J ane 4, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
453 
The first of these was from Messrs. W. & J. Birkenhead, Sale, and com¬ 
prised a great number of species and varieties of exotic and native 
d crns in all their numerous interesting and elegant departures from 
their respective types in cresting, &c. Three were found sufficiently 
distinct for awards of merit, but they were rather overburdened with 
nrmes. They were Polystichum angulare divisilobum densum, with 
finely elegant fronds ; Athyrium Filix-foemina Girdlestoiiei cristatum, 
with slender crested fronds; and Asplenium lanceolatum microdon, 
having bright green undulated pinnre, the very compact and neat. A 
silver cup was adjudged for this group, and a silver Flora medal went to 
Mr. H. B. May, Edmonton, for a group of useful market Ferns arranged 
ia his useful tasteful style. 
A large and interesting group of herbaceous plants and cut fiowers 
and pans of showy Alpines was arranged by Messrs. Paul & Son, The 
Old Nurseries, Cheshunt (silver Flora medal) ; and uure white Clematis 
came from Messrs. R. Smith k, Son, Worcester. The remarkable yellow 
Ca’la Elliottiana from Mr. G. M. Knight, Farnborough Park, attracted 
much attention, as also did the tall upright spikes of Eremurus 
himalaicus (first-class certificate) from Mr. John Smyth, Ballinacurra, 
Cork. A plant of the pretty blue Tropaeolum azureum was shown from 
the Society’s Gardens, Chiswick ; and Mr. Smout, Hastings, contributed 
beautiful arrangements of seaweeds. 
Cut Flowers. 
Some large collections of cut flowers were shown whieh merit a few 
words of reference. Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons had a choice and beau¬ 
tiful assortment of Tulips, Daffodils and hardy flowers, with which 
FIG. 80.— HYBRID STREPTOCARBUS. (See page 452). 
were associated plants of Gloxinias of remarkable brilliancy. Flambeau, 
Hector and Garnet exceptionally so (silver-gilt Flora medal). Messrs. 
Kelway & Son, Langport, contributed a superb collection of Pseonies, 
Pyrethrums, Amaryllises, and various hardy flowers which formed an 
important exhibit in the entrance tent, and found crowds of admirers 
during the two days (silver cup). Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, 
Tottenham, had a magnificent group of tree Pseonies, of cut flowers, of 
Irises and Tulips in abundance (silver Banksian medal). Messrs. 
Barr & Son, King Street, Covent Garden, had a grand display of Tulips, 
including many singular forms ; Violas, Pseonies and hardy flowers 
generally wmre also admirably represented from the same firm (silver 
Flora medal). 
Mr. W. Chambers, Isleworth, sent some elaborate and beautiful 
floral decorations in the shape of wreaths, baskets, &c., together with 
specimens of the pure white Snowflake Viola (silver Banksian medal). 
Mr. G. Phippen, The Nurseries, Reading, was a large exhibitor of 
wreaths, bouquets, and other cut flower arrangements, and he also had 
a collection of Pansies and Violas in the best varieties (silver Banksian 
medal). Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, staged an extensive and 
beautiful collection of cut flowers of Pansies and Violas (silver 
Banksian medal). Single Anemones and bunches of double Pyrethrums 
were contributed by Messrs. Hennequin, Denis & Co., Angers, France. 
Messrs. Ryder & Son, Sale, Manchester, had a collection of Primula 
Sieboldi in great variety. Messrs. Victor Lemoine et Fils, Nancy, 
France, had six varieties of new double Lilacs. Mr. F. Hooper, Vine 
Nurseries, Bath, showed several boxes of good Pansies and Violas and 
four dozen splendid blooms of Mar^chal Niel Roses. Mr. J. Walker, 
nurseryman, Thame, contributed excellent stands of Tulips, Mardchal 
Niel Roses, and Zonal Pelargoniums. Tulips wmre also well shown by 
Mr. J. Lakin, Temple Cowley, Oxford, which tvere inspected with much 
interest by many visitors who cultivate or admire these beautiful 
flowers. 
Certificated Plants. 
The Orchid and Floral Committees held meetings on the first day of 
the Show to adjudicate upon the numerous novelties submitted, and the 
following were selected for honours by the Floral Committee. The 
majority of these we noted in the course of the report, and the Orchid 
novelties are described under that heading in another page. 
Eremurus liimalaicus (Mr. T. T. Smith).—This giant and shapely 
relative of the Asphodel has very tall close spikes of white flowers, 
resembling in habit E. robustus, avhich is often seen with pink flowered 
spikes 7 feet or 8 feet high (first-class certificate). 
Dracana australis 'cariegata (Laing & Sons).—A peculiarly hand¬ 
some foliage plant, extremely useful for decorative purpo-es, owing to 
the clear white variegation of its leaves (first-class certificate). 
