336 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 23, 1885. 
fourth with Trail’s Prince of Greens ; Mr. W. Bolton, fifth with the same 
variety and sixth with a seedling; Mr. Brockbank, seventh with Lanca¬ 
shire’s Lancashire Hero; and Mr. Phillips, eighth with an unnamed plant. 
Grey-edged. —Mr. Brockbank, first with a seedling and second with Lanca¬ 
shire’s Lancashire Hero ; Mr. Henwood, third with Richard Headley and 
fourth with George Lightbody; Mr. Phillips, fifth with the last-named 
variety; Mr. Horner, sixth, seventh, and eighth with Kay’s Alexander 
Meiklejohn and Lancashire’s Lancashire Hero. White-edged. —Mr. Horner, 
first with Miranda and second with Magpie; Mr. Pohlman, third with 
Read’s Acme ; Mr. Henwood, fourth with Frank Simonite ; Mr. Douglas, 
fifth with Read’s Acme and sixth with Conservative; Mr. Brockbank being 
seventh and eighth with Read’s Acme and Walker’s John Simonite. Seifs .— 
Mr. Horner, first and second with Heroine ; Mr. Bolton, third with Simonite’s 
Mrs. Douglas and seventh with Simonite’s Brilliant; Mr. Brockbank, fourth 
with Mellor’s Negro ; Mr. Henwood, fifth with Netherwood’s Othello and 
sixth with Campbell’s Pizarro ; Mr. Phillips being eighth with the last- 
named variety. 
Two handsome collections of fifty varieties, including Alpines, were 
contributed by Mr. J. Douglas and Mr. C. Turner, who were awarded the 
first and second prizes in that order. The Ilford plants were remarkably 
Strong, with fine bold trusses, and as there was a good proportion of seifs 
they imparted a most welcome brightness of colour and diversity to the 
group. All the best of the new and old varieties were represented, one of 
the most notable of the former being Taylor’s Glory, in first-rate condition. 
Mr C. Turner also had a good selection of varieties, the plants being as 
healthy as could be wished. 
Seedlings. —Classes were provided for these in each of the sections, two 
prizes being offered in each, and these brought several novelties, though only 
one was considered worthy of a certificate. In the green-edged class Mr. 
Horner was first with Redwing (Horner), a fine variety, the body colour 
black, the tube bright, the paste solid, and outline even. Mr. R. Dean was 
second for Green Criterion (Dean), a cross between Richard Headley and 
Rob Roy, bright green edge, narrow but dense white paste, black body 
colour, very even. Amongst the grey-edged seedlings Mr. Brockbank was 
first with W. Brockbank (T. Mellor), for which a certificate was also 
awarded. The flower is very large, but well formed, the edge well defined, 
body colour black, the paste solid and pure, and a highly coloured tube. 
Mr. Horner was second with Hyperion (Horner), flower of medium size, but 
well formed, dark body colour, and pure paste. Of seifs the best was 
Mary Grainger , shown by Mr. W. Bolton ; flowers very handsome, of a deep 
violet purple colour, velvet-like in appearance, and a pure white paste. 
Second in this class was Bluebell (Pohlman), a beautiful variety, somewhat 
similar to the preceding, but of a bright violet shade. 
ALPINE AURICULAS. 
To those who are not experienced or enthusiastic florists the Alpine 
Auriculas often appear the most attractive ; their rich colours render the 
flowers exceedingly bold, and their delicate fragrance is pleasing to all. 
There was not a large display of these on Tuesday, but the collections 
entered were sufficiently numerous to represent the principal varieties. 
For twelve varieties Mr. C. Turner secured first honours, staging well- 
grown plants of Philip Frost, Edith, Placida, Sunrise, Selina, Mungo 
McGeorge, Duncan, Mabel, Viscount, and Troubadour, some of the Slough 
varieties, which are such favourites. Mr. J. Douglas, who followed, also had 
some beautiful varieties of the same type, Slough Rival, Mrs. Dodwell, and 
Sensation being especially notable. With half a dozen neat plants Mr. C. 
Turner was again first, having Edith, Unique, Pallas, Tennyson, and Placida 
particularly fine. Mr. J. Douglas was second, a beautiful specimen of 
Gorton’s Diadem being notable in his lot. Mr. R. Dean and Mr. A. Spurling 
The Nest, Blackheath, taking the third and fourth prizes. 
