380 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ If ay 19, 1892. 
residence of George Webb, Esq. This would be all very well if con¬ 
veyed to a dyspeptic who happened to be casting about for something 
to relieve his feelings upon, but is less likely to meet with a response 
when health and spirits have been raised above the normal level by a 
drive through the blossom-laden byeways. And putting this considera¬ 
tion aside, there is much more to praise than to blame. The Vines are 
worthy of the district in which they are grown. Stouter growth and 
finer foliage arc rarely seen, the huge leaves being of great substance, 
full of colour, and perfectly clean. They are a lesson of the importance 
of thin training, for crowded shoots could never produce them. Such 
leaves will draw up copious supplies of sap and elaborate it in the most 
complete manner, to the marked benefit of the Vines. With subsequent 
management conducted on the same principles as have prevailed in 
the early stages, the fine bunches that are now developing will finish in a 
manner highly creditable to the grower. The plant houses are freely 
furnished and brilliant with bloom. A magnificent plant of the 
beautiful double white Clematis Duchess of Edinburgh faces the door¬ 
way of one. It covers a light trellis with a mantle of foliage many 
square yards in extent, and is wreathed in flowers of large size and 
snowy whiteness. The blooms vary both in size and fulness, the best 
examples being nearly as large as a saucer, perfectly double, the petals 
overlapping evenly, and the whole flower having a soft fleecy appearance 
that is full of charm. This beautiful Clematis belongs to the Florida 
section, and requires no pruning beyond thinning out some of the 
growths when they become crowded. No one seeing the splendid 
specimen in full beauty at Tunstall could fail to regret that this and 
other delightful varieties of its class are not more frequently met with. 
It is planted out and receives an annual mulching. As associated with 
a mixed collection of flowering plants in spring its beauty cannot be 
overstated, and it blooms again in November when the Chrysanthemums 
are brought in for the autumn and early winter display. 
There is a fine display of Azaleas and Khododendrons, amongst the 
latter being a very good specimen of the beautiful pure white species 
Veitchianum. It has borne 130 trussses of bloom, each with two or 
three flowers, and reminds one forcibly of the value of this beautiful 
Rhododendron for spring flowering under glass. Small plants 18 inches 
to 2 feet high are not to be despised, for they bloom freely ; the flowers 
are large, handsomely fimbriated, and sweet. Azalea mollis in variety 
is lavishly used, and presents a rich glow of colour. Streptosolon 
Jamesoni is also worthy of note as a freely blooming plant of distinct 
and attractive appearance. Zonal Pelargoniums are not grown better 
in many private places than at Tunstall. There is an excellent display 
of them, and some fine plants carrying large trusses in 5 and 6-inch pots 
from cuttings struck in an early vinery in January this year serve to 
show that the right method of growing these useful plants is well under¬ 
stood. One of the chief attractions at Tunstall is the fernery, which is 
small, but beautifully furnished. The walls are lined with Booty’s tiles 
as receptacles for the plants, and these undoubtedly afford a good and 
convenient means of clothing the structure. Some grand Filmy Ferns are 
grown in frames. A feature of the spring display in the flower garden 
is the admirable use made of the two charming Primulas cashmeriana 
and denticulata, which form delightful beds when surrounded by white 
Arabis. Mr. Aitken manages the various departments of the garden 
under his charge equally well, and is without doubt a good gardener. 
in bloom. There is also a fine rosy red variety raised from Messrs. 
Cannell’s seed by a cottager, and which is well worthy of a name. The 
Vines are in splendid health, amongst them being some sixty years old, 
which formerly bore puny shoots one-eighth of an inch in diameter, but 
which have been completely renovated by liberal feeding, chiefly with 
Thomson’s manure. Judicious support and good culture have made 
them bear excellent crops, notwithstanding that at one time they ap¬ 
peared to be worn out and worthless. The spring flower gardening at 
Woodstock is attractively carried out, and the soil appears to suit 
Hyaeinths and Tulips well. Some grand trees are observable in the 
park, which at this time should be springing into beauty ; but unfortu¬ 
nately another step in the stamping out of the foot and mouth disease 
has to be taken which will sadly mar the effect, all the tree stems having 
to be whitewashed. Compared with this the slight inconvenience of 
having to dismount and cool one’s feet in a tub of disinfecting fluid 
before leaving the place is unworthy of a thought. 
But farewell must be said to the many pleasant associations which 
cluster round this delightful corner of Kent.—W. P. W. 
UMS I 
An International Show. 
Mr. John Thorpe is reported in the American Florist as having 
recently said that the project of an International Chrysanthemum Show 
w'as under consideration by a committee of the Local Directory of the 
World’s Fair. A technical objection had been raised on account of a 
clause in the charter, which might be construed so as to prevent the 
taking of an admission fee for entrance to the ground before the opening 
of the fair, but he believed that this point could be adjusted, and 
that the Exhibition would be held and be worthy of the great occasion. 
Portsmouth Schedule. 
