JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
June 9, 1881. ] 
class, being noteworthy for their size. The three fine Gleichenias, 
which are so well known to frequenters of large metropolitan flower 
shows, were in excellent condition, being well furnished with young 
vigorous fronds ; Cyathea Dregei, C. Burkei, andDicksonia antarctica 
being also large and healthy. Mr. Child was a very close second; 
for although his plants were smaller than the first-named they weie 
very neat, and could scarcely be excelled in freshness and vigour. 
Phlebodium aureum, 5 feet in diameter, had the fine characteristic 
glaucous tint well developed. Microlepia hirta cristata was similarly 
fine ; and Davallia Mooreana was well represented. Mr. Douglas 
was third, staging good examples of Gleichenias and Davallias. The 
only nurseryman’s collection was from Mr. B. S. Williams, who 
secured the first prize for specimens of medium size, but in clean 
vigorous condition. Gleichenia flabellata and G. circinata, with Asple- 
nium nidus, were the most striking in the group. 
GROUPS. 
In every exhibition of more than ordinary extent the groups, 
whether arranged for effect or simply collections of plants, invariably 
constitute an important and attractive feature, the absence of which 
would detract considerably from the interest and completeness of the 
display ; therefore it was satisfactory to see them so well represented 
at Kensington, where seven large and more or less handsome col¬ 
lections were contributed in the two classes devoted to them—namely, 
that for one hundred miscellaneous plants in bloom, and that for a 
group of the same number of plants in pots arranged for effect in a 
space not exceeding 300 square feet. The former were especially 
bright, and the premier collection from Messrs. B. Peed & Son was 
very greatly admired, as, though the plants were of moderate size, 
they were m excellent condition and flowering abundantly. All the 
principal useful and easily grown Heaths were represented by com¬ 
pact little specimens, plants of Erica perspicua nana, a neat dwarf 
variety that is much grown for market, being numerous. Many other 
greenhouse and hard wooded plants were also represented, Pimeleas, 
Aphelexises, and Azaleas being shown in large numbers and vigorous 
health, while some small specimens of Phoenocoma Barnesii were 
noteworthy for their fresh healthy appearance. Messrs. Jackson 
and Son were second with a similarly bright group which, in addition 
to a large proportion of hardwooded plants, contained many well- 
grown Pelargoniums and Orchids. Messrs. Cutbush <fc Son were 
placed third with a neat group, in which Dracophyllum gracile and 
Genetyllises were largely shown in first-rate condition, and all the 
numerous other greenhouse plants included were flowering freely. 
For the most effective group four competitors appeared, and though 
their contributions were diverse in style they were so nearly equal in 
merit that the Judges had not an easy task in determining their 
relative positions. Chief honours were, however, bestowed upon Mr. 
J. Aldous, Gloucester Road, South Kensington, who had a tasteful 
and attractive arrangement, though it was open to the objection of 
the smaller plants being rather too crowded. What may be termed 
the groundwork of the group was chiefly composed of Fuchsias, Pelar¬ 
goniums, Calceolarias, and small Ferns, the effect being lightened by 
taller plants of Lilies, Euchavises, Dracaenas, and Palms too regularly 
disposed over the group. The margin consisted of an outer line of 
variegated Pelargoniums, next to which was a border of Caladium 
argyrites alternate with small Dracaenas and the white-flowered 
Crassula jasmmea recently described in this Journal. Messrs. J. 
Laing & Co. followed with a less formal arrangement but rather weak 
in flowering plants, though Rhodanthes, Gloxinias, Azaleas, and 
Spiraeas were freely employed. Palms, Ferns, and Dracaenas were 
interspersed among the other plants, but chiefly formed a bold back¬ 
ground. The third position was accorded to Messrs. Cutbush & Sons 
for a totally different group from the previous two, and if something 
better than the rather brown-coloured moss had been substituted for 
the groundwork it would probably have obtained a higher position. 
It was arranged on a sloping mound in one corner of the tent in a 
similar style to that shown by the same firm at the Royal Botanic 
Society’s last Exhibition. At the back was a semicircular band of 
Cordylines, variegated Maples, Azalea Souvenir de Prince Albert, and 
Abutilon vexillarium variegatum ; the ground thus enclosed being 
covered with moss, from which arose wooden stands supporting small 
Ferns, the base of each being surrounded by Chrysanthemum frutes- 
cens and other plants. But most notable in the group were the plants 
of Erica Cavendishiana, which though young were extremely vigorous, 
the branches being thickly clothed with unusually large richly 
coloured flowers. The largest specimens were in 8-inch pots, but 
smaller sizes were employed for the majority. 
ROSES. 
Although three classes were devoted to Roses, and liberal prizes 
were offered, only two exhibitors came forward ; but the Cheshunt 
contributions were extremely fine, and thus compensated to some 
extent for deficiency in other respects. In the nurserymen’s classes 
for twenty Roses in 10-inch pots and nine specimens, the size of pot 
irnstipulated, Messrs. G. Paul & Son were the sole exhibitors, gaining 
the premier awai'd in each. These specimens formed an imposing 
group on the slope near the chief entrance to the large tent, where 
their beauty could be seen to excellent advantage. The central plant 
of the large specimens was Celine Forestier, which has already been 
noticed several times this season : it was in fine condition, the foliage 
fresh and the blooms numerous. La France, too, was unusually fine 
459 
and well furnished with handsome blooms. Charles Lawson, Marie 
Rady, Anna Alexieff, and Francis Fontaine, all large and beautiful, 
also served to render the group one of the chief attractions of the 
Show. The smaller plants were arranged to form a margin to 
the others, and were in excellent health, bearing fine substantial 
blooms. Some of the varieties best represented were Mrs. Laxton, 
Abel Grand, Frangois Michelon, Miss Ingram, and Camille Bernardin. 
