April 19, 18 S3 ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
317 
standard plant being beautiful, and in fine contrast another of 
Clianthus magnificus. Pultencea fiava is also pretty in the group, 
and Correa atrovirens. 
ORNAMENTAL-FOLIAGED TLANTS. 
Magnificent, collections are staged by M. Van Houtte, including 
all the finest of the Anthuriums, Dieffenbachias, Marantas, 
Crotons, Ac.; and by M. Dalliere. The specimens in this collection, 
notably Anthuriums, Phoenicophorium seychellarum, Marantas, 
Croton magnolifolium with leaves 18 inches long and 9 inches wide, 
being remarkable by their high culture. For M. Dalliere’s splendid 
group the 500-franc prize of the Federation of Belgian Horticulturists is 
awarded. No less than thirteen classes and twelve gold medals were 
apportioned to Agaves, Yuccas, Ac., and very fine collections, healthy 
and handsome plants, are staged, Yuccas oleifolia variegata and 
quadricolor being remarkable by their sturdiness, health, and clear¬ 
ness of colour. 
VAN HOUTTE MEMORIAL PRIZE. 
An object of art is offered by the English Committee, founded for 
honouring the memory of the late M. Yan Houtte, the conditions 
being six stove and greenhouse plants in flower, distinct genera. 
M. Van Houtte wins both prizes, the other being for Imantophyllums. 
The collections of these impart brilliancy to the Show, many very 
superior varieties being exhibited. Among the finest we noticed 
Marie Van Houtte, Madame Bonner, Madame L, Van Houtte, and 
Louise Kremer. 
Amaryllises and Hyacinths. —Several classes and medals were 
devoted to these. The truth must be spoken about these, and it is 
this : The former do not approach either in size, form, or brilliancy 
of colour the newer varieties in the collections of Messrs. Veitch and 
B. S. Williams. In one collection there are many attractive flowers, 
the white stripe down the centre of the segments being clear and 
telling ; but regarding the collections as a whole it is clear the 
English have got the whip-hand of the Belgians in Amaryllises. 
The Hyacinths exhibited are not equal to those staged at our spring 
shows ; the spikes, to use a cultivator’s term, appear to want “pulling 
out ” more, yet the large banks are very gay. 
Rhododendrons. —Great provision was made for these—twelve 
classes and seven gold medals. Many well-bloomed shrubs were 
exhibited, large and small, and which contributed, as may be 
expected, materially to the effect of the Exhibition. They are not, 
as a rule, equal to the masses arranged at the best English shows. 
One of the most attractive varieties at Ghent is Minnie, blush tinted 
with lilac, and a very conspicuous amber blotch, truss compact and 
plant floriferous. The first-prize medal for new varieties was 
awarded to M. Van Houtte, Marie Van Houtte white, and Lord 
Napier purple being very superior. 
Kalmia latifolia is admirably grown ; the plants have deep green 
foliage, which, however, is almost hidden by the huge trusses of 
paper-white flowers. 
Roses are fresh but small, the best of them not sufficiently meri¬ 
torious for securing third prizes at the London shows ; but there is a 
large number of cut blooms of Marechal Niel of very good quality. 
Phormiums are apparently favourite plants here, quite a large 
number of excellent specimens being grouped in the gardens. 
VARIOUS PLANTS. 
Tropaeolum tricolorum is well grown, Indian club and mophead¬ 
shaped plants covered with crimson bugle-like flowers being very 
effective, and T. brachyceras, with yellow diminutive “ Nasturtium ” 
like flowers a quarter of an inch in diameter, mixed with the above is 
extremely pretty. Miniature Orange trees abound, grown and fruited 
in a wonderful manner, many of them not exceeding 18 inches in 
height, yet bearing twenty fruits. The foliage is also healthy and 
good. They are grown in 5 and 6-inch pots, and undoubtedly reflect 
credit on the cultivators. Spiraea japonica is well represented, the 
golden variegated variety having especially fine plumes. These are 
much more dense and massive, but fewer in number than with the 
older species. Cinerarias are grown most vigorously, the heads of 
flowers 2 feet across resting on extraordinary foliage, some of the 
leaves being a foot in diameter. Of Mignonette there are remarkably 
sturdy plants of a most distinct type, so distinct as to be compared 
with Spinach by some English visitors, to whom it appeared to be 
considered more novel than attractive. Mr. Cannell of Swanley 
exhibits plants of his new double white Mignonette, that is in¬ 
creased by cuttings, the spikes being of great length, and very notice¬ 
able by their whiteness. A band of double Cinerarias, enclosing cut 
blooms of Zonal Pelargoniums by the same exhibitor found many ad¬ 
mirers. Standard-trained specimens of the plant that was a few 
years ago so popular for edging flower beds, Gnaphalium lanatum, 
are decidedly novel and not unattractive. They are in tubs 15 inches 
square, the stems of the plants being of the length, thickness, and 
hardness of a walking stick, and the Mushroom-shaped heads, closely 
pinched, 4£ feet across. There is also a pair of pyramids 2£ feet in 
diameter at the base and 6 feet high, faultless in shape and finish. 
Aspidistras are both numerous and splendidly cultivated, the plants 
being 3 feet across, with large deep green leaves clearly variegated. 
