July 6, 1882.] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
runners and planting them when rooted directly in their perma¬ 
nent quarters. We have about a thousand young plants which 
were thus planted last season, and which now average from 
18 inches to 2 feet in diameter. These were planted after Peas, 
the ground being merely hoed and cleaned. 
With regard to what Mr. Muir says about Lettuces, I may state 
that I find Hicks’ Hardy Cos as procured from Messrs. Veitch of 
Chelsea the best summer sort 1 have been able to obtain, and it is 
also the best for winter use ; in fact, we have it all the year round. 
However, the sort that may do well in one locality may be of 
little use in another ; and, that aside altogether, it is found that 
tastes differ considerably in the matter of what is the best kind. 
I imagine “ W. J. M.” will find Victoria the best late Potato he 
can grow, quality considered. Champion will soon be out of 
cultivation as a general field crop. Many are now growing 
Magnum Bonum extensively in this district; but, to give it as 
good a character as our experience warrants, it is very variable in 
quality. The other kinds named are all of inferior quality here. 
Grampian was good last year and might be worth a trial, bearing 
in mind this remark, which was made to me the other day by one 
of our estate mechanics—“ The longer ye keep a new kind o’ 
Tatie the mealier it gets, if it’s wuth anything at a’.” 
As a cultivator of both Foxgloves and Hollyhocks let me remark 
on the singular mode of enhancing the value of a given flower at 
the expense of another which “Single-handed” has taken. 
There is no basis for comparing the two on the ground taken. 
One might just as well object to employing half-hardy bedding 
plants for an autumn display on the ground that Primroses, Ane¬ 
mones, Wallflowers, &c., are as beautiful, or more so, and much 
more cheaply and easily cultivated. Because we have hundreds 
of Foxgloves flowering just now and during July, is that a valid 
reason for doing away with Hollyhocks, which are at their best 
from the middle of August to the end of October ?—B. 
RICHMOND HORTICULTURAL SHOW. 
June 29th. 
Eight years of steady progress have placed the Richmond Society 
at the head of those in the neighbourhood of the metropolis, and their 
shows have attained considerable fame both for extent and for the 
excellent quality of the productions there staged. The Exhibition 
held on Thursday last in the Old Deer Park was no exception to the 
rule, the same satisfactory advance being observable that has charac¬ 
terised each successive show. Indeed it may be safely asserted that 
it was the best the Society has yet held, and much credit is therefore 
due to Mr. G. Eyles, the new Secretary, for having in the first year of 
his management rendered such good service in forwarding the Society’s 
interests. In nearly all the very numerous classes the competition 
was good, and in some cases it was more than ordinarily keen. Four 
marquees, two of moderate size and two very large, were filled with 
the exhibits, the former being chiefly devoted to vegetables and fruits 
and cottagers’ productions, the others containing the groups, specimen 
plants, cut flowers, and table decorations. 
Though the weather was dull and threatening, a large number of 
visitors assembled, amongst whom were the Duke and Duchess of 
Teck, the Lady Mayoress, and the Belgian horticulturists. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants. —For so late a period these were 
admirably represented by several collections, including well-grown 
fresh healthy specimens, and in some cases superbly flowered. 
Messrs. T. Jackson & Son, Kingston, were the most successful ex¬ 
hibitors in the open class for nine plants, having fine examples of 
Ixora Williamsi, flowering freely; Allamanda cathartica, vigorous ; 
Erica ventricosa Bothwelliana, even and floriferous; Rondeletia 
speciosa major, with numerous large richly coloured flowers ; and 
Kalosanthes Dr. E. Regel, a beautiful variety represented by a fine 
plant. Messrs. Peed & Son, Norbury Nurseries, Streatham, took the 
second position with specimens very little inferior to the preceding ; 
Pimelea spectabilis, Allamanda Hendersoni, and A. grandiflora, with 
Stephanotis floribunda being the most noteworthy. Mr. H. James, 
Castle Nursery, Lower Norwood, followed, Kalosanthes Phoenix and 
Bougainvillea glabra being well shown. In the class for six plants 
from exhibitors in the Society’s district, Mr. C. Attrill, Bank Grove, 
Ham, won chief honours, having Kalosanthes coccinea, Allamanda 
Hendersoni, and a Bougainvillea strong and freely flowered. Mr. 
Bowell, gardener to Lady Parker, Stawell House, Richmond, was 
second with a plant of Peristeria elata bearing a spike 3 feet high 
with twenty flowers and buds. Allamanda grandiflora was also in 
satisfactory condition with several others. 
Pelargoniums. —A bright display of these was contributed. For six 
Show varieties Mr. Wiggins, gardener to H. Little, Esq., Hillingdon 
Place, Uxbridge, gained the chief award with Madame Thibaut, 
Setting Sun, Robina, and Prince Leopold very well flowered. Mr. 
Croxford, gardener to Mrs. Dunnage, Albury House, Surbiton, and 
Mr. J. W. Wells, gardener to J. Rodgers, Esq., Selwyn Court, Richmond, 
were second and third respectively with much smaller plants. Mr. 
Wiggins also had the best six Fancy varieties, Pilgrimage, Lady 
Harvey, Lucy, and Mrs. Graham being in grand form. Mr. Croxford 
again took the second position, but with healthy plants. Two 
collections in the class for six Zonal or bedding varieties were very 
noteworthy ; these were from Mr. Bond, gardener to Mrs. Evans, Beech 
House, Teddington, and Mr. Croxford, who were first and second 
respectively. In the first-prize collection the plants were of even 
size, about 4 feet in diameter, and bearing fine trusses of flowers. 
