JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
4G0 
f June 9, 1881. 
good selection of varieties, the plants being about 5 or 6 feet high, 
and the distinctive variegation fairly well developed. The most note¬ 
worthy were aurea regina, grandis, argentea marginata, Hodginsi, 
the useful dark green strong-growing variety for towns ; angustifolia 
argentea marginata, media picta aurea, the silver Hedgehog, ferox 
argentea, Wateriana, Handsworthensis variegata, and Scotica, with 
very dark green smooth-edged leaves. 
Hardy Plants .—Popular as hardy plants are now becoming, they 
do not at present rank very generally among exhibition plants, 
though at some of the northern shows the competition is often 
spirited and interesting. When several good collections are staged 
there is scarcely a more pleasing portion of an exhibition, owing to 
the diversity in their habits, flowers, and general appearance. At 
Kensington Mr. Douglas contributed the only collection of thirty 
hardy plants in pots, for which the second prize was awarded, but 
the judges could scarcely have erred had they accorded it premier 
honours, considering its quality and the absence of any other com¬ 
petitors. Aquilegias were as usual very fine, the other chief plants 
being Stenactis speciosa, an elegant plant with Aster-like purplish 
or lilac flower heads ; Erigeron strigosa, another ally of the Asters ; 
Lupinus bicolor, flowers blue and white, very pretty; Pyrethrum 
Gloire de Stella, bright crimson ; Yerbascum phceniceum, with cream- 
coloured wax-like flowers ; and Spiraea palmata, with its fine feathery 
trusses of rosy flowers. 
Gut Flowers .—Two classes were appropriated to cut flowers, one 
for a group of hardy flowers in bunches, and the other for sixty 
blooms of Fancy Pansies, not more than two of each variety. In the 
first-named the only collection staged was from Messrs. Hooper and 
Co., who secured the chief award for fair examples of the scarlet 
Larkspur (Delphinium nudicaule), the pale yellow Globeflower (Trol- 
lius europseus), the large white-flowered Candytuft (Iberis Tenoreana), 
the Edelweiss (Gnaphalium Leontopodium), and others of less note. 
The best Pansy blooms were exhibited by Messrs. J. Cocker & Sons, 
Sunny Park, Aberdeen, who were placed first. The blooms were 
mostly of good size and substance but rather rough, the colours rich, 
and the varieties well selected. The third place in the same class 
was accorded to Mr. J. Lawrence, gardener to Mrs. 0. Knox, Caver- 
sham, for neat blooms, but many of them much too small. 
MISCELLANEOUS EXHIBITS. 
These were numerous, and imparted much interest to the Exhibition, 
being chiefly contributions from nurserymen, generally of excellent 
quality, whether plants or flowers. At the end of the large tent, and 
facing the principal entrance, was a handsome group from the General 
Horticultural Company arranged in Mr. Wills’s artistic manner, for 
which a gold medal was deservedly awarded. The background w r as 
composed of large Palms, the fore part of the group being occupied 
with a ground of Selaginellas and Adiantums, among which were fine 
Gloxinias, Odontoglossums, a central plant of 0. vexillarium bearing 
large deeply coloured flowers, Caladiums, Crassula jasminea, Til- 
landsias, Yuccas, the finely variegated form of Cyperus laxus, and 
the drooping Maidenhair Fern Adiantum Bausei. Several small 
Nepenthes were elevated on stands, while Crotons, Dracaenas, and the 
elegant Pavetta borbonica also contributed to the beauty of the 
group. Most of the other collections that were not for competition 
were arranged in the long tent with the exception of ten boxes of fine 
Hose blooms from Mr. C. Turner, four remarkably well-grown Adian¬ 
tums from Mr. Hawkins, florist, Bishop’s Road, W., for which a bronze 
Banksian medal was awarded, and a plant of the fragrant Philadel- 
phus mexicanus from Mr. Walker of Thame. Silver Banksian medals 
were awarded to the following exhibitors :—Messrs. B. S. Williams for 
a group of new and choice plants, chiefly fine-foliage plants, the new 
Ferns Pteris internata and Actiniopteris radiata australis being espe¬ 
cially noteworthy ; Mr. C. Turner for a group of new Pelargoniums, 
Azaleas, and Carnations. A white single Azalea named Franklin was 
particularly noteworthy, the flowers being large and of symmetrical 
form. Pelargonium Martial, recently certificated, was also striking. 
E. J. Loder,Esq., 42, Grosvcnor Square, for a collection of hardy Cacti 
which he had collected. Many varieties of Opuntia, Echinocereus, 
and Pilocereus were represented, several flowering; and to Messrs. 
Hooper & Co. for collections of hardy flowers and dried Grasses. A 
silver Flora medal was secured by Messrs. Barr & Sugden for groups 
of hardy plants and cut flowers ; a bronze Banksian medal being 
awarded' to Mr. H. Boiler, Kensal New Town, for a large collection of 
Cacti. 
Messrs. Kelway & Son, Langport, Somersetshire, exhibited boxes 
of double and single Pyre thrums, the single forms being very striking 
and in a great variety of colours, some being extremely rich, others 
soft. After the double varieties have had their day these singles will 
come in, and we shall be surprised if the demand for them does not come 
soon. A silver Banksian medal was awarded for them. Mr. T. S. 
Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, contributed a very handsome collection 
of Pyrethrum blooms, both single and double, the colours being rich 
and the blooms large. They were highly commended. Messrs. 
H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, also exhibited a stand of Pyrethrums of 
good varieties, and in excellent condition. Messrs. Osborn & Sons 
arranged a great collection of alpine and herbaceous plants, remark¬ 
able as well for the vaiiety of the species as for attractiveness. 
