JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
388 
[ May 10, 1883. 
flowers each—undoubtedly the premier plant in the Exhibition. Mr. 
Noble, gardener to Theodore Fry, Esq., Woodside, Darlington, was 
second with a good Tetratheca hirsuta, Erica Victoria, Genetyllis 
tulipifera, and a Clerodendron Balfourianum. Mr. Methven, gardener 
to E. Large, Esq., Heathfield House, Low Fell, Gateshead, was third, 
staging good specimens of Chorozema. cordata and Erica afhnis. Mr. 
Watson, Tanfield, was the remaining prizetaker. 
Azaleas. —Mr. Methven was first in the class for four plants with 
fresh-flowered specimens, trained as even pyramids, Mr. Neil Black 
securing the second prize. Deutzia were very good, Mr. Armstrong, 
nurseryman, Elswick Hoad, Newcastle, being first, and Mr. Methven 
second. Genistas and Spiraeas were also remarkably well shown, as 
was Lily of the Valley, Mr. Watson, followed by Mr. Armstrong, 
securing the prizes. Cyclamens were excellent, Mr. Armstrong -was 
placed first with plants averaging thirty-four flowers each. Primulas, 
as might be expected, had lost their freshness ; Mr. Noble secured 
the first prize ; Mr. W. L. Thompson, gardener to M. Bell, Esq., Wol- 
sington, being first for hardy Primulas. The table decorative plants 
were graceful, and suitable for their purpose, Mr. Whiting, gardener 
to E. Walker, Esq., Shot Tower, Newcastle, being first with elegant 
plants Aralia gracillima, Pandanus Veitchii, and Croton pictus being 
amongst the best. Mr. Noble followed in this class. 
AURICULAS. 
These vrere a decided feature of the Show. Mr. Pohlman, Par¬ 
kinson’s Lane, was the principal winner in all classes. For twelve 
Auriculas, not less than nine varieties, Alpines excluded, this 
exhibitor was first. Amongst his flowers were Simonite’s Mrs. 
Douglas, with seven fine pips ; Kayes’ Alexander Meiklejohn, six 
pips ; George Lightbody, six pips ; and Read’s Acme, seven pips. 
These 'were much admired by the northern growers, especially Mrs. 
Douglas, which was so fine a colour. Mr. Thomas E. Hay, Shilling- 
worth Colliery, was second with C. J. Perry, nine pips ; Ann Smith, 
Beauty, and Lancashire Hero. Mr. Adams, Swalwell, third with 
Stapleford Hero and Charles Perry, being very good. For six dis¬ 
similar Mr. Pohlman was first with Garibaldi, eight pips; Regular, 
Ashworth, and George Lightbody, six pips ; and Col. Talbot, eight 
pips. This, too, was quite a superior stand. Mr. Thomas Hay and Mr. 
Adams were in the same position as in the preceding case. For four 
dissimilar Mr. Thomas Hay was first and Mr. Pohlman second. For 
two dissimilar, one green-edged, one grey-edged, one -white-edged, 
Mr. Pohlman again took premier place in each class. For one self 
Mr. Thomas Hay was first, as well as for twelve Alpines, Mr. Adams 
being second. For six Polyanthuses, gold-laced, not less than four 
varieties, Mr. M. Stubbs, Front Street, Winlaton, was first with 
Queen of the Tyne. For one gold-laced flower Mr. M. Stubbs was 
also first with George the Fourth. For six Polyanthuses other than 
gold-laced Mr. Robert Atkinson was first. 
BULBOUS PLANTS IN BLOOM. 
For twenty-four Hyacinths Mr. W. J. Watson, nurseryman, New¬ 
castle, was first, Blondin, La Grandesse, King of the Blues, and Von 
Schiller having the best spikes. These were very fine, even, and not 
drawn. Mr. Dewar, nurseryman, Newcastle, and Mr. Stephen Nairn, 
Newcastle, were second and third, Ida, Fabiola, Gertrude, and Emme¬ 
line being very fine ; the spikes and the foliage of Mr. Dewar’s 
plants being admirably balanced. There were five competitors. For 
twelve Hyacinths Mr. Watson was again in the premier position 
the fine plants, we are informed, being grown in Taylor’s moss litter 
manure ; also for twelve Tulips, which were excellent. For six double 
Tulips Mr. Chas. Hockey was first with Tournesol, Rex Rubrorum, 
La Candeur, Imperator Rubrorum, Duke of York. The Tulips in all 
classes were good. 
For six Polyanthus Narcissuses Mr. Watson was first with good 
examples of Grand Monarque, Newton, and Gloria Superba. 
CUT FLOWERS AND TABLE DECORATIONS. 
For twelve bunches of Azalea blooms Mr. John Short, gardener to 
Arthur Pease, Esq., M.P., Hummersknott, Darlington, was first 
with fine blooms of Louise de Kerchove, Comtesse de Flandres, 
Phcebus, Comtesse de Beaufort, Daphne, and Reine de Portugal; Mr. 
McIntyre, gardener to G. Pease, Esq., Woodside, being second with 
fine blooms. For twelve Rose blooms Mr. John McSvvinn, gardener 
to G. W. Rendell, Esq., Condercum House, was first with twelve fine 
Mardchal Niels. Mr. Thomas Pattison, Rose Bank, West Hartlepool, 
was also awarded first with fine blooms of President, Souvenir d’un 
Ami, Anna Ollivier, and others. For twelve show Pansies Mr. 
Robert Atkinson was first, and for twelve Fancy Pansies Mr. Thomas 
Battensby, Hagg Hill. 
Bouquets and Epergnes .—These were arranged in the Town Hall 
above the Corn Exchange on a large table in the centre of the room. 
