March 2«, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
249 
character ivill be beneficial for moit Roses. When carting together in the 
spring mix with it one part good clean cow manure to six, eight, or ten 
of soil according to the quality of the soil. Turn it over two or three 
times, and it is ready to put in the Rose house. To keep plants in such 
a shallow bench, as above mentioned, in constant bearing, they must of 
course have liberal treatment. 
•‘After they are planted, say in July, and get fairly started into 
growth, they need a mulching of the best manure they can have. This 
induces surface-root action, which roots should never be disturbed, and 
in the course of eight or ten weeks the plants will have absorbed the 
above coat of mulching. I give a light dressing of pure, fine-ground 
bone, covering the same with another thin coat of manure. This 
process is repeated as often as required, and where the plants are 
growing very strong careful application of other stimulants, such as 
liquid manure and nitrate of soda is of great benefit to them, provided 
of course due care is used in its application. To apply strong stimulants 
injudiciously means ruin to flowers and the plants. Of course it is 
<es-:ential to have vigorous and healthy plants, and keep the house per¬ 
fectly clean. Watering and general care of the plants need a remark 
nr two. The only sure guide is a careful study of the soil one has to 
<leal with, and use water in proportion to its requirements. A medium 
'Course should be taken—not to permit the Rose in full growth to become 
•dry, or flooded with water.” Mr. Mav has also an extra fine strain of 
Mignonette, and grows a large house full of it in solid beds raised about 
18 inches above the level of the walk. 
Mr. C. L. Allen invited me to visit his place at Floral Park (Long 
Island), and I was glad I did, for the treat I had well repaid the journey. 
Meeting my host at the depot (railway station), with his horse and 
Laggy, we drove to his son’s establishment (Mr. C. H. Allen), who is 
becoming quite a renowned Gladioli grower. Who can picture a finer 
-and more georgeous sight than a large field of thirty acres or more 
planted with Gladioli in full flower, which in the American warm 
■climate attain very fine growths ? The excellency of their huge spikes, 
frequently 6 -feet long, was particularly remarkable. Messrs. Allen 
informed me the corms were planted and dibbled in by a planting 
machine in May in drills and in well manured ground, and certainly the 
result showed they had merited the good treatment. Towards the end 
of September, when these are nearly ripened off, the whole would be 
ploughed up and dried, and then stored, or else despatched to their 
arumerous customers. The varieties grown are too numerous to describe 
here, but all the bast are grown, and the inferior ones discarded. Raising 
seedlings have the attention of this good firm, and, as far as I could tell, 
with fruitful results, many excellently formed spikes and flowers of all 
colours having been already produced. When you look at the quantity 
grown it seems hardly possible to sell so many, but Mr. Allen smilingly 
i^ays, “ We have an immense demand.” Eulalia japonica and zebrina 
are grown in quantity, as also are Dahlias, Montbretias, and Tuberoses, 
^iplendid Balsams of an excellent strain were worthy of remark. 
(To be continued.) 
CEYSTAL PALACE SPRING SHOW. 
March 21st. 
The concluding day of the Horticultural AppliancS Exhibition was 
rendered much more interesting than it had previously been to a good 
attendance of visitors by the display of bulbs and forced plants, which, 
dhough shown in large numbers, were bright, varied, and attractive. 
The exhibits were arranged in the transept occupying the space in front 
■of the theatre, the majority being placed on table, the larger ‘groups in 
competition having positions on the floor at the end. 
Hyacinths, Tulips, and Narcissuses were fairly well shown in several 
classes ; thus for thirty-six Hyacinths, the same of Tulips, and twenty- 
four Narcisiuses Messrs. H. Williams & Sons, Fortis Green, Finchley, won 
the premier honours with specimens of the usual varieties staged at 
•exhibitions. Mr. W. B. Morle, Regent Street, was second in the two 
first-named classes, but there was considerable difference in the quality 
of the first and second plants, even though the former were not quite up 
to the usual standard. With twelve Hyacinths, twelve Tulips, and 
twelve Narcissuses in the amateurs’ classes, Mr. Shoesmith took the lead 
with medium-sized even examples, but some other e.xhibits in these 
classes were not of much merit. Cinerarias were rather poor, except in 
one or two cases, Mr. J. Ford, gardener to Sir C. Pigott, Bart, Slough, 
having the best in one class, and Mr. Shoesmith in another. Cyclamens 
were, however, of more noticeable quality, Messrs. Phillips, Odell, Carter, 
Nunn, Slowgrave, and the St. George’s Nursery Company taking the 
prizes in two classes. Messrs. Paul & Son, Clieshunt, were first for 
twelve Amaryllises with well-grown plants, having strong heads of 
flowers of several fine seedlings and named varieties. Azalers were not 
at the best, the twenty-four well-grown plants wheh gained Mr. R. 
Wells of Sydenham the first prize not having half their flowers expanded. 
Mr. Nunn was second with thin, sparsely flowered plants. For a group 
-of flowering and foliage plants Mr. James of Norwood was placed first 
with capital plants and good Orchids, but very unsati.sfactorily arranged. 
Messrs. Laing & Sons were second with a better arrangement, wanting 
more colour. 
The non-competing exhibits were numerous and more remarkable 
for variety and quality than the others. Prominent amongst them was 
a grand group from Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, 
comprising some hundreds of specimen Hyacinths, Tulips, and Lilies of 
the Valley- Messrs. Paul k, Son, Cheshunt, had some excellent early 
Roses in pots. Me.ssrs. Barr -.t Son, King Street, Covent Garden, con¬ 
tributed a comprehensive collection of Daffodils and hardy flowers. 
Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, also had an interesting groirp of similar 
flowers. 
An exiremely beautiful group of Orchids and greenhouse flowering 
plants most tastefully arranged came from Messrs. Low & Co., Clapton, 
and formed a pleasant surprise on such a winterly morning. The 
Phalacnopses, Dendrobiums, and Coelogynes, were very noticeable, as 
also were the Acacias, Epacrises, and Deutzias. Messrs. Cutbush & Son, 
Highgate, were represented by a collection of capital Epacrises and 
Ericas all in admirable condition, and Messrs. W. Paul & Son had an 
imposing display of some hundreds of fine Camellia flowers in boxes, 
from the great collection at Waltham Cims. 
In the morning there was also a trial of spraying machines and 
insecticide distributors, which created much interest, and though the 
competitors were few the proceedings were watched by a large crowd 
for a considerable time. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
March 2Ith. 
Groups of flowering plants filled the greater portion of the Drill 
Hall at Tuesday’s meeting, and furnished a satisfactory display of 
seasonable attractions, the nurserymen’s exhibits constituting the 
principal part of the show, as the first prizes provided for amateurs 
did not induce very encouraging results. In the afternoon the subject 
at the general meeting was a paper on “ Bulbs,” which brought a fairly 
good audience. 
Fruit Committee. —Present: Phillip Crowley, Esq., in the chair, 
and Dr. Robert Hogg, with Messrs. J. Lee, T. F. Rivers, G. Bunyard, 
R. D. Blackmore, Harrison Weir, J. Willard, C. Ross, J. H. Veitcli, 
J. Cheal, G. W. Cummins, G. Reynolds, W. Bates, A. Dean, G. Wythes, 
J. Hudson, H. Balderson, F. Q. Lane, and C. Penny. 
The duties of the Committee were by no means of an onerou.s 
character, they were soon performed, and the members had ample oppor¬ 
tunity for inspecting the floral exhibits. Messrs. Bourne & Son, Beck- 
ington, Frome, sent a seedling dessert Apple, which was said to keep 
good until the end of April, and that it is a free bearer. No informa¬ 
tion avith respect to its origin was supplied, and the small greenish 
yellow fruits were not found to be in good condition, due it was supposed 
to their having been gathered too early. The Committee accordingly 
made no award for it. The only other exhibit was a dish of fine Mush¬ 
rooms from Mr. William Whiteley, Westbourne Grove, for which a vote 
of thanks was accorded. 
Floral Committee. —Present: W. Maushall, E.sq., in the chair> 
and Messrs. B. Wynne, H. Herbst, R. Dean, W. C. Leach, G. Brycesom 
W. Watson, J. Walker, C. A. Pearson, Henry Canuell, W. Bain> 
T. Baines, C. Noble, H. Turner, G. Paul, C. T. Druery, C. Jefferies* 
J. Fraser, and the Rev. H. H. D’Ombrain. 
An extensive and handsome group of Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissuses, 
Azaleas, and Clivias secured for Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper 
Holloway, the premier award of the day in the shape of a silver-gilt 
Flora medal. The collection comprised a large number of varieties in 
most of the genera, named Clivias being especially fine, while the pure 
white double Azalea Deutsche Perle was represented by well grown 
dwai-f, bushy plants. 
Forced shrubs in flower are not too frequently seen at the meetings 
or other shows, and therefore the group of deciduous Azaleas and 
Spirreas from Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, was especially welcome. 
Of Azalea mollis there were several beautiful varieties, aud two distinct 
double forms were awarded first-class certificates, and are described at 
the end of this report. The graceful Spiraea confusa, which is 
admirably adapted for quick forcing, was much admired, and few arc 
aware what a useful plant this is for early decoration ; the fresh light 
green foliage, the neat heads of white flowers, and compact habit 
rendering it a favourite where it has been tried. Xanthoceras sorbifolia 
with pinnate leaves and racemes of white flowers was also shown ; and 
in another part of the hall a group of select Amaryllises or 
Hippeastrums, two of which were selected by the Committee for 
awards of merit, also came from the Chelsea firm, which was aljudged 
a silver Banksian medal for the exhibits. 
Some new Roses from Messrs. Wm. I’aul & Son, Waltham Cross, were 
examined closely and criticalljq and passed the ordeal satisfactorily. 
For Danmark, a pink H.P., an award of merit was granted; but the 
following were also generally approved—namely. Lady Henry Grosvenor, 
a blush Hybrid Tea ; Duchess of Albany, a very dark and rich Rose of 
the La France type; and White Lady, shown for comparison with Lady 
Mary Fitzudlliam, and distinct. Hardy plants and Daffodils from Mr. 
T. S. Ware of Tottenham and Messrs. Barr -.t Son, Covent Garden ; Ferns 
from Mr. H. B. May ; Cinerarias from Messrs. James & Son, Faruham 
Royal, Slough ; and choice alpine with other hardy plants from Messrs. 
Paul & Son, Cheshunt, secured silver Banksian medals. Messrs. H. 
Cannell -fc Sons sent a box of Zonal Pelargonium flowers in splendid 
varieties ; and from the Royal Gardens, Kew, came a basket of hardy 
plants that had been flowered under glass. 
In the classes for groups of bulbous plants and Cinerarias there were 
only two entries, both from Mr. Shoesmith, Shirley Lodge Gardens, 
Croydon. For the group of bulbs he was awarded the second prize, and 
for the Cinerarias the first prize, with a bronze medal, the plants being 
similar to those staged at the Crystal Palace a few days before. 
