16 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTIAGE GARDENER. 
[ July S, 1884. 
the flowers. The sepals are only three in number and deciduous (instead 
of five persistent ones), and the number of the petals is always nine. 
Oar native species is frequently called the Small and Lesser Celandine, 
from which plant, however, it is very distinct. The poet Wordsworth 
has fallen into this error when he says :— 
Pansies, Lilies, Kingcups, Daisies, 
Let them live upon their praises ; 
Long as there’s a sun that sets 
Primroses will have their glory; 
Long as there are Violets 
They will have a place in story ; 
There’s a flower that shall be mine, 
’Tis the little Celandine.” 
T. ranvncnloldes .—This is one of the very earliest spring flowers, 
now, however, little cared for by peer or peasant, for wherever it makes 
a great show the spade of the husbandman comes, a drain is made 
through its domain, and the little Celandine disappears. This in the 
present state of high rents and poor crops cannot be wondered at, for 
the plant spreads rapidly and soon becomes injurious in moist pastures, 
so that draining is the most effectual plan to improve the land, although 
a thick dressing of ashes will destroy it, and may be applicable in some 
cases where it would be very inconvenient to carry a drain. How much 
the poet loved the plant which he knew by the name of Little Celandine 
is perceptible in his remarks upon its habits. He says— 
“ Thou dost show thy pleasant face 
On the moor and in the wood. 
In the lane—there’s not a place. 
Howsoever mean it be. 
But ’tis good enough for thee.” 
Which is just the character of the plant. On every bank, in every 
hedgerow, on the hill or in the dale, its polished green leaves and golden 
star-like flowers burst out in all their glory amongst the first harbingers 
of spring. That so common a plant should be grown in the rock garden 
can hardly be expected, and yet I would always like to retain sufficient 
to make a display without injury to other things. But our principal 
reason for noticing it here is to introduce to notice the double form, 
F. ranunculoides flore-pleno, which, to those who are fond of double 
flowers, will prove a great treat, both on account of its dwarf habit and 
brilliant colour. There is also a very much larger form to be found in 
some collections under the name of F. grandiflora, but I am not sure if 
this is a distinct species or only a change brought about through climatic 
influence.—X. 
CANTERBURY ROSE SHOW. 
June 26th. 
The energetic Secretaries of the Canterbury and Kent Rose Society are 
to be congratulated on the success with which they opened the Rose-Show¬ 
ing season. The Show, though small, as might be expected at such a time 
of drought, was marked by brisk competition and excellent Roses. In 
the all-England class the rivalry of Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, and Mr. 
Cant, Colchester, was so keen that there was only one mark between their 
thirty-six boxes ; they therefore obtained equal firsts, Messrs. Kinmont and 
Kidd being third. For twelve Teas Messrs. Paul were first, Mr. Cant second, 
and Messrs. Kinmont third. 
Amongst the amateurs the Rev. H. Biron’s box of twelve was greatly 
admired, containing Mons. E. Y. Teas, which, but for a perfect and superb 
Madame Bravy of Mr. Wakeley, would have obtained the National Rose 
Society’s bronze medal as the best bloom in the Show. This box also 
obtained the silver medal for the best box in the Show, and contained 
excellent specimens of Duchess of Bedford, Charles Lefebvre, and Mons. 
E. Y. Teas. Mr. Biron’s triplets of Eugene Furst. Xavier Olibo, and Star of 
Waltham were also of very great merit. Mr. Biron was rivalled, though 
unsuccessfully, for the silver medal by Mr. Cooper Wacher, whose box of 
six was of high quality, containing a most remarkable Cloth of Gold. A 
new form of tube, with a label-holder attached to it, and a wire for holding 
and supporting blooms, has been patented by Mr. C. Foster of Ashford, and 
was extensively used at this Show. It is highly spoken of. 
The following were the prizetakers :—For eighteen of any variety Messrs. 
Packeham, Wakeley, and West. For twelve of any variety Messrs. Biron, 
W. Mount, and Packeham. For twelve Teas Messrs. Knight, Wakeley, and 
Packeham. For six triplets Messrs. Biron, Wakeley, Packeham, and Knight. 
