348 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
[ May 1, 1884. 
what I have never noticed before in April, a bed of semi-double Cockade 
Ranunculi — called by the old florists “ Meladorres ” — commenced to 
unfcld their blossoms. No true lover of his or her garden (even though 
it is used for summer bedding) should have it vacant during the months 
named. There is not the least reason to stop me, as has been done more 
than once, by interjecting, “ Bulbs are very expensive for a large garden.” 
Why I know several gardens, with more than a score beds, brilliant now, 
and without a bulb at all. London firms will supply a dozen distinct 
varieties of the above. Another dozen beds, all different, could be filled 
with Anemones, and next year, to be fashionable, no garden should be 
without a dozen varieties of Primroses, especially P. acaulis for souvenirs, 
another dozen of the best of the Narcissi, and so on. There is no diffi¬ 
culty in finding materials in the way of showy hardy flowers, as the lists 
in your columns frequently testify.—W. J. Murphy, Clonmel. 
NEWCASTLE SPRINOx SHOW. 
April 23rd and 24th. 
The Durham, Northumberland, and Newcastle Horticultural and Bota¬ 
nical Society held their seventh spring Exhibition in the Corn Exchange and 
Town Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne. The Show was much above the average of 
spring exhibitions, and was considered by judges from the metropolis to be 
superior to any exhibition held in London this year. The Society has held 
their Exhibition about three weeks later than usual. This, of course, affected 
the Hyacinths, which were below the usual average shown at this Exhibi¬ 
tion, but this deficiency was amply made up by the quality of the stove and 
greenhouse plants, which far surpassed those of any previous season. 
The Judges found it necessary to award two first prizes for the four 
stove and greenhouse plants to Messrs. Methven and Noble, the one showing 
a superior collection of Orchids, and the other of greenhouse plants. The 
Orchids were such fine examples of high-class culture, that it is to be hoped 
the Society will see their way to offering a special prize for these plants 
another season. This will prevent the Judges being placed in such an 
awkward predicament in having to decide between first-class Orchids and 
superior examples of greenhouse plants. Appended are the awards of the 
Judges in Classes A and B. 
In Class B, for four stove and greenhouse plants, the Society offered £11. 
This brought four competitors with excellent stands. Mr. A. Methven, gar¬ 
dener to E. Lange, Esq., Heathfield House, Low Fell, was awarded equal 
first prize with Mr. Noble, gardener to Theodore Fry, Esq., Woodside, Dar¬ 
lington, the former for an Oncidium sphacelatum with ten spikes, Dendro- 
bium Devonianum with thirty spikes, Dendrobium nobile 4 feet fi inches 
through, and a good plant of Erica afifinis. Mr. Noble'had an excellent 
Clerodendron Balfourianum, Genetyllis fuchsioides, Tetratheca hirsuta, and 
Erica Victoria 4 feet through, the latter a splendid specimen. With the 
Tetratheca and Genetyllis they formed a trio of greenhouse plants that could 
not be easily excelled for abundance of bloom, good training, and high 
culture. Mr. T. C. Ford, gardener to Mrs. H. Pease, Pierremont, Darlington, 
was third. His best plants were Clerodendron Balfourianum, Genetyllis 
tulipifera, and Imantophyllum miniatum superbum with eleven spikes. Mr. 
Neil Black, gardener to Misses Pease, South End, Darlington, was fourth; 
he had a good Vanda suavis with ten spikes. 
For four Azaleas, dissimilar, Mr. T. C. Ford was first with Due de Nassau, 
Model, Mr. Wm. Bull, and Marquis of Lome, examples which were profusely 
flowered, well trained, both foliage and flowers being seen to advantage. 
Mr. A. Methven was second with Stella, Punctata, Mont Blanc, and Triurn- 
phans ; these were trained pyramidal shape. Mr. Neil Black was third. The 
Dielytra spectabilis in this class was well shown, Mr. W. R. Armstrong, 
nurseryman, Elswick Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne, being first, and Mr. Larke, 
gardener to the Rev. W. Wheeler, Whitby, took the premier honours in the 
corresponding amateurs’ class. Deutzias were also shown well, Mr. Ford and 
Mr. A. Methven taking first and second honours respectively'. Cytisus also 
formed a special feature, Mr. J. Wood taking first prize in each class. 
Amongst these spring-flowering plants the most striking were the Spiraea 
japonica, of which seven lots were staged. Some of them averaged 3 feet 
through in 8-inch pots. Mr. J. Noble was first, followed by Mr. J. Watson, 
nurseryman, Fenham Park, Newcastle. They were much admired, and so 
good were they that the Judges had much difficulty in making the awards. 
