March 26, 1385. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
255 
Grand Primo, white and yellow, together with N. cernuus pulcher, and 
tortuosus, and the handsome N. poeticus ornatus were shown in excellent 
condition. A group of Amaryllises, Hyacinths, and Tulips were staged in 
this group, the first being noted in another page, and the bulbs in another 
portion of this report. 
Messrs. Collins, Bro3., & Gabriel, 30, Waterloo Road, were awarded a 
bronze medal for a pleasing collection of Daffodils, Grape Hyacinths, 
Snowdrops, and Anemones, the last named being very beautiful. The 
flowers of the single Anemone Victoria Giant, of many colours, were par¬ 
ticularly attractive, as were also the forms of Anemone fulgens, semi-plena, 
and graeca, both brilliant in colour. 
Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, contributed a charming group of small 
Polyantha and other Roses, both standards and dwarfs, which were gi-eatly 
admired. R. polyantha Mignonette, bright rose, and Parqueritte, white, 
were very pretty, bearing numbers of their small neat flowers ; the White 
Burgundy and R. microphylla rubra plena, with R. rugosa alba, were 
similarly noteworthy. A few alpine and miscellaneous hardy plants were 
also included in the group, for which a bronze Banksian medal was 
awarded. 
Mr. Anthony Waterer, Knap Hill, Woking, had a beautiful group of 
Primroses most varied in colours, and with large bold flowers ; Andromeda 
floribunda and A. japonica, the latter profusely flowered, together with the 
dwarf early Heaths, Erica herbacea carnea, E. mediterranea rubra and alba. 
A bronze Banksian medal was accorded to Mr. Waterer for his bright and 
pleasing contribution. Mr. R. Dean, Ealing, sent several plants of Primulas, 
the dwarf white P. nivea being extremely pretty; and Mr. W. B. Hartland, 
Cork, showed a collection of his Daffodils, which have been previously 
noticed. 
Asilver-gilt Banksian medal was awarded to Mr. R. Clarke, Twickenham, 
for a remarkable group of Cyclamens comprising nearly 500 plants, the 
flowers large, extremely abundant, and variously coloured from pure white 
to the richest crimson. A silver Banksian medal was also awarded to Mr. 
W. Bull, Chelsea, for a valuable collection of Orchids and miscellaneous 
stove plants. Dendrobium Paxtoni had several racemes of its golden and 
maroon blotched flowers; Dendrobium Farmeri roseum had four spikes of 
large flowers tinged with purple and having a yellow lip ; Odontoglossum 
cirrhosum, Coelogyne Massangeana, and Dendrobium nobile insigne were 
also notable in this group, together with the double white Epacris onosmre- 
flora fl. pi. nivalis, the curiously coloured Anthurium Rothschildianum, and 
the bright red Hcemanthus Kalbreyeri maximus. A bronze medal was 
adjudged to Mr. J. Aldous, Gloucester Road, for a group of Palms, 
Adiantums, Selaginellas, and Chrysanthemum frutescens effectively 
arranged. 
CERTIFICATED PLANTS. 
Calanthe Sancleriana (B. S. Williams).—One of the C. ve3tita section, 
but much later in flowering and with large crimson flowers, the lips being of 
great size and exceedingly rich in colour. 
Camellia Commendatore Betti (B. S. Williams).—A finely formed flower 
■with broad round substantial petals, bright rose in colour. A very hand¬ 
some variety. 
Azalea. Illuminator (W. Bull).—One of the Amoena group, but with 
flowers of unusual size, 1 \ inch in diameter, with round lobes, and of a warm 
rosy purple hue. Extremely floriferous. 
Rhododendron Teysmanni (Veitch).—A distinct form, with flowers of 
medium size, neat in shape, and bright clear yellow in colour. 
Amaryllis Paragon (Veitch).—Excellent in form, substantial symme¬ 
trical flowers, brilliant scarlet, with a white central bar in the petals. 
Amaryllis Niobe (Veitch).—Very handsome, broad round petals, bright 
scarlet, with a white central bar. 
