170 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ February 26, 1885. 
It is also one of the treasured plants in the collections at Oldfield, Bickley, 
the residence of F. A. Philbrick, Esq., Q.C., where a plant is now flower¬ 
ing profusely in a greenhouse. In a few other gardens it may be seen, 
but I. fimbriata belongs to the neglected beauties, for it remains a com¬ 
paratively unknown though a really useful winter-flowering plant. 
- The Camellias at Bedford Hill House, Balham, the 
’•esidence of J. Brand, Esq., are now in fine condition and bearing a 
profusion of bright well-formed flowers. In the conservatory the display is 
particularly good, the plants being trained to a wall about 14 feet in 
height, which is covered with vigorous growths and thousands of flowers. 
Several unnamed varieties are grown, but C. imbricata is recognisable 
together with C. Mathotiana and the old but superb C. alba plena, which 
is loaded with flowers. The most remarkable of all is, however, a hand¬ 
some specimen of C. D nckelaarii about 12 feet high, which has its 
branches drooping with the weight of the large bell-like beautiful flowers. 
The variety also is an unusually fine one, of a rich red tint boldly marbled 
with white. When in such fine condition this variety can scarcely be 
equalled, and Mr. Rapley prizes it accordingly. 
- Tiie fifty-sixth ordinary meeting of The Essex Field Club will 
beheld in the great hall of the Loughton Public Hall, Loughton, Essex,on 
Saturday, February 28th, 1885, at half-past six o’clock. The following 
paper will be read :—“ Report on the East Anglian Earthquake of April 
22nd, 1881,” by Raphael Meldola, F.R.A.S., F.C.S., &c. The hall will 
be open at 6 p.m. for the convenience of exhibitors. As stated in former 
circulars, every facil ty will be afforded to those bringing microscopes 
and specimens, &c. The hall is only a few minutes’ walk from the 
Loughton railway station, and the usual reduction on return tickets may 
be claimed at Liverpool Street, Stratford, and Woodford stations. The 
library remains at the head quarters, 3, St. John’s Terrace, Buckhurst 
Hill, and is open every Thursday evening during the winter session, from 
seven to nine o’clock. Special Meeting.—Owing to a formal objection taken 
at the last meeting, the proposed alterations in the rules were not then 
considered. On behalf of the Council a special meeting is therefore 
called at the head quarters of the Club, 3, St. John’s Terrace, Buckhurst 
Hill, on Wednesday evening, March 11th, at 7.40 p.m., for the purpose of 
proposing the alterations in and additions to the rules. 
- The weather in North Britain has been very severe recently, 
snowstorms and violent gales having caused much damage in the west 
and north of Scotland, especially near Glasgow, in Ayrshire, and at 
Dundee ; while some parts of Ireland have also been visited by similar 
storms. In the south, after two or three days of rather keen winds, the 
weather has been quite spring-like, bright and warm during the day, with 
frosts at night and occasional rain. Vegetation is advancing in some 
favoured districts, and we are informed, as a further sign of the 
approaching spring, that a thrush’s nest with eggs was found last 
week in thi shrubberies at Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, which is 
considered rather early for that part of the country. 
- “ F. G., Dorset” writes—“ Seeing an article in the Journal 
about growing Violets, I thought I would send you a few of mine 
grown under glass and outside. I have often found it a matter of great 
difficulty to grow these satisfactorily until this last season, and I may 
say I have had some very fine ones, and the way I manage them is by 
taking the runners off and growing them in good manured ground the same 
as Strawberry runners are done, and I find plenty of bloom at the proper 
time. I prefer young plants to split-up old ones. I have found 
them to do much better under my treatment.” The blooms sent are 
very handsome samples of a large dark form of the Neapolitan, and 
very fragrant. 
- Notable as was the specimen Masdevallia tovarensis 
figured in these pages last week, we are informed that Mr. Philip 
Crowley, Waddon House, Croydon, has had a still more remarkable 
example. This is growing in a 7-inch pot, and for some weeks, ending 
about three weeks since, it had eighty-six flowers open at one time. 
The species is indeed surprisingly floriferous, and will become a most 
useful plant for furnishing supplies of flowers. 
- Mr. C. Herrin, Chalfont Park Gardens, sends us some blooms of 
the fine old semi-double Camellia Donckelaari, and remarks : “ Here 
this Camsllia is highly appreciated for general decorative purposes. It 
keeps fresh in water several days longer than the double varieties, and 
used for single specimen glass on the dinner table it is very effective.” 
