G 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ January 3, 1884. 
Relative to the Veitch Memorial prizes alluded to on pages 529 
and 548 of last Volume, the Trustees have decided to allot the following 
medals and prizes during 1884 —namely, I., A Veitch memorial 
medal and prize of £5 for each of the following subjects : (1) The best 
specimen Orchid in bloom ; (21 the best stove or greenhouse plant in 
bloom ; (3) the best dish of two bunches of Grapes, one variety—these 
to be offered at the Dundee International Show which takes place on 
September 11th to 13th. II. A Veitch memorial melal and prize of £5 
for (1) the best specimen Orchid in bloom ; (2) the best stove or green¬ 
house plant in bloom—these to be offered at the Royal Botanic Society’s 
Show on May 21st ; and for (3) the best dish of three bunches of Grapes 
to be offered at the Royal Botanic Society’s Show on June 18th. III. A 
Veitch memorial medal and prize of £5 were also placed at the disposal 
of the respective Committees of the National Auricula Society (Southern 
Section); of the National Carnation and Picotee Society (Southern 
Section) ; and of the Committee having charge of the National Dahlia 
Show. These prizes are only eligible to be competed for by amateurs 
and bond fide gentlemen’s gardeners. 
- We learn that Messrs. Boyd & Sons of Paisley have entered 
into a contract with the Government to construct, for the sum of £4300, 
the NEW Palm house at Glasnevin, which is to be 100 feet long, 
80 feet wide, and 05 feet high. The new house is to be built over the 
old one, the latter to stand till the completion of the new and more 
imposing structure. 
- Three or four tubers of the new species of Potato, 
discovered by M. Ohrond at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata, and 
named after him Solanum Ohrondi, have been forwarded to Mr. Bur- 
bidge, of the College Botanic Garden, Dublin, from the Continent, and 
he will grow them in the coming year. 
- A correspondent obliges us with the following notes :— 
“As far as the winter has gone the weather has been extremely 
mild in the north, and it can hardly be imagined that Christmas 
is round again. When at Dalhousie Castle, N.B., the other 
day Mr. Johnstone, the gardener there, stated he had cut twenty-two 
dozens of China and Hybrid Perpetual Roses from standards and 
dwarf bushes growing in a rather exposed situation on December 17th, 
and on December 24th there were some beautiful Gloire de Dijons on 
the walls in the garden. The yellow Jasmine was also very beautiful. 
iln the houses there were some fine samples of Gros Colman and Lady 
Downe’s Grapes well finished. Dalhousie is a beautifully situated 
garden, and the surroundings of wood and water are charming. The 
Castle dates far back, and has an interesting history.’’ 
- Orchids at Newbattle.—O rchids are extensively grown at 
Newbattle, and there are some fine specimens of many of the choicest 
varieties. The noble owner takes great pleasure in these interesting 
plants, and has had specimens of most of the varieties bloomed at New¬ 
battle painted by a lady artist. There are a great many so depicted, and 
being done on a large scale and finely mounted they form a splendid 
collection and fill numerous large portfolios. Anyone fortunate enough 
to see these beautiful paintings cannot fail to be delighted. 
- A VISITOR remarks that although seldom seen in ordinary 
gardens Bromeliads are nevertheless well worthy of accommodation in 
every stove, and would well repay any extra attention by the brilliancy 
of their varied colours. In the stove at Kew these plants are made a 
speciality, which is well repaid by the constant supply of flowers. Among 
those in flower at present may be noted Vriesia brachystachya, iEchmea 
coelestis, M. calyculata, Lamprococcus fulgens, L. Weilbachi, Pitcairnia 
zeaefolia, and Bilbergia Lietzei, which has flowers about 2 inches long 
and very finely coloured. 
Mr. H. Lister, The Gardens, Easton Lodge, Dunmow, writes— 
“ I have this season had a sport from Chrysanthemum Empress of India, 
which seems to be identical with Lord Alcester, judging by the de¬ 
scription given. The bloom is large, well-built, and the colour is pale 
yellow, somewhat like George Glenny.” It is strange how on several 
occasions similar sports have appeared in different parts of the country 
about the same time. 
