September 22, 1881. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 265 
only very bright but has, somewhat unexpectedly, been less in¬ 
jured by the extreme frost than any other variety. Hardy Ericas, 
a fine collection ; the best varieties of hardy Azaleas, rare and 
choice shrubs and Conifers, Clematises, and aquatics, are all repre¬ 
sented here. 
Very striking are some ornamental Japanese plants that, since 
their hardiness has been proved, will impart a fine feature to 
shrubberies. Among them are Rhus Osbecki, a native of China 
and also of Japan. It flowered here last year as a small tree, 
about 7 feet high ; the flowers were produced at the top of the 
stem in the middle of a crown of foliage, and looked like an 
immense bouquet of Spinea arimfolia 2 to 3 feet diameter. Such 
a mass of white feathery plumes in contrast with the grand foliage 
must have had a fine effect, Jout even when not in flower the 
plants are highly ornamental. Rhus juglandifolia is perhaps still 
more striking in growth and foliage. The leaves are of great size, 
somewhat resembling those of the Walnut, as the name implies, 
but far larger and finer. It was received as a new introduction 
from Japan, and is certainly of noble appearance, and is a plant 
or tree of great promise. Phellodendron amurense is also of 
remarkable appearance. It is described by Ruprecht in Koch’s 
“ Dendrologie ” as a native of Amur in North Asia. In leaves and 
growth it has some resemblance to Rhus juglandifolia, although 
it belongs to another family—Rutacete. Of its flowers and height 
Mr. Van Geert knows nothing, but its foliage is certainly magnifi¬ 
cent. Aralia Maximowiczi is distinct and fine, the leaves being 
large, deeply lobed, and of a reddish-brown hue changing to dark 
red, and will be valuable for many decorative purposes. It is new, 
and I understand it was first sent by Maximowicz from Amur 
to Dr. Regel of St. Petersburgh. When it is remembered that 
these plants were uninjured last winter where all the Hollies sur¬ 
rounding them were killed their value is enhanced, and they must 
be regarded as valuable acquisitions highly worthy of the notice 
of cultivators. Two dwarf flowering shrubs also deserve notice— 
Clethra alnifolia and Hydrangea involucrata vera, sprays of which 
are figured in another column. Both were very attractive, the 
latter being highly distinct and seldom seen. 
Hardy Hibiscuses appear popular, and certainly few if any 
summer and autumn-flowering shrubs can equal them. A blue, 
H. syriacus ccelestis, is now added to the red, rose, and white 
varieties, and is an acquisition ; but all the colours are beautiful, 
and the shrubs under favourable conditions flower in quite a small 
state. Belgium is not a Grape-growing country, yet there is a 
fine collection of Vines in this nursery. They are not grown in 
pots but planted out, some in baskets to facilitate removal, and 
the splendid canes indicate how well the soil is adapted for Vines, 
and if the same attention and skill were devoted to their culture 
under glass as in England superior produce could not fail to be 
obtained. Possibly Mr. Van Geert is working on the principle 
that supply creates a demand, for certainly he has an extensive 
collection of Vines carefully selected and well cultivated. 
The glass structures and pits are tolerably extensive. A fine 
curvilinear house about 120 feet long by 20 feet wide has been 
recently completed, and is wholly occupied with Palms. Grand 
specimens of Corypha australis and Latania borbonica occupy 
the centre, and small healthy portable specimens of all the more 
useful kinds are represented in thousands. As much care is taken 
in sponging the plants and keeping them clean and healthy as is 
devoted to choice Orchids in this country. Other houses of the 
same length are filled with Camellias, and brick pits are devoted 
to these plants, many of which are planted out. These pits are 
not heated, but the glass is covered with protecting material in the 
winter. Pits of a similar character are devoted to the raising of 
Conifers and choice evergreens, for which this nursery has long 
been famed. 
Large numbers of Camellias in bud are arranged under and 
amongst Lombardy Poplars, and so have the shade that is found 
essential for producing rich green foliage ; and a very enjoyable 
arcade of Hornbeam accommodates groups of plants ready for 
export to England and other countries. This arbour is about 100 
yards long and nearly 3 wide. The trees have been planted 
6 feet apart, three branches trained from each tree, the spring of 
the arch being about 9 feet from the ground, and the apex 3 to 
4 feet higher. There are side openings between the trees 3 feet 
wide, and the whole is ornamental, useful, and enjoyable. The 
branches, it should be said, have been trained with great pre¬ 
cision and regularity, indicating that much care has been exercised 
in completing the work. 
A great number of handsome Bays in tubs break the level ap¬ 
pearance of the nursery, and colour is imparted by Clematises 
and Liliums. The “ best of everything ” is evidently the motto 
of the establishment, and is even carried out in the Willows 
grown for securing packages, for all the best were tried, and Salix 
uralensis showed its decided superiority, and is now exclusively 
cultivated ; it produces annual growths 10 feet in length, slender, 
and extremely tough and pliable. It is so manifestly good and 
useful that it is named here for the benefit of those who employ 
Willows largely during the planting season. 
