334 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 23, 1885. 
flowers, simply because the necessary support could not be furnished by 
the lower roots; the surface roots assist, and if 1 have not wrongly 
observed they do this at the expense of the bulbs. I dislike the appear¬ 
ance of surface roots, for they are a sure indication of sluggish root-action 
below. I have been watching closely these surface roots for some years, 
and find that the bulb never increases in size, but frequently the reverse, 
and finally dies. On the other band, when no surface roots are produced 
from the stem abundance of healthy roots are found below, and the bulb 
increases annually in size. 1 believe surface roots are unnatural, and only 
produced when the proper roots are defective. Sometimes they assist in 
accomplishing the object for which they are produced, but not unfrequently 
the stem dies before the flowers are opened. I have found the more the 
surface roots are encouraged the more sluggish and inactive the lower 
roots become. 
I remember seeing a large quantity of bulbs planted that were light, 
soft, and flabby, as imported bulbs often are, and in due season they 
flowered. The majority made a mass of surface roots, and in some 
instances not one had been made from the base of the bulbs, and all in 
this condition decayed ; while the others, with the exception of those that 
had rooted only from the base of the bulb, had decreased in size. This 
was very disappointing, as the bulbs were lifted for the purpose of sale, 
and found to be much smaller than when planted. The bulbs were 
planted again ; some flowered, some failed before the flowers were opened, 
but the majority died, and those that did not only sent up two or three 
small leaflets each. My experience leads me to believe that if these 
surface roots were discouraged, and broken off as they make their 
appearance, and the top portion of the flower stem removed before 
they grew too high, that the lower roots would be induced to grow, 
and many bulbs that are now lost after the first or second year would be 
preserved. 
I believe the best plan is to start imported bulbs in pots in a cold 
frame, plunging the pot and covering the surface to prevent watering and 
evaporation, thus establishing them before planting them out. All that 
produce no surface roots could be planted out, while those that do could 
be retained in pots, and recruited if possible by the means indicated 
above. 
When this Lilium is plan'ed out a partially shaded position should be 
selected for it from full sunshine, or the surface of the bed in which they 
are growing may be covered with some dwarf-growing plant or well 
mulched. When fully exposed to the sun this Lilium is very liable to 
“ sunstroke.” I believe large numbers are lost from this cause alone, and 
if once affected they never recover.— Scientia. 
[Many experienced growers of Lilies regard the stem roots as useful 
assistants at the flowering stage, though abundant roots at the base are 
essential to the proper support of the bulb.] 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
April 21st. 
As announced in the Society’s arrangements for the year, the meeting 
of Tuesday last was to have been held on April 28th, but it was subsequently 
found that it would be more convenient to hold it at the same time as the 
Auricula Show, so that there will not be another meeting until the Orchid 
Conference, May 12th and 13th. Several collections of Daffodils, Messrs. 
Carter’s handsome group of Cinerarias, and miscellaneous plants from other 
exhibitors constituted the chief attractions on Tuesday, but the duties of 
both Committees were comparatively light. 
Fruit Committee.— Present: Harry J. Veitcb, Esq., in the chair ; and 
Messrs. John Lee, Jos. Ellam. A. Howcroft, John Burnett, W. Denning, 
Arthur W. Sutton, Harrison Weir, G, T. Miles, John Woodbridge, G. Paul, 
T. Francis Rivers, G. Bunyard, T. B. Haywood, and G. Goldsmith. There 
were only two exhibits. Mr. James Dean, Titsey Green, Limpsfield, sent 
several dishes of Apples, for which a vote of thanks was accorded, the 
varieties in best condition being Lamb Abbey Pearmain, Gloria Miindi, 
Winter Queening, Dumelow’s Seedling, Court Pendfi Plat, and Winter 
Pearmain. A similar recognition was accorded to Mr. C. Davis, Moat Park, 
Maidstone, for a brace of neat Cucumbers. In noticing the Rhubarb shown 
at the last meeting, a variety was mentioned as having been certificated, 
last year ; this was Hawkes’ Champagne, not Dancer’s Red, as stated. 
