12 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 5, 1883. 
late George Lightbodv (whose memory now lives in what is undoubtedly 
the best grey-edged Auricula extant), being a sufficient warrant for that 
statement. Here also lives the raiser of Duke of Argyle and Marquis of 
Lome, so much valued as crimson seifs. However, I believe either 
Edinburgh or Glasgow would be the most suitable place for all growers. 
The next thing I would suggest is, that a meeting be arranged for in 
some central place, where those interested in this matter could meet, 
talk it over, and see if arrangements cannot be made for a contest during 
the forthcoming Auricula season.-— Wm, Makshall, Renfrenshire. 
NEW STRAWBERRIES. 
KING OF THE EARLIES AND THE CAPTAIN. 
I have to-day forwarded in a small box for your critical consideration 
a few typical fruits of two seedling Strawberries, which I am modest 
enough to think are destined shortly to effect quite a fragarian revolution* 
King of the Earlies was raised from Vicomtesse Hericart de 
Thury x Black Prince, a prolific sort which comes with me earlier than 
either of its parents, and quite as early as May Queen ; but otherwise 
almost intermediate in character between those well-known and esteemed 
early market Strawberries. 
The Captain. —This was raised from Crown Prince X Forman’s 
Excelsior. It is a handsome large-fruited variety, which comes in a few 
days after the preceding and before Marguerite, and continues pro¬ 
ducing fruits of full size right on until September. Last season the 
same plants which had fruited early kept on bearing large richly 
flavoured fruits until the wasps in late autumn took possession, and 
necessitated the use of protectors—a requirement not often necessary ) 
even in the case of the old small-fruited Quatre Saisons varieties.— 
Thomas Laxton. 
[The fruit of King of the Earlies is of medium size, ovate, even and 
angular ; skin bright red on the shaded side, and dark mahogany on the 
side exposed to the sun ; flesh white with a tinge of red under the skin, 
solid, firm, and with a fine brisk and rich flavour. The Captain, as may 
be seen by the figure of it, is a large fruit, ovate, even on the surface, 
and regular in its outline ; sometimes it is inclined to be cockscomb¬ 
shaped. Seeds even with the surface ; skin bright red, glossy ; flesh 
tinged with red throughout, hollow at the core, firm, and with a brisk 
flavour like Sir Charles Napier, if the perpetual-bearing character is 
maintained in various soils and seasons this Strawberry cannot fail to 
become very popular.] . 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY'S EVENING FETE. 
June 28th. 
The Evening Fete in the Royal Botanic Society’s Gardens, Regent’s Park, 
is one of the events of the London season, and its popularity is well deserved, 
for it is unquestionably one of the prettiest sights and most pleasant gather¬ 
ings that can be witnessed round the metropolis. The fete of last week was 
even more successful than usual, the evening proving extremely fine, and in 
consequence the number of visitors was very large, nearly 10,000 passing the 
gates. The picturesque garden was beautifully illuminated with lines and 
chains of coloured oil lamps, a number of French lamps being employed in 
various parts, especially upon the trees on the mound. The lake was parti¬ 
cularly handsome, pyramidal and star-like floating designs having a most 
striking effect, while in one portion arches of lamps appeared by reflection to 
form a tunnel of brilliant diversely-tinted lights. At 10 and 12 f.m. the 
gardens were also illuminated with coloured fires, which had a charming 
effect. Bands of the 2nd Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards, Coldstream 
Guards, and Scots Guards were stationed at different parts of the gardens, 
and performed a choice selection of music during the evening. 
The floral decorations for tables, &c., with bouquets, button-holes, and 
baskets of flowers, were contributed by numerous exhibitors, Miss Annie 
Williams, Upper Holloway, being one of the most successful competitors, 
and staging a tastefully decorated table with fine bouquets, but many other 
contributions were far from satisfactory. Irises and Gladiolus Colvillei and 
alba were very prominent in the stands, being employed, with Grasses and 
Ferns and a few other flowers in varying proportions, and in greatly differing 
degrees of taste. One of the most important exhibits was a magnificent 
group from J. Peacock, Esq., Sudbury House, Hammersmith, which comprised 
a large number of remarkably well-grown Odontoglossum vexillarium, 
O. Alexandra, Aerides, Dendrobes, and a fine Stanhopea tigrina. These, 
with other choice Orchids, were arranged with small Ferns and fine-foliage 
plants, producing a most charming effect in the centre of the large tent. 
SUNDAY WORK IN GARDENS. 
This has been very properly alluded to by “Northern Gardener.” 
