July 24 , 189). ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
77 
Tuesday and Wednesday but would fail to be struck with the astonishing 
diversity of foliage form which Ferns present. A large proportion of 
those shown were, too, such as could be grown with little trouble by 
almost every amateur. A few Ferns test the skill of experienced 
cultivators, but the majority are easily managed, extremely beautiful, 
and very useful for most ornamental purposes. 
The schedule issued by the Council was as follows, exhibitors being 
invited to arrange their plants in these groups for convenience of 
examination and comparison :—British Ferns.—1, Adiantum Capillus- 
Veneris (Maidenhair) and varieties ; 2, Aspleniums (Spleenworts) and 
varieties ; 3, Athyrium Filix-foemina (Lady Fern) and varieties ; 4, 
Lastrea Filix-mas (the Male Fern) and varieties ; 5, Polypodium vul- 
gare and varieties ; 6, Polystichum aculeatum and angulare (the Shield 
Fern) and varieties ; 7, Scolopendrium vulgare (the Hart’s Tongue) and 
varieties ; 8, Blechnum Spicant (the Hard Fern) and varieties ; 0, 
Ilymenophyllum and Trichomanes radicans (Filmy Ferns, Tunbridge 
Fern, Killarney Fern) and varieties ; 10, Other British Ferns, Allosoru3, 
Ceterach, Cystopteris, Osmunda, Lastrea (except Filix-mas), Polypodium 
(except vulgare), Pteris, &c. Hardy foreign Ferns and varieties. Stove 
and Greenhouse Ferns.—1, Adiantum cuneatum and varieties ; 2, other 
Adiantums; 3, Aspleniums. Athyriums, Diplaziums ; 4, Blechnums, 
Lomarias, Doodias, Woodwardias; 5, Cheilanthes, Nothochlasnas ; 6, 
Davallias, Microlepias ; 7, Gymnogrammas ; 8, Gleichenias ; 9, Lasteas, 
Polystichums, Aspidiums, Cyrtomiums, Nephrodiums ; 10, Pteris, 
Pellaeas, Onychium ; 11, Polypodiums, Drynarias, Pleopeltis, Niphobolus ; 
12, Hymenophyllums and Trichomanes (Filmy Ferns) ; 13, other stove 
greenhouse Ferns. Salaginellas and Lycopodiums. Ferns best adapted 
for cultivation in rooms. Ferns best adapted for hanging baskets. 
Though the exhibitors were few in numbers, these contributed so 
largely and such choice collections that the total display was highly 
satisfactory. It would be impossible this week to enumerate all that 
were shown, and a selection would be difficult; we therefore confine our 
report to brief general notes on the chief collections, fuller details of 
the plants represented being reserved for another issue. Two illustra¬ 
tions are given, however, in figs. 10 and 11, Adiantum Eausei (page 67), 
and Davallia foeniculacea, which was certificated some time since when 
shown by Messrs. B. 8. Williams and Son (page 73) ; both are very 
distinct Ferns, to which we have previously referred in these pages. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, contributed an exceedingly fine 
and varied collection of Ferns, comprising representatives of all the 
principal genera. The list of all the species and varieties included 
would be an extremely long one, but it may be noted that the following 
were the numbers .—Total about 300 species and varieties in sixty 
genera, the most largely shown being Adiantums seventy. One of the 
most interesting portions of the collection was that devoted to hybrid, or 
supposed hybrid, Ferns (125), which alone furnished ample material for 
study. There were also a group of Todeas, which included many seed¬ 
lings. Of curious and interesting Ferns one hundred were staged, and of 
exoted crested Ferns forty forms were sent. 
Mr. C. T. Druer.v, Fernholme, Forest Gate, E , contributed a group 
of beautiful hardy Ferns, nearly all forms of the British species many 
having been collected or raised by himself. Exceedingly beautiful were 
the plumose varieties of the Lady Fern, and the crispate forms of the 
Hart’s Tongue. 
Mr. H. B. May, Upper Edmonton, had a most extensive group of 
Ferns in all the sections, over 300 species and varieties being represented 
by well-grown plants, such as we are accustomed to seeing from that 
nursery. 
A considerable portion of the tent was occupied with the grand 
collection of Ferns from Messrs. W. & J. Birkenhead, Sale, near Man¬ 
chester, who had about 600 varieties, comprising all the best Ferns in 
cultivation, hardy and exotic sorts being admirably shown. 
