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JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June It, 1885. 
all, from the smallest to the largest, are perfectly formed specimens, every 
one being allowed room enough to grow without touching its neighbour. 
A system is adopted that enables them to be transplanted at almost any 
period of the year. It is in this way : Every excavation for their reception 
is lined as it were with the carefully collected and prepared leaf mould. 
To this the roots cling as if they do not like to leave it ; whereas, if it is 
spread over the land and dug in comparatively fibreles3 roots dart out in 
all directions, and as a consequence the specimens cannot be removed so 
safely and well. Splendid examples were being arranged to form avenues 
ot Abies Nordmanniana and A. Albertiana alternately, a good effect 
being produced at ooce, and of these specimens probably not one will fail 
to grow. These are two beautiful Conifers, the one massive, the other 
elegant. The finest example of the latter that I know, and possibly the 
best in Europe, is in Mr. McIntosh’s garden at Duneevan, Surrey—a 
model garden both as to arrangement and high keeping. This specimen 
is apparently 70 feet high, its lower branches sweeping the ground like 
broad flat boughs of the Cedar of Lebanon, the soft yellowish green 
of the young growths, and the dark green of the older leaves 
having a most pleasing effect. No collection of Conifers is com¬ 
plete without examples of Prince Albert’s Spruce. It is evidently 
allied to the Hemlock Spruce, but is vastly more stately, and in every 
way superior. Very striking at Calmpthout, too, and distinctly beautiful, 
are some of the forms of Abies concolor, notably A. c. violacea, and the 
variety fastigiata. The leaves are distinctly suffused with blue, the colour 
being perhaps the more pronounced by the clear contrasting pale green of 
the young shoots. These varieties, and 129 others, can be seen in the gold 
medal group in the Antwerp Exhibition grounds throughout the summer,and 
I find that several gardeners and others are hoping to visit Belgium this year. 
They will not regret it, especially if they escape an attack of vial de mer, 
and even that may do them good. Abies Alcoquiana is beautiful when 
tall enough, as a specimen at Calmpthout is, for the under sides of the 
leaves to be seen, the mingling of blue and green being so very decided. 
A. Douglasi glauca is distinct and attractive, the effect of numbers of 
specimens, about 6 feet high, being enhanced by the clusters of female 
catkins varying in colour from pale yellow to bright crimson. This 
floriferousness may have been the result of transplanting, but be this as it 
may, the effect was very remarkable. Abies Hookeriana is represented 
by thousands, the parent tree being about 12 feet high and quite Fern¬ 
like in appearance. This is accurately described in Messrs. Veitch’s 
admirable work on Conifers, and both the work and the tree should be 
had by all who are interested in Coniferae. Abies orientalis (or Witt- 
maniana) may be seen 30 feet high, and is one of the most distinct and 
elegant of the family. Of Abies siberica there is a magnificent specimen, 
and ©ne that can scarcely fail to tempt purchasers, but the owner of it 
will tell them that it commences growth too soon in the latitude of 
Belgium and England, and is hence liable to be injured by spring 
frosts. Messrs. Veitch give the same warning, and the fact testifies to 
the reliability of their work above mentioned. Of Pinus parviflora there 
is a notable specimen in the collection under notice. It is distinct and 
attractive, also interesting, as being the species that the Japanese are so 
clever in dwarfing and producing toy plants for table decoration ; and 
extensively grown is Thujopsis dolabrata, another Japanese introduction 
that will eventually prove a first-rate hotel plant, as it grows in the 
absence of direct light as well as does the valuable corridor plant As¬ 
pidistra lurida variegata, as is proved by a specimen in a pot that when I 
saw it had been standing on the hall table of Mr. Carter, nurseryman, of 
Keighley, for seven years ; and this experience was turned to account in 
furnishing a draughty corridor leading to the splendid winter garden of 
Mr. Isaac Holden at Oakworth, which is described in vol. i., new series, 
of this Journal—a wonderful garden, in which about 30,000 feet of 4-inch 
pipes are employed to heat the glass structures, the owner of which was 
once in a position as humble as anyone who will read these notes. As I 
have wandered from Belgium to Yorkshire it is time to close, or the 
printers in Fleet Street will be wishing I had never returned from a tour 
that was so pleasurable and instructive.—J. W. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
June 9th. 
