JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
August 10,1882. ] 
129 
scarlet with white streaks ; Sir G. Nares, rose streaked with crimson ; 
Lord Allington, very bright salmon scarlet; Mr. Derry, pale rosy 
purple ; Shakspeare, white, with a crimson stripe in lower petal ; 
Duchess of Westminster, blush, very delicate ; Agricola, white, 
suffused with rose and streaked with crimson. A collection of single 
Pyrethrum blooms was also staged by the same firm, most of them 
being large and bright. A medal was awarded for this collection. 
Mr. Francis Smith, West Dulwich, contributed a collection of double 
Balsams in pots representing extremely varied colours, the flowers 
large, full, and of good form. A vote of thanks was awarded. 
Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, contributed stands of hand¬ 
some Show, Fancy, and single Dahlia blooms, the two first-named 
being distinguished by their size, substance, and good form, while the 
latter were noteworthy for the brilliancy of the scarlet, crimson, and 
maroon tints. Some fine blooms of Salpiglossis were also staged, 
several of a crimson tint streaked with yellow being very distinct 
and attractive. Mr. T. Ware, Tottenham, contributed a large collec¬ 
tion of single Dahlias, for which a vote of thanks was awarded. A 
number of the best varieties were represented, together with several 
handsome unnamed seedlings. A collection of varieties of Phlox 
decussata was also staged, and some fine blooms of the white Clove 
Carnation Gloire de Nancy. Mr. H. G. Smythe, 17a, Coal Yard, 
Drury Lane, sent blooms of the new Carnation Mary Morris, a charm¬ 
ing rose-coloured self of great merit. A desire was expressed that a 
plant be shown. A collection of blooms of Carnation Chiswick Red 
was also sent from the Society’s Gardens at Chiswick. It is particu¬ 
larly remarkable for deep scarlet red of the blooms, which are, how¬ 
ever, rather small. The General Horticultural Company, Melbourne 
Nursery, Anerley, sent plants of the glossy red-leaved Caladium 
Frederick Bause and Nepenthes superba and Hookene, the former 
bearing about two dozen pitchers, and the latter having large richly 
blotched pitchers. 
A vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons, Chel¬ 
sea, for a most interesting collection of flowers of ornamental shrubs 
and trees from their Coombe Wood Nurseries, Ceanothuses, Hyperi¬ 
cums, Veronicas, Ac., being largely represented. Many very choice 
shrubs were also included, one very noticeable being Eucryphia 
pinnatifida with rich green leaves and white flowers. Mr. H. Eck- 
ford, gardener to Dr. Sankey, Boreatton Park, Shrewsbury, sent a 
collection of Sweet Peas, amongst which were several fine varieties, 
especially one named Bronze Prince, of a rich purple hue, the stan¬ 
dard being of a reddish bronze tint. Messrs. J. Laing & Co., Forest 
Hill, sent a plant of a particularly handsome Tuberous Begonia 
named Dr. Masters, the flowers being bright scarlet, very large, the 
petals broad and rounded. Mr. W. Howard, Southgate, was awarded 
a vote of thanks for a fine collection of Carnation blooms. 
A vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High 
Holborn, for an extensive and handsome group of single and double 
Petunias, which formed a highly attractive display in the vestibule. 
The plants were very dwarf and well flowered, the blooms large, richly 
and diversely coloured, and very fragrant. Of the single varieties 
the most noteworthy were Queen of Roses, White Pearl, Purple 
Prince, Stars and Stripes, and King Crimson. The best doubles 
being Double Rosette, Bridesmaid, A. F. Barron, Prince George, Iris, 
Elaine, Cetewayo, Violet Beale, and Mrs. Hathorn. A pretty and 
interesting group of Gesneraceous plants was sent from Chiswick, 
some well-grown Achimenes, Tydseas, Plectopomas, Rosonowias, 
Eucodonias, and Scheenas being represented. 
First-class certificates were awarded for the following. 
Gladiolus Bono (Kelway).—Flowers large in a close spike, rich, dark 
scarlet, the lower petals being tinged with rosy purple. 
Gladiolus James McIntosh (Kelway). — Flowers very large, the 
petals broad, salmon scarlet streaked with a darker shade ; lower 
petals crimson at the base ; spike massive. 
Gladiolus Ala (Kelway).—A charming variety, rich rose, the base 
and centre of the petals white. 
Gladiolus A. F. Barron (Kelway).—Very bright scarlet, long well- 
formed spike, neat flowers, the petals being streaked in the centre 
with white. 
Godetia Satin Bose (Carter).—An extremely handsome variety with 
large, rich, rosy flowers, possessing a satiny gloss that is very pleasing. 
The plant Is of dwarf habit and exceedingly floriferous, being one of 
the most showy we have seen. 
Phalcenopsis violacea Schrcederi (Ballantine).—A beautiful and dis¬ 
tinct variety, with large flowers of a uniform bright purple colour, 
the petals being broad and rounded. It was shown by Mr. Ballantine, 
gardener to Baron Schroder, The Dell, Egham. 