Mr. W. R. Armstrong was third. Cinerarias were also well shown, Mr. J. 
Noble being first, Mr. T. C. Ford second, and Mr. Charles Marr, gardener to 
J. Hedley, Esq., West Chirton House, third. For the corresponding class 
Mr. Noble and Mr. Marr took honours in the order mentioned. 
Primulas for the time of year were creditable, Mr. McIntyre being first, 
and Mr. James Storrie in the corresponding class the same, followed by Mr. 
T. C. Ford. Mr. McIntyre was first also for Cyclamens in both classes, 
which were much admired, and considered by connoisseurs to be superior to 
any seen at any former exhibition, Mr. W. R. Armstrong and Mr. J. Storrie 
taking second position in each class. Hardy Primulas formed quite a 
feature, as it is seldom these lovely flowers are seen better in the north. Mr. 
J. McIntyre was again first with Primula japonica alba, lilacina, and 
amcena ; Mr. W. L. Thompson, gardener to M. Bell, Esq., Wolsingham Park, 
being second with good plants of Primulas marginata, abyssinica, nivalis, 
and intermedia. 
The table plants were not so numerous as in former years, but they were 
well grown and suitable for the purpose, being well carpeted with Selaginella 
and Panicum variegatum. Mr. J. McIntyre was first with Dracaena gracilis, 
Cocos Weddelliana, Pandanus Veitchii, &c. 
Auriculas .—These were shown in good numbers, and some of them of supe¬ 
rior quality. For twelve Auriculas, not less than nine varieties, Mr. E. Adams, 
Swalwell, was first, having fine examples of Acme with eight pips, which also 
received the premier prize for the best single plant; True Briton with five 
pips; True Hero, and J. Waterton not fully expanded. Mr. Thomas Hay, 
Killingwortb, was second, showing Charles Perry with ten pips and Trail’s 
Beauty very fine. Mr. Hay was first with six dissimilar varieties, Charles 
Perry being his best flower, as well as first for four dissimilar varieties. Mr. 
Adams was first with one green-edged variety. The green-edged varieties 
were on the whole good. Mr. Adams was also first for the grey-edged, as 
well as with the one white-edged variety, which were good. Mr. Atkinson 
Winlaton, was placed first for a self with C. J. Perry, nine pips. For twelve 
Alpines, not less than nine varieties, Mr. H. J. Watson was first, his best 
plant being Brilliant, which was very striking in colour. 
For six Polyanthuses, gold-laced, Mr. Stobbs, Winlaton, was placed first, 
George IV. with twelve pips being his best plant, but Exile and Cheshire 
Favourite were also good. For other than gold-laced Mr. Atkinson showed 
some excellent unnamed white flowers. For a seedling Mr. Stobbs was 
awarded the prize for a plant much in the way of Buck’s George IV.; in fact 
the Judge saw no apparent difference, but gave the exhibitor the benefit of 
the doubt. 
Bulbs in Bloom .—These were below the usual average, no doubt attribut¬ 
able to the lateness of the season. For twenty-four Hyacinths there were 
three competitors, Messrs. H. Dewar & Co., nurserymen, Grey Street, New¬ 
castle, being first, Mr. J. W. Watson second, and Stephen Nairn dt Sons, 
Pilgrim Street, third. For twelve Hyacinths Mr. J. W. Watson secured the 
first position, and Mr. Dewar followed closely. In other classes Mr. J. 
McIntyre; Mr. J. Wood, gardener to H. N. Middleton, Esq., Fenham Hall, 
and Mr. Alfred Brown, gardener to Thomas Barnes, Esq., Whitburn Hall, 
were the prizetakers. For double Tulips Mr. McIntyre was first in each 
class. For single Tulips Mr. Watson was awarded the first place. For 
Polyanthus Narcissus Mr. J. W. Watson was first, and Mr. M. Larke in the 
corresponding class. Lilies of the Valley were exceptionally good, Mr. W. J. 
Watson being placed first with plants with seventy to eighty spikes of bloom 
each ; the flowers were borne well above the leaves. 
Cut Flowers and Decorations .—For twelve Camellia blooms Mr. W. L. 
