340 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 5, 1892. 
were filled with Arurn Lilies, Narcissi (poeticus type) and white Roses ; 
the former with Narcissi in variety, Roses, and other flowers. The string 
course round the chancel was decorated with Narcissi of various kinds. 
The Ajax type, together with the Cernuus varieties, made a very effec¬ 
tive display ; these were set in moss and Ivy. Around the lectern were 
more Arum Lilies, Nicotianas, and Palms. The font was decorated with 
white flowers in moss and Fern. Great care seemed to have been taken 
not to overcrowd in any part, and none of the ornamental portions 
of the) church was hidden. This I call sensible church decoration. 
—T. A. 
MOR^AS. 
V At first sight Imost of the Moraeas would be considered to be Irises, 
and to I casual observation they present few distinguishing characters ; 
but oni examining themi we at once find them distinguished from the 
true Irises by their bulb-like root, thus approaching the bulbous Irises 
(Xiphions). On a further examination, however, it will be observed 
that the root of the Mormas is solid or corm-like, and not formed in 
layers, as it is in the Xiphions. The species can be grown in pots or 
planted out, but the former is preferable, light soil being employed, and 
providing good drainage. Large pots are not necessary; 3-inch or 
5-inch suit them well, placing several bulbs in each. Supply water 
judiciously, but when growing or flowering they must not be allowed to 
become dry, and even in the resting period withholding water must not 
be carried to excess, 
M. Sisyrinchium is a beautiful species, a native of South Europe 
and the Mediterranean region, and has long been known as Spanish 
Nut, because it is said that in Spain the children eat the root as a 
nut, of which it is suggestive in form and brownish colour. It was 
known to the old writers Gerarde and Parkinson, and has therefore been 
in cultivation in this country nearly three hundred years. The flowers 
are very handsome, though fugitive, the larger perianth segments being 
bright deep blue marked with white and yellow in the centre, the other 
divisions of the perianth also being blue, but of a lighter tint. The 
woodcut (fig. 58) portrays the chief floral characters, well showing the 
general form. The flowers are usually produced in spring, about 
May. 
M. Tenoreana is a European species, but was not introduced to 
England until 1824. It is scarcely less beautiful than M. Sisyrinchium, 
though the flowers are smaller, but the colour is very rich. The divisions 
of the perianth are narrow, the upper half being deep blue, and the 
lower towards the centre yellow and white with a few dark spots. It 
flowers fully a month later than the preceding, and forms a welcome 
succession. 
M. edulis was one of Loddiges’ introductions from the Cape of 
Good Hope to England, but it is said to have been known in Holland 
for many years. It was originally found by Thunberg abundantly in 
the neighbourhood of Cape Town, chiefly in low positions and in sandy 
soil. The flowers vary in colour, but are mostly of a pinkish hue marked 
with blue and white, the divisions of the perianth being neatly rounded. 
One very pleasing character the flowers possess—namely, a most 
agreeable though delicate fragrance. Fig. 59 faithfully represents a 
flower and leaf. 
Three other species that deserve growing are M. ramosa, with com¬ 
paratively large flowers, bright yellow with a dark blotch at the base of 
the petals ; M. eiliata, with small bright red flowers, rounded petals, and 
a yellow centre blotch; and M. papilionacea with bright orange- 
coloured fragrant flowers, which are produced a little later than 
M. Sisyrinchium. These with the preceding form a good half dozen, 
and fairly represent the genus. 
NATIONAL AURICULA SOCIETY. 
Northern Section. 
The Northern Show, like that in the south, was better than was 
expected, though many flowers were little more than just ready ; 
while in cold districts, like Halifax and Todmorden, Auriculas were 
hardly in flower at all. At this date. May 2nd, we all have many plants 
with newly opening buds, mostly among the green and white-edged 
classes. These will soon be out and over if warm May weather comes. 
It has been the long spell of cold nights during March and April that 
have so seriously interfered with the timely growth and development of 
Auriculas. It is impossible to keep an east wind a secret from these 
plants, they seem conscious of it through any amount of protection. In 
the classes for six, four, and two Auriculas the places were well filled, 
but in those for single blooms there were fewer plants than usual to 
grace the background. 
The Exhibition was held at the Town Hall, Manchester, on Tuesday, 
April 26th, and the awards were as follows : —Class A, six dissimilar 
Auriculas.—First, Rev. F. D. Horner, Kirkby Lonsdale, with Hypatia 
(Horner), white edge; Rev. F. D. Horner (Simonite), green edge ; 
Ossian (Simonite), green edge; Heatherbell (Simonite), white edge ; 
Dusk (Horner), black self; and Samuel Barlow (Bolton), grey edge. 
