August 9, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
123 
every year, for they never flower satisfactorily a second time. September 
is the best time to buy and pot the bulbs, although they may be potted 
at any time till November or even December, but we advise beginners not 
to be later than October. Loam, leaf soil, or decayed cowdnng and a 
little sand suit them admirably. The pots should be drained in the usual 
way and filled loosely with soil to the rim. A little sand should then be 
placed on the surface of the soil in the middle of the pot, and the bulb 
placed in the soil so that only the top is exposed. The soil should then 
be rendered firm and the potting is completed. Six-inch pots are quite 
large enough for single bulbs, and 7-inch ones will do for three bulbs. 
We, however, recommend potting the bulbs singly, as sometimes they do 
not flower all together, and then the effect is spoilt. 
The pots should be arranged on a firm base where worms will not 
reach them, and where they will be cool but safe from frost and wet. 
Cover the pots with ashes, leaf soil, or sawdust. In this position they 
may stand for a month or two until the pots are filled with roots and the 
tops are showing. They should then be removed to a cold frame and 
the pots plunged near the glass. During hard frosts the frames must be 
protected, and when the weather is fine ventilation is necessary. They 
may also be removed at once to the greenhouse to develope, but the extra 
heat and distance from the glass, although causing them to bloom earlier, 
will induce a more weakly growth than in the cold frame. At the same 
time this gentle forcing may add to the number of flowers very early in 
the year, when they will be more appreciated. A little liquid manure 
applied occasionally after the leaves have grown somewhat will aid mate¬ 
rially in producing well-developed spikes. Failing either a frame or 
greenhouse they may be grown in the window. 
In Glasses. —This is an elegant way of growing this popular flower. 
When the bulbs are being purchased the purpose should be stated to the 
vendor, so that sound ones may be secured. The glasses should be filled 
with water so full that only the base of the bulbs may touch the water, 
for if it fall short of this they will not root freely; if the bulbs are 
immersed they may decay. The glasses can be stood in a dark cool place 
until they are filled with roots, when they may be placed in the light— 
a greenhouse or a window will suit them. If at a window care should be 
taken not to allow a cold draught to blow on them, or the spikes will not 
unfold. At all stages of their growth care should be taken to keep the 
water pure or the roots will decay. For this reason the water should be 
changed occasionally, and each time a small piece of charcoal added for 
the purpose of absorbing any unwholesome gases which may be generated. 
Two dozen names of good old cheap varieties are appended, also with 
some of the newer and more expensive kinds. The best way for an 
amateur to make a selection is to visit a good spring show and note the 
leading kinds. The prizewinners are almost invariably new expensive 
varieties, but for ordinary purposes such varieties as are named here are 
almost as good. 
Old Cheap Varieties .— Tied: Dr. Livingstone, Gigantea, Homerus, 
Lord Derby, Macaulay, Madame Hodson, Queen of Hyacinths, Von 
Schiller. White: Alba Maxima, Alba Superbissima, Baroness Von Tuyll, 
Grandeur a Merveille, Hercules, Marie Stuart, Queen Victoria, Vesta. 
Blue: Czar Peter, Grand Lilas, King of the Blues, Lord Melville, Lamp¬ 
lighter, Prince Albert, Porcelain Sceptre, and Voltaire. All the above 
are singles. The doubles are not so good as the singles. 
Nener Varieties. —La Grandesse, Koh-i-noor, King of the Blues, De 
Candolle, Kent Blue, Primrose Perfection, and Vuurbaak.—A. H. 
(To be continued.) 
SOUTHAMPTON SHOW. 
August 4th and Cth. 
