — to one of which they will undoubtedly be in most cases 

 made subject, especially the former, if the plants be hardy enough to 

 .be placed out of doors. 



Odour is a property or qualification to be possessed in order to come 

 near to perfection. Such odour to commend itself should be delicate 

 and fragrant, for where the odour is strong, if placed in a confined 

 atmosphere it becomes overpowering, and consequently obnoxious; 

 strong- seen ted flowers are consequently comparatively worthless for 

 use in the decoration of the sitting-room, where the air is undoubtedly 

 confined. 



To set up a standard by which flowers should be judged universally 

 would be impossible, each species having a standard peculiar to itself. 

 The point should te to ascertain what would make a plant or flower 

 perfect, although there may be no chance of ever reaching such per- 

 fection ; and then the comparative merits of all plants might he judged 

 by the degree in which they approached the imaginary standard of per- 

 fection. 



Having thus considered the principles to be observed in the criticism 

 of newly introduced plants, I pass to the most important of all, with 

 respect to a plant to be grown as a specimen of good cultivation — viz., 

 its training. 



The effect produced by plants, either individually or collectively, is 

 regulated by the form they assume, or are made to assume. It is 

 evident, therefore, that such forms only should be adopted as will 

 produce good effects without in any way impairing the health, and 

 consequently the beauty, of the individual. The modes of training 

 of the present day are undoubtedly too conventional. Not only, in 

 very many instances, is natural beauty sacrificed, but shapes and 

 -forms arc adopted in which the greatest possible amount of distortion 

 is necessary to obtain a given result, and detrimental alike to health 

 and beauty, and very often diametrically opposed to natural disposi- 

 tion. Such modes of training should be discountenanced by censors, 

 and only those admitted or encouraged that are most in harmony with 

 natural disposition. Only just as much of the conventional should be 

 admitted or allowed as may assist Nature in producing symmetry of 

 form. The forms thus produced would not only be in harmony with 

 Nature, but would produce an effect altogether ornamental, which 

 would be much in advance of the tight-lacing system, of which we see so 

 much. 



There is no doubt that the loss of foliage from which so many 



trained specimens snffer before their blooming season arrives, is at- 

 tributable, in a great measure, to tight-lacing, as is so often the case 

 with Azaleas. The pyramid, or some modification of that form, is no 

 doubt the form best suited to those plants, as well as to the majority 

 of flowering plants, being more in accordance with natural disposition : 

 but to tie-in every twig so as to present the appearance of its having 

 been cast in a mould, or glued to a shape made for the purpose, is not 

 only unnatural, but injurious. Plants thus grown or exhibited are far 

 from the standard of perfection set up by Nature. A plant denuded of 

 the greater portion of its foliage, if ever so well bloomed, cannot justly 

 be adjudged an example of perfection ; and a plant tied so as to hide 

 the foliage in endeavouring to expose the greatest possible amount of 

 bloom to the eye at a glance, is an example of bad taste, and a direct 

 violation of the principles daily exemplified in nature. To give pro- 

 minence to bloom is unquestionably correct, but not to the exclusion 

 of foliage. Foliage is as essential as bloom to the production of effect. 

 There are exceptions, where plants naturally produce bloom in ad- 

 vance of foliage. In such cases bad training or cultivation is not the 

 cause, but natural disposition. Plants, to show their beauty either in- 

 dividually or collectively, should not be made to assume anything like 

 stiffness or formality. To produce in plants for exhibition the greatest 

 possible amount of bloom and foliage in the smallest possible space 

 as regards pot room, should be held as most essential, thereby shutting 

 out from our exhibitions large and cumbrous pots. 



The whole matter seems to resolve itself into the principle of setting 

 up an ideal standard of perfection, consonant with the habits and 

 general characteristics of different species, and deciding the merits of 

 the plants by the degree in which they approach it. — A. Bradley,* 

 8, Salisbury Iioad } Highgate Hill, late of Stowlangtoft Halt, Bury 

 St. Edmund's. 



ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

 Decezviber 7. 



Fruit Committee. — G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., in the chair. Mr. 

 Thomas Simpson, of Broomfield, Chelmsford, sent a Cauliflower, 

 called " New Autumn Cauliflower," which, in the opinion of the Com- 

 mittee, was the same as Walcheren. Mr. T\ Bray, gardener to E. A. 

 Sanford, Esq., Nynehead, "Wellington, sent a bundle of forced Aspara- 

 gus of great merit, which received a special certificate. Mr. Cadger, 

 Luton Hoo, Beds, sent a seedling Cucumber, raised between Berkshire 

 Challenge and Lord Kenyon's Favourite, but it was not regarded as a 

 desirable acquisition. Messrs. Rutley & Silverlock sent specimens of 

 Banbury Improved White Spanish Onion, grown by Mr. P. J. Perry, 

 Banbury, which received a special certificate as superior specimens of 

 the true White Spanish Onion. Mr. M. Hibblethwaite, gardener 

 Acklarn Hall, sent fine specimens of the true Lapstone Kidney 

 Potato. 



Rev. T. C. Brekaut, of Guernsey, sent cobs of thirty-four distinct 

 varieties of Indian Corn, grown in Guernsey. Some of these were of 

 the ordinary yellow colour, others red, white, brown, and mottled, and 

 all were as perfectly ripened as imported Indian Corn. 



Mr. R. T. Pince, of Exeter, sent a bunch of a seedling Grape, 

 raised from a seed taken from the same berry as that from which Mrs. 

 Pince's Black Muscat was obtained. The bunch was of large size and 

 tapering, exactly similar in sha*pe to that of the Black Muscat. The 

 Committee did not think the quality sufficiently good to merit a first- 

 class certificate. 



Mr. William Paul, of Waltham Cross, sent three seedling Grapes. 

 One, called Waltham Cross, was very large, the berry being one of the 

 largest of the whites in cultivation. The bunch is large and long, the 

 berries long-oval, and of an amber colour, fully 1% inch Ions, and 

 1 inch wide, like a good-sized Plum, and the flesh firm and solid, with 

 an excellent flavour. It received a first-class certificate, and was con- 

 sidered a valuable late-hanging and good show variety. Mr. T. 

 Clements, gardener to G. G. Hall, Esq., Blackwell Hall, Chesham, 

 sent three good bunches of Black Alicante Grapes, which were rather 

 deficient in colour. Mr. Wells, of Southend, sent five fine and re- 

 markably well-coloured bunches of Black Alicante, grown in his 

 ground vineries. They were well grown, but deficient in flavour. Mr. 

 Sage, of Ashridge, sent a bunch each of Black Alicante, Lady 

 Downe's, and Mrs. Pince, all of which. were very well giown, and ex- 

 cellent in flavour. They were awarded a special certificate. Mr. 

 Ellis, gardener to R. Lewes, Esq., Greenford Hall, Southall, sent Bar- 

 barossa, very deficient in colour. 



Mr. McLean, gardener to W. P. Herrick, Esq., Beau Manor Park, 

 Loughborough, sent a fine and handsome specimen of Smooth-leaved 

 Cayenne Pine Apple, which received a first-class certificate. Messrs. 

 Standish, of Ascot, sent a seedling Apple, called Painted Lady, a 

 beautifully coloured variety, being rich bright crimson streaked with 

 yellow. It is highly ornamental, and, the flavour being acid, it was 

 commended for its beauty. 



Mr. Gilbert, of Burghley Gardens, sent a seedling Apple, called 

 Mea's Seedling, which was past its best. Mr. Turner, of Slough, sent 

 a basket of Cornish Aromatic Apple, fine in colour, and excellent in 

 flavour. It was awarded a special certificate. Mr. Cox, of Redleaf, 



•Mr. Bradley obtained a first-clnss certificate in Floricu'ture, and a 

 second-class certificate in Fruit and Vegetable Culture, at tho Royal 

 Horticultural Society's examination in December, 18:9. 



