48 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. c Ju i y is, m 
grown with ordinary greenhouse plants—a considerable advan¬ 
tage, for being thus grown in a cool temperature it will endure much 
more exposure than the tender inhabitants of the stove,—It. L. 
WEST KENT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
July 10th. 
One of the largest and most attractive Exhibitions this prosperous 
and active Society has produced was held on Saturday last in Camden 
Park, Chislehurst, which was kindly placed at the disposal of the 
Society by N. W. J. Strode, Esq. A more interesting and beautiful 
situation for a flower show could scarcely be desired, and, as if 
determined to render the display worthy of its position and surround¬ 
ings, exhibitors came forward in large numbers, contributing plants, 
flowers, fruit, and vegetables of excellent quality generally, and 
sufficient to fill four large marquees. The nurserymen’s collections, 
as usual, constituted an important feature of the Show, for most of 
the chief metropolitan firms were represented by large and handsome 
groups of plants. Amateurs also exhibited plants numerously and 
well, a most satisfactory vigour and freshness marking their contri¬ 
butions. Fruit and vegetables were staged in good form, the latter 
being particularly noteworthy for their excellent condition. The 
majority of the eighty-seven classes enumerated in the schedule were 
represented by several collections in the divisions respectively devoted 
to any exhibitor, to amateurs of West Kent only, and to cottagers. 
This system of classifying the exhibits is both simple and complete, 
and far preferable to one adopted at an exhibition we recently attended, 
where about forty classes were arranged under no less than nine 
divisions, the qualifications of the exhibitors chiefly resting upon the 
distance of their residences from the town where the Show was held. 
Store and Greenhouse Plants .—These were fairly well shown by 
several exhibitors, but the competition was not very keen, nor were 
the specimens of great size, but neat and fresh. In the open class for 
twelve Messrs. B. Peed & Son, Norbury Nurseries, Lower Streat- 
ham, staged the best collection, comprising exceptionally handsome 
examples of Lilium auratum and Allamanda grandiflora. J. Scott, 
jun., Esq., Elmstead (gardener, Mr. J. Mumford), was second with 
much smaller plants, but in good condition. These were the only 
two entries with twelve specimens. The premier amateurs’ six were 
from J. Burnaby-Atkins, Esq., Halstead Place, Sevenoaks (gardener, 
Mr. A. Gibson), and the collection was remarkable for including 
three Allamandas—namely, A. Brearleyana, A. grandiflora, and 
A. Hendersoni, all in vigorous health and well flowered. Mr. Arbutli- 
not, Budgen Place, Bexley (gardener, Mr. J. Mitchell), and Capt. 
Aylward, Crofton Court, Orpington (gardener, Mr. J. Archer), followed 
with fair plants, the former having a neat Yinca alba. 
Pelargoniums were not very well represented, the plants being 
rather deficient in the number of flowers. G. Wythes, Esq., Bickley 
(gardener, Mr. J. Neighbour), was placed first in the open class for six 
Show varieties with healthy but small specimens; F. P. Alliston, 
Esq., Beckenham (gardener, Mr. E. Braybon), following with mode¬ 
rately good plants. Zonals vrere exhibited by J. Lover, Esq., Shirley 
Court, Shirley ; Mr. Neighbour, and Mr. H. Coppin, The Bose Nursery, 
Shirley, Croydon, who obtained the prizes in the order named. Mr. 
Archer had the only collection of six Fancy varieties, and obtained 
the first prize for new specimens. Messrs. Coppin, Lover, and Neigh¬ 
bour were the exhibitors of six double varieties, the first named 
staging a fine example of Wonderful. 
Tuberous Begonias constituted a brilliant display, several exhibitors 
staging good collections. Messrs. Neighbour, Braybon, and Mitchell 
were tfhe prizetakers in the order named, all the plants being well 
grown and flowering profusely. Gloxinias were also shown in fine 
condition, the blooms large, the colours bright, and the foliage 
luxuriant. Mr - . Neighbour; J. B. Alston, Esq., Fairfield, Bickley 
(gardener, Mr. G. Bridger) ; and G. Phillips, Esq., Elmhurst Lodge, 
Chislehurst (gardener, Mr. A. Saville) were the successful exhibitors. 
