January 8, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
28 
8 
th 
Royal Society at 4.30 p.M. 
9 
F 
Quekett Club at 8 p.m. 
10 
S 
Royal Botanic Society at 3.45 P.M. 
11 
SUN 
1st Sunday after epiphany. 
12 
M 
IS 
TU 
Royal Horticultural Society, Fruit and Floral Committees at 11 A.M. 
14 
W 
Society of Arts at 8 p.m. 
THE SEASON OF 1884—CERTIFICATED PLANTS. 
HE past season has been a busy one for horticul¬ 
turists, particularly those who are in any way 
connected with the exhibitions which appear to 
he so rapidly increasing in numbers throughout 
the country. The season was opened in London 
by the Royal Horticultural and the Royal 
Botanic Societies’ Spring Shows in March, and 
from that time until late in November there has 
been a constant succession of fruit and flower 
exhibitions, varying in importance from the Great Interna¬ 
tional gathering at Dundee to the local cottagers’ shows in 
small corn t y towns and villages. Of special exhibitions 
there has been an unusual number; at South Kensington 
those devoted to fruit and vegetables have been extremely 
successful, while the Roses and Chrysanthemums have been 
extensively supported by their respective admirers. Many of 
the general shows held during the summer months have, 
perhaps, not been quite so satisfactory as would have been 
desired by their supporters; but there were several notable 
exceptions to these, particularly the Manchester Whitsuntide 
Exhibition and the York Gala, which were remarkable as 
usual for the large numbers of well-grown plants they 
brought together. In the south, the Southampton Show 
deserves especial prominence, but it is probable that Salis¬ 
bury, which has resuscitated its Horticultural Society, will 
this year prove a strong rival for that town. At Dundee, 
which was a wonderful gathering in its way, the fruit and 
vegetables were the great features ; but, admirably managed 
as the Show undoubtedly was, it was a source of regret to 
the majority of visitors that the building was so unpleasantly 
barn-like in its bare and unornamented walls. It detracted 
greatly from what was horticulturally a most successful ex¬ 
hibition. These international shows are frequent in the 
north, and are generally financially satisfactory, while the 
stimulus they impart to horticulture is considerable ; but in 
the south we have not yet got beyond uncertain rumours 
respecting an exhibition of a similar character. The 
Parisians, however, promise us one of some magnitude and 
importance in May of the present year, and that will pro¬ 
bably attract many English horticulturists. 
The abundant gatherings of the past year have given 
most welcome indications of a strong and general activity 
in the horticultural world, which such meetings serve to 
still farther increase. Another important fact pointing to 
the continued and extending love for plants which form so 
large a portion of the nurserymen’s trade, is afforded by the 
number of new plants introduced and certificated at the 
leading metropolitan exhibitions. That a total of over 380 
plants should have been found worthy of being honoured 
with certificates is good evidence that the demand for novel¬ 
ties is far from decreasing, and that the efforts of raisers and 
introducers are in no degree relaxed. The great majority of 
these have been submitted to the consideration of the Royal 
Horticultural Society’s Floral Committee, or the Judges at 
the Royal Botanic Society’s Shows; a few have, however, 
No. 237.— Vol. X., Third Series. 
been exhibited and distinguished at the Crystal Palace, and 
some of the more important provincial exhibitions where ex¬ 
perienced judges officiate, and whose decisions may generally 
be taken as of equal value to those of the FJoral Committee. 
The special Societies also confer honours upon new varieties 
shown before them, and the National Chrysanthemum 
Society has in this respect set a good example in appointing 
a committee of experts to decide upon the merits of new 
varieties. The great difficulty now in all classes of plants is 
the selection of the really meritorious species or varieties 
from the hosts of claimants for popular favour. The system 
of awarding certificates, if judiciously and cautiously carried 
out, is in consequence of inestimable advantage to purchasers 
who have not the opportunity of seeing novelties when first 
exhibited. It moreover exercises a wholesome check upon 
vendors, and renders them careful to ascertain the merits of 
a plant before bringing it under public notice. 
A glance at the number of certificated plants and the re¬ 
lative proportion of the different groups show us some rather 
interesting facts connected with their respective popularity. 
Taking them in two large groups, as arranged in the “ Gar¬ 
deners’ Year Book,” we have 126 plants and 205 florists’ 
flowers—the former including species, varieties, and hybrids 
of stove, greenhouse, and hardy plants ; the latter being de¬ 
voted to the flowers, of which more or less numerous varie¬ 
ties have been obtained in cultivation. Of the plants, no 
less a number than seventy-one are Orchids—more than half 
the total certificated. This is remarkable, and sho ws a great 
increase over last year, when fifty-six were so honoured. It 
also appears still more extraordinary by taking a longer 
period into consideration. For instance, from 1859 to the 
end of 1871 the Royal Horticultural Society only certificated 
250 Orchids, while from 1872 to 1884 the number was 2C2. 
Thus, in a period of about a quarter of a century we have 
had about 500 Orchids certificated, and the number this year 
is nearly one-seventh of a total of twenty-five years. It is 
further worthy of note that in addition to the certificated 
Orchids fully as many novelties in that family have been 
figured or described in various works or periodicals. No 
more striking evidence of the sustained popularity of Orchids 
could be required than these facts, and if some large collec¬ 
tions have been sold there must have been some scores of 
smaller ones formed. 
Of other classes of plants, it is strange that Ferns should 
appear in such small numbers, only eight having been certifi¬ 
cated. The same remark applies to Crotons, which a few 
years since were so numerous, but which this year are re¬ 
duced to four; while we have no record of a Dracaena being 
certificated. A few Caladiums have taken honours, but 
fine-foliage plants generally were not so abundant as 
usual, and the demand for flowering plants seems to be 
fast increasing. It is, however, unaccountable that Ferns 
should fall into neglect, for of all flowerless or “ fine-foliage ” 
plants these stand pre-eminent for gracefulness of habit. 
Perhaps we can scarcely take the certificate records as au 
indication of decreasing popularity in the case of the Ferns, 
for though comparatively few novelties have been brought 
forward by nurserymen the majority of useful and well- 
known species continue in demand. 
Turning to the “Flowers,” of which 205 have been 
certificated, we find marked partiality displayed for some 
kinds. Heading the list in point of numbers are the Tube¬ 
rous Begonias, of which thirty-one have secured honorary 
awards during the year, and two-thirds of these varieties 
have come from one establishment. These Begonias are 
undoubtedly taking a foremost place amongst the most 
useful and showy plants of the day. In pots their value is 
fully proved, and their adaptability for beds is now becoming 
generally known, and will render the plants still greater 
favourites. Next in numbers to the Begonias come the 
Chrysanthemums, of which twenty-five have been certifi¬ 
cated—probably the greatest number honoured in one season 
No. 1893.—Von. LXXII., Old Series. 
