492 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June 15, 1862. 
in the awards, according to the particular fancy of the judges. One 
year enormous specimens,” comprising an unknown number of 
plants, are selected for the leading honours, and in another such a 
collection is disqualified, to the surprise and disgust of the exhibitor, 
who has a fuller appreciation of the inconsistency than would less 
interested persons. Much can be said upon both sides of the subject. 
In the first place, if at Manchester “ made-up ” specimens had been 
excluded, that portion of the Show would not have been one-fourth 
so extensive, nor a tenth so attractive to the general public, who must 
be considered if the financial success of an exhibition is of primary 
consideration. Secondly, one strong objection advanced against 
these specimens is that they do not fairly indicate the cultural skill 
of the competitor, as he who can command the longest purse or the 
largest collection of plants can produce the most telling results ; but 
packing a number of plants together is not all that is needed to 
insure a handsome specimen, which must be well grown and well 
flowered to entitle it to notice. In many cases, indeed, it is more 
difficult to obtain such a specimen in good condition than a single 
plant of smaller size. At the same time it must be admitted that the 
would-be exhibitor who has only a moderate collection labours under 
a great disadvantage when single and made-up specimens are allowed 
to compete in the same class, and the only apparent way out of the 
difficulty is to provide a separate class for the single specimens at 
all large exhibitions, while at small shows any might be admitted, 
giving the awards to the healthiest and best flowered. While, how¬ 
ever, such diverse ideas prevail schedules should expressly state 
whether made-up specimens are to be admitted or not. 
One very remarkable quality possessed, with very few exceptions, 
by all the specimens staged, was the unusual abundance of flowers, not 
of poor size or faint colours, but substantial and rich. Cattleyas, 
Odontoglossums, and Dendrobiums fairly shared the honours between 
them, and a more varied or gorgeous display of those grand Orchids 
could not be desired. Cattleya Mossise was especially well repre¬ 
sented by some handsome varieties ; the flowers large, the petals and 
sepals broad and richly suffused with rosy crimson, or delicately pale. 
Mr. G. Hardy’s specimens were extraordinary, several being 3 or 
4 feet in diameter, with five dozen blooms. Cattleya Mendeli was 
similarly good in the Timperley and other collections, and with C. 
Warneri formed a trio of the most beautiful species in a grand genus. 
Amongst the Odontoglossums the specimens of the effective 0. vexil- 
larium alone contributed an exhibition such as is seldom seen, both 
Messrs. Hardy’s and Percival’s plants being in superb condition ; the 
flowers, too, were very deeply coloured—quite a rich rose in many 
instances. The charming O. citrosmum was also represented by 
several beautiful plants, with fine panicles of flowers, very warmly 
tinted. Such well-known and useful Dendrobes as D. nobile, D. 
lituiflorum, D. suavissimum, D. Wardianum, D. Jamesianum, and D. 
densiflorum occupied a prominent position ; but there was one that 
is seldom seen at shows—namely, D. clavatum, that received much at¬ 
tention, partly from its comparatively rare appearance, and partly from 
the admirable health and profusion of flowers which distinguished 
it. Amongst the yellow-flowered Indian species this is scarcely 
surpassed, and when in such condition as that shown by Mr. Hardy 
it is remarkably handsome. With growths 2 to 3 feet high, abun¬ 
dantly clothed with rich yellow flowers somewhat suggestive of 
D. suavissimum in form and colour, it has a most telling effect. 
Cypripediums, Anguloas, and Masdevallias were in strong force, 
and similar vigorous health distinguished them all. As regards the 
exhibitors there were two notable absentees that have on previous 
occasions taken important positions in the chief amateurs’ and nur¬ 
serymen’s classes—namely, Dr. Ainsworth and Mr. B. S. Williams ; 
but in the former section Messrs. Percival, Dodgson, and Broome 
amply compensated for any deficiencies, and in the nurserymen’s 
class Messrs. James and Cypher had the competition entirely to 
themselves. 
HARDY PLANTS. 
Turning to other features of the Show, the Clematises demand 
special praise, but as they are referred to at length in another page 
we will pass them to bestow a little attention upon the hardy plants, 
that undoubtedly constituted an attraction of no mean order. These 
plants are making steady progress in popular favour, especially 
amongst amateurs, who have insufficient means to incur the expenses 
attendant upon the culture of more imposing but often less graceful 
plants which require heated erections to insure their success. Further, 
a moderate collection of hardy plants needs no more attention than 
can be easily accorded after business or professional hours—an addi¬ 
tional recommendation in small establishments. Recognising the 
public taste, too, many nurserymen have greatly extended this por¬ 
tion of their trade, and in consequence a collection including a good 
diversity of beautiful plants may now be purchased for a modeiate 
sum, and a varied display can be provided during spring, summer, 
and autumn by an outlay of a few pounds. The collections shown at 
Manchester conveyed a good idea of the beauty and interest of such 
plants at this time of year; and though to some extent appearing 
formal when exhibited in pots, visitors have an excellent opportunity 
of observing those which are most effective or elegant. 
