September 2a, 1890. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
277 
in a small square box padded at the sides with moss and covered with 
tissue paper. No string was used, but the Grapes were quite firm even 
when the box was turned upside down, and they had suffered very 
little in their journey. 
The Grape Conference was held on Wednesday in the conservatory. 
The proceedings were opened at 2 P.M. by a few words from Dr. 
R. Hogg (Chairman). The programme was arranged in this order : — 
Mr. T. Rivers a paper on varieties of Grapes, Mr. R. D. Blackmore to 
deal with “ The Enemies of the Vine,” Mr. W. Thomson with Vine 
borders, and Mr. W. Coleman with packing Grapes. We hope to refer 
to some of the chief points discussed in our next issue. 
THE DAHLIAS. 
The long exhibition tent was devoted to the Dahlias, and a brilliant 
display was produced, far exceeding the anticipations of most visitors. 
All the types were represented, and large numbers of varieties were 
included, far too many to be enumerated here, particularly when it is 
remarked that some of the exhibitors claimed to be showing over 400 
varieties each. Such numbers are overwhelming, but they serve a use¬ 
ful purpose in enabling the Committees to make selections, and some of 
these will no doubt be published as in the case of former displays of a 
similar character. Handsome collections were contributed by the 
following exhibitors, and the medals named were awarded. Silver-gilt 
medals to Messrs. J. Cheal & Son, Crawley ; Paul & Son, Cheshunt ; 
J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill ; Keynes, Williams k. Co., Salisbury ; and 
C. Turner, Slough. Silver Banksian medals were adjudged to Messrs. 
H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, who had 420 varieties ; Dobbie & Co., 
Rothesay ; G. Humphries, Chippenham ; Heath & Son, Cheltenham ; 
and Saltmarsh & Son, Chelmsford. Silver Flora medals were accorded to 
Messrs. Arthur Rawlings, Romford ; G. Phippen, Reading ; T. S. Ware, 
Tottenham ; and E. J. West of Brentwood. Bronze medals were 
also awarded to Messrs. J. Peed & Son, and Mr. W. Salmon, West 
Norwood. 
In addition to the Dahlias there were some remarkable groups of 
Tuberous Begonias from Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, and Messrs. H. Cannell 
and Sons, which were tastefully arranged with Ferns and other foliage 
plants, and silver-gilt and silver Banksian medal were adjudged for 
these exhibits in the order named. A choice and effective collection 
of hardy flowers from Messrs. Harkness & Son, Bedale, also furnished 
an attraction of much interest. 
The Conference was held on Tuesday in the Conservatory, a portion 
of which had been screened off for the purpose, and the proceedings 
commenced at 2.30 p.m., Mr. Harry Turner in the chair. The first 
subject was “ The Origin of the Florists’ Dahlia,” which was dealt with 
by Mr. Shirley Ilibberd in his customary interesting manner. Mr. T. W. 
Girdlestone followed with some remarks upon single and decorative 
Dahlias, and Mr. H. Williams discussed “ Show Dahlias.” The attend¬ 
ance was good, and the papers were worthy of the attention they 
received from the audience. 
THE COMMITTEES. 
Exhibits were comparatively few before the Fruit and Floral Com¬ 
mittees ; while the Orchid Committee had but one plant to consider, a 
Laelia, for which, however, an award of merit was granted. 
Fruit Committee.— Present : John Lee, Esq., in the chair ; and 
Messrs. J. Willard, G. Wythes, J. Hudson, W. Bates, G. W. Cummins, 
P. Crowley, H. J. Veitch, J. Douglas, F. Q. Lane, H. Balderson, J. Cheal, | 
A. Dean, G. Bunyard, and Dr, R. Hogg. 
Mr. R. Miller, Ruxley Lodge Gardens, Esher, sent two baskets of 
handsome Barrington Peaches, gathered from trees on an east aspect 
(cultural commendation). Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury, 
showed a seedling Apple named Chorister Boy, a moderate-sized red 
streaked Apple. Mr. L. Castle sent a local Essex Apple known as 
Marie’s Pippin, which is to be seen again when ripe. Mr. W. Palmer, 
Thames Ditton House Gardens, sent fruits of Hero of Lockinge and 
Sutton’s Triumph Melons, the former of excellent flavour. Messi-s. 