Cocos Pgnaerti (F. Sander & Co.).—A provisional name for an 
elegant little Palm of “ stocky ” habit ; the pinnae narrow and closely 
set on the rachis. It is likely to be a serviceable addition to the list 
of table plants (first class certificate). 
To the following awards of merit were granted, and where the 
names only are given the plants are described in the preceding 
report under the exhibits of the respective firms. 
Tuljcrotis Begonia Mrs. B. (Laing & Son) ; Lady Addington 
and ir. Marshall (Cannell & Sons). 
Caladhnn B, S. Williams (Laing & Sons). 
Rhododendron Rosalie Siedel (Veitch & Sons). 
Streptooarjms New Hybrid (Veitch & Sons). 
Pelargonium Royal Ascot (Turner). 
Asplenium lanceolatum microdon^ Athyrium F.-f. Girdlestonei 
cristatum, and Polystichum angulare pulcherrimum divisilobum decorum 
(Birkenhead). 
Lilac Madame Lemoine (V. Lemoine «& fils).—A double variety with 
pure white flowers. 
Lilac Michael Buchner (V. Lemoine & fils).—Another double 
variety with pale whitish mauve flowers, very distinct and delicate. 
Clematis Snow White Jachmanni (R. Smith & Co.).—A distinct 
acquisition with white flowers, which are said to be even better out of 
doors and preserve their character. 
PceoJiia arborea Mrs. W. Kelway (Kelway & Sons).—A superb variety 
with large pure white flowers. 
Rose Spencer (W. Paul & Son).—A Hybrid Perpetual with soft pink 
blooms of good substance and shape. The plant is also of sturdy habit. 
Rose Souvenir de la Rosieriste Gonod (\V. Paul & Son).—Another 
Hybrid Perpetual with handsome rich crimson flowers, very strong habit 
and free. 
Rose Crimson Queen (W. Paul & Son).—A third Hybrid Perpetual, 
perhaps even more meritorious than either of the preceding, for the 
flowers are of a wonderfully rich velvety crimson. They are of excellent 
shape and substance, and the habit of the plant leaves nothing to be 
desired. 
P>.ose (.lothildc Soupert (Paul & Son).—A beautiful pink Hybrid 
Perpetual of great promise, the blooms full, well-formed, and striking. 
Fruit and Vegetables. 
Vegetables were few but excellent, fruit much more plentiful and 
excellent too. The trees in pots from Messrs. T. Rivers & Son, Saw- 
bridgeworth, attracted the lion’s share of attention. There were between 
twenty and thirty of them in 10-inch pots. Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, 
and Cherries, as well as Orange trees in smaller pots, laden with blossom 
impregnating the air wdth its powerful fragrance. The Peach and 
Nectarine trees, which wmre pyramids 3 to 4 feet high, contained about 
a dozen fruits each, some more, some less, ripe or approaching ripeness. 
A Czar Plum, 3 feet high, was ripening nearly a hundred fruits, and 
Cherries were similarly heavily laden. Alexander appeared to be the 
earliest Peach, the fruits large. Lord Napier was the earliest of the 
Nectarines in commerce, and very fine the fruits were ; but in size, 
colour, and earliness they were quite superseded by those of a new 
variety, one of Mr. Rivers’ seedlings, trees of which have not been dis¬ 
tributed, and it is not known when they will be, as growing the fruit 
for sale at 423. a dozen, presumably “ pays ” better than selling the 
trees. The variety was not named, and for convenience is referred to as 
Rivers’ Early Red, because of the question often heard asked by one 
gardener of another, “ Have you seen that fine red Nectarine of 
Rivers’s ? ” It was the fruit of the Show undoubtedly. Fruits of Lord 
Napier on trees started at the same time were quite hard and green, 
appearing to require ten days or a fortnight to ripen. On a lightly 
cropped tree of the Early Red the fruits were 9 inches in circumference 
and ready for gathering. They were bright bronzy red in colour, and 
as the writer of these lines has had the privilege of tasting the fruit of 
this variety he is able to pronounce it as good as it looks, and of first- 
class excellence. This new Nectarine must rank among the most im¬ 
portant fruits yet raised at Sawbridgeworth, and is bound to take the 
lead ill the section to which it belongs. A silver cup was awarded to 
this collection of trees. 
Next in importance in the fruit classes was a remarkable collection 
—over ninety dishes of Apples in eighty varieties, for which a silver 
medal was awarded to Messrs. James Veitch & Sons. The fruits had 
been admirably kept, some of them suggesting by their smoothness and 
solidity that they would keep “ till Apples come again.” Among the 
freshest were Lane’s Prince Albert, Dumelow’s Seedling, Winter Colman, 
Northern Greening, Bramley’s Seedling, Bismarck, Sandringham, 
Grange’s Pearmain, Lansberger Reinette, Herefordshire Beefing, Betty 
Geesou, Flower of Kent, King of Tomkins County, Ribston Pippin, 
