November 1, 1883 J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
383 
•at present at its best is Agapanthus umbellatus. I do not know that it 
is hardy everywhere. Here it blooms well on a warm dry border. 
Phygelius capensis is also one of our best border plants at this season. 
It likewise is said to be tender in some quarters. Here it succeeds 
perfectly. Cuttings strike if inserted now, and this is the best way to 
obtain a stock of plants. Those who are fond of single flowers should 
add the light blue Scabiosa caucasica connata to their collection. It 
keeps producing flowers for months, and is much appreciated by ladies. 
It is quite hardy. Judging by questions as to name, which are continu¬ 
ally being asked, the soft rosy Sedum spectabile does not appear to be so 
well known as its merits entitle it to. We grow it by the hundred in 
border and bed, and can recommend it as one of the most taking of 
hardy flowers. A stock can be rapidly raised, as every little point strikes 
root freely in spring. Afterwards the rootstocks may be divided when 
replanting if more plants should be wanted. 
What a fine Orchid is Odontoglossum grande when grown strongly ! 
We have had several plants in bloom and more to follow, some of them 
with six blooms to a spike, and the individual flowers over 7 inches across. 
I find they do best grown close to the glass under a dense shade while 
growing. Our best variety is just showing its spikes ; this I have known 
with seven flowers on a spike, and considered it very good. Of a dif¬ 
ferent stamp is Oncidium ornithorhynchum, a quiet graceful beauty ; it is 
quite the gardener’s Orchid and worth growing by the dozen. Some 
varieties are hardly worth house room, so much do they vary. 
Another Orchid of the greatest value at this season is Phalsenopsis 
amabilis. It does in an ordinary stove, and, like Odontoglossum grande, 
should be kept pretty close to the glass and densely shaded. It is not 
difficult to manage, but I have found it necessary to change the sphagnum 
twice in a season in order to keep the roots in perfectly fresh material, 
an important point to be observed with Phalmnopsids. It may be 
added that this species should be kept shorter of water during the winter 
than it would be safe to venture with P. Schilleriana, which, if allowed 
to get dry, will lose its flower buds. 
While on the subject of watering it may be pointed out that it is not 
the best plan to dry up Calanthes too quickly ; they ought to be watered 
until the foliage gives way. Ccelogyne cristata is another plant which at 
present should not be insufficiently supplied with water. Fresh roots are 
now formed, and the plants are all the better for being kept moist. The 
same remark applies to Lycaste Skinneri, which is now throwing up 
blooms and forming roots at the same time. I will only mention another 
species which every gardener should have, and which is now opening its 
first flowers, and that is Cymbidium Mastersii. This is certainly the most 
useful of the Cymbidiums. We have bad spikes with a dozen and four¬ 
teen flowers, very lovely. Varieties differ considerably, however, in respect 
of length of spike. 
I have considerable sympathy with “ H.” in the matter of new 
Potatoes. They are generally very disappointing. I think, however, as 
a rule gardeners continue to depend on old kinds for supply of ordinary 
wants. I do so, and so do others whom I am acquainted with. For 
instance, we have had Myatt’s Ashleaf Kidney in use from June up to 
the end of August, and I do not know that it could be surpassed as a 
cropper, certainly not in the matter of flavour, by newer introductions. 
Of course White Elephants at If lb. each may be brought as proof that 
1 am wrong, but such examples are unpresentable in any dish—with 
the exception of that of the family pig, and even in his case the smaller 
and more delicately flavoured Myatt’s might be more profitable. 
I am waiting for the first sharp frost to denude the Seakale crowns of 
the leaves which are now in the way in order to get the first batch lifted 
and placed in the forcing house. While so waiting I may be allowed 
to call the attention of others who may also be waiting, to this fact in the 
matter of forcing Seakale—that is, that you cannot give the roots too rich 
-a rooting medium when planting them in their forcing quarters. Any 
poor worn-out rubbish is generally conceded to Seakale. But if you 
want it to grow quickly, to grow strong, and to grow brittle, employ 
instead of rubbish some dry horse droppings, and you will have a glad¬ 
some surprise. Rhubarb should be planted in the same material. 
I have just one other note, and that is about a shrub—Spiraea Van 
Houttei. It is useful for forcing, but what I specially want to recom¬ 
mend it for is as a shrubbery flowering plant. It ought to be grown 
extensively. It flowers early, wreathing its drooping shoots with little 
cymes of pure white.—X. 