The whole establishment is clean and orderly, but it is in 
a great measure only the propagating ground of Mr. Van Geert’s 
much larger nursery at Calmpthout, at which a day was spent 
profitably and pleasurably.—J. Wright. • 
PRODUCE OF POTATOES. 
I have much pleasure in forwarding you the enclosed, and if 
it is likely to be of sufficient interest to any of the readers of your 
excellent Journal it is at your service. I have still twenty-two 
sets to lift, but they will not be fit for a month or five weeks.— 
A. Tite, The Vicarage , Thornton Steward. 
POTATOES PLANTED MARCH SOth, 1881, LIFTED SEPTEMBER; 8TII, 
1881. 
Weight of 
sets. 
Number of 
tubers. 
Weight of 
tubers. 
Fox’s Seedling . 
ozs. 
2 
7 
lbs. ozs. 
2 0 
McKinley's Pride. 
1 
10 
0 13 
Suttons’ Improved Ashleaf. 
if 
16 
2 0 
Early Ashleaf. 
31 
30 
3 11 
Myatt’s Ashleaf. 
3 i 
17 
3 10 
Rivers’ Royal Ashleaf. 
13 
1 13 
Gloucestershire Kidney . 
2 
18 
2 8 
Yorkshire Hero... 
15 
1 13 
Carter’s Eight-weeks . 
5 
18 
22 
2 14 
Early Hammersmith. 
2i 
4 
2 14 
Early Handsworth . 
28 
2 14 
Carter's New Purple Ashleaf. 
3J 
15 
2 13 
International. 
3* 
21 
4 2 
Covent Garden Perfection. 
24- 
18 
2 14 
Bresee’s Prolific. 
3A 
17 
3 8 
44 
16 
6 0 
Early Coldstream. 
4 
16 
3 6 
Compton’s Surprise . 
2 
13 
3 4 
Mona’s Pride. 
k 
24 
3 4 
Pride of America . 
24- 
33 
8 0 
Rector of Woodstock . 
s 
27 
5 7 
Brownell’s Superior. 
3 
10 
4 9 
Woodstock Kidney . 
4 
24 
4 6 
BRIGHTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
There was not a large number of plants at the Exhibition held 
on the 14th and 15th inst,, and without some of the leading local 
nurserymen both the competition and the display would have been 
poor. As regards quality, however, most of the collections were very 
satisfactory. Fruit we have also seen more largely represented there 
at previous shows ; and though some of the black Grapes were good, 
of fair size, and well finished, there were no examples of special merit. 
Peaches, Nectarines, Apples, and Pears were numerous, and in several 
cases very creditable to their exhibitors. 
Plants .—Some groups and collections were staged in the handsome 
apartments of the Pavilion, but the majority was arranged in a long 
marquee in the grounds. One of the chief classes was that for a 
group of plants arranged for effect in a space not exceeding 150 square 
feet. Two competitors appeared—namely, Mr. W. Balchin, Western 
Road, Brighton, and Mr. W. Miles, Cliftonville, the former being 
successful in securing the leading prize, the Ashbury cup, valued six 
and a half guineas, which was offered by James Ashbury, Esq. This 
group consisted chiefly of neat specimen fine-foliage plants, including 
Palms, Ferns, Crotons, Dracaenas, and Coleuses, several well-grown 
examples of Liliums contributing to the brightness of the collection 
with other flowering plants, edged with Selaginellas and Adiantums. 
Mr. Miles was placed second with a group arranged in a very similar 
manner—in fact there was little difference in the relative merits of 
the two collections. In the Sussex amateurs’ and gardeners’ division 
of the schedule a similar class was provided, the first prize in that 
also being a silver cup value five guineas. Three groups were staged, 
the chief honours being secured by Mr. Meachen, gardener to C. Arm¬ 
strong, Esq., Withdeane, who had a neat arrangement of Crotons, 
Lilies, Ixoras, Marantas, Pelargoniums, Ferns, and Coleuses, a fine 
specimen Yucca aloifolia variegata at the back being noticeable, and 
near the fore part of the group was a plant of the pretty Orchid 
Vanda coerulea, bearing over a dozen large and delicately tinted 
flowers. Mr. Turner, gardener to Major Wray, followed very closely 
with a pretty group, in which double Tuberoses were freely employed 
and with excellent effect. Mr. Howick, gardener to A. Granville 
Uttermare, Esq., Withdeane House, took the third position with a 
bright arrangement, but a little too flat. 
For eight stove and greenhouse plants in the open class Mr. Balchin 
carried off the chief prize, having amongst others good specimens of 
Erica cerinthoides carinata and Statice imbricata, the latter being ex¬ 
tremely fine with abundance of flowers. Mr. Huggett, gardener to 
D. Jeffery, Esq., Eastbourne, followed, his most noteworthy plant 
