270 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 2, 1885. 
After the nomination and election of new members the Committee 
inspected the proposed designs for the medals. The design which was 
agreed upon represents the different sections of the Chrysanthemum—viz., 
the Incurved, Japanese, Japanese Anemone Pompon, &c.—and promises 
to he a very artistic reward to those growers who may be fortunate 
enough to gain one. The customary votes of thanks having been passed 
and responded to, brought the evening’s work to a close. The meeting 
was well attended. 
In the gardens of the Boyal Horticultural Society at Chiswick there 
is wonderful promise of Fruit Blossom, Pear trees especially being 
densely covered with advancing buds. Plum blossom is moderately 
plentiful; Apple blossom sufficiently abundant; Peaches flowering 
freely. The prospect of fruit is the more hopeful, inasmuch as the 
blossom is decidedly later than usual in consequence of the low tempe¬ 
rature and absence of rain. Almond trees in gardens around the metro¬ 
polis are now in full beauty, the slight frosts not having materially 
impeded the expansion of the myriads of flowers nor marred the beauty 
of the trees. 
-In the Gardens above referred to (Chiswick), we recently 
admired a trio of pretty Saxifrages, worthy of a place in all col¬ 
lections of hardy alpine plants. The species in question are S. Burser- 
iana, white; S. oppositifolia, dark lilac ; and S. sancta, deep yellow. 
The plants are dense in habit, and only grow an inch or two high, their 
flowers being very conspicuous and distinctly attractive. These are 
admirable plants for rockeries, and are deserving of a good position. 
They are also extremely pretty grown and flowered in pots in cold 
frames. 
- Bose Show Fixtures.— The following are the dates of Bose 
Shows for the present year:—Canterbury, June 27th; Maidstone, 
June 29th; Farningham, July 1st; Bath, July 1st; Cardiff, July 1st; 
Beigate, July 2nd ; Hitchin, July 2nd ; Crystal Palace, July 4th ; 
National Bose Society, South Kensington, July 7th ; Sutton, July 8th ; 
National Bose Society, Manchester, July 11th; Wirral, Birkenhead, 
July 18th ; Helensburgh, July 23rd; Darlington, July 25th.—D., Deal. 
- A curious but pretty little plant is flowering in the Capel House 
at Kew—namely, Crassula pyramidalis, a rarity even in botanical col¬ 
lections. It is as the name indicates, pyramidal in form, about 2 inches 
high, with the leaves thin and arranged in a closely imbricated manner, 
which alone gives the plant a strange appearance. The flowers are very 
diminutive, with narrow petals, and are borne in dense clusters near the 
apex of the stem. The symmetry and smallness of the parts render the 
plant very interesting. 
- In the Orchid house at the same establishment the distinct and 
beautiful Oncidium Phal.enopsis is flowering, and it is surprising that so 
charming an Orchid should continue so scarce in gardens. The flowers 
are of medium size, not 2 inches in diameter with a relatively large lip, the 
ground pure white with a colouring of rich violet purple, which contrasts 
dmirably with the purity of the other portion of the flower. 
- In the herbaceous plant department, amongst numerous Squills, 
Hellebores, Primulas, &c., an uncommonly fine variety of Chionodoxa 
Lucille is very noticeable. The flowers are fully 2 inches in diameter 
with good petals and bright in colour. It appears to be a fixed variety 
for Mr. J. Douglas of Ilford has a similar form, perhaps slightly larger^ 
and equally good in colour. It is quite superior to the ordinary form of 
the lovely “ Snow Glory.” The darker, smaller, and less beautiful 
C. sardensis is also flowering at Kew, as in several other gardens ; but it 
is not likely to become so great a favourite as the first-named 
- A report of the Westerham Show held last week unfortunately 
reached us too late for insertion. We gather, however, that it was very 
successful, bulbs and other spring-flowering plants being very abundant. 
The principal prizes were gained by Mr. Bolton, gardener to Mrs. 
Spottiswoode, Coombe Bank, Sundridge; and Mr. Hubbard, gardener to 
J. H Platt, Esq., Dene Park. The Secretary, Mr. E. Boberts, deserves 
much praise for the general arrangement of the exhibits. 
