300 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ April is, isss. 
now be lost in sowing the seed. Sow the seed in pots or pans well 
drained, and filled to about an inch from the rim with finely sifted 
light vegetable soil, such as thoroughly decomposed leaf soil or 
fine peat and silver sand pressed moderately firm and watered. 
Scatter the seed thinly over the surface and cover it very slightly 
with soil. In recommending light soil for such delicate seed as 
the Primula it should be understood that it must not be loose. 
Next to having suitable soil, the most important point in raising 
young Primulas is to have the soil uniformly moist, which may be 
easily accomplished by placing a piece of glass on the top of the 
pot or pan, and on that some moss. As the plants advance they 
must be placed in a close genial atmosphere near the glass, but 
should be shaded from the sun. Prick them out as soon as they 
are large enough to handle in some thoroughly decomposed leaf 
soil, to which has been added about one-third of loam and a little 
well-decayed manure, such as old Mushroom bed refuse, passed 
through a sieve. In this mixture they soon make a fresh start, 
and grow vigorously if placed in a hotbed, frame, or house where 
they can have a temperature from about 55° to 70° with a moist 
atmosphere. They should not be allowed to remain too long 
together after being pricked out, as they become drawn, and this 
should be avoided by timely potting in 3-inch pots, employing the 
same compost as recommended for the earlier stages of growth. 
After potting they should again be placed in a close house or pit, 
where they can be shaded until they again start. 
By June they may be placed in their summer quarters. The 
best position for them at that season is a cold frame, and if it can be 
placed where it will be partially shaded this will be found far 
better than shading with mats. The floor of the frame should be 
covered with coal ashes. The only treatment during that season 
is attention to watering. As soon as they have become well 
rooted they should have their final shift into G-inch pots, using 
similar soil as before with a little more manure added. In 
September they must be placed in their winter quarters, for if 
allowed to remain longer in the frame damp would cause them to 
turn yellow and spoil the beauty of the plants. A shelf near the 
glass is the best place. The temperature of the house should never 
fall below 40°, nor rise more than 10° above this during the day 
by artificial means. If a little soot be added to the water supplied 
the plants will be much benefited.—W. J. C. 
NEWCASTLE SPRING SHOW. 
The Show was held in the Town Hall and Corn Exchange on the 
5th and 6th inst. The Exhibition, in Azaleas especially, was a great 
improvement on previous displays, while Cytisuses and Spiraeas were 
exceedingly good, particularly the former. Hyacinths, Tulips, and 
Narcissus were of average merit, but the competition was not quite 
so strong as in previous years. 
For five plants, dissimilar, Messrs. John Thompson & Son, nursery¬ 
men, Fenkam, were first with Erica Queen Victoria, really splendid, 
over 5 feet across ; Cymbidium eburneum, ten flowers ; Imantophyllum 
miniatum, twelve spikes ; and Dendrobium nobile, over 4 feet across. 
Mr. J. Brown, gardener to Mrs. Joicey, Whinney House, was second 
with Erica ventricosa coccinea major, Genetyllis tulipifera, Erica 
afflnis, and Oncidium sphacelatum majus with twelve spikes. Mr. 
Noble, gardener to Theo. Fry, Esq., Darlington, third ; and Mr. Meth- 
ven, gardener to E. Lange, Esq., Low Fell, fourth. Azaleas were 
well represented. Mr. Thompson was placed first in the class for 
•four plants, having good examples. Mr. Methven was second with 
well-flowered plants but smaller, and Mr. Noble third with very fresh 
plants. The prizes for Cytisuses and Spiraeas were won by Messrs. 
Wood and Storrie. For six Cinerarias Mr. Noble was first with 
remarkably fine plants, profuse in bloom, and with good foliage. For 
Primulas Mr. Stephen Nairn, Pilgrim Street, was first; Mr. Thomas 
Pattisson securing the first prize for Cyclamens, and Mr. W. J. 
Watson was first for Lily of the Valley, the latter being very good 
indeed. For table plants Mr. Whiting, gardener to Mrs. Walker, Shot 
Tower, was first with a fresh even collection. 
Auriculas were a generally good show and quite equal to former 
exhibitions of these flowers. For twelve plants (Alpines excluded) 
Mr. Thomas Hay. Killingworth, was first with good examples of 
Col. Champneys, Meteor Flag, Robert Trail, C. J. Perry, Taylor’s 
Glory. Vulcan, and Frank Simonite; Mr. Adams, Swalwell, was 
second with flowers somewhat drawn. For six plants Mr. Jos. 
Watson was first with good examples, especially of Richard Headley, 
Smiling Beauty, Prince of Wales, and Geo. Lightbody. The latter 
flower also gained the premier prize for the best Auricula in the Show, 
the truss having six pips. Mr. John Garret was second. For four 
Alpines Mr. Edward Oliver secured the chief prize. The prizes in the 
class for green-edged, white-edged, a self, and grey-edged Auriculas 
were won by Messrs. Anderson, Garret, and Adams respectively. 
For twelve Alpines, dissimilar, Mr. Hay was again first. Polyanthuses 
were good. Mr. Wm. Henderson, gardener to Col. Cowen, Blaydon 
Burn, secured the chief prize with George IV., Formosa, Etoile, Tar¬ 
tarus, Queen of the Tyne, and President. 
For twenty-four Hyacinths, not less than twelve varieties, Mr. Jos. 