J. Carter & Co., Holborn, showed fruits of Cucumber Success, 2 feet 
long each ; also large fruits of Holborn Favourite Melon. Seedling 
Melons were also sent by Mr. Maher and Mr. Wythes. A fine collection 
of large Apples came from the Society’s Gardens grown under glass. 
Tomatoes, Capsicums, and Aubergines were also shown from the same 
garden. 
Mr. T. Bradshaw, gardener to the Marquis of Downshire, Hills¬ 
borough Castle, Co. Down, Ireland, exhibited samples of a seedling 
white Grape having laTge oval berries. It was not in quite its best 
condition, but was referred to the Conference Committee for further 
consideration. 
Floral Committee. —Present : W. Marshall, Esq., in the chair ; 
and Messrs. J. O’Brien, R. Dean, J. Walker, G. Paul, H. Cannell, W. H. 
Williams, II. Turner, J. R. Tranter, R. C. Leach, R. B. Lowe, J. T. West, 
J. Dominy, J. Douglas, J. Cheal, B. Wynne, G. Hill, E. Mawley, and 
L. Castle. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, showed several rare and interest¬ 
ing plants, Gynerium argenteum aureo-variesatum being graceful in 
habit with narrow golden edged leaves. A box of greenhouse Rhodo¬ 
dendrons was also notable (vote of thanks.) Mr. J. R. Tranter, 
Henley-on-Thames, had a collection of Show and Fancy Dahlias 
(bronze Banksian medal). Messrs. Reid & Borneman, Sydenham, sent 
a collection of early Chrysanthemums (bronze medal). Messrs. 
J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, showed two plants of Chrysanthemum 
Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, with two large blooms. Messrs. H. Cannell 
and Sons, Swanley, had a group of the neat double white Tuberous 
Begonia Octavie (vote of thanks) ; and Messrs. J. Lee & Son, Hammer¬ 
smith, showed small plants in pots of a variegated Cornus, well coloured 
and most suitable for decorative purposes. 
PLANTS CERTIFICATED. 
Lcelia Eyermanni (Veitch and Manda).—Flowers of a soft blush 
purple, the wings of lip white, with a faint dash of yellow in the centre. 
Dahlia Centennial .—A Cactus variety ; rich purplish crimson, edged 
with maroon. 
Dahlia Beauty of Arundel (Mr. Burburry, Castle Gardens, Arundel). 
—A Cactus variety, of a peculiarly brilliant crimson colour ; the tips of 
the florets purplish. 
Dahlia The Mikado (Charles Turner).—A neat Pompon, white 
tipped crimson. 
Dahlia Othello (C. Turner).—A Pompon, of deep rich crimson colour. 
Chrysanthemum Lily Stevens (Reid & Borneman).—A neat white 
Pompon with quilled florets, very free, and likely to be useful for 
cutting (Award of merit.) 
RAPHIOLEPIS OVATA. 
A shrubby evergreen plant that is not too well known in gardens 
is Raphiolepis ovata, a flowering shoot of which is represented in the 
FIG. 33.—RAPHIOLEPIS OVATA. 
woodcut (fig. 33). In some situations the Raphiolepis will pass the 
winter safely out of doors, especially in the south of England, but it is- 
useful everywhere in conservatories or cool houses, its bold vigorous 
habit and glossy green leaves always having a good appearance. When 
in flower it is still more attractive ; the large heads of white 
flowers, being produced at the ends of the branches, are very con¬ 
spicuous. 
R. ovata is a native of Japan, and is nearly related to the Photinias, 
some of which are occasionally seen in winter gardens, but which are 
