November 25 , 1880 . ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 483 
Betheli, pseudo-coccinea, and Hoveyi, must be simply unique. 
Yet at Swanley there is a house of the dimensions named devoted 
entirely to these charming plants, all in pots, vigorous, and pro¬ 
fusely flowered. The first three, for which certificates were 
awarded at Kensington, cannot be too strongly recommended. 
- Like many of its allies, such as the Melastomas, the 
Bertolonias, and the Lasiandras, we have in the Sonerilas 
charming plants for decorative purposes, some combining pretty 
flowers with a corresponding attractiveness of foliage, the latter 
being by far the most durable portion of the plant’s beauty, as 
the flowers in many are rather fleeting. There are several species 
and varieties of Sonerila in cultivation, but none can surpass 
S. Hendersoni when in such fine condition as it was shown by 
Mr. Miles at the recent Tunbridge Wells Exhibition. Some of 
the plants were in -18 and 32-sized pots, forming bushy profusely 
flowered specimens, but the majority were in 60-size pots, neat, 
little, extremely useful plants. The peculiarly silvery mottled 
and spotted leaves constituted a natural and admirable back¬ 
ground to the abundant clusters of rosy-tinted flowers, and ren¬ 
dered the collection in which they were included the admiration 
of all the visitors. Other and similarly attractive forms are 
S. margaritacea and S. picturata that differ from the one noted 
above in the colour and markings of their foliage. 
- Another feature at the same Exhibition was the plants 
of Gesnera zebrina sent by Dr. Siemens’ gardener, Mr. D. 
Buchanan, and for which the first prize was awarded in the class. 
These well indicated the great decorative value of a generally 
appreciated plant that is, however, rarely seen in such perfection. 
Mr. Buchanan has evidently given it exactly the treatment it 
requires, for more compact specimens, with more richly-coloured 
foliage and a greater profusion of bloom in 48 and 32-sized pots, 
it would be difficult to obtain. Gesnera zebrina is unquestionably 
one of the most useful of the genus, for it succeeds under cooler 
treatment than the majority, producing its brilliant flowers freely 
at a time of year when it is not easy to maintain an effective 
floral display. But were the deeply coloured foliage its only 
recommendation it would still amply repay the grower for the 
moderate care needed to have it in satisfactory condition. 
- There was still another group at Tunbridge deserving of 
note—namely, the plants of Poinsettia pulcherrima major 
contributed by Mr. John Charlton of the Summer Yale Nurseries. 
This variety of a plant that is too well known and valued to 
require comment, differs chiefly from the type in its compact 
branching habit, the larger heads of bracts, and the tinge of 
crimson which pervades the latter. This difference of hue is very 
noticeable when the plants are in a bright light. The specimens 
sent by Mr. Charlton were also remarkable for the comparatively 
small pots they were in, none exceeding 6 inches in diameter, and 
yet the plants were as compact and healthy as could be desired. 
A few dozens such plants would prove of inestimable value in 
many gardens during November and December. 
- The Exhibition of Chrysanthemums in Fins¬ 
bury Park still continues, and the blooms have considerably 
improved in size and quality. The Show being open on Sundays 
is visited by numbers of persons, and from the many varieties 
represented it affords intending growers a good opportunity of 
making a selection. 
-In connection with the International Horticultural 
Exhibition proposed to take place at Manchester in 1881, a 
meeting was held in thejTown Hall of that city on the 16th inst., 
the Mayor presiding. Mr. Bruce Findlay said he had received a 
telegram from Sir Henry Ponsonby, at Balmoral, stating that 
Her Majesty the Queen would patronise the proposed International 
Exhibition in the same manner as in 1873. The subscriptions 
promised up to date were as follow :—Her Majesty the Queen, 
£25 ; Lord Derby, £100; General Horticultural Company 
(Limited), 100 guineas in special prizes ; Lord Egerton, Lord 
Wilton, Sir Humphrey de Trafford, and Mr. John Bylands, £50 
each ; the Duke of Devonshire, Earl of Stamford and Warrington, 
and Mr. Joseph Broome, £25 each ; Mr. Hugh Mason, M.P., £20 ; 
the Trustees of the late Duke of Bridgewater, £20 ; and smaller 
subscriptions amounting to £200, making a total of £800, which 
was increased to about £1000 before the close of the meeting. 
A resolution was passed requesting the Mayor to accept the 
chairmanship of the General Committee, to which he consented. 
An Executive Committee was appointed, and a resolution was 
passed to appeal to the residents of Manchester for the necessary 
subscriptions, and that any balance shall be applied to rebuilding 
the glass houses at the Botanic Gardens, Old Trafford. 
- A correspondent writes to us as follows on the frost 
in Lancashire :—“Winter appears to have set-in in this county 
in a decided manner. For several nights the mercury of the 
thermometer has fallen from 10° to 14° below the freezing point, 
and has only risen a few degrees during the day. The ground is 
covered with snow to the depth of 3 or 4 inches, and the trees 
glitter with innumerable crystals, fogs having prevailed during 
the frost with but little sun. All ordinary gardening operations 
are suspended.” 
- “ A Visitor ” describes Mrs. Hey wood’s large conserva¬ 
tory at Norris Green, near Liverpool, as a “blaze of beauty.” 
Even the Chrysanthemums, effective as they are, are quite eclipsed 
in brilliancy by the Zonal Pelargoniums Vesuvius, Wonderful, and 
some others of various sizes that are flowering as profusely as in 
summer, and promise to continue for an indefinite period. These, 
with Celosias, Primulas, Boman Hyacinths, Ericas, Cyclamens, 
Mignonette, Gannas, Solanums, and others, with a margin of 
Isolepis, produce a beautiful display. The many hundreds of 
flowers are seen to the greater advantage in contrast with the 
splendid specimen Camellias that occupy the central borders, and 
are in superb condition both as regards the healthiness of the 
foliage and the number of buds. 
- A plant, or rather small tree, of Luculia grAtissima 
in the structure demands special mention. This was planted 
about four years ago in the conservatory border, and allowed to 
follow its natural habit. It is now covered with numerous trusses 
of flowers, some of them nearly a foot in diameter. These have 
been produced continuously since September, and the plant will 
remain a striking feature of the structure, which it fills with 
fragrance, for some weeks to come. The condition of the plants 
and the arrangement are sufficient evidence of Mr. Bardney’s 
skill and good taste. 
- One of the finest green Hollies that can be grown in 
suburban, or, indeed, in any gardens, is Ilex Hodginsii. We 
have recently been inspecting the shrubs in a garden where smoke 
and sulphurous vapours prevail, and no varieties of Holly can 
exist except the one named, which grows with the greatest free¬ 
dom, its large glossy leaves shining conspicuously amongst many 
other shrubs that are dead or dying in the borders. This fine 
Holly ought to be largely grown in smoky districts. 
ANTHURIUM ANDREANUM. 
This handsome plant has received considerable attention during 
the last few months, and we have had so many inquiries respecting 
it that the accompanying woodcut, for which we are indebted to 
the General Horticultural Company, will no doubt be welcomed 
by those who have not had an opportunity of seeing the plant 
itself. The engraving well indicates the general character of the 
plant, and scarcely needs any description, except in stating that 
the colour of the large strangely corrugated spathe is a most bril¬ 
liant scarlet, the surface being smooth and shining. Like the 
useful and attractive Anthurium Schertzerianum this species is 
