40 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 13, 1882. 
While on the subject of Nelson fruit, it may interest some of 
your readers to know that 1 never before saw such crops of Green 
Gages, Plums, and Apricots. The last-named, as well as Peaches, 
are grown as orchard standards, and form fine trees. Mulberries 
also I never before saw so plentiful and of such a size, while the 
small fruits, more particularly Raspberries and Strawberries, thrive 
exceedingly well. Figs were good. I also noticed Lemons doing 
well. With regard to the prices realised, I am afraid the crops 
were not very remunerative. I saw Green Gages sold by auction in 
Auckland at \\cl. and \%d. per Lb., also Apricots at 2 \d. and 
2 hd. per lb. Peaches are finer and grow better in Auckland. 
However, a better day is possibly commencing for the Nelson 
growers, as while I was there a jam factory had commenced 
operations, and was then daily taking some thousands of pounds 
of fruit. 
Honey is everywhere plentiful, and the people are just begin¬ 
ning to give more serious attention to bee-keeping, especially in 
Canterbury. 
You are at perfect liberty to make what use you please of these 
few remarks, and, if desirable, I may return to the subject on some 
future occasion.—W. H. Matthews. 
[We shall be very glad to hear from you.] 
POLYGALA CHAMYEBUXUS. 
This is a dwarf half-shrubby plant from 6 to 9 inches high, 
with creeping roots, with ovate or obovate leaves, rather leathery 
in texture. The flowers are solitary or in pairs, axillary, almost 
Pea-shaped ; the standard and wings white, while the keel 
petal enclosing the stamens is white at the base, bright yellow at 
the apex, deepening in colour as the flowers get older. It is a 
very effective rockery or border plant, growing best in a damp 
shady place in peat, loam, and sand, in which it grows rapidly, 
forming dense bushes. It may be increased by divisions, cuttings, 
or seeds. The cuttings should be taken young after the plant had 
been gently forced. It is a native of southern Europe, and flowers 
here from May to June. Both Clusius and Jacquin make some 
observations respecting a purple-flowered variety, but which I 
think was unknown under cultivation in this country till within 
the last few years, when it was introduced and offered by Messrs. 
Backhouse of York, and which is named purpurea. The standard 
and wings are bright magenta purple and the keel yellow, hence 
it is a very attractive variety, and, according to the description 
given of it, it appears to be dwarfer than the typical form, as it 
is described as being from 4 to 6 inches high, but most likely it 
will attain the same proportions under cultivation.—T. 
BROCKHAM ROSE SHOW. 
The village green of Brockham is perhaps one of the most lovely 
in Surrey, delightfully situated, encircled by picturesque dwellings, 
and overshadowed by its Ivy-covered memorial church. Brockham 
is not only happy in the possession of a perfect village church, but is 
fortunate in the vicar, who earnestly labours for the welfare of all 
entrusted to his ministrations and spiritual guidance. He is an 
ardent lover of Roses, and his zeal in the cause of these flowers is 
much appreciated by neighbouring friends, who from time to time 
have placed their grounds at the disposal of the Brockham Rose 
Society for their annual Show. This year, on July 6th, the Exhibi¬ 
tion took place at Redlands, the seat of M. Rhode Hawkins, Esq.— 
a spot most admirably chosen ; the grounds are laid out with great 
taste, and the surrounding district affords to the admirer of nature 
scope for many interesting researches. He can indulge any taste he 
may possess, whether as a poet, a painter, a botanist, or geologist— 
indeed, there is here every material that can be desired to excite the 
imagination or to stimulate a lingering fancy. It was near here that 
the good and great John Evelyn lived and died, and the spirit of the 
old philosopher and naturalist seems to hover round the scene. 
There was a splendid show of Roses. The exhibits were well 
arranged under a large and convenient marquee, and too much praise 
cannot be given to Capt. Lang, the Rev. A. Cheales, and other mem¬ 
bers of the acting Committee for the excellence of all their arrange¬ 
ments to meet the requirements of the exhibitors. The attendance of 
visitors was smaller than on former occasions, and, unfortunately, 
the weather was most unpropitious, the rain ceasing but at short 
intervals during the whole of the afternoon. 
The principal class was for twenty-four Roses, single trusses. Four 
collections were staged, the Rev. A. Cheales securing the first prize 
with beautiful blooms of great substance and good colour. Most of 
the varieties in this box were splendidly represented, especially Alfred 
Colomb, a perfect flower in every respect; Mons. E. Y. Teas, Capi- 
taine Christy, Leopold I., and A. K. Williams were very fine. The 
second prize was awarded to C. E. Cuthell, Esq., for an excellent col¬ 
lection ; Mons. E. Y. Teas, Marie Rady, Baronne de Rothschild, and 
Ghnhral Jacqueminot being almost faultless blooms. In the class for 
twelve, distinct, single trusses, which is one that generally excites 
much interest and competition, G. G. Stone, Esq., was first with 
excellent blooms of good substance and evenness of form. Thomas 
Mills, Duke of Edinburgh, La Reine, and Annie Wood were especially 
fine. F. T. Wollaston, Esq., was second with a box scarcely inferior, 
and E. Horne, Esq., third with most creditable blooms. 
