March 24, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
227 
liose Caroline Tt stout (Paul & Son).—A handsome new Hybrid 
Perpetual Rose with large full blooms and broad petals of a bright 
pink hue (award of merit). 
Amaryllis Silver Queen (Paul & Son).—A finely shaped flower, 
the petals broad and rounded, soft crimson on a white ground, a white 
centre and white bars (award of merit). 
Rose Danmark (W. Paul & Son).—A Hybrid Perpetual like a deeply 
coloured La France, very beautiful in bloom and bud; free, and of good 
habit (award of merit). 
PREPARING SOILS FOR POTTING. 
Ok page 163 “ G. W. W. M.” objects to the use of freshly mixed 
potting composts, especially when soot or chemical manures are included, 
on account of the ammonia injuring the roots of plants potted in them. 
If the soot or manures are thoroughly mixed with the soil when about to 
be used I do not think there is any danger of injuring the roots, as the 
quantity of manure in contact with them would be very small. Are 
we not more liable to damage plants by placing these manures in actual 
contact with their surface roots when using them as top-dressings ? but 
still we do so with good results when carefully employed. No doubt 
the method of preparing soils described by “ G, W. W. M.” is very good 
where it can be carried out, but it would require a good space in the 
potting shed to allow a quantity of soil to remain for days before using 
without Interfering with other work which may require to be done in 
the meantime. I do not think growers of plants for market mix their 
potting soils until required for use, and where can we see healthier and 
better grown plants?— Devok. 
POTTING SOILS. 
As this is the season when the bulk of repotting is done, I should like 
to ask if it is necessary to have .so many ingredients as is so often 
recommended in potting soils. I know some growers who mix peat, 
loam, leaf mould, bones, ashes, soot, and sand together for potting 
various stove and greenhouse plants. I know one gardener who 
frequently exhibited plants grown in this mixture ; but I believe many 
plants would succeed equally well if potted in turfy loam, with plenty 
of silver sand, and leave the stimulants out until the roots have taken 
possession of the soil, then given in the form of liquid manure or top¬ 
dressing of the many fertilisers that are so easily applied. 
I know there are cases where they are best mixed with the soil, but 
not in the generality of stove and greenhouse plants. But why is it a 
rule to mix peat with loam ? This question often came before me as a 
young man. Which do the plants require, the peat or the loam ? as plants 
are not often found in their natural state growing in peat and loam 
mixed together. Occasionally plants are found growing in peat which 
are also found growing in loam, but these are exceptions. 
I have grown many plants for which peat and loam has been 
recommended, some in all peat and others in turfy loam with leaf 
mould and sand, and in most cases those grown in the latter mixture 
have been most satisfactory. I have been told the peat is put in to 
make the soil light ; but in most gardens light turfy loam can be had, 
and soils can be lightened by the free use of half-decayed leaf mould, 
which is a more natural mixture than peat, with more food in it. 
Some foliage plants, such as Ficus elastica and Grevilleas, have much 
better foliage when grown in peat, while such plants as Crotons have 
their markings more brilliant when peat is not used. When Camellias are 
grown in peat they have good dark green foliage with but few flower 
buds ; but when grown in loam they often require disbudding, and this 
is often the case with other flowering plants when peat is mixed with 
the soil.—L. J. 
SPRING SHOWS. 
BATH.— March 16th and 17th. 
Although scarcely so large as preceding bulb shows, there was yet 
an excellent all-round display, very creditable to all the exhibitors. 
Hyacinths were shown in fairly large numbers, and all things con¬ 
sidered in admirable condition. Four competed with eighteen distinct 
varieties, but Messrs. Cooling & Son were first with massive well 
developed spikes of Charles Dickens, La Candeur, Morena, Macaulay, 
Fablola, Princess Amelia, Grand Lilas, Mont Blanc, King of the Blues, 
Ob41isque, Czar Peter, Lord Derby (red). Lord Derby (blue), Mr. 
Stanley, Leviathan, King of the Yellows, King of the Blues, and 
Cardinal Wiseman. Mr. J. Ayres, gardener to T. W. Gibson, Esq., 
Clifton, was a creditable second ; and Mr. W. Davis, gardener to S. P. 
Budd, Esq., Bath, third. Messrs. Cooling & Son were easily first for six 
pairs of Hyacinths, and Mr. W. Davis was second. For twelve 
Hyacinths, distinct, open to amateurs only, Mr. J. Ayres was first, 
having somewhat drawn examples of popular varieties; Mr. W. Davis 
being placed second for more compact spikes ; the third prize going to 
Mr. G. W. Shelton, gardener to W. K. Wait, Esq., CPfton. Mr. Ayres 
was also first for six varieties, having massive spikes of Lord Macaulay, 
Mina, Mont Blanc, Fabiola, Von Schiller, and King of the Blues. Mr. 
W. Davis was second. 
Tulips made a good display, the first prize collection of twelve pots 
(not less than eight varieties), staged by Messrs. Cooling & Son, being 
particularly good, and timed to a day. The varieties were Dussart, 
Rose Aplatie, Cerise Gris de lin, Roi Pepin, Vermillion Brilliant, Chrys- 
olora. Grand Blanche, Canary Bird, Little Dorrit, and Joost van 
Vondel. Mr. W. Davis was a good second, several double varieties being 
included in his exhibit. The best six pots of double Tulips were shown 
by Mr. J. Ayres, Mr. A. A. Walters being second; and for six single 
varieties Mr. Ayres was again first, staging Joost van Vondel, Vermillion 
Brilliant, Cottage Maid, Keizerskroon, and White Pottebakker in fine 
condition ; Mr. A. A. Walters was seeond. The last-named was the only 
exhibitor of a collection of Daffodils, tastefully arranged with moss in a 
space 4 feet by 3 feet, and this exhibit fully merited the first prize 
awarded to it. Mr. Shelton was the only exhibitor of six pots of Poly¬ 
anthus Narcissi, and secured the first prize. Mr. Davis was first for six 
pots of Crocuses, and Mr. A. A. Walters for a like number of pots of 
Lily of the Valley, the exhibits being good in each instance. Three 
well-flowered pots of Amaryllis gained a first prize for Mr. R. B. Cater, 
Bath ; while for six Cyclamens Mr. M. D. McBennett, gardener to 
C. W. Mackillop, Esq., Bath, was first. In the class for Spirajas 
Mr. McBennett staged six well-flowered Spiraea astilboides, these easily 
gaining the premier award against fairly well-flowered clumps of Spiraea 
japonica. 
