July 31, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
103 
elegans had a pleasing effect, itr. Clark, nurseryman, Carlisle, was fourth. 
He showed an excellent collection of stove and greenhouse plants. 
For six exotic Ferns Mr. Henry Johnston, The Gardens, Elraridge, 
Darlington, was first. Divallia Mooreana, Dicksonia antarctica, GDichenii 
speluncte, and Mendelli, Adiantum fai leyense and trapeziforme ; all were good, 
the two latter excellent. M •. Burton, although placed second, was very 
nearly equal to the first. For four Ericas Mr. Cypher was awarded first with 
good plants of Erica ferruginea major, ampullacea major, Savilleana, and 
^emula. Mr. A. Methven was second with Lindeni, temula, and ferruginea. 
In the corresponding class B Mr. E. H. Letts, gardener to Lord Zetland, 
Aske Hall, Richmond, was first wdth Ericas tricolor supeiba, Parmentieriana 
rosea, and Aitoni snperba ; and Mr. H. Johnson, gardener to J. B. Hodgkin, 
Esq., Elmridge, Darlington, was second with twelve pots of bedding plants. 
Mr. A. Methven was first with useful healthy plants, and Mr. E. Larke, 
gardener to the Rev. Mr. Wheeler, Whitley Vicarage, w'as second. For 
twelve pots of Sempervivums or Sedums Mr. .T. McIntyre was first, and for 
twelve pots of Rock or Alpine plants Mr. McIntyre also secured premier 
honours. 
Mr. B. H. Letts won first honours in the B class for six plants with Erica 
Turnbulli, Phoenocoma prolifera Barnesi, 7 feet in diameter; Ixora Prince of 
Orange, Azalea Brilliant, Allamanda Wardleiana, and Anthurium Schertzeri- 
anum, 5 feet in diameter. Mr. H. Johnson was second. Mr. E. II. Letts was 
also first for six foliage plants, including Cycas revoluta, Croton majesticus, 
Dasylirion acrotrichum, Kentia Belmoreana, and Croton Johannis. For 
six Ferns Mr. Henry Johnstone was first, showfing Adiantum gracillimum, 
A. concinnum, Gleicbenia rupestris, G. Mendelli, and Adiantum trapeziforme, 
the latter very fine. Mr. Burton, g.ardener to A. Harris, Esq., Kirkby Lons- 
■dale, was second with Goniophlebium subauriculatum, Microlepia hirta 
cristata, Gymnogramma chrysophylla, and G. argentea. 
Cut Flowers and Roses .—For forty-eight Rose blooms E. R. Whitwell, 
Esq., Barton Hall, Darlington, was first. The Roses formed one of the most 
creditable parts of the Exhibition. Many of rosarian connoisseurs considered 
them superior to any shown this year. All the principal prizes went to this 
popular northern exhibitor, who was congratulated on all hands. His best 
blooms were Madame H. Jamain, Thos. Mills, Paul Neyron, Queen of 
Waltham, Etienne Levet, A. Colomb, A. Wood, Baroness Rothschild (very 
large), Duchesse de Morny, Marie Baumann, A. K. Williams, Duke of 
Wellington, &c. Mr. Whitwell was also first for the thirty-six, closely 
followed by Messrs. Harkness & Sons, Bedule, who showed superior flowers. 
For the forty-eight Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, Hereford, were second ; 
and Mack & Son, Catterick, third. For twelve Roses, yellow, Messrs. Paul 
and Son were first; and for twelve of any sort Messrs. Mack & Son, Catterick, 
were first. In the corresponding' class for twenty-four Roses Mr. C. Laws, 
Pontyland, was first with good blooms of Pierre Hotting, A. Colomb, and 
Due de Rohan. 
For twelve bunches of herbaceous flowers Mr. J. Oliver, gardener to 
Lord Ravensworth, Eslington, was first with a good collection, comprising 
Spiraea venusta, Veronica pyramidalis and albus, Lathyrus latifolius, Geum 
coccineum, Thalictrum aquilegifolium, Achillea millefolium. Campanula 
calycanthema. Mr. Thomas Battersby, Axwell Park, was second. There 
were nine competitors. For twelve bunches of cut flowers Mr. E. H. 
Letts was first with Ixoras, Allamandas, Eucharis, Stephanotis ; these were 
all embedded in Adiantum cuneatum. Mr. Noble was second. For Fancy 
and Show Pansies Mr. Battersby and Mr. Cawthorn were first; and for Pinks 
and Carnations Messrs. Scott and Flowdy divided premier honours. 
