March 13, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
213 
change or lose its colour under glass.— George Winterburn, 
Weetwood Lane, Leeds. 
[The first-prize paper read at the Leeds Gardeners’ meeting.] 
(To be continued.) 
CULTURE OP AZALEA INDICA. 
The varieties of Azalea indica are very useful and accommo¬ 
dating plants, and by having a good selection, a succession of 
bloom may be had from Christmas until the end of June. No 
plants are more effective either for house or conservatory deco¬ 
ration, and they are also well adapted for cutting. Large plants 
of the Fielder's and Chelsea Whites are valuable, and should be 
justly prized. I do not think there are two other Azaleas that 
will endure cutting like these excellent varieties, and by suitable 
treatment after blooming they will be as satisfactory as in the 
previous season. I will not recommend the propagating of 
Azaleas to amateurs and gardeners for various reasons. The 
principal one is, that useful decorative plants may be procured 
from any nurseryman who makes a speciality of Azaleas at a 
reasonable rate, and far more satisfactory than can be had by 
propagating them at home. 
Failure with Azaleas is often due to improper treatment after 
they have flowered, especially if they have been forced. They 
are forced into bloom in a high temperature and a steaming 
atmosphere, and after blooming are placed in any corner of a 
cold draughty house. It is also a great mistake to overpot 
Azaleas. They should only receive small shifts, and then only 
if they require it. They should be potted very firmly, ramming 
the soil well round the ball. The soil should consist of good 
black peat and coarse sand, the pots being well drained. After 
Azaleas have flowered the seed pods should be picked off, repot¬ 
ting the plants if they requite it; if not. give them two or three 
dressings of Standen’s manure through the season, sprinkling 
it on the surface of the soil. Place them for the growing season 
in a warm moist house, syringe them well twice a day, and they 
will form abundance of bloom buds by the end of the season. 
They should then be hardened, and placed in the open air for 
two or three weeks in a sunny position, but sheltered from winds, 
subsequently transferring them to a light airy house. Plants 
after they have been forced should be placed in growing quarters 
directly after blooming. If care is taken on this point those that 
came into bloom first will form their flower buds early, when 
they will not require such hard forcing as those that set their 
buds late in the season. 
Thrips are the greatest enemy to the Azalea, and should be 
destroyed by dipping small plants in a solution of nicotine soap. 
Large plants are more conveniently fumigated.—A. Young. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
March 11th. 
Plaxts in flower were well represented at this meeting, the conservatory 
presenting a very bright aspect, groups of Cyclamens and hardy Primroses 
and Polyanthuses being the leading features. The last-named were much 
admired, and their value at this time of year cannot be over-estimated, as 
either out of doors or in pots under glass they are very handsome. 
Fruit Committed:. —Harry J. Veitch, Esq., in the chair. Present— 
Messrs. Phillip Crowley, J. Lee, J. E. Lane, G-. T. Miles, William Paul, 
J. Burnett, G. Bunyard, S. Lyon, G. Goldsmith, A. Howcroft, J. Roberts, 
and Dr. Robert Hogg. Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea, were adjudged a 
bronze Banksian medal for sixty dishe3 of Apples in fine condition, fresh, 
firm, and of good colour. Especially noteworthy were Norfolk Beefing, 
Alfriston, Dumelow’s Seedling, Annie Elizabeth, Lord Derby, Cooling’s 
Favourite, Winter Peach, London Pippin, Duck’s-bill, and Mere de Menage. 
Mr. J. Burnett, The Gardens, Deepdene, Dorking, was accorded a vote of 
thanks for a collection of two dozen dishes of Apples, including some fine 
samples of Dumelow’s Seedling, Norfolk Beefing, and Shepherd’s Seedling. 
Both this and the preceding collection indicated how well Apples have 
kept this season, for some of them looked as fresh as if they had been only 
just gathered. Mr. R. Gilbert, Burghley Gardens, Stamford, sent several 
samples of a cross between Chou de Burghley and a Savoy, the latter being 
the male parent, and named Gilbert’s Universal Savoy. They were of 
moderate size, very firm, and white ; but the Committee expressed a desire 
to see it again, the specimens to be sent to Mr. Barron. Mr. Gilbert also 
sent samples of Bedfordshire Champion Onions, which were very fine and 
solid. Mr. Allan, The Gardens, Gunton Park, Norwich, sent fruits of a 
seedling Apple, which were considered to be inferior to many other varieties 
already in cultivation. 
