452 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June 4,1891. 
represented, the most effective part of the group being formed with 
Lselia purpurata, Oncidium Marshallianum, and Odontoglossum vexil- 
larium, Cymbidium Lowianum, and choice Cattleyas (silver Flora 
medal). Messrs. H. Low & Co., Clapton, contributed a group of useful 
medium-sized plants, representing about thirty distinct forms, the most 
conspicuous being two clusters of the whitish Dendrobium Bensonife 
and the beautiful new Dendrobium Parish! albens. Messrs. Heath and 
Son, Cheltenham, also sent a few Orchids, inc’uding Cypripedium 
Stonei magnificum and Masdevallia Heathi in the rvay of Chelsoni. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons sent three hybrid Orchids of much interest. 
One was Odontoglossum excellens, which had been raised from an 
artificial cross between O. triumphans and O. tripudians, the second 
was Epiphronitis Veitchi, and the third Masdevallia caudata Estradas, 
both of which have been previously described. 
Koses. 
Eeturning to the large marquee, many other important exhibits 
demand attention, and scarcely less attractive than the Orchids to the 
general public were the delightful Roses from the great exhibiting firms 
in the south of England. Messrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, had 
a magnificent group of specimen plants in grand health, the sub¬ 
stantial rich or delicate blooms in fine contrast with the fresh green 
foliage. Besides the plants, too, there were twelve boxes of cut blooms, 
representing scores of beautiful varieties. Amongst the novelties very 
notable Hybrid Perpetuals were the soft pink Spencer, the fine crimson 
Souvenir de Rosieriste Gonod, and the glorious rich velvety Crimson 
Queen, a trio of fine Roses, for which awards of merit were granted, 
while a silver cup was accorded for the whole group. 
Tasteful and rich was the group of Roses from Messrs. G. Paul 
and Son, Cheshunt, which also secured the honour of a silver cup. 
At the back were large specimen Roses of the most approved exhibition 
types, with graceful Bamboos, which form one of the many notable 
specialties at Cheshunt; then in front was a novel arrangement ot 
dwarf white Lilacs and Adiantum pedatum, which is admirably adapted 
for grouping purposes. Baskets of Mar^chal Niel Roses were greatly 
admired, as also were specimen plants of Paul’s Single White and 
Polyantha grandifiora Roses, Amaryllises, and a double while fragrant 
hardy Azalea being included with these. The third large group of 
Roses came from Mr. W. Rumsey, Waltham Cross, who had a fine 
collection of medium sized plants in excellent condition both as regards 
foliage and fiowers (silver-gilt Flora medal). 
Tuberous Begonias. 
Much interest was excited by these plants, for the two firms 
who have aided so greatly in improving and popularising Tuberous 
Begonias—namely, Messrs. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, and Messrs. 
Cannell & Sons, Swanley, were both contributing their treasures, and 
there was considerable eagerness to ascertain which were the leaders. 
The Judges, however, found the respective merits so evenly balanced 
that a silver cup was awarded in each case, an honour amply deserved. 
Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, had rather more space at their 
command, of which they had taken full advantage, and had two 
exceedingly bright groups of single and double varieties remarkable for 
the size, substance, form and colour of their flowers. Two of the most 
distinct were selected for awards of merit—namely, Lady Addington, 
double, rich salmon, and Wm. Marshall, single, a fine shade of orange, but 
there were many others of nearly equal merit. Messus. J. Laing & Sons’ 
group suffered somewhat from being rather crowded, but it contained a 
choice selection from the numberless grand Begonias that have been 
sent out from this nursery during recent years, affording an admirable 
idea of the beauty, range of variation, and usefulness of the family. 
A single variety, Mrs. R. Dean, was accorded an award of merit, the 
flowers of superb form, white in the centre edged with rose. 
Pelargoniums. 
The floral attractions of the meeting were materially increased by 
the Show and Decorative Pelargoniums, especially by those from Mr. 
C. Turner, Slough, of which about thirty medium-sized specimens, 
superbly flowered, were staged in one group, representing many good 
varieties. One of these. Royal Ascot, was found worthy of an award 
of merit. It is a brilliant scarlet decorative form with a white centre 
and dark blotches, vigorous hut compact in habit (silver Flora medal). 
Mr. D. Baldwin, Hillingdon Heath (gardener, Mr. Wiggins) also had a 
collection of well grown Pelargoniums—Goldmine, Brilliant, Duchesse 
de Morny, Kingston Beauty, and Emperor being notable varieties 
(silver Banksian medal). Specimens of the new Regal Pelargonium 
Pearl, with two boxes of cut blooms came from Mr. Rupert Miller, 
Southdown Nursery, Shoreham, and were much admired. It is a pure 
white sport from Madame Thibaut, and inherits all the good qualities 
of that well known variety. 
Calceolarias. 
There is an impression abroad that Calceolarias are deteriorating in 
quality, and that their culture is not so well attended to as formerly ; 
but both of these erroneous opinions would have been effectually altered 
by an inspection of the plants and types represented at the Temple. 
First to require notice were those from Sir C. Pigott, Bart., Wexham 
Park, Slough (gardener, Mr. Ford), which were most satisfactory 
examples of the best culture, compact, strong, with good foliage, larc^e 
heads and fine flowers of varied colours. It was the finest group°of these 
plants we have seen for some time, and the Judges recognised its merit 
by the award of a silver-gilt Flora medal. From Messrs. J. James & Son, 
Farnham Roya’, also came a collection of extremely dwarf Calceolarias’, 
she flowers of the usual quality distinguishing the Jamesian productions 
(lilver Flora medal). Messrs. James Carter & Co., High Holborn, also had 
a group of excellent Calceolarias of the Victoria and .Japanese prize 
strains, which are noted for the rich and diverse colours of the flowers. 
