444 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND C011AGE GARDENER. 
[ May 28,1885. 
third. In the amateurs’ class Mr. Hill was the only competitor, and was 
adjudged first prize. For nine Fancy Pelargoniums Mr. Turner was again 
first, grand plants of Fanny Gair, Princess of Teck, The Shah, Ellen Beck, 
Roi des Fantaisies, and other j being noticeable. There was, however, no 
■competition. Mr. Hill was again first amongst the amateurs; Mr. Griffin 
being second, and Mr. Wiggins third. For eighteen plants Messrs. Turner 
and Hill took second and third prizes respectively with very fine groups. 
Gloxinias. —The competition for the prizes offered for Gloxinias was 
not very keen. Mr. W. Monk, gardener to W. N. Cheesman, Esq., The Hall, 
North Dulwich, scoring an easy victory in the open class. Bushy healthy 
plants with very large flowers of good colour placed him to the fore. Mr. 
Bird was a fair second, and Mr. G. Collins third. Messrs. Webster, gardener 
to Mrs. Croll, Mavis Bank, Grange Road, Upper Tooting; Monk, and 
Wakeham took first, second, and third prizes in the order they are named 
n the class for amateurs. 
Roses. —Very attractive were the Roses, and, as usual, they were viewed 
with considerable interest by the visitors. In the principal class—that for 
eighteen plants—three very handsome groups were shown. Mr. Turner 
was awarded the first prize, sturdy, healthy plants with large and richly 
coloured blooms being staged; Edward Morren, Juno, Celine Forestier, 
Therese Levet, Comtesse de Serenye, and Victor Verdier being specially 
noticeable. Messrs. Paul & Son were a good second, and Mr. W. Rumsey, 
Joyning’s Nursery, Waltham Cross, third. Bat one collection was exhi¬ 
bited in the amateurs’ class—that of Mr. P. Perry, gardener to G. Rowlett, 
Esq., Woodlands, Cheshunt. First prize was awarded. 
Calceolarias. —There was little competition in the classes provided 
for these plants, but some excellent specimens were shown; Mr. Ford, 
gardener to J. C. Lanyon, Esq., Birdhurst, South Croydon, being awarded 
first prize in the open class. His plants were large and healthy, being 
evidently well grown. The flowers were of moderately large size, and 
exhibited a pleasing variety of colour. Mr. Salter was second, his plants 
being healthy but smaller, with finer blooms. The last-named exhibitor took 
first prize in the class for amateurs, Mr. Ford being second, so that their 
former position was reversed. Mr. J. Howe, gardener to Mrs. F. Bennett, 
Tulse Hill House, Upper Tulse Hill, was awarded third prize. 
Table Plants. —As was the case last year, Messrs. Hooper & Co. 
secured premier honours for eighteen plants suitable for dinner-table 
decoration, their collection including Cocos Weddelliana, Pandanus Veitchii, 
Areca nobilis, Dracsenas Frederici, Sydneyi, and Bausei, Crotons undulatus, 
Evansianus, &c. Mr. Hudson, gardener to H. J. Atkinson, Esq., of Acton 
was a close second, and Messrs. Laing & Co. third. Two other collections 
were also shown. 
Groups. —Two competitors only exhibited in this class—namely, Messrs. 
Laing & Co. and Mr. Luff, who received first and second prizes in the 
order named. Messrs. Laing’s group was very judiciously arranged, 
Begonias, Heaths, Orchids, Lily of the Valley, Azaleas, and other flowering 
plants being interspersed to the requisite extent, and no more, with fine- 
foliage plants and Ferns. It was edged with Isolepis gracilis and Maiden¬ 
hair, and looked very bright and attractive. Too great a preponderance 
of foliage plants and Ferns detracted from the effect of Mr. Luff’s other¬ 
wise handsome group. 
Nepenthes. —There was no competition in the class for these, but Mr. 
James exhibited some very fine plants, including Hookeri, Courti, sanguinea, 
Mastersiana and hybrida, and was deservedly adjudged first prize. 
