May 17, 1883 ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
403 
if fruits (true) had not turned the scale at that weight I should not 
have published the fact, and did so only to show that the Vicomtesse 
was doing so differently with me to what it was with a previous 
correspondent,—S. Taylor. 
RHODODENDRON DALHOUSL3E. 
A few weeks ago a correspondent sent us a truss of a beautiful 
seedling Rhododendron, as the “result of a cross between R. 
Edgeworthii and R. Gibsoni.” This was so different from what 
we should expect from such a cross, and to our mind so much 
like R. Dalhousi®, that we sent the seedling to an acknowledged 
authority on Sikkim Rhododendrons, Mr. J. H. Mangles, who 
returned the following interesting reply :— 
“ The flower and leaf sent to me are those of Rhododendron 
Dalhousae, a beautiful species discovered by Sir Joseph Hooker in 
Sikkim, and also described by Griffith earlier as occurring in 
Bhotan. There would appear to be at least two varieties of the 
species, one with yellowish flowers (as in the present case) and 
another with pure white flowers, this latter being the rarer of the 
two. Mr. Anderson-Henry has raised a beautiful hybrid between 
R. Dalhousae and R. formosum, which resembles very much the 
white variety. 
“ Sir Joseph Hooker describes this plant as an epiphyte on the 
trees lining his path as he ascended to Darjeeling. The magnifi¬ 
cent lemon-scented blossoms were falling in profusion as he 
passed, and I never see the flower without remembering that this 
was the prelude to the grand Rhododendron discoveries then 
about to be made in Sikkim and Nepal, which have enriched our 
gardens and houses with treasures of the rarest beauty.—J. H. 
Mangles, Yalemood , Haslemere." 
The raiser of the seedling alluded to has since, in answer to an 
inquiry, informed us that he now finds that the pollen with which 
R. Edgeworthii was fertilised was obtained from R. Dalhousite 
and not from R. Gibsoni, hence the pollen-bearing parent has 
been essentially reproduced, and the seedling cannot be regarded 
as a distinct variety. 
jfflTES-GLEP 
iNGS. 
31 ^ 
T/f4ltr 
We may remind our readers that the Royal Horticul¬ 
tural Society’s Summer Show will take place next Tuesday 
and Wednesday, May 22nd and 23rd, when, in addition to the 
numerous prizes offered by the Society, several special prizes 
are contributed by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., for a collection 
of twelve Orchids, made-up specimens not admitted. The Yeitch 
Memorial prize for a specimen stove and greenhouse plant, 
Orchid, and three bunches of Grapes. Messrs. Sutton & Sons, 
Reading, offer several prizes for Calceolarias, Cucumbers, Tu¬ 
berous Begonias, Gloxinias, Peas, and Endive ; and Messrs. 
Carter & Co., High Holborn, give five prizes for fruits of Blen¬ 
heim Orange and Emerald Melons. Entries in all the principal 
classes are numerous, and a satisfactory exhibition is confidently 
expected. It will be held as usual in the large marquee at the 
lower part of the gardens. 
- We have received an intimation that the sale of the late 
M. J. Decaisne’s Library will take place in Paris at 28, Rue 
des Bons-Enfants, from Monday the 4th to Saturday 23rd of 
June next. Catalogues are now ready, and consist of 3264 lots 
of works in almost every European language on botany, horticul¬ 
ture, floriculture, agriculture, natural and physical sciences, and 
miscellaneous works. M. J. Decaisne, it will be remembered, 
was a member of the Institute and Professor at the Museum. 
Copies of the catalogue can be obtained of M. Labitte, 4, Rue de 
Lille, Paris. 
- The Bath and West of England Society will hold 
their annual Exhibition at Bridgewater on May 28th to June 1st, 
and we learn that the horticultural portion is likely to be more 
than ordinarily successful this season. The Hon. and Rev. J. T. 
Boscawen has been making strenuous efforts to add to the 
attractions, and offers two prizes for Orchids, £10 for the best 
group and £5 for the best specimen, which will be given in cups 
or money. Lord Fortescue’s handsome Tree Ferns, Palms, and 
Orchids from his estate at Castle Hill, South Molton, will also 
form a great feature in the display, and no doubt many persons 
will avail themselves of the opportunity to see this collection, 
which is shortly to be dispersed. Much credit is due to Mr. 
Boscawen for his continued exertions on behalf of this Show, 
which may be confidently expected to prove highly satisfactory to 
all who have the good fortune to witness it. 
- Mr. Wright’s treatise, “ Mushrooms for the Million,” 
is at last ready, and is offered at a price, Gd. {Id. post free), that 
brings it within the reach of all. It can be had bound in cloth Is., 
post free, 1.?. ljff. In addition to the articles that have appeared in 
this Journal, twelve modes of growing Mushrooms are described, 
and letters are embodied from Mr. Barter, Mr. Burbidge, and 
others ; instructions are given for establishing Mushrooms in 
pastures, and evidence is adduced showing the remarkable effects 
of salt in promoting their growth. We understand the issue of 
the manual has been postponed till now in order that beginners 
in Mushroom culture in the open ground may have time to study 
it, and become acquainted with the routine for commencing 
operations at the best period of the year for insuring success. 
We leave to others the task of criticising the work, contenting 
ourselves with the expression of our opinion that this is the 
cheapest and most practical work on the subject of Mushroom 
culture we have seen ; and we doubt not that those who read it 
will bring it to the notice of their friends and neighbours who 
might with advantage grow the much-esteemed and profitable 
crop to which it refers. We have already received the testimony 
of several gardeners of repute who have read the treatise, but we 
cannot find space for their letters this week. 
- Scarcely an event of importance can now occur in which 
plants and flowers have no part. At the opening of the Fisheries 
Exhibition last Saturday the royal dai's and parts contiguous 
were tastefully embellished under the superintendence of Mr. 
Barron. Besides plants from Chiswick, groups were contributed 
by Messrs. B. S. Williams, Lane, Wills, Waterer, Aldous, and 
others. Near the Royal Pavilion a terrace garden was formed 
and planted with ornamental shrubs and Coniferae, supplied by 
Mr. Maurice Young. As the Prince and Princess of Wales passed 
through the Belgian Court Belgian women scattered Rose leaves 
upon the scarlet pathway. One of their number also presented a 
magnificent bouquet of Lilies of the Valley to the Princess of 
Wales. This was sent expressly from the Town Council of Ghent, 
and had been dispatched by the mail on Friday night. The gift 
was generously accepted and the givers thanked by the Princess. 
The Exhibition is of wonderful extent and diversity, nearly cover¬ 
ing the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society, but space is 
left for holding the Society’s Great Summer Show next week, and 
this will afford a suitable opportunity for gardeners to inspect the 
remarkable Exhibition above noticed. The services of Mr. J. D. 
Dick are of great value to the Fisheries Committee, and by the 
consent, unanimously granted, of the Council of the Royal 
Horticultural Society, which he has served for twenty-seven 
years, he is enabled to assist in the Exhibition just opened in 
the gardens. 
-■ Gardening Appointment. —Mr. D. Calderhead, gardener 
to R. G. E. Wemyss, Esq., of Wemyss Castle, Dysart, N.B., who has 
been appointed by Mr. Thomson as superintendent at the Tweed 
Vineyards, Clovenfords, Galashiels, was entertained by a large 
number of friends last Thursday night at a supper, when he was 
presented with a massive gold chain and charm, and a gold brooch 
