JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
422 
[ May 25, 1882. 
and most distinct of all known kinds. Our illustration (fig. 80, 
page 427) shows a noble pitcher—two-thirds natural size only. Its 
habit of growth is quite different from that of all other species. It 
is purely epiphytal, having two-ranked or distichous leaves, some 
of which clasp the trunk or branch on which it grows. Fine 
native specimens are 3 feet long, bearing thirty or forty pitchers, 
living and dead ; for this plant, like many Orchids, while growing 
at one end is dying away at the other. It is very variable ; some 
forms have deep red pitchers, others are purely green, others 
again green blotched with red. In low shady forests near the 
river N. bicalcarata grotvs very luxuriantly, with stems like a 
Vine, 50 feet or more in height. Soon after I landed in Borneo 
I found this plant in another locality, and in the excitement of 
pulling down one of these rope-like stems I dislodged a whole 
colony of tree-snakes—not a welcome shower to fall near to one’s 
head and face ! Perhaps after all the poor snakes were more 
frightened than I was in the excitement of seeing this plant for 
the first time. 
Of all the Pitcher-plants of Kina Balu none are more singular 
than N. Lowii, which is hard of texture, and in shape resembles 
an old fashioned wine flagon. It is epiphytal on Casuarina trees at 
5000 to 0000 feet elevation, where every twig and leaf are dripping 
with moisture. Young plants of this species have never been 
seen, so that no idea can as yet be formed as to what shape is 
assumed by the pitchers of the lower leaves. On our first ascent 
of Kina Balu, weary, wet, and tired—I might add hungry also — 
I saw a brown and broken pitcher on the ground. Instinctively 
glancing upwards the sight here shown met my eye. Tired as I 
was I could not resist making this little sketch (fig. 87, page 431). 
—D. 
(To be continued.) 
ROSE MADAME' ALFRED CARRIERE. 
(H. N. SCHWARTZ, 1880.) 
This is one of the best early-flowering Boses of modern intro¬ 
duction. It has a vigorous climbiDg habit, the flowers of good 
si ape and size, and nearly pure white. The buds are especially 
handsome, and as they are slightly Tea-scented, cupped, and the 
petals long, this Rose will, I anticipate, prove valuable for cutting. 
The pruning knife must, however, be sparingly used, and I suspect 
that in consequence of its too free use Madame A. Carrihre has got 
the name of a shy bloomer. At the Experimental Garden, allowed 
to run wild against a south fence, it is equalling such varieties as 
Madame Berard and Bouquet d’Or in freedom of growth and bloom 
It does not, however, appear to possess much Tea blood. Itisw'ell 
adapted for a pillar Rose, aDd seems quite hardy, as it was planted 
out during the winter of 1880-81, and was uninjured. We are too 
apt to overlook new Roses however good unless placed under either 
of the usual categories from which show Roses are drawn. It may 
not make an exhibition Rose, but in the semi-expanded state the 
flowers are very beautiful.—T. Laxton, Bedford. 
READING HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION. 
MAY 18TH. 
The weather at the last autumn Show of this Society proved so 
unfavourable that considerable loss was experienced owing to the 
greatly diminished receipts at the gates, and at one time it seemed 
likely that there would be a rather serious demand upon the reserve 
fund. Fortunately, however, the numerous friends of the Society 
came to the rescue, and a small but clear satisfactory balance was 
the result. At the first Show of the year on Thursday last every¬ 
thing proved most favourable to a continuation of the previous and 
but briefly interrupted success. The weather was brilliantly fine, 
the exhibits even more numerous than usual, and visitors crowded 
the grounds and tent throughout the afternoon. The picturesque 
Abbey Ruins in the Forbury Gardens was again the chosen site for 
the Show, and wisely too, for a more suitable position could not be 
e isily found, the antiquity of the surroundings adding greatly to the 
interest of the tastefully arranged plants and flowers. The large 
tent was completely filled with the two latter sections of the exhibits, 
the fruit and vegetables being placed upon stages in what was 
originally another apartment of the Abbey. 
Store and Greenhouse Plants .—One of the champion exhibitors in 
the classes devoted to these plants—Mr. E. Tudgey, gardener to 
J. F. Greswolde Williams, Esq., Henwick Grange, Worcester, who 
has already this season scored several substantial victories—appeared 
in the lists at Reading with his customary success, and doubtless 
to the satisfaction of everyone except those immediately concerned 
in the contest. Three very good collections of twelve Etove and 
greenhouse plants were shown, Mr. Tudgey taking the lead with 
admirably grown even specimens, all very fresh notwithstanding 
their recent travels. The magnificent Erica ventricosa magnifica, 
which is 5 or G feet in diameter, of fine globular form, was flowering 
extremely well, and has never appeared to better advantage than it 
did on the slope at Reading. E. Cavendishiana, Aphelexis ma- 
crantha purpurea, Pimelea decussata, Franciscea calycina major, 
F. confertifolia, and Anthurium Schertzerianum were all similarly 
handsome, with several others. The second position was accorded to 
Mr. Lees, gardener to Mrs. Marsland, The Wilderness, who also had 
some praiseworthy plants, healthy, vigorous, even and well flowered. 
