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December 22 , i88i. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 563 
common Granadilla (Passiflora quadrangularis), approaching P. 
edulis in form, but differing considerably in colour. They are 
indeed suggestive of the fruits of the Egg Plant, being ovate in 
form, pointed at the apex, 2 or 3 inches in its longer diameter, 
and when ripe is of a dull dark yellow colour. The rind of 
the fruit is comparatively thick and hard, but the internal sub¬ 
stance is a yellow gelatinous pulp possessing a rather agreeable 
flavour. 
- A daily paper remarks that “ the birds are becoming be¬ 
wildered by the mildness of the season. A gardener at Hampton 
in Arden discovered a day or two ago a sparrow sitting upon four 
eggs in her nest.” 
- A correspondent sends the following note respecting 
Fern Dene, Gateshead, the seat of Alderman Newall—“ In 
the numerous glass structures, which are under the superinten¬ 
dence of Mr. Milner, the following Orchids are blooming well— 
Sophronites grandi flora, eighteen blooms ; Csslogyne cristata, 
sixteen spikes ; and Dendrobium Wardleanum, ten spikes. The 
extensive collection of Pitcher Plants were also throwing up 
well. The grand corridor, 60 feet long, was extremely gay 
with Chrysanthemums, the plants and flowers being remarkably 
fine." 
-A northern correspondent observes that “ Chrysanthe¬ 
mum Shows in the North op England have never been 
customary, although horticulture in all its branches jis so well 
represented at the spring and summer exhibitions. The New¬ 
castle Society, however, inaugurated a Show at Low Fell, Gates¬ 
head, last week, and although the prizes were not large several 
good collections of cut blooms were staged. The flowers were, 
however, unnamed, a defect which will no doubt be remedied 
another year, and the Exhibition is confidently expected to 
improve.” 
-Notwithstanding the great size it attains, and its some¬ 
what straggling habit, Dahlia imperialis is aptly named, and 
might advantageously receive more attention than is at present 
generally accorded it. The flowers shown by Mr. Wheble of 
Bulmersh Court, at South Kensington last week, well indicated 
what fine results can be obtained with a little care. The plants 
from which these were gathered were said to be about over 8 feet 
in height, and were growing in a Peach house where they had 
produced their blooms in the greatest profusion. At Kew and 
some other establishments plants may also be seen in good 
condition, but as a rule the culture of this handsome Dahlia is 
greatly neglected. Certainly it is chiefly adapted for a laige 
house, as then only can its beauty be seen to the best advantage, 
but for a conservatory its value cannot be over-estimated. 
-The schedule of the Birmingham Spring Show So¬ 
ciety announces that the Exhibition for 1882 will be held in the 
Town Hall on Wednesday and Thursday, April 19th and 20th. 
Prizes are offered in sixty-two classes, especial encouragement 
being given to exhibitors of Hyacinths, Tulips, Lilies of the 
Valley, Spiraeas, Dielytras, Deutzias, Azaleas, Cinerarias, Pri¬ 
mulas, Cyclamens, and other spring-flowering plants. Special 
prizes are also offered by Messrs. J. B. Thomson, Hans Niemand, 
Bank & Hughes, Morley, Tonks, Jenkins, Spinks, and Bed fern. 
Every provision has been made to ensure a good show, and it is 
to be hoped that the financial results will be more satisfactory 
than last year. 