Mr. Tranter, Upper Assenden, was the only amateur exhibitor, and 
gained the third prize for rather poor plants, which had evidently 
suffered considerably in their carriage to the Show. 
PELARGONIUMS. 
Admirers of Show and Fancy Pelargoniums would perhaps have 
desired their favourites to be more largely represented than was the 
case at this Show, but after making due allowance for the fact that 
it is still rather early in the season for these plants, the three chief 
collections staged were fairly satisfactory. Both classes were open, 
and in each nine specimens were required. Show varieties were 
represented by three collections, the best being that shown by Mr. 
J. Wiggins, gardener to H. Little, Esq., Uxbridge, in which the plants 
were very even, well grown, and carefully tied, the flowers being large 
and of excellent form. The beautiful varieties Kingston Beauty, 
Rob Roy, Princess Alexandra, and Mary Hoyle were especially 
vigorous and notable for the profusion of their flowers. Mr. C. 
Turner followed very closely with specimens little inferior to the 
preceding, the only observable deficiency being a slight degree of 
looseness and rather too prominent stakes. Claribel was admirably 
shown, Emperor and Prince Leopold being similarly beautiful. Mr. 
W. Griffin, gardener to J. Willcocks, Esq., Forest Hill, was third with 
small and rather rough specimens. In the class for Fancy varieties 
there were only two competitors, Mr. Wiggins easily securing the 
first prize with fine healthy plants flowering most freely, and includ¬ 
ing some very pretty varieties, of which the most noteworthy were 
Lady Carrington with neat flowers, pink and white, a delicate and 
charming variety ; Mrs. Graham also very beautiful, the upper petals 
rich rosy pink, the lower white, flower large and of excellent form. 
Princess of Teck, Ellen Beck, and Duchess of Edinburgh were all 
handsome. Mr. Griffin was accorded the third prize for plants simi¬ 
lar in quality to those in his other collection. 
Tuberous Begonias— For thirty Tuberous Begonias of not less than 
twenty varieties Messrs. J. Laing & Co., Forest Hill, staged a hand¬ 
some collection of well-grown plants, representing many fine varie¬ 
ties, which well merited the premier prize that was awarded for them. 
One noteworthy feature of the group was the comparative small size 
of the pots employed, the largest not exceeding 8 inches in diameter, 
and a3 the plants were strong this imparted a light appearance to 
them which is too often v r anting, excessively large pots being for 
these, as for other plants, not only injurious but far from ornamental. 
The flowers were generally of good size and fine colours, but in 
several instances the effects of travelling were observable. Some of 
the most effective varieties were Robusta, brilliant scarlet, large 
flower; Lady Roberts, soft scarlet; Stanstead Rival, salmon scarlet, 
very large well-formed flower; Annie Laing, a handsome pink 
variety of great substance, one of the best of its colour ; Miss Muir, 
white tinged with pink, delicate; Commodore Foot, a dwarf compact 
form of the Pearcei type, with small but intensely dark scarlet flowers 
very freely produced ; Marquis of Salisbury, a fine flower of a peculiar 
brilliant crimson tint; MadameHunibelle, bright salmon, very large ; 
and Pollie, a good yellow variety. Mr. H. Coppin, Shirley, Croydon, 
was the only other exhibitor, and obtained the second prize for credit¬ 
able plants, which were, however, in rather large pots. The varieties 
Reve d'Or, yellow; Orion, soft scarlet; W. E. Gladstone, brilliant 
scarlet; Salmon Queen, and Snowflake, white, were some of the best, 
the blooms being single and of excellent form. 
Gloxinias. —These were not largely shown, which is rather surpris¬ 
ing, as they are so extensively grown. It is true they suffer consider¬ 
ably in transit to exhibitions, and often a promising collection at 
starting has a very different appearance when the plants reach their 
destination, but the prizes offered—namely, £4, £3, and £2, for thirty 
specimens might have been considered sufficient to encourage growers 
to compete. The chief collection was exhibited by Mr. T. Lyon, 
gardener to Sir E. H. Scott, Sundiidge Park, Bromley, who had some 
well-grown plants bearing large flowers, particularly remarkable for 
the richness of the colours. Mr. W. Griffin was second with small 
examples. With the exception of the first-named collection, the best 
Gloxinias were in some of the groups and miscellaneous collections. 
Rhododendrons. —In the class for twenty specimens Messrs. H. 
Lane & Son, Berkhampstead, contributed a fine group of these hand¬ 
some plants, which on one of the mounds in the large tent produced 
an imposing effect. The plants were very compact and bore abun¬ 
dance of large trusses of flowers, the varieties being distinct and well 
selected for arrangement. Some of the most telling were Lady 
Eleanor Catbcart, soft salmon pink, neat truss; Mrs. John Waterer, 
bright clear pink ; Sidney Herbert, mauve purple; Mr. J. Clutton, 
white ; Joseph Whitworth, deep purplish crimson; Exquisite, white ; 
Sir Robert Peel, rich crimson; and Fastuosum flore-pleno, the 
peculiar lilac-coloured loose-trussed variety. Messrs. G. Paul and 
Son, Cheshunt, were second with tall standard plants of good 
varieties. 
Hollies.— Messrs. W. Cutbush &. Son, Highgate, were the only ex¬ 
hibitors of fifteen Hollies, and were awarded the principal prize for a 
