September 2 , 1880. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 205 
I find that the larvae of the Apple Clearwing are again com¬ 
mencing their boring operations on Apricot branches this year, 
much in the same manner as noted by me in the Journal last 
autumn. Most of the branches then spoken of as attacked started 
into growth in the spring, then suddenly withered and died as 
only Apricot branches can go. In two cases branches died on 
which I had not observed their operations, but on cutting them 
out I found small holes from which the perfect insects had 
emerged ; so in my case at least I am more convinced than ever 
that the points of attack and death of branch exactly coincide. 
But I am inclined to think it must be a different species from the 
one usually frequenting Apple and Pear trees, for although many 
of each are grown in the garden none have been attacked. I kept 
several of the grubs in pieces of the bark all winter for the pur¬ 
pose of more certain identification on the emergence of the perfect 
insect, but on examination this spring I unfortunately found them 
shrivelled and dead instead of changed into the pupa state,— 
R. CROSSLIN©, 
DISA GRANDIFLORA FROM SEED. 
As some persons are desirous to learn my method of raising 
Disa grandiflora from seed, it is perhaps as well to reply to them 
through the columns of the Journal. 
The seed should be sown as soon as it is ripe ; but if that does 
not happen until late in autumn it would be safer to postpone the 
sowing until the following September or the last week ot August. 
There are two modes of sowing the seed, each of which has its 
advocates. One of them consists in sowing on living sphagnum 
in a pot or pan. The moss must be kept always moist, and this 
may be effected by constant and very gentle dewings, as the 
danger of a regular watering as ordinarily understood is that the 
seed would be washed down too deeply. The other plan is to 
sow on a sod of turf, as we call it iu Ireland, or hard peat, as you 
would probably understand it—I mean the peat as prepared for 
fuel. Let it be well soaked in water. Sow the seed thickly on 
its upper surface. Cover all with a bellglass, and place it in a 
cool, damp, and shady place. The turf must never become dry, 
but the spraying of water must be of the gentlest description. 
A good plan for watering very fine seeds is to dip a stiff-haired 
brush in water, and to draw the hand briskly against it at such a 
distance as that only the finest dew reaches the seed. 
When the seedlings appear they must have more air. When 
they can be handled they should be pricked off into small pans, 
or into pots not less than 4 inches in diameter. The compost for 
the seedlings for the first two years should be somewhat similar 
to that for mature plants, only that the peat should be considerably 
finer for an inch or two on the surface, and a much larger propor¬ 
tion of silver sand is necessary. The after treatment as regards 
ventilation, situation, and water is similar to that for established 
plants. 
While I am on this subject I would warn persons whose stock 
is limited to a plant or two not to be too anxious for seed. One 
pod on a healthy plant is quite sufficient, as seeding retards the 
autumn growth and recovery after the labour of flowering.— 
Frederick Tymons, Cllt., Co. Dublin. 
SANDY AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The strenuous exertions of an active Committee combined with 
the advantages of a suitable site (the picturesque park of John N. 
Foster, Esq., Sandy Place), in a central and convenient locality in 
the Bedfordshire market gardening district, have tended to render 
the Sandy Show not only the county Show of Bedfordshire, but one 
of the most important in the south-midland counties. The weather 
on Friday last proving all that could be desired for a flower and 
poultry show, the latter fancy being also strongly represented, an 
immense gathering more than sustained the usual prosperity of this 
Exhibition. Corresponding with this growth of popularity the quan¬ 
tity and quality of the exhibits have also increased, except perhaps 
as regards the large show plants. 
In the open class for ten stove and greenhouse plants the com¬ 
petition has for several years been limited to one trade exhibitor, 
Mr. Parker of Rugby, who on this occasion was as usual first 
with some of his fine specimens, among which were noticeable Bou¬ 
gainvillea _ glabra, Clerodendron Balfourianum, Allamanda Schottii, 
Stephanotis floribunda, Lapageria rosea, and Dipladenia insignis. 
Lieut .-General Pearson (Mr. W. Rabbitt), The Hasells, Sandy, was 
second with a collection containing fine specimens of Eucharis 
amazonica, Begonia Vesuvius, and a remarkable unnamed Azalea 
bearing three different well-developed types of flowers. In the class 
for six stove and greenhouse plants open to amateurs J. H. Good- 
games, Esq. (Mr. G. Redman), Eynesbury, Hunts, was first, and J. H. 
Astell, Esq. (Mr. G. Claydon), Woodbury Hall, Hunts, second. For 
twelve Zonal Pelargoniums in the open class, cleaner, better bloomed, 
and more even plants than those from General Pearson’s have rarely 
been shown, the finest and most distinct of the vai'ieties being De 
Lesseps and Lord Gifford, both first-rate scarlets ; Dazzler, brilliant 
vermilion with a clear white eye ; Rose of Allendale, purplish rose 
(an excellent bedder also Mr. Rabbitt informs me) ; and Madame 
Vaucher, which lie states after trying a great many of the newer 
varieties he still finds the best of all the whites. For six foliage 
plants in the gardeners’ class Mr. Claydon was first, staging good 
plants of Croton Weismanni and Cissus discolor. For six stove and 
greenhouse Ferns in the same class Mr. Claydon was also first, his 
collection being crowned by a grand specimen of Dicksonia antarctica. 
Some remarkably well-coloured Coleuses were shown by Mr. Rabbitt, 
who was first in this class. 