- A committee has been formed with the object of provid¬ 
ing prizes for a Grand National Dahlia Show to be held at 
the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, in September, 1882, and to this 
end the following prospectus has been issued—“ Though the 
Dahlia is acknowledged to be the queen of autumn flowers, no 
great show, such as were accustomed to see in former days, has 
taken place for several years, and as a consequence the warm¬ 
hearted zeal which used to be generally manifested in regard to 
the cultivation of this flower has in great measure died out. In 
order to revive this flagging interest it has appeared desirable to 
several of the admirers and growers of the Dahlia that a great 
exhibition open to the United Kingdom should be held in or near 
London next season (1882) in order to give the public an oppor¬ 
tunity to see the many beautiful varieties of all classes which are 
now to be found in collections of Dahlias, whether cultivated for 
exhibition purposes or for garden decoration. The Directors of 
the Crystal Palace Company, it has been ascertained, will give a 
handsome sum in aid of the prize fund ; but to enable the Com¬ 
mittee to issue a really liberal schedule, such as will insure a 
truly great show, by inviting Dahlias of every class, and by hold¬ 
ing out proper encouragement to all growers, both those with 
limited and those with extended opportunities, a considerable sum 
will have to be raised. The Committee therefore hope to have 
the hearty co-operation as well as the liberal support of all who 
are willing to aid them in their undertaking.” Subscriptions have 
been promised by a number of the principal florists, and further 
contributions will be gladly received by Mr. George Smith, New 
Villa, Hedge Lane, Edmonton, the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer 
of the fund. If the Committee receive the generous support 
that may be confidently expected, no doubt a magnificent show 
will be produced. 
AN AURICULA COLLOQUY. 
The scene is a certain grand exhibition in the north of England, 
at which were assembled from all parts of the kingdom those 
most interested in the various departments of horticulture. Here 
were the most famous Grape-growers, the best plantsmen, the 
ablest gardeners in the kingdom. There, too, were rosarians of 
renown, Dahlia growers who scoffed at the mania for single 
flowers which had recently been developed, the famous Gladioli 
grower of the south meeting formidable competitors in the north ; 
and amidst all these various interests there was a little knot of 
lovers of the Auricula who, shut out of the battlefield by reason 
of the time of year, could only talk over the past and conjecture 
about the future. To this came he of the merry eye and ruddy 
cheek which did not belie the genial warmth within, whom I will 
designate as Hibernius. There, too, was the Jupiter, the Hercules, 
the Titan of Auricula growers, who, hailing from the Yorkshire 
wolds, we must call Eborensis. There, too, was he of the murky 
town, who has shown that no disadvantages can outweigh perse¬ 
verance and determination to succeed : we must call him Cul- 
trarius. There, too, was the knight of the rueful countenance, 
who, albeit he hailed from the sunny south, looked as if a whole 
colony of woolly aphis had settled on his face : him we must call 
Cantius. While from a county close by to where we met was one 
who had lately joined the brotherhood ; and although his hair 
was grey, yet did Castriensis show all the zeal of a neophyte. 
The conversations are no imaginary ones like Landor’s ; but, 
although I cannot give the ipsissima verba, yet the sentiments 
were expressed pretty much as I have given them. A wide field 
was ranged over. Exhibitions, modes of culture, value of varieties 
were discussed, and with that degree of zeal which profane out¬ 
siders call “ crackiness.” 
Cast. —Well, I think now I have at last completed my collec¬ 
tion, and believe I have got nearly every variety worth having. 
Hib. —Have you George Lightbody and Prince of Greens ? 
Cast. —Yes, all of the good sorts, and many of them in quantity ; 
in fact I am going in for them. I don’t see why these better sorts 
should be so dear as they are, and I mean to try if I cannot cheapen 
the market. I am going to grow them all in frames [“bravo !” 
from Hibernius]. I don’t believe in these heated pits or houses 
for a plant like the Auricula, I am sure you must injure the con¬ 
stitution of the plant; and if I am told that I must do it if I want 
to exhibit in the south, then I say Bother the south; the north is 
good enough for me. 
Ebor. —Well, we must all be glad to welcome a new claimant, 
and one who is evidently determined to succeed. I am inclined 
to think that he is right, too, about forcing Auriculas [“Hip, hip, 
hurrah 1” from Hibernius]. I shall never again subject mine to 
the heat that they have had. I have, in order to get them in for 
the London shows, given them as much as 55°, but I shall never 