Thompson was first with Alba Plena, Due de Sutherland, Sarah Frost, and 
J. Lind. Mr. A. Methven for a bridal bouquet. Mr. Mark Hutchinson, 
Toward Road, Sunderland, was first with an arrangement of Liliums, 
Amaryllis, Niphetos Rose, and Tuberoses, all neatly edged with Adiantum gra- 
cillimum. Mr. Jupp was second. For a drawing-room epergne Mr. Webster, 
Sunderland, was awarded the first prize. The top tiers consisted of Spiraeas, 
and double Pelargoniums, draped with Tropseolum; the second Begonia 
Moonshine, Roses, and Azaleas ; the base was heavy but not formal with 
Azaleas, Narcissus poeticus, Roses, this being margined with Davillia 
Mooreana. Mrs. E. Adams, Swalwell, was second, and Mr. M. D. Thompson, 
gardener to Lindsay Wood, Esq., third. The last was a very tasteful epergne, 
and much dissatisfaction was expressed that it was not placed first. It has 
been usual for all the Judges to judge the epergnes and cut flowers, thus 
acting as a sort of committee. In the above case, unfortunately, one Judge 
was only present, but the vase was not quite erect, and no doubt this in¬ 
fluenced the award. In other classes Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Adams, and 
Mr. J. McKenzie, florist, Benweil, were prizetakers. For hand bouquets 
Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Webster won the honours in each class. For 
twelve Rhododendron trusses Mr. T. C. Ford was first with R. ciliatum 
Veitchianum (good), Due de Rohan, Magnificum, &c.; Mr. Neil Black being 
second with Gibsoni, Countess of Haddington, and Purity. These were 
really a very grand show. For twelve bunches of Azaleas Mr. J. McIntyre 
was first with La Reine des Blanches, Due de Nassau, Comtesse de Flandres, 
Dr. Morren, Imbricata, &c ; Mr. C. W. Baynes, gardener to R. Dickinson, 
Esq., Shotley House, being second. For Pansies, Fancy and dissimilar, Mr. 
Atkinson was first in each class. For twelve Roses on stands Mr. Brusby, 
Pendower, w T as first with handsome blooms of Marfichal Niel, large in size 
and rich in colour ; Mr. C. W. Baynes being second. 
Miscellaneous .—Amongst the exhibits not for competition, one of the 
finest collections of hardy Narcissus ever seen in the north was staged by 
Mr. W. J. Watson, including flowers of many beautiful varieties. W. 
Fell & Co., nurserymen, Wentworth Nurseries, Hexham, showed as usual an 
excellent collection of hardy Coniferse, including such varieties as Cupressus 
Lawsoniana and Dicksoniana, Thuja Vervaeana, Thujopsis Standishii, 
Retinospora filifera, and the curious Libocedrus decurrens aurea. 
The Committee and Secretary merit congratulation on the success of the 
Exhibition, which was in a great measure attained by ungrudging labour. 
The Committee and Judges dined at the Turf Hotel, where the Treasurer, 
Thos. Gray, Esq., presided, with Mr. Plinner in the vice chair. 
NOTES AT UPPER HOLLOWAY. 
The extensive collections of choice and beautiful plants in Mr. B. S. 
Williams’s nursery at Upper Holloway have rarely been in better con¬ 
dition than at the present time, for every department possesses some 
attraction worthy of notice. Numerous as are the houses devoted to 
plants, the rapidly increasing stock requires more adequate accommoda¬ 
tion, and to afford this several houses are in preparation, which will 
doubtless soon be filled when completed, and furnish additional at¬ 
tractions for horticulturists in search of novelties of sterling merit or 
older well-proved favourites. It is most pleasing to observe the activity 
prevailing throughout the establishment, as indicating that the general 
demand for good plants is very far from decreasing, and indeed there is 
substantial evidence that a great advance is being made in many classes 
of plants. To note a few of the most striking inmates of the houses we 
may commence with the 
Orchids. —These, it is known throughout the civilised world, are a 
standard attraction, and it is of little consequence what period of the year 
a visitor may select for his journey thither, there is always something 
rare, valuable, and beautiful to be seen in flower, and the utmost care is 
exercised to maintain this character. All the best varieties obtainable 
are added to the collection, and every novelty is secured and tested as soon 
as possible, the comparison with the many other varieties or species being 
most useful in proving whether the new comer deserves a position or Dot. 
Just now the Cattleyas and Lasliasare in grand condition ; about 500 or 
COO sheaths are showing, which in the course of a few weeks will produce 
a display of unsurpassed beauty. Some are already flowering, and 
amongst them may be mentioned the profuse rosy purple Cattleya 
Skinneri, which is one of the really useful Orchids. Several pretty 
varieties of C. Mendelli, diversely, richly, and delicately tinted are 
noticeable ; while of C. Trianm the collection is large and valuable, and 
scores of plants are promising a handsome display later on. 
