838 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 5, 1892. 
Achimenes for twenty seasons since, and have had unlimited 
supplies of tubers, but I have never had such fine masses as 
from the first small beginning alluded to. Tubers, soil, means, 
conveniences cannot compensate for anxious, solicitous personal 
care in the cultivation of these or any other family of plants. 
Those cultivators who succeed the best do not simply give orders 
and leave someone else to attend to the plants ; and it was by 
simply working harder, paying closer and more thoughtful attention 
than usual to my small but precious stock of Achimenes, that they 
increased to such large dimensions. 
When an article is plentiful it appears to lose value and does 
not receive that care to which its intrinsic merits entitle it. When 
we have plenty of Achimenes tubers we are apt to “ take things 
easy,” feeling a sort of self-satisfied consciousness that “ that crop 
is at any rate safe.” But we forget that it is on us as the culti¬ 
vators, and not on the numbers of the plants, that success depends. 
We have plenty of tubers and we use them freely, sowing them 
almost like sowing seeds. We know that Achimenes start well in 
peat, therefore peat is used ; but although the plants start well in 
peat, they do not always finish well in it, and hence it is that 
failures are common when tubers are plentiful—they are lavishly 
placed in soil that lacks sustaining power ; twenty plants are 
perhaps raised in a pot that does not contain food for half the 
number, and a good beginning results in a bad ending. Achimenes, 
like most other plants having fine, hair-like roots, start well in 
peat ; but when a large number of plants are placed in one pot— 
and the plan is an excellent one—the peat alone will not sustain 
them throughout their season of growth, and beneath the peat 
should be placed richer soil. 
In potting the tubers when they are plentiful a mistake is often 
made in filling the pots too full of soil. That is a very simple 
matter, but is, nevertheless, the cause of many, if not of most, 
failures in plant culture. A first-class plant grower never makes 
a mistake of that kind. He provides his plants with soil, and also 
provides the means of keeping that soil replenished with food for 
his plants, and this cannot be done when the pots are filled too full. 
Before plants can- have a sufficiency of food in a liquid state space 
must be afforded to hold the liquid. Achimenes when in free 
growth require much water, and frequently need more than they 
receive, simply because an inadequate amount of water-holding 
space is provided at the surface of the pots. Therefore when 
many tubers are potted in one, and possibly the flowering pot, let 
the drainage be ample, the soil rich and rough at the bottom, the 
surface light, and the pots not filled—if large, to within 2 inches of 
ta?ir rims. If that plan is adopted, too many tubers will not spoil 
the plants ; but if it is not adopted—if the pots are filled quite full 
of light soil only—then the plants cannot receive the support 
which they need, and plenty (as is too commonly the case) ends in 
comparative failure. 
Besides being adapted for cultivation in pots of various sizes, 
Achimenes are amongst the finest of basket plants. Baskets lined 
with moss and filled with suitable soil may be planted with tubers 
all round, and if the baskets are placed in a proper temperature and 
are carefully watered they will in a few months be perfect balls of 
flowers. White, mauve, and pink varieties, planted in mixture, 
have a charming effect. 
A few of the best sorts of Achimenes are Longiflora major, 
Longiflora alba, Stella, Williams!, Advance, Dazzle, Ambroise 
Verschaffelt, Dr. Hogg, Carminata elegans. Eclipse, Margaretta, 
Pink Perfection, Sir Treherne Thomas, Purpurea elegans, Scarlet 
Perfection, Sparkler, and Aurora. The above are moderate in 
price, and if well cultivated will add more to the adornment of the 
conservatory than almost any other summer and autumn-flower¬ 
ing plants. In fig. 57 the top spike is Dazzle, the dark flower 
Longiflora major, the white L. alba, and the striped variety 
Ambroise Verschaffelt.—S. G. 
EOTAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
May 3ed, 1892. 
TnouaH the Drill Hall was hardly so full as usual on this occasion 
there was an attractive display of Ferns and flowers. The Orchid 
display was small, but what it lacked in bulk was abundantly made up 
for by the exceptional character of the exhibits, a new Cattleya of 
great merit and two superb hybrids being placed before the Committee. 
A collection of seasonable garden produce from Frogmore also attracted 
attention and invited the approving remarks of visitors. 
Feuit Committee. —Present: P. Crowley, Esq. (in the chair). Dr. 
Hogg, and Messrs. John Lee, R. D. Blackmore, T. Francis Rivers, 
G. Bunyard, J. Cheal, W. Warren, G. Taber, A. Dean, J. Willard, J. A. 
Laing, G. Wythes, J. Hudson, H. Balderson, G. Norman, G. Reynolds, 
P. Q. Lane, and J. Wright. 
Mr. J. Miller, The Gardens, Ruxley Lodge, Esher, sent dishes of 
Apples, a splendid dish of Noble Strawberry (cultural commendation), 
six Cucumbers (vote of thanks), and three dishes of fine Mushrooms 
(cultural commendation). The Apples (fourteen dishes) were fine, but 
discoloured through sudden exposure to light from the dark room in 
which they had been kept. 
A brace of Cucumbers, the result of a cross between Sutton’s 
Prizetaker and Lockie’s Perfection, from Mr. Castle, The Gardens, 
Castlemans, Twyford, attracted attention by the evenness and rich green 
colour of the fruits, but it failed to obtain a certificate, probably 
because the fruit was two or three days too old. Mr. Leach, The Gardens, 
Albury Park, sent examples of Lettuce Veitch’s Perfect Gem, sown on 
February 14th, and planted in a cold frame on March 11th. A vote 
of thanks was accorded. Mr. G. Wythes, The Gardens, Syon House, 
sent a box of very fine Brown Turkey Figs, and was unanimously 
accorded a cultural commendation. 
