342 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 16, 1890. 
varieties with the leaves rather scabrous and pubescent or white-downy 
beneath.” 
Although the pubescent variety, which the earlier botanists knew as 
C. tomentosa, may not be entitled to specific rank in the botanical 
classification of to-day, it is nevertheless sufficiently distinct in the 
estimation of the horticulturist to merit some name which would indi¬ 
cate a difference from the ordinary typical C. alnifolia. In cultivated 
specimens in the Arboretum the leaves are larger than those of C. alni¬ 
folia. They are rugose above, and densely covered with a greyish white 
tomentum beneath. In typical C. alnifolia the leaves are more smooth 
above and smooth and light green in colour beneath, being quite desti¬ 
tute of any pubescence or hairs. The individual flowers, as a rule, are 
nearly twice the size of those of C. alnifolia, and they differ also in that 
the petals assume more of a bell shape, and do not spread out so widely. 
The slender, pointed, terminal racemes of flowers average considerably 
larger, and many of them are supplemented by three or four well 
developed ; but smaller racemes, which, springing from the side near the 
base of the central one, come into bloom later than it does. To the 
horticulturist, however, the most important character lies in the time of 
flowering of the plants. Growing side by side in cultivation and under 
exactly similar conditions the first blossoms of C. alnifolia open in the 
last days of July (July 22nd in 1889 and 31st in 1890), while the first of 
those of what we may call C. tomentosa do not appear until three weeks 
later (August 12th in 1889 and 19th in 1890), by which time C. alni¬ 
folia is past its best flowering, although in woods and other cool places 
it is found much later. The latest buds of the tomentose variety are 
not expanded by the middle of October, so that they are usually 
destroyed by frost, and fruit is never matured. As this tomentose 
Clethra is only recorded from Virginia, Carolina, Alabama, and other 
Southern States, it is naturally not so hardy as our northern one. The 
flowers are quite as fragrant as those of C. alnifolia. On account of its 
extreme lateness in blossoming this southern variety, or form as it may 
be, seems likely yet to become recognised and valued by gardeners at 
least, and to find a place in every garden where shrubs of this class are 
prized.—J. G. Jack, Arnold Arboretum (in American Garden and 
Forest). 
CRYSTAL PALACE FRUIT SHOW. 
October 9th, 10th, and 11th. 
Following the Guildhall Show so closely, it might have been 
expected that the Sydenham Exhibition would have suffered by the 
contrast, but this was not the case, as while the best of the exhibits 
from the previous display were staged at the Palace, the better light 
there showed the fruits to more advantage. Four long lines of tables 
in the northern portion of the Palace were occupied with fruits, 
principally Apples, and Mr. W. G. Head, the superintendent, arranged 
them most effectively, the centre of the tables having dividing lines of 
small foliage plants. Vegetables and miscellaneous exhibits were 
placed on side tables, and also filled considerable space. 
The exhibitors and their contributions were so similar to those at 
the Guildhall that it is unnecessary to repeat them here, and the 
following prize list will suffice to show the order in which the awards 
were made. It must, however, be mentioned that the non-competing 
exhibits formed an admirable portion of the Show, especially those 
from Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea; J.. Cheal & Son, Crawley; 
G. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone ; H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley ; J. Peed 
and Son, Streatham ; Beid & Borneman, Jarman & Co., Chard, and 
the British Fruit Growers’ Association. 
Open Classes. —For best exhibition of Apples, kitchen and dessert, 
six fruits of each variety, not to exceed 100 dishes (distinct), orchard 
house grown fruit excluded.—First, Messrs. George Bunyard & Co., 
Maidstone, Kent. Second, Mr. J. Watkins, Pomona Farm Nurseries, 
Wittington, Hereford. Third, Mr. C. G. Sclater, Devon Nurseries, 
Heavitree, Devon. Fourth, The English Fruit & Rose Co., King’s Acre, 
Hereford. 
