April 2, 1885. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
271 
gardening literature, and a most enjoyable afternoon and evening were 
spent. 
- Mr W. Bardney writes :—“ The following varieties of Aza¬ 
lea indica, noted from amongst the splendid bank contributed to the 
Liverpool Spring Show by Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons, are worth a place in all 
gardening establishments. All who contemplate increasing their collections 
will find Madame Herman Seidel, James Yeitch, Antigone, Comte Charles 
de Kerchove, Dame Mathilde, Heros iEemon Wardner, Baron Killesch 
Yon Horn, Bignoniaeflora plena, and Phoebus, decided improvements upon 
older kinds, and include single as well as double, a good variety of colour, 
flowers of large size and great substance. The collection contained a 
great many fine varieties, but the names of those given were much the 
finest and the best Azaleas I have yet seen.” 
-A correspondent writes :—At the Fulwood Floral and Horti 
cultural Society’s spring Show, held in the New Public Hall, Preston r 
on the 17th and 18th inst., Mr. E. W. Troughton g ained the premie 
position in the open class for twenty-four single Hyacinths, Ed. Payne j 
Esq., being a very close second. For twenty-four double varieties the 
same two exhibitors were again successful, and in the same order as 
named, both showing remarkably well. In the amateurs’ class for twenty- 
four singles, E. Rodgett, Esq., was first and J. B. Dixon, Esq., second. 
For twenty-four doubles the same competitors were again first and 
second in the same order. For the best twenty-four Hyacinths in the 
classes enumerated a gold medal, in addition to the money prize, was 
awarded, and Mr. E. W. Troughton was the successful exhibitor, being 
several points ahead of Mr. Rodgett. The display of Hyacinths was good 
both in quality and quantity, in fact they were the feature of the Exhibi¬ 
tion. The prizes offered throughout the schedule were well contested, 
the result being a very fine spring show. The arrangements of th e 
Exhibition were admirable, the whole of the exhibits being staged the 
previous night, therefore no hurry and bustle on the morning of the 
Exhibition. Mr. John Atherton, the able Secretary, is to be congratulated 
on the good management. 
- “ C. W. \V.” writes that the “ Bath Early Spring Show wa 
held in the Assembly Rooms on the 25th of March, and was a great 
success. The exhibits were exceedingly numerous, of unusual excellence 
and most tastefully arranged. Whether from the novelty of the Exhibition 
in this charming city, or from the inherent love of flowers which the 
residents have, I know not, but the sight of so large a number of visitors 
to the Show must have been extremely gratifying to the gentlemen who 
organised the Show. The whole of the productions were staged in two 
large halls, which presented a most brilliant and charming appearance. 
The chief feature was, of course, the Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissi, and 
other spring-flowering plants, the prizes offered for which occasioned a 
very keen and spirited competition. The miscellaneous groups of plant a 
contributed by Mr. J. Cypher of Cheltenham, Messrs. Cooling & Son, Bath 
Mr. W. C. Drummond, Mr. E. E. Bryant, and others, consisting Of 
Orchids, fine-foliaged plants, Palms, and Ferns, interspersed with flowering 
plants, were very effective indeed, as was also a choice collection of 
Narcissi (not for competition) exhibited by Mr. Dorrien Smith, Tresco 
Abbey, Scilly Isles. This collection consisted of nearly one hundred 
varieties, and although several of them were very similar in a decorativ 
point of view, yet there were some very distinct, rare, and novel, and al ^ 
if we may judge from the keen interest shown by visitors as well a s 
professionals, were extremely beautiful.” 
BIRMINGHAM SPRING FLOWER SHOW. 
March 24th and 25th. 
This fully came up to the expectations of the Committee, for the 
general excellence of the exhibits was very noticeable. Some good Orchids 
were shown ; in the class for six two collections were so close and good that 
the Judges placed them equal first. In the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain’s 
collection, Mr. Cooper, the head gardener at Highbury, had fine examples of 
Odontoglos8um Ruckerianum and Dendrobium Wardianum Lowii. In the 
other collection staged by Mr. J. Morgan, gardener to A. W. Wills, Esq., 
Wyldigrew, were good specimens of Cymbidium Lowii and a highly coloured 
spotted Cattleya amethystoglossa. Mr. F. Denning, gardener to F. A. 
Walton, Esq., Handsworth, was placed second, and in this lot we particu¬ 
larly noticed a good Odontoglossum Rossi majus. Mr. Cooper also staged, 
sot for competition, a very interesting group of Orchids, the most noticeable 
of which were Lselia flava; a very fine variety of Cattleya Triame with very 
dark lip ; a beautiful light variety of Calanthe Regnierii ; Odontoglossum 
Andersonianum ; a well-bloomed plant of Odontoglossum Phalmnopsis in a 
3-inch pan ; and a Dendrobium eburneum with a bright scarlet throat. 
There was a capital display of Hyacinths, the first prizes respectively 
for eighteen, twelve, and six falling to Mr. Walter Jones, gardener to C. E. 
Mathews, Esq., Edgbaston. Mr. Jones is always a good cultivator, and this 
year he had some formidable competitors, especially in Mr. J. Crook and 
Mr. J. Morgan. Mrs. C. Osier also staged a fine lot, which took the second 
prize for twelve. For six pots of single Tulips, of which several collections 
were staged, Mr. Jones carried off the first prize. Lilies of the Valley and 
Cinerarias were fairly well done, and there was a good display of these. 
