160 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 23, 1883. 
diameter and as much in height. This was a noble magnificently 
furnished specimen, and undoubtedly the best plant in the Show. The £15 
prize for twelve stove and greenhouse plants was taken by Mr. Hemming, 
gardener to James Howell, Esq., Cardiff, who had well-grown examples, 
including some finely bloomed plants of Dipladenia hybrida, Allamanda 
Schottii, and Ixora Williamsi. Most of the other fine-foliaged plant prizes 
were secured by the same exhibitor, and Fuchsias were shown in splendid 
order by Colonel Hill. Rookwood, Cardiff. Hardy Ferns were exhibited 
in grand form from the garden of Sir G-eorge Walker, Cardiff, and in the 
same tent the Zonal Pelargoniums made a most effective display. The 
double-flowering varieties especially had an astonishing number of massive 
heads of the richest colours. 
In the nurserymen’s Hose class the premier position was taken up by 
Mr. Stephen Treseder, Ely Itoad Nurseries, Cardiff. Mr. Earl, Newport, 
won the second prize. In Mr. Treseder’s stands there were many really fine 
well-developed perfect blooms. Louise Dore, Madame Eugene Yerdier, 
Horace Vernet, Marie Baumann, Alfred Colomb, Mrs. Jowitt and A. K. 
Williams being of the very highest merit. In the open class for Tea Boses 
Mr. Treseder was again to the fore with a rich selection. Near to these 
Mr. Crossling, of the Penarth Nurseries, Cardiff, exhibited a splendid stand of 
Tea Roses, and considering that the whole of them were open-air blooms his 
soil and situation must be most favourable to the development of the Bose. 
Dahlias, Gladioli, and Phloxes were shown extensively. Gloxinias and 
Balsams were very poor, but Achimenes were good. Hollyhocks might 
very well be left out of the list, as the competition here is always 
weak. 
Fruit always form an interesting section, but this year the Grapes, Pines, 
and Melons were not up to former excellency. The judging, too, was very 
unsatisfactory, as, for instance, three bunches of Black Alicantes which should 
have been shown in the Any variety black class were placed with the Black 
Hamburghs, and were awarded first prize in the Hamburgh class. Noted 
florists are no doubt useful among florist flowers, but the Cardiff Committee 
might profit by remembering that practical fruit and vegetable growers are 
best able to adjudicate on productions of this kind. The first prize-collection 
of Grapes from Mr. F. Case was strong in variety but poor in quality, all 
the bunches being small and the majority of them barely ripe ; but there 
was worse than them there in several exhibits of Madresfield Court, which 
were really perfectly unfit for either showing or eating. For three bunches 
of Muscat of Alexandria, Mr. Hawkins, gardener to Colonel Turbeville, 
Ewening Priory, Bridgend, was first with excellently coloured bunches. 
The hest Pine Apples came from Mr. Crawshay Bailey, and the first prize, 
nine dishes of fruit, from the Misses Rous, Colonel Page being second and 
Mr. Hawkins third. Good Grapes, Peaches, Nectarines, Figs, and Plums 
were the leading dishes in all these collections. Melons were numerous, the 
fruits being chiefly of average size and rich colour. Carter’s Blenheim 
Orange was very conspicuous. For the best of any kind, Colonel Lee, Dinas 
Powis, was first, and Mr. J. Ayres, Cardiff, second, with William Tillery. We 
have seen the Apples, Pears, and Plums much better at this Show, and 
Peaches and Nectarines more numerous, but the fruiting Vines in pots from 
Mr. C. Thomson and Colonel Page were grand. 
The Vegetable section was well filled as usual, the open class for nine 
dishes being the centre of attraction and contention. Here Mr. J. Muir, 
Margam Park, Taibach, was first with excellent produce, the kinds being 
Defiance Celery, Muir’s new hybrid Vegetable Marrow, Snowball Cauliflower, 
Giant Marrow Pea, Glamorgan Tomato, Porter’s Potato, Suttons’ Champion 
Runner Bean, Stumprooted Carrot, and Giant Zittau Onion—a grand dish, 
two dozen bulbs weighing 24 tbs. Mr. Moor, Coedriglan, was second with some 
fine produce, and Colonel Page third. The single-dish classes of vegetables 
were well filled, and the cottagers’ vegetable tent was highly creditable to 
this class, both in quantity and quality. 
The dinner-table decorations had many admirers. Many of the vases of cut 
flowers were exceedingly pretty, and the most charming of all were those 
filled chiefly with common flowers and wild grasses. 
