JOKE 1$, 1898- 



GARDENERS' MAGAZINE. 



397 



Non-competitive Exhibits. 



Th . tra desmen of the country nobly supported the committee of the York Gala 

 »,„ turning out in large numbers, and putting up splendid non-competitive displays 

 f "rious kinds. Orchids, caladiums, hardy trees and shrubs, and cut hardy 

 a ^»r« wpre all staged in grand condition. 



MessTs Fisher, Son, and Sibray. Handswortb, Sheffield, occupied a space of 

 a W nine hundred square feet, putting up a splendid display of various kinds of 

 lock and arranging their exhibit in three sections. Near the entrance to the tent 

 then;' was a lovely bank of choice varieties of rhododendons put up in a most 

 asteful and natural style. Next followed a charming group of hardy trees and 

 shrubs chiefly Japanese maples in variety, cornus of sorts, purple oak (Quercus 



was altogether a very - r o . 



Handsworth consisted of choice stove plants, and the nepenthes were remarkably 

 fine for the season of the year, especially the plants of N. Burkei, N. mixta, N. 

 Curtisi, and N. Mastersiana, the latter in three varieties. Anthuriums were good, 

 so also were the crotons, especially the new variety Her Majesty. Rare plants in 

 this goodly collection were Dracaena Veitchi variegata, a splendid specimen, 

 possibly the finest of its kind ; Aralia pulchra, a bold plant with glazed, elegant 

 foliage ; tall palms, heliconias, &c, completed a fine display. 



A very large exhibit came from Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, 

 and it was chiefly composed of the splendid specimen caladiums that attracted 

 so much attention at the recent Temple show ; other subjects of note 

 were Richardia Elliottiana, the Gratus and other hybrid streptocarpus, crotons, 

 dracx'nas, Leea amabilis, and other choice flowering and foliage plants. 

 The caladiums were superbly shown, finely grown, and highly coloured. A 

 notable plant in the Veitchian group was a splendid draoena named Exquisite, 

 notable for its highly-coloured and elegant foliage. Messrs. W. Cutbush and Son, 

 Highgate, put up one of their characteristic and artistic groups of Malmaison and 

 other carnations, arranging these with pontic and mollis azileas, Lilium Harrisi, 

 Erica Cavendishi, crassulas, and , Hydrangea paniculata. It was a lovely group 

 put up in a most pleasing manner, with miniature hills and vales. 



Messrs. J. Peed and Son, Roupell Park Nurseries, Norwood, S.E., showed a 

 beautiful group of well-coloured and well-gipwn caladiums ; this was an especially 

 bright group, and included examples of their new seedlings, W. E. Gladstone, 

 rose and cream ; and Solfarino, greenish cream and light veins. Other notable 

 sorts were Princess Royal, Lady Mosley, Silver Cloud, Ibis Rouge, Oriflamme, 

 Comtesse de Perousse, and Madame Koechlin. This firm also set up a very bright 

 group of tuberous begonias, both double and single forms, representing a care- 

 fully selected strain of high quality. Carnations, gloxinias of very high quality, 

 and streptocarpuses in variety, also came from Norwood in fine condition. The 

 Messrs. Sutton and Sons, Reading, had a very extensive display of their specialities, 

 showing a first-rate collection of peas, tomatos, and gloxinias, all represented by 

 large specimens in pots, the two former being heavily fruited, and very handsome 

 in appearance. Among the heavily cropped peas we noted The Sutton Forcing, 

 Perfection, Early Giant, very fine ; Excelsior, and Sutton's Seedling, as especially 

 noteworthy. The tomatos were grown on single stems, two stems, or three stems, 

 and trained in a variety of shapes so as to show off to the best advantage the ample 

 racemes of Sutton's Abundance, Sutton's Prince of Wales, Peachblow, Sun- 

 beam, Sutton's Dessert, Eclipse, and Best of All. The gloxinias were grand, some of 