Second, Mrs. Kyrke Benson, Ludlow, with Conservative (Douglas), 
white edge; Rev. F. D. Horner, Acme (Reed), white edge ; Dinham 
(Benson), grey edge ; Heroine (Horner), dark self ; and Colonel Taylor 
(Leigh), green edge. Third, Mr. G. Middleton, Brestwich, with Lady 
Ann Wilbraham, green edge ; Black Bess (Woodhead), self; George 
Rudd (Woodhead), grey edge ; Trail’s Beauty, grey edge; Sapphire 
(Horner) self; and Acme. Fourth, Miss Wo dhead, Halifax, with 
Rachel (Woodhead), grey edge ; Rev. F. D. Horner, Black Bess, Mrs. 
Botts (Barlow), self ; Imperator (Litton), green edge ; and Acme. Fifth, 
Mr. Irving Hind, Halifax, with Acme, Mrs. Botts, Brince of Greens 
(Trail), green edge ; Sapphire, Black Bess, and George Lightbody 
(Headly), grey edge. Sixth, Mr. J. Clements, Birmingham, with Negro 
(Mellor), dark self; Heatherbell, George Lightbody (Headly), grey 
edge; Heroine, Mrs. Botts, and Lancashire Hero (Lancashire), grey 
edge. Class B, four dissimilar Auriculas.—First, Rev. F. D. Horner, 
with Rev. F. D. Horner, Aspera (Horner), grey edge ; Snowdrift 
(Horner), white edge ; and Mrs. Botts. Second, Miss Woodhead, with 
Mrs. Dodwell (Woodhead), Brince of Greens, George Rudd, and Mrs. 
Botts. Third, Mr. H. Wilson, Halifax, with Rachel, James Hannaford 
(Simonite), green edge ; Mrs. Dodwell, and Mrs. Botts. Fourth, Mrs. 
Kyrke Benson, with Conqueror of Europe, grey edge ; Mrs. Botts, Acme, 
and Rev. F. D. Horner. Fifth, Mr. Irving Hind, with George Lightbody, 
Black Bess, John Simonite (Walker), white edge, and Brince of Greens. 
Sixth, Mr. James Wood, Stalybridge, with Confidence (Campbell), grey 
edge ; Mayflower (Traill), green edge ; Frank Simonite (Simonite), white 
edge ; Mrs. Douglas, self. Seventh, Mr. J. Clements, with Acme, 
Lancashire Hero, Heroine, and Rev. F. D. Horner. 
Class C, pair of Auriculas.—First, Mr. Ben Simonite, Sheflfleld, with. 
Jenny Crofsland (Simonite), white edge, and M61anie (Horner). Second, 
Mr. W. H. Midgley, Halifax, with Trail’s Beauty and Black Bess. 
Third, Mr. T. Buckley, Stalybridge, with Frank Simonite and Black 
Bess. Fourth, Mr. E. Shaw, Moston, with Geo. Lightbody and Heroine. 
Fifth, Mr. J. Stelfox, Stalybridge, with Heroine and Grey Friar 
(Llewellyn). Sixth, Mr. S. Barlow, Stakehill, Castleton, with two 
seedlings. Seventh, Mr. J. Beswick, Midnleton, with General Niel and 
unknown. Class D, pair of Auriculas (maiden growers only).—First, 
Mr. W. H. Midgley with John Simonite and Geo. Lightbody. Second, 
Mr. G. Stokes, Birmingham, with Geo. Lightbody and Mrs. Botts. Third, 
Mr. T. Barrow, Rock Ferry, with Acme and Lovely Ann. Class E, 
Alpine Auriculas, four dissimilar—First, Mr. J. Beswick with John 
Ashton, Fred Beswick, Dr. Knott, and John Allen. Second, Mr. 
J. Clements with Mrs. Ball, Edith, Sunrise, and Unique. Third, Mr. 
G. Stokes with Minnie, Diadem, Unique, and Mrs. Dodwell. 
Class F, Auriculas, single plants, green edges.—First, Rev, F. D, 
Horner, with Shirley Hibberd (Simonite). Second, Rev. F. D. Horner, 
with Touchstone (Horner). Third, Rev. F. D. Horner, with Rev. F. D. 
