THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA 
311 
o 
A FLOWER SHOW IN INDIA 
N I'^ebruary 24, 1917, the annual flower show of 
flowers, fruits and vegetables was held in the beau- 
tiful grounds of Government House, Allahabad, and it 
proved a great success. Until I arrived in India 1 had 
no idea such luscious vegetables could be produced here ; 
I have rarely seen such fine specimens of lettuces, car- 
rots, cabbages, onions, potatoes, celery, beetroots, and 
artichokes. Tomatoes were also shown, some first-class 
fruits being staged. The flowering annuals were ar- 
ranged on the lawns, and these comprised a most attract- 
ive series. The first prize, group of 24 pots of annuals, 
contained Clarkia, Schizanthus, Candytuft, Hracycome 
(which makes an ideal pot plant), Dianthus, and Lobelia. 
Other annuals staged in their various classes embraced 
Mignonette, Mimulus, Asters, Stocks, Nemesia, Nastur- 
tium, Phlox Drummondii, Larkspur, Nemophila, Lepto- 
syne, and Antirrhinums. 
In the tents were staged the foliage and flowering- 
plants, including good Cinerarias. The Ferns made an 
e.xcellent display, while the Crotons, Coleuses, Palms, and 
Aralias were worthy of special mention. .\mong the 
flowering plants I noted some finely grown Freesias, Be- 
Coinlcsv Gi:rji-ncis' Clnon'ulc <.1.viiJ,'h ' . 
Sivcct Peas at Kliusru Bagli. Allahabad 
gonias, Eucharis grandiflora, and Ivy-leafed Pelargoni- 
ums, while the humble Molet was also seen, although the 
perfume was not so pronounced as at home. Roses were 
a feature, but the outstanding exhibits were the lovely 
specimens of Marechal Xiel ; never before have I seen 
them in such quantity or quality. They made an impress- 
ion on my mind which will remain long after my sojourn 
in India is vanished. ( )ranges, Limes, Cape ( iooseberries, 
and Papayas w'ere also shown, 
Another notable feature of the show was the various 
exhibits staged by Mr. Head (an old Kewite), the hon. 
secretary and superintendent of the Clovernment Parks 
and Gardens of Allahabad. They included Roses, a mis- 
cellaneous group of foliage and flowering plants, an ef- 
fectively arranged exhibit of Sweet Peas, including many 
of the latest varieties : a fine collection of Cannas, show- 
ing a wild range of color ; and a large group of Freesias 
remarkable for their different tints and shades of red and 
pink. — T. VV. Briscoe. 
NEW ROSES AT BAGATELLE 
T^HE report of the annual trial of new Roses at Baga- 
telle, near Paris, has just come to hand. The 
gold medals have been awarded to two yellow Roses, 
one from Messrs. Pernet-Ducher, named Mine. Ca- 
ristie Martel: the other from Messrs. Alexander 
Dickson, of Xewtownards, viz., Margaret Dickson 
Hamill. The judges report that both 'these Roses 
have shown, during the period of their cultn-ation at 
Bagatelle, all the points of good Roses, including con- 
tinuous flowering from spring to autumn. Certificates 
were awarded to the followino': Mrs. Mackellar ( ca- 
nary-yellow), Red Star (brilliant red, from a Dutch 
grower named N'erschuren), Henriette (hybrid Tea, 
orange-colored, from Messrs. H. Merryweather and 
Sons). 
In spite of difliculties of transit, se\ent_\-si.x Roses 
have been received at Bagatelle this year to be judged 
in 191S. Two were from America, one of which has not 
vet flowered. The other, Los Angelos, was raised froin 
Mme. Segond Weber crossed with Lyon Rose. It ap- 
pears to be a valuable Rose, with the good points of 
both parents combined. Imogen, sent by Messrs. W. 
Paul and Sons, Waltham Cross, has maintained its 
pale yellow color very well, even during the hot sun- 
shine of the past few weeks. — Gardeners' Chronielc 
(English). 
NOTES ON MULCHING 
rVEN when applied, late in the summer, surface 
mulching is beneficial t(_) practically all growing 
crops. If really good materials are used, such as half- 
rotted manure, leaf-soil, etc., a valuable addition is 
made to the £oil in which the roots are growing, and 
the latter very quickly take possession of it. Thus the 
roots receive a double benefit, the other being the con- 
servation of moisture. 
Material which will conserve the moisture will do a 
lot of good. Grass, well dried, ittay be suital)le as a 
mulch for strawberries to conserve moisture and keep 
the fruits clean, but when used near rows of peas, 
runner beans, dwarf beans, and fruit trees, it should be 
put on green, as then it adheres better to the surface 
of the soil, and does not dry up rapidly. (7irass from 
(C oiitiiiued on ta.'^e 312.) 
Coitrlcsy CarJt 
Outdoor Floii'er Shozv in India. 