Seldom do we see such a varied, interesting, and beautiful floral display 
as that in the conservatory of the Gardens at South Kensington on Tuesday 
last, and all the visitors were perfectly satisfied with the Exhibition. The 
two most popular classes of plants predominated—namely, Orchids and 
herbaceous plants, but there were many other exhibits before the Floral 
Committee, which assisted in diversifying the Show. The double stage 
down the centre of the conservatory was filled with plants and flowers, the 
side stages being similarly occupied, so that all available space was devoted 
to the competing and non-competing exhibits, and the general effect was 
excellent. 
ORCHIDS. 
A remarkably liberal schedule of prizes had been provided for this Show, 
no less than £183 being offered in twelve classes, and as the prizes ranged 
in value from £15 to £1, £10 being offered as a first prize in four classes, it 
might have been expected that a rather more spirited competition would 
have resulted. One fact that probably prevented several orchidists from 
sending their treasures was the late period the Show was to continue open 
in the evening—viz., 10 p.m., which would necessitate the plants remaining 
until the following morning, and it is quite likely that had the Show been 
closed at six several other exhibitors would have entered. A large number 
of plants were, however, contributed, though there was an absence of the 
large specimens seen in the north, and there were fewer rarities than at 
the Orchid Conference recently. 
Taking the classes in the order of the schedule, the first was that for a 
group of twenty-five distinct Orchids arranged with FernB, and in those only 
one exhibitor—Mr. H. James, Castle Nursery, Lower Norwood—entered, and 
was awarded the second prize for a pretty group, in which Dendrobium 
B msonise well flowered, Cypripedium superbiens, Aerides japonicum, and A. 
odoratum were the most notable, with a good proportion of Palms and Ferns. 
An amateurs’ and a nurserymen’s class was provided for twelve Orchids, and 
in the former Mr. H. Little, Hillingdon Place, Uxbridge (gardener, Mr. Hill), 
won the chief position with flowering plants, all healthy and fairly well 
flowered. Dendrobium Dalhousianum, thirteen spikes ; Cattleya Mendeli, 
nine flowers of a good variety ; C. intricata, a supposed hybrid between 
C. amethystoglossa and Lielia elegans, with pale greenish sepals and petals 
and a rich crimson lip somewhat in the style of C. Leopoldi ; Cypripedium 
niveum ; Aerides Fieldingi, three branching spikes ; C. barbatum superbum, 
twenty flowers; Cattleya Mossiae, twenty flowers; Odontoglossum Alexandra; 
Dendrobium Dearii, twelve spikes of white flowers ; Odontoglossum Roezli ; 
Lselia purpurata ; and Aerides crispum. The second place was taken by 
De B. Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks (gardener, Mr. S. Cooke), who 
had Vanda suavis with three spikes, fourteen flowers each; Cattleyas Mossiae, 
Sanderiana, and Warneri, fine ; Anguloa Ruckeri sanguines, Odontoglossum 
pulchellum majus, and Dendrobium Jamesianum giganteum, with seven 
extremely large handsome white-and-orange flowers. 
In the nurserymen’s class the honours were shared by Mr. J. Cypher, 
Cheltenham, and Mr. H. James, in the order named. The premier dozen 
comprised some very beautiful specimens, strong, and flowering freely, 
several of them having appeared at previous shows this season. Oncidium 
sphacelatum had eight large panicles of its bright yellow flowers; Odonto¬ 
glossum vexillarium, a richly coloured variety with forty flowers; Cypri¬ 
pedium Hookerse, twenty-two flowers ; Cypripedium Lawrencianum, forty 
flowers, fine variety ; Dendrobium Bensonite, extremely handsome, scores 
of flowers; Ltelia purpurata, ten spikes of three or four flowers each ; Mas- 
devallia Harryana, fifty flowers ; Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, with eight 
grand spikes, very handsome ; Cattleya Mossise; Dendrobium Falconeri, 
fine variety; and Cattleya Mendeli, six flowers. Mr. H. James also had 
some good plants, which he claims are all genuine specimens, no “ making 
up ” having been resorted to. Especially notable were Brassia verrucosa, 
with fifteen long spikes ; Anguloa Clowesi, with a dozen flowers ; Cattleya 
Mossiae, with thirty flowers; Dendrobium Jamesianum, fifty flowers; and 
Aerides odoratum majus, three spikes. 