<5BEAT APPLE AND PEAR EXHIBITION—HEREFORD. 
This annual Exhibition, kept in abeyance last year on account of the 
unproductive fruit season, was held in the Shire Hall on the 24th and 
25th ult. To report with what amount of success, I need but state that 
some 2500 plates were staged, while for lack of room the cider and perry 
fruit had to be grouped in admired disorder throughout their respective 
■classes. However, as the Judges did not seem to object to this perfunctory 
arrangement, the public certainly were gainers in the picturesque effect 
gained by the general effect. Not in extent only was the Exhibition 
pronounced to be the finest ever held in the provinces, but in the rare 
quality of the fruit; and, in a notable degree, in the marvellous dash of 
colour which pervaded the entire hall, an eloquent tribute was paid to our 
Herefordshire soil, which I feel sure our Kentish friends, so justly priding 
themselves on their superior climate and the consequent smoothness and 
symmetry of their fruits, will be the last to grudge us, roughly handicapped as 
we of the West Midlands are well nigh every year—even if we escape the 
spring frosts—before the early growths get a fair start. The size attained by 
the largest Apple among the collections of that noted exhibitcr, Mr. Haycock, 
gardener to Mr. Roger Leigh, M.P., Barham Gardens, Maidstone, 1 lb. 4 oz3., 
was 2 ozs. in excess of the largest specimen in the Middlesex collection 
at Chiswick, but not equal by several ounces to previous records attained 
at these exhibitions. The same exhibitor carried off tbe prize for the 
heaviest dessert Pear, Pitmaston Duchess, 1 lb. 8^ ozs. Indeed, it may be 
said that the clean and level as well as grand exhibits of this talented fruit¬ 
grower was the theme of general admiration, as I hear it also was at 
Chiswick. 
I would venture here to guess at one great secret in Mr. Haycock’s 
staging, conducing so signally to his success in gaining the Judges’ fiat 
and popular favour. It is simply this, that, given the grand material 
he has to make the most of (of course, as Mrs. Glass says, you mnst 
first catch your hare), he always aims at levelling up throughout his 
entire collection, and thus never dwarfs a single specimen, or lets in 
a single weak corner, by introducing a disproportionate large plate or two. 
May it not be possible Mr. Haycock carries this principle too far in his 
magnificent collection of dessert Apples, for which he won first prize in an 
excellent class ? Several noted fruit-growers, as Mr. Bunyard, pronounced 
it the finest ever staged. Still 1 venture humbly to suggest, first-rate as 
every plate was, that size throughout was too large for orthodox dessert 
Apples, where such all-round varieties as Queen Caroline and Blenheim 
Orange never (as here) should find a place. Perhaps the most interesting 
varieties were Melon Apple, Ross Nonpareil, perfect in colour ; Mother 
Apple, Washington, superb specimen (from under glass I learn); Pine 
Golden Pippin, perfect; Margil, wonderful colour ; and King of the Pippins, 
true type. 
Mr. Thomas Griffiths, Tillington Nurseiies, won the second prize with fine 
collection, including the refined Pomeroy, the fragrant Summer Queening, 
and juicy Astrachan, not to omit mentioning the local Phibuiy Pippin 
(called after one of Andrew Knight’s many nurseries near Ludlow), a perfect 
model for a dessert Apple from its handsome neat looks, golden colour, and 
lasting properties. Third prize, Mr. John Watkins, Pomona Farm, Withing- 
ton. Fourth, Mr. John Barnes, Hucclecote Gardens, Gloucester. 
In culinary Apples, twenty-four varieties, Mr. Haycock was first with 
wonderfully bright and level specimens, specially including Royal Russet, 
Northern Spy, grand in colour and size; Bedfordshire Foundling, fine; 
Belle Dubois, immense ; Lord Derby, splendid everywhere ; Cox’s Pomona, 
finest colour in the Hall; Lady Henniker, great acquisition ; Annie Elizabeth, 
great size and density. Second prize, Mr. Ward, gardener to Lady Emily 
Foley. Third prize, Mr. J. Watkins. 
