JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
418 
of boxes of the beautiful Tea Eose Niphetos. Stove and greenhouse 
plants were largely contributed by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe ; 
Sir J. Amory Heathcote, Bai-t., M.P., Tiverton ; H. B. Mildmay, 
Esq., Flete ; E. C. Baring, Esq., Membland ; E. Allen, Esq., Ivy 
Bridge ; E. Parson, Esq., St. Austell; and W. Derry, Esq., Plymouth. 
The collection from Sir J. Amory Heathcote were admirable ex¬ 
amples of cultural skill, and worthily deserved the first prize and 
extra certificate of culture awarded to them. The same contributor 
staged some most excellent specimen Azaleas, in each case gaining 
first honours. Mr. J. E. Chalice, nurseryman, Plympton, gained the 
borough member’s prize for the best collection of Azaleas sent out 
since 1874. Pelargoniums, Caleeolarias, Mignonette, Petunias, Be¬ 
gonias, and Gloxinias were freely contributed, and the chief prize- 
takers in these classes were Admiral Curme, Lord Francis Cecil, 
Messrs. Mildmay, Allen, Hamilton Whiteford, J. Watts, Amos 
Groombridge, and Deny. Eoses, of which there were two classes 
—one for twenty-four varieties not to exceed three of each variety, 
and the other for twelve varieties and the same conditions—were 
contributed by Mr. Moorman, gardener to Miss Christy, Coombe 
Bank, Kingston ; Mr. Smith, St. Austell ; and Messrs. Curtis, Sand- 
ford & Co., Devon Eosery, Torquay. In the class for twenty-four 
Mr. Moorman was awarded the first place, and Mr. Smith the second ; 
and in the smaller class Messrs. Curtis, Sandford & Co., first, and Mr. 
Moorman the second prize. 
Vegetables were abundantly exhibited considering the earliness 
of the season, and were especially good ; Grapes, Strawberries, and 
Gooseberries were represented in the fruit classes, while Cucumbers 
formed an extensive display. 
The weather on both days was bad, the only two unsettled days 
during the present diy spring, nevertheless there was a fair atten¬ 
dance of visitors. The arrangements were admirable, and the long 
list of exhibitors as well as visitors are indebted to Messrs. Walling 
and Bond, the Hon. Secretaries, for their particularly courteous and 
attentive demeanour to all. 
THE MARECHAL NIEL ROSE. 
Few places have made more rapid progress in Eose cultivation 
than Reigate, and few places, I venture to say, have more really 
practical admirers of its favourite flower. This was manifested at 
the last National Show by the large number of prizes taken by 
members of our Association. 
Amongst these members, as amongst all Rose-growers, there are 
still various opinions, however ; not as to the grandeur of this 
Rose, the Marechal, when in perfection, but as to the uncertainty 
of producing it in that state. “ It is so very precarious,” say some. 
“ It is useless to attempt to grow it without protection,” say others. 
Then, again, “ It will not bear coddling.” Under these circum¬ 
stances it struck me that to state how it is grown in perfection 
may be useful to its many admirers, and do something to convert 
those “ who have their doubts about it.” The other day I saw it 
in “ cold house ” without any special pretensions or favour, ex¬ 
cept a southern aspect, grown by one of our members, Mr. Badger, 
in such beauty and profusion which would at once excite admi¬ 
ration in any lover of the Rose. On some four or five plants 
there must have been not less than eight hundred blossoms in 
every possible stage of beauty. These plants had had no artificial 
heat; of course good soil, as much fresh air as possible, and the 
usual steps bad been taken to keep them clean. The result was 
one which any Rose-grower or lover would be pleased to obtain, 
and I hope these few lines may induce at least some to enjoy a 
like success in the cultivation of this beautiful Rose.— John 
Fayne, Treasurer, Reigate Rose Association. 
FLORAL EXHIBITION AT THE ALEXANDRA 
PALACE. 
The first of a series of special exhibitions was hold on Friday and 
Saturday last, being on this occasion devoted to table and floral 
decorations and Eoses in pots. The Clematises from Messrs. Jack- 
man & Son of Woking also remained on view, and with groups pro¬ 
vided from the Palace gardens a pleasing display was produced 
under the careful superintendence of Mr. J. Forsyth Johnson. The 
lessees offered very liberal prizes in twelve classes, in some of which 
a much keener competition might have been expected considering 
the value of the p i/.es. In many of the arrangements of the tables 
also there was considerable room for improvement, several exhibitors 
employing too much material, overloading the tables and producing 
a heavy appearance, others having too many brightly coloured 
flowers and insufficient foliage to tone the rather glaring effect pro¬ 
duced. However, these were the exceptions, for the majority of the 
winning exhibits were fairly tasteful and satisfactory. Originality 
in this as in many other artistic works is not too common, and the 
great attractions of decoration, simplicity of design combined with 
effectiveness, are frequently lost sight of by those who employ their 
time and attention in such work. 