Orchids were better than usual, and which is high praise, as they 
are always good at the Bath shows. For six varieties Mr. R. B. Cater 
took the lead, having well-flowered plants of Dendrobium Wardianum, 
Dendrobium nobile, Cypripedium villosum, Odontoglossum Alexandra 
crispum, Cattleya Trianae delicata, and Cattleya Percivaliana. Mr. 
S. Kerslake, gardener to Rev. E, Handley, Bath, was second. For three 
Orchids Mr. T. J. Tate, gardener to W. Pumphrey, Esq., Bath, was first 
with a good pan of Ccelogyne cristata, Cypripedium insigne, and 
Dendrobium nobile. Messrs. Cooling & Son were second. A large 
beautifully flowered specimen of Dendrobium nobile gained Mr. J. Rogers 
the first prize for one Orchid, the second going to J. T. Holmes, Bath, 
for a fine pan of Ccelogyne cristata. 
Mr. McBennett was the principal exhibitor of stove and greenhouse 
plants, his first prize specimens of Indian Azaleas being large and well 
flowered. Mr. J. T. Holmes was first for both Ferns and fine-foliage 
plants, his groups comprising several large healthy specimens. Chinese 
Primulas were very fine, and with these Mr. Cater was first, and Mr. 
T. J. Tate second. Mr. McBennett staged good Cinerarias, and was first, 
the second prize going to Mr. Cater. Mr. A. A. Walters was first for 
well-grown Mignonette, and Mr. Shelton second. 
There were two classes for groups of stove and greenhouse plants, 
and two competitors in each. The first honours for that to occupy a 
space 12 feet by 6 feet was won by Mr. R. B. Cater, who had choice 
admirably arranged plants, comprising well-flowered Orchids, Clivias, 
Richardias, and Azaleas, with Palms, Ferns, and Grasses. Mr. McBennett 
was a good second, the materials in this case not being so choice. Mr. 
J. T. Holmes was easily first for a group to occupy a space 9 feet by 
6 feet. Orchids being prominent and good in this well-arranged collection. 
Mr. T. J. Tate had a fresh and light arrangement, and was second. 
Cut Roses, though not numerous, were good for the time of year. 
For a box of twelve blooms Mr. Cater was first, his best being 
La France, Niphetos, Rubens, Souvenir d’un Ami, and Niphetos. Mr. 
W. Davis was second. Hand bouquets were a great feature. Mr. C. 
Winstone, Clifton, took the first prize for a new departure as far as the 
Bath shows are concerned, this being what might be termed a com¬ 
bination of an ordinary and “fountain” or “shower” bouquets, the 
long streamers of flowers and greenery being most effective. The 
second prize went to Messrs. Perkins & Sons, Coventry, who had a very 
large but beautifully made conical bouquet. 
Several excellent dishes of Apples were shown, Mr. D. Young being 
first with grand fruit of Annie Elizabeth, while Mr. E. T. Hill was 
second with Spring Ribston in fine condition. For a dish of Pears, Mr. 
F. Mead, gardener to J. Stuckey, Esq., Bath, was first, having perfect 
fruits of Josephine de Malines, Mr. E. Hall being second with Beurr(5 
Ranee. 
Mr. W. Evry had first honours for an excellent collection of vege¬ 
tables, and he was also most successful with Asparagus, Seakale, and a 
basket of salad, the best Mushrooms being shown by B. Hall, and the 
best Cucumbers by Mr. E. T. HiU. 
Messrs. Cypher k Co., Cheltenham, were very highly commended for 
a non-competitive group of Palms and Orchids ; this exhibit, which 
occupied a table 30 feet by 4 feet, being a great feature in the largest hall. 
Certificates of merit were also awarded to Messrs. Cypher for a fairly 
good form of Dendrobium Phalajnopsis Schrbderiana, D. nobile Cypher!, 
a nearly pure white form ; D. nobile nobilius, the richest coloured form 
in the section ; Dendrobium nobile Cooksonianum, probably the best in 
the class, and a fine form of Cattleya marginata. 
Another attractive group, occupying a table 20 feet long, was shown, 
not for competition, b^y Messrs. Cooling & Son, Bath. In this there 
were various Palms, Japanese Maples, Ferns, Ericas, forced Belgian 
Azaleas, white Lilac, Staphylea colchica, Anthuriums, several Orchids, 
and well-flowered Indian Azaleas. Conspicuous among the latter was a 
freely bloomed plant of Niobe, a large, semi-double pure white, and one 
of the best of its class, a bright brick red companion being found “ In 
remembrance of Lady Hastings.” 
LIVERPOOL. 
On Tuesday and Wednesday, March 15th and 16th, the ninth spring 
Show in connection with the Liverpool Horticultural Association was 
held in St. George’s Hall. Unfortunately for the financial position of 
the Show the Association is certain to have a considerable deficit 
for the weather, especially on the first day, was so bad as to make 
even those who always look on the most hopeful side fear for the 
