132 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 11 , if»i. 
proof, if more were needed, that the old Latin proverb is a fallacy, 
and that to have learned arts such as gardening neither softens 
men’s manners nor makes them gentle. The affection that is to 
expel the old evil must be stronger than a love of flowers or art. 
It is, of course, a little hard on an honest exhibitor that he must 
suffer for the faults of his neighbours. We often find that a Rose 
which has been depended upon for exhibition is gone before the. 
morning, and then in Nottingham a man’s chance would go with 
it. Now in saying all this I have been only influenced by a desire 
to do good to our friends there. Let them recollect “faithful are 
the wounds of a friend,” and if I have probed the wound it is 
in the hope that by so doing I may help to cure it. Let them not 
“think I am become their enemy because I tell them the truth.” 
If they could but see how discreditable this is to the character of 
the class to which they belong I hope and think they would make 
a strong resolution to put an end to these practices. 
But how did they exhibit ? Well, I can truly say surprisingly 
well. Size is evidently more looked upon with favour than form 
or colour, and hence Paul Neyron is an especial favourite, they 
having given it the name of their favourite hero, that “unfortu¬ 
nate nobleman languishing in Dartmoor prison.” Ah ! I heard 
frequently from the lips of some begrimed horny-handed artisan, 
“ Look at old Titch [Tichborne]. Is not he grand ?” as they 
stood before a Rose large enough for a Cauliflower. Withal there 
were some grand blooms of our favourites Charles Lefebvre, Marie 
Baumann, Prince Camille de Rohan, and others, the few trees that 
they possess evidently obtaining that special and individual care 
in which all pets delight. Their vegetables were excellent, and, 
indeed, everything showed the mark of intelligent care. One 
grower, who I was informed was a petty tradesman but little 
removed from the artisan class, exhibited some excellent examples 
of such plants as Eucharis amazonica, Dracaenas, &c., while 
Fuchsias were well-grown small plants. Many of these artisans 
have rented small houses for themselves, which are devoted to the 
cultivation of stove and greenhouse plants, and of which their 
owners are as proud—indeed prouder, for they are more part of 
themselves—than the owners of the long ranges of houses at 
Chatswortb, Trentham, or Eaton. They are attended to with most 
loving care, and the old story of the Auricula grower who stripped 
his own bed that he might put the blankets on his frame one cold 
winter’s night, might be reproduced here. It is a great pity that 
all should be marred by this flavour of dishonesty which pervades 
the whole thing. If this evil were stamped out I am sure the 
St. Ann’s Society would receive such encouragement as would 
make it one of the most interesting societies in the kingdom.— 
D., Deal. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
August 9th. 
Gladioli from Langport and Petunias from Swanley were the two 
special features of the meeting, though new plants were well repre¬ 
sented by the Chelsea firms. The Council-room did not present a 
crowded appearance, nor were the duties of either Committee very 
onerous, but for the fast-advancing season the exhibits were good in 
quality and numbers. 
Fruit Committee.— Harry J. Yeitch, Esq., in the chair. W. H. 
Dunnett, Esq., Stour House, Dedham, Essex, sent fruits of a new seed¬ 
ling Black Currant named Black Champion, for which a first-class 
certificate was granted. The individual fruits were of remarkable size, 
globular, and very black. The bunches also were unusually large, 
and, judging by the small branches exhibited, the variety must be an 
extremely prolific one. Both the members of the Committee and the 
horticultural visitors generally were unanimous in their praises of it, 
and several unhesitatingly affirmed it was the finest Black Currant 
that has been seen at Kensington. Mr. R. Phillips, gardener to 
Captain Jackson, The Deodars, Meopham, Kent, showed three hand¬ 
some bunches of Duke of Buccleuch Grape, for which a cultural 
commendation was deservedly awarded. The berries were of remark¬ 
able size even for this variety, and the flavour was good. Fruit of 
Tomato Perfection, a cross between Trophy and Acme, were also 
shown. They were very even and globular in form, and of excellent 
colour. It is also said to be prolific. Mr. Record, gardener to Chas. 
Hanbury, Esq., Belmont House, East Barnet, was awarded a cultural 
commendation for three Queen Pine Apples, of good size, regular in 
shape, and of good colour. Messrs. T. Rivers & Son, Sawbridgeworth, 
exhibited a collection of Cherries, comprising eleven varieties, espe¬ 
cially noteworthy being the handsome Bigarreau Noir de Schmidt. 
Several other varieties were also superbly represented. A vote of 
thanks was accorded. Mr. T. Bailey, The Gardens, Shardeloes, Arner- 
sham, sent a finely netted fruit of Victory of Bristol Melon, weigh¬ 
ing 7 lbs. 2 ozs. Mr. J. Monro, The Gardens, Harefield Grove, Ux¬ 
bridge, also sent a very large ribbed green-flesh Melon named High- 
field Grove Melon, of moderately good flavour, but not great depth 
of flesh. Mr. J. Walker of Thame obtained a first-class certificate for 
Pea named Walker’s Perpetual Bearer, a variety of moderate height 
and prolific, the pods being about medium size and well filled. Mr. 
H. Eckford, gardener to Dr. Sankey, Sandywell Park, Cheltenham, 
also had a new Pea named Victor, a cross between Champion of 
England and Advancer, but which was not considered specially 
remarkable. Mr. Culverwell of Thorpe Perrow sent several seedling 
Peas that were thought very promising, and recommended to be 
tried at Chiswick. A collection of Apples and fruits of the Pear 
Bergamotte Auguste Jurie were contributed from the Society’s 
Garden. Mr. Fleming, of Cliveden, Maidenhead, sent fruits of 
Dr. Hogg Fig in good condition, and the Committee requested that 
the variety should be tried at Chiswick. 
