May 22, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
409 
biurn nobile profusely flowered. Mr. Mortimer took the second place, Den- 
drobium thyrsiflorum having seven spikes, Yanda suavis two spikes of twelve 
flowers each, and Dendrobium densiflorum with forty-five spikes, a remarkable 
specimen, which nearly gained the first prize for the collection. Mr. Baskett 
was third, his plants being Cypripedium caudatum, Cattleya Mossise with nine 
flowers, and Dencrobium thyrsiflorum with seven spikes. The same exhi¬ 
bitor was first with a single specimen Cymbidium Lowianum, having two 
spikes of sixteen flowers each. Mr. James was second, showing Cattleya 
Mendelli bearing thirteen flowers. 
Groups .—In the class for a group of plants arranged for effect in a space 
of 12 feet by 10 feet, Mr. Phippen, Reading, won the leading prize, but the 
arrangement was not quite so effective as that usually distinguishing his 
contributions. The groundwork consisted of miscellaneous plants, such as 
Spiraeas, Pelargoniums, Coleuses, with taller plants of Campanulas, Lilies, 
Chrysanthemum frutescens Etoile d’Or, and a back of Palms and Pandanus, 
the margin comprising Isolepis and Selaginellas alternately. Mr. James 
was placed second, but the group scarcely merited a place, for it was 
extremely thin and dull, though including several good Orchids. The 
competition was keener in the class for a group 6 feet by 4 feet, but even 
in that there was a falling-off in artisticness. Mr. Woolford, gardener to 
H. Palmer, Esq., was adjudged first honours for a bright collection of 
Calceolarias, Gloxinias, Ericas, Rhododendrons, Richardias, Lilies, and 
Lobelias, with a due proportion of Ferns. Mr. Hatch, gardener to S. B. 
Stevens,Esq., Reading, followed, Roses, Begonias, Coleuses, Pelargoniums, and 
Nephrolepis forming the chief features. Mr. Sumner, gardener to J. H. 
Millard, Esq., Reading, was a good third, having a graceful and pretty group, 
in which Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, and Azaleas chiefly predominated. Extra 
prizes were awarded to Mr. Balchin, gardener to B. Simonds, Esq. ; Mr. 
House, gardener to J. O. Taylor, Esq., and Mr. Mayne in this class, all the 
groups being bright. A magnificent bank of Rhododendrons from Mr. 
Ashby, gardener to W. Fanning, Esq., gained him the first prize in the class 
for those plants, but it is to be regretted that only one collection was staged, 
as the effect of the show would have been much improved had there been 
two or three competitors. 
Azaleas. — Several collections of remarkably well-flowered specimens 
were staged in the classes for Azaleas, especially noteworthy being those 
from Mr. Lockie, Oakley Park Gardens, Windsor, in the class for six plants 
in 8-inch pots. These were beautifully even examples, and deservedly 
secured Mr. Lockie the first prize. They were about 2 feet high, and covered 
with large bright flowers, the best being Model, Lady Scott, Warrior, 
Eclatante, and Mdlle. Yerschaffelt. Mr. Armitage and Mr. Baskett were 
respectively second and third with less profusely flowered plants. Mr. 
Lockie was again the premier exhibitor of four Azaleas, showing perfect 
little globes of flowers, extremely handsome ; Reine des Pays Bas, Roi 
d’Holland, and Duchesse Adelaide de Nassau were the best. Mr. Mortimer 
was a close second with neat plants. 
Pelargoniums are generally in strong force at Reading, and, though not 
quite so numerous as usual, some creditable plants were staged. Mr. Ashby 
had the best nine specimens of show varieties, each about 3 feet in diameter 
and flowering profusely. Ruth, Empress, Triomphe de St. Mandfi, Claribel, 
Crimson King, and Duchess of Edinburgh were the principal varieties, the 
last bearing a great number of fine flowers. In other classes Mr. Mortimer 
and Mr. Powell, gardener to G. Gilligan, Esq., Reading, were the prizetakers. 
Mr. Mould was the only exhibitor of six Ericas, taking the first position with 
admirably neat and well-flowered specimens. The same exhibitor was first 
with six Roses in pots, Mr. Tranter of Upper Assenden also scoring a success 
with Roses in another class. Mr. Baskett took the lead with six Gloxinias in 
32 and 24-size pots, with about two dozen blooms each, fine in substance and 
colours. Mr. Farey, gardener to 0. Stephens, Esq., Woodley Hill, and Mr. 
