94 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
[ July 29, 1886. 
Very effective now and for some time are tlie rosy red flowers of 
Lychnis diurna fl.-pl., which are so freely produced on stems barely 
2 feet high from amidst a dense cushion-like tuft of leaves. The colour is 
effective, and the plant a most desirable one. Another of this genus with 
flowers of lighter colour is L. viscaria splendens plena, a very neat 
compact and effective variety, in height about 15 inches. This is just 
commencing to flower, its topmost flower being first to expand. 
The showiest among the Geraniums or Cranesbills is G. armenum, 
with large handsome deeply lobed leaves, symmetrical in form, 2 feet 
high, and flowers of a crimson hue interspersed with purple. This is a 
very effective species, which should be in all collections of choice plants. 
Columbines, too, are coming in fast, and very elegant plants they are, 
and of which one can have abundance for two or three months to 
come. This fact will give the reader some idea of their free-flowering 
properties. 
Among the Hemerocallis, a genus noted for its showy flowers in 
summer time, H. flava is the best at present. It is earlier than the Day 
Lilies proper, for the flowers of this species last fully two days, and some¬ 
times longer, and the profusion with which they are produced keeps up a 
good display of its rich yellow trumpet-shaped and highly fragrant 
flowers. It is a fine conservatory plant of graceful habit, about 2 feet 
high ; it also forces well. In the border in deep loamy soil it grows 
freely, and produces its golden bells for several weeks. 
Speaking of yellow flowers reminds us of our native Marsh Marigolds, 
bright and beautiful and of a rich golden hue so lovely in their native 
pastures, mingling with grassy blades which seem to show to even greater 
advantage than when only accompanied by its own foliage. In cultivation 
we have double varieties firstly of the type, and then the major an d minor 
forms, none, however, more brilliant if more durable than the wildspecies. 
In Liliums a yellow variety maybe found in L. pyrenaicum flavum, which 
possesses an overpowering fragrance which hardly fits it for much service 
as a cut flower ; while as a plant of sterling merit, very hardy, sturdy, 
and of elegant habit, and only 18 inches high, it is one of the very best. 
L. pyrenaicum rubrum comes a little later, and has bright orange-red 
flowers, and grows 3 feet high. These both succeed well in any ordinary 
loamy soil. 
I will only briefly, in passing, note the lovely flowers that we find in 
the great army of German Irises, in which may be found every conceivable 
shade of blue, lavender, and mauve, with pure white, and others of a creamy 
shade, others still of purple and violet hues, and many more in chrome 
and yellow. All lovely, and in the great majority of cases exceedingly 
handsome. This is rendered all the more conspicuous by the extremely 
elegant reticulations and marblings which may be found more or less in 
all the varieties. These Irises are the grandest plants in the flower 
garden now, and as the Cattleyas and Lfelias are justly regarded the 
Queens of the Orchids, so also these Irises in the hardy plant garden 
surpass all other flowers ; they are always admired. 
In that choice alpine Onosma taurica, we have both beauty and grace 
combined. It grows a foot high, and from a compact tuft of lanceolate, 
slightly spathulate, and rough hairy leaves, the flower stems spring. 
These are also hairy, and upon them the clear yellow fragrant flowers are 
arranged in cymes, and are produced with great freedom. It is 
a grand ornament for the rockwork or border, especially when 
well established. It delights in a deep but not too rich soil, as in this 
it grows too freely and suddenly collapses at times. A deep fissure of 
rock where its tufts can overhang some projecting ledge will suit it well, 
or a thoroughly drained position in the border. It is worth any care, for 
no alpine repays good cultivation better than this. Another fine alpine 
just now is Anemone alpina, difficult to establish sometimes; but when 
in good condition it is a picture. It forms tufts of leaves from 18 inches 
to 2 feet high, and has beautiful white flowers which are suffused with 
pale blue externally. Plant it in a deep rich soil and let it alone, and the 
same remark applies to the sulphur-coloured variety. 
Among Campanulas, C. glomerata dahurica, with its large clustered 
heads of rich purple flowers, is most effective, free, and of good habit. 
The varieties of the perennial Cornflower are also very showy and distinct, 
and are now seen in the red, white, and blue, each very effective and 
useful as cut flowers. Beyond those I have named we have the gorgeous 
flowers of Papaver orientale and its varieties, with dazzling scarlet, 
crimson, and orange flowers ; single and double Pyrethrums, so extremely 
useful either in the border or as cut flowers. Potentillas are also very 
handsome and useful.—J. H. E. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
NEWPORT. 