Extra twelve, any variety, Messrs. Hodgson, Store}', and Lambert. For six 
Teas Messrs. Hodgson and Storey. For three triplets Messrs. Storey and 
Lambert. For six of any variety Messrs. Wacher, Hawksworth, and Rolt. 
For three of any variety Messrs. Dean, Collars, and Rolt. For three of any 
variety Messrs. Wacher, Dean, Tassell. For six of any variety Messrs. 
Hodgson, Tassell, and W.acher. For six of one variety Messrs. W. Mount, 
Collar, and Stonely. Table decoration, Mrs. Biron, Mrs. Wacher, and Mrs. 
Martin. Buttonhole bouquet, Mrs. Rolt, Mrs. Wacher, Mrs. 0. Mount, and 
Mrs. Knight. 
The Judges for the nurserymen were Messrs. T. D. Pawle and Bensted; 
and for the amateurs Mr. G. Paul and Rev. A. Cheales. 
WEST KENT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
June 28Tn. 
Though not quite so extensive as some previous exhibitions of this Society, 
that held on Saturday last in the grounds of Camden House, Chislehurst, 
was in many respects a satisfactory and successful one. The weather was 
exceedingly fine, the heat pleasantly tempered by a good breeze, and the 
charming situation selected for the Show was alone sufficient to attract 
numbers of visitors. Four large marquees were devoted to the exhibits, those 
containing the table decorations, the fruit, vegetables, Roses, and hardy 
flowers being the favourite portions of the Show. 
Foliage plants were fairly represented in the class for six specimens. 
F. F. Burnaby Atkins, Esq., Halstead Place (gardener, Mr. H. Gibson), 
winning chief honours with grandly grown specimens of Alocasia Lowi 
about 5 feet high, Croton Youngi well coloured, Anthurium crystallinum, 
Alocasia metallica, Thrinax elegans, and Dracaena Baptisti. J. Heritage, Esq., 
Ladywood, Orpington (gardener, Mr. J. Kent), was second with Croton atigus- 
tifolius and C. variegatus, rather old, with bare stems; a Pandanus Veitchi, 
somewhat yellow ; a good Davallia Mooreana. and a healthy Maranta zebnna. 
Mrs. Spottiswoode, Coombe Bank, Sevenoaks (gardener, Mr. Bolton), was 
awarded the third prize, but his plants were really deserving of a higher peti¬ 
tion, as all were healthy, but he made a mistake in showing three Palms 
collection, and this no doubt influenced the Judges in their awards. With 
six Ferns, however, Mr. Bolton was easily first, staging strongly grown 
plants of Davallia bullata, Adiantum farleyense, Cibotium Barometz, 
Adiantum cardiochlcEna, and Balantium culcita with five fine fronds, a noble 
Fern that is seldom seen at exhibitions. S. Williams, Esq., Bickley (gardener, 
Mr. T. Gearing), followed with Adiantum gracillimum and Onychium aiiratum, 
very well grown and beautiful. Caladiums were in satisfactory condition, 
three well-grown collections being staged. A. M. Tapp, Esq., The Gables, 
(gardener, Mr. R. Jeal), won chief honours with a specimen of argyrites, 
3 feet in diameter, beautifully variegatfd; Beethoven and Prince Albert 
Edward being other notable varieties. Messrs. Blackburn and W. Gammon 
secured the second and third places with smaller but well-coloured plants. 
Selaginellas, hardy Ferns, foliage Begonias, Coleuses, and Dracaenas were all 
fairly represented, the principal prizetakers being Messrs. Neighbour, Cooper, 
Spittles, Jeal, Gearing, and Kent. 
Of flowering plants Tuberous Begonias were the best shown, six good 
collections of half a dozen plants being staged ; especially well grown were 
those from Mr. Neighbour, The Gardens, Bickley Park, which were compact 
strong specimens, loaded with handsome flowers. J. Scott, Esq., Bickl^ 
(gardener, Mr. J. Stent), and S. Williams, Esq., Bickley (gardener, Mr. T. 
Gearing), were the other prizetakvre, also showing beautiful plants. T. H. 
