March 27, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
249 
south at a very steep angle, thereby securing every ray of sunshine. It 
is curious that the most successful amateur gentleman grower and exhi¬ 
bitor in Ireland, J. F. Lombard, Esq., Rathmines, Dublin, Mr. F. W. 
Burbidge tells me, has a garden sloping to the south in the same way. 
The heat I once experienced going to Fontainbleau I admit we never have 
in Ireland, but by planting early my Gladioli mature before December. 
— W. J. Muephy. 
EOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
March 25th. 
TnE second Promenade Show of the season was exceedingly well 
attended by exhibitors and Fellows, and during the afternoon quite a 
large company assembled. The conservatory was filled with exhibits, the 
groups of Hyacinths forming the chief feature, though the miscellaneous 
contributions were both numerous and interesting. 
Fruit Committer.— John E. Lane, Esq., in the chair. Present, Messrs. 
J. Roberts, J. Willard, J. C. Mundell, W. Denning, S. Lyon, C. Silverlock 
Fig. 57.—Narcissus pallidus prrncox. 
Harry J. Yeitch, G. Bunyard, and Phillip Crowley. 
The principal exhibit before this Committee was a 
collection of Rhubarb from Chiswick, in which a 
number of varieties were represented. Under Early 
Red or Albert were classed Mitchell’s Royal Albert, 
Crimson Perfection, and Scotch Mammoth, which 
were found to be identical with the type. Under 
Linnaeus were arranged Lawson’s Victoria, Buck¬ 
ley’s Crimson, Salt’s New Emperor, and Burr’s 
Goliath. Other distinct sorts were Buck’s Early 
Red, which produces a small stem but of excellent 
colour ; Dancer’s Early Red is somewhat similar but 
larger. Hatches’ Champagne, was considered the 
best of all, being early, producing a fine stem, and 
of rich colour. A first-class certificate was awarded 
for this. Baldrey’s Scarlet Defiance and Carter’s 
Crimson Perfection were found to be identical, while 
Victoria and Stott’s Monarch were considered to 
be distinct late and meritorious varieties. 
Mr. R. Gilbert, Burghley Gardens , Stamford, was 
awarded a first-class certificate for his Universal 
Savoy , which has been previously referred to. 
Cooked specimens were tested by the Committee, and the opinion was greatly 
in its favour. In some stages it appears much like a Cabbage, but the outer 
leaves preserve the bullated appearance of the Savoy. Mr. Yuli, Dereham, 
Norfolk, sent samples of dwarf white Broccoli with good white heads. 
Specimens of the Purple Sprouting Broccoli were sent from Chiswick, and a 
vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. T. Oldham, The Gardens, Friern 
Walch, North Finchley, for a collection of eighteen dishes of well-kept 
Apples. 
Floral Committee. —Section A.—Thomas Moore, Esq., in the chair. 
Present, the Rev. G. Henslow and Messrs. John Fraser, H. Herbst, James 
Hudson, H. Ebbage, H. Williams, H. Ballantine, J. Dominy, James O’Brien, 
E. Hill, John Woodbridge, and F. R. Kinghorn. Section B.—Shirley Hibberd, 
Esq., in the chair. Present, W. Bealby, J. James, J. Child, G. F. Wilson, 
D. Lathbury, and W. B. Kellock. Mr. Heims, gardener to F. A. Philbrick, 
Esq., Q.C., Oldfield, Bickley, sent a fine spike of Odontoglossum Jennings- 
ianum with fourteen flowers ; a plant of 0. triumphans var. punctatum, a 
distinct variety, with the petals finely dotted with rich brown. Eriopsis 
rutidobulbus with a spike of curious brownish flowers and a white-tipped lip 
was also shown, together with a Cypripedium named sylhetense, somewhat 
like a small C. insigne. W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, exhibited 
several Orchids, amongst which were Masdevallia Schlimi, Masdevallia 
Chelsoni, Leptotes bicolor flowering very freely, and two others, for which 
certificates were awarded. Mr. J. Walker, Thame, Oxon, was awarded a 
vote of thanks for two boxes of Roses, including some fine blooms of 
Thomas Mills, Senateur Vaisse, Helen Paul, Cheshunt Hybrid, Climbing 
Devoniensis, and Marechal Niel. Mr. C. Turner, Slough, sent three Tree 
Carnations; one Ruby, a distinct shade of violet purple, very full ; Rufus r 
bright scarlet, large and of good form ; Mrs. Llewelyn, bright clear pink r 
very full broad petals. The Rev. E. H. Kittoe, Boldmere Vicarage, New 
Oscott, Birmingham, sent a plant of Agathosma rugosa, a plant allied to the 
Diosmas, with small heads of white flowers very powerfully fragrant. 
J. H. Mangles, E3q., Valewood, Haslemere, exhibited five magnificent 
trusses of Rhododendron grande, bearing over two dozen flowers, each of 
large bell-like white flowers. These superb specimens were greatly admired 
and were awarded a vote of thanks. Mr. J. Burnett, The Gardens, Deepdene, 
Dorking, showed a collection of Rhododendron flowers from plants out of 
doors, several handsome varieties of the R. Nobleanum type being remarkable 
for their great size. Mr. Wilson, gardener to H. M. Pollett, Esq., Fernside, 
Bickley, sent several spikes of Odontoglossum elegans, and a plant of a fine 
variety of Odontoglossum Ruckerianum well coloured. A vote of thanks- 
was accorded. Major Lendy, Sunbury House, Sunbury, showed a plant of 
Cirrhopetalum picturatum with four spikes of its curious brownish flowers, 
for which a cultural commendation was awarded. Mr. Harding, The Gardens, 
Orton Hall, Peterborough, was accorded a vote of thanks for a box of fine 
Marbchal Niel Roses. W. Soper, IJsq., 307, Clapham Road, was also accorded a 
vote of thanks for a healthy plant of Cattleya Loddigesi, with eleven of its 
distinct mauve-purple flowers. 
