May 4, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
863 
instead of the usually two flowers ; also an umbel of a Primula, with the 
flowers dissociated along the peduncle. 
Myosotis Proliferous and, Many-petalled. — Dr. Bonavia exhibited 
sprays of this variety, which is now in the market. The petals are often 
as many as nine or ten in number, though no flower appears to be 
“double.” Two or three flowers are sometimes fused together as in 
Tomatoes. An examination of this variety made by the Secretary 
showed that instead of the separate flowers along a common peduncle, 
as in the ordinary Forget-me-not, each flower is represented by a raceme, 
a proliferous condition sometimes S3en in Solomon’s Seal, Bluebells, &c. 
The individual flow'ers w'ere characterised by “ symmetrical increase,” 
the sepals, petals, and stamens being multiplied uniformly. The pistil 
was malformed, consisting of a conical structure, the stylar tube being 
open above, with a rudimentary stigmatic border. About eight ovules 
were arranged in a circle at the base of the ovary, the placentation 
being thus free central. The terminal flower on the main axis was very 
remarkable, recalling somewhat similar malformations often seen in 
Foxgloves, Larkspurs, t&c. It eonsistei of a whorl of many sepals, 
within which were five clusters, consisting of oval scale-like carpels, 
with a row of glands outside them ; then followed in succession within 
the scales a mass of petals and stamens. Five similar carpellary scales 
then were seen around the axis, within which all round were numerous 
abortive ovules. The central axis consisted of a flower turned inside 
outwards, the members of which being in a reversed order — viz., 
stamens on the outside of the tube of the corolla, the corona being thus 
on the exterior surface, the petal lobes over-arching them outwards, 
while the centre was occupied by a tuft of erect sepals. Information as 
to the origin of this remarkable variety and the name of the raiser is 
greatly to be desired. 
Peach Leaves Malformed. —Rev. F. C. Dillon sent leaves which were 
curled, and with a blistered appearance, the lower epidermis peeling off. 
It was thought to be due to a chill by east winds, and not to the 
presence of fungus or insects. They were referred to Prof. Green for 
further examination. 
THE NARCISSI EXHIBITION AT BIRMINGHAM. 
The long spell of hot weather upset this Exhibition very con¬ 
siderably, and only about one-fifth of the prize money offered was 
won. Had it not been for the very early season, there would have 
been a large display. 
Mr. J. W. Wilson, South Cave, East Yorkshire, was the only exhi¬ 
bitor in the cut bloom classes, and he had in his collections fine 
flowers of Incomparabilis Eclipse, Sir Watkin, Harry Collins, a 
very distinct variety; poeticus tripodalis, Horsefieldi, bicolor grande, and 
others. The only exhibitor of Narcissi in pots was Professor Hillhouse. 
There were some very praiseworthy honorary exhibits of Narcissi, 
which made up a small and select display. Messrs. Pearson, Chilwell 
Nurseries, Nottingham, had an excellent collection, which formed a 
striking feature, and to which a silver medal was awarded. Many of 
the choicer kinds w’ere in this contribution, and it was a surprise that 
so many could have been kept back for the Show. In this collection were 
that very fine new white variety Madame de Graaf ; also a superb deep 
yellow trumpet. Glory of Leyden, with lighter segments, a wonderfully 
fine flower of excellent form and substance, and to which a first class 
certificate was awarded. Mrs. Vincent and Mrs. J. B. M. Camm are two 
very fine whites, and a new white variety raised by Mr. de Graaf, 
named Mrs. Pope, was also in this collection. Other fine kinds were 
King of the Netherlands, Princess Mary, Goliath, and Frank Miles of 
the Incomparabilis section; P. R. Barr, a beautiful yellow of the 
Empress type ; Leedsii Duchesse de Brabant, white, with pale sulphur 
cup, changing to white, and very free blooming ; Leedsii Mrs. Langtry, 
a pale creamy white; Poeticus grandiflorus, and poetarum, the true 
Poets’ Narcissus. 
Mr. Robert Sydenham, Birmingham, staged a bright collection, 
amongst them several groups of very fine Burbidgei, Mrs. J. B. M. 
Camm, Nelsoni major, and others. Barri conspicua very highly 
coloured, and Mr. Sydenham also staged fine blooms of the various kinds 
of Parrot and other Tulips. 
The Edgbaston Botanic Gardens contributed a group of Narcissi, 
chiefly such as Burbidgei, Mary, and Robin Hood; Incomparabilis 
Glow, Marginata, Cynosure, and John Stephenson ; Bicolor James Walker, 
grande and others. 
Mr. T. Jannock, Dersingham, King’s Lynn, staged Lily of the Valley 
plants in jardinieres, baskets and pyramids, a superb display to which 
a silver medal was awarded. Messrs. Hewitt & Co., nursery 
and seedsmen, contributed Narcissi and hardy border flowers. Messrs. 
Pope & Son?, nurserymen, staged a superb bouquet of Narcissus blooms 
which obtained the first prize. 
GARDENERS' CHARITABLE AND PROYIDENT 
INSTITUTIONS. 
The Gaedenebs’ Royal Benevolent Institution.— Secretary, 
Mr. G. J. Ingram, 50, Parliament Street, London, W.C. 
United Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society.— 
Secretary, Mr. W. Collins, 9, Martindale Road, Balham, London, S.W. 
Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. — Secretary, Mr. A. F. Barron, 
Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardens, Chiswick, London, W. 
HIBBERTIA PERFOLIATA. 
This interesting plant is now flowering in most gardens where it is 
grown, although unfortunately there are exceptions to the rule, inasmuch 
as Hibbertia perfoliata is not generally cultivated. The Hypericum-like 
flowers are bright yellow, and being freely produced renders the plant 
very attractive. Several species of Hibbertia are grown in conservatories, 
usually trained to pillars or the roof, but H. perfoliata is more compact 
in habit, and, like the small-flowered H. Reedi, is better suited for 
FIG. 67.—hibbertia perfoliata. 
culture in pots. The flowers are not of long duration, but so many are 
produced and in such close succession that the plant continues ornamental 
for a considerable time. 
Vines in Germany. —It is not, perhaps, generally known, says 
Nature, that the largest wine-growing district in Germany is Alsace- 
Lorraine. According to a report forwarded to his Government by the 
French Consular Agent at Frankfort, while the Wiesbaden Regency 
has only 7300 acres planted with Vines, w'hich in 1890 yielded 
1,644,040 gallons, the Coblenz Regency (18,950 acres) giving 3,755,220 
gallons, that of Treves (8980 acres) giving 1,832,400 gallons ; Alsace- 
Lorraine alone contains 75,640 acres, the production of which in 1890 
was 16,999,000 gallons (6,429,740 gallons in 1891), a production which 
is chiefly consumed in the country itself. According to the same 
authority the average annual production of wine in the whole world 
during the five years from 1886 to 1890 is estimated at 2,811,600,000 
gallons. In this production Italy figures for 690,008,000 gallons, Spain 
for 657,250,000 gallons, and France for 606,562,000 gallons ; that is to 
say, these three countries supply two-thirds of the total quantity pro¬ 
duced. Germany, with an average annual production of 51,705,610 
gallons, only occupies the tenth place among wine-growing countries. 
The value of some of her wines partly compensates her, however, for 
the relatively small quantity of her annual crop. 