For best exhibition of Pears, six fruits of each variety, orchard 
house grown fruit excluded.—Second, Mr. G.'Woodward, Barham Court 
Gardens, Maidstone. Third, Mr. J. Watkins, Hereford. 
For best exhibition of vegetables, arranged for effect, and not 
more than four dishes (distinct) of any sort.—First, Mr. T. A. Beckett, 
Cole Hatch Farm, Penn, Amersham. Bucks. Third, Mr. W. Palmer, 
gardener to the Right Hon. Hume Dick, Thames Ditton. 
For the heaviest Gourd or Pumpkin, weight to be stated.—First, Mr. 
George Shepherd, Lower Street, Pulborough, Sussex. Second, Mr. 
C. Boatwright, Beckenham Place, Beckenham. Third, Mr. E. C. Gasel- 
tine, gardener to E. Byron, Esq., Coulson Court, Caterham. 
For a collection of Pumpkins and Gourds.—First, Mr. G. Sturgess, 
gardener to B. P. Fearon, Esq., Court House, Banstead. Second, Mr. 
C. Osman, gardener, South Metropolitan District Schools, Sutton. Third, 
Mr. C. Boatwright. 
For a collection of Ornamental Gourds.—Messrs. C. Osman, G. Stur¬ 
gess, and C. Boatwright. 
Amateurs. —Twenty-four dishes of Apples, kitchen and dessert, 
distinct, six fruits of each.—First, Mr. G. Woodward. Second, Mr. 
A. Waterman, gardener to H. A. Brassey, Esq., Preston Hall, Ayle 3 ford, 
Third, Mr. S. Barlow, Stakehill House, near Manchester. 
Twelve dishes of Pears, distinct, six fruits of each.—First, Mr. W. 
Chisholm, Cap Harcourt Rose, Oxenoath Park, Tunbridge. Second, 
Mr. G. Woodward. Third, Mr. William Allan, gardener to Lord Suffield, 
Gunton Park, Norwich. 
Twelve dishes of Apples, kitchen and dessert.—First, Mr. T. A. 
Killick, Weavering, Maidstone. Second, Mr. T. Parker, gardener to 
Mrs. Evans, Moreton Court, near Hereford. Third, Mr. S. H. Goodwin, 
Mereworth, Kent. 
Twelve dishes of vegetables, not more than two dishes of any variety. 
—First, Mr. R. Lye, gardener to W. H. Kingsmill, Esq , Sydmonton 
Court, Newbury. Second, Mr. W. Pope, The Gardens, Highclere Castle, 
Newbury. Third, Mr. C. J. Waite, gardener to Colonel the Hon. W. P. 
Talbot, Glenhurst, Esher. 
Special Prizes. —Messrs. James Carter & Co.’s prizes for the best 
dishes of Holborn Abundance Potatoes and King of the Russets Pota¬ 
toes, nine Potatoes to form a dish, were won by Messrs W. Pope, High¬ 
clere Castle Gardens, Newbury ; R. Lye, Sydmonton Court, Newbury ; 
and F. J. Hazell, Rose Cottage, Histon Road, Cambridge. For the best 
six dishes of Potatoes by Messrs. R. Lye; W. Pope, Newbury; F. J. 
Hazell, Histon Road, Cambridge ; E. S. Wiles, Edgecote Gardens, Ban¬ 
bury ; C. J. Waite, and C. W. Howard, Bridge, Canterbury. 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons’ prizes for the best collection of vegetables, 
six distinct varieties, were won by Messrs. C. J. Waite, T. A. Beckett, 
W. Pope, and R. Lye. 
CELEBRATED FIG TREES. 
There is not, perhaps, an animal or plant, and certainly there is 
not a star visible in the firmament, which has not been the object of 
worship, and to which poor human beings have not offered sacrifices. 