Single Specimen. — Gold Centre. — Mr. C. Turner first with Rosalind, one 
of the Slough varieties, for which also the first prize was awarded as the best 
seedling. The flowers are bold, well-formed, of a dark crimson, lighter at 
the edge. Mr. Turner was also third in this class with Lucretia, another 
Slough variety, bright crimson shaded, which was placed second as a seed¬ 
ling. Mr. J. Douglas was second with Love Bird and fourth with Minstrel, 
both of his own raising, the Rev. Fellowes being fifth with Diadem. White 
or Cream Centre .—In this class Mr. C. Turner took the lead with Philip 
Frost and was second with Chastity, for which also the first prize was 
awarded as a seedling, the second prize being secured by another of Mr. 
Turner’s varieties, Albion. Mr. Douglas was third with Ada Hardwidge, 
and the Rev. Fellowes fifth and sixth with Diadem. 
The distinct yellowish and cream-coloured Auriculas are becoming 
favourites with several growers, and the two collections of this type at 
Kensington afforded good examples ofthe best varieties. Mr. J. Douglas in 
particular has paid considerable attention to them, the majority of the fol¬ 
lowing, with which he gained the leading prize in the class for twelve, 
being his own seedlings. Snowdoun’sKnight, Khartoum, Quiliette (Horner), 
Enid, Belle Douglas, Lord Tennyson, Evangeline, Twilight, Sunshine, and 
Sybil, some seedlings being unnamed. Mr. R. Dean was second with a 
more diversified collection, some ©f the varieties being very strange, a 
double called Violacea being suggestive of large Violets in both form and 
colour. 
POLYANTHUSES, PRIMROSES, AND PRIMULAS. 
Several charming collections of Gold-laced Polyanthuses were staged, 
and particularly notable amongst these were the premier six from Mr. J. 
Douglas, the plants being very healthy, bearing five and six fine trusses of 
bright flowers. The varieties were John Bright, George IV., Prince Regent, 
Burnard’s Formosa, Elliott’s Red Ground, and Bullock’s Lancer. The second 
place was obtained by Mr. Brockbank, who had Barlow’s Blackbird, Brock- 
bank’s Lord Derby, Crownshaw’s Exile, Cox’s Prince Regent, Waterhouse’s 
George IV., and Saunder’s Cheshire Favourite. Mr. R. Dean followed with 
good varieties. For three plants Mr. Brockbank was first with Exile, 
President, and Cheshire Favourite ; Messrs. James Douglas and R. Dean 
being second and third. Three collections of twelve Fancy Polyanthuses 
were contributed by Messrs. Dean, Douglas, and Hooper, who were awarded 
the prizes in that order for good selections of varieties. There were two 
exhibitors of single specimen Polyanthuses—namely, Mr. Horner, who was 
first and second with Cheshire Favourite; and Mr. Brockbank, who was 
third and fourth with the same variety, and fifth with Prince Regent. 
Polyanthus Bed Bover .—Only one prize was awarded in the seedling 
class—namely, to Mr. J. Douglas for the above, for which also a certificate 
was granted. The flowers are of neat form, with a clear gold lacing, the 
ground colour being a very bright red. 
Collections of a dozen Primulas were exhibited by Mr. J. Douglas and 
Messrs. Paul <fc Son, Cheshunt, the former having several beautiful varieties 
of the cortusoides type, together with viscosa nivea, marginata, Nelsoni, 
and intermedia. One of Messrs. Paul’s most noteworthy Primulas was 
glutinosa, bearing neat bluish-lilac flowers, a very near approach to a really 
blue shade; the lovely P. rosea was also well shown by this firm. Messrs. 
Dean and Douglas also contributed collections of double and single Primroses 
very bright and varied in colours. 
At the luncheon, which was held during the afternoon, Mr. Shirley 
Hibberd presided, and stated, in the course of some remarks respecting the 
position of the Society, that their prospects were favourable, though they 
had not received from Mr. Dodwell the balance due to them. Several 
toasts were proposed, the Rev. F. D. Horner replying for the exhibitors and 
Mr. Kirtland for the Judges ; and in replying for the 'officers of the Society 
Mr. H. A. Rolt (Hon. Treasurer), observed that he had good hopes of in¬ 
creasing their funds by obtaining new members, and that no energy should 
be wanting to effect that object. Some discussion arose respecting the 
proposed Primula Conference in 1886, in which Professor Foster, Dr. R. 