The Portsmouth Chrysanthemum Show, which is one of the most 
important of the southern provincial exhibitions, is fixed for Nov. 2nd, 
3rd, and 4th. The schedule has just been issued. It comprises eighty- 
seven classes. In the principal one for a group, &i, £3, £2, and £1 are 
offered, and good prizes are given for specimen plants. The most 
important of the cut bloom classes is that for forty-eight, twenty-four 
Japanese, not less than eighteen varieties, and twenty-four incurved 
with a similar reservation. The prizes are worth winning, the first 
being £10, the second £7, the third £5, the fourth £3, and the fifth, 
£1 lOs. For twenty-four blooms, twelve Japanese and twelve incurved, 
£5, £3, £2, and £1 are offered. Good prizes are also offered in the 
mixed class, which is to consist of six Japanese, six incurved, six 
reflexed, and six Anemones (Japanese Anemones excluded), but this is 
limited to Portsea Island growers. Special prizes for vegetables are 
offered by Messrs. Sutton & Sons. 
Woodstock Park. 
Had we been unacquainted with the fact that the dreaded foot and 
mouth disease had broken out amongst the stock at Woodstock Park, the 
residence of E. Twopenny, Esq., the earnestness with which sundry 
police constables watched our movements on entering the estate would 
have suggested the idea that we must have the air of suspicious 
characters. The garden gate was reached after a little cross-examina¬ 
tion, conducted, be it said, a little more gently than if the querist had 
been a Gill or a Russell. The glass structures are handsome and well 
built, and it has been Mr. DowdeswelTs business to see that they are 
well furnished. The collection of Orchids is not large, but eminently 
select, and the plants are in admirable condition. Several choice 
Cypripediums enrich the display. Gannas are grown for flowering 
during the winter, and they are still in beauty. The varieties are not 
the tall “sub-tropical” kinds, but a dwarf French strain, only growing 
12 to 15 inches high. They bloom continuously throughout the winter, 
the flowers unfolding successionally. There is not the slightest difficulty 
in having the plants in flower for many weeks, especially if they are 
supported with cow manure, which they appear to greatly appreciate. 
These dwarf Gannas are handsome in themselves, and effective for 
mingling with other plants. Another plant that does valuable service 
is the beautiful Begonia Gloire de Sceaux, which is only met with 
occasionally, but is invariably admired. It has handsome dark bronzy 
foliage and bright pink flowers very freely borne, the leaves and 
blossoms harmonising well. It is not found good for early winter 
blooming, but from January onwards through the spring and summer, 
it is a splendid object. Guttings are struck in August. 
Ghrysanthemums are cultivated somewhat extensively, and the 
varieties are kept well up to date. Mr. Dowdeswell is a successful 
exhibitor of them. His specimen plants, which are not repotted but 
receive a good top-dressing, are in the first stage of training, and he 
exhibits admirable examples of cultural skill. Of Zonal Pelargouiums 
there is a select collection, some of the best of the round-flowered tjpe 
being represented. Wedding Ring, light scarlet ; Dr. Morris, deep 
scarlet, fine pip ; Freya, bright red ; Edith George, a grand pink ; Sir 
Percivale, a splendid pure white ; Mrs. Norman, salmon pink ; and the 
Rev. F. H. Brett, brilliant scarlet, enormous pip, are a few of those now 
South Shields Society. 
The annual meeting of the Ghrysanthemum and Winter 
Flower Show Society of South Shields was recently held in the 
Guardians’ Board Room, Alderman Eltringham, J.P., presiding. Mr. 
B. Go wan, Hon. Secretary, read the balance-sheet, from which 
it appeared that there was a balance in hand of £40 ITs. 3d, 
The Ghairman moved the adoption of the balance-sheet, which, he 
thought, they would all agree was most satisfactory. Alderman 
Ma’oane seconded, and said he thought it was a matter for congratula¬ 
tion of the Gommittee and townspeople that they were able to produce 
such a Show as they had last year. The motion was agreed to. 
Alderman Mabane moved the re-election of the officers and Gommittee, 
the principal being : President, Alderman Eltringham ; Vice-Presidents, 
Alderman Mabane, Alderman Readhead, and Mr, M. Wood; Hon. 
Secretary, Mr. Bernard Gowan; Treasurer, Mr. Michael Graham ; 
Financial Secretary, Mr. H. Hinde. Mr. P. Thornton seconded, and the 
motion was agreed to. On the motion of the Ghairman, seconded by 
Mr. T. Vasey, Alderman Mabane was appointed Ghairman of the 
General Gommittee. It was decided to hold the next annual Show on 
November 9th and 10th, and to augment the prize list by £20. The 
name of the Society was changed to “ The South Shields and Northern 
Gounties Ghrysanthemum Society,” and it was determined to affiliate 
it with the National Ghrysanthemum Society of England. 
DAFFODILS AND NARCISSI. 
(^Concluded from page 334.') 
Gultivation in Pots, 
My remarks under the heading of cultivation I propose to devote 
chiefly to cultivation out of doors, but as all kinds of Narcissi do well 
in pots, I may say a word or two upon indoor cultivation. For green¬ 
house or conservatory decoration they go well with Hyacinths and 
Tulips, so there should always be a few potted up in October to come in 
about March. They may be potted singly in 4 or 5-inch pots, or in 
threes in 6 or 7-inch pots. Some sorts such as Emperor, Empress 
Horsefieldi, and Sir Watkin, have very large bulbs at times, and for three 
