346 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 27, 1882. 
blooms of extremely fine quality, and including a number of the best 
varieties—Niphetos, Catherine Hermet, President, Josephine Malton, 
Beauty of Stapleford, Souvenir d’un Ami, Madame Willermoz, and 
Marbchal Niel ; and to Mr. H. Hooper, Bath, for six boxes of hand¬ 
some Pansy blooms, a box of Roses, and about fifty Auriculas, chiefly 
Alpines and Fancy varieties. From the Society’s Gardens, Chiswick, 
several handsome groups were contributed, one of the most noteworthy 
consisting of Azaleas. Ferns, Gloxinias, Chrysanthemum frutescens, 
Palms, Isolepis, and Selaginella, most tastefully arranged ; a fine 
group of Calceolarias was also exhibited, the flowers being large and 
the colours bright. 
In addition to the superb Masdevallia imperialis which was certifi¬ 
cated and is described below, Mr. R. Warner of Broomfield, Chelmsford, 
sent specimens of a distinct Masdevallia named reflexa, similar in 
colour to M. Lindeni, but with the margins of the sepals curiously 
revolute. M. roseo-violacea is also a distinct form with light rosy- 
tinted flowers very freely produced. Mr. Goldsmith, The Gardens, 
Hollanden, Tunbridge, sent plants of his prettily variegated Iresine 
formosa. A cultural commendation was awarded to Mr. T. Horsman, 
Rose Mount, Ilkley, for an extremely well-flowered specimen of 
Masdevallia Lindeni in an 8-inch pot, and bearing over forty richly 
coloured flowers. Mr. H. Grant, Brookman’s Park, Hatfield, sent 
plants of a pretty self Auricula named Selina, the colour being a soft 
shaded purple, the blooms large and in large trusses. Mr. Balchin of 
Bi ighton exhibited plants of Reseda odorata prolifera alba, which it 
was stated had been in flower since last January, and were then in 
good condition. Mr. C. Turner was accorded a vote of thanks for a 
group of Carnations, Auriculas, and Pelargoniums. Of the latter, the 
tricolor variety Mr. H. Cox was especially notable for its richly 
coloured foliage, and the Show variety Martial for its large deep 
crimson flowers and compact habit. Mr. H. Boiler, Kensal New 
Town, had a large group of Aloes, Agaves, and other succulent 
plants. 
First-class certificates were awarded for the following plants :— 
Masdevallia imperialis. —This was shown by R. Warner, Esq., of 
Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex, and attracted much attention by the 
great size of the flower and its brilliant colour. It is of the M. Harry - 
ana type, but much finer than any we have seen, the flowers being 
nearly 8 inches in diameter, the sepals spreading, broad, and rich 
crimson in colour. 
Alsophila Rcbeccce (Bull).—A distinct and pretty Fern, with bipin- 
nate shining green leaves about 2 feet long, with narrow pinnules. 
Aubrietia violacea (R. Dean).—A very dwarf and free-flowering 
form, with deep purple blooms of good size. Very effective. 
Gymnogramma Laucheana grandiceps (S. Dixon ifc Co., Hackney).— 
A crested form of neat habit, the fronds being densely covered with 
bright yellow farina on the under surface. 
Pansy Mrs. Llewellyn (Hooper).—A handsome yellow Pansy, with 
blooms of considerable size and excellent form. 
Scientific Committee.— Sir J. D. Hooker in the chair. Inarches 
Attached by Larva. —Mr. McLachlan reported on some specimens of 
Larch twigs received from Mr. Ralph Clutton of Hartswood. Reigate, 
who stated that thousands of young Larches were attacked by larvae 
at Box Hill. “ The affected trees swarmed with the little grubs, which 
move about in their cocoons and seem to suck the juices from the 
young foliage, leaving it dead, and so kill the trees.” They proved 
to be the larvae of a minute moth, Coleophora laricella, which lays its 
eggs on the twigs or buds. The larvae hatched in autumn construct 
cases of the cuticle, Ac. The young autumn larvae attach their cases 
to the young leaves in spring, which they soon mine and destroy. 
Mr. McLachlan remarks on the genus Coleophora, of which there 
are about sixty species in Britain, that it is remarkable for the in¬ 
timate connection between particular species of moth and particular 
species of plants. He is of opinion that the damage done by this 
insect is not likely to seriously injure Larches any more than the 
familiar case of the leaf-mining larva of Cemiostoma laburnellum, 
which attacks the Laburnum. The application of remedies such as 
sulphur, Paris green, or smoke from burning rubbish on the weather 
side, might be too difficult or expensive, or in the latter case probably 
ineffectual in preventing future attacks. 
Maggots at Root of Plants received from Mr. Slogrove, Galton 
Cottage, Reigate, were referred to Mr. McLachlan to examine and 
report upon. 
Fertilisation of Hoya. —Mr. W. G. Smith exhibited flowers and a 
drawing to show how flies extract the pollinia and transfer them to 
other flowers. Their feet get fixed to the glutinous disks, and by 
struggling to free themselves they extract the pollinia. These having 
elastic caudicles clasp the feet of the fly, which then on alighting on 
another flower in a more advanced state, as Hoya is proterandrous, 
“stamps’’them down upon the stigmatic surfaces. If it be a weak 
fly it often perishes on the flower ; if a strong one it usually escapes, 
but sometimes leaves part of its leg behind. 
