438 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June 9, 1898. 
besides H. sanguinea known to us, being worth^growing—H. glabra and 
H. micrantha, for their elegant loose panicles of small whitish or 
pinkish flowers, and H, hispida (H. Richardsoni of gardens) for its 
beautiful satiny foliage. All these species are most suitable for half- 
shady spots on the lockery, and with an occasijnal lifting and 
breaking-up will last a long time. Tiarella cordifolia is an allied plant, 
and when allowed to scramble at will on the rockery I know of no 
prettier alpine for early summer. It is readily increased by division of 
its runners, which are produced freely in open soil. 
The subject of the illustration (fig. 75) may also be increased by 
division, and if grown in a free peaty soil will be found to flower more 
freely than in the ordinary garden soil. It should be lifted annually, 
the clumps torn to pieces and replanted, single crowns only being 
used. Or it may be struck from the cuttings so freely produced on the 
old stems. We are, however, best satisfled with the seedlings, the 
trouble of weeding out the bad forms being nil, and the variety most 
diverse both in habit and flowers.— Daisy. 
MIGNONETTE MACHET. 
It is a wonder that private gardeners do not grow this grand 
variety mo^e extensively in pots, considering the I’obust habit of 
the plants and the splendid spikes of delightfully scented flowers 
they are capable of producing. In my opinion it is the best of all 
varieties for growing in pots, and if managed in the right way its 
culture is extremely simple. 
When making a call on Mr. J. Kitley, at Warwick, a few weeks 
ago, I noticed a grand batch of this variety of Mignonette. The 
plants were dwarf and robust, were clothed with thick, rich green 
leaves, and carried dense heads of very large spikes. Market 
men have long been famed for the production of Mignonette 
having these characteristics, but unfortunately private gardeners 
have not, as a rule, succeeded in growing it so well. In many 
cases this is due to a want of proper house accommodation 
during the winter months, in others through not having yet 
adopted the right method of procedure. Mr. Kitley having kindly 
given me the particulars of his practice I concluded they would 
be both useful and instructive to readers of the Journal, hence 
this note. 
The seed is sown during the first or second week in August, a 
compost of three parts good loam, one of well decayed manure, 
and a little lime rubble being used. They are best sown in the pots 
they are to occupy when in flower, three or four seeds being placed 
in the centre of each, and covered with a thin layer of soil. The 
pots used are the ordinary 5-inch size, one crock being placed over 
the aperture at the bottom, and a layer of half-inch bones placed 
over this, a little rough material being added to keep the soil from 
clogging the drainage. The compost is used in a rough state, and 
is rammed down very firmly ; a little is sifted through a quarter- 
inch seive to spread on the surface and sow the seeds upon. After 
sowing the soil is watered, the pots placed in a frame and kept 
shaded till the seedlings appear, when shading is gradually dis¬ 
continued. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle the 
strongest are selected and the others removed, leaving only one to 
each pot. The pots are at this stage stood upon a shelf in a cool 
span-roofed house, where the plants are within a few inches of the 
glass. 
An important stage in their culture has now arrived, and upon 
the practice adopted success or failure in a great measure depends. 
The cardinal point to be observed is this. As soon as the plants 
have made two or three pairs of leaves pinch them down to the 
surface of the soil, leaving only one pair of leaves. This will 
cause side shoots to be freely produced, and will ensure a dwarf 
and compact habit. No further pinching is required. Throughout 
the winter the plants are kept in the same position, the stages 
underneath being occupied with bedding Pelargoniums. Just 
enough heat is given to keep out frost, and plenty of air is afforded 
on all favourable occasions. In fact, the treatment in this respect 
which the Pelargoniums require is equally suitable for the 
Mignonette. By the time the plants have grown so near to the 
glass as to render their removal necessary—which is generally in 
February—the Pelargoniums are removed from the side stages, 
and the Mignonette placed thinly upon them, where they 
gradually develop into the grand plants we see at the present 
time. 
Watering is an important item in the culture of Mignonette. 
Water should be very sparingly given during the winter months, 
as roots are not then very numerous, and the soil being rammed 
very firmly is tenacious of moisture When the bright days of 
spring come, and both root and top growth increase rapidly, rather 
copious supplies are required. By the time the flower spikes show 
weak soot water is given at each watering, and an occasional 
dressing of artificial manure.—H. D. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
June 7th. 
The Drill Hall was fairly well filled on this occasion, thanks in no 
small measure to Messrs. Kelway & Son, who exhibited Pteonies and 
Pyrethrums largely, and to Messrs. W. Paul & Son, who had an 
extensive display of Rhododendrons. Orchids were also well represented. 
Feuit and Vegetable Committee. —Present: Philip Crowley, 
Esq. (in the chair), Messrs. W. Warren, G. Taber, J. Cheal, G. B unyard, 
H. Balderson, A. H. Pearson, A. Dean, D. Morris, J. H. Sage, J. Wythes, 
Harrison Weir, and Rev. W. Wilks. 
