December 27, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
549 
which wag alluded to last week in our correspondence columns, Messrs. 
James Veitch & Sons have sent us three plants, which admirably 
represent the small, medium, and large forms of this esteemed vegetable. 
The smallest is named Paragon, and in the character of the knobs very 
closely resembles the original type, these being round, firm, small, an 
inch in diameter, and closely set on the stems, but the terminal head 
is larger and plant dwarfer. It is very neat and the produce of high 
quality. Veitch’s Exhibition is the tallest of the trio, with medium-sized 
firm knobs 14 inch in diameter, less closely arranged on the stems — 
good and productive. The Aigburth is dwarfer than the last named, 
Init a little taller than Paragon, with knobs nearly 2 inches in diameter, 
but not all of them solid; still the robust plant is undoubtedly productive. 
- A lakge importation of the new Cypripedium Robelinii 
was sold at Mr. Stevens’s Rooms, Covent Garden, on Thursday last, but 
though the plants were very healthy and vigorous they did not realise 
bigh prices. It may be known to some that a large importation was 
received last year, but the plants arrived in such bad condition that they 
could not be disposed of. This time, however, the plants were most 
satisfactory, the fresh, green, substantial foliage giving every hope that 
they will be speedily established. It is said to be a near ally of the 
well-known and beautiful C. lievigatum, of which possibly it may prove 
to be a variety. 
- A sample of Spratt’s Patent Bonemeal has been sent to us t 
which is now used as a fertiliser. It is prepared from bones that are 
thoroughly cleaned before being ground. We never examined a cleaner 
sample, and as a top-dressing for plants in pots, also for flowers and 
vegetables in the open air, as well as for Roses, Vines, and fruit trees, 
it is undoubtedly a safe and excellent stimulant, not the less acceptable 
by being inodorous. 
-“A grower” writes that “ Eucharis Sanderi does not by any 
means deserve the doubtful character some have given it, and I feel confi¬ 
dent those who condemn it have not fully tested its merits. It is free in 
growth and flowering, its flowers last for a long time in good condition, 
they are devoid of the sickly green tinge so much disliked in Eucharis 
grandiflora, and are altogether much more suitable for bouquets. I 
anticipate that it will supersede the older form for this purpose, though 
it is scarcely so well adapted for wreaths.” 
- Mr. S. Castle, The Vineyard, King’s Lynn, sends us samples of 
Vine leaves very beautifully coloured, and proving how admirably 
adapted such are for table decoration and garnishing dishes of dessert. The 
colours are varied and much richer than are ordinarily seen, especially in 
the case of Alnwick Seedling, which is superb in this respect. The veins 
are a rich rosy crimson, with irregular dark crimson or almost black 
patches between them : this in the sunlight has a fine effect. Alicante has 
a leaf of a uniform rosy red tint, bright and chaste, the veins being 
yellow. Gros Colman has broad sharply defined yellow veins on a ground 
of dark crimson-maroon ; this is very distinct. Gros Guillaume has a leaf 
somewhat similar, but the yellow colour is more diffused and the ground 
colour not quite so dark. Lady Downe's has an orange yellow leaf with 
numerous but irregular rosy spots, which are chiefly concentrated near 
the margin. In the case of Gros Guillaume and Gros Colman the leaves 
■remain attached to the Vine for a considerable time, and have a very 
beautiful appearance. 
- “ X.” writes :—“ It appears probable that the Pelargonium 
Society may soon terminate its career. Its supporters have fallen off 
greatly in the past season, and there is much uncertainty as to whether 
the Society will hold another show. Perhaps the thought has occurred 
to many that the reason why the labours of the Society were not duly 
appreciated was because they were not really needed. The majority of 
the more important horticultural societies provide fairly liberally for 
Pelargoniums in their schedules, and the Royal Horticultural Society 
itself is amongst the number. Further, the Floral Committee of the 
latter body is quite sufficient to adjudicate upon the merits of new 
varieties that may be raised, while the comparatively small number of 
exhibitors rendered the prizetaking almost a monopoly. Some daring 
spirits even bring a similar charge against the National Carnation and 
Picotee, and Auricula Societies, and it is evident that if the numbers 
of exhibitors are to be increased there must be some regulation that 
will not permit one or two growers to sweep off all the leading prizes.” 
