September 23, 1888. 1 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
279 
fine fruits. A cultural commendation was awarded. Mr. T. Laxton, 
Bed r ord, exhibited specimens of his open air Tomatoes, the handsome 
Dartmouth Crab, the Czar Runner Bean, and Sandy Prize Onions. A vote 
of thanks was awarded. Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea, sent fruits 
of Clapp’s Favourite Pears from a pyramid on the Quince stock. (Vote of 
thanks.) Messrs. Paul & Son showed a collection of about a hundred dishes 
of Apples, the fruits clean and fine. Messrs. H. Lane & Son, Berkhamp- 
sted, showed four large Vines in pots, representing Alicante, Foster’s Seed¬ 
ling, Black Hamburgh, and Gros Colman, bearing numerous bunches well 
coloured. Messrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, exhibited about 150 
dishes of Apples, representing many varieties. 
Floral Committee. —Present ; G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., in the chain 
and Messrs. J. Douglas, T. Baines, S. Hi'oberd, G. Paul, W. Holmes, R. Dean, 
H. Ballantine, J. Dominy, H. M. Pollett, A. J. Lendy, J. O’Brien, H. Turner, 
H. Cannell, W. Wilks, C. Noble, J. Hudson, H. Bennett, G. Duffield, Amos 
Perry, and Dr. M. T. Masters. 
From Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, came a collection of new 
Rhododendrons and half a dozen plants in pots of the bright scarlet-berried 
Crategus Lmlandi, which were loaded with their wax-like fruits, and had 
a most ornamental appearance. The Rhododendrons, which comprised 
Queen of Yellows, Rose Perfection, and Distinction, are noted in another 
column. A vote of thanks was awarded for Curcuma sumatrana, with a 
spike of bright red bracts and yellow flowers. An elegant Araliad named 
Trevesia palmata from Sumatra was also shown, the leaves having four to 
seven deep lobes. Mr. G. Humphries, Kingston Langley, Chippenham, sent 
some seedling Dahlias ; and Mr. G. S. P. Harris, Orpington, Kent, also sent 
three varieties of Dahlias, a bright yellow self named Freedom being 
notable. Mr. W. Bull, Chelsea, sent several new plants that were certifi¬ 
cated, together with Maranta eminens variegated with light and dark green, 
and Palicourea jugosus with elliptical velvety green leaves veined with 
white and pink. 
Sir Trevor- Lawrence, Bart., M.P., Burford Lodge, Dorking (gardener, 
Mr. Bain) contributed a group of Cyrtanthus hybridus, and a variety named 
roseum, all flowering well and very ornamental. Crinum Powelli with fine, 
large, delicate, rosy flowers was also shown from the same garden. A vote 
of thanks was accorded to Mr. A. Monkes, gardener to Dr. Duke, The Glen, 
Lewisham, for Cattleya Gaskelliana var. Sunray, a variety with blush-tinted 
sepals and petals, with a crimson stripe in the centre of the petals, and a 
rich crimson lip, yellow in the throat. Mr. H. Simkins, gardener to R J. 
Measures, Esq., Cambridge Lodge, Camberwell, was awarded a cultural com¬ 
mendation for Grammatophyllum Ellisi, a healthy well-grown plant, with 
a spike of fourteen flowers curiously mottled with brown on a yellow 
ground. Mr. T. Laxton, Bedford, showed a new Pink named insignis, 
Gaillardias, and early Chrysanthemums. Mr. C. Turner, Slough, had a 
stand of Pompon Dahlias, comprising several novelties, three of which were 
certificated. A vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs. Paul & Son, 
Cheshunt, for Aquilegia Rowwolfi aurea, a golden variegated form. 
Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, showed a stand of Cactus and other 
Dahlias, of which several were certificated. Some trusses of a bright blue 
Hydrangea were shown by Mr. G. Ford, Leonardslee, Horsham, who was 
awarded a vote of thanks, a similar recognition being accorded to Mr. W. E. 
Boyce, Highgate, for an early flowering Chrysanthemum, named Golden 
Fl-.ece, of excellent shape, and very bright yellow. 
Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, as usual had a magnificent display of hardy 
flowers, comprising Tritonias, Lilies, Dahlias, early Chrysanthemums, 
Asters, <tc. The Dahlias were especially beautiful, the Cactus section being 
well represented by Picta formossima, Mrs. Hawkins, Constance, Juarezi, 
and the new Cochineal, which was certificated. Single Dahlias were also 
admirably shown. Messrs. Kelway & Son, Langport, Somerset, also had a 
large collection of Gladioli, similar to those they have been showing during 
the season. Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, exhibited an extensive collec¬ 
tion of Roses, Dahlias, and ornamental foliage shrubs. A choice collection 
of hardy flowers, comprising Asters, Helianthus, Helenium, Rudbeckias, 
Physostegia speciosa, and many other flowers. Messrs. Rawlings Bros., 
Romford, exhibited about eighty fine Show and Fancy Dahlia blooms, 
includiug all the best varieties, together with a stand of Pompon and seedling 
Dahlias. Messrs. W. Paul & Son exhibited eight boxes of fresh and bright 
Rose blooms. 
CERTIFICATED PLANTS. 
Davallia solida major (W. Bull).—A strong growing variety with smooth 
shining green bipinnate fronds somewhat triangular in form, 2 feet long 
and about 18 inches broad at the base. 
SelagineUa tessellata (W. Bull).—A plumose species with large, erect, 
and curving fronds, very elegant in the fruiting state. 
Cespedezia discolor (W. Bull).—A handsome shrub or small tree with 
lanceolate leaves feet in length, of a soft bronzy hue in a young state and 
deep green when mature. It much resembled Grias caulifiora in habit and 
shape of the leaves. 
Cyrtanthus hybridus roseum (Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P.).—A 
handsome variety, distinguished from the interesting hybrid previously 
honoured by the warm rosy tint of the flowers, the flowers being similar in 
other respects. 
_ Cypripcdium Sanderianum (J. Veitch & Sons).—A long-petalled species 
with a brown striped dorsal sepal and a light brownish lip. It is a distinct 
species, but its full attractions could not be judged from the small plant 
shown. 
Rhododendron Queen of Yellows (J. Veitch).—A garden hybrid with 
bright yellow flowers and red stamens, the lobes of the corolla round, and the 
truss had nine flowers, though the plant was small. 
Rhododendron Rose Perfection (J. Veitch & Sons).—Another fine hybrid 
of the same type as preceding, but with well-formed clear rose-coloured 
flowers. 
SelagineUa gracilis (J. Veitch & Sons).—A South Sea Island species of 
slender growth, dark green, the stems drooping, 18 inches or more in 
length. 
Dahlia Mrs. Foster (C. Turner).—A handsome show variety of grand 
form and substance, of a peculiar pink and salmon hue. 
Dahlia Q'ieen of the Belgians (Rawlings Bros.).—A delioate pale pink 
tinted show variety, much like"Mrs. Gladstone. 
Dahlia Gazelle (C. Turner).—A Pompon variety, white, tipped with 
bright crimson, the blooms very neat in shape. 
Dahlia lolanthe (C. Turner).—A very neat Pompon, white, tipped with 
bronze and yellow. 
Dahlia Don Juan (C. Turner).—An extremely dark maroon Pompon 
variety, very small and neat. 
Dahlia Cochineal (Ware).—One of the Cactus section, with broad dark 
scarlet florets, very distinct. 
Dahlia Empress of India (R. H. Munday, Basingstoke).—One of the 
Cactus type, with well-formed blooms, broad florets, light crimson, striped 
with maroon. 
Dahlia Charming Bride (Cannell).—A single variety, white edged and 
tipped with bright rose. 
Dahlia Lady M. Marsham. —A single bright scarlet variety, very showy. 
Dahlia The Quair (Paul & Son).—A handsome single variety of a very 
dark scarlet hue, the florets broad and of great substance. 
Dlmus Pitevri pendula (Paul & Son).—An elegant drooping Elm with 
deeply serrated dark green leaves. 