Mortimer were the other prizetakers, the last having a handsome plant of 
Boule de Neige with about thirty flowers. Bright and beautiful plants of 
Calceolarias were contributed by Messrs. Baskett, Lockie, and Hatch. Table 
plants were represented by some very creditable specimens ; those from Mr. 
Ross, Welford Park Gardens, Newbury, for which the first prize was awarded, 
were very neat and well grown, the soil being surfaced with Selaginella. 
Pandanus Yeitchi, Yucca variegata, Croton Eyresi, Caladium argyrites, and 
a pretty narrow-leaved seedling Croton being the best. Mr. Baskett, who 
followed, had larger plants. Fuchsias were not of remarkable beauty, but 
were fairly well flowered. Messrs. Sumner, Mortimer, and Mayne were the 
prizetakers. 
Cut flowers were numerously and well shown. The best general collections 
of stove and greenhouse were from Messrs. Ross, Mortimer, Woolford, James, 
and Phippen, all including good examples of the most useful and attractive 
of indoor plants. Rose blooms were well represented by Messrs. Gurden, 
Tranter, and Elliott. Pansies were chiefly shown by Mr. Bridge, gardener to 
J. F. Hall, Esq., Erleigh Court; Mr. Lawrence, gardener to Mrs. Owen Knox, 
Carshalton ; and Mr. Shrimpton. Table decorations, bouquets, and button¬ 
holes were contributed by several exhibitors, the leading prizes being secured 
by Mr. Phippen. 
Fruit .—The display in the classes for fruit was rather small. For two 
bunches of black Grapes Mr. Howe, gardener to Sir R. Sutton, Benham Park, 
was first with Black Hamburgh well coloured, the bunches and berries of 
good size for such early fruit. Mr. Ashby and Mr. Baskett followed with the 
same variety. In the white Grape class Mr. Ashby took the first prize with 
fairly good Foster’s Seedling, Mr. Baskett being second with the same 
variety, but rather green. Mr. Howe had the best dish of Figs White Mar¬ 
seilles, and Mr. Mortimer contributed the best dish of Strawberries Sir 
Joseph Paxton, fine, even, and beautifully ripened. 
Vegetables .—Three creditable collections of vegetables were entered, Mr. 
Lockie gaining the premier award with most praiseworthy examples of 
Lyon Leeks, Royal Windsor Cucumbers, American Wonder Peas, Sutton’s 
Reading Perfection Tomatoes, Royal Ashleaf Potatoes, Mammoth Negro 
Beans, French Horn Carrots, Queen Onions, Late Queen Broccoli, Asparagus, 
Cabbage, &c. Mr. Howe, who was placed second, also had a good collection, 
his Ne Plus Ultra Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Asparagus being particularly 
fine. Mr. R-:ad, gardener to J. Wilder Esq., Parley Hall, followed with a 
good representative collection. In other classes for Potatoes, Peas, Beans, 
Asparagus, Broccoli, and Rhubarb, Messrs. Read, Elliott, Lockie, Clark, 
Balchin, and Lipscombe were the prizetakers. Messrs. Sutton & Sons’ prizes 
for Cucumbers and Potatoes brought a number of competitors, all staging 
good examples. For a brace of Cucumbers Mr. Mortimer was first with 
Purley Park Hero, very even and handsome. Mr. Howe and Mr. House 
followed closely. For a dish of kidney Potatoes Mr. Lockie was first with 
Sutton’s Early Ashleaf and second with Sutton’s Ringleader. For round 
Potatoes Mr. Howe led with Early Market, and Mr. Lockie second with 
First and Best. 
Miscellaneous .—By far the most important of the non-competing exhibits 
was the group of plants from Mr. Lees, gardener to Mrs. Marsland, The 
Wilderness, Reading. This consisted of a groundwork of Ferns, Azaleas, 
Begonias, Auriculas, Selaginellas, and Panicum variegatum, with taller 
Palms, Ferns, and Fuchsias, to impart a diversity to the display. Mr. C. 
Turner, Slough, exhibited collections of Pelargoniums, Carnations, Roses, 
and Alpine Auriculas, including a large number of fine varieties, several of 
w’hich were certificated. Mr. J. Fyfe had a box of twelve good Auriculas. 
