December IS, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
517 
Scientific Committee.— G. F. Wilson, Esq., in the chair. 
Sclerotioids in Potato Leaves. —A communication from Mr. A. S. Wilson 
was read, in which he raised the question whether the oxalate of lime, of 
which Mr. Murray found them to consist, were not mixed with a proto¬ 
plasmic plasmodium from the mycelium. Mr. Murray negatived the idea, 
as, after treating them with dilute nitric acid for half an hour, no trace of 
any such substance remained. 
Protecting Tubers by High-moulding. —A communication was read from 
Mr. Plowright (and which will be printed) upon experiments carried on this 
season, in which he again maintains the efficacy of high-moulding over low- 
moulding or not at all. Mr. Murray observed that there would be required 
fuller details of the experiments before the conclusion could be arrived at 
which Mr. Plowright made. He admitted that spores could impregnate the 
Potatoes through the eyes, but not the skin ; but that the main if not sole 
cause of disease in the tubers was by the mycelium descending the stem. 
Cephalotaxus Fortunei (?). —Dr. Masters reported on this plant, exhibited 
by Sir J. D. Hooker at the last meeting, and after a careful examination of 
the fruit and leaves he is inclined to think it an undescribed form of the 
female of some species. 
Picea pungens. —Several young Firs were sent by Mr. Waterer and 
described by Dr. Masters—viz., Picea pungens (called by gardeners Parryana 
glauca), and the green and glaucous varieties of Picea Engelmanni. 
Cunninghamia lanceolata proliferous. —Dr. Masters showed specimens with 
the branch protruding through the cone. He had examined it and found the 
so-called “ carpellary scale,” which carries the naked ovules in this instance, 
to be a cellular outgrowth from the bract, and not a separate foliar organ. 
Cordiceps purpurea. —Mr. G. Murray exhibited specimens of ergot which 
lie had cultivated, and which had borne the so-called claviceps or cordiceps, 
the ascigerous condition of the fungus. 
Caraguata sanguinea. —A bright red and green-leaved Bromeliad, found 
by M. Andre in the Cordilleras of New Grenada, and which received the 
gold medal by M. Bruant. 
Hypertrophied Boot of Plum. —The Secretary exhibited a large tuberous 
root with a rugged corky bark from a Winesour Plum. It was found 10 or 
12 inches below the surface. The tree had grown vigorously, but bore only 
a scanty crop of fruit. It came from the garden of Mr. Nelson, Hanger Hill, 
Ealing. 
Boohs, tfc., Presented to the Lindley Library. —“A Bushel of Corn,” by 
A. S. Wilson. “ Answapl von Ausser Tropischen Pflangen, <fcc.,” translated 
by Dr. Goege (Baron Y. Mueller). “Agricultural, Botanical, and Chemical 
Results of Experiments on Pasture Land,” by Sir J. B. Lawes, &c. (from the 
author). “Field and Garden Crops of North-west India,” part I. (from 
Dr. Duthie). Boohs purchased: “ Flore Forestiere de la Cochin China,” par 
L. Pierre, vol. i., 4to, 50 pi. “Nouvelles Remarques sur la Nomenclature 
Botanique,” par A. de Candolle. “ Illustrations of British Fungi,” by M. C. 
Cooke. “ Farm Insects, (fee.” (Curtis), new edition. “ British Moss Flora,” 
by Dr. Braithwaite. “Iconogrophie des Azalees,” Van Gert, vol. i. 
Lecture. —The Rev. George Henslow, in drawing attention to some of 
the plants exhibited, first noticed a fine specimen of Fatsia (Aralia) papy- 
rifera exhibited by Mr. Green. The leaves are described as being 1 foot 
across, but this under cultivation had become 3 feet. It is the plant the 
pith of which forms the well-known rice-paper of Japan and China, first 
discovered to be from this plant by Sir William Hooker in 1852, who 
described it in the “Journal of Botany” (vol. iv., page 347). Mr. Green 
also exhibited a fine spray of Bignonia venusta, figured first in the “Bota¬ 
nical Register,” 1817, and received from Brazil. He next drew attention to 
a plant called Caraguata sanguinea, discovered by M. Andrb in the Cordilleras 
of New Grenada. It is a Bromeliad with red and green foliage. It appears 
to be the custom to use it as a decorative plant with Tree Ferns in its native 
home when any spot is signalised for some remarkable event. A curious 
Eryngium pandanifolium sent by Mr. G. F. Wilson showed how one plant 
may, in its foliage or otherwise, imitate others. The British species common 
on the seashore is called Sea Holly, from its prickly leaves, and has heads 
of flowers resembling a Composite. As other cases of mimicry, the lecturer 
alluded to the genera Euphorbia and Poinsettia, the coloured involucre or 
leaves of which mimicked or were a substitute for coloured flowers where¬ 
with to attract insects to fertilise the small inconspicuous flowers in their 
centres. 
