July 19, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
53 
Chelsea Botanic^Garden before 1733, but from these Miller states only 
two plants were raised, flowers not being produced until 1802, when 
a specimen bloomed in Mr. Woodford’s collection at Vauxhall. From 
this a coloured plate was prepared for the “ Botanical Magazine ” (plate 
628), but the variety there shown is distinct from that we give, the 
corolla lobes being larger, the calyx lobes more narrow, and the colour 
a uniform purplish-lilac. Houston named the plant in honour of Lord 
Robert James Petre, who, it has been said, was “ the worthiest of men, 
whose death was the greatest loss that botany or gardening ever felt in 
this island.” A very large collection of plants was formed by this noble¬ 
man, large stoves and conservatories being erected for the tropical species, 
while the outdoor collection was also extremely large, the total number 
of individuals being said to be about 219,925. 
The culture of the plant is easy. Given an ordinary stove tem- 
it was thought the plant was either monoecious or dioecious. Miller, 
indeed, attributes the fact of only two plants having been raised from 
the seed sent by Houstoun, to the supposed circumstance that “ the 
seeds were either gathered at a distance from the male tree, or from, 
such parts of the tree as were remote, from the male flowers.” There 
does not appear to be any substantial grounds for this opinion, for 
many tropical plants fail to perfect seeds in England, even though 
they grow vigorously and flower most freely.—L. Castle. 
WARMINSTER ROSE SOCIETY. 
July 11th. 
The above Society doubtless has been frequently eclipsed this season- 
with regard to the extent of exhibitions by kindred societies, but in point o£ 
Fig. 13.—Petr.ea volubilis. 
enthusiasm and real love of the Rose they are pre-eminent. Better shows,, 
owing to the lateness of the fixture this season, have been held at Warminster; 
yet, considering the difficulties with which the growers have to contend, and 
the comparatively small value of prizes offered, the competition must be 
considered highly creditable. No exhibitor is allowed to take more than one 
prize, although he may be adjudged a prizewinner in several classes, the 
value of the prize going to the next on the list. As a consequence every 
subscribing exhibitor is encouraged to persevere instead of being disheartened 
at the prospect of some highly successful growers annually carrying all 
before him, and the Society remains flourishing when others more ambitious 
collapse. Mr. John Scott, Warminster, well known in the west of England 
as a very successful Rose-grower, as may be imagined, is very seldom beaten 
by his neighbours ; and another enthusiastic gentleman well known to the 
readers of the Journal of Horticulture in connection with the annual Rose 
elections—viz., Mr. J. Hinton, also exhibits well and successfully. 
The principal class was for twelve triplets, distinct, and here Mr. Scott 
perature, a good compost of turfy loam and peat, with a small 
proportion of well-decayed manure, and little difficulty will be 
experienced in both growing and flowering the plant, providing it 
be kept clear of insects, mealy bug being its especial enemy 
Supply water liberally when growth is advancing, syringing freely 
to keep the foliage fresh and clean. It can be increased by layers, 
but the best way is to graft young shoots upon pieces of the root 
in April or May, when if treated like other root cuttings, placed 
in heat and shaded, young vigorous plants can usually be readily 
obtained. When first introduced, and for some years afterwards, it 
was thought that the plant could only be increased by imported 
seeds, and because Eeeds were not produced or perfected in England 
