124 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 9, 18S3. 
Cut flowers were not very largely shown, the Roses and Dahlias from 
Messrs. Keynes & Co. of Salisbury being amongst the most noticeable. 
The Dahlias in particular were remarkably good, quite of the high standard 
distinguishing the Salisbury blooms. Epergnes and table decorations were 
in good force, Mr. J. Cypher being as usual foremost in both classes with 
very tastefully arranged stands and tables, in both of which flowers of 
Francoa ramosa, Gloriosas, and Aquilegia chrysantha were freely employed 
with excellent effect, sufficient Grasses and Fern fronds being used to 
impart lightness to them. The bases of the stands were very handsome, 
being filled with large white Water Lilies, Dipladenias, and Allamandas. 
FRUIT. 
Sixteen classes were devoted to fruit, and the majority were very well 
filled, the competition being extremely keen in all the most important. The 
principal was that for eight dishes, distinct varieties, the first prize of five 
guineas being presented by the Southampton Tramways Company, which 
was gained by Mr. Ward, gardener to the Earl of Radnor, Longford Castle, 
Salisbury, with a good collection, comprising a magnificent Charlotte 
Rothschild Pine Apple, large, even, and finely ripened, which formed the 
strongest point in the lot; large Goshawk Peaches, Brown Turkey Figs, 
Moorpark Apricots, Lord Napier Nectarines, a green-flesh Melon, with 
Black Prince and Muscat of Alexandria Grapes ; the last-named were rather 
green, but the other Grapes were fairly coloured. The Pine Apple, however, 
was greatly admired by all, as it amply deserved, for rarely is such a grand 
example seen at exhibitions, and Mr. Ward certainly merits great praise for 
it. Mr. F. Thomson, gardener to W. Baring, Esq., Norman Court, Dean, was 
adjudged second honours, an award that did not give satisfaction to some 
experienced and disinterested growers, and the above two collections were 
subjected to considerable criticism. Mr. Thomson had very fine Barrington 
Peaches beautifully coloured. His Madresfield Court and Muscat of Alexandria 
Grapes were good, Melon, Pine Apple, and Figs fair, but his weakest point 
was a dish of Greengages that appeared to be very unripe. After carefully 
considering the respective merits and defects of these two collections, several 
distinguished horticulturists came to the conclusion that they were equal, 
but it was undoubtedly the Pine Apple which gave Mr. Ward’s collection 
such weight. Mr. Miller, gardener to W. H. Long, Esq., M.P., Rood Ashton 
Hall, Ironbridge, and Mr. J. Budd, gardener to F. G. Dalgety, Esq., Lockerby 
Hall, Romsey, were third and fourth respectively, each showing well, though 
Grapes all through were of rather indifferent finish. 
For six dishes, distinct varieties, Mr. Molyneux, gardener to W. H. Myers, 
Esq., Swanmore Park, won first honours with a collection that well deserved its 
position, though the competition was even keener as regards general quality 
than in the preceding class. Mr. Molyneux’s dishes were Madresfield 
Court Grapes ; good Muscat of Alexandria, rather green, but fine in bunch 
and berry ; Hero of Lockinge Melon, finely netted ; Yiolette Hative Peaches, 
Pine Apple Nectarines, and Morello Cherries. Mr. Jones, gardener to Lord 
Calthorpe, Elvetham Park, Winchfield, was a close second with fine Belle- 
garde Peaches amongst others. Several other fairly good collections were 
also staged and secured prizes. 
Melons were largely shown, about two dozen being entered in the two 
classes. The scarlet-flesh varieties were of good size and well netted, but 
rather poor in flavour, much the best being a handsome fruit of Blenheim 
Orange, with which Mr. Iggulden, gardener to the Earl of Cork, Marston, 
Frome, obtained the first prize. This was greatly admired, the flesh being 
very deep, the fruit of beautiful form and grandly netted. Messrs. Thomson, 
Cox, and Oxford followed in that order. The green-flesh Melons were of fine 
flavour, especially Mr. Ward’s Cox’s Orange Gem, which was placed first in 
the class ; it was admirably ripened, very rich and sweet. Mr. Richards, 
gardener to the Earl of Normanton, Somerley House, Ringwood, was a good 
second with a fine fruit of Hero of Lockinge well ripened. Mr. Hills was 
third with Eastnor Castle fairly good. 
Peaches were represented by a dozen dishes, Mr. Thomson taking the lead 
with large and richly coloured fruits of Barrington, exceedingly handsome. 
There were also twelve dishes of Nectarines staged, Mr. Ward being first 
with Pine Apple, large but rather poor in colour, and apparently not quite 
ripe. Mr. Richards was placed second with Humboldt, well ripened and of 
good colour, and this again occasioned some little dispute, as in the opinion 
of many the second dish was more worthy of the premier position than 
the other. 
Grapes were not of remarkable quality, the best being Mr. Molyneux’s 
premier bunches of Black Hamburgh, which were well ripened and coloured. 
In white Grapes Mr. W. Hills, gardener to Viscount Gort, East Cowes Castle, 
took the lead with Muscat of Alexandria, large in bunch and berry and well 
ripened. 
VEGETABLES. 
One tent was entirely devoted to vegetables, a very fine display being 
provided, and of good quality, both in the gardeners’ and cottagers’ classes. 