He next drew attention to a fine cut specimen, brought by Mr. Green, of 
Dahlia imperialis from Mexico, a species which attains 12 to 20 feet in height 
or more. He remarked upon the present taste of “reverting” to single 
Dahlias in preference to the common double form, a reversion which Mr. 
Cannell had attempted in his display of fine single Chrysanthemums; but 
the many beautiful double forms of this genus are scarcely yet likely to be 
ousted by their revived progenitors. 
As instances of skill of cross-fertilisers there w r ere several of the genus 
Cypripedium and its allied form Selenipedium, recognisable generally by the 
long tails to the petals. There was a difference in the ovary in that it is 
one-celled and not three-celled, as in all other Orchids. Hence the first 
result from C. Schlimii (a true species ?) and longifolium (also a true 
species?) was C. Sedeni. This crossed with C. longifolium gave rise to 
C. calnrum, while C. Schroderianum was the result of crossing C. caudatum 
and C. Sedeni. Gardeners do not distinguish between the two original 
species, Cypripedium and Selenipedium, calling them both by the former 
name. 
SOUTH SHIELDS CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW. 
December 5th and 6th. 
The above Society held their second Exhibition in the Free Library 
Mali, South Shields. This is the only Society in England north of York, 
and it promises to be a great success, as the past Exhibition had nearly 
twice as many entries as the previous one, and the quality of the exhibits 
was much improved in every class. The exhibition is under distinguished 
patronage. The Committee are good business gentlemen, and much of 
the success is due to Councillors Smith, Thornton, Thomas Binks, John 
Wright, Adam Hope, and R. Chapman for the energy they have shown in 
raising the subscriptions. This year the Society increased their prize list, 
which they intend to do gradually each year. Altogether the Society offer 
nearly £60 in prizes. In the class for a group of foliage and other flower¬ 
ing plants, 8 feet by 6 (£2, £1 10s., and £1), there were five competitors. 
Mr. W. East, florist, Fowler Street, was first; Mr.H. Small, gardener to J. C. 
Stevenson, Esq., M.B., Westoe, was second ; Mr. W. Forsyth, gardener to G. 
Cairns, Esq., Monkton Hall, third. Mr. Whiting, gardener to Geo. Walker, 
Esq., Shot Tower, Newcastle, showed a grand Oncidium Cavendishianum 
on his stand with thirty flowers on. For six Chrysanthemums, large- 
flowering, Mr. G. Corbett, gardener to J. Liddle, Esq., BenweU Hall, was 
first with superior plants, well trained, 4 to 5 feet through; Mr. Paul Blan¬ 
chard, gardener to Dr. Gibb, Sandford Park, Newcastle, was second with 
good plants, but taller and not so wefl trained ; Mr. T. Richardson, gar¬ 
dener to Geo. May, Esq., Simonside Hall, was third. This class was much 
admired on aU sides, and there was much improvement since last year. For 
three same as above Mr. Corbett and Mr. Blanchard occupied the same 
places. For four Pompons Mr. Corbett was again first, followed by Mr. 
Richardson. For two the same exhibitor was also first. 
The Japanese varieties this year were also much improved. Mr. Cor¬ 
bett and Mr. Blanchard were again in the same positions, the former 
having finely trained plants. For two Anemone-flowered Mr. Fred. East, 
gardener to Matthew Wood, Esq., Westoe, was first, and Mr. John Alien, 
gardener to Henry Wilson, Esq., Westoe, second. The Society offer a prize 
for the best amateurs’ plants in North and South Shields ; both prizes were 
carried off by Mrs. B. W. Stainton, Westoe, with very creditable examples. 
There were thirteen lots of Primulas staged, Mr. Geo. Corbett again taking 
the first place; Mr. E. H. Turnbull, gardener to Mrs. Turnbull. High Barnes, 
Sunderland, second; and Mr. James Forsyth, Sunderland, third. The 
above were very good. Table plants, Cyclamens, and foliage plants were 
all well represented. 
Cut Flowers. —For twelve incurved blooms Mr. S. B. Morton, Bowden 
Bridge, Darlington, w r as first with splendid blooms, similar varieties to 
those he had at York last week, but larger and better flow r ers. Mr. Fred. 