For dinner-table decorations Miss Pearson of The Hasells, Sandy, 
was first with a light and elegant arrangement containing a good deal 
of neutral colour, and Miss H. Astell of Woodbury Hall was second, 
making a very attractive and cheerful display. For hand bouquets 
Mr. E. Lewis of Huntingdon was first, and Col. Duncombe (Mr. R. 
Carter), Waresley Park, second. In cut flowers Dahlias were credit¬ 
ably staged by the Rev.E. L. Fellowes of Wimpole Rectory, Royston, 
who also had some excellent Asters ; but perhaps the most attractive 
stands in this department (Roses excepted) were some remarkably 
fine African Marigolds. A stand of twelve orange-coloured flowers 
as large as ordinary Dahlias was set up by Mr. Swanie of Arlesey, 
who was first. Mr. D. Sewell of St. Neots had also in his stand six 
lemon-coloured blooms almost equally fine. The French Marigolds 
too were also numerous and well shown. Amongst the various cut 
flowers Zonal Pelargonium Henry Jacoby stood out as a very dark 
and distinct coloured variety. Roses, considering the moderate prizes 
offered, were remarkably good. Messrs. G. Paul & Son of Cheshunt 
and Mr. J. House of Peterborough, both showed very fine collections 
in the open class for forty-eight blooms ; indeed so evenly balanced 
were both stands that it must have been difficult for the Judges to 
decide. Messrs. Paul was ultimately placed first and Mr. House second, 
the latter having several duplicates, as the schedule did not specify 
distinct kinds. The Rev. E. L. Fellowes was third with fresh and 
highly-coloured blooms. In Messrs. Pauls’ stand the most noticeable 
were Mdlle. V. Verdier, splendid; Marquis of Salisbury, a handsome 
flower of the Emilie Hausburg type, but somewhat deeper in tone 
and otherwise distinct; A. K. Williams, confirmed as a good autumn 
Rose; Due de Wellington, Marie Baumann, Exposition de Brie, a very 
fine flower; Mardchal Niel ; Capitaine Christy, very good; Star of 
Waltham, Duke of Teck, Le Havre, Souvenir de la Malmaison, 
William Roelle, and Mdlle. A. Lavalld, both promising as new 
Roses. Mr. House had first-rate flowers of Marie Baumann and 
Alfred Colomb, two perfect blooms ; Xavier Olibo, Due de Wellington, 
Due de Rohan, Pierre Hotting, Dr. Andry, A. K. Williams, and 
Mdlle. Jeanne Bowyer, a broad-petalled cupped variety between 
Comtesse d’Oxford and Victor Verdier. Amongst Mr. House’s 
“ spares ” was also a bloom of William Allen Richardson, which 
indicated that this new Noisette will become a popular variety for 
cutting, the colopr being of the deepest orange-apricot, and both the 
petals and flowers having more substance and size than those of any 
other variety of the colour. Mr. D. Sewell of St. Neots had also a 
fine bloom of Innocente Pirola (Tea), and in Mr. Fellowes’ stand 
was a good flower of Amazone. 
In the fruit and vegetable tent an undoubted feature was the 
Grapes from Old Warden. In the class for two bunches of black, 
Joseph Shuttleworth, Esq. (Mr. Allis), Old Warden, exhibited mag¬ 
nificent fruit of Gros Guillaume of the richest colour and most 
beautiful finish ; finer fruit of this variety and of Buckland Sweet¬ 
water, which Mr. Allis also staged, is seldom seen ; he was first 
in both classes. Mr. T. W. Sheppard, Great Staughton, Hunts, who 
was second for black Grapes with good Black Hambro’, also showed a 
fine bunch of Lady Downe’s Seedling, not for competition. For two 
bunches of white Grapes Mr. Redman was second. Bateman Brown, 
Esq. (Mr. Tillbrook), Houghton, Huntingdon, was first for a basket of 
fruit (Pines excluded) not to exceed 2 feet by 1 foot 4 inches, a limit 
of space evidently very unsatisfactory for the exhibition to advantage 
of a good collection of fruit. Transparent Gage Plums and early 
Julian Apples were also shown well, but with these exceptions the 
fruit was not remarkable. 
Vegetables, as might be premised, were, on the contrary, of the 
first quality at Sandy ; and although not of the recherche character 
nor set up on the gigantic scale as seen at Cheltenham, a larger and 
better display of ordinary vegetables is rarely met with at a provincial 
exhibition than here. For the collection of eight varieties F. Howard, 
Esq. (Mr. Geo. Robinson), Abbey Close, Bedford, was first .; Mr. R. 
Facey, Goldington, Bedford, second ; and H. Thornton, Esq. (Mr. 
G. Vyne), Kempston Grange, Bedford, was third, all showing very 
clean collections. For six varieties Mr. J. Armstrong, Goldington, 
was first, and Mr. J. Hills of the Bedford Sewage Works second. The 
best brace of Cucumbers, very even and without shoulder, came from 
Mr. Rabbitt, the variety being Tender and True. For a collection of 
Potatoes, six varieties, Mr. J. Richardson of Boston was first with 
Rector of Woodstock, Baker Kidney, Beauty of Hebron, Interna¬ 
tional, Myatt’s Prolific, and a handsome pink round variety. Mr. R. 
Facey was second, having fine tubers of International, Magnum 
Bonum, Trophy, Peerless, "Manhattan (round, dark purple splashed 
white). The varieties, however, which seemed to take the lead as 
winners throughout the Exhibition were International and Magnum 
Bonum as kidneys, and Schoolmaster and Porter’s Excelsior as rounds. 