Mr. W. Brownhill’s plants were remarkably good, many being choice, 
and all were as healthy as could be wished. Very notable was a large 
specimen of Opuntia Rafinesquiana bearing numerous bright yellow 
flowers. Indeed, seldom is so fine an example of this attractive hardy 
plant seen. On a rockery it would have appeared to excellent advan¬ 
tage. Veronica gentianoides, though it has no pretensions to be con¬ 
sidered either choice or rare, is a useful plant, and well deserves at¬ 
tention, as the large specimens under notice clearly indicated. The 
tall stems (1 to 2 feet high) laden with pale lilac blue flowers, often 
slightly streaked with a darker hue, have a very pleasing effect in 
borders, but unfortunately they are not of very long duration—a few 
w'eeks at the most. In one of the London parks it has been freely 
employed for spring bedding this season with good results in suitable 
situations. Saxifraga Wallacei is becoming a general favourite, and 
deservedly, for its pure white large flowers are produced most pro¬ 
fusely, and either in a pot or on a rockery it is unsurpassed amongst 
the other species of that section. The handsome Iberis corifolia with 
its large heads of pure white blooms, the brilliant double Geum coc- 
cineum,the pretty striped Myosotis Weirleigh Surprise, and innumer¬ 
able others w r ere scarcely less beautiful. In Messrs. Dickson’s group 
two plants were particularly worthy of notice—namely, Ourisia coc- 
cinea, and Meconopsis nepalensis. The first is far too seldom seen, and 
by no means generally known to cultivators. It is of dwarf habit, 
with neat cordate dark green leaves and racemes G to 8 inches high of 
scarlet tubular flowers. The Meconopsis is a very distinct and at¬ 
tractive plant, which under good treatment attains the height of 3 or 
4 feet and bears numerous open yellow or creamy flow r ers. 
Mr. J. Broome’s premier collection in the amateurs’ class com¬ 
prised some remarkably well-grown plants, forming an effective and 
interesting group that was much admired. The scarlet Delphinium 
nudicaule, the brilliant Lychnis Haageana, the fragrant and beautiful 
double Narcissus Poeticus were admit ably represented, the last- 
named being a specimen bearing a large number of its white Gar- 
denia-like blooms. The purple-flowered, m at, and dwarf Lamium 
longiflorum, and the double variety of the common Meadowsweet 
(Spiraea Ulmaria), were two other notable plants, the Spiraea being in 
grand condition, and for decorative purposes—in a cool conservatory, 
for instance—it is most valuable. Good examples of Armeria cepha- 
lotes, Orchis maculata, Hesperis matronalis fl.-pl., and the Cobweb 
Houseleek (Sempervivum arachnoideum), added materially to the 
interest of the group. The most notable plant in Mr. Brockba.nk’s 
choice collection was Ramondia pyrenaica, a charming little Sola- 
naceous plant related to the Mulleins. In a sheltered nook on the 
rockery this is a gem, and even when grown in pans or pots for a cool 
house it is much admired. The leaves are heart-shaped, hairy above 
and brownish beneath, lying flat upon the surface of the soil, the 
flowers being produced in panicles 4 to 6 inches high, and are bright 
purple with a clear yellow centre. It is not difficult to grow, but 
well repays for a little attention, and it is rarely so fine a specimen as 
that under notice is seen at shows. 
THE BOTANIC GARDENS. 
Quitting the Exhibition and its numerous attractions, the various 
houses in the Gardens invited attention, for though there is no 
attempt at elaborate display, something can always be found worthy 
of note. In what may be termed the show house the great speciality 
was the Schizanthuses, which are remarkably well grown, and 
annually about this time of year produce a very pleasing display. 
The value of these has been repeatedly noted, but too much cannot 
be said in their favour as conservatory plants, for their appearance is 
totally distinct from the majority of those so employed ; the flowers 
are extremely abundant, and the colours so soft that either large or 
small specimens are surprisingly effective. Wherever they receive 
the moderate attention required to insure fairly good results they 
invariably give satisfaction alike to the gardener and his employer. 
At Manchester large plants seem to be preferred, some being 3 or 
4 feet in height, bearing clouds of flowers ; but where there are shelves 
or stages to furnish, the smaller specimens are also useful, and seed 
can be sown at all times of the year to provide plants at any particular 
period, or in succession if necessary. S. retusus, S. pinnatus, and 
S. violaceus are the most effective, a packet of seed yielding many 
variously coloured forms. 
In other houses Orchids are now largely represented, and the 
majority are in satisfactory condition, especially the Cypripediums, 
such as the old and still most useful C. insigne, which for winter 
flowering is unrivalled, particularly as regards the duration of the 
flowers either on the plant or cut. It is true such blooms are rather 
unsuited for arranging with other flowers, and with few exceptions 
they appear better alone, or accompanied by a little appropriate 
foliage. A number of large and extremely healthy specimens of this 
old favourite are grown there, and doubtless yield a fine display at 
the dull season. In the Victoria house the regal Water Lily is planted 
out and making steady progress, though it is as yet rather small. It 
enjoys a light position and usually succeeds well, producing its 
fragrant flowers in succession for a considerable time. The path by 
the tank is raised so that the visitor looks down upon the plant—a 
great advantage, and one which is fully evident in the old Lily house 
at Kew, in the grand tank at Chatsworth, and also in the case of 
that at Oxford. It has been a source of regret that the Victoria did 
not thrive in the old house at Kew, for as regards form and situation 
it was far better adapted for the plant than the oblong structure that 
is now devoted to it. In so few establishments can this handsome 
aquatic be grown, that where it can be accommodated it should at 
least be shown to the best advantage. 
Some alterations are observable in the grounds, one of the most 
notable of which is the removal of the collections of herbaceous plants 