Floral Committee. —Present: Mr. John Fraser in the chair ; and 
Messrs. James O’Brien, John Dominy, H. M. Pollett. H. Williams, H. Bal- 
lantine, Shirley Hibberd, — Noble, James Walker, H. Herbst, W. Bealby, 
H. Bennett, W. B. Kellock, Dr. M. T. Masters, W. Wilks, Amos Perry, 
Harry Turner, and James Douglas. One of the most remarkable exhibits 
before the Committee, and which occupied the attention of the Committee 
for some time, was an exceedingly fine specimen of Dendrobium nobile 
from Mr. Prinsep, gardener to Mrs. Portman, Uxtid Paik, Uckfield. This 
was shown to illustrate the system of “ pruning ” practised by Mr. Prinsep, 
and which he described in our columns last year. The plant had four dozen 
flowering growths from 2 to 3 feet long, the majority being loaded with 
flowers from the base to the apex, a total of 630 blooms having been 
counted upon the specimen. Upon some plants Mr. Prinsep states he has 
forty-seven flowers on a growth. The system practised is briefly this. The 
pseudo-bulbs are cut off close to the base now or in a week or two’s time, 
and the plants are then placed in strong heat to make fresh growth, which, 
after it has reached its full size, is matured in a cooler temperature, and the 
plants are given a complete rest in a cold house. Much discussion was 
caused by this plant, but the evidence was conclusively in favour of the 
Uxtid system, for the specimen exhibited had been treated in the same way 
for six years, and the growths were as strong and stout as anyone could 
wish to see. A cultural commendation was deservedly awarded for the 
plant, and a desire was expressed by many members of the Committee 
that the same or another specimen might be exhibited at the Orchid Con¬ 
ference. 
Mr. R. J. Lynch, Curator, Botanic Gardens, Cambridge, showed a plant 
of a new Balsam from Central Africa named Impatiens episcopi. It is 
much like I. Sultaiii in habit, foliage, and form of the flowers, but the 
colour was quite distinct, being a warm rosy crimson, the stems being 
reddish, and Mr. Lynch has also noted several other minor points of dis¬ 
tinction. It is equally as free as the better known species, but as it grows 
at an elevation of several thousand feet it is expected to prove hardier than 
that. H. J. Elwes, Esq., Preston House, Cirencester, sent a collection of 
choice hardy flowers, including a brilliantly coloured Tulip, which was 
certificated. Sidney Courland, Esq., was awarded a vote of thanks for two 
pretty varieties of Odontoglossum with a yellow ground barred with bright 
brown, one being named after himself. A similar recognition was accorded 
to Messrs. H. Low it Co., Clapton, for a handsome variety of Cattleya gigas, 
and Dendrobium anosmum Dayanum somewhat like D. macrophyllum, 
having a large purple scoop-like lip. Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea, 
also had a similar award for two double Ghent Azaleas, one Made Yan 
Houtte being pink and cream-coloured, the other, Louis aine Yan Houtte, 
bright salmon, both charming varieties and very free. Mr. W. Cauldwell, 
Wantage, sent a box of brightly coloured Primroses; Mr. James, Slough, 
had some fine Cineraria blooms ; and Mr. II. Hooper, Bath, had a large stand 
of Pansies most varied in colours. 
The groups of plants and collections of flowers from nurserymen were 
extensive and beautiful, Daffodils and hardy flowers being admirably shown 
by Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, who well deserved the silver-gilt Banksian 
medal awarded for his handsome group. Messrs. Barr & Son, Covent 
Garden, had a similarly fine group, and was adjudged a silver Banksian 
medal; Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, securing the same award for a very 
choice group of hardy flowers ; and Messrs. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, were 
also adjudged a medal of equal value for a group of admirably grown 
greenhouse plants, amongst w r hich a fine collection of Epacrises was notable, 
Boronias, Acacias, Choisyas, and other attractive plants being strongly 
represented. 
Messrs. James Carter & Co., High Holborn, contributed a large group 
of their “ Brilliant Prize strain ” of Cinerarias, which comprised a great 
number of distinct and bright colours—blue, purple, crimson, pink, white, 
and parti-coloured flowers being well represented, and one variety with 
narrow petals somewhat after the cruenta style but bright blue was a distinct 
break. A bronze Banksian medal was awarded. 
Mr. C. Turner, Slough, was awarded a silver-gilt Banksian medal for a 
large and beautiful group of Pelargoniums and Azaleas, including a number 
of distinct and handsome varieties most freely flowered. Mr. W. Bull, 
Chelsea, had some plants of Crinum giganteum concinnum, a variety with 
very large flowers, the bright scarlet Hmmanthus Kalbreyeri maximus, and 
the spotted Lilium elegans guttatum. 