This was held in the King’s Hill Field, Newport, Mon., on July 20th 
The Show was the best the Society ever held, the exhibits being very 
numerous and uncommonly good in quality throughout. Messrs. Lewis and 
Dixon of the London and Provincial Bank again acted as Hon. Secretaries, 
and they are to he congratulated on bringing the Show up to such a high 
standard. The Committee include several keen amateurs and one or two 
gentlemen’s gardeners, who also take a deep interest in the Show, and 
altogether it could not possibly be in better hands. The chief plant tent was 
190 feet in length and 40 feet in width. The principal plants were most 
eff ctively staged in the centre and smaller ones round the edge, the whole 
having a most pleasing appearance. In the class for eight stove and green¬ 
house plants in flower Mr. Cypher of Cheltenham came first with healthy 
plants of moderate size, finely bloomed, the best being Erica Shannoni, 
E. Irbyana, E. tricolor major, Ixora Pilgrimi, Allamanda grandiflora, ami 
A. Hendersoni. Mr. J. F. Monld was second, having a remarkably showy 
and well-bloomed Katosanthes coccinea, Bougainvillea glabra, and" Statice 
profusa. Mr. W. Jones was third. For six ornamental foliaged plants Mr. 
Cypher was first with Palms, Crotons, &c., and Mr. E. J. Grice was a very 
close second, his plants being exceedingly clean and healthy. Mr. Mould 
came third, and we are glad to note a decided improvement in these im¬ 
portant plant classes by local exhibitors. In former days Mr. Cypher was 
almost always beaten here by Mr. Wattie, a first-rate local plantsman, and 
.some of the others appear to have the same object in view. Achimenes 
were shown in fine condition by Mr. J. W. Jones, Mr. T. Watson, and Mr. 
C. T. Wallis. Fuchsias were mostly large in size, but not very well bloomed, 
the prizes going to Mr. W. E. Heard, Mr. Grice, and Mr. H. J. Davis. Exotic 
Ferns were very well developed and beautiful and fresh, especially those 
from Mr. E. J. Grice and Mr. T. Watson. 
Selaginellas are always a fine feature of the Newport Show, the specimens 
being shown in pans about a yard across, fresh and well coloured, and the 
best came from Mr. C. T. Wallis, Mr. H. J. Davies, and Mr. W. Graham. 
Zonal Pelargoniums were wonderfully attractive, being finely trained and 
profusely bloomed, and Mrs. Wallis had no difficulty in gaining the first 
prize, as her plants were extra gocd, and were followed by those from Mr. 
Graham and Mr. G. J. Jones. In exotic Heaths Mr Cypher came first and 
Mr. Mould second with medium-sized plants, well bloom d and fresh, one or 
two plants not gaining prizes being past their best. A class of six Caladiums 
terminated the open section, and here some medium-sized plants, very 
robust and highly coloured, from Mr. J. W. Jones, were placed first; and 
some much larger ones, drawn up and a poor colour, from Mr. Heard second; 
third Mr. Watson. 
In the amateur plant classes many fine specimens were shown, and the 
first prize for four distinct stove and greenhouse went to Mr. C. T. Wallis, 
second to Mr. J. W. Jones, and third Mr. G. J. Jones, the competition being 
keen and close. Orchids were not numerous but highly attractive, Mr. F. 
Fowler of Pontypool winning first prize for six specimens with Aerides 
Lobbi, Oneidium macranthum, Cypnpedium barbatum, C. Parishi, Cattleya 
Gaskelliana, and C. gigas Sanderiana, all medium-sized plants, profusely 
flowered. Mr. T. Watson was second with a meritorious collection. Coleus 
were very numerous, the first prize half-dozrn from Mr. C. T. Wallis being 
dwarf, spreading, and finely coloured. Mr. Fowler was first in exotic Ferns, 
and in Gloxinias Mr. H. J. Davies, Mr. A. J. Woodcock, and Mr. W. H. Lewis 
were the prizewinners, there being little to choose between the three lots, all 
having good varieties. Liliums were scarce, Petunias good, and Tuberous 
Begonias very fine, especially the prize groups from Mr. W. Powell, Mr. T. 
Watson, and Mr. W. H. Lewis. 
