290 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 14, 1881. 
admirably in a compost of loam, peat, and sand if care is paid 
to draining the pit thoroughly, an ordinary greenhouse tempera¬ 
ture being suitable for it. Seeds were originally obtained by 
Messrs. Lucombe, Pince, and Co. of Exeter, from the Swan River 
Territory, and the plants raised were first distributed about forty 
years ago. 
Camellias, Azaleas, and many other plants are also extensively 
grown under glass, while the stock of Hollies is remarkable, com¬ 
prising over fifty thousand specimens of various sizes and many 
varieties, respecting which a few notes will be contributed at a 
future time.—L. 
NEWCASTLE SPRING SHOW. 
The fifth spring Show of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Incorporated 
Horticultural and Botanical Society, which has been established fifty- 
six years, was held on the Gthand7thinst. in the Town Hall and Corn 
Exchange, which as usual were effectively decorated for the occasion. 
It was an immense improvement on any of the previous spring ex¬ 
hibitions of the Society; the Azaleas especially were represented in 
greater numbers and of much superior merit than heretofore. The 
plants that secured the premier honours shown by Mr. Yule, gardener 
to H. Pease, Esq., Pierremont, Darlington, elicited the highest en¬ 
comiums from experienced critics. Such old-fashioned spring flowers 
as Dielytra spectabilis, Wallflowers, and Spirmas were shown in more 
than ordinary excellence, and visitors from London considered the 
Exhibition superior to those that have been recently held in the 
metropolis. 
In Class A, open to all, for four specimen plants in bloom, no less 
than eleven lots were staged, many of which were of great excellence. 
Mr. Yule was an easy first with a good plant of Genetyllis talipifera 
over 4 feet through, splendidly flowered and coloured. Dendrobium 
nobile, 5 feet through, crowded with flowers ; a good Aphelexis 
macrantlia, and Clerodendron Balfourianum constituted his stand. 
Mr. John Crozier, gardener to J. W. W. Wilson, Esq., Sbotley Hall 
Gardens, being second with a superior plant of Erica Wilsoni in ex¬ 
cellent bloom ; Dendrobium nobile and Azalea Criterion were also 
very good. Mr. James Noble, gardener to Theo. Fry, Esq., Wood- 
burn Gardens, Darlington, was third, his noteworthy plants being 
Tetratheca hirsuta, which was grand, and Erica barbata major, very 
good. In the other stands many good specimens were staged, notably 
those from Mr. John Thompson, nurseryman, Newcastle, which com¬ 
prised a magnificent plant of the rare Cymbidium eburneum bear¬ 
ing twenty-two open flowers. This plant elicited from all sources 
much admiration, and a special prize was awarded for it. Mr. Neil 
Black, gardener to Misses Pease, South End, Darlington, exhibited 
an excellent plant of Rhododendron Countess of Haddington ; and 
Mr. Battersby sent a fine Anthurium Schertzerianum with very large 
spathes. 
For four specimens of Azalea indica there were ten competitors 
against two last year ; the plants extended in one row the entire 
length of the hall, and had a most charming effect. The training 
was much superior to former occasions. Mr. Yule was first with 
four good plants of Roi d’Holland, Mrs. Wm. Ball, Iveryana, and Per¬ 
fection. They were very open in size and symmetrical in form. Mr. 
Methven, gardener to J. Lange, Esq., Heathfield House, was an excel¬ 
lent second. His plants were taller than the first, but very profusely 
flowered. Mr. Neil Black was third with very fine pyramid speci¬ 
mens, and the flowers were excellently coloured. Many excellent 
Azaleas were shown, some of which were not in bloom, which might 
have been remedied had they been placed in a higher temperature. 
In the corresponding class for two Azaleas thirteen collections were 
staged, all of excellent merit, Mr. Yule being first and Mr. W. L. 
Thompson second. For three Rhododendrons (dissimilar) Mr. Yule 
was also first, followed by Mr. Noble with fine plants of R. Gibsoni, 
R. Countess of Haddington, and R. Nuttalli. In the corresponding 
class Mr. Yule was also first for two, followed by Mr. Anderson. 
For six plants of Dielytra spectabilis Messrs. John Thompson and 
Sons were first. Seven collections were staged; being just placed 
above the following plants they had a very effective appearance. 
The foliage was of good colour as well as the flowers. It is seldom 
they are seen done so well. In the B division Mr. Yule and Mr. Blan¬ 
chard, gardener to Mrs. Burrell, Low Condercum, Benwell, were first 
and second. Spiraeas in both A and B classes were excellent, some 
of them exceeding 3 feet in diameter ; the foliage good and the flower 
spikes numerous, Mr. Noble being first in both classes. The Cine¬ 
rarias were fine in both classes. In the A class eight collections of 
six were staged, which were much admired. Some of the plants had 
heads of flowers 2 feet across. They were placed in a high position at 
one end of the room, from where all visitors had easy access to inspect 
them. In the A division class Mr. G. Pattison, St. Ann’s Hill Nursery, 
Carlisle, was first. In the B division class Mr. Yule was first among 
six competitors. Primulas were very numerous, Mr. T. Lawson being 
first with six very fine specimens in 6-inch pots. Mr. Woods, gardener 
to H. N. Middleton, Esq., Fenham Hall, was first in the corresponding 
class of division B. The display of spring flowers was still further 
augmented by the handsome Cyclamens. Mr. Yule continued his 
extraordinary success here by taking first in both classes with plants, 
appearing not more than two years old, superbly flowered. Mr. 
Pattison was second with plants that had been very fine, but were 
slightly past their best. 
Lily of the Yalley was shown in greater numbers than in any 
previous spring Show. In the A division class for six pots five com¬ 
petitors entered, Mr. Yule being again first, Messrs. Thompson & Son 
second, and Mr. Lawrenson third, all showing admirably, both foliage 
and flowers being good. In the corresponding B division class Mr. 
