474 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Jane 11,1891. 
The Messrs. Eothschilcl, Gunnersbury (gardener, Mr. Hudson), con¬ 
tributed a box of a dozen Lord Napier Nectarines, equally as remark¬ 
able in their way as the Strawberries from Hatfield. The fruits were 
very large, of an extremely rich dark colour, and they were described as 
part of a crop of twenty-four dozen gathered from a tree planted in 
1878, which now occupies a space 24 feet by 12 feet (cultural com¬ 
mendation). Mr. Miller, Kux'ey Lodge Gardens, Esher, sent some fine 
samples of Grand Admirable and Hick’s Hardy Green Cos Lettuces, also 
three fruits of Melon Euxley Lodge Favourite, and a dish of Peaches. 
Mr. Miller, Eood Ashton Park Gardens, Trowbridge, exhibited some well 
filled pods of Windsor Castle Pea (cultural commendation). Mr. 
J. Chinnery, Cefntilla Court, Usk, showed a seedling scarlet-fleshed 
Melon named Lord Eaglan. and Messrs. Veitch &; Sons, Chelsea, sent by 
request samples of the Apple Northend Pippin, which were compared by 
the Committee with fruits of the Gooseberry Pippin from A. H. Smee, 
Esq., and considered to be identical. Mr. G. Wythes, Syon House 
Gardens, Brentford, gained a cultural commendation for a dish of large 
Brown Turkey Figs, and an award of merit for a seedling Melon (un¬ 
named), with a deep well flavoured white flesh, yellowish towards the 
centre. 
Floral Committee. —Present : W. Marshall, Esq., in the chair ; 
and Messrs. Herbst, E. Dean, J. Laing, C. T. Druery, H. B. May, 
H. Cannell, E. B. Lowe, J. T. Bennett Poe, G. Phippen, T. Baines, 
C. Noble, B. Wynne, J. Walker, F. Eoss, G. Nicholson, G. Gordon, 
J. Fraser, and W. Goldring. 
Lord Wimborne, Canford Manor, Wimborne (gardener, Mr. 
T. H. Crasp), exhibited a large basket of handsome Ehododendrons, 
a box of fine Gardenias, and a collection of Pyrethrums. O. T. Hodges, 
Esq., Lachine, Chislehurst, had a small group of Alpine plants, including 
Eamondia pyrenaica, Saxifraga McNabiana, Primula japonica alba, and 
Erinus alpinus. Mr. E. Davies, Leamington Villa, Bishopston, Bri tol, 
sent flowers of Zonal Pelargoniums, and Mr. E. Dean, Ealing, showed a 
few English and Dutch Tulips, with the reddish Lathyrus Sibthorpi 
and the purple L. rotundifolius. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, had an interesting collection of 
hardy flowers, amongst which the hybrid Aquilegias were very fine 
(strain commended). Several varieties of Hydrangea hortensis were also 
shown, including the large flowered bright rose mandshuricus, and the 
peculiar tricolor, which has green leaves edged with white and yellow, 
also the double purple Wistaria sinensis fl.-pl. and the distinct composite 
Celmisia spectabilis (certificated). Messrs. Kelway & Sons, Langport, 
contributed a grand collection of Pmonies, Irises, Pyretbrums, and hardy 
flowers (silver-gilt Flora medal). Messrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham 
Cross, had an extensive exhibit of about twenty boxes of Ehododendrons, 
also samples of their beautiful new Eoses (silver Banksian medal). 
Messrs. Collins Bros. «k Gabriel, 39, Waterloo Eoad, showed a most 
effective group of Pmonies in many fine varieties, gaining a similar 
award to the preceding ; as also did Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, for one 
of the brightest and most tasteful groups of hardy flowers seen at the 
Drill Hall for some time ; and Messrs. Barr & Son, King Street, for a 
similar collection. Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, staged a taste¬ 
ful group of Palms, Ferns, Tuberous Begonias, and a few Orchids (bronze 
Banksian medal), and Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, showed some 
single and double Begonias, including a new double pink variety of 
dwarf habit. Flower heads of the purplish Ehododendron fastuosum 
fl.-pl. were also sent from Dropmore Gardens. 