The twenty-first anniversary of the Royal Southampton Horticultural 
Society was fittingly celebrated by an exhibition of more than usual merit— 
one, indeed, that both in extent and quality of the exhibits could be favour¬ 
ably compared with the best on the Society’s records. Such a long period 
of energetic labour must have exerted a great influence upon the horticul¬ 
ture of the district, and the effects were manifested in the plants, flowers, 
fruits, and vegetables so largely and so well shown on this occasion. The 
fame of the Show is, however, more than local, and brings contributions from 
many distant counties, which always impart an additional interest to com¬ 
petitions, besides really proving beneficial to growers in the district, who 
thus have an opportunity of noting the success achieved by some of the most 
distinguished cultivators in the kingdom. Such champions, for instance, as 
Messrs. Jackson & Sons, Kingston; Tudgey, Waltham Cross; Cypher, 
Cheltenham ; and C. Rann, Handcross Park, Crawley, amongst the plants : 
Messrs. Ward, Longford Castle, Salisbury; F. Thomson, Norman Court; 
Dean, and Molyneux, Swanmore Park, in the fruit classes ; and the last-named 
with Mr. Iggulden, Marston Garden, Frome, with vegetables, would alone 
render an exhibition of considerable value. These with many others all 
showed exceedingly well generally, and the few defects noticeable in par¬ 
ticular classes might be more traceable to weather influences than to want 
of skill on the part of the exhibitors. So numerous were the entries, that 
almost on the eve of the Show additional tent accommodation had to be 
obtained from London, five enormous marquees being well filled. Three 
were devoted to plants, one to fruit and flowers, and the fourth to vegetables, 
each department constituting an important feature. Great care was dis¬ 
played in the arrangement of the exhibits, and the best effect was produced, 
all the plants being seen to excellent advantage, the spaces well filled with¬ 
out any crowding, the fine-foliage plants judiciously disposed to soften the 
brilliancy of the flowering plants, and the latter to brighten the display 
where needed. 
The Show was held in Westwood Park, which it will be remembered the 
Society has now obtained possession of for a period of fourteen years on 
lease, the grounds to be devoted to the usual horticultural exhibitions, 
musical and other entertainments. The site is elevated and beautiful, com¬ 
manding pleasing views, and being in close proximity to the picturesque and 
extensive common. The distance is not more than an agreeable walk from 
the town, and tramcars run very near, so that the popularity of the gardens 
may be considered insured. On the occasion of this Show the weather both 
on Saturday and Monday was very favourable, the visitors on the latter day 
assembling in great numbers to enjoy the Exhibition and miscellaneous 
sports and entertainments so liberally provided after the style of the York 
Floral F5te. 
PLANTS. 
An admirable display of these was contributed, the chief class being that 
for twelve stove and greenhouse plants, six in flower and six fine-foliage, the 
prizes being £20, £15, and £10. Three beautiful collections were staged, the 
champion being Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, who deservedly secured the 
premier award with exceedingly fresh, even, and well-grown plants, the most 
notable of which were Erica aemula of moderate size, but in grand health 
and superbly flowered—indeed quite a model plant; other good specimens 
were Bougainvillea glabra, Stephanotis floribunda, Dipladenia amabilis, 
Croton angustifolius, AUamanda nobilis, and Encephalartos villosus very 
large. Mr. C. Rann, gardener to J. Warren, Esq., Handcross Park, Crawley, 
followed closely also with fine specimens, several Crotons being especially 
richly coloured, the handsome C. Warreni and C. Hendersoni attracting much 
attention. Cycads and Palms were represented by vigorous and gigantic 
examples. Mr. Tudgey, Waltham Cross, was placed third, his two most 
remarkable plants being Croton Johannis beautifully coloured, and Cycas 
revoluta very large. These three collections were close to each other in 
merit, and were each highly creditable to their respective growers. 
Next in importance were the classes for eighteen miscellaneous plants, not 
less than six to be in flower. One was devoted to nurserymen, Messrs. Jack- 
son & Son taking the lead with an excellent collection of healthy plants, 
mostly of moderate size, but as fresh as could be desired. Such well-known 
exhibition plants as Statice Butcheri, Allamanda cathartica, and Bonapartea 
juncea were shown in grand style, a fine globular Rondeletia speciosa major 
well clothed with its large richly coloured flowers, and a seedling Erica 
with very dark red flowers, for which a certificate was awarded, being two 
other specialities in a most praiseworthy collection. Mr. J. F. Mould, 
Pewsey, was placed second with very even and healthy but smaller speci¬ 
mens ; Mr. J. C. H. Ranson, Hill Lane, and Messrs. Oakley & Watling, 
St. Mary’s Road, taking the third and fourth positions. The competition 
was also keen and the exhibits good in the amateurs’ corresponding class, 
Mr. E. Wills, gardener to Mrs. Pearce, The Firs, Bassett, being awarded first 
honours for beautiful examples of Erica Parmentieriana var. rosea, Alocasia 
metallica, Statice profusa, Davallia Mooreana, and Microlepia hirta cristata 
amongst many others also of great merit. Mr. S. Amys, gardener to the 
Hon. Mrs. Eliot Yorke, Hamble Cliff, Netley, was placed second with well- 
grown specimens, Statice profusa and Croton interruptus well coloured, 
being two of the best in the collection. Mr. J. Blandford, gardener to Mrs. 
