60 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 20, 1882. 
it in pots or pans, as it is found that plants upon blocks often be¬ 
come exhausted in a few years. The block system is much more 
pleasing in appearance than the other, but perhaps the best plan 
is to have soipe specimens grown in each way. 
O. Rossi is a Mexican species of dwarf habit, and was intro¬ 
duced to England by Mr. Barker, who obtained it from his collec¬ 
tor Mr. Ross, after whom it is named. The flowers are of mode¬ 
rate size, the sepals white or greenish with brown or purplish 
spots ; the petals very much broader, frequently having the margin 
fringed, pure white with a few rich purple spots at the base. The 
lip is large, often beautifully fringed and pure white, contrasting 
very strikingly with the darker sepals. The flowers are borne 
singly or in pairs on short scapes which arise from the base of the 
small pseudobulbs. The variety majus greatly surpasses the old 
form in the size and rich colouring of the flowers, and is very 
similar to the variety represented in the engraving (fig. 13), which 
pourtrays one of those in the Trinity College Botanic Garden, 
Dublin. A very handsome unnamed variety is also grown in Mr. 
Dorman’s collection at Sydenham, which is even superior to majus 
in the richness of the colouring. When well grown 0. Rossi and 
its varieties are some of the most charming Orchids in cultivation, 
and they may be easily obtained in satisfactory condition under 
similar cool treatment to that afforded O. Alexandras or other 
species, except as was previously mentioned, they should be 
suspended from the roof either in pans or on blocks.—L. C. 
(To be continued.) 
HAWKHURST HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: 
It is very pleasing to note the progress made in horticulture in the 
Hawkhurst district. Not only is this very apparent among gardeners 
and amateurs, but the cottagers, which the Society greatly encourage, 
are also giving abundant proofs of improvement. At the first few 
shows it was found necessary to induce well-known exhibitors to 
bring their specimen plants from a great distance. Now, however, 
the Committee is in a position to arrange one of the best exhibitions 
in Kent without any open classes. The leading inhabitants of the 
district and at Hawkhurst, where the Exhibition is invariably held, 
no difficulty is experienced in securing suitable and convenient 
grounds for the purpose. On this occasion the picturesque grounds 
of H. Maynard, Esq., Oakfield House, were chosen, and the selection 
was a wise one. The site being elevated dried rapidly, and to this 
and the almost unexpected fine day may be partly attributed the 
attendance of so many appreciative visitors. 
There were six exhibitors of six flowering stove and greenhouse 
plants, all showing creditably. To Mr. F. Hodgkins, gardener to 
A. Oakes, Esq., Sandhurst, was awarded the first prize, his group 
comprising a beautifully flowered Bougainvillea glabra, a fine and 
brightly flowered Kalosanthes coccinea, creditable examples of Alla- 
manda Hendersoni and Statice profusa, and rather poor plants of 
Rhynchospermum jasminoides and Imantophyllum miniatum. Mr. F. 
Dean, gardener to W. F. Neve, Esq., Cranbrook, followed very closely 
with a more even group, among which were capitally flowered plants 
of Yinca oculata and Clerodendron Balfourianum. To Mr. C. Nicholls, 
gardener to C. A. Fisher, Esq., Hawkhurst, was awarded the third 
prize for an excellent group, which included a well-grown Erica 
ampullacea Williamsi. Mr. G. Rummery, gardener to Sir E. Hard- 
inge, Bart., Hawkhurst, was worthily awarded the fourth prize. The 
best six fine-foliage plants were staged by Mr. H. Manktellow, gar¬ 
dener to Dr. Harris, Northiam, these consisting of a grand Acalypha 
highly coloured, a good Phormium tenax variegata, Cycas revoluta, 
Maranta zebrina, Croton variegatus, and C. irregularis. Mr. J. 
Gilmour, gardener to the Right Hon. G. J. Goshen, Seacox Heath, 
Hawkhurst, was a good second, his group including well-coloured 
examples of Acalypha musaica, Aspidistra lurida variegata, and a 
good specimen of Seaforthia elegans. Mr. G. Nicholls was placed 
third in this class. 
Mr. F. Dean easily secured the first prize for six Ferns, these com¬ 
prising well-grown specimens of Gymnogramma chrysophylla, Adian- 
tum farleyense, A. cuneatum, Pteris umbrosa, Phlebo'dium aureum, and 
Platycerium alcicorne. In Mr. Gilmour’s praiseworthy second-prize 
group were good plants of Davallia Mooreana, Adiantum gracillimum, 
and Lygodium scandens. Mr. Hodgkins was awarded the third prize, 
his most noteworthy plant being Davallia bullata. Mr. W. Tanner, 
gardener to H. Maynard, Esq., staged the best four flowering plants, 
among these being good specimens of Kalosanthes coccinea and Yinca 
rosea. Mr. J. Yaughan, gardener to Mrs. Slaughter, Sandhurst, was 
a creditable second. 
The Coleuses were quite a feature in the Show, and six beautiful 
even pyramids were staged by Mr. H. East, gardener to T. Moilliett, 
Esq., Hawkhurst. Among these the most conspicuous were Harry 
Yeitch, Lovely, and Kentish Fire. Mr. C. Nicholls followed with 
larger but less symmetrical plants, and Mr. Manktellow was a good 
third. Mr. Gilmour easily secured the premier award for four Cala- 
diums, these consisting of good examples of Bicolor splendens, Chan- 
tinii, Louis Duplessis, and Bellemeyi. Messrs. Hodgkins and Nicholls 
took the remaining prizes in the order named. 
