JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 425 
summer in greenhouses or on window sills ; while for winter 
decoration, and for affording bright cut flowers in the dark days, 
I do not know of one variety to surpass it. Those who are 
fortunate in having a few plants of the variety in question will 
do well to increase the number, and those who do not possess 
Henry Jacoby will not err by adding it to their collections, as, 
unless I am mistaken, it will become a standard Zonal for general 
decorative purposes. It is comparatively new, yet is not ex¬ 
pensive, and may be had from the leading florists. If I were in 
the trade I should work up a stock and advertise it, as I feel 
certain it would do me credit. This very promising variety was 
raised by Mr. Pearson of Chilwell.— A London Paek Man. 
VINES FROM!LAYERS. 
There is not, in my opinion, any system of raising young Vines 
now practised and recommended which possesses so many advan¬ 
tages as layering. Vines may be raised from layers in half the 
time usually required to obtain them from eyes. Those now 
being raised from eyes have no doubt been growing for the last 
three months, and they will continue to need attention for the 
next five months, and by that time probably not one in twelve 
will be sufficiently developed to bear fruit next season. If cut 
back and grown on again for another year they may be expected 
to show some bunches about the time they are twenty-four months 
old, but when layered a crop may be had from them in half that 
time or less. 
At the present time we have a few Black Hamburgh Vines in 
pots bearing six and eight bunches, and these Vines were not 
rooted at this time last year. At the end of May some of the 
strongest shoots left near the base of the established Vines were 
layered to afford Vines for fruiting in pots this season, and they 
have done so well with so little trouble that many of your readers 
might try the plan with advantage. 
Most Vines produce shoots from the base of the stems during 
the growing season ; many gardeners rub these off as soon as 
they appear, but if they are allowed to grow a few yards long 
they are well suited for layering the following season. Being 
near the ground they need not be trained amongst the other 
shoots, but be tied across from stem to stem. Such a shoot will 
be found to mature sound eyes, which will start strongly into 
growth the following spring ; the shoots then formed will be 
strong and short-jointed, and when they are a few feet in height 
they will be ready for layering. 
This operation is very simple. A number of 6-inch pots should 
be drained and filled with a mixture of loam and manure, and 
each of these must be placed directly under the Vine shoot which 
it is desired to layer. A small notch is then made underneath 
each shoot on the old wood, and this part is placed in the soil in 
the pot, and a short thick wood peg is placed over the rod imme¬ 
diately on each side of the young cane and fixed in the soil ; this 
keeps them firm until roots have been formed, which will quickly 
take place if care is taken to prevent the soil becoming dry. 
The young growths are still sustained by the old Vine, and the 
layering gives them no check, but it is well to stop each one as 
they become about 6 feet in height. This is a good length for a 
pot Vine, and by taking the point out of them then it causes them 
to swell. The young Vines may be left attached to the old rods 
until the pots have become quite filled with roots, and after being 
separated for a few days they may be transferred to 10-inch pots, 
and with good attention they will form fine fruiting canes the 
same season.—A Kitchen Gardener. 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. 
May 25th. 
' The first Summer Show of the year was favoured by excellent 
weather, and the result was not only a beautiful display but a large 
attendance of visitors. The exhibits filled the large marquee and the 
corridor, the arrangements being generally satisfactory. The follow¬ 
ing is a brief report indicating the chief features of the Show and the 
most successful competitors. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants .—These were well represented. In 
the nurserymen’s class for twelve Messrs. T. Jackson & Son, Kingston, 
secured the first prize with large and healthy specimens, all flowering 
freely. Messrs. B. Peed & Son, Lower Streatham, were second with 
good specimens, including a fine Statice profusa and Allamanda 
grandiflora. In the amateurs’ class for ten Mr. W. Chapman, gar¬ 
dener to J. Spode, Esq., Hawkesyard Park, Rugeley, was deservedly 
accorded the first prize for healthy specimens, including a very fine 
Acrophyllum venosum, Tremandra ericaefolia, and Erica depressa 
major. Mr. Tudgey, gardener to J. G. Williams, Esq., Henwick 
Grange, Worcester, was a very close second, also with large plants. 
Third, Mr. C. Rann, gardener to J. Warren, Esq., Handcross Park, 
Crawley, with an even collection, Aphelexis macrantha rosea being 
well flowered. For an amateur’s six Mr. W. Chapman was first with fine 
specimens of Dracophyllum gracile and Erica Cavendishii, large, even, 
and well flowered. Mr. Tudgey was again a close second with smaller 
but neat plants ; and Mr. J. Child, gardener to Mrs. Torr, Garbrand 
Hall, Ewell, was a good third. An extra prize was deservedly awarded 
to Mr. J. Hinnell, gardener to F. D. Davis, Esq., Surbiton. Messrs. J. 
Jackson & Son, Kingston, were first with handsome specimens ; 
Messrs. B. Peed & Son second with healthy Aphelexis and Heaths ; 
and Mr. Henry James, Castle Nursery, Norwood, third with small 
p’ants in the corresponding nurserymen’s class. 
Orchids. —A magnificent bank of Orchids was contributed in the 
two classes devoted to them. In the amateurs’ class for twelve Mr. 
