JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
296 
[ April 12, 1883. 
florist’s flowers, especially Cinerarias, are only to be obtained from the 
continent. I have seen many proofs in England, Ireland, and France 
too, to the contrary ; the latest being some really fine Cinerarias, a 
few days since, in the conservatory of Mrs. Malcolmson, Minella 
Gardens, near this town. A gentleman amateur, of more than local 
fame, at the time measured some of them, and found them a little 
over S inches in diameter—in size, form, colour, and substance the 
finest strain I had ever seen—obtained from a noted English firm. 
One, especially, with the pure white eye of March Past, certificated 
by the Royal Horticultural Society, but magenta crimson, was very 
notable.—W. J. M., Clonmel. 
MAKING AND RENOVATING LAWNS. 
(Continued from page 273.') 
Although laying turf and sowing seeds have been adverted to, 
it is necessary to refer more particularly to draining the ground 
and preparing the soil. The beauty of a lawn consists in the even¬ 
ness of its surface and the richness of its verdure. This latter 
can only be produced in well-drained soils. Where there is water 
in the subsoil, whether that be stiff or sandy, drains must be pro¬ 
vided for carrying it off. For most soils drains 30 inches deep 
are ample, and their distance apart will need to be determined by 
the “ drawing ” power of the soil. If the soil be a stiff clay 12 feet 
will be suitable, and if such be intermingled with stones 3 feet 
greater distance will suffice, whilst where the subsoil is sandy or 
of a porous nature 18 to 21 feet distance apart will meet every 
requirement of the case. Two-inch pipes are the smallest that 
should be used, and 3-inch are in every way preferable from the 
drains being longer serviceable. It is essential that the mains be 
correspondingly larger, and all have proper falls and outlets. 
The next most important consideration in mailing a lawn is to 
have the soil of an even depth throughout, so that the grass may 
be marked by regularity of growth. If in forming an even sin-face 
it be necessary to take some parts down and till up others, the top 
soil should in each case be first removed and laid aside in order 
that it may be again returned after the inequalities are rectified, 
the bad soil being taken out from the hills and put at the bottom 
in the hollows. This is not always done—the good soil where the 
hills were is not 3 inches deep if that, and in the hollows it is as 
many feet, and then it is wondered why the lawn should be so 
patchy—a bright green in some places, and so brown and poor in 
others. Hungry subsoil should never be spread near the surface 
for a lawn. 
In the matter of improving the texture of the soil a few remarks 
only will be made. Soil of a heavy tenacious nature would be 
much improved by an admixture of ashes, lime, brick, or other 
rubbish, incorporating it evenly with the soil as deeply as that is 
moved. If the soil not only be of a heavy nature but be thin with 
solid clay under it, it would be advisable to have as much of the 
clay burned as practicable, first removing the good soil and laying 
it aside, then removing the clay for burning, and before putting on 
the good soil loosen the clay below that removed for burning, and 
■when the latter is effected spread it on the surface and mix it 
evenly with the soil by forking over a few times in dry weather 
only. This will be an enduring improvement, affording a better 
growth of grass, and in every sense a more satisfactory lawn. 
Where the soil is of a poor sandy or gravelly character a good 
coating of clay or marl, a hundred cartloads per acre not being too 
much, spread on evenly and allowed to be acted on by frost will 
fall, and be in a fit state for mixing with the soil to the depth of 
about a foot. This will render the soil more moisture-holding, 
and contribute to the staying power of the grass in a dry time, and 
impart at all times a fresher appearance. 
Except limestone soils there are few that would not be improved 
by a dressing of lime, which maybe given at the rate of 4 to 6 tons 
per acre, and should not be dug in, but after being spread should 
only be harrowed or pointed in lightly with a fork, for it will sink 
quickly enough without being put down deeply at the commence¬ 
ment. If the soil be poor a good dressing of manure will help on 
the growth of the grass and secure its speedy establishment by 
encouraging a good root growth. — G. Abbey. 
ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S 
SPRING SHOW. 
This was held on April 4th and 5th, with extended and liberal 
prizes, proving one of the best this Society has held at this season. 
The weather was favourable, so that we may hope the receipts were 
satisfactory. The schedule is divided into eight sections, five of 
which are for gardeners and amateurs, two for trade growers, and 
one for foreign exhibitors. The general arrangement of the Show 
was much lighter in appearance than in former years. This has 
been attained through the simple and natural plan of arranging all 
the larger plants in groups on the floor of the building, while keeping 
stages for the smaller plants, cut flowers, and fruits. 
Plants. —We have merely noted those exhibits which were of 
some merit, some of the plants shown, such as Wallflowers, 
Polyanthuses, Auriculas, Gueldtes Roses, and Lilacs, being of the 
poorest description. In the class for a table of plants, 20 feet by 
5 feet, only two competitors met, that of Mr. R. Grossart, gardener 
to Mr. Buchanan, Oswald Road, Edinburgh, being easily first. This 
was lightly arranged with Palms, Dracmnas, and other fine-foliage 
plants, Orchids in variety. The edges of the table were relieved with 
alternate plants of Isolepis gracilis, Maidenhair, and variegated 
Panicum, all of which would have been of great effect had they 
been a little larger. For a table of hardy spring-flowering plants, 
10 feet by 5 feet, Mr. C. Smith, gardener to Mr. Wilson, Restalrig 
House, Edinburgh, occupied the premier position, staging a great 
variety of Primroses, Iris reticulata, Daffodils, Anemones, and others. 