Noble was the chief exhibitor. Hardy perennials, Scillas, and Hepa- 
ticas were also well shown. In all the Society’s Shows table plants 
form a strong feature, no less than twelve collections of six being 
staged. Mr. Whiting, gardener at Shot Tower, being first, followed 
by Messrs. W. Lawrenson and Yule. 
Auriculas were not shown so numerously nor so well as last year, 
which is accounted for by the Show being a week earlier and by the 
past severe winter. Handsome prizes were offered by the Society for 
these plants. For twelve Auriculas (dissimilar) Mr. Thos. E. Hay, 
Killingworth Colliery, was first with Glory, four pips ; Mrs. Sturrock 
and Piz&rro, nine ; Ruby, nine ; Blackbird and Lancashire Hero, six ; 
Charles Perry, ten. Mr. Edward Adams, Swalwell, second, and H. 
Sanderson, Whalton, third. For six dissimilar varieties (Alpines ex¬ 
cluded) Mr. Hay was also first, and Mr. Adams second. For four 
dissimilar varieties (Alpines excluded) Mr. Jos. Watson, nurseryman, 
Fenham Park, was first. For single specimens of green-edged, grey- 
edged, and white-edged varieties Messrs. H. Sanderson, E. Adams, 
and Thos. E. Hay were respectively first. For one Auricula, premier 
plant in Show, Mr. Thos. E. Hay was first with Lancashire Hero con¬ 
taining six pips. Polyanthuses were also inferior to those of last 
year. For six gold-laced varieties Mr. Atkinson, florist, Winlaton, 
was first with Formosa, Beatrice, Diadem, and some seedlings finely 
laced; Mr. Wm. Henderson, gardener to Col. Cowan, Blaydon Burn, 
was second, his stand containing a flower named Queen of the Tyne. 
For six Polyanthuses, other than gold-laced, Mr. Atkinson was first. 
Hyacinths formed one of the grand features of this Show. For the 
Society’s prize of £5 six collections of twenty-four were staged, 
Mr. Jos. Watson being placed first with handsome specimens bearing 
massive spikes and healthy foliage. Messrs. John Thompson and 
Son were second with good specimens, but in some instances a little 
past their best. Messrs. Nairn & Son, Pilgrim Street, were third with 
moderately fine examples. In the corresponding class for twelve 
Hyacinths Mr. Jos. Watson was again first with plants equal to his 
twenty-four ; Mr. Nairn was a good second. In the corresponding B 
class Sir. J. Brown, gardener to Mrs. Joicey, Wkinney House, Gates¬ 
head, was first; and for six Mr. T. Liddell, Low Fell, obtained a 
similar position. Double and single Tulips both in divisions A and B 
were very good, Mr. Jos. Watson winning both prizes in the former 
class, while Messrs. J. Woods and J. Storrie were successful in the 
latter. The display of Polyanthus Narcissi was magnificent. In 
each class forty-five pots were shown, and each pot contained ten 
to twelve spikes of flowers. 
Cut Flowers and Table Decorations .—For these there is strong com¬ 
petition at all the Society’s shows, and the present one was no 
exception. For twelve Camellia blooms Mr. W. L. Thompson, gar¬ 
dener to Captain Bell, Wolsington, was first. Mr. Yule was first for 
twelve Rhododendron trusses. For twelve Azalea blooms eleven 
collections were staged. Mr. J. Short, gardener to A. Pease, Esq., 
Hummersknott, Darlington, was first with fine flowers. Roses were 
not numerous, Mr. Pattinson being the chief exhibitor, and was 
placed first with twelve Mardchal Niels. The first prize of £2 10s. 
for an epergne brought out in the A division class twelve com¬ 
petitors, and ten each in the B and C division classes. They were 
arranged on the central table of the Town Hall, which were flanked 
on each side by the numerous bouquets. In the A division Mr. 
Whiting was first. His stand was very effective. The top tier con¬ 
sisted of Salvias, Anthurium Schertzerianum, and Deutzias. The 
base consisted chiefly of Eucharis, Azaleas, and Amaryllis, the 
whole being draped from the top tier with Fuchsia sprays. Although 
heavy it was admirably arranged. Mr. Thompson, gardener to 
Lindsay Wood, Esq., South Hill, Durham, was second. He had 
his usual March stand. The top consisted of Oncidium sphace- 
latum, Spiraeas, and four large spikes of Oncidium excavatum. This 
hung down to the bottom of his stand, and gave it somewhat a heavy 
appearance. Twelve bridal bouquets were shown, Mr. R. Pattinson 
being first. His arrangement was very effective, consisting of white 
Camellias, Roses, Spiraea, Phalaenopsis amabilis, and Odontoglossum 
Blunti, which were evenly arranged with Adiantum gracillimum. 
Amongst greenhouse plants Genistas were shown well, also Acacias, 
and the display of Richardia mthiopica was certainly not by any 
means the least effective part of the Show. Several neat designs in 
the hand-painted unbreakable flower pots were shown by Mr. W. H. 
Hilton, London Road, Liverpool, not for competition. Mr. John 
McIntyre also submitted an excellent dish of Strawberries, apparently 
of President and Garibaldi. 
Mr. Gillespie, the Secretary, and his numerous assistants were 
successful in carrying out all the arrangements satisfactorily to 
both exhibitors and visitors. The Committee were indefatigable in 
rendering every service necessary, and we were informed that the 
receipts on the first day were nearly £40 more than last year. The 
object of the Society being incorporated was to provide against 
contingencies of failure, as each one of the Council now becomes 
responsible for any financial deficit that may be incurred. Only 