The most imposing feature of the Show were the groups of Roses 
in pots from Messrs. G. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, the only entries in the 
[ May 26, 1881. 
two classes devoted to Eoses, and which well merited the premier 
prizes awarded for them. The large specimens were in admirable 
condition, fresh, healthy, and vigorous, the foliage fine, the blooms 
numerous and generally of good size and substance. Charles Lawson 
was particularly fine, the colour being very bright and the flowers 
large ; Dr. Andre, Yictor Verdier, and Madame Victor Verdier were 
similarly attractive. On each side of the large specimens the small 
plants— i.e., those in 10-inch pots, were arranged. These were also 
in creditable form, Duchesse de Vallombrosa, Perfection de Mont- 
plaisir, Madame Thhrese Levet, and Madame Lacharme being the 
varieties most noteworthy. Some of these had over two dozen 
blooms each. A short distance from the Cheshunt Eoses were the 
‘Woking Clematises in a circular group. The plants were healthy 
and well trained, but as they had been shown for some time the 
flowers were rather past their best. Some good varieties were re¬ 
presented, the best single purples being Robert Hanbury, Princess of 
Wales, Marquis of Salisbury, Blue Gem, and Lady Caroline Nevill; 
double purple, Countess of Lovelace ; single white, Maiden’s Blush ; 
and double white, Lucie Lemoine. 
The tables occupied a considerable space, and were arranged in 
lines in the central transept. In the class for a dinner table set out 
for twelve there were five exhibitors, Messrs. Dick Radclyffe & Co., 
High Holborn, securing the first prize. In the centre of the table 
were three elegant glass stands, which contained chiefly Rhodanthes 
and Grasses at the top, below these being white Azaleas, Spirmas, 
and scarlet Bouvardias, the base being occupied with Anihurium 
Schertzerianum, white Azaleas, scarlet Pelargoniums, Spiraeas, Ferns, 
and Begonia foliage, a few sprays of Lygodium scandens being 
twined round the columns of the stands. Near the sides of the table 
were small buttonhole glasses, and the fruit comprised Grapes, 
Apricots, and Peaches. Mr. Sutton Abbott, Nightingale Lane, 
Wanstead, was second with a somewhat similar arrangement, but 
containing several Ixias, Chrysanthemum Etoile d’Or, and Eucharises, 
the fruit being Cherries, Figs, and Apricots. Mr. J. R. Chard, Floral 
Depot, Clapham Common, was third, Fuchsias having been much too 
freely employed in his stands. There were also five entries in the 
class for a smaller table (for six persons). Mr. W. L. Buster, St. 
Mary’s Cray, Kent, was placed first with a neat arrangement. The 
central stand contained flowers of Delphinium cardinale, Narcissuses, 
Grasses, Azaleas, and Ferns. Messrs. D. Radclyffe and Mr. J. R. 
Medland. Chelmsford Road, Woodford, followed closely, neither being 
of remarkable merit. 
Bouquets were numerous. For a bride’s bouquet there were five 
entries ; Miss Annie Williams, Sutton House, Upper Holloway, being 
awarded the first prize for a very neat arrangement of white Azaleas, 
Tabernaemontana coronaria flore-pleno, Gardenias, Stephanotis, Lily 
of the Valley, and Adiantum cuneatum. Mr. W. Browm, St. Mary’s 
Grove Nursery, Richmond, was a very close second, his bouquet 
being somewhat similar, but containing Bouvardias in addition. 
Messrs. Jones & Son, 7, Shoplatch, Shrewsbury, were third, Eucharises 
and Stephanotises chiefly characterising their design. For three 
bridesmaids’ bouquets Messrs. Jones & Son were first and Mr. W. 
Brown second, both exhibiting well. Ball-room bouquets were con¬ 
tributed by four exhibitors. First, Messrs. Jones & Son, Shrewsbury, 
with combinations of Myosotis, Odontoglossum cirrhosum, Azaleas, 
and Eucharises in one ; Marechal Kiel Roses, Oncidium concolor, and 
Bouvardias in another ; and Laelias with Dendrobes in a third. Mr. A. 
Stuart, 84, Seven-sisters Road, was second ; and Mr. W. Brown 
third. Flower stands were not very remarkable, though the compe¬ 
tition was good. Messrs. Stuart and Buster and Miss Williams were 
the prizetakers. Mr. W. Brown was first with six buttonholes, 
chiefly Orchids and Rosebuds ; Miss Williams was a close second ; 
Miss E. M. Baines, Palmer’s Green, taking the third and an extra 
prize for neat arrangements. Baskets were contributed by Miss 
Williams and Messrs. Medland and Stuart, who secured the chief 
prizes. 
One exhibit that was not for competition deserves notice; this 
w r as a collection of artificial flowers from the Flower-girls’ Brigade, 
12, Clerkemvell Close, E.C. Some of these were admirably executed, 
Camellias and Narcissus flowers especially. Several really attractive 
bouquets were included in the stand. 
THE GOOSEBERRY CATERPILLAR AND CURRANT 
SHOOT GRUB. 
On page 188 of our issue of March 10th of the present year 
appears a reply from an entomologist to the letter of a corre¬ 
spondent, “ Combes,” on the Gooseberry caterpillar. In reference 
to what appears on the page quoted we subsequently received the 
following letter, which may be appropriately published at the 
present time, seeing that we are on the eve of the caterpillar 
season. 
“ With all deference to your entomologist, I think his very full 
description of the Gooseberry caterpillar will not assist your cor¬ 
respondent ‘ Comber but if “ Comber ’ will refer to your issue 
of July 24th, 1871), page 76, he will find what he requires in your 
reply to ‘ W. D. M.’ The plan of handpicking there recommended 
I have found the surest way, having practised it for many years 
and never failed to keep my trees free of this pest after the first 