Michel], Esq., Elmstead, Bickley (gardener, Mr. Cole), had a good lot of 
double Pelargoniums, being first in the class. Achimenes were also in 
creditable condition, Mr. Stent taking the lead amongst four exhibitors with 
neat even specimens about 3 feet in diameter, Carl Woolforth andLongiflora 
being remarkably fine. Capt. Pavy, Fairfield (gardener, Mr. Bridger), took 
the second place, Ambroise Verschaffelt being notable, and Mr. Kent was 
third with smaller but well-flowered plants. Gloxinias were in good 
dition, Mr. Bridger’s premier collection comprising several with sixty fine 
flowers each. Mr. Neighbour, who was second, had fewer flowers, but large 
and of good form, and exceedingly vigorous foliage. 
The groups were not of unusual merit, but Mr. Blackburn gained the first 
position with a graceful combination of Orchids with Palms. Ferns, and 
Gloxinias. Mr. Gibson was a good second, a central Araucaria Bidwilli and 
several well-grown Clerodendrons and Gloxinias forming the chief features 
in the group, Mr. Kent following closely. 
Cut flowers were very abundant, the nurserymen’s exhibits being of con¬ 
siderable merit, especially the flowers from Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, 
who carried off the first prizes both for forty-eight and twenty-four with 
rich, bright, and handsome samples. Mr. B. R. Cant, Colchester, was second 
in the forty-eight class, but first with twelve blooms ; Messrs. Bunyard & Co., 
Mount, Canterbury, and F. Cant, Colchester, securing second and third-rate 
places. The best amateur blooms were from G. Christy, Esq., Buckhurst 
Hill (gardener, Mr. Blundell), Mr. A. Gibson, and the Rev. J. M. Fuller. 
Hardy flowers were in strong force and first-rate condition, F. Maynard, Esq., 
Bickley Park (gardener, Mr. F. Maynard), taking the lead with specimens of 
a great number of good varieties. Mr. E. Morse, Epsom, also had a large and 
beautiful collection of hardy flowers. A number of small classes were devoted 
to Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Antirrhinums, Sweet Williams, wild flowers, 
Grasses, itc., all of which were well filled. 
The dinner-table decorations were pretty, but not so tasteful as some we 
'have seen at Chislehurst in previous years. Miss Sentance,Merevale, Bickley, 
was, as usual, the premier exhibitor, yellow and scarlet Poppies, with Grasses 
and Ferns lightly arranged, constituting the chief part of her stands. The 
others were of a similar character as regards simplicity of style. 
The fruit classes were well represented, Mr. H. Waterman securing^ the 
leading position with a collection including good Grapes, Melons, Nectarines, 
and Cherries. Messrs. Neighbour, Tucker, and Bolton won the principal 
prizes in the other classes. Messrs. Neighbour and Waterman were also the 
premier exhibitors of vegetables, the former taking the first position, but the 
merits of the collections were so close in merit that equal firsts would have 
been more satisfactory. 
Miscellaneous exhibits were not numerous. Mr. B. S. Williams, Upper 
Holloway, had a handsome group of new and rare plants, including many 
fine Orchids ; and Messrs. Laing & Co., Forest Hill, showed a large group of 
Tuberous Begonias and fine-foliage plants tastefully arranged. 
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE HORTICULTURAL AND BOTANICAL 
SOCIETY. 
The competition for the prizes of 1 ‘ 25 . &(l. and the certificate of the 
Society, and Is. &d. and the certificate of the Society, offered by the 
Committee of the above Society for the best and second best essay on 
“ The Rotation of Crops in a Kitchen Garden for a AYar, with an Illus¬ 
trative Plan,” by under gardener members, did not draw out so many 
competitors as the importance of the subject kd the officers to anticipate. 
Only two competitors gave in their names, and they both hailed from 
Mapperley Hall Gardens, near Nottingham, their names being Edward 
Palmer and William Ball. The competition took place at the Society’s 
room in the Mechanics’ Institution on June 11th ; Mr. Edward Palmer 
won the first prize and Mr. William Ball the second. It will be under¬ 
stood that the papers were not to exceed twenty minutes in reading, and 
Mr. Palmer finished his to a minute. It was an excellent paper all 
through, the rotation scheme of crops being well managed and clearly 
shown, and that by means of tbe essay only, for tbe reader did not provide 
the illustrative plan (of course having the plan was optional, though it was 
thought the writers of the papers would prefer to have one in order to make 