Cratcegus Lalindei (J. Veitch it Sons).—An ornamental shrub with most 
abundant small bright scarlet fruits in dense clusters on the branches. 
DRESSING CHRYSANTHEMUM BLOOMS. 
In the first place, kindly allow me to thank “ W. M.” for drawing my 
attention to his remarks, p.256 of last week’s issue of the Journal, on 
the subject of dressing Chrysanthemum blooms ; and secondly, allow me 
to inform “ W. M.” that the reason the Judges gave the first prize to the 
blooms your correspondent quotes as being undressed (?), was simply 
because they were superior to any others which were placed in competi¬ 
tion with them, and not because they were “ undressed,” as “ W. M.” 
assumes they were. I do not f or one moment think they were purely 
undressed flowers—that is, staged as grown, without any manipulation of 
the petals at all, nor do I think anyone else can think so who saw them 
and who knows anything about dressei flowers. Certainly they were 
not well dressed, but I venture to say that something had been done 
towards arranging some of the florets. 
Seldom indeed are Chrysanthemum blooms seen of such extraordinary 
size both in diameter, depth, and breadth of petal as those in question, 
and it was purely on account of these qualities that the first prize was 
awarded to them. Let it be understood they were not blooms such as are 
sometimes seen—viz., very large in diameter, flat and thin of petals, and 
hollow-eyed ; had they been such as these I know the J udges who officiated 
at the show in question would not have placed them where they did. 
Many times and in different places have prizes been offered for undressed 
blooms, which has always resulted in a failure in this manner. Very 
little competition could be obtained, and next to no interest taken in what 
was staged in the undressed classes. Why, I thought the subject of 
staging undressed blooms of Chrysanthemums was almost done with ; 
certainly it is by anyone who understands the difference between the two 
blooms. Staging dressed blooms of Chrysanthemums is simply present¬ 
ing the flowers in the most favourable manner, just in the same way as a 
person would stage any other kind of garden produce—that is, use all 
legitimate means to show it to the best advantage. Dressing the blooms 
of Chrysanthemums is doing no more than washing the dirt off Potatoes 
or trimming the roots and tops of an Onion or a Cauliflower when staging 
these for competition, and who would dream of presenting these vegetaoles 
without “dressing” and expect to win in the bargain? Undressed 
bloom3 will not do for competition—that is, if winning prizes is the object 
and I fancy this is a weakness amongst most men.—E. Molyneux. 
SALVIAS AS OUTDOOR DECORATIVE PLANTS. 
The Salvias, including those of subtropical and temperate 
climates, constitute a very extensive genus of plants, widely 
varied both as regards stature, flowers, and foliage; and al¬ 
though, as is often said, some of the finest are unfortunately too 
tender to endure our severe winters in the open air, the same 
may be said of Pelargoniums and hosts of other plants used for 
the embellishment of our gardens during summer. Most of the 
Salvias to be mentioned will flourish in the open air during the 
warm months; they are showy, and give as great a profusion of 
bloom as most plants used in our flower beds, besides giving a 
variety not surpassed by any other genus of plants in general 
cultivation, from the most lovely blue through many shades of 
purple, scarlet, and yellow to pure white, varying in size as well, 
from the charming little chamsedryoides to the large finely formed 
bloom of S. patens. By themselves sufficient variation may be 
had to make a most beautiful flower bed, and in this way we 
prefer growing them, as much for the novelty as the effect. 
Many of the species are grown in the greenhouse and conserva¬ 
tory, but in July, August, and September there is generally no 
lack of flowers inside, and these could be well dispensed with. 
The less robust kinds, even when in full flower, could be lifted if 
required, care being taken in the process, when they would con¬ 
tinue to flower in a house from which the autumn frosts could 
be excluded. Otherwise they are readily propagated by cuttings 
taken now, or a little earlier, and placed in heat. During winter 
they will require all the light possible, with just sufficient heat 
to exclude frost. They are easily drawn, and fire heat seems to 
weaken them very much; indeed, they might well be treated in 
