62 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 20, 1882. 
Maurin ; Mr. C. Davies was second, having grand blooms of Catherine 
Mermet; and Mr. W. J. Grant third. The last-named exhibitor was 
first with six single blooms of Mrs. Jowitt. For twelve blooms of 
any dark Hybrid Perpetual C. Davies, Esq., first with Louis Yan 
Hontte, a special prize being awarded Mr. Grant for a box of Alfred 
Colomb. In the corresponding class for twelve light Hybrid Per- 
petuals Messrs. T. Griffiths and L. Garnett were first and second, the 
former showing Capitaine Christy and the latter La Fiance. 
The remaining sections of the schedule were only open to amateurs 
within the Hundred of Wirral and ten miles round the Liverpool 
Exchange. A gold medal and plate was given as the first prize for 
twenty-four single blooms, T. B. Hall, Esq., being the most successful 
exhibitor, and staged grand blooms. A special prize was given for 
the best Hybrid Perpetual bloom in this and the following five classes, 
1 he same exhibitor being successful with a fine bloom of Annie Wood. 
Messrs. J. M. Hodgson and T. Griffiths were second and third for the 
twenty-four. For eighteen blooms the last-named exhibitor was 
first, followed by Mr. W. Mease, gardener to C. W. Newmann, Esq., 
Wyncote Allerton; and Mr. T. B. Hall. In the class for eighteen 
single blooms^those competing in the above two classes being ex¬ 
cluded, J. G. Churton, Esq., was successful, and was awarded the 
silver medal and plate. For twelve blooms the same exhibitor was 
again first. In the corresponding class for twelve blooms Mr. 
Waterman, gardener to A. Tate, Esq, was awarded the bronze medal. 
For twelve Tea or Noisette blooms Mr. T. B. Hall was again success¬ 
ful, but staged rather smaller blooms than in his above-mentioned 
exhibit. For nine blooms, E. Claxton, Esq., was first with really grand 
blooms, the best in the Exhibition of some kinds. A prize was also 
given for the collection having the best foliage, as well as for the 
best bloom, this exhibitor being successful in each case, therefore 
obtaining three first prizes for one box. The premier bloom was 
Alba Rosea, large, full, and good. For six blooms Mr. Waterman 
was first, staging grand examples of Madame Lambard and Madame 
Willermoz. Messrs. Mulleneaux, Mercer, Dod, and Edwards were the 
principal prizetakers in the remaining small classes. There were four 
classes devoted to cottagers, which were fairly well represented. 
The miscellaneous exhibits were not numerous. Messrs. James 
Dicksou & Sons, Newton Nurseries, Chester, staged a good assortment 
of cut_ Roses. Mr. G. Smith, Dell Nursery, Rock Ferry, had a neat 
collection of small decorative flowering and foliage plants ; and Mr. 
S. Johnson, South Grove Nursery, Oxton, staged a similar collection. 
SOME SPECIES OF PINKS. 
The genus Dianthus includes some of our choicest Alpines, 
border, and florists’ flowers. None need mistake their beautiful 
salver-shaped flowers, almost invariably grassy leaves, and jointed 
stems. Their flowers vary from white and yellow to the deepest 
crimson. For horticultural purposes Pinks may be divided into 
three sections : 1, the truly Alpine ; 2, border kinds, being dis¬ 
tinct species ; 3, border kinds, being florists’ flowers. 
The first section contains some of our most lovely rock plants. 
D alpinus is a diminutive species found naturally on limestone 
soils, upon which it retains its character and succeeds better, re¬ 
quiring a good peaty loam and a sunny position. It differs from 
the other dwarf kinds in its sturdy habit, half-woody stems, 
which become much developed in age, and obtuse, recurved, 
shining leathery leaves. It has rose-coloured flowers ; the ex¬ 
panded portion of the petals are distinctly wedge-shaped, and 
have a dark blotch at their base. 
D. glacialis may be regarded as the type of all that is lovely 
amongst Alpines. It enjoys a cool peaty loam entirely free 
from lime, and succeeds better, providing good drainage can be 
secured, on the general level than if elevated, because a more 
equable moist condition of the soil can be obtained. To give an 
idea of my meaning I would say the best plants I have seen of 
this species had a tiny moss growing amongst its stems ; it also 
enjoys partial shade. The difference between this and the pre¬ 
vious one is that there is scarcely any development of a woody 
stem, and the erect, pointed, membranous, dull green leaves 
always appear to rise directly from the ground. It has rose- 
coloured flowers almost circular in shape, supported on stems 
about 3 inches high. D. Fischeri is a close relative of the above 
and equally beautiful. It requires similar treatment. 