Table Decorations. —The cut flowers shown in the various classes for 
bouquets, vases, and bunches of cut flowers were quite the centre of attrac¬ 
tion. Miss Bishop, Duppas Hill Lane, Croydon, was awarded first prize for 
a very tastefully arranged vase of flowers for the drawing-room ; Mr. Chard, 
Floral Depot, Clapham Common, being second, and Mr. Lambert, gardener 
to H. W. Segelcke, Esq., Herne Hill, third. Misses Curd and Hassell, and 
Messrs. Hooper & Co., Chadwick, Gibson, Butcher, Hepburn, and Laing 
were awarded prizes in the classes for bridal bouquets, bunches of cut 
flowers, <fcc. 
Miscellaneous. —The exhibits staged, but not for competition, formed 
a notable feature of this Show. Messrs. Barr & Son, Covent Garden, 
showed a splendid collection of Daffodils, Irises, Ixias, and other bulbous 
flowers ; Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, showed boxes of 
charming cut Roses ; Messrs. Carter & Co., High Holborn, sent good plants 
of Spiraea palmata, several baskets of Ruby and Queen’s Prize Mimuluses, 
Phloxes, &c.; Mr. J. Vander Ree3, Exotic Nursery, Tooting, showed an 
attractive collection of Alpine and rock plants, as also did Messrs. G. Paul 
and Son, The Old Nurseries, Cheshunt; Messrs. Geo. Jackman & Son sent a 
handsome collection of Roses in pots; and an excellent collection of cut and 
pot Roses also came from Mr. Rumsey. Messrs. Hooper & Co. showed a 
collection of Carnations containing some beautiful varieties. For all of 
these special prizes were awarded. 
Certificated Plants. —First-class certificates were awarded to Mr 
Laing for the following Begonias Lady Hulse, a very handsome double 
sulphur yellow with smooth broad petals ; Sir Peter Lumsden, single, very 
large, massive, and rich ; Formosa , double, or proliferous, the flowers being 
of a hose-in-ho3e character, growth pendant, and the plant admirably 
suited for baskets. Mr. Laing also received certificates for Nepenthes 
Mastersiana and a dark form of this fine Pitcher Plant; Mr. Perkins for 
the French decorative Pelargonium Volontd Nationale album, very flori- 
ferous ; and Mr. J. Ford for Calceolaria Golden Plush, yellow with a velvety 
pluah-like margin. 
DEATH OF MR. GEORGE BAKER OF REIGATE. 
The National Rose Society has lost a Vice-President, a staunch sup¬ 
porter and first-clas3 exhibitor, and Reigate one of its most revered and 
respected inhabitants. 
Doubtless a fitting notice of him, and from a more practised pen, will 
appear in our Journal ; but I desire, if it may be, to add my own pebble 
to the rising cairn of affectionate memories. Reigate has sustained no 
slight loss, and not least the local Rose Association, which he and other 
presidents have been raising to such a pitch of pre-eminence. 
His writings in the “ Rosarian’s Year Book ” will have endeared as 
well as introduced him to a still wider circle. Alas ! those words of 
matured wisdom and genial friendliness will be penned no more. The 
last issue has a most valuable article of his on pruning, ending with a 
touching premonition of what has actually happened. The “ Year Book ” 
of 1883 was enriched with his photograph, which will now be doubly 
precious to his many friends. As we gaze— 
“. . . . redit os placitum, moresque benigni, 
Et venit ante oculos, et pectore vivit imago.” 
“ The kindly look of that expressive face, 
The friendly grasp, and simple quiet grace. 
While still we gaze mounts up before the eye, 
And all the friend we mourn is once more nigh.” 
—A. C. 
Full of years—“like a shock of corn in full season”—esteemed by 
all, and greatly beloved in the narrower circle of his own kith and kin, 
there has just passed away from among us, in the person of my valued 
friend, one of whom it is not too much to say 
“None knew him but to love him, 
None heard him but to praise; ” 
while amongst those who loved the flower which was the study and 
delight of his life—the Rose—there will be felt that a gap has been made 
which it will be indeed difficult to fill. 