We may remind those of our readers who are interested in the 
Dahlia that the grand annual Show of this queen of autumn flowers at 
the Crystal Palace is near at hand, Friday next, August 24th, being the 
last day fixed for sending in entries. The Show itself opens on the 
31st inst., and, as Dahlias are blooming well and early this season, a 
good display may be anticipated on this occasion. We note that 
over £100 are offered in prizes, and that the schedule makes pro¬ 
vision for the exhibition of all kinds and conditions of the flowers— 
Show varieties, Fancies, pompons, and singles—so that we may look for 
a thorough and complete illustration of the different types which have 
been evolved since the Dahlia came into the hands of the florist. The 
Dahlia is an autumn flower which none of us can afford to spare what¬ 
ever type may be preferred by each ; and we therefore trust that this 
second “ Grand National ” Show may be thoroughly worthy of its object, 
and serve to bring the flower again into more general notice ; the more 
so, in that every possible taste may now be fully satisfied. We under¬ 
stand that the Committee have made arrangements by which town and 
country friends and admirers of the Dahlia may meet and enjoy a social 
chat over a modest luncheon. May they each carry away pleasant 
recollections of the reunion. 
- A CORRESPONDENT describes MlCROSPERMA BARTONIOIDES as 
one of the prettiest of annuals for greenhouse decoration during the 
summer months. It is neat and dwarf, and though it branches freely it 
never looks untidy. The leaves are not unlike those of the Chinese 
Primrose, though they are rough with stiff hairs, as are also the stems. 
The flowers are extremely elegant, and somewhat resemble Bartonia. 
They are of the most lovely lemon colour imaginable, and have the 
centres filled with a thin brush of stamens. It is found to be valuable 
for the purpose above mentioned by Mr. Lynch at Cambridge. 
- Charming as a greenhouse climber in the Cambridge Botanic 
Garden is Loasa lateritia. Its habit is most graceful for this purpose, 
and the red flowers are uncommon-looking, while the twisted fruits are also- 
interesting. Several of the Loasem are good for greenhouse culture. 
Loasa vulcanica, which is one of the best with white flowers, and 
Microsperma bartonioides are in company with the above, and Bartonia 
aurea is used for the spring. Loasa vulcanica is very fine if planted out 
and taken up when the flowers appear. 
- As growing upon the rockery in the same garden Draco- 
cephalum argunense appears to be one of the best of the kinds. It 
is a perfect perennial, and grows in a tuft about a foot high. The leaves 
are narrowly lanceolate, and the flowers, which are whorled in terminal 
racemes, are of large size with bellied throats and of purplish blue 
colour. It is a Siberian species. 
- Not by any means common, yet very distinct, is Gladiolus 
purpureo-auratus, which appears to be quite hardy in a sheltered 
position. The flowers are more bell-like than those of other cultivated 
kinds, and are of greenish yellow colour, with bands of purple on the 
three lower segments. Though not showy it is handsome in its way, and 
is worth growing for the character it affords among commoner-looking 
plants. It was introduced from Natal about ten years ago. 
- An experienced cultivator recommends Silene Shafta as 
valuable for every rockwork, being extremely pretty with red flowers at 
various times of the year, and because when once planted it is sure to- 
take care of itself. It is, however, by no means rampant or coarse in 
habit, but, on the contrary, forms a neat tuft of some few inches only in- 
height. The stems are slender and bear small obovate pointed leaves, 
and the flowers are rather larger than a shilling. It is easily increased 
by division or seeds. A native of the Caucasus. 
- Among decorative plants Salvia Grahami purpurea is one- 
of the large collection of kinds which just now attract attention. It is 
like S. Grahami in every particular but that of colour, which is precisely 
the crimson lake of the artists, and is very rich and good. Sprays are- 
very elegant for mixing with other cut flowers. 
- A correspondent sends us the following note on the fruit- 
crops in Fifeshire :—“ For many years the fruit crops have been 
inferior both in quantity and quality in the above county. Indeed, since 
1870 no really heavy crops of first-rate fruit have been had. This year,, 
however, the crops of almost everything are extremely heavy. Goose¬ 
berries in most places almost broke down the bushes. Raspsberries and 
Strawberries have been particularly fine, and other small fruits good. 
In Ramornie Gardens, Ladybank, the Apple trees under the care of Mr. 
George Blyth are loaded with fruit in almost every instance, and 
the Plum crop is good both on standards and the walls. Pears are, in- 
some instances, very good, and Cherries were very fine. All that is 
wanted is a good autumn to fill the fruit-rooms and the cooks’ jars. At 
present the Apples are rather small, partly owing to the enormous crop,, 
partly to the rather backward season ; but it is hoped the fine weather 
now being enjoyed will continue.” 
- Referring to the effects of lime on Vines the same- 
correspondent observes :—“ In the garden above alluded to the Vines- 
have very considerably improved, chiefly in consequence of the appli¬ 
cation of lime. The soil is very light and sandy. Bones have been given 
to supply phosphoric acid. In consequence of former heavy applications 
of urine and ordinary manure, potash and humus are plentifully present. 
As is well known, these applications tend to cause even a large amount 
of lime to disappear. When the soil, as in this case, contains none, it is 
easy to foretell that the application of lime to such a lime-loving plant 
will cause rapid improvement. The Vines in question were very much 