Floral Committee. —Section A.—G. F. Wilson, Esq., in the chair. 
Present—Messrs. T. Moore, J. Hudson, J. Fraser, H. Herbst, J. Woodbridge, 
H. Ballantine, J. Dominy, James O’Brien, Edwin Hill, J. Laing, Dr. M. T. 
Masters, and Rev. G. Henslow. Section B.—J. D. Llewelyn, Esq., in the 
chair. Present—Messrs. H. Eckford, H. Bennett, W. Bealby, J. Douglas, 
J. James, J. Child, G. Duffield, H. Turner, and H. Cannell. 
Mr. A. Waterer, Knap Hill, Woking, showed two handsome specimen 
plants of Andromeda japonica, 4 feet high each and loaded with flowers, the 
long drooping panicles of white bell-shaped blooms being very attractive. 
Several small plants were a 1 so shown to indicate their early-flowering character. 
Mr. Waterer was also awarded a silver Banksian medal for a group of 120 
hardy Primroses and Polyanthuses, comprising a great variety of colours, 
white, yellow, purple, mauve, lilac, deep red, and maroon. The plants were 
very healthy, and bore from six to twelve trusses of flowers. Some of them 
were certificated and are described below. Mr. J. James, Woodside, Farnham 
Royal, Slough, was awarded a silver Banksian medal for a large group of 
magnificent Cinerarias, the flower of astonishing size and richness of colours. 
It was indeed one of the finest groups Mr. James has ever shown, and proved 
not only the fine character of the strain, but also how well their culture is 
studied. Messrs. J. Yeitch <fe Sons, Chelsea, had a pretty group of plants, 
Staphylea colchica being especially noteworthy, plants in 48-size pots, having 
twelve to eighteen spikes of white flowers each. Primula obconica was 
pretty, and several good Amaryllises were certificated. Adiantum cuneatum 
deflexum, a garden varietywith small pinnules and graceful fronds, was 
represented by a strong plant, it is quite distinct and elegant. Messrs. H. 
Cannell & Sons, Swanley, had a handsome group of double Primulas, bright 
coloured Cinerarias, and the useful Begonia Carrieri, which was certificated. 
The Cinerarias were particularly fine, substance and size of flower being 
combined with neatness of form and clearness of tint. Mr. Cummins, gar¬ 
dener to A. H. Smee, Esq., The Grange, Wallington, exhibited a group of 
Orchids, the most prominent plant being a handsome specimen of Lcelia 
superbiens, with seventeen pseudo-bulbs with three spikes 4 to 5 feet long and 
bearing ten flowers each. Dendrobium luteolum had three growths with from 
two to eight flowers each. Saccolabium giganteum illustre had two spikes 
of its white purple-spotted flowers. Coelogyne sparsa is a curious and small- 
flowered species. The sepals and petals creamy white, the lip stained with 
brown ; and Coelogyne Lemoniana had six good spikes of flowers, the lip 
faintly tinged with pale yellow. 
J. H. Mangles, Esq., Yalewood, Haslemere, sent four superb trusses of 
Rhododendron argenteum, each with about twenty large white bells. A 
large plant of Rhododendron grande was also shown bearing several trusses 
of flowers. G. F. Wilson, Esq., Weybridge, sent a spike of Odontoglossum 
Alexandras with fourteen fine flowers, some spikes of Ada aurantiaca. Mr. 
Ballantine, gardener to Baron Schroder, The Dell, Egham, showed a plant 
of Odontoglossum Pescatorei Veitchii with twenty-seven flowers, the blotches 
and bars of purple being extremely rich. Mr. J. Wiggins, gardener to 
W. Clay, Esq., Kingston, showed several good Primulas, Cinerarias, Cycla¬ 
mens, several with fine flowers, and of good colour. Messrs. Paul & Son, 
Cheshunt, showed several new Amaryllises with large flowers, one being 
named General Gordon, but quite distinct from Messrs. Veitch’s variety. 