This is the favourite plant for corridors, and is very largely employed 
in continental hotels. Green Dracaenas, such as Cordyline indivisa, 
are of unsurpassable quality, the plants, large and small, having the 
same rich deep green hue that is indicative of high cultivation. The 
same remark applies to Aralia Sieboldi variegata, plants in 6-inch 
pots having a spread of 3 feet, with rich green clearly margined 
leaves. They are very handsome, and would form a fine feature in 
the London parks. Indiarubber Plants almost startle us by their 
size, vigour, and small pots in which they are grown. They are 
4 or 5 feet high, with stems like broom-handles, and huge, glossy, 
leathery leaves quite down to the soil. Deutzia gracilis is repre¬ 
sented by highly meritorious plants in tubs, very dwarf, 2 or 3 feet 
high, and 3 to 4 feet in diameter, excellently bloomed, and with fresh 
healthy foliage. Zonal Pelargoniums are far below the Swanley 
type, and only the extremely dwarf and wonderfully floriferous 
varieties, Leopold II., Archduke Wodolf, and Princess Stephanie 
exhibited by M. P. Snoek merit notice here. Golden Tricolors and 
Bicolors are also comparatively inferior. In the same house is a 
choice collection of succulent plants in excellent condition, pre¬ 
sumably from the establishment of M. De Smet. Gloxinias are few 
and poor, the season being too early ; but the Gesnerias refulgens, 
Blassi, and Donckelaari, with Tydaea Beelzebub, are very rich in colour. 
Belgian Pansies have a starved appearance, and hardy plants, includ¬ 
ing Polyanthus and Auriculas, are miserable—mere apologies for 
these plants as they are represented in English gardens. Caladiums 
are wonderfully well grown considering the earliness of the season, 
and admirers of these handsome-foliaged plants may grow the follow¬ 
ing :—Sir Walter Scott, Virginale, Leopold, Robert, Felicien David, 
Comtesse de Condoxa, Gratiosa, Imp6ratrice Eugenie, and Jean 
Linden as among the best shown at Ghent. Bromeliaceous plants 
are much finer and more numerous than we ever see them in English 
shows, and the rich colours and chaste markings of these plants 
render them highly ornamental. Arranged about the grounds are 
many magnificent Bays in tubs, representing patient care and admir¬ 
able culture. Columns and pyramids 15 to 20 feet high, grown in 
tubs 3 feet in diameter, are marvels of training and healthy vigour. 
Standards on stems from 6 to 10 feet, with heads of almost the same 
diameter, are similarly excellent. The gold medal is won by M. De 
Smet. 
CUT FLOWERS. 
Floral “crowns” are remarkable. These are oval-shaped wreaths 
for funerals, the shortest diameter being 3 feet, length 4£ or more, 
yellow Roses, Orchids, Violets, Lilies, and Roses being arranged on 
a ground of Ferns, and Periwinkle leaves to form the frame 7 or 
8 inches in diameter, with a pair of leaves of Cycas revoluta fringing 
the interior, their stems at the base being hidden with Orchids. One 
of the wreaths is composed wholly of small white Camellias, two or 
three hundred blooms being employed, and Vinca sprays. Another is 
of Violets and white Lilac spirally arranged, this undoubtedly being 
very striking. Among the smaller wreaths, such as are made in Eng¬ 
land, a mixture of yellow Roses, black Pansies, and Lily of the Valley, 
with sprays of Box, has a remarkable effect. Baskets of flowers are 
large, free, and beautiful, white Lilacs and Roses being the favourite 
flowers, lightly arranged with Ferns. Bouquets are not better than 
those seen in our provincial shows, if as good ; but an arrangement 
of unopened Orange blossom, each bud mounted on wire, is novel. 
Centrepieces furnished with Orchid flowers, standing on mirrors mar¬ 
gined with Lilies, appear to be representative examples of table 
decoration, and in their way are excellent; but a gigantic basket 
of white Lilac with a few coloured sprays, shows to advantage by 
the side of the richer flowers and their elaborate setting. Some 
English wreaths and bouquets are exhibited by Mr. Brown, Richmond, 
but his flowers, being seriously injured in transit, he could not 
arrange them to anything like advantage ; he had prizes, however, 
we believe, in all the classes in which he competed—one gold and two 
silver-gilt medals. Mr. Brown will in all probability exhibit bouquets 
again in Belgium on some future occasion, but we think he will not 
compete in the classes for floral wreaths. 
Many horticultural structures are on view, and garden requisites 
of every kind. The continental houses are, as a rule, lighter than 
those made in England, in fact too light, hence it was that the 
structures of Messrs. Foster A Pearson secured the gold medals for their 
admirable samples of greenhouses and frames. The boilers on view 
were excellently made, the rivetting and finish being superior to 
the majority of English workmanship ; but the waterway of almost 
all of them is too restricted, and there is a probable contingency of 
the apparatus “ clogging ” prematurely in the case of hard water and 
hard firing. 
We have not detailed half of the Exhibition, but have said 
sufficient to show its magnitude and excellence. Once again we 
record our acknowledgements of Belgian courtesy and hospitality, 
and express an earnest hope that a brilliant future is in store for 
Belgian horticulture. 
The chief banquet was very complete and splendid, 220 persons 
attending. An idea may be formed of its character by the fact that 
each person was apportioned ten wineglasses, or a total of 2200. The 
opera adjoining the banqueting hall was afterwards attended, and 
the evening will not soon be forgotten by the invited guests. 
Gold medals were awarded to Messrs. Veitch for Rhododendrons, 
Williams for a grand bank of Cyclamens, and Cannell for the groups 