Polypodium vulgare cornubiense Fowleri (Stansfield).—A graceful 
dwarf variety with finely divided fronds 5 or 6 inches long, and some¬ 
what suggestive in general texture and appearance of some of the 
slender Trichomanes. 
Scolopendrium vulgare crispum multifidum (Stansfield).—A bold dis¬ 
tinct Fern with rich green fronds, the margin very strongly undulated, 
the apex being divided and crested. 
Lastrea montana coronans (Stansfield).—A slender graceful Fern 
with pinnate fronds 1 foot to 18 inches long, the pinnte being neatly 
crisped at the apex. 
Sweet Pea Bronze Prince (Eckford).—A very distinct variety with 
large flowers, the keel and wings rich purple, the standard broad, and 
of a peculiar bronzy red hue. 
Petunia Mrs. Dunnett (Carter).—Blooms very large and full, white, 
rich crimson in the centre. Very fragrant and handsome. 
WHY, WHEN, AND HOW WE MANURE OUR 
VINES. 
There are two statements in the article by “ Single-handed ” 
on the above subject, given in your last number at page 95, which 
are to my mind somewhat misleading if not qualified. I should 
gather from his words (for so he states) that, “ of course, urine 
[whether of human beings or animals, whether of horses or cows 
or swine] contains no phosphoric acid.” Again, he says, “ I used 
bones very sparingly for two reasons, one being that we have a 
tank always filled with sewage water, and that everybody knows 
(the italics are mine) is particularly rich in phosphor ic acid." I 
find, however, that although the urine of horses and cattle is prac¬ 
tically deficient in phosphoric acid, yet the urine of sheep con¬ 
tains 7 grains of phosphoric acid to the gallon ; that of swine 
contains 49 grains ; and the urine of man no less than 119 grains 
per gallon (these quantities are deduced from Wolf’s tables) ; 
whereas sewage water contains only from 1 to L75 grain per 
gallon, and “ Single-handed ” mentions that the sewage water 
he used was “ very weak.” “ Single-handed ” informs us that 
in times of drought he had no other water than sewage w r ater, and 
that he “never hesitated to use it freely, with first-rate results.” 
Few will doubt this, but many, and I among the number, should 
be inclined to attribute these first-rate results rather to the water 
than to the phosphoric acid it contains, more especially as on read¬ 
ing further we learn that in the opinion of “ Single-handed ” 
“ among plant foods water occupies the chief place, just as water 
is the chief item in every bill of fare for animals.” . . . “No 
matter what other food is provided, unless water is used very 
freely first-rate results need not be expected and, again, “Those 
who have been most successful have all used water freely.” I 
should like to know whether “ Single-handed ” does not really 
think as I do in this matter, although his words might seem to 
imply differently.— Inquirer. 
ARRANGEMENT OF FLOWERING PLANTS. 
However well plants may be grown for this purpose, we often 
find them crowded together so as to have as much bloom as 
possible within a moderate space. This is a great failing with 
many young men, who evidently think that the more plants they 
can place on a stage the greater is the display, and it is often 
difficult to induce them to follow a different course. On the other 
hand, some quickly acquire the art of arranging plants effectively. 
Where small deedrative plants are grown they are often placed so 
as to form an even bank which has the appearance of being clipped 
into shape with the shears. This ideal arrangement is carried to 
excess in many establishments ; we cannot blame young men for 
ideas which they have gained from others whom they have been 
accustomed to regard as authorities. 
In some gardens there is but little opportunity of displaying 
well-grown plants to advantage. The stages are often far from 
suitable, and the houses too small. To see flowering plants to 
the greatest advantage it is absolutely necessary that they be 
either arranged on the floor or on low stages so that the whole 
can be looked down upon. Where the stages are ill constructed, 
even if the greatest care and taste are employed, w r ell-grown plants 
cannot be shown in half their real beauty. Stages should not 
exceed 7 to 8 inches in height above the path, and should be from 
2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet wide, then elegant arrangements can be 
carried out with ease. It is essential that the glass be within a 
short distance of the stage, as with abundance of light amongst the 
plants the flowers last longer. Some may say, If any arrange¬ 
ment sloping towards the centre of the house were adopted, the 
pots in the back row and those employed for elevating any 
plants that require it could be seen from the outside and would 
prove objectionable. By frosting the glass to 1 foot or 14 inches 
above the brickwork this disadvantage will be overcome, yet 
abundance of light would be admitted. 
Light and elegant designs can easily be carried out where 
fine-foliage and flowering plants are associated. To my mind 
Palms, Dracaenas, and similar plants add a beauty and distinctive 
character to the whole which can scarcely be achieved when they 
are excluded, though flowering plants may be employed if some 
of very distinct and elegant habit are included. To attain real 
success crowding must be carefully avoided. At the same time there 
should be no approach to scantiness. Each plant should be 
placed so that its particular attractions are well displayed, and 
some should be elevated so as to vary the general outline. 
Epacrises for light arrangements during winter and spring are 