The varieties, too, were well selected, comprising Madame Thibaut, 
Master Christine, Nemesis, and Madame Baltet. Mr. Croxford’s best 
plants were Mrs. Turner, a fine rich rose-pink, and Wonderful, a deep 
glowing scarlet, both single varieties, and very effective. 
Ferns. —Few of the extremely large specimens occasionally seen at 
the London shows were staged here, but all were distinguished by 
surprising health, and in one or two of the leading collections the 
plants were all that could be desired. For six exotic Ferns Mr. B. 
Morrell, gardener to J. S. Rutter, Esq., The Cedars. Richmond, was 
adjudged the principal position, his plants including excellent ex¬ 
amples of Davallia Mooreana, Gymnogramma Peruviana argyrophylla 
very fine, Dicks®nia davallioides, Davallia pyxidata, and Gymno¬ 
gramma chrysophylla. Mr. G. Stevens, Putney, followed closely 
with Dicksonia antarctica, Platycerium alcicorne large and fine, and 
Adiantum concinnum. Messrs. W. Fromow & Son, Turnham Green, 
secured the third position, four really creditable collections being 
staged in this class. In the district class for six Ferns, Mr. D. East, 
gardener to F. Wigan, Esq., Clare Lawn, East Sheen, carried off the 
first prize for well-grown plants ; Mr. Morrell being second also with 
specimens in very fine condition. Mr. C. Prickett. gardener to Dr. 
Francis, Manor House, Richmond, had the best twelve hardy Ferns, 
choice varieties and in good condition ; Messrs. Wells and Morrell 
following with very similar plants. 
Fuchsias. —In several classes these were admirably shown, although 
there was considerable difference in the style of training adopted. 
The finest specimens were shown in the open class for nine, and the 
Judges very properly selected a collection from Mr. Morrell for the 
chief honours. These plants were extremely even and graceful, of 
conical form, about 4 feet high, and flowering profusely ; the lateral 
branches drooping slightly with their own weight, gave a very grace¬ 
ful appearance to the plants. The second prize was accorded to Mr. 
E. Beckett, gardener to J. P. Currie, Esq., Sandown, Esher, who had 
by far the largest plants grown, some exceeding 6 feet, all very 
healthy and well flowered. Mr. Bond followed with large conical¬ 
shaped plants in creditable condition, one example of Earl Beacons- 
field being greatly admired. 
Groups.— An important portion of the Exhibition was constituted 
by the entries in the open class for a groirp of plants arranged for 
effect in a space not exceeding 100 square feet. Six attractive and 
very diversely arranged groups were staged ; but though there was 
considerable difference of opinion respecting the justness of the in¬ 
ferior awards, the one selected for the premier position was generally 
admired as both novel and tasteful. This was from Mr. H. James, 
who might with advantage show such groups more frequently, as they 
are instructive, and form a most agreeable break from the stereotyped 
even banks of plants too commonly staged. The second prize was 
secured by Messrs. Fromow and Sons, who had a graceful combina¬ 
tion of fine-foliage and flowering plants, very bright and effective ; 
but this, and the group from Mr. W. Brown, Richmond, placed fourth, 
were so similar in character and merit that they deserved equal awards. 
Mr. J. Bruckhaus, Hooper’s Nursery, Twickenham, was third with a 
diversified arrangement of Palms, Ferns, Dracaenas, and Crotons, with 
Begonias, Campanulas, and Gloxinias. 
Amongst the numerous other plants shown the Calceolarias deserve 
especial notice, particularly the premier collection from Mr. East, 
which were in excellent health and the foliage finely coloured ; the 
varieties Madame Hunnibelle, Prince Albert Edward, Laingi, Chan- 
tini, and Chelsoni being beautifully represented. The other collec¬ 
tions from Messrs. Sallows and Wigan were also good. Fine-foliage 
and Tuberous Begonias, Orchids, Gloxinias were all staged in satis¬ 
factory condition. 
Cut Flowers. —Prominent amongst these were the Roses, which were 
extremely fresh and highly coloured. In the nurserymen’s classes 
Messrs. G. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, secured the chief prizes with mag¬ 
nificent blooms of all the leading varieties. Mr. W. Rumsey, Wal¬ 
tham Cross, also contributed some handsome blooms. In the open 
class for twenty-four blooms Mr. C. Warwick, gardener to J. P. 
Kitchener, Esq., Manor House, Hampton, took the lead with fine fresh 
samples of excellent substance. Mr. Moorman, gardener to the Misses 
Christy, Coombe Bank, Kingston, also staged well in the same class. 
E. Mawley, Esq., Addiscombe, gained the chief award for twelve with 
beautiful blooms, and in other classes the following exhibitors gained 
well-deserved honours.—Mr. W. Croker, gardener to W. Register, 
Esq., Lawn Lodge, Isleworth ; Mr. W. Bates, gardener to J. E. Meek, 
Esq., Poulett Lodge, Twickenham ; Mr. E. Lake, gardener to E. Ascher- 
son, Esq., Haversham Grange, Twickenham; and D. Roberts, Esq., 
Park Villa, Richmond. Several special prizes were offered for Roses 
and other cut blooms by C. Selwyn, Esq., Selwyn Court, Richmond ; 
D. Roberts, Esq.; Messrs. J. & G. Peirce, H. Herbst, and others, and 
most were well competed for, Messrs. Moorman, Bates, Hinnell; 
Stephens, gardener to J. Bull, Esq., Redholm, Teddington ; and Berry, 
gardener to the Countess of Leven, Roehampton House, being the 
most successful exhibitors. 
Vases, bouquets, and table decorations were numerously shown, and 
some tasteful designs were submitted. Three stands from Mrs. Hoi- 
