NEW SE 



HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. 



The meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, on 

 October 15th, was the means of bringing' together a 

 large number of subjects so varied, useful, and inter- 

 esting*, that it must be pronounced one of the most 

 pleasing held during the year. One could not but 

 regret so few persons were present to see the rich feast 

 of good things that completely filled the Council 

 Chamber and the Entrance Hall. 



Of new plants a few were staged, and First-class 

 Certificates of merit were awarded to the following' : — 

 Anthurium Scherzerianum Album, a white-flowered 

 variety of this well-known plant, which increases in 

 size as the plants grow into dimensions. It was well 

 shown by Messrs. James Veitch and Sons. To Mam- 

 millaria Sphacelata, a distinct and strong growing 

 species, from Mr. H. Boiler, South Row, Kensal New 

 Town. To Lastrea arista ta variegata, a handsome 

 and distinct-looking Fern, with dark-green pinnae, and 

 greenish-white midribs ; said to do well in a cold 

 house, as nearly hardy ; from Messrs. Veitch and Sons, 

 and Mr. W. Bull. To Bomaria Carderi, a very attrac- 

 tive greenhouse plant, shown both by Mr. Bull and 

 Mr. Green, gardener to Sir George MacLeay, Bart., 

 Pendrell Court, Bletchingly, the latter having the 

 largest cluster of flowers yet seen, and remarkable be- 

 sides by showing the flowers with two, three, and four 

 on a spray; two only being the number seen up to this 

 time ; the flowers are bell-shaped, rosy-pink in colour, 

 and tipped with green. To Aspidium crinitum, or, as 

 it is termed by the Gardeners' Chronicle, Lastrea 

 crinita, a stately Fern of erect habit, and handsome in 

 appearance, from Mr. W. Bull ; and to Pernettya 

 mucronata lilacina, having lilac-coloured berries of a 

 very attractive appearance. This came from Mr. L. 

 T. Davis, Ogles Grove Nursery, Hillsborough, Co. 

 Down, and will be a very serviceable addition to our 

 hardy-berried shrubs. Botanical commendations were 

 given to Phalaanopsis violacea, a rare species, flowering 

 for the first time in the nurseries of Messrs. Veitch 

 and Sons, Chelsea ■ and to Masdevallia velifera, a new 

 but not particularly attractive form, from Mr. W. Bull, 

 Chelsea. 



Among novelties staged on this occasion were Catt- 

 leyaMastersonii,a finely-coloured hybrid raised between 

 C. labiata and a seedling ; Cypripediuui vexillarium, 



83. 



a fine hybrid, with a highly-coloured upper sepal, and 

 the new white Begonia Queen of Whites, from 

 Messrs. Veitch and Sons ; an almost pure white variety 

 of Dendi-obium Bigibbum, from Mr. B. S. Williams; 

 and Odontoglossum Philbrickii, an apparently distinct 

 form with flowers of the same shape as those of O. 

 Alexandras, but cream-coloured and heavily spotted 

 with brown, from F. A. Philbrick, Esq., Q.C., Avenue 

 Road, Regent's Park. 



A group of cut forms of Single Dahlias came from 

 Mr. Thomas Moore, Botanic Garden, Chelsea ; all old- 

 fashioned types, which included D. mexicana, D. 

 coccinea, D. Cervantesii, D. Cervantesii lutea, and 

 Superflua flammea. 



AURICULAS IN AUTUMN. 

 The fine mild open weather which characterised the 

 month of October has given occasion for much anxiety 

 among Auricula cultivators, seeing that the plants are 

 throwing up autumn trusses. They appear to be 

 becoming active just when cultivators would prefer to 

 see them gradually subsiding into their autumn and 

 winter rest. Under the circumstances, it will be best 

 to keep the plants in a northern and cool aspect, where 

 they can be retarded as much as possible ; and when 

 the mild weather appears to be changing to cold and 

 damp or frost, warmer quarters can be given to the 

 . plants. 



In the case of some varieties of Auriculas, cultivators 

 like to see trusses form in the autumn, but remain 

 down till the spring comes round. Some green edges 

 flower finely and in excellent character where this 

 happens. But now the weather is so mild, the trusses 

 come up sooner than they are required, and to some 

 extent at the expense of the spring bloom. 



Just now a few matters of importance press them- 

 selves on the attention of the cultivator. First, the 

 plants should occupy a dry bottom, and if they are in 

 a low position, the pots should be elevated so as to 

 remove them from immediate contact with damp. It 

 is a great advantage to have a frame so constructed as 

 that air can freely circulate under the stage and among 

 the pots, drying up any damp that may be present. 

 An Auricula-house, with elevated stages, is a most de- 

 sirable arrangement for the winter months, as the 

 plants are safe from harm from damp. Water should 



THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 



1RIES.] 



NOVEMBER, 1878. 



TNo. 