In writing in the “Rosarian’s Year Book” for the present year he 
closed his paper with these almost prophetic words : “ I fear this paper 
may be considered rather of a discursive nature, and feel that I have 
much transgressed in exceeding the limits assigned to me in the pages of 
our ‘ Rosarian’s Year Book,’ yet it may be the ‘last time I shall write.’ 
Having witnessed the return of seventy-nine winters, it may well be 
supposed that the fire of life now burns so low that only the white embers 
of memory remain ; still, the heart may be kept warm in the cheerfulness 
of those pleasures our gardens offer.” 
Gifted, as all must have seen who have read the papers with which he 
so kindly enriched the pages of the “ Rosarian’s Year Book,” with an 
intellect of no ordinary character, largely endowed with that most excel¬ 
lent gift which does not always accompany intellect—common sense, and 
with the matured experience of a long life, he was one whose judgment 
might ever be relied upon ; and many were the occasions on which, as 
Vice-President of the National Rose Society, these were placed at its 
disposal. His keen and accurate judgment, the transparent honesty of 
his ©pinions, and the moderation with which they were enforced, often 
decided matters of difficulty, and steered the Committee through stormy 
waters, and it will be difficult in future difficulties to find so wise and 
able a counsellor. 
The Rose, in truth, was the one flower on which his affections were 
placed; other—indeed, all—flowers were admired, but the Rose was the 
queen to whom he gave his full allegiance, and in his scientific knowledge 
and practical treatment of it he was, in the highest sense, a true rosarian. 
He loved the flower for its own sake, and although a successful exhibitor 
he only regarded exhibitions as valuable for giving an impetus to its 
culture. No man cared less for its rewards, although I do think he was 
a little proud of being the winner of the National Rose Society’s gold 
medal, and I have known him, when the exhibition day arrived, positively 
refuse to cut a bloom, whicb, it was suggested, would adorn his stand. 
“ I can’t; it looks so lovely there,” and so it was left; and who ever went 
round his beautiful garden at Holmfels, where the Rose was grown as it 
is grown in few gardens, who did not feel that here was indeed a real 
gardener and a true lover of the queen of flowers ? The plants were the 
perfection of health and vigour, and the sight one that few of us will 
forget. 
And who that ever shared them can ever forget those seasons when, 
until the last two years, on the occasion of the Reigate Rose Show, he 
gathered round his hospitable board the lovers of his favourite flower ? 
Who can ever forget his playful wit, his large-hearted hospitality, and 
his hearty words of welcome ? They were, indeed, “ dies cretd notandce ” 
by all who participated in them. Concerning such a man it were idle to 
speak of his private work, f r if a “ Christian be the highest style of man,” 
in our dear and valued friend that was to be found. The love of Christ was 
the moving principle of his life, and brightened his declining days. Without 
any affectation or cant it was easily seen that all his actions were 
influenced by it, and now he has entered into rest we shall all miss him. 
Those who knew him best will miss him most, as it may be said there 
remains the pleasant memory of his happy countenance and his genial 
manners, and that memory will ever be a fragrant one. His life has 
taught us much. May we be ready to receive its lessons 1—D., Deal. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
EXHIBITION OF ROSES, AZALEAS, &c. 
Mat 26th. 
An extremely gay and varied display was provided in the conservatory 
of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardens on Tuesday last; indeed, for 
brilliance of colours it has not been surpassed this season. The side stages 
and a double centre stage extending the whole length of the building were 
filled with the groups of Roses, Pelargoniums, Clematises, Azaleas, hardy 
flowers, Orchids, Carnations, and other plants, all of which were arranged 
with excellent taste and produced a highly satisfactory effect. The large 
specimen Clematises from Woking; the Slough, Cheshunt, and Waltham 
Cross Roses ; the Slough Pelargoniums, with the hardy plants from Totten 
ham, constituted the most imposing features of the display, and formed a 
welcome surprise for many of the thousands of visitors who passed through 
the conservatory during the day. Considerable regret was expressed that 