Class 3, for six, distinct, single trusses, Captain Lang was first and 
Mr. Thompson second. Class 4, for four distinct varieties, three 
trusses each, G. G. Stone, Esq., again was first with even blooms 
of good substance, and Mr. F. T. Wollaston second with clean, bright, 
fresh blooms. An extra prize was given in this class by C. E. Cuthell, 
Esq., on the recommendation of the Judges, to E. Horne, Esq., for a 
very well-staged box of good quality. Class 5, for six single trusses, 
any kind, the competition was very great and interesting, two of the 
exhibits being so nearly equal in merit the Judges had some difficulty 
in awarding the gold medal of the National Rose Society ; it was, 
however, deservedly given to C. E. Cuthell, Esq., for his box of re¬ 
markably fine blooms of Annie Wood. G. G. Stone, Esq., carried off 
the first prize for a box of Charles Lefebvre of extraordinary fine 
quality. Mrs. Mortimer secured the second prize, the Rev. A. Cheales 
by the rules of the Society not being able to take another prize with 
his box of Marquise de Castellane. 
Class 6, twelve Teas or Noisettes, distinct, single trusses.—In this 
class there were six competitors. The first prize was given to E. 
Horne, Esq., for a box of very neat well-formed blooms, the Rev. A. 
Cheales taking second with blooms of nearly equal merit. C. E. Cut¬ 
hell, Esq., exhibited in this class and staged a box of most' charming 
blooms, Madame Lambard being remarkably fine in form, substance, 
and colour. Unfortunately he had placed a Hybrid Tea in his col¬ 
lection, which rendered the box disqualified according to the printed 
notice in the schedule of prizes. Class 7, six Tea or Noisette, distinct, 
single trusses.—Miss Barclay took first prize, and Mrs. Thompson 
second. The silver medal of the National Rose Society for the best 
bloom of any kind was awarded to Rev. A. Cheales for a magnificent 
example of Alfred Colomb, and the silver medal for the best Tea was 
taken by C. E. Cuthell, Esq., for his charming and perfect bloom of 
Madame Lambard. 
Devices , in which ladies only competed.—The competition for the 
dinner-table decorations was great. Some beautiful arrangements of 
Roses with Ferns and other foliage were staged. Miss Fuller was 
deservedly awarded the first prize and Mrs. R. Hawkins the second, 
although all the four exhibits were good. Device for Drawing-room 
Table Decorations.—Here also the specimens exhibited displayed 
great artistic taste, and some really elegant exhibits were placed, so 
equal in refinement and charm of arrangement as to render it no easy 
task to determine which should take first prize. Eventually the 
Judges considered Miss Fuller first, Mrs. R. Hawkins second, and 
recommended an extra prize to Miss Heath. The somewhat novel 
decoration called the Brace Bouquet was introduced, and two very 
chaste and lovely specimens were exhibited. Miss Fuller had the first 
prize and Mrs. J. B. Nicholls second. Both were most gracefully and 
delicately arranged. In the class for button-hole bouquets, Rose 
buds combined with foliage of flowers and exhibited in groups of 
three, Miss Fuller was first, Mrs. Thompson second, Mrs. J. B. Nicholls 
third, and Miss Horne fourth. 
Messrs. Paul &. Sons of the Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, contributed a 
beautiful collection of Tea Roses, and also a second box of the new 
Hybrid Perpetual Roses, representing Ferdinande Chaffolte, Guil¬ 
laume Guillemot, Rosieriste Jacobs, Lady Sheffield, R. N. G. Baker, 
White Baroness, George Baker, Edward Moreau, Duke of Teck, Charles 
Darwin, and a seedling of charming colour which promises to be a 
valuable and popular Rose for the future. Mr. Appleby of the Box- 
hill Nurseries staged a most attractive box of Teas and Noisettes, 
which gained much attention and were blooms of high merit. I have 
thus briefly noticed the chief stands in the Show ; the fine character 
of the blooms and foliage clearly proved the great attention and care 
that had been given to the culture of the plants, and the skilful 
management bestowed upon them. In conclusion I cannot omit to 
mention the kind hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins, who so 
graciously entertained the Committee and friends at luncheon. The 
Judges were Mr. George Paul, Mr. Appleby, and Mr. G. Baker.—G. B. 
PACKING FRUIT. 
In commencing this subject I may warn my readers not to ex¬ 
pect anything particularly novel. Originality, according to my 
experience, though commendable, is not always a proof of supe¬ 
riority, nevertheless I am always prepared to accept fresh 
ideas. When I hear of what presumably is a superior method or 
practice, I like to give that method a fair trial, and if its supe¬ 
riority is evident I adopt it, if otherwise we must fall back upon 
the old plans. As I have before pointed out (page 397) there are 
many methods of packing flowers for travelling, and it is equally 
certain there are as many methods of packing fruit. 
A young man when learning the profession of gardening— 
that is to say, if he follows the orthodox rule of staying a limited 
time in each situation, has good opportunities of forming his 
opinion upon the merits of several methods. Even then there 
may be methods he has not seen in practice, and these he may 
learn from in the horticultural papers of the day. In some 