Watson was first, the best varieties being Grand Lilas, Blondin, 
L’Or d’Australie,La Grandesse, Koh-i-noor, General Havelock, King of 
the Blues, Grandeur 4 Merveille, Von Schiller, Fabiola, and Alba 
Superbissima. Messrs. Dewar, Thompson, and Nairas were awarded 
the remaining prizes as in order named. Mr. Dewar’s plants being 
remarkably good. For twelve single Hyacinths Mr. Watson was 
placed first, H. S. Dewar second, and Mr. Nairn third. The Tulips 
and Polyanthuses were deservedly much admired, Messrs. Thompson 
and Watson securing first prizes in each class. 
Cut flowers of Azaleas, Camellias, and Rhododendrons were not 
numerous, but of very good quality, and were shown on stands on a 
ground of Adiantum farleyense. Roses were remarkably good. Mr. 
McGevin showed an excellent stand of Marechal Niel and secured 
the premier award, Mr. Corbett following with creditable blooms. 
Drawing-room epergnes were well represented, and generally much 
taste was displayed in arrangement. Mr. J. Rutherford, Durham, 
was awarded the first prize. The top tier had Phajus grandiflora, 
Dielytra spectabilis, Spiraeas, and Lily of the Valley ; the base was 
furnished with Anthurium Schertzerianum, Roses, and Camellias, and 
the whole relieved by Ferns had a very pleasing effect. Mr. J. Hug- 
hill was second, and Mr. J. Ryner third. Bridal bouquets were also 
good. Mr. McIntyre was first with one consisting of Gardenias, Lily 
of the Valley, and white Azaleas, neatly fringed with Adiantum gra- 
cillimum. The first-prize hand bouquet by Mr. Hughill was very neat, 
consisting of Ericas, Phalmnopsis Schilleriana, Lily of the Valley, 
Spiraeas, and Fern fronds. 
In the second division, open to all except nurserymen, most of the 
prizes were awarded to exhibitors in the locality, and Azaleas, Spiraeas, 
Cytisuses, Deutzias, Lily of the Valley, Hyacinths, and Tulips were all 
well shown in their classes. 
The following were the entries of the Exhibition (between four 
hundred and five hundred flowering plants, including Hyacinths and 
Tulips, &c .)—74 pots of Lily of the Valley, 35 hand bouquets, 
96 Spiraeas, 154 Auriculas, 48 Primulas, 54 Cinerarias. This is a con¬ 
siderable falling off from last year. 
Messrs. William Fell & Son contributed a superior stand of hardy 
Conifer® ; they had also an excellent early Rhododendron longifolium 
in bloom from the open air. Mr. W. S. Watson, Fenham Nurseries, 
showed a stand of Japanese Maples, which were much admired by the 
visitors. 
DORYANTHES PALMERI. 
In the west octagon of the temperate house at Kew a large and 
remarkably handsome plant, probably the finest in England, of 
Doryanthes Palmeri is now flowering—an event of considerable 
interest, as it is the first time the species has flowered in this 
country. The plant has for some time been grown under the 
name of D. excelsa, a well-known species, which has been in 
cultivation from the commencement of the present century, but 
when the flowers expanded it was at once recognised as that 
named above. The plant, though of slow growth, appears to 
thrive admirably at Kew, and its fine vigorous condition is indi¬ 
cated by the length and breadth of the leaves. Several of the 
largest of these exceed 7 feet in length, and are 7 or 8 inches 
broad, tapering to each end, somewhat like a gigantic Cordyline. 
The flower spike rises to the height of 10 or 12 feet, bearing the 
flowers in a rather close panicle near the summit. These are each 
about 4 inches'* in diameter, with six oblong-elliptical divisions, 
white on the upper surface near the centre, but tinged with rich 
crimson near the margins, and a still brighter shade approaching 
scarlet on the lower surface. The inflorescence thus has a very rich 
and imposing appearance when viewed from below, as is the case 
at Kew, the plant being grown in a large tub which elevates it 
several feet above the floor of the house. A leaf and portion of 
the spike were shown by Mr. J. Smith, the Curator, at the Royal 
Horticultural Society’s meeting at Kensington on the 28th ult., 
and attracted much attention. 
Mr. W. Bull of Chelsea introduced plants of this species in 1873, 
and the following description appears in his catalogue for that 
year, which was subsequently accompanied by the woodcut, 
(fig. 60, p. 301), here reproduced. It represents the inflorescence 
greatly reduced, and a single flower. “ This novelty is described 
by Mr. Hill, who is well versed in plants, as one of the finest 
productions of the colony of Queensland. It is found in one 
small patch on the mountains of that region, and about two 
hundred miles distant from the nearest township. In its habit 
of growth it is described as resembling the commoner D. excelsa, 
but the ends of the leaves are less pointed, and the thimble- 
shaped cup is more distinct. The plants have a stout bulbous 
base, clothed with the remains of the imbricated leaves. These 
are elongate, narrow lanceolate, 3 to 4 inches wide, quite smooth, 
narrowed downwards into a channelled marginate stalk-like 
portion, which widens below so as to clasp the bulb, and tapering 
upwards into a long narrow point. The flowers form a pyra¬ 
midal spike, 12 to 18 inches high, and 10 to 12 inches broad, the 
flowers being red, with the centre lighter—almost white. It is a 