Mr. John Lee placed on the table a dish of Plums that had been 
sent from Sydney, New South Wales. They were perfectly ripe, and 
in as good condition as if they had been gathered at Chiswick. 
Mr. Owen Thomas sent from the Royal Gardens an admirable collec¬ 
tion of produce, including a splendid dish of La Grosse Sucrfie Straw¬ 
berry, good Tomatoes, robust Seakale, perfectly matured Potatoes, fine 
Beans, Asparagus and Mushrooms, also Leeks, Cottager’s Kale, Celery, 
and full, firm, compact-hearted Ellam’s Early Cabbage, such as would be 
welcome in every garden at the present time, but are found in compara¬ 
tively few. A silver medal was unanimously recommended. 
Prizes were offered for Strawberries, but only one dish was forth¬ 
coming. This was from Mr. Gibson, gardener to H. Berkeley James, 
Esq., The Oaks, Carshalton—a dish of thirty fruits of Vicomtesse 
H^ricart de Thury, for which the first prize was awarded. 
Floeal Committee. —Present : W. Marshall, Esq. (in the chair). 
Rev. H. H. D’Ombrain, and Messrs. J. Laing, H. Herbst, R. Dean, C. F. 
Bause, T. W. Girdlestone, W. C. Leach, R. B. Lowe, W. Furze, W. Bain, 
C. E. Pearson, G. Phippen, C. Noble, J. Fraser, G. Paul, H. Turner, 
N. Davis, F. Ross, R. Owen, and B. Wynne. 
The exhibits brought before this Committee were varied, and of an 
interesting character. Mr. H. B. May, Dyson’s Lane Nursery, Upper 
Edmonton, sent a representative collection of Ferns, for which a silver 
Flora medal was awarded. This group included some good specimens 
of Pteris cretica nobilis, the graceful Gymnogramma schizophylla 
gloriosa, G. peruviana, G. schizophylla erecta, Pteris moluccana, a fine 
distinct species, and many others of a notable character. Mr. May also 
showed a small group of Ficus elastica albo-variegata. The plants 
were well grown and the foliage finely variegated. From the same 
source came blooms of a beautiful dark tree Carnation. These were of 
a large size and a rich crimson colour. S. T. Still, Esq. Lismore, 
Wimbledon Park (gardener, Mr. J. Curtis), seat a collec ion of seedling 
Amaryllis and a group of seedling Auriculas of various types. ^ Tne 
latter included a noteworthy sulphur yellow variety named Pride of 
Lismore. Mr. Still also showed two small Arissemas, which attracted 
some attention, and received a silver Banksian medal. W. Furze, Esq., 
Roselands, Teddington, sent blooms of a charming Tea Rose named 
Waban, a sport from Catherine Mermet. An award of merit was 
adjudged this exhibit, which is referred to below. A fine collection of 
Giant Fancy Polyanthus came from Mr. R. Dean, Ranelagh Road, 
Ealing, for which a silver Banksian medal was recommended. The 
plants were exceptionally well bloomed, and made a charming display. 
Mr. Dean likewise exhibited some Alpine Auriculas, amongst which a 
double yellow variety named Golden Drop was noticeable. This 
received an award of merit, and is described elsewhere. .4 hamper 
of coloured Primroses was also shown by Mr. Dean. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons staged a box of blooms of hybrid Strep- 
tocarpus which were *• raised from seed sown in January, 1891.” The 
plants, according to a statement on the showcard, “flowered in July 
last, and are now flowering for the second time.” The flowers were set in 
a groundwork of Maidenhair Fern, which showed up their beautiful and 
distinct colours. A vote of thanks was accorded. Two new Tdlandsias 
named Moensi and Massangeana superba were also shown by Messrs. 
Veitch, and were certificated. These are more fully described below. 
A dwarf Caladium named Souvenir de Paro and a beautifully variegated 
leaved plant named Aglaonema costatum were similarly honoured. Cut 
blooms of a seedling Saraca (Jonesia), Brownea Araza, and Macleania 
insignis came from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, and were 
accorded a vote of thanks. A silver Banksian medal was awarded 
Messrs. H. Lane & Son, The Nurseries, Berkhampstead, for hampers of 
Polyantha Roses. These were densely flowered and highly attractive. 
The varieties shown were Perle d’Or, Little Dot, Gloire de Polyantha, 
and Anna Marie de Montravel, a beautiful white variety. A box of 
Calceolaria blooms came from Mr. H. Rapley, Hillingdon, and received 
a vote of thanks. The flowers were large and beaudfully marked. Mr. 
T. Christy, Lime Street, E.C., showed a well-grown plant of Ficus 
elastica, which had been sent from Java in a Wardian case. 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, sent a collection of 
miscellaneous plants, which included some good Amaryllises, named 
Duchess of Portland, Dazzle, and Lady Ardilaun ; also Pandanus con- 
sidens, a graceful-leaved plant; Asparagus medicus. Orchids, and 
Dracaena Coullingi, The last-named received a first-class certificate, and 
is mentioned below. Messrs. Laing &; Sons, Forest Hill, showed a 
dwarf plant of Lilium longiflorum in bloom ; and Sir Trevor Lawrence 
a spaihe of Anthurium Rothschildianum maximum, which, however, did 
not appear to be specially recognised by the Committee, A remarkably 
fine plant of Lotus peliorynchus, with growths 8 or 9 feet in length, 
was also shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence, and awarded a first-class ceiti- 
ficate. This was in a suspended pot, and was covered with crimson 