A globular Stephanotis floribunda was one of the most noticeable 
specimens, Franciscea calycina major and Erica Spenceriana being 
admirably flowered, fresh, and neat. Mr. Bennett, gardener to 
M. Lonergan, Esq., Cressingham, was third, but there were only a 
few points against his collection, some of the plants being slightly 
rougher than the preceding. Acrophyllum venosum, 4 feet in 
diameter, was a handsome plant, Erica ventricosa magnifica being 
similarly satisfactory. 
For six stove and greenhouse plants Mr. Mould, Pewsey, and 
Mr. Mortimer, gardener to Major Storer, Purley Park, gained the 
awards, the latter having Bougainvillea glabra, Plumbago capensis, 
and Aphelexis macrantha rosea in good condition. Mr. Tudgey had 
the best single specimen—Dracopbyllum gracile, about 5 feet in dia¬ 
meter and beautifully flowered. Equal second prizes were adjudged 
to Mr. Mould of Pewsey, and Mr. Hope, gardener to the Hon. R. 
Boyle, Purley, the former with Imantophyllum miniatum 5 feet in 
diameter, and bearing twelve fine trusses, the latter for a neatly 
trained Aphelexis macrantha purpurea. In the amateurs’ class for 
four plants Mr. Hope was the only exhibitor, and secured the leading 
award with a well-flowered Dendrobium Devonianum in a basket, a 
tall specimen of the brilliant Tropaeolum Fire Ball, a good Bougain¬ 
villea glabra, and a vigorous Cytisus racemosus. 
Azaleas .—These invariably add greatly to the brightness of a 
show at this time of year, supplying a warmth of colour that is most 
effective if they are judiciously arranged with other plants so that 
there is no approach to a glare. A fine bank was formed at one end 
of the tent; and though the small plants generally were in better 
condition than the larger, yet all were satisfactory as regards the 
number of blooms they bore. For nine specimens Mr. Lees was 
adjudged chief honours, his examples being large, even, and fairly 
well flowered ; Reine du Pays Bas and Stella were the two most 
noticeable. Mr. Armitage, gardener to N. Clarke, Esq., The Cedars, 
followed with smaller plants ; Mr. Atkins, gardener to Col. Lloyd 
Lindsay, Lockinge Park, Wantage, being third with.similar speci¬ 
mens, but both collections were well flowered and included some 
good varieties. The best six Azaleas were shown by Mr. Lockie, 
gardener to Lord O. Fitzgerald, Oakes Court, Windsor, who had neat 
examples of Apollo, La Superb, Lady Scott, Comtesse de Beaufort, 
and Charmer. 
Groups .—The next important feature of the Show were the groups 
in competition, the chief class being that for a collection of plants 
arranged for effect in a space 12 feet by 10 feet. In this four taste¬ 
ful groups were entered all free from too much formality, flowering 
plants being employed in good numbers, but well balanced with 
Ferns and other fine-foliage plants. Mr. Lees secured the leading 
position with a bright and pretty arrangement of Azaleas, Begonias, 
Ixoras, and Dendrobiums edged with Ferns, Fittonias, &c. Mr. 
Bennett followed closely with a similarly unpretentious but pretty 
group, in which was a well-grown plant of Boronia elatior, with 
numerous Calceolarias, Ericas, Begonias, and Gloxinias, with a back¬ 
ground of Palms and Crotons, and a margin of Peperomias and 
Fittonias. Mr. Burbidge, gardener to B. Simonds, Esq., Reading ; 
and Mr. Pursey, gardener to C. West, Esq., Fox Hall House, being 
awarded equal thii d prizes for less diversified but neat groups. For 
the smaller groups 6 feet by 4 Mr. Pound, gardener to G. Mares, Esq., 
The Warren, Caversham, gained the leading prize with a bright col¬ 
lection, in which Pelargoniums chiefly predominated; Mr. fcumner, 
gardener to W. Millai d, Esq., Reading, with Mr. Burgess, gardener 
to Col. Clayton, securing the second and third prizes respectively. 
Two groups of Rhododendrons forming a bank each side of the tent 
near the highest portion of the slope were very conspicuous, but they 
had the appearance of being slightly crowded, a defect that might 
have been easily avoided. Mr. Furton, gardener to T. Hargreaves, 
Esq., had a good selection of varieties, the plants also being well 
flowered and healthy, some of the trusses being particularly fine. 
Mr. Ashby, gardener to W. Fanning, Esq., had some large specimens, 
but too closely placed, though the heads were large and the colours 
bright. . 
l ine- foliage Plants .—Several handsome collections of these were 
contributt d, most of the plants being in a highly satisfactory con¬ 
dition. Mr. Tudgey had the best six extremely good specimens, his 
Pritcbardia pacifica being a noble example of a grand Palm. Kentia 
australis and Cycas revoluta were also large and healthy, but 
Croton Mortii was the most telling plant of all, for though the 
specimen itself was of moderate size, the leaves were so highly 
coloured and so large that there was scarcely a more effective plant 
in the Exhibition. Mi'. Mortimer was a good second, having Latania 
borbonica, Yucca aloifolia variegata, and other choice plants in 
satisfactory condition. Mr. Bezant, gardener to H. J. Simonds, Esq., 
Caversham, took the third position with good examples of Croton 
variegatus, Phoenix dactylifera, Maranta zebrina, and Croton majes- 
ticus. In the amateurs’ class for four plants Mr. Hope was accorded 
chief honours for Alocasia Thibautiana, 6 feet high; Pandanus 
Yeitchi, Leucostegia immersa, and Cissus discolor, the last three 