- For some time a Park for South London has been unde 
consideration, and it now appears probable that the desired boon will be 
obtained. This new Park is situated at Dulwich, and consists of seventy- 
two acres of land, which are at present owned by the Governors of Dulwich 
College. These gentlemen propose to make a free gift of this to the 
inhabitants, and Dulwich Park will, if the scheme be carried out, rank as 
second only to Battersea Park in size, and far surpassing any other open 
space on the south side of the water, with the exception of the Park at 
Bichmond. A Bill is now before Parliament, introduced by the Metropo¬ 
litan Board of Works, which will enable the Governors of the College to 
carry out their intentions. 
- Native Guano. —We have received from the Native Guano 
Company a collection of testimonials showing the results of the practical 
application of this fertiliser on farm and garden crops and flowering 
plants. Each testimonial contains the name and address of the writer of 
it, the evidence in favour of the manure being of a most satisfactory 
character. We may add that we never saw finer roots and other vege¬ 
tables than at an exhibition at Aylesbury as grown with the aid of this 
Native Guano. 
- The Primroses shown by Mr. Anthony Waterer at the recent 
meeting of the Boyal Horticultural Society were greatly admired, their 
colours being so bright and varied. From pure white and the most 
delicate shades of yellow through rich gold and orange, bright or deep 
red, maroon, crimson, and purple, the range of tints is surprising. The 
flowers are large and in most cases beautifully formed. 
- The Special Exhibitions in the London nurseries are just 
now at their best. We have previously referred to the Orchids and 
Amaryllises at Chelsea. Mr. B. S. Williams also has at his Upper Hol¬ 
loway nurseries an extensive display of Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissuses 
Orchids, and Amaryllises, which will attract many visitors. Messrs. W. 
Cutbush & Son, Highgate, similarly provide an exhibition of bulbs and 
miscellaneous spring-flowering plants this week. 
- “ The most attractive plant at the recent London shows was the 
Old Scarborough Lily, Vallota purpurea,” remarks an expe¬ 
rienced cultivator, and certainly no plants caused more surprise than 
those from Messrs. Carter & Co. We are not accustomed to see the 
brilliant scarlet flowers of this plant in March, and they made the 
Amaryllises look dull beside them. We understand that this habit o£ 
flowering is always observed in imported bulbs. 
-A Perthshire correspondent writes the following respecting the 
prospects of the season in Scotland :— “ We have had for some time 
very favourable weather for outdoor operations and work well advanced. 
Friday was rather a disagreeable day of wind and rain, and while I write 
the weather, though fair, is very cold. There is a grand appearance of 
outdoor fruit this season. Should the weather be at all favourable we 
shall have a fne fruit crop, as buds were well ripened in autumn, and are 
appearing to burst plump and strong. Indoor fruit is very promising. ’ 
- The Boyal Caledonian Horticultural Society’s schedule 
for the present season is now issued, and in it the shows are announced 
to be held on the following dates :—April 8th and 9th, July 8th and 9th 
Sept. 9th and 10th, and November 25th and 26th. Numerous valuable 
prizes are oflered in all the leading classes for plants, flowers, fruit, and 
vegetables. Amongst several other special prizes, Andrew Paul, Esq., 
Gilmore Place, Edinburgh, offers a challenge vase, value £10, for exotic 
Ferns, which will he won by the exhibitor who is the most successful in 
classes provided for the purpose at the four shows of the Society. “ The 
successful competitor’s name to be engraved upon the cup and to remain 
in his possession until the following Show.” 
- Harefield Grove Gardens, near Bickmansworth, the seat of 
George Webster, Esq., and under the management of Mr. John Gough, is 
fast becoming a remarkable place for the cultivation of fruits, flowers, 
&i., no less than 102 houses being at present devoted to their culture, 
and to celebrate the near completion of these a dinner was given to the 
employes of the estate, nearly 100, in addition to several visitors specially 
invited. This took place on the 25th ult., and Mr. Edward Bennett of 
Potter’s Bar presided. The toast of Mr. Webster’s health was proposed 
and most warmly received, as was that of “ Success to the Harefield Grove 
Gardens, and Mr. Gough’s Health.” Mr. B. S. Williams was present 
and spoke in high terms of Mr. Gough’s doings, and the great liberality 
of Mr. Webster in regard to the estate. Mr. Bichard Dean responded for 