Table plants were as usual shown extensively. Mr. McIntyre was first 
in the A class with Cocos Weddelliana, Aralia Veitchii, Croton Disraeli, and 
Pandanus Veitchii, Mr. H. Johnson being second. Mr. McIntyre was also 
first in the eorresponding class B. 
Epergnes and Bouquets .—These always form a special feature at New¬ 
castle. Mr. Cypher gained the first prize for a light and graceful arrange¬ 
ment in an epergne with a base and three side glasses. The flowers em- 
ploiped were Pancratiums, Cattleyas, Lapagerias, Dipladenias, and other 
choice flowers well arranged. Mr. Whiting, florist, Newcastle, was a close 
second. Mr. Cypher wa,^ also flrst for a bridal bouquet, the same exhibitor 
being first for a hand bouquet. 
Fkuit.—F or eight dishes of fruit Mr. Edmonds, gardener to the Duke of 
St. Albans, was placed first, his specimens comprising the following :—A 
■Queen Pine, 8^ lbs.; Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, large in berry; and 
Black Hamburgh Grapes, Chancellor Peach, Elruge Nectarine, Ischia Figs, 
and Duke of Edinburgh Strawberries formed an excellent collection. Mr. A. 
Methven was second with a good Queen Pine, Foster’s Seedling Grapes, 
Madresfield Court Grapes, and Imperatrice Nectarines. For four dishes 
Mr. Edmonds was also first with Muscat of Alexandria Grapes and Chancellor 
Peaches, very fine. For two bunches of Grapes Mr. E. Douglas was first 
with Black Alicante, and Mr. Edmonds second with Madresfield Court. 
For two bunches of Muscat of Alexandria Mr. E. Douglas, gardener to J. 
Harris, Esq., Derwent Lodge, Cockermouth, was first with fine examples. 
For two bunches of white Grapes Mr. Larke was first with Buckland Sweet¬ 
water ; and for two bunches of black Grapes Mr. Jenkins, gardener to B. 
Cochrane, Esq., Alston Grange, Durham, was first. For Peaches and 
Nectarines Mr. Edmonds and Air. Thomas Hare, gardener to R. W. C. 
Neville, Esq., Wellington, Grantham, were first in each class. 
Not for competition were collections of Conifer® from Alessrs. Fell & Co., 
Hexham; stove and greenhouse plants by Air. Whiting, florist, Newcastle; 
and Mr. Jos. Witherspoon, Chester-le-Street, exhibited an ingenious boiler, 
which received a certificate from the Judges. It possesses several novel 
arrangements, which are said to save fuel and give greater security for 
•heating effectively. 
The Committee, Judges, and friends dined after the Exhibition, presided 
over by the President, N. Clayton, Esq., supported by the Bishop of New¬ 
castle. The usual toasts were drunk, when the Committee and indefatigable 
.Secretary, Air. J. Gillespie, were complimented on the success of their labours. 
TREES AT THE CAPE. 
Most people have heard how European fruit trees and vegetables have 
thriven when introduced into Australia, especially in the south-east 
'temperate corner, which embraces Victoria and the greater part of New 
South Wales. A continental flora, rich in strong species and in a variety 
of species suited to every shade of environment, would naturally make 
terrible inroads into a I’estricted island flora. The little temperate region 
of Australia is cut off from the vast temperate region encircling the 
northern hemisphere by the semi-tropical region of central and northern 
Australia and the equatorial seas and islands further north. Africa presents 
the spectacle of the world’s great tropical continent with a climatically 
temperate fringe of highlands clinging to its southern extremity. The 
temperate zone of Africa is still smaller than that of Australia. 
In this temperate fringe of Africa there are now only small forest tracts, 
comprising altogether something under 200 square miles in area. There 
has been a considerable de,straction of forests since the advent of the white 
man to South Africa (about 200 years ago) ; and there are fossil indications 
of pre-historic forests; but it is unlikely that the temperate forest region 
of South Africa was ever comparable in point of size to that of Australia. 
While, therefore, the temperate forest region of Australia has evolved the 
noble genus of Eucalypts, the smaller forest region of S )uth Africa has 
evolved no trees sufiiciently remarkable to be heard of outside their own 
habitat. Sneezewood (Pteroxylon utile) is a timber which, in point of 
durabilitjq ranks with Teak Yarrah and Greenheart; and if there were 
only enough of Stink Wood (Oreodaphne bullata) it would keep most 
imported timber out of the market. But Stink Wood is scarce and Sneeze- 
wood small; and Yello.v-wood, the most abundant and best growing tree, 
has a poor reputation as timber. The temperate forest flora of Africa, in 
fact is a small weak island flora, and when we consider how the strong 
continental floras of the northern hemisphere are making good their footing 
in the strong island flora of Australia, we may now con du le that in South 
Africa there is every hope of very materially improving the forest resources 
of the country by a judicious introduction of exotic timbers. 