In the middle of the table there were fourteen epergnes, flanked on 
each side with sixteen bouquets, which gave the room a most charm¬ 
ing appearance. For one drawing-room epergne there were four 
entries. Mr. M. D. Thompson, gardener, Southill, was decidedly first 
with a graceful arrangement, consisting in the top tier of Dendrobium 
nobile, Cactuses, and Euphorbia jacquiniosflora ; the second tier con¬ 
sisted of Clematises light and blue, Clerodendron Balfourianum 
and Tacsonia Van Volxemi, the base was margined with Davallia 
Mooreana. There were also some fine spikes of Oncidiums used 
judiciously, but the great charm consisted in a graceful draping of 
Lygodium scandens. Mr. Webster, The Grange, Monkwearmonth, 
Sunderland, was second, also with a very fine epergne, in which 
Adiantum gracillimum was used with much effect. Messrs. Armstrong 
and Rutherford followed in the remaining places. For one bridal 
bouquet there were several entries. Mr. W. R. Armstrong was first 
with an unique combination of Lily of the Valley, Eucharis, Roses, 
and Lilies, all gracefully margined with Adiantum gracillimum. Mr. 
Robert Pattinson, St. Ann’s Hill Nursery, Carlisle, was second ; and 
the same exhibitor was first for a hand bouquet, which comprised 
Gardenias, Dendrobiums, Deutzias, and Lily of the Valley tastefully 
arranged; Mr. Rutherford followed. Buttonhole bouquets were 
largely represented. 
CLASSES OPEN TO ALL EXCEPT NURSERYMEN. 
For two Azaleas Mr. M. D. Thompson, South Hill, was first with 
fine specimens of Due de Nassau and Leopold I., Mr. Methven 
followed with Princess Alfred and Gladstoni, both good. Acacias, 
Dielytra spectabilis, Deutzias, Genistas, and Cinerarias were also well 
shown. Mr. Methven was the principal prizetaker. Mr. Noble 
exhibited some fine specimens of Mignonette plants profusely 
flowered. Mr. Larke, gardener to Rev. R. S. Wheeler, Whitby 
Vicarage, also contributed well in this section. For twelve Hyacinths 
Mr. Brown, gardener to Thomas Barnes, Esq., Whitburn, was first 
with good examples. Tulips, single and double, and Polyanthus were 
also well represented. Mr. Rutherford took first for an epergne, in 
which Azaleas, Hyacinths, Gloxinias, and other spring flowers were 
used with much effect. The same exhibitor was also first for a hand 
bouquet. 
Not for competition were stands of plants, consisting of greenhouse¬ 
flowering, alpine, and hardy Coniferas from Messrs. W. R. Armstrong, 
nurseryman, Newcastle ; W. J. Watson, nurseryman, Fenham ; and 
W. Fell & Co., nurseryman, Hexham, which enhanced the appearance 
of the Show very much. 
The Committee, Secretary, and patrons are to be congratulated on 
the success of the Society’s exhibitions, which are improving the 
horticulture of the district and commanding more attention year by 
year. 
NOTES ON AURICULAS. 
The severe frosts in March nipped the more forward of the 
trusses on our plants ; but an advantage resulted even from that, 
as later trusses have been produced and the season of flowering 
extended in consequence. I think as a rule the quality of the 
bloom has been better this season. Some varieties, in fact, it 
would be impossible to improve ; such, for example, are Lovely 
Ann, Dr. Horner, Headly’s George Lightbody, Taylor’s Gloryq 
Smith’s Ne Plus Ultra, Robert Trail, Sykes’ Complete, Lancashire 
Hero, and True Briton. Mrs. Campbell is for the first time, after 
four years growing, very good with me. Colonel Champneys is 
not so refined as last year, though on several trusses over twenty 
pips developed. Meteor Flag, Lord of Lome, Garibaldi, Vulcan, 
and Charles J. Perry also threw up enormous trusses. Formosa 
has been fine, and though small is very pretty. Trail’s Beauty 
has been very good, though with me it never developes a white 
edge. 
We have several dozens of plants in 2^-mch pots, offsets of last 
summer. These are strong, and the pots are full of roots. We shall 
take an early opportunity of shifting them into 4-inch pots without 
in any way interfering with the ball in the process. From these 
plants we are well assured of obtaining good trusses next season. 
Some of the strongest plants in larger pots will also be shifted 
into others 5 inches in diameter. None of these has long tap 
roots, and consequently there is no danger of harm accruing, 
though they stand another season without examination. Some 
healthy plants in 5-inch pots will not be touched for another 
season. There is no fear of their suffering, and we may expect 
a healthier crop of offsets than if they were shaken out and re¬ 
potted. From a few plants of which we wish to increase stock 
rapidly, the growing point has been taken out with a sharp knife. 
All of these have buds just showing, so that we have a good hope 
of an increase another season. 
The plants which are to be repotted will be attended to in a 
few weeks. Even at the expense of sacrificing what are appa¬ 
rently healthy roots we cut the tap root well back. It is found 
much better to employ a smaller pot and get it filled with young 
and vigorous feeders. Low potting is very necessary with these. 
As to the question of soils it has been found best to divide the 
plants into two sections, the one comprising vigorous-growing 
sorts, and the other those that are weakly. Most of the seifs, 
with the grey-edged varieties, go into the first section, with such 
strong-growing white-edged varieties as Wright’s Emma and 
Lee’s Venus, and in green edges Litton’s Imperator and Atlas ; 
while in the other section we group the great majority of the 
green and white-edged sorts, with a few of the other classes 
which do not make much growth. For the vigorous-growing 