Achimenes were very neat and well flowered, the best specimens being 
from Mr. Neighbour, Mr. Bridger, and F. Heritage, Esq., Ladywood, 
Orpington (gardener, Mr. J. Kent). Fuchsias were shown by Mr. 
Mitchell, T. A. Mitchell, Esq., The Woodlands, Chislehurst (gardener, 
Mr. H. Cole), and Mr. Archer, who were awarded the prizes in that 
order for well-flowered plants of moderate size, an extra prize being 
awarded to Mr. Braybon. 
Fine-foliaged Plants .—In the principal open class for nine distinct 
varieties and species Mr. Gibson won the chief prize for a handsome 
Alocasia metallica, a neat A. Lowii, and several fine Crotons, Dra- 
camas, and Palms. The second and third positions were accorded to 
W. C. Pickersgill, Esq., Blendon Hall, Bexley (gardener, Mr. Moore), 
and Mr. Kent, both of whom contributed healthy specimens. There 
were three competitors in the amateurs’class for six plants—namely, 
Mr. Saville, Mr. Mitchell, and C. Boosey, Esq., The Pines, Bickley 
(gardener, Mr. W. Gammon), who gained the prizes with very well 
grown specimens. Dracaenas were exhibited by A. Pearce, Esq,, 
Tweedbank, Sevenoaks (gardener, Mr. Talmage), Mr. Gibson, ana 
W. C. Pickersgill, Esq., Blendon Hall, Bexley (gardener, Mr. F. 
Moore), all the specimens being vigorous and symmetrical. Orna- 
mental-foliaged Begonias were shown by W. Sentance, Esq., Mere- 
vale, Bickley (gardener, H. Sawyer), who obtained the chief prize with 
luxuriant plants bearing well-coloured foliage, Mr. Talmage and 
Mr. Saville following with nearly equally as good specimens. Cala- 
diums were unusually fine both in size and colouring of the foliage, 
Messrs. Gammon, Bridger, and Braybon being the successful exhibitors. 
Ferns were not very numerous, but fresh and healthy. Mr. Neighbour 
had the best six hardy varieties, being followed by J. Williams, Esq., 
Blackbrook, Bickley (gardener, Mr. Gearing), and Mr. Cole. Six 
exotic Ferns were contributed by Messrs. Neighbour, Mitchell, and 
Gearing staging collections of neat plants, the respective merits of 
which were recognised by awarding the prizes in the above order. 
Mr. Gibson had the best single specimen Fern—viz., Gymnogramma 
Laucheana of fair size and very luxuriant. Mr. Betts, Homewood, 
Bickley, and W. Palmer, Esq., Elmstead Court, Chislehurst (gardener, 
J. Field), followed, the former wfith Adiantum cuneatum, and the 
latter with A. farleyense. The chief exhibitors of Selaginellas were 
M. Yeatman, Esq., Widmore (gardener, Mr. J. Cooper), who was first 
with six neat specimens, and Messrs. Neighbour, Talmage, and Cooper. 
Cut Flowers. —The principal of these were the Roses, to which 
several classes were devoted, and a fair display was produced by the 
numerous exhibits. The most important was the open class for 
forty-eight triplets, in which Messrs. George Bunyard & Co., Maid¬ 
stone, were the only exhibitors, gaining the premier award with 
beautiful blooms of good substance and exceptionally fresh in colour. 
The same firm was first with twenty-four varieties, being followed by 
Messrs. J. Laing & Co., Forest Hill, and Mr. Coppin with neat collec¬ 
tions. Mr. B. R. Cant’s special prizes for twelve single blooms were 
obtained by T. Burnaby-Atkins, Esq., Rev. J. M. Fuller, The Vicarage, 
Bexley, and A. Mitchell, Esq., all of whom had fair blooms. Messrs. 