PINES. 
In Cape Colony a limited but successfuljattempt has been made to plant 
exotic trees on a large scale. That exotics have not been largely planted 
is scarcely to be wmndered at, when it is considered that it is only quite 
recently that attention has been turned to preserving the fine natural forests 
of the country. As in other colonies, there are botanical gardens in large 
towns, very u-eful disseminators of seeds and plants and young trees. But 
the young trees sold are usually fruit trees. The Pine and Oak plantations 
near Cape Town are the only example of the planting of exotic timber 
trees on any large scale. I have used the word “ plantations,” but 
“ woods ” is the proper term to employ. The Cape Town Pine woods are 
composed of two Pines, Pinus Pinaster (the Pin maritime of the French), 
and Pinus Pinea (the Stone Pine of Italy). These Pine woods are one of 
the most remarkable features in the charming strip of fertile country 
stretching along the south-east or temperate side of the Table Alountain 
range. Like true Pines they reproduce themselves with the greatest 
facility. In favourable positions the young Pines come up like grass under 
the old trees. Even on the northern, or dry warm side of Table Alountain, 
plantation owners are in the habit of clean-cutting the Pine plantations, and 
leaving reproduction to take care of itself. When it fails, as it must some¬ 
times with this treatment, artificial sowings yield an abundant crop of 
seedlings. Unfortunately fire sometimes destroys large areas of these Pino 
plantations. 
0aside the wooded gorges of Table Alountain the only indigenous tree 
is Leucadendron argenteum, commonly called the Silver Tree, from the 
white silvery tomentum which covers the leaves like the nap of a silk hat. 
The habitat of this peculiar tree is confined to the more cool temperate 
climate of the Cape peninsula. At pretty sylvan Wynberg, and elsewhere 
on the slopes of Table Alountain, there are natural woods of the Silver 
Tree—sparse open woods with foliage glittering white in the mild clear 
light of this latitude. Into these unique woods have crept the dark 
Europ'^an Pines, and the mingled tints are picturesque, offering food for 
reflection. How far will the strong obtrusive but useful northern species 
eventually oust the pretty useless southerner ? Black and white exist here 
side by side, as elsewhere in Cape Colony, and, just at present, there is 
room for both. Pinus Pinaster and Pinus Pinea are the only two Pines 
which have become naturalised in Cape Colony. The Scotch Fir, men¬ 
tioned in books of travels as growing abundantly at Cape Town, is Pinus 
Pinea, Scotch Fir or Pine being the colonial name for that species. Air. 
Lister, the Forest Officer of the Cape division, who has bad a long experi¬ 
ence with Pinus Pinea and Pinus Pinaster, estimates the rate of growth of 
the second at about half that of the Blue Gum, and of the first about half 
that of the second. The Blue Gum at the Cape does not appear to grow 
quite so fast as on the Nilgiris. Probably the acre-increment of a close 
plantation of Pinus Pinaster is about five tons (dry wood), and of Pinus 
Pinea not more than two or three tons. The edible seed of Pinus Pinea is 
not utilised in Cape Colony: its timber is superior to that of the faster¬ 
growing Pinus Pinaster. Both Pines show distinct annual rings, quite as 
distinct apparently as the rings in Pine wood grown in Europe. European 
pitch pine and deal are very largely imported; in fact, Norway deal is 
as common in Cape Colony as it is in England. The tropical white ant is 
unknown in Cape Colony, so that a tough light wood, such as d(al, is the 
most generally useful that could be grown. Some stumps of Pinus Pinea 
on the northern slopes of Table Alountain gave an average of from five to 
eight rings per inch of radius ; this was with trees twenty-five years old. 
In the more recently settled eastern portions of Cape Colony there are 
naturally not the large Pine plantations which are so pleasing a feature in 
the Cape Peninsula. But as far as can be judged from planting on a s nail 
scale, Pinus Pinaster seems to succeed as well in the east of the Colony as 
in the different climate of the west (I shall conclude this notice with some 
remarks on the climate of Cape Colony). Some interesting planting, mostly 
of Pinus Pinaster, has been done on the bleak hills which surround the 