- As an example of the way in which the VALUE OP Orchids 
vary at sale-rooms, the following is worthy of notice. Early in the 
year a fine variety of Odontoglossum Alexandras was put up to 
auction with a reserve price of ten guineas, but as the bidding 
only reached six guineas it was not sold. Recently the same plant 
in even better condition was again put up and sold for 30,?. The 
frequenters of the sale-rooms are well acquainted with this variability, 
and by that means are occasionally able to make an excellent bargain ; 
often, however, to the disadvantage of the vendor. There is a certain 
amount of chance in sales of this character, as so much depends upon 
those present. Some ardent Orchids lovers will give almost any price 
to procure a particular variety or species to add to their collection, 
and plants are often thus credited with a fictitious value that is never 
maintained. 
- The customary plenitude of garden produce in Covent Garden 
Market at Christmas time has been maintained this season. Abundant 
stores of vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants, and those important adjuncts 
to Christmas rejoicing, Holly and Mistletoe, during the greater portion 
of last week occupied all available space. Of the last-named the supply 
appeared to be unusually large, but the Holly generaUy is rather defi¬ 
cient in the number of berries. The cut flowers include Roses, CameRias, 
Eucharises, Bouvardias, Lilies of the Valley, Orchids, late Chrysan¬ 
themums, Violets, and many other choice kinds ; while of plants Poin- 
settias, Ericas hyemalis and gracilis, Primulas, Cyclamens, and 
Richardias constituted the leading features. Amongst the fruit Apples 
are especially abundant, Grapes being also in strong force, both foreign 
and home-grown. Of the latter some magnificent bunches of Gros 
Colman in the Grand Row have been attracting the admiration of 
visitors. 
- The annual meeting of the members of the Royal Caledonian 
Horticultural Society was recently held in the Music Hall, Edin¬ 
burgh, Professor Dickson presiding. An abstract of accounts for the year 
ending 30th November, 1883, was submitted, and showed receipts amount¬ 
ing to £1568 14.?. 3<L, and expenditure amounting to £1409 17?. 6d .— 
leaving a balance of £158 16?. 9 d. The receipts at the three shows held 
during the year amounted to £1029 12?. 9 d., and the expenditure to £582 
1?. 9 d. The total amount of the funds in the hands of the Treasurer at 
present amounted to £1205 16?. 2 \d. The Earl of Hopetoun was elected 
Vice-president in room of the Earl of Stair, who retired by rotation ; and 
Mr. James Buchanan and Mr. David Thomson were elected members of 
Council in room of Mr. John Clapperton, who retires by rotation, and 
Mr. Mackintosh, nurseryman, whose death was recently announced. 
Messrs. Stewart, Neill Fraser, and Turnbull Smith were respectively re¬ 
elected Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor. In replying to a vote of thanks, 
Mr. Fraser said that the financial condition of the Society was very 
satisfactory, as the members’ subscriptions and the receipts at the shows 
had amounted to a larger sum than they had ever done previously on 
ordinary occasions. He also stated that upwards of 40,000 persons had 
visited the shows during the five days they were held, or about 8000 per 
day, showing the appreciation of them by the public in and around 
Edinburgh. The Secretary was instructed to communicate with the 
Market Committee of the Edinburgh Town Council, asking if steps cculd 
not be taken to provide better means of entrance and exit at the principal 
door of the Waverley Market, which, it was stated, was too narrow. The 
shows to be held in 1884 are announced for April 2nd and 3rd, July 9th 
and 10th, and September 17th and 18th. 
- At the last monthly meeting of the Royal Meteorological 
Society, Mr. J. K. Laughton, M.A., F.R.A.S., President, in the chair, 
the following were elected Fellows — viz., R. Bentley, W. Bonallo, 
Miss E. Brooke, Rev. A. Conder, T. H. Cowl, J. A. W. Oliver, 
C. M. Powell, W. B. Tripp, and Fung Yee. The papers read were :— 
1, “ On the Explanation of Certain Weather Prognostics,” by the 
Hon. Ralph Abercromby, F.R.Met.Soc. The author explains about 
forty-four well-known prognostics belonging to the following groups— 
1, Diurnal ; 2, sun, moon, and stars; 3, sky ; 4, rain, snow, and hail; 
and 5, wells, springs, and coal mines, by referring them to the isobaric 
conditions in which they are observed. By this means he is able to 
indicate the circumstances under which any prognostic fails, as well as 
those under which it succeeds. 2, “ Preliminary Inquiry into the Causes 
of the Variations in the Reading of Black-bulb Thermometers in vacvo," 
by G. M. Whipple, B.Sc., F.R.Met.Soc. It has long been known that 
there is a want of accordance between the different instruments used 
for measuring the intensity of solar radiation ; and with a view of 
s ascertaining the cause of the variations in the readings of the black- 