Amaryllis The Queen (Veitch).—Extremely distinct, the flowers of good 
form, white, with numerous red streaks on the upper petals. Very free, the 
plant shown having two scapes of four flowers each. 
Rose Ye Primrose Dame (H. Bennett).—One of the “pedigree seedling 
Tea” varieties, with neat compact blooms, very pretty in the bud, pale 
yellow in colour, and possessing a faint but pleasing fragrance. 
Rose General Gordon (H. Bennett).—One of the same section as the 
above, but white, or with a very slight yellow tint; full and fragrant. 
Odontoglossum Wilcheanum album (R. H. Measures, Esq.).—A pretty 
variety, the flowers having a pure white ground, boldly spotted with rich 
brown. 
Scientific Committee. —Sir J. D. Hooker in the chair. 
Cypripedium, semi-double. —Dr. M. T. Masters exhibited a very curious 
blossom of C. Hookerm (?), which he was requested to examine and report 
pon. 
Lapageria rosea, double. —He also showed a specimen received from Mr. 
J. C. Bowring, of Forest Farm, Windsor, on which he will report. 
Arum italicum. —He also 'showed specimens of this plant gathered at 
Folkestone. The foliage is much larger than that of A. maculatum, and 
also appears earlier. 
Indian Primulas and the Cold. —Mr. Wilson exhibited some trusses 
which had withstood severe rain, snow, and a temperature of 24° without 
injury. 
Iris reticulata Bulbs Attached by Millipedes. —Mr. McLachlan mentioned 
that bulbs received from Professor M. Foster and others were often attacked 
by these enemies after a year or two of cultivation, though Mr. Wilson and 
Colonel Clarke had not experienced it. 
Daffodil Bulbs Diseased. —Mr. Plowright sent bulbs received from Dr. 
M. Foster attacked by some species of Pleosporse (Spheeria) with sketch of 
fungus. It was given to Mr. G. Murray for further examination and report. 
Sweet William Leaves Attached by Puccinia Dianthi.—Re sent specimens, 
and observed—“ This is one of the Leptopuccinise, the spores of which 
germinate as soon as they are ripe. Like P. malvacearum the mycelium is 
confined to limited circular areas, where after a time it kills the tissues of 
the leaf—in some cases quite through, so as to cut out or punch out a 
circular hole.” 
Willow Attached by Cicidoneya sp. —He also sent branches of Willow with 
the “ Cabbage gall,” the tufts of leaves still adhering to the ends of the 
branches. 
Podisoma Sabince. —He also forwarded a branch of Juniper, exhibiting 
this fungus just commencing to appear. 
Plants Exhibited—Hibiscus Hiigelii (?). —Col. Clarke showed this beautiful 
flower from Australia. It was given to the Chairman for identification. 
Hybrid (?) between Begonia socotrana and B. subpeltata, rosea (?)—A 
plant was sent by MM. Thibaut and Keteleer with rosy pink blossoms aDd 
cordate, not peltate, leaves. The question was raised whether it was a 
hybrid, as it apDeared to show no tracejof B. socotrana, while the figure of 
B. subpeltata (Wight’s “ leones ”) was hirsute and not smooth, as was the 
specimen sent. 
Richardia cethiopica with two spathes. —A specimen of this not un¬ 
common peculiarity was sent by Mr. Axford of Twyford Moors, Win¬ 
chester. 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT POWDERHAM CASTLE. 
To supplement the general descriptive notes given last week respecting 
the trees and gardens at Powderham Castle, I send the following jottings 
upon the Chrysanthemums at that establishment. I availed myself of an 
opportunity some time since to spend a few hours with my friend Mr. 
D. C. Powell, the respected gardener in charge of the place under notice, 
and Chrysanthemums and their culture were the principal topic 2 . I 
heard in Exeter that Mr. Powell had some fine Chrysanthemums, and 
for once rumour was correct, though, unfortunately, the blooms were too 
far advanced for them to “ make their mark ” at the London shows. 