Orchid Committee. —Present; Harry J. Veitch, Esq., in the 
chair ; Messrs. S. Courtauld, T. B. Haywood, J. Douglas, J. O’Brien, 
E. Hill, C. Pilcher, H. Ballantine, H. M. Pollett, Dc B. Crawshay, A. U. 
Smee, and Lewis Castle. 
Though two Orchid classes were provided for amateurs at this 
meeting, each one apparently expected the competition would be so 
keen that he feared defeat, and in consequence not one exhibit was 
entered, to the great subsequent disappointment of some of the nervous 
individuals when they found what an easy victory could have been 
scored. The competition for seedling Orchids excited srme interest, but 
there were only two exhibits in that class, and these are described in 
the Orchid column. Still, four Orchitis were found worthy of first-class 
certificates and three of awards of merit. 
Messrs. Eothsebild, Gunnersbury (gardener, Mr. Hudson), exhibited 
some strong racemes of a handsome Laelia purpurata named superbiens 
(vote of thanks). T. Statter, Esq., Stand Hall, Manchester, sent 
several varieties of Cattleyas and Odontoglossums. E. B. White, Esq., 
Arddaroch, showed Cattleya Meudeli Enchantress. G. Fowler, Esq., 
Glebeland, South Woodford (gardener, Mr. Davis), sent varieties of 
Cattleya Mossire (vote of thanks). Mr. Le Doux had well grown 
plants of Miltonia vexillaria (cultural commendation) ; and Mr. E. B. 
Cater, Westfield, Bath, showed two varieties of Cattleya Mendeli, and a 
finely spotted Cypripedium bellatulum. 
In addition to their hybrid Disa Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, 
exhibited Thunia Veitchi: from T. Bensoniae and T. Marshalliana, with 
white sepals and petals, and a purp’e lip ; Lycaste hybrida, supposed to 
be from L. cruenta and L. Deppei, with small deep yellow flowers; 
Odontoglossum excellens, from 0. triumphans and 0. Pescatorei, which 
together with Epiphronitis Veitchi has been previously noted. 
Messrs. Sander & Co., St. Albany, had a small group of Orchids, the 
chief attractions of which were their hybrid Laelia (described on page 405) 
and the new Miltonia vexillaria Mrs. Henry Ballantine (certificated). 
With these were a delicate variety of Cattleya Mossite Eeineckiana and 
a hybrid Bertolonia named Madame L^on Say (Bleu. 1890), charmingly 
veined, spotted with silver on a dark green ground. Messrs. Pitcher and 
Manda, Swanley, had a group of hardy Cypripeiiums, and Messrs. H. 
Low & Co. showed a new Cattleya of the intermedia type, the sepal's- 
and petals spotted with crimson. 
Certificated Plants. 
Lwlii liyhrida Arnoldieina (F. Sander & Co.) and Disci Veitchi 
(J. Veitch & Sous) —Described on page 465. 
Sobralia, macrantha car. Kienastinna (Baron Schriider).—A magnifi¬ 
cent variety with pure white flowers of great size, the lip extremely broad 
and long, with a lemon throat. 
^mtonia vexillaria Mrs. Henry Ballantine (F. S.inder & Co.).—An 
unusually distinct and charming variety, the sepals pure white, the- 
peta's bright rose in the centre edged with white, the lip rich rose. 
Celmisia spectabilis (J. Veitch & Sous).—A dwarf ])!ant of the Com- 
positaj family, about 6 inches high with narrow lanceolate leaves, white 
and woolly beneath, the flower heads 2 inches across with narrow white 
ray florets and a gold centre. An interesting little plant that seems 
well adapted for culture in pots and perhaps for bedding purposes, but 
it was not stated whether it is hardy or not. For this and preceling 
first-class certificates were awarded. The following were adjudgel 
awards of merit. 