J. C. Spyers, Orchid grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., Burford 
Lodge, Dorking, was first with very beautiful specimens. The finest 
were Dendrobium Bensonim, Odontoglossum vexillarium, Cattleya 
Warneri, with fourteen large flowers ; Cattleya Mendelli, with twenty 
flowers ; Cypripedium niveum, and Calanthe veratrifolia. Mr. J. 
Douglas, gardener to F. Whitbourn, Esq., Loxford Hall, Ilford, was 
a close second, a fine variety of Dendrobium Wardianum and a large 
specimen of D. nobile being represented. Mr. Henry Heims, gar¬ 
dener to F. A. Philbrick,Esq., Oldfield, Bickley Park, was a good third, 
Sobralia macrantha being very fine. In the corresponding class for 
nurserymen Mr. B. S. Williams, Upper Holloway, was awarded the 
premier prize for a beautiful specimen of Cypripedium barbatum 
with over forty flowers ; Laelia purpurata, very fine variety with twenty 
flowers ; Oncidium concolor, Epidendrum vitellinum, and many 
others in fine condition ; Mr. Henry James and Messrs. Jackson & Son 
followed, both staging good specimens. 
Azaleas. —Many fine Azaleas were shown, and taking them gene¬ 
rally they have rarely been in better condition. For an amateur’s 
six Mr. A. Ratty, gardener to R. Thornton, Esq., The Hoo, Syden¬ 
ham, was first with tall pyramidal specimens, well furnished with 
flowers. Mr. Child was second with smaller but equally well flowered 
plants. Mr. G. Wheeler, gardener to Lady Louisa Goldsmid, Regent’s 
Park, was third with fairly good specimens. In the corresponding 
nurserymen’s class Messrs. Jackson & Son secured the chief position 
with neat, healthy, globular-trained plants, Mr. C. Turner, Slough, 
following very closely. For six Azaleas in 12-inch pots Mr. Ratty 
was first, Mr. Child second, and Mr. Wheeler third. In the open 
class for twelve specimens Mr. R. Ratty w 7 as the most successful 
exhibitor, having bright and vigorous plants and securing the chief 
prize. Mr. C. Turner was a close second with well-flowered plants; 
and Messrs. Jackson & Son were third. An extra prize w r as awarded 
to Mr. Wiggins, gardener to H. Little, Esq., Uxbridge, for neat 
specimens. 
Fine-foliage Plants. —As usual several fine groups of these were 
exhibited. For six specimens (nurserymen’s class) Mr. B. S. Williams 
was first with a good selection of plants, Mr. Henry James following 
with small plants. In the amateurs’ class Mr. H. Cole, gardener to 
J. Lawless, Esq., Exeter, was first with a handsome Gleichenia 
rupestris glaucescens, Livistonia altissima, and Alocasia intermedia 
among others. Mr. C. Rann was a good second with a fine collection, 
including two remarkably fine Crotons, C. Andreanus being particu¬ 
larly handsome. Mr. Tudgey was third with healthy examples of 
Pritchardia pacifica and Kentia gracilis. An extra prize was awarded 
to Mr. Wheeler for some good specimen Palms among other plants. 
For six exotic Ferns (nurserymen’s class) Mr. B. S. Williams was first 
with handsome Gleichenias and other choice Ferns. In the amateurs’ 
class for the same number Mr. G. H. Cole was placed first with 
fresh healthy specimens, Davallia Mooreana being especially fine. 
Mr. Douglas was second. 
Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, were the only exhibitors of nine 
Roses in pots, securing the first prize for grand plants similar to those 
shown at Alexandra Palace recently. Mr. C. Turner was the chief 
exhibitor of six Pelargonrums, and was adjudged the first prize. Mr. 
Wiggins, Tottenham, was second for neat plants with very large 
flowers. Mr. J. Wiggins taking a similar place in the amateurs’ 
class, followed by Mr. C. Hammond, gardener to F. Huntly, Esq., 
Stamford Hill. 
Miscellaneous exhibits were numerous and of excellent quality. 
A silver-gilt medal was awarded to Messrs. James Yeitch & Son, 
Chelsea, for a large and handsome group of Roses in pots arranged 
with small Maples. The Roses were in excellent condition, and 
were greatly admired. Mr. B. S. Williams, Upper Holloway, was 
awarded a silver medal for a pretty group of miscellaneous flowers 
and fine-foliaged plants, including several novelties. A large silver 
medal was adjudged to the General Horticultural Company for an 
imposing group of new and choice plants, chiefly Dracaenas and 
Crotons, both remarkably well coloured. The margin of Gloxinias 
and Adiantums was also pretty. A silver medal was secured by 
Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, for a novel and effective 
group, comprising variegated Maples, Abutilons, Myosotis, white 
Daisies, Lilies of the Valley, and small Heaths. Some examples of 
Erica Cavendishi were especially notable for the vigour and the 
number of large flowers they bore. Messrs. Richard Smith & Co., 
Worcester, were awarded a silver medal for a collection of Clematises 
in fine condition, several bearing large flowers. Messrs. George 
Jackman & Son, Woking, contributed a handsome group of Clematises, 
comprising twenty fine plants, the flowers large and colours good. 
A silver-gilt medal was awarded. A silver-gilt medal was adjudged 
to Messrs. Paul & Son for a large group of Roses in pots—fresh, 