The single plates, for which many private as well as committee prizes 
were offered, were very interesting and keenly contested, especially the 
Blenheim Pippin, Ribston Pippin, and Seek-no-Further, which appear to 
find a natural home in the orchards of Herefordshire from the number and 
excellence of the plates exhibited. Mr. H. Higgins, Thinghill, Hereford, 
took first prize for Blenheim Pippin and Seek-no-Further, and Mr. Haycock 
first prize for Ribston Pippin. The first Apple, I may mention in passing, 
is not being planted in such number as formerly, owing to the tree not 
coming into profitable bearing for many years. Mr. Haycock also took first 
prize for a high-coloured and fine Cox’s Orange Pippin ; and Mr. Haywood, 
Blakemere, first prize for the somewhat sensational culinary Apple of the 
district, Tom Putt, an everlasting bearer but no keeper. 
Single plates of dessert Apples for present flavour were shown by Mr. 
Haycock, who was first with American Mother Apple, exquisite in flavour 
but too soft in flesh for most palates. Mr. C. Ross, gardener to Mr. C. Eyre, 
Welford Park, was second with Cox’s Orange Pippin, of fine delicate flavour 
and crispness of flesh. Third, Mr. Walter, gardener to the Earl of Chester¬ 
field, with the same variety; and fourth, Mr. H. J. Smith Brothers, Ledbury, 
with the Old Pomeroy. A grand class, twenty-eight plates. 
Culinary Apples, for size, weight, and quality, any variety.—First prize, 
Mr. C. Haycock, 5 (plate of), with Belle Dubois, 6 lbs. 3 ozs. Second prize, 
Mr. Higgins, Thinghill, with Peasgood’s Nonesuch, 6 lbs. 1 oz. This decision 
was not endorsed by the general public, the latter being of far greater 
diameter and more taking appearance, but the greater weight and density, 
and consequent longer keeping properties of the less popular variety perhaps 
rightly decided the Judges. 
Dessert Pears for present flavour, any variety.—First prize, Mr. G. H. 
Piper, Ledbury, with small but exquisitely ripened specimens of Thomson’s. 
Second prize, Mr. Wm, Woodhall, with small standard-grown Marie Louise, 
very sweet. Mr. Ross, Welford Park, Berks, unusually fine Seckle ; and 
fourth, Mr. Haycock’s Beurre Superfin. 
Culinary Pears, for size, weight, and variety went as usual; first prize 
to Uvedale’s St. Germain, Mr. C. Ross, 6 lbs. 4 ozs. Second prize. Mr. Trem- 
ling’s Grosse Calabasse (under glass) 5 lbs. 7 ozs. Third prize, Rev. H. Tweed's 
Catillac. 
In the class for any new variety of Apple or Pear there was no variety to 
call for special mention. Messrs. Saltmarsh sent a plate of their fine new 
Apple The Queen, lately certificated by the Royal Horticultural Society. 
Mr. George Bunyard brought also a plate of the promising new Apple 
Grenadier of large size and density. This well-known orchard nurseryman 
also brought a collection of twenty plates of the leading varieties of the day, 
not for competition, staged and named as one would expect from so high an 
authority. Messrs. Wheeler & Son of Gloucester also sent a collection of 
twenty varieties of Apples, not for competition, bardl_y up to the high 
reputation of this old-established firm. Messrs. Cranston & Co., King’s Acre 
Nurseries, added considerably to the interest and success of the Exhibition, as 
well as to their increasing renown in fruit culture, by a really admirable 
collection of 150 varieties of most of the leading Apples in cultivation of a 
local and general character. The most noticeable perhaps were Chiffey 
Seedling, fine; Herefordshire Beefing, splendid colour, good bearer and keeper ; 
Peasgood’s Nonesuch, good everywhere ; Stirling Castle useful; Sops-in-wine, 
curious, typically shown ; Keswick Codlin (well kept), best early in Hereford¬ 
shire as orchard tree ; Lady Henniker, soon comes into bearing ; Winter 
Queening, exquisite ; Loddmgton, not its year. 
Collection of dessert Pears, fifteen varieties.—First prize, Mr. Haycock. 
This exhibit was perhaps the greatest feature in the hall; certainly the finest 
I have ever seen staged as grown in England. They included—all nearly of 
same grand and level type—Triomphe de Jodoigne, General Todtleben, Easter 
Beurrd (enormous), Marie Benoist (grand), Conseiller de Cour, Pitmaston 
Duchess (almost as large as the Premier Pear),Doyenne du Comice,Beurre Die!, 
Doyennd Boussoch, Beurrd Hardy (handsome), Passe Crassane, Ducbesse 
d’Angouleme (immense), Durondeau (fine), Beurrd Superfin, Nouveau Poiteau 