- The true name of a bulb that is being pretty generally dis¬ 
tributed under the title of Bulbocodium trigynum is Merendera 
CAUCASICA. The difference between the two genera to the casual 
observer is hardly discernible, and consists only in the Merendera having 
the three styles free, wlii'e in Bulbocodium they are undivided. The 
above-mentioned plant, from the fact of its coming into flower at this 
early period in the open, and also in its floriferous character—each bulb 
generally producing from five to seven pure white flowers, those of the 
Bulbocodium rarely producing two—is likely when better known to be 
extensively cultivated. It requires similar treatment to the other 
members of the genus. 
- Among the many hardy bulbs that are welcome at this season 
of the year Colchicum luteum and C. crociflorum are very notable 
for neatness of habit and brilliancy of colour. C. crociflorum is a native 
of Turkestan, whence it was introduced two or three years ago by 
Dr. Regel. The name crociflorum was used for a variety of autumnale, 
and also for montanum, but the Turkestan plant is so distinct that no 
difficulty will be experienced in distinguishing it. The flowers are small 
and very neat, the inside pure creamy white, the flowers appearing before 
the leaves. C. luteum is the only species having yellow flowers, it 
belongs to the group inhabiting the Mediterranean. The flowers are much 
larger than the last, pure yellow, and a great acquisition amongst 
Christmas flowers. Both the above may be had in flower in December 
by simply protecting them with handlights in severe weather. 
- “ M. S.” writes—“ In the note of the meeting of the Society of 
Arts Dr. J. F. Watson does not speak very hopeful regarding the general 
cultivation of Rhea or China Grass (Bcehmeria nivea). In the 
neighbourhood of London, and I have no doubt farther north, this plant 
instead of requiring great care in cultivating as stated is quite hardy, 
and in ordinary soil the stems attain a good height. In a few places I 
have seen large patches growing quite exposed, and I was told they had 
not been disturbed for three or four years, and appearing stronger every 
year, a fact which goes a good way to prove that if there was a possibility 
of market growers or others being able to obtain good healthy roots we 
might yet be able to cultivate this valuable fibre and supply the market 
at a much lower price than £35 per ton. It is partial to strong soil, 
and ought otherwise to be fed occasionally with liquid manure. The 
roots should in no case be disturbed.” 
- A remarkable instance of mimicry in plants is to be seen in 
the close resemblance of Senecio macroglossa to the common Ivy ; 
a resemblance so close, in fact, that without the flowers to guide us it 
would be difficult without closely scrutinising the plant to perceive 
any difference between them. In addition to this interesting character 
S. macroglossa possesses good horticultural qualities in the size and 
beauty of its flowers, which may not inaptly be compared to some of the 
now popular single Dahlias. They are yellow, the size of a crown piece, 
and are borne in considerable numbers on the points of the growing shoots. 
Flowering as it does in midwinter and under conditions as regards 
cultural management that are met with in most gardens, we are surprised 
that the plant is so little known. 
- The fortnightly meeting of the Manchester Horticultural 
Mutual Improvement Society was held last week at the old Town 
Hall, King Street, when a very large company was present. Mr. Bruce 
Findlay, President, occupied the chair. Mr. W. Birkenhead read a paper 
on the cultivation of Ferns. He dwelt upon the natural conditions in 
which Ferns are met with, noticing how modest and retiring a spot many 
of them choose for themselves ; so in our attempts to grow them a quiet 
and shady position will suit many which, if placed in high and airy 
stages, would cause many to shrivel and pine away. Todea superba, 
Todea pellucida, and many of the Hymenophyllums would come under 
this head, and among this class less heat was needed than hitherto many 
had been disposed to give. He had received letters from gentlemen in 
many parts of the country assuring him that though their plants had 
been frozen for days together, no harm whatever had resulted from such 
a severe ordeal. Nothochlcena, Cheilanthes, and Gymnogrammas must 
have a treatment in many respects the opposite of the preceding. Light, 
an airy situation, and much less moisture would be required, and when 
successfully managed they are amongst the most beautiful of the family. 
