November 18, 1880. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
455 
travelling on the continent made his acquaintance ; perceiving 
that he possessed more than ordinary talent, and an equal interest 
in cryptogamic plants served to cement their friendship. He 
persuaded Dillenius to accompany him on his return to England, 
where he subsequently ensured his appointment as professor by a 
condition in his bequest to the Oxford Garden. As already stated 
Dillenius applied himself specially to the study of cryptogams, 
and his “ Historia Muscorum ” is considered as his most important 
work. It was illustrated by drawings and etchings executed by 
himself that imparted to the work a character of great excellence 
—sufficient, indeed, to justify the observation of Dr. C. Daubeny 
more than a hundred years later, that “ in spite of subsequent 
improvements, the labour, accuracy, and discrimination displayed 
throughout the work will prevent it from ever becoming obscure.” 
There is one other professor of whom a few additional notes 
may be interesting—namely, Dr. John Sibthorp, who succeeded 
his father in 1781. He devoted himself most ardently to the 
advancement of botany and the improvement of the Garden by 
extending the collections of plants grown there. He travelled 
much in Greece and the islands of the Archipelago, making a large 
collection of specimens, of which he subsequently left the majority 
to the Oxford herbarium. It was during these journeys that he 
gained much of the knowledge embodied in the “Flora Graeca,” 
a justly celebrated work. To insure the publication of this he 
bequeathed an estate, the income from which was to be first 
applied to that purpose, and finally to the establishment of a 
professorship of rural economy. Many years elapsed before the 
first part of his design was completed, and then the costliness of 
the work—viz., 240 guineas, placed it beyond the reach of the 
majority of botanists.—L. C. 
LUXURIANT VINES. 
The examples of Vines cited by “ R. P. B.,” page 442, must be 
unique in their way. I have had a good deal to do with Vines, 
but never before heard of canes of any degree of strength or 
length that were so destitute of eyes or buds at their base as to 
render it necessary to leave more rod than was desirable in order 
to secure a “ leading bud,” or which necessitated the leaving of 
the laterals in order to obtain shoots the following year. When 
a Vine produces leaves it is bound to produce eyes also, and no 
matter how weak these may be, they will break if the cane be cut 
back to them, just as strongly as the strongest, if there be vigour 
in the Vine. But in “ R. P. B.’s ” Vines there are, it appears, no 
Vines at all, which is very strange. There is a sequel, I am 
afraid, to your correspondent’s strange story that has yet to be 
told. 1 should think it would interest the Editors to look at them, 
or a sample of them, for I venture to think they never saw the 
like before. Has “ R. P. B.’s ” Vines by any accident or treat¬ 
ment burst their permanent buds and pushed away from home ? 
They would do this if the laterals were pinched below the first 
joint, but I cannot think your correspondent would do that, 
otherwise his story is altogether incomprehensible. I rather, 
however, congratulate him on being prevented from cutting down 
“luxuriant Vines,” as the title of his article conveys, to “within 
a foot of the ground.” The professed object of restrictive pruners 
in cutting back short is to increase the vigour of the cane, though 
no one has ever been able to explain the philosophy of the 
practice ; but when “ R. P. B.” has already canes so vigorous that 
they have “buried” their base buds in their bark, what does he 
want to cut them down to the root for ?—A Puzzled Gardener. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOWS. 
The season of Chrysanthemum exhibiting is of brief duration, 
and in consequence nearly thirty shows have been announced to 
be held from the 11th to the 25th of November, or in about a 
fortnight. More than a dozen of these have already been held, 
but as several occurred on the same day—on Wednesday, for 
instance, there were six—it was impossible to obtain notes of all. 
Those reported below are some of the most important, and the 
varieties enumerated include all that are generally grown for ex¬ 
hibition. It will be found that the Chrysanthemum is by no 
means decreasing in popularity, for the entries in the chief classes 
are numerous in most instances, and the quality as a rule shows 
no falling-off from previous years, although some stands we have 
seen were obviously spoiled by the immaturity of what would 
have been fine blooms a little later. 
BRIXTON AND STREATHAM. 
Last year the first exhibition of the season was held by the Lam¬ 
beth Society ; this year, however, Brixton was to the fore, and well 
maintained the credit of the Society in a bright and satisfactory dis¬ 
play. Critically examined there was noticeable a certain degree of 
roughness in a few of the exhibits that was not so marked on some 
past occasions, yet there were compensatory qualities in others that 
nearly restored the balance, and by the aid of Mr. W. Hall’s tasteful 
arrangement and excellent management an effect was produced that 
gave general satisfaction. 
Chrysanthemums were as usual strongly represented, fifteen classes 
being devoted to specimen plants and cut flowers, nearly fifty col¬ 
lections being staged. Following the order of the schedule the first 
class was for six specimen plants, large-flowered varieties. Mr. W. 
Hall, Secretary to the Society and gardener to W. Stevens, Esq., 
Tulse Hill, was deservedly awarded the chief prize for well-grown 
vigorous plants of the following varieties :—Mrs. Dixon, Julie Lagra- 
viere with large well-formed blooms, Mrs. George Bundle, Lady 
Hardinge, Mrs. Halliburton, and Mr. Brunlees, all fairly well flowered 
and particularly fresh in the colours. Mr. E. Cherry, gardener to 
Mrs. Gabriel, Streatham, followed closely with healthy specimens, 
including a good example of Dr. Sharpe. Mr. J. Howes, gardener to 
Mrs. Bennett, Upper Tulse Hill, was awarded the remaining prize for 
strong plants but rather deficient in flowers and too formally trained. 