A silver cup was adjudged for these with other contributions from the 
same firm. Messrs. J. Peed & Sons, Roupell Park, also had a good 
group of well grown Calceolarias. 
Azaleas. 
Though it might have been expected that the time of year would 
have been just right for the Azaleas, yet these were not largely shown, 
for the specimens of the indica section seem to be over, and the hardy 
Azaleas, of which a grand display had been promised, were not fully 
out. Mr. C. Turner, however, contributed a series of half-specimen 
Azalea indica varieties, neat plants, profusely flowered, and they con¬ 
stituted a beautiful group, edged with Ferns (silver Flora medal). 
Groups. 
Considerable space was devoted to groups of a miscellaneou.s 
character which cannot be conveniently classified under distinct head¬ 
ings. One of the most remarkable was a bank of Carnation Souvenir 
de la Malmaison from Leopold de Rothschild, Esq., Ascott, Leighton 
Buzzard (gardener, Mr. Jennings), which occupied a po.sition backing 
up to one end of the central stage in No. 3 tent, where they attracted 
the admiration of all visitors. The three types—white, pink, and 
crimson—were represented in proportionate numbers ; the plants were 
very healthy, and the flowers of great size (silver Flora medal). 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, had two important and beautiful 
exhibits—one a graceful miscellaneous group in the large marquee, the 
other a collection of the useful new hybrid Streptocarpus in No. 1 tent, 
the firm thus secirring double honours, a silver cup and a silver-gilt Flora 
medal. The miscellaneous group comprised double and single hardy 
Azaleas, grand Pseonies, the graceful Spireea astilboides, the snow-white 
Chionanthirs, Staphyleas, Hydrangeas, Rhododendrons, the elegant Clethra 
alnifolia. Daphne cneorum, and the blue L°schenaultia biloba. These 
were effectively arranged, and formed a group quite distinct in character 
fitim anything else in the Exhibition. For the distinct Rhododendron 
Rosalie Siedel, with pure white flowers relieved by a few dark dots, an 
award of merit was secured. The Streptocarpus hybrids (fig. 86) received 
more attention than many other exhibits, as they were new to most 
vis'tors. The dwarf plants were bearing numerous white, lilac, mauve, 
and rosy flowers, and an award of merit was granted for the type. As 
easily grown plants, readily raised from seed, these are certain to become 
very popular, 
Messrs. B. S. Williams had an extensive and well arranged group of 
foliage and flowering plants. Palms, Dracrenas, and Azaleas, with 
Anthuriums forming the leading features, while Clivias were also con¬ 
spicuous for the size of their flowers and trusses. The group was neatly 
margined with the graceful Carex variegata and other small plants 
(silver Flora medal). 
Caladiums from Messrs. J. Laing & Sons were very handsome, t’ne 
foliage being finely coloured and the varieties the best procurable. 
Charlemagne, Anna de Condeixa, Raymond Lemonier, L’Aurore, 
Gabrielle Lemonier, and Chactus were noteworthy amongst the many 
others, while one named B. S. Williams, the leaf large, veined with 
red on a white ground, had an aw'ard of merit (silver Flora medal). A 
fine group of Palms, Anthuriums, and Orchids also came from the same 
firm, and a similar medal was accorded. 
Messrs. J. Cutbush & Sons, Highgate, staged a capital group in one 
corner near the entrance to No. 3 tent, and a silver cup was awarded to 
the firm. Palms, Ferns, Draemnas, and greenhouse hard wooded plants 
predomina*^ed ; Ericas, Leschenaultias, Boronias, the charming white and 
free Leptospermum bullatum (fig. 87), Hydrangeas, and Spiraea palmata 
were conspicuous attractions; as also was a group of Mignonette Snow¬ 
drift with massive whi'e very fragrant flower heads. 
Hardwooded plants of moderate size were shown by Messrs. H. Low 
and Co., useful healthy little specimens of the popular Heaths, Azaleas, 
Rholodendrons, Helichrysums, and many New Holland plants (silver- 
gilti Flora medal). The remarkable blue Leschenault’a biloba major 
(fig. 88), which appeared in so many groups, was well shown by Messrs. 
Balchin and Son, Hassocks Gate Nurseries, who have for some years 
made this plant a successful speciality (silver Banksian medal). 
Messrs. Peed & Sons, Roupell Park Nurseries, S.W., had an imposing 
array of Anthurium Schertzerianum, of which they possess a series of 
the best varieties, and disposed, as these were with sufficient Palms and 
other f diage plants to provide a foil to their bright tints, they afforded 
a grand display (silver Banksian medal). Mr. W. Iceton, The Nurseries, 
Roehampton, contributed some magnificent Palms, surrounded by 
variegated Maples, Lilium longiflorum, Draciena Lindeni, and margined 
with various small variegated plants (silver Flora medal). 
Messrs. J. Carter & Co. had, in addition to the Calceolarias already 
noted, a beautiful group of Emperor Petunias and Queen’s Prize 
Mimulus, very rich and varied in colours and markings in both cases. 
The Marble Prize Gloxinias were also notable for their high quality, and 
beyond these there were numerous interesting curiosities amongst the 
miniature Cacti (silver cup). Mr. Pritchard, Christchurch, staged an 
uncommon group of hardy plants naturally arranged—that is several 
plaifis of the pretty Ramondia pyrenaica and the bright blue Gentiana 
verna were shown in little hollows of lichen and moss surrounded by 
other alpine plants. Saxifraga longifolia, Eriophorum vaginatum, the 
White Portuguese Broom, and Genista Andreana were well represented. 
Only two groups of Ferns were shown, but these were both of excep¬ 
tional character, representing distinct departments of the Fern business. 