Bollom, gardener to Sir H. A. Clavering, Bart., AxweU Park, was second; 
and Mr. F. W. Jameson, Queen’s Dock, Hull, third, with good flowers. 
There were six stands. For six incurved blooms the same exhibitors were 
first and second again. For twelve reflexed Mr. T. B. Morton; Mr. J. 
Brown, gardener to Mrs. Joicey, Whinney House ; and Mr. James Annson, 
Gateshead, w r ere placed respectively first, second, and third; and for six 
reflexed the same exhibitors were placed again in the same positions. For 
twelve Japanese blooms Mr. S. B. Morton, Mr. F. W. Jameson, Hull, and 
Mr. Annson, Gateshead, were awarded the prizes as named. Mr. Morton’s 
flowers were here very good indeed and much admired. 
For twelve bunches of Pompons the Judges disqualified Mr. Brown 
because be had Anemone Pompons in his stand; but the Committee 
annulled the decision, as they take Cannell’s catalogue as their standard, 
therefore two firsts were awarded to Mr. Brown and Mr. Annson. 
Hand Bouquets and Epergnes. —Prizes were offered for the above, which 
produced a most spirited competition. There "were eleven hand bouquets 
staged. Mr. T. Rutherford, Durham, was first with a graceful arrangement 
of Eucharis, CameUias, and other -winter flowers, also tastefufly draped 
with Adiantum gracillimum. Mr. E. H. Bradley second, and Mr. J. 
Webster, Sunderland, third. There were seven epergnes. Mr. S. Adams, 
Swalwell, was first with a weU-arranged stand containing red and white 
Lapagerias, Gardenias, Camellias, all draped with Lygodium scandens, and 
margined with Davallia Mooreana. Mr. Wm. Whiting was second, and 
Mr. T. Rutherford third. 
Grapes. —Prizes were offered for black and white Grapes. There were 
eight lots of black. Mr. H. Smail was awarded first with Gros Colman, 
truly superb in berry and finish, weighing about 2 lbs. each. Mr. Wm. 
Jenkins, Durham, second, and Mr. Wm. Forsyth third. White Grapes 
were also w T ell shown by Mr. Smail. 
Not for competition was a grand stand of Conifer® which adorned the 
band stand by Messrs. W. F. Fell & Co., nurserymen, Hexham; and Messrs. 
H. CanneU & Sons, Swanley, Kent, sent a superb stand of Primulas. 
The Exhibition was opened with great ceremony by the Mayor, T. J. 
Mabane, Esq., accompanied by the President, J. T. Ettringham, Esq., J.P., 
and several influential members of the Councillors’ Chamber. After the 
proceeding the President, Council, Committee, and friends dined together. 
After the loyal toasts were proposed, the President proposed “ The Pro¬ 
sperity of the Society,” accompanied with the Hon. Secretary’s name, Mr. 
Bernard Cowan. 
GARDENS ABOUT BRISTOL. 
COTE HOUSE, WESTBURY-ON-TRYM. 
This pretty old-fashioned residence, of which H. St. Vincent Ames, 
Esq., is the much-respected proprietor, i3 beautifully situated in a well- 
wooded district, and is approached through a park furnished with many 
fine old trees. Mr. St. Vincent Ames takes great interest in both the park 
and gardens, and in the former, in addition to replanting where required, 
every care is taken to preserve the large trees, many of which are Elms, 
and unfortunately have attained an age when decay sets in, thus rendering 
them peculiarly liable to be blown down by heavy gales of wind. In 
order to obviate this danger several large trees have had their heaviest 
branches considerably shortened, and this it will te evident renders them 
less top-heavy, therefore less liable to be uprooted. This practice I 
commend to the favourable notice of other owners of large old Elms, who 
may perhaps find, when too late, that no number of young trees will 
compensate for the loss of a few giants. 
There is no conservatory at Cote House, but the rooms which open out 
on to the lawns were gay with choice plants and cut flowers. The house 
itself is nearly covered with various climbers, and is partially surrounded 
by an undulating and well-kept lawn. No “ fancy” flower garden 
disfigures the beautiful expanse of turf, but the grand old specimens of 
Evergreen Oaks, Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), deciduous Mag¬ 
nolias, Wellingtonia gigantea, and Cedrus deodara, which either fringe 
or are dotted about the lawns, are all worthy of admiration. The few 
flower beds and borders I noticed were all well planted, but call for no 
particular comment. 
The plant and fruit-growing houses are built in the kitchen garden, 