Most of the plants were arranged in two large lean-to vineries, ana 
viewed from the front the effect was very striking. No plant can claim 
equality with the Chrysanthemum in effect when massed, and the visitors 
to the London and suburban shows—notably Kingston—will readily agree 
with me that they are singularly adapted for this style of arrangement. 
I do not say Mr. Powell could have arranged a group to surpass Mr. 
Orchard’s premier prize group at Kingston, but early in November he 
would have proved a formidable opponent. Nearly all his plants were in 
9-inch pots, had been stopped once early in the season, and were carrying, 
on an average, six blooms each. This was too many, seeing that the 
object was to secure fine blooms, an average of three blooms per plant in 
that size pot being ample. The plants ranged in height from 30 inches 
to 6 feet, and as every shoot was staked the blooms all showed to 
advantage. 
The selection of varieties was a good one, but Mr. Powell, in common 
with many other growers who have not long turned their attention to 
Chrysanthemum culture, finds that there are many sorts both new and 
old that are useless to exhibitors, the same being also of little real service 
for decorative purposes. Some of the finest Japanese varieties, such as 
Madame C. Audiguier, Thunberg, J. Delaux, Album plenum, Meg Merri- 
lees, Criterion, Oracle, Fair Maid of Guernsey, Etoile du Midi, 
Striatum, Comte de Germiny, Peter the Great, Bouquet Fait, Hiver Fleur, 
Madame Rendatler, Mons. W. Bull, Elaine, Daimio, Boule d’Or, Grandi- 
florum, Mons. Arddne, and Baronne de Prailly were particularly well 
represented, the majority being at their best at the time of my visit. 
The incurved sorts were scarcely so well represented and many of these 
also were too early. The best were St. Patrick, Bronze Jardin dcs 
Plantes, Antonelli, the Rundle family, Pink Venus, Prince Alfred, Cherub. 
Mabel Ward, White Venus, Mr. Gladstone, White Globe, Queen of 
England, and Empress of India. Mr. Powell secures where possible the 
crown buds, these, in his case, being the first bud that shows itself, and 
other intending, though inexperienced, exhibitors will do well to follow 
the same practice. It must be admitted that blooms resulting from these 
crown buds are liable to be coarser than those from “ terminals,” but 
with the Japanese especially it appears that very large blooms only will 
secure the awards in a large show. 
Probably few private growers could point to such fine plants of Meg 
Merrilees as were grown at Powderham, specially for a display at Christ, 
mas. If I remember rightly there were fifty plants, all in 12-inch pots- 
many standing 4 feet high, and were bushy and neatly staked ouQ 
No disbudding is practised, Mr. Powell preferring rather that each shoot 
should perfect several flowers, and a very pretty and elegant plume is the 
result. The plants were being retarded in a cool position, and as they 
were very healthy and well furnished with foliage, the ultimate effect can 
easily be imagined. 
In the other plant and fruit houses are grown the usual assortment of 
stove and greenhouse plants, none being admitted but what are really 
useful, and all giving proof of good culture.—W. Iggulden. 
ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
This Society opened its sixth annual Exhibition of instruments on 
Wednesday, the 18th inst., at the Institution of Civil Engineers, 25, Great 
George Street. This Exhibition is devoted to Sunshine Recorders and Solar 
and Terrestrial Instruments. 
The first attempt at obtaining an instrumental record of the amount of 
sunshine was made by Mr. J. F. Campbell of Islay, in the year 1854, when 
he mounted a hollow glass sphere filled with acidulated water in the centre 
of a cup of mahogany so arranged that the sun’s rays were focussed on the 
interior of the cup and burned it. The lines of burning therefore indicated 
the existence of sunshine. Solid glass spheres have been substituted for 
the hollow ones, and cards in metal frames have replaced the wood, but in 
its principle the sunshine recorder of 1885 differs little from that erected on 
Richmond Terrace, Whitehall thirty years ago. Other modes of recording 
sunshine are based on the action of the rays of the other end of the spectrum 
on the actinic instead of the heat rays. Among workers in this direction 
may be mentioned Marchand of Fecamp, Sir Henry Roscoe, and others. 
The most recent improvements in this direction are those by McLeod and 
by Jordan. 
