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JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June S, 189t. 
or more across, golden yellow, varnished or shimmering, as in all Butter¬ 
cups, the petals of good substance, the fragrance strong and pleasant 
The Kev. E. J. Lowe, writing of this plant in “ Hooker’s Journal of 
Botany” (vol. ix, 69), says it is a very striking, large and handsome plant, 
of almost gigantic size and stature in its genus and of a noble appearance. 
Its enormous Buttercup-like flowers are conspicuous at considerable 
distances on the ledges within the clefts of high rocks or cliffs in the 
ravines in Madeira. It is also found in the Canary Islands. Another 
name for it is R. grandifolius. At Kew the plant is not hardy, but the 
late Mr. Giles Mundy grew it well in his little garden at Farnham. It 
is curious, too, that, while Mr. Smith stated in the “Botanical Magazine ” 
under tab. 4625, that it required the protection of a frame or handlight 
in winter. Sir W. Hooker says in the same place that “ it is quite hardy.” 
In favoured localities I know it thrives in England. It is worth grow¬ 
ing as a pot plant for the sake of its handsome fragrant flowers, which 
open in March. 
NOTES ON CABBAGES. 
It is gratifying to note how thoroughly useful Ellam’s Early Cab¬ 
bage has proved this season in localities differing so widely as do those 
from which numerous correspondents of the Journal recorded their 
experience on page 378. On heavy and light soils alike it seems to have 
come through the trying ordeal of the late severe winter far better than 
most varieties. This alone, independently of its earliness, should entitle 
it to a place in any kitchen garden. 
If we were certain to have a succession of severe winters the bulk 
of Cabbage seed might with advantage be sown earlier than is usually 
thought necessary ; but with such a fickle climate as ours there is 
nothing like providing for any contingency, and this, as most of your 
correspondents rightly point out, can be done by sowing at different dates. 
In this respect Mr. B. Molyneux has outstripped us all by making his first 
sowing at the end of June. As this practice answers so well in Hamp¬ 
shire, those in colder localities should certainly make use of the 
“ wrinkle.” This year another point well worthy of attention is that 
recorded by Mr. S. Scott—viz., that whenever the land is very heavy 
the bulk of Cabbage seed ought to be sown earlier than is necessary 
when the plants are grown on light soils. Good cultivation, spring 
feeding, and frequent stirring of the soil do much towards securing 
quick growth, and consequently earliness. A little manure forked in 
between the rows, as advised by “ R. P. R.,” is, no doubt, a good plan, 
but watering with liquid manure, and giving a light dressing of nitrate 
of soda, brings Cabbages to maturity during such seasons as the pre¬ 
sent one, especially on light soils, quicker than any other method I 
know of. 
As my old friend, Mr. J. Friend, has carried out this excellent 
practice, I have no doubt his Cabbage bed is something to be proud of, 
as he is not the man to pride himself upon anything only second- 
rate. I see by the concluding note from Mr. A. Murray that a rival 
Cabbage, under the name of Webb’s Emperor, is in the field. If 
Mr. Murray had hailed from some sheltered nook around the southern 
coast I should not have been surprised to hear of his having cut 
Cabbages this year by the second week in April. That he should 
be able to do so in Northumberland is a great surprise, to me at 
least, and the variety he names must be an advance upon Ellam’s 
Early if such results have been secured under ordinary cultivation, 
and not by reason of being grown in a position especially sheltered. 
Additional information on these points will, I am sure, be welcomed by 
many Journal readers, for much as they dislike discarding old favourites, 
any hardy variety which promises to be a fortnight earlier than Ellam’s 
Early will be quickly turned to good account by Cabbage growers, both 
young and old.— H. Dunkin. 
INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION. 
Great Summer Flower Show, May 27th and 28th. 
Is the first great Show held in connection with the International 
Horticultural Exhibition at Earl’s Court to be written down a success 7 
It is a moot point. If we consider quality and diversity of material 
then the answer would be a prompt affirmative, for there was a wealth 
of beauty such as few shows of recent years could boast. Magnificent 
foliage and flowering plants were there, great in numbers and beauty, 
a good display of Orchids, looking small after the Temple perhaps, but 
still attractive, huge breadths of cut flowers, fine groups of Roses, and 
no mean display of fruit. But when we go farther, consider the general 
aspect of the display, and the effect it would be likely to have upon the 
public, it is another matter. It is to be feared that the officials suffered 
from an embarrassment of riches, and dwarfed the Show, which, 
collectively, would have been one of great magnitude, in their efforts to 
—we will not say arrange it—but to find a place for the plants. “ There 
:are two or three places full here,” said one, indicating an annexe, “and 
about three acres over yonder,” with a wave of his hand, which took in 
the remainder of the Exhibition, including Buffalo Bid’s encampment. 
Whether any of the plants really got stowed away in the habitations of 
the redskins is a point which was not settled by subsequent inquiry, but 
certainly they were scattered about nearly everywhere else. The side 
hall near the West Brompton entrance was crammed with plants and 
flowers, so were several of the galleries leading from it. Others over¬ 
flowed into the main building, and when the landscape garden WM 
reached yet more were found, stood about here and there on the turf. 
But the main portion of the Show was still a quarter of a mile away, 
being arranged in two annexes near the Restaurant Fran^ais in the 
gardens. And what was worse, perhaps, was that the exhibits in the 
different classes were in many cases split up and wide apart, so that 
Judges, reporters, and public alike found no sequence. Some of the 
former found themselves sadly in need of a course of athletic training, 
and at 4 P.M. on the opening day their work was still incomplete. 