Czackia liliago major was very charming, and C. liliastrum elegant 
and stately. The Cyclobothras arrested attention, as also did the 
gorgeous Irises. A silver Banksian medal was awarded. Mr. J. L. 
English, Epping, exhibited examples of Fungi, and garden and wild 
flowers preserved in their natural colours—a most successful instance 
of floral preservation. Mr. R. T. Yeitch of Exeter staged a box 
of blooms of the old Devoniensis Rose, which were magnificent, 
and as fragrant as fine. Messrs. Dick RadclyfEe & Co. had dinner- 
table decorations, and an ornamental fernery and fountain at the 
entrance to the large tent. Mr. J. Aldous exhibited some table deco¬ 
rations and an elegant window box, and Messrs. James Cocker & Co. 
sent a collection of double Polyanthuses and Pansies. In addition 
to these two groups were contributed from the Royal Horticultural 
Society’s Gardens at Chiswick ; one comprised a fine collection of 
Cape Pelargoniums, and the other was very elegantly arranged. 
Adiantum gracillimum, Gloxinias, and numerous plants of Saxifraga 
nepalensis imparting the distinctive features of the group, the tall 
panicles of the last-mentioned plant being particularly striking. 
FRUIT. 
Considering the number of entries a large display ought to have 
been provided, but as many failed to keep their engagements this 
department of the Show was only moderately furnished. The 
weather for several days immediately preceding the date of the 
Exhibition was surely bright enough and sufficiently warm for ripen¬ 
ing fruit, and as it could have been sent with little expense there 
must have been some miscalculation in some respect, or the officials 
would not have been requested to reserve space and then have been 
put to the inconvenience of occupying it as they could. Notwith¬ 
standing, however, the disappointing shortcomings referred to the 
spread was the best that has been seen this year, and some very 
creditable examples of culture were staged. 
PINES. 
Four classes were provided for these, but in three of them only was 
there competition. Twelve fruits were staged, and with the exception 
of the two fine Smooth-leaved Cayennes from Mr. D. Wilson, gardener 
to Earl Fortescue, Castle Hill, South Molton, there was no exhibit 
of striking merit. The crowns of some examples were too large and 
others too small in proportion to the size of the fruit. In the open 
class for two fruits the pair above referred to distanced all others ; 
one of these fruits weighed 6 tbs. and the other 6^ lbs. The second- 
prize pair from Mr. Child, Garbrand Hall, were medium-sized well- 
ripened Queens—closely followed, however, by a rather smaller pair, 
perfectly ripened, and with a due balance of fruits and crown, from 
Mr. Roberts of Gunnersbury Park. In the class for one Queen Mr. 
Roberts was first with a good fruit; Mr. Sage, Ashridge Park, being 
second with a plump crownless example, and Mr. Child third with 
crown enough for two. In the class for any other variety the prizes 
went respectively to Mr. Miles, gardener to Lord Carrington, for 
Charlotte Rothschild; Mr. Bates, gardener to J. E. Meek, Esq., 
Poulett Lodge, Twickenham, with Prince Albert; and Mr. J. E. Mun- 
dell, Moor Park Gardens, Rickmansworth, with Black Jamaica 
GRAPES. 
Black Grapes. —There were six collections in the open class for 
three bunches of Black Hamburghs, the examples from Mr. Louden, 
gardener to T. Barnes, Esq., The Quinta, Chirk, overweighting the 
others completely. The bunches were very large and full, the berries 
being excellent and fairly finished. The central bunch apparently 
weighed about 5 lbs., and the exhibit was greatly and deservedly 
admired. Mr. Fyfe, gardener to W. W. Dick, Esq., Thames Ditton 
House, was second with small bunches ; and Mr. Phillips, gardener 
to Capt. Jackson, The Deodars, Meopham, third with rather loose 
bunches, and the best finished berries in the Show, but small. 
For three bunches of any other black variety Mr. Bolton, gardener 
to W. Spottiswoode, Esq., Combe Bank, Sevenoaks, was an excellent 
first with remarkably fine examples of Black Prince; Mr. Mowbray, 
gardener to the Earl of Leven and Melville, Fulmer, Slough, a good 
second with the same variety. 
White Grapes. —Mr. Louden secured the first honours with Muscats ; 
bunches medium, berries fine, but not quite ripe. Mr. Maher, gar¬ 
dener to C. Allhusen, Esq., Stoke Court, Slough, was second with 
loose bunches. In the Any other white class, Mr. Mowbray secured 
the foremost place with Buckland Sweetwater of excellent quality ; 
berries very even and good, but bunches not large. Mr. Aslett, gar¬ 
dener to C. Butler, Esq., Warren Wood, Hatfield, was an excellent 
second with very good Foster’s Seedling, but not quite ripe ; and Mr. 
Bolton third with the same variety, also unripe. 
PEACHES AND NECTARINES. 
Peaches. —Eight dishes were staged of average quality, but the 
larger fruits especially were deficient in colour. The first-prize dish 
from Mr. Crump, gardener to the Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim, was 
certainly the finest, the variety being Grosse Mignonne. Mr. Hinds, 
The Gardens, Canford Manor, was a close second with Royal George, 
very well coloured ; and Mr. Lockie, gardener to Lord Otho Fitzgerald, 
Oakley Court, Windsor, third with apparently Grosse Mignonne. 
Nectarines. —The first-prize dish of Lord Napier, very fine, came 
from Mr. Holliday, gardener to J. Norris, Esq., Castle Hill, Bletch- 
ingley ; Mr. Nash, gardener to Mr. Fuller, New Shoreham, Sussex, 
being a good second with Stanwick Elruge. 
Cherries. — Six dishes were staged, the Black Circassians from 
Mr. Miles being wonderfully fine. This exhibitor easily won the 