Messrs. Hooper it Co.’s prizes for fruits of the green-flesh Melon 
Sirdar of Cabul were accorded to Mr. G. Williams, The Gardens, 
Peasemarsh Place, Rye, and Mr. G. Stiggles, gardener to H. W. Green, 
Esq., Faulkners House, Hadlow, Tunbridge, who were placed first 
and second respectively for fruits of good size, the former smooth and 
the latter ribbed. There was no exhibit in the class for Tomatoes. 
Floral Committee. —James McIntosh, Esq., in the chair. Messrs. 
J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, staged a beautiful though small group of 
new plants including several fine Orchids, one of which was certifi¬ 
cated and is described below. A Solanum-like plant named .Tasmonica 
Sodenia (?) was noteworthy for its cymose panicles of white starry 
flowers ; and hybrid Cypripediums were also well represented. Mr. 
Bull of Chelsea contributed a collection of new plants, several being 
honoured with certificates. Messrs. Kelway & Son, Langport, Somer¬ 
setshire, had a handsome collection of Gladioli, over four dozen spikes 
being shown, the flowers large and the colours varied, either exqui¬ 
sitely delicate or strikingly rich and bright. Messrs. H. Cannell and 
Son, Swanley, contributed a fine display of double Petunia blooms, 
ICO being staged, representing many distinct and beautiful varieties. 
Some very pretty fringed forms were particularly noteworthy, and 
the tints ranged from white to pink of various shades, crimson, and 
purple, some being very rich. Several large Sunflowers, fine African 
Marigolds, specimen of the dwarf, free, brightly coloured Tropreolum 
Vesuvius, and varieties of Salpiglossis sinuata were exhibited by the 
same firm, for all of which a vote of thanks and cultural commen¬ 
dations were awarded. Mr. A. Waterer, Knap Hill, Woking, had some 
fine examples of Lilium Parkmanni and L. Mrs. Waterer, the former 
being very handsome and well deserved the cultural commendation 
awarded for it. Baskets of Erica vulgaris aurea and alba nana were 
also shown, the last-named being very floriferous and compact in 
habit. A variegated Abies was certificated, and is described in 
another portion of the report. Messrs. Carter & Co., High Holborn, 
exhibited some good specimens of the deep orange-coloured Lily 
L. Batemannse ; flowers of a new bright rose-coloured Eschscholtzia 
named Rose Cardinal, very pretty ; and flowers of the new dwarf 
Tropaeolum Empress of India, which were very bright in colour. 
Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, staged a collection of single Dahlias. A 
■white variety of good form named White Queen was noteworthy, as 
were also some yellow, scarlet, and purple forms. Mr. W. J. Cross, 
florist, Salisbury, sent a stand of blooms of a Carnation named The 
Governor, blush white, compact, full, even, and of good substance. 
Captain Patton, Alpha House, Regent’s Park, sent a plant of 
Lilium auratum with a peculiar fasciated stem, the numerous flowers 
being very closely clustered near the summit. G. F. Wilson, Esq., 
Weybridge, was awarded a vote of thanks for a spike of Watsonia 
rosea, the flowers possessing a very pretty shade of light rosy purple. 
In the vestibule Messrs. C. Lee & Son, Hammersmith, had an in¬ 
teresting collection of hardy trees and shrubs, comprising ornamental 
and variegated forms of Oaks, Beeches, Elms, Alders, Horse Chest¬ 
nuts, Maples, Elders, Dogwoods, and many others, all more or less 
attractive. Messrs. F. & A. Smith of West Dulwich also had a group 
of Balsams in pots, the plants of moderate size, but the flowers were 
of excellent form, very double, and good in colour. The Committee 
recommended that medals should be awarded to Messrs. Kelway for 
their Gladioli, to Messrs. Cannell for their Petunias, and to Messrs. 
Lee for the hardy plants. 
First-class certificates were awarded for the following plants— 
Cattleya Chamberlainiana (Veitch).—A beautiful hybrid between 
C. Leopoldi and C. Dowiana, the former parentage predominating. 
The sepals and petals are narrow, of a purplish crimson hue. the lip 
being fringed and rich purple in colour. 
Bouvardia Alfred Ntuner (Bull).—The double American Bouvardia 
which has been repeatedly described in these pages. Some of the 
umbels on the plant shown had over a dozen flowers of neat form. 
Adiantum aneitense (Bull).—One of the pedate section of Maidenhair 
Ferns, the pinnules being oblong in shape and very closely placed, 
forming a neat frond of moderate size. 
Actiniopteris australis (Bull).—A pretty but well-known little Fern 
with neat palmately divided fronds, the divisions being linear in form. 
Gladiolus Pelaryo (Kelway).—A handsome variety. Flowers large, 
of a rich scarlet colour, with a few darker streaks. The blooms are 
very closely placed in the spike, which is massive and imposing in 
appearance. 
Asplenium pterioides. —Mr. C. Green, The Gardens, Pendell Court, 
Bletchingley, was accorded a first-class certificate for a Fern under 
the above name. It is a native of Lord Howe’s Island, and has 
pinnate dark green fronds, the pinnae having narrow tooth-like seg¬ 
ments closely set on the stalks. In general outline the frond is 
acutely elliptical, 8 to 12 inches long, the pinnae 1 to 4 inches long. 
Cereuspcctinatus (Croucher).—A species with peculiar barrel-shaped 