From Mr. E. J. Lowe, F.R S., Shirenewton Hall, Chepstow, and the 
Zoological Gardens, Clifton, came an extraordinary collection of hardy 
Ferns, comprising some wonderful varieties of Scolopendriums, vulgare 
crispum, Aspidiums, Athyriums, Nephrodiums, and other Ferns. 
Mr. J. A. Whittard, Rydal Mount, Streatham Hill, S.W. (gardener, 
Mr. H. Wright), had a choice collection of well-grown Ferns, some of 
the most notable plants being fine examples of Platycerium grande, 
Gymnogramma schizophylla gloriosa, G. A'stoni, Davallia Mooreana, 
D. fijiensis plumosa, Adiantum farleyense, -with many other Adiantums 
and miscellaneous Ferns. 
Mr. W. B. Latham, Curator Botanic Gardens, Birmingham, sent a 
plant of a hybrid Dicksonia, said to be between D. arborescens and 
D. antarctica, and it was named D. Lathami. The fronds are stout, 
strong, slightly arching, very graceful, bipinnate, the pinnules bluntly 
notched. Fronds of a hybrid between Alsophila excelsa and Cyathea 
princeps were also shown by Mr. Latham. 
The Conferences, 
Conferences were held on both days, that on Tuesday being devoted 
to Carnations, and the programme was as follows. The proceedings 
commenced at 2.30 P.M. Martin R. Smith, Esq., President of the 
Conference, in the chair. The papers were :—“ The Carnation from a 
Botanical Point of View,” by Mr. F. N. Williams, F.L.S. ; “ The 
Florists’ Carnation and Picotee as Exhibition Flowers,” by Mr. Harry 
Turner ; “Carnations and Picotees in Towns,” by Mr. Martin Rowan ; 
“Border Carnations,” by Mr. Richard Dean. On Wednesday Ferns 
furnished the subjects for consideration, the programme being as follows. 
Mr. J. G. Baker, F.R.S., President of the Conference, in the chair. 
Papers on “ The Systematic Relations of Ferns,” by Professor Bower, 
F.L.S.; “ The Cultivation of Exotic Ferns,” by Mr. W. II. Gowei^; 
Hybrid Ferns,” by Mr. E. J. Lowe, F.R.S. ; “ Plumose British Ferns,’” 
by Mr. C. T. Druery, F.L.S. ; “ Hardy Ferns and Their Cultivation,’” 
by Mr. J. Birkenhead. 
NATIONAL CARNATION AND PICOTEE SOCIETY. 
SOUTHERN SECTION.— July 22nd. 
A fibst-rate Show, or even one of average excellence, was not 
looked forward to by the most sanguine Carnation lover this year. The-> 
climatic vagiriei with which Rose exhibitors have had to contend have 
also perplexed cultivators of Carnations and Picotees, and experience, 
taught them that the more modest their anticipations of this season’s 
Sh >w the less would be the likelihood of disappointment. Dull, wet, 
stormy weather, with brief alternations of brilliant sunshine, is the re¬ 
verse of favourable for showing fl owers true and clear in colour ; never¬ 
theless, as regards quality the Show was better than had been expected,, 
especially with respect to Carnations, which were a r. ally excellent 
display. Picotees were not quite so good, many of the flowers being a* 
little spotted. The competition was not so brisk as usual, and the 
absence of one or two exhibitors who have shown well in former years 
was noted with regret. There were no special features of the Show 
calling for further comment other than is made in the subjoined notes o£ 
the awards. 
Carnations. 
A first and pleasing duty last year was to note the increased amount 
of competition in the various classes. This was not fully sustained on 
the present occasion, but every allowance must be made for it, and it is 
to be hoped that another year more favourable circumstances may lead to 
an increased number of entries. In the principal class, that lor twenty- 
four blooms, not less than twelve di-tinct varieties, two old opponents in 
Messrs. Douglas, gardener to Mrs. Whitbourn, Great Gearies, Ilford, and 
C. Turner, Rival Nurseries, Slough, with that well-known suburban 
amateur, Mr. M. Rowan, 36, Manor Street, Clapham, London, S.W.,. 
provided the whole of the competition, and the prizes were awarded in 
the order in which the names are place L Mr. Douglas had a capital 1 
stand, comprising the following varieties :—Back row : Arthur Medhurst, 
Matador, Joseph Crossland, and five seedlmg 3 . Middle row : Matador,, 
very fine ; Harrison Weir, Squire Whitbourn, Alisemond, a capital bloom ; 
Thalia, Rosamond, and two seedlings. Front row : Robt. H oulgrave,. 
excellent; Thalia, E. Adams, John Keet (2), Alisemond, Harmony,' and 
aseedliig; the first example of John Keet being a very fine example. 