Personally, having a due regard to the day of rest, the best of days, so 
refreshing after the week’s toil, I do, and cause to be done, as little work 
as is consistent with the welfare of my charge ; still, as I could not think 
of permitting anything approaching to neglect, I adopt shading to be 
on the safe side, and thus set myself and men at liberty. I must, how¬ 
ever, say I believe more harm is done early on Sunday morning than 
all the week put together. Bed seems to have such an attraction. It 
vexes me, without being at all personal, to see young men rushing to 
their work at 7 or 8 o’clock, when their chief has been out at his usual 
hour and made things safe. I would strongly impress on young men 
to be up early, as it must be more satisfactory to them to see things right 
and happy than to take their ease while the foliage is burning and 
Grapes scalding on Sunday mornings.— Stephen Castle. 
MAIDSTONE ROSE SHOW. 
While the great guns were booming at Southampton on 28th June 
there was a brilliant skirmish, though with lighter metal, at Maidstone. 
The severe weather of the previous few days left its mark upon many of 
the blooms, the Tea Roses especially suffering from the heavy rains and 
winds. Mr. R. L. Knight, who for years has held a high, if not the first, 
position as an exhibitor of Teas, was perhaps the greatest sufferer of all. 
In spite, however, of all hindrances, a very good exhibition was held; but 
a shade of gloom was thrown over the whole day by the absence, through 
severe illness, of the cheery veteran Mr. John Hollingworth, whose success 
in the cup class, after a very close fight with Mr. Wakeley, will, it is hoped, 
please him as much as it did the public. His box contained a very even set 
of blooms of the following varieties—Mons. Noman, Fran$ois Michelon, La 
France, Madame Prosper Langier, Magna Charta, Souvenir de Mons. Boll, Marie 
Baumann, Charles Lefebvre, Etienne Levet, Madame Gabriel Luizet, Villaret 
de Joyeuse,A.K. Williams, Dr.Andry,Victor Yerdier, Mrs. Baker, Marie Rady, 
AnnieLaxton. Mr. Wakeley pressed him very close, showing amongst other 
good blooms a grand example of Madame Gabriel Luizet (bronze medal for 
best Rose in the Show), a superb Duke of Edinburgh, and very good specimens 
of Mrs. Baker, Cheshunt Hybrid, Henry Bennett, and Etienne Levet. Mr. 
Wakeley took the cup for twenty-four varieties, twelve Teas and twelve H.P.’s, 
his most noticeable blooms being Madame Marie Gonod, an exquisite old Tea 
Rose of the Rubens type ; Madame Gabriel Luizet, Henry Bennett, Duke of 
Edinburgh, Madame Lambard (very good), and Dr. Andry. Mr. George 
Mount of Harbledown was second with very fresh but small blooms, the best 
in his box being A. K. Williams, Xavier Olibo, Duke of Edinburgh, Catherine 
Mermet (very good), Perle de Lyon (good), and Anna Ollivier. Mr. John 
Wakeley was third. For twelve, any varieties, Mr. John Wakeley was first; 
he also took the National Society’s bronze medal for a box of six (Duke of 
Edinburgh), very fresh and clean—indeed “the Duke” was noticeable in 
many boxes. Mr. Austen Killick wa3 second, Mr. Smythe third. For twelve 
Teas Mr. Hollingworth was first, but his blooms were hardly up to Turkey 
Court form. Mr. Killick and Mr. John Wakeley were equal second. 
For nine Roses Rev. J. M. Fuller was easily "first. His box contained fine 
examples of Marie Baumann, Duchesse de Caylus (very good), Louis Yan 
Houtte, Capitaine Christy, Marquise de Castellane, and Etienne Levet. For 
six trebles of Teas Mr. W. Wakeley was first, Madame Bravy and Marechal 
Niel being the best. 
In the small classes Mr. West was first for six. He showed good speci¬ 
mens of Le Havre, Duchesse de Vallombrosa, Marie Baumann, Prince Camille 
de Rohan, and Marquise de Castellane. Mr. Foster was second, Mr. Peckham 
being third. Mr. George Mount was first for six Teas, Mr. Haynes being 
second. Mr. George Bunyard had some boxes of fine blooms, not for com¬ 
petition, and if he is in equal form on Tuesday at South Kensington he will 
take some beating. 
The epergnes were not equal to those of former years, and, as usual, the 
Judges were wrong in the opinion of some, one lady being particularly vehe¬ 
ment in her expressions of disapprobation ; but if her taste as to the arrange¬ 
ment of an epergne is to be measured by the taste she displayed in her 
remarks to the Judges it is possible that their decisions were not very wide 
of the mark after all. The cup in this class was taken by Miss Cope ; Miss 
Cutbush was second ; Miss Lawrence, Miss Harwood, and Miss West follow¬ 
ing with the other prizes. 
In the button-hole class Mrs. Knight was first, the other prizes being 
taken by Miss Wigan, Mr. Killick, Mr. G. Mount, and Mr. Peckham. It is to 
be hoped that the Committee will see their way another year to a somewhat 
later date for their Show. 
Cabbages for Seed. —I have a stock of Cabbage which will soon 
be exhausted unless I can save some seed. Can any of your readers tell 