 them five inches across ; Her Majesty, Duke of York, and Duchess of York were 

 amous sorts. Messrs. R. Smith and Co., of Worcester, put up a bank of hardy 

 flowers in great variety, arranging these with graceful bamboos, liliums, and a few 

 ot their unique specimen clematis ; irises and pyrethrums were a feature, and a 

 tew roses contributed much to the general effect. Messrs. Dickson, Chester, 

 arranged a table of cut hardy flowers, putting up fine sheaves in a most tasteful 

 manner with due regard to colour effect. Crowding was avoided, and it was 

 possible to distinguish the various fine poppies, irises, pyrethrums, ixias, 

 nemerocallis, hhums, sparaxis, peonies, &c. The Spanish iris were splendidly 

 put up, so also was the new yellow carnations, Duchess Consuelo, and the com- 

 paratively rare Gerbera Jamesoni. Messrs. W. Clibran and Sons, Altrincham, 

 put up a collection of cut hardy flowers together with a few ferns and small green- 

 ly X? u , ansies occupied the foreground, and were far too closely crammed 

 SEE' Pleasingly effective. Messrs. Jarman and Co., Chard, exhibited 

 ir . »3 ums » aquilegias, hhums, spineas, poppies, irises, rhododendrons, and roses 

 bv M^lrc° n Sf on ' m T ak ^g an effective display. Ferns were pleasingly exhibited 

 uy Messrs. w. and J. Birkenhead, Sale, Manchester, this firm staging a remark- 

 ably comprehensive collection of stove, greenhouse, and hard? species and 



K 



sSjmV 11 - m u l but vef y ' w ~ e11 Z to ™ n and ' [ * ^emeTy'beautrfui. 

 juennam, Birmingham, showed some pretty silvered utensils suitabh 



adiantums were exceptionally well represented, so also were the pleasing 



. . . nephrolepis, &c. The 



Mr. R. 

 table for filling 



with t ZS , a,J ""- I" 511 / ^"vctcu utensns suitaDie lor nuing 



A Tn I table r a nd other decorations ; carnations and sweet peas were used! 

 Hill PIT'S- g fi°iT of ° rchid f was arranged by Messrs. Hugh, Low, and Co., Bush 

 C. Reined^ r 5 w ^ * er< \ su P erb ' es P ed ally the forms of C. Mosste, 

 dium maci, 0, ^ C Mendeli ' &c ' Cypripediums in variety, Onci- 

 Rlossum S , A. if ha P u 'P urata > L - grandis tenebrosa, select forms of Odonto- 

 B wTal ^ ls P um ' the , ? ve ly Cattleya Mossi* Arnoldiana with pure white sepals 

 representeHinTK- I alb / no Cypnpedium Lawrancianum Hyeanum were splendidly 

 a Sou of rhnl ha " dsome . and lar g e collection. Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons had 

 L^lio cat £ rr° rCh , lds ' S £° wmg Lre,,a P ur P urata in fi ne condition, L. tenebrosa, 

 Kud or r ,ntl PP - lyta V Cattleya Mossi3e Rein cckiana superba, Laffio- cattleya 

 fine fS m • £ yCnS1S w V* . Cahbamiana su Pcrba, Cypripedium Curtisi in 

 Epiphroniii, vL.^v X.*?? c " stata su Perba, with green and crimson flowers, 

 flowed on ? , S ' tchl « T "chopilia suavis alba, and Cattleya Shilleriana with six 



Poup of orchS, !* a JV SrS - B ,- S * WilHamS and SoD ' HoIlo way, N., sent a pretty 

 a 'chL iSSfSS? g( T plaDtS 5 the odontoglossums were specially good, the 

 som« Leh lrZ S f n elegant dis P ,a y- Oncidium macranthum, thunias, and 

 Aowerin* rET^^T*? were ind uded ; and with the orchids were associated 



A bif J!™!? / Schube 1 rtia grandiflora, and Malmaison carnations. 