Rhododendrons. —Mr. Mangles exhibited a collection of species and 
hybrids, of which the following were particularly worthy of note :— 
Hybrid between R. Griffithianum and R. ponticum, partaking much 
of the character of the former species in flower and foliage, with ten 
very large pale pink flowers arranged in a pyramid, stamens varying 
in number, and one of the flowers bearing six segments. The leaves 
are very large, of a rich dark green. This hybrid blooming for the 
first time is eight years old, and is hardier and dwarfer than R. 
Griffithianum. It is the first of a large series of plants raised by 
Mr. Mangles by similar crossing—Hybrid between Azalea mollis and 
R. ponticum, having the hairy corolla of the former, but with ever¬ 
green leaves. The Azalea is the male ; the converse cross does not 
succeed. Hybrid raised by Mr. Parker, the offspring of the hybrid 
Countess of Haddington, crossed by R. Edgworthii. It has large, 
white, scented flowers, tubular, with a dash of lemon at the base of the 
corolla. Of species he exhibited R. glaucum, dwarf, and densely 
covered with pink bell-shaped flowers, and highly aromatic. R. 
Thomsoni and R. chamsecistus, an alpine species, received from Mr. 
Otto Forester from the Austrian Alps. It is a lime-loving plant, 
with pink flowers. Mr. Mangles also showed interesting hybrids 
from Mr. Luscombe’s gardener, Mr. Dawe ; also R. Falconeri (?) 
from Capt. Rogers of River Hill. 
Gentiana verna.- —Mr. G. F. "Wilson exhibited flowers of this plant 
grown with and -without lime. In the latter case they were grown in 
all kinds of soils, but never succeeded. The colour was darker, but 
without the white centre. With lime the plants throve, and at once 
acquired their true alpine characters. Sir J. D. Hooker suggested 
similar experiments should be tried with Primula farinosa. 
Leaves if Narcissus ponticus Bifurcating. —Mr. G. Bunyard forwarded 
leaves which had split and the ribbon-like ends had become curled. 
It was suggested by the Chairman that they had received some in¬ 
jury when young, possibly having been pecked by birds. 
Oncidium sp. and Tulipa sp. —The former, sent by Mr. Heath of 
Cheltenham, and the latter by Mr. D’Ombrain, were referred to Kew 
for identification. 
PLANTING RASPBERRIES. 
Raspberries are important amongst small fruits, and are 
eagerly sought after in the majority of gardens. I have noted in 
many instances when new plantations have been made the young 
canes have been left their full length. Under these circumstances 
a few small fruits are produced towards the top, and the growth 
from the base is only puny. This, though an old practice, is not a 
good one. Before planting the ground should be well trenched 
and manured, and when planted the canes should be cut down to 
the ground, or at the most not left longer than 1 foot; indeed 
they may be shortened now with great advantage if not done 
before. If planted in rows two canes from the base are sufficient 
—one being preferable—and the rest that start should be removed. 
The canes left will be strong and vigorous, and produce a good 
crop of fruit the following year, as well as remarkably' strong 
wood.—D. W. L. 
AMONG THE PRIMROSES. 
A series of most entertaining papers by a Sussex rector (Rev. 
J. Coker Egerton of Burwash) appeared in the “Leisure Hour” 
last year entitled “ Sussex Folks and Sussex Ways.” in one of 
these the author gives, as a type of the life of the peasantry, the 
following conversation :—“ Don’t you ever get a holiday, John ? ” 
“ No, master, I don’t know that I ever had a holiday in my life 
but once ... on the trial.” Well, but when do y r ou look for 
another ? ” “I don’t know as ever I shall have another ; but 
there, I’d no ought to say that, for I sartinly do look for half a day 
before long to bury my mother.” 
In one respect I am like John—I seldom get a holiday ; but 
previous to Easter I was anticipating one of a more cheerful cha-' 
racter than that to which the Sussex peasant was looking forward. 
My Easter holiday was spent in one of the most beautiful parts of 
the beautiful county referred to, where every lane is a picture and 
every field and copse a flower garden. There are Primroses every¬ 
where. The banks and knolls are studded with them in countless 
myriads ; they peer from the hedgerows in great luxuriant masse--, 
and clothe the ground from which the Hazels and Chestnuts have 
been cut, forming a carpet of loveliness. Here and there, which 
is not common in nature, are coloured varieties, red, but wild, and 
thousands of the bright Dog Violet sparkling in the sun. DM 
Carrington wander in the Sussex lanes, and hence was thus im¬ 
pelled to write— 
“ Amid the sunny luxury of grass 
Are tufts of pale-ej-ed Primroses, entwined 
With many a bright hued flower ? ” 
Such was precisely the case in Sussex at Eastertide. I was in a 
land of Primroses, and ceased to marvel at the loads, even tons, of 
these lovely' flowers in the markets and streets of London and 
wonder from whence they came. There are sufficient for all in the 
Sussex lanes ; but the gatherers might be merciful and not tear up 
the roots so ruthlessly. 
There are Primroses in gardens too. Perhaps it was because 
the wild ones flourish so well that “Philanthos” was induced 
to pitch his tent amongst them, and raise new forms for the 
adornment of his garden. Marvellous is the variety to be seen 
Ihere in one large bed, and more marvellous still to learn that all 
of them were the produce of seed gathered last summer from a 