The cut flower section began with Roses, twenty-four blooms distinct, 
Messrs. Griffiths & Sons, Hereford, being first with massive blooms, finely 
coloured and in prime condition. Mr. J. Pulley was second, and Mr. William 
Treseder, Cardiff, third, all showing well, but some of the blooms in the 
latter two were past their best. Tea Roses were poor, Carnations and 
Picotees few, but the bunches of cut flowers were grand and comprised many 
excellent boxes, in which Orchids were very conspicuous. This was par¬ 
ticularly the case in the first prize box from Mr. F. Fowler and the second 
from Mr. Watson. Dahlias were not well represented, but some good 
"Verbenas were shown from Mr. W. Graham and Mr. H. J. Davis. Bouquets 
were numerous, the best coming from Mrs. W. Jones and “ Loadstone,” the 
lady florist from Llanelly, Carmarthenshire. This lady also exhibited a 
first-rate collection of cut annuals and herbaceous plants, which were greatly 
admired. Wild flowers were admirably shown by Miss Lloyd and Miss C. 
Evans. The last of the decorative classes was a collection of plants, open 
to amateurs having no regular gardener, and here Mr. A. J. Woodcock and 
Mr. H. Dixon exhibited healthy well-bloomed lots which reflected much 
credit on the growers. 
Fruit was extensively shown and very good in quality. Mr. Hawkins, 
gardener to Col. Turberville, Ewenny Priory, Bridgend was first in the lead¬ 
ing collection, his Madresfield Court and Muscat of Alexandria Grapes being 
very good, Melon fine, Peaches grand, Brock worth Park Pear extremely fine. 
Mr. J. Pulley was second, and Mr. Moon, Coldriglan, Cardiff, third. Mr. H. 
Morris, gardener to A. P. Vivian, Esq., Taibach, was first in Pine Apples, 
showing a fine brace of Queens. White Grapes were well shown by Mr. 
Hawkins and Mr. J. Morrell, and the best black came from Mr. J. Williams 
and Mr. Morrell. Mr. Pulley and Mr. Hawkins divided the Peach prizes, 
and the Nectarines were fine specimens from Mr. Pulley and Mr. Graham. 
Melons were numerous but poor in quality, Mr. Case, Cardiff, being first 
in a class remarkable for poor flavour. Gooseberries were numerous and 
finely ripened, indeed the most forward we have seen this season. 
Vegetables were better than we ever saw them at Newport. Mr. Morris 
was first for nine dishes, with good Celery, Cauliflower, Peas, Beans, 
Tomatoes, Potatoes, Globe Artichokes, Cucumbers, and Carrots. Mr. Moor 
was a close second, and Mr. T. Gibson third. Tomatoes were very fine from 
Mr. Pulley and Mr. J. Jones ; Cucumbers were numerous, but mostly too 
old, with the exception of the first-prize brace from Mrs. Wallis, which were 
good specimens of Telegraph. Potatoes were very good, the hest coming 
from Mr. Morris. Peas were extensively shown, Telegraph being the best 
and leading variety. The cottagers had a tent to thunselves, and filled it 
admirably, their fruit, cut flowers, pot plants, and vegetables being re¬ 
markably good and numerous. In vegetables especially many of the 
exhibits here would have made their mark in the open classes. Messrs. 
James Carter & Co., Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Messrs. Francis & Arthur 
Dickson. Messrs. John Laing & Co , Messrs. James Dickson & Sons, Messrs. 
J. C. "Wheeler <fc Son, Messrs. Richard Smith & Co, Messrs. Daniel Bros., 
Mes-rs. Garraway it Co., Mr. Dick, and Mr. Crossling gave special prizes for 
various exhibits, and in most instances the competition for these was very 
keen and highly creditable. 
LUTON.— July 21st. 
This Show, which was held in conjunction with the Bels Agricultural 
Exhibition on Wednesday last, well maintained the reputation secured by 
Luton on former occasions for doing things horticultural in first-rate style. 
The Beds Agricultural Soc'ety holds an exhibition at Luton triennially. and 
on the last occasion, in 1883, we had to record in connection with it one of 
the finest displays of plants ever brought together, no less than seven com¬ 
petitors having Btaged collections in the chief cUsb. At the Show on Wed¬ 
nesday, iu r-sponse to a very liberal schedule, which offe ed upwards of .£140 
in twelve open classes only for plants, fruits, and Roses, the plants were 