 Co. 1 St AJhSS. °u W T rare plants was contributed by Messrs. F. Sander and 

 graceful D CruU « sho L wed magnificent specimens of Draaena Sanderiana, the 

 ^cdseffiana nrf! ,V the novel <asselled Acalypha Sanderi, the variegated A. 

 ele gant ; and R a v1° a V - D der Bilti ' in ^ way of D ' Doucetti, but even more 

 Pknts, chiefly 1 Iv § ° maS In great va »ety. Orchids were associated with these 

 St - Legerianum t * ;. enebrosa » Phaius tuberculosa, Dendrobium Deari, Oncidium 

 lli 8h Blantvre W P u PUrpUrata ' and cattleyas in variety. Mr. M. Campbell, 

 hl Rh merit to^tl . sh _ owed a reall y fine exhibit of fancy and show pansies of 

 Mr - S. Morfiml. « , a laf g e and variecl collection of violas arranged in sprays. 



taged 



"cumbers hnih - 



Vu Qifton ShS s i 10Wn being seedlin 8 s from Improved Telegraph. Mr. G. 



ot a vi»rv 'i gC -' Y ? rk » sent ^rne beautiful seedling hemerocallis, including 

 ver y Pleasme form, tr** Urc^ a r.r;^T„»n^ m a~ — . 5 



Apri 



Editorial communications should be addressed to the Editor of the Gardeners' 

 Magazine, 148 and 149, Aldersgate Street, E.C. 



T le Editor will be glad to receive photographs of gardens, plants, flowers, trees, 

 fruits, &c, for reproduction in the Gardeners' Magazine. He will also be 



greatly obliged by correspondents sending early intimation of interesting local 

 events relating to horticulture. In sending newspapers containing matter to 

 which they wish to draw attention, correspondents are requested to distinctly 

 ark the paragraph. 



Specimens of plants, flowers, and fruits for naming or opinion should be sent to 

 the Editor of the Gardeners' Magazine, ** Endsleigh," Priory Park, Kew, 

 Surrey, and as early in the week as possible. All parcels must be sufficiently 

 prepaid. 



S :cretaries of horticultural societies are invited to send early notification of forth 

 coming exhibitions and meetings, and are requested to advise us concerning 

 change of dates 



Golden Leaved Trees and Shrubs.— A. F., Aberystwyth i A few of 



the best golden-foliaged trees and shrubs are the Gulden Elder, Golden Oak, 

 Golden Laburnum, Golden Privet, Golden Catalpi, Golden Acacia, Golden 

 Poplar, Golden Elm, and GoHen Currant. Then, of course, there are ho!lie3 

 ivies, weigelas, cornus, &c, with foliage of a more or less bright golden hue. 



Standard Mignonette.— R. H. P., Durham : To produce standard speci- 

 mens of the mignoneite it is necessary to train up a single specimen to a height 

 of two feet, and then pinch out the growing point to cause lateral growth ; when 

 the new shoots commence to grow they must be reduced to three or four near the 

 apex, and all others be removed entirely. Pinching must again be resorted to, to 

 obtain a neat and full head ; and as soon as this is gained, then the specimen 

 may be allowed to flower. 



A Curious Chinese Fruit.— W. A., Oxford : The fruit sent is a 

 shrivelled specimen of the Lychee, Litchi, or Leechee. The plant that yields this 

 fruit is Nephelium Litchi, an evergreen, sap'mdaceous tree, native of China, and 

 capable of cultivation in our hothouses. The imported fruits come from India and 

 China, and though they form a novel addition to the dessert, they do not equal 

 the fresh produce, for the gummy pulp surrounding the seed has shrunk 

 considerably during transport. When fresh, the fruit is about the size of a small 

 walnut. 



