JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
220 
[ March 16, 1882, 
B. purpurea, although without a doubt both are sufficiently band- 
some to merit culture in all gardens as companions for Yellozia 
Olivieri (Talbotia elegans), a nearly allied plant, bearing white 
flowers similar to those of Triteleia uniflora. This fine species of 
Yellozia is not uncommon in botanical gardens, but we have failed 
to discover a species of Barbacenia. It will be a great pleasure 
to learn if they are still cultivated in European gardens.—D. 
THE APPLE ELECTION. 
Had lists of the sorts (see page 192) to which mos L votes were 
given been published without comment I for one should have 
thought the election useless, but Mr. Killick’s notes so admirably 
qualify the selections that much good must result, and fruit¬ 
growers will doubtless agree that we are under an obligation to 
that gentleman for taking so much trouble in a matter of such 
general importance. 
I, too, have had to discard Lord Suffield, or rather it has left me 
of its own accord, for the trees were killed by canker. Its decided 
tendency to suffer from canker must be well known, and yet, 
strange to say, it has taken the second place among kitchen Apples. 
Assuredly it ought never to be planted in a thin light soil ; nor is 
a trial necessary, Keswick Codlin being equally early, and even more 
prolific, if that is possible. It is, moreover, a sure cropper, and is 
free from canker. If we had to select the best kind growing in a 
soil where many have suffered more or less from canker, the palm 
must be given to Golden Noble. The trees are pyramids upon the 
free stock, and are equally remarkable for size, symmetry, vigour, 
abundant spurs, robust health, and the abundance of large band- 
some fruit they bear. The bin full of its rich golden fruit was one 
of the most attractive features of the fruit-room ; not for long, 
however, for it was in such high favour in the kitchen that the 
supply was soon exhausted. 
Warner’s King undoubtedly merits its high position. Its growth 
is so very stout and vigorous that we can understand Mr. Killick’s 
hesitation to recommend it as a pyramid. I am glad to say it 
takes rank among the best trees of that form here. The growth 
of both trees was at first so free and robust that it was feared 
root-pruning would have to be resorted to. Fruit buds, however, 
came so early and abundantly that it was unnecessary, and the 
robust character of the growth impressed itself agreeably upon 
the fruit, which, despite its remarkable abundance year after 
year, has always been very large. M6re de Manage also has 
very large fruit, more than usually attractive by reason of its deep 
crimson colour. It keeps well into the early months of the year, 
is sweet and of fine flavour, cooking well, and is so valuable 
that I am sorry to record the sickly condition of the trees from 
canker. Cox’s Pomona, too, has much canker, and yet continues 
to bear its excellent fruit freely. 
Small’s Admirable is in such superlative health, the trees form¬ 
ing no unworthy rivals of Golden Noble, and bearing such heavy 
crops of fruit, that I regret seeing it advised to choose Stirling 
Castle instead of it, notwithstanding the high place assigned to 
the latter in the list. It is undoubtedly true that Hanwell Souring 
comes late into bearing, but it is well worth waiting for. I 
have, seen it growing it many different soils and situations, and 
have never seen an unhealthy tree of it, whether pruned or 
unpruned. It makes a magnificent pyramid here, and isnow in full 
bearing. The fruit cooks well, and is in excellent condition now. 
I quite agree with Mr. Killick in his estimate of Duchess of 
Oldenburgh. It answers so well here, and is ready for use so 
early (before any of the Codlins), and is so sure a cropper, that I 
regard it as indispensable. Yorkshire Greening retains its spread¬ 
ing straggling habit of growth under close pruning, and comes 
slowly into fruiting, but it is a very valuable late winter Apple, 
and the trees have very little canker. I regret that Striped 
Beefing is left out in the cold. It certainly suffers from canker ; 
yet we have not a more valuable winter fruit. Few are equal to it. 
It keeps well, is very sweet, juicy, fine-flavoured, and cooks well. 
It is large and very handsome, bright yellow beautifully striped 
with crimson.— Edward Luckhurst. 
THE LYON LEEK. 
Leek-growing amongst cottagers, at least on the eastern 
borders of Scotland, is carried out with much success. In 
Peeblesshire, East Lothian, and also on the west coast, the Leek 
is also made a speciality of. It is also very probable that other 
districts may be equally famed for the Leeks produced, but this I 
am not certain of. There is this peculiarity about Leek culture as 
pursued by cottagers, that not only in each district, but even in 
each village, a particular strain is grown, very probably from the 
same stock at first, but after many years’ selection exhibiting 
slight differences. It is, consequently, by no means an uncommon 
occurrence to find Leeks named after the village in which they 
are grown, and in all cases the strain possessed by one of the 
cottagers is ahead of that of his neighbours. The Lyon Leek is 
a case in point. For several years it has been favourably known 
a3 one of the best under the name of the Yetholm Leek. A corre¬ 
spondent writes to me that it is only for early autumn shows, as 
in August or September, that its qualities are most apparent, the 
larger forms surpassing it later on. It is now being sent out under 
the name of the cottager who has been most successful in its 
cultivation. However, it must be borne in mind that a careful 
selection of the very finest Leeks for yielding seed is one of the 
main points that cottagers depend on for success.— East Lothian. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
March 14th. 