Dielytras, Spiraeas, and Deutzias are always well done there, so also are 
Cyclamens. Mr. Cooper was placed first and Mr. F. Denning second. The 
exhibitors came out strong in Azaleas, most of the specimens being not only 
large but so well flowered. Mr. W. Milward’s six specimens were grand, 
and Mrs. Grice was a good second. For three Azaleas Mr. Cooper was 
first. The two specimen white Azaleas, which took the first and second 
prizes, respectively by Mrs. Grice and Mr. Cooper, were perfection in growth 
and flower. Azalea mollis now finds a place in the spring schedule there 
and is well represented, Mr. Cooper taking first honours. In the class for 
six stove and greenhouse plants Mr. Jones was again first, and had a very 
fine Phaius grandiflorus. Mr. Cooper was first for a good three plants. 
Ferns, Palms, and miscellaneous plants are always well represented at 
Birmingham. It was too early for Auriculas, still a few good kinds were 
staged, such as Reed’s Acme, George Lightbody, Maggie Lauder, and others. 
Only one lot of six Gold-laced Polyanthus were staged, and these came 
from Messrs. Pope ife Son. Bouquets and epergnes are always done well there. 
Amongst the former one by Mr. Hans Niemand, of white Camellias, &c., 
Kalmia latifolia, and Starch Hyacinths and Chionodoxa Lucilim was much 
admired. Messrs. Pope & Son also exhibited a splendid bouquet not for 
competition. The same firm contributed a fine group of hardy Primulas 
in which were P. marginata and P. obconica, also a few good sorts of 
Auriculas. 
The local nurserymen came out well in their exhibits. Mr. Spinks, the 
manager to Mr. Hans Niemand, staged a glorious group with a superb 
climbing Asparagus as a centre plant, flanked by Palms, &c. Several 
varieties of Daffodils, notably Sir Watkiu and Horsfieldi, Kalmia latifolia, 
Lilac Charles X., Arum Lilies, Chionodoxa Luciliae, and a host of other 
plants were tastefully arranged. Messrs. Thomas Hewitt & Co. made up a 
bright and telling group with plenty of Azaleas and flowering plants, Palms, 
and other foliage things. Mr. R. H. Vertegans had interesting groups of 
Alpine plants, including boxes of Narcissus Trumpet majus, Primula 
Cashmeriana, and Saxifraga oppositifolia. Messrs. Thomson, the seedsmen, 
have recently purchased the late Mr. Tomkins’ nursery, where Primulas 
Princess Louise and Marquis of Lome and other fine sorts were raised, and 
on this occasion made their dehU as plant exhibitors with a group of early- 
flowering plants and a magnificent cross and wreath. Mr. H. B. Smith, of 
the Ealing Dean nurseries, London, sent down about 200 pots of his Cycla¬ 
mens, which were greatly admired, a specimen plant of La Dame Blanche, 
his new and very fine White, being amongst them. Altogether it was an 
excellent Show throughout. 
THE ORCHID CONFERENCE. 
The following programme of the Orchid Conference, to be held at 
South Kensington May 12th and 13tb, has been issued by the Council of 
the Royal Horticultural Society. 
Orchid Conference Committee. —Colonel Beddome, Hon. and 
Rev. J. T. Boscawen, J. C. Bowring, W. E. Brymer, M.P., the Right Hon. 
J. Chamberlain, M.P., John Day, W. T. Thiselton Dyer, F.R.S., Sir 
Nathaniel de Rothschild, Bart., M.P., Professor Michael Foster, F.R.S., 
Holbrook Gaskell, Geo. Hardy, E. Harvey, J. S. Hirst, Sir Trevor Law¬ 
rence, Bart., M.P., Wm. Lee of Downside, Major F. Mason, Rev. John B. 
Norman, Alex. Paterson, M.D., Fred. A. Philbrick, Q.C,, Baron Schroder, 
and W. Thompson. 
PROGRAMME OF THE EXHIBITION. 
Clas3 I.—Collections of Orchids in flower. With a view to economy 
of space, exhibitors are requested to show duplicates as little as possible. 
Class II.—1, Species and varieties of the genera Cattleya and Laelia. 
2, „ „ genus Odontoglossum. 
3, „ „ „ Masdevallia. 
5, „ „ „ Cypripedium. 
Class III.—1, Species and varieties of the genus Oncidium. 
2, „ „ ,, Epidendrum. 
3, „ ,, „ Dendrobium. 
4, „ „ „ Vanda, Saccolabium, 
Aerides, Stanhopea. 
Class IV.—Single plants of any Orchid. 
Class V.—Hybrid Orchids— i.e., those raised by cross-fertilisation. It 
is hoped that the parents will be shown, if possible, with the hybrid. 
Class VI —Orchids in fiuit. 
Class VII.—1, Orchids indigenous to Great Britain. 2, Hardy Orchids 
from any other countries. 3, Cut flowers of Orchids. 
In order to ensure uniformity and accuracy it is requested that the 
plants exhibited bear the labels which have been specially prepared for 
this Conference, and with which, through the kindness of Mr. Pollett, the 
Society is prepared to provide the exhibitors. Exhibitors are requested to 
apply for these at the Society’s office on or before 1st May, giving the 
exact name of the plants which they intend to exhibit on the accompany¬ 
ing form. 
Class VIII.—Materials, such as sphagnum and other mosses, peat and 
other soils, baskets, rafts, pots, pans, labels, &c., used in the cultivation of 
Orchids. 
PROGRAMME OF THE CONFERENCE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 13th, AT 10.30 A.m. 
Introductory Remarks by the President.—1, Communication from 
Prof. Reichenbach. 2, Discussion on the Hybridisation of Orchids. 
Opening Paper by Mr. Harry Veitch, F.L.S. 3, Discussion on the Culti¬ 
vation of Orchids. Opening Paper by Mr. J. O’Brien. 4, Discussion on 
the Nomenclature of Orchids. 