Boxes of handsome Mardchal Niel Rose blooms were shown by Mr. Tranter, 
and Clematises by Mr. Bridge. For most of the above extra prizes were 
awarded, and certificates were adjudged for the following plants, a certificate 
of merit being awarded to the Chadborn & Coldwell Company, Upper Thames; 
Street, London, for their Excelsior lawn mower. 
To Mr. Turner for Carnations Mrs. Maclaren, crimson bizarre, previously 
certificated at Kensington ; Hector , bright scarlet self, fine colour, and well- 
formed substantial flower ; Bufus, deep scarlet self, very rich and effective ; 
Ruby, purple self, a beautiful soft tint; and Mrs. Llewelyn , a rosy pink self, 
large full handsome bloom. 
Alpine Auriculas Mrs. Ball, rich crimson shaded, pale tube, bold hand¬ 
some flower, very free ; Homer, deep red shaded, bright gold tube, distinct j 
and Eclipse , crimson purple shaded, gold tube, rich and effective. 
SYRINGING VINES. 
I find one of your readers has been trying Hudson’s dry soap in 
water to syringe his Vines, and is very much alarmed what the result 
will be. To attempt to syringe Vines in flower to clear off the blossom 
and pollen is bad enough, but using soapy water when the berries are 
not thinned, with great fire heat and a treacherous sun shiniDg, rust is 
sure to follow, as the whole mass gets baked on the berries, and once 
done no after syringing will remove it. Clear water would do the same. 
I shall be very sorry if any harm occurs from this misapplication. Never 
syringe the bunches from the time of coming into flower until they are 
thinned, a few days later is better.—J. E. Waiting, Grange-over-Sands. 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. 
Mat 21st. 
Beautiful as the summer Exhibitions of the Royal Botanic Society 
invariably are, that held on Wednesday last was, in the opinion of many, 
the finest they have ever had thus early in the season. From whatever 
point the Exhibition was viewed, the effect was grand in the extreme. 
Glowing masses of colour were furnished by the profusely flowered specimen 
Azaleas ; rich and soft shades of blue, purple, and mauve by the unrivalled 
Clematises; rich green foliage by Ferns and Palms, and exquisite inde¬ 
scribable tints by the extraordinary collections of Orchids. The nurserymen’s 
groups also, which occupied the central banks, were unusually elegant, and 
the whole arrangement of the Show indicated the most careful and tasteful 
superintendence. Mr. Coomber, indeed, deserves the greatest praise for the 
admirable and effective manner in which the several classes were disposed 
and the colours contrasted, blended, or softened. Extremely favourable 
weather induced the attendance of a large company of distinguished visitors, 
and the general impression was that the Exhibition was one of the greatest 
successes hitherto scored by the Society. 
Orchids. — A superb display of Orchids was provided, no less than 
six handsome collections being entered in the amateurs’ class, forming 
a bank of unequalled beauty. The Dorchester plants were magnificent, 
the grand plant of Cattleya Skinneri being awarded the Yeitch Memorial 
medal in the class for the best Orchid in the Show. It was about 
4 feet in diameter, with twenty-four trusses of six to eight flowers 
each of the most lovely soft rosy crimson imaginable. Thunia Marshalli, 
Dendrobium nobile, Masdevallia Harryaua splendens, Dendrobium 
pulchellum, and D. Falconeri were similarly noteworthy. The Syden¬ 
ham plants were profusely flowered; Dendrobium thyrsiflorum with 
seven spikes, Cymbidium Lowianum with four grand spikes, Masdevallia 
Harryana, fine colour ; Oncidium Marshallianum, with a magnificent panicle ; 
Cypripedium caudatum, with twenty flowers, and others similarly good. The 
most effective plant in the Bickley collection was Sobralia macrantha, with 
two dozen handsome flowers. In addition to the prizetakers a large silver 
medal was awarded to Mr. Salter, gardener to J. Southgate, Esq., Selborne, 
Streatham, for some handsome specimens ; a silver medal was also adjudged 
to Mr. J. Douglas, gardener to F. Whitbourne, Esq., Great Gearies ; and a 
large bronze medal to Mr. J. Child, gardener to V. J. Bell, Esq., Garbrand 
Hall, Ewell, for exhibits in the same class. Only three collections were 
entered in the nurserymen’s class, and the plants generally were not so large 
or remarkable as in the amateurs’ section. Mr. James, however, had some 