Ten collections of twelve varieties were staged, Mr. Molyneux winning chief 
honours with handsome Giant Rocca Onions, Trophy Tomatoes, Champion 
Scarlet Beans, Nante’s Horn Carrots, Long White Marrow, Globe Artichokes, 
Cucumbers, International Potatoes, Sulham Prize Celery, Peas, Cauliflowers, 
and Turnips. Mr. W. Iggulden was awarded the second prize, but the 
Judges had some difficulty in determining the position of these two exhibitors, 
as their collections were very close in merit. Mr. Iggulden’s most telling 
dish was Phillip’s Perfection Tomatoes, a beautiful variety, with very even 
brightly coloured fruits. His other best dishes were Negro Mammoth Long- 
pod Bean, Nantes Horn Carrots, Telegraph Cucumbers, Culverwell’s Giant 
Marrow Peas, Turnip-rooted Beet, and Schoolmaster Potatoes. Messrs. A. 
Miller and Sanders were second and third. In the class for nine varieties 
the competition was also good, Mr. Amys taking the chief position amongst 
nine exhibitors, followed closely by Messrs. Pope and Budd. Potatoes and 
Onions were largely shown, the latter being very fine, and most of the 
Potatoes were also clean and neat. 
Collections of flowers and plants not for competition were contributed by 
several firms, Messrs. Jackson & Son having a group of Palms, Ferns, Ericas, 
and miscellaneous plants. Mr. W. H. Rogers, Red Lodge, Southampton, 
had a striking group of Conifers, Ivies, and ornamental shrubs and trees. 
Messrs. Elcombe & Son, Romsey, sent a group of Zonal Pelargoniums, com 
prising many fine varieties remarkably well grown and freely flowered. 
HABENARIA BIFOLIA. 
Some plants are grown because they are handsome in form, some 
because they produce handsome ilowers, and others because of the 
fragrance they emit from leaves or flowers. Among the many orders 
of plants cultivated perhaps few yield more handsome leaved plants 
than the Orchideae, none finer flowers, and none more delightful odours. 
The somewhat common British plant noted here cannot boast of any¬ 
thing particularly striking in habit, though it is neat-growing and 
upright. Nor are its flowers particularly handsome, being of a not 
very pure white, although in that it would not suffer in comparison 
with not a few cherished plants. But for filling the evening air with 
delightful odour not many plants, native or foreign, are superior to 
Habenaria bifolia. 
In some places, as in the sub-alpine districts of Stirling, Perth, 
and Dunbarton, it thrives, and, indeed, all over the country it is 
frequently the commonest of wildings. On the moor, by the side of 
the bogs, at the roadside it is to be found frequently ; but nowhere 
in such profusion nor in such vigour is it to be seen as on ground that 
has been once cultivated but long laid down to pasture. Frequently 
to be found w'here the ground is wet, it thrives best where once wet 
land has been laid dry by draining. These facts will afford a clue to 
the most successful mode of cultivating it. 
It is not difficult to cultivate. Though lifted from its “ native 
heath ” at the worst time—when in full bloom—we have always had 
it as vigorous condition the year following as when lifted, when the 
precaution w T as taken of removing the flower spikes, otherwise it is 
sure to come up weakly the second year. A porous soil suits it to 
perfection when in the open ground, and a carpet of Sedum not only 
keeps the soil shady and cool, but prevents thundershowers from 
spoiling the flowers by splashing soil on them. 
But in order to enjoy it thoroughly it should be grown in pots. 
When this is done very tough loamy turf pulled to pieces and mixed 
with bits of porous sandstone, is perhaps the best compost that could 
be chosen. 
Although in pots it must not be grown under glass at any season. 
Orchids all the world over have one peculiarity—they will not force. 
Given a soil open enough, porous enough, and sweet enough it does 
not matter what the materials are ; but make the air too wet or too 
dry, and especially too warm, and the plants will rapidly go wrong. 
This is as true of the loveliest British Orchid as of the most delicate 
Odontoglot or Phalaenopsid, Though the Habenaria, then, will grow 
splendidly in pots, forwarding it in heat, or rather the attempt to do 
so, or with the idea of being kind to it, will slowly but surely work 
its ruin. 
They do well in the full sun, but much better when only the 
morning or evening sun reaches them ; and though they do not care 
about too much moisture at the root, its presence in the a’r produces 
great luxuriance. A damp surface, therefore, should be kept up in 
arid quarters. 
Not to be bought—at least not that we are aw r are of—it is often 
to be found by tourists. Lifting injures most plants much when in 
bloom, unless all the soil about them is retained, which is burdensome. 
But most Orchids can be lifted when in full flower with impunity ; 
indeed, only then can they be lifted, being undiscoverable at any 
other time. But if the plants are lifted carefully and no roots 
broken, no earth need be removed. They may then be planted 
very closely together in little boxes or baskets, and will do well, 
even though kept thus for a few days or even a week or two ; but 
the leaves should be kept fresh and not hid from the sun. The flower 
spikes should also be removed. Sphagnum moss, soil, or even damp 
sawdust will do very well for planting them in temporarily, but it 
must be kept moist. In this way large numbers may be carried far. 
Unless the gatherer is a botanist he might not notice it, but there 
are two common forms, and a third not so common. The handsomest 
and most robust has been called II. chlorantha. The distinguishing 
feature of this form botanically is that the column is short, stout, 
and very broad, the anther cells being much wider apart at the base 
than at the top. and curving downwards. Another, and always, so 
far as we have observed it, smaller and more delicate plant, has a 
much narrower column, and the anther cases are close together and 
not diverging. This used to be regarded as II. bifolia proper. The 
other form with which we are acquainted is intermediate between 
these, the anther case being considerably separated, and the lower 
ends curving upwards. Then there are two forms—a British and a 
foreign—of H. chlorantha, the foreign having green flowers. These 
variations need not bother the amateur. He will not err if he groups 
them, and consider that his observations have led him to observe how 
species originate ; but these peculiarities, after being observed, will 
give the observer an insight into the mysterious evolution of species, 