For six Azalea indica Mr. J. Patterson, gardener to Mr. Syme, 
Millbank, was first with neat well-grown plants. The sorts were 
Model, Due de Nassau, Duchesse de Nassau (2), Iveryana, and Roi 
Leopold. Mr. Paul, Gilmore Place, Edinburgh, was second with 
specimens not nearly so well flowered. The same exhibitors were 
successful for two and one specimen Azalea respectively. There 
was good competition for prizes offered for plants in 8-inch pots, but 
in no case were the specimens good. 
For eight stove or greenhouse plants, distinct sorts, six at least to 
be in flower, and not more than two Azaleas, Mr. Paul took the first 
place ; a good Anthurium Scbertzerianum, a couple of fair Azaleas, 
a very large and well-bloomed Phajus Wallichii, an Amaryllis 
Johnsonii, and a Countess of Haddington Rhododendron, were the 
more telling plants. For four stove and greenhouse plants, the plants 
staged were small, the first-prize lot of Mr. McLure, gardener to 
Mr. Milne, Toulty, Granton, being fresh and well-flowered. For 
six Rhododendrons in pots or tubs, and in the corresponding prizes for 
three and one plant respectively, some good specimens were con¬ 
tributed, Mr. R. Grieve, gardener to Miss Falconer, Falcon Hall, 
being first for six ; and Mr. T. Donald, gardener to Mr. Younger, 
Grange Loan, Edinburgh, first for three. For four Cape Heaths 
Mr. J. Patterson was first with small though well-bloomed specimens, 
Mr. J. McCormick being first in the class for three of the same. 
We come now to the Orchids, which filled a large table, and formed 
one of the features of the Exhibition. The prizes for these might 
be advantageously increased without any extravagance, as only 
80s. were offered for six plants as first prize, 40s. for three, and 20s. 
for one. For the six plants Mr. Priest, gardener to the Marquis of 
Lothian, Newbattle, Edinburgh, gained the first place, the most 
prominent plants being a Yanda tricolor with six spikes, a large 
plant of Dendrobium fimbriatum var., and a good panful of Mas- 
devallia Lindeni. Mr. Paul was the only other exhibitor, and staged 
good masses of Cymbidium eburneum with about a score of blooms, 
a large mass of Coelogyne cristata, and a Cymbidium Lowianum 
with three lengthy spikes. For three Orchids Mr. Curror, gardener 
to Mr. Douglas, Eskbank, took first ; and for one Orchid Mr. 
Grossart had the same position with an enormous mass of Coelogyne 
cristata about 4 feet across. 
Prizes were offered for six Pitcher-plants, but we could find no 
trace of these in the Show. Several distinct prizes were offered for 
Ferns, the most important being for six exotic Ferns, not more than 
one each of Gleichenia, Adiantum, or Tree Fern. Most of these were 
poor, but for three Gleichenias Mr. Paul staged three good and large 
examples of G. semi-vestita, G. dicarpa, and G. flabellata. Mr. W. 
Anderson, Pilrig Buildings, Edinburgh, staged three good Filmy 
Ferns, for which the first prize was awarded. These were Tricho- 
manes radicans, T. reniforme, and Todea superba. The same exhi¬ 
bitor took first honours for six British Ferns in 6-inch pots with 
remarkably healthy examples of Trichomanes radicans, Hymeno- 
phyllum tunbridgense, Asplenium fontanum, A. septentrionale, 
Polystichum lonchitis, and Asplenium lanceolatum microdon. 
Fine-foliage plants were not numerous and were mostly small—too 
small to have effect in the very large building in which they were 
staged. For four of these, excluding Ferns, Mr. J. Patterson was 
first with a large plant of variegated New Zealand Flax, a variegated 
Aloe, Croton variegatum, and a large Latania. The prizes for eight 
foliage plants, pots not exceeding 8 inches in diameter, brought out 
some well-grown plants. Here Mr. M’Cormick was first, closely 
followed by Mr. R. Grossart. The prizes for plants for table decora¬ 
tion also brought together a number of competitors. Mr. Grossart 
was awarded the first place for these, Mr. McIntyre being second. 
The whole of the plants of the various competitors were very much 
alike, and appeared to be rather small for the purpose denoted in the 
schedule. Prizes were offered for Dracaenas, Crotons, and Palms, 
but none of the plants of these called for particular mention. 
Mr. Gordon, Niddrie House, Liberton, was awarded the first prize 
for six Roses in pots with good plants, Mr. Patterson occupying the 
same position for three Roses in pots with not so large but fresher 
plants than in the foregoing. Prizes were offered respectively for 
twelve and six Cyclamens. The plants of these were not large, but 
very good as regards quality of bloom. For the twelve Mr. Gordon 
was first, and for six Mr. Low, gardener to Dr. Cossar, East Craig, 
Corstorphine. Amaryllis and Pelargoniums were not in good order. 
Cinerarias were rather poor in the quality of strain, the plants more¬ 
over being too small; while the Chinese Primulas were in all cases 