D. neglectus amongst choice Alpine Pinks is the most likely 
to become popular, not being so fastidious as to soil, and is more 
robust. Like the Cheddar Pink (D. cmsius) it rapidly increases 
by its underground stems. In a sunny position in well-drained 
peaty loam it should give entire satisfaction. Its flowers are a 
most lovely rose, circular in shape, and although not less beau¬ 
tiful it is quite noble in comparison with the Glacial Pink. Its 
flowers are not borne singly, as is the case with the two preceding 
kinds. I have gathered seeds of D. alpinus, D. glacialis, and D. 
neglectus, but have never been able to rear plants from seed 
sown the following spring. Of D. alpinus I have gathered seed¬ 
lings cm dry limestone ledges, the seed having fallen from plants 
above. My impression consequently is that'seed of these (and 
perhaps many more Alpines) ought to be sown as soon as 
gathered. 
D. arenarius is a very dwarf kind with pointed grass-like leaves. 
Its flowers, pale rose and much fimbriated, are borne on short 
wiry stems. It will grow in any free soil. As there are so many 
coarser and nearly allied kinds it is advisable to increase this by 
division, as seedlings do not come true. 
D. petrams is in appearance and habit generally intermediate 
between D. neglectus and D. emsius. It has the beautiful, though 
not so deep, rosy flowers of the former, and the foliage, but not so 
glaucous, of the latter. It is easy to grow, but should be increased 
by division. Owing to its varying so much from seed I had con¬ 
siderable difficulty in obtaining the true species, and eventually 
procured it from the late Mr. J. C. Niven of Hull. 
The Maiden Pink (D. deltoides) is scarcely choice enough for a 
good rock garden. It is certainly a very free bloomer, and its 
crowds of tiny crimson flowers (the petals of each flower have 
wedge-shaped dark blotches at their base) are very telling. There 
is, however, a very beautiful variety of this with glaucous foliage 
and neater habit, named D. deltoides glaucus. Its flowers are 
very pale rose, quite attractive, with a darker blotch, as in 
the case of the type. It increases freely from seed, but does not 
retain its character. Division is the better mode of propagation. 
Section 2 includes kinds more adapted for a select herbaceous 
border occupying front rank. D. collinus, a very showy kind 
with deep rosy flowers, blooms late in the summer ; the process 
of flowering so nearly exhausted it for two successive seasons, that 
only by cuttings, seeds being scarce, did I manage to keep up a 
stock. It is near the Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus), but has 
more grass-like foliage, much larger flowers, and cymes not so 
umbellate—what might be termed fascicled. 
D. monspeliacus is a neat kind, with abundant rosy fimbri¬ 
ated flowers. There are many species nearly allied to this usually 
grown on rock gardens, which are equally adapted for the front 
rank of the border. D. monspeliacus, I think, is the best of the 
group, which includes what English nurserymen sell as D. 
corsicu«, D. fimbriatus, D. floribundus, D. fragrans, D. pini- 
foliu®, D. pungens, D. suavis, and D. Simsii. None of the above 
can be relied upon to come true from seed, and should be in¬ 
creased by division. 
D. plumarius var. annulatus is the parent, or at least one of the 
parents, of the double Pinks ; the single form is very pretty and 
interesting. 
D. tymphrestus seems to be a larger form of the old Maiden 
Tink (D. deltoides'), and on that account will be more suitable for 
the border. It sows itself freely. 
D. Seguieri is of recent introduction. It came to us from Dr. 
Regel and Messrs. Backhouse ; but, like many other members 
of Caryophyllacece and Cruciferm, notably plants so long in 
transit from St. Petersburg!), were dead when they arrived. It 
has a very neat appearance in summer, sitting upon the ground 
in grassy tufts, bearing very bright heads of comparatively 
large flowers, deep crimson in colour. In summer it might be 
taken for a large bright form of the Alpine D. atrorubens, but 
instead of one common swollen rootstock of the latter it has a 
ramifying underground growth, which is all, or nearly all, that 
remains of the plant in winter. D. atrorubens remains grassy 
above ground. 
Section 3 includes what are known as florists’ flowers, such as 
the Mule Pink, the various kinds of Carnations, Picotees, Indian 
Pinks, D. superbus hybridus, and Sweet Williams.—M. J. B. 
FRUIT PROSPECTS—SLUGS. 
The fruit prospects in Gloucestershire are being very much 
marred by the continual downpour of rain. Early in the season 
the Strawberry crop was never more promising. There was 
plenty of bloom and plenty of fruit set, but in consequence of so 
much rain some of the fruit fell off the plants of the larger 
varieties, such as Sir J. Paxton, before they were ripe, and those 
which remained were not as good as usual. There was a good 
crop on the earlier varieties, such as Keens’ Seedling and Vicom- 
tesse Hericart de Thury, equal to that of last year, but many 
berries have become mouldy, and at one time the fruit was too 
soft to gather. We have had 5 inches of rain to the middle of 
July, and 2-20 inches in one day. The Raspberries are a good 
crop, but deficient in flavour, and we have to watch our oppor¬ 
tunity to gather when dry. The Gooseberry crop will be seriously 
injured unless we have a change for the better in a few days. 
Planting out small annuals has been rather heartless work this 
summer; the slugs abound, and seem to have most voracious 
appetites. We put out plants, and they are soon eaten off ; we 
plant again with much the same result. We use lime, but the 