The best six dwarf-trained Pompons were staged by Mr. J. Howes, 
Mdlle. Marthe, Sunset and Sceur Malines, being noteworthy for 
their profusion of flowers, while Mr. G. Cherry took the second place 
with moderately good specimens. Pyramid Pompons were not in 
excellent condition ; the best were those from Mr. J. Howes, Mr. Hall, 
and Mr. C. Livermore, gardener to Frederick Webb, Esq., Christchurch 
Road, who gained the chief prizes. Three noteworthy collections of 
three standard Pompons were staged, the premier prize being awarded 
to Mr. J. Howes for Lilac Cedo Nulli, Sunset, and La Vogue, well 
grown and flowered. Messrs. Livermore and Hall followed closely in 
the order named. The same exhibitors, with Mr. J. Weston, gardener 
to D. Martineau, Esq., Clapham Road, and Mr. Cherry, also carried off 
the prizes in several other classes for specimens that do not require 
special mention. 
The cut flower classes for Chrysanthemums contained several hand¬ 
some collections, although, as we noted above, some degree of rough¬ 
ness was observable in a few instances. In the open class for twenty- 
four incurved varieties there was no competition, one collection only 
being staged by Mr. A. Holmes, gardener to A. B. Hill, Esq., Clap- 
ham Park, who was awarded the first prize. The blooms were fresh 
and clean, and included several unusually fine. The following were 
well shown :—Mrs. Dixon, White Venus, Aurea Multiflora, Reful¬ 
gence, Lady Slade, Lady Talfourd, White and Golden Beverleys, and 
Baron Beust. In the corresponding “ district” class there was also 
only one entry ; Mr. J. Holmes, gardener to G. M. Storey, Esq., 
Nightingale Lane, being accorded the premier award for a similar 
collection to the last-named, but with rather smaller blooms. Five ex¬ 
hibitors appeared in the class for twelve incurved blooms, Mr. Liver¬ 
more gaining the coveted position with remarkably neat specimens ; 
George Glenny, Mrs. Dixon, Hero of Stoke Newington, and White 
Globe were the best. Mr. J. Howes and Mr. W. Clarke, gardener 
to J. Rains, Esq., Nightingale Lane, were second and third respec¬ 
tively. The prizes for six incurved were well contested, eight col¬ 
lections being contributed. The prizetakers were Mr. John Davy; 
Mrs. Drew, Streatham ; Mr. C. Livermore ; Mr. J. Salter, gardener to 
J. Southgate, Esq., Leigham Court Road ; and Mr. A. Holmes, all 
staging fresh and neat blooms. One class was devoted to Japanese 
varieties—namely, for twelve, and in this four collections appeared. 
Mr. J. Holmes was first with handsome blooms, large and good in 
colour. The best were The Sultan, Nuit d’Hiver, Elaine, Peter the Great, 
Fair Maid of Guernsey, and Gloire de Toulouse. Mr. W. Horsham, 
gardener to J. Kempster, Esq., Clapham Rise, and Mr. J. Young 
followed. In the class for eight large Anemone varieties, twelve 
blooms, Mr. J. Young was first with an excellent collection, which 
included King of Anemones, Gluck, Prince of Anemones, Lady 
Margaret, Louis Bonamy, and Fleur de Maiie. Mr. Livermore was 
second, and Mr. F. Fulbrook, gardener to Mrs. Hyatt, 5, Palace Road, 
third with smaller but fresh blooms. For twelve Anemone Pom¬ 
pons, three blooms of each, accompanied by foliage, Mr. Livermore 
was the only exhibitor, and gained the first prize with a collection 
that has rarely been excelled. The blooms were large, but of 
admirable symmetry and clear in colour. The varieties were Dick 
Turpin, Mr. Astie, Marie Stuart, Madame Montels, Perle, and An- 
tonius. The only other class requiring notice was that for twelve 
incurved varieties from growers who had not taken a prize for Chrys¬ 
anthemums before. There were two exhibitors. The best collection 
was staged by Mr. T. Hill, gardener to the Rev. H. Ralph, Clapham 
Common; but it was disqualified, as it included duplicates. The 
first prize was consequently obtained by Mr. J. Swain, gardener to 
Mrs. Wilson, Tulse Hill. A first-class certificate was awarded to 
Mr. Salter for a white sport from the Japanese James Salter, named 
Lady Selborne. It exactly resembled the parent in shape, but had 
not a tinge of colour, the white being quite pure. It was very distinct 
and attractive. 
Among the miscellaneous exhibits which contributed to the display 
were fine-foliage plants and Ferns ; Messrs. H. Wright, Fulbrook, 
Young, Howes, Clarke, and Davy being the chief exhibitors. Orchids, 
Primulas, and table decorations were also well shown, among the 
first-named being a good specimen of Cypripedium insigne from 
Mr. Hall. 
Fruit, particularly Pears and Apples, were not only numerously 
shown but were of remarkable excellence ; fine, clean, well-matured 