Haselfoot, Moor Hill, West End, was third with Lygodium scandens well 
trained, Microlepia hirta cristata, and Cyanophyllum magnificum, the latter 
a tall, vigorous, handsome plant. 
There were five groups arranged for effect as suitable for the centre of 
a conservatory, the first prize of £7 being presented by the Mayor and 
Corporation of Southampton. In all these, however, there was too much 
formality, rigid pyramids with evenly banked sides, and in some instances 
the plants were far too much crowded to produce a good effect. As 
examples of tastefulness in the arrangement of plants these were of little 
value, and there is unquestionably much room for improvement in this 
class. Mr. Wills was placed first with a bright group prettily edged with 
Adiantum and Panicum. Mr. Amys took the second position, followed by 
Mr. J. Kingsbury, Bevois Yalley, and Messrs. Oakley and Watling. 
Ferns were staged in first-rate condition generally, especially in the 
open class for six plants, the premier award being secured by Mr. Amys 
with most creditable examples of Lygodium scandens, a globularly trained 
plant in vigorous health and one of the best specimens of this Fern we have 
ever seen. Adiantum Sanctse-Catherinae, Gymnogramma ochracea, Dicksonia 
antarctica, and Adiantum concinnum latum. Mr. Wills was adjudged second 
honours, his finest plants being Adiantum cardiochlsena, Nephrolepis daval- 
lioides furcans, and Adiantum concinnum latum. In the gardeners’ class 
for four Ferns, Mr. Peel, gardener to Mrs. Todd, Sidford Lodge, Shirley, was 
the most successful, having Gymnogramma chrysophylla and Davallia 
Mooreana very handsome. Messrs. Allen and Budd followed in that order. 
Messrs. Jackson & Son took the lead in the nurserymen’s class for the same 
number of Ferns, having a good Platycerium grande, Nephrolepis davallioides 
furcans, Lomaria zamioides, and Dicksonia antarctica. 
Zonal Pelargoniums were shown in fine condition by several exhibitors, 
the flowers and trusses large, and the colours rich and clear. Mr. Allen, 
gardener to J. Bailey, Esq., Elmfield Hall, secured the principal prizes both 
with single and double varieties; and the same exhibitor had the best 
Fuchsias, tall, conical, and profusely flowered specimens, suggestive of the 
grand examples seen in the neighbourhood of Bath. 
Orchids formed a small class, and it is surprising that these popular plants 
do not receive more attention in the district. Mr. Osborne was first with a 
collection comprising some well-flowered plants of Dendrobium bigibbum, 
Odontoglossnm Uro-Skinneri, O. Alexandra, and Epidendrum vitellinum. 
Messrs. Jackson & Son were second, and Mr.'Blandford, gardener to Mrs. 
Haselfoot, Moor Hill, West End, was third. 
For the best specimen stove or greenhouse plant in flower the competition 
was good, several fine Allamandas being entered ; but a large example of the 
beautiful Impatiens Sultani, from Messrs. Jackson & Son, was selected by 
the Judges as the premier. This specimen, which is 4 or 5 feet in diameter, 
globular in form, and profusely flowered, is probably the largest in the 
country, and has already gained honours at several other shows. 
Miscellaneous small classes for plants were well filled, especially for 
Celosias, of which a great number of small but pretty specimens were shown. 
Cockscombs were also represented in fine condition, the heads large and 
richly coloured. Achimenes, Gloxinias, and Tuberous Begonias all con¬ 
tributed materially to the extent of the Show, many of the exhibitors 
already mentioned gaining fresh honours amongst them. 