Classes were similarly devoted to six Orchids from amateurs and nursery¬ 
men. In the first-mentioned class F. A. Philbrick, Esq., Q.C., Oldfield, 
Bickley (gardener, Mr. Heims), easily won chief honours with half a 
dozen beautiful healthy plants of the following :—Odontoglossum vexil¬ 
larium, nine spikes of five flowers each; Phalsenopsis grandiflora, a spike 
of fourteen handsome flowers; Masdevallia Harryana superba, twenty 
flowers; Lselia purpurata, twelve flowers; Cypripedium barbatum 
superhum, twenty-two flowers; and Cattleya Mendeli, six flowers. Mr. 
H. Little took the second prize, his best plant being Cypripedium 
Lawrenceanum, sixteen flowers, one having a double lip. R. R. Hyatt, Esq., 
Leigham Court Road, Streatham (gardener, Mr. Luff), was third, having a 
good Dendrobium crassinode. Messrs. Cypher and James were again in the 
same relative positions for six Orchids, Mr. Cypher showing Anguloa 
Clowesi, seven flowers; Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, six spikes; Cattleya 
Mendeli, twelve flowers; Masdevallia Harryana, thirty flowers; and C. 
Mossiae. Mr. James had several healthy plants, the most noteworthy being 
the small-flowered Oncidium Suttoni, which had eight spikes. 
There was only one entry with fifteen Odontoglossums, although two 
classes were provided, the leading prizes being each £10. Mr. James won 
the premier honours in the nurserymen’s class, showing well-grown plants 
of tripudians, Pescatorei, Wilckeanum, Alexandras, cordatum and cordatum 
aureum, nsevium majus, vexillarium, Sanderi, citrosmum, polyxanthum, 
Roezli, album, and Alexandras Lehmanni. Most of these were excellent 
varieties. 
For six Cattleyas and Lselias Mr. Cypher secured first honours for 
admirably flowered plants of Lselia purpurata, C. Sanderiana, C. Mossiae, 
C. Mossiae delicata, C. Acklandise, and C. Mendeli. Mr. James followed 
closely with Cattleyas intermedia, Warneri, Mossiae and var. lilacina, Mendeli, 
and Laelia purpurata. In the amateurs’ class Messrs. Crawshay and Little 
were the prizetakers, chiefly with similar varieties and species to the 
preceding. 
Orchid flowers had three classes devoted to them, but, except in one of 
these for amateurs, there was no competition. Mr. H. James had the only 
collection of twelve spikes of Orchids, and was awarded the second prize for 
good bloom3 of Cypripediums, Cattleyas, Odontoglossums, and Masdevallias. 
In the corresponding amateurs’ class Dr. A. Paterson, Bridge of Allan, N.B., 
was also the only exhibitor, and won chief honours for a most beautiful 
collection of fresh brightly coloured flowers, amongst which Epidendrum 
vittellinum majus, Odontoglossum vexillarum, Cypripedium Lawrencianum, 
Lselia purpurata, and Epidendrum paniculatum were especially noteworthy. 
For six spikes of Orchids Mr. Philbrick was awarded the leading prize, 
showing handsome flowers of Cypripedium barbatum nigrum (a very 
brightly coloured form), Odontoglossum vexillarium, Cattleya Mendeli, and 
Cypripedium Dominianum. J. S. Hodgson, Esq., Lythe Hall, Haslemere 
(gardener, Mr. Evans), was second, and Dr. Paterson third, all showing 
good collections, but Mr. Philbrick was easily first. 
Miscellaneous. —An important portion of the Exhibition was formed 
by the non-competing groups from nurserymen, and without them the 
display would have been deprived of some of its principal attractions. 
Very remarkable was a grand group of Orchids from Messrs. F. Sander and 
Co., St. Albans, comprising 200 plants, of which about sixty were Odonto¬ 
glossums, the others chiefly Masdevallias and Cattleyas, tastefully arranged 
with Ferns (silver-gilt medal). Messrs. J. Laing & Co., Forest Hill, had a 
superb collection of Tuberous Begonias of most brilliant colours, scarlet, 
crimson, orange, and yellow, some of the flowers being of enormous size, as 
much as inches in diameter. Both doubles and singles wrre well repre¬ 
sented, one of the best of the former being Formosa, of a ruby red colour, 
the flowers drooping and rendering it admirably adapted for culture in 
baskets. Blushing Bride is a very handsome white single variety with a 
slight pink tinge, and Louis d’Or is a fine double yellow. Scores of other 
fine varieties were shown, such as we have frequently noted before, and the 
group well merited the silver-gilt medal awarded for it. Messsrs. Hawkins 