The best exhibit placed before this Committee was a box of Lord 
Napier Nectarines sent by Mr. J.-Hudson, Gunnersbury House. The 
fruits shown were of large size and splendidly coloured. A silver 
Banksian medal was recommended. A basket of Peaches named 
“ Amsden June ” was\ shown by Mr. J. Wythes, Syon House, Brentford, 
and an award of merit was adjudged. The samples exhibited were well 
coloured, and were said to have ripened within fifteen weeks from the 
date of starting the trees. A. Pears, Esq., Spring Grove House, Isleworth 
(gardener, Mr. F. J. Debnam), staged a dish of well-coloured Dr. Hogg 
Peaches, for which a cultural commendation was awarded. A new 
Melon named Spring Grove Hybrid, a cross between Hero of Lockinge 
and Scarlet Premier, was also shown by the same exhibitor, but was not 
specially noticed by the Committee. Melons were also shown by T. W. 
Drake, Esq., Shar leloes, Amersham, Bucks (gardener, Mr. J. Thomas) ; 
Mr. Bowerman, Hackwood Park, Basingstoke ; Mr. S. Ely, Nettlebed, 
Henley-on-Thames ; and Dr. Falkland, Reigate Hill, Surrey. The last- 
named exhibitor showed a new green-fleshed Melon named Riding’s 
Perfection, for which an award of merit was adjudged. 
Vegetables were few in number. Mr, W. H. Castle, The Gardens, 
Castlemas, Twyford, sent a box of well grown Cucumbers, a cross 
between Sutton’s Prizewinner and Lockie’s Perfection. Mr. Wythes, 
Syon House, showed a bunch of Extra Early Milan Turnip, and a vote of 
thanks was accorded. Four varieties of Spinach from the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Soci ty’s Gardens were shown, these being Round, Longstander, 
Prickly Flanders, and Thick-leaved Round. Rhubarb Victoria and 
Ryder’s Perfection, came from the same source. 
Flokal Committee. —Present : W. Marshall, Esq. (in the chair), 
Messrs, R. Dean, H. Herbst, C. F. Bause, H. B. May, C. T, Druery, 
R. B. Lowe, B. Wynne, J, Fraser, H. H. D’Ombrain, G. Paul, 
C, E. Pearson, H. Turner, J. Phippen, and E. Mawley. 
The exhibits placed before this Committee, although not numerous, 
were of a bright and interesting character. Messrs. Kelway & Sons, 
Langport, sent a large collection of Pmonies, Pyrethrums, and Ama¬ 
ryllises, for which a silver-gilt medal was recommended. The Pyrethrums 
were very bright, and comprised double and single varieties of sterling 
merit. A fine double dark variety named Alfred Kelway was adjudged 
an award of merit, and a white single variety designated Princess Marie 
was similarly honoured. Both are described below. Other noticeable 
varieties were Prince Ferdinand, Sir Hugo, Duchess of Teck, and Evelyn. 
A silver Flora medal was recommended to Messrs. W. Paul & Son, 
Waltham Cross, for a splendid collection of Rhododendron blooms, com¬ 
prising some sixty varieties. The flowers were particularly showy, and 
having been cut from shrubs growing in loam were all the more 
interesting. Messrs. Paul & Son also showed plants of their Hybrid 
Perpetual Rose Clio. Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, had a charming 
display of Violas, Pansies and Sweet Peas, for which a silver Banksian 
medal was recommended. The best decorative Violas shown included 
Joy, Blue Cloud, Max Kolb (a rich purple), Lucy Ashton, Peacock, and 
Archibald Grant. Several new seedling Violas were also shown by 
Messrs. Dobbie & Co. ; and J. Donaldson, Esq., Tower House, Chiswick 
(gardener, Mr. T. Bones), showed three distinct G oxinias, two of which 
were deemed worthy of awards of merit. These are referred to below. 
Mr. Donaldson likewise exhibited a yellow Carnation, for which an 
award of merit was adjudged. 
Messrs. G. Paul & Son sent a small collection of alpine and hardy 
plants, which comprised Irises, Ramondia pyrenaica, Geum miniatum, 
Dianthus annulatus, and a new species of Rose from the Rocky Moun¬ 
tains. The Rose bears a resemblance to Rosa rugosa, and is said to be 
quite hardy. A silver Banksian medal was recommended. Mr, 
J. Hudson, gardener to Messrs, de Rothschild, Gunnersbury House, 
showed a stand of Ixoras Fraseri and I. Westi. The last-named is a 
magnificent variety, and was awarded a first-class certificate. It is 
referred to elsewhere. Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. Albans, sent 
Dipladenia atro-purpurea var. Clarkei, for which a first-class certificate 
was awarded. Blooms of Gladiolus byzantinus were shown by the Rev. 
W. Wilks, Shirley, and an award of merit was adjudged. Mr. Robb, 
Chitley Farm, Liphook, sent a plant of the “ Moonlight Broom,” a 
pale yellow flowered variety free in blooming; and plants of Tagetes 
Little Gem, a dwarf variety, were shown by Mr. R. Frisbv, Worden 
Hall, Pieston. 
In the competitive classes for twelve hardy Rhododendrons, three 
trusses of each, the Duke of Northumberland, Syon House, Brentford 
(gardener, Mr. G. Wythes), was first. Among other varieties in this 
collection were Lady Eleanor Cathcart, Lady Dorothy Nevill, Mrs. 