Bunyard, Laing, and Coppin also carried off the prizes for twelve 
blooms of one variety, the first and second with Marie Baumann 
(handsome), and the third with Star of Waltham. The chief prize- 
takers in the amateurs’ classes were T. Burnaby-Atkins, Esq.; Captain 
Christy, Buckhurst Lodge, Westerham; W. C. Pickersgill, Esq.' ; the 
Rev. Fuller; Alexander Potter, Esq., Stoneycroft, Widmore ; and 
Messrs. Talmage, Neighbour, and Cole. For a collection of twelve 
hardy perennials J. Whitehead, Esq., Southwood, Bickley (gardener, 
Mr. F. Maynard), was awarded the premier prize. Table decorations 
were admirably represented, several very tasteful arrangements being 
contributed. 
Fruit. —This was well shown, the chief defect being the unripened 
condition of most of the Grapes. For a collection of six distinct 
fruits Mr. Neighbour was first with good examples of black and 
white Grapes, Peaches. Nectarines, and Melons ; J.E. Lovibond, Esq., 
Start’s Hill, Farnborough (gardener, Mr. Tucker), being second with 
fairly well ripened fruits. Messrs. Neighbour, Tucker, and Mitchell 
were the chief exhibitors of Grapes; while Strawberries were well 
shown by Messrs. Maynard, Gammon, and Cooper. 
Vegetables were extremely fresh and clean, handsome collections 
being staged by Messrs. Neighbour, Rollison, and Moore, among 
many others. The cottagers’ productions w ere also remarkably fine 
and numerous. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits. —Extra prizes were deservedly awarded to 
the following exhibitors for groups and collections of plants. To 
Messrs. Veitch & Son, Chelsea, for a handsome group of Orchids and 
fine-foliage plants; the General Horticultural Company for an 
attractive and extensive group of Crotons, Dracaenas, and similar 
plants ; to Messrs. John Laing & Co. for a collection of Tuberous 
Begonias and fine-foliage plants; to Mr. B. S. Williams for an in¬ 
teresting collection of new and beautiful Orchids and stove plants ; 
to Mr. H. Cannell, Swanley, Kent, for one of the most attractive 
groups in the Exhibition, consisting of Coleuses and Delphiniums 
edged wdth Tuberous Begonias, Gloxinias, and Lobelias ; to Mr. H. 
Coppin for a group of Tuberous Begonias; and to several other 
exhibitors. 
The w'eather in the early part of the afternoon w r as very unfavour¬ 
able, several heavy storms of rain occurring, but it eventually became 
clear and fine, a large number of persons attending the Exhibition. 
CAMELLIAS AND AZALEAS. 
Observing that there are many inquiries from amateurs re¬ 
specting these plants, a few brief practical notes may possibly be 
useful. 
Camellias. —Those planted out and having set their buds 
must be kept both cooler and drier so as to prevent or lessen the 
tendency to second growth, as would be likely to result from 
keeping the house somewhat close and moist for the especial 
benefit of plants in pots or tubs. The latter in such case must be 
removed to a house where they can have the necessary treatment 
to finish their growth and the setting of the buds. This should 
always be kept in view, as if the buds become too forwmrd for the 
time when their flowers are required no retarding will keep them 
back, and, on the other hand, if required early in the autumn they 
can only be had by corresponding early growth, and under con¬ 
ditions that will bring the flowers on gradually, forcing in the later 
stages invariably causing the buds to drop. Camellia blooms are 
now as much valued in autumn and early winter as they are at 
Christmas and after; indeed in many places they are expected 
from October to J une inclusive, and they can be had with intelli¬ 
gent treatment. 
Azaleas. —Plants that w r ere started early and which are desired 
to attain a large size as quickly as possible, will now r be setting 