Mr. J. Graham, Cranford, Middlesex, exhibited a box of a rich crimson 
Polyanthus named Sir Gerald Graham, which had been flowering in the 
open ground from October. Plants of the large single yellow Wallflower 
Cranford Beauty, which was so much admired last yeai\ A vote of thanks 
was accorded. A vote of thanks was awarded to Mr. Bain, gardener to Sir 
Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P., Burford Lodge, Dorking, for a group of 
Begonias flowering most profusely. The principal varieties were odorata 
with white flowers, Nitida with pale pink flowers, and Roezli, rich coral red. 
A fine pot of Freesia refracta alba was also sent. Mr. Frank Miles, 26, Tite 
Street, Chelsea, sent a flower of a Tulip from north-west Persia, found by 
Mr. E. O’Donovan in his journey to Merv. It was bright scarlet with black 
spots at the base of the petals, somewhat like a species of Papaver. Mr. 
T. P. Bethell, 24, Cable Street, Liverpool, exhibited a number of the “ Unique ’” 
boxes for sending flowers by post. 
First-class certificates were awarded for the following :— 
Amaryllis Col. Burnaby (Veitch).—Flowers of great size and substance,. 
7 inches in diameter, with proportionately broad petals, brilliant, almost 
dazzling scarlet, two flowers in a head, and two spikes to the bulb. This is- 
one of the most imposing of the many grand Chelsea novelties. 
Amaryllis Mrs. Shirley Hibberd (Veitch).—A beautiful variety with 
flowers 6 to 7 inches in diameter, deep crimson, with a pale green centre and 
white tips. The plant had two spikes and two flowers each. 
Amaryllis Sir Redvers Buller (Veitch).—A superb variety ; flowers four in 
a head and 7£ inches across, the petals 3 inches across ; rich scarlet with a 
broad central white stripe. 
Hyacinth General Gordon (Veitch).—A fine variety. Spike very large, but 
rather loose. The floral portion 8 inches deep; flowers deep purplish blue,, 
single, with narrow petals. 
Hyacinth Harlequin (Veitch).—A single variety with a very compact 
spike ; flowers mauve-purple, white in the centre, and verydistinct in colour. 
The four following new Hyacinths are worthy of especial note, though 
they were not certificated :— 
General Graham. —Single, dark rich shining blue, very compact dense- 
spike. Considered by many superior to General Gordon. 
Minerva. —Double, of a peculiar salmon tint, compact spike. 
Lord Derby Improved. —A variety with wonderfully large bells and spikes. 
Lady of the Lake .—Single, pale primrose yellow, close spike. 
Lcelia calistoglossa (Mr. Ballantyne, gardener to Baron Schroder, The Dell, 
Egham).—A magnificent species with narrow twisted mauve sepals and 
petals, the lip 2£ inches across, of the richest crimson, the margin slightly 
undulated. The flowers are 7 to 8 inches in diameter. 
Odontoglossum Oerstedti (W. Lee, Esq.).—A pretty dwarf species with 
small white flowers, the lip stained with yellow at the base. The pseudo¬ 
bulbs are about 1 inch in diameter, and the leaves 2 to 4 inches long. The 
plants were in small pans and had twelve to eighteen flowers each. 
Cattleya Triance var. Leeana (W. Lee, Esq.).—A magnificent variety, 
with flowers 7 inches in diameter; the petals 3 inches broad, pale mauve 
purple; the lip 4 inches long, intensely rich crimson. The plant shown, 
which is an extremely valuable one, was growing upon a block, and had four- 
grand flowers. 
Odontoglossum macrospilum (Williams).—A magnificent Orchid, some¬ 
what of the Alexandra type ; the flowers 3 inches in diameter, sepals and 
petals white heavily blotched with chocolate, the lip being triangular in 
form, serrated at the margin, yellow at the base, and with heavy chocolate 
spots. 
Rose Anne-Marie de Montravel (Bennett).—One of the Polvantha varieties, 
with small but neat double pure white flowers, produced in great abundance. 
They were shown in 6 and 7-inch pots, and were very attractive. 
Auricula Hetty Dean (Dean).—A yellow self variety with neatly formed 
flowers, the paste well defined, and the body colour a clear shade of yellow. 
Wallflower Bedfont Yellow (Dean).—Very dwarf, with dark green sturdy 
leaves; the flowers 1£ inch in diameter, pure yellow, in a dense compact- 
truss. . 
Adiantum rhodophyllum (Veitch).—A distinct and beautiful Fern with 
bipinnate fronds ; the pinnules 1 inch across, irregularly semicircular in form, 
the young fronds being of a reddish tint like A. rubellum. Dwarf and 
compact in habit. 
Scientific Committee.— Sir J. D. Hooker in the chair. 
Black Knot in Birch.— With reference to this subject, brought before the 
Committee at the last meeting, Mr. Maclachlan observed that Prof. Trail had 
come to the same state of uncertainty as to Phytoptus being the cause of it 
as himself, inasmuch as by his experiments he obtained a small gall-like 
structure, which would, however, develope no further, and failed to produce 
the characteristic features of the disease. 