Remarkably fine spring weather prevailed on the occasion of 
this meeting, and this induced not only a large number of the 
members of the Committees to attend, but also brought out the ex¬ 
hibitors in strong force. The Council-room was fully occupied with 
plants of various kinds, Mr. H. Little’s Cyclamens and Messrs. Paul’s 
group of Roses and Amaryllises forming very important features. 
Fruit Committee. —Harry J. Yeitch, Esq., in the chair. Messrs. 
Saltmarsh & Son, Chelmsford, sent specimens of an Apple named 
D’Arcy Spice, a variety much grown in the north-east of Essex, and 
supposed to have originated at a place called Tollesbunt D’Arcy. 
It is of moderate size and good flavour. Mr. Burnett, The Gardens, 
Deepdene, Dorking, sent two varieties of Apples for name, both said 
to be of excellent quality, one even surpassing Wellington for cooking 
purposes in the estimation of some, as it possesses less acidity. Mr. 
Gilbert, The Gardens, Burghley, Stamford, sent samples of a new 
seedling Apple named the March Queen. The fruits were of moderate 
size, very solid, and of good flavour, but the Committee desired 
some particulars as regards the habit of the tree. Mr. Gilbert also 
sent fruits of a seedling Apple, Barnack Beauty, sent out by Messrs. 
Brown, Stamford. Mr. T. Laxton, Bedford, contributed fruits of an 
Apple, Henry Webb, sent in November to show its keeping qualities. 
Mr. Todman, The Gardens, Bushey Down, Tooting Common, sent 
samples of a dwarf Bean from Australia named Australian Pro¬ 
lific; it is said to be four days earlier than Osborn’s Forcing. The 
Beans were gathered from plants placed out in January. Mr. J. F. 
Barter, Lancefield Street, Harrow Road, sent samples of Mushrooms 
gathered out of doors, also some good spawn. 
Floral Committee —G. F. Wilson, Esq., in the chair. Messrs. 
Yeitch ife Sons, Chelsea, exhibited a handsome group of Amaryllises 
and new plants, several of which were certificated. A panful of the 
peculiar little Loropetalum chinense, with clustered flowers having 
linear white petals, was noteworthy. The fragrant Boronia mega¬ 
stigma and several Orchids were also included. A fine group of 
Rhododendron Early Gem was also staged in the vestibule. The 
plants were bearing a profusion of pale mauve flowers and were much 
admired. A plant of the pure white Cydonia japonica nivalis and 
the dwarf Abelia serrata were also contributed. Messrs. H. Cannell 
and Sons, Swanley, exhibited plants of some remarkably handsome 
new Cinerarias, the flowers large, of good form, and rich colour. The 
best were March Past, deep rich crimson, very large, with a white 
eye ; Mr. Cullingford, deep maroon, neat shape ; Othello, rich blue ; 
Mrs. Burnaby Atkins, bright crimson, of excellent form ; and Dr. 
Ashurst, white tipped with blue. A new Polyanthus, J. Douglas, was 
also represented by several plants ; the ground colour is deep maroon 
with gold lacing. Heliotropes White Lady and President Garfield, 
the latter with fine curved spikes of purplish flowers, and a basket of 
Yiolets including Swanley White was also staged. Mr. Cannell’s 
strain of Cinerarias was highly commended. 
Messrs. Paul & Son, The Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, had a beautiful 
group of Roses in pots, Azaleas, and Amaryllises. Of the Hybrid 
Perpetual Roses, Anna Alexieff, Madame Yictor Verdier, and Madame 
Lacharme were very fine ; the Tea Madame de St. Joseph being also 
noteworthy for the number of its fragrant blooms. The Perpetual 
Polyanthus Roses Anna Maria de Montravel with small white flowers, 
and Mignonette with pale pink blooms, were shown as decorative 
varieties. They are very free and of dwarf habit. A silver Flora 
medal was awarded for this handsome group. Mr. R. H. Yertegan3, 
Edgbaston, Birmingham, was accorded a vote of thanks for a number 
of blooms of fine double Cinerarias, among which the best were Inda, 
purple and white ; Vortigern, crimson ; Purple Perfection, purplish 
blue ; Cobalt, deep purple ; Exquisite, crimson-white. Flowers of 
the pure white fragrant Nicotiana undulata were also sent. Mr. C. 
Green, The Gardens, Pendell Court, Bletchingley, sent spathes and 
leaves of the peculiar Arissema Sieboldi. The spathes are about 
C inches long, the apex bent downwards, striped inside with dark 
glossy brown and white, and having a white spadix. The leaves have 
petioles 18 inches to 2 feet long, with three elliptical leaflets. Flowers 
of Cineraria Webbiana, something like C. cruenta in form and colour, 
were also sent; and Pulsatilla africana (Anemone capensis), having 
large white and purple-tinged flowers. 
Mr. H. Bennett, Shepperton, Middlesex, sent a box of Pedigree 
seedling Rose blooms, some of which were very bright in colour, neat 