It was a magnificent Show not made the most of, and the question 
suggested itself. Why not have utilised the magnificent landscape 
garden 7 The groups could have been disposed with marvellous effect 
on the slopes, the specimens would have nobly filled the hollows, while 
Ferns, flowering plants, and cut blooms would have completed such a 
tout ensemble as few exhibitions in the past have ever equalled, and 
none excelled. There would have been diflBculties in the way, of 
course, for the garden would have had to be partially dismantled, but 
they were by no means insurmountable, and the result would have been 
the talk of London. 
A few particulars of the Show are appended. They are a little 
spasmodic, doubtless, and perhaps incomplete, but that was unavoidable 
under the circumstances. In turning to the individual exhibits it is 
pleasant to acknowledge their general high merit and beauty. There 
could be no two opinions on this point. Many were superb, and others 
far above the average. Mr. Wills’ Palms, Mr. Offer’s Crotons, Mr. Chap¬ 
man’s and Mr. Cypher’s specimens in flower were magnificent in their 
way, reviving recollections of other days, but perhaps these classes of 
plants are not now sufficiently popular to justify such provision being 
made for them. Mr. Cypher, Messrs. Charlesworth, Shuttleworth & Co., 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Messrs. Sander & Co., and others had fine 
displays of Orchids. The St. Albans firm further distinguished them¬ 
selves, and afforded interest to visitors, by a beautiful assortment of 
new foliage and flowering plants, several being exceptionally striking. 
There was such an abundance of good material among the general 
flowering plants and cut blooms that it is almost impossible to 
particularise. The fruit and vegetable classes were not very well filled, 
and generally speaking the quality was fair. 
Specimen and other Plants. 
In the open class for twelve stove and greenhouse plants, distinct, 
for which prizes were offered of £12, £8, and £6, Mr. James Cypher, 
Queen’s Road Nursery, Cheltenham, was justly awarded the premier 
prize for admirably trained and profusely flowered examples of Erica 
Cavendishiana, Franciscea calycina major, Pimeleas spectabilis and 
Hendersoni, Hedaroma tulipifera, Anthurium Schertzerianum and 
Schertzerianum Cypher! (a variety of much deeper colour than the 
other, and with larger spathes). Ericas Bothwelliana alba and ven- 
tricosa coccinea minor, Aphelexis macrantha purpurea. Azaleas grandis 
and Mdlle. Leonie Van Houtte. Mr. J. H. Mould, Pewsey, received the 
second award for large examples of Dracophyllum gracile (a plant 
evincing much cultural skill), Allamanda magnifies. Bougainvillea 
glabra (a fine plant, but requiring a little more time to develop its 
attractive bracts). Ericas Cavendishiana, Aristella, and tricolor Wilsoni, 
a widely spread. Phoenocoma prolifera Barnesi, Hedaroma tulipifera, 
Statice profusa, Anthurium Schertzerianum, and Tremandra eriemfolia. 
A silver medal was awarded to Mr. Mould for his fine Ericas. 
Mr. John Currey, West End, Wilton Road, Salisbury, was placed third, 
a large plant of Erica Cavendi hiana being his best. The collection of 
six stove and greenhouse plants exhibited by Mr. W. Chapman, 
gardener to J. Spode, Esq., in the amateurs’ section, far surpassed 
any other exhibit of this class of plants in the Show, and consisted 
of magnificent examples of Ixoras Dixiana and Wilsoni; a most 
profusely bloomed and fresh plant of Statice profusa, Anthurium 
Schertzerianum, carrying from seventy to one hundred spathes; 
Aphelexis grandifiora, and Tremandra ericaefolia, a crowded mass of 
bloom. A silver medal was deservedly awarded for this remarkable 
collection. Mr. W. Finch, gardener to James Marriott, Esq., Queen’s 
Road, Coventry, was placed second in this class. Azalea Mabel and 
Erica affinis being his best plants. 
Mr. Wiggins won with Show and Fancy Pelargoniums in the trade 
class, and the best six Show varieties in the amateurs’ class were exhi¬ 
bited by Mr. D. Phillips, gardener to B. W. Mann, Esq., Langley Broom, 
Slough, to whom the first prize was awarded. These plants were well 
grown and densely flowered, the varieties shown being Gold Mine, 
Kingston Beauty, Royal Review, Gloriana, Lady Isabel, and Prince 
Leopold. Mr. Phillips also took first honours for six Fancy Pelar¬ 
goniums, showing good examples of Lady Carrington, Mrs. Porter, 
Princess Teck, East Lynn, Delicatum, and Mrs. Pope. These plants 
were even more densely flowered than the Show types. The same 
exhibitor gained first prize for six Zonals. with medium-sized specimens 
of Mrs. Gordon, James Macintosh, Rev. Harris, Mr. H. Cannell, Norah, 
and Lord Chesterfield. 
Greenhouse Azaleas were well represented. In the nurserymen’s 
class'Mr. C. Turner, Slough, carried off the highest honours for eight 
plants, showing superb specimens remarkably well flowered. The 
varieties exhibited were Madeleine, Etendard de Flandres, Roi 
d’Hollande, Bijou de Paris, Mrs. Turner, Apollo, Madame C. d’Hamele, 
and Due de Nassau. Mr. Mould and Mr. Henry James, Castle Nursery, 
West Norwood, S.E., were second and third. In the amateurs’ classes 
the Azaleas were also very good. Mr. A. Offer, gardener to J. Warren, 
Esq., Handcross Park, Crawley, staged the best six plants, the varieties 