Trees have, perhaps, been worshipped more than animals. Each tree 
has its legend, often its special mode of worship, and this is not always 
without reason. A custom exacts, for example, that in certain countries 
a tree should be planted to celebrate certain events, and perpetuate 
their memory. Such is the origin of the Trees of Liberty, of which such 
use and abuse was made in 1818 and since. To other trees is attached 
the souvenir of certain historical facts, such as the Arles Love Tree, 
under which the good king Rend administered justice ; the Oak of 
St. Louis, that of St. Vincent de Paul ; but this does not constitute a 
worship. 
Some of these celebrated trees have been described. Let us say a 
word about the Fig tree. In antiquity it enjoyed great celebrity. The 
peoples of Greece rendered it a veritable worship. Some regarded it as 
a gift of the gods, and consecrated it to Mercury, Saturn, and Bacchus ; 
others employed it to crown most of their statues and adorn their brows 
at public festivals. There were some celebrated Fig trees more parti¬ 
cularly worshipped. There was one in Rome at the time of Pliny 
where the assemblies of the people took place. It was religiously 
tended in memory of that under which Romulus and Remus were 
found by the side of the wolf, their nurse. A Fig tree also grew at the 
spot where Curtius had generously sacrificed his life. The Indians at 
the present day worship a Fig tree of their country the Pagoda Fig 
tree. The god Vishnu, having been born under its shade, it is a 
sacrilege to cut it down, oi even break its branches. 
Native of the meridional countries of Greece, the Fig tree is to-day 
naturalised in all the hot climates of Europe, Africa, and America. 
Its products are lucrative for the Provencials and the inhabitants of 
Bas-Languedoc, who cultivate it in fields like the Olive. It is asserted 
that it was imported into these countries 600 years B.c. by the Phocoeans, 
founders of Marseilles. It grows in Provence to a height of 5 or 8 
metres. 
The Ficus cerifera supplies the Getah Lahoe, or Sumatra wax. 
Ficus venenata produces a poisonous juice, with which the Indians of 
Guiana poison their arrows. Ficus tinctoria of the borders of the 
Amazon is utilised against toenia. Another species produces fruits in 
which are found certain properties for the cure of rheumatism. Ficus 
religiosa gives shelter to an insect which produces an esteemed lacquer. 
The wood of the Fig tree is valueless in commerce. On account of 
its spongy nature it absorbs fairly well oil and fatty substances. The 
locksmiths use it to polish their work. It burns badly, but gives a rather 
light coal. Some twenty-five years ago a magnificent Fig tree of more 
than 2 metres in circumference was a subject of admiration in a garden 
of Montpellier. Iron bands encircled it, to support its partially dried 
and divided trunk. It produced two abundant crops of Figs, and its 
owner let them at the rate of 50 francs per annum to a wholesale mer¬ 
chant. This tree, remarkable for the country, was far from attaining 
the dimensions of certain Fig trees of hot countries. 
Dumont d’Urville described an immense Fig tree, the bushy branches 
of which cover a large space in the Bay of Anna Maria, at Nouka 
IPiva, in the centre of a village. This tree measures 25 metres in cir¬ 
cumference. The trunk is composed of thick interlaced stems ; it pre¬ 
serves almost the same width to a height of about 13 metres, then it 
divides, forms about fifteen thick branches, several of which are 2 and 3 
metres in circumference. These last spread themselves horizontally, so 
as to cover with their shade a circular space of nearly 100 metres in 
diameter. The principal stream of the valley flows under this majestic 
tree.— Cosmos. 
The Fig Tree of Roscoff. 
The Fig tree, as is known, does not thrive much under the climate 
of the north and of the centre of France ; its fruits rarely ripen ; but 
in Brittany and the Normandy Isles it grows well, on account of the 
relatively mild temperature of these countries. Fig trees grow gene¬ 
rally in Brittany in places sheltered from the north and north-west 
winds ; they hardly rise above the houses which shelter them. Their 
dimensions are about that of an Apple tree. 
There exists on the road of Saint Pol-de-Leon at Roscoff near this 
last village, a celebrated Fig tree, the exceptional form and dimensions 