The first-prize group of Fuchsias staged by Mr. Nicholls were 
particularly fine. These included grand pyramids of Lucy Mills, 
Improvement, Lustre, Avalanche, and Wave of Life; Mr. Tanner 
and Mr. Rummery also staged good Fuchsias. Mr. Nicholls had the 
best Achimenes, these comprising fine pans of Grandiflora, Sir Treherne 
Thomas, Ambroise Verschaffelt, and Longiflora major ; Mr. Tanner 
was a good second. The best Balsams were staged by Mr. East, 
Messrs. Gilmour and Barnes following in the order named. Mr. 
Tanner had good Gloxinias, and was awarded the first prize, being 
followed by Messrs. Rummery and Hodgkins ; Messrs. Tanner and 
Hodgkins were also successful with Zonal Pelargoniums. 
For a miscellaneous group of plants Mr. Hodgkins was awarded the 
first prize, principally on account of the Orchids included. Of these 
the best were the small pieces of Cattleya Mossim and Lselia purpurea. 
It was, however, a moot point whether the group staged by Mr. 
Nicholls was not more deserving of the premier award, this including 
two good half specimen Ericas and other choice plants. The best 
single specimen plant, a well-flowered example of Erica ferruginea 
major, was staged by Mr. Gilmour. 
Several good stands of cut flowers were staged, the prizes going in 
one class to Messrs. Gilmour, Nicholls, and Manktellow ; and in 
another to Messrs. Yaughan and A. Butler, gardener to D. N. Olney, 
Esq., Robertsbridge, in the order named in each instance. Roses 
were staged creditably by Captain Swinney, Hawkhurst; and Messrs. 
Hodgkins, Barnes, and Butler. In the bouquet class the Judges 
preferred a closely packed specimen, exhibited by Mr. Dean, to one 
lighter and more elegant shown by Mr. Gilmour. 
Mr. L. Barnes, gardener to Lady Herschell, Hawkhurst, easily 
secured the premier award for a collection of fruit, in which were 
good dishes of Golden Champion and Mrs. Pince’s Muscat Grapes, 
the latter thoroughly ripe and well coloured, Melons, Apricots, and 
other good hardy fruits. Good collections were also well shown by 
Mr. Tanner and others, the hardy fruits in each instance being par¬ 
ticularly good. Mr. Barnes’ first-prize bunches of Buckland Sweet¬ 
water in the class for any white Grapes were most creditable, and 
the same may be said of the Black Hamburgh in the corresponding 
class for black varieties, staged by Mr. Reeks, gardener to R. W. 
Smith, Esq., Wadhurst. Mr. Barnes was second in this class with 
well-coloured Mrs. Pince. Mr. Rummery was first in the class for 
scarlet-fleshed Melons with an excellent fruit of Blenheim Orange ; 
Mr. Gilmour was a close second. Green-fleshed varieties were well 
shown. Mr. Barnes gained an extra prize for a well-fruited pot Yine, 
the variety being Duke of Buccleuch. 
The collections of vegetables both by professional and amateur 
gardeners are always particularly good at Hawkhurst, and Mr. Gil- 
monr in the professional class was awarded the first prize for clean 
well-selected specimens, among which were fine dishes of Glamorgan 
Tomatoes, Ashleaf Kidney Potatoes, Beetroot, and Telephone Peas. 
Mr. Barnes followed closely with fine White Tripoli Onions, Tele¬ 
graph Peas, and Porter’s Excelsior Potatoes among others; Mr. G. 
Rummery was worthily awarded the third prize. In the smaller 
class Messrs. A. Butler, R. Titley, gardener to J. Thompson, Esq., 
and J. Willard were the prizewinners. 
The ladies’ class for vases for table decoration was well filled, and 
there were several elegant and tasteful arrangements. The Judges, 
however, gave the preference to three very stiff and formal arrange¬ 
ments in which moss and scarlet Pelargoniums predominated. Mrs. 
Cook, Mrs. Pridgeon, Mrs. Cooper, and Mrs. Gilmour were also success¬ 
ful with their pleasing arrangements, those by the latter being pre¬ 
ferred bjr many. Several very fine stands of Roses were presented 
by Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co. of Maidstone, these comprising among 
others excellent blooms of A. K. Williams, Horace Yernet, Dr. Andre, 
Sultan of Zanzibar, Madame Eugenie Yerdier, A. Colomb, Etienne 
Levet, Hippolyte Jamain, Sir G. Wolseley, and Countess of Rose¬ 
bery, Hybrid Perpetuals ; and of Teas, Jean Ducher, Rubens, Souvenir 
d’un Ami, Madame Bravy, and Madame Lambard. Mr. Potten of the 
Camden Nursery, Sissinghurst, staged a well-selected group of tri¬ 
color, bronze, single and double flowering Pelargoniums, Coleuses 
and other plants. Mr. Martin, nurseryman, Hawkhurst, also staged 
a pretty group of serviceable plants. 
The amateurs of Hawkhurst and district made a grand display of 
flowers, fruits, and vegetables, while the cottagers, from the various 
parishes comprised, brought an extraordinary large quantity of good 
vegetables and fruits in season. The whole system and arrangements 
reflect the greatest credit on the President Mr. Cook, the Treasurer 
Mr. Reeves, and the Committee generally, and judging from the sup¬ 
port these receive from the leading inhabitants of the district, the 
Hawkhurst Society will long continue to carry out its good work. 
EARLY TURNIPS. 
The thanks of your readers are due to Mr. Luckhurst for pub¬ 
lishing the results of his experiments with early Turnips ; but it 
may not be out of place to point out that Turnips run to seed 
much less readily when very liberally treated, especially with 
manures which are highly phosphatic. Let anyone mark the 
difference between Turnips sown on ground the surface of which 
has been forked full of manure, and those sown on ground dug 
in the ordinary way, and a very great difference will be seen. 
Vigorous growth from the first tends to retard the flowering 
season of every vegetable from Turnips to Celery, but perhaps 