Mr. Turner had good flowers of Miss Erskine Wemyss, H. K. Mayor,, 
Wm. Skirving, Hutchinson’s Rose, and Squire Llewellyn. Mr. Rowan 
had Jas. Douglas, Thalia, Sporting Lass, John Buxton, Sirah Payne* 
George M-lvi le, and Florence Nightingale in first-rate form, and alto¬ 
gether had a very n°at, well-finished stand. There were six standsof twelve, 
the majority of considerable merit. Mr. Rowan’s first prize box was a 
very beautiful one, the blooms being large, in good colour and very 
smooth. The varieties were Thalia, a splendid flower ; Alfred, J. D.. 
Hextall, Master Fred, Jas. Douglas, very fine; Sarah Payne, George 
Melville, excellent ; Admiral Curzon, Edward Rowan, Gordon Lewis, 
Sp ortsman and John Buxton. Mr. Douglas’ second prize stand was 
mainly composed of seedlings, fresh and bright, Mr. C. Phillips, 18, 
Hamilton Road, Reading, being third; Mr. Heidlaod, The Firs, High 
Street. Leyton, fourth; Mr. G. Chaundy, William Street, Oxford, fifth; 
and Mr. W. J. Nicholls, 274, K'ngsland Road, LondoD, N.E., sixth. 
There were eleven stands of six blooms, and Mr. J. Lakin, Temple 
Cowley, Oxford, was placed first for James Douglas, Duchess of Fife*. 
Squire Llewellyn, Matador, J. D. Hextall and Lovely Miry, a beautiful 
stand of smooth, well finished flowers. Mr. T. Anstiss, Brill, was placed 
second for Wm. Bacon, Mr j . May, James Dougla®, Robert Cannell, 
Robt. Houlgrave and one of Dodwell’s seedlings, the latter a handsome 
purple flake. The third prize was taken by Mr. J. J. Keen, 15, Castle 
Street, Southampton, the fourth by Mr. F. Nutt, 1, Gloucester Villas, 
Southampton, the fifth by Mr. A. J. Sanders, gardener to the Viscountess 
Chewton, B ookham Lodge, Cobham, and the sixth by Mr. W. L. Walker,. 
Dunollie, Palmerston Road, Reading. 
Single specimens were numerous, and comprised some excellent 
blooms? In the scarlet b'zarres, Mr. Douglas was first and second with 
Robt. Houlgrave. Mr. Headland third and fourth with Joseph Cross- 
laud, and Mr. Phillips fif.h with George. In the crimson bizarre3, Mr. 
Douglas was first and third with seedlings, Mr. Phillips second with 
J. Hailand, Mr. Robt. Sydenham fourth with Harrison Weir, and Mr.. 
Headland fi'th with Due d’Aumale. In the pink b zirres, Mr. A. J. 
Senders was first with Wm. Skirving, Mr. Douglas second and third with, 
see lings, Mr. Lakin fourth with Sarah Payne, and Mr. Rowan fifth with 
the same variety. In the purple fltkes, Mr. Rowan was fiist with Jas. 
Douglas, Mr. D mglas second with a seedling, Mr. Senders third with. 
Jas. Douglaq Mr. Lakin fourth with Mayor of Nottingham, and Mr. 
Phillips fifth with Jas. Douglas. In the scarlet flakes, Mr. Douglas was 
first with Alisemond, M r . Lakin second with SpousmaD, Mr. Phillips 
third and fi lh with Sportsman, and Mr. Headlan 1 fourth with Henry 
Cannell. In the rose flakes, Mr. Lakin was first with Lovely Mary, Mr. 
Douglas second with a seedling, Mr. Turner third with Thalia, Mr. Rowan 
fourth, and Mr. Turner fifth wi'h the same variety. 
The premier Carna'ion in the Show was Robert Houlgrave in Mr., 
Douglas’s first prize stand of twenty-four. 
Picotees. 
As before stated, these were a little lacking in fixi-y of colour, and 
also perhaps in general smoothness, but the latter weakness was less 