Knol-kohl or Kohl rabi.— E. A. L., Bury St. Edmunds: The present 

 is a good time to plant Kohl-rabi, or the turnip-stemmed cabbage (Brassica caulo- 

 rapa). Seed should have been sown in March, at the same time as the bulk of 

 winter green stuffs, and the seedlings should now be ready for transplanting. The 

 plants should be set out about three feet apart each way, and should be planted 

 so as to leave the larger portion of the stem above the ground. The crop is 

 readily eaten by cows and sheep, indeed, they prefer it to cabbage or turnip; ; it 

 is also a heavy crop, two pounds of seed being sufficient to furnish an acre of land 

 and provide fifteen to twenty tons of bulb-like stems that keep as soundly as 

 swedes. Hares and rabbits are very fond of Kohl-rabi, and if they abound will 

 soon destroy a crop. The smaller specimens are very good for table use when 

 well and properly cooked. 



Crow-berries.— C. B., Berwick : The crow-berry is an Empetrum, and the 

 popular name includes all members of the small genus. The plants are hardy, 

 dwarf, and evergreen ; spreading heath-like over comparatively moist places and 

 bearing small wholesome and palatable berries. In the north, the Empetrums, and 

 especially E. nigrum and its variety scoticum, are valuable for providing food for 

 grouse and ptarmigan, the former eating the berries, and the latter feeding upon 

 the leafage during winter. Propagation is effected either by means of seeds or 

 cuttings : seeds should be sown either in spring or autumn ; they take a long time 

 to germinate, often remaining under the soil for a whole year. Cuttings can be 

 taken during the summer, and should be inserted in fine sandy peat under a hand- 

 light. The crow-berries like plenty of moisture, but not stagnant moisture, and 

 they succeed best on damp peat beds. 



Myosotis dissitiflora.-D. D. S., Winchester : The best time to sow 

 seed of this forget-me-not is as soon as it is quite ripe. Cut the flower stems from 

 S c best pUnte as soon as it is seen the seed is almost ripe ; lay these on a shee 



of oaoer and Place in a greenhouse, frame, or sunny window, where npening will 

 of paper and 1 Pjace m a g finely . worked 50,1, ta k, ng 



SJtc ^ keefeeguU V mSt when'seedlings will appear in a fortnight. If the 

 weather Tot and the seed bed exposed it will be a good plan to stretch a 

 oiece of caVvas a lew inches above the surface to prevent rapid drying. So far as 

 piece ot canvas a lew _ m« transplanting the seedlings into nursery 



P °H 5 lb ^^i^^cT Anrther plan is to carefully lift the best plants 

 beds as soon as large enough. £ transplant these upon a rich border 



when PW™ g /" ?""™ e J Xded 8 ; here the seeds will tipen, and falling out 

 W -n rC ^L?,?v e r a si gh sthring of the surface soil as soon as the seeds have 

 ^wjSCTtt cover! seedfand germination will soon take place. 



Princioles of Maruring.-W. B. F., Herts: There is no great difficulty 

 in oESS clear idea of the principles of manuring ; but before fertilisers can 

 ^filf with the huffiest degree of success, some experience in their use 

 b /?« P iJ tation of ffie effect of the applications made for the various crops 

 Z "nlc ™T T rmost important function? of manures is, as so well stated by 

 PwfcSSfSkhriir of the University Extension College, Reading to supply 

 Jl mf fnL necessarV for the growth of crops, and deficient m the soil. In many 

 £SJ m^nres Sove the physical and mechanical condition and the texture of 

 Si soS ^ to t Xh P they are" applied. Thus lime, when applied to sour , land, 

 decomposes and renders harmless the sour organic acids, whose Presence in the 

 soil is the cause of the sour or acid condition of the land. When farmyard 

 manure is applied to land the texture and physical condition of the soil is much 

 improved by the organic matter of which this manure is largely composed. 

 Manures may act on plant food already present in the soil, convert it into such a 

 condition that it can be absorbed by the toots and plants. The mammal value of 

 lime is due principally to the action of this manure on the food of plants already 

 present in the soil. The necessary constituents of plant food generally deficient in 