The_ bloomsj were very handsome, of a jbrilliant red colour, with white 
marblings and markings, and a dense cluster of stamens in the centre, 
rendering it quite unique. It is a strong-growing useful variety that is 
of much value in gardens. Mr. Herrin also sends us a flower of Cyclamen 
persicum with thirteen petals. It is of great size, pure white, but has a 
somewhat malformed appearance. 
- Mr. S. Mortimer, recently gardener to Major Storer, Purley 
Park, Reading, states that he has resigned his situation, after nine years 
service, during which time he has taken over two hundred prizes for fruit, 
plants, Orchids, and vegetables. We have frequently had occasion to 
favourably note Mr. Mortimer’s productions, and his skill as a practical 
gardener is well known. 
- The schedule of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society 
announces the following Exhibitions to be held in Boston during 1885 : 
Spring Exhibitions, March 19th and 20th and May 9th; Rhododendron 
Show, June 6th ; Rose and Strawberry Show, June 23rd and 24th. Other 
shows will be held every week in July and August. The annual Show 
will take place on September 15th, 16th, and 17th; the Autumn Fruit 
Show on October 3rd; and the Chrysanthemum Show on November 12th 
and 13th. Prizes varying in value from one to forty dollars are offered at 
all these shows, the total number of classes provided throughout the 
season for fruit, flowers, plants, and vegetables being 608. In addition to 
the ordinary prizes, the following Hunnewell triennial premiums are 
offered:—“ For an estate of not less than four acres, laid out with the 
most taste and kept in best order for three consecutive years,” 160 dollars 
(about £32) ; “ For an estate of not less than three acres,” first prize, 
120 dollars ; second prize, 80 dollars. 
-- Messrs. Barr & Son, King Street, Covent Garden, send us 
blooms of the charming Corbularia monophylla (Clusii and alba), 
and remark that “These beautiful snow-white flowers have been open 
with us from the middle of January, and will continue so for some 
weeks, under one of Boulton & Paul's frames. Early in autumn we 
planted the bulbs in a mixture of sand and loam, Ike bed raised a few 
inches above the general level, and covered with the frame, the lights 
being raised sufficiently to admit air, but protect from the cold autumn 
rains. When the leaves had advanced an inch or two the sides of the 
frame were alternately raised, thus fully exposing the plants, except 
when there was a severe frost or heavy rains, then air only was 
admitted. This will be continued until the weather become dry and 
warm, when the glass will be kept constantly down, only admitting air.” 
- From the same firm also come blooms of the Earliest 
Narcissus (Narcissus pallibus pra:cox), “ which is now expanding its 
beautiful sulphur-coloured blossoms in the open, and will, as happened 
last year, be nearly a fortnight in advance of all others in our bulb 
grounds, Tooting ; [the first bloom opened on the 15th inst.” 
- “ W. N.” sends the following respecting Asparagus plumosus 
—“ ‘ Instead of Adiantum use the Plumose Asparagus,’ is the advice given 
to a bouquetist in search of Fern for his flowers, and which may be 
extended to all who have to do with floral decorations. When in town 
1 invariably walk through the Central Avenue in Covent Garden Market 
and look out for ideas, where new ideas in flower arrangement may be 
expected to appear, but I have not yet seen Asparagus plumosus employed 
by any of the decorators there. To my taste there is no comparison 
between Adiantum and the Asparagus for bouquets, wreaths, and those 
long graceful flower arrangements now so popular with ladies. A spike 
of Odontoglossum crispum, with a long evenly furnished branch of the 
Asparagus arranged in such a way as to make each flower appear 
surrounded with a delicate green shade, is one of the most charming 
combinations I have ever beheld. Better still, this Asparagus will last 
at least a month when cut and placed in water. Considering that plants 
of it yield an abundance of growths which may he cut and cut again 
without injuring the health of the plant, and that every little branch 
when placed in heat will strike root and grow into a plant in about two 
months, there is no reason why this Asparagus should not be grown 
by scores in almost every garden. I have never known its use along 
with flowers to fail in giving delight.” 
CUCUMBERS. 
Cucumber culture in winter is not general. It is only in large 
gardens and with the help of well-heated houses or pits where it can be 
done successfully, but in spring, summer, and autumn almost everyone 
who possesses a frame tries to grow Cucumbers, and if they only take care 