Pi'th Priiccss Maud (John Stacey, Farnliam Eoyal).—A variety 
with large globular flowers, the petals white, fringed at the edge, and 
faint puiple at the base. 
Beyonia Duchess of Leinster (J. Laing &; Sons).—A single tuberous 
variety with grandly proportionel flowers, the peta’s very broad and 
rounded, the colour an extremely rich shade of orange. 
Beyonia Lady L,aivrencc (H. Cannell & Sons).—Another fine single- 
variety with broad petals, the colour a clear golden yellow. 
Cattleya MossicB Lawrcnciee (Sir Trevor Lawrence).—Numerous as^ 
are the varieties of Cattleya Moss’m this is very dis'inct and beautiful,, 
the sepals and petals broad, pure white, the lip veinel with gold on the- 
throat, a few purple streaks in the centre, and a broad frilled margin. 
Lcelia eDyans Oulliniore's Variety (Malcom G. Cooke, Esq.).— 
Notable for the rich magenta lip, the colour extending nearly to the 
base of the side lobes. The sepals and petals are tinted with rose. 
Spireea. multifora compacta (Collins Bros. & Gabriel).—A most 
distinct form of the S. jiponica type, very compact in habit, with fine- 
feathery spikes of white flowers. A useful decorative plant. 
Carnation Selby (Leopold de Eothschi'd, Esq.).—A free vigorous 
and handsome Tree Carnation, with well formed substantial flowers of 
a clear bright yellow colour, excellent in its colour and class. 
Lris Queen of May (Kelway & Sons).—One of the I. germanica 
group, soft rosy mauve, the falls lighter at the base with darker veins. 
Iris Princess of Wales (Kelway & Sons).—A variety of the same 
section, white, with a faint creamy tint in the centre. 
Pyrethrum James Kelway (Kelway & Sons).—Single, remarkable 
for the brilliant crimson colour of its broad florets. 
Tree Pceony Ijouise Mouchelet (Kelway & Sons).—Large white 
flowers of great substance. 
Pceony Paradoxa (Kelway & Sons).—A handsome form of the 
P. officinalis group, with dark red flow'ers and an Anemone centre; it 
differs materially from the Pajonia paradoxa shown by Messrs. Barr and 
Son at the same meeting. 
AN EXPERIMENT IN MUSHROOM GROWING. 
I WAS rather interested on reading about growing Mushrooms, “ A 
Critique and Reply,” in the .Jourml of Horticulture, page 90, January 
29th, 1891. I fought one of Wright’s books last year, and made uj> 
two beds with manure as per account enclosed, which I send you. Do- 
you think it was a medium success, or was it a success at all ? As I am. 
a beginner I should like to know your opinion. We are still getting a. 
few pounds off the bed which I shall enjoy myself. 
Manure and Spawn Purchased. 
Twenty^-five tons, nineteen cwt., manure at 2s. Gd. 
Carriage of ditto, at 23. 
Cartage from station 
Eight bushels of spawn, at 5s. . 
£ s. d. 
3 4 11 
2 11 11 
1 19 0 
2 0 (I 
Mushrooms Sold. 
October, 72) lbs. 
November, 147 lbs. 
December, 43 lbs. 
January, 34 lbs. 
February^ 120.) lbs, 
March, 133 lbs.... 
April, 76 lb.s. 
May, 35 lbs. 
£9 15 la 
£ s. d. 
5 1 11 
10 19 4 
3 4 (> 
2 11 0 
8 0 2 ), 
8 0 2 
4 7 11 
1 16 lU 
661 lbs. 
... £44 2 0 
Labour 1 cannot very well get a*-, as the young men have b'en 
employe 1 an hour or two one day and an hour or two another at odd 
times. The beds have had no very close attention through our having 
a good bit of other wo.k to do.—A. A. Bennett, Ashford Gardensy 
Cobham, Surrey. 
[Mr. Bennett tells a very different story from that on the page to- 
which he refers. The Liverpool “Inquirer” failed because he 