Only two certificates were awarded—namely, to the following :— 
Tulipa Oculis-Solis Merveana (H. J. Elwes). — A handsome variety with 
bold bright scarlet flowers upon tall stout stalks. One of the Asiatic 
collection of plants recorded some time since. 
Phalcsnopsis Marice (Ballantine).—A beautiful species found by Mr. 
F. W. Burbidge in the Eastern Archipelago at an elevation of 2000 feet 
The flowers are 1A to 2 inches across, white, barred with rich brown and 
blotched with purple at the base of the sepals and petals, the lip being of 
the same purple tint. 
Narcissus spurius coronatus (E. H. Krelage & Sons, Haarlem).—This was 
certificated at the previous meeting, but was omitted from our report. It 
is a fine variety of the Ajax group, with a bold tube, very bright yellow in 
colour, and beautifully formed 
Sciextieic Committee.— Tulips and Fritillarias. —Mr. Elwes exhibited 
the following species and vars :—A magnificent form of T. oculus-solis, 
brought by Mr. Donovan from Merv. It has the habit common to Asiatic 
specieB of opening out flat in the sun like a plate, though Mr. Pascoe ob¬ 
served that it will also do so at Montpelier, though it is not usual with 
S. European Tulips ; Fritillaria tenella, showing the influence of cultivation, 
one specimen being double the height of the wild form ; F. obliqua, which 
appeared to be a long cultivated form of F. tristis, with the peculiarly 
twisted leaves; F. grreca remains of a dwarf size ; this, as well, as F. lyricas 
become many-flowered, instead of remaining two-flowered, under cultiva¬ 
tion. Mr. Elwes remarked how wild Tulips under cultivation lose the serra- 
tures on the leaves, while the flowered become much enlarged, &c. . . . 
F. delohinensis appeared to be a seedling of F. latifolia, produced by bulb, 
from North Italy. He also exhibited the truly wild Narcissus ca’athinus 
Erythronium propullans, and Tecophylsea cyanocrocus from Chili. 
Irises, dc. —Prof. M. Foster exhibited several species of Iris as so- 
called I. agrostifolia, but the narrowest leaf was not so narrow as that of 
angustifolia. It seemed intermediate between I. unguicularis and I. cre- 
tensis, partaking more of the latter ; Iris Milesii, from the Himalayas, interme¬ 
diate between I. tectorum and I. fimbriata ; I. equiloba, a form of pumila, but 
with nearly cylindrical ovary, that of typical pumila being trigonal. Another 
form of pumila remarkable for its beard was the smallest of the bearded 
Irises, and another form very strongly scented like the Tonga bean, Fritil¬ 
laria amcena, really F. Sibthorpeana (Bois3). 
Helleb >res, hybrids. —Dr. Foster read the following communication from 
the Rev. Mr. Eliacombe :—“In 1877 I received from Berlin a collection of 
hybrid Hellebores under the following names :—1, Hybridus ; 2, 3, Albido- 
virescens ; 4, Reticulatus; 5, caucasicus purpurascens ; 6, C. porphyro- 
melas ; 7, C. pallidus; 8, C. p. albus ; 9, Punctatus hybridus; 10, P. pur¬ 
purascens. For three or four years these were all fairly distinct, but now the 
result is this—3 has entirely lost its mixed character and bears two distinct 
flowers, a large white and a pale pink; 1 has also gone into two colours, 
apparently guttatus and Olympicus ; 5 is almost Colchicus; 4 is in two 
colours, a dull pink and a greenish white ; 6 and 9 have become almost 
identical ; 2 is a buff one, and apparently constant; 5 is also constant and 
a fine plant ; 7 is constant; 10 has two very distinct colours, a good white 
and svery deep dull plum. These colours are not mixed in the flowers, but 
the plants bear the two distinctly, as much as if they were distinct plants 
placed close together; but they are not distinct plants, but are borne on 
one root. The change from the hybrid characters to the colours of the 
parents has been gradual.” 
Orchids , weevils in. —Mr. Pascoe exhibited a specimen of an unnamed 
genus attacking Orchids, received from Professor Westwood of Oxford. 
Bydrocharis Morsus-rance, propagative buds. —Mr. Houston exhibited 