Hogg, Mr. Shirley Hibberd, and Mr. W. Brockbank took part, and it was 
finally decided by a large majority that the Council of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society be desired to nominate some gentlemen who, with selected 
members of the National Auricula Society, should form a committee to draw 
up a programme and make the necessary arrangements. 
CISTUSES. 
The Cistus family, including the Helianthemums, is a large and 
varied one, furnishing us with a number of really handsome summer¬ 
flowering plants suitable for almost any position, from the overhanging 
ledges of the rockery to the mixed shrubbery border. The genus Cistus 
itself, though comprised of a large number of showy species, is but 
sparingly cultivated at the present time, though its merits in point of 
beauty, of flowers, and general appearance, vie with, and even surpass, 
many more popular flowers generally met with in the flower garden, 
besides being of perennial instead of annual duration, as many of these 
are. 
A few of them, like the Gum Cistus (C. ladaniferus), C. villosus, and 
others, attain to good-sized bushes, yet the majority of them may be easily 
kept within the prescribed limits of ordinary gardens. The matter of 
soil is, however, an important item in their well-being, and where that is 
naturally heavy or water-logged their cultivation had better not be 
attempted, unless in specially prepared beds or borders, as failure will 
invariably be the result. On the other hand, where it is light and well 
drained, they may be grown with the greatest ease, the lighter the soil 
the more easily they are wintered. 
Hitherto the practice recommended of permanently covering them 
during winter, on the plea of their tenderness, has rarely failed to be 
disastrous in some form or other, our experience being that a much larger 
per-centage succumb to the damp under cover than in the open border 
without the slightest protection, one in thirty being above rather than 
below the average in the latter case. Instances are, however, on record 
of the buds being damaged by late spring frosts, and some light portable 
material may be thrown over the plants at night during this period with 
advantage; but even this will hardly be required unless in a very advanced 
state, as most of them are capable of standing 10° or even 15° of frost 
without injury. 
Some time ago we had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Whitehead’s col¬ 
lection at Worcester, which consisted, though grown in large pois, of 
huge specimens the very picture of health. They were loaded with large 
flower buds, and with no more protection than that afforded by a position 
near a brick wall, being placed a sufficient distance from it to ensure a 
free circulation of air all round the plants. We were told they flowered 
profusely, and judging from their appearance they must have withstood 
many severe winters. On rockeries, &c., in the driest and sunniest 
positions, they thrive surprisingly well, appearing quite at home, so 
natural do they look hanging over the moss-grown ledges or trailing 
amongst the old clumps. Indeed, if the rockery be a large one, almost 
all the species procurable may find suitable quarters at heights from the 
walks corresponding with their robustness. 
They are easily increased by means of cuttings, which strike readily 
if placed in a little heat, the beet time being when the plants are in 
active growth. They may also be increased by seeds, which most of 
them ripen in warm season?, sowing the seed as soon as gathered. The 
following are a few of the b 3 st, they will be found quite hardy under the 
conditions indicated above. 
C. albidus .—A sturdy little species, suitable for rockeries, owing to its 
white woolly leaves. It has an attractive appearance at all seasons, and 
especially in winter. It is said to have been cultivated by John Trades- 
eant, jun., as far back as 1656. From a foot to 18 inches in height, it 
forms compact tufts, which are covered during the season with a profusion 
of its pretty purplish flowers. A native of Spain. 
C. crispus .—In a wild state we believe this is nearly always covered 
with a white down, which it partly loses under cultivation, as it also 
does to a large extent the crisp or wavy leaf character. It may, however, 
be distinguished from its near ally, C. villosus, by its longer and narrower 
calyx divisions. It grows from 2 to 3 feet in height, branching, and 
covered with lance-shaped leaves, slightly crisped or wavy, and pubescent; 
flowers purple, opening June and July. Native of Portugal, &c. 
C. hirsvta .—A gem for rockwork, seldom exceeding 18 inches in 
height; leaves broad at the base, oval-shaped, very dense green ; flowers 