A single Rose, named Camellia japonica was noteworthy, the flowers being 
suggestive of Rosa rugosa alba in size and shape. A silver Banksian medal 
was adjudged to Mr. H. B. Smith, Ealing Dean, for large groups of admirably 
grown Cyclamens, white, rose, purple, deep red, rich parti-coloured, the 
flowers of great size and numerous. A vote of thanks was accorded to 
Mr. G. Stevens, Putney, for plants of the bright Abutilon Scarlet Gem, 
which were flowering profusely. A bronze medal was awarded to Mr. J. Odell, 
Hillingdon, for a group of Queen Yictoria Primulas, the flowers being of a very 
rich red colour, but not quite high enough above the foliage. 
Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High Holborn, showed several hardy plants 
amongst them being Saxifraga oppositifolia major, with large flowers of a 
deep colour; Saxifraga Sanctm, with bright yellow flowers ; Soldanella mon- 
tana in first-rate condition, flowering freely, and well deserving the cultural 
commendation awarded for it; Iris reticulata, Bulbocodium vernum ; and the 
blue Primula Scot Wilson were also attractive. A vote of thanks was accorded 
to the collection. A vote ot thanks was accorded to Mr. R. Dean, Ranelagh 
Road, Ealing, for a dozen plants of Polyanthus Primroses—General Gordon, 
crimson purple; Bridal Wreath, white ; Novelty, lilac purple; Blue Beard, 
dark purple blue, very distinct; and White Queen, being the best of the- 
varieties. A bronze Banksian medal was awarded to Messrs. Collins Bros., 
39, Waterloo Road, S.E., for a fine group of Anemone fulgens flowers from 
Pau, and A. fulgens multipetala, and the Tenby Daffodil (Narcissus obvallaris), 
the bright yellow flowers being very attractive. Messrs. Barr & Son, King 
Street, Covent Garden, were awarded a bronze Banksian medal for a hand¬ 
some collection of Narcissus pallidus prrecox, which wa3 awarded a first-class 
certificate at the last meeting, together with scarlet Anemones arranged with 
them for contrast. 
First-class certificates were awarded for the following:— Dendrobium 
Findleyanurn giganteum (Mr. C. J. Salter, gardener to J. Southgate, Esq., Sel- 
borne, Streatham).—A magnificent variety, differing only from the type in 
the great size of the flowers, which are over 3 inches in diameter, the lip 
nearly circular, 1J inch across, and rich yellow in the centre. 
Cattleya Triance splendidissima (B. S. Williams).—A fine variety with white 
sepals and petals, and an intensely rich crimson lip and a yellow throat. It 
much resembled a variety of C. Mendeli, and if it had flowered a little later in 
the season would have well passed for one. It is, however, a superb Orchid, 
the colour of the lip being wonderfully rich. 
Browallia Jamesoni (Cannell).—A charmingly graceful and striking plant, 
somewhat suggestive of a large Rondeletia speciosa in habit and form of 
flowers. The leaves are elliptical, inch long, the throat drooping and ter¬ 
minating in large clusters of tubular flowers with a bright orange limb nearly 
1 inch in diameter. 
Begonia Carrieri (Cannell).—Resembling a large-growing B. Schmidt, 
compact in habit, and bearing a great number of pure white flowers. A 
most useful winter-flowering plant either for cutting or general decoration. 
Violet Wellsiana (Mr. Wells, Fern Hill, Windsor Forest).—A single variety. 
Flowers about an inch in diameter, deep purple and very fragrant. Plant 
strong in habit and free. 
Polyanthus James Douglas (Waterer).—A fine variety; flowers flat,, 
circular, pale yellow, with orange centre, If inch in diameter, thirteen flowers 
in a head. 
Polyanthus Prince of Wales (Waterer).—Flowers of wonderful size, 2 inches 
across, of a rich crimson colour, with a broad starry orange centre, eleven in 
3i llGRCl. 
Cyclamen Princess Ida (Edmonds).—A delicately pretty variety, with fine 
flowers, with broad petals of a soft pink colour. Yery handsome. 
Azalea indica Little Beauty (Yeitch).—Yery much like A. amoena, with 
rosy pink flowers inch across. The plant is of compact habit, and flowers 
very profusely. It was raised by Mr. Hovey of Boston, U.S.A. 
